Patent Publication Number: US-2007113323-A1

Title: Pocket apparatus for holding a sheet of material

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      At social occasions and in the employment arena it is of utmost importance to the well dressed man that his appearance be neat and tidy. One of the first things one notices about a well-dressed man is whether the pocket square in the breast pocket of his coat is neatly folded and appropriately positioned. If the pocket square is neatly folded and properly positioned it projects the image of a competent organized efficient man. If his pocket square is haphazardly stuffed into the breast pocket of a coat in a tangled disheveled manner one naturally assumes that this man is not particularly concerned about details or the image that he projects. Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus for holding and maintaining a neatly folded pocket square in the breast pocket of a coat. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial representation of a pocket square disposed in a breast pocket of a coat utilizing a pocket square holding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a partially cutaway, front elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention, an extension member of the pocket square holding apparatus being shown in a substantially retracted position.  
       FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway, rear elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention wherein the extension member of the pocket square holding apparatus is shown in a partially extended position.  
       FIG. 5  is a partially cutaway, front elevational view of another embodiment of a pocket square holding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, an extension member of the pocket square holding apparatus being shown in a substantially retracted position.  
       FIG. 6  is a partially cutaway, rear elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of  FIG. 5 .  
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of  FIG. 5  wherein the extension member is shown in a partially extended position.  
       FIGS. 8-11  illustrate one method for folding a handkerchief into a pocket square for use with the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 12-15  illustrate another method for folding a handkerchief into a pocket square for use with the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a pocket square holding apparatus  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The pocket square holding apparatus  10  (illustrated in phantom in  FIG. 1 ) is disposed within a breast or chest pocket  12  of a coat  14  and a pocket square  16  formed from a handkerchief or piece of material is supported in the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14  by the pocket square holding apparatus  10 . As will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , the pocket square holding apparatus  10  is provided with a housing  18 , a support member  20  for securing and stabilizing the pocket square  16  on the housing  18 , and an extension or bale member  22  selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position so that the overall length of the housing  18  can be adjusted depending on the length of the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14 . That is, the extension or bale member  22  enables the length of the housing  18  to be varied so that the pocket square  16  supported by the pocket square holding assembly  10  can be maintained at a proper position and height in the breast pocket  12  of the coat  14 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , the housing  18  of the pocket square holding apparatus  10  is provided with a front portion  24  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ), a rear portion  26  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), an upper end  28 , a lower end  30 , a first side  32  and a second side  34 . A recessed portion  35  is formed in the lower end  30  of the housing  18  to assist one in grasping the extension or bale member  22  for selectively moving the extension or bale member  22  between the retracted and the extended position as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.  
      The dimensions of the housing  18  can vary widely, the only requirement being that the housing have a length and width which permits the pocket square holding apparatus  10  to be disposed in the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14  and secure the pocket square  16  in a proper position within the breast or chest pocket  12 . Desirable results have been obtained where the housing  18  is provided with a length of from about 3 to about 4 inches, a width of from about 2.5 to about 4 inches and a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.3 inches. However, as previously stated, the overall length of the housing  18 , and thus the pocket square holding apparatus  10 , can be readily adjusted by extending the extension or bale member  22  outwardly from the lower end  30  of the housing  18 .  
      The housing  18  of pocket square holding apparatus  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is of unitary construction and can be fabricated of any suitable material having sufficient strength to support the pocket square  16  in a proper position when the pocket square  16  is connected to the housing  18  via the support member  20 . Examples of materials from which the housing  18  of the pocket square holding apparatus  10  can be fabricated include, by way of example but not limitation, polymeric materials, both natural and synthetic, fiber board, cardboard, wood and the like.  
      As more clearly shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the extension or bale member  22  is a substantially U-shaped member having a first leg  36 , a spatially disposed, substantially parallel second leg  38  and a substantially horizontally disposed member  40  extending between and connected to a first end  42  of the first leg  36  and a first end  44  of the second leg  38  of the extension or bale member  22 . The extension or bale member  22  is connected to the housing  18  so that the extension or bale member  22  is selectively movable between a retracted position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and an extended position (the extension or bale member  22  being shown in a partially extended position in  FIG. 4 ). Thus, so that the overall length of the pocket square holding assembly  10  can be varied to ensure proper positioning of the pocket square  16  in the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14  when the pocket square  16  is connected to or supported by the pocket square holding apparatus  10 .  
      To connect the extension or bale member  22  to the housing  18  of the pocket holding apparatus  10 , the housing  18  is provided with a first channel  46  extending from the lower end  30  of the housing  18  and terminating a distance from the upper end  28  of the housing  18 . The first channel  46  is disposed in close proximity to the first side  32  of the housing  18  substantially as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . A second channel  48  extends from the lower end  30  of the housing  18  and terminating a distance from the upper end  28  of the housing  18 . The second channel  48  is disposed in close proximity to the second side  34  of the housing  18  substantially as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The first and second channels  46  and  48  are sized to matingly receive the first and second legs  36  and  38 , respectively, of the extension or bale member  22  and to frictionally stabilize same therein when the extension or bale member  22  is in either the retracted or the extended position.  
      The length of the first and second legs  36  and  38  of the extension or bale member  22  can vary widely but desirably will be less than the length of the housing  18  so that, in a retracted position of the extension or bale member  22 , distal or second ends  50  and  52  of the first and second legs  36  and  38 , respectively, of the extension or bale member  22  are disposed a distance from the upper end  28  of the housing  18 .  
      The extension or bale member  22  can be fabricated of any suitable material capable of supporting the housing  18  and the pocket square  16  when the extension or bale member  22  is in the extended position. Examples of material from which the extension or bale member  22  can be fabricated include wire, polymeric material, cardboard, wood and the like. Further, the size of the extension or bale member  22  can vary widely and will depend on the size of the housing  18 , the size of the channels  46  and  48 , and the manner in which the extension or bale member  22  is connected to the housing  18 . However, desirable results have been obtained wherein the extension or bale member  22  is constructed of wire having a cross sectional diameter of from about 0.050 inches to about 0.1 inches.  
      The support member  20  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4  as a band of elastomeric material extending about a portion of the housing  18 . The support member  20  can be slidably disposed on the housing  18  or the support member  20  can be connected to a portion of the housing  18 , such as the rear portion  26  thereof. In either event, the elasticity of the support member  20  permits the portion of the support member  20  disposed adjacent the front portion  24  of the housing  18  to be extended away from the housing  18  so that the pocket square  16  can be disposed between the front portion  24  of the housing  18  and the support member  20 . Once the pocket square  16  has been properly placed on the front portion  24  of the housing  18 , the support member  20  is allowed to retract and thereby engage a portion of the pocket square  16  so that the pocket square  16  is secured in a stable position on the housing  18  of the pocket square holding apparatus  10 .  
      The support member  20  can be fabricated of any material which permits the pocket square  16  to be positioned thereunder so that the pocket square  16  is properly positioned on the front portion  24  of the housing  18 . The width of the support member  20  can also vary widely, however, desirable results have been obtained where the support member  20  is provided with a width of from about one inch to about two inches.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , shown therein is another embodiment of a pocket square holding apparatus  100  constructed in accordance of the present invention. The pocket square holding apparatus  100  includes a housing  102 , a support member  104  for securing and stabilizing a pocket square (not shown) on the housing  102 , the pocket square being similar to the pocket square  16  hereinbefore described, and an extension member  106 . The housing  102  of the pocket square holding apparatus  100  is provided with a front portion  108  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ), a rear portion  110  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), an upper end  112 , a lower end  114 , a first side  116  and a second side  118 . A recessed portion  120  is formed in the lower end  114  of the housing  100  to assist one in grasping the extension or bale member  106  for selectively moving the extension or bale member  106  between the retracted position and the extended position.  
      The dimensions of the housing  102  can vary widely, the only requirement being that the housing  102  have a length and width which permits the pocket square holding apparatus  10  to be disposed in the breast or chest pocket of a coat in the same manner that the pocket square holding apparatus  10  is disposed in the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14  so that the pocket square can be stabilized in a proper position within the breast or chest pocket of the coat. As previously indicated, the overall length of the housing  102 , and thus the pocket square holding apparatus  100 , can be readily adjusted by extending the extension or bale member  106  outwardly from the lower end  114  of the housing  102 . While the overall length and width of the housing  102  can vary widely, desirable results have been obtained wherein the housing  102  is provided with a length of from about 3 to about 4 inches, a width of from about 2.5 to about 4 inches and a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.3 inches.  
      The housing  102  is formed of a first or front section  122  and a second or rear section  124  ( FIG. 7 ). The first and second sections  122  and  124  are mirror images of each other and are connected together by any suitable connecting mechanism, such as adhesives, screws, clamps, brads, bolts and the like. The first and second sections  122  and  124 , in the connected position, cooperate to define a first channel  126  and a second channel  128  which extend from the lower end  114  of the housing  102  and terminate a distance from the upper end  112  of the housing  102 . The first channel  126  is disposed in close proximity to the first side  116  of the housing  102  ( FIG. 5 ); and the second channel  128  is disposed in close proximity to the second side  118  of the housing  102  ( FIG. 6 ). For reasons which will be more fully described hereinafter, a first stop member  130  is disposed within the first channel  126  at a position substantially adjacent the lower end  114  of the housing  102 , and a second stop member  132  is disposed within the second channel  128  so as to be disposed substantially adjacent the lower end  114  of the housing  102 . The first and second stop members  130  and  132  are configured and adapted to engage the extension member  106  so that when the extension member  106  is moved to an extended position removal of the extension member  106  from the first and second channels  126  and  128  of the housing  102  is restricted by the first and second stop members  130  and  132 .  
      As previously stated, the housing  102  of the pocket square holding apparatus  100  shown in  FIGS. 5-7  is formed by connecting the first or front section  122  of the housing  102  to the second or rear section  124  of the housing  102 . The first or front section  122  and the second or rear section  124  of the housing  102  can be fabricated of any suitable material having sufficient strength to support a pocket square in a proper position when a pocket square is connected to the housing  100  via the support member  104 . Examples of materials from which the housing  102  of the pocket square holding apparatus  100  can be fabricated include, by way of example but not by limitation, polymeric materials, both natural and synthetic, fiber board, cardboard, wood and the like.  
      As more clearly shown in  FIG. 5 , the extension or bale member  106  is provided with a first leg  134 , a spatially disposed, substantially parallel second leg  136  and a substantially horizontally disposed member  138  extending between and connected to a first end  140  of the first leg  134  and a first end  142  of the second leg  136  of the extension or bale member  106 . A first ear or flange  144  extends inwardly from a distal end  146  of the first leg  134 . Similarly, a second ear or flange  148  extends inwardly from a distal end  150  of a the second leg  136  substantially as shown. Thus, upon moving the extension or bale member  106  to an extended position inadvertent removal of the extension or bale member  106  from the first and second channels  126  and  128  formed in the housing  102  is prevented by the first ear or flange  144  selectively engaging the first stop member  130  and the second ear or flange  148  engaging the second stop member  132 . While the distal ends  146  and  150  of the first and second leg members  134  and  136 , respectively, have been shown as having inwardly disposed first and second ears or flanges  144 ,  148 , it should be understood that the configuration of the distal ends  146  and  150  of the first and second leg members  134 ,  136  can be of any configuration as long as they are configured to selectively engage the first and second stop members  130 ,  132  and thus prevent inadvertent removal of the extension or bale member  106  from the first and second channels  126 ,  128  of the housing  102  when the extension or bale member  106  is moved to the extended position.  
      It should be noted that the first and second channels  126  and  128  of the housing  102  are sized to matingly receive the first and second legs  134  and  136  of the extension or bale member  106  and to stabilize same when the extension or bale member  106  is in either the retracted or extended position.  
      The length of the first and second leg members  134  and  136  of the extension or bale member  106  can vary widely but desirably will be less than the length of the housing  102 . This is desirable so that, in the retracted position, the distal ends  146  and  150  of the first and second leg members  134 ,  136  having the first and second ears or flanges  144  and  148  supported thereon are disposed a distance from the upper end  112  of the housing  102 .  
      The extension or bale member  106  can be fabricated of any suitable material capable of supporting the housing  102  and a pocket square when the extension or bale member  106  is in the extended position. Examples of materials from which the extension or bale member  106  can be fabricated are wire, polymeric material, cardboard, wood and the like. Further, the size of extension or bale member  106  can vary widely and will depend on the size of the housing  102 , the size of the first and second channels  126  and  128 , and the manner of the extension or bale member  106  is connected to the housing  102 . However, desirable results have been obtained wherein the extension or bale member  106  is constructed of wire of having a cross-sectional diameter of from about 0.5 inches to about 0.1 inches.  
      The support member  104 , which secures and stabilizes a pocket square (not shown) on the housing  102  of the pocket square holding apparatus  100 , is illustrated as a band of elastic material extending about a portion of the housing  102 . The support member  104  is characterized as having a first end portion  152  and an opposed second end portion  154 . The first end portion  152  is disposed between the first or front section  122  and the second or rear section  124  of the housing  102  and the second end portion  154  is likewise dispose between the first or front section  122  and the second or rear section  124  of the housing  102  substantially as shown in  FIG. 6 . Thus, upon securing the first and second end portions  152  and  154  between the first or front section  122  and the second or rear section  124  of the housing  102 , a medial portion  156  of the support member  104  extends across the first or front section  122  of the housing  102  substantially as shown in  FIG. 5 . Thus, the elasticity of the support member  104  permits the medial portion  156  of the support member  104  to be extended away from the first or front section  122  of the housing  102  so that a pocket square (not shown) can be disposed between the first or front section  122  of the housing  102  and the support member  104 . Once the pocket square has been properly placed on the first or front section  122  of the housing  102 , the support member  104  is allowed to retract and thereby engage a portion of the pocket square so as to secure the pocket square in a stable position on the housing  18  in a manner similar to the securing of the pocket square  16  on the housing  18  by the support member  20  as herein before described with reference to  FIGS. 2-4 .  
      The support member  104  can be fabricated of any material which permits a pocket square to be positioned thereunder so that the pocket square is properly positioned on the housing  102 . The width of the support member  104  can also vary widely, however, desirable results have been obtained where the support member  104  is provided with a width of from about 1 inch to about 2 inches.  
      Any method for folding a pocket square can be employed to form the pocket square  16  for use with the pocket square holding apparatus  10  or the pocket square holding apparatus  100  of the present invention.  FIGS. 8-11  illustrate one method for folding a handkerchief into the pocket square  16  for use with the pocket square holding apparatus  10  and  100  of the present invention; and  FIGS. 12-15  illustrate another method for folding a handkerchief into the pocket square  16  for use with the pocket square holding apparatus  10  or  100 . While two methods are shown in  FIGS. 8-11  and  12 - 15 , it should be understood that any method for folding a handkerchief or a piece of material to produce the pocket square  16  can be employed.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 8-11  to fold a handkerchief or square of material into the pocket square  16 , one grasps the handkerchief or square of material in its center and allows the points to hang in a downwardly direction ( FIG. 8 ). Thereafter, the bottom of the hand is slid down and the square is pinched at the center ( FIG. 9 ). Thereafter, the points are folded up behind the pinched portion ( FIG. 10 ) to form the pocket square  16  which can then be secured to the pocket square holding apparatus  10  or  100  via there respective support members  20  and  106  so that the pocket square  16  supported by either the pocket square holding apparatus  10  or the pocket square holding apparatus  100  can be positioned within the breast or chest pocket of a coat such as the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      Another method for producing the pocket square  16  is shown in  FIGS. 12-15  of the drawings. Initially, the handkerchief or square of material is grasped in its center so that the points extend in an upwardly direction ( FIG. 12 ). While holding the square or handkerchief in the pinched condition, one slides their other hand up and pinches the material at the center ( FIG. 13 ). Thereafter, one folds the bottom half of the material up behind the other half ( FIG. 14 ). Once the pocket square  16  has been properly formed, the pocket square  16  is secured to the housing  18  of the pocket square holding apparatus  10  or the housing  102  of the pocket square holding apparatus  100  via their respective support members  20  and  104 . Once the pocket square  16  has been secured to the pocket square holding apparatus  10  or  100 , the pocket square apparatus is inserted into the breast or chest pocket of the coat, such as the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14  shown in  FIG. 1 . If required, the extension or bale member  22  of the pocket square holding apparatus  10  and/or the extension or bale member  108  of the pocket square holding apparatus  100  can be moved to a desired extended position so as to properly position the pocket square  16  in the breast or chest pocket  12  of the coat  14 .  
      From the above description it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to obtain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that members changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are published within the spirit of the invention disclosed and is defined in the appended claims.