Patent Publication Number: US-2019191909-A1

Title: Magnetic attachment sleeve for beverage container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the priority filing date of the previously filed, copending U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT SLEEVE FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINER” filed Oct. 16, 2017, App. No. 62/572,821, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to beverage container holders, in particular, to an improved attachment sleeve for securing beverage containers to metal structures. 
     By way of background, athletes and power lifters frequently utilize various types of drink containers or bottles such as water bottles, shakers, blenders, Nalgene bottles, and other sports type bottles, for transporting their desired sports beverages about the gym while they workout and exercise. However, many athletes find it frustrating that there is frequently no place to put their beverage container while working out, particularly while lifting weights near a rig or other weight lifting structure. Thus, many times, the athlete is left stuck placing their beverage container on the gym floor—where it can be easily kicked over, spilled, or even contaminated. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved device which provides the athlete options with regard to beverage container placement aside from the gym floor. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the invention, a beverage container attachment device is provided which is configured and constructed to easily secure a beverage container to any metal structure within arms distance by way of a magnet. 
     In a version of the application, the beverage container attachment device generally comprises a magnet having an exposed surface; a housing assembly having a front portion comprising a cavity adapted to receive and seat the magnet and laterally opposing first and second band connections; and a band comprising a flexible length of material having a first end and a second end forming a sleeve, wherein the band first and second ends are operably attached to the first and second band connections of the housing assembly respectively, wherein the band is sized and configured to envelope the beverage container circumference, thereby securing the housing assembly and associated magnet thereto. 
     In other versions, the cavity is shaped to reciprocate and receive the shape of the magnet and position the exposed surface beyond the outer surrounding surface of the front portion. 
     In yet other versions, the first and second band connections each comprise an attachment member forming an integral slot configured to receive the width of each respective band first and second end therethrough. 
     In certain versions, the first and second band ends each comprise a means for fastening the respective end within and around the respective integral slot. Preferably, the means for fastening is a hook and loop fastener, wherein each first and second band end is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot and fasten back upon itself. 
     In another version of the application, the first and second band ends are tapered inward terminating at a pull tab. 
     In a certain version, the attachment for securing the magnet within the cavity is a push-in rivet, pin, screw, or snap which passes through the center of the magnet and connects with the housing near the center of the cavity, thereby securing the magnet within the housing assembly cavity. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying figures where: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a version of the application; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the version shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a right-side elevation view of the version shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an unassembled perspective view of the version shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an up-close view of the attachment for securing the magnet within the cavity taken from  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an interior side perspective view of the band utilized in the version shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative perspective view of the version shown in  FIG. 1  shown attached to a beverage container; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustrative view showing attachment of the attachment device of the version shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustrative view showing how the attachment device of the version shown in  FIG. 1  is placed around a beverage container; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A from  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a rear, up-close view of the first and second band ends and housing first and second band connections of the version shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the figures wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred version of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, the present invention is a beverage container attachment device for securing beverage containers to a metal structure. 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary versions of the invention. The description is not to be taken in the limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     With reference to the figures, particularly  FIG. 1 - FIG. 11 , a description of a version of the invention will be provided and is generally designated as numeral  10 . Generally, the attachment device  10  comprises a magnet  12 , a housing assembly  14  for securing the magnet  12  and a band  16  comprised of a length of flexible material terminating at a first end  18  and a second end  20  (See  FIG. 6 ). 
     In a version of the application, the housing assembly  14  comprises a front portion  22  and a rear portion  24 . The front portion  22  comprises a cavity  26  which is shaped to reciprocate, receive, and seat the magnet  12  therein. In the version, the magnet  12  is shaped in a circular manner having a depth, and the cavity  26  is reciprocally shaped in a circular manner having a similar depth and diameter - configured to substantially receive the depth and shape of the magnet  12 . Preferably, as best illustrated by  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 10 , the depth of the magnet  12  is partially exposed outside or above the cavity  26 , thereby exposing the magnet surface  13  beyond the outer surrounding surface  29  of the front portion  22 . In other terms, the exposed surface  13  is positioned beyond the outer surrounding surface  29  of the front portion  22 . The exposed magnet surface  13  ensures that the housing assembly  14  will not interfere or hinder attachment of attachment device  10  to an external metal surface (See  FIG. 8 ). Ideally, the exposed surface  13  is flat. 
     The magnet  14  is secured within the cavity  26  by way of a means for securing or an attachment for securing within the cavity. In the version, as best exemplified by  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the attachment for securing  28  is a screw, pin, snap or push-in rivet which passes through the center of the magnet  12  and connects with the housing assembly  14  at the bottom  30  of the cavity  26 . Ideally, the magnet  12  is made of material that exhibits qualities of magnetism—such as a piece of iron (or an ore, alloy, or other material) that has its component atoms so ordered that the material exhibits properties of magnetism, such as attracting other iron-containing objects or aligning itself in an external magnetic field. Preferably, the magnet  12  is high strength magnet utilizing materials such as neodymium. 
     In the illustrated version as best illustrated by  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the housing assembly  14  rear portion  24  comprises laterally mirrored opposing first and second band connections  32   a,    32   b.  In the version, the first and second band connections  32   a,    32   b  each comprise an attachment member  34   a,    34   b  forming an integral slot  36   a,    36   b  within each side of the housing assembly  14  rear portion  24 , each configured to receive the width of each respective band  16  first end  18  and second end  20  therethrough respectively. 
     In a version of the application, the band  16  is generally attachably removable and is comprised of a length of flexible material terminating at the first end  18  and the second end  20  forming a sleeve configuration while attached to the housing assembly  14 , wherein the first end  18  and second end  20  are operably attachable to the first band connection  32   a  and the second band connection  32   b  of the housing assembly  14  respectively. Ideally, the band  16  is sized and configured to envelope the beverage container  90  circumference, thereby securing the housing  14  assembly thereto. Preferably, the band  16  material has expandable attributes allowing the band  16  to stretch around beverage containers during attachment thereto. 
     In the illustrated version, the band  16  first end  18  and second end  20  each comprises a means for fastening the respective end within and around the respective integral slot  36   a,    36   b.  As best illustrated by  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 11 , each means for fastening the respective end is a hook and loop type fastener configuration  38   a,    38   b.  In the version, each of the first end  18  and the second end  20  hook and loop type fastener configuration  38   a,    38   b  comprises an exterior contact point  40   a,    40   b  and an interior reciprocating contact point  42   a,    42   b,  wherein each of the first end  18  and the second end  20  is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot  36   a,    36   b  and fasten back upon itself (See  FIG. 11 ) by way of each hook and loop configuration  38   a,    38   b  correlating contact points  40   a,    40   b.  Thereby, operably and securely fastening the band  16  to the housing assembly  14 . Moreover, the configuration which includes each end  18 ,  20  of the band  16  looping back and adhering to itself provides a compression force against the bottle  90  while attached, in turn reinforcing the hook and loop type connection. 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 6 , certain versions of the application the band  16  first and second band ends  18 ,  20  may be tapered inward terminating at a pull tab  21 . This type of configuration allows the user to easily insert each tapered band end  18 ,  20  into each respective integral slot  36   a,    36   b  and fasten back upon itself. The length of the band  16  may be longitudinally adjustable. 
     The attachment device  10  can be made in any manner and of any material chosen with sound engineering judgment. Preferably, materials will be strong, lightweight, long lasting, economic, and ergonomic. 
     The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every version of the invention. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, other versions and embodiments of the invention are certainly possible. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments herein. 
     All features disclosed in this specification including any claims, abstract, and drawings may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose unless expressly stated otherwise.