Patent Abstract:
Devices and methods of retaining an item are provided. An article carrier ( 10, 110 ) is provided, the article carrier comprising a flexible cable ( 20, 120 ) formed into a loop ( 28, 128 ) for holding the item, a clip ( 30, 130 ) coupled to the cable ( 20, 120 ) to couple the item to another object, and a cable retainer ( 60, 160 ) engaging the cable ( 20, 120 ) to adjust the size of the loop ( 28, 128 ) to secure the item within the loop ( 28, 128 ). The methods illustratively involve placing a portion of the item in the loop ( 28, 128 ), moving the cable retainer ( 60, 160 ) to tighten the loop ( 28, 128 ) around the portion of the item, and coupling the clip ( 30, 130 ) to the object. In an illustrated embodiment, the item is a beverage container, the portion of the item is the neck of the beverage container, and the object is a belt or belt loop worn by a person wishing to retain the beverage container.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY  
       [0001]     This disclosure relates to articles for carrying objects. Particularly, this disclosure relates to a cable formed in a loop that is adjustable by operating a retainer so that the size of the loop can be changed to secure articles of varying configurations for transportation of such articles.  
         [0002]     Various methods are known for transporting articles without the use of one&#39;s hands. For example, tools are commonly transported in a tool belt, beverage containers are commonly transported in cup holders, and miscellaneous items are carried in pockets.  
         [0003]     In one aspect of the present disclosure, an article carrier comprises a flexible cable having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The intermediate portion is formed into a loop, and a cable retainer engages the cable to restrict movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer. The cable retainer is operable to permit a user to adjust the size of the loop.  
         [0004]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the article carrier further comprises a clip coupled to the cable to secure the article carrier to an object.  
         [0005]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the cable retainer includes an engagement surface and an engagement edge, one of which is biased toward the other. The cable passes between and is pinched by the engagement surface and engagement edge to inhibit movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer.  
         [0006]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the cable retainer is operable to move the engagement edge and engagement surface away from each other to permit the cable to be moved relative to the cable retainer and to permit a user to adjust the length of the loop.  
         [0007]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus comprises a clip, a cable, and a cable retainer. The cable is coupled to the clip for removably coupling the apparatus to an object. The cable includes a pair of free ends and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A length of the intermediate portion is threaded through an opening in the cable retainer and formed into a loop. The cable retainer is biased to pinch the cable between an engagement surface and an engagement edge of the cable retainer to restrict movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer and maintain the length of cable forming the loop.  
         [0008]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a bead coupled to the cable to prevent removal of the cable retainer from the cable.  
         [0009]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a clasp coupled to the ends of the cable to form a continuous loop.  
         [0010]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a clasp cover to cover at least a portion of the clasp.  
         [0011]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the clasp cover includes an exterior surface that is at least partially flat.  
         [0012]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the clasp cover includes an exterior surface that is at least partially spherical.  
         [0013]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the clip includes a first end and a second end, the first and second ends joined by a link at one side and by a movable closure at the other side. The closure is biased to close an opening between the first and second ends. The closure is movable to an opened position to permit entry of an object between the ends by passing the object through the opening.  
         [0014]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the closure is pivotably coupled to one of the ends and moves between a closed position engaging the other end and an opened position spaced from the other end.  
         [0015]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for transporting a fluid vessel having a neck comprises a cable and a cable retainer. The cable is formed into a loop, and the cable retainer is biased to engage the cable to restrict movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer and maintain the length of cable forming the loop.  
         [0016]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the cable is an endless loop.  
         [0017]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the cable has a pair of free ends and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, and a length of the intermediate portion is formed into the loop.  
         [0018]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a bead coupled to the cable to prevent removal of the cable retainer from the cable.  
         [0019]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a clasp coupled to the ends of the cable to form the continuous loop.  
         [0020]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a clasp cover to cover at least a portion of the clasp.  
         [0021]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the clasp cover includes an exterior surface that is at least partially flat.  
         [0022]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the clasp cover includes an exterior surface that is at least partially spherical.  
         [0023]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus further comprises a clip including a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are joined by a link at one side and by a movable closure at the other side. The closure is biased to close an opening between the first and second ends. The closure is movable to an opened position to permit entry of an object between the ends by passing through the opening.  
         [0024]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, the closure is pivotably coupled to one of the ends and moves between a closed position engaging the other end and an opened position spaced from the other end.  
         [0025]     In another aspect of the disclosure, the cable retainer is movable to a position permitting movement of the cable to adjust the length of cable forming the loop.  
         [0026]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method of retaining a first object comprises providing an article carrier comprising a clip and a loop coupled to the clip. The method also comprises placing a portion of the first object in the loop, adjusting the size of the loop to secure the first object, and coupling the clip to a second object.  
         [0027]     In another aspect of the disclosure, placing a portion of the first object in the loop comprises placing a portion of a beverage container in the loop.  
         [0028]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, coupling the clip to a second object comprises coupling the clip to at least one of a belt or belt loop, a strap or ring of a handbag or a fanny pack, a golf bag, a hammer loop, a pocket edge, or the like.  
         [0029]     In another aspect of the disclosure, an article carrier comprises a flexible cable having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. A lock is coupled to the ends to form a major loop. The article carrier further comprises a cable retainer that engages the cable to restrict movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer and to define a minor loop adjacent the lock. The cable retainer is operable to permit a user to adjust the size of the minor loop.  
         [0030]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus comprises a clip, a cable, and a cable retainer. The cable is coupled to the clip for removably coupling the apparatus to an object The cable has a pair of free ends and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A length of the intermediate portion is threaded through an opening in the cable retainer and coupled to the clip. A lock coupled to the free ends forms a minor loop. The cable retainer is biased to pinch the cable between an engagement surface and an engagement edge of the cable retainer to restrict movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer and maintain the length of cable forming the minor loop.  
         [0031]     In another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for transporting a fluid vessel having a neck comprises a cable and a cable retainer. The cable has a pair of ends and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A length of the cable is formed into a minor loop. The cable retainer is biased to engage the cable to restrict movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer and maintain the length of cable forming the minor loop.  
         [0032]     In a further aspect of the disclosure, an article carrier comprises a flexible cable formed into a major loop and a cable retainer engaging the cable to restrict movement of the cable relative to the cable retainer and to form a minor loop. The cable retainer is operable to permit a user to adjust the size of the minor loop.  
         [0033]     In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of retaining a fluid vessel having a neck is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing an article carrier comprising a flexible cable formed into a major loop, a clip coupled to the cable to couple the fluid vessel to an object, and a cable retainer engaging the cable to form a minor loop and adjust the size of the minor loop. The method also comprises placing the neck in the minor loop, moving the cable retainer to tighten the minor loop around the neck, and coupling the clip to the object.  
         [0034]     Additional features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]     The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an article carrier in accordance with the disclosure showing a flexible cable that forms a loop, the cable being coupled to a clip and a cable retainer for permitting a user to change the length of the section of the cable that forms the loop;  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the article carrier of  FIG. 1  showing the loop end of the article carrier cinched around the neck of a bottle;  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an assembled article carrier in the middle of the page, an exploded article carrier on the left showing the ends of the cable uncoupled beside a blank clasp and crimped clasp, the cable coupled to a first curved end of the clip, with the clip closure, the pin, and the spring removed from the clip, the cable retainer and bead coupled to the cable, and on the right side of the page a clasp cover and a cable retainer exploded to show the shell, the spring, and the piston;  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a close-up view of the exploded clip showing the cable coupled to the first curved end, the pin, the closure, and spring removed;  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a close-up view of an assembled clip showing the closure moved to an opened position;  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of three cable retainers, the left retainer being exploded to show the piston positioned for insertion into a central passage of the retainer shell, and the spring between the piston and the shell, the middle retainer assembled and shown in the normal position where a top of the piston is biased and extends out of a central passage in the shell, and the right retainer shown with the top of the piston depressed, the piston in a position where a first passage through the shell is aligned with a cable passage through the piston;  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a close-up perspective view of the exploded cable retainer showing a tab on the piston, and a channel in the central passage in the shell to receive the tab as the piston is inserted into the central passage;  
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the article carrier of  FIG. 1  showing the cable pinched by the first and second engagement surfaces;  
         [0044]      FIG. 9  shows a clasp wrapped around the cable ends and crimped to hold the ends together;  
         [0045]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a cable having first and second ends coupled together with a lock to form a major loop, with each of the first and second ends extending through a cable retainer to form a minor loop, the cable retainer operable to permit a user to adjust the size of the minor loop; and  
         [0046]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the lock of  FIG. 10  in an unlocked position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0047]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an illustrative embodiment of an article carrier  10  includes a flexible cable  20 , a clip  30 , a cable retainer  60 , a cable clasp  90  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), a cover  194 , and a bead  98 . Cable  20  is illustratively a length of rope; however, any flexible material that is provided as a loop or can be formed into a loop and otherwise operate as disclosed herein will suffice. Clip  30  is illustratively a carabiner or a spring clip. It is understood that various other clips, cables, clasp covers, and cable retainers may be used within the spirit of this invention.  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , clip  30  includes a first curved end  32  having a first radius of curvature, a second curved end  34  having a second radius of curvature, and a link  36  coupled to and extending between the first and second curved ends  32 ,  34  at a closed side  38  of clip  30 . First and second curved ends  32 ,  34  are spaced apart at an open side  40  of clip  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , first curved end  32  is coupled to an extension  42  that extends toward the second curved end  34 . Extension  42  is formed to include an aperture  44  therethrough. Clip  30  includes a closure  46  coupled to extension  42  that extends between the first and second curved ends  32 ,  34  to close and open the open side  40  of clip  30  at the option of a user. Closure  46  at a coupled portion  47  is pivotally coupled to first curved end  32  at extension  42  with a pin  48  extending through holes in closure  46  and aperture  44 .  
         [0049]     As closure  46  pivots about pin  48 , a free portion  49  of closure  46  moves between the closed position shown in  FIG. 1  engaging second curved end  34  and an opened position as shown in  FIG. 5  spaced apart from second curved end  34 . Free portion  49  of closure  46  is formed to include a notch  52  terminating at a stop surface  54 . Closure  46  includes a spring  50  that engages coupled portion  47  and extension  42  to bias closure  46  in the closed position. To move closure  46  from the closed position shown in  FIG. 1  toward the opened position shown in  FIG. 5 , a user moves closure  46  in direction  59 , against the bias of spring  50 .  
         [0050]     Second curved end  34  includes a stopper  56  extending therefrom. When closure  46  is moved to the closed position, stopper  56  is situated in notch  52  in free portion  49  and engages stop surface  54  to prevent over-rotation of closure  46  (beyond the closed position) in direction  58  as shown in  FIG. 5 . It is within the scope of this disclosure to utilize a clip having a different configuration. For example, a clip of the type often used on a dog leash may be substituted for the carabiner type clip shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0051]     Cable  20  includes an intermediate portion  22  between a first end  24  and a second end  26 . Illustratively, cable  20  is coupled to clip  30  by forming a small loop in intermediate portion  22  of cable  20 , holding the small loop adjacent first curved end  32 , and inserting ends  24 ,  26  through the loop. Cable  20 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is about fourteen inches (35.5 cm) measuring from first end  24 , along intermediate portion  22 , to second end  26 . It is believed that such a fourteen inch (35.5 cm) overall cable length provided as part of an article carrier as shown in  FIG. 1 , and illustratively resulting in a looped cable length of between six and seven inches (15.2 and 17.8 cm), as shown in  FIG. 1 , provides a comfortable distance between the beverage container or other object to be carried and, for example, a person transporting the beverage container or other object to be carried. However, any length of cable that operates as disclosed herein will suffice. For example, cables having lengths from less than four inches (10 cm) to more than twenty-four inches (61 cm) will suffice. It is within the scope of this disclosure for cable  20  to be constructed as an unbroken, endless loop, with the length being measured from one point on the loop, around the loop, and back to the one point It is also within the scope of this disclosure for cable  20  to be formed of multiple endless loops or cable lengths with ends and joining these structures together in any suitable fashion.  
         [0052]     Cable retainer  60  includes a shell  62 , a piston  64 , and a spring  66  to bias the cable retainer to a pinching position, as shown in  FIG. 6  in the retainer at the right of  FIG. 6 . Shell  62  includes a first passage  68  extending through shell  62 , forming a cable inlet  70  on one side of the shell and a cable outlet  72  on the opposite side of the shell. A central passage  74  is formed in shell  62  and extends generally orthogonal to first passage  68 , terminating at a bottom surface  76  of shell  62 . Central passage  74  is configured to house spring  66  and part of piston  64  for movement therein. Piston  64  is illustratively a right circular cylinder having a cable passage  78  formed therein.  
         [0053]     Spring  66  is inserted into central passage  74  against bottom surface  76 . Piston  64  is inserted into central passage  74  so that a spring boss  67  fits within the end of the illustrative coil spring opposite the end that engages bottom surface  76 . Retention tabs  80  extend radially outwardly from piston  64  at bottom  81  of the piston. Tabs  80  complement channels  82  formed in inner surface  83  of shell  62  that defines central passage  74 . Channels  82  extend from the inlet of central passage  74  to the first passage  68 . Tabs  80  are positioned so that when piston  64  is inserted into central passage  74 , each tab  80  slides in a channel  82  until the tab is in first passage  68 . Piston  64  is then rotated so that tab  80  is not in channel  82  and instead abuts the edge  84  of first passage  68 . Thus, piston  64  is retained in central passage  74  and biased so that tabs  80  engage edge  84  and a top  85  of piston  64  extends out of central passage  74 . In this position, cable passage  78  in piston  64  is generally aligned with first passage  68  of shell  62 . It is within the scope of this disclosure to use a cable retainer having a different configuration.  
         [0054]     Illustratively, cable clasp  90  joins cable  20  into a continuous loop. Clasp  90 , when not assembled, illustratively is a flat piece of metal. To form the continuous loop, ends  24 ,  26  are positioned adjacent each other and clasp is wrapped around the cable ends, and crimped tightly around the ends as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0055]     One way to assemble article carrier  10  includes folding cable  20  so that intermediate portion  22  forms a loop with first end  24  of cable  20  closer to the loop than second end  26  of cable  20 . Second end  26  is then inserted through first passage  68  in shell  62  and cable passage  78  in piston  64 . Second end  26  is then passed through bore  99  in bead  98  that is illustratively sized to receive one pass of cable  20  therethrough. Second end is then passed back through first passage  68  in shell  62  and cable passage  78  in piston  64 , in the opposite direction. Ends  24 ,  26  are then positioned adjacent each other and clasp  90 , illustratively a metal sheet, is wrapped around ends  24 ,  26  and crimped to tightly hold the ends together. It is within the scope of this disclosure to rearrange the steps of assembly, or to omit one or more steps. For example, cable  20  can first be inserted through bore  99  in bead  98 , formed into a loop, and the ends inserted through cable retainer  60 . The ends  24 ,  26  can be joined and coupled together with clasp  90  prior to coupling the cable to clip  30 . Furthermore, bead  98  can be omitted from article carrier  10 , for example when a cable retainer is used that does not permit looped end  28  to be pulled through the cable retainer, such as a retainer having a pair of cable passageways separated by a dividing wall.  
         [0056]     Cable retainer  60  is positioned between clip  30  and a looped end  28  of article carrier  10 . Illustratively, top  85  of piston  64  is biased to move out of central passage  74 , biasing first engagement surface  87  of cable passage  78  toward engagement edge  84  of first passage  68  of shell  62 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 8 , cable  20  is pinched by first engagement surface  87  and engagement edge  84  offsetting first passage  68  and cable passage  78  and thus restricting the size of the opening through cable retainer  60  through which cable  20  passes. This maintains the length of cable  20  extending from loop side  86  of cable retainer  60 . Alternate arrangements are possible. For example, a strap may be used to provide length from the clip to the looped end.  
         [0057]     In operation of article carrier  10 , clip  30  is coupled to an object, for example a belt or belt loop, a strap or ring of a handbag or a fanny pack, a golf bag, a hammer loop, a pocket edge, or the like. Cable  20  at looped end  28  is looped around the article to be carried, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Top  85  of piston  64  is depressed to change the length of cable  20  extending from loop side  86  of cable retainer  60 . When top  85  is moved toward the depressed orientation, first passage  68  and cable passage  78  move toward alignment with each other and cable  20  is no longer pinched by first engagement surface  87  and engagement edge  84 . Thus, a user can pull cable  20  at looped end  28  of article retainer  10  and increase or decrease the length of cable extending from the loop side  86  of shell  62 . As such, a user can adjust cable  20  to cinch looped end  28  snugly around the article to be retained, as shown in  FIG. 2 . To remove the article being retained, a user actuates cable retainer  60  as previously mentioned, and moves cable retainer  60  along cable  20  generally away from the article, increasing the length of cable  20  extending from the loop side  86  of shell  62 . Illustratively, a fluid retaining vessel or beverage container is shown as the article to be retained. However, other articles may be retained using the apparatus and method disclosed herein.  
         [0058]     The clasp  90  and the ends of cord  20  are illustratively masked using cover  194 . Illustratively, cover  194  has a first portion and a second portion that are placed on respective sides of clasp  90  and coupled to each other, for example by gluing, melting, through the use of fasteners, and the like. Cover  194  includes an outer surface  95  that can be used for advertising, decoration, and the like. Cover  194  can be constructed using any suitable material, for example plastic, foam, metal, and the like. It is within the scope of this disclosure to couple together ends  24 ,  26  by any suitable method, including tying, heat sealing, or otherwise coupling the ends together in addition to or in place of coupling the ends together using clasp  90 .  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , another illustrative embodiment of an article carrier  110  includes a flexible cable  120 , a clip  130 , a cable retainer  160 , a cable lock  190  (shown in  FIG. 11 ), and a cover  194 . Cable  120  is illustratively a length of rope; however, any flexible material that is provided as a loop or can be formed into a loop and otherwise operate as disclosed herein will suffice.  
         [0060]     Cable  120  includes an intermediate portion  122  between a first end  124  and a second end  126 . Illustratively, cable  120  is coupled to clip  130  by forming a small loop in intermediate portion  122  of cable  120 , holding the small loop adjacent an end  132  of clip  130 , passing ends  124 ,  126  around and through end  132 , and then through the small loop, coupling cable  120  to clip  130  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Ends  124 ,  126  are threaded through cable retainer  160  and illustratively are aligned so that a first length  134  of cable  120  associated with one end is about the same length as a second length  136  of cable  120  associated with the other end. Ends  124 ,  126  are joined with lock  190 , forming a major loop  127  from cable  120  and lock  190 . Ends  124 ,  126 , cable retainer  160 , and lock  190  form a minor loop  128 . Cable retainer  160  is operable to move along the length of cable  120  to increase or decrease the size of minor loop  128 . Cable retainer  160  is positioned on cable  120  between lock  190  and clip  130 . The size of minor loop  128  is adjusted by moving cable retainer  160  along cable  120 .  
         [0061]     Illustratively, cable lock  190  joins cable ends  124 ,  126  forming cable  120  into a continuous major loop  127 . To form the major loop  127 , ends  124 ,  126  are positioned adjacent each other in lock  190  when lock  190  is in the unlocked position shown in  FIG. 11 . Lock  190  is moved to the locked orientation of  FIG. 10  to retain the ends  124 ,  126  in lock  190  and maintain the cable  120  in the major loop  127  shown in  FIG. 10 . Lock  190 , in its locked position shown in  FIG. 10  clamps against ends  124 ,  126 , holding the ends within lock  190 .  
         [0062]     As best observed in  FIG. 11  in its unlocked orientation, lock  190  includes a first section  210  and a second section  212  hinged to the first section  210  at a thinned region  211 . Thinned region  211  flexes to permit the first and second sections  210 ,  212  to move relative to each another. Walls  214 ,  216  extend from opposite sides of first section  210 . First section  210  is formed to include a pair of apertures  213  therethrough adjacent walls  214 ,  216 . A plurality of spikes  218  extend from the surface of first section  210 , illustratively generally parallel to walls  214 ,  216 . Spikes  218  engage ends  124 ,  126  of cable  120  to retain the ends, and the spikes  218  are illustratively aligned to form two rows of three spikes each. Other numbers and configurations of spikes  218  are within the scope of this disclosure. Walls  220 ,  222  extend from opposite sides of second section  212 . A plurality of spikes  218  extend from the surface of second section  212 , generally parallel to walls  220 ,  222 . A tab  224  extends from each wall  220 ,  222  and is aligned with a corresponding one of apertures  213 . When lock  190  is in the locked position of  FIG. 10 , each tab  224  cooperates with the corresponding aperture  213  to secure lock  190  in the locked position. When lock  190  is in the locked position, spikes  218  of first section  210  and spikes  218  of second section  212  point or extend toward each other, cooperating to engage and retain ends  124 ,  126  therein. Walls  214 ,  216  are spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to permit walls  220 ,  222  of second section  212  to fit therebetween. Other configurations of lock  190  are within the scope of this disclosure.  
         [0063]     Article carrier  110  can be assembled in a similar fashion as described above with reference to article carrier  10 . Ends  124 ,  126  are positioned so that they are at an end of the minor loop  128  that is opposite clip  130 . Ends  124 ,  126  are positioned adjacent each other and lock  190  is moved to the locked position. Cable retainer  160  is positioned between clip  130  and lock  190 . Operation of article carrier  110  is similar to operation of article carrier  10 . For example, minor loop  128  is placed around the neck of a bottle or other object, and cable retainer  160  is actuated and moved relative to cable  120  toward lock  190  until minor loop  128  is of a size so that the bottle or other object is held by article carrier  110 .  
         [0064]     Cover  194  covers a section of intermediate portion  122 . Illustratively, cover  194  has a first portion and a second portion that are placed on respective sides of lock  190  and coupled to each other, for example by gluing, melting, through the use of fasteners, and the like. Cover  194  includes an outer surface  195  that can be used for advertising, decoration, and the like. Cover  194  can be constructed using any suitable material, for example plastic, foam, metal, and the like. Illustratively, cover  194  may be adjacent clip  130  to inhibit removal of cable  120  from clip  130 .  
         [0065]     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain illustrative features or embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as shown and described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0