Patent Abstract:
A device including a wooden, metal or plastic substrate having at least a back surface, a front surface, and a depth portion located between the back surface and the front surface. Further, the device includes an indentation having a length and a width on the front surface, wherein the length is longer than the width and the length is oriented perpendicular to the depth portion. Further still, the device includes an attachment apparatus connected to the back surface, wherein the attachment apparatus is for attaching the device to an object, such as a golf bag. Yet further, the device includes an adjustable strap connected to the device and traversing at least the width. Thereby, the device allows one or more items, such as a pen, pencil, cigar or cigarette, to be placed in the indentation and securely held in place by the adjustable strap, such as an elastomeric band.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to a caddy for holding an item, such as a pen, pencil, cigar, or cigarette by removably or permanently attaching the caddy to an object, such as a golf bag. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Golf originated from a game played on the coast of Scotland during the 15th century. Golfers would hit a pebble instead of a ball around the sand dunes using a stick or club. After 1750, golf evolved into the sport as we recognize it today. During the 1880s, golf bags first came into use. 
         [0003]    During a golf game, a person uses golf clubs to hit a golf ball, may wear cleated golf shoes while “on the green,” may also smoke cigar or cigarettes and/or use a stylus, such as a pen, pencil, or PDA stylus. Over the years, a number of accessories have been designed and marketed to help golfers clean their clubs, balls, shoes and cleats, as well as to cut cigar tips. Unfortunately, these tools take up valuable space in a golf bag or cart and can become easily misplaced. 
         [0004]    As previously stated, golfers may smoke cigarettes or cigars while playing golf When a smoking golfer prepares to take a golf swing or stroke, the golfer typically lays the lighted cigarette or cigar on the ground. This unsanitary practice subjects the cigar or cigarette, and ultimately the golfer, to poisons or injurious chemicals on the ground. The same is true as to placing a pen, pencil or stylus on the ground. In addition, the foregoing items are more susceptible to being lost or forgotten on the green. 
         [0005]    Despite advances in accessories, problems remain. One solution is to use a golf smoke tee, which is a golf tee with a cradle on top for holding objects such as cigars or cigarettes above the ground. One such golf smoke tee is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,001,529, filed May 9, 1958, issued to Watson. The golf smoke tee disclosed in the Watson patent, however, is described as being about 1″ to 2½″ tall. This may pose problems for golfers who experience back problems. The golfer may need to strain his/her back to bend over and use such a golf smoke tee. An alternative cigar holder is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D385,059, filed on Aug. 7, 1996, and issued to Jenkins, which suggests a much taller vertical shank. Jenkin&#39;s design patent, however, does not a show or suggest a means for conveniently driving the holder securely into the ground. And, another patent described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,617, filed Mar. 18, 2003, issued to Cervantes, discloses a cigar holder with an elongated shaft that is 3-5 feet tall and sticks into the ground. This may pose problems because it adds weight and is a cumbersome tool to carry, especially for golfers who have limited space in their golf bag. 
         [0006]    In light of the foregoing, a need, therefore, exists for an improved device for carrying a cigar, cigarette, pen, pencil, or other stylus, for example, is desirable. It is noteworthy that although the disclosed device may be used by a golfer for attachment to an object, such as a golf bag, the disclosed invention may hold any item that fits into the indentation of the device, and the device may attach to any device permitting an attachment other than just a golf bag. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An example embodiments of the invention generally provide a device including a wooden, metal or plastic substrate having at least a back surface, a front surface, and a depth portion located between the back surface and the front surface. Further, the device includes an indentation having a length and a width on the front surface, wherein the length is longer than the width and the length is oriented perpendicular to the depth portion. Further still, the device includes an attachment apparatus connected to the back surface, wherein the attachment apparatus is for attaching the device to another device. Yet further, the device includes an adjustable strap connected to the device and traversing at least the width. Thereby, the device allows one or more items, such as a pen, pencil, cigar or cigarette, to be placed in the indentation and securely held in place by the adjustable strap. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. 
           [0009]    It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of the device as discussed herein and in accordance with the disclosed invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a side, cross-sectional view of the device as discussed herein and in accordance with the disclosed invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts another side view of the device as discussed herein and in accordance with the disclosed invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a rear view of the device as discussed herein and in accordance with the disclosed invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are examples and are in such detail so as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The detailed descriptions below are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0015]    Generally speaking, a device is disclosed that attaches to another object, such as a golf bag, and holds one or more items, such as a cigar or pencil, in an indentation of the device by an adjustable strap, such as an elastomeric band, that is connected to the device. Now, a more detailed description of the invention is disclosed. 
         [0016]    Turning now to a more detailed description and referring the figures,  FIG.1  is a frontal view of the device  100 . The substrate&#39;s front surface  110 , as well as the entire device  100 , itself may be constructed from wood, metal, and/or plastic. For example, from a decorative and robustness standpoint, the device  100  may be constructed from an aesthetically pleasing hardwood such as oak or cherry. In addition and in the alternative, the device  100  may be constructed from a metallic substance, such as chrome, brass, or steel, and/or a moldable plastic. Although wood may be used, metal and plastic are generally preferable because they are oftentimes stronger and less likely to fracture or splinter. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  also shows an indentation  120  that traverses the length  135  of the front surface  110  of the device  100 . In example embodiments, the length  135  is three inches and the width  140  of the indentation  120  is one inch; these are just example dimensions, however, and variance from these examples may be as small or large as deemed necessary to meet the purpose of the one or more items  160  to be held in place by the device  100 . As just suggested, the indentation  120  is where one or more items  160  may be stored securely in place by an adjustable strap  150  that traverses at least the width  140  of the indentation  120 . Typically, the indentation  120  is a groove or concavity that is capable of receiving for placement one or more items  160 , such as a cigar, smoking pipe, cigarette, or stylus, e.g., pen, pencil, or PDA stylus. That is, the one or more items  160  are held in place, even when the device  100  is held parallel with the gravitational force, because of the adjustable strap  150 , such an elastomeric band. Finally and although discussed in more detail below, the device  100  may include at least one hole  140  that traverses the depth portion of the device  100 , wherein the depth portion is perpendicular to the length  135  and width  140 . The optionally threaded hole  130  is for a user to adjust a screw or the like that then adjusts a space within the aperture for the attachment apparatus associated device  100  so that it  100  may attach to another object, such as a golf bag. 
         [0018]    Moving on,  FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of the device  200 . This substrate&#39;s side  220  of the device  200  shows the part of the attachment apparatus  230  as being countersunk into the device  200 . Specifically,  FIG. 2  shows the cross-sectional view of two holes  225  that partly traverse the depth portion  210 . These two holes  225  are for receiving screws or the like in order to securely connect the attachment apparatus  230  to the device  200 . Acceptable dimensions for these holes  225  have been shown to be a quarter to one-half of an inch based on the previously disclosed length  135  of three inches and the width  140  of the indentation  120  being one inch. 
         [0019]    In this example embodiment, the attachment apparatus  230  forms an what is deemed an inverted “J” shape. The linear portion of this inverted “J” shaped attachment apparatus  230  is flush with the back surface  410  as shown in  FIG. 4 ; the screws going into holes  225  are countersunk with the substrate&#39;s back surface  410  of the device  200 . The hook portion of the inverted “J” shaped attachment apparatus  230 , however, is facing away from the substrate&#39;s front surface  110 , which is shown in  FIG. 1 . The space of the aperture  240  is adjusted by adjusting the screw into the hole  245 . Screwing it into the depth portion makes the space of the aperture  240  larger; the converse is also true. The aperture  240  should be adjusted so that the resulting aperture  240  through adjusting the screw into the hole  245  renders a removable or permanent attachment of the device  200  to a particular object, such as a golf bag. In this example embodiment, the hook portion of the attachment apparatus  230  may be said to hook onto the object. In alternate embodiments and instead of the inverted J shape shown, the attachment apparatus  230  may be a hook, fastener (e.g., sliding a button located on the attachment apparatus into a button receiving sleeve located on another object, or vice versa; or, a male snap-button located on the attachment apparatus and female snap-button located on another object, or vice versa), or through complimentary Velcro® strips located on both n the attachment apparatus and the object. 
         [0020]    Also depicted in  FIG. 2  on this substrate&#39;s side  220  of the device  200  is the adjustable strap  250 . In this instance, the adjustable strap  250  surrounds the perimeter of the device  200 , and that is why it is shown in  FIG. 2 . It  250  may be held in place by an adhesive substance, or, as shown in  FIG. 4 , by tension through its placement between a part of the attachment apparatus  245  and the substrate&#39;s back surface  410  as shown on  FIG. 4  of the device  200 . Although not depicted, but in other example embodiments, the adjustable strap  250  may be held in place by one or more screws that penetrate through the adjustable strap  250  and partly into the depth portion  210  of the device  200 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows much of the same parts as found in FIG.  2 ., i.e., one of the substrate&#39;s sides  330 , two screw holes  325  for receiving screws to secure the attachment apparatus  330  to the device  300 . Further, it  300  shows screw with a hole  345 , wherein this screw is adjustable to adjust the space of the aperture  340  for attachment of the device  300  to another object. The difference in this  FIG. 3 , however, is in the placement of the attachment apparatus  330  and the addition of Velcro®  350 . Here, the attachment apparatus  330  is not countersunk with the substrate&#39;s back surface  410  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Instead, it  330  is on top of the back surface  410 . In addition,  FIG. 3  shows the optional additional of a Velcro® strip to assist in securing the device  300  to another object also having a complimentary Velcro® strip. 
         [0022]    Although not shown in the drawings, the attachment apparatus is shown as being connected to the device through screws or the like. See  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Instead, the disclosed device may be formed through the attachment apparatus being integrally connected to the device. That is, the device with the attachment apparatus is a seamless connection, and such may be accomplished most easily through extruded, moldable plastics. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , it shows the substrate&#39;s back surface  410  of the device  400 . This view shows the two holes, although it is acceptable to use one or more holes, for receiving screws  420  in order to secure the attachment apparatus  440  to the back surface  410  of the device  400 . Notably, these two holes  420  may be catty-corner with respect to each other as depicted, or they may appear elsewhere on the attachment apparatus  440 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , catty-corner placement may help eliminate torsional strains that the attachment apparatus  430  may undergo. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  also shows a black box, which represents the hook portion  430  of the inverted-J-shaped attachment apparatus  430 . The hook portion  430  is entirely black because  FIG. 4  is a depiction that looks directly at the substrate&#39;s back surface  410  of the device  400 ; that is, a straight-on view of the device  400 . 
         [0025]    In another, although non-depicted, example embodiment, a clip, such a small version of a clip used to fasten a bag of potato chips, is used as the attachment apparatus  430 . In such an example embodiment, one half of the clip is affixed, possibly with one or more screws of with an adhesive material, to the substrates&#39; back surface  410 . The other half of the clip may be opened, for example, by squeezing a top located on the clip. After squeezing the clip, a user may place the opened half of the clip onto an object in the created aperture (e.g.,  340  in  FIG. 3 ), an then release the squeezing so that clip is now held firmly onto object, e.g., a golf bag. 
         [0026]    The adjustable strap  450  is depicted with a portion of the strap  450  being behind the linear portion  430  of the inverted-J-shaped attachment apparatus  430 , and on the substrate&#39;s back surface  410 . In additional and alternative example embodiments, a portion of the strap  450  may be screwed or the like into place on any surface of the device  400 , and/or glued into place with an adhesive, such as an epoxy. 
         [0027]    While the foregoing is directed to example embodiments of the disclosed invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims, which may be read in light of the foregoing disclosure, that follow.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0