Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is a system for retaining an implement adjacent a person&#39;s hand. The system includes a band (such as a wrist band or finger ring), and a magnet attached to the band. The implement has a metal portion on its exterior. Thus, the implement is removably engagable with the system by bringing the metal portion into contact with the magnet. 
         [0002]    Optionally, the magnet may be connected to the finger ring by magnetic attraction; alternatively, it may be adhered by an adhesive or a solder-type connection. Further, the magnet (preferably in a disk-shaped form) and the band may comprise a unitary, monolithic, one-piece structure. 
         [0003]    In a preferred embodiment, the implement is a rod-shaped tool of some sort, such as a writing implement, awl, eraser, a pressure gage or the like. In this embodiment, the metal portion is positioned substantially adjacent the center of mass of the implement. The magnet retains the implement in such a way that it retains the implement but allows it to turn about an axis substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the implement. 
         [0004]    This embodiment allows the wearer a source of amusement, in that the wearer can spin the implement near one&#39;s hand, yet have the implement within grasp when it is needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded and perspective view of the components of the system, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view isolating the components of the system in an assembled condition. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  are comparative perspective views isolating a preferred embodiment of the band of the system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the components of a second preferred embodiment of the system, shown in an assembled condition. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  are comparative perspective views showing the inventive system, as worn by a user. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective and exploded view that details the components of the inventive system  10  for keeping an implement  16  adjacent a person&#39;s hand  20 . The system  10  will include a band  12  and a magnet  14  attached to the band  12 . The band  12  may comprise a metal that retains the magnet  14  by a magnetic attraction; alternatively, the magnet  14  may be affixed to a surface of the band  12  by any known method, such as soldering, welding, or adhesive. Alternatively, the band  12  and magnet  14  of the system  10  may comprise a single, unitary, monolithic structure, wherein the entire band is magnetized. 
         [0011]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the system  10  will also include an implement  16  having a metallic portion  18  affixed to it. Optionally, the system  10  will also include a magnet  13  that can attach to the metallic portion  18 . In preferred embodiments, the implement  16  is a rod-shaped, such as a writing instrument (as shown), or an awl, knife, pick, tire pressure gage, or the like. The implement may have a metallic portion  18  positioned in a generally central location of the implement  16 , so that the magnets  13 ,  14  engage one another and hold the implement  16  in contact with the band  12 . Of course, if the system  10  includes optional magnet  13 , it is important that the polarities of the magnets  13 ,  14  be properly configured to attract one another rather than repel one another 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the system  10  shown in an assembled condition. The band  12  is preferably configured to be a finger ring; however, the band may also be worn elsewhere on a wearer&#39;s person, such about the wrist. The best mode anticipated for the inventive system, however, is for the band  12  to comprise a finger ring. 
         [0013]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the system  10  includes an implement  16  (such as a writing instrument) and a metallic portion  18  positioned generally adjacent the central portion. The metallic portion  18  may be integral with the implement  16 , or it could be a sleeve that attaches to the implement  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the magnet  13  is adhered to the metallic portion  18  on the implement  16 , and the magnet  14  is adhered to the band  12 . As another option, the entire implement  16  may be metallic and therefore subject to magnetic attraction. In yet another option, the implement  16  may be entirely made of plastic, and the metallic portion  18  is limited to a magnet  13  embedded within or adhered to the implement. 
         [0014]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , however, the magnets  13 ,  14  are positioned between the band  12  and the metallic portion  18  of the implement  16 ; preferably, the magnets  13 ,  14  are each high-powered, disk-shaped magnets that will retain the implement so that it can rotate with an angular velocity w about axis L, which is generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the implement  16 . Other shapes and configurations for the magnets, however, are certainly within the scope of the invention. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  show comparative perspective views of an alternate embodiment of the band  12  portion of the invention. In this embodiment, the band  12  includes a raised portion  15  that houses the magnet  14 . In this embodiment, the magnet  14  adheres to the band  12  by fitting tightly within a cooperatively formed vessel in the raised portion  15  of the band  12 . Alternatively, the magnet  14  may be retained by the band  12  by any known adhesive. 
         [0016]    As evident in  FIG. 3 , the magnet  14  is embedded within the raised portion  14  such that its top surface may be generally coplanar and flush with the uppermost part of the raised portion  14 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 3A  depicts the band  12 , as seen from a vantage point directly above the raised portion  15  of the band. As shown, the magnet  14  is a disk-shaped magnet that is embedded within a cylindrical vessel that is formed in the raised portion  15 . Of course, other configurations are within the spirit of the invention. 
         [0018]    The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A  may comprise bands  12  made of any known material, even non-metallic material such as plastic, polymers, or marble. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the system  10  in combination with the band  12  depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 3A . In this embodiment, a magnet  13  is affixed directly to the implement  16 ′ without the need for a band  18  or other metallic attachment. In this embodiment, the magnet  13  may be affixed to the implement  16 ′ by any known method, including an epoxy, an adhesive, or by means of a vessel within the implement  16 ′ that is cooperatively formed to receive and retain the magnet  13 . 
         [0020]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show comparative views of the system  10  in combination with a wearer&#39;s hand  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the implement  16  (a writing instrument)  16  bears a metallic portion  18  positioned at a generally central location on the implement so that it may be free to rotate at an angular speed w about an axis L through the magnet  14  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ). 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , it is preferred that the magnets  13 ,  14  have some vertical dimension, which enables the implement to be spaced from the wearer&#39;s hand  20 , as this space will facilitate free rotation of the implement  16 . 
         [0022]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 5A , the band  12  comprises a finger ring worn on the wearer&#39;s hand  20 . As aforementioned, however, the band  12  may take a larger form and be worn as a wrist band. When worn on the finger, however, the band  12  enables the implement  16  to turn in direction w about an axis that is generally orthogonal the implement  16  (and the plane of the wearer&#39;s hand  20 ). 
         [0023]    Having described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that this description is for illustrative purposes only. The scope and breadth of the invention shall be limited only by patent claims.

Technology Category: 1