Refreshment tube retaining device

• US 5,884,372 A
• Filed: 08/04/1997
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Duraflex Hong Kong Limited
• Original Assignee: National Molding Corporation (National Molding LLC)
• Inventors: Fraze, Gary, Anscher, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/906,220
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 24/3.1, 24/3.12, 24/3.7, 24/339, 24/338, 24/336, 24/335, 24/326, 24/457, 24/499, 24/489, 24/545, 24/555-557, 24/562-565, 248/52, 248/68.1, 248/74.1-74.5, 248/316.5, 248/312, 248/312.1, 248/313
• US Class Current: 24/339
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/166 Hydration systems attached to the body by straps, e.g. incorporated in a backpack
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0566 Tubular, rod-shaped articles, e.g. batons
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0583 Beverage vessels, e.g. bottles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/02 partly surrounding the pipes, cables or protective tubing bands or chains F16L3/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/13 and engaging it by snap action F16L3/1203 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1394 Article held by clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3444 Circular work engageable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44915 Corrugated or toothed face

Abstract

A clip, for example attachable to both a refreshment tube of a reservoir-based hydration system and to, for example, an article of clothing. The tube clip includes a tube attachment section to attach the tube clip to the refreshment tube, and a clip section and locking arm to releasably attach the tube clip to the article of clothing. A person engaged in an activity may thus affix the refreshment tube to a location on clothing by engaging the locking area while a portion of the clothing fabric is within a clipping area. The location of attachment on clothing can be selected to provide easy, quick, or "no-hands" access to the refreshment tube. The clip may be formed from molded plastic.

Claims

1. A tube clip, comprising:

a tube attachment section capable of attaching the tube clip to a tube without obstructing fluid flow; and

a releasably attachable clipping area capable of frictionally attaching the tube clip to flexible material, comprising

a clip section including a lower extension and at least one upper extension, wherein the lower extension and at least one upper extension define a channel,

a rotation element coupled to the at least one upper extension, and

a locking arm rotatably coupled to the at least one upper extension via the rotation element.

2. The tube clip of claim 1, wherein the tube attachment section is capable of frictionally attaching the tube clip to the tube.

3. The tube clip of claim 2, wherein the tube attachment section allows the tube to slide within the tube attachment section when a predetermined force is applied to overcome frictional resistance.

4. The tube clip of claim 3, wherein the flexible material is a fabric.

5. The tube clip of claim 4, wherein the tube attachment section includes a side opening allowing the tube to be laterally inserted.

6. The tube clip of claim 1, wherein the lower extension includes an interior face having ridges and the locking arm includes a protrusion.

7. The tube clip of claim 6, wherein, in an unlocked position, the protrusion and lower extension define an open clearance capable of receiving the flexible material.

8. The tube clip of claim 7, wherein, in an locked position, the protrusion and lower extension define a locking clearance that impinges upon the flexible material to cause frictional attachment.

9. The tube clip of claim 8, wherein the flexible material is a fabric.

10. The tube clip of claim 1 wherein the tube clip is formed of molded plastic.

11. The tube clip of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is a fabric.

12. The tube clip of claim 1, wherein the clipping area comprises two upper extensions spaced apart to form a gap.

13. The tube clip of claim 12, wherein the rotation element comprises a cylindrical element disposed in the gap between each upper extension.

14. The tube clip of claim 13, wherein the locking arm includes a interlocking gap, and the locking arm is rotatably mounted to the cylindrical element via the interlocking gap.

15. The tube clip of claim 1, wherein the lower extension and the at least one upper extension define a U-shaped channel.