Technical Field

The present invention relates to a clasping-case.

In particular, the present invention relates to cases which are wearable by a user, e.g., purses, bags, pouches, backpacks, etc.

Background Art

The use of such cases is known to be widespread due to the increasingly frequent need to carry objects of varying sizes.

In recent years, this need has become more acute due to the need to temporarily store medical face masks, both “new” and in-use.

The cases of known type do have some drawbacks.

First of all, known cases are generally impractical and cumbersome for the user to be carried over.

This is partly due to their excessive small or large size for the type of object to be carried over, but also to the fact that some types of known cases cannot be firmly attached to a part of the user’s body and, therefore, tend to move and vary their position.

In addition, known types of cases do not always ensure optimal closure of the internal spaces, which can cause objects to drop or allow dirt and germs to enter. The latter drawback is particularly noticeable when the object to be stored is, e.g., a medical face mask, for which it is extremely necessary to ensure compliance with hygiene standards.

In addition, in known cases, the internal spaces for storing objects are difficult to access from the outside and do not allow for effective cleaning of the same. Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a clasping-case which is practical to be carried over and securely fastens to the user’s body.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a clasping-case which provides convenient closure of the interior spaces and prevents accidental drop of the objects. A further object of the present invention is to devise a clasping-case which allows items to be easily stored in the appropriate interior spaces while maintaining small dimensions.

Still another object of the present invention is to devise a clasping-case in which especially the interior spaces are easily sanitized.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a clasping-case which allows the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The afore- mentioned objects are achieved by the present clasping-case having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a clasping-case, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a bistable strip spring of known type, in the two stable conformations.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the bistable strip spring of Figure 1 in a fastening operating mode on the wrist of a user;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the case according to the invention according to a first embodiment, in a release position;

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the case in Figure 3, in a gripping position;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the case in Figure 3, in a gripping position applied to a body portion of a user;

Figures 6 and 7 are schematic representations of the case according to the invention according to a second embodiment, in a release position;

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of the case in Figure 6, in a gripping position applied to a body portion of a user;

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of the case according to the invention according to a third embodiment, in a release position. More in detail, Figures 1 and 2 are shown by way of example only, having as sole purpose to explain the operation of the elastic support, as present in the well-known “slap bracelets”.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to Figures 3 to 9, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a clasping-case.

The case 1 according to the invention comprises at least one elastic support 2 movable as a result of a pressure applied thereon between a release position, wherein it is at least partly extended, and a gripping position, wherein it is at least partly wrapped around a body portion of a user.

The case 1 also comprises at least one pocket 3 associated with the elastic support 2 and defining at least one internal space 4 adapted to house at least one object.

The case 1 is, therefore, fixable to a body portion of the user, such as, e.g., a wrist, an arm, a shoulder, the waist, a leg, and so on, and remains attached thereto, this being extremely comfortable to wear and not cumbersome.

The elastic support 2, in fact, as a result of a pressure force exerted thereon, wraps itself around the body portion, positioning itself in the gripping position and keeps the case 1 firmly attached to the user’s body. In order to remove it, the user has to apply an additional force on the elastic support 2 in order to uncoil it at least partly and bring it back to the release position.

It cannot however be ruled out that the case 1 may be applied to portions of additional manufactured articles, for example, to the shoulder strap of bags or backpacks, to the belt loop of trousers, to a belt, and so on.

For this purpose, the case 1 may also comprise attaching means 5 of the removable type which are adapted to define a removable coupling with additional manufactured articles.

Advantageously, the elastic support 2 is of the type of a bistable strip spring.

As known to the technician of the field, and as shown by way of example in Figures 1 and 2, the bistable strip spring is a metal sheet which can be stably positioned in two different conformations, a first extended conformation and a second coiled conformation. To vary these conformations a force has to be applied to the spring which, in one case, is a simple impact force that tends to bring the spring from the first conformation to the second conformation while, to bring the spring from the second conformation to the first conformation, it is necessary to uncoil the spring itself and entirely stretch it.

Similarly, therefore, the elastic support 2 is of elongated sheet conformation along a relevant direction of development D.

In the release position, the elastic support 2 is substantially planar and the direction of development D is substantially straight, and in the contracted position, the elastic support 2 is coiled up on itself and the direction of development D is provided with a substantially spiral pattern.

It follows that the case 1 is easy to apply to the body portion while it is more difficult to remove, making it extremely secure against any attempts at snatching.

The elastic support 2 is made of at least one material selected from the list comprising: metallic material or plastic material.

Preferably, the elastic support 2 is made of silicone-coated steel.

Furthermore, as can be easily understood, the elastic support 2 has dimensions and profile which are selected according to the body portion to which the case 1 is intended to be applied.

The elastic support comprises a first surface 6 and a second surface 7 opposite each other.

The surfaces 6, 7 are elongated in shape and extend along the direction of development D.

In the gripping position, the first surface 6 faces outwards and the second surface 7 faces inwards.

In other words, the second surface 7 faces the body portion.

Conveniently, the pocket 3 is associated with the first surface 6.

Figures 3 to 5 show a first embodiment of the case 1, which is intended to store small objects and to be applied to relatively small body portions, such as, e.g., the wrist, ankle, arm, leg, etc. (Figure 5). According to this embodiment, the at least one object comprises a medical face mask.

As is well known, in fact, especially in recent years, the use of medical face masks is frequent and it is necessary to ensure careful compliance with hygiene standards. Medical face masks, when not in use, cannot be placed in traditional bags or purses, as they risk accumulating germs and bacteria in them as well as posing the risk of contamination.

The case 1 according to this first embodiment is, therefore, ideal as a container for medical face masks due to its small size.

The pocket 3 is made of at least one flexible material selected from the list comprising: rubber, silicone, polyurethane, leather.

Specifically, the pocket 3 is made of a material which is easily and quickly sanitized.

The pocket 3 is of elongated conformation along the direction of development D and comprises at least two flaps 8 opposite each other with respect to the direction of development D and projecting to the first surface 6.

The flaps 8 face each other and are associated with the elastic support 2 through at least one relevant edge.

The flaps 8 are associated and overlapped with each other at their relevant ends 9 to define the internal space 4.

In more detail, each of the flaps 8 comprises a distal edge 10 opposite the elastic support 2, which distal edges 10 are separated from each other and define the access opening to the internal space 4.

Advantageously, the ends 9 of the flaps 8 are attached to the elastic support 2.

In more detail, the ends 9 are attached to the elastic support 2, e.g. by means of rivets.

The ends 9, therefore, follow the movement of the elastic support 2 between the release position and the gripping position.

In particular, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the elastic support 2 comprises two end portions 11 and the ends 9 of the pocket 3 are associated with the elastic support 2 at the point where said end portions 11 are located.

It cannot, however, be ruled out that the ends 9 of the pocket 3 are associated at the point where intermediate points of the elastic support 2 are located, this depending on the relevant dimensions of the elastic support itself and of the pocket 3 and of the shape desired to be given to the case 1.

With the elastic support 2 in the release position, the flaps 8 are spaced apart from each other and the internal space 4 is accessible from the outside.

With the elastic support 2 in the gripping position, on the other hand, the flaps 8 are overlapping and attached to each other and the internal space 4 is inaccessible from the outside.

In other words, in order to be able to store or remove objects from the pocket 3, the elastic support is to be moved to the release position. This, in addition to preventing objects from accidentally dropping, also ensures compliance with hygiene regulations, thus preventing dirt and germs from entering the internal space 4.

In combination, the pocket 3 may comprise an additional closure system, e.g., by means of a clip system, buttons, or other topical and functional closure systems. Conveniently, the case 1 comprises fastening means 12 of the removable type, associated with at least one of either the first surface 6 or the second surface 7 and adapted to keep the elastic support 2 in the gripping position.

The fastening means 12 also contribute to securing the elastic support 2 in the gripping position, thus preventing the case 1 from detaching accidentally from the body portion.

In addition, the fastening means 12 also allow the width of the case 1 to be adjusted in the gripping position so that it can be adapted to any type of body portion thus increasing its ease of use.

The fastening means 12 may be, e.g., of the type of press studs, magnetic buttons, buttons with compatible eyelets, twin hooks, etc. In Figures 6 to 9, further embodiments are shown which differ from the above by the fact that the case 1 also comprises at least one additional pocket 13 associated with the elastic support 2 and extending transversely therefrom.

In particular, according to a second embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8, the additional pocket 13 extends orthogonally to the elastic support 2.

The additional pocket 13 comprises at least one internal cavity which is adapted to contain objects.

The internal cavity of the additional pocket 13 is accessible even when the elastic support 2 is in the gripping position.

In other words, it is not necessary to bring the elastic support 2 to the release position to allow access to the internal cavity.

The additional pocket 13 comprises at least two portions which are placed side by side and joined together at least partly along their relevant edges.

The additional pocket 13 is associated with the elastic support 2 through one of the portions.

The additional pocket 13 also comprises at least one closure flap 14 associated with one of the portions and overlapping with the other of the portions to close the internal cavity.

The case 1 according to this second embodiment may be applied, for example, to the user’s waist (Figure 8).

As shown in Figure 7, the case 1 according to the second embodiment may also comprise an additional elastic support 15 which is also movable due to the pressure applied thereon between a release position, wherein it is at least partly extended, and a gripping position, wherein it is wrapped at least partly around another body portion of the user.

The additional elastic support 15 allows the case 1 to be fastened even more firmly to the user’s body.

According to a third embodiment shown in Figure 9, the case 1 comprises at least two additional pockets 13 transversely associated with each other and defining with the elastic support 2 at least one passage 16 for an additional body portion of the user. In the present disclosure, Figure 9 shows a case 1 of the type of a shoulder backpack wherein the passage 16 allows the insertion of the head or an arm of the user and the elastic support 2 closes on the user’s torso.

According to this embodiment, the additional pockets 13 are arranged in front of and behind the user’s torso.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular the fact is emphasized that the clasping-case according to the invention is practical to carry over and firmly attachable to the user’s body. In addition, the present clasping-case ensures practical closure of the internal spaces and prevents accidental drop of the objects.

Furthermore, the present case allows items to be easily stored in the appropriate internal spaces while maintaining small dimensions.

Finally, the present case is easy to sanitize, especially in its internal spaces.