Retaining system for holding fabric items

Abstract

A retaining system for holding a towel, washcloth, or other fabric item by draping a weighted and supported retaining system over an inanimate horizontal bar such as a kitchen cabinet, a shower curtain, or a kitchen drawer, so that the towel would not fall to the floor and become dirty. This device can also be used in conjunction with a paperclip as a means for holding recipe cards up to eye level while cooking. The device can also be used in recreational vehicles, while camping, or in cars.

1 . A system comprising:
 At least one support to secure at least one drape-able item;   
     At least one stiffener to stiffen said at least, one support along at least one substantially straight length of at least one drape-able item; 
     At least one passage to pass said at least one drape-able item through said at least one support; and
 At least one appendage to append said supporting means to a fixed object. 
 
   
   
       2 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 said securing means further comprises suspending means for suspending from a fixed object; and
 balancing means for balancing over the top of said fixed object. 
   
   
   
       3 . The claim of  claim 1  further comprising
 Decorating means for decorating at least one aspect of said supporting means selected from the group consisting of fabric, vinyl, malleable plastic, rubber, hemp; and   
   
   
       4 . The claim of  claim 1  further comprising
 Said securing means comprising at least two individual sealed compartments; and
 Said securing means are filled with an inert substance, selected from the group consisting of dried rice, dried beans, aquarium gravel, gravel, glass chips, rocks, sand, plastic beads, clay soil, metal shavings or wood; and 
 Said securing means are filled in the weight range between about ½ ounce to about 16 ounces per compartment; and 
 Said securing means are differentially weighted so that one compartment is heavier than the other compartment; and 
   
   
   
       5 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 Said suspending means is placed between the two securing means compartments, allowing the securing means to drape over an inanimate object; and   
   
   
       6 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 Said stiffening means and said passing means are located on the same side of the system as the lighter securing means; and   
   
   
       7 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 Said passing means is located below the securing compartment; and   Said stiffening means is located directly below the passing means   
   
   
       8 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 Said passing means has at least one opening; and   Said passing means has a range between about ¼ inch to about 5 inches in width; and   Said passing means has a range between about 2 inches to about 18 inches in length; and   Said passing means is reinforced by a sealing means so that said passing means is sturdier in construction than other parts of the system; and   
   
   
       9 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 Said stiffening means comprises at least one dowel; and   Said dowel is selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal rod, rubber, rolled fabric or a tightly rolled padded fabric pouch; and   
   
   
       10 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 Said system has a range of about 3 inches to about 16 inches width and about 4 inches to about 24 inches in length; and   Said individual compartments have a range from about ¼ inch to about 10 inches in length; and   
   
   
       11 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein
 Said securing means has an internal lining; and   
   
   
       12 . The claim of  claim 11  wherein
 Said securing means does not have an internal lining   
   
   
       13 . The claim of  claim 11  wherein
 The system where the heavier of the securing means is placed on or about a flat horizontal surface and the second securing means is suspended from the inanimate object   
   
   
       14 . The claim of  claim 11  wherein said securing means may be selected from the group alternatively comprising a button, snap or zipper 
   
   
       15 . The claim of  claim 11  wherein
 A method of using the system to hold cardstock at eye level; and   A securing means to attach card stock to the system on the sides of the passing means; and   
     A suspending means to attach the system to the top of an inanimate object by draping the system over the inanimate object: and 
   
   
       16 . The claim of  claim 11  wherein
 A draping means to attach the heavier securing means to the top of the inanimate object.   Said securing means to attach card stock by securing the card stock to the side of the passing means   
   
   
       17 . The claim of  claim 16  wherein
 Said securing means to attach card stock may be selected from the group alternatively comprising a button, snap or zipper.   
   
   
       18 . A kit comprising the system, a securing means to attach other items to the system, and a decorating means.
 The term “about” and “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation which could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, the retaining system as described herein can be suspended not only over a horizontal bar, but can be used as a weighted system by placing the heavier counterweight on a flat surface and allowing the suspending compartment and the other compartments to hang from the side of the flat surface.   The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the system disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the system and may be subject to change by a skilled person within the scope of the art without departing from the concept thereof.   If the claims are not found to be in condition for allowance, the examiner is requested to contact the attorney to schedule an interview before mailing an Office action.