Garment Holder with Lock Mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a first half and a second half of a garment holder including the first half having a first lock, the first lock including a pin having a winged base to be received in a first hole having a corresponding shape. The pin being rotatable within the first hole between a locked and unlocked position and wherein the first lock resides on the first half and the second half includes the second hole. The pin including a locking member disposed at a distal end of the pin, the locking member for engaging the second hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment holder comprising:
 a first half and a second half including the first half having a first lock, the first lock including a pin having a winged base to be received in a first hole having a corresponding shape, the pin being rotatable within the first hole between a locked and unlocked position.   
     
     
         2 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the first lock resides on the first half and the second half includes the second hole, the pin including a locking member disposed at a distal end of the pin, the locking member for engaging the second hole. 
     
     
         3 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein pin is formed of a barrel having a longitudinal axis and the distal end may pivot outwardly away from the axis to an engaged position and pivot inwardly to a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the pin is traveling through the second hole and in the disengaged position the pin is seated within the second hole so that the winged base extends beyond the second hole. 
     
     
         4 . The holder of  claim 3  wherein in the engaged position the distal end of the locking member rides against a wall forming the second hole. 
     
     
         5 . The holder of  claim 3  wherein in the engaged position the distal end of the locking member rides against a wall forming the first hole. 
     
     
         6 . The holder of  claim 3  further comprising a flange disposed on the second half and a pair of ramps protruding from the flange, the winged base engaging the ramps when the pin is rotated approximately 45 degrees, so that in the locked position the winged base rides along the ramps into a position between the ramps. 
     
     
         7 . The holder of  claim 3  wherein the pin is in an unlocked position when the winged base is adjacent the ramps, prior to rotation of the pin. 
     
     
         8 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the attachment of the first half to the second half forms a ball and captured within the ball is a mini-ball upon which a garment may be attached. 
     
     
         9 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the first and second halves are joined at a rim, the rim having tabs engaged by guides in order to secure the first half to the second half. 
     
     
         10 . A locking member for locking a first half of a garment holder to a second half of the garment holder, the locking member comprising:
 a pin having a winged base to be received in a hole having a corresponding shape, the pin being rotatable within the hole between a locked and unlocked position.   the pin including a locking member disposed at a distal end of the pin, the locking member for engaging a hole.   
     
     
         11 . The locking member of  claim 10  wherein the pin is formed of a barrel having a longitudinal axis and the distal end may pivot outwardly away from the axis to an engaged position and pivot inwardly to a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the pin is traveling through the hole and the disengaged position where the pin is seated within the hole so that the winged base extends beyond the hole. 
     
     
         12 . The locking member of  claim 10  wherein in the engaged position the distal end of the locking member rides against a wall forming the hole. 
     
     
         13 . The locking member of  claim 10  further comprising a flange disposed on the second half and a pair of ramps protruding from the flange, the winged base engaging the ramps when the pin is rotated approximately 45 degrees, so that in the locked position the winged base rides along the ramps into a position between the ramps. 
     
     
         14 . The locking member of  claim 10  wherein the pin is in an unlocked position when the winged base is adjacent the ramps, prior to rotation of the pin. 
     
     
         15 . A method of locking a first member to a second member comprising the steps of:
 holding the first member adjacent the second member so that a pin is located in proximity to a first hole of the first member and a second hole of a second member;   inserting the pin through the first hole; and   inserting the pin through the second hole so that a distal end of the pin is pivoted between an engaged position and a disengaged position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of:
 rotating the pin approximately 45 degrees between the engaged and disengaged positions. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  providing a pair of ramps disposed on a flange of the second member, the flange having the second hole and the ramps for engaging a winged base of the pin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of rotating the pin approximately 45 degrees so that the winged base is engaged between the ramps. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  providing a visual indicator disposed on a rim of the member to indicate the locked condition of the first member to the second member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of placing a garment within the members when in the locked condition.