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WO2018136076A1 - Appareil de support - Google Patents

Appareil de support Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018136076A1
WO2018136076A1 PCT/US2017/014212 US2017014212W WO2018136076A1 WO 2018136076 A1 WO2018136076 A1 WO 2018136076A1 US 2017014212 W US2017014212 W US 2017014212W WO 2018136076 A1 WO2018136076 A1 WO 2018136076A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sidewall
channel
holder apparatus
cross
gate portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2017/014212
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michon D'ARTELL
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to PCT/US2017/014212 priority Critical patent/WO2018136076A1/fr
Publication of WO2018136076A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018136076A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F55/00—Clothes-pegs
    • D06F55/02—Clothes-pegs with pivoted independent clamping members
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B45/00—Hooks; Eyes
    • F16B45/02—Hooks with pivoting or elastically bending closing member
    • F16B45/023—Hooks with pivoting or elastically bending closing member the closing member pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the hook

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus to hold objects and, more particularly, to a holder apparatus that holds objects such as clothing, towels, window curtains, shower liners, paper or photographs, and other objects in a suspended state.
  • Apparatuses to hold objects have had broad application to the daily life of humans throughout history.
  • many apparatuses exist that hold objects in a suspended state.
  • a clothespin is an apparatus which can be used to hang clothes up for drying, for example, on a clothes line or other cord.
  • a clip - such as an alligator clip - can be used to hold objects such as clothing, towels, window curtains, shower liners, paper or photographs, or other objects in a suspended state.
  • clothes hangers intended to hang pants often include a pair of clips which are used to hold the pants.
  • Clothespins and clips typically include a biasing member - such as a spring, coil, elastic band, or resilient member - to bias the clothespin or clip toward a state in which the clothespin or clip clamps or grabs onto the object which is being held.
  • a clothespin or a clip can include a pair of slats that have a pair of jaws at one end. The slats are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot point.
  • a spring is placed between the slats on an opposite side of the pivot point to the pair of jaws. The spring pushes the slats outward, causing the jaws of the slats to squeeze together.
  • an elastic band, a resilient member, or the ends of a coil can be placed around the outer surface of the slats at a position between the jaws and the pivot point.
  • the user can press on the ends of the slats opposite the jaws to open the jaws and place an object therein. After the user ceases providing force, the elastic band, resilient member, or coil causes the jaws to retract and clamp onto the object.
  • biasing member - such as a spring, coil, elastic band, or resilient member - to bias the apparatus toward a state in which the object is held
  • biasing members are highly susceptible to degradation or loss of functionality over time.
  • a metal spring or rubber band may lose its potency after it is repeatedly stretched or may simply lose its resilient force as it ages and the material corrodes.
  • apparatuses which rely upon a biasing member to effectively hold objects typically have a limited life span. Such is particularly true for apparatuses which contain low cost or cheap components - which are typically used in large scale manufacturing of simple devices such as clothespins.
  • clothespins or clips that include a pair of slats held together only by the ends of a metal spring or coil may become easily and accidentally disassembled.
  • the end of the metal coil may slide off of one or both of the slats, requiring the user to perform an onerous repair process for an apparatus that should operate in a simple and reliable fashion.
  • FIG. 1 Other example apparatuses to hold objects range from simple hooks (e.g., coat or towel hooks) to shower or window curtain hooks and other apparatuses.
  • Simple hooks such as towel hooks have the drawback that an object can easily slide off the hook if it is not precisely placed onto the hook or if the hook or object is disturbed (e.g., by the opening of a bathroom door on which the hook is mounted).
  • simple hooks typically cannot hold less deformable objects such as paper, photographs, artwork, etc.
  • shower or window curtain hooks typically require holes or openings to the punched or formed within the shower or window curtain.
  • a shower curtain may have a number of holes formed at an upper edge. The hooks are placed around a curtain rod and then the curtain is hung from the hooks using the number of holes.
  • the shower curtain or shower curtain liner may be made from thin plastic material which is relatively easily torn. Once a hole at the upper edge of the curtain has torn, the hook no longer provides any support for that portion of the curtain. This results in the curtain undesirably sagging in certain portions without any remedy except the creation of a new, ineffective hole in the curtain by the curtain owner.
  • a holder apparatus that operates in a simple and reliable fashion is desired.
  • a holder apparatus that does not rely upon biasing members and which is capable of securely holding objects without holes is desired.
  • the holder apparatus includes a body portion.
  • the body portion includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that opposes the first sidewall to form a channel therebetween.
  • the holder apparatus includes a gate portion that is, at least in use, physically coupled to the second sidewall of the body portion and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
  • the gate portion includes a cross-channel member that, when the gate portion is in the closed configuration, extends across an entire width of the channel to physically engage a channel-facing surface of the first sidewall or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member and the channel-facing surface of the first sidewall.
  • kits for a holder apparatus includes a body portion of the holder apparatus.
  • the body portion includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that opposes the first sidewall to form a channel therebetween.
  • the kit includes a gate portion of the holder apparatus.
  • the gate portion is selectively physically coupelable to the second sidewall of the body portion of the holder apparatus. When the gate portion is physically coupled to the second sidewall of the body portion, the gate portion is movable between an open configuration and a closed
  • the gate portion includes a cross-channel member that, when the gate portion is physically coupled to the second sidewall of the body portion and in the closed
  • the holder apparatus includes a body portion.
  • the body portion includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that opposes the first sidewall to form a first channel therebetween.
  • the body portion further includes a first hook and a second hook that extend from a top of the body portion.
  • the first hook and the second hook are opposite a depth of the body portion to each other to form a second channel therebetween.
  • the first hook and the second hook face in opposing directions that are respectively parallel to the second channel.
  • the holder apparatus further includes a gate portion that is, at least in use, physically coupled to the second sidewall of the body portion and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
  • the gate portion includes a cross-channel member that, when the gate portion is physically coupled to the second sidewall and in the closed configuration, extends across an entire width of the first channel to physically engage a channel-facing surface of the first sidewall or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member and the channel- facing surface of the first sidewall.
  • Figure 1 depicts an isometric view of an example holder apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 2 depicts an exploded view of an example holder apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figures 3A-3C depict the operation of an example holder apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 4 depicts an isometric view of an example holder apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 5 depicts an exploded view of an example holder apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figures 6A-6B depict the operation of an example holder apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure provides holder apparatuses useful to hold objects.
  • the holder apparatuses of the present disclosure do not rely upon biasing members. Instead, as will be discussed further below, the holder apparatuses of the present disclosure are designed to leverage natural mechanical and gravitational forces to hold objects, eliminating the need for biasing members such as springs, coils, elastic bands, and the like.
  • the holder apparatuses of the present disclosure are capable of securely holding objects - including less deformable objects such as paper - without requiring that holes be formed in such objects.
  • Figure 1 depicts an isometric view of an example holder apparatus 100 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 2 depicts an exploded view of the example holder apparatus 100 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the holder apparatus 100 includes a body portion 102 and a gate portion 114.
  • the body portion 102 includes a first sidewall 104 and a second sidewall 106.
  • the second sidewall 106 opposes the first sidewall 104 to form a channel 110 therebetween.
  • a portion of an object can be placed into and held within the channel 110.
  • the gate portion 114 is physically coupled to the second sidewall 106 of the body portion 102. At least in use, the gate portion 114 is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. For example, the gate portion 114 can be pivotably physically coupled to the second sidewall 106 and can be pivotable between the open configuration and the closed configuration (e.g., freely pivotable). In Figure 1, the gate portion 114 is illustrated in the closed configuration.
  • the gate portion 114 can include a cross-channel member 116 that, when the gate portion 114 is in the closed configuration, extends across an entire width of the channel 110 to physically engage the first sidewall 104 or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member 116 and the first sidewall 105.
  • the cross-channel member 116 when the gate portion 114 is in the closed configuration, can extend across the entire width of the channel 110 to physically engage a channel- facing surface 105 of the first sidewall 104 or a portion of an object held between the cross- channel member 116 and the channel-facing surface 105 of the first sidewall 104.
  • a distal end 117 of the cross-channel member 116 can press against or otherwise physically engage the channel-facing surface 105 of the first sidewall 104.
  • the cross-channel member 116 extends into the channel 110 but does not reach the first sidewall 104 to physically engage the channel-facing surface 105 of the first sidewall 104. Therefore, when the gate portion 114 is in the open configuration, a portion of an object may freely pass into or exit from the channel 110 between the distal end 117 of the cross-channel member 116 and the channel-facing surface 105 of the first sidewall 104. In particular, in some
  • the cross-channel member 116 when the gate portion 114 is actuated from the closed configuration to the open configuration, can pivot or rotate upwards (e.g., clockwise for the orientation illustrated Figure 1) toward a channel-ceiling such that the cross-channel member 116 extends into the channel 110 but does not reach the first sidewall 104 to physically engage the channel-facing surface 105 of the first sidewall 104.
  • the channel-facing surface 105 of the first sidewall 104 includes a lip 120 that extends from the first sidewall 104 into the channel 110.
  • the cross-channel member 116 extends across the channel 110 to physically engage the lip 120 of the first sidewall 104 or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member 116 and the lip 120 of the first sidewall 104.
  • a lower surface of the distal end 117 of the cross- channel member 116 may rest upon or otherwise physically engage an upper surface of the lip 120, as illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the distal end 117 of the cross- channel member is rounded.
  • the distal end 117 of the cross- channel member 116 has at least one of a texture or a material that grips the portion of the object held between the distal end 117 of the cross-channel member 116 and the first sidewall 104.
  • the distal end 117 of the cross-channel member 116 can have ridges, studs, prongs, and/or hooks to assist in engaging and/holding the portion of the object.
  • the distal end 117 of the cross-channel member 116 can be made of or have disposed thereon rubber, soft plastic, or other griping materials.
  • the lip 120 or other portions of the first sidewall 104 may have such textures and/or materials in addition or alternatively to the cross-channel member 116.
  • the gate portion 114 can be biased toward the closed configuration by gravity.
  • the gate portion 114 can naturally return or otherwise be biased toward the closed configuration due to gravitational forces. Such natural return toward the closed configuration may assist in the initial retention of objects within the channel 110.
  • the holder apparatus 100 does not include any biasing elements such as springs, coils, elastic bands, or resiliently deformable elements.
  • the body portion 102 and the gate portion 114 can be substantially rigid (e.g., rigid pieces of plastic).
  • the holder apparatus 100 does not include biasing elements which may suffer from degradation or loss of functionality over time.
  • the body portion 102 includes a ceiling portion 108 that forms a ceiling of the channel 1 10.
  • the ceiling portion 108 can be physically coupled to the first sidewall 104 and the second sidewall 106.
  • the first sidewall 104 and the second sidewall 106 can respectively extend downwards from the ceiling portion 108.
  • the first sidewall 104 and the second sidewall 106 may directly connect to each other without an explicit ceiling portion 108 (e.g., the body portion 102 can be V-shaped rather than U-shaped).
  • the body portion 102 is a first unitary piece of plastic.
  • the gate portion 114 can be a second unitary piece of plastic.
  • the body portion 102 and/or the gate portion 114 can each be unitary pieces of molded plastic or can be produced through other techniques such as three-dimensional printing.
  • the body portion 102 and/or the gate portion 114 can be formed from multiple parts and/or made from materials other than plastic.
  • the holder apparatus 100 can further include at least one hook that extends from the body portion 102 and a first direction, where the first direction is opposite to a second direction in which the first sidewall 104 and the second sidewall 106 respectively extend.
  • the at least one hook enables the holder apparatus 100 to be suspended from a cord, line, hanger, protrusion, pole, support hook, or other similar items.
  • a first hook 122 and a second hook 124 extend from the ceiling portion 108 in a first direction which is opposite to a second direction in which the first sidewall 104 and the second sidewall 106 extend from the ceiling portion 108.
  • the first hook 122 opposes the second hook 124 to form a second channel 126 therebetween.
  • the first hook 122 and the second hook 124 face in opposing directions.
  • the first hook 122 and the second hook 124 face in opposing directions that are respectively parallel to the second channel 126.
  • each of the first hook 122 and the second hook 124 include a neck portion that extends away from the ceiling portion 108 and a curved head portion that curves away from the neck portion back towards the ceiling portion 108 to define an opening between the head portion and a top surface of the ceiling portion 108.
  • the openings respectively defined by the first hook 122 and the second hook 124 are on opposite sides of the top surface of the ceiling portion 108.
  • the first hook 122 faces the second sidewall 106 while the second hook 124 faces the first sidewall 104 (or vice versa).
  • the example hook design discussed above and illustrated in Figure 1 has the advantageous effect of enabling the holder apparatus 100 to be more securely mounted to or hung from a cord, line, hanger, pole, curtain rod, or other elongated object.
  • the holder apparatus 100 is positioned so that an elongated object (e.g., cord, line, hanger, pole, curtain rod, etc.) is placed within the second channel 126 between the first hook 122 and the second hook 124.
  • the holder apparatus 100 is then rotated (e.g., clockwise for the illustrated embodiment) so that the elongated object passes through the respective openings defined between the respective head portions of the first hook 122 and the second hook 124 and the top surface of the ceiling portion 108.
  • the elongated object extends through a passageway 128 and the holder apparatus 100 is more securely mounted to or hung from the elongated object.
  • Such configuration is illustrated in Figures 3 A-3C, which will be discussed further below.
  • the gate portion 114 can include a first leg 118 that extends away from the second sidewall 106 and the cross-channel member 116.
  • the first leg 118 can extend directly downwards or can extend downwards and at a slight angle away from the channel 110.
  • the first leg 118 can be movable by a user of the holder apparatus 100 to at least cause the gate portion 114 to move (e.g., pivot) from the closed configuration to the open configuration to release the portion of the object held between the cross cross-channel member 116 and the first sidewall 104.
  • the gate portion 114 can be rigid, such that when the user polls, presses, pinches, or otherwise causes the first leg 118 to move towards the channel, the cross-channel member 116 will disengage from the first sidewall 104 to release the object.
  • the first leg 118 enables simplified manipulation of the configuration of the gate portion 114 by the user to either permit an object to enter the channel 110 or release the object from the channel 110.
  • user manipulation of the first leg 118 is not necessarily required to move the gate portion 114 between the closed configuration and the open configuration and vice versa.
  • a user may press an object upwards against the bottom surface of the cross-channel member 116 to cause the gate portion 114 to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration, thereby permitting the object to enter the channel 110.
  • the body portion 102 can further have a second leg 112 that extends from the first sidewall 104.
  • the second leg 112 can extend directly downwards or can extend downwards and at a slight angle away from the channel 110.
  • the first leg 118 and the second leg 112 can be shaped and spaced to enable the user of the holder apparatus 100 to pinch or otherwise pull the first leg 118 toward the second leg 112 to cause the gate portion 114 to move (e.g., pivot) from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
  • the user is not required to precisely grip and manipulate the first leg 118, but instead, for example, can simply use 2 fingers to pinch the first leg 118 and the second leg 112, causing the first leg 118 to move towards the second leg 112, thereby causing the gate portion 114 to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration and release the object.
  • the gate portion 114 and the second sidewall 106 can respectively include complementary hinge portions.
  • the second sidewall 106 can include a first hinge portion (generally indicated at 125) and the gate portion 114 can include a second hinge portion (generally indicated at 129).
  • the second hinge portion 129 can be complementary to the first hinge portion 125.
  • the second hinge portion 129 can be selectively insertable and removable from the first hinge portion 125.
  • the second hinge portion 129 can be selectively insertable and removable from the first hinge portion 125 via a snap fit.
  • the second hinge portion 129 can include a cylinder 130 or other shape that protrudes from the cross-channel member 116.
  • the second hinge portion 129 can further include a pair of shafts 132 and 134 that respectively extend from opposite ends of the cylinder 130.
  • the first hinge portion 125 can include a cavity formed in the second sidewall 106. The cavity can be sized and shaped to receive the cylinder 130.
  • the first hinge portion 125 can further include a third hook 126 fourth hook 128 sized and shaped to respectively receive the pair of shafts 132 and 134.
  • the hooks 126 and 128 can respectively receive the pair of shafts 132 and 134 in a snap fit fashion (e.g., the shafts 132 and 134 snap into place and remain rotatable within the center openings of the hooks 126 and 128).
  • Figures 3A-3C depict the operation of the example holder apparatus 100 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the holder apparatus can be suspended or otherwise hung from a line 302 or other rope, cord, rod, or other elongated object.
  • the line 302 can pass through the passageway 128 discussed with reference to Figure 1.
  • a portion of an object 304 such as an item of clothing, a towel, a piece of paper, a photograph, a shower or window curtain, a hat, or other object can be moved upwards toward the holder apparatus 100.
  • the gate portion 114 of the holder apparatus 100 can be moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration to permit at least a portion of the object 104 to pass between the cross-channel member 116 and the first sidewall to enter the channel 110.
  • pressing the object 304 against the bottom surface of the cross-channel member 116 can cause the gate portion 114 to pivot into the open configuration.
  • the user can manually move the first leg 118 to cause the gate portion 114 to pivot into the open configuration.
  • the user can release the object 304.
  • the gate portion 114 which can be biased toward the closed position by gravity, will naturally return to the closed configuration prior to the portion of the object 304 leaving the channel 110.
  • the portion of the object 304 that is within the channel 110 may also pull the cross-channel member downwards, causing the gate portion 114 to pivot back into the closed configuration.
  • the portion of the object 304 is firmly pressed or otherwise securely held between the cross-channel member 116 and the first sidewall of the body portion 102 of the holder apparatus 100.
  • the portion of the object 304 is firmly pressed or otherwise securely held between the cross-channel member 116 and the lip 120 of the first sidewall.
  • the weight of the object 304 and/or other forces which seek to cause the object 304 to leave or fall away from the holder apparatus 100 serve only to tighten the hold of the apparatus 100.
  • the portion of the object 304 within the channel 110 is pulled away or downwards, it naturally tightens the cross-channel member 116 against the lip 120.
  • the holder apparatus 100 is designed to leverage natural mechanical and gravitational forces to securely hold the object 304, eliminating the need for biasing members such as springs, coils, elastic bands, and the like.
  • any force applied to pull the object 304 away from the apparatus 100 serves only to tighten the grip of the apparatus 100 on the object 304.
  • the holder apparatus 100 of the present disclosure provides a simple, efficient, user-friendly, and durable solution for holding objects in a suspended state.
  • the apparatus 100 relies on natural mechanical forces, not biasing members such as springs.
  • the apparatus 100 can hold an object (e.g., curtain) without requiring destructive holes to be formed in the object and without the risk that the object will slip off a hook.
  • Figure 4 depicts an isometric view of another example holder apparatus 400 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 5 depicts an exploded view of the example holder apparatus 400 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the holder apparatus 400 includes a body portion 402 and a gate portion 414.
  • the body portion 402 includes a first sidewall 404 and a second sidewall 406.
  • the second sidewall 406 opposes the first sidewall 404 to form a channel 410 therebetween.
  • a portion of an object can be placed into and held within the channel 410.
  • the gate portion 414 is physically coupled to the second sidewall 406 of the body portion 402. At least in use, the gate portion 414 is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
  • the gate portion 414 can be pivotably physically coupled to the second sidewall 406 and can be pivotable between the open configuration and the closed configuration (e.g., freely pivotable).
  • the gate portion 414 is illustrated in the closed configuration.
  • the gate portion 414 can include a cross-channel member 416 that, when the gate portion 414 is in the closed configuration, extends across an entire width of the channel 410 to physically engage the first sidewall 404 or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member 416 and the first sidewall 405.
  • the cross-channel member 416 can extend across the entire width of the channel 410 to physically engage a channel-facing surface 405 of the first sidewall 404 or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member 416 and the channel -facing surface 405 of the first sidewall 404.
  • a distal end 417 of the cross-channel member 416 can press against or otherwise physically engage the channel-facing surface 405 of the first sidewall 404.
  • the cross-channel member 416 extends into the channel 410 but does not reach the first sidewall 404 to physically engage the channel-facing surface 405 of the first sidewall 404. Therefore, when the gate portion 414 is in the open configuration, a portion of an object may freely pass into or exit from the channel 410 between the distal end 417 of the cross-channel member 416 and the channel-facing surface 405 of the first sidewall 404. In particular, in some
  • the cross-channel member 416 when the gate portion 414 is actuated from the closed configuration to the open configuration, can pivot or rotate upwards (e.g., clockwise for the orientation illustrated in Figure 4) toward a channel-ceiling such that the cross-channel member 416 extends into the channel 410 but does not reach the first sidewall 404 to physically engage the channel-facing surface 405 of the first sidewall 404.
  • the channel-facing surface 405 of the first sidewall 404 includes a lip 420 that extends from the first sidewall 404 into the channel 410.
  • the cross-channel member 416 extends across the channel 410 to physically engage the lip 420 of the first sidewall 404 or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member 416 and the lip 420 of the first sidewall 404.
  • a lower surface of the distal end 417 of the cross- channel member 416 may rest upon or otherwise physically engage an upper surface of the lip 420, as illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the distal end 417 of the cross- channel member is rounded.
  • the distal end 417 of the cross- channel member 416 has at least one of a texture or a material that grips the portion of the object held between the distal end 417 of the cross-channel member 416 and the first sidewall 404.
  • the distal end 417 of the cross-channel member 416 can have ridges, studs, prongs, and/or hooks to assist in engaging and/holding the portion of the object.
  • the distal end 417 of the cross-channel member 416 can be formed from or have disposed thereon rubber, soft plastic, or other griping materials.
  • the lip 420 or other portions of the first sidewall 404 may have such textures and/or materials in addition or alternatively to the cross-channel member 416.
  • the gate portion 414 can be biased toward the closed configuration by gravity.
  • the gate portion 414 can naturally return or otherwise be biased toward the closed configuration due to gravitational forces. Such natural return toward the closed configuration may assist in the initial retention of objects within the channel 410.
  • the holder apparatus 400 does not include any biasing elements such as springs, coils, elastic bands, or resiliently deformable elements.
  • the body portion 402 and the gate portion 414 can be substantially rigid (e.g., rigid pieces of plastic).
  • the holder apparatus 400 does not include biasing elements which may suffer from degradation or loss of functionality over time.
  • the body portion 402 includes a ceiling portion 408 that forms a ceiling of the channel 410.
  • the ceiling portion 408 can be physically coupled to the first sidewall 404 and the second sidewall 406.
  • the first sidewall 404 and the second sidewall 406 can respectively extend downwards from the ceiling portion 408.
  • the first sidewall 404 and the second sidewall 406 may directly connect to each other without an explicit ceiling portion 408 (e.g., the body portion 402 can be V-shaped rather than U-shaped).
  • the body portion 402 is a first unitary piece of plastic.
  • the gate portion 414 can be a second unitary piece of plastic.
  • the body portion 402 and/or the gate portion 414 can each be unitary pieces of molded plastic or can be produced through other techniques such as three-dimensional printing.
  • the body portion 402 and/or the gate portion 414 can be formed from multiple parts and/or made from materials other than plastic.
  • the gate portion 414 can include a first leg 418 that extends away from the second sidewall 406 and the cross-channel member 416.
  • the first leg 418 can extend directly downwards or can extend downwards and at a slight angle away from the channel 410.
  • the first leg 418 can be movable by a user of the holder apparatus 400 to at least cause the gate portion 414 to move (e.g., pivot) from the closed configuration to the open configuration to release the portion of the object held between the cross cross-channel member 416 and the first sidewall 404.
  • the gate portion 414 can be rigid, such that when the user polls, presses, pinches, or otherwise causes the first leg 418 to move towards the channel, the cross-channel member 416 will disengage from the first sidewall 404 to release the object.
  • the first leg 418 enables simplified manipulation of the configuration of the gate portion 414 by the user to either permit an object to enter the channel 410 or release the object from the channel 410.
  • user manipulation of the first leg 418 is not necessarily required to move the gate portion 414 between the closed configuration and the open configuration and vice versa.
  • a user may press an object upwards against the bottom surface of the cross-channel member 416 to cause the gate portion 414 to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration, thereby permitting the object to enter the channel 410.
  • the gate portion 414 and the second sidewall 406 can respectively include complementary hinge portions.
  • the second sidewall 406 can include a first hinge portion (generally indicated at 425) and the gate portion 414 can include a second hinge portion (generally indicated at 429).
  • the second hinge portion 429 can be complementary to the first hinge portion 425.
  • the second hinge portion 429 can be selectively insertable and removable from the first hinge portion 425.
  • the second hinge portion 429 can be selectively insertable and removable from the first hinge portion 425 via a snap fit.
  • the second hinge portion 429 can include a cylinder 430 or other shape that protrudes from the cross-channel member 416.
  • the second hinge portion 429 can further include a pair of shafts 432 and 434 that respectively extend from opposite ends of the cylinder 430.
  • the first hinge portion 425 can include a cavity formed in the second sidewall 406. The cavity can be sized and shaped to receive the cylinder 430.
  • the first hinge portion 425 can further include a third hook 426 fourth hook 428 sized and shaped to respectively receive the pair of shafts 432 and 434.
  • the hooks 426 and 428 can respectively receive the pair of shafts 432 and 434 in a snap fit fashion (e.g., the shafts 432 and 434 snap into place and remain rotatable within the center openings of the hooks 426 and 428).
  • the holder apparatus 400 can further include a back plate 424 and a cover plate 422.
  • the body portion 402 of the holder apparatus 400 can be mounted on the back plate 424.
  • one or more fasteners e.g., screws
  • the cover plate 422 can have an opening 421 that is sized and shaped to allow the body portion to pass therethrough. Further, the cover plate 422 can be sized and shaped to circumferentially enclose the back plate 424.
  • the body portion 102 can be mounted to the back plate 424 as described above.
  • the back plate 424 can then be mounted to a surface such as a wall, door, etc. via one or more fasteners that extend through openings (e.g., opening 423) in the back plate 424 and into the surface.
  • the cover plate 424 can then be slid over the assembly with the body portion 402 passing through the center opening 421 of the cover plate 422.
  • the cover plate 422 can snap into place and circumferentially enclose the back plate 424.
  • one or more fasteners 604 can extend through the cover plate 422 as well as the back plate 424 to mount the apparatus 400 to a surface 602.
  • Figures 6A-6B depict the operation of the example holder apparatus 400 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the holder apparatus 400 can be mounted to a surface 602 such as a wall, door, desk, ceiling, etc.
  • One or more fasteners 604 e.g., screws, nails, etc.
  • fasteners 604 can be used to fasten the holder apparatus 400 to the surface 602.
  • a portion of an object 606 such as an item of clothing, a towel, a piece of paper, a photograph, a shower or window curtain, a hat, a jacket, or other object can be moved upwards toward the holder apparatus 400.
  • the gate portion 414 of the holder apparatus 400 can be moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration to permit at least a portion of the object 404 to pass between the cross-channel member 416 and the first sidewall to enter the channel 140.
  • pressing the object 606 against the bottom surface of the cross-channel member 416 can cause the gate portion 414 to pivot into the open configuration.
  • the user can manually move the first leg 418 to cause the gate portion 414 to pivot into the open configuration.
  • the user can release the object 606.
  • the gate portion 414 which can be biased toward the closed position by gravity, will naturally return to the closed configuration prior to the portion of the object 606 leaving the channel 140.
  • the portion of the object 606 that is within the channel 140 may also pull the cross-channel member downwards, causing the gate portion 414 to pivot back into the closed configuration.
  • the portion of the object 606 is firmly pressed or otherwise securely held between the cross-channel member 416 and the first sidewall of the body portion 402 of the holder apparatus 400.
  • the portion of the object 606 is firmly pressed or otherwise securely held between the cross-channel member 416 and the lip 420 of the first sidewall.
  • the weight of the object 606 and/or other forces which seek to cause the object 606 to leave or fall away from the holder apparatus 400 serve only to tighten the hold of the apparatus 400.
  • the holder apparatus 400 is designed to leverage natural mechanical and gravitational forces to securely hold the object 606, eliminating the need for biasing members such as springs, coils, elastic bands, and the like.
  • any force applied to pull the object 606 away from the apparatus 400 serves only to tighten the grip of the apparatus 400 on the object 606.
  • the holder apparatus 400 of the present disclosure provides a simple, efficient, user- friendly, and durable solution for holding objects in a suspended state.
  • the apparatus 400 relies on natural mechanical forces, not biasing members such as springs.
  • the apparatus 400 can hold an object (e.g., towel) without requiring destructive holes to be formed in the object and without the risk that the object will slip off a hook.
  • the holder apparatuses of the present disclosure can also be manufactured, distributed, sold, etc. as multiple parts or pieces (e.g., "a kit") that are subsequently assembled by a consumer, end-user of the apparatus, or other downstream entity.
  • a kit e.g., "a kit”
  • One example holder apparatus kit includes a body portion of the holder apparatus.
  • the body portion includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall that opposes the first sidewall to form a channel therebetween.
  • the kit includes a gate portion of the holder apparatus.
  • the gate portion is selectively physically coupelable to the second sidewall of the body portion of the holder apparatus. When the gate portion is physically coupled to the second sidewall of the body portion, the gate portion is movable between an open
  • the gate portion includes a cross-channel member that, when the gate portion is physically coupled to the second sidewall of the body portion and in the closed configuration, extends across an entire width of the channel to physically engage a channel-facing surface of the first sidewall or a portion of an object held between the cross-channel member and the channel-facing surface of the first sidewall.
  • the kit can optionally further include a back plate on which the body portion is selectively mountable.
  • the kit can optionally further include a cover plate that has an opening sized and shaped to allow the body portion to pass therethrough. The cover plate can be sized and shaped to circumferentially enclose the back plate.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Hooks, Suction Cups, And Attachment By Adhesive Means (AREA)

Abstract

Exemple d'appareil de support comprenant une partie corps et une partie porte. La partie corps comprend une première et une seconde parois latérales qui se font face pour former un canal entre elles. La partie de porte est, au moins en utilisation, physiquement couplée à la seconde paroi latérale de la partie de corps et est mobile entre une configuration ouverte et une configuration fermée. La partie de porte comprend un élément de canal transversal qui, lorsque la partie de porte est dans la configuration fermée, s'étend sur toute la largeur du canal pour venir physiquement en prise avec une surface faisant face au canal de la première paroi latérale ou une partie d'un objet maintenu entre l'élément de canal transversal et la surface faisant face au canal de la première paroi latérale. Un exemple de kit pour un appareil de support comprend une partie corps et une partie porte. La partie de porte est sélectivement couplée physiquement à la partie de corps par l'intermédiaire d'un ajustement par encliquetage.
PCT/US2017/014212 2017-01-20 2017-01-20 Appareil de support Ceased WO2018136076A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2017/014212 WO2018136076A1 (fr) 2017-01-20 2017-01-20 Appareil de support

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2017/014212 WO2018136076A1 (fr) 2017-01-20 2017-01-20 Appareil de support

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018136076A1 true WO2018136076A1 (fr) 2018-07-26

Family

ID=62908249

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2017/014212 Ceased WO2018136076A1 (fr) 2017-01-20 2017-01-20 Appareil de support

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2018136076A1 (fr)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1275582A (en) * 1917-09-24 1918-08-13 Adolph F Mascellino Clothes-pin.
US3262579A (en) * 1963-02-15 1966-07-26 Reich Walter Robert Holder of plastic for all kinds of cloths and toilet articles
US20020029442A1 (en) * 1999-08-26 2002-03-14 David Baumdicker Swag tether and method of securing the same
JP2003063180A (ja) * 2001-08-23 2003-03-05 Morito Co Ltd 合成樹脂製クリップ
US20030108321A1 (en) * 2001-03-16 2003-06-12 Krampotich Dennis J. Cable clip
TWM242607U (en) * 2003-09-18 2004-09-01 Jian-Lung Gau Safety convenient buckling ring with opposite hooks
US20120011640A1 (en) * 2010-07-13 2012-01-19 Ykk Corporation Of America Releasable Clips
US20140332575A1 (en) * 2012-08-01 2014-11-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle garment hook assembly

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1275582A (en) * 1917-09-24 1918-08-13 Adolph F Mascellino Clothes-pin.
US3262579A (en) * 1963-02-15 1966-07-26 Reich Walter Robert Holder of plastic for all kinds of cloths and toilet articles
US20020029442A1 (en) * 1999-08-26 2002-03-14 David Baumdicker Swag tether and method of securing the same
US20030108321A1 (en) * 2001-03-16 2003-06-12 Krampotich Dennis J. Cable clip
JP2003063180A (ja) * 2001-08-23 2003-03-05 Morito Co Ltd 合成樹脂製クリップ
TWM242607U (en) * 2003-09-18 2004-09-01 Jian-Lung Gau Safety convenient buckling ring with opposite hooks
US20120011640A1 (en) * 2010-07-13 2012-01-19 Ykk Corporation Of America Releasable Clips
US20140332575A1 (en) * 2012-08-01 2014-11-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle garment hook assembly

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