US20040232095A1 - Apparatus for supporting articles in a desired orientation - Google Patents
Apparatus for supporting articles in a desired orientation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040232095A1 US20040232095A1 US10/817,435 US81743504A US2004232095A1 US 20040232095 A1 US20040232095 A1 US 20040232095A1 US 81743504 A US81743504 A US 81743504A US 2004232095 A1 US2004232095 A1 US 2004232095A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- biasing member
- compartment
- holding apparatus
- article holding
- sidewalls
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
- B44F9/00—Designs imitating natural patterns
-
- 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
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/02—Heads
- F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M11/041—Allowing quick release of the apparatus
-
- 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
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/22—Undercarriages with or without wheels with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F1/00—Cardboard or like show-cards of foldable or flexible material
- G09F1/10—Supports or holders for show-cards
- G09F1/14—Supports or holders for show-cards in the form of legs
Abstract
An article holding apparatus includes a compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end. The apparatus also includes a resilient biasing member contained within the compartment. The biasing member extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.
Description
- This U.S. patent application is based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/459,997, entitled “APPARATUS FOR SUPPORT ARTICLES IN A DESIRED ORIENTATION”, which was filed on Apr. 4, 2003.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting articles in any desired orientation. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus utilizing a teardrop-shaped, resiliently biased plastic member to support articles within a compartment.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- Many devices have been developed for holding articles. In fact, the art is replete with devices for organizing and supporting objects. However, the vast majority of these devices are specifically designed for supporting an article in a predetermined orientation or supporting an article of a particular size or shape.
- For example, article holding devices have been designed for supporting a picture and article holding devices have been designed for supporting a pencil. However, such devices are generally mutually exclusive as the different shapes of a picture and a pencil dictate that they be supported in very different ways. As such, people often clutter their desks and other support surfaces with a variety of different article holding devices, each adapted for a specific purposed.
- As such, a need currently exists for an article holding device that is readily adapted to hold a wide variety of objects. The present invention provides such an article holding device.
- It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus including a compartment having sidewalls and an open upper end. The apparatus also includes a resilient biasing member contained within the compartment. The biasing member extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.
- It is also an object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the compartment is rectangular and includes first and second lateral sidewalls.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the biasing member extends between the first and second lateral sidewalls, and the biasing member is coupled to the first lateral sidewall and resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and the second lateral sidewall.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped and includes a free first end forming the large diameter of the teardrop shape and a second end.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the second end of the biasing member is secured to the first lateral sidewall adjacent an upper end of the compartment such that the free first end extends across the compartment toward the opposed second lateral sidewall.
- It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the compartment is shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a horizontal support surface.
- It is also a further object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped.
- It is still another object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the compartment is composed of plastic.
- It is also an object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus wherein the biasing member is composed of plastic.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article holding apparatus including a plurality of interconnected compartments, each compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end.
- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention including a single compartment.
- FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the biasing member.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention incorporating multiple compartments.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus disclosed with regard to FIG. 3.
- The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.
- With reference to FIG. 1, a single compartment
article holding apparatus 10 is disclosed. As will be described below in greater detail, a variety of single compartment apparatuses may be combined to create a device capable of holding a greater number of articles at a variety of distinct locations. - The
apparatus 10 includes a substantiallyrectangular compartment 12. The compartment includes abase wall 14,sidewalls upper end 24. It is, however, contemplated that the compartment does not require a base wall as the support surface upon which it is placed may function as a base wall. It is also contemplated, and as shown in accordance with the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3, that the compartment may be constructed with less than four sidewalls so long as opposed walls are provided for the positioning of aresilient biasing member 26 therebetween. - In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the
compartment 12 is shaped and dimensioned to sit upon ahorizontal support surface 28. However, and as the following disclosure will make readily apparent, thecompartment 12 may be oriented in any desired orientation so long as it is fully supported by thesupport surface 28 on which it is placed. For example, thecompartment 12 may be designed to hang from a vertically oriented surface, such as a wall, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. - The
compartment 12 is constructed from substantially rigid plastic that may be readily molded into the rectangular compartment shape. However, and as those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, other materials may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, although a rectangular shape is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thecompartment 12 may be configured in a variety of shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. - The
apparatus 10 includes aresilient biasing member 26 contained within thecompartment 12. Theresilient biasing member 26 is teardrop-shaped when viewed from the side and extends across thecompartment 12 from theforward sidewall 20 of the compartment to therear sidewall 16 of thecompartment 12. While a teardrop shape is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, any shape capable of creating a biased holding structure as described below could be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. - The
biasing member 26 includes a freefirst end 30 forming the large diameter of the teardrop shape and asecond end 32 secured to the firstlateral sidewall 18 adjacent the upper end of thecompartment 12 such that thefirst end 30 extends across thecompartment 12 toward the opposed secondlateral sidewall 22. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to FIG. 2, thesecond end 32 of thebiasing member 26 is provided with a connectingleg 33 shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the firstlateral sidewall 18. - As with the
compartment 12 itself, thebiasing member 26 is formed from a resilient plastic, which is folded over to form the teardrop-shaped biasing member 26. Thebiasing member 26 is sized to be slightly larger than the space between the first and secondlateral walls compressed biasing member 26 as it is squeezed between the first and second lateral sidewalls. - The
biasing member 26 provides a resilient effect as it extends between the first and secondlateral sidewalls compartment 12. As a result of this resilient force, one may insert anarticle 34 between thefirst end 30 of thebiasing member 26 and the secondlateral sidewall 22 of thecompartment 12. Once positioned between thebiasing member 26 and the secondlateral sidewall 22, the resilient energy stored within thebiasing member 26 forces thearticle 34 against the secondlateral sidewall 22 such that thearticle 34 is retained in a fixed orientation. - Although the
biasing member 26 is preferably constructed from a resilient plastic material, thebiasing member 26 may be constructed from a variety of materials without departing from the spirit of the present invention. - With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an
alternate embodiment 100 including a plurality ofcompartments 112 is disclosed. With the exception of the fact that the disclosed compartments do not include a front wall, the construction of a device withmultiple compartments 112 is identical to the construction of thesingle compartment apparatus 10 disclosed above with regard to FIG. 1. - As all of the
compartments 112 making up theapparatus 100 are substantially identical, only thefirst compartment 112 will be discussed for the purposes of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that all of thecompartments 112 are constructed the same and the following description equally applies to eachcompartment 112, with adjacentlateral walls 118, 122 ofadjacent compartments 112 being integrally formed. - The
compartment 112 includes abase wall 114,sidewalls upper end 124. Thecompartment 112 is shaped and dimensioned to sit upon ahorizontal support surface 128. Although a particular shape is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thecompartment 112 may be configured in a variety of shapes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. - The present invention further includes a
resilient biasing member 126 contained within thecompartment 112. Theresilient biasing member 126 is teardrop-shaped in cross section and can vary in shape. The biasingmember 126 extends from the open forward portion of thecompartment 112 to therear sidewall 116 of thecompartment 112. - The biasing
member 126 includes a freefirst end 130 forming the large diameter of the teardrop shape and asecond end 132 secured to the firstlateral sidewall 118 adjacent the upper end of thecompartment 112 such that thefirst end 130 extends across thecompartment 112 toward the opposed secondlateral sidewall 112. The biasingmember 126 provides a resilient effect as it extends between the first and secondlateral sidewalls 118, 122 of the compartment 122. As a result of this resilient force, one may insert anarticle 134 between thefirst end 130 of the biasingmember 126 and the second lateral sidewall 122 of thecompartment 112. Once positioned between the biasingmember 126 and the second lateral sidewall 122, the resilient energy stored within the biasingmember 126 forces the article against the second lateral sidewall 122 such that thearticle 134 is retained in a fixed orientation. - While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (18)
1. An article holding apparatus, comprising:
a compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end;
a resilient biasing member contained within the compartment, the biasing member extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.
2. The article holding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the compartment is rectangular and includes first and second lateral sidewalls.
3. The article holding apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the biasing member extends between the first and second lateral sidewalls, and the biasing member is coupled to the first lateral sidewall and resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and the second lateral sidewall.
4. The article holding apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped and includes a free first end forming the large diameter of the teardrop shape and a second end.
5. The article holding apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the second end of the biasing member is secured to the first lateral sidewall adjacent an upper end of the compartment such that the free first end extends across the compartment toward the opposed second lateral sidewall.
6. The article holding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the compartment is shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a horizontal support surface.
7. The article holding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped.
8. The article holding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the compartment is composed of plastic.
9. The article holding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is composed of plastic.
10. An article holding apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of interconnected compartments, each compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end;
a resilient biasing member contained within each of the compartments, each of the biasing members extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.
11. The article holding apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the compartment is rectangular and includes first and second lateral sidewalls.
12. The article holding apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the biasing member extends between the first and second lateral sidewalls, and the biasing member is coupled to the first lateral sidewall and resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and the second lateral sidewall.
13. The article holding apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped and includes a free first end forming the large diameter of the teardrop shape and a second end.
14. The article holding apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the second end of the biasing member is secured to the first lateral sidewall adjacent an upper end of the compartment such that the free first end extends across the compartment toward the opposed second lateral sidewall.
15. The article holding apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the compartment is shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a horizontal support surface.
16. The article holding apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped.
17. The article holding apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the compartment is composed of plastic.
18. The article holding apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the biasing member is composed of plastic.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/817,435 US20040232095A1 (en) | 2003-04-04 | 2004-04-05 | Apparatus for supporting articles in a desired orientation |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US45999703P | 2003-04-04 | 2003-04-04 | |
US10/817,435 US20040232095A1 (en) | 2003-04-04 | 2004-04-05 | Apparatus for supporting articles in a desired orientation |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040232095A1 true US20040232095A1 (en) | 2004-11-25 |
Family
ID=33456936
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/817,435 Abandoned US20040232095A1 (en) | 2003-04-04 | 2004-04-05 | Apparatus for supporting articles in a desired orientation |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040232095A1 (en) |
Citations (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1388154A (en) * | 1919-10-08 | 1921-08-16 | Cornelius M Coutts | Shelving |
US2178113A (en) * | 1938-05-13 | 1939-10-31 | William O Dailey | Holder for towels and other articles |
US2542640A (en) * | 1945-09-18 | 1951-02-20 | Lewis M Dixon | Container with elastic strip cell structure |
US2590297A (en) * | 1950-03-11 | 1952-03-25 | Alfred A Curtis | Garment hanging fixture |
US2636615A (en) * | 1952-04-02 | 1953-04-28 | Clifton R Bradley | Article holder, including coacting gripping fingers |
US2812563A (en) * | 1955-11-25 | 1957-11-12 | Wayland F Barber | Pencil and pen holder |
US3097739A (en) * | 1961-12-18 | 1963-07-16 | Burnham Robert Jay | Dispensing magazine for ball point refill cartridges |
US4310094A (en) * | 1979-08-13 | 1982-01-12 | Hotchkiss Jr John E | Tool rack |
US4932625A (en) * | 1988-12-27 | 1990-06-12 | Hotchkiss Jr John E | Device for releasably supporting an object |
US5535881A (en) * | 1995-04-17 | 1996-07-16 | Snap-On Technologies, Inc. | Crowfoot wrench holder |
US5622271A (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-04-22 | Innovative Premiums Inc. | Wall hangable device |
US5718342A (en) * | 1997-02-04 | 1998-02-17 | Transilwrap Compnay, Inc. | Easily assembled storage rack with support loops |
US5727697A (en) * | 1996-01-18 | 1998-03-17 | Universal Designs, Inc. | Organizing device |
US5779066A (en) * | 1996-09-24 | 1998-07-14 | Transilwrap Company, Inc. | Storage rack with retainer loops maintaining uniform pressure against the articles being held |
US6857527B2 (en) * | 2000-11-24 | 2005-02-22 | Bobby Hu | Tool rack with anti-theft, display, and try-on functions |
US6907999B1 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2005-06-21 | Transilwrap Company, Inc. | Storage rack with easily installable retainer loops |
US6948624B1 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2005-09-27 | Transilwrap Company, Inc. | Desk top storage holder |
-
2004
- 2004-04-05 US US10/817,435 patent/US20040232095A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1388154A (en) * | 1919-10-08 | 1921-08-16 | Cornelius M Coutts | Shelving |
US2178113A (en) * | 1938-05-13 | 1939-10-31 | William O Dailey | Holder for towels and other articles |
US2542640A (en) * | 1945-09-18 | 1951-02-20 | Lewis M Dixon | Container with elastic strip cell structure |
US2590297A (en) * | 1950-03-11 | 1952-03-25 | Alfred A Curtis | Garment hanging fixture |
US2636615A (en) * | 1952-04-02 | 1953-04-28 | Clifton R Bradley | Article holder, including coacting gripping fingers |
US2812563A (en) * | 1955-11-25 | 1957-11-12 | Wayland F Barber | Pencil and pen holder |
US3097739A (en) * | 1961-12-18 | 1963-07-16 | Burnham Robert Jay | Dispensing magazine for ball point refill cartridges |
US4310094A (en) * | 1979-08-13 | 1982-01-12 | Hotchkiss Jr John E | Tool rack |
US4932625A (en) * | 1988-12-27 | 1990-06-12 | Hotchkiss Jr John E | Device for releasably supporting an object |
US5535881A (en) * | 1995-04-17 | 1996-07-16 | Snap-On Technologies, Inc. | Crowfoot wrench holder |
US5622271A (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-04-22 | Innovative Premiums Inc. | Wall hangable device |
US5727697A (en) * | 1996-01-18 | 1998-03-17 | Universal Designs, Inc. | Organizing device |
US5779066A (en) * | 1996-09-24 | 1998-07-14 | Transilwrap Company, Inc. | Storage rack with retainer loops maintaining uniform pressure against the articles being held |
US5718342A (en) * | 1997-02-04 | 1998-02-17 | Transilwrap Compnay, Inc. | Easily assembled storage rack with support loops |
US6857527B2 (en) * | 2000-11-24 | 2005-02-22 | Bobby Hu | Tool rack with anti-theft, display, and try-on functions |
US6907999B1 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2005-06-21 | Transilwrap Company, Inc. | Storage rack with easily installable retainer loops |
US6948624B1 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2005-09-27 | Transilwrap Company, Inc. | Desk top storage holder |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
USD929986S1 (en) | Adjustable cell phone stand | |
USD495336S1 (en) | Docking station | |
US20090045708A1 (en) | Adjustable storage bin | |
US5292571A (en) | Drawer divider | |
US6955130B2 (en) | Reading and writing center | |
US6168031B1 (en) | Hanging file support apparatus | |
US20220126899A1 (en) | Utility cart and cart accessories | |
USD941826S1 (en) | Adjustable tablet holder stand | |
US5755321A (en) | Desktop with mounted rectangular structures | |
US6393749B1 (en) | Napkin/picture holder | |
US20050017149A1 (en) | Paper holder structure | |
US20040232095A1 (en) | Apparatus for supporting articles in a desired orientation | |
JP3189377U (en) | Buffer article storage | |
US5845790A (en) | Apparatus and related method for interconnecting articles | |
US20180343844A1 (en) | Item-retention system and method | |
US20100025551A1 (en) | Membranous organizer | |
US6840436B2 (en) | Folding collapsible box | |
CN213154818U (en) | Adjustable combined nested storage box | |
EP2095912A1 (en) | Container for storing articles | |
US10359232B2 (en) | Bag drying apparatus | |
US20040129851A1 (en) | Hanging display device | |
KR20190038497A (en) | Solid toy | |
CN218142762U (en) | Paper box for moving home | |
CN215411101U (en) | Folding article placing rack | |
CN201270889Y (en) | Folding containing case |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |