CA2648509A1 - Mail and key ring holder - Google Patents
Mail and key ring holder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2648509A1 CA2648509A1 CA 2648509 CA2648509A CA2648509A1 CA 2648509 A1 CA2648509 A1 CA 2648509A1 CA 2648509 CA2648509 CA 2648509 CA 2648509 A CA2648509 A CA 2648509A CA 2648509 A1 CA2648509 A1 CA 2648509A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- back surface
- key ring
- ring holder
- holder
- 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
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- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
Abstract
A mail and key ring holder including a body having a first back surface, the first back surface being arranged substantially within a plane, a second back surface extending from the first back surface along a smooth curve, wherein the plane is substantially tangent to the smooth curve, a front surface, and at least one magnet embedded within the body, the at least one magnet being adapted to magnetically secure a magnetically attractable object to the front surface, wherein the body is adapted to be secured to a substantially planar mounting surface such that the first back surface is arranged substantially parallel to the mounting surface, the second back surface is adapted to form a pocket with the mounting surface when the body is secured thereto, and the pocket is adapted to hold at least one substantially planar item between the mounting surface and the second back surface.
Description
Agent Ref: 68849100055 MAIL AND KEY RING HOLDER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention broadly relates to mail holders and key ring holders, and particularly to combination mail and key ring holders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention broadly relates to mail holders and key ring holders, and particularly to combination mail and key ring holders.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Mail holders are well known and generally comprise an open-topped compartment adapted to hold a plurality of items having dimensions approximately equivalent to those of standard envelopes, post cards, and the like. Mail holders may be adapted to rest upon a horizontal surface, such as a table, or may be adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface, such as a wall.
[0003] A drawback of prior mail holder designs is that envelopes held therein are loose and prone to spilling out if the mail holder is tipped over. Another drawback of prior mail holder designs is that they cannot accommodate irregular sized envelopes, as they generally include rigid sidewalls in order to maintain the loosely held envelopes therein. Such rigid sidewalls preclude the holding of longer envelopes.
[0004] Key ring holders are also well known and generally comprise a plurality of hooks around which key rings may be hung, or may comprise one or more compartments adapted for holding key rings and keys therein.
[0005] A drawback of the hook type key ring holder is that key rings are held loosely thereon and may be accidentally knocked off by someone walking by. Another related drawback of this type of design is that they may catch on the clothes or even scratch the skin of someone passing by. A drawback of the compartment type key ring holder is that they are not convenient in that a user cannot quickly grab his keys out of the holder or put his keys therein, and cannot quickly ascertain whether his keys are even in the compartment.
[0006] A drawback of both prior mail and key ringer holder designs, especially wall-mounted types, is that they tend to be obtrusive devices jutting out from the wall.
[0007] Thus, there is a long-felt need for a mail holder which is adapted to securely hold envelopes and the like therein. There is also a long-felt need for a mail holder which is adapted to hold irregularly long envelopes. There is a further long-felt need for a key ring holder which does not catch on the clothes or skin of people passing by.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Generally, the present invention is a mail and key ring holder comprising: a body comprising: a first back surface, the first back surface being arranged substantially within a plane; a second back surface extending from the first back surface along a smooth curve, 21841405.1 1 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 wherein the plane is substantially tangent to the smooth curve; a front surface; and, at least one magnet embedded within the body, the at least one magnet being adapted to magnetically secure a magnetically attractable object to the front surface, wherein the mail and key ring holder is adapted to be secured to a substantially planar mounting surface such that the first back surface is arranged substantially parallel to the mounting surface, the second back surface is adapted to form a pocket with the mounting surface when the mail and key ring holder is secured thereto, and the pocket is adapted to hold at least one substantially planar item between the mounting surface and the second back surface.
[0009] The pocket is adapted to secure at least one substantially planar item, such as an envelope, therein by means of friction fit, i.e., at least one envelope may be frictionally secured between the mounting surface and the second back surface by inserting the envelope into the pocket and forcing it towards the first back surface, as described in detail below. Since the envelopes are frictionally securable within the pocket by means of an interference fit, the holder may be oriented on a mounting surface in an infinite number of orientations while maintaining its ability to securely hold envelopes, as described in detail below.
Additionally, the pocket formed preferably includes no sidewalls so that it is operatively arranged to frictionally secure at least one envelope therein, regardless of the length of the envelope.
Additionally, the pocket formed preferably includes no sidewalls so that it is operatively arranged to frictionally secure at least one envelope therein, regardless of the length of the envelope.
[0010] The holder comprises at least one magnet embedded within the body, wherein the at least one magnet is adapted to magnetically secure an object to a front surface of the body. In one embodiment, the holder comprises a plurality of magnets embedded within the body, wherein each of the plurality of magnets is adapted to magnetically secure an object to the front surface.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mail holder which is arranged to securely hold at least one and, preferably, a plurality of envelopes, regardless of the respective lengths of the envelopes.
[0012] It is a another object of the present invention to provide a key ring holder which is arranged to securely and invisibly hold key rings without utilizing hooks, clips, or other mechanical means.
[0013] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide such a holder which is arranged to invisibly organize and position a plurality of key rings, especially on a seemingly undifferentiated surface.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a mail and key ring holder which is simple, aesthetically pleasing, and unobtrusive, especially one which blends in with or is camouflaged against its background.
21841405.1 2 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 [0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide such a holder which is adapted to incorporate its environment for an aspect of its functionality.
21841405.1 2 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 [0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide such a holder which is adapted to incorporate its environment for an aspect of its functionality.
[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention mail and key ring holder, shown mounted in a first orientation upon a vertical surface and holding a plurality of envelopes and key rings;
Figure 2 is a front, perspective view of the mail and key ring holder alone;
Figure 3 is a back, perspective view of the mail and key ring holder;
Figure 4A is front elevational view of the mail and key ring holder;
Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4B in Figure 4A;
Figure 5A illustrates an arcuate curve along which a second back surface of the mail and key ring holder may extend;
Figure 5B illustrates a parabolic curve along which the second back surface may extend; and, Figure 6 is a front, perspective view of the mail and key ring holder, shown mounted in a second orientation upon the vertical surface and holding the plurality of envelopes and key rings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention mail and key ring holder, shown mounted in a first orientation upon a vertical surface and holding a plurality of envelopes and key rings;
Figure 2 is a front, perspective view of the mail and key ring holder alone;
Figure 3 is a back, perspective view of the mail and key ring holder;
Figure 4A is front elevational view of the mail and key ring holder;
Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4B in Figure 4A;
Figure 5A illustrates an arcuate curve along which a second back surface of the mail and key ring holder may extend;
Figure 5B illustrates a parabolic curve along which the second back surface may extend; and, Figure 6 is a front, perspective view of the mail and key ring holder, shown mounted in a second orientation upon the vertical surface and holding the plurality of envelopes and key rings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention.
While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.
While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.
[0019] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
21841405.1 3 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 [0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The instant disclosure may refer to a standard, three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system used to define the three-dimensional space with axes X, Y, and Z.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that axes X, Y, and Z are perpendicular to each other and define an XY-plane, an XZ-plane, and a YZ-plane.
21841405.1 3 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 [0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The instant disclosure may refer to a standard, three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system used to define the three-dimensional space with axes X, Y, and Z.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that axes X, Y, and Z are perpendicular to each other and define an XY-plane, an XZ-plane, and a YZ-plane.
[0021] Although many methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.
[0022] The following description of the present invention mail and key ring holder, hereinafter referred to as holder 100, is best understood in view of Figures 1-6. Holder 100 generally comprises a body having first back surface 110, second back surface 120, front surface 130, and first magnet 190a, second magnet 190b, and third magnet 190c embedded within the body.
[0023] Figure 1 is a front, perspective view of holder 100 shown mounted in a first orientation upon vertical surface 40 and holding a plurality of substantially planar items, particularly envelopes 50 and 60, and a plurality of key rings, particularly, first key ring 20a, second key ring 20b, and third key ring 20c. Accordingly, holder 100 may be secured to a vertical surface by any means know in the art, such as left and right key hole brackets, 180a and 180b, as shown in Figure 3.
[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 4B, first back surface 110 is arranged substantially within XY-plane, i.e., first back surface 110 is substantially planar. Second back surface 120 extends from first back surface 110 along a smooth curve, for example, arcuate curve Cl, as shown in Figure 5A, or parabolic curve C2, as shown in Figure 5B, wherein the XY-plane in which first back surface 110 is arranged is substantially tangent to smooth curves Cl and C2.
[0025] Holder 100 is adapted to be secured to a substantially planar mounting surface, such as vertical surface 40, such that first back surface 110 is arranged substantially parallel to vertical surface 40. Preferably, when holder 100 is secured to vertical surface 40, first back surface 110 is arranged substantially flush against vertical surface 40.
Accordingly, the mounting means selected, such as left and right key hole brackets, 180a and 180b, should be as thin as possible in order to minimize any gap between first back surface 110 and the intended mounting surface.
Accordingly, the mounting means selected, such as left and right key hole brackets, 180a and 180b, should be as thin as possible in order to minimize any gap between first back surface 110 and the intended mounting surface.
[0026] Second back surface 120 is adapted to form pocket 200 with vertical surface 40 when holder 100 is secured thereto, and pocket 200 is adapted to hold at least one, but, 21841405.1 4 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 preferably a plurality of substantially planar items, such as envelopes 50 and 60, between vertical surface 40 and second back surface 120. Moreover, pocket 200 is adapted to secure the at least one substantially planar item therein by means of an friction fit, i.e., at least one envelope 50 may be frictionally secured between mounting surface 40 and second back surface 120 by inserting envelope 50 into pocket 200 and forcing it towards first back surface 110. Since second back surface 120 extends along a smooth curve toward first back surface 110, and first back surface is substantially planar and arranged substantially flush against vertical surface 40, the distance between second back surface 120 and vertical surface 40 continuously narrows towards first back surface 110, which arrangement provides a user with ability to quickly wedge an envelope between holder 100 and vertical surface 40. Since envelopes 50 and 60 are frictionally securable within pocket 200, holder 100 may be oriented on vertical surface 40 in an infinite number of orientations while maintaining its ability to hold envelopes securely. For example, Figure 6 is a front, perspective view of holder 100, shown mounted in a second orientation upon vertical surface 40 and holding a plurality of envelopes 50 and 60, wherein this second orientation would generally be considered upside down.
[0027] Pocket 200 preferably includes open sides, as shown in the figures, and therefore is adapted to receive and hold irregularly sized envelopes therein. Holder 100 may be designed much smaller than regular sized envelopes, in order to minimize its visibility and/or save space, and yet still maintain its ability to secure envelopes therein in a plurality of orientations. Holder 100 comprises at least one, but, preferably a plurality of magnets embedded within its body, wherein each magnet is adapted to magnetically secure a magnetically attractable object to front surface 130. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of embedded magnets are in an organized arrangement, so that they are adapted to "invisibly" organize and position a plurality of key rings on front surface 130.
[0028] First, second, and third magnets, 190a, 190b, and 190c, are arranged embedded within the body, and are adapted to magnetically secure a magnetically attractable object to front surface 130. For example, Figures 1 and 6 show first, second, and third magnets, 190a, 190b, and 190c, securing first key ring 20a, second key ring 20b, and third key ring 20c, respectively, to front surface 130, which is covered in laminate 131. Front surface 130 may include recesses in which first, second, and third magnets, 190a, 190b, and 190c, may be arranged, for example, second magnet 190b arranged in recess 135b shown in Figure 4B.
[0029] As shown in the figures, holder 100 may be adapted to resemble a plank of curved material in order to blend in or be camouflaged against its background.
For example, holder 100 may include top edge 160 covered in laminate 161, left edge 150 covered in laminate 21841405.1 5 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 151, right edge 140 covered in laminate 141, bottom edge 170 covered in laminate 171.
Moreover, front surface 130 may be covered in laminate 131; first back surface 110 may be covered in laminate 111; and, second back surface 120 may be covered in laminate 121. In one embodiment, laminates 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161, and 171 have the appearance of wood grain, thereby allowing it to blend in or be camouflaged against a wooden wall.
For example, holder 100 may include top edge 160 covered in laminate 161, left edge 150 covered in laminate 21841405.1 5 Agent Ref: 68849/00055 151, right edge 140 covered in laminate 141, bottom edge 170 covered in laminate 171.
Moreover, front surface 130 may be covered in laminate 131; first back surface 110 may be covered in laminate 111; and, second back surface 120 may be covered in laminate 121. In one embodiment, laminates 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161, and 171 have the appearance of wood grain, thereby allowing it to blend in or be camouflaged against a wooden wall.
[0030] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
21841405.1 6
21841405.1 6
Claims (9)
1. A mail and key ring holder comprising:
a body having: a first back surface, the first back surface being arranged substantially within a plane; a second back surface extending from the first back surface along a smooth curve, wherein the plane is substantially tangent to the smooth curve;
a front surface;
and, at least one magnet embedded within the body, the at least one magnet being adapted to magnetically secure a magnetically attractable object to the front surface, wherein the body is adapted to be secured to a substantially planar mounting surface such that the first back surface is arranged substantially parallel to the mounting surface, the second back surface is adapted to form a pocket with the mounting surface when the body is secured thereto, and the pocket is adapted to hold at least one substantially planar item between the mounting surface and the second back surface.
a body having: a first back surface, the first back surface being arranged substantially within a plane; a second back surface extending from the first back surface along a smooth curve, wherein the plane is substantially tangent to the smooth curve;
a front surface;
and, at least one magnet embedded within the body, the at least one magnet being adapted to magnetically secure a magnetically attractable object to the front surface, wherein the body is adapted to be secured to a substantially planar mounting surface such that the first back surface is arranged substantially parallel to the mounting surface, the second back surface is adapted to form a pocket with the mounting surface when the body is secured thereto, and the pocket is adapted to hold at least one substantially planar item between the mounting surface and the second back surface.
2. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 1 further comprising a plurality of magnets embedded within the body, each of the plurality of magnets being adapted to magnetically secure a magnetically attractable object to the front surface.
3. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 1 wherein the pocket comprises open sides.
4. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 1 wherein the pocket is adapted to hold the at least one substantially planar item between the mounting surface and the second back surface by means of a compression fit.
5. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 1 wherein the smooth curve is arcuate.
6. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 1 wherein the smooth curve is parabolic.
7. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 1 wherein the front surface is covered in a laminate arranged to hide the at least one magnet.
8. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 1 wherein the body is adapted to resemble a plank of curved material.
9. The mail and key ring holder recited in Claim 8 wherein the front surface is covered in a laminate arranged to hide the at least one magnet, and the laminate resembles wood grain.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US31783708A | 2008-12-30 | 2008-12-30 | |
| US12/317,837 | 2008-12-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2648509A1 true CA2648509A1 (en) | 2010-06-30 |
Family
ID=42308624
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2648509 Abandoned CA2648509A1 (en) | 2008-12-30 | 2008-12-31 | Mail and key ring holder |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2648509A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102987886A (en) * | 2012-12-29 | 2013-03-27 | 邢逸凡 | Key storage plate |
| RU201453U1 (en) * | 2020-08-19 | 2020-12-15 | Роман Викторович Куликов | Holder |
| WO2022039632A1 (en) * | 2020-08-19 | 2022-02-24 | Роман Викторович КУЛИКОВ | Holder |
-
2008
- 2008-12-31 CA CA 2648509 patent/CA2648509A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102987886A (en) * | 2012-12-29 | 2013-03-27 | 邢逸凡 | Key storage plate |
| RU201453U1 (en) * | 2020-08-19 | 2020-12-15 | Роман Викторович Куликов | Holder |
| WO2022039632A1 (en) * | 2020-08-19 | 2022-02-24 | Роман Викторович КУЛИКОВ | Holder |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |