GB2245638A - Sucker device - Google Patents

Abstract

The sucker device comprises a main body 1 and a suction element 3 screwed together. The main body has a retaining means 11 and a chamber 14 with a central securing means 13 disposed in the interior thereof in the form of hollow threaded socket or an integral bolt portion. When the suction element 3 is screwed to the central securing means 13 of the chamber 14 a peripheral flange 15 of the chamber 14 presses against the diaphragm of the suction element and air under the suction element is forced out to create a powerful suction between a smooth surface and the suction element although the suction device can be applied to a rough surface by using a fastener screwed into the surface (Figure 10.) As shown the retaining means comprise lugs to hold small articles (knife, scissors) or a hook 2. Bolt portion 31 of element 3 has a T-shaped head for easy installation. Figures 5-7 show various shapes of retaining lugs 11 for various articles, and hook 2 insertable in recess 17. In Figure 8 element 3 has a rib 35 against which flange 15 presses. In Figure 9 element 3 has a depression (36) into which flange 15 presses. These arrangements allow the load to be supported by the device to be increased. <IMAGE>

Description

SUCKER DEVICE The present invention relates to sucker devices and more particularly to a high-performance sucker device with a means for clamping, inserting or hanging.

Household items such as dishcloths and cleansing sponges, after use, have nowhere to drip dry, causing much trouble and leaving dirt on worktops, sinks or soap stands. The wet items easily incubate germs which can cause the articles to decay and shortens their life. The sucker devices currently used are generally dull and each suitable for one purpose only. They are attached to smooth surfaces by means of suction, probably slough off after a period causing unnecessary damage to household utensils, or require damage to be caused to the surface of a wall in order to be fixed firmly into position. These factors cause much inconvenience in use.

The present invention provides a high-performance sucker device which eliminates the troubles mentioned above.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a sucker device comprising: a main body having a downwardly open chamber in its underside, said chamber having a peripheral flange and a securing means at the centre of the chamber top wall; and a suction element having a diaphragm with a holding means at the top centre thereof which can be connected to said securing means by means of a screw joint, wherein, when said suction element is placed on a smooth surface, air is squeezed out between the surface and diaphragm, after which the suction element can be connected to said securing means, said flange is pressed against said diaphragm which, being air-tight, causes air to be squeezed out of said chamber creating a suction force therein, said diaphragm thereby being forced to bulge upwards due to reduced pressure in said chamber and in turn reducing pressure between said diaphragm and said smooth surface, creating a suction force securing the sucker device on to the smooth surface.

The device preferably comprises a main body and a suction element which are axially screwed together, having a retaining means of two lugs in parallel, encompassing a slot therebetween with the main body, through which small household utensils such as a knife or scissors can be inserted. The lugs define a slit in between them to firmly clamp household items such as dishcloths and cleansing sponges.

A hook can be fitted to or combined with the main body to provide the ability to hang household items and small articles.

The sucker device preferably comprises a suction element with a T-shaped bolt portion disposed at the top thereof. When the T-shaped bolt portion is secured to the main body, the peripheral flange presses against the diaphragm of the suction element, squeezing air out from the chamber between the main body and the suction element, creating a vacuum, and hence a powerful suction force holding the device tight on to the smooth surface. The stronger the securing force between the main body and the suction element, the more powerful the suction force keeping the device firmly in position.

The device is preferably made of plastics material and its components are formed individually and then assembled to become a unitary article.

For a further understanding of the nature and features of the present invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment of sucker device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrate the suction mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a smooth surface; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are top plan views of second, third and fourth embodiments of sucker device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are vertical sectional views of fifth and sixth embodiments of sucker device respectively, applied to a smooth surface;; Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a seventh embodiment applied to a rough surface; and, Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the seventh embodiment after fixing with a piece of tape.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the sucker device comprises a main body 1, a suction element 3 and a hook 2. The main body 1 has a retaining element on its top.

The latter comprises two facing lugs 11 encompassing a slot 12 therebetween in the main body 1. Small articles such as a knife or scissors could be inserted into and held in the slot 12. Household linens such as a dishcloth or cleaning sponge could be wedged in the slot 10 between the lugs 11. Furthermore, the main body includes an open chamber with an opening facing downwards. The chamber comprises a peripheral flange 15 and a securing means 13 at the centre of the chamber. The securing means 13 comprises a hollow cylindrical socket with inner thread integral with the chamber top wall. Two ribs 14 are disposed between the annular flange 15 and the securing means 13, reinforcing the device.A rectangular recess 17 is provided in the annular flange 15 of the main body 1 just below one end of the slot 10, having two knobs 16 pointing downwards which are situated on the underside of the top wall of the main body 1. A hook 2 with a raised lip at its head portion 20 and a hook end 23 has two holes 22, while a side flange 21 of the hook 2 has a similar curvature to that of the annular flange 15.

When inserting the hook 2 into the recess 17, the knobs 16 engage in the two holes 22 of the hook 2 and the side flange 21 completes the flange 15 of the main body 1 to give a closed annular shape. The main body 1 further comprises a decorative round knob 18 at the top thereof. As a whole the device can be used for hanging various types of article.

The suction element 3 of the sucker device comprises a diaphragm with a holding means engaged at the top centre thereof. The holding means has integrally a T-shaped bolt portion 31 disposed in an annular slot 32 in the centre of the suction element 3.

The T-shaped bolt portion 31 is a bolt with a T-shaped head at its tip and an external thread at the opposite end. Small holes 34 arranged at the head of the bolt portion 31 can be compressed when the head is forced into the annular slot 32. Thus, the bolt portion 31 can easily be installed and secured.

The entire external features of the preferred embodiment are clearly illustrated in Fig.2, wth the main body 1, the suction element 3 and the hook 2 assembled together.

Referring to Fig. 3, when the suction element 3 is holding onto a smooth surface, air is squeezed out between the smooth surface and the suction element 3.

Aligning the securing means 13 of the main body 1 and the holding means of the suction element 3, the main body 1 and the suction element 3 are connected by screwing the T-shaped bolt portion 31 into the hollow cylindrical socket. The annular flange 15 presses against the diaphragm of the suction element 3, squeezing air out from the hollow chamber between the main body 1 and the diaphragm of the suction element 3.

The suction force thereby created forces the diaphragm to bulge upwards due to the reduced pressure in the chamber, as shown in Fig. 4, and in turn a reduced pressure is produced in between the diaphragm and the smooth surface, creating a suction force securing the sucker device to the smooth surface. The stronger the screwing force between the main body 1 and the suction element 3, the more powerful the suction force will be holding the sucker device tightly onto the smooth surface. It is an important feature of the present invention that the suction force of the device can be adjusted by screwing.

Figs. 5 to 7 illustrate second, third and fourth embodiments of sucker device respectively, showing different shapes of the retaining lugs 11. Various lengths of slot between the lugs can be provided to suit different sizes and shapes of household linens to be wedged firmly in the slot, and the embodiments can be assembled differently for the hanging, inserting or holding of household wares or other articles.

Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention whose suction element 3 includes a peripheral edge with a rib 35 formed near the edge of the diaphragm of the suction element 3. When applying the sucker device to a smooth surface, the flange 15 of the main body 1 presses against the inner border of the rib 35 effecting a tight retention by an even distribution of downward force encountered, so as to prevent the flange 15 from deforming and sliding over the diaphragm, creating a strong upward force keeping the sucker device in an upright position.

Fig. 9 shows the mechanism of the sixth embodiment applied to a smooth surface. The suction element 3 comprises a peripheral portion which has a depression 36 therein adjacent to the edge thereof. When inserting the annular flange 15 of the main body 1 into the depression 36 and screwing the holding means of the suction element 3 into the securing means of the main body 1, the flange 15 presses into the depression 36 and evenly distributes the downward force exerted by the article hanging on the sucker device, preventing the device from deforming and peeling off the smooth surface and retaining its upright position.

When the sucker device has an article suspended from the hook 2 which exerts a downward force, that force is concentrated and supported merely by the bolt portion 31, which will be easily deformed because it is made of plastics material. Therefore the bolt portion 31 will slough off from the annular slot 32 of the suction element 3 when the article is heavy enough. To prevent this from happening, a depression or a rib should be provided in or on the diaphragm- in order to transfer and distribute the force suffered by the bolt portion 31 to the other part of the suction element 3.

As a result, the load which can be supported by the sucker device can be increased.

The sucker device of the present invention can also be applied to a rough surface such as wood or cement by axially boring a hole 39 down through the bolt portion 31 and the diaphragm, as shown in Fig. 10. A screw 38 is fitted into the suction element 3 in order to fix the device on to a rough surface. When the sucker device is to be used again on a smooth surface, a piece of tape 50 can be applied over the hole 40 bored in the diaphragm to cover the damage, as illustrated in Fig.

11, after the screw 38 is removed.

In summary, the present invention provides a high performance suction device which can be used for both smooth surfaces and rough surfaces.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A sucker device comprising: a main body having a downwardly open chamber in its underside, said chamber having a peripheral flange and a securing means at the centre of the chamber top wall; and a suction element having a diaphragm with a holding means at the top centre thereof which can be connected to said securing means by means of a screw joint, wherein, when said suction element is placed on a smooth surface, air is squeezed out between the surface and diaphragm, after which the suction element can be connected to said secring means, said flange is pressed against said diaphragm which, being air-tight, causes air to be squeezed out of said chamber creating a suction force therein, said diaphragm thereby being forced to bulge upwards due to reduced pressure in said chamber and in turn reducing pressure between said diaphragm and said smooth surface, creating a suction force securing the sucker device on to the smooth surface.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises an integral hollow cylindrical socket with an internal thread, and said holding means of said suction element comprises an integral bolt portion having an external thread for connection with said main body at the inner side of said securing means by means of a screw joint.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises an integral bolt portion with an external thread, and said holding means of said suction element comprises an integral hollow cylindrical socket with an internal thread for connection with said main body at the inner side of said securing means by means of a screw joint.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said diaphragm of said suction element has a peripheral portion which has a depression therein which when said diaphragm is held on a smooth surface enables said flange of the main body to be received in said depression, wherein screwing said securing means and said holding means together effects an even distribution of downward force, if any, on to said flange to hold said suction element in position without it peeling off from the smooth surface when the device is positioned upright.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said diaphragm has a peripheral portion which has a rib upstanding therefrom, said flange of the main body pressing against the inner circumference of said rib effecting a tight retention by evening the downward force encountered to prevent said flange from sliding over said diaphragm when screwing said main body and said suction element together, thereby creating a strong upholding force when the device is positioned upright.

6. A device according to claim 1, which includes retaining means on top of said main body, said retaining means comprising two facing lugs with a slot therebetween, with said lugs being spaced from the main body.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said main body has a rectangular recess disposed at said flange of the main body just below one end of said slot, said recess having two knobs pointing downwards situated on the top wall of the recess.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said main body further comprises a hook, said hook having a head portion, including a raised lip and a side flange disposed under said raised lip, and a hook portion.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said hook portion is capable of holding or clamping articles or of having articles inserted therein.

10. A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said head portion of said hook has a raised lip having two holes whose position and shape matches said two knobs on said main body, and said side flange has a similar curvature to said flange of said main body, whereby when inserting said hook into said recess said two knobs engage with said two holes and said side flange completes with said flange of the main body a closed annular shape, thereby effecting a tight assembly of said main body and said hook.

11. A device according to claim 2, wherein said holding means has a T-shaped bolt portion which has a bore axially therethrough, whereby, when holding said diaphragm on a rough surface, a nail can be inserted into said holes, piercing through said diaphragm underneath, and securing said suction element on to the rough surface.

12. A device according to claim 10, wherein said holes in said holding means can be masked by tape before said device is subsequently applied to a smooth surface.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said main body includes a plurality of radial ribs between said securing means and the peripheral flange.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein both said main body and said suction element are made of plastics material.

15. A sucker device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.