GB2337074A

GB2337074A - Suction cup suspension device

Info

Publication number: GB2337074A
Application number: GB9809616A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Coulthard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-07
Filing date: 1998-05-07
Publication date: 1999-11-10
Also published as: GB9809616D0

Abstract

A wall hook or similar suspension device comprises a forwardly directed suspension part 3 and rearwardly directed, outwardly flared flexible inner and outer, spaced apart, suction cup parts, 1 and 2 respectively. The suction cup parts are preferably resilient or are formed of rubber or a similarly elastomeric material. Also the inner and outer suction cup parts are preferably of a generally frusto-conical form and are sealingly joined at their apical or narrower frusto-conical ends. The inner and outer suction cup parts are integrally moulded together or are integrally moulded together with the forwardly directed suspension part. The suspension part is preferably in the form of a hook. The wall hook 3 is secured to a support surface 4 by means of the interposition, between at least the outwardly flared free edge portions of the flexible inner and outer suction cup parts 1 and 2, of a sealant 5 such as silicone mastic, epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate or self vulcanising adhesive. In a method of fixing the wall hook other suspension device of the invention to a wall 4 a sealant is introduced between the inner and outer suction cup parts 1 and 2 of the suspension device and the inner and outer suction cup parts are flexed so as to induce a partial vacuum between at least the inner suction cup part 1 and the wall 4.

Description

2337074 WALL HOOK ATTACHMENT The invention relates to a wall hook from

which objects may be suspended.

Wall hooks are well known and used every day but most suffer from the disadvantage that they require holes to be drilled in a wall, which are unsightly, and they cannot easily be re-positioned. Some wall structures will not securely hold the hook, Hooks with adhesive fixings have limited shear strength and uneven surfaces render them impracticable.

According to the present invention, there is provided a wall hook attachment which can be fixed to even or uneven surfaces and can be moved without damaging the surface to which it is attached. The main retaining force is the pressure exerted by the atmosphere in conjunction with a reliable sealant. The wall hook attachment is made from a thermo-plastic rubber such as polyurethane or other suitable material. A hook, also of a suitable material, can be formed integral with the sealing device.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig 1 shows the side view of the wall hook attachment prior to use.

Fig 2 shows the front elevation of the wall hook attachment when fixed to a wall.

Fig 3 shows a sectional view of the wall hook attachment when fixed to a wall.

Referring to Fig 1, the wall hook attachment comprises a conical inner moulding (1) made of a rubber or other material suitable for use as a suction cup. The inner moulding (1) is enclosed by a skirt (2) made of similar material. The inner moulding and skirt are joined at their apex positions either by virtue of being an integral moulding or by means of a leak-free sealed joint. The hook (3) which is made of a suitable hard material such as a thermo-setting plastic, a metal or a hard rubber, is attached at the aforementioned apex of the skirt (2) and the inner moulding (1).

Fig 2 is a front elevation view which shows the inner moulding (1) and the skirt (2) with the hook (3) at its centre.

Referring to Fig 3 the hook attachment is shown in section attached to a surface (4). The inner moulding (1) and skirt (2) have been depressed to expel air and a suitable sealant (5) has been introduced to the edges of the inner moulding (1) and skirt (2) to prevent the ingress of air and to allow for any undulations of the surface (4). When the sealant (5) has hardened the atmospheric air pressure acting on the skirt (2) wiiII enable the hook (3) to support an object suspended from it.

1

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A waH hook- or similar suspension device comprising a forewardly directed suspension part and rearwardly directed, outwardly flared flexible inner and outer, spaced apart, suction cup parts-

2. A waH hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction cup parts are resilient

3. A wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the suction cup parts are formed of rubber or a similarly elastorneric material.

4. A wall book or similar suspension detice as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein each of the said inner and outer suction cup parts have a generally fkusto-conical form.

5. A wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the said inner and outer suction cup parts are sealingly joined at their apical or narrower frusnical ends.

6. A wafl hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the said rearwardly directed suspension part is joined to the said inner and outer suction cup parts at their said apical or narrower flustoconical ends.

7. A wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said inner and outer suction cup parts are sealingly joined at their apices by being ily moulded-

8. A wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claims 6 or 7 wherein the said rearwardly directed suspension part is ily moulded with at least the said outer suction cup part.

9. A method of fixing a wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 compnsing7 introducing a sealant between the said in= and outer suction cup parts; positioning the said hook or similar suspension device against a wall or other support surface and flexing the sad inner and outer suction cup parts so as to induce a partial vacuum benveen the inner suction cup part and the wall or other support surface.

10. A method of fixing a wall book or similar suspension device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the said wall or support surface is treated with a sealant so as to render it non-porous.

11. A method of fixing a wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claims 9 or 10 wherein the sealant is settable.

12. A method of fixing a wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the sealant is a silicone mastic, epo" resin, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate, or self vulcanising adhesive.

13. A wall hook or similar suspension cc as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 when secured to a wall or other support s with the interposition, between at least the 3 outwardly flared fi-ee edge portions of the flexible inner and outer suction cup parts, of a sealant.

14. A wall hook or similar suspension device when secured to a wall or support surface according to any of claims 9 to 12.

15. A wall hook or similar suspension device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, 13 or 14 and substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated mi the accompanying drawings.

16. A method as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12 and substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.