US3212743A

US3212743A - Article support

Info

Publication number: US3212743A
Application number: US401085A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul C Culver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-10-02
Filing date: 1964-10-02
Publication date: 1965-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-19
Also published as: SE315789B; LU49111A1; DE1971876U; BE667082A; GB1065753A; NL6509388A

Description

Oct. 19, 1965 P. c. CULVER 3,212,743

ARTICLE SUPPORT Filed Oct. 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 22 26 39 Z w 2 25 20 L W 1 um 46 I 12 46 t I I I INVENTOR PctaZC. Cull/67 United States Patent 3,212,743 ARTICLE SUPPORT Paul C. Culver, RED. 5, Quantico Road, Salisbury, Md. Filed Oct. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 401,085 14 Claims. (Cl. 248-313) This invention relates to a support for holding a rimmed article in a fixed position, and more particularly for holding articles such as containers in a position in which they would otherwise be likely to topple over.

When articles such as rimmed, flanged or beaded containers are stored or are on display, it is essential that they be held in a fixed position. This is especially important when these articles are stored on moving vehicles or displayed in a suspended position where they are likely to topple over. There has thus been a long standing need for a device which can effectively hold such rimmed articles in position and which is sufliciently low in cost to be available for wide use by the average person.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and economical support for holding rimmed or flanged articles in a fixed position.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a device in which the articles can be easily inserted and removed.

In accordance with this invention, the article support includes a channel shaped body having a central web and a pair of side flanges. The lower end of the web has a hook for receiving the lower rim of the container. A slidable latch is between the flanges with its hook end projecting over the web. To insert an article, such as a rimmed container, the container is tilted and its upper rim slipped into the hook of the latch. The container is then simultaneously pivoted toward the web and raised to spread the hooks apart until the lower rim of the container can be inserted in the hook at the bottom of the web. The container is then released and effectively locked in place. For removal the procedure is reversed with the container being raised to free its lower rim, and the upper rim is then simply withdrawn from the latch.

In an advantageous form of this invention the hook end of the slidaible latch is formed by bending the end substantially perpendicular to the latch tongue and then bending the outermost portion of the free end back toward the tongue and web at an angle to the web. In this form of the invention the container is inserted into the support by tilting the container and placing its lower rim on the bottom hook. The container is then pivoted toward the web. As the container contacts the upper inclined end of the latch, the latch rises up and over the top rim of the container to effectively lock it in place. For removal the container is raised to free its lower rim', and the upper rim is then withdrawn.

In an advantageous form of this invention, the upper ends of the side flanges are bent inwardly toward each other with the latch tongue between the web and the bent over flange ends. A plurality of functions are performed by this arrangement. For example, the flanges space the web from the object to which the support is secured so that the latch can freely slide up and down. The flanges, however, also prevent any sideward movement of the latch. One of the bent over ends of the flanges may be in the path of motion of a projection on the latch to prevent the latch from being raised completely out of contact with the web. If the support is mounted on an object of curved configuration, the corners of the bent over ends may be canted or cut-off to accommodate the curved surface of the object.

The latch may be biased to return to its original position either by the weight of the latch itself, or in another form of this invention by resilent means. In the latter "ice case one of the flanges has a hollow projection at its side and the latch tongue has a post at its bottom. One end of a spring is then secured in the hollow projection while the other end reacts against the post to urge the latch back toward its original position.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of this invention in one phase of operation;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another phase of operation;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a plurality of the supports of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of one of the supports of FIGS. 1-3 mounted on a flat surface;

FIG. 5 is a top view of one of the supports of FIGS. 1-3 mounted on a curved surface;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 3 along the line 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the support shown in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the support shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of a support of another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the support shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of a support of still another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-12 in one phase of operation.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, support 10 includes a channel shaped body 12 having a central web 14 and a pair of

side flanges

16 and 18. A stationary hook 20 is secured to the lower end of web 14 while a slideable latch 22 is arranged between

flanges

16, 18 with its hook end 23 projecting over web 14. An article or container 24 is easily inserted in support 10 as shown in FIGS. l-2 by first inserting its upper bead or rim 26 in hook 23. Container 24 is then simultaneously raised and shifted toward support 12 as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1. When container 24 is raised, latch 22 is also raised to spread

hooks

20 and 23 until the lower rim or bead 28 of container 24 can be inserted in hook 20 as shown in FIG. 2. Container 24 is then released and effectively locked in position between

hooks

20 and 23.

As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the lower portion of web 14 is simply bent upward to form hook 20. Latch 22 is inserted between

flanges

16 and 18 of channel shaped body 12. The latch 22 fits relatively snugly between the flanges so that sideward or twisting movement is prevented, while permitting latch 22 to freely slide up and down. Both latch 22 and body 12 are made, for example, of cold rolled steel. The upper end of latch tongue 30 is bent over to form a hook 23 which projects over web 14 as shown in FIG. 8.

As best seen in FIG. 7, tongue 30 has a pair of slits 32 which define a bent up projection 34. The

ends

36 and 38 of

flanges

16 and 18 respectively are also bent toward each other as shown in FIG. 7.

Advantageously, these bent ends serve a plurality of functions. For example, when support 10 is secured to a fixed object, such as post 40 shown in FIG. 1 or wall 42 shown in FIG. 4,

flanges

16 and 18 act as spacers to permit plate 30 to freely slide between web 14 and the fixed object. End 38 of flange 18 also acts as a convenient stop member to prevent latch 22 from being completely withdrawn away from support body 12 as shown in FIG. 7. This is accomplished -because end tion.

toward web 14 at, for example, a 45 angle.

--the central portion as shown in FIGS. 7-8.

38 is disposed in the path of motion of projection 34 on tongue 30. Thus when container 34 is raised for insertion in support 12, tongue 30 can be raised only until projection 34 contacts end 38 of flange 18. Ends 36 and '38 of

flange

16 and 18 respectively also serve as guide members to assure tongue 30 of remaining close to or in contact with web 14 when tongue 30 is elevated or released. Additionally,

flanges

16 and 18 act as reacting members for contacting the fixed article such as post 40 or wall 42.

A pair of slots 44 are in

flanges

16 and 18. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a strap clamp 46, for example, is inserted through slots 4 and either a single support (FIGS. 1-2) or a plurality of supports (FIG. 3) can be conveniently 1 secured to a round surfaced object such as pole 40. As most clearly shown in FIG. 5, the corners of flanged :ends 36 and 38 are cut-01f or chamfered at a 45 angle 4), for example can be inserted through portion .46 and i still not project beyond the flat, smooth surface of web 14.

FIGS. 9-10 show another form of support 10 which is identical in all respects to the support shown in FIGS. 7-8 except for the following differences. of support 10A is spring biased in the downward direc- A' somewhat'hollow or tubular projection 50 is stamped from the side of flange 18, while plate A has a post 52 at its bottom. Post 52 is grooved at 54 as shown in FIG. 10. As more clearly shown in FIG. 9, one end 56 of a spring 58 is housed in projection 50 vwhile the other end 60 of spring 58 is seated in groove 54 and reacts against post 52 to urge latch 22A downward. Additionally, the shapes of the hooks may be reversed, if desired, as later described with respect tosupport 10B. 1

' The suport 10B shown'in FIGS. 11-13 is similar to support 10 of FIGS. 7-8 with following exceptions. As shown in FIGS. 11-12 the lower hook 20B is formed by bending the end of web 14 in the shape of a squaredofl U. In other words hook' 20B is first bent substantially perpendicular to the plane or the main portion of web 14 and its free end is then bent back upward substantially parallel to web 14. The hook 23B, however, is formed by bending the upper end of latch tongue 30B substantially perpendicular to web 14 and then back This embodiments is particularly advantageous with flat top containers in that the upper hook 22B projects a greater distance over rim 26 of container 24 than the U -shaped hook 23 shown in FIG. 8. However, .for use on, for example, aerosol dispensers 60"(FIG. 3) which are dome shaped, the smaller U-shaped hook 23 is more effective at the top.

Another important difference between support 10B and supports 10 and 10A is the stop means for limiting the movement of the sliding latch. As shown in FIGS. 11-12 web 14 containsan extruded hole or tab in addition to extruded hole 46B. Extruded hole 46B is, incidentally, in the lower portion of web 14 and not in Tongue 30B of latch 22B has a somewhat elongated or elliptically shaped hole 37. During assembly hole 37 is positioned over extruded tab 35 so that tab 35' protrudes through latch plate 30B. Under normal conditions (as shown in FIG. 12) the edge of hook 23B rests against web 14 and latch 22B is thus prevented further downward movement. During insertion of container 24 latch 22B is limited in its upward movement when tab 35 strikes the lower edge of hole 37. This arrangement Latch 22A 1 has the advantage that force is not applied against bentover flange 38 whenever a container is inserted in the support. Additionally, the tab-hole arrangement, 35 and 37, provides a more positive stop means for limiting the movement of the latch.

FIG. 13 shows support 10B in its initial phase of operation. Lower rim 28 of container 24 is inserted in hook 20B. Container is then pivoted toward support 10B on panel or wall 42. When upper rim 26 strikes the inclined end 23B of latch 22B and container 24 is continued to be pivoted toward web 14 of support 10B, latch 22B is automatically forced upward until rim 28 can be slipped under hook end 23B. For removal container 24 is raised until rim 28 can be withdrawn from hook 20 B. 1

With the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-1-13 latch 22B is automatically raised only the distance necessary to insert upper rim 28. It is therefore unnecessary to raise the latch its full amount, which would cause a utilization of the stop means, every time a container is inserted in the support. Additionally, during insertion the container is pivoted against the stationary, not the movable, hook thus eliminating any tendency of the container slipjping; out of the hook.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for holding rimmed articles, comprising a channel shaped body including a-central web and a pair of side flanges, securing means for fastening said body to a fixed object, a hook at the bottom of said web, a slidable latch having a tongue disposed between said flanges, and a hook at the upper end of said tongue projecting over said web and disposed toward said hook at the bottom of said web.

2. A support as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper ends of said flanges are inwardly bent toward each other, said tongue being between said web, and said inwardly bent flanges, a projection on said tongue, and one of said bent over ends being'in the path of motion of said projection whereby said tongue is prevented from being raised completely away from said web.

3. A support as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cor- .ners of said bent over ends are chamfered to accommodate a round surface of said fixed object.

4. A support as set forth in claim 2 wherein said securing means includes slots in said flanges.

5. A support as set forth in claim 2 wherein the outer surface of said web is smooth and flat, a portion of said .web projecting inward toward said flanges and having a ,hole for comprising said securing means.

6. A support as set forth in claim 5 wherein securing means also includes slots in the sides of said flanges.

7. A support as set forth in claim 2 wherein a hollow projection is on one of said flanges, a post being at the bottom of said tongue, a spring having a pair of free ends, one of said free ends being housed in said hollow projection, and other of said free ends reacting against said post.

8. A support as set forth in claim 2 wherein the lower end of said web is bent upward to form said hook at the 'bottom of said web, the upper end of said tongue being bent downward to form said hook on said latch, and said tongue being approximately as wide as the distance between said flanges.

9. A support as :set forth in claim 8 wherein one of said hooks is bent substantially perpendicular to said web with its free end being substantially parallel to said web, and the other of said hooks being formed by being bent substantially perpendicular to said web with its free end being bent back toward said web.

10. A support as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper ends of said flanges are inwardly bent toward each other, said tongue being between said web and said inwardly bent flanges, and stop means on said tongue and said web for limiting the amount of movement of said latch.

11. A support as set forth in claim 10 wherein the free end of said hook at the upper end of said flange is inclined toward said web.

12. A support as set forth in claim 11 wherein said stop means includes a tab on said web and a hole in said tongue, said tab being positioned in said hole.

13. A support as set forth in claim 12 wherein said tab is an extruded hole in said web, and said hole in said tongue is elongated.

14. A support as set forth in claim 10 wherein said securing means includes an extruded hole in the lower portion of said web.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,931,612 4/60 Graber 248-214 2,95 9,3 8 8 1 1/60 Fogle 248-231 3,091,424 5/ 63 Yegge 2483 13 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A SUPPORT FOR HOLDING RIMMED ARTICLES, COMPRISING A CHANNEL SHAPED BODY INCLUDING A CENTRAL WEB AND A PAIR OF SIDE FLANGES, SECURING MEANS FOR FASTENING SAID BODY TO A FIXED OBJECT, A HOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID WEB, A SLIDABLE LATCH HAVING A TONGUE DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FLANGES, AND A HOOK AT THE UPPER END OF SAID TONGUE PROJECTING OVER SAID WEB AND DISPOSED TOWARD SAID HOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID WEB.