WO2001017405A1

WO2001017405A1 - Object holding devices and methods of making same

Info

Publication number: WO2001017405A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/017290
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dennis J. Kaping, Jr.
Original assignee: Kaping Dennis J Jr
Priority date: 1999-09-10
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2001-03-15
Also published as: AU5885300A

Abstract

Object holding devices each include a threaded shank portion (23) for being threadably received into a stable support or structure (38) such as a wooden ceiling joist or wall stud. A supporting member (25) is configured to accept the object to be held to support or suspend the object from the stable support. A cross member (33) extends between the threaded shank portion and the support member. The holding device is made by threading the shank portion, providing a support member, and extending a cross member between the shank portion and the support portion.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

OBJECT HOLDING DEVICES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Patent Application serial No. 09/299,067 filed April 23, 1999 entitled "OBJECT HOLDING DEVICES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME," which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The field of the present invention is mechanical holding devices and methods for making the same. More particularly, the invention relates to holding devices suspending or supporting a variety of objects, such as bicycles, flower pots, skateboards, surfboards, guitars, and other objects, from a stable support, such as a wall, beam, or other convenient support member.

Background Art For many people, storage and organization of their personal possessions presents a significant problem. For example, many individuals participate in sports or other activities requiring the use of bulky equipment, such as bicycles, guitars, surfboards, snow boards, and other such equipment. When not in use, this bulky equipment must be stored. However, modern housing conditions often limit storage space. When such sporting equipment is not in use, it may not be properly stored, but instead be randomly placed in a manner that not only is unattractive, but may damage the sporting equipment. Such placement may also even present a risk of injury to anyone that trips or falls over the improperly placed equipment .

The storage of sport boards such as surfboards, snow boards, and skateboards, present a particularly difficult storage problem. Not only are sport boards expensive, but they are only intermittently used and are awkward to store. Further, if not stored properly, sport boards present a hazard if left in an unorganized position where a person may inadvertently trip over or loose his or her balance and sustain an injury as a result of falling to the ground. Others have tried to solve the sport board storage problem. For example, U.S. Patent 5,014,955 discloses a surfboard holder for holding a surfboard vertically against the wall. In such a manner, the nose of the surfboard is placed in a lower piece and when so inserted, a cord is used to tension the surfboard behind an upper panel piece. However, inserting a surfboard into the device requires a good deal of strength as the board must be lifted and carefully positioned into the lower piece and then the cord stretched and the surfboard slid into the upper panel . Additionally, since the bottom of the surfboard is not secured, bumping the surfboard may knock it from its position, thereby damaging the surfboard or injuring someone. Finally, although the '955 patent device may be suitable to support surfboards of different lengths, the surfboard must have a sufficiently pointed nose to be retained in the lower member. However, many types of surfboards cannot be accommodated by the '955 patent device. Indeed, skateboards and snow boards are not even contemplated by the '955 patent, due to their shape and configuration. In a similar manner, U.S. Patent 4,016,976 discloses a support for assisting in the storage and shipping of small boats. The device has a top portion and a bottom portion which are clamped to the sides of the small boat to permit it to be more easily stored. However, since the small boat is clamped inside the outer pieces, it is quite difficult and time consuming to take a boat in and out of the device. Further, the support pieces must be specifically designed for a particular small boat, and therefore do not provide flexibility but are restricted to one similar style of boat only. Indeed, if someone desired to store two somewhat different small boats, then different supporting platforms may be required.

Storing bicycles is also a particularly difficult problem in modern living facilities. Not only are bicycles bulky and easily damaged, but they are expensive, easy to steal, and are quite heavy for many individuals. See, for example, U.S. patents 5,125,517; 5,332,104; 5,078,276; D268,488; D335,234; 5,887,461; 4,074,884; 3,329,385; 3,484,069; 4,700,845; 5,330,084; 3,967,475; and D313,957. Others have tried to solve the problems related to bicycle storage. For example, U.S. patent No. 5,125,517 discloses a fold-down bicycle rack. The rack is for attachment to a wall and positions a bicycle parallel to the wall. However, the rack is sized for a particular style and size of bicycle, thereby lacking the flexibility to store a variety of bicycles. Further, for the bicycle to be stored horizontally, the rack must cooperate with a horizontal frame member on the bicycle. If no such horizontal frame member exists, the bicycle cannot be stored horizontally. Also, the inflexible positioning of the rack may interfere with accessories mounted on the frame of a bicycle. In such a manner, the accessory may have to be removed each time the bicycle is stored, and reattached for each use. Such an inconvenience is unacceptable and may result in the bicycle not being properly stored. U.S. Patent No. 5,332,104, No. 5,078,276, and

No. D268,488 also disclose other racks and hangers for storing a bicycle. However, each of these provides an inflexible device for storing a bicycle and has limitations as described above. Not only is there a need to store sporting items such as bicycles and sport boards, but there is also a need to store hobby items such as guitars. A guitar is a delicate stringed instrument which must be handled and stored with care. Guitars are most often stored in their cases after use. However, such cases are extremely large and bulky and are obtrusive if left in view, and are difficult to get in and out of storage spaces such as closets. Further, because of its bulk, the guitar and guitar case may often be moved to retrieve other items in the storage space. In such a manner the guitar is subjected to unnecessary jarring, vibrations, and movement. Thus, there exists a need to conveniently and securely store a guitar. When decorating a house, often it is desired to suspend ornamental objects such as plant containers. An especially attractive plant container is the decorative flower pot for holding colorful flowers. Such pots may be suspended indoors or outdoors for providing a burst of color and greenery. However, hanging such a flower pot can be difficult as the flower pot must be suspended away from the wall and/or ceiling so that the retained plant does not rest against the ceiling or wall. Further, it is common to purchase a particular hook for hanging a flower pot, attempt to hang the flower pot, and find the hook does not hold the flower pot in the proper orientation. In such a manner, a new hook must be inconveniently obtained. Thus, there exists a need for a hook to conveniently retain ornamental objects such as flower pots.

Paper towels are now a staple cleaning commodity. Paper towels may be used in the kitchen, garage, bathrooms, or other areas as a convenient replacement for sponges or dust cloth. However, storing paper towels in a manner that not only allows paper towels to be readily removed, but also allows for the convenient replacement of an empty roll, is still a problem. Others have tried to solve the problem of storing paper towels. See, U.S. patents

D382,749; 4,319,687; 4,741,486; 3,923,265; D390,054; D395,567; 2,592,571; 4,218,027; and 3,067,963. For example, U.S. patent No. D382,749 discloses a holder for sanitary products. However, this device appears to attach to a supporting surface with a hook and loop strap. Such an attachment mechanism is not sufficiently rigid to support the tearing motion of removing paper towels from a roll. In such a manner, the force of the tearing motion will be transferred to the roll, thereby causing the roll to discharge several sheets. Such an excess discharge is not only inconvenient but wasteful .

U.S. patent No. 4,319,687 discloses a fixture for bathroom and kitchens for holding a roll of toilet paper or paper towel. However, the '687 device comprises several parts including a separate mounting bracket. Such a complicated device is simply not appropriate for many installations . Patent No. 4,741,486 discloses a device for holding a roll of paper towels supported from a horizontal surface or from a vertical surface. This device also comprises many parts in is too complicated and sophisticated for many applications . Therefore, there exists a need for object holders for holding or supporting objects, such as bicycles, sport boards, flower pots, sports equipment, and paper towels in a safe, efficient and flexible manner. Such holders should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and convenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved devices for holding a variety of objects in a relatively safe and convenient manner. It is a further separate object of the present invention to provide such new and improved devices for holding objects, wherein the device is convenient to use and to install, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture .

Therefore, to meet the objects of the present invention and overcome the limitations of the prior art, there is provided novel holding devices for a variety of objects and a method of making the same.

Object holding devices each include a threaded shank portion for being threadably received into a stable support or structure such as a wooden ceiling joist or wall stud. A supporting member is configured to accept the object to be held to support or suspend the object from the stable support . A cross member extends between the threaded shank portion and the support member. The holding device is made by threading the shank portion, providing a support member, and extending a cross member between the shank portion and the support portion.

The novel devices advantageously support a wide variety of different kinds of objects. For example, the devices are adapted to hold different types of sport boards including, but not limited to, surfboards, snow boards and skateboards. Further, the devices support other sporting goods such as bicycles. Additionally, guitars, paper towels and ornamental objects such as flower pots can be supported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a pair of holding devices illustrated holding a bicycle from a stable support such as a wall;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the holding device illustrated in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side view of another holding device constructed in accordance with the present invention for supporting a plurality of bicycles;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another holding device made in accordance with the present invention and adapted to hold an ornamental device such as a flower pot and is shown attached to a support such as a fence or railing; FIG. 5 is a side view of a holding device like the holding device shown in FIG. 4 but suspended from a stable support such as a ceiling;

FIG. 6 is another holding device like the holding device of FIG. 4 which is constructed in accordance with the present invention and adapted to hold an ornamental device such as a flower pot and is shown attached to a stable support such as a wall;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another holding device made in accordance with the present invention constructed to hold a roll of paper towels suspended from a stable support such as a ceiling;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a holding device made in accordance with the present invention and is adapted for holding devices such as a skateboard or a guitar;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the holding device of FIG. 8 attached to a stable support such as a wall and holding a skateboard by the skateboard's axle;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional partial elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 8 illustrating it supporting a guitar;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of three-like holding devices constructed in accordance with the present invention and each adapted for holding a sport board such as a surfboard.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a holding device 10, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The holding device 10 includes a threaded shank 23 fastened threadably to a stable support 18. The stable support 18 may be for example, a wall, joist or other supporting structure inside or outside of a building, as well as any other convenient support. Preferably the holding device 10 is positioned on the stable support 18 to position a bicycle 16 in a substantially horizontal position. Those skilled in the art will recognize other positions are readily attainable. As shown in FIG. 1, the holding device 10 includes two-like frame supports 12. Each frame support 12 is adapted to receive a segment of the bicycle 16 frame 20. For example, bicycle frame supports 12 and 14 receive segments of the horizontal frame tube 21 thereby supporting the bicycle 16 in a substantially horizontal manner.

As bicycle frame supports 12 and 14 are like supports, only bike frame support 12 will be described in more detail. Referring now to FIG. 2 the frame support 12 is shown with a supporting member 25 for engaging the horizontal frame 21 of the bicycle 16. A shaft cross member 33 is positioned between the threaded shank 23 and the supporting member 25. The shaft cross member 33 is sized such that when the horizontal frame tube 21 is positioned in the supporting member 25, the bicycle is positioned away from the stable support. In such a manner, the handle bars and foot pedals are positioned away from the stable support such as a wall.

The supporting member 25 generally comprises a U-shaped support 27 having lateral stops 29 and 30. A support rest 31 is positioned at the bottom of the U-shaped support 27 for accepting the horizontal frame tube 21. In such a manner the support rest 31 accepts the downward force from the weight of the bicycle, while the lateral stops 29 and 30 keep the bicycle from moving laterally. In such a manner the bicycle is securely and safely positioned away from the wall or other stable support. The supporting member 25 may be coated with a non- scratch material such as a plastic coating for avoiding scratches to the bicycle and for providing resistance against horizontal frame tube 21 movement. The U-shaped support 27 also has a support 34 which has a rounded end 34, which also may have a protectable coating thereon, for allowing the horizontal frame tube 21 to be accepted into the supporting member 25 without scratching the horizontal frame tube 21. FIG. 3 shows a dual bicycle frame support 37 for holding two bicycles. As with frame support 12 described above, two dual bicycle frame supports 37 are used to horizontally suspend one or two bicycles. The dual bicycle frame support 37 has a threaded shank 39 threadably coupled to a stable support 38 such as a wall. Support member 40 receives a horizontal frame tube 46 from a first bicycle while support member 41 receives the horizontal frame tube 47 from a second bicycle. The support members 40 and 41 are similar to supporting member 25 described above, and therefore will not be described in detail. A shaft cross member 43 couples threaded shank 39 to the support member 40 while shaft cross member 44 couples support member 40 to support member 41. The shaft cross member 44 is sized such that the handlebar and pedals of the second bicycle do not substantially interfere with the first bicycle.

FIG. 4 shows another holding device 50 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Holding device 50 is adapted for holding an ornamental object such as a flower pot 66. The flower pot 66 couples to the holding device 50 through hangers 68. The holding device 50 includes a threaded shank portion 54 threadably coupled to a stable support 52. A support member 56 receives the hangers 68 for suspending the flower pot 66. A cross member 58 couples the threaded shank 54 to the support member 56. Preferably the cross member 58 is constructed in a curvilinear manner. Such a curvilinear shape enables the holding device 50 to hold securely the flower pot 66 away from stable support 52 in an aesthetically pleasing manner .

The support member 56 is constructed to provide a partially enclosed loop 60. Although the partially enclosed loop 60 is shown as an arc, those skilled in the art will recognize other constructions are readily available. Preferably the partially enclosed loop extends for greater than 270 degrees, thereby leaving an open arc 62 of less than 90 degrees. In such a manner the holding device 50 may be oriented in several positions but yet suspend the flower pot 66.

For example, FIG. 5 shows a holding device 70 which is like holding device 50. Holding device 70 has a threaded portion 74 threadably coupled to a stable support 72 with a curvilinear cross member 78 coupled to support member 76. The support member 76 has a partially enclosed loop 80 extending more than 270 degrees thereby leaving an opening 82 of less than 90 degrees between the support tip 84 and the cross member 78. In such a manner the hangers 88 from the flower pot 86 can be received into the partially enclosed loop 80.

FIG. 6 shows holding device 90 which is like holding devices 70 and 50 previously described. Holding device 90 has thread shank 94 threadable received into stable support 92 with curve linear cross member 98 extending to support member 96. Support member 96 has a partially enclosed loop 100 for receiving the hangers 108 from flower pot 106. The hangers are received into the partially enclosed loop 100 through the opening 102. As with holding devices 50 and 70 the opening 102 between the support tip 104 and the cross member 98 is less than 90 degrees.

Thus, FIG. 4 shows holding device 50 extending vertically above a stable support, FIG. 5 shows a like holding device suspended vertically below a support, and

FIG. 6 shows another like holding device coupled laterally to a support member. Thus, holding device 50, 70 and 90 permit the safe and secure positioning of an ornamental device in an aesthetically pleasing manner using the same hook.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a holding device 120 configured in accordance with the present invention. Holding device 120 is adapted for securely and conveniently holding a paper towel roll 135. Holding device 120 generally comprises a threaded portion 124 which is threadably received into a stable support 122 such as a ceiling or wall joist. The holding device 120 has a shaft support member 126 for receiving the paper towel roll 135. The shaft support member 216 is sized to extend through the towel tube 137 which is the core to the paper towel roll 135. A cross member 129 connects the threaded shank 124 to the shaft support member 126. Specifically, tie member 131 integrally connects to the threaded shank 124 at a right angle and extends parallel to the stable support . Another tie member 133 extends from tie member 131 at a right angle and extends orthogonally in relation to the stable support. The shaft support ember integrally connects to tie member 133 also at a right angle and extends parallel to the support member such that the tie member 131, tie member 133, and shaft support member 126 form an open U-shape. A stub portion "128 extends at a 90 degree angle from the shaft support member 126. The stub portion 128 is sized to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the towel tube 137. In such a manner the towel tube 137 can easily and conveniently pass over the stub portion 128 when the paper towel roll 135 is inserted or extracted from the holding device 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, another holding device 150 made in accordance with the present invention is shown. The holding device 150 is adapted to hold a skateboard such as skateboard 162. Holding device 150 has a threaded shank portion 160 for threadably coupling with a stable support 152 such as a wall. In such a manner, the skateboard 162 can be suspended in a safe and secure manner with the threaded shank 160 received into the stable support 152 such as a wall stud.

A pair of like parallel spaced-apart upwardly curved C-shaped axle support tongs or axle supports 154 and 155 receive and support an axle 164 from the skateboard 162. A cross tie member 156 connects the threaded shank 160 to the axle support tongs 154 and 155. More specifically, a bight member 157 interconnects the axle supports 154 and 155, with the threaded shank 160 regidly connected at right angle at the mid-point of the member 157 by an annular weld 159.

In use, the axle supports 154 and 155 receive the axle 164 of the skateboard 162. Skateboard wheels 167 and 166 limit the lateral movement of the skateboard.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the holding device 150 supporting a guitar 196 at approximately [???] from a wall (not shown) . The guitar 196 is thus supported at its neck 195 at the base of the head 198. The device 150 is constructed to hold the body of the guitar away from, but adjacent a wall. In such a manner the guitar is safely and securely suspended from a stable support such as a wall.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown like holding devices 170, 172, and 174, which are constructed in accordance with the present invention, and adapted for holding a sport board, such as a surfboard. Specifically holding device 170 is shown supporting surfboard 175, holding device 172 is shown holding skateboard 176, and holding device 174 is shown holding surfboard 177. As illustrated, holding devices 170, 172, and 174 may be positioned to conveniently and advantageously support multiple surfboards 175, 176 and 177 from a stable support 178. Although FIG. 10 shows three surfboards being held, those skilled in the art will recognize other numbers and configurations are readily attained.

Since holding devices 170, 172 and 174 are alike, only holding device 170 will be described in detail. Holding device 170 has a threaded shank 179 fastened threadably to a stable support 178. As shown in FIG. 10, the holding device 170 engages one end portion of a sport board such as a surfboard 175, and a like holding device (not shown) engages the other end of the board 175 to suspend the surfboard from stable support 178. The sport board may also be for example, a snow board, or a skateboard. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other pieces of sporting equipment or nonsporting equipment could also be support by the holding device 170. The holding device 170 generally includes an L-shaped support portion 181 for engaging and supporting the bottom face 182 of the sport board 175. A cross member 183 extends from the threaded shank 179 to the L-shaped support portion 181. In the preferred form the invention, the device 170 is constructed of a one piece member, such as a metal rod stock bent into the invented configuration as illustrated in the drawings. The L-shaped support portion 181 has a face engageable support portion 184 integrally connected to one end of the cross member 183 and engages the bottom face 182 of the sport board 175. Those skilled in the art will readily recognized that the support portion could also engage the top face of the sport board if the support board is secured in a reverse position.

An L-shaped resting portion 187 extends from and is integrally connected to one end of the support portion 181. The L-shaped resting portion 187 engages and supports a side edge 188 of the sport board 175. A distal end 190 of the resting portion 187 is upturned to retain the sport board 175 in place. By placing the sport board 175 onto two spaced apart holding devices 170, the sport board 175 is conveniently and safely secured and suspended from a support 178 such as a wall.

Cross member 183 is sized such that when the side edged 188 is received in the L-shaped resting portion 187 and the bottom face 182 is resting on the face engagable support portion 184, the sport board 175 is held away from the stable support 178. In such a manner the sport board 175 will not be scratched or damaged by contact with the stable support 178. Further, the holding device 170 may have portions coated with a coating such as plastic for further resisting scratching the sport board 175.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A holding device for securely and safely holding an object to a stable support, the holding device comprising: a threaded shank portion to be threadably received by the stable support such that the threaded shank portion is securely attached to the stable support; a support portion for accepting the object to be held; and a cross member extending between the shank portion and said support portion.

2. A holding device according to claim 1, wherein said holding device is adapted for holding a sport board, and said support portion is generally L-shaped and includes a portion for helping to support a face portion of the sport board, and said support portion further includes a resting portion for engaging a side edge of the sport board.

3. A holding device according to claim 2, wherein said resting portion is L-shaped.

4. A holding device according to claim 2, wherein said resting portion and face supporting portion cooperate to keep the sportboard away from the stable support .

5. A holding device according to claim 1, adapted for holding a bicycle, wherein the support portion is a U- shaped frame support for receiving a frame portion of the bicycle, and the cross member is an elongated shaft for positioning the frame support sufficiently away from the stable support so that the bicycle is suspended substantially away from the stable support .

6. A holding device according to claim 5, wherein the cross member is approximately twelve inches long.

7. A holding device according to claim 5 adapted for holding another bicycle, the holding device further including another U-shaped frame support for receiving another frame portion from the another bicycle, with another shaft member extending between the frame support and the another frame support, the another shaft member being of sufficient length so that the bicycle does not substantially interfere with the another bicycle.

8. A holding device according to claim 1 adapted for holding an ornamental object, wherein the support member is a partially enclosed loop having an open arc for receiving a hanger and the cross member is an elongated shaft.

9. The holding device according to claim 8 wherein the cross member is curvilinear.

10. The holding device according to claim 8 wherein the partially enclosed loop is arclinear.

11. The holding device according to claim 8 wherein the open arc is less than, 90 degrees.

12. A holding device according to claim 1 adapted for holding a skateboard, wherein said cross member includes two spaced apart like support portions extending therefrom, each support member for receiving an axle portion of the skateboard, so that the holding device suspends the skateboard away from the stable support .

13. A holding device according to claim 1 adapted for holding a guitar, wherein said cross member includes two spaced apart like support portions extending therefrom, each support member for receiving a neck portion of the guitar, so that the holding device suspends the guitar away from the stable support .

14. A holding device according to claim 1 adapted for holding a roll of paper towels, wherein the support member is an elongated shaft sized to extend through the roll of paper towels, and further includes a stub portion for retaining the roll on the shaft.

15. The holding device according to claim 14 wherein the cross member includes a tie member othogonally connected to the threaded shaft portion and extending parallel to the elongated shaft, with another tie member attaching the tie member to the elongated shaft at substantially a right angle.