WO2006053413A2

WO2006053413A2 - Holding device

Info

Publication number: WO2006053413A2
Application number: PCT/BR2005/000237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ana Cláudia CORRÊA MIRANDA
Original assignee: Correa Miranda Ana Claudia
Priority date: 2004-11-19
Filing date: 2005-11-17
Publication date: 2006-05-26
Also published as: US20060108497A1; EP1825480A2; WO2006053413A3

Abstract

A holding device engageable with a surface of a table or the like for securing fashion accessories such as handbags or purses, includes a base having an orifice, an anti-slip member attached to the base and configured for engaging the surface, and an arm assembly rotatable with respect to the base and having a first end configured for being received by the orifice.

Description

HOLDING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fashion accessories

such as purses, handbags, briefcases, and the like. Specifically, the present

invention provides a practical, innovative device for hanging and

supporting such fashion accessories from a horizontal substrate such as a

desk or table.

People in general, but most often women, carry items such as

handbags, purses, bags and various other fashion accessories with them in

order to hold their personal documents and objects. In certain cases, people

need or require that these accessories remain close to them or within their

field of vision, leading them to place the objects on tables, to hang them on

chairs or simply leave them on the ground. However, these places are

genuinely inconvenient and not shaped or sized for retaining these

accessories.

For instance, placing a purse or handbag on a counter or table

at a bar or restaurant will minimize the surface space available on the table

for placing food or drinks, and can also cause the item to get spilled on or

dirtied.

Such occasions can be quite common and can also cause the

accessories to be dropped, stolen, damaged or suffer from other various problems.

Although holding devices have been developed to attempt to

solve these problems, they do have disadvantages. For instance, parent

application no. 10/993,097, which is herein incorporated by reference,

provides a holding device for hanging fashion accessories. However, it

was found that, in some cases, the device was not strong enough to hold

many types of fashion accessories, causing the device to disengage from

the table surface or, in some cases, break.

Accordingly, there is a need for a holding device that allows a

user to attach and hang his/her fashion accessories, such as purses,

handbags, and the like, in locations where they can keep these accessories

within reach for safety purposes or as a result of habit.

In addition, there is a need for a holding device that can

withstand the weight of heavier fashion accessories without disengaging

from the table surface or breaking.

There is also a need for a holding device that is portable and

that the user can easily fit within a handbag or other fashion accessory

without unduly weighing the handbag down or consuming too much space

within the handbag.

Further, there is a need for a holding device that can be

manufactured and purchased at a low cost, yet still be strong and durable enough to withstand continued use and travel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-identified needs are met or exceeded by the present

holding device for fashion accessories such as handbags, purses and the

like. The present holding device is lightweight, portable and durable

enough to withstand continued use. Further, the present holding device is

cost-efficient to manufacture and purchase. In addition, the present holding

device is strong enough to retain heavier fashion accessories without

disengaging from a table surface or breaking.

Specifically, the present holding device engageable with a surface of a

table or the like for securing fashion accessories such as handbags or

purses, includes a base having an orifice, an anti-slip member attached to

the base and configured for engaging the surface, and an arm assembly

rotatable with respect to the base and having a first end configured for

being received by the orifice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a holding device in accordance with the

present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the holding device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the holding device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the holding device of FIG.

l;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the holding device of FIG.

l;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the holding device of FIG.

1 with the arm assembly rotated to another position;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the holding device of FIG.

1 with a second portion of the arm assembly rotated;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the holding device of FIG.

7 with the second portion of the arm assembly rotated to another position;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the holding device

of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the holding device of FIG.

1 attached to a table surface; and

FIG. 11 is a partial top perspective view of the portion of the

table surface of FIG. 10 engaged by the holding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGs. 1-9, the present holding device engageable

with a surface of a table or the like for securing fashion accessories such as

handbags, purses, briefcases or similar objects is generally designated 10

and includes a base 12 having a generally cylindrical orifice 14, an anti-slip member 16 attached to the base, and an arm assembly 18 rotatable with

respect to the base.

As shown in FIGs. 4 and 9, the anti-slip member 16,

preferably a disk made of a rubber-like material, is attached to the base 12

at a bottom end 20 of the base, and is configured for engaging a table

surface 22 (FIGs. 10-11). It is contemplated that the anti-slip member 16 is

attached to the bottom end 20 by a chemical adhesive or glue, although it is

appreciated that other methods of attachment may be available, as are

known in the art. It is further contemplated that the anti-slip member 16

provides traction between the table surface 22 and the device 10,

preventing the device from sliding off of the table surface, which is usually

a smooth, finished material such as a reinforced plastic laminate, a

varnished or polyurethane-coated wood material, or other known tabletop

materials.

Referring to FIGs. 1 and 9, the arm assembly 18 has a first end

24 that is configured for being received by the orifice 14. In the present

device 10, the orifice 14 is preferably centrally located on a sidewall 26 of

the base 12, and extends through approximately one-half the diameter of

the base, and the first end 24 is inserted into and extends entirely through

the orifice 14 and into a preferably generally circular chamber 25 located

within the base (FIG. 1). It is contemplated that this arrangement will provide a strong connection between the arm assembly 18 and the base 12,

and will allow heavier fashion accessories to be supported by the device 10.

To rotatably secure the attachment between the arm assembly

18 and the base 12, it is contemplated that the first end 24 is crimped or

pressed at point 24a (FIGs. 1 and 2) by inserting a punch crimping or

pressing tool into the chamber 25, which is accessible through the bottom

20 of the orifice 14, prior to attachment of the anti-slip member 16. It is

contemplated that this action sufficiently deforms the first end 24 so that it

cannot be retracted through the orifice 14, while still allowing the arm

assembly 18 to rotate with respect to the base 12. However, it is

appreciated that other methods of fixing the arm assembly 18 to the base 12

may be available, as are known in the art.

As shown in FIGs. 1-9, it is preferred that the base 12 is

generally circular in shape, although it is recognized that other shapes may

be available, as are known in the art. For instance, it is contemplated that

the base could be provided in a decorative shape, such as a leaf, or that the

base could include a logo design or watch component for added elegance

and style.

Unlike some prior holding devices, it is contemplated that the

sidewall 26 of the base 12 is thick (or tall enough as seen in FIGs. 2 and 3)

enough to rotatably receive the first end 24, and also heavy enough to act as a counterweight, enabling the device to securely engage the table surface

22 and balance the weight provided by the fashion accessory. It is further

preferred that the base 12 is manufactured from a low cost, rigid, durable

material, such as chromed brass, as is known in the art. It is contemplated

that chromed brass is strong enough to allow the device 10 to accommodate

up to approximately 20 pounds of weight, while still providing a

lightweight and elegant looking device. However, it is recognized that

other materials may be available.

Referring to FIG. 9, the arm assembly 18 includes a first

portion 28, a second portion 30, and a joint sleeve 32 connecting the first

and second portions. It is contemplated that the first and second portions

28, 30, are secured within the joint sleeve 32 by crimping, punching or

pressing, as is known in the art. It is further contemplated that such

assembly techniques provide a strong and secure connection between the

first and second portions 28, 30 and the joint sleeve 32, while still allowing

rotation of the second portion relative to the sleeve. However, it is

appreciated that other attachment techniques are available, as are known in

the art.

The second portion 30 is preferably generally hook-shaped

and is configured for retaining a fashion accessory 34 such as a handbag,

purse, briefcase or other article (FIGs. 10-11). It is contemplated that by providing the second portion 30 with a hook shape, the handbag 34 will be

securely retained on the second portion, and will not slip off if moved or

disturbed.

In the preferred embodiment, the first end 24 is approximately

axially aligned with a lowermost portion 27 of the hook-shaped second

portion 30, as shown in FIGs. 3 and 6. It is contemplated that this

arrangement provides balance to the device 10 when it is engaged to the

table surface 22, allowing the fashion accessory 34 to be securely retained

by the device.

It is contemplated that the arm assembly 18 is also

manufactured from a low cost, rigid, durable material such as chromed

brass, although as mentioned above, it is appreciated that other available

materials are suitable that provide similar material properties, as is known

in the art. It is further contemplated that the arm assembly 18 has a

generally circular cross-section configured to correspond with the circular

cross-section of the orifice 14, providing a smooth surface that can be

easily gripped by a user. However, it is recognized that other shapes may

be available, as is known in the art.

As shown in FIGs. 4-6, the arm assembly 18 is configured for

rotating relative to the base 12, allowing the device 10 to be manipulated

based on the needs of the user. It is contemplated that the arm assembly 18 is rotatable 360° with respect to the base 12, although it is recognized that a

lesser range is possible. By rotating the arm assembly 18 relative to the

base 12, the user can adapt the device 10 to best suit the situation.

Furthermore, rotation of the arm assembly 18 relative to the base 12 in

either direction 90° from the vertical (as seen in FIG. 10) allows the device

to be stored easily in a flat orientation (FIG. 6).

As shown in FIGs. 7 and 8, the second portion 30 is

configured to be rotatable with respect to the joint sleeve 32. The second

portion 30 is preferably rotatable 180° with respect to the joint sleeve 32,

although it is recognized that other ranges of rotation are possible. By

rotating the second portion 30 relative to the first portion 28 and the base

12, the user can adapt the device 10 to correspond with the table or surface

22 from which it hangs. Further, the user can rotate the second portion 30

so that the handbag 34 is directly under the table 22 (FIGs. 10-11) and in

front of them, or so that the handbag is on either their right or left side

(FIG. 8), depending on their personal preference or the orientation of the

table.

Referring to FIGs. 1-9, the second portion 30 includes a

generally spherical tip 36 configured for retaining the purse 34 on the

second portion. It is contemplated that the tip 36, which is defined in part

by a reduced diameter neck 38, will aid in preventing the purse 34 from slipping off of the second portion 30 during unexpected movement or

disturbance of the holding device 10 while it is secured to the table surface

22.

In the preferred embodiment, the holding device 10 is small so

that it can be carried in purses or as the user prefers. However, it is

contemplated that other sizes may be available for holding larger or heavier

objects.

The purpose of the present holding device 10 is to provide a

temporary option for the user to safeguard his/her personal belongings in

unforeseeable situations and locations such as restaurants, providing them

with comfort and security regarding the safety of their personal objects,

such as handbags and purses. Further, even when there are locations

available to store these items, the present holding device 10 provides an

additional option to keep the accessory nearby and within the user's field of

vision.

The present holding device 10 does not require any special

tools in order to be utilized. It is attached to the table surface 22 or piece of

furniture by resting it on the surface of the table or furniture, making the

device highly simple to use. Furthermore, the present holding device 10

effectively supports the object that one wants to hang, thus avoiding the

need to look for a safe location nearby. In addition, because of its portability and ease of use, the present holding device 10 can be used at any^¬

time, with both discretion and simple elegance.

The present holding device 10 has numerous advantages,

including practicality, safety features, comfort and versatility.

Furthermore, the device 10 is adaptable into numerous positions, since it

includes rotatable components, enabling the user to place their personal

accessories in the position that best suits them.

While a particular embodiment of the present holding device

has been herein shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled

in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without

departing from the invention and its broader aspects, as set forth in the

following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A holding device engageable with a surface of a table or the

like for securing fashion accessories such as handbags or purses,

comprising:

a base having an orifice;

an anti-slip member attached to said base and configured for

engaging the surface; and

an arm assembly rotatable with respect to said base and having

a first end configured for being received by said orifice.

2. The holding device of claim 1 wherein said base is generally

circular in shape.

3. The holding device of claim 1 wherein said base further

includes a sidewall, said orifice being located in said sidewall.

4. The holding device of claim 3 wherein said orifice extends

through approximately one-half the diameter of said base.

5. The holding device of claim 4 wherein said sidewall is thick

enough to rotatably receive said first end.

6. The holding device of claim 1 wherein said arm assembly

includes a first portion, a second portion, and a joint sleeve connecting said

first and second portions.

7. The holding device of claim 6 wherein said second portion is generally hook-shaped.

8. The holding device of claim 7 wherein said second portion

includes a lowermost portion configured for approximate axial alignment

with said first end.

9. The holding device of claim 8 wherein said second portion is

rotatable with respect to said joint sleeve.

10. The holding device of claim 9 wherein said second portion

includes a generally spherical tip configured for retaining the fashion

accessory.

11. The holding device of claim 6 wherein said base further

includes a generally circular, centrally located chamber configured for

receiving said first end.

12. A holding device engageable with a surface of a table or the

like for securing fashion accessories such as handbags or purses,

comprising:

a generally circular base having an orifice extending through

approximately one-half the diameter of said base;

an anti-slip member attached to said base and configured for

engaging the surface; and

an arm assembly rotatable with respect to said base and having

a first end configured for being received by said orifice, wherein said arm assembly includes a first portion, a second portion, and a joint sleeve

connecting said first and second portions.

13. The holding device of claim 12, wherein said base includes

a sidewall, said orifice being located in said sidewall.

14. The holding device of claim 13, wherein said sidewall is

thick enough to rotatably receive said first end.

15. The holding device of claim 12 wherein said second portion

is generally hook shaped.

16. The holding device of claim 15 wherein said second portion

includes a lowermost portion being in approximate axial alignment with

said first end.

17. The holding device of claim 16 wherein said second portion

is rotatable with respect to said joint sleeve.

18. The holding device of claim 17 wherein said second portion

includes a generally spherical tip configured for retaining the fashion

accessory.