WO2020221531A1

WO2020221531A1 - Quick release support

Info

Publication number: WO2020221531A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/058915
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Bingham
Original assignee: Richard Bingham
Priority date: 2019-04-29
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2020-11-05
Also published as: GB2583484A; IE87443B1; GB201905980D0; IE20200297A1; GB2583484B

Abstract

The invention provides a quick release support apparatus for removably securing a container to a window sill, the apparatus comprising a substantially C-shaped main body having a base; a top parallel to the base; two substantially open sides; a back extending between the top and the base; and attachment means for accepting the container; a guide plate slidably attached to the base; and a clamp mechanism, wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a lower jaw; an upper jaw for resting on the window sill; and a cam lever and a threaded rod connected to the cam lever, wherein the top and base of the main body, the guide plate and the lower jaw of the clamp mechanism are each independently provided with an aperture, and wherein the threaded rod extends through each of the apertures in the top and base of the main body, the aperture in the lower jaw and the aperture in the guide plate.

Description

QUICK RELEASE SUPPORT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for attaching a container to a window sill such that the container may be accessed from within a building.

Background to the Invention

Window boxes are well known. Examples in the prior art include flower pot holders in the form of a box attached on or just below the sill of a window. The boxes are usually clamped or bolted onto a window sill or to the wall immediately below it, leaving unsightly marks when removed.

Known flower pot holders do not allow for quick, simple installation and removal without trace. Furthermore, most known window boxes need to be installed by an installer who is outside of the building.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a quick release support apparatus for attaching a container to a windowsill, the apparatus alleviating the above-mentioned disadvantages and/or providing a suitable alternative.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect according to the invention, there is provided quick release support apparatus for removably securing a container to a window sill, the apparatus comprising a substantially C-shaped main body having a base, a top parallel to the base, two substantially open sides and a back extending between the top and the base; a guide plate slidably attached to the base; and a clamp mechanism, wherein the main body comprises attachment means for accepting the container, wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a lower jaw, an upper jaw for resting on the window sill, a cam lever and a threaded rod connected to the cam lever, wherein the top and base of the main body, the guide plate and the lower jaw of the clamp mechanism are each independently provided with an aperture, and wherein the threaded rod extends through each of the apertures in the top and base of the main body, the aperture in the lower jaw and the aperture in the guide plate.

Whilst reference is made herein to attachment to a window sill, this is not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, the quick release support apparatus according to the invention is also suitable for attachment to a ledge, shelf or the like.

No drilling or holes are required in the window sill or in any adjacent wall or surface in order to install and use the apparatus according to the invention. Furthermore, no measurements are required for installation.

The apparatus according to the invention is adjustable for installation on and against various styles of window sills without tools, is easily cleaned, holds a container securely and is easily removable without tools.

In use, the apparatus is attached to a window sill with the upper jaw resting on the sill. The upper jaw takes the weight of the apparatus and any container attached to apparatus, for example a flower pot or receptacle for rubbish such as a food waste bin or nappy bin.

The apparatus according to the invention is portable.

The main body acts as a mounting body for the container. However, this is not to be considered limiting and instead of, or in addition to a container, other receptacles, tools and/or components may be attached to a window sill using the apparatus according to the invention.

The container may be connected to the main body of the apparatus in any suitable manner. In a preferred embodiment, the main body of the apparatus comprises one or more guide buttons or rails for slidably accepting the container. Particularly preferably, four guide buttons are provided on the main body, for example two guide buttons on each side of the main body, e.g. with two of the guide buttons adjacent the top and the other two guide buttons adjacent the base.

Alternatively or additionally, the back of the main body of the apparatus comprises one or more hooks and/or one or more other protrusions for accepting the container. Alternatively, holes can be made in the main body of the apparatus, to which protrusions and or hooks on a container can attach to the apparatus.

Essentially, the main body of the apparatus is provided with a male attachment part and a corresponding female attachment part is either part of the container or part of a back plate for further attachment to the container, or vice versa.

When clamped to a window sill, the apparatus according to the invention preferably does not obscure views as it allows for the attached container to be out of sight, i.e. for the attached container to be below the window to which it is attached. However, this is not to be considered limiting and the container may be attached such that it is above or level with the window sill instead of below it.

The clamp mechanism is vertically adjustable by means of the cam lever and threaded rod to fit various thicknesses of sills.

The cam lever and threaded rod, and thus the clamp mechanism as a whole, can generally be operated using one hand.

In order to secure the apparatus to a window sill, a user places the upper jaw of the clamp mechanism on top of the sill to which the container is to be attached and raises up the lower jaw to the underside of the sill using the cam lever and threaded rod.

Once the upper and lower jaws are in place on the sill, the upper jaw provides a frictional surface on the sill and closure of the cam lever pulls the guide plate up towards the underside of the base of the main body, creating a contact surface which locks the guide plate in place. Closure of the cam lever adds further pressure to the clamping force provided by the upper and lower jaws, thus securing the apparatus to the sill.

The clamp mechanism accordingly provides the adjustability of a G-clamp as well as the clamping action of a cam lever.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper jaw is pivotable with respect to the main body to allow for clamping of the apparatus to window sills of alternate slope, for example windows sills having a slope in the range of from about 0 degrees to about 30 degrees, e.g. about 15 degrees. However, this is not considered to be limiting and fixed upper jaws are also considered to be within the scope of the invention. For example, the upper jaw may be fixed at 90 degrees to the back of the main body for attachment of the apparatus to flat sills.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a handle to assist with attachment and removal of the apparatus. The handle may also be used as a carrying mechanism when transporting the apparatus, preferably when transporting the apparatus with a container connected thereto.

The handle is preferably attached to the top of the main body of the apparatus.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the handle is attached to both the top of the main body of the apparatus and to the upper jaw of the clamp mechanism. In this embodiment, the upper jaw is pivotable with respect to the top of the main body by means of the handle.

The guide plate ensures that once the apparatus is clamped to the window sill, the back of the main body of the apparatus remains substantially parallel to the wall or other vertical surface beneath the window sill to which the apparatus is attached. This allows for a vertical distribution of weight which prevents any twisting motion of the apparatus. Excessive twisting motion could pull the apparatus off the window sill to which it is attached.

The guide plate is preferably adjustable to allow the apparatus to attach to window sills of alternate depth. For example, the aperture in the guide plate is preferably in the form of an elongate slot to allow for movement of the guide plate with respect to the main body towards or away from the wall beneath the sill to which the apparatus is attached.

In use, upon clamping the apparatus to a sill, the guide plate is preferably adjusted such that it touches the wall beneath the sill and the back of the main body is parallel to the wall. The cam lever is then closed, locking the guide plate in place.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises guide plate aligning means for automatically adjusting the guide plate with respect to the main body of the apparatus to ensure contact of the guide plate with the wall or other vertical surface beneath the sill to which the apparatus is attached. The guide plate aligning means preferably provide pressure on the guide plate to keep it fully extended, pulling or pushing it away from the back of the main body towards the wall until it is pushed back during fitting.

The guide plate aligning means preferably comprise one or more of elastic material, one or more springs, other biasing means, or a combination thereof to provide the necessary pressure to manually or automatically push or pull the guide plate out towards the wall or other vertical surface beneath the sill, as appropriate.

The guide plate aligning means particularly preferably comprise bungee cord or rubber, e.g. elastic cord comprising one or more elastic strands forming a core and covered in a woven cotton or polypropylene sheath, attached between the back of the main body and the guide plate.

Additionally or alternatively, the guide plate aligning means preferably comprise a spring between the guide plate and the threaded rod.

However, the guide plate aligning means are not an essential component of the apparatus according to the invention. On fitting the apparatus without guide plate aligning means, the fitter simply needs to fully extend the guide plate away from the main body prior to placing the upper jaw on the sill.

Whether the guide plate aligning means are present or not, when placing the upper jaw on the sill while ensuring the main body remains parallel to the wall, the guide plate will slide back due to contact with the wall prior to being locked in place when the cam lever is closed.

The upper jaw, lower jaw and/or guide plate are each independently preferably provided with high friction material, such as rubber, particularly preferably on any contact surfaces, i.e. any surface which comes in contact with the window sill or wall beneath the sill when the apparatus is clamped to a sill.

In another aspect, the invention provides a system for attachment to a window sill, the system comprising the apparatus described herein and a back plate for attachment to a container, wherein the main body of the apparatus is provided with a male attachment part and wherein the back plate is provided with a corresponding female attachment part, or vice versa.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a system for attachment to a window sill, the system comprising the apparatus described herein and a container, wherein the main body of the apparatus is provided with a male attachment part and wherein the container is provided with a corresponding female attachment part, or vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment, the container is provided with one or more channels for accepting one or more guide buttons and/or rails on the main body of the apparatus.

The container preferably comprises an opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the container comprises an opening, a hinged lid covering an opening and two wires. In this embodiment, one end of the first wire is preferably attached to the hinge on the lid. The second wire is fixed to the opening at one end and the other end is adjustably attached to the first wire.

In use, the free end of the first wire rests on the closed window. On opening the window, pressure is applied at the position where the first wire rests on the window. This pressure pushes the first wire back, the first wire then catches the second wire, pulling open the lid. In other words, the lid opens automatically with the window.

When the window is closed, the first wire falls back down, dropping the second wire, and the lid closes.

The second wire is preferably adjustable to different positions along the first wire, to allow the user to determine how far back the first wire has to travel before engaging the second wire and opening the lid. This adjustability allows for different distances between the lidded container and the window. The opening can be rotated to face the window for top hung (awning) windows, or at 90 degrees to the window for side hung (casement) windows.

Accordingly, the lid of the container attached to a window sill using the apparatus according to the invention can be automatically opened on the opening of the window. Brief Description of the drawings

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred apparatus according to the invention for removably securing a container to a window sill;

Figure 2 shows a further perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 A shows a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 7B shows a sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 7A;

Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 shows the apparatus shown in Figure 1 removably attached to a window sill; Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the attachment of a container to a window sill using the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 11 shows another exploded view of the attachment of a container to a window sill using the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a container attached to a window sill using the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 13 shows a side view of the window sill with attached container shown in Figure 12; and

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of an alternative preferred apparatus according to the invention removably attached to a window sill. Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Referring to the drawings and especially to Figures 1 to 8, there is shown a preferred quick release support apparatus according to the invention for removably securing a container (not shown in Figures 1 to 9) to a window sill (not shown in Figures 1 to 8), the apparatus generally referred to by the reference numeral 100 and comprising a substantially C-shaped main body, guide plate 20 and a clamp mechanism.

The main body comprises base 11 , top 12 parallel to base Hand back 14 extending between top 12 and base 11.

Figure 9 shows apparatus 100 attached to a window sill S.

Guide plate 20 comprises elongate slot 21 and is slidably attached to base 11 of main body 10 via clamp mechanism 30.

Top 12, base 11 and lower jaw 32 are each independently provided with an aperture 13, 35 through which threaded rod 34 extends.

The clamp mechanism comprises lower jaw 32, upper jaw 31 for resting on window sill S, cam lever 33 and threaded rod 34 connected to the cam lever. Threaded rod 34 extends through aperture 13 in top 12 and aperture 35 in lower jaw 32 and through slot 21 in guide plate 20, wherein cam lever 33 is attached to one end of threaded rod 34. Clamp mechanism 30 raises up lower jaw 32 to the underside of window sill S. This raising action is a screw and clamp action, using a threaded cam lever 33, 34. The screw action raises lower jaw 32. Once upper and lower jaws 31 , 32 are in place, closure of cam lever 33 pulls guide plate 20 up towards the underside of base 11 of main body 10, creating a contact surface which locks guide plate 20 in place. Closure of cam lever 33 adds further pressure to the clamping force.

Whilst the main body of the apparatus according to the invention may be provided with a male attachment part and the back plate or container with a corresponding female attachment part, or vice versa, in the embodiment shown in the Figures, apparatus 100 is provided with four guide buttons 15 on the sides of main body 10, with two of guide buttons 15 adjacent top 12 and two guide buttons 15 adjacent base 1 1. As shown in Figures 10 and 1 1 , guide buttons 15 accept back plate 250 and container 300 for attachment of container 300 to window sill S.

Apparatus 100 further comprises handle 60 attached to top 12. Handle 60 assists attachment and removal of apparatus 100. Handle 60 may also be used as a carrying mechanism when transporting apparatus 100 and an attached container.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, handle 60 is also attached to upper jaw 31. In this preferred embodiment, upper jaw 31 is pivotable with respect to top 12 of main body 10 by means of handle 60. Whilst upper jaw 31 is shown in the Figures to be pivotable to adjust to angled window sills, this is not considered to be limiting and fixed upper jaws are also considered to be within the scope of the invention. For example, the upper jaw may be fixed at 90 degrees to back 14 of the main body for attachment of the apparatus to flat window sills.

Figures 10 to 13 show apparatus 100 attaching a container, generally referred to by the reference numeral 300, to window sill S via back plate 250. The window sill is not shown in Figure 1 1.

When apparatus 100 is attached to window sill S, upper jaw 31 rests on window sill S. Upper jaw 31 takes the weight of apparatus 100 and any components attached to apparatus 100 such as container 300. Guide plate 20 is adjustable to fit varying distances of the underside of window sills. With reference to Figures 9 to 10 and 12, guide plate 20 ensures that back 14 of main body 10 remains parallel to the wall W (or other vertical surface) beneath window sill S, providing a vertical distribution of weight, by resting on wall W. This vertical distribution of weight prevents any twisting motion which could pull the apparatus 100 off window sill S.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, back plate 250 is a separate piece that can be attached to any receptacle with nuts and bolts or other fastening means. Back plate 250 is designed to slot over back 14 and rest on apparatus 100. Back plate 250 is essentially a container adapter for securing receptacles to apparatus 100 which have not been specifically designed to do so.

As shown in Figure 1 1 , back plate 250 comprises two channels 310 which slot over guide buttons 15 on the sides of apparatus 100. Container 300 is attached to back plate 250. Thus back plate 250 is attached to both container 300 and apparatus 100.

In an alternative more preferred embodiment not shown in the Figures, the container itself comprises a channel for accepting the guide buttons or rails and does not require a separate back plate. As such, containers may be made specifically to slot over and secure to the apparatus according to the invention, i.e. wherein the container and back plate are integrally formed.

Figure 14 shows an alternative preferred apparatus according to the invention, generally referred to by reference numeral 200, removably attached to a window sill.

Apparatus 200 only differs from apparatus 100 in that less material is used to form the main body, i.e. back 214 is the same as back 14 but provided with an opening to reduce manufacture cost. All other component parts are identical to those of apparatus 100.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Quick release support apparatus for removably securing a container to a window sill, the apparatus comprising:

a substantially C-shaped main body having:

a base;

a top parallel to the base;

two substantially open sides;

a back extending between the top and the base; and

attachment means for accepting the container;

a guide plate slidably attached to the base; and

a clamp mechanism,

wherein the clamp mechanism comprises:

a lower jaw;

an upper jaw for resting on the window sill; and

a cam lever and a threaded rod connected to the cam lever, wherein the top and base of the main body, the guide plate and the lower jaw of the clamp mechanism are each independently provided with an aperture, and wherein the threaded rod extends through each of the apertures in the top and base of the main body, the aperture in the lower jaw and the aperture in the guide plate.

2. The quick release support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the attachment means for accepting the container comprise one or more guide buttons or rails for slidably accepting the container, preferably wherein the guide buttons or rails are located on the sides of the main body.

3. The quick release support apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper jaw is pivotable with respect to the main body to allow for clamping of the apparatus to window sills of alternate slope.

4. The quick release support apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus further comprises a handle to assist with attachment and removal of the apparatus.

5. The quick release support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the handle is attached to the top of the main body of the apparatus.

6. The quick release support apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the handle is attached to both the top of the main body of the apparatus and to the upper jaw of the clamp mechanism such that the upper jaw is pivotable with respect to the top of the main body by means of the handle.

7. The quick release support apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture in the guide plate is in the form of an elongate slot such that the guide plate is adjustable to allow the apparatus to attach to window sills of alternate depth.

8. The quick release support apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises guide plate aligning means for automatically adjusting the guide plate with respect to the main body.

9. The quick release support apparatus of claim 8, wherein the guide plate aligning means comprise one or more of elastic material, one or more springs, other biasing means, or a combination thereof.

10. The quick release support apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper jaw, lower jaw and/or guide plate are each independently provided with high friction material.

11. A system for attachment to a window sill, the system comprising the apparatus of any one of the preceding claims and a container, wherein either the main body of the apparatus is provided with a male attachment part and the container is provided with a corresponding female attachment part or alternatively wherein the main body of the apparatus is provided with a female attachment part and the container is provided with a corresponding male attachment part.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the main body of the apparatus is provided with one or more guide buttons and the container is provided with one or more channels for accepting the guide buttons.

13. The system of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the container comprises an opening, a hinged lid covering the opening and two wires such that the lid of the container is adapted to open automatically on opening of the window, the sill of which it is attached to.