HOLDING DEVICE WITH DEMOUNTABLE PANELS AND SHELF
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention utilizes the demountable corner design disclosed in US Patent # 6,302.037 to Del Frari.
The art of patent # 6,302,037 addresses access and usage of conventional furniture by the disabled. This disclosure addresses assisted access and usage of standard household items by improving people's ability to stabilize objects for viewing and for applying work forces to them.
Increased utility of holding devices comes from portability and ease of use. Efficiency and reliability of the surface bond between holding device and support surface should be immediate on all substantially flat, stable surfaces. Prior art discloses holding devices that avoid the restrictions of clamping said devices to a support by employing vacuum and magnetic means to stabilize their mount.
US Patent # 5,681,022 to Rankin on Oct. 28, 1997 disclosed a clamping device employing a means of establishing air pressure differential between the bottom contact surface of a holding apparatus and the top side working surface of said device. This device's variable pressure differential allows it to adhere to any relatively flat surface, a surface with curve, or a curved and irregular surface. The disadvantage to this art is the need for a source of compressed air or inert
gas to modify the vacuum pressure to meet surface conditions. Compressed air is available in few homes and a hose line lead from said apparatus to said air supply would be hazardous. Additionally, said device vertically applies holding pressure covering the top an object and thereby limits the actions that can be effected on its top surface; this is restrictive to many tasks such as opening a can with a standard can opener.
US Patent # 4,637,632 to Rubash and Rubash on Jan. 20, 1987 discloses a holding device for at least one object comprised of a flexible locking relationship between two opposed, interlocking end members. This invention overcomes the well cited prior art defect of exceedingly complicated locking relationships being necessary to readjust the lateral holding dimension to accommodate size variance of held objects. The disclosed device claims simplicity in locking in lateral dimensional change through the correspondence of insert and locking positions between the two end members. Its holding capability is largely limited to a preferred orientation for storage and display. Said interlocking end members inhibit access to the held object from both sides interfering with applying force to held object; also, object display is compromised by the blocking of side views by said end members.
Citing the household situation that glasses, cans, bottles, and liquid vessels in general that have no structural means to stabilize themselves "are prone to being knocked down, as by bumping..." US Patent # 5,511, 751 to Shen on Apr. 30, 1996 discloses a structure of a stand for holding liquids safe from the unintentional effects of daily living activity. Shen's disclosure maximizes said holding stand's ability to function on any substantially flat surface by employing a suction or vacuum means of stabilizing said holding stand. Activation of the pressure differential between the bottom surface of said stand and a base surface comes from applying force to a lifting apparatus. As a general holding apparatus the most apparent defect is that the disclosed holding device is for liquids only. Additional defects are the absence of display of items being held and the challenge a lifting motion to secure a good bond presents to the disabled.
In US Patent # 6,450,347 to Hannecke on Sep. 17, 2002 a means of holding and displaying objects ranging from thin sheets like pamphlets to merchandise boxes is disclosed. Said means derives from a modular column possessing longitudinally designated recesses receptive to
positioning pegs or the like of adaptive display compartments which radially mount said column at said designated recesses. Disclosed is a system of aligning said display compartments within a display level and between successive display levels of said column. Said device is limited as a holding device in that its is purpose is the commercial display of thin and low-volume objects such as postal cards. Said device discloses clamping means for holding single sheets and the like in a rigid manner for viewing, not for applying work forces to objects.
US Patent # 6,182, 957 to Becker on Feb. 6. 2001 discloses an apparatus to hold flexible products of various sizes and configurations in a flat and secure position on a generally planar surface. Display of the held object is achieved by means of making said holding apparatus out of transparent material providing for visual access to all sides of the object and so that under lighting can illuminate the held item and said apparatus can function as a light table. The intent of the disclosed is for industrial purposes, to hold and retain products to be treated or processed. Said disclosure provides its own planar surface and is inherently a table designed to hold objects, not a portable holding device applicable to domestic purpose!.
Study of the prior art of holding devices shows several main areas of defect inventors have worked to improve upon: prior art is improved upon by increased ease in applicability to all substantially flat, stable surfaces; prior art is improved upon by enhanced visual display of held objects; prior art is improved upon by a single device being able to hold and display sheet and bulk materials; prior art is improved upon if the device can provide for safety from accidental disturbance of unsecured objects; prior art is improved upon when the device aids alignment of components being held - laterally and vertically; prior art is improved upon when adjustments to size variation of grasped objects is made easier and more efficient; prior art is improved upon when the operation of a holding device gives consideration to the to the movement ability of its operators.
Limitations in prior art recommend a holding device which has the following characteristics: a) immediate usage upon being placed on any substantial flat and stable surface b) accessibility of object(s) being held - visually and to apply work forces c) efficient and flexible adjustments to holding means from thin sheet like materials to large bulk items d) provide for increased safety in
the management of materials through means of stabilizing items from accidental forces and means for dispensing items which require caution when handling e) offer accommodation to disabled operators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention meets these objectives through a self-supporting, portable holding device which grips any substantially fiat, stable surface by means of a planar skid resistant undersurfacing to a base assembly comprised of a plurality of rigid rectangular members radially joined to a demountable corner. The total underside area of said members has slip resistant material bonded to it. The top side of each of said members has a longitudinal slot. Each of a pair of rectangular blocks attaches to said longitudinal slot on said top side of one of said members by means of hand wheels with threaded studs which extend though said blocks into said slots. Said slots are wider at bottom and mid-section than at top section opening so that a threaded nut inserted into a cross section end of said member can travel in said slot but not be withdrawn from said top side of said slot. When rotated clockwise said hand wheels pull said threaded nuts upwards and against said top opening applying compression to the underside of said top opening and locking said block tight against said slot. Counterclockwise rotation releases compression of said nut thereby dropping said nut down into said wider sections of said slot where said nut can travel in convergent and divergent directions from said corner by the sliding of said blocks on said top surface of said members. t
Each of said members connects through said blocks with one or more mostly rectangular plates. The plates of adjacent members are parallel with opposed edges. An end section of said plate underside has a thicker and weighted section of said slip resistant material bonded to it. Said plane of said slip resistant undersurfaces of said members and said plates aligns correspondingly to a level surface. Said planar skid resistant undersurfacing of said base assembly immediately stabilizes on contact with a flat surface.
Said opposed edges of said plates are covered with said slip resistant material. Said convergent
movement of said plates towards said corner brings said edging against contours of objects positioned between said plates. In a limited manner said slip resistant material will conform to the contours of an object. One of said plate edges positioned laterally against an object stabilizes said object while said opposed plate edge is pressed against a lateral side of said object, thin sheet or bulk object. Elevation of main body of said plates by said end section undersurfacing and said attachment to said blocks allows for objects of a broader base construction than vertical construction to be held by the gripping edges of said plates. Said plates can vary dimensionally but in all embodiments said planar gripping motions maintain a substantial low profile, high visibility holding area.
Said corner is a cylindrical socket for a demountable column that inserts into said socket at top side surface of said corner and rises above said base assembly. Said column has a front face and a rear area. Said front face has longitudinally aligned and intermittently spaced modular recesses. Said rear area has a rigid longitudinal spine adhered to it at midline, said spine is correspondingly notched to said front face modular recesses. Upper section of said column supports a rigid, inclined panel.
A demountable bracket is a right angle configuration. Said bracket laterally connects to said column by means of a rear side notch of said demountable bracket. Said notch corresponding with contours of said column. A plurality of studs extend from midline of said bracket notch. Said studs correspond to and are inserted into said intermittent modular recesses of said column face thereby connecting said bracket to said column.
A rectangular block has a plurality of studs at one end. Said studs correspond to and are inserted into modular recesses on the front side of said demountable bracket. Insertion of said rectangular block into said demountable bracket forms a shelf. Said shelf is supported by said demountable bracket's insertion into said column's modular recesses. Additional support of said shelf is achieved by insertion of a snap pin through one of said column spine notches and aligned holes in a pair of fixed brackets that flank said bracket notch of said demountable bracket. Said shelf positions intermittently on said column at said column's modular recesses.
Stud insertion into a plurality of modular recesses on front side of said demountable bracket yields variable lateral positioning of said demountable block.
A plurality of dedicated modular recesses on the top surface of said shelf correspond with a plurality of studs on the bottom surface of demountable panels. Said demountable panels are smaller than said top panel but have the same angle of incline as said top panel. Said demountable panels are movable between said dedicated recesses of said top side of said shelf. Said demountable panels can be advanced forward of said column or placed in lateral alignment with said column. Said movement being a means of said demountable panels maintaining a uniform angle of incline with said panel for objects to be pressed against as said shelf inserts into said column at said intermittent modular recesses.
A plurality of thin transparent plates, each of said transparent plates being seated in a circular base with a plurality of studs extending from bottom side of said base, said studs corresponding to and inserting into said modular recesses of said top side of said shelf, said rigid transparent plate being largely rectangular with two opposed right angle corners defining a vertical length of said transparent plate and two opposed acute angles defining an inclined side opposed to said vertical side, said incline of said transparent plate corresponding to said incline of said panel forms, when said inclined side of said transparent plate is opposed to said inclined surface of said demountable panel said side and said surface are parallel to one another, when said circular base is rotated said vertical face becomes opposed to said inclined surface of said demountable panel.. Said inclined side is applied in the opposed position when holding thin and sheet like materials; said straight side is applied in opposition when bulk materials are to be retained on said shelf. Large sheet material may be held when the distance between said shelf and said top panel is large.
An attachment for dispensing tools comprised of a rigid square substrate base support for a top surface square of foam rubber of equal perimeter. Said substrate has a centered circular cutout, handle attached to one side, and a plurality of studs at the opposed side. Said studs insert at side positioned modular recesses of said rectangular block. Said form rubber compresses with pressure and returns to its original contours with the removal of pressure. A transverse and
longitudinal cut intersect in the center of said top square. Said cuts align with said center cut-out of said rigid substrate. Said intersection cuts are trough cuts and objects may be pushed though said intersection into said cut-out and below. Said compression of said rubber against contours of an object extending into said cut-out stabilizes said object in this passageway. When said rigid substrate is inserted into said rectangular block said squares may be attached to said shelf. Said variable position of said rectangular block transfers to said substrate yielding variable alignment between said dispensing attachment and matter below said shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1: front perspective view of the invention
Figure 2: side view of demountable corner of US Patent # 6,302,037 to Del Frari
Figure 2a: perspective of said demountable corner used as a base support
Figure 3: top view of base assembly of holding device with column insert (10)
Figure 3 a: end sectional view of a plate with slip resistant material (4) at edging and undersurface, and circular steel disc (4a) to increase surface tension by weight; encircled area is approx. end section area of plate undersurface so covered Figure 4: top view of blocks (5) of base assembly with hand wheels (8) Figure 4a: cross section detail of hand wheel stud connected with threaded nut in slot Figure 5: rear perspective view of fixed panel (18) with demountable panels (19) in dedicated modular recesses of shelf assembly Figure 6: side view of intermittently notched column spine (12), shelf assembly (17), demountable panels (19) transparent plate with base (22) Figure 6a: detail view of demountable panel (19) opposed to inclined edge of transparent plate with base (22) and detail view of notched base of transparent plate (23) Figure 6b: shelf holding thin sheet material for writing, transparent plate (22) with inclined edge opposed to sheet material Figure 7: joining of demountable bracket (14) to demountable rectangular block (16) to make shelf assembly (17) with a plurality of modular recesses (13 and 13a)
Figure 8: detail of demountable rectangular block (16) corresponding to front side modular recesses of demountable bracket (14) in assembly of demountable shelf attaching to said column by corresponding contour of bracket notch (15) and bracket studs (15a) Figure 9: view of a plurality of modular recesses on a plurality of sides of demountable rectangular block (16), said block opposed to demountable dispensing attachment (24) Figure 9a: joining of dispensing attachment (24) to rectangular block (16) via insertion of studs of
(24 ) into corresponding side modular recesses of (16) Figure 10: dispensing attachment (24) joining demountable bracket (14) by insertion of block studs of (16) into front side modular recesses of (14) Figure 10a: dispensing attachment (24) with funnel passing through perpendicular through cuts
(28) in square foam rubber top (27) and descending through passageway into cut-out center of rigid substrate square (26) of said attachment Figure 10b: cross section view of dispensing attachment (24) with funnel in passageway
REFERENCE NUMERALS TO DRAWINGS
1 : demountable corner
2: corner socket for demountable column
3 : radial members with top side slot
3 a: end-cap of radial member, cross-sectionally closes slot
4: slip resistant material
4a: circular steel disc embedded in slip resistant material
5: blocks
6: plates plate fasteners hand wheels with threaded studs threaded nut seated in longitudinal slot of member (3) 10: threaded insert of demountable column 11 : demountable column
2: intermittently notched column spine 3: modular recesses
13 a: dedicated modular recesses for demountable panels 14: demountable bracket 15 : notch in demountable bracket 15 a: studs at midline of bracket notch .
16: demountable rectangular block with studs corresponding to side modular recesses of (13) 17: demountable shelf assembly 18: fixed position rigid panel 19: demountable rigid panels 0: fixed position bracket of (14) with aligned holes for snap pin 1: snap pin 2: transparent plate with studded circular base, studs correspond to top recesses of (15) 3 : groove in circular plate which seats transparent plate 24: demountable dispensing attachment 25 : handle of dispensing attachment
26: solid substrate square base of dispensing block with centered cut-out 27: square foam rubber top side of dispensing block
28: perpendicular intersecting through cuts of foam rubber, aligned with centered cut-out of dispensing block substrate
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A plurality of rigid rectangular members (3 in Figures 1, 2a, and 3 ) radially attach to a demountable corner (1 in Figures 1, 2, and 2a) ) . The total underside area of said members has slip resistant material (4 in Figures 1, 3, and 4a ) bonded to it. The top side of each of said members has a longitudinal slot and an end-cap which cross-sectionally closes said slot (3 a in Figure 3). Each of a pair of rectangular blocks (5 in Figures 1, 3, and 4) attaches to said
longitudinal slot on said top side of one of said members by means of hand wheels (8 in Figure 3) with threaded studs which extend though said blocks into said slots (Figure 4a). Each of said slots being wider at mid and bottom section than at top section opening so that a threaded nut inserted into a cross section end of said member can travel in said slot but not be withdrawn from said top side of said slot. When hand rotated clockwise ( Figure 4) said hand wheels pull said threaded nuts upwards and against said top opening applying compression to the underside of said top opening and locking said block tight against said slot. Counterclockwise rotation releases compression of said nut thereby dropping said nut down into said wider sections of said slot where said nut can travel in convergent and divergent directions from said corner by the sliding of said blocks on said top surface of said members.
Each of said members connects by means of said blocks with one or more mostly rectangular plates (6 in Figures 3 and 4). Said blocks connect with said plates at lateral edges of said blocks ( 7 in Figure 3). Said plates between adjacent said members are parallel. Each of said plates has two opposed right angle corners at end furthest extended from said block. Each of said plates has two off-set acute corner angles at end attached to said block. Size of said off-set angles is determined by the distance between said adjacent members. The edges of said plates' longest sides are opposed. A end section of undersurface area of said plates has bonded to it said slip resistant material of greater thickness than said slip resistant undersurfacing of said members and with an embedded circular disk of steel to weight said end section (4a in Figures 3a and 4). Said variance of thickness of said slip resistant material aligns said plane of said slip resistant undersurfaces of said members and said plates; said alignment being correspondingly parallel to a level base surface. Said planar skid resistant base assembly immediately stabilizes on contact with a level surface.
Said opposed edges of said plates are covered with said slip resistant material (Figures 3 and 3 a). Said convergent movement of said plates towards said corner brings said edging against the contours of objects positioned between said plates. In a limited manner said slip resistant material will conform to the contours of an object. One of said plate edges positions laterally against an object to stabilize said object while said opposed plate edge is pressed firmly against a
lateral side of said object, (Figure 4). Said end section coverage of said plate undersurface and said attachment of said plates to said blocks elevates the main body of said plates. Said elevation allows for objects of a broader base construction than vertical construction to be held by said edges of said plates. Said plates can vary dimensionally but in all embodiments said planar gripping motions maintain a substantial low profile, high visibility holding area
Said corner is a cylindrical socket for a demountable column (11 in Figures 1, 5, and 6 ) that secures into said socket at top side surface of said corner (2 in Figure 3). Said column rises above said base assembly. Said column has a front face and a rear area. Said front face has longitudinally aligned and intermittently spaced modular recesses (13 in Figures 1 and 10 ). Said rear area has a rigid longitudinal spine (12 in Figures 5 and 6) correspondingly notched to said front face modular recesses. Said front face of said column has a threaded insert hi its loweraiost section ( 10 in detail of Figure 3). Said insert aligns with a threaded aperture of said corner connecting perpendicularly to said socket. One of said hand wheels with threaded stud passes through said aperture into said insert (8 in Figure 3). Clockwise rotation of said hand wheel applies pressure to the base of said column holding it securely in place. Counterclockwise rotation of said hand wheel withdraws said threaded stud from said insert and releases said column to be lifted out of said socket. A sill at the base of said socket stops the descent of said column in said socket. Upper section of said column supports a rigid, inclined panel (18 in Figures 1, 5, 6, and 6b).
A demountable bracket (14 in Figures 7 and 8) is a right angle configuration. The rear side of said demountable bracket is notched (15 in Figure 7 ) to correspond with contour of said front face of said column. A plurality of studs (15a in Figure 8) extend from midline of said bracket notch. Said studs correspond to and are inserted into said modular recesses of said column front face (17 in Figure 6).
A rectangular block has a plurality of studs at one end (16 in Figure 8). Said studs correspond to and are inserted into modular recesses on the front side of said demountable bracket (14 in Figure 8). Assembly by insertion of said rectangular block studs into said
demountable bracket recesses forms a shelf. Said shelf being comprised of said right angle configuration of said demountable bracket and placement of said block element in a parallel and opposed position to a section of said configuration. Said shelf is supported by said demountable bracket's insertion into said column's modular recesses (17 in Figures 5 and 6). Additional support of said shelf is achieved by insertion of a snap pin (21 in Figures 5 and 7) through one of said column's rear notches (12) and aligned holes in a pair of brackets (20) that flank said rear side notch of said demountable bracket. Said shelf positions intermittently at said column's front recesses (13 in Figure 1).
(13, 14 and 16 in Figure 10) Stud insertion into a plurality of modular recesses (13) on a plurality of sides of said demountable bracket (14) yields variable lateral positioning of said demountable block and attachments to (16 in Figures 10, 10a, and 10b ).
Modular recesses dedicated by number on the top surface of said shelf assembly (13 a in Figure 7) correspond with a plurality of studs on the bottom surface of demountable panels (19 in Figure 6a). Said demountable panels are smaller than the said panel but have the same angle of incline as said panel. Said demountable panels can occupy said dedicated modular recesses (13a) of said shelf. Said demountable panels can be advanced forward from said notched element to said parallel elements of said shelf assembly. Said demountable panels are advanced forward as distance between said shelf and said panel (18) increases. Said forward advancement of said demountable panels coordinates their plane of support with that of said panel. The present embodiment of said panel forms configures for one angle of incline common to said panel forms. Additional embodiments of said invention anticipate varied configurations of said dedicated modular recesses on said shelf assembly to coordinate a plurality of said incline angles between said demountable panels and said top panel.
A plurality of rigid transparent plates, each of said transparent plates being seated in a circular base (23 in Figure 6a) with a plurality of studs extending from bottom side of said base (22 in Figure 6a), said studs corresponding to and inserting into said modular recesses of said top side of said shelf, said rigid transparent plate being largely rectangular with two opposed right angle
comers defining a vertical length of said transparent plate and two opposed acute angles defining an inclined side opposed to said vertical side, said incline of said transparent plate corresponding to said incline of said panel forms, when said inclined side of said transparent plate is opposed to said inclined surface of said demountable panel they are parallel to one another ( Figure 6a ), when said circular base is rotated said vertical face becomes opposed to said inclined surface of said demountable panel (Figure 6), said inclined side of said transparent plate is applied towards sheet materials (22 in Figure 6b), said vertical side of said transparent plate is applied towards bulk objects.
A rigid square substrate (26 in figure 9a) is the base support for a top surface square of foam rubber of equal perimeter (27 in Figure 9a). Said substrate has a centered circular cut-out (26 in Figure 10b). Said substrate has a handle attached to one side and a plurality of studs at the opposed side ( Figures 9 and 9a). Said studs insert into said modular recesses of side face of said rectangular block (16). Said form rubber compresses with pressure and returns to original contours with the removal of pressure ( Figure 10b). A transverse cut and a longitudinal cut intersect in the center of said top square (27 in Figure 9a), said cuts align with said center cut-out of said rigid substrate. Said intersection cuts are trough cuts and objects may be pushed though said intersection into said cut-out and below. Compression of said rubber against an object extending into said cut-out stabilizes said object in this passageway ( 27 in Figure 10b). When said rigid substrate is inserted into said rectangular block (26 and 16 in Figure 10b) said squares may be attached to said shelf. (Figures 10 and 10a). Said variable position of said rectangular block transfers to said substrate yielding variable alignment with matter below said shelf.