U.S. patent application number 10/122545 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for securing device.
Invention is credited to Wales, Robert B..
Application Number | 20030135959 10/122545 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46280499 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030135959 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wales, Robert B. |
July 24, 2003 |
Securing device
Abstract
The present invention provides a securing device for securing,
gripping and hanging items, such as securing a liner to a
receptacle or surface of an object comprising protrusions and
recesses, wherein the protrusions are removably secured in the
recesses to retain the securing device in a closed position and for
enabling liner material to be firmly grasped between the surfaces
of the protrusions and recesses.
Inventors: |
Wales, Robert B.; (El Paso,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patrick Stellitano
2803 Inridge Dr.
Austin
TX
78745
US
|
Family ID: |
46280499 |
Appl. No.: |
10/122545 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10122545 |
Apr 15, 2002 |
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10056380 |
Jan 24, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/30.5R ;
24/30.5P |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 99/00 20130101;
Y10T 24/153 20150115; F16B 5/0692 20130101; Y10T 24/15
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/30.50R ;
24/30.50P |
International
Class: |
A44B 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A securing device comprising: a set of one or more protrusions;
a set of one or more recesses for receiving a protrusion so that in
a closed position at least one of the set of protrusions is
removably securable in a recess.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is biased in an open
position.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein a liner material may be gripped
by surfaces of a protrusion and a recess receiving said
protrusion.
4. The device of claim 3, further comprising an extended protrusion
for pressing the liner against an object surface.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a gripping mechanism
to enable an item to be gripped by said mechanism when the device
is in a closed position.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the gripping mechanism exhibits
smooth surfaces between which an item is grasped.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a bend through which
an item may pass through and be retained by the device in a closed
position.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein a recess further comprises a
channel for receiving a protrusion.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is formed from an
extrusion process.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device exhibits a width that
enables adherence to an object surface that exhibits a specified
curvature.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device exhibits a curvature
that conforms to the curvature of an object surface to which the
device is adhered.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein a recess forms a continuous
closed-path channel conformal to a protrusion that forms a
continuous closed-path channel.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein a recess forms a socket for
receiving a protrusion.
14. A securing device, comprising at least one protrusion and at
least one recess for receiving a protrusion; wherein the device is
removably retainable in a closed position by reception of at least
one protrusion into at least one recess.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein a liner material may be gripped
by surfaces of a protrusion and a recess receiving said
protrusion.
16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a region for
containing excess liner material.
17. The device of claim 14, further comprising a gripping mechanism
to enable an item to be gripped by said mechanism when the device
is in a closed position.
18. The device of claim 14, further comprising a bend through which
an item may pass through and be retained by the device in a closed
position.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the device is employed to hang
one or more items passing through the bend.
20. The device of claim 14, further comprising a handle to
facilitate lifting of the object to which the device is adhered.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of securing,
grasping, hanging, holding and retaining items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Flexible liners, such as plastic bags and thin plastic
sheets, are used in a variety of applications. For example, plastic
bags are used, for many purposes, including lining for receptacles,
such as trash cans, to hold the contents disposed there within. The
bag is placed in the interior of the receptacle and the top of the
bag is folded over the top of the receptacle around its perimeter.
Contents are put into the bag and retained within the bag. When the
bag is full, it is removed and closed by any one of a variety of
means known in the art, such as using twist ties or simply tying
the upper portion of the bag into a knot. Then another empty bag is
placed into the receptacle to be filled again. This enables the
receptacle itself to remain in place and be re-used, whereas each
bag, when full, may be transported away.
[0003] However, plastic bag liners frequently are pulled downward
into the receptacle because of the weight of the contents of the
bag or when material tossed into the bag otherwise pulls the liner
downward into the receptacle. A variety of means have been employed
to prevent this occurrence, including elastic bands and clamps.
These, and other prior art methods for retaining the liner, have
drawbacks such as cost, difficulty of use and manufacture, and
frequently fail to retain the liner in place.
[0004] Plastic sheets are also used to cover and protect things,
such as when a painter uses a tarp to protect surface from paint.
Here too, a reliable means of hanging or otherwise securing the
lining material to the surface of an object, such as a wall, for
example, is needed. There is also a need for easily installed, low
cost securing devices for hanging items such as cables, and for
clamping together thin materials. For these and other applications,
there is a need for a securing device that overcomes limitations of
the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a securing device that
overcomes limitations of the prior art.
[0006] The present invention provides a device for securing a liner
to a receptacle or surface of an object, for hanging items, and for
clamping thin materials. The invention comprises a set of one or
more protrusions and a set of one or more recesses for receiving
one or more of the protrusions so that when the securing device is
in a closed position at least one of the protrusions is removably
secured in a recess. A liner may be firmly grasped between the
surface of at least one protrusion and a recess. Thin materials may
be grasped by a grasping mechanism that can be incorporated into
the device. Also, items may be inserted through a bend of the
device for hanging the item. A grasping tab may be provided to
facilitate the opening and closing of the device. Further, a handle
may be provided to facilitate lifting of an object to which the
device of the present invention is attached.
[0007] One or more securing devices may be adhered to the surface
of an existing object or may be formed integrally with the
structure of the object during its manufacture. The securing device
may be adhered permanently or removably adhered to a surface.
[0008] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that the disclosure provided herein may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. Persons of skill in the art will realize that such
equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that not all
objects attainable by the present invention need be attained in
each and every embodiment that falls within the scope of the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention in an open position.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention in a closed position.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a receptacle with liner-securing devices
affixed thereto.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention for
securing a liner in a hanging position.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention with an
extended protrusion.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present invention with a
protrusion adjacent to a recess on a side of the device.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment with a curvature conformal to the
curvature of an object surface.
[0018] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment with recesses formed in the bulk
of material forming the securing device.
[0019] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention with detachable
separate parts.
[0020] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention with a
handle.
[0021] FIG. 12 shows various shapes of recesses and
protrusions.
[0022] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention with
socket-like recesses for receiving protrusions.
[0023] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an embodiment with
continuous closed-path channels.
[0024] FIG. 15 shows a plan view of continuous closed path
channels.
[0025] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of channels with
side-indentations.
[0026] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment with a grasping mechanism.
[0027] FIG. 18 shows an embodiment with an extended bend forming a
mechanism for hanging objects.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is drawn in
FIG. 1. A securing device 100 is shown in an open position with a
set of protrusions 110 receivable into a set of recesses 130,
formed by a set of protrusions 120, that are conformal to the shape
of protrusions 110. Inserted between the surfaces of protrusions
110 and recesses 130 is a flexible liner material 300.
[0029] FIG. 2, shows device 100 in a closed position. There is
sufficient space between the surfaces of protrusions 110 and
recesses 130 when device 100 is in the closed position to enable
liner material 300, (not shown in FIG. 2), to fit between said
surfaces and be firmly grasped there between.
[0030] A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sufficient distance D is provided
between protrusions 110 and 120 and a bend 150 of device 100 to
allow excess liner material to be disposed there through, when
device 100 is used a liner-securing device. A two-sided adhesive
strip 200, shown in FIG. 2, is adhered to surface 210 of device 100
to enable device 100 to be adhered to a surface of a receptacle or
object. A grasping tab 250 is provided with grooves 260 and a
circular formation 270 for grasping device 100 to close or open
it.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the device in an open
position, where it can be seen that this embodiment can be formed
by an extrusion process, well known in the art, and that multiple
substantially identical devices 100 of any desired width, W, can be
cut from the output of the extrusion process. Device 100 is
preferably formed from a pliable material, such as polypropylene or
other suitable material.
[0032] Preferably, the securing device of the present invention is
extruded in the open position, at an angle, .theta., as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, so that the device is biased in an open position,
and so that force must be applied to place the device in the closed
position shown in FIG. 2. The angle, .theta., at which the device
remains in an open position until pressure is applied to close it,
is preferably chosen large enough to enable the easy insertion of
the liner material, yet small enough to prevent the device from
protruding outward undesirably far.
[0033] To secure a liner, an edge portion of liner 300 is inserted
between protrusions 110 and recesses 130, when the device is in the
open position shown in FIG. 1, and device 100 is pressed into, and
remains in, the closed position shown in FIG. 2, until pulled open
using grasping tab 250. The material comprising device 100 is
preferably sufficiently pliable that applying slight pressure using
the palm of one's hand easily closes the device. Thus, protrusions
110 and recesses 130 form a passive gripping mechanism which will
hold device 100 in a closed position without reliance on tension
mechanisms or spring devices, which are dependent on the declining
strength of the tension mechanism.
[0034] Unlike clamping mechanisms, device 100 is not biased by any
tension mechanism to be in a closed position. Tension mechanisms
wear with age and lose tension and grasping power. Further,
mechanisms that automatically clamp to the closed position can be
difficult for the elderly to open if designed to exhibit strong
securing force, but would be less forceful for restraining the
liner if designed with less tension to be more easily opened. Also,
such clamping mechanisms create the potential for a child to
inadvertently clamp his or her finger, thereby causing injury. Note
that protrusions 110 and recesses 130 preferably exhibit
sufficiently smooth surfaces that preclude puncture or tearing of
liner 300, as well as human skin.
[0035] Note also, with reference to FIG. 2, that the distance D is
sufficiently long, the thickness t is sufficiently thick, and the
curvature of bend 150 is sufficiently large to enable repeated
opening and closing of device 100 without the occurrence of tearing
arising from friction, shear and stress. Also, the distance D and
gap d are preferably chosen to enable ample space for excess liner
material.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a view of a receptacle 400 with device 100
adhered to the exterior sides of receptacle 400. Devices 100 may be
placed in enough positions around the perimeter of receptacle 400
to ensure the plastic bag or liner material 300 is securely
retained. The bulk of liner 300 is disposed within receptacle 400.
However, an upper portion of liner 300 is wrapped around the
exterior perimeter of receptacle 400 and pulled downward over
recesses 130 and protrusions 110 of each device 100 when a device
100 is in an open position. Then, each device 100 is placed in the
closed position to firmly grasp the liner between the surfaces of
protrusions 110 and recesses 130. As noted above, device 100 can be
made of any desired width, and in particular, the width, W, of
device 100 can be chosen sufficiently narrow to enable it to be
adhered to the perimeter of a receptacle that exhibits substantial
curvature.
[0037] Clearly, liner-securing device 100 can be used in an
alternative disposition as shown in FIG. 5 wherein liner material
300 hangs downward from device 100, which is adhered by adhering
mechanism 500 to surface 510 of an object. This enables a liner to
be secured to the interior perimeter of a receptacle and is also
useful when it is desired to use a liner to cover something, as
when a painter hangs a flexible tarp over an item to be shielded
from paint. An alternative configuration of the present invention
is show in FIG. 6. Again, liner material is removably secured
between protrusions 110 and recesses 130 formed by protrusions 120.
In addition, an extended protrusion 180 is provided to press liner
300 against the surface 510 to which device 100 is adhered by
adhering mechanism 500 for applications where it is desirable to
secure liner 300 close to or against the surface 510.
[0038] Note, as shown by comparison of FIGS. 2 and 6, that the
protrusions 110 may be formed on side B of device 100 that is
adhered to a surface, with recesses 130 on the opposite side, A, of
the device (as in FIG. 6) or, alternatively, the recesses 130 may
be formed on side A of device 100 that is adhered to a surface,
with protrusions 110 on the opposite side, B, of the device (as in
FIG. 2). Yet alternatively, protrusions 110 and recesses 130 may be
formed on both sides A and B of device 100 as shown, for example,
in FIG. 7.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows a configuration wherein a bend 825 at an angle
.phi. in device 100 is formed to enable device 100 to be adhered to
a non-linear surface 835 such as a corner or curved surface. The
angle, .phi., in FIG. 8 is shown at about 90 degrees, although bend
825 may be formed to conform device 100 to provide substantially
continuous contact with a surface of any degree of curvature. As
shown in FIG. 8, a side, C, of device 100 may be adhered by
adhering mechanism 200 to a surface forming a corner, with another
side, D, of device 100 abutting against, but not adhered to, the
other surface forming the corner. FIG. 8 also show an alternative
form of a grasping tab 850 that may be employed for opening and
closing device 100.
[0040] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment in a closed position
wherein recesses 130 are not formed by protrusions from the
material forming device 100, but rather, the recesses are formed by
actual recessions in the bulk of the material that forms device
100. The thickness of the material is tapered 170 from a larger
thickness t1 to a smaller thickness t2, to provide a region of
space for excess liner material.
[0041] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown
in FIG. 10. In a closed position, protrusions 410 are received into
recesses 430 formed by protrusions 420. A two-sided adhesive strip
500 may be adhered to surface 510 to enable adherence to a
receptacle or other surface. In FIG. 10, the device is shown with
two detachable parts A and B. This embodiment has the disadvantage
that part A, which is not adhered to the receptacle, may become
misplaced when detached from part B. However, the embodiment
enables any portion of liner 300 to be adhered to a surface of an
object since the liner may extend indefinitely beyond the edges of
the liner-securing device.
[0042] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 11, wherein device 100
comprises a handle 705. When device 100 is attached to surface 401
of a receptacle, handle 705 enables device 100 to be used to lift
the receptacle or an object to which device 100 is attached. As
with the other embodiments shown, device 100 comprises protrusions
110 and recesses 130 for removably securing device 100 in a closed
position, and can be adhered to a surface with an adhesive
mechanism 500.
[0043] Note, in general, that the precise shape of the recesses and
protrusions will not be critical, as long as protrusions will fit
securely within the recesses and that sufficient space exists
between the surfaces of the recesses and protrusions to enable the
protrusions to fit securely into the recesses, while providing
sufficient force to retain device 100 in a closed position. Also,
when used to retain a liner, sufficient force must exist to secure
the liner when the liner material is placed between the oppositely
faced surfaces of the protrusions and recesses. When the liner is
under tension, sufficient force must exist to secure the
protrusions in the recesses and grasp the liner between the
surfaces. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the prominent ridges
140 enhance the ability of the device to firmly grasp the liner.
FIG. 12 shows, by way of examples, different configurations of
protrusions 110 and recesses 130 suitable for removably securing
device 100 in a closed position. Note the interlocking
configuration. Although, in preferred embodiments the surfaces of
protrusions 110 and recesses 130 are smooth and rounded, sharp
corners could be employed. Further, protrusions 110 and recesses
130 can be asymmetrical in cross section.
[0044] Note also, that although embodiments are shown with two
recesses and a corresponding number of mating protrusions,
alternative embodiments may comprise only one recess and one mating
protrusion or any feasible number of recesses and mating
protrusions, wherein the number of recesses need not be equal to
the number of mating protrusions. An advantage to an embodiment
with a plurality of recesses and a plurality of mating protrusions
is the increase in strength with which the device is retained in a
closed position and with which a liner can be secured in
position.
[0045] In FIG. 13 is shown a segment of a different embodiment with
protrusions 720 forming socket-like recesses 730 into which
conform-ally shaped mating protrusions 710 are received into
recesses 730 in a closed position, similar to the cross-sectional
view of the closed position depicted in FIG. 2. Unlike the
channel-like recesses and conform-ally shaped channel-like
protrusions, as depicted in FIG. 3, which may be formed from an
extrusion process, the embodiment of FIG. 13 is preferably made
from a mold or other process.
[0046] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment
of the present invention as device 800. Device 800 exhibits a
protrusion 810 and recess 830 with indentations 850 and 860 on both
sides A and B of device 800, which sides are connected at bend
1010. Shown in FIG. 15 is a plan view of a segment of side A,
having a recess 130, and a segment of side B, having a protrusion
810, that correspond to sides A and B in FIG. 14. Side A of device
800 comprises a recess 830 forming a continuous closed path. Side B
of device 800 comprises a protrusion 810, also forming a continuous
closed path that is conform-ally shaped to be received by recess
830 in a closed position. Projecting from opposite sides of recess
830 are indentations 850 which conform-ally mate to indentations
860 projecting from protrusion 810. When the device is closed,
indentations 850 are received by indentations 860, with a close
tolerance such that the device "snaps" into place and is thereby
removably secured in the closed position. This is illustrated in
FIG. 16, which shows a cross-section view of device 800 in a plane
through indentations 850 and 860.
[0047] Any of the liner securing devices of the present invention
may be permanently or removably adhered to a receptacle or other
surface of an object using adhesive tape, glue or other suitable
adhering mechanism. Moreover, a receptacle or surface may be
manufactured with the device of the present invention integrated
thereto. Thus, for example the present invention encompasses a
receptacle with a plurality of securing devices, embodiments of
which are described herein, integrally formed on the perimeter of
the receptacle.
[0048] FIG. 17 shows yet another embodiment of the present
invention. Device 100 comprises protrusions 110 receivable in a
closed position by recesses 130 formed by protrusions 120, and
further comprises a gripping mechanism 900. Gripping mechanism 900
comprises two opposing protrusions 900-A and 900-B with opposing
faces. When device 100 is in a closed position, the two opposing
faces of gripping mechanism 900 can grip with sufficient opposing
force one or more thin sheets of material inserted there between.
Opposing faces of the opposing protrusions 900-A and 900-B may
present rough surfaces to increase friction for stronger gripping
power. Alternatively, opposing faces of the opposing protrusions of
gripping mechanism 900 may be smooth to enable gripping without
crumpling material inserted there between. The configuration of
FIG. 17 shows how the present invention can be used to grasp thin
items at an edge thereof when device 100 is closed without
inserting the item between protrusions 110 and recesses 130. Such a
configuration is useful, for example, as a copyholder for a typist,
or as holder for outgoing mail, or as a memo clip. Indeed, a thin
magnetic strip can be adhered to a surface 210 of the device 100
and used as a clip that magnetically attaches to the door of a
refrigerator or other metal surface. The device may also be
employed as a clip for signs or posted notices, or even restaurant
orders posted in a kitchen, that frequently change.
[0049] FIG. 18 shows another configuration with a large extended
bend 150 to enable items of various sizes and cross sections to
pass through device 100. When the device is in a closed position,
protrusions 110 are received by recesses 130 to secure the device
in the closed position. Adhering mechanism 200 is employed to
adhere device 100 to the surface of an object. The configuration of
FIG. 18 shows how the present invention can be used to hold items
in the bend region 150 of the device without inserting the items
between protrusions 110 and recess 130. Such a configuration is
useful, for example, as a cable-holder wherein electrical cables
run between points and must be banded together and hung from a
surface. Such a configuration may also be employed to hang
washcloths, to hang a shop lamp, to route extension cords, etc.
[0050] Thus, the present invention may be employed for securing,
grasping, hanging, holding and retaining items in a plurality of
situations. As examples: hanging a curtain, retaining a material to
block sunlight entering a car window, auto-seat belt restrainer to
prevent chafing, a clasp for keeping bread bags closed, a clasp
enabling a common plastic grocery bag to be employed as a bib, a
box-top snap, a closure mechanism for closing a cooler or ice
chest, for aligning fabrics when sewing articles of clothing, for
securing hospital gowns, to enclose a portion of a room with a
sheet for privacy, for gripping a tray, as a quick-release
mechanism for overshoes, boots, etc.
[0051] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. The invention achieves multiple objectives and
because the invention can be used in different applications for
different purposes, not every embodiment falling within the scope
of the attached claims will achieve every objective. Moreover, the
scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to
the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture,
composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the
specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes,
machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or
steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,
methods, or steps.
* * * * *