U.S. patent application number 10/367119 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-27 for atv holding device.
This patent application is currently assigned to All Rite Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gates, George D., Gates, Travis D..
Application Number | 20030218112 10/367119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46281982 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030218112 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gates, George D. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2003 |
ATV holding device
Abstract
A holding device and includes an attachment base, configured to
be attached to a support structure, and a generally U-shaped
holding member coupled to the attachment base. The U-shaped holding
member can have two upright arms which collectively define a
containment area therebetween to receive and hold an elongate
object. A plurality of resilient gripping teeth are also provided
which project from at least one of the upright arms into the
containment area. Each of the plurality of resilient teeth has an
upper surface area facing generally upwardly and a lower surface
area facing generally downwardly, with the upper surface area being
greater than the lower surface area. The gripping teeth are
configured to at least partially deflect upon insertion of the
elongate object into the holding member to releasably secure the
elongate object within the containment area.
Inventors: |
Gates, George D.; (West
Jordan, UT) ; Gates, Travis D.; (West Jordan,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jason R. Jones
THORPE, NORTH & WESTERN, L.L.P
P.O. Box 1219
Sandy
UT
84091-1219
US
|
Assignee: |
All Rite Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
46281982 |
Appl. No.: |
10/367119 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10367119 |
Feb 13, 2003 |
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29161098 |
May 21, 2002 |
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D476290 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/316.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 97/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/316.1 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A holding device, comprising: an attachment base, configured to
be attached to a support structure; a generally U-shaped holding
member, coupled to the attachment base, the U-shaped holding member
having two upright arms defining a containment area therebetween
configured to receive and hold an elongate object; and a plurality
of resilient gripping teeth, projecting from at least one of the
upright arms into the containment area; each of the plurality of
resilient teeth having an upper surface area facing generally
upwardly and a lower surface area facing generally downwardly, the
upper surface area being greater than the lower surface area; the
gripping teeth being configured to at least partially deflect upon
insertion of the elongate object into the holding member to
releasably secure the elongate object within the containment
area.
2. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a length extending from the upright arm to a tip, and a
base width extending laterally along an attachment location of each
of the gripping teeth to the upright arm, the length and the base
width being substantially equal.
3. The holding device of claim 2, wherein the gripping teeth each
further include a base height, and wherein the base height is about
half of the length.
4. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a substantially three-dimensional pyramidal shape and
wherein one edge of the pyramidal shape faces generally upwardly
and comprises an angled, upper contact ridge configured to contact
and receive the elongate object.
5. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a cross-section with a substantially right-triangular
shape.
6. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a cross-section with a substantially angular shape.
7. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the attachment base
includes a threaded mounting stem, fixedly connected to the holding
member and configured to be pivotally connected to the support
structure, configured such that the holding member may be pivoted
about a long axis of the mounting stem to selectively; (i) adjust
the height of the holding member relative to the support structure;
and (ii) more securely grip elongate objects in the holding member;
and further comprising: a locking nut, configured to lock the
holding member in position relative to the support structure.
8. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the attachment base is
configured to be attached to an ATV, and wherein the elongate
object is selected from the group consisting of: a gun, a bow, a
fishing pole, and an elongate tool.
9. A holding device, comprising: an attachment base, configured to
be attached to a support structure; a generally U-shaped holding
member, coupled to the attachment base, the U-shaped holding member
having two upright arms defining a containment area therebetween
configured to receive and hold an elongate object; and a plurality
of resilient gripping teeth, projecting from at least one of the
upright arms into the containment area, each of the plurality of
gripping teeth having a base attached to an inside of the upright
arm; and at least three substantially flat sides extending from the
base into the containment area along an axis substantially
orthogonal to the upright arm, the at least three sides tapering
toward one another and terminating in a substantially pointed tip;
the gripping teeth being configured to at least partially deflect
upon insertion of the elongate object into the holding member to
releasably secure the elongate object within the containment
area.
10. The holding device of claim 9, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a length extending from the upright arm to a tip, and a
base width extending laterally along an attachment location of each
of the gripping teeth to the upright arm, the length and the base
width being substantially equal.
11. The holding device of claim 10, wherein the gripping teeth each
further include a base height, and wherein the base height is about
half of the length.
12. The holding device of claim 9, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a substantially three-dimensional pyramidal shape and
wherein one edge of the pyramidal shape faces generally upwardly
and comprises an angled, upper contact ridge configured to contact
and receive the elongate object.
13. The holding device of claim 9, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a cross-section with a substantially right-triangular
shape.
14. The holding device of claim 9, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a cross-section with a substantially angular shape.
15. The holding device of claim 9, wherein the attachment base
includes a threaded mounting stem, fixedly connected to the holding
member and configured to be pivotally connected to the support
structure, configured such that the holding member may be pivoted
about a long axis of the mounting stem to selectively (i) adjust
the height of the holding member relative to the support structure,
and (ii) more securely grip elongate objects in the holding member;
and further comprising: a locking nut, configured to lock the
holding member in position relative to the support structure.
16. The holding device of claim 9, wherein the attachment base is
configured to be attached to an ATV, and wherein the elongate
object is selected from the group consisting of: a gun, a bow, a
fishing pole, and an elongate tool.
17. A holding device, comprising: an attachment base, configured to
be attached to a support structure; a generally U-shaped holding
member, coupled to the attachment base, the U-shaped holding member
having two upright arms defining a containment area therebetween
configured to receive and hold an elongate object; and a plurality
of resilient gripping teeth, projecting from at least one of the
upright arms into the containment area, each of the plurality of
gripping teeth extending taperedly from the upright arm and into
the containment area; each of the plurality of gripping teeth
including a sloped, upper contact ridge facing generally upwardly
and being configured to contact and receive the elongate object;
the gripping teeth being configured to partially deflect upon
receiving and being contacted by the elongate object along the
angled, upper contact ridge to releasably secure the elongate
object within the containment area.
18. The holding device of claim 17, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a length extending from the upright arm to a tip, and a
base width extending laterally along an attachment location of each
of the gripping teeth to the upright arm, the length and the base
width being substantially equal.
19. The holding device of claim 18, wherein the gripping teeth each
further include a base height, and wherein the base height is about
half of the length.
20. The holding device of claim 17, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a substantially three-dimensional pyramidal shape and
wherein one edge of the pyramidal shape faces generally upwardly
and comprises an angled, upper contact ridge configured to contact
and receive the elongate object.
21. The holding device of claim 17, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a cross-section with a substantially right-triangular
shape.
22. The holding device of claim 17, wherein the gripping teeth each
include a cross-section with a substantially angular shape.
23. The holding device of claim 17, wherein the attachment base
includes a threaded mounting stem, fixedly connected to the holding
member and configured to be pivotally connected to the support
structure, configured such that the holding member may be pivoted
about a long axis of the mounting stem to selectively (i) adjust
the height of the holding member relative to the support structure,
and (ii) more securely grip elongate objects in the holding member;
and further comprising: a locking nut, configured to lock the
holding member in position relative to the support structure.
24. The holding device of claim 17, wherein the attachment base is
configured to be attached to an ATV, and wherein the elongate
object is selected from the group consisting of: a gun, a bow, a
fishing pole, and an elongate tool.
Description
PRIORITY DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/161,098, filed May 21, 2002, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a holding device
for use in holding elongate objects on all terrain vehicles or
other vehicles.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] It is often desired to provide a holding device on an ATV or
other vehicle to allow auxiliary items or objects to be stored on
the vehicle. Such devices generally must securely hold the object
to prevent it from coming loose due to jarring and vibrations which
are typical with ATVs and other vehicles, especially off-road
vehicles.
[0006] Prior art attempts to provide holding devices on ATVs and
other structures often include a holding member that has gripping
"fins" or "fingers" disposed within the member that flex upon
insertion of an object into the holding member to thereby secure
the object within the holding member. While gripping fins and
fingers have been used in holding devices with some success, it is
often the case that gripping fins or fingers apply such an
aggressive grip to the object being held in the holding device that
it is difficult to remove the object from the holding device. This
is problematic in that holding devices are often employed in
situations where it is particularly desirable that the object be
removed quickly from the holding device, such as when a hunter
encounters game and wishes to quickly retrieve a gun from the
holding device.
[0007] In addition, holding devices are often employed by hunters
or other outdoor enthusiasts who often desire to remove objects
from the holding device without causing a great deal of noise. This
may be advantageous, for example, if the hunter or outdoor
enthusiast does not wish to startle nearby game. However, it is
often the case that objects stored in prior art holding devices
utilizing fins or fingers cannot be removed without causing a great
deal of noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to
develop an object holding device which applies sufficient holding
force to an object stored in the device to securely hold the object
without resulting in undue force being required to remove the
object or without creating a great deal of noise when the object is
removed.
[0009] The invention provides such a holding device and includes an
attachment base, configured to be attached to a support structure,
and a generally U-shaped holding member coupled to the attachment
base. The U-shaped holding member can have two upright arms which
collectively define a containment area therebetween and can be
configured to receive and hold an elongate object. A plurality of
resilient gripping teeth can also be provided which can project
from at least one of the upright arms into the containment area.
Each of the plurality of resilient teeth can have an upper surface
area facing generally upwardly and a lower surface area facing
generally downwardly, and the upper surface area can be greater
than the lower surface area. The gripping teeth can be configured
to at least partially deflect upon insertion of the elongate object
into the holding member to releasably secure the elongate object
within the containment area.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
gripping teeth can each include a length extending from the upright
arm to a tip, and a base width extending laterally along an
attachment location of each of the gripping teeth to the upright
arm. The length and the base width can be substantially equal.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
gripping teeth can each further include a base height, and the base
height can be about half of the length.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
gripping teeth can each include a substantially three-dimensional
pyramidal shape, and one edge of the pyramidal shape can face
generally upwardly and can comprise an angled, upper contact ridge
configured to contact and receive the elongate object.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
gripping teeth can each include a cross-section with a
substantially right-triangular shape.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
gripping teeth can each include a cross-section with a
substantially angular shape.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
attachment base can include a threaded mounting stem, fixedly
connected to the holding member and configured to be pivotally
connected to the support structure. The attachment base can be
configured such that the holding member may be pivoted about a long
axis of the mounting stem to selectively (i) adjust the height of
the holding member relative to the support structure; and (ii) more
securely grip elongate objects in the holding member. The
attachment base can further include a locking nut, configured to
lock the holding member in position relative to the support
structure.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
attachment base can be configured to be attached to an ATV, and the
elongate object can be selected from the group consisting of: a
gun, a bow, a fishing pole, and an elongate tool.
[0017] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a
holding device is provided, including an attachment base,
configured to be attached to a support structure, and a generally
U-shaped holding member, coupled to the attachment base. The
U-shaped holding member can have two upright arms which define a
containment area therebetween configured to receive and hold an
elongate object. A plurality of resilient gripping teeth can be
included which project from at least one of the upright arms into
the containment area, each of the plurality of gripping teeth
having a base attached to an inside of the upright arm and at least
three substantially flat sides extending from the base into the
containment area along an axis substantially orthogonal to the
upright arm. The at least three sides can taper toward one another
and terminate in a substantially pointed tip. The gripping teeth
can be configured to at least partially deflect upon insertion of
the elongate object into the holding member to releasably secure
the elongate object within the containment area.
[0018] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a
holding device is provided and includes an attachment base,
configured to be attached to a support structure. A generally
U-shaped holding member can be coupled to the attachment base, the
U-shaped holding member having two upright arms defining a
containment area therebetween configured to receive and hold an
elongate object. A plurality of resilient gripping teeth can
project from at least one of the upright arms into the containment
area, each of the plurality of gripping teeth extending taperedly
from the upright arm and into the containment area. Each of the
plurality of gripping teeth can include a sloped, upper contact
ridge facing generally upwardly and being configured to contact and
receive the elongate object. The gripping teeth can be configured
to partially deflect upon receiving and being contacted by the
elongate object along the angled, upper contact ridge to releasably
secure the elongate object within the containment area.
[0019] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holding device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view along section 2-2 of one
of the upright arms shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from an underneath
angle; and
[0022] FIG. 3a is a front, partial sectional, cut-away view of one
upright arm in accordance with one aspect of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 3b is a side, partial sectional, cut-away view of the
upright arm of FIG. 3a in accordance with one aspect of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 4a is a front, cut-away view of another upright arm in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4b is a side, cut-away view of the upright arm of FIG.
4a in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 5 is a front view of a holding device in accordance
with another aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a holding device, indicated
generally at 10, is shown in accordance with one aspect of the
present invention. The holding device can be mounted on a variety
of structures to secure and hold a variety of objects thereon. In
one embodiment, the holding device can be advantageously used on
ATVs or other vehicles to secure an object to the vehicle while
preventing the object from becoming dislodged due to shock and
vibration from traveling over irregular or bumpy terrain.
[0029] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
system 10 provides a holding device that includes an attachment
base 14 which can be configured to be attached to any suitable
support structure (not shown). A generally U-shaped holding member
16 can be coupled to the attachment base and can include two
generally upright arms 16a and 16b which define a containment area
18 therebetween. The holding device can be configured to receive
and hold an elongate object (not shown) within the containment area
to retain the elongate object on or within the support structure. A
variety of elongate objects such as rifles, shotguns, fishing
poles, etc. can be held securely by the holding device.
[0030] A plurality of resilient gripping teeth 20 can project from
at least one of the upright arms 16 into the containment area 18.
The gripping teeth can be configured to at least partially deflect
upon insertion of the elongate object into the holding member to
releasably secure the elongate object within the containment area
of the holding device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gripping
teeth 20 can each include a substantially three-dimensional
pyramidal shape. One edge 26 of the pyramidal shape, formed at the
meeting point of faces 23a and 23b (shown in FIG. 2), can face
generally upwardly and can provide an angled, upper contact ridge
26 configured to contact and receive the elongate object.
[0031] The gripping teeth can thus provide a non-planar contact
ridge at an upper interface between the elongate object and the
gripping teeth. This non-planar contact ridge can aid in securing
the elongate object within the holding device without requiring
that undue force be applied to the object to remove the object.
Prior art gripping fingers or fins generally either provided an
elongate or planar upper gripping surface to the elongate object
stored within the prior art holders. This elongate or planar upper
gripping surface contacted the object with a large mating surface
area, which resulted in a great deal of frictional force being
applied to the object. Also, gripping fins or fingers often bend
considerably downwardly into the containment area upon insertion of
the object into the containment area, resulting in a large portion
of the gripping finger or fin contacting and gripping the object.
The resultant grip on the object is often of such magnitude that
removing the object required a great deal of force, and often
created a great deal of noise.
[0032] In contrast, the generally pyramidal gripping teeth of the
present invention can provide a relatively short, non-planar upper
contact surface to the object such that the object is held securely
in the holding member 16 while minimizing the force required to
remove the object and the noise created upon removal of the object.
In addition, the gripping teeth are formed in a shape that results
in the teeth being resilient but not overly flexible. The
relatively blunt gripping teeth thus bend upon insertion of an
object into the containment area, but resist large-scale flexing to
reduce the surface area contacting the elongate object. By reducing
the upper surface area contacting the elongate object, friction
between the two is reduced, and the resulting gripping force is
thus kept to a manageable level.
[0033] In addition to providing an upper contact surface which
contacts the elongate object, a lower contact surface can also be
provided, such as lower face 24 of the gripping teeth shown in FIG.
2. The lower contact surface can be used to apply a gripping force
to the object in the case where the object is disposed within the
containment area immediately below the gripping tooth, or as the
object is being removed from the holding member. For example,
depending upon the configuration of the gripping teeth and the
U-shaped holding member, and the size and shape of the elongate
object, the object may primarily contact and be held securely by
only the upper gripping surfaces of one or more teeth. This may be
the case where the elongate object is held by teeth which are not
in vertical alignment, such as those teeth 20 in the slanted
section 54 of upright arm 16a of FIG. 5. It will be appreciated
that, as an object is vertically lowered into the containment area
18 of the holding device of FIG. 5, the object may not engage each
of the gripping teeth 20 in slanted section 54. Instead, the object
may only contact one or two teeth, which will deflect downwardly
and wedge the object in place as the object "bottoms-out" inside
the holding member.
[0034] In the case where substantially only the upper contact
surface contacts the elongate object, much of the gripping force
applied to the object results from the force applied by the
gripping teeth against the elongate object due to the compressed
state of the gripping teeth. That is, insertion of the object into
the holding member flexes the gripping teeth downwardly, which
compresses the gripping teeth and causes the gripping teeth to
wedge the object within the holding member.
[0035] In other cases, the configuration of the gripping teeth and
the U-shaped holding member, and the size and shape of the object,
can result in the object successively contacting gripping teeth as
the object moves downwardly into the holding member. In this case,
the teeth which are contacted as the object is lowered into the
holding member may return to their original configuration once the
object is lowered past and no longer contacts those teeth. That is,
the resiliency of the teeth will result in the teeth "snapping
back" into position once the object has been lowered past the
teeth. In this case, the lower gripping surface of the teeth will
aid in holding the object within the member, as the object must
bend and overcome the resiliency of the teeth as it is removed from
the holding member. Thus, either or both the upper and lower
gripping surfaces may aid in securing the elongate object within
the holding member, depending on the configuration of the gripping
teeth and the U-shaped holding member and the size and shape of the
elongate object to be held.
[0036] It will be appreciated in light of the above comments that
the U-shaped holding member utilized in the present invention can
be formed in or can include a variety of shapes. As discussed in
more detail below, the U-shaped member illustrated in the figures
includes at least one elbow on each upright arm, which results in
one or more slanted sections on each upright arm. However, the
present invention is not limited to the U-shaped holder illustrated
in the figures, but can include any generally U-shaped holder such
as a holder with straight vertical arms, a holder with arms rising
upward at a slant, or any combination of the two.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the gripping teeth 20 can each
include a length L extending from the upright arm 16 to a tip 28,
and a base width W extending laterally along an attachment location
27 of each of the gripping teeth to the upright arm. In one aspect,
the length L and the base width W can be substantially equal. By
substantially matching the length and base width of the gripping
teeth, the gripping teeth are relatively blunt, leading to less
flexing of the gripping teeth upon insertion of an object into the
containment area, which in turn leads to less force being applied
to the object, so that the object can be relatively more easily
removed. As used herein, the term "substantially equal" shall be
understood to indicate a condition in which the dimensions of the
elements being compared are within about 25% of each other. As
shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, in one aspect of the invention the
gripping teeth can each further include a base height h. The base
height h can be about half of the length L.sub.2, and,
correspondingly, half of the width W.sub.2.
[0038] The gripping teeth can thus generally be made shorter and
stouter than gripping fins or fingers and are thus less susceptible
to damage from tearing due to contact with the elongate object or
other objects. The shorter and stouter gripping teeth also reduce
the amount of material required to provide a gripping interface,
thereby reducing material and manufacturing costs. In addition, the
gripping teeth do not consume as much space inside the containment
area 18 of holding member 16 as do conventional gripping fingers or
fins. The resulting holding device can thus include a larger
containment area within similarly spaced upright arms 16a and 16b.
In this manner, the upright arms 16a and 16b can be spaced closer
together and yet still provide a sufficiently large containment
area 18 for holding a variety of elongate objects.
[0039] As shown in cutaway view in FIG. 2 along section 2-2 of FIG.
1, in one aspect of the invention each of the plurality of gripping
teeth 20 can include an upper surface area 22 facing generally
upwardly and a lower surface area 24 facing generally downwardly.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper surface area is
the combined area of upper surfaces 23a and 23b. The lower surface
area is the area of lower face 24. In this embodiment, the upper
surface area 22 is greater than the lower surface area 24.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3a, each of the gripping teeth can include
a cross-section 30 with a substantially angular shape. As used
herein "substantially angular shape" shall be understood to
describe a condition in which the cross-section of an element
includes at least one angular component, such as that formed when
at least two of the sides meet in an oblique angle. Examples of
substantially angular shapes include triangular pyramids, hexagonal
structures, etc. As shown in side view in FIG. 3b, in one aspect of
the invention the gripping teeth each include a cross-section 32
with a substantially right-triangular shape.
[0041] In one aspect of the invention, the cross-section of each of
the teeth can also include a continually tapering cross section
from a base portion to a tip portion. In this manner, the widest,
or thickest, portion of the teeth, i.e., the portion of the teeth
that is least likely to bend upon insertion of an object into the
holder, resides at the contact location 27 on the upright arm. The
thinnest portion of the teeth, or the portion most likely to bend
upon insertion of an object into the holder, resides at the
innermost point 28 of each tooth. As an object is inserted into the
holder, the teeth bend mostly at the tip portion to provide a
retaining force to the elongate object. Thus, the object is
contacted by only a relatively small area of the gripping teeth,
resulting in sufficient grip to hold the object while allowing the
object to be relatively easily, quickly and quietly removed from
the holding device.
[0042] The gripping teeth 20 shown in FIG. 2 illustrate another
embodiment of the invention. Here, at least three substantially
flat sides 23a, 23b and 24 extend from the base into the
containment area 18 along an axis (shown at b-b' in FIG. 3b)
substantially orthogonal to the upright arm 16. The at least three
sides can taper toward one another and can terminate in a
substantially pointed tip 28. As also shown in FIG. 2, each of the
gripping teeth 20 can also include a sloped, upper contact ridge 40
that faces generally upwardly. The sloped contact ridge can be
configured to contact and receive the elongate object within the
containment area 18.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the invention the
attachment base 14 can include a threaded mounting stem 34. The
threaded mounting stem can be fixedly connected to the holding
member and can be configured to be pivotally connected to the
support structure (not shown) such that the holding member may be
pivoted about a long axis a-a' of the mounting stem 34. This
embodiment allows i) adjustment of a height of the holding member
relative to the support structure, and ii) angular adjustment of
the holding device relative to the support structure to allow the
holding device to more securely grip elongate objects. A locking
nut 36 can be configured to lock the holding member in position
relative to the support structure.
[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the attachment base 14
can be coupled to a generally 1 5 vertical body 42 with a threaded
aperture in the top end to receive the threaded stem 34. A notch 44
can be included in one side of the vertical body. Opposing ends of
a u-bolt 46 can pass transversely through the vertical body above
and below the notch 44. The threaded mounting stem 14 of the holder
can be threadably inserted into the vertical body 42, and the
locking nut 36 can be disposed on the mounting stem. In this
embodiment, a user can adjust the height and 20 angular orientation
of the holder by rotating the holder about a long axis a-a' of the
mounting stem 14, to screw the mounting stem into or out of the
vertical aperture. The mounting stem, and hence the holding device,
can then be locked into place by tightening the nut 36. This
pivoting feature thus allows for twist adjustment and locking, and
allows the holder to receive objects of various sizes, while still
providing a firm grip. It is of course understood that the present
invention is not limited to the structure of the mounting base
discussed above, but can be used with any suitable mounting base,
which can include any number of components having any number of
characteristics.
[0045] While a single holding device 10 as depicted in FIG. 5 may
be used for some types of objects, or may be used in combination
with some other support device for holding an elongate object, it
will be apparent that a utility holding system comprising a
plurality of holding devices can also be utilized. In this aspect,
two or more holding devices can be attached to a cargo rack or
other support structure, and an elongate object can be disposed
within each containment area. The elongate object can be held
securely by the gripping teeth of each holding device. In addition,
each of the holding devices can be rotated until each of the
upright arms engage the elongate object. The nut 36 can then be
re-engaged to lock the holding devices against the elongate
object.
[0046] As also shown in FIG. 5, one upright arm 16a can be longer
than the other arm 16b, and each arm can include one or more elbows
24, which help provide a downward force upon the object when the
holder is rotated and locked against the object. The holding member
may also include flexible rubber balls 50 atop the upright arms to
help hold objects in the rack. The holding member 16 may be
provided with a hold-down member 38 for securing objects in the
containment area 18. One end of the hold down member can be
attached to one upright arm 16a below the ball 50a. With an object
in the containment area, the opposing end of the hold-down member
may be stretched over the object, and looped or tied around the
other upright arm 16b below its ball 50b. In this way, a secure
grip may be provided for objects of varying size.
[0047] The hold-down member 38 can include rope, string, or other
such devices adaptable for securing or tying an object within the
holding member. The hold-down member 38 shown in FIG. 5 is a loop
of elastic material that includes a tab 52 on one end which
facilitates grasping by a user, and allows the hold-down member to
be quickly and easily attached or removed from the holder. Also
shown in FIG. 5 are a series of projections 54 which can aid in
securing the hold-down member to either or both the upright arms
16a and 16b.
[0048] In one aspect of the invention, the attachment base can be
configured to be attached to an ATV (not shown). As used herein,
the term "ATV" is meant to include an All Terrain Vehicle, a motor
vehicle, a boat, a snowmobile, a motorcycle, etc. Similarly, while
the elongate can be any suitable object (not shown), in one
embodiment the elongate object is selected from the group
consisting of: a gun, a bow, a fishing pole, and an elongate tool.
Examples of elongate tools include, but are not limited to,
shovels, rakes, picks, etc.
[0049] The holding device in its entirety, or any of its
constituent parts, may be constructed of numerous materials
including metals, plastics, and rubber materials. In one
embodiment, a rigid frame (not shown) can be provided which can be
coated with a thick coating of resilient rubber material. This
rubber material provides excellent gripping and wear
characteristics. Specific selection of materials will depend on the
characteristics of weight, strength and function desired.
[0050] It is to be understood that the above-referenced
arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles
of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative
arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention while the present invention has been
shown in the drawings and described above in connection with the
exemplary embodiments(s) of the invention. It will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can
be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the
invention as set forth in the claims.
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