U.S. patent application number 10/287437 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-06 for article holder.
Invention is credited to Barfield, Russell Raymond.
Application Number | 20040084593 10/287437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32175697 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040084593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barfield, Russell Raymond |
May 6, 2004 |
Article holder
Abstract
An article holder capable of containing and supporting various
objects. Manufactured from a durable material in a variety of
colors, the article holder comprises a sidewall which may be
generally cylindrically shaped, open at one end, and a raised pad
to which is attached a connector for removably securing the holder.
At least one finger-receiving recess may be defined by the sidewall
of the holder. The holder may be sized and shaped to organize any
sized items.
Inventors: |
Barfield, Russell Raymond;
(Hollywood, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brinkley, McNerney, Morgan Solomon & Tatum, LLP
New River Center
Suite 1900
200 East Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
FL
33301
US
|
Family ID: |
32175697 |
Appl. No.: |
10/287437 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/311.2 ;
248/206.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/006 20130101;
A47G 23/0225 20130101; B43K 23/002 20130101; B25H 3/04 20130101;
A47G 2200/106 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/311.2 ;
248/206.5 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/17 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A article holder adapted to be attached to a work surface,
comprising: a hollow open top cup having a bottom wall adapted to
receive an article to be held and a generally vertically oriented
sidewall connected to the bottom wall; means for connecting said
cup to a work surface oriented vertically and attached to an
exterior surface of said sidewall so that the article being held in
the cup can be placed in and removed from said cup without
manipulating the cup.
2. The receptacle of claim 1, further including at least one
finger-receiving recess defined by the sidewall.
3. The holder of claim 1, wherein said means for connecting is a
magnet attached to at least a portion of the outer surface of said
cup.
4. The holder of claim 1, wherein the cup is cylindrical in
shape.
5. The holder of claim 1, wherein said means for connecting
includes a female groove defined by a projecting flange connected
to said cup and a corresponding male dovetail member adapted to fit
within said groove in interfitting engagement, said male member
being adapted to be connected to said work surface.
6. The holder of claim 1, wherein said means for connecting
includes a female groove defined by a flange connected to said work
surface and a corresponding male dovetail member connected to said
cup.
7. The holder of claim 1, wherein said means for connecting
includes at least one suction cup connected to the cup which is
adapted to be placed in contact with the work surface.
8. The holder of claim 1, further comprising a second means for
connecting to an outer peripheral surface of the cup.
9. The holder of claim 8, wherein the second means for connecting
is adapted to connect the cup to another similarly configured
cup.
10. The holder of claim 7, wherein the second means for connecting
includes a male dovetail member connected to the cup and a
corresponding female groove defined by a flange on the second cup.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to receptacles and article holders.
Such a holder may be formed in a variety of shapes and colors to
conform to various objects carried by it.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Small knickknacks with magnetic stick-ons such as: displays
of small writing pads, reservoirs for pencils, or cards on
refrigerators and stoves enable attachment to ferrous structures.
These are sold in quantity and have been used for many years.
[0005] One such device has been invented by Rains as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,341. This patent teaches a drinking container
of generally cup configuration and has a magnet mounted in the
bottom and/or side to permit attachment of the cup to a ferrous
metal surface in an upright position.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,823, Campbell has invented a holder
for a box of staples or loose carpet tacks, nails, screws and the
like discrete magnetizable items.
[0007] A number of background devices which teach holders for
articles are as follows: Trees U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,716; McBride
U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,350; Meyer et al. Des. U.S. Pat. No.
289,122.
[0008] Yet larger containers, with stronger holding forces and
selective colors, capable of supporting or containing larger
objects such as: soda cans, small bottles, degreasers, solvents,
nuts, fasteners, pins, and various kinds of small instruments such
as gages and electrical meters, sensors and others are non-existent
today.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention relates to an article holder, capable of
supporting and/or containing various objects.
[0010] The invention may be manufactured from any suitable
material, for example ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadienne Styrene)
plastic or other similar materials, and may be injection molded for
standardization and mass production purposes. Additional materials,
such as vinyl, silicone rubber and others, may be utilized to
prevent corrosion. The invention may be in the form of a cylinder
or other suitable shape, open at one end. In one embodiment, the
holder has a structure associated therewith for connecting the
holder, preferably removably, to a work surface. The structure may
be in the form of a raised section forming a dovetail on the outer
edges. In another embodiment, a magnet is connected to the outer
surface of the holder for attachment to a metallized work surface.
The magnet may be utilized with the dovetail structure. The magnet
may be made of a standard, rigid or flexible rubber or a similar
material with barium ferrite, integrally molded, thus having
magnetic energy. It is evidenced that a magnetic energy of 1.6 MG
residual flux has proven to be satisfactory. The size of the magnet
has enough volume and sufficient flux to have either a 7 lb pull or
retracting force when applied to any ferrous structure.
[0011] The invention may be manufactured in many different colors,
may include numerical and/or alphabetical characters, and provide
space for labeling. In addition, the invention may contain
advertisement or display logos. Besides tooling, the invention may
be utilized to organize small items such as: fasteners, edible
items, or any other small item. Additionally, the invention can be
utilized to safely carry solvents, brake fluid, cleaning agents,
beverages, or other liquids with the aid of a container.
[0012] Of prime importance, considering the amount of metallic
equipment and machinery, is that the invention can be set in an
orderly fashion near the work area in order to ease a particular
task relative to the user's required positioning of contained
items. In case of non-ferrous materials, such as plaster-wall, wood
panels, plastic panels, or other similar surfaces, a connector can
be used to mount a metallized plate to the work surface to which
the magnet will in turn adhere. In case of glass or other surfaces
having a low coefficient of friction, vacuum cups will allow a way
to rapidly and safely suspend the invention.
[0013] Craftsmen today are constantly challenged with the many
modern technologies. Such a dilemma has become a way of life,
supporting day-to-day complex technical assemblies, repairing a
multitude and large variety of machinery, cars, airplanes, railroad
equipment, electronic units, robotic devices, instrumentation, and
others. Such tasks require specific hardware or group of fasteners,
which are selected for the appropriate repeated sub-tasks. The
invention allows one to remain organized. The use of multiple
holders allows for the proper storage of a larger inventory or
objects. This is necessary because some objects have a tendency to
become lost or become mixed when out of storage due to the
psychological fact that one's concentration is focused mainly on
the task to be resolved rather than the placement and retrieval of
the objects needed to execute a task.
[0014] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
rigid, durable holder which is easily and conveniently removably
mountable to a work surface.
[0015] Another object of this invention is to provide the invention
in an array of colors such as white, green, blue, red, yellow,
black, and others for storage of large objects. The different
colors allow for rapid identification of what objects or group of
objects are placed in each invention. In addition, the colors of
bright orange and red help identify the objects under work
conditions and conform to OSHA regulations.
[0016] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a user
the ability to recognize objects while in temporary storage by
using a set of distinctly colored cans, large enough to support
items or parts required for a task, therefore, saving time and
easing work tension.
[0017] In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0018] In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention mounted to a
work surface.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the invention
showing the magnet.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of the instant
invention in a multi-capacity option.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an interlocking array using the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS.
1-4, the present invention is shown generally at numeral 10,
comprised of a hollow cylindrical cup 1 used as a cavity for
holding several objects such as soda cans, solvent cans, fasteners,
food, etc. Such invention may be made from any suitable process,
such as an injection mold for the sake of economy and may be molded
with an ABS or similar material. An optional method of
manufacturing may include an addition of a small percentage of
glass beads (10 15%) to increase its strength. In addition, other
materials may be utilized to increase water resistance and to
increase the absorption of UV radiation. A molded pad 2 provides an
area for magnet 3 to be located and attached.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows magnet 3, which is preferably but not by way of
limitation a flexible rubber strip of high magnetic energy. In one
embodiment, it consists of a bonded barium or strontium ferrite
magnet power bonded to a vinyl matrix or similar material. High
energy magnet 3 is preferably anistrophic (having a preferred
direction) unlike lower grade flexible magnets. The properties of
magnet 3 are equal to or exceed those of ceramic grade "1" magnets,
having a flux density B of 2,300 gauss. Invention 10, with magnet 3
of the size 1/4".times.2" wide.times.3" long, having an adhesive
force of 7 lb., can support 15 lb. in cup 1. Bonding of magnet 3 to
cup 1 may be achieved with a light press and a strong, quick
setting adhesive such as the 3M two part, clear scotch weld #2216
structural adhesive or a similar one.
[0026] One or more finger-grasping recesses or grooves 11 may be
defined by the sidewall of cup 1. Grooves 11 facilitate the
manipulation of cup 1 as desired.
[0027] As best shown in FIG. 4, one or more of the devices can be
removably attached to any ferro-magnetic surface such as metal
angle iron M to create a storage scheme for a variety of items.
Moreover, cups 22 may be laid on their sides in opposing position
so as to hold elongated items such as bar 22. Other helpful uses of
the invention, or combinations thereof, will occur to those of
skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of this
invention.
[0028] FIG. 5 depicts an alternative arrangement for the invention,
in which cups 1, which may be octagonally shaped, round,
elliptical, or otherwise, have associated therewith male and female
dove-tail members 80, 90 respectively. In addition, cup.sup.1 may
be manufactured with a magnet receiving surface 2 and magnet 3 as
in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, as well as with male and
female dove-tail members 80, 90. Any combination of the foregoing
is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention.
[0029] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in
what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
* * * * *