U.S. patent application number 10/477517 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-05 for wall-mountable holder.
Invention is credited to Bevan, Glenn, Gierke, Stephen David, Missenden, Daniel Luther.
Application Number | 20040149878 10/477517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25646712 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040149878 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gierke, Stephen David ; et
al. |
August 5, 2004 |
Wall-mountable holder
Abstract
A wall-mountable holder (1) for retaining an article such as a
bicycle. The holder (1) comprises a support frame (2) having a
wall-mounting bracket (6), and a pair of jaws (3, 4) pivotally
mounted to the support frame (2) to define an article-receiving
region between the jaws (3, 4). The jaws (3, 4) are moveable
between an open position and a closed position, and the jaws (3, 4)
can releasably lock to the support frame (2) when in the closed
position. When a bicycle wheel is urged against proximal ends of
the jaws (3, 4), the jaws (3, 4) pivot to the closed position, the
jaws (3, 4) lock to the support frame (2) and the jaws (3, 4)
retain the wheel. When the wheel is pulled away from the proximal
ends, the jaws (3, 4) pivot to the open position and enable the
wheel to be removed.
Inventors: |
Gierke, Stephen David;
(Queensland, AU) ; Bevan, Glenn; (Queensland,
AU) ; Missenden, Daniel Luther; (Queensland,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN WASSON & GITLER, P.C
CRYSTAL CENTER 2, SUITE 522
2461 SOUTH CLARK STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22202-3843
US
|
Family ID: |
25646712 |
Appl. No.: |
10/477517 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
May 24, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU02/00671 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/316.1 ;
248/316.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62H 3/04 20130101; F16M
11/041 20130101; F16M 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/316.1 ;
248/316.7 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 29, 2001 |
AU |
PR 5336 |
Nov 15, 2001 |
AU |
PR 8884 |
Claims
1. A wall-mountable article holder comprising: a wall-mountable
support frame; and a pair of jaws pivotally mounted to the support
frame to define an article-receiving region between the jaws, the
jaws being moveable between an open position and a closed position,
each jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one
of the jaws releasably locking to the support frame when in the
closed position; wherein when an article is urged against the
proximal ends of the jaws, the jaws pivot to the closed position
and retain the article, and when the article is urged against the
distal ends, the jaws pivot to the open position and enable the
article to be removed.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein both jaws releasably lock to the
support frame.
3. The holder of claim 2, wherein the proximal ends of the jaws are
connected together with a hinge.
4. The holder of claim 3, wherein the support frame has a retainer
located between the proximal ends of the jaws and a wall-mounting
region of the support frame, and each jaw has a flexibly resilient
leg adapted to lock behind a shoulder of the retainer when the jaws
are in the closed position.
5. The holder of claim 4, wherein the retainer is wedge-shaped, the
wedge of the retainer tapers towards the proximal ends of the jaws,
and each leg has a hooked end that locks behind a said shoulder of
the retainer.
6. The holder of claim 4, wherein the wall-mounting region
comprises a bracket having apertures adapted to receive
fasteners.
7. The holder of claim 6, wherein the support frame has arms that
project outwardly from the bracket and the wall to which the holder
is mounted, and each of the jaws is pivotally mounted to a
projecting end of a said arm.
8. The holder of claim 7, wherein each jaw has a pin and each arm
has an elongated socket within which can pivot the pin.
9. The holder of claim 8, wherein the arms of the support frame are
flexibly resilient and said arms flex away from one another when
the hinge is brought into temporary alignment with the pin of each
arm when moving the jaws between the open and closed positions.
10. The holder of claim 8, wherein the support frame has a ledge
extending partway over the legs and an end of each socket is blind
such that the pins cannot disengage the sockets by accident.
11. The holder of claim 5, wherein the hinge is provided by way of
each jaw having a pair of collars that interleaf with one another
and a hinge pin extending through the collars.
12. The holder of claim 11, wherein the collars are situated within
a groove of the retainer when the jaws are in the closed
position.
13. The holder of claim 1, further having locking means for locking
the distal ends of the jaws together.
14. The holder of claim 13, wherein the distal end of each jaw has
an aperture through which can extend a locking bolt of a
padlock.
15. The holder of claim 1, wherein the jaws are shaped to retain a
bicycle and the distal ends are adapted to extend behind a rim or
between spokes of the bicycle wheel when the jaws are in the closed
position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a wall-mountable holder for
releasably retaining an article such as, for example, a bicycle, a
fire extinguisher or a tool.
[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for retaining a
wheel of a bicycle, scooter or like vehicle up off the ground, such
that the weight of the bicycle is supported by the other wheel, and
will therefore be described in this context.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Bicycles are frequently stored in confined spaces, such as
in garages, hallways, bedrooms and cellars. For space-efficient
storage, bicycles are best stored either completely up off the
ground or with one wheel off the ground such that the bicycle is
suspended vertically.
[0004] Many types of holders for securing bicycles in confined
spaces are known. Problems with such holders, however, include that
they can be difficult to install and to maintain, they can be
difficult to use, they can be expensive to buy, they may be
positioned such that they are dangerous when not in use, and that
they can be space-consuming themselves.
[0005] One of the simplest ways of holding a bicycle up off the
ground is by securing brackets to a wall and suspending the bicycle
on the brackets parallel to the wall. A disadvantage with this
bracket arrangement is that a person needs to be strong enough to
be able to lift the bicycle completely up off the ground and onto
the brackets, and vice-versa.
[0006] One way of holding a single wheel of a bicycle up off the
ground and perpendicular to a wall, so that both wheels rest
against the wall, is to hold the upper wheel in a rack that has
been fixed to the wall. A disadvantage with this type of holder is
that the rack will necessarily jut out from the wall at a distance
approximately equal to the diameter of the bicycle wheel. Such a
rack may be dangerous as, when not in use, it is likely to jut out
from the wall at about eye level.
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a wall-mountable holder for retaining an article that at
least minimises one of the disadvantages referred to above, or
provides the public with a useful or commercial choice.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention there is provided a
wall-mountable article holder comprising:
[0009] a wall-mountable support frame; and
[0010] a pair of jaws pivotally mounted to the support frame to
define an article-receiving region between the jaws, the jaws being
moveable between an open position and a closed position, each jaw
having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one of the
jaws releasably locking to the support frame when in the closed
position;
[0011] wherein when an article is urged against the proximal ends
of the jaws, the jaws pivot to the closed position and retain the
article, and when the article is urged against the distal ends, the
jaws pivot to the open position and enable the article to be
removed.
[0012] Preferably, both jaws releasably lock to the support
frame.
[0013] Any suitable locking means can be used to releasably lock
the jaws to the support frame. In an embodiment of the invention,
each jaw can have a clip that is lockable to the support frame. For
instance, each jaw can have a C-shaped clip that is lockable to a
cylindrical part of the support frame. In another embodiment, the
C-shaped clips can be part of the support frame and can be lockable
to cylindrical parts of the jaws.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the support frame can have a
retainer located between the proximal ends of the jaws and a
wall-mounting region of the support frame, and each jaw can have a
flexibly resilient leg lockable behind a shoulder or edge of the
retainer when the jaws are in the closed position. The retainer can
have more than one edge or shoulder (eg. a serrated edge) behind
which each said leg is lockable, and this arrangement can enable
the jaws to be locked in different positions.
[0015] Preferably, the retainer is wedge-shaped, the wedge of the
retainer tapers towards the proximal ends of the jaws, and each leg
has a hooked end that locks behind a shoulder of the retainer. When
the jaws are being moved towards the closed position and the legs
are forced against the retainer, the legs flex apart from one
another and lock behind the shoulders under tension. When the jaws
move from the closed position, the legs unlock from behind the
shoulders, the legs flex towards one another and bear against the
retainer and consequently assist the jaws in moving to the open
position.
[0016] Preferably, the proximal ends of the jaws are connected
together with a hinge such that they pivot in unison. Each jaw can
have a pair of collars that interleaf with one another and a hinge
pin can extend through the collars to hold the proximal ends of the
jaws together.
[0017] The retainer can have a groove within which is situated the
collars when the jaws are in the closed position.
[0018] The wall-mounting region can comprise a bracket having
apertures adapted to receive fasteners such as nails or screws.
Alternatively, the wall-mounting region can comprise a layer of
adhesive material. Any other suitable means for mounting the
support frame to a wall can be used.
[0019] The support frame can have arms that project outwardly from
the wall-mounting region and from the wall to which the holder is
mounted, and each of the jaws can be pivotally mounted to a
projecting end of a said arm. That is, the support frame can be
substantially U-shaped or V-shaped when viewed in plan. Each jaw
can have a pin and each arm can have an elongated socket within
which can pivot the pin.
[0020] Preferably, the arms of the support frame flex away from one
another when the hinge is brought into temporarily alignment with
the pin of each arm when moving the jaws between the open and
closed positions. The return of the arms to their resting position
can urge the jaws either into the open position or closed
position.
[0021] Preferably, the jaws are prevented from slidably disengaging
the support frame by way of the support frame having a ledge
extending partway over the legs of the jaws (which prevents
movement of the jaws in one direction) and an end of each socket
being blind (which prevents movement of the jaws in the other
direction).
[0022] The jaws can be of any suitable shape, the shape being
dependent on the nature of the article. The jaws can also be fitted
with inserts for retaining different shaped articles. The jaws can
have a tread for better gripping an article. Preferably, the jaws
are shaped to retain a bicycle by way of the distal ends of the
jaws being adapted to extend behind a rim or between spokes of the
bicycle wheel.
[0023] The holder can have locking means for locking the distal
ends of the jaws together. For instance, the distal end of each jaw
can have an aperture through which can extend a locking bolt of a
padlock.
[0024] Preferably, the holder comprises plastics material. However,
the holder can comprise any other suitable material or
materials.
[0025] The term "wall" is used herein to denote a wall extending at
any angle, or a surface or fixture to which the holder can be
attached (eg. a vehicle, a cupboard).
[0026] The term "comprise", or variations of the term such as
"comprises" or "comprising", are used herein to denote the
inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude
any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or
usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a holder about to receive a
bicycle wheel, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the holder of FIG.
1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the holder of FIG. 1 when
retaining a bicycle wheel;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the holder of FIG.
3;
[0031] FIG. 5 a top plan view of a support frame of the holder of
FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the support frame of
FIG. 5;
[0033] FIG. 7 a top plan view of a jaw of the holder of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the jaw of FIG. 7;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a front view of the support frame of FIG. 5;
and;
[0036] FIG. 1 is rear view of the support frame of FIG. 9.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0037] In all of the drawings, like reference numerals refer to
like parts.
[0038] The figures show a plastic wall-mountable holder 1 for
retaining an article such as a bicycle. The holder 1 comprises a
support frame 2 (best seen in FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 10) and a pair of
jaws 3, 4 (best seen in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8) pivotally mounted to the
support frame 2 to define an article-receiving region between the
jaws 3, 4 (best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3). The jaws 3, 4 are pivotable
between an open position, as seen in FIG. 1, and a closed position,
as seen in FIG. 3.
[0039] The support frame 2 has a wall-mounting bracket 6. The
bracket 6 has several apertures 7 for receiving fasteners such as
screws. Two arms 8 project from the bracket 6 and from the wall to
which the holder 1 is mounted, and each of the jaws 3, 4 is
pivotally mounted to a projecting end of a said arm 8. Each jaw 3,
4 has a proximal end and a distal end, and the proximal end is the
closest end to the bracket 6.
[0040] The proximal ends of the jaws 3, 4 are connected together
with a hinge 14. The hinge 14 enables the jaws 3, 4 to pivot in
unison. Each jaw 3, 4 has a pair of collars 15, 16 that interleaf
with one another and a hinge pin 40 extends through the collars 15,
16 to hold the proximal ends of the jaws 3, 4 together. The hinge
pin 40 is held in place with a speed nut (not shown).
[0041] Each jaw 3, 4 has a pin 9 (best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8), each
arm 8 has an elongated socket 10 (best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6)
within which can pivot the pin 9. Each jaw 3, 4 includes a spacer
arm 11 connected to the pin 9 (best seen in FIG. 8).
[0042] Both jaws 3, 4 can releasably lock to the support frame 2
when in the closed position. The support frame 2 has a wedge-shaped
retainer 20 located between the proximal ends of the jaws 3, 4 and
the bracket 6 (best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10), and each jaw 3, 4 has
a flexibly resilient leg 21 adapted to lock behind a shoulder 22 of
the retainer 20 when the jaws 3, 4 are in the closed position (see
FIG. 10). The wedge of the retainer 20 tapers towards the proximal
ends of the jaws 3, 4, and each leg 21 has a hooked end 23 for
locking behind a said shoulder 22 of the retainer 20. When the jaws
3, 4 are being moved towards the closed position and the legs 21
are forced against the retainer 20, the legs 21 flex apart from one
another and lock behind the shoulders 22 under tension. When the
jaws 3, 4 move from the closed position, the legs 21 unlock from
behind the shoulders 22, the legs 21 flex towards one another and
bear against the retainer 20 and consequently assist the jaws 3, 4
in pivoting to the open position. In the closed position, the hinge
14 is situated within a groove 25 of the retainer 20.
[0043] The arms 8 of the support frame 2 flex away from one another
when the hinge 14 is brought into temporary alignment with the pin
9 of each arm 8 when moving the jaws 3, 4 between the open and
closed positions. The return of the arms 8 to their resting
position helps move the jaws 3, 4 either into the open position or
closed position.
[0044] The distal end of each jaw 3, 4 has an aperture 30 adapted
to receive a locking bolt of a padlock. The jaws 3, 4 have ribs 31
(only some of which have been labelled) that strengthen the jaws 3,
4 and help grip the bicycle wheel. Each jaw 3, 4 has a
longitudinally extending reinforcing rib 32. The hinge 14, together
with an edge 33 of each reinforcing rib 32, determine how far the
jaws 3, 4 can pivot when pivoting to the open position.
[0045] The jaws 3, 4 are prevented from slidably disengaging the
support frame 2 by way of the support frame 2 having a ledge 13
extending partway over the legs 21 of the jaws 3, 4 (which prevents
movement of the jaws 3, 4 in one direction) and an end 12 of each
socket 10 being blind (which prevents movement of the jaws 3, 4 in
the other direction). This is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6.
[0046] In use, the holder 1 is mounted to a vertical wall by way of
bracket 6 and screws. A bicycle wheel is pressed against the
proximal end of each jaw 3, 4, as shown in FIG. 1, and the jaws 3,
4 pivot until the distal ends meet behind a rim or between spokes
of the wheel. As the bicycle wheel is urged against the jaws 3, 4,
the arms 8 temporarily flex apart, the legs 21 flex apart upon
contact with the wedge-shaped retainer 20 and the hooked ends 23
lock behind the shoulders 22. With the legs 21 locked behind the
shoulders 22, the bicycle wheel is retained by the jaws 3, 4. In
order to remove the bicycle wheel from the holder 1, the wheel is
pulled away from the wall, the jaws 3, 4 are forced to pivot, the
legs 21 disengage the shoulders 22, the legs 21 flex towards one
another and bear against the retainer 20 and consequently help
pivot the jaws 3, 4 to the open position. The arms 8 also
temporarily flex apart and help the jaws 3, 4 move to the open
position once the hinge 14 is no longer in alignment with the pins
9. Once the jaws 3, 4 have pivoted to the open position, the wheel
can be removed from the region between the jaws 3, 4.
[0047] The holder 1 of the present invention occupies little space,
is easy to use, is readily mountable to a wall, and is adaptable to
retain a variety of articles.
[0048] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative
example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be
made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from
the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.
* * * * *