U.S. patent application number 10/904125 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for flower shaped memo holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to UMBRA INC.. Invention is credited to Anna Buechin.
Application Number | 20060086681 10/904125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36205240 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060086681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buechin; Anna |
April 27, 2006 |
FLOWER SHAPED MEMO HOLDER
Abstract
The present invention broadly comprises a flower shaped holder
having a hub and a plurality of overlapping fingers extending
radially outwardly from the hub. The invention holds objects such
as photographs, notes, and business cards. The hub comprises top
and bottom disks that are secured to one another. The fingers are
consequently secured to the hub. A magnet and mounting slot are
positioned on the bottom disk.
Inventors: |
Buechin; Anna; (Toronto,
Ontario, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIMPSON & SIMPSON, PLLC
5555 MAIN STREET
WILLIAMSVILLE
NY
14221-5406
US
|
Assignee: |
UMBRA INC.
1705 Broadway
Buffalo
NY
|
Family ID: |
36205240 |
Appl. No.: |
10/904125 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.31 ;
211/13.1; 211/181.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/085.31 ;
211/013.1; 211/181.1 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/00 20060101
A47G029/00 |
Claims
1. A holder, comprising: a hub; and, a plurality of overlapping
fingers extending outwardly from said hub.
2. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein said hub comprises a top
disk and a bottom disk secured to one another.
3. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein said overlapping fingers
are secured to said hub and extend radially outwardly
therefrom.
4. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein each of said fingers
comprises a wire.
5. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein each of said fingers
comprises spring-like material.
6. The holder recited in claim 4 wherein each said wire is formed
into a loop.
7. The holder recited in claim 6 wherein said hub in combination
with said fingers extending radially outwardly from said hub
resembles a flower.
8. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein each of said fingers
comprises an open loop.
9. The holder recited in claim 8 wherein said overlapping fingers
are arranged adjacent one another and each of said fingers is in
contact with each adjacent finger.
10. The holder recited in claim 9 wherein said fingers are arranged
to hold objects at points of contact.
11. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein said hub comprises
mounting means.
12. The holder recited in claim 11 wherein said mounting means
comprises a magnet mounted within said hub.
13. The holder recited in claim 12 wherein said magnet is anchored
in said bottom disk of said hub.
14. The holder recited in claim 11 wherein said mounting means
comprises a slot in said bottom disk of said hub arranged to engage
a hook.
15. The holder recited in claim 2 wherein said top and bottom disks
are secured to one another with screws.
16. The holder recited in claim 2 wherein said top disk comprises
an integral annular ring and a plurality of radially disposed
stepped shoulders; said stepped shoulders extending radially
outwardly from said annular ring and terminating proximate the
circumference of said top disk.
17. The holder recited in claim 16 wherein said stepped shoulders
comprise an upper surface and a lower surface.
18. The holder recited in claim 17 wherein channels are formed
between each adjacent stepped shoulder.
19. The holder recited in claim 18 wherein said plurality of
radially disposed stepped shoulders and said channels cooperatively
form a notched annular recessed flange on said top disk lower
surface.
20. The holder recited in claim 19 wherein said channels comprise
terminal recesses, where said recesses are deeper than said
channels.
21. The holder recited in claim 15 wherein said top disk comprises
protruding threaded apertures for receiving said screws.
22. The holder recited in claim 2 wherein said bottom disk
comprises an outer wall and a plurality of radially inwardly
extending fins about the circumference of said bottom disk.
23. The holder recited in claim 22 wherein said notched annular
recessed flange on said top disk matingly engages said outer wall
and said plurality of fins on said bottom disk.
24. The holder recited in claim 22 wherein said bottom disk
includes through-bores for receiving said screws.
25. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein said overlapping fingers
are discrete.
26. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein each of said fingers
further comprise a first end and a second end; each of said first
end and second end is arranged to matingly engage said channels and
said terminal recesses.
27. The holder recited in claim 26 wherein said terminal recesses
narrow, acting to guide said first end and second end of each of
said fingers into position.
28. The holder recited in claim 1 wherein said overlapping fingers
consistently overlap in a repeating arrangement.
29. The holder recited in claim 28 wherein each of said first ends
and each of said second ends are received by a first and fourth
channel with a terminal recess respectively.
30. A holder comprising a plurality of overlapping fingers
extending radially outwardly from said hub.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for
holding photographs, notes, business cards, objects, and the like,
and more particularly, to a holder comprising a hub and a plurality
of overlapping fingers extending radially outwardly therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A number of holding devices for articles and related
inventions are known in the art. Some of the known holders are
configured to merely hold garments such as skirts and trousers;
others are designed to hold other types of articles such as whips,
belts, and handkerchiefs. Examples of various types of holders
disclosed in United States Patents are as follows:
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,744 (Pugh) discloses a support for
holding articles such as cut flowers, plant stems, and writing
implements. The support comprises a single wire having an elongated
shaft and a head bent in a cycloid fashion forming a plurality of
closed loops about a central opening. However, the closed loops
merely surround the central opening, and do not extend radially
outwardly from a hub. Also, the support is designed for holding
articles with an elongated portion, and does not hold objects, such
as photographs and the like, at points of contact of overlapping
fingers.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,634 (Irizarry) discloses a holder for
thin planar objects such as guitar picks. The holder includes an
elongated coil that forms a plurality of slots for the insertion
and retrieval of objects. A suction cup base allows the holder to
be attached to a flat surface.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,138,914 (Frey) discloses a rack for
neckties, belts, and other similar articles. The patented rack
includes a single bent wire forming coplanar loops that expand and
contract longitudinally upon the insertion of an article. This
invention does not disclose overlapping fingers extending radially
outwardly from a hub.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,429,846 (Coutts) discloses a holder for
bolts of cloth. The invention includes resilient racks that
protrude through elongated openings and rest into slots in the
sidewalls of a support. None of the resilient racks overlap or
extend radially outwardly from a hub.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,050,671 (Lesem) discloses a display rack for
light articles such as lace and neckties enclosed in a transparent
case to protect the articles from dust. This invention does not
disclose overlapping fingers protruding outwardly from a hub.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 1,026,241 (Buckingham) discloses a display
rack for skirts and like articles of clothing. The rack comprises a
hub with adjacent (non-overlapping) fingers that hold articles of
clothing therebetween. This invention does not disclose a holder
with fingers that hold objects at points of contact. Further, the
holder does not resemble a flower.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 951,628 (Buckingham) discloses a garment
holder. This patented device includes a support, and outer and
inner spring fingers adjacently positioned. However, the fingers
extend outwardly from support plates, not a hub. Further, none of
the fingers in this patented invention are overlapping.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 915,737 (Buckingham) discloses a holder for
skirts, trousers, and the like having inner and outer spring
fingers adjacent to each other. The device is designed to rotate
about a fixed column. This invention does not disclose the use of
overlapping fingers for holding articles.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 847,644 (Buckingham) discloses a garment
holder with a series of successively shorter spring fingers held
together between an upper and lower disk. However, the spring
fingers are not overlapping.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 629,660 (Churchill) is an 1899 patent that
describes a holder for handkerchiefs and other light articles. The
holder comprises an upright post, and adjacent (non-overlapping)
spring loops attached to a hub.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 107,175 (Hanchett) discloses a holder with a
wire bent to form loops secured to flanges on two disks that form a
hub. The loop openings hold whips and other like objects when
inserted therethrough. The device does not include overlapping
fingers and does not disclose a holder for photographs, notes, and
the like.
[0014] What is needed, then, is an article of manufacture having a
plurality of overlapping fingers extending radially outwardly from
a hub for holding photographs, notes, business cards, objects and
the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention broadly comprises a holder having a
plurality of overlapping fingers extending radially outwardly from
a hub. In one embodiment, the hub is magnetic.
[0016] A general object of the invention is to provide a holder for
objects such as photographs, notes, business cards, and the like,
which holder includes a plurality of overlapping fingers arranged
to hold objects at points of contact of the overlapping
fingers.
[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide an
aesthetically pleasing article of manufacture for holding
items.
[0018] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become readily apparent to those having
ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed
description of the invention in view of the several drawings of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention
will now be more fully described in the following detailed
description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing
figures, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention as
viewed from the front;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 1,
except viewed from the back;
[0022] FIG. 3a is a back view of the top disk of the hub of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3b is a front view of the bottom disk of the hub of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the present
invention as shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the present invention as shown in
FIG. 1, except with the bottom disk removed to illustrate the
fingers positioned in the top disk and extending radially outwardly
therefrom; and,
[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom disk taken
generally along line 6-6 in FIG. 2, illustrating the magnet
housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing
numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural
elements of the invention. While the present invention is described
with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred
embodiment, it is understood that the invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment.
[0028] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not
limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications
described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood
that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope
of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended
claims.
[0029] Although any methods, devices or materials similar or
equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or
testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and
materials are now described.
[0030] Averting now to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of
holder 10 as viewed from the front. Holder 10 broadly comprises a
plurality of overlapping fingers 11 secured to hub 12 and extending
radially outwardly therefrom. By "overlapping" it is meant that at
least one section of one finger overlaps at least one section of
another finger. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each finger is
shown to overlap two adjacent fingers. In a preferred embodiment,
hub 12 comprises top disk 13 and bottom disk 14 secured to one
another, described in more detail infra. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, fingers 11 comprise flexible wire wherein each wire is
formed into a loop. Although in the embodiment shown fingers 11 are
made of wire, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill
in the art that other materials may be used, including but not
limited to wood, metal or plastic. The fingers are preferably
spring-like, but need not be. In a preferred embodiment, the
fingers are symmetrical and are equal in length. However, it should
be apparent that it is possible to have asymmetrical fingers and/or
fingers of various lengths and shapes. In one embodiment, fingers
11 extend radially outwardly from hub 12 and are elliptically
shaped. Hub 12 in combination with fingers 11 extending radially
outwardly from hub 12 resemble a flower shape. Although the holder
depicted in FIG. 1 generally resembles a circular, flower shape, it
should be readily apparent that other shapes of the holder are
possible, such as an oval flower shape, a butterfly shape, etc.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, each of the overlapping fingers
11 form an open loop 15. By "open" it is meant that fingers 11 have
an inner area 15 having no material therebetween. However, the
fingers could be solid and not open as well. Overlapping fingers 11
are arranged adjacent one another wherein each of the fingers is in
contact with each adjacent finger. In the embodiment shown, each
finger has only one contact point with each adjacent finger.
However, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in
the art that each finger may have more than one contact point with
each adjacent finger.
[0032] Fingers 11 are arranged to hold objects 8 and 9 at points of
contact wherein an object may be inserted therebetween. Objects 8
and 9 may also be inserted through open loops 15 of fingers 11 and
held therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, fingers 11 may hold
objects 8 and 9 through any combination of inserting objects 8 and
9 between points of contact and inserting objects 8 and 9 between
open loops 15. FIG. 1 illustrates two different ways in which
objects such as photographs and memos may be held by the holder of
the invention.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of holder 10 as shown in FIG.
1, except viewed from the back. Bottom disk 14 includes means 18
and 19 for mounting holder 10. Mounting means 18 is a magnet
anchored within bottom disk 14, and, mounting slot 19 in the bottom
disk is arranged to engage a hook, stud, or like object. Top disk
13 (shown in FIG. 1) and bottom disk 14 are secured with two screws
20a and 20b to form hub 12, as described in more detail infra. In
the preferred embodiment, slot 19 comprises a circular section and
a slot section, and the slot section is arranged co-linearly with
the center-point of the magnet. The slot section is arranged
off-center with respect to the hub. This is an important design
feature, as it causes the center of gravity of the holder when
unloaded (i.e., when not holding objects to display) to be located
below the slot, causing the holder to align itself on a wall. It
should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that
other means, such as glue, rivets, etc. may be used to secure top
and bottom disks to one another. It should also be readily apparent
that other means for mounting the holder to a surface are
possible.
[0034] FIG. 3a is a back view of top disk 13 of hub 12 of the
present invention (this view shows the face of the top disk which
is not normally visible when the hub is assembled). Top disk 13
comprises an integral annular ring 21, and, a plurality of radially
disposed stepped shoulders 22 wherein each shoulder comprises an
upper surface 23 and lower surface 24. Stepped shoulders 22 extend
radially outwardly from annular ring 21 and terminate along the
circumference of top disk 13. Channels 25 are formed between each
adjacent stepped shoulder 22 and have terminal recesses 27 wherein
each recess 27 is deeper than channel 25. Further, each terminal
recess 27 narrows, having an opening that is larger than the recess
bottom. Radially disposed step shoulders 22 cooperatively form
notched annular recessed flange 28 on lower surface 24. Flange 28
also comprises indicator notch 37 (shown in FIG. 4) as described in
more detail infra. At least one protruding threaded aperture 29
receives at least one screw to secure top disk 13 to bottom disk 14
to one another unless other means are used. In a preferred
embodiment, two protruding threaded apertures 29 receive two screws
20a and 20b (shown in FIG. 4).
[0035] FIG. 3b is a front view of bottom disk 14 of the hub 12 of
the present invention. Front of bottom disk 14 comprises an outer
wall 30, a plurality of radially inwardly extending fins 31
circumferentially about bottom disk 14, mounting slot 19, magnet
housing 32, and, at least one through-bore 33. The two fins
positioned by mounting slot 19 are shorter to allow a hook, stud,
or like object to fully engage mounting slot 19. When indicator
notch 37 on top disk 13 is aligned between two shorter fins on
bottom disk 14, the notched annular recessed flange 28 of top disk
13 (shown in FIG. 3a) matingly engages outer wall 30. Further, the
plurality of fins 31 on bottom disk 14 matingly engages channels 25
on top disk 13. Through-bores 33 permit the passage of two screws
20a and 20b therethrough.
[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of holder 10 as shown
in FIG. 1. Each finger 11 comprises a first end 34 and a second end
35 both having a straight segment and a bent segment. Each bent
segment of first end 34 and second end 35 matingly engages
narrowing terminal recess 27 of top disk 13, which narrowing acts
to guide into position bent segments of first end 34 and second end
35. Each straight segment of first end 34 and second end 35 rests
in channels 25 in top disk 13. It should be appreciated that FIG. 4
depicts fingers comprising discrete loops. However, it should be
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that continuous
loops are possible. Moreover, it should be readily apparent that
multiple layers of fingers of any shape or size are possible, and
these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope
of the invention as claimed. This view also shows screws 20a and
20b passing through through-bores 33 of bottom disk 14 and being
received by protruding threaded apertures 29 of top disk 13.
However, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in
the art that other means of securing fingers to inside of hub are
possible.
[0037] FIG. 5 also illustrates the overlapping fingers 11 secured
into channels 25 and terminal recesses 27. Fingers 11 are arranged
to form an overlapping, repeated arrangement wherein a first end 34
and a second end 35 of each finger 11 is received by a first and a
fourth channel 25 with a terminal recess 27, respectively. Further,
fingers 11 are arranged wherein a first adjacent finger is in
contact atop a second adjacent finger, a second adjacent finger is
in contact atop a third adjacent finger, etc. It should be readily
apparent to one skilled in the art that other arrangements are
possible, including but not limited to having every finger received
by a first and third or a first and fifth channel and terminal
recess, or by having each finger rest below an adjacent finger.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom disk 14,
illustrating magnet 18 mounted within magnet housing 32 of bottom
disk 14. It should be appreciated that FIG. 6 depicts magnet 18
mounted within magnet housing 32 with glue 36. However, it should
be apparent that other means of anchoring magnet into magnet
housing are possible.
[0039] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention are
efficiently obtained, although, modifications and changes to the
invention may be readily imagined by those having ordinary skill in
the art, and these changes and modifications are intended to be
within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *