U.S. patent application number 11/742428 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for grip hanger.
Invention is credited to Darla Surray Feetham, Robin Laurence Feetham.
Application Number | 20070252061 11/742428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38647459 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070252061 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Feetham; Robin Laurence ; et
al. |
November 1, 2007 |
GRIP HANGER
Abstract
A load carrying apparatus. The apparatus has a rod section with
a cross-section which extends along a rod section length. The rod
section has a series of bends which define the following: a load
carrying portion, cantilevered arm portion, an anchor portion. The
anchor portion attaches to a pole which is arranged along a
vertical axis perpendicular to a longitudinal and transverse axis.
The cantilevered arm portion extends from the vertical pole and the
anchor portion. The load carrying portion extends from the
cantilevered arm portion and maintains a payload at an offset
location from the longitudinal axis. The offset location of the
payload results in a torque about the cantilevered arm portion. The
cantilevered arm portion transfers to the anchor portion a first
moment and a second moment. The first and second moments couple
about the vertical pole to maintain the load carrying apparatus on
the vertical pole while supporting the payload.
Inventors: |
Feetham; Robin Laurence;
(Concrete, WA) ; Feetham; Darla Surray; (Concrete,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUGHES LAW FIRM, PLLC
PACIFIC MERIDIAN PLAZA, SUITE 302, 4164 MERIDIAN STREET
BELLINGHAM
WA
98226-5583
US
|
Family ID: |
38647459 |
Appl. No.: |
11/742428 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60796316 |
Apr 28, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/302 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0006 20130101;
G10G 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/302 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/16 20060101
A47H001/16 |
Claims
1. A load carrying apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a. a rod
section comprising a single uniform cross-section extending along a
rod section length, said rod section comprising a series of bends
defining a load carrying portion, a cantilevered arm portion, an
anchor portion; b. said anchor portion configured to attach to a
substantially vertical pole, said vertical pole arranged along a
vertical axis, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and a
transverse axis; c. said cantilevered arm portion arranged about a
cantilevered longitudinal axis, said cantilevered arm portion
extending from said anchor portion; d. said load carrying portion
extending from said cantilevered arm portion to maintain a pay-load
at an offset location from said longitudinal axis, resulting in a
torque about said cantilevered arm portion; e. said cantilevered
arm portion transferring to said anchor portion a first moment and
a second moment applied to said vertical pole, said first and
second moments coupling said anchor portion to said vertical
pole.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said anchor portion
further comprises: a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat,
said first and second bearing seats connected together by a
leverage arm, said leverage arm maintaining said first and second
bearing seats a coupling distance apart.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 above wherein said anchor
portion further comprises: said first bearing seat further
comprising a first frictional resistant component; said second
bearing seat further comprising a second frictional resistance
component.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cantilevered arm
portion further comprises: a longitudinally parallel configuration
to maintain a substantially parallel alignment with said
longitudinal axis when said load carrying apparatus is attached to
said vertical pole.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first moment
further comprises a major moment resulting from said cantilevered
arm supporting said load carrying portion maintaining said
pay-load.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said second moment
further comprises a minor moment resulting from said load carrying
portion asserting a torque about said cantilevered arm portion.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said minor moment is
resolved into an upper minor breaking force and a lower minor
breaking force against said vertically aligned pole when said load
carrying apparatus is attached to said pole.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said major moment is
resolved into an upper major breaking force and a lower major
breaking force against said vertically aligned pole when said load
carrying apparatus is attached to said pole.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said upper minor
breaking force is applied onto said vertical pole within a first
bearing location by said first bearing seat; said lower minor
braking force is applied onto said vertical pole within a second
bearing location by said second bearing seat.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said upper major
breaking force is applied onto said vertical pole within a first
bearing location by said first bearing seat; said lower major
braking force is applied onto said vertical pole within a second
bearing location by said second bearing seat.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said first
frictional resistance component in combination with said upper
minor breaking force and said upper major breaking force provide a
first frictional resistance force.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said second
frictional resistance component in combination with said lower
minor breaking force and said lower major breaking force provide a
second frictional resistance force.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said first
frictional resistance force and said second frictional resistance
force combine to resist a vertical component of said pay-load and
maintain said load carrying apparatus on said vertical pole.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said payload has a
weight capacity range between about 0 lbs and not more than about
50 lbs.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said anchor portion
further comprises: said rod section comprising a high coefficient
frictional coating.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said high
coefficient frictional coating further comprises latex rubber
tubing.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said high
coefficient frictional coating further comprises one or more of the
following: a silicon material; a butel rubber material; a natural
rubber material.
18. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod section
single uniform cross-section further comprises: a circular
cross-section.
19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod section
single uniform cross-section further comprises one or more of the
following: a rectilinear cross-section; an oval cross-section; a
semi-circular cross-section.
20. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod section
single uniform cross-section further comprises: a tubular
cross-section, said tubular cross-section further comprising an
inner radius and an outer radius.
21. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod section
single uniform cross-section further comprises: a solid core
material and an outer coating layer.
22. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a first carrying arrangement configured
to maintain a single payload item at said offset position.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a second carrying arrangement configured
to maintain a second payload in a second offset position.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a third carrying arrangement configured
to maintain a third payload in a third offset position.
25. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a substantially U-shaped bend to maintain
said payload in an offset position.
26. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a substantially V-shaped bend to maintain
said payload in an offset position.
27. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a substantially semicircular bend to
maintain said payload in an offset position.
28. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a substantially oval shape bend to
maintain said payload in an offset position.
29. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a substantially rectilinear shaped bend
to maintain said payload in an offset position.
30. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load carrying
portion further comprises a substantially S-shaped configuration to
maintain said payload in an offset position.
31. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said payload further
comprises: a musical instrument; a bottle beverage and musical
paraphernalia.
32. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said anchor portion
further comprises: an opposing U-shaped configuration.
33. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said anchor portion
further comprises: a spiral-like configuration with a locking
leg.
34. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cantilevered
arm portion extends from an upper bearing seat location of said
anchor portion.
35. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cantilever
portion extends from a lower bearing seat location of said anchor
portion.
36. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said cantilever
portion extends from intermediate location between said first
bearing seat and said second bearing seat of said anchor
portion.
37. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod section
further comprises: an aluminum cross-section material.
38. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod section
further comprises one or more of the following: a steel material; a
copper material; a polycarbonate material; a fiberglass material; a
polyvinylchloride material; a graphite material.
39. A method of forming a load carrying apparatus, said method
comprising: a. providing a rod section comprising a single uniform
cross-section extending along a rod section length; b. bending said
rod section into a load carrying portion, a cantilevered arm
portion, an anchor portion; c. bending said anchor portion to
attach to a substantially vertical pole, said vertical pole
arranged along a vertical axis, perpendicular to a longitudinal
axis and a transverse axis; d. bending said cantilevered arm
portion to be alinged along a cantilevered longitudinal axis; e.
bending said cantilevered arm portion to extend from said anchor
portion; f. bending said load carrying portion to extend from said
cantilevered arm portion to maintain a pay-load at an offset
location from said longitudinal axis, resulting in a torque about
said cantilevered arm portion; g. said cantilevered arm portion
transferring to said anchor portion a first moment and a second
moment applied to said vertical pole, said first and second moments
coupling said anchor portion to said vertical pole.
40. A load carrying apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a. means
for providing a rod section comprising a single uniform
cross-section extending along a rod section length; b. means for
bending said rod section into a load carrying portion, a
cantilevered arm portion, an anchor portion; c. means for bending
said anchor portion to attach to a substantially vertical pole,
said vertical pole arranged along a vertical axis, perpendicular to
a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis; d. means for bending
said cantilevered arm portion to be alinged along a cantilevered
longitudinal axis; e. means for bending said cantilevered arm
portion to extend from said anchor portion; f. means for bending
said load carrying portion to extend from said cantilevered arm
portion to maintain a pay-load at an offset location from said
longitudinal axis, resulting in a torque about said cantilevered
arm portion; g. said cantilevered arm portion transferring to said
anchor portion a first moment and a second moment applied to said
vertical pole, said first and second moments coupling said anchor
portion to said vertical pole.
41. A load carrying apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a. a rod
section comprising a single uniform cross-section extending along a
rod section length, said rod section comprising a series of bends
defining a load carrying portion, a cantilevered arm portion, an
anchor portion; b. said anchor portion configured to interoperably
attach to a substantially vertical pole, said vertical pole
arranged along a vertical axis, perpendicular to a longitudinal
axis and a transverse axis; c. said anchor portion further
comprising a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat, said
first and second bearing seats connected together by a leverage
arm, said leverage arm maintaining said first and second bearing
seats a coupling distance apart; d. said cantilevered arm portion
arranged about a cantilevered longitudinal axis, said cantilevered
arm portion extending from said first bearing seat, said
cantilevered arm portion configured to maintain a substantially
parallel alignment with said longitudinal axis when said load
carrying apparatus is attached to said vertical pole; e. said load
carrying portion extending from said cantilevered arm portion to
maintain said load at an offset location from said longitudinal
axis; f. said load carrying portion asserting a torque about said
cantilevered arm portion resulting in a minor moment resolved into
a upper minor breaking force and a lower minor breaking force
against said vertically aligned pole; g. said cantilevered arm
portion supporting said load carrying portion resulting in a major
moment on said vertical pole resolved into an upper major breaking
force and a lower major breaking force against said vertically
aligned pole; h. said upper minor breaking force and said upper
major breaking force applied onto said vertical pole at a first
bearing location by said first bearing seat; i. said lower minor
breaking force and said lower major breaking force applied onto
said vertical pole at a second bearing location by said second
bearing seat; j. said first bearing seat comprising a first
frictional resistance component; k. said second bearing seat
comprising a second frictional resistance component; l. said first
frictional resistance component in combination with said upper
minor breaking force and said upper major breaking force providing
a first frictional resistance force; m. said second frictional
resistance component in combination with said lower minor breaking
force and said lower major breaking force providing a second
frictional resistance force; n. said first frictional resistance
force and said second frictional resistance force combining to
resists said load and maintain said load carrying apparatus on said
vertical pole.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No.
60/796,316, filed Apr. 28, 2006 (a Saturday) which accordingly
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 (e) (3), extends the period of pendency
of the provisional application to the next succeeding secular or
business, that day being Apr. 30, 2007.
BACKGROUND
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,018 discloses a guitar hanger. In the
Summary of the Invention section in col. 1 around line 40, "the
present invention includes a base member operable to attach to a
substantially vertically oriented plane; and a hanger member
including two spaced apart substantially longitudinally disposed
rods, the rods having respective ends terminating at a coupling
portion and respective distal ends defining an opening region for
receiving a guitar neck, wherein the coupling portion is operable
to engage the aperture such that hanger member removably connects
to the base member, the rod extending outward from the plane and
the coupling portion engages the aperture."
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,440 discloses a guitar holder device. In
the Summary of the Invention section in col. 1 around line 13 the
main purpose is "to provide a guitar holder device which can be
hung on a rack. In addition, the present invention is to provide a
guitar holder which has a disk to be rotated to any predetermined
angle. To accomplish these purposes, the device has a U-shaped
hanger, an L-shaped rod on the U-shaped hangar, a holderjoint at
one end of the L-shaped rod, a disk inserted in the holderjoint
pivotably and a U-shape bar connected to the disk. The U-shaped
hanger can be adjusted angularly about the disk in the horizontal
plane."
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,490 discloses a holder for musical
instrument, or the like, such as a guitar where the instrument is
not in use by the owner. The holder has three points of
impingement, one on the front of the instrument, a second on the
rear of the instrument, and a third on a support means such as a
shelf, where the three points of impingement are interconnected. In
the Summary of the Invention section in col. 1 around line 38, "the
holder of the invention needs only a ledge, shelf or protrusion,
approximately 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch wide in order to give it the
purchase to hold a guitar." Furthermore at line 53 in the same
column, "the guitar neck is placed in between a V-shaped member,
impinging on the back of the neck with the guitar neck cradled in
the `V` and a lower member impinging on the front of neck. This
provides essentially a three-point retaining system".
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,809 discloses a musical instrument
support. Referring to col. 1 around line 50, "a musical instruments
support is movably connected to a support or an amplifier. The
support is adapted to support a guitar." A back clip is connected
to a front clip with springs connecting the front and back clip
together so that the support can be stretched over the top face of
the amplifier and maintained in a relatively static position while
it is supporting the musical instrument.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,505 discloses a musical instrument
hanger and cover therefore. The hangar portion is attached (as seen
in col. 2 around line 17) to an aperture board, where the hangar
has a horizontal rod connected at its outer extremity by a rivet to
a cross plate. A stiff U-shaped wire is welded to the upper surface
of the plate providing the hangar with a pair of longitudinal
extensions. The space between the legs is adapted to receive a
musical instrument such as a guitar neck. As seen in column one
around line 38, this invention is "directed to a protective device
for covering the musical instrument hangar which has a lateral base
and a pair of longitudinal extensions providing space for receiving
a musical instrument. The device includes at least one tubular body
connected to an elongated flexible retaining means. The tubular
body covers a longitudinal extension of the hangar and a retaining
means wraps around the lateral base portion to retain the tubular
body."
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,170,684 discloses a violin supporting
attachment for musical stands. Referring to col. 1 around line 44,
"the main feature of the invention is the swiveling of a fork
member where the member can be readily swung about its axis when a
violin is supported. A body part configured as a cylindrical block
has a transverse cylindrical passage to receive the tubular section
of the musical stand. A threaded screw is aligned along the central
axis of the tubular body at the aft end of the tubular body and
extends into the transverse cylindrical passageway to impinge upon
the music stand. A fork member made of a U-shaped wire frame
receives the neck of a violin to engage and strings or the
pin."
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the load carrying apparatus
holding a musical instrument;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the load carrying
apparatus;
[0010] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a first embodiment of the load
carrying apparatus;
[0011] FIG. 3B is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of
the load carrying apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 3C is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of
the load carrying apparatus;
[0013] FIG. 4A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the load
carrying apparatus;
[0014] FIG. 4B is a front elevational view of a second embodiment
of the load carrying apparatus;
[0015] FIG. 4C is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of
the load carrying apparatus;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
load carrying apparatus with a two payload configuration;
[0017] FIG. 5A is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
load carrying apparatus with a three payload configuration;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
load carrying apparatus with an alternative two payload
configuration;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
load carrying apparatus with a V-shaped configuration;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
load carrying apparatus with an S-shaped configuration;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
load carrying apparatus with a two payload configuration;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the load carrying apparatus with a two cantilevered
arm configuration;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the load carrying apparatus with a lower cantilever
arm configuration;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the load carrying apparatus with an intermediate
cantilevered arm configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present device acts as a load carrying or holding device
which can easily attach to any suitable stable vertical metal rod,
for example, musician stage poles or playing venue poles which
support musical sheets etc.
[0026] Generally speaking, the device uses a coupling action about
the rod and applies a braking force in combination with frictional
vertical resistance along the vertically aligned pole using, in one
embodiment, a high-coefficient friction coating which may be latex
rubber tubing and which is installed over the metal rod portion.
The metal rod section is a single continuous piece of solid or
hollow tubing. An offset load is maintained relative to the
vertical central axis of the support pole, offset from the
longitudinal/vertical plane (as discussed below) and running
parallel to the cantilevered arm portion. The offset load is
maintained by, in one embodiment, a U-hanger, which is arranged
through bending of the single continuous piece of rod section. The
offset load creates major coupling forces and minor coupling forces
due to the offset location of the vertical load. Loads as high as
30 lbs. are supported in various embodiments. The material used for
the rod section may consist of aluminum cross-section, steel
cross-section, copper cross-section, or any other suitable
metallic, polycarbonate, fiberglass, plastic or PVC, graphite, or
any other material suitable to maintain the load its present
position. Furthermore, the present embodiment utilizes an outer
layer of high frictional coefficient resisting material, such as
the latex rubber tubing, but in some embodiments, the latex rubber
tubing is not required in order to maintain the load carrying
device in any vertical position on the vertical pole.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the load-carrying
device 10 is shown holding a musical instrument 12, which in this
particular embodiment is a guitar. The load-carrying device has
three major portions. The first portion is a cantilevered portion
18 which acts as a cantilevered arm to hold the musical instrument
12 longitudinally away from the vertically aligned pole 22, to
which the load carrying device 10 is inter-operably attached. The
second portion is an anchor portion 20. The third portion is a
transversely aligned load carrying portion 16.
[0028] The anchor portion 20 maintains the musical instrument 12 in
position with the vertical pole 22 by resisting both a major moment
and a minor moment. The major moment is resultant of the load
carried in a longitudinally offset position which is located along
the cantilevered portion 18, and the minor moment a result of the
load carried in a transversely offset location from the
longitudinal axis which results in a torsional moment about the
cantilevered portion. The anchor portion 20, as will be discussed
below, has a support origin seat 68 which is also considered a
first seat 30 or the upper bearing seat 30 and a leverage seat 32,
also referred to as a second seat or lower bearing seat 32, as
shown in FIG. 3C. As discussed below, the seats act as opposing
breaking force applicators for both of the major breaking forces,
and the minor (torsional) breaking forces as discussed in more
detail below. As shown in FIG. 2, the origin seat 30 is vertically
positioned above the leverage seat 32, the seats being connected by
a leverage arm 66.
[0029] The third main portion of this particular embodiment is the
load carrying portion 16 as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the
load carrying portion is configured as an open-ended u-shaped slot
and is arranged to support the neck portion of the musical
instrument 12. Other embodiments of the load carrying portion are
discussed below.
[0030] The entire load carrying device 10 is constructed of a
single continuous rod-section member 14. In the present embodiment,
as discussed above, the rod section member 14 is made of a single
continuous piece of aluminum. The aluminum rod section is solid,
although in some embodiments utilizing a different material; for
example, a steel tubing-type configuration would likely support the
desired load carrying characteristics.
[0031] All of the major portions of the load carrying device 10 are
defined by the single continuous rod section piece 14. A series of
reverse bends provide for the definition of the major portions of
the load carrying device 10. Discussion of these bends will now be
provided.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, there will now be a discussion of
the load carrying device 10 with an opposing U-shape clip anchor
arrangement in the embodiment shown, and how the three major
portions of the rod section are defined by a series of bends to
arrange the rod section a load-bearing configuration.
[0033] Referring first to FIG. 3A, the rod section is defined by a
first terminal end 80 and the second terminal end 82. Because the
rod section is a continuous member, it only has two ends. In this
particular environment, the load carrying portion 16 is defined by
a series of bends to create an open-ended u-shaped configuration to
hold the previously-mentioned musical instrument 12.
[0034] In order to adequately define the U-shaped configuration,
discussion will be made referring to an axial system. The
vertically aligned pole 22 has a vertical central axis 24, and a
longitudinal axis 40 extends perpendicularly away from the central
axis and defines a vertical. Parallel with the longitudinal axis 40
is a cantilevered longitudinal axis 42 which is substantially
centered along the cantilevered arm portion 18. Perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis 40 is a transverse axis 41 which originates
from the same central vertical axis 24 as the longitudinal axis
40.
[0035] In the present embodiment (FIGS. 3A-3C) of the load carrying
device 10, the rod section defines a cantilevered tail end 28 of
the load carrying portion 16. This cantilevered tail end runs from
the first terminal end 80 and transitions into a first 180-degree
reverse U-bend 84. This U-bend 84 is vertically aligned. The rod
section then defines the first of two substantially horizontal and
longitudinally parallel U-shaped legs, an outermost longitudinal
leg 86, and an innermost longitudinal leg 87. Connecting these legs
is a bottom U-shaped leg 90 through which the rod section is
connected together by a first 90-degree bend and a second 90-degree
bend 89. In the alternative, the entire U-shaped load carrying
apparatus is formed from a single 90 degree U-bend. Afterwards, the
rod section transitions to the cantilevered arm portion 18 through
a second 180-degree reverse U-bend 92 (also vertically
positioned).
[0036] The cantilevered arm portion 18 then transitions into the
first of two anchor seats. The first anchor or origin seat 30 is
defined by a third 180-degree U-bend 31 (arranged substantially
horizontally). Immediately after the third 180 degree U-bend 31,
the rod section transitions to the lever arm portion 66 through a
third 90-degree bend 94 (arranged substantially vertical). The
lever arm in this particular embodiment maintains a substantially
S-shaped configuration 96 while still providing a vertically planar
orientation parallel with the longitudinal axis 40. The right
section then transitions to a fourth 90-degree bend 98, and then
immediately transitions into the substantially horizontally
(longitudinal and transverse plane) aligned fourth 180-degree
reverse u-bend 100 which forms the second anchor seat or leverage
seat 32. The rod section terminates at the second terminal end
82.
[0037] A brief discussion will now be provided of a second
embodiment (as seen in FIGS. 4A-4C) where the load-carrying device
10 is configured as a load-carrying device with spiral anchor
portion 150. In the present alternative embodiment, the
load-carrying portion 16 and the cantilevered arm portion 18 are
both configured as previously mentioned in FIGS. 3A-3C. The anchor
portion 20 is configured differently as a downwardly spiraling leg
oriented to wrap around the vertically aligned pole 22.
[0038] After the rod section 14 completes the cantilevered arm
portion 18, the rod section transitions into the origin seat 30,
which in this case this a third 180 degree reverse U-band 156 which
is orientated in a vertically downward angular direction. This
angular direction ranges from 30-60 degrees from the horizontal,
but in the present embodiment is about 45 degrees. After completing
the 180 degree bend, the rod section then transitions into a fourth
180 degree U-bend 160 which completes a second downward angular
direction spiraling around the vertical pole 22. The leverage seat
32 in this case is the fourth 180 degree U-bend 160.
[0039] Discussion will now be provided with regard to the carrying
capacity of the load-carrying device 10 as seen in FIGS. 3A-3C. The
discussion will be focused on the load positioned in an offset
location, and the results of this offset load position on the
load-carrying device 10 with discussion about the resultant major
coupling moment 70 a.k.a. the first moment, and the minor coupling
moment 72 a.k.a. the second moment.
[0040] The offset load center of gravity 44 is located somewhere
around the midpoint between the transversely positioned
longitudinally aligned U-shaped legs 86 and 87. Because the
load-carrying portion 16 acts as a transversely aligned cantilever
extending perpendicular to the cantilevered arm portion 18
(arranged longitudinally parallel with the longitudinal axis 40),
the load 44 exerts a torque about the central longitudinal axis 42
of the cantilever. In this particular embodiment, this torque acts
in a counterclockwise direction. As seen in FIG. 3B, taking sum of
the moments about the origin coupling point 56, produces an upper
minor braking force 50 which is exerted in the transverse direction
perpendicular to the vertically aligned central axis 24 against the
outer surface of the vertically aligned pole, the pole surface in
contact with the cantilevered arm portion 18 and origin seat 30.
This outer surface will be referred to as the minor upper bearing
surface 51.
[0041] An equal but opposite lower minor braking force 52 is
exerted in the opposite transverse direction against the opposite
side of the vertical pole by the leverage seat 32 exerting the
minor lower braking force 52 against a minor lower braking force
bearing surface 53 of the outer surface of the vertical pole.
[0042] The leverage arm 66 transmits the shear forces generated by
the torsional force about the cantilevered central longitudinal
axis 42 and applies the shear forces to the leverage seat 32 thus
substantially balancing the minor lower braking force 52 against
the minor lower bearing surface 53.
[0043] Acting concurrently with the minor coupling moment 72 is a
major coupling moment 70 which is generated by the offset load 44
combined with the cantilevered longitudinal load arm 60 which
extends from the center of gravity of the offset load to the
vertical central axis 24. The sum of the moments is taken about the
coupling origin point 56 which results in a major upper braking
force 62 and a major lower braking force 64. These two braking
forces combined together with the coupling distance 54 to equal the
offset load 44 in combination with the cantilevered longitudinal
load arm 60. To provide continuity and connection between the
leverage seat 32 and origin seat 30, the leverage arm 66 transmits
the shear forces generated by the major coupling moment 70 to the
origin seat 30 and the leverage seat 32.
[0044] The major coupling moment 70 exerts the major and minor
breaking forces 62 and 64, against the vertical pole in equal and
opposite directions. The support origin seat 30 exerts the major
upper breaking force 62 against an outer surface of the vertically
aligned pole, or in other words the major breaking force upper
bearing surface 61. In the opposite longitudinal direction, the
major lower breaking force 64 exerted by the leverage seat 32 is
distributed over the major breaking force lower surface or in other
words the major breaking force lower bearing surface 63.
[0045] The upper bearing surface 61 a is a resultant combination of
the major upper bearing surface 61 and the minor upper bearing
surface 51. Similarly, the lower bearing surface 63a is a
combination of the major lower bearing surface 63 and the minor
lower bearing surface 53. Because the rod section 14 has as
previously discussed above an outer surface layer which has a high
coefficient of frictional resistance, this material friction
coefficient combined with the major and minor breaking forces at
the upper and the lower location and distributed over the major and
minor upper and lower bearing surfaces resists the transposed
vertical load 44 as it acts along the vertical pole pulling the
load carrying device downwards due to the gravitational pull.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, discussion of the alternative load
carrying device with a spiral anchor portion 150 will now be
provided. Particular discussion of the load carrying device and the
spiral anchor portion or anchor leg 158 will be discussed with
description of the minor coupling moment 72 as resulting from the
offset position of the load 44, as well as the major coupling
moment 70 as a result of the load combined with the cantilevered
longitudinal load arm distance 60.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 4B, the upper bearing seat 170 which
correlates to the third 180 degree reverse U-bend 156, is connected
to the cantilevered portion 18 and starts the downward spiral of
the spiral anchor leg 158. The entire spiral anchor leg 158
completes a nearly 360 degree turn while spiraling downward at a
downward angle 172, having a range which varies between 30.degree.
and 60.degree. from the horizontal plane (the horizontal plane
defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis). In this
particular embodiment, the downward angle 172 is approximately
45.degree.. The leverage arm 174 is that portion of the spiral
anchor leg 158 which does not receive or apply either the upper
minor braking force 50 or the lower minor braking force 52 as well
as the major upper braking force 62 nor the major lower braking
force 64 against the vertically aligned pole 22.
[0048] The minor coupling distance 152 is the distance between the
upper minor braking force 50 and the lower minor braking force 52
which are centered about the minor coupling moment 72. Here the
minor coupling distance 152 is a smaller distance than the
previously mentioned coupling distance 54 as seen in FIGS. 3B and
3C. This is because the spiral anchor leg 158 completes the 180
degree turn from the upper minor bearing surface 176 to the lower
minor bearing surface 178 within a smaller vertical distance, thus
creating a tighter couple. The last 180 degree turn of the spiral
anchor leg 158 acts as the previously mentioned fourth 180 degree
U-bend 160 but in this instance creates a locking tail. Without the
locking tail, the load carrying device 150 may become dislodged
from the vertically aligned pole 22 if accidentally hit with an
upwards force against the load carrying portion 16 or the
cantilever portion 18. Therefore a locking couple 179 separated by
a locking couple distance is resisted between the tail bearing
surface 180 and the lower bearing surface 178.
[0049] Along the same lines, the major coupling moment 70 is
applied by the payload 44 exerted downwards on the cantilevered
portion 18 and is equal to the payload times the cantilevered
longitudinal load arm 60. The major coupling moment 70 is resolved
into the previously mentioned upper major braking force 62 and the
lower major braking force 64. The major coupling distance 154 is
somewhat of a smaller distance than the coupling distance 54 as
seen previously in FIGS. 3B-3C because of the spiral configuration
of anchor leg 158. Here the major upper braking force 62 is applied
to a major upper bearing surface 185 which distributes the major
upper braking force uniformly along the outer surface of the
vertically aligned pole where the upper bearing seat 170
begins.
[0050] Additionally, the lower bearing seat 174 distributes the
major lower braking force 64 against the major lower bearing
surface 183. This force is distributed fairly uniformly along the
outer surface of the vertically aligned pole where the anchor
spiral leg comes in contact with the vertical aligned pole at the
bearing seat locations as previously discussed. The tail bearing
surface 180 continues to wrap itself around the vertically aligned
pole and provides a bearing surface to maintain a locking couple
181 which resists minor upward forces placed against the
cantilevered portion 18 or the load carrying portion 16.
[0051] In addition to the previously mentioned embodiments, other
types of load carrying portion arrangements for the load carrying
portion 16 can be configured. For example, multiple payload
carrying arrangements for the load carrying portion 16 can be bent
into shape utilizing the rod section 14.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, a two payload load carrying
configuration 190 for the load carrying portion 16 is shown. Here
the previously mentioned U-shaped configuration 192 is provided
along with a cup carrying arrangement 194. An optional tail hanger
196 is also provided. Depending on the items hung from the payload
carrying portion 190, the resultant offset load center of gravity
44 may vary in location along the transverse axial plane
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40. If the transversely
aligned cantilevered distance 198 exceeds the previously mentioned
cantilevered longitudinal load arm 60 distance, the moment about
the longitudinal axis (the minor moment) may be greater than the
moment the transverse axis (the major moment) or in other words the
value of the minor moment may be greater than the value of the
major moment. Because of the arrangement of the bearing seats this
change should not affect the performance of the device.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative two payload portion
design 200 is provided with a U-shaped seat configuration 192 and a
deep-seated longitudinal U-shaped configuration 210. The
deep-seated U-shaped configuration 202 is arranged to support
beverage containers such as beer bottles and the like for the
musician during playing of a musical set on the stage. More than
one bottle may be inserted into the carrying portion 204 of the
longitudinal elongated U-shaped configuration 202.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 5A, a three payload design 220 is
provided. The U-shaped configuration 192 transitions into a deep
slotted longitudinally aligned U-shaped configuration 210. This
slotted configuration 210 then transitions into a cup carrying
arrangement 194. The cup carrying arrangement 194 is a semicircular
arrangement which has an end tail to provide for support of
miscellaneous objects.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 7, a V-shaped load carrying portion 230 is
provided. The general design provides for supportive musical
instruments having varying neck widths and the like. The first leg
232 and the second leg 234 extend from a common origin point 236
which is the bottom of the V-shaped configuration. The legs radiate
outwards from the origin point to form a V-shape enabling support
of various musical instruments or other payload items through use
of the varying transverse distance 238 between the two legs.
[0056] In an alternative embodiment, the upper portions or the
outermost longitudinal portions of the legs are kept vertically
higher than the origin 236 so that the load carrying device
maintains its position within the hangar portion 16.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 8, a two payload alternative embodiment of
the load carrying portion in an S-shaped configuration 240 is
shown. Here the load carrying portion 16 extends from the
cantilevered arm 18 and creates a bottom S-shaped leg 242 and a top
S-shaped leg 240. This particular configuration can provide support
for example cups and the like within the load carrying area of the
S-shaped bottom leg 242 and carrying of musical instruments and the
like in the load carrying area of the top leg of the S-shape
244.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 9, an alternative two payload U-shape with
oval hangar option 215 is shown. Here the U-shaped load carrying
portion 192 transitions into a semi-oval hangar portion 252. A
portion of the oval is removed at 254 for insertion of various
payload items to be carried by the load carrying portion 16.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 10, a double cantilevered arm
configuration 260 is shown. Here an upper cantilevered arm 262
extends from the upper seat 30 as previously discussed first
embodiment as seen in FIGS. 3A-4C. Additionally, a lower
cantilevered arm 264 extends from the second or bottom seat 32.
Both the upper cantilevered arm 262 and the lower cantilever 264
maintain load carrying portions to support various pay loads. In
this particular embodiment, the load carrying portions are equal
but opposite, as provided, the upper U-shaped load carrying portion
266 is configured as previously mentioned in FIGS. 3A-4C, the lower
U-shaped carrying portion 268 extends vertically downward from the
lower cantilevered arm 264 and then transitions into the
transversely aligned U-shaped hangar with the same general
configuration as the embodiments in FIGS. 3A-4C with the difference
being that the lower U-shaped hangar carrying portion 268 is
maintained below the lower cantilevered arm 264.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 11, a bottom cantilevered arm
configuration 270 is shown. Here the cantilevered arm extends from
the bottom seat 32 within the same plane as the bottom seat and the
lower cantilevered arm 272 then transitions into a load carrying
portion which is defined as a U-shaped load carrying portion 274.
The payload center of gravity 44 creates the moment about the pivot
point 68 which then creates the couple between the upper seat 30
and the lower seat 32 as previously discussed in FIGS. 3A-4C.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 12, an intermediate cantilevered arm
configuration 280 is provided where the cantilever arm is
positioned vertically at an intermediate location 286 and which
extends longitudinally from the vertically aligned pole 22 then
transitioning into the load carrying portion 284. The
intermediately located cantilevered arm 282 can be positioned
anywhere within the coupling distance 54 between the first or upper
seat 30 and the second or lower seat 32.
[0062] A brief discussion of a method of manufacture of the load
carrying device 10 will now be provided. A 36-inch length of
3/8-inch aluminum rod in one embodiment is provided and placed in a
position of a rod bender with a 2-inch radius die and the initial
load carrying portion 16 as seen in FIG. 1, or U-bent, is made. A
1-inch radius die is then placed into the bender portion of the rod
bender and a 1-inch bend which is the measured and established and
a 65/100 of an inch radius bend creating the third 180 degree
reverse U-bend 31 is made. Once the upper bearing seat 30 or first
bearing seat is provided, the rod section 14 is placed in a secured
vice and bent at a 90 degree angle and taken somewhat further
beyond the 90 degree angle for determination of the length of the
leverage arm 66. Once the leverage arm length is determined, the
rod section is bent back to the horizontal. A final rod bend about
a 65/100 of an inch radius pin completes the second bearing seat or
lower bearing seat 32 or leverage seat 32 into parallel alignment
with the upper bearing seat. The first bearing seat and the second
bearing seats are now opposing U-shaped seats connected by the
leverage arms to engage the vertically aligned rod and leverage the
load support device to maintain the payload in the off set
position.
[0063] While the present invention is illustrated by description of
several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are
described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to
restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to
such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the
scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed
in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not
limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and
methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.
Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without
departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general
concept.
* * * * *