U.S. patent application number 12/021168 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-22 for portable article support apparatus.
Invention is credited to Joseph M. Simonsen.
Application Number | 20080116343 12/021168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36740917 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080116343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simonsen; Joseph M. |
May 22, 2008 |
PORTABLE ARTICLE SUPPORT APPARATUS
Abstract
An apparatus with first and second leaf spring portions
extending from a bridge portion, the second leaf spring portion
provides an article support mounting aperture for attachment of an
article support to the second leaf spring portion by structure for
attaching said article support, and additional structure for
securing the article support to the second leaf spring portion is
disclosed. In a first embodiment, the article support is a towel
ring, the structure for attaching the towel ring to the second leaf
spring portion includes a shaft extending from a distal end of a
post, and a retention groove formed at a distal end of the shaft.
The additional structure for securing the shaft to the second leaf
spring portion includes: a compression spring enclosing the shaft
and interposed between the second leaf spring portion and the post;
and a fastener affixed to the retention groove.
Inventors: |
Simonsen; Joseph M.;
(Malott, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fellers, Snider, Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens
Suite 1700
100 North Broadway
Oklahoma City
OK
73102-8820
US
|
Family ID: |
36740917 |
Appl. No.: |
12/021168 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11043466 |
Jan 25, 2005 |
7322551 |
|
|
12021168 |
Jan 28, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/315 ;
248/309.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/315 ;
248/309.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08 |
Claims
1. An article support apparatus comprising: a bridge portion; a
first leaf spring portion extending from a first end of the bridge
portion; a second leaf spring portion extending from a second end
of the bridge portion, wherein the second leaf spring portion
provides an article support mounting aperture; an article support
attached to the second leaf spring portion by means for attaching
the article support to the second leaf spring portion; and means
for securing to the second leaf spring portion said attaching
means, in which the article support is a finger pull, the first and
second leaf spring portions are non-contactingly adjacent one
another, and in which the bridge portion and the first and second
leaf spring portions each comprise an internal and an external
surface, and further in which the means for attaching the finger
pull to the second leaf spring portion comprises: a raised support
region providing the article support mounting aperture, the raised
support region comprising an exterior surface and an interior
surface; a knob portion of the finger pull; a shaft portion of the
finger pull with a proximal end rigidly affixed to a distal end of
the knob portion, wherein a distal end of the shaft portion is in
pressing communication with the exterior surface of the raised
support region; and a retention aperture formed within the body of
the shaft, the retention aperture accessible from a distal end of
the shaft portion and aligned with the article support mounting
aperture.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the retention aperture
comprises a threaded retention aperture, and in which the means for
securing to the second leaf spring portion the means for attaching
the finger pull to the second leaf spring portion comprises a
threaded fastener passed through the article support mounting
aperture and into locking interaction with the threaded retention
aperture.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retention dowel
with a proximal end in pressing engagement with the retention
aperture, and in which the means for securing to the second leaf
spring portion the means for attaching the finger pull to the
second leaf spring portion comprises a staked head on a distal end
of the retention dowel in pressing contact with the interior
surface of the raised support region.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the means for securing to the
second leaf spring portion the means for attaching the finger pull
to the second leaf spring portion comprises a rivet with a barrel
portion passed through the article support mounting aperture and
into sliding interaction with the retention aperture, and a head
portion contacting the interior surface of the raised support
region, wherein upon activating the rivet, the barrel portion
expands into locking engagement with the retention aperture and the
head portion draws into pressing engagement with the interior
surface of the raised support region.
5. An article support apparatus comprising: a bridge portion; a
first leaf spring portion extending from a first end of the bridge
portion; a second leaf spring portion extending from a second end
of the bridge portion, wherein the second leaf spring portion
provides an article support mounting aperture; an article support
attached to the second leaf spring portion by means for attaching
the article support to the second leaf spring portion; and means
for securing to the second leaf spring portion said attaching
means, in which the article support is a garment hook, the first
and second leaf spring portions are non-contactingly adjacent one
another, and in which the bridge portion and the first and second
leaf spring portions each comprise an internal and an external
surface, and further in which the means for attaching the garment
hook to the second leaf spring portion comprises: a raised support
region providing the article support mounting aperture, the raised
support region comprising an exterior surface and an interior
surface; a hook portion of the garment hook; a shaft portion of the
garment hook with a proximal end rigidly affixed to a distal end of
the hook portion, wherein a distal end of the shaft portion is in
pressing communication with the exterior surface of the raised
support region; and a retention aperture formed within the body of
the shaft portion, the retention aperture accessible from a distal
end of the shaft and aligned with the article support mounting
aperture.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the retention aperture
comprises a threaded retention aperture, and in which the means for
securing to the second leaf spring portion the means for attaching
the garment hook to the second leaf spring portion comprises a
threaded fastener passed through the article support mounting
aperture and into locking interaction with the threaded retention
aperture.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a retention dowel
with a proximal end in pressing engagement with the retention
aperture, and in which the means for securing to the second leaf
spring portion the means for attaching the garment hook to the
second leaf spring portion comprises a staked head on a distal end
of the retention dowel in pressing contact with the interior
surface of the raised support region.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, in which the means for securing to the
second leaf spring portion the means for attaching the garment hook
to the second leaf spring portion comprises a rivet with a barrel
portion passed through the article support mounting aperture and
into sliding interaction with the retention aperture, and a head
portion contacting the interior surface of the raised support
region, wherein upon activating the rivet, the barrel portion
expands into locking engagement with the retention aperture and the
head portion draws into pressing engagement with the interior
surface of the raised support region.
9. An article support apparatus comprising: a bridge portion; a
first leaf spring portion extending from a first end of the bridge
portion; a second leaf spring portion extending from a second end
of the bridge portion, wherein the second leaf spring portion
provides an article support mounting aperture; an article support
attached to the second leaf spring portion by means for attaching
the article support to the second leaf spring portion; and means
for securing to the second leaf spring portion said attaching
means, in which the article support is a key ring with an internal
diameter and an exterior diameter, the first leaf spring portion
extends in a first direction from the bridge portion, the second
leaf spring portion extends in a second direction from the bridge
portion, and wherein the first and second leaf spring portions are
non adjacent one another, and further in which the means for
attaching the key ring to the second leaf spring portion comprises:
a raised support region providing the article support mounting
aperture, the raised support region comprising an exterior surface
and an interior surface; and means for engaging the interior
diameter of the key ring in sliding contact with the interior
surface of the raised support region.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, in which the means for engaging the
interior diameter of the key ring in sliding contact with the
interior surface of the raised support region comprises a hinge
portion of the key ring, and in which the means for securing to the
second leaf spring portion the means for attaching the key ring to
the second leaf spring portion comprises means for maintaining the
interior diameter of the key ring in sliding contact with the
interior surface of the raised support region.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, in which the means for maintaining
the interior diameter of the key ring in sliding contact with the
interior surface of the raised support region comprises a locking
clasp, and in which the second leaf spring portion joins the bridge
portion at a proximal end of the second leaf spring portion, and
supports an article retention member extending from a distal end of
the second leaf spring portion, the article retention member
extending in a direction substantially parallel to the bridge
portion.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, in which the first leaf spring
portion joins the bridge portion at a proximal end of the first
leaf spring portion, and supports a retention hook member extending
from a distal end of the first leaf spring portion, the retention
hook member extending in a direction substantially parallel to the
bridge portion.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/043,466 filed Jan. 25, 2005, entitled Portable Article
Support Apparatus.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to apparatuses used to
support household goods. More particularly, but not by way of
limitation, to a portable article support apparatus, an example of
which includes a portable article support apparatus for supporting
a hand towel.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Article support apparatuses for household goods such as
towels rings, towel bars, garment hooks, and toilet paper holders
are typically fixed-in-place within a home, business, or
recreational vehicle. To make household goods more accessible,
people are known to drape towels over oven door handles,
refrigerator handles, door handles on cabinetry doors below sinks,
and drawer handles; or to place toilet paper on a shelf just inside
a cabinet door, or on countertop adjacent the toilet, for example,
because the fixed position toilet paper roll support apparatus is
beyond a child's reach.
[0004] Generally speaking, it would be desirable for individuals to
determine at will a preferred location for article support
apparatuses for household goods, and the ability to alter at will
their preferred location of those article support apparatuses in
response to changing desires and needs for placement for household
goods by the individual. For example, during times of illness it
may be desirable to place a towel or a roll of toilet paper
conveniently positioned and easily accessible adjacent the
patient's bed, while leaving the top of the night stand for
medicines, fluids, and facial tissue. As such, challenges remain
and a need persists for improvements in devices and methods for
conveniently and adaptively positioning and repositioning article
support apparatuses for household goods in response to an
individual's changing desires and needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention preferably provides an apparatus with
first and second leaf spring portions extending from a bridge
portion, the second leaf spring portion preferably providing an
article support mounting aperture for attachment of an article
support by means for attaching said article support, and means for
securing the article support to the second leaf spring portion. In
a preferred embodiment, the article support is a towel ring, the
means for attaching the towel ring to the second leaf spring
portion includes a shaft extending from a distal end of a post, and
a retention groove formed at a distal end of the shaft. The means
for securing the shaft to the second leaf spring portion preferably
includes a compression spring enclosing the shaft and interposed
between a raised support region of the second leaf spring portion
and a distal end of the post, and a fastener affixed to the
retention groove.
[0006] The preferred embodiment further includes an article support
confinement aperture provided at a proximal end of the post; and an
article support motion bushing interposed between the article
support confinement aperture and the towel ring. The article
support motion bushing preferably provides a reduced friction
surface for the towel ring to move relative to the post, the first
and second leaf spring portions are preferably non-contactingly
adjacent one another. The means for securing to the second leaf
spring portion the means for attaching the towel ring to the second
leaf spring portion preferentially includes, at least a raised
support region adjacent the article support mounting aperture and a
fastener affixed to the retention groove.
[0007] The preferred embodiment still further includes an
escutcheon providing a compression spring retention aperture, the
escutcheon is positioned adjacent the raised support region,
interposed between the second leaf spring portion and the means for
attaching the towel ring to the second leaf spring portion, and
confines the compression spring within the compression spring
retention aperture. The bridge, the first and second leaf spring
portions each include at least an internal surface and an external
surface, and in which the apparatus further comprises an interface
surface material including at least an internal surface and an
external surface. Preferably, the external surface of the interface
surface material is secured to the internal surface of each: the
bridge, the first and second leaf spring portions, and the internal
surface of the interface surface material preferably mitigates
abrasion of a surface interacting with the internal surface of the
interface surface material, such as a door front of cabinetry.
[0008] These and various other features and advantages, which
characterize the present invention, will be apparent from a reading
of the following detailed description and a review of the
associated drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 provides an exploded perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the present inventive portable article support
apparatuses.
[0010] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the inventive portable article support apparatuses of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of an alternate
preferred embodiment of the present inventive portable article
support apparatuses.
[0012] FIG. 4 provides a side elevational view of a bridge portion
with first and second spring leaf portions extending therefrom of
the alternate preferred embodiment of the present inventive
portable article support apparatuses of FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 provides an exploded perspective view of another
alternate preferred embodiment of the present inventive portable
article support apparatuses.
[0014] FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the another alternate
preferred embodiment of the inventive portable article support
apparatuses of FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 provides an exploded perspective view of a further
alternate preferred embodiment of the present inventive portable
article support apparatuses.
[0016] FIG. 8 provides a partial cutaway elevational view of a pair
of confinement bushings of an expandable towel bar of the further
alternate preferred embodiment of the inventive portable article
support apparatuses of FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 provides a partial cutaway side elevational view of
an alternative preferred embodiment of the present inventive
portable article support apparatuses.
[0018] FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of the alternative
preferred embodiment of the inventive portable article support
apparatuses of FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. 11 provides a partial cutaway side elevational view of
an alternate alternative preferred embodiment of the present
portable inventive article support apparatuses.
[0020] FIG. 12 provides a perspective view of the alternate
alternative preferred embodiment of the inventive portable article
support apparatuses of FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of an alternative
alternate preferred embodiment of the present inventive portable
article support apparatuses.
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart of a method of making the
inventive portable article support apparatuses of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is
important to understand that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of the construction illustrated and the
steps described herein. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of
ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation.
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a
preferred embodiment of an inventive portable article support
apparatus (apparatus) 100 of FIG. 1 includes a utility clip 102,
which provides: a bridge portion 104; a first leaf spring portion
106 extending from a first end of the bridge portion 104; and a
second leaf spring portion 108 extending from a second end of the
bridge portion 104. The apparatus 100 further includes an article
support (to be discussed in greater detail below) attached to the
second leaf spring portion 108 by means for attaching the article
support to the second leaf spring portion 108, and means for
securing to the second leaf spring portion said attaching
means.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the means for attaching the
article support to the second leaf spring portion 108 includes a
post 110, a shaft 112 with a proximal end rigidly affixed to a
distal end of the post 110, a retention groove 114 formed at a
distal end of the shaft 112, an article support confinement
aperture 116 provided at a proximal end of the post 110, and an
article support motion bushing 118. The article support motion
bushing 118 is interposed between the article support confinement
aperture 116 and the article support, to provide a reduced friction
surface for the article support to move relative to the post
110.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second leaf spring
portions (106 and 108) are each: non-contactingly adjacent one
another; joined to the bridge portion 104 at a proximal end; and
encounter a decreasing distance between one another while
progressing from their respective proximal ends to their respective
distal ends. The article support of a preferred embodiment is a
towel ring 120, and the means for securing to the second spring
leaf portion 108 the means for attaching the towel ring 120 to the
second leaf portion 108 includes at least: a raised support region
122 of the second leaf spring portion 108, which encloses an
article support mounting aperture 124; a fastener 126 adjacent the
raised support region 122; a compression spring 128 interposed
between the raised support region 122 and a distal end of the post
110; and an escutcheon 130 providing a compression spring retention
aperture 132 interposed between the second leaf spring portion 108
and the distal end of the post 110, and confining the compression
spring 128.
[0027] The article support mounting aperture 124 is configured for
sliding communication with the shaft 112, and upon pushing the
shaft 112 through the article support mounting aperture 124, and
exposing the retention groove 114 on the backside of the article
support mounting aperture 124, the fastener 126 is pressed into
locking engagement with the retention groove 114. The fastener 126
constrains both transverse and lateral movement of the shaft 112
with any article support mounting aperture 124, while accommodating
rotational motion of the post 110 relative to the second leaf
spring portion 108. In pushing the shaft 112 through the article
support mounting aperture 124, the compression spring 128 undergoes
compression, which results in a spring load being applied to each
the post 110 and the raised support region 122. The spring load
acts to modulate the rotational motion of the post 110 relative to
the second leaf spring portion 108.
[0028] In an alternate embodiment, the fastener 126 is replaced
with a fastener 127 (see FIG. 11), wherein fastener 127 is
configured to impart a spring load against each the back side of
the raised support region 122 and the shaft 112, once the fastener
127 lockingly engages the retention groove 114. The spring load
delivered by the fastener 127 is developed as a result of
increasing a length of tang members 129 (see FIG. 11) of the
fastener 127 compared to a length of tang members 125 (see FIG. 11)
of the fastener 126.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the bridge portion 104, the first
leaf spring portion 106, and the second leaf spring portion 108
collectively form an internal surface 134 and an external surface
136. The apparatus 100 preferably further includes an interface
material 138 that includes at least an internal surface 140, and an
external surface 142. Preferably, the external surface 142 is
secured to the collective internal surface 134 of the utility clip
102, and the internal surface 140 provides a nonabrasive surface,
which mitigates abrasion of a surface interacting with the internal
surface 140. The interface material 138 preferably extends to cover
a first flared engagement portion 144, of the first leaf spring
portion 106, and a second flared engagement portion 146, of the
second leaf spring portion 108. The interface material 140 is
preferably constructed from felt, but other materials such as
leather; microfiber fabrics; or other long wearing, low abrasive
equivalent material may be used. It is also noted that the utility
clip 102 is preferably constructed from stainless-steel, but may be
constructed from other materials such as carbon fiber composites,
or rigid polymers, that is polymers with yield points greater than
stainless-steel and which are non susceptible to breakage.
[0030] FIG. 2 is provided to show the towel ring embodiment of the
inventive portable article support apparatus 100 and its assembled
form. It is noted that by providing the ability to orient the towel
ring 120 relative to the external surface 136 of the utility clip
102, the towel ring embodiment of the inventive portable article
support apparatus 100 is fully functional whether the first and
second leaf spring portions (106 and 108 of FIG. 1) engage, for
example, a top edge of a cabinet door, or a side edge of the
cabinet door.
[0031] Continuing with FIG. 3, shown therein is a toilet paper roll
dispenser embodiment of the inventive portable article support
apparatus 100. In the toilet paper roll dispenser embodiment, a
toilet paper roll support 148 replaces the towel ring 120 of FIG.
2. Other than the article supported, i.e., either a towel or a roll
of toilet paper, both the toilet paper roll dispenser embodiment,
and the towel ring embodiment of the inventive portable article
support apparatus 100 provide the same convenience, ease-of-use,
and portability.
[0032] FIG. 4 is provided to enhance an understanding of the
relationship between various features of the utility clip 102 and
the interface material 138, in particular, the relationship between
the raised support region 122 of the utility clip 102, and the
external surface 142 of the interface material 138. By securing the
external surface 142 of the interface material 138 to the
collective internal surface 134 of the utility clip 102, a pocket
is created to conceal the fastener 126 interacting with the
retention groove 114 (of FIG. 3). It is also noted that by
concealing the interaction of the fastener 126 with the retention
groove 114, a continuous substantially smooth internal surface 140
of the interface material 138 is presented for interaction with
mating surfaces, such as an external surface of a door or drawer
front of cabinetry.
[0033] Referring next to FIGS. 5 and 6, shown therein is a
combination toilet paper roll dispenser and towel ring embodiment
of the inventive portable article support apparatus 100. In
providing a combination toilet paper roll and towel ring
embodiment, it is noted that the first leaf spring portion 106 is
extended to be of substantially the same length as the second leaf
spring portion 108, and that the interface material 138 is
configured for attachment to the collective internal surface 134 of
the utility clip 102. Other than the configuration alterations of
the utility clip 102 and the interface material 138, the remaining
components are common to those of the towel ring embodiment of FIG.
2, and the toilet paper roll embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 further
shows a retention aperture 170 (shown in small dashed line outline
form) formed within the body of the post 110, and accessible from
the distal end of the post 110. During the assembly operation the
shaft 112 (shown in large dashed line outline form) is pressed into
locking engagement with the post 110 via the retention aperture
170.
[0034] FIGS. 7 and 8 collectively show an expandable towel bar
embodiment of the inventive portable article support apparatus 100.
The expandable towel bar embodiment includes an expandable bar
portion 150 with at least one hollow bar portion 152 configured to
accommodate a corresponding sliding bar portion 154 in a slip fit
relationship. That is, the hollow bar portion 152 is configured to
allow a slip fit relationship between an internal diameter of the
hollow bar portion 152 and an external diameter of the
corresponding sliding bar portion 154. As shown by FIG. 8, a first
confinement bushing 156 is confined within the internal diameter of
the hollow bar portion 152 by a flange portion 158 of the hollow
bar portion 152, and a second confinement bushing 160 is confined
adjacent the external diameter of the corresponding sliding bar
portion 154 by a flange portion 162 of the corresponding sliding
bar portion 154. When the first confinement bushing 156 interacts
with the second confinement bushing 160, the corresponding sliding
bar portion 154 is precluded from becoming disengaged from the
hollow bar portion 152.
[0035] FIGS. 9 and 10 collectively show a finger pull embodiment of
the inventive portable article support apparatus 100. The finger
pull embodiment includes a finger pull portion 164 that includes at
least a knob portion 166 with a shaft portion 168 affixed to the
knob portion 166. Preferably, the finger pull embodiment further
includes the retention aperture 170 formed within a body portion of
the shaft portion 168 and accessible from a distal end of the shaft
portion 168. In a preferred embodiment, the retention aperture 170
is a threaded retention aperture configured to interact with a
threaded fastener 172 to provide the means for securing the finger
pull portion 164 to the utility clip 102.
[0036] In another preferred finger pull embodiment, the retention
aperture 170 is configured to accommodate a pressing of a proximal
end of a retention dowel 174 into locking engagement with the
retention aperture 170. With the retention dowel 174 pressed into
position within the retention aperture 170, a staking operation
forms a staked head 176 on the distal end of the retention dowel
174 to provide the means for securing the finger pull portion 164
to the utility clip 102.
[0037] In an alternate preferred finger pull embodiment, the
retention aperture 170 is configured to accommodate passage of a
barrel portion of a rivet 178, in which the barrel portion (not
separately shown) of the rivet 178 is in a slip fit relationship
with the retention aperture 170. With the barrel portion of the
rivet 178 positioned within the retention aperture 170, a head
portion 180 of the rivet 178 is preferably positioned in pressing
contact adjacent a backside surface of the raised support region
122. Upon activation of the rivet 178, the barrel portion expands
into locking engagement with the retention aperture 170, and the
head portion 180 draws into pressing engagement with the backside
surface of the raised support region 122 to provide the means for
securing the finger pull portion 164 to the utility clip 102.
[0038] In another alternate finger pull preferred embodiment, the
retention aperture 170 is configured to accommodate pressing of the
distal end of the shaft 112 into locking engagement with the
retention aperture 170. With the distal end of the shaft 112
positioned within the retention aperture 170, and with the
retention groove 114 on the distal end of the shaft 112 protruding
beyond the backside surface of the raised support region 122, the
fastener 126 is pressed into locking engagement with the retention
groove 114 to provide the means for securing the finger pull
portion 164 to the utility clip 102. However, to accommodate a
control rotation of the utility clip 102 relative to an article
support (such as the towel ring 120, the toilet paper roll support
148, or the expandable bar portion 150), the fastener 127 may be
used as an alternate to the fastener 126 to provide the means for
securing the finger pull portion 164 to the utility clip 102.
[0039] FIGS. 11 and 12 collectively show a garment hook embodiment
of the inventive portable article support apparatus 100. The
garment hook embodiment includes a garment hook portion 182 that
includes at least a hook portion 184 with a shaft portion 186
affixed to the hook portion 184. Preferably, the garment hook
embodiment further includes a retention aperture 188 formed within
a body portion of the shaft portion 186 and is accessible from a
distal end of the shaft portion 186. In a preferred embodiment, the
retention aperture 188 is a threaded retention aperture configured
to interact with the threaded fastener 172 to provide the means for
securing the garment hook portion 182 to the utility clip 102.
[0040] In another preferred garment hook embodiment, the retention
aperture 188 is configured to accommodate a pressing of the
proximal end of the retention dowel 174 into locking engagement
with the retention aperture 188. With the retention dowel 174
pressed into position within the retention aperture 188, a staking
operation forms the staked head 176 on the distal end of the
retention dowel 174 to provide the means for securing the garment
hook portion 182 to the utility clip 102.
[0041] In an alternate preferred garment hook embodiment, the
retention aperture 188 is configured to accommodate passage of the
barrel portion of the rivet 178, in which the barrel portion of the
rivet 178 is in a slip fit relationship with the retention aperture
188. With the barrel portion of the rivet 178 positioned within the
retention aperture 188, the head portion 180 of the rivet 178 is
preferably positioned in pressing contact adjacent the backside
surface of the raised support region 122. Upon activation of the
rivet 178, the barrel portion expands into locking engagement with
the retention aperture 188, and the head portion draws into
pressing engagement with the backside surface of the raised support
region 122 to provide the means for securing the finger pull
portion 164 to the utility clip 102.
[0042] In another alternate garment hook preferred embodiment, the
retention aperture 188 is configured to accommodate pressing of the
distal end of the shaft 112 into locking engagement with the
retention aperture 188. With the distal end of the shaft 112
positioned within the retention aperture 188, and with the
retention groove 114 on the distal end of the shaft 112 protruding
beyond the backside surface of the raised support region 122, the
fastener 126 is pressed into locking engagement with the retention
groove 114 to provide the means for securing the finger pull
portion 164 to the utility clip 102. However, to accommodate a
control rotation of the utility clip 102 relative to an article
support (such as the towel ring 120, the toilet paper roll support
148, or the expandable bar portion 150), the fastener 127 may be
used as an alternate to the fastener 126 to provide the means for
securing the finger pull portion 164 to the utility clip 102.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows a key ring embodiment of the inventive
portable article support apparatus 100. The key ring embodiment
includes a key ring 190 that includes at least: a hinge portion
192, which provides access to an internal surface of the key ring;
and a locking clasp 194 that mitigates an unwanted removal of the
key ring 190 from the utility clip 102. Preferably, the key ring
embodiment further includes a configuration that features: the
first leaf spring portion 106 extending in a first direction from
the bridge portion 104; the second leaf spring portion 108
extending in a second direction from the bridge portion 104, and
wherein the first and second leaf spring portions (106, 108) are
non adjacent one another. In securing the key ring 190 to the
utility clip 102, the locking clasp 194 is opened, and the hinge
portion 192 promotes the provision of an opening between a first
and a second clasp portion (not shown separately) of the locking
clasp 194. The first clasp portion is passed through the article
support mounting aperture 124, and the second clasp portion of the
locking clasp 194 is re-clasped to the first clasp portion to
secure the key ring 190 to the raised support region 122.
[0044] Preferably, the first and second leaf spring portions (106,
108) each join the bridge portion 104 at their respective proximal
ends, and the key ring embodiment further includes an article
retention member 196 extending from a distal end of the second leaf
spring portion 108, and a retention hook member 198 extending from
a distal end of the first leaf spring portion 106. Preferentially,
the article retention member 196, and the retention hook member 198
each extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to the
bridge portion 104. It is noted that in the key ring embodiment a
distance 200, between the proximal and distal end of the first leaf
spring portion is substantially twenty-two millimeters, which is
substantially the same distance between the proximal ends of the
first and second leaf spring portions of at least the: towel ring;
toilet paper roll dispenser; combination toilet paper roll
dispenser and towel ring; expandable towel bar, and finger pull
embodiments of the inventive portable article support apparatus
100.
[0045] FIG. 14 shows a method 300 of making an inventive portable
article support apparatus, such as 100. The method commences at
start process step 302, and continues with process step 304. At
process step 304, a utility clip, such as 102, is provided. The
utility clip preferably includes at least a bridge portion, such as
104, joined at a proximal end of each a first leaf spring portion,
such as 106, and a second leaf spring portion 108. In a preferred
embodiment, a raised support region, such as 122, and an article
support mounting aperture 124 that is substantially centrally
located within the raised support region is provided by the second
leaf spring portion. The article support mounting aperture is
preferably configured for sliding interaction with a shaft, such as
112. At process step 306, a retention groove, such as 114, is
formed on a distal end of the shaft, and at process step 308, a
proximal end of the shaft is secured within a retention aperture,
such as 170, or 188, of a post, such as 110. Access to the
retention aperture is preferably provided on a distal end of the
post.
[0046] The method continues at process step 310, where an article
support confinement aperture, such as 116, is fashioned within a
body portion of the post, and is accessed through a proximal end of
the post. At process step 312, an article support (such as the
towel ring 120, the toilet paper roll support 148, or the
expandable bar portion 150) is attached to the post via the article
support confinement aperture. At process step 314, a compression
spring, such as 128, is aligned with the shaft. At process step
316, the shaft, together with the compression spring are passed
through a compression spring retention aperture, such as 132, of an
escutcheon, such as 130; and the retention groove is pushed through
the article support mounting aperture. At process step 318, the
compression spring is compressed between a raised support region of
the utility clip and the distal end of the post, and at process
step 320, the retention groove of the shaft is pushed through the
article support mounting aperture.
[0047] Continuing at process step 322, a fastener, such as 126, is
pressed over the distal end of the shaft and into locking
engagement with the retention groove. At process step 324, an
external surface, such as 142, of an interface material, such as
138, is attached to a collective internal surface, such as 134, of
the utility clip and the method concludes at end process step
326.
[0048] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While
presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of
this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and
modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *