U.S. patent application number 12/052308 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for remote control caddy.
Invention is credited to William D. Valmore.
Application Number | 20080230498 12/052308 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39773658 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080230498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Valmore; William D. |
September 25, 2008 |
REMOTE CONTROL CADDY
Abstract
A remote control caddy includes a hand portion in the shape of a
human hand, a forearm portion in the shape of a human forearm, and
a wrist portion in the shape of a human wrist positioned between
the hand portion and the forearm portion. The hand portion includes
an upwardly-facing palm surface and five fingers, with the hand
portion being configured to selectively receive and hold a remote
control on the palm surface. Additionally, the wrist portion is
bent such that the hand portion is angled from the forearm portion
with the palm surface being substantially horizontal. The fingers
may be at least slightly curved back toward the palm surface. The
remote control caddy may include a plurality of LEDs to provide
light upon receipt of a remote control. Further, a plurality of
remote control caddies may be coupled together to selectively hold
a plurality of remote controls.
Inventors: |
Valmore; William D.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODARD, EMHARDT, MORIARTY, MCNETT & HENRY LLP
111 MONUMENT CIRCLE, SUITE 3700
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-5137
US
|
Family ID: |
39773658 |
Appl. No.: |
12/052308 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60896634 |
Mar 23, 2007 |
|
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60896634 |
Mar 23, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/42204 20130101;
F16M 13/00 20130101; F16M 11/16 20130101; F16M 11/14 20130101; H01H
9/025 20130101; F16M 13/022 20130101; F16M 11/22 20130101; H04N
5/4403 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/26.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: at least one remote control caddy having a
hand portion in the shape of a human hand, a forearm portion in the
shape of a human forearm, and a wrist portion in the shape of a
human wrist positioned between said hand portion and said forearm
portion; wherein said hand portion includes an upwardly-facing palm
surface and five fingers, wherein said hand portion is configured
to selectively receive and hold at least one remote control on said
palm surface, wherein said wrist portion is bent such that said
hand portion is angled from said forearm portion with said palm
surface being substantially horizontal, and wherein said fingers
are at least slightly curved back toward said palm surface.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said arm portion includes a
bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface is substantially flat
and configured to support said remote control caddy.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pad positioned on
said palm surface.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said hand portion is in the shape
of a female human hand.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of LEDs
disposed within said hand portion and operable to provide light for
a select amount of time when a remote control is placed on said
palm surface.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said LEDs are also operable to
provide light for a select amount of time when a remote control is
removed from said palm surface.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein said LEDs are
pressure-activated.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said arm portion includes a
bottom surface, further comprising a suction cup engaged with said
bottom surface for contact with a support surface.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said
remote control caddies configured to selectively couple together to
hold a plurality of remote controls.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein each of said remote control
caddies includes first and second connectors oppositely extending
outward from said forearm portion, wherein each of said first
connectors is configured to couple with one of said second
connectors to couple said remote control caddies together.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein each of said first connectors
includes a positive magnet and each of said second connectors
includes a negative magnet.
12. The device of claim 10, wherein each of said first connectors
includes a ball and each of said second connectors includes a
socket configured to selectively receive said ball.
13. The device of claim 10, wherein each of said first connectors
includes a larger tubular member and each of said second connectors
includes a smaller tubular member configured to be selectively
inserted and friction fit within said larger tubular member.
14. The device of claim 10, wherein each of said first connectors
includes a forward-facing hook and each of said second connectors
includes a rearward facing hook configured to mate with said
forward-facing hook.
15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a remote control
positioned on said palm surface of said remote control caddy.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein said palm surface is
substantially planar.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein said hand portion, said wrist
portion, and said forearm portion are integrally formed such that
said remote control caddy is unitary and monolithic.
18. A device, comprising: at least one illuminating remote control
caddy with a base portion extending up from a support surface and a
hand portion extending laterally from said base portion, wherein
said hand portion includes a palm surface and five fingers, said
fingers being slightly bent toward said palm surface, said palm
surface and said fingers at least partially defining a space
configured to selectively receive a remote control unit, wherein
said hand portion is in the shape of a human hand; wherein said
hand portion includes at least one light providing source to
provide illumination when a remote control is placed on said palm
surface.
19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a wrist portion
positioned between said base portion and said hand portion, wherein
said base portion is in the shape of a human forearm.
20. The device of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of said
remote control caddies configured to selectively couple together to
hold a plurality of remote controls.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/896,634, filed Mar. 23, 2007, and priority and the
benefit of Ser. No. 60/896,634 is claimed in the present
application to the extent the subject matter of this application is
found in that provisional application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a caddy for
holding a remote control, and more specifically, to a plurality of
remote control caddies able to be interconnected together, each
caddy being in the shape of a human hand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Misplacing and searching for remote controls are difficult
frustrations experienced by many people. The nature of a remote
control and its use provide that the remote control will be picked
up, used, and returned to various locations, often multiple times
in a single day. Additionally, certain technologically advancements
have resulted in some control functions only being available
through the use of a remote control. Accordingly, the ease of being
able to locate a remote control has become increasingly
important.
[0004] Some remote control caddies have been developed which
collect numerous remote controls in a single container, subjecting
the remote controls to jostling, scratching, scraping or other such
damage and/or unintended activation.
[0005] A need exists for an improved remote control caddy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment, a device comprises at least one remote
control caddy having a hand portion in the shape of a human hand, a
forearm portion in the shape of a human forearm, and a wrist
portion in the shape of a human wrist positioned between the hand
portion and the forearm portion. The hand portion includes an
upwardly-facing palm surface and five fingers, with the hand
portion being configured to selectively receive and hold at least
one remote control on the palm surface. Additionally, the wrist
portion is bent such that the hand portion is angled from the
forearm portion with the palm surface being substantially
horizontal. Further, the fingers are at least slightly curved back
toward the palm surface.
[0007] In another embodiment, a device comprises at least one
illuminating remote control caddy with a base portion extending up
from a support surface and a hand portion extending laterally from
the base portion. The hand portion includes a palm surface and five
fingers, the fingers being slightly bent toward the palm surface.
The palm surface and the fingers at least partially define a space
configured to selectively receive a remote control unit.
Additionally, the hand portion is in the shape of a human hand.
Further, the hand portion includes at least one light providing
source to provide illumination when a remote control is placed on
the palm surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote control caddy
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interconnected series of
remote control caddies according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a connection
mechanism used to interconnect remote control caddies according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional side view of a connection
mechanism used to interconnect remote control caddies according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of a connection mechanism used to
interconnect remote control caddies according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a remote control caddy
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, such alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles
of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
[0015] The present disclosure is directed to a remote control caddy
in the shape of a human hand configured to hold a remote control.
In certain embodiments, the remote control caddy may be
interconnected with a plurality of other remote control caddies to
create a string of remote control caddies holding numerous remotes.
In certain embodiments, the remote control caddy may optionally
include a suction cup positioned on the bottom surface of the caddy
to assist in the stable attachment of the caddy to a surface.
Additionally, the remote control caddy may include lights, such as
light emitting diodes (LED's), to light the remote control caddy
according to various situations, such as when a remote is placed in
or removed from the caddy, as examples.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a remote control caddy 20 for holding a
remote control 22, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. The remote control caddy 20 includes a hand portion 24
having a palm surface 26 and fingers 28, a wrist portion 30 and a
base portion or forearm portion or arm portion 32 having a bottom
or base surface 34. As illustrated, remote control caddy 20 may
include the shape of a hand and partial arm, with the caddy
beginning just below the elbow of an arm and extending to the
fingertips. The remote control used with caddy 20 may be any type
of remote control for use with various types of electronic devices,
such TVs, VCRs, DVDs, stereos, ceiling fans, gas logs for a gas
fireplace, garage door openers, lights, or other types of
devices.
[0017] As illustrated, hand portion 24 preferably includes a
partial grasp configuration such that remote control 22 fits snugly
within hand portion 24, resting on palm surface 26 and selectively
secured in place by fingers 28. In such embodiments, the components
or portions of hand portion 24 define a space configured for
selective receipt of the remote control. In the illustrated
embodiment, hand portion 24 extends laterally from arm portion 32,
with wrist portion 30 being bent or angled such that palm surface
26 of hand portion 24 is substantially horizontal. In some
embodiments, palm surface 26 may be substantially flat and planar.
Additionally, fingers 28 may be slightly bent toward palm surface
26, as illustrated. However, it should be appreciated that hand
portion 24 can be configured differently as would occur to one
skilled in the art, so long as the hand portion is able to
selectively receive a remote control therein. Additionally, hand
portion 24 may be sized and configured to receive a variety of
different sized and shaped remotes. Further, remote control caddy
20 may be configured in a variety of sizes, configurations and
aesthetics, including various sizes, configurations and aesthetics
corresponding to female or male, adult or child human hands. Remote
control caddy 20 may be in the shape of a right or left hand.
[0018] Remote control caddy 20 may optionally include a pad 40
positioned on and lining palm surface 26 of hand portion 24. Pad 40
may be composed of a plastic material, such as a relatively soft
elastomer material to provide a relatively cushioning surface for
the remote control to rest and/or provide protection for the remote
control against scratches, scrapes or other similar types of
damage. Additionally, pad 40 may provide a quieter, muffled sound
when the remote control is placed in hand portion 24 of remote
control caddy 20. In certain embodiments, pad 40 is a relatively
thin layer of elastomer material.
[0019] Remote control caddy 20 may be positioned on a support
surface 44 with base surface 34 being substantially flat and
contacting or resting on the support surface. In other embodiments,
remote control caddy 20 may optionally include a suction cup 42
extending down from base surface 34 to assist in securing remote
control caddy 20 to surface 44 and provide increased stability to
caddy 20. In certain embodiments, suction cup 42 may also be
composed of a plastic material, such as an elastomer for example.
Suction cup 42 may include a snap-fit connection with base surface
34 to allow for the attachment and/or removability of the suction
cup. Additionally, in certain embodiments, arm portion 32 may have
increased weight, as compared to hand portion 24 and wrist portion
26, to enhance the stability of caddy 20. In such embodiments, the
added or increased weight of arm portion 32 may be positioned
adjacent bottom surface 34 of caddy 20 to increase the stability of
the caddy.
[0020] In certain embodiments, remote control caddy 20 is a unitary
and monolithic device, with hand portion 24, wrist portion 30 and
arm portion 32 being integrally formed. Remote control caddy 20 may
be composed of one or more plastic materials, such as polystyrene
or elastomer materials, as examples. In certain embodiments, remote
control caddy 20 is formed from a plastic injection molding
manufacturing process. In other embodiments, remote control caddy
20 is composed of wood materials or metal materials. Additionally,
remote control caddy 20 may be transparent, and could include a
tinted transparent color. In other embodiments, remote control
caddy 20 could include a solid color, stripes, polka dots, and/or
designs such as a paisley design or a leopard skin design.
Additionally, caddy 20 could other indicia or designs such as
hearts, roses, butterflies, or other such designs or indicia as
would generally occur to one skilled in the art. In certain
embodiments, caddy 20 may include colors and/or designs associated
with a particular college, university, professional sporting team
or other such group having associated color and design schemes.
[0021] Remote control caddy 20 may be placed on various surfaces,
including an end table, the floor, a mantel, an arm of a couch or
chair, or any other such surface as would generally occur to one
skilled in the art. In certain embodiments, remote control caddy 20
is preferably placed on a relatively flat and level surface to
ensure the positioning of remote control 22 in hand portion 24. In
certain alternative embodiments, remote control caddy 20 could be
used to hold various other items, such as keys, jewelry, papers,
cellular telephones, paging devices and/or other such items as
would generally occur to one skilled in the art.
[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of remote control
caddies 20 may be selectively connected or coupled together,
permanently or removably, to create a series to hold a plurality of
remote controls. In such embodiments, each caddy 20 may include
opposing interlocking mechanisms to allow for the connection of a
plurality of remote control caddies 20 creating an interlocking
series. The opposing interlocking mechanisms may be positioned
about arm portion 32 (see FIG. 1) adjacent base surface 34. In
certain embodiments, the opposing interlocking mechanisms may be
positioned approximately 180 degrees apart in a relatively straight
alignment. In other embodiments, the opposing interlocking
mechanisms may be positioned oblique to each other.
[0023] In some embodiments, each caddy 20 may include opposing
linking connectors 80 and 81, as illustrated in FIG. 2. As
illustrated, connectors 80 and 81 may include hook configurations
such that caddies 20 are interlocked, yet allowing for relatively
easy removal of one or more caddies 20 from the interlocking
series.
[0024] In other embodiments, each caddy 20 includes a positive
magnet connector 50 and an opposing negative magnet connector 51.
In such embodiments, positive magnet connectors 50 of caddies 20
are configured to releasably attach to negative magnetic connectors
51, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0025] In certain other embodiments, each caddy 20 may include
opposing snap-fit, ball-in-socket connectors 60 and 61, examples of
which are illustrated in FIG. 4. In such embodiments, connector 60
may be a socket connector and connector 61 may be a ball connector,
forming a ball-in-socket type joint. Additionally, connector 60 may
be sufficiently flexible to create a snap-fit connection with
connector 61 upon insertion of connector 61 in connector 60.
However, it should be appreciated that other snap-fit and/or
ball-in-socket connections may be used to selectively interconnect
remote control caddies 20.
[0026] In yet other embodiments, each caddy 20 may include opposing
friction fit connectors 70 and 71, examples of which are
illustrated in FIG. 5. In such embodiments, connectors 70 and 71
may include concentric tubes, with a smaller tube connector 70
creating a friction fit inside a larger tube connector 71 upon
sufficient insertion of connector 70 in connector 71. It is
contemplated that other friction fit connectors creating a friction
fit therebetween may be used to selectively interconnect remote
control caddies 20. As another example, caddies 20 could be
connected together via prong-in-socket arrangements, similar to
typical electrical outlets. In such embodiments, each caddy 20
could include a prong connector and an opposing socket connector.
However, it should be appreciated that remote control caddies 20
may include various other types of interlocking components to
selectively interconnect the caddies together to form a series.
[0027] Additionally, remote control caddies 20 may be releasably
connected together to form an interlocking series in various other
manners as would generally occur to one skilled in the art. As
examples, caddies 20 may be connected together via hook-in-loop
fasteners, such as Velcro.RTM., releasable adhesive materials,
snaps, male/female interlocking mechanisms and/or locking caps to
secure adjacent connectors. In such embodiments involving locking
caps, the connectors extending from the caddies may include slots
or grooves configured to receive ends of the locking caps to assist
in securing the connectors together.
[0028] Additionally, in certain embodiments, remote control caddy
20 may include electronics incorporated into the caddy. To that
end, caddy 20 may include built-in lights, such as light emitting
diodes (LED's), which may light up when a remote control is placed
in and/or removed from caddy 20, alerting a user of the particular
event. As an example illustrated in FIG. 6, LED's 90 are disposed
or positioned within hand portion 24 of remote control caddy 20.
The LED's may provide constant light according to a certain
situation, or may include flashing and/or chasing patterns. In
certain embodiments, the LED's may be pressure-activated and/or may
be activated by a pressure switch (not shown) positioned on palm
surface 26. In such cases, the LED's may provide light upon receipt
of a remote control on the palm surface. In other embodiments, the
LED's may also provide light upon the removal of the remote control
from the palm surface. Additionally, remote control caddy 20 may
include a circuit board of the integrated type, or other such
appropriate electronic device to control and/or direct the
electronics associated with caddy 20. In such embodiments, remote
control caddy 20 may further include an integrated circuit chip
incorporated into the caddy for control of the LED's or other such
incorporated electronics. Other components associated with caddy 20
and/or integrated into the caddy might include rechargeable
batteries and/or one or more insulated wires.
[0029] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been
shown and described and that all changes and modifications that
come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be
protected.
* * * * *