U.S. patent application number 11/977940 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for redi-strap.
Invention is credited to Israel Benitez.
Application Number | 20090108155 11/977940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40581606 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090108155 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benitez; Israel |
April 30, 2009 |
Redi-strap
Abstract
A device for the retention and release of heavy, bulky or
irregularly shaped items to a surface that includes a rotatable
winged flanged plate with strap admitting slots through which a
strap and coupling means are passed, and a surface affixing means
providing for the releasable retention of large or irregularly
shaped items against a wall or other surface.
Inventors: |
Benitez; Israel; (Plano,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY H. RODDY
525 ROYAL CREST DRIVE
RICHARDSON
TX
75081
US
|
Family ID: |
40581606 |
Appl. No.: |
11/977940 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/217.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 45/00 20130101;
F16B 2001/0028 20130101; F16B 13/003 20130101; F16B 13/0808
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/217.4 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/00 20060101
E04C003/00 |
Claims
1) A surface mountable retention system for bulky items comprising:
an affixing surface; and, a rotatable face plate having a centered
aperture there through and a plurality of flanges formed in
opposition to one another, each of said flanges having a strap
admitting slot; and, at least one strap having two ends, each of
said ends terminated by a coupling means by which each of said ends
may be releasably coupled to each other; and, a surface affixing
means comprising: wood screws, hollow wall anchors, drywall
inserts, toggle bolts, expansion . . . bolts, masonry screws, glue,
and tape.
2) The surface mountable retention system of claim 1; wherein said
face plate has 360 degrees of rotation about said surface after
being fastened.
3) A surface mountable retention system for bulky items comprising:
an affixing surface; and, a top plate having a centered aperture
therethrough, and a plurality of flanges formed in opposition to
each other, each of said flanges having, a strap admitting slot;
and, a bottom plate, said bottom plate having a centered aperture
therethrough; and, at least one strap, said strap having two ends,
each of said ends terminated by a coupling means by which each of
said ends may be releasably coupled to each other; and, a joining
member comprising: a bushing flared at its terminal ends about
which said top and bottom plates are freely rotatable; and, an
affixing means comprising: wood screws, hollow wall anchors,
drywall inserts, toggle bolts, expansion bolts, and masonry
screws.
4) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3, wherein said
top and bottom plates are sandwiched together, said joining member
being a bushing press fitted into place and lipped at its terminal
ends such that said top and bottom plates are rotatable about its
axis.
5) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3, wherein said
top and bottom plates are sandwiched together, said joining member
being a generally T-shaped flanged hub bushing having a centered
aperture there through and a head part and a body part, said head
part having a centered counter bored beveled recess of greater
diameter than said centered aperture.
6) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3; wherein said
bottom plate is fastened to said surface and is immobilized.
7) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3; wherein said
top plate has 360 degrees of rotation about the common axis of said
bottom plate after said bottom plate has been fastened to said
surface and immobilized.
8) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3; said coupling
means comprising: male and female buckle clips pairs, cinch loops,
hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners.
8) A surface mountable retention system for bulky items comprising:
an affixing surface; and, a rotatable face plate having a centered
aperture there through and a plurality of flanges formed in
opposition to one another, each of said flanges having a strap
admitting slot; and, a bottom plate having a substantially
knob-shaped integral resilient fastener wherein said knob-shaped
integral resilient fastener is sectioned to allow the releasable
coupling of said bottom plate and said top plate by passing said
knob-shaped integral resilient fastener through said centered
aperture; and, at least one strap having two ends, each of said
ends terminated by a fastening means by which each of said ends may
be releasably coupled to each other; and, a surface affixing means
comprising: wood screws, hollow wall anchors, drywall inserts,
toggle bolts, expansion bolts, masonry screws, glue, and tape.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates generally to those surface
mounted devices providing a means to releaseably secure items
against a surface.
[0006] A common problem faced when attempting to store bulky or
heavy items against a vertical surface such as a wall by leaning is
the tendency of these items to fall forward and away from the wall
if not leant at a sufficient angle. Inevitably, this means that
valuable floor space is wasted trying to get the item to "stay"
against the wall. Most people don't have unlimited floor space to
accommodate such waste. A typical example is the case of a ladder
or bicycle leant against a garage wall. One solution has been to
hang the item from a peg or hook mounted on the wall. However some
of these items can be too bulky or heavy for many people to lift;
this is especially the case with elderly or infirm persons.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,163 to Foote, describes a base plate and
tether for the securing of firearms, but the base plate has no
swiveling capability.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,193 to Davis, describes a base plate,
bracket and straps as a wheelchair restraint, but the straps have
no swiveling capability.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,543 to Corson et al. describes a
tip-over protection apparatus with wall mounted bracket and cord,
but has no swiveling capability.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,562 to Konkle, describes a furniture
tipping restraint with wall mounted bracket and cord, but has no
swiveling capability.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,941 to Guenther, describes a fastening
anchor assembly for fastening an object to a hollow wall, but
provides a clamp as the object fastening means which limits the
size and shapes of the objects to be retained.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a surface mountable retention
system to releasably secure large, irregularly shaped or bulky
items against a multiple surface types; for example drywall,
masonry or wood as well as others. It enables a person to secure
items tightly against a surface such as a wall or crate without
having to lean the item, thus saving floor space and creating a
safer environment.
[0013] In one embodiment, the device consists of a single rotatable
flanged face plate with a centered aperture through which a
fastener such as a wood screw or hollow wall anchor is placed to
affix the plate to a surface such as a wall or crate.
[0014] The preferred as well as alternate embodiments share the
common element of a rotatable flanged plate having at least two
winged flanges opposing each other, each flange punctuated by a
slit aperture. Once installed, a flexible strap of shear resistant
material with a fastening means at its terminal ends such as male
and female buckles, is threaded through the slit aperture such that
the terminal ends may encircle an item and fasten together thus
securing the item to the surface.
[0015] In the preferred embodiment, the invention is an assembly of
two principal plates, one having winged flanges, and another that
is primarily flat having a centered aperture and a formed sleeve
encircling the centered aperture. The two plates are held in place
by a hub which is a flanged T-shaped bushing whereby both plates
are independently rotatable about the axis provided by the bushing
prior to being installed on a surface.
[0016] In another embodiment, the second plate is generally planar
having no raised sleeve, and the hub is a common cylindrical
bushing press fit into place forming a lip at each end of the
bushing sufficient to hold the two plates together yet allowing the
plates to rotate independently around a common axis provided by the
bushing.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the base plate has a resilient
fastener formed into the body in place of the bushing and formed
sleeve of the preferred embodiment so that the two plates may be
pressed together and releasably reatained in position by the
resilient fastener which allows the plates to rotate independently
of each other. It is envisioned that the base plate of this
embodiment will be secured to a surface by an adhesive such as
3M.TM. Foam Tapes. Thus the means to affix this embodiment differs
from the other embodiments because no screw or drywall fastener is
required.
[0018] With the exception of the embodiment of the previous
paragraph, the steps to install the surface mountable retention
system are as follows:
If affixing to a stud, or a wood surface, the assembled present
invention is placed against the surface and a wood screw of
sufficient length is placed through the centered aperture and
screwed into the wooden surface thus holding the retention system
in place. The plate assembly should fit snug against the wall while
allowing the top plate to rotate 360 degrees. One unbuckled end of
the flexible strap is then threaded through the slit apertures of
the top plate, and an either a male or female buckle is cinched to
the strap which is then joined to its mating portion being snapped
around the item to be secured.
[0019] If affixing to drywall with a typical hollow wall anchor,
the expandable sleeve element of a hollow wall anchor is fitted
first into the wall, followed by the plate assembly and then a
threaded bolt element is passed through the centered aperture of
the plate assembly and into the expandable sleeve element of the
wall anchor. The plate assembly should fit snuggly against the wall
while allowing the top plate to rotate 360 degrees. One unbuckled
end of the flexible strap is then threaded through the slit
apertures of the top plate, and an either a male or female buckle
is cinched to the strap which is then joined to its mating portion
being snapped around the item to be secured.
[0020] If affixing to drywall with a toggle bolt, the bolt element
of the toggle bolt is first passed through the centered aperture of
the plate assembly and the toggle element affixed to its terminal
end. The toggle element is them placed through a pre-drilled hole
in the drywall and the bolt is tightened in the customary way. The
plate assembly should fit snuggly against the wall while allowing
the top plate to rotate 360 degrees. One unbuckled end of the
flexible strap is then threaded through the slit apertures of the
top plate, and an either a male or female buckle is cinched to the
strap which is then joined to its mating portion being snapped
around the item to be secured.
[0021] One object of the present invention is to provide an easy
means for the releasable retention of heavy or bulky items against
a surface without the need to lift or hoist the item.
[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
easy means for the releasable retention of irregularly shaped items
by providing 360 degrees of attachment.
[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
means to releaseably retain large items securely against a vertical
surface such as a wall minimizing the required floor space.
[0024] The applicant is not aware of any previously described art
having the features and advantages of the present invention.
[0025] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein by way of
illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of the present
invention with rotatable flanged face plate;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment
showing T-shaped bushing and base plate element;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away view of the stacked plate
assembly of one alternate embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is perspective view of the non-flanged bushing;
[0030] FIG. 5 is perspective view of a non-flanged base plate;
[0031] FIG. 6 is an edge view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3
fastened to a hollow wall by a toggle bolt and the flexible belt
and buckle elements;
[0032] FIG. 7 is an edge view of the assembled preferred embodiment
of FIG. 2 fastened to a stud by a wood screw and the flexible belt
and buckle elements;
[0033] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 9 is an edge view of the assembled alternate embodiment
of FIG. 8 and fastened to a surface by way of an adhesive
strip;
[0035] FIG. 10 plan view of the base plate of FIG. 8 with molded
resilient bullet fastener
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the
present invention with a flanged face plate 10 having two winged
flanges, each having a rectangular slit 20, and a centered aperture
17, and typical fastening means; in this case, a hollow wall anchor
with a sleeve element 9 and screw 8. In this embodiment, the
flanged face plate 10 rotates 360 degrees once the entire assembly
is affixed to a surface. Fastening straps with buckling means as
shown in (FIG. 6) are passed through the rectangular slits 20, to
encircle the object to be retained.
[0037] FIG. 2 Shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention that uses a T-shaped bushing having an
aperture 17a there through, a capped flange 15, a beveled
countersunk recess 19 to accept the beveled head of a typical wood
screw 8. Assembly requires the area 14 below the capped flange 15
is seated into the aperture 17b, and the integrally formed sleeve
17c of base plate 12 is interiorly seated within the body of the
T-shaped bushing. Once assembled, the T-shaped bushing acts as a
hub around which the flanged face plate 10 and base plate 12 are
seated and whereby the two plates may rotate 360 degrees relative
to each other prior to the affixing of the present invention to a
surface, after which, the flanged face plate 10 is rotatable and
the base plate 12 is fixed against a surface and immobilized.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a partial cut away view of an alternate
embodiment of the present invention where a planar base plate 12a
and flanged face plate 10 are held together by a non-flanged
bushing that is situated within apertures of equal diameter 17e,
17d of the flanged face plate and the planar base respectively,
which is press fitted during assembly so that a lip is formed at
either end of the bushing to retain both plates together about a
common axis. The flanged face plate rotates 360 degrees once the
entire assembly is affixed to a surface. Fastening straps with
buckling means as shown in (FIG. 6) are passed through the
rectangular slits 20, and encircle an object to be retained.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows the non-flanged bushing 21 of the embodiment of
(FIG. 3).
[0040] FIG. 5 shows the planar base plate 12a of the embodiment of
(FIG. 3).
[0041] FIG. 6 is an edge view illustrating the alternate embodiment
of (FIG. 3) in typical use being affixed to a hollow wall surface.
Visible is the strap 23 having at the respective ends a male and
female buckle portion 24, where the strap is meant to encircle a
retained article. Although the edge view shows the flanged wings of
the face plate 10, it should be understood that flanged face plate
10 is fully rotatable about the axis provided by the press fit
bushing 21.
[0042] FIG. 7 is an edge view illustrating the preferred embodiment
of (FIG. 2) in typical use being affixed to a hollow wall surface.
Shown is strap 23 having at each terminal end a male or female
buckle portion, where the strap is meant to encircle a retained
article. Although the edge view shows the flanged wings of the face
plate 10, it should be understood that face plate 10 is rotatable
about the axis provided by the T-shaped bushing 15. It should also
be understood that while the male and female buckle pairs are are
illustrated here, other types of fasteners such as Velcro.TM., or
buckle and cinch loops, are suitable.
[0043] FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating an alternate
embodiment of the present invention that substitutes a resilient
fastener 26 formed into base plate 12b as a substitute for the
bushing elements of the other embodiments. The base plate with
resilient fastener are of a thermoplastic material such as
polystyrene or fiber reinforced thermoplastic. Assembly requires
that the flanged face plate 10b be pressed against the base plate
12b aligning the aperture 17 with the head of the resilient
fastener having a generally bullet shaped profile and which is
partially divided into four sections so that the head of the
fastener may contract to allow force fitting through an aperture
upon which the sections resume their position, thus releasably
securing the two plates together. The completed assembly is
attached to a surface by means of double sided adhesive such as
3M.TM. Foam Tapes. Alternately, it is possible to separate the two
plates and simply use the device in the manner described in (FIG.
1) thus omitting the base plate.
[0044] FIG. 9 is an edge view illustrating the alternate embodiment
of (FIG. 8) in typical use being affixed to a hollow wall surface.
Shown is a layer of foam tape 27 of the same circumference as base
plate 12b. Visible is the strap 23b having at each terminal end a
hook or loop fastener portion so that the straps may be fastened
together, so the strap can encircle a retained article. Although
the edge view shows the flanged wings of the face plate 10, it
should be understood that face plate 10 is rotatable about the axis
provided by the resilient fastener 26.
[0045] FIG. 10 is an plan view illustrating the base plate of
(FIGS. 8, 9) with the sections partially bisection the bullet
shaped head of the resilient fastener 26.
[0046] While the invention has been described in connection with
only two principal embodiments, it is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the
contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *