U.S. patent application number 11/924068 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for holder.
Invention is credited to Christopher Eric Chute, Robert Hardy Chute, Jr., James Marc Kinley, Rhys David Lewis.
Application Number | 20090108723 11/924068 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40581945 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090108723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chute, Jr.; Robert Hardy ;
et al. |
April 30, 2009 |
HOLDER
Abstract
A holder for holding an object in a storage position against the
underside of a shelf that includes an upper arm adapted to engage
an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in
spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and
supporting the object against the underside of the shelf. The space
between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be
approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the
object.
Inventors: |
Chute, Jr.; Robert Hardy;
(Belmont, NC) ; Kinley; James Marc; (Fort Mill,
SC) ; Lewis; Rhys David; (Gastonia, NC) ;
Chute; Christopher Eric; (Belmont, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADAMS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, P.A.
Suite 2350 Charlotte Plaza, 201 South College Street
CHARLOTTE
NC
28244
US
|
Family ID: |
40581945 |
Appl. No.: |
11/924068 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/351 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2331/809 20130101;
A47F 5/0068 20130101; F25D 25/021 20130101; F25D 2331/804 20130101;
A47B 97/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/351 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A holder for holding an object against the underside of a shelf,
and comprising an upper arm adapted to engage an upper surface of
the shelf and a lower arm maintained in spaced-apart relation to
the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object
against the underside of the shelf, wherein the space between the
upper and lower arm is predetermined to be approximately equal to
the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.
2. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a
solid bridging member.
3. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a
finger recess for withdrawing the holder and object from the
shelf.
4. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder includes an
intermediate arm for engaging a lower surface of the shelf.
5. A holder according to claim 1, and including first and second
spaced-apart upper arms and first and second spaced-apart lower
arms.
6. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the upper arms each have
downwardly-extending hooks thereon for catching against a lip of
the shelf.
7. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the lower arms each
include upwardly-extending gripping elements thereon for engaging
the bottom of the object.
8. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the lower arms each
include upwardly-extending teeth thereon for engaging the bottom of
the object.
9. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a
rotatable cam for cooperating with the upper arm and lower arm to
permit adjustment of the distance between the upper arm and lower
arm.
10. A holder according to claim 1, and including biasing means
positioned between the upper and lower arms for biasing the upper
and lower arms into a closed position, and first and second finger
grips for being held between the thumb and forefinger and squeezed
together to open the arms sufficiently wide to accommodate both the
shelf and object.
11. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body includes first
and second separable segments for permitting the space between the
upper and lower arm to be adjustable, and includes locking means
for locking the upper and lower arms in a desired position in
relation to each other.
12. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the lower arm is
collectively comprised of a plurality of adjacent fingers.
13. A holder for holding an object against the underside of a
shelf, and comprising a plurality of upper arms adapted to engage
an upper surface of the shelf and a plurality of lower arms
maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for
engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the
shelf, wherein the space between the upper arms and lower arms is
predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness
of the shelf and the object.
14. A holder according to claim 13, wherein the upper arms diverge
from each other in a radially outwardly direction and the lower
arms diverge from each other in a radially outwardly direction.
15. A holder according to claim 1, and including a structure
attached thereto and selected from the group consisting of a
magnet, a writing surface and a chemically-treated surface that
changes color as contents of the object ages.
16. A holder according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of upper
arms comprise first and second spaced-apart U-shaped arms and the
plurality of lower arms comprise first and second spaced-apart
U-shaped arms, and the body comprises a bridging member joining the
upper and lower U-shaped arms at respective midpoints thereof.
17. A method of storing an object under a shelf in the space
normally not occupied by objects on a lower shelf that includes the
steps of: (a) providing a holder for holding an object against the
underside of a shelf, and comprising an upper arm adapted to engage
an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in
spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and
supporting the object against the underside of the shelf, wherein
the space between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be
approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the
object; (b) sliding the holder onto one side edge of the object;
and (c) sliding the holder and object under the shelf so the that
the upper arm engages the top of the shelf, and the lower arm
engages the bottom of the object.
18. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of
supporting the object with an intermediate arm that extends
outwardly from the body and engages the bottom of the shelf.
19. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of
adjusting the space between the upper arm and lower arm to
accommodate the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.
20. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of
biasing the upper arm and lower arm towards each other for applying
a clamping force to the top of the shelf and the bottom of the
object.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a holder, and more particularly to
a holder intended to hold an object, such as a pizza box, plate or
similar relatively thin object, in a storage position under a shelf
in the space normally not occupied by objects on a lower shelf. In
many cases partially-eaten meals--pizza is used only by way of
example in this application--are stored in the box in which the
pizza was delivered, in the box from which the pizza was removed
for cooking, or on a plate on which the pizza was served. These
boxes can be relatively large even though they are also relatively
thin, and for this reason these boxes cannot be easily stored in a
refrigerator because even a relatively small pizza delivery box
will take up most, if not all, of a refrigerator shelf. Therefore,
the box is often placed in the refrigerator balanced on top of the
objects-bottles, jars and the like-already positioned on one of the
refrigerator shelves. This is an unsightly and potentially messy
arrangement, since the box can cause one or more of the objects on
which it is resting to tip over and spill.
[0002] In most refrigerators, the shelves are spaced vertically far
enough apart so that several inches of space is left between the
objects on a shelf and the underside of the shelf above that shelf.
This space is normally wasted except in the unusual circumstance
that an exceptionally large container is placed on the lower shelf.
This application discloses several holders that are intended to
permit this unused space to be utilized periodically when
additional storage space is needed for relatively thin objects such
as boxes and plates. Thus, the holder has application in use on
typical shelving such as found in, for example, refrigerators,
freezers, closets, pantries, cupboards and cabinets. Additionally,
the holder can be used as a surface on which to apply advertising
material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a
holder intended to permit unused space, such as directly underneath
a refrigerator or other shelf, to be utilized periodically when
additional storage space is needed for relatively thin objects such
as boxes and plates.
[0004] It is another object of the invention to provide a holder
intended to permit unused space such as directly underneath a shelf
to be utilized periodically when additional storage space is needed
for storing a pizza box.
[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a holder
intended to permit unused space such as directly underneath a shelf
to be utilized periodically when additional storage space is
needed, and which is suitable for displaying advertising
material.
[0006] These and other objects and advantages of the invention
achieved with a holder for holding an object against the underside
of a shelf that includes an upper arm adapted to engage an upper
surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in spaced-apart
relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the
object against the underside of the shelf. The space between the
upper and lower arm is predetermined to be approximately equal to
the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.
[0007] According to another embodiment of the invention, the body
comprises a solid bridging member.
[0008] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
body includes a finger recess for withdrawing the holder and object
from the shelf.
[0009] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
holder includes an intermediate arm for engaging a lower surface of
the shelf.
[0010] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
holder includes first and second spaced-apart upper arms and first
and second spaced-apart lower arms.
[0011] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
upper arms each have downwardly-extending hooks thereon for
catching against a lip of the shelf.
[0012] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
lower arms each include upwardly-extending gripping elements
thereon for engaging the bottom of the object.
[0013] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
lower arms each include upwardly-extending teeth thereon for
engaging the bottom of the object.
[0014] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
body includes a rotatable cam for cooperating with the upper arm
and lower arm to permit adjustment of the distance between the
upper arm and lower arm.
[0015] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
holder includes biasing means positioned between the upper and
lower arms for biasing the upper and lower arms into a closed
position, and first and second finger grips for being held between
the thumb and forefinger and squeezed together to open the arms
sufficiently wide to accommodate both the shelf and object.
[0016] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
body includes first and second separable segments for permitting
the space between the upper and lower arm to be adjustable, and
includes locking means for locking the upper and lower arms in a
desired position in relation to each other.
[0017] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
lower arm is collectively comprised of a plurality of adjacent
fingers.
[0018] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a
holder is provided for holding an object against the underside of a
shelf, and comprises a plurality of upper arms adapted to engage an
upper surface of the shelf and a plurality of lower arms maintained
in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging
and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf. The
space between the upper arms and lower arms is predetermined to be
approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the
object.
[0019] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
upper arms diverge from each other in a radially outwardly
direction and the lower arms diverge from each other in a radially
outwardly direction.
[0020] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a
distal portion of each of the upper and lower arms extends at right
angles to a proximal, diverging portion of each of the upper and
lower arms.
[0021] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
plurality of upper arms comprises first and second spaced-apart
U-shaped arms and the plurality of lower arms comprises first and
second spaced-apart U-shaped arms, and the body comprises a
bridging member joining the upper and lower U-shaped arms at
respective midpoints thereof.
[0022] A method according to an embodiment of the invention relates
to a method of storing an object under a shelf in the space
normally not occupied by objects on a lower shelf that includes the
steps of providing a holder for holding an object against the
underside of a shelf that includes an upper arm adapted to engage
an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in
spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and
supporting the object against the underside of the shelf. The space
between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be
approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the
object. The holder is slid onto one side edge of the object, and
the holder and object are slid under the shelf so the that the
upper arm engages the top of the shelf, and the lower arm engages
the bottom of the object.
[0023] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a
structure is attached thereto and selected from the group
consisting of a magnet, a writing surface and a chemically-treated
surface that changes color as contents of the object ages.
[0024] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
method includes the step of supporting the object with an
intermediate arm that extends outwardly from the body and engages
the bottom of the shelf.
[0025] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
method includes the step of adjusting the space between the upper
arm and lower arm to accommodate the combined thickness of the
shelf and the object.
[0026] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
method includes the step of biasing the upper arm and lower arm
towards each other for applying a clamping force to the top of the
shelf and the bottom of the object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth
above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as
the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction
with the following drawings, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing one embodiment
of the invention being used to hold a pizza box in unused space
under a refrigerator shelf;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
holder;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the holder
with an advertising display or magnet thereon;
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates application of the holder to a pizza box
and the box onto a refrigerator shelf;
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates the holder holding the pizza box on the
refrigerator shelf;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-section according to the view in
FIG. 5;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
holder;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
holder;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
holder;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
holder;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder;
[0044] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
holder;
[0045] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder; and
[0046] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the holder;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE
[0047] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a holder
according to the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-3
at reference numeral 10. As noted above, the holder 10 and the
other embodiments disclosed in this application have numerous
applications, but for purposes of explanation in this application
is described with reference to a pizza delivery box. This type of
box is typically square, about 5 cm high and between 25 and 70 cm
on each side. As shown environmentally in FIG. 1, the holder 10 is
used to suspend a pizza box "B" under a refrigerator shelf "S" in
the space below the shelf "S" that is not ordinarily occupied by
the objects resting on the shelf below the shelf "S", as shown.
[0048] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 10
includes a body 12 with a recess 13 that permits a finger to be
inserted to remove the holder 10 from its position on the shelf
"S", and three pairs of outwardly-projecting arms. Upper arms 14
and 16 are preferably relatively short and include
downwardly-extending hooks 14A, 16A that, as shown in FIG. 1, will
catch against the raised front lip of the shelf "S" and prevent the
holder 10 from inadvertently sliding outwardly off of the shelf
"S". Lower arms 18, 20 preferably extend outwardly further than the
upper arms 14, 16 and include upwardly-extending hooks 18A, 20A
will catch against the lower edge of the front lip of the shelf "S"
and, in cooperation with the hooks 14A, 16A, prevent the holder 10
from inadvertently sliding outwardly off of the shelf "S". The
space between the pairs of arms 14, 16 and 18, 20 thus permit the
holder 10 to extend over the top and bottom of the shelf "S" and be
supported in the position shown in FIG. 1 on the shelf "S".
[0049] The third pair of arms 22, 24 extend outwardly and
preferably include one or more upwardly-projecting teeth 23A, 24A
that provide a degree of gripping force against the bottom of the
box "B". FIG. 3 also shows that the body 12 can be used to display
advertising 26. Alternatively, the patch 26 may be a surface
suitable for being written on so the consumer can mark the date the
pizza was baked, a patch that has a chemical thereon that changes
from, for example, green to yellow and then red over a
predetermined amount of days to indicate when the contents of the
box "B" should no longer be consumed, or a number switch that
allows the consumer to note the age of the pizza in days from
baking. As a further alternative, the patch 26 may be magnetic so
that the holder 10 can be placed on a refrigerator when not in use.
Of course, the magnetic patch 26 may also contain advertising or a
writing surface or a chemical that changes color to indicate the
age of the contents of the box "B."
[0050] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the method of use, that includes
the steps of sliding the holder 10 onto one side edge of the box
"B", and then sliding the holder 10 and box "B" under the shelf
"S", so the that the arms 14,16 engage the top of the shelf "10",
the arms 18, 20 engage the bottom of the shelf "S", and the arms
22, 24 engage the bottom of the box "B", as shown in FIG. 6.
[0051] In one preferred embodiment among many alternatives, the
holder 10 is formed of 3 mm thick polystyrene plastic with the
following dimensions:
[0052] Body 12 width--6 cm
[0053] Body 12 height--10 cm
[0054] Upper arms 14, 16--4.5 cm long
[0055] Middle arms 18, 20--7 cm long
[0056] Lower arms 22, 24--9 cm long
[0057] Recess 13--3 cm high and 2.5 cm wide
[0058] Space between arms 14, 16 and arms 18, 20--2 cm
[0059] Space between arms 18, 20 and 22, 24--6 cm.
[0060] The width of 6 cm is the approximate height of many pizza
boxes, so that the holder 10 can be slid into place and held in
position on the box itself during delivery. In accordance with one
embodiment, the arms 14, 18, and 22 converge towards arms 16, 20
and 24 to a distance of about 4.5 cm. By spreading the arms
slightly and sliding the holder 10 onto the box, the holder 10 is
held on the box by the tension on the arms.
[0061] Other embodiments of a holder are illustrated in FIGS. 7-21.
In these embodiments, both the shelf of the refrigerator and the
pizza box fit in the space between upper and lower arms, as
described below. For example, FIG. 7 shows a holder 30 that has a
body 32 formed by intersecting arms 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 that
diverge outwardly and then at right angles to the body 32. Upper
arms 34, 36, 38 are supported by the top surface of the shelf and
the lower arms 40, 42, 44 support the bottom of the box, with both
the shelf and box positioned between them.
[0062] A holder 50 as shown in FIG. 8 includes a body 52 with two
outwardly projecting upper arms 54, 56, and two
outwardly-projecting lower arms 58 and 60.
[0063] In FIG. 9, a holder 70 is shown that includes a body 72 with
an upper arm 74 and a lower arm 76 projecting outwardly at right
angles.
[0064] In FIG. 10, a holder 80 is disclosed that includes a body 82
having two segments 82A, 82B, with an upper arm 84 carried by
segment 82A and a lower arm 86 carried by segment 82B. The arms 84
and 86 are movable in relation to each other by means of a cam 88
that drives the arms 84 apart or together by cooperation with a
pair of geared racks 90, 92 that engage gear teeth 94 on the cam
88. The arms 84, 86 can be spread by rotating the cam 88
counterclockwise to receive a box, plate, or the like of a
particular thickness that is then positioned on a shelf, as
described above, and then rotated clockwise to tighten the arms 84,
86 against the top surface of the shelf and the bottom of the box,
plate, etc., respectively.
[0065] FIG. 11 illustrates a two-piece holder 100 that includes a
upper segment 102 and a lower segment 104. The upper segment 102
defines an opening 102A bridged by a cross-piece 106 having a slot
108 therein. A complementary tab 110 on the lower segment 104
slides into the opening 102A and through the slot 108 to an extent
sufficient to snugly accommodate the shelf and box between the
upper segment 102 and lower segment 104. The biased lever force on
the holder 100 by the offset weight of the box binds the tab 110 in
the slot 104.
[0066] FIG. 12 shows a holder 120 that includes two arms 122, 124
that are biased into a closed position by a spring 130 positioned
between the arms and operated by the grips 126, 128 held between
the thumb and forefinger. The grips 126, 128 are squeezed together
to open the arms 122, 124 sufficiently wide to accommodate both the
shelf and box, slid onto the shelf and then released. The box is
removed by reversing the process.
[0067] FIG. 13 shows a holder 140 comprised of two separate
U-shaped arms 142, 144 that function essentially like the holder 70
shown in FIG. 9. The arms 142, 144 may be spaced a predetermined
distance apart to maximize stability with even less plastic
material that used to fabricate holders such as the holder 70 shown
in FIG. 9.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 14, a holder 150 in the shape of a
stylized hand is shown, with an upper arm 152 in the general shape
of a thumb and palm 152 and four opposed fingers 154, 156, 158, 160
spaced to receive a shelf and box between them, as described
above.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 15, the holder 170 comprises an upper
U-shaped arm 172 and a lower U-shaped arm 174 joined by a bridging
member 176 having a length appropriate to provide the desired space
between the upper arm 172 and lower arm 174 so as to accommodate
the shelf and box.
[0070] FIG. 16 illustrates yet another embodiment of a holder 180
that includes four arms 182, 184, 186, 188 connected with bridging
members 190, 192, 194 and 196.
[0071] FIG. 17 illustrates a holder 200 formed of an upper arm 202
and a lower arm 204 connected by a disc-shaped bridging member 206
having a length appropriate to provide the desired space between
the upper arm 202 and lower arm 204 so as to accommodate the shelf
and box.
[0072] FIG. 18 shows a holder 210 formed of a relatively wide upper
arm 212 and a similarly wide lower arm 214 connected by two
bridging members 216 and 218, each having a length appropriate to
provide the desired space between the upper arm 212 and lower arm
214 so as to accommodate the shelf and box. This arrangement
provides a large open space that allows the end of the box to
remain visible, provides a wide, stable support to the box while
minimizing the material required to fabricate the holder 210.
[0073] A holder 220 as shown in FIG. 19 includes a body 222 with
two outwardly projecting upper arms 224, 226, and two
outwardly-projecting lower arms 228 and 230. The two outwardly
projecting upper arms 224, 226, and outwardly-projecting lower arms
228 and 230 have respective downwardly-projecting hooks 224A, 226A
and upwardly-projecting teeth 228A, 230A. The hooks 224A, 226A will
catch against the raised front lip of the shelf and prevent the
holder 220 from inadvertently sliding outwardly off of the shelf.
The teeth 228A and 230A apply a gripping force to the bottom of the
box.
[0074] A holder is described above. Various details of the
invention may be changed without departing from its scope.
Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment
of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are
provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the
purpose of limitation--the invention being defined by the
claims.
* * * * *