U.S. patent application number 12/741313 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for retaining means.
Invention is credited to Dino Arcaro.
Application Number | 20100237212 12/741313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40625296 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100237212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arcaro; Dino |
September 23, 2010 |
RETAINING MEANS
Abstract
A retaining means comprising: an elongate mounting means; a
gripping means; the gripping means comprising a first and second
gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least in part
from a flexibly resilient material; each gripping portion being
attached to the mounting means; and the first gripping portion
having an outer edge positioned in close spatial arrangement with
an outer edge of a second gripping portion such that an article may
be retained between the outer edge of the first and second gripping
portions.
Inventors: |
Arcaro; Dino; (Willetton,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MAIER & MAIER, PLLC
1000 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
40625296 |
Appl. No.: |
12/741313 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
November 7, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU08/01656 |
371 Date: |
May 4, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/316.7 ;
24/457; 24/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/44641 20150115;
D06F 55/00 20130101; Y10T 24/44017 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/316.7 ;
24/530; 24/457 |
International
Class: |
D06F 57/00 20060101
D06F057/00; D06F 55/00 20060101 D06F055/00; A44B 99/00 20100101
A44B099/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 9, 2007 |
AU |
2007906164 |
Claims
1. A retaining means comprising: an elongate mounting means; a
gripping means; the gripping means further comprising a first and
second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed at least
in part from a flexibly resilient material; each gripping portion
being attached to the mounting means; and the first gripping
portion having an outer edge positioned in close spatial
arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion such
that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the first
and second gripping portions.
2. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the mounting
means comprises at least two support members, each support member
having an upper edge.
3. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
the support means comprises an engaging means for attaching the
retaining means to an existing structure.
4. A retaining means according to claim 3, wherein the engaging
means is provided in the form of a recess.
5. A retaining means according to claim 2, wherein the gripping
means is co-extensive with at least one of the support members.
6. A retaining means according to claim 2, wherein the gripping
means has serrations provided in each of the portions thereof
extending over the upper edge of at least one of the support
members.
7. A retaining means according to claim 6, wherein the serrations
are formed from the flexibly resilient material.
8. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the or each
portion of the gripping means comprises a strip of the flexibly
resilient material.
9. A retaining means according to claim 8, wherein the strip of
flexibly resilient material further comprises one or more slits
extending transversely across the portion from the outer edge
defining therein a plurality of finger-like formations.
10. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein in the outer
edge of the first gripping portion abuts or is located adjacent to
the second gripping portion.
11. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein each gripping
portion attaches to the mounting means via an integrated slot.
12. A retaining means according to claim 2, wherein one of the
gripping portions also forms one of the support members.
13. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the mounting
means further comprises a base.
14. A retaining means according to claim 13, wherein the base has
at least one drainage aperture.
15. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the retaining
means further comprises an end bracket in which the mounting means
is received.
16. A retaining means according to claim 15, wherein the bracket
comprises two portions adapted to engage with each other and to
enclose at least a portion of a frame of an existing structure
therebetween.
17. A retaining means according to claim 16, wherein at least one
of the portions of the bracket further comprise a retaining means
support.
18. A retaining means according to claim 1, wherein the mounting
means is formed from rigid or semi-rigid material.
19. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a retaining means. More
particularly, the retaining means of the present invention is
intended to substantially eliminate the requirement for separate
pegs or clips to secure items to be retained therein.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A number of prior art documents disclose a means for
retaining items that is configured in an attempt to avoid the
requirement for pegs or clips. German Patent DE 3105051 discloses a
U-shaped rail which retains the item via a pinching action between
two legs of the rail. However, this item is not intended to be used
in conjunction with an existing structure, for example a clothes
line. Further, given the nature of the pinching mechanism, being
constructed from rigid material, inserting the item to be retained
may be complicated and result in an operator's fingers being caught
or pinched.
[0003] Australian Patent 646352 discloses a pegless clothes line
which is constructed from a number of plastic links that are joined
together by a stud connection to form a line. The item is slipped
into an aperture at one end of each link and slides along into a
pinch slot to secure the item. This may substantially overcome the
issue of an operator having their fingers caught, although it may
not be ideal for more delicate items as they may be prone to damage
from sliding in and out of the pinch slot.
[0004] Australian Patents 111923, 114289, 116484, 117229 and 118620
disclose pegless clothes lines of a variety of wire configurations,
which are unlikely to be very effective for retaining the items
during strong winds, and can be complicated to install.
[0005] The retaining means of the present invention has one object
thereof to substantially overcome the abovementioned problems
associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful
alternative thereto.
[0006] The preceding discussion of the background art is included
exclusively for the purpose of providing a context for the present
invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an
acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to
was common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present
invention in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date.
[0007] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires
otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other
integer or group of integers.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
retaining means comprising: [0009] an elongate mounting means;
[0010] a gripping means; [0011] the gripping means comprising a
first and second gripping portion, at least one of which is formed
at least in part from a flexibly resilient material; [0012] each
gripping portion being attached to the mounting means; and [0013]
the first gripping portion having an outer edge positioned in close
spatial arrangement with an outer edge of a second gripping portion
such that an article may be retained between the outer edge of the
first and second gripping portions.
[0014] Preferably, the mounting means has at least two support
members, each support member having an upper edge.
[0015] At least one of the support members preferably comprises an
engaging means allowing the retaining means to be attached to an
existing structure, for example a clothes line.
[0016] Preferably, the engaging means may be provided various
forms, including but not limited to a recess, one or more hooks, or
a slot.
[0017] Preferably, the gripping means is co-extensive with at least
one of the support members.
[0018] Preferably, the upper edge of at least one of the support
members has serrations located thereon.
[0019] More preferably, the serrations extend from the gripping
means substantially above the upper edge of the or each support
member and are formed from the flexibly resilient material.
[0020] The or each portion of the gripping means preferably
comprises a strip of the flexibly resilient material.
[0021] The strip of flexibly resilient material preferably
comprises one or more slits extending transversely across the
portion from the outer edge defining therein a plurality of
finger-like formations.
[0022] Preferably, outer edge of the first gripping portion abuts
or is located adjacent to the second gripping portion.
[0023] The gripping means preferably attaches to the mounting means
in a variety of ways, including but not limited to engagement with
an integrated slot, or by gluing or bolting the gripping means to
the upper edge of one or more of the support members.
[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, one of the gripping
portions of the gripping means may itself form one of the support
members and is formed from the flexibly resilient material.
[0025] Preferably, the mounting means has a base.
[0026] More preferably, the base of the mounting means comprises at
least one drainage aperture provided therein.
[0027] Where at least one mounting means is engaged to an existing
structure, an end bracket in which the mounting means is
received.
[0028] Preferably, the bracket comprises two portions adapted to
engage with each other and to enclose at least a portion of a frame
of an existing structure therebetween.
[0029] More preferably, at least one of the portions of the bracket
further comprise a retaining means support.
[0030] Preferably, the existing structure, includes a clothes line
or the frame of a clothes line.
[0031] Preferably, the articles to be retained by the retaining
means are in the form of sheet-like materials including clothing
and paper.
[0032] The mounting means is preferably formed from rigid or
semi-rigid material including but not limited to, steel, aluminium
or moulded plastic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the
accompanying drawings, in which:--
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining means in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is an end view of the retaining means of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 3 is an end view of the retaining means of FIG. 1 shown
engaged with an end bracket;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 3;
[0038] FIG. 5 a perspective view of the retaining means of FIG. 1
shown in use;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a retaining means in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a mounting means of a
the retaining means depicted in FIG. 6;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mounting means of FIG.
7;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a gripping means of the
retaining means depicted in FIG. 6;
[0043] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the gripping means of
FIG. 9; and
[0044] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bracket for use with the
retaining means depicted in FIG. 6.
BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0045] In FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a retaining means 10 in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The
retaining means 10 comprises an elongate mounting means 12 and a
gripping means 14. The mounting means 12 in turn comprises a base
16 connected to both a first support member 18 and a second support
member 20. Each of the support members 18 and 20 have an upper edge
19. The base 16 further comprises a number of drainage apertures 17
spaced along its length. The mounting means 12 is formed from a
rigid material, for example steel, aluminium or moulded
plastic.
[0046] The gripping means 14 comprises a first gripping portion 22
formed from a flexibly resilient material which is attached to the
mounting means 12 via the first support member 18 and extends
laterally towards a second gripping portion 24 attached to the
second support member 20. The second gripping portion 24 is also
formed from a flexibly resilient material. The gripping means 14 is
attached to the support members 18 and 20. This attachment may be
achieved in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, for
example, being bolted or glued directly to the upper edge 19, as
depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0047] Each of the first and second gripping portions, 22 and 24
respectively, comprise a strip of the flexibly resilient material.
The resilient material has provided therein a number of slits 25
extending transversely across each of the first gripping portion 22
and second gripping portion 24 from one edge to form a number of
finger-like formations 26. The first gripping portion 22 has an
outer edge 28. The second gripping portion 24 also has an outer
edge 30. The outer edge 28 of the first gripping portion 22 is in
close spatial arrangement with the outer edge 30 of the second
gripping portion, defining therebetween a narrow line of
separation, or a gap 32. Alternatively, the outer edge 28 may abut
the outer edge 30.
[0048] The gripping means 14 has serrations 34 provided in portions
thereof that extend over the upper edges 19 of the support members
18 and 20. The serrations 34 aid in the gripping of an article, for
example an item of clothing or sheet-like material such as paper.
Further, because the serrations 34 are formed from flexibly
resilient material, damage to the article is minimised. The first
support member 18 and second support member 20 further comprise an
engaging means 36 extending along the length of the retaining means
10. The engaging means 36 allows the retaining means 10 to be
attached to, or located on, an existing structure, for example a
clothes line 37.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows and end view of the same embodiment of the
retaining means 10 clearly indicating how the engaging means 36
allows the mounting means 12 to be attached to the clothes line
37.
[0050] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the same embodiment of the retaining
means 10 engaged with an elongate end bracket 40 to secure the
retaining means 10 in the preferred position. The bracket 40
comprises a base portion 42 and a top portion 44, the top portion
44 attaching to the base portion by way of a fastening means, for
example bolts 46. The base portion 42 further comprises a central
support structure 48 and two ends 50 and 52. The bracket 40 is
designed to attach to a frame 54 of a square or rectangular framed
clothes line. At each of the ends 50 and 52, the base portion 42
defines a recess 56, which is substantially the same shape as the
retaining means 10, allowing the retaining means 10 to be inserted
"end-on" into the base portion 42. The central support structure 48
extends between the recesses 56, located at each of the ends 50 and
52, and contains apertures through which the bolts 46 are able to
pass in order to secure the bracket 40 to the frame 54. The
retaining means 10 is positioned such that it extends transversely
with respect to the bracket 40.
[0051] The base portion 42, being the base support for the
retaining means 10, is positioned underneath the frame 54. The top
portion 44 is then placed over the top of the frame 54, such that
it aligns with the base portion 42. The base portion is then
secured to the top portion by the bolts 46.
[0052] In use, as shown in FIG. 5, a wet clothing item 38 is
inserted into the gap 32 between the first gripping portion 22 and
the second gripping portion 24. The act of pushing the clothing
item 38 into the gap 32 temporarily deforms the position of the
gripping means 14. However, the flexibly resilient nature of the
gripping means 14 enables it to return to its initial position
thereby grasping the clothing item 38 and holding it secure.
Further, the flexible nature of the gripping means 14 ensures that
a clothing item 38 of delicate fabric is less likely to be damaged,
particularly in strong winds or when being inserted or removed. The
serrated upper edge 34 provides additional grip for the clothing
item 38 to prevent it from slipping free. The drainage apertures 17
allow any excess moisture to drain from the retaining means 10.
[0053] In FIGS. 6 to 10 there is shown a retaining means 60 in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The
retaining means 60 is substantially similar to the retaining means
10 and like numerals denote like parts.
[0054] Specifically, FIGS. 7 and 8 depict the mounting means 12 of
the retaining means 60. The upper edge 19 of the first and second
support members, 18 and 20, comprise an integrated slot 62, for
example in the form of a "T" slot. The slot 62 enables the gripping
means 14 to engage with the mounting means 12.
[0055] The first and second gripping portions 22 and 24 engage with
the slot 62 by way of a foot portion 64 having a substantially
complementary shape to the slot 62 such that it can be retained
therein, as shown in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10. It is envisaged that the
slot 62 and the foot portion 64 may be provided in various
complimentary shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0056] In FIG. 11 there is shown a bracket 70 for use with the
second embodiment of the present invention. The bracket 70 is
formed from, for example, moulded plastic and comprises an outer
portion 72 and an inner portion 74. The bracket 70 may simply hook
onto a clothes line 37 or frame 54 by way of engaging recesses 75.
The outer portion 72 has two ends 76 and 78, a central support
structure 80, a face plate 82 and a retaining means support 84
located at each of the ends 76 and 78. The retaining means support
84 has a substantially complementary shape to the mounting means
12. The retaining means support 84 and the central support
structure 80, are provided in the form of protrusions that extend
from the face plate 82. The retaining means 50 slides over the
retaining means support 84, such that the ends of the retaining
means 50 abut the face plate 82.
[0057] The inner portion 74 is provided for primarily for aesthetic
purposes and has a complementary shape to the central support
structure 80. The inner portion 74 slideably engages with the
central support structure 80 until it abuts the face plate 82. The
dimensions of the inner portion 74 are such that it fits snug with
the central support structure 80, so that it is substantially
secure.
[0058] In use, the retaining means 50 operates in substantially the
same manner as described for the retaining means 10.
[0059] It is envisaged that the finger-like formations 26 of the
gripping means 14 may alternatively be replaced with formations of
various shape, or the gripping means 14 may comprise two continuous
strips of flexibly resilient material, that is, without the
transverse slits 25.
[0060] It is further envisaged that the outer edge 28 of first
gripping portion 22 may also abut or overlap with the outer edge 30
of the second gripping portion 24.
[0061] It is still further envisaged that the retaining means 10
may be employed such that it is inverted or rotated to a side
position, with reference to the embodiment described above, and
still operate effectively.
[0062] A skilled addressee would recognise that the mounting means
need not have a base. For example, the first support member 18 and
a second support member 20 may be engaged separately by an end
bracket 40. Alternately, one or more intermediate brackets may
connect and locate relatively the first support member 18 and the
second support member 20. Further, where a base 16 is employed, it
may have a variety of formations, for example a V-shape or
curved.
[0063] It is also envisaged that the gripping means 14 may be
positioned at any point along the first or second support members,
18 and 20 respectively.
[0064] It is to be understood that second support member 20 may
itself form the second gripping portion 24. Further, where the
second support member 20 forms the second gripping portion 24, the
second support member 20 may also then, at least in part, be formed
from flexibly resilient material.
[0065] It is envisaged that the engaging means 36 may be provided
in the form of a recess as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, or it may be in
the form of one of more hooks, or a slot.
[0066] It is to be understood that the retaining means of the
present invention, whilst having particular applicability to a
pegless clothes line is not necessarily confined thereto and may be
utilised as a retaining means for other items such as paper,
including for example, meal orders in restaurants.
[0067] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any
of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are
intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally
equivalent products and methods are clearly within the scope of the
invention as described herein.
* * * * *