Abstract:
A vehicle accessory holder having several accessory receptacles defining several accessory retention compartments is provided for retaining various accessories or items such as sunglasses, cell phones, business cards, paper and pens/pencils, lottery tickets and the like proximate to the vehicle driver. The vehicle accessory holder is attached to the vehicle&#39;s rear view mirror mount and is adjustable in position relative to the driver in all directions within the vehicle. A flexible hanger that bends but retains its shape is attached to the receptacles via a clamp that allows easy and quick up/down height adjustment of the receptacles along the hanger to vertically position the receptacles relative to the rear view mirror. Two hooks on automatically retractable cords are positioned on both sides of the receptacles to provide attachment to air vents or other structures of the vehicle. The automatic retraction of the cords provides retention of the receptacles against the center console of the vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to devices that are used in vehicles for holding personal accessories and other items and, more particularly, to an adjustably positionable device for holding a plurality of accessories and items within reach of a driver in the interior of a vehicle. 
         [0003]    2. Background Information 
         [0004]    In today&#39;s world, drivers of vehicles usually have a variety of personal accessories that they may occasionally use while driving or may just want to carry with them. Typical accessories include sunglasses, cell phones, digital music players and the like. Additionally, the driver may have or accumulate small items such as coins, lottery tickets, keys, writing and/or marking instruments, writing pads, business cards and the like that the driver wants or needs to be stored within the vehicle. It is usually desired to keep these accessories and items handy. Because most automobiles lack specific accommodations for small items and typical accessories, they are usually stored in the glove box, center console, cup holder(s), ash tray, side door pockets or other places within the automobile. 
         [0005]    These storage places, however, are not designed to adequately or effectively hold such accessories or items. Moreover, these storage places are typically not within easy reach of the automobile driver and thus do not allow easy access to the accessories or items while driving. These factors thus make it quite difficult for the driver to access the desired items and/or accessories for use while driving without causing driver distraction. Moreover, if the particular storage place is being used to hold its intended cargo, for example a cup in a cup holder, there may be no room for the item or accessory. 
         [0006]    In view of the above, various prior art devices have attempted to overcome these problems and/or deficiencies. These devices can be categorized according to their solution and/or use. For instance, various patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,971,242 to Schuerman, 5,179,590 to Wang, 5,086,958 and 5,048,733 to Nagy, and 4,877,164 to Baucom, all disclose devices that plug into the typical automobile accessory outlet and hold a specific type of accessory or item. The drawback is that these devices only hold one accessory or item. Furthermore, these devices put stress on the accessory outlet by projecting far away from the accessory outlet. They are also not able or suited to hold a variety of items or accessories. 
         [0007]    Another single item holder is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,320 to Mead. Mead discloses an eyeglass holder for use in conjunction with a rear view mirror of an automobile. The eyeglass holder includes suction cups, each attached to adjustable length stems that extend from the eyeglass holder body. The suction cups are for adhering to the windshield of the automobile for stabilizing the eyeglass holder body. Hook members may be provided that are adapted to engage the upper and lower ends of the rear view mirror. Because of its design, glasses or any other item held in the Mead device is not easily reachable during driving. Moreover, Mead cannot hold multiple items or accessories, nor is it adjustable with respect to the driver. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,656,339 to Runyan and 3,014,759 to Bing, disclose automobile item receptacles that are configured to hold various articles or packages. While these devices are not made for any one specific item and thus can hold a variety of items, they are designed to be suspended or otherwise attached to the rear of one of the front seats of the automobile. This makes it difficult, if not impossible for the driver to store or retrieve an item from the receptacle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,325 to Wang alleviates this problem by a multifunctional article holder that is adapted to rest between the two front seats of an automobile. The Wang holder has a main body defining a main holding compartment and a plurality of supplementary holding compartments. A plurality of latch clips are attached to the main body and adapted to secure the main body to the front seats. However, with today&#39;s automobile designs there is usually no open room between the front seats. Instead, a console is provided between the two front seats, making the Wang multifunctional article holder obsolete. 
         [0009]    It is evident from the above that the prior art does not disclose a device for a vehicle that can hold a plurality of items or accessories within easy reach of the driver. It is also evident that the prior art does not disclose a device for a vehicle that can hold a plurality of items or accessories within easy reach of the driver by allowing easy positional adjustment of its position relative to the driver within the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a vehicle accessory and/or item holder for retaining various accessories or items proximate to a driver of a vehicle. The vehicle accessory holder is attached to the vehicle&#39;s rear view mirror mount and is adjustable in position relative to the driver in all directions within the vehicle. The vehicle accessory holder has one or more accessory receptacles defining one or more accessory retention compartments that are configured to hold sunglasses, cell phones, business cards, paper and pens/pencils, lottery tickets and the like. 
         [0011]    A flexible hanger that bends but retains its shape is attached to the receptacle(s) via a clamp that allows easy and quick up/down height adjustment of the receptacle(s) along the hanger to vertically position the receptacles relative to the rear view mirror. Auxiliary attachment devices provide lateral positioning of the receptacle(s) relative to the center console of the vehicle. 
         [0012]    In one form, each auxiliary attachment device includes a hook on an automatically retractable cord to provide attachment thereof to an air vent or other structure of the vehicle. The automatic retraction of the cords provides retention of the receptacle(s) against the center console of the vehicle. 
         [0013]    The present vehicle accessory holder provides the benefits of keeping various accessories within safe and easy reach of the driver; therefore, no more lost, scratched or broken sunglasses, cell phones or other items. Moreover, the flex-adjust design of the present vehicle accessory holder allows installation and use in any vehicle. 
         [0014]    The more important features and benefits of the invention have been outlined rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which may form the subject matter of claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the concept upon which this disclosure is based, and may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    These, together with objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the following description and claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side front perspective view of a vehicle accessory holder fashioned in accordance with the present principles; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side rear perspective view of the vehicle accessory holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the vehicle accessory holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side top perspective view of the vehicle accessory holder of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a driver&#39;s side area of an automobile with the present vehicle accessory holder installed therein. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is depicted various views of a vehicle accessory holder, generally designated  10 , fashioned in accordance with the present principles. The vehicle accessory holder  10  is configured to hold, retain or allow the attachment to of a plurality of accessories or items proximate to and within easy reach of the vehicle driver. Additionally, in accordance with the present principles, the position of the vehicle accessory holder  10  relative to the driver of the vehicle is adjustable. It should be understood that the term vehicle encompasses all types of motor vehicles (e.g. automobiles, trucks, buses, etc.) so that the vehicle accessory holder  10  may be used in all types of vehicles. 
         [0024]    The vehicle accessory holder  10  has a first or main receptacle  12  formed as a generally open, rectangular box and a second or secondary receptacle  14  formed as an open, generally basket-shaped box that is attached, connected, affixed, fastened or otherwise formed with or onto the front of the first receptacle  12 . It should be appreciated that the nomenclature first and second is arbitrary. Also, it should be appreciated that the general configuration of the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  may be changed as desired. Additionally, the vehicle accessory holder  10  may include more than two compartments. 
         [0025]    The first receptacle  12  is defined by a rear rectangular frame  18  holding or supporting a rear rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (collectively and hereinafter, wall)  19 , a front rectangular frame  20  holding or supporting a front rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (collectively and hereinafter, wall)  21 , a first side rectangular frame  22  holding or supporting a first side rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (hereinafter, wall)  23 , and a second side rectangular frame  24  holding or supporting a second side rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (hereinafter, wall)  25 . It should be appreciated that the nomenclature rear, front, first and second is arbitrary. A rectangular bottom surface  30  (see  FIG. 4 ) is provided laterally between the front, rear, and first and second side walls  21 ,  19 ,  23  and  25 . 
         [0026]    The frames  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  are made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. The walls  19 ,  21 ,  23  and  25  and bottom surface  30  are shown as being formed of a mesh but may be solid if desired. Mesh, however, provides the ability for the driver to see into the first receptacle  12 . As an alternative, the walls  19 ,  21 ,  23  and  25  may be part solid, part mesh. Other variations are envisioned. In like manner to the frames  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 , the walls  19 ,  21 ,  23  and  25  are made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. A first or main interior or compartment  32  is formed by the connection of the frames  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 , the walls  19 ,  21 ,  23 ,  25  and the bottom  43 . 
         [0027]    The first compartment  32  is sized to accommodate a pair of sunglasses (not shown) and other large items. Size of the first compartment  32  may differ as desired. It should also be appreciated that the first compartment  32  may be sectioned if desired in order to provide or form two or more compartments. The walls of the sections may be mesh, solid or a combination of mesh and solid in like manner to the walls  19 ,  21 ,  23  and  25  of the first receptacle  12  and formed of the same or similar material. 
         [0028]    The second receptacle  14  is defined by a continuous upper frame  34  and a lower frame  35  holding or supporting a rear rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (collectively and hereinafter, wall)  37 , a front generally curved rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (collectively and hereinafter, wall)  36 , a first side rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (collectively and hereinafter, wall)  38 , and side rectangular wall, face, surface or the like (collectively and hereinafter, wall)  39 . It should be appreciated that the nomenclature rear, front, first and second is arbitrary. A rectangular bottom surface  43  (see  FIG. 4 ) is provided laterally between the front, rear, and first and second side walls  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39 . 
         [0029]    The frames  34  and  35  are made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. The walls  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  and bottom surface  43  are shown as being formed of a mesh but may be solid if desired. Mesh, however, provides the ability for the driver to see into the second receptacle  14 . As an alternative, the walls  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  may be part solid, part mesh. Other variations are envisioned. In like manner to the frames  34  and  35 , the walls  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  are made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. A second or secondary interior or compartment  40  is formed by the connection of the frames  34 ,  35 , the walls  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39 , and the bottom  43 . 
         [0030]    The second receptacle  14  is smaller in size than the first receptacle  12  and is generally in the shape of a somewhat flattened creel. Thus, the second compartment  40  is narrower than the first compartment  32  and therefore sized to accommodate thinner devices, accessories or items than the first compartment  32 . Size of the second receptacle  14  and thus the second compartment  40  may differ as desired. It should also be appreciated that the second compartment  40  may be sectioned if desired in order to provide or form two or more compartments. The walls of the sections may be mesh, solid or a combination of mesh and solid in like manner to the walls  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  of the second receptacle  14  and formed of the same or similar material. 
         [0031]    The second receptacle  14  is attached, fixed or connected to the first receptacle  12  by first and second fasteners  41 ,  42 . The fasteners  41 ,  42  may be rivets, bolts with nuts (as shown), screws or other type of fastener. Instead of a fastener, the second receptacle  14  may be formed with or be part of the first receptacle  12 . Likewise, the second receptacle  14  may be a compartment of the first receptacle  12 . It should be appreciated that the present vehicle accessory holder  10  may have any number of receptacles. 
         [0032]    The vehicle accessory holder  10  has an attachment portion  16  for hanging the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  in a vehicle and particularly, but not necessarily, from the rear view mirror mount of a vehicle. The attachment portion  16  includes a flexible rod, shaft or the like (collectively and hereinafter, flexible rod)  44  that can be bent into and retain a particular shape. This allows flexibility in positioning the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  within the vehicle. A first or upper end of the flexible rod  44  is fashioned into a hook  55  that is adapted to attach to the vehicle&#39;s rear view mirror mount (see  FIG. 5 ). The flexible rod  44  extends through a connection and adjustment structure  46  that is connected to the first receptacle  12 . Particularly, a bolt and nut (fastener)  52  connects the connection and adjustment structure  46  to the rear wall  19  of the first receptacle  12 . It should be appreciated that other types of fasteners may be used if desired. 
         [0033]    The connection and adjustment structure  46  is defined by a strap  48  made from a resilient or spring-like material. The strap  48  has a first or upper aperture  49  and a second or lower aperture  50  with the flexible rod  44  extending through the upper and lower apertures  49 ,  50 . A second or lower end of the flexible rod  44  is fashioned into a hook  54  to prevent the flexible rod  44  from coming out of the strap  48 . The hook  54  also provides a stop defining a lower most adjustment position of the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  relative to the flexible rod  44 . 
         [0034]    The position of the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  on or relative to the flexible rod  44  is adjusted by manipulation of the strap  48 . Because the strap  48  is resilient, it has a natural bias that causes the strap  48  to want to be flat or planar. Thus, when the strap  48  is bent to accommodate the flexible rod  44  extending through its upper and lower apertures  49 ,  50  the strap  48  exerts an upward and inward force or bias against the flexible rod  44  at the upper aperture  49 , and a downward and inward force or bias against the flexible rod  44  at the lower aperture  50 . This biasing holds the strap  48  against and onto the flexible rod  44  to hold the position of the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  on and relative to the flexible rod  44 . In order to change or adjust the position of the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  on and relative to the flexible rod  44  (i.e. up and down the flexible rod  44 ), the upper and lower ends of the strap  48  (proximate the upper and lower apertures  49 ,  50 ) are pinched or squeezed together thereby releasing the strap holding bias and allowing the flexible rod  44  to slide up and down through the upper and lower apertures  49 ,  50  (i.e. relative to the strap  48 ). 
         [0035]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the first receptacle  12  has a first opening  27 , defined by a first opening frame  26 , in an upper portion of the first side wall  23  adjacent an upper portion of the first side frame  22 . The first opening frame  26  extends in an arc from one side of the upper portion of the first side frame  22  to another side of the upper portion of the first side frame  22  to define a generally half-circular opening  27 . The first receptacle  12  also has a second opening  29 , defined by a second opening frame  28 , in an upper portion of the second side wall  25  adjacent an upper portion of the second side frame  24 . The second opening frame  28  extends in an arc from one side of the upper portion of the second side frame  24  to another side of the upper portion of the second side frame  24  to define a generally half-circular opening  29 . 
         [0036]    The vehicle accessory holder  10  further includes first and second supplementary attachment devices  58  and  60  that also may be referred to as receptacle stabilization devices in that the first and second supplementary attachment devices  58  and  60  provide lateral stabilization of the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  within the vehicle. Particularly, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first and second supplementary attachment devices  58 ,  60  allow tensioned coupling of the lateral sides of the first receptacle  12  to air vents (or other structures) of the vehicle. Thus, the first and second supplementary attachment devices  58 ,  60  pull the lateral sides of the first receptacle  12  towards the center console of the vehicle. 
         [0037]    The first supplementary attachment device  58  is characterized by a spool  62  that is attached through the first opening  27  and onto the first opening frame  26  via a clip  63 . Attachment of the spool  62  via the clip  63  allows positionable adjustment of the spool  62  relative to the first receptacle  12 . The spool  62  contains an automatic retraction or tensioning mechanism (not seen) having a cord, line or the like (collectively and hereinafter, cord)  67  attached thereto (see  FIG. 3 ) that automatically tends to pull the cord  67  back into the spool  62 . The line  67  extends from an opening in the spool  62  and terminates outside of the spool  62  in a head  66 . The head  66  is sized such that when the cord  67  is retracted into the spool  62  (see, e.g.  FIGS. 1 and 4 ), the head  66  remains on the outside of the spool  62 . The head  66  preferably, but not necessarily, swivels with respect to the cord  67 . A hook  64  is connected to the head  66  via a triangle coupling  65 . The hook  64  is configured to allow attachment thereof to an air vent on the center console of a vehicle. It should be appreciated that the hook  64  may be attached to another structure on the center console. Moreover, another type of connector may be used instead of the hook  64 . 
         [0038]    The second supplementary attachment device  60  is characterized by a spool  68  that is attached through the second opening  29  and onto the second opening frame  29  via a clip  69 . Attachment of the spool  68  via the clip  68  allows positionable adjustment of the spool  68  relative to the first receptacle  12 . The spool  68  contains an automatic retraction or tensioning mechanism (not seen) having a cord, line or the like (collectively and hereinafter, cord)  73  attached thereto (see  FIG. 3 ) that automatically tends to pull the cord  73  back into the spool  68 . The line  73  extends from an opening in the spool  68  and terminates outside of the spool  68  in a head  72 . The head  72  is sized such that when the cord  73  is retracted into the spool  68  (see, e.g.  FIGS. 1 and 4 ), the head  72  remains on the outside of the spool  68 . The head  72  preferably, but not necessarily, swivels with respect to the cord  73 . A hook  70  is connected to the head  72  via a triangle coupling  71 . The hook  70  is configured to allow attachment thereof to an air vent on the center console of a vehicle. It should be appreciated that the hook  70  may be attached to another structure on the center console. Moreover, another type of connector may be used instead of the hook  70 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the vehicle accessory holder  10  is shown installed in an automobile. It should be appreciated that while the present vehicle accessory holder  10  is shown in and with respect to an automobile, it may be used in any vehicle. The upper hook  55  of the flexible rod  44  is attached onto the mount  80  of the rear view mirror of the vehicle. The vertical height of the receptacles  12 ,  14  relative to the flexible rod  44  is adjusted as described above, and the flexible rod  44  is bent accordingly in order to position the receptacles  12 ,  14  in a desired position. The hook  64  of the first supplementary attachment device  58  is connected to a first set of air vents  82  of the center console of the vehicle, while the second hook  70  of the second supplementary attachment device  60  is connected to a second set of air vents  84  of the center console of the vehicle. The tensioned cords  67  and  73  of the first and second supplementary attachment devices  58 ,  60  pull the first and second receptacles  12 ,  14  towards the center console. In this manner, the vehicle accessory holder  10  is in a position proximate to the driver such that the driver can easily reach, obtain and/or store any item or accessory in the vehicle accessory holder  10 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a pad, cloth or other type of liner (collectively and hereinafter, liner)  90  of a suitably soft and preferably pliable material, may optionally be situated in the main compartment  32 . The liner  90  provides cushioning for items and/or accessories such as sunglasses and the like. While not shown, a liner may be situated in the secondary compartment  40  if desired. 
         [0041]    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 a preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.