Abstract:
A holding apparatus for securing an object is disclosed. The holding apparatus secures the object allowing access to the object from different angles and positions. The holding apparatus can be rotated while the object is attached providing access to different areas of the object. The holding apparatus can easily and quickly secure the object.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a holding apparatus. The holding apparatus quickly secures an object allowing access to the object from a wide range of angles and along three axes. While securing the object, the holding apparatus can be rotated permitting access to different areas of the object from different angles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many varieties of work holding devices in the tool industry. These holding devices hold and secure an object in place allowing a user to work on the object without the object moving. Traditional work holding devices limit access to certain areas of held objects by either creating a barrier hindering access to desired parts of the object or awkwardly positioning the object limiting access to desired areas. Traditional holding apparatus are often cumbersome and require time and significant effort to secure the object. 
     The present invention overcomes one or more of these problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus eliminates many of the drawbacks of prior holding devices. One advantage of Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus is that it secures an object in place without obstructing access to a majority of the object&#39;s area. Moreover, while securing the object, the holding apparatus and the secured object can be rotated to a different orientation. Furthermore, the object can be easily secured in a different orientation within the holding apparatus to facilitate access to different areas and regions of the object. If a user of the holding apparatus is having difficultly accessing a component on the object, such as a screw, the holding apparatus and the secured object can be rotated to help facilitate access to that component, the user can also move to a different position to attempt to gain access, and/or the secured object can be repositioned in the holding apparatus. One particular use of Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus is to secure a model vehicle so that a user may perform modifications to the vehicle. For example, Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus can secure a radio controlled (R/C) car allowing the user to quickly make adjustments or replace parts on the R/C car. The holding apparatus may include a base station for supporting the holding apparatus, for catching and retaining any leaking fluids from the vehicle, for providing a cushioning catch for any falling parts like small screws, springs or any other component of the object, and as a storage unit. 
     Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus provides a new and improved holding tool for holding objects that quickly and easily secures an object permitting a user to access areas of the secured object that would be difficult to access by previous holding devices. Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus is portable, light weight and folds into a compact and easily storable configuration. One particular use for Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus is in the radio controlled (R/C) vehicle hobby. R/C enthusiasts take great pride in their R/C vehicles. They maintain their vehicles with the upmost care and attention. R/C vehicles are comprised of many intricate parts that are often difficult to access and remove or attach due to their location on the R/C vehicle. Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus is a valuable tool for R/C enthusiasts; allowing them to safely secure and hold a R/C vehicle in a variety of positions and orientations, permitting R/C enthusiasts access to areas that would be otherwise difficult to access. Using Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus; R/C enthusiasts can attach or remove components from their vehicle with less risks of damaging the vehicle compared with previous methods and tools. Applicant&#39;s holding apparatus can also be used as a carrier for R/C vehicles; by securing the R/C vehicle in the holding apparatus, users can easily and safely transport the vehicle from one location to another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the holding apparatus in a closed or unfolded position; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the holding apparatus in an open or folded position; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the holding apparatus in the closed position supported by a base station; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the holding apparatus securing a model R/C car supported by a base station; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the holding apparatus using tubular grips; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a clamp grip; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the holding apparatus in a closed or unfolded position; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the holding apparatus partially dissembled. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the holding apparatus in an open (folded) position. From an open position, a first ring  2  and a second ring  3  can be rotated to a closed (unfolded) position as shown in  FIG. 1 . A stabilizer bar  4  can also rotate from a planar position with the first ring  2  as shown in  FIG. 2  or to a perpendicular position to the first ring  2  as shown in  FIG. 1 . It is also important to note that the stabilizer bar can freely rotate 360 degrees if a user desires to have his work held in an inverted position. 
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the holding apparatus  1  in a closed position. The first ring  2  and the second ring  3  can attach to each other at attachment  13  by rivets allowing the rings to rotate from an open position as depicted in  FIG. 2  to a closed position as depicted in  FIG. 1  along an axis of rotation  19 . The first ring  2  and the second ring  3  attach to each other by using rivets, or any other known attaching mechanism that permits the rings to rotate along a common axis, such as but not limited to rivets, bolts, nuts, and washers, pins, shafts and retaining pins among others. The stabilizer bar  4  attaches to one of the rings. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stabilizer bar  4  attaches to the first ring  2  at attachment  9  so that the stabilizer bar  4  can be rotated from a planar position with the first ring  2  as shown in  FIG. 2  or to a perpendicular position relative to the first ring  2  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The stabilizer bar  4  can attach to the first ring  2  similarly to the mechanism used for attaching the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  together at attachment  13 . The stabilizer bar  4 , when rotated at attachment  9 , moves along the perimeter of the second ring  3 . The second ring  3  can be locked in place to stabilizer bar  4  by a locking mechanism  14 . The stabilizer bar  4  can be locked with second ring  3  at different locations along second ring  3 . When the stabilizer bar  4  is locked with the second ring  3 , the holding apparatus  1  assumes a fixed position. When the locking mechanism  14  is engaged, the second ring  3  and the first ring  2  can no longer rotate. The locking mechanism  14  can be a simple nut and bolt assembly that passes through openings in the second ring  3  or any other known attaching mechanism known in the art for locking the second ring  3  and the stabilizer bar  4  together, such as, but not limited to, clamps, retaining clips, bolts, nuts and washers among others. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a first rod  5  and a second rod  6  are removably attached to the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  respectfully. The first rod  5  and the second rod  6  can be removably attached to the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  with clamps or any other known attaching mechanism known in the art for removably attaching, such as but not limited to, bolts, nuts, and washer, retaining clips, locking pins among others. In  FIG. 1 , the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  are removably attached to the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  by inserting the rods through adjustment slots  10 . The adjustment slots  10  line at least a portion of the perimeter of the first ring  2  and the second ring  3 . The adjustment slots  10  permit a user to adjust the holding apparatus so that it may secure objects of varying sizes. Attaching the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  further away from the axis of rotation  19  on the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  respectfully allows for larger objects to be secured. By moving the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  to adjustment slots further away from the axis of rotation  19 , the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  end up further apart when the holding apparatus is in the closed position. Attaching the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  closer to the axis of rotation  19  on the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  respectfully allows for smaller objects to be secured. By moving the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  to adjustment slots closer to the axis of rotation  19 , the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  end up closer together when the holding apparatus is in the closed position. The first rod  5  and the second rod  6  can be secured to the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  respectfully by rod clamps  12 . The rod clamps  12  are removably attached to the first rod  5  and the second rod  6 ; securing each rod to its respected ring. Clamp grips  7  are removably attached to the first rod  5  and the second rod  6 . 
     When securing an object, depending on the dimensions of the object; the clamp grips  7  can be positioned in different orientations along the first rod  5  and the second rod  6 . For example, on a triangular shaped model car chassis, the clamp grips  7  can be positioned so that the longer angled ends of the clamp grips  7  are oriented toward the outer portion of the rings at the wide portion of the chassis. While at the narrower end of the chassis, the longer angled ends of the clamp grips  7  are oriented toward the inner portion of the rings as shown in  FIG. 4 . It is also important to note that the clamp grips  7  can be oriented in a variety of orientations depending on the object being secured. For example, on an irregularly shaped object, it may be the case that adjacent grips on the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  are positioned so that the longer angled end of a grip on the first rod  5  is facing the shorter end of an adjacent grip on the second rod  6 . The ends of the clamp grips  7  are preferably coated with a soft material, such as rubber, to prevent the scratching of the secured object.  FIG. 5  shows a different embodiment of grips comprising tubular grips  20  with a cushioned face  21 , or vise jaws. The tubular grips can include a weighted portion  22  to position the cushioned face of the tubular grips vertically and towards the secured object when inserted into the rods. The rods are inserted into openings  23  of the tubular grips. 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the holding apparatus comprising a base station  15 . The holding apparatus  1  is seated on the base station  15 . Preferably, the holding apparatus  1  is positioned in the base station  15  with the stabilizer bar  4  facing downward. The diameter of the base station  15  allows the holding device to sit firmly in the base station  15 . A magnetic strip  16  is positioned in the interior of base station  15  for attracting magnetically attractable objects such as screws that fall into the base station. A lip  17  of the base station contains slots  18  for holding parts and tools such as shocks, bolts, and/or screwdrivers. 
     An object such as R/C car  31  is secured in the holding apparatus  1  by placing the holding apparatus in the open position. The holding apparatus is transferred from the closed position to the open position by opening the holding apparatus by disengaging locking mechanism  14  and moving the first ring  2  and second ring  3  into a more flattened position relative to each other as shown in  FIG. 2 . If not already attached, the first rod  5  and second rod  6  are attached and secured to their respected rings. R/C car  31  is placed into the interior of the holding apparatus. In  FIG. 4 , the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  are placed into adjustment slots  10 ; the adjustment slots used are determined by the size of the R/C car. For cars with larger chassis, it is preferred to use insertion slots further away from the axis of rotation  19 . The clamp grips  7  are positioned so that the R/C car rests on the ends of the clamp grips  7 . The clamp grips  7  support and keep the R/C car from sliding off while the weight of R/C car  31  holds the R/C car in place. The ends of clamp grips  7  are oriented to suit the particular dimension of the R/C car. Holding apparatus  1  is moved into a closed position by moving the first ring  2  and the second ring  3  into a more spherical configuration with each other as shown in  FIG. 1 . As the holding apparatus closes the first rod  5  and second rod  6  move closer together, when the holding apparatus is fully in the closed position, the first rod  5  and second rod  6  will have moved closer together causing the tips of the grips to grip the edges of the R/C car chassis. If for some reason the grip is not tight or strong enough, or too tight, adjustments can be made to tighten or loosen the grip. These adjustments, among others, include moving the first rod  5  and second rod  6  to insertion slots closer or further to the axis of rotation  19 , or adjusting the position or orientation of the clamp grips  7 . 
     When the gripping force applied by the holding apparatus is strong enough to hold the R/C car in place the locking mechanism  14  is engaged locking the second ring  3  with the stabilizer bar  4 . The locking mechanism  14  can be a simple bolt that screws into place, a clamp, or any other mechanism for removably attaching the second ring  3  with stabilizer bar  4 . When the locking mechanism  14  is engaged, R/C car  31  is secured on the holding apparatus  1 . Holding apparatus  1  can now be seated into the base station. While seated in the base station, a user can perform work on his R/C car (or any other object that he is able to secure in holding device). If the R/C car where to leak any fluid, the fluid would fall and be trapped in the base station  15 . If a magnetically attractable part fell from the R/C car it would land within the interior of the base station and could be attracted to a magnet  16 . To release the R/C car, the locking mechanism  14  is disengaged and the holding apparatus is moved to the open position. By opening the holding apparatus, the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  move apart releasing the gripping force on the R/C car. 
     A user of holding device may need to perform adjustments the first time a particular object is secured. The adjustment consists of changing the location of the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  on their respected rings. The locations of the first rod  5  and the second rod  6  can be changed by detaching the rods from the adjustment slots and inserting them into different adjustment slots along the perimeter of their respected rings. The adjustment slots used depend on the size of the object being secured. With larger objects, the adjustment slots used are further away from the axis of rotation  19 . The location and orientation of the clamp grips  7  can also be adjusted to properly secure an object allowing the user to secure objects of varying sizes and shapes. Once the needed adjustments are made the user can conveniently use these same settings to quickly secure and release any model car or object that shares the same adjustments.