Rotating attachment device and method of use

The present teachings relate to an improved rotating connector portion and clip portion for attachment to a secondary item. More specifically, the present teachings relate to a connector portion and clip portion that can be attached to a secondary item, such that the clip portion may be rotated about the secondary item.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings relate to a rotating connector device and clip structure. More specifically, the present teachings relate to connector for attachment to a secondary item that allows for rotation of the secondary item maintaining a connection between the connector and secondary item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is frequently a desire to keep important and special items nearby and in plain view, especially within a vehicle. However, existing solutions fail to provide a mechanism that not only securely maintains and displays these items, but is also visually pleasing, easily accessible, minimally distractive, does not destroy the items and has a means to easily modify the direction and position of the items. While vehicles are one location where item storage and display is necessary, there are an endless number of alternative locations where an individual may want to have easy access to or viewing of important and special items. Lockers, cubicles, bathrooms, classrooms, offices, storage rooms, basements and garages are just a few examples of such locations. Current products often use hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesives, elastic, nails, screws or the like which result in permanent attachment, or damage to an attaching surface or an item upon removal of the item from a surface.

As one specific example, an individual may wish to display and, protect a photograph or the like. An example of an item where this product could be used is with the display of photos. It is common for individuals to utilize various ways to honor their family and friends by keeping photos or other memorabilia nearby by at all times. Often, it may be desirable to keep such items within a vehicle, or within one of the locations identified above. However, by locating a photo (or any other item) in a vehicle, the photo can be exposed to many environmental hazards. For example, wind from an open window can cause unwanted movement of the photo. The sun can also cause the photo to fade. In addition, there are many challenges to maintaining a photo in a desired location so that it is easily viewed by the driver and so that there is reduced risk of the photo becoming unattached and lost.

As another specific example, an individual may have an interest in attaching not just one type of item to a location, but may wish to interchange the items attached to the vehicle or other location identified herein. More specifically; an individual may wish to attach a cellular phone in one instance, and a frame in another instance. As such, there is a need for attachment devices that are separable and adapted to receive a plurality of different items, provided that the item includes or is adapted to include the necessary connection features.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0254101 discloses a picture frame for mounting in a vehicle. The frame includes a fastening tape that loops through openings in the back of a frame structure. The publication does not appear to provide any means for easily modifying the direction and position of the frame or for removing the frame from the fastener and replacing the frame with a different frame or different item.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,432 discloses a personal article holder, whereby the article holder can be moved to a variety of locations and can receive items that fit within openings created to receive items. The direction of the holder appears to remain static and is a one piece member.

In view of the above, there is a need for an interchangeable attachment mechanism that provides a means to securely display important and special items in a manner that is visually pleasing, easily accessible, minimally distractive, non-damaging to the item and has a means to easily modify the direction and position of how an item is displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings address one or more of the above needs by providing a device comprising a connector portion and a clip portion. The connector portion may include at least one side edge, a first attachment point located within the confines of the one side edge, a plurality of secondary attachment points, wherein each of the secondary attachment points is located equidistant from the first attachment point. The connector portion may further be adapted for attachment to a secondary item. The connector portion may include a substantially planar surface that receives one or more of the first attachment point and plurality of secondary attachment points. The plurality of secondary attachment points may comprise at least three secondary attachment points. The plurality of secondary attachment points may comprise only one or two secondary attachment points.

The clip portion may include a planar arm having a first end and an opposing second end. A first opening and second opening may be located along the planar arm, wherein the first opening may be located adjacent the first end and the second opening may be located adjacent the opposing second end of the planar arm. One or more of the clip portion and connector portion may be formed of a metallic material, a polymeric material, or a combination thereof. The first opening located along the planar arm may be adapted to receive the plurality of secondary attachment points and the second opening maybe adapted to receive the first attachment point. The first opening may be located in direct contact with one of the plurality of secondary attachment points. The second opening along the planar arm may be located in direct contact with the first attachment point. One or more of the first opening and second opening may include a receiving portion and a slot portion. The slot portion may have a largest diameter that is less than the largest diameter of the receiving portion. The clip portion may be separable from the connector portion. The clip portion may be adapted for attachment to the connector portion and subsequent removal from the connector portion

Each attachment point may be located adjacent a raised pressure ace that engages a third opening of the planar arm of the clip portion when at least one of the plurality of attachment points is located within the slot portion of an opening on the planar arm. One or more of the first attachment point and plurality of secondary attachment points may include at least one vertical wall and a head portion. The head portion may include substantially rounded edges and may have a diameter that is smaller than a largest diameter of the receiving portion of the first and second openings along the planar arm. The top of the head portion may be substantially planar. Additionally one or more of the first attachment point and plurality of secondary attachment points may include a clearance distance between a bottom edge of the head portion and a top surface of the connector portion for receiving the planar arm of the clip portion. The clearance distance is such that that a friction fit attachment forms between the planar arm and the attachment points.

The present teachings further provide for a method that includes use of the device described above, whereby the first attachment point and one of the plurality of secondary attachment points is located into a receiving portion of each of the first and second opening on the planar arm, of the clip portion. The method may further include a step of sliding the clip portion along the connector portion so that the first attachment point and one of the plurality of secondary attachment points enters a slot portion of the first or second openings along the planar arm, wherein the largest diameter of the attachment points is greater than the largest diameter of the slot portion so that the attachment points remain engaged with the slot portions. The clip portion may then be slid along the connector portion so that the first attachment point and one of the plurality of secondary attachment points re-enters the receiving portion, wherein the largest diameter of the attachment points is less than the largest diameter of the receiving portion so that the connector portion is separated from the clip portion. The clip portion may then be re-attached to the connector portion such that a different secondary attachment point is located within an opening along the planar arm, thereby changing the direction of the connector portion relative to the clip portion.

The present teachings meet the aforementioned needs by providing an attachment mechanism that allows for the secure display of important and special items in a manner that is visually pleasing, easily accessible, minimally distractive, non-damaging to the item, and has a means to easily modify the direction and position of how an item is displayed. The present teaching also provide a product that may be used to locate items within a vehicle, cubicle, locker, garage, classroom, storage room, or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The device disclosed herein includes a connector portion having one or more side edges and a back panel including a first attachment point located within the confines of the one or more side edges and a plurality of secondary attachment points that are located equidistant from the first attachment point. The connector portion may be formed of a metallic material a polymeric material, or combination thereof. The connector portion may include a substantially planar surface for forming the back plate that receives one or more of the first attachment point and plurality of secondary attachment points. The connector may have two, three or more secondary attachment points. The connector portion may be permanently attached to an item. The connector portion may be integrally formed with an item. The connector portion may be separable from an item. The connector portion may be formed so that it can be connected to a plurality of different items and is thus interchangeable for use with the plurality of items.

The device may further include a clip portion having a planar arm with a first end and an opposing second end. The clip portion may include a flexing arm connected to the planar arm. The flexing arm may be connected to the planar arm via a curved portion. The clip portion may include only the planar arm and may be substantially free of any flexing arm. The clip portion may be formed of a metallic material, a polymeric material, or a combination thereof. The clip portion may further have a first opening and a second opening located along the planar arm. One or more of the first opening and second opening may include a receiving portion and a slot portion. The largest diameter of the slot portion may be smaller than that of the largest diameter of the receiving portion. The clip portion may be separable from the connector portion and may be adapted for attachment to the connector portion and subsequent removal from the connector portion. The clip portion may be formed for connecting to any connector portion having at least one attachment point. The clip portion may be a substantially planar surface.

The first opening along the planar arm may be located adjacent to the first end of the planar arm and may be adapted to receive the plurality of secondary attachment points. The first opening may further be located in direct contact with one of the plurality of secondary attachment points. The first opening may be located in direct contact with a different secondary attachment point when the direction of the connector portion is turned relative to the clip portion. The second opening may be located adjacent to the opposing second end of the planar arm and may be adapted to receive the first attachment point. The second opening may be located in direct contact with the first attachment point. Upon locating one of the plurality of second attachment points into the first opening and locating the first attachment point into the second opening, the clip portion may slide in a direction that moves each attachment point from a receiving portion of the first and second opening into a slot portion of the first and second Opening.

In one possible embodiment of the teachings, one or more raised pressure surfaces may be located adjacent to each attachment point. The raised pressure surface may engage an opening of the planar arm of the clip portion when at least one of the attachment points is located within the slot portion. The raised pressure surface and corresponding opening in the planar arm may act as a lock feature that secures the position of the clip portion and assists in maintaining one or more attachment points in the slot portion of an opening along the planar arm. In other words, the raised pressure surface may substantially prevent the clip portion from unintentional sliding in a direction that moves one or more attachment points from the slot portion of the opening into the receiving portion of the opening (which could result in separation of the connector portion and clip portion).

It may also be possible that the raised pressure surface does not include a corresponding opening on the planar arm, but rather simply exerts an upward force on the arm to assist in maintaining the attachment points in their desired location within the slot portions of the openings (as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5). The height of the raised pressure surface may therefore be tuned to create a tension between the pressure surface and planar arm, the tension assisting assist in maintaining the attachment points in their desired location within the slot portions of the openings. The presence of the raised pressure surface may reduce the need for a secure friction fit between the surfaces of the planar arm adjacent the openings and the attachment points. Each raised pressure surface may be located so that when a raised pressure surface is engaged and locking the planar arm in place, the planar arm does not contact an opposing raised pressure surface. In one embodiment, the opposing raised pressure surface may be located within an opening along the planar arm shown for example inFIG. 6).

In another possible embodiment one or more of the first attachment point and plurality of secondary attachment points includes at least one vertical wall and a head portion. The head portion may include substantially rounded edges, may have a substantially planar head portion and may have a diameter that is smaller than the largest diameter of the receiving portion of the openings in the planar arm of the clip portion. In another embodiment there may be a clearance distance between a bottom edge of the head portion and a top surface of the connector portion for receiving the planar arm of the clip portion. The clearance distance may be such that a friction fit attachment forms between the planar arm and the attachment points.

The connector portion may be adapted for attachment to a secondary item or may be part of (e.g., integrally formed with) a secondary item. A secondary item may be a picture frame, smart phone, note pad, sunglasses, suction cup, funeral or cemetery hanger, permanent adhesive bar, table stand, magnet, power outlet adapter or the like. Upon attachment of the secondary item to the connector portion, the connector portion can then be removably connected to the clip portion, rotated, and locked into one of the positions facilitated by the attachment points. Upon attachment to the clip portion, the secondary item can then be located onto any suitable surface for receiving the clip portion. In one embodiment of the teachings, the secondary item may be powered up and/or backlit electronically. Possible embodiments for the secondary item's power supply may be a power port, battery, disposable battery, rechargeable battery, solar panel or the like. A powered secondary device may be programmable and may also connect to another device such as a cell phone, tablet or the like via a wireless connection such as Bluetooth® and the like.

The planar arm of the clip portion may also be adapted so that it includes an attachment means other than a traditional clip structure. As an example, the planar arm including the openings may be attached to a magnet, suction cups, adhesive, a hanger mechanism, a power port, a desktop stand, or the like. In addition to the secondary item for attachment to the connector portion, the clip portion may be adapted to receive other items which may be sunglasses, a credit card holder, a pen holder, a business card holder, a note pad or the like. These items may be attached in addition to the secondary items discussed above.

During use of the connector portion and clip portion, the first attachment point and one of the plurality of secondary attachment points may be located into a receiving portion of each of the first and second opening on the planar arm of the clip portion. The clip portion may then be pulled downward in sliding motion along the connector portion so that the first attachment point and one of the plurality of secondary attachment points enters the slot portion of the first and second openings along the planar arm. The attachment points then remain engaged in the slot portion as the largest diameter of the attachment points is greater than the largest diameter of the slot portion. The clip portion may then be slid along the connector portion so that the first attachment point and one of the plurality of secondary attachment points re-enters the receiving portion, wherein the largest diameter of the attachment points is less than the largest diameter of the receiving portion so that the connector portion is separated from the clip portion. The clip portion may then be re-attached to the connector portion such that a different secondary attachment point is located within an opening along the planar arm, thereby changing the direction of the connector portion relative to the clip portion.

The illustration inFIG. 1shows the device20, with the connector portion22having a plate portion23and plurality of side edges24. A first attachment point26is located within the side edges and a plurality of secondary attachment points28are all located equidistant from the first attachment point26. One or more raised pressure surfaces30are located adjacent to the attachment points.FIG. 1also illustrates the lip portion32of the device20. As illustrated the clip portion32has a planar arm34with a first end36and a second opposing end38. A first opening40and second opening42are located on the planar arm34, with the first opening40being located in close proximity to the first end36and the second opening42being located in close proximity to the second opposite end38. Both openings include a receiving portion44with a larger diameter then the slot portion46. The first opening40aligns with the plurality of secondary attachment points28and the second opening42aligns with the first attachment point26. The planar arm34has an opening48for receiving one or more of the raised pressure surfaces30.

An enlarged illustration of the first attachment point26is shown inFIG. 2. The first attachment point26and raised pressure surfaces30rest upon the planar surface50of the connector portion22. The vertical wall52and the head portion54of the first attachment point may be raised above the planar surface50of the connector portion22.

As shown for example in the cross sectional viewFIG. 3, the head portion54of the attachment points28,28have rounded edges56and planar heads58. The clearance distance60between the bottom edge of the head portion62and the top surface of the connector64is such that it receives and forms a friction fit engagement with the planar arm of the clip portion (not shown).

The friction fit86that results from the securing of the clip portion32with the connector portion22is illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5. Upon placement of the receiving portion44of the second opening42over the first attachment point26and the placement of the receiving portion44of the first opening40over one of the secondary attachment points26the clip portion32may be moved so that the slot portion46of the first opening40and the second opening42may be secured along the vertical walls52of the attachment points. The slot portion46may also be secured so that it fills the clearance distance60between the bottom edge of the head portion62and the to surface of the connector64.

The ability to modify the direction and position of the device2is illustrated inFIGS. 6-7andFIGS. 9-10. The various arrangements open to the clip portion32to attach to the connector portion22is dependent upon the number of secondary attachment points28. The second opening42will engage with the first attachment26point from any direction. Since each of the secondary attachment points28are equidistant from the first attachment point26the first opening40will engage with a secondary attachment28in various directions on the connector portion22.FIGS. 9-10provide an illustration of the device20in modified directions and positions in a possible embodiment when the connector portion22is adapted for use with a frame68.

As shown for example inFIG. 8, the connector portion22may be adapted for use with a secondary item70, such as a picture frame72or any item having at least one substantially planar surface. In this embodiment, the connector portion74is adapted to be the backing of a picture frame76to be placed behind an item to be displayed78which may be protected from the elements by a window80which may be a polymeric or glass material (e.g., a glass, lean or acrylic material) that is substantially clear so that the item may be viewed through the window. The window80may be treated so that any item located within the picture frame72is protected from degradation from UV rays and other environmental hazards. The clip3may still engage the connector portion22as discussed above.

The embodiment of the device20in combination with a picture frame72as described above forFIG. 8may be used on a sun visor80of vehicle as illustrated inFIG. 11and the cross section ofFIG. 11inFIG. 12.

In one embodiment of the teachings, the clip portion may include a curved portion attached to the planar arm. In another embodiment the clip portion may include a flexing arm. In another embodiment the clip portion may include a flexing arm where the curved portion is attached to the flexing arm and the planar arm, the planar arm located in a generally opposing relationship with the flexing arm. The curved portion provides a requisite amount of flexibility so that the flexing arm has limited movement so that the distance between the flexing arm and planar arm can be expanded slightly when the clip is attached to a location for use. The nature of the curved portion is such that the clip returns to its original state (e.g., the original distance between the flexing arm and planar arm) once it is removed from a location for use. The curved portion may be substantially c-shaped and may include a first end for connecting to the flexing arm and a second end for connecting to the planar arm.

A fastener may be adapted to secure the clip portion to the connector portion via the second opening in the planar arm of the clip portion. The fastener may be removable upon securing the clip portion to the connector portion or may be permanently affixed to the connector portion upon securing the clip portion to the connector portion. The secondary attachment points may also include a fastener. The fastener may similarly be used to attach the planar arm of the clip portion to the connector portion via the first opening in the planar arm of the clip portion. The clip portion may be rotated by positioning the first opening in the planar arm to engage a different secondary attachment point. The fasteners may include one or more screws and washers. The fasteners may be push pin or tree fasteners. The nature of the fasteners may be such that they are formed to have a smooth outer surface and to extend only a minimal distance above the surface of the connector portion. This is in an effort to prevent unwanted damage to any surface to which the device is attached.

The connector portion may be adapted to receive coverings and/or attachments so that the color or appearance of the frame may be easily modified. The frame may receive a covering that includes logos or designs. The coverings and/or attachments may be customizable and interchangeable to adjust to a users interests at a given time.

Materials providing the requisite rigidity for the clip portion and connector portion may include polymeric materials including but not limited to metal materials including aluminum and/or steel, thermoplastics, thermoset plastics, elastomeric containing materials or any combination thereof. Examples of polymeric and elastomeric materials that may be employed include nylon (e.g., a glass-filled nylon), polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride polyamide, polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthlate, bio-based plastics/biopolymers (e.g., poly lactic acid), silicone, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), rubber, polyisoprene, butyl rubber, polybutadiene, EPM rubber, EPDM rubber, or any combination thereof. Additional suitable materials may include bio-plastics such as those derived from wood pulp based lignin (e.g., liquid wood), sugarcane or other petroleum-free moldable materials.

One or more of the connector portion and clip portion may be molded or extruded. They may be injection molded, such that the first attachment point and secondary attachment points are integrally molded with the back plate so that after molding the connector portion can be removed from the mold without the need for lifts or slides, thereby reducing manufacturing time and mold cost.

Different components of the device may be composed of different materials. As an example, the clip portion may be formed of a steel material, while the connector portion is formed of aluminum. The clip may be formed of a plastic material, while the connector portion may be formed of a metal material. The device may be adapted to receive a power source, such as a battery, so that digital images may be shown within the frame. The device may be capable of being connected via a USB port or the like, so that images and/or other digital content can be transferred to the device. As such, the device may also include a means for storing the digital content.

The device may be attached via the clip mechanism to any suitable location that may engage the clip such as, a vehicle visor, the side of a cubical, car air vent, a suction cup, car power outlet adaptor and the like. The front side of the connector portion may be adapted to be frame, a note pad holder, smart phone holder, mirror, sunglasses holder and the like. While, the back side of the connector portion will continue to have a first attachment point and one or more secondary attachment points for the clip to attach to.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term may herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” be included are optional.