A HOLDER FOR REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES

Abstract: A holder for remote control devices intended for controlling television apparatus, video tape recorders, etc. The invention is characterized in that the holder includes a first plate (2) and a second plate (3) which is attached to the first plate and projects at right angles from the first plate (2); in that the first plate (2) is provided with two generally rectangular openings (4, 5); in that the second plate (3) is fastened in a part (6) of the first plate (2) located between the openings (4, 5); in that the openings (4, 5) are of mutually different size; and in that the part (6) is offset from the centre of the first plate (2).

Description: A Holder for -Remote Control Devices Hie present invention relates to a holder for a remote control device of the kind used to control television apparatus, video tape recorders, and luce apparatus. A c- rπmonly occuring problem is that different remote control devices are required for controlling different apparatus, such as a television set and a video tape recorder. A consumer will generally purchase a television set and a video tape recorder as separate units and be given one remote control device for the television set and another remote control device for the video tape record er. When both of these apparatus are to be used siimiltaneously, it is necessary to fetch or find both remote control devices. The place in which one or the other of these remote control devices is to be found will depen among other things, on how and where the device was last used. Ihe present invention solves this problem. The present invention thus relates to a holder for remote control devices which are intended to control television apparatus, video tape recorders, and luce apparatus, and is characterized in that the holder includes a first plate and a second plate which is attached to the first plate and projects at right angles therefrom; in that the first plate is provided with two generally rectangular openings and the second plate is attached in a part of said first plate located between the openings; in that the openings are of mutually different size; and in t at said part is offset from the centre of the first plate. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an exeπplifying embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accαπpanyin drawing, in which - Figure 1 is a side view of an inventive holder which is shown to suppor two remote control devices; - Figure 2 illustrates a first part of the holder as seen from the right in Figure 1; and - Figure 3 illustrates a second part of the holder as seen from above. Figure 1 illustrates an inventive holder 1 which is intended to support remote control devices intended for controlling television apparatus, video tape recorders, and like apparatus. The inventive holder 1 includes a first plate 2 and a second plate 3 which is attached to the first plate. The second plate 3 projects at right angles from the first plate 2. As will be seen from Figure 2, the first plate 2 is provided with two generally rectangular openings or cavities 4, 5. The second plate 3 is attached to a part 6 of the first plate located between the openings 4, 5. It will be seen from Figures 2 and 3 that the second plate 3 has a width which corresponds to the width of the openings 4, 5. The second plate is provided with widened parts 10, 11 which abut the first plate 2 in the assembled state of the holder. According to the invention, the openings 4, 5 are of mutually different sizes. This means that the aforesaid part 6 is offset from the centre of the frst plate, namely so that the part 6 is located slightly above the centre of the first plate, a shown in Figure 2. The openings 4, 5 occupy from 30% to 75% of the surface of the fi st plate. In the Figure 2 illustration, the openings occupy about 40% of the surface area of the first plate. The openings 4, 5 are generally rectangular in shape and the aforesaid part 6 located between the openings is generally narrower than the height of the openings as measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of said part. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid part 6 is provided with a longitudirally extending recess or penetrating slot 7 which is intended to coact with a corresponding tongue 8 extending from one short side 9 of the second plate 3, see Figures 2 and 3. The tongue 8 is conveniently glued to the penetrating slot 7, therewith bonding the two plates firmly together. Remote control devices 12, 13 for controlling television apparatus, video tape records, etc. are intended to be fastened to the planar side surfaces of the second plate 3 with the front part 14, 15 of respective devices lying against the first plate 2, as illustrated in Figure 1. The light- emitting means of the remote control devices placed in the front part of said devices will emit light through respective openings 4, 5. The respec¬ tive remote control devices are ∞πveniently secured with the aid of double-sided adhesive tape placed between the undersurface of said devices and the second plate 2. By fastening two remote control devices to the inventive holder, for instance one device for a television set and one for a video tape recorder there is obtained a single unit with which both of said apparatus can be controlled. Because the unit is relatively large, it is also easier to find when one or the other of said devices or both of said devicss are required. When the remote control devices are not being used, the holder together with said devices can be placed, for instance, on a table with the front surface 18 of the first plate 2 used as a horizontal support surface. An important feature of the inventive holder is that the openings are of mutually different size and that the aforesaid part 6 is offset from the centre of the first plate 2. This enables more than 90% of the remote control devices available on the market to be fastened to the holder while retaining their optical function. The most common combination of remote control devices intended for domestic use comprises one device for the television set and one for the video tape recorder. It is also very usual for the television control device to be larger than the video tape recorde control. In the Figure 1 illustration, the television remote control device is referenced 13 while the remote control device for the video tape recorder is referenced 12. According to one preferred embodiment, the second plate 3 has a width and a length which corresponds to the width and the length of a remote control device of normal size, preferably a width of about 50 to 80 mm and a length of about 100 to 125 mm. Further, the first plate 2 will preferably have a height of about 60 to 80 mm and a width which corresponds to the width of the second plate 3. The present invention thus overcomes the drawbacks mentioned in the introduction. It will be understood that the illustrated and described holder can be modified structurally without departing from its intended function. The present invention shall not therefore be considered restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated exeπplifying eπ_bodimeπts r since modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the following Claims.

Claims: Claims 1. A holder for remote control devices intended for controlling television apparatus, video tape recorders, etc., c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the holder cαmprises a first plate (2) and a second plate (3) which is attached to the first plate and projects at right angles from said first plate (2) ; in that the first plate (2) is provided with two generally rectangular openings (4, 5) , where the second plate (3) is fastened in a part (6) of the first plate (2) located between the openings (4, 5) ; in that the openings (4, 5) are of mutually different size; and in that said part (6) is offset from the centre of the first plate (2) . 2. A holder ac-cording to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the openings (4, 5) occupy from 30% to 75% of the surface of the first plate (2) . 3. A holder according to Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a ct e r i z e d in that the openings (4, 5) are generally rectangular in shape; and in that said part (6) located between said openings is essentially narrower than the height of the openings as measured perpendicularly to the length extension of said part (6) . 4. A holder according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, char a ct er i z e d in that the second plate (3) has a width and a length which correspond to the width and the length of a normal sized remote control device, preferably a width of about 50 to 80 mm and a length of about 100 to 125 mm. 5. A holder acc-ording to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, ch a r a c t e r i z e d in that the first plate (2) has a height of about 60 to 80 mm and a width which corresponds to the width of the second plate (3) . 6. A holder according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, ch a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that said part (6) has a longitudinally extending recess or a penetrating slot (7) which is intended to coact with a corresponding tongue (8) projecting from one short side (9) of the second plate (3) .

Inventors: JONDELIUS BJOERN, JONDELIUS, BJOERN
Applicants: JONDELIUS BJOERN, JONDELIUS, BJOERN
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H04B1, H04Q9