Abstract:
An article supporting device for use in a motor vehicle that is equipped with a pair of headrest supporting sockets in the backrest and a headrest removably mounted in the sockets. The article supporting device includes a horizontal supporting component, an article supporting fixture fixed to the front end of the horizontal component, and a pair of spaced posts fixed to the rear end of the horizontal component.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a DIV of Ser. No. 10/455,211 filed Jun. 5, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,854. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed generally to an article supporting device for use within a motor vehicle for supporting a variety of articles. The invention is specifically directed to an article supporting device which is removably attachable to the headrest sockets typically found in modern motor vehicles, and in which the headrest is removable from the sockets, which is typically the case. 
   Many types of article supporting devices have been developed for use in motor vehicles. Most supporting devices are designed for supporting articles which have a strap, such as purses, shopping bags, camera cases, etc. Prior art article supporting devices are typically anchored or connected to the passenger&#39;s seat so that the article to be supported is in easy access to the driver. The most common type of article supporting device is supported on the posts of the headrest that is part of most modern motor vehicles. The holder includes a hook or loop that is anchored to the posts of the headrest. One particular type of holder includes a tab at one end of the holder, which is rectangular in cross-section for insertion into the single rectangular headrest supporting socket for older motor vehicles which are so equipped. The opposite end of the holder is supported on the dashboard of the motor vehicle. 
   Prior art supporting devices for use in motor vehicles are specifically designed for supporting a particular type of article and, therefore, have limited utility. The prior art article supporting devices are also specifically adapted for use with particular seat and headrest configurations. For example, for motor vehicles which have two headrest sockets at the upper end of the backrest, there is a wide variation of center to center distance between the sockets from one make or model of motor vehicle to another. There are also variations in the size of the sockets. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art article supporting devices for use in motor vehicles have been obviated by the present invention. 
   It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide an article supporting device for a motor vehicle that is versatile and not limited to being a support for a particular type of article. 
   A further object of the invention is the provision of an article supporting device for a motor vehicle that utilizes the headrest sockets of the motor vehicle and is adaptable to variations in socket sizes and socket spacings. 
   Another object of the invention is the provision of an article supporting device for a motor vehicle that is simple in construction and easy to use. 
   With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In general, the invention consists of an article supporting device for use in a motor vehicle that is equipped with a pair of headrest supporting sockets in the backrest and a headrest removably mounted in the sockets. The article supporting device includes a support arm component, an article supporting fixture connected to one end of the support arm component, and a pair of spaced posts fixed to the opposite ends of the support arm component. More specifically, the support arm component comprises a pair of spaced arms which are connected at their outer ends. The inner end of one arm is connected to one post. The inner end of the other arm is connected to the other post. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The character of the invention, however, may be understood best by reference to one of its structural forms, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a supporting device for articles embodying the principles of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the supporting device; 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the supporting device; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the supporting device; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of the supporting device of  FIG. 4  applied to the backrest portion of a seat of an automobile; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a first modified supporting device; 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a second modified supporting device; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a third modified supporting device; 
       FIG. 9  is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 7  and looking in the direction of those arrows; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrow  10  of  FIG. 8 , with portions broken away; 
       FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a fourth modified supporting device; 
       FIG. 12  is a front elevational view thereof; 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational view looking in the direction of the arrow  13  of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a fifth modified supporting device; 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of one member of the fixture which forms part of the fifth modified supporting device; 
       FIG. 16  is a right side elevational view of the member of  FIG. 15 ; and 
       FIG. 17  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fixture, taken along line  17 — 17  of  FIG. 16  and looking the direction of the arrows. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–5 , the preferred article supporting device of the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 . Article supporting device  10  includes a horizontal component, generally indicated by the reference numeral  11 , a vertical component, generally indicated by the reference numeral  15 , and a fixture in the form of a horizontal tab  18 . The horizontal component  11  is a generally v-shaped integral deformable flat metal strip having a horizontal first arm, generally indicated by the reference numeral  20 , and a horizontal second arm, generally indicated by the reference numeral  22 . The arms  20  and  22  are connected at their front ends by a bight  24 . The tab  18  is fixed to the bight  24  and extends rearwardly therefrom. Each arm  20  and  22  has a 90° twist at an intermediate point  30  to divide the arm into a forward portion  26  and a rearward portion  28 . The major dimension of the rearward portion  28  of each arm  20  and  22  is typically horizontal, and the major dimension of the forward portion  26  of each arm  20  and  22  is typically vertical. 
   The vertical component  15  includes a first post, generally indicated by the reference numeral  14 , fixed to the rearward end of the arm  20 , and a second post, generally indicated by the reference numeral  16 , fixed to the rearward end of the arm  22 . Each post  14  and  16  has an upper portion  34 , a lower portion  36  and an intermediate portion  38 . Each post  14  and  16  is a tubular cylinder. The intermediate portion  38  has a smaller diameter than the upper portion  34 , and the lower portion  36  has a smaller diameter than the intermediate portion  38 . This enables the posts  14  and  16  to fit into headrest sockets of different diameters while maintaining a relatively snug fit. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the article supporting device  10  is shown applied to the seat of an automobile. The seat of the automobile, indicated by the reference numeral  39 , has a pair of sockets  37  at the top of the seat for receiving a pair of posts of a conventional headrest, not shown. With the headrest removed from the seat  39 , the posts  14  and  16  are inserted into the sockets  37 . Due to the deformable nature of the supporting device  10 , the posts  14  and  16  can be separated or drawn together for insertion into sockets having different spacings. The rear portions  28  of the arms  20  and  22  can be bent upwardly or downwardly to change the vertical position of the tab  18  relative to the top of the seat  39 . 
   The tab  18  can be used to support a wide range of articles or article containers. For example, most cameras have a threaded socket for receiving a bolt for mounting on a tripod. The camera can be supported on the arms  20  and  22  and a bolt extended upwardly through the aperture  32  and threaded into the threaded mounting socket of the camera. A beverage container having a threaded aperture can likewise be supported on the arms  20  and  22  and secured by a bolt. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a first modified article supporting device is generally indicated by the reference numeral  40 . Article supporting device  40  is identical to article supporting device  10  with respect to arms  20  and  22 , and posts  14  and  16 . Supporting device  40  differs from supporting device  10  in that there is no tab  18 , and a bight, indicated by the reference numeral  42 , which connects the two arms, is twisted rearwardly 90° so that the large dimension of the bight is horizontal to form an integral tab  44 . Tab  44  has an aperture  46  and functions as a fixture for securing articles or containers for articles. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , a second modified article supporting device is generally indicated by the reference numeral  48 . Article supporting device  48  is identical to article supporting device  10  with respect to arms  20  and  22 , and posts  14  and  16 . However, a bight, indicated by the reference numeral  48 , which connects the arms  20  and  22 , is folded rearwardly to form a loop  52  that defines an aperture  54 . In a variation of embodiment  48 , the article supporting device is made of a resiliently deformable material so that loop  52  functions as a spring clip, thereby enabling an article to be forced into the aperture  54  through an opening  56  at the front of the loop. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8–10 , a third modified article supporting device is generally indicated by the reference numeral  58 . Article supporting device  58  is identical to article supporting device  10  with respect to arms  20  and  22 , bight  24 , and posts  14  and  16 . Supporting device  58  has a fixture in the form of a bar  60  connected to the forward portions  26  of the arms  20  and  22 . Bar  60  has an aperture  62  and extends transversely to arms  20  and  22 . Bar  60  also has a pair of spaced grooves  64  for receiving the arms  20  and  22 . Bar  60  can be fixed to the arms  20  and  22 , eg by welding. In a variation of embodiment  58 , the supporting device  58  is made of resiliently deformable material, and the slots  64  are spaced at a distance which is less or greater than the distance between the arms  20  and  22 . The arms  20  and  22  are forced together or separated, as the case may be, into vertical alignment with the slots  64  and inserted into the slots. The resiliency of the supporting device forces the arms against the sides of the slots  64  for maintaining the bar  60  on the arms  20  and  22 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11–13 , a fourth modified article supporting device is generally indicated by the reference numeral  66 . Article supporting device  66  includes a first arm, generally indicated by the reference numeral  68 , a second arm, generally indicated by the reference numeral  70 , a first vertical tubular post  72  connected to the lower end of arm  68 , and a second vertical tubular post  74  connected to the lower end of arm  70 . The upper ends of arms  68  and  70  are connected to a fixture  80  which has an aperture  82 . Each post  72  and  74  has a vertical slot  83  so that the post is generally c-shaped in horizonal cross-section. Each arm  68  is shown in a vertical plane and includes a lower portion  84  connected to its respective post and an upper portion  86  connected to the fixture  80 . Arms  68  and  70 , posts  72  and  74 , and fixture  80  are formed from a single flat strip. The ends of the strip which are formed into the posts  72  and  74  are significantly wider than the rest of the strip and bent into a cylindrical tubular shape as shown in  FIGS. 11–13 . The lower ends of posts  72  and  74  are tapered for eased insertion. The upper portion  86  of each arm  68  and  70  is twisted 90° relative to its lower portion  84  and to the fixture  80 . 
   The strip is resiliently deformable within a bending limit. The strip is initially formed beyond its bending limit to assume the shape of the article supporting device  66  as shown in  FIGS. 11–13 . Each component of the device  66  has a normal functional position and will return to this position after being bent, provided that the bending is within the bending limit of the article supporting device  66 . The resilient bending factor of device  66  enables posts  72  and  74  to be separated or drawn together to accommodate headrest sockets of different spacings. The resilient bending factor of the article supporting device  66  also enables the posts  72  and  74  to be inserted into headrest sockets of different diameters. The posts  72  and  74  have an outer dimension equal to the largest headrest sockets. When the posts  72  and  74  are forcefully inserted into the headrest sockets which have a smaller diameter, the posts are subjected to an outer pressure which causes the opposed edges  88  and  90  of the opening  83  to be forced toward each other to reduce the outer dimensions of the posts. This also causes the posts  72  and  74  to fit snugly within the headrest sockets. When the posts are removed from the headrest sockets, they will return to their normal size. It is also possible to use a metal strip which has no resiliency and can be bent or adjusted into any desired fixed position. This is also true for all embodiments of the invention. A degree of resiliency is desirable in cases where a spring effect is desired for a particular component of the device. 
   If desired, the article supporting device  66  can be formed of a single integral strip to include the tab  80  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , for folding the area between arms  68  and  70  into a loop. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14–17 , a fifth modified article supporting device is generally indicated by the reference numeral  88 . Article supporting device  88  includes the same arms  20  and  22  and posts  14  and  16  which form part of the article supporting device  10 . A fixture, generally indicated by the reference numeral  90 , is fixed to the forward ends of arms  20  and  22 . 
   Fixture  90  has a first rearward end, generally indicated by the reference numeral  92 , and a second forward end, generally indicated by the reference numeral  94 . Fixture  90  includes a first member  96 , and a second member  98 , held together by a fastener, generally indicated by the reference numeral  99 . Fastener  99  includes a bolt, generally indicated by the reference numeral  100 , and a nut  102 . Bolt  100  has a head portion  101  and a shank portion  104 . 
   The first member  96  is integral with the forward ends of arms  20  and  22  and can be in the shape of a loop that extends rearwardly from the forward ends of arms  20  and  22 . The first member  96  has an upper surface  110  and a lower surface  112 , which is at an angle to the upper surface  110  and slopes downwardly toward the first, or rearward, end  92  of the fixture. The first member  96  has an opening  106  that extends from the upper surface  110  to the lower surface  112 . 
   The second member  98  has a lower surface  114  that is parallel to the upper surface  110 , and an upper surface  116  that extends at an angle to the lower surface  114  and abuts the lower surface  112 . The second member  98  has an aperture  118  extending from the upper surface  116  to the lower surface  114 . The aperture  118  tapers from the first end  92  of the fixture, from a relatively large width to a relatively small width as shown most clearly in  FIG. 15 . 
   The fastener  99  includes a bolt, generally indicated by the reference numeral  100 , and a nut  102 . The bolt  100  has a head  101  that engages the lower surface  114 , and a shank  104  that extends upwardly through the aperture  118  and opening  106 . The nut  102  is threaded onto the shank  104  and engages the upper surface  110 . When the nut  102  is tightened, the upper surface  116  is forced against the lower surface  112 . The angle of the surfaces  116  and  112 , relative to the surfaces  110  and  114 , works in concert with the tightening of the nut  102  to help overcome the force of friction between the surfaces  116  and  112 , to cause the member  98  to automatically slide toward the first end  92  of the fixture  90  relative to the first member  96  until the shank  104  reaches a point in the aperture  118  where it is snug. 
   A simpler version of the fixture  90  is to have the surfaces  112  and  116  parallel to the surfaces  110  and  114 . In this version, the member  98  is manually adjusted relative to member  96  for movement toward the first end  92  until the shank  104  reaches a point in the aperture  118  where it is snug. Once this position is reached, the nut  102  is tightened on the bolt  100  to clamp the members  96  and  98  together. 
   The adjustability feature of the fixture enables bolts of different sizes to be used. For example, if a camera is to be supported on the fixture  90 , a bolt having a specific shank diameter must be used to fit into the specific threaded bore of the camera. Any bolt having a shank diameter smaller than the largest width of the aperture  118  and larger than the smallest width of the aperture  118  can be used. For articles such as cameras which have a bolt receiving bore, the article functions as one element of the fastener  99 . For other articles, the article is clamped between the nut  102  and the surface  110 . 
   The spatial orientation of the members  96  and  98  is not limited to the example shown in  FIGS. 14–17 . The member  98  can be above the member  96  so that the lower surface  114  is the uppermost surface of the fixture and the upper surface  110  is the lowermost surface of the fixture. The entire fixture  88  can be rotated 90° so that the surfaces  110  and  114  are vertical.