Abstract:
A holder for utensils is manually adjustable, and capable of supporting a plurality of utensils in a range of positions from an upright position through an inverted position. The adjustments are incremental. The holder can be attached or mounted to a surface using a suction cup or through use of adhesive or other types of attachment methods. The utensils can be make up make up brushes, toothbrushes or paintbrushes, or other implements.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to adjustable holders, and specifically to the field of holders for utensils. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is a problem in the art to support utensils such as make up brushes, toothbrushes, pens, paintbrushes, and the like. It is a further problem in the art to provide a convenient manually adjustable holder capable of supporting utensils in more than one position. 
         [0005]    In the case of make up brushes, paintbrushes and toothbrushes, it is desirable to orient the brushes in one direction for drying purposes and in another position for convenience of use. For example, in the case of make up brushes or toothbrushes, an ideal drying position is one wherein the bristles are disposed at a lower position than the handle to avoid runoff from the bristles onto the handle after use. The same approach is applicable to paintbrushes. 
         [0006]    Ordinary make up brush holders, paintbrush holders and toothbrush holders are simple and hold the brush in a single position, either with the bristles up or the bristles down. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for a utensil holder that is convenient and that allows utensils to be placed in different manually adjustable positions. 
         [0008]    There is a further need for a utensil holder that is also capable of holding modern electronic devices such as cell phones and tablet computers at varying angles. This would be especially useful in areas where water may be present on surfaces, such as in kitchens and bathrooms. 
         [0009]    Ordinary holders exist for electronic devices, but do not have additional uses. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides an adjustable holder for holding utensils, and which is manually adjustable. 
         [0011]    The device of the present invention provides a holder for utensils that is manually adjustable, and capable of supporting a plurality of utensils in a range of positions from an upright position through an inverted position. The adjustments are incremental. The holder can be attached or mounted to a surface using a suction cup or through use of adhesive or other types of attachment methods. The utensils can be toothbrushes or paintbrushes, or other implements. 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the holder is used as a raised and adjustable cell phone support. There is a need for a cell phone support that can be used in wet or damp environments where there is a risk of dropping the cell phone into water. Here, the toothbrush holder has an additional member for securing a cell phone. 
         [0013]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the holder according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top elevational view of the holder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front exploded view of the holder of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exploded portion of a central stem cap of  FIG. 1  as well as a mechanism contained in the central stem cap. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the portion “A” of  FIG. 1  in an assembled view. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a right shaft vertical gear used in the holder of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a right washer used in the holder of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a right spring used in the holder of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a right shaft circlip or snap ring used in the holder of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the holder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion, showing a portion of the mechanism of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion shown in  FIG. 11 , additionally showing a right shaft vertical gear mounted therein. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , additionally showing a right spring mounted therein. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , additionally showing a right washer mounted therein. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion shown in  FIGS. 11-14 , additionally showing a right circlip mounted therein. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a vertical cross sectional view of the mechanism of  FIG. 4  and  FIGS. 11-15 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is an end elevational view of the engagement gear, showing a central bore. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    An adjustable holder  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 , which is a front elevational view of the holder  100 . The holder  100  can support utensils such as make up brushes, toothbrushes, pens, paintbrushes, and the like. The holder  100  is manually adjustable so that it is capable of supporting utensils in more than one position, as discussed further below. 
         [0032]    In one use of the holder  100 , for make up brushes, paintbrushes or toothbrushes, it is desirable to orient the brushes in one direction for drying purposes and in another position for convenience of use. For example, in the case of make up brushes and also in the case of toothbrushes, an ideal drying position is one wherein the bristles are disposed at a lower position than the handle to avoid runoff from the bristles onto the handle after use. The same approach is applicable to paintbrushes. In another position, the head of the make up brushes or of toothbrushes, the make up brushes or toothbrushes are oriented so that it is above its handle, for facilitate manual grasping of the make up brushes or toothbrushes. This principle can be applied to other types of utensils as well, including tools that may be cleaned and oriented one way for drying and a different way to facilitate use. 
         [0033]    The adjustable holder  100  in a further embodiment is capable of supporting a cell phone or other electronic device such as cell phones and tablet computers, and for positioning such devices at varying angles to facilitate use of these electronic devices in environments that may be wet such as kitchens and bathrooms. In this further embodiment, a strap or flexible band would be used to secure the cell phone to the left superior plate  40  or the right superior plate  10 , or other securing means could be used. For example, a cell phone is at risk in a bathroom environment when held in a user&#39;s hand, and would be safer when supported by the holder  100 . 
         [0034]    The holder  100  in  FIG. 1  includes a central stem base  90 , a suction pad or cup  101  underlying the base  90 , and a handwheel  80  disposed atop the base  90 . A central stem  70  is supported above the handwheel  80  and the base  90 , and supports a right superior plate  10 , a right interior plate  20 , a right silicone pad  30 , a left superior plate  40 , a left interior plate  50 , a left silicone pad  60 , as well as a central stem cap  71  and a mechanism (described further hereunder and shown in  FIGS. 4-10 and 11-16 ) which is provided inside the central stem cap  71 . 
         [0035]    The phrase “left plate assembly” is used hereafter to describe the assembly that includes the left superior plate  40 , the left interior plate  50 , and the left silicone pad  60 . The phrase “right plate assembly” is used hereafter to describe the assembly that includes the right superior plate  10 , the right interior plate  20 , and the right silicone pad  30 . 
         [0036]    The above-mentioned left plate assembly and the right plate assembly of the holder  100  have a common axis of rotation, which lies along a centerline of the holder  100  along a line lying parallel to the pads  30  and  60 , along the centerlines thereof. This axis of rotation, if viewed in  FIG. 1 , is along a line joining the numerals  30  and  60 ; and in  FIG. 2  it is along a horizontal line bisecting the figure. The left plate assembly is independently rotatable about this common axis of rotation, and the right plate assembly of the holder  100  is also independently rotatable about this common axis of rotation. 
         [0037]    In use, the above-mentioned mechanism allows independent rotational movement of the left plate assembly and independent rotational movement of the right plate assembly, as discussed further below. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a top elevational view of the holder  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the plate  10  has a plurality of small holes  12  and larger holes  14  for receiving utensils such as make up brushes or toothbrushes therein. The holes are shown to scale in  FIG. 2 , wherein the small holes  12  range in size from 15 mm in diameter (ten such holes this size are shown in plate  10  in  FIG. 2 ) and 20 mm in diameter (two such holes this size are shown in plate  10  in  FIG. 2 , those two such holes being located at the top and bottom portions of plate  10  in this view). The larger holes  14  range in size from 30 mm in diameter (two such holes this size are shown in plate  10  in  FIG. 2 , along a central portion of plate  10 ), 25 mm in diameter (two such holes this size are shown in plate  10  just above and below a central horizontal axis in the plate  10 ), and 35 mm in diameter (two such holes this size are shown in plate  10  in  FIG. 2 ). The holes  12  and  14  of plate  40  are the same as those of plate  10 , arranged in a mirror image pattern. 
         [0039]    The holes  12  and  14  of various sizes as described above are used for receiving utensils such as make up brushes, toothbrushes, paintbrushes, and so on. The respective left and right silicone pads  30  and  60  are used to resiliently hold the utensils in place, as discussed in further detail below. The utensils can be placed in the holes  12  and  14  with the handle portion inserted first and with the brush portions up, and then the plates  10  and  40  can be rotated so that a brush side is oriented downward so that it can readily drip dry. 
         [0040]    The plate  50  has corresponding holes matching the holes  12  and  14  of the plate  40 , and the plate  20  has corresponding holes matching the holes  12  and  14  of the plate  10 . 
         [0041]    The silicone pads  30  and  60  each have a plurality of star-shaped openings formed by slits  144  forming tabs  142  which are resiliently deformable to grasp utensils in frictional engagement to keep them in a fixed position. The star-shaped openings underlie the holes  12  and  14  in the plates  10  and  40  in  FIG. 2 , and overlie the plates  20  and  50  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a front exploded view of the holder  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In  FIG. 3  the plates  10 ,  20 ,  40 , and  50  are seen to be substantially planar and are viewed along their front edges. The plate  40  has an upper bearing end portion  46 , and the plate  50  has a lower bearing end portion  56 . The plate  10  has an upper bearing end portion  18 , and the plate  20  has a lower bearing end portion  28 . The silicone pads  30  and  60  are also substantially planar and are viewed along their front edges. 
         [0043]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , the suction pad  101  includes a threaded attachment portion  102 , and the central stem base  90  has an upstanding portion  91  which receives the threaded attachment portion  102 . A screw or bolt  92  passes through the portion  102  and is received in a threaded hole at the top of the upstanding portion  91 , so as to secure the suction pad  101  to the central stem base  90 . The upstanding portion  91  has an outer periphery that is threaded (not shown) so as to engage with an internal threading of the handwheel  80 . The handwheel  80  is provided with the internal threaded portion (not shown) and engages with the threaded outer periphery of the portion  91  in threaded engagement, such that rotation of the handwheel  80  pulls the portion  102  into secure engagement with the central stem  70 , and thereby secures the suction pad  101  to the central stem base  90  and also secures the central stem base  90  to the central stem  70 . This type of assembly can be varied by any one having skill in the mechanical assembly arts, for example in the manner in which devices can be affixed to automobile windshields (e.g. GPS units) or to tables (e.g. toys to entertain infants and babies). The central stem  70  is thereby secured to the central stem base by the handwheel  80  and by engagement with the portion  91 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 3 , the above-mentioned right plate assembly is formed by the plate  10 , the pad  30 , and the plate  20 . The above-mentioned left plate assembly is formed by the plate  40 , the pad  60 , and the plate  50 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the mechanism disposed below the central stem cap  71 , which has been mentioned above with regard to  FIG. 1 . The mechanism shown is disposed under the central stem cap  71 , and includes a right shaft vertical gear  72  joining the right plate assembly (plates  10  and  20 , and the pad  30 ), and a left shaft vertical gear  710  joining the left plate assembly (plates  40  and  50 , and the pad  60 ). 
         [0046]    In assembled condition, the right shaft vertical gear  72  is fixed in the lower cap portion  720  (also shown in  FIGS. 11-15  and discussed further below), such that the right shaft vertical gear  72  cannot rotate. The right shaft vertical gear  72  has a pair of oppositely disposed flat portions  715 , one of which is visible in  FIG. 4 . The right shaft vertical gear joins the right plate assembly (plates  10  and  20 , and the pad  30 ). The left shaft vertical gear  710  has a pair of oppositely disposed flat portions  714 , and is similar in function to the right shaft vertical gear  72 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the right shaft vertical gear  72  has a shaft portion  723 , a groove  724 , and a toothed engagement portion  721 . The left shaft vertical gear  710  has similar features to that of the right shaft vertical gear  72 . The gears  72  and  710  are movable axially, and are respectively spring biased toward an engaged position as discussed further below. 
         [0048]    The mechanism of  FIG. 4  also includes a right spring  73  which pulls the shaft portion  723  of the gear  72  in an axial direction (which is leftward as viewed in  FIG. 4 ) so as to pull the toothed engagement portion  721  into engagement with an engagement gear  910 . That is, the spring  73  pushes against the washer  74  and its other end is fixed by the engagement gear  910 . The engagement gear  910  is fixed against rotation in the lower cap portion  720 . Because there is toothed engagement between the engagement gear  910  and the right shaft vertical gear  72 , the spring force of the spring  73  thereby secures the gear  72  against rotation unless sufficient force is applied to overcome the bias of the spring  73 . The spring  73  operates to prevent the gear  72  from rotating relative to the engagement gear  910  when no external force is being applied, or when such external force is insufficient to overcome the spring bias of the spring  73 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  also shows a right washer  74  mounted on the shaft of the gear  72 . The mechanism further includes a right shaft circlip  75  which prevents the washer  74  from coming off of the shaft of the gear  72 , the circlip  75  being disposed in a groove  724  in a shaft  723  of the gear  72  (the groove  724  and the shaft  723  are shown unnumbered in  FIG. 4  and are shown numbered in  FIG. 6 ) to abut against and fix the washer  74  and thus also fix the right spring  73 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  also shows a right ring  76  to prevent opening of the elements on the right side of the gear  72 , which is shown also in  FIGS. 11-15  and is discussed further below. The upper bearing end portion  18  has a ledge portion  181  which forms a semi-circular periphery, and receives the right ring  76  thereon. The upper bearing end portion  18  is similar in shape and function to the upper bearing end portion  46 , the lower bearing end portion  56 , and the lower bearing end portion  28 . 
         [0051]    The mechanism of  FIG. 4  also includes a left shaft circlip  77  which prevents a left washer  78  from coming off of a shaft of a left vertical gear  710 . The mechanism of  FIG. 4  also shows a left spring  79  fixed by the left washer  78 ; a left shaft vertical gear  710  which is pulled by the left spring  79  in a direction to keep the gear  710  from rotating; and a left ring  711  to prevent opening of the elements on the left side of the gear  710 . The gear  710  is similar to the gear  72 , and has a similar function as that of the gear  72 , and likewise has a groove therein (unnumbered in  FIG. 4 ) to receive a circlip (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) and is disposed on the left side as viewed in  FIG. 4 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the upper bearing end portion  46  has a ledge portion  461  which forms a semi-circular periphery, and receives the left ring  711  thereon. 
         [0052]    The pair of engagement gears  810  and  910  fit in an enclosure formed by the cap  71  and the lower cap portion  720 . The engagement gears  810  and  910  have radially arranged teeth which mate with the corresponding teeth of the left shaft vertical gear  710  and of the right shaft vertical gear  72 , specifically radially arranged teeth of the toothed engagement portion  721 . The engagement gear  810 , mentioned above, is fixed against rotation as well as against axial movement relative to the lower cap portion  720 . The engagement gear  910  is similar to the engagement gear  810 , and is likewise secured against relative rotation and against axial movement relative to the lower cap portion  720 . 
         [0053]    In a preferred embodiment, the lower cap portion  70 , the central stem  70 , and the gears  810  and  910  are injection molded together and therefore do not need to be secured to each other. 
         [0054]    In an alternative construction, which is contemplated as being within the scope of the invention, the gears  810  and  910  can be formed as separate elements and then secured to the lower cap portion  720  by adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or any other type of connection means that would be known to any one having skill in the manufacturing arts. In a further alternative construction, which is also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention, the holder  100  can be formed by  3 D printing techniques, such that the lower cap portion  70 , the central stem  70 , and the gears  810  and  910  are formed together as a connected part, and so would not need to be secured to each other. 
         [0055]    In the above, the left side is substantially identical to the right side. Therefore, the description of the right side elements of  FIG. 4  applies to the corresponding left side elements. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the above-mentioned mechanism of  FIG. 1 , in assembled view. The parts are as described in  FIG. 4 . Here, the view is of the assembled elements disposed within the lower cap portion  720 , and with the cap  71  removed. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the right shaft vertical gear  72  used in the holder  100  of  FIGS. 1-5 . The gear  72  includes a shaft  723 , a ridged portion  721 , and an end portion  722  having an indented flat portion. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the right washer  74  used in the holder  100  of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the right spring  73  used in the holder  100  of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the right shaft circlip  75  (also know as a snap ring  75 ) used in the holder  100  of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the holder  100  of  FIG. 1 . As seen in  FIG. 10 , the left side can rotate about its axis in the directions shown by the double-headed arrow “S”, and the right side can rotate about its axis in the directions shown by the double-headed arrow “R”. 
         [0062]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion  720 , showing a portion of the mechanism of  FIG. 4 . This view shows the securement of the gears  810  and  910  to the lower cap portion  720 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion  720  shown in  FIG. 11 , additionally showing a right shaft vertical gear  72  mounted therein, in toothed engagement with the gear  910 . The ring  76  is shown in this view. 
         [0064]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion  720  shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , additionally showing the right spring  73  mounted therein. 
         [0065]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion  720  shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , additionally showing the right washer  74  mounted therein. 
         [0066]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of the interior of the lower cap portion  720  shown in  FIGS. 11-14 , additionally showing the right circlip  75  mounted therein. 
         [0067]      FIG. 16  is a vertical cross sectional view of the mechanism of  FIG. 4  and  FIGS. 11-15 . In this view, the parts shown in  FIG. 4  are shown in their assembled form. The right side end of the right side vertical gear  72  is secured to the plate assembly (components  10 ,  20 , and  30 ) as discussed above. 
         [0068]    As seen in  FIG. 16 , the ring  76  secured the upper bearing end portion  18  and the lower bearing end portion  28  against separation. Additionally, the joined parts which are fixed can optionally be secured by adhesive, fasteners such as screws or rivets, and/or by welding such as ultrasonic welding. 
         [0069]      FIG. 17  is an end elevational view of the engagement gear  910 , showing a central bore  912 . 
         [0070]    As is clear from the foregoing, the left and right plate assemblies can be independently manually positioned about the aforementioned axis of rotation, by manually turning, i.e. manual application of torque, such that the radially arranged mating teeth (described above) of the side experiencing the torque will apply a force along the direction of the aforementioned axis of rotation so as to compress the respective one of the springs  73 ,  79  so that the teeth come out of engagement sufficiently to allow turning of the respective one of the left and right plate assemblies relative to the central stem  70 . When the torque is released, the radially arranged teeth are urged back into mating engagement so as to retain the left and right assemblies in place relative to the central stem  70 . 
         [0071]    The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.