Abstract:
A rotatable holder having first and second sections is provided. The first section has a plurality of first peripheral sides connected to each other and first and second end sides, each end side formed in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plurality of first peripheral sides. The second section has a plurality of second peripheral sides connected to each other and third and fourth end sides, each end side formed in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plurality of second peripheral sides. The first and second sections are rotatably coupled with each other along respective end sides of each section. At least one of the peripheral sides forms an orifice for receiving an object.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/753,882, filed Dec. 23, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a holder, and more specifically to a rotatable holder which includes orifices in a variety of sizes that may be used to support one or more objects having a variety of sizes.  
         [0003]     Currently, some holders are sized to hold one type of item, such as writing utensils, test tubes, and other such devices. This is problematic, since sometimes a user would desire that the holder be sized to hold a variety of items having various sizes. Additionally, other times a user would like to hold more items of a first size and fewer items of a second size than the holder is typically configured to hold.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a rotatable holder includes a plurality of sections rotatably coupled with each other along respective end sides of each section. According to this aspect, each section has a plurality of peripheral sides. Additionally, at least one of the peripheral sides forms an orifice for receiving an object.  
         [0005]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a rotatable holder has first and second sections. The first section has a plurality of first peripheral sides connected to each other and first and second end sides, each end side formed in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plurality of first peripheral sides. The second section has a plurality of second peripheral sides connected to each other and third and fourth end sides, each end side formed in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plurality of second peripheral sides. The first and second sections are rotatably coupled with each other along respective end sides of each section. At least one of the peripheral sides forms an orifice for receiving an object.  
         [0006]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a rotatable holder including a first section has at least four first peripheral sides connected to each other, each peripheral side formed in its own plane which is generally perpendicular to the planes of adjoining sides. The first section has first and second end sides which are generally square in shape, each end side formed in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plurality of first peripheral sides. The rotatable holder also includes a second section having at least four first peripheral sides connected to each other, each peripheral side formed in its own plane which is generally perpendicular to the planes of adjoining sides. The second section has third and fourth end sides which are generally square in shape, each end side formed in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plurality of second peripheral sides. The first section includes a reinforcement wall extending between opposite first peripheral sides of the first section and spaced from the other first peripheral sides. A rotational protrusion is connected along an approximate center of an edge of the reinforcement wall. The rotational protrusion couples with a cavity formed in one end side of the first section. At least one of the peripheral sides forms an orifice for receiving an object. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The components in the following figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the general principles. Moreover, in the figures, the same reference symbols designate the same components with the same significance unless otherwise indicated.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a right-front isometric view of a rotatable holder.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of a section of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a left-front isometric view of the rotatable holder of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of two of the sections of the rotatable holder of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an isometric cross-sectional view of the rotatable holder of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     With reference to the figures, an example of a rotatable holder is described. The holder includes orifices in a variety of sizes that may be used to support one or more objects having a variety of sizes. For example, the orifices may hold pencils, pens and other writing instruments. In addition, the orifices may support vials of different sizes. These vials may include test tubes and other vessels capable of holding liquids. For example, the vials may hold water so that fresh flowers may be supported and displayed. The sections of the holder rotate to provide access to orifices of different sizes, provide the holder with greater stability, and arrange the manner and orientation with which the holder may display and/or hold items.  
         [0014]     In  FIGS. 1-4 , an example of a rotatable holder  100  is shown. Although the rotatable holder  100  is shown in a horizontal orientation, it may be arranged in a vertical orientation as well. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, the rotatable holder  100  includes a plurality of sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 . Although only four sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  are shown in  FIG. 1 , the rotatable holder  100  may include any number of sections. For example,  FIG. 1  shows two of the peripheral sides  112 ,  114  of section  110 .  FIG. 1A  illustrates section  110  after it has been rotated clockwise 180° so that peripheral sides  116  and  118  are visible. Referring to  FIG. 1 , each of the sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  may include peripheral sides. As shown, section  110  has a generally square shape, and four sides  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  each with a generally slightly concave shape.  
         [0015]     In addition, section  110  includes a set of orifices on each of its peripheral sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A. In this example, peripheral side  112  includes two orifices  113 , side  114  includes  10  orifices  115 , side  116  includes  8  orifices  117 , and side  118  includes  6  orifices  119 . Although the orifices  113 ,  115 ,  117  and  119  shown in  FIG. 1  have a circular shape, they may have an elliptical, square, hexagonal or other shape. The orifices on each side are of different sizes and are evenly spaced and arranged in one or more rows. Orifices  113  are the largest, with the remaining orifices descending in size in the following order:  119 ,  117 , and  115 . In addition, any individual or combination of orifices may include threads to accommodate rings or other structures with corresponding and opposite threads. Although the shape, number, size and arrangement of the orifices on each side of each section  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  are the same, the shape, number, size, and arrangement of the orifices may vary on a single side, or from side to side, or from section to section. Sections  130 ,  150  and  170  are virtually identical in shape to section  110 , and number, size, shape and arrangement of the orifices are also identical to section  110 . However, the sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  may be of different shapes and have differing numbers of sides, individually or in any combination.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the entire rotatable holder  100  has been rotated from its position in  FIG. 1  so that the end side  180  of section  170  is shown. As mentioned above, the sections  110 ,  130 ,  150  and  170  are individually rotatable. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , sections  110 ,  130 , and  150  have been rotated individually from their positions in  FIG. 1  around the horizontal axis A (or vertical axis if the rotatable holder  100  is in a vertical orientation) that extends longitudinally through the rotatable holder  100  in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , sections  150  and  130  have been rotated around horizontal axis A in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrows D and E, respectively. Further, section  110  has been rotated in a clockwise direction around the horizontal axis A as indicated by arrow F. However, any of the sections  110 ,  130 ,  150  and  170  may be rotated individually, in any combination and in either direction.  
         [0017]     Sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  may be separate pieces that are coupled together using a coupling member to form the rotatable holder  100 . In order to couple two adjoining sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  to each other, at least one of the adjoining sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  includes a coupling member. The coupling member may be any device used to couple two adjoining sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  to each other, and includes devices such as, snap-fit members, VELCRO™, nails, glue, magnets, clamps, and screws. In one embodiment, the coupling member rotationally couples two adjoining sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  to each other, and includes devices such as a rotational protrusion  147  and a cavity  162  which is coupled with the rotational protrusion  147 , as discussed below.  
         [0018]     The sections  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170  may be distinguished from each other via a feature such as color. This may allow the contents of the rotatable holder  100  to be more easily distinguished. Sections  130  and  150  are shown as separate pieces in  FIG. 3 . Section  130  may be a generally hollow structure. Section  130  may also include a reinforcement wall  136  extending between opposite sides of section  130  and spaced from the other sides, to provide section  130  with additional strength.  
         [0019]     In addition, the reinforcement wall  136  may support a coupling member, such as a rotational protrusion  147 , in the approximate center of section  130 . To enable sections  130  and  150  to rotate with respect to each other, the rotational protrusion  147  couples with a cavity  162  in the end side  160  of section  150  for example, in a snap-fit or frictional engagement. Although the rotational protrusion  147  of section  130  and the cavity  162  of section  150  are each shown in  FIG. 3  as having a generally cylindrical shape, the rotational protrusion  147  and the cavity  162  may include any shape that allows sections  130  and  150  to be fixedly or removably and rotatably coupled together. Alternatively, rotational protrusion  147  of section  130  and the cavity  162  of section  150  may be replaced with a pair of magnets.  
         [0020]     In addition, section  130  may include one or more alignment members, which in a preferred embodiment are alignment protrusions  145 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , section  130  includes four alignment protrusions  145  in the comers of section  130 . When sections  130  and  150  are coupled with each other via rotational protrusion  147 , the alignment protrusions  145  on section  130  couple with alignment indentations  164  on section  150 . In general, the number of alignment indentations equal the number of alignment protrusions. Therefore, section  150  includes  4  alignment indentations  164 . The alignment indentations have a size and shape suitable for receiving and releasing the alignment protrusions  145  as sections  130  and  150  rotate with respect to each other. The alignment indentations  164  and the alignment protrusions  145  are located on sections  150  and  130 , respectively, so that when coupled, sections  150  and  130  achieve a desired rotational relationship with each other and remain fixed that way until the rotational relationship is deliberately changed. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the alignment indentations  164  and the alignment protrusions  145  are located on the comers of sections  150  and  130 , respectively. Thus, when sections  130  and  150  are rotated so that the alignment indentations  164  and the alignment protrusions  145  couple with each other, each of the peripheral sides  132 ,  134 ,  136  and  138  of section  130  will rotate about 90 degrees, and be about parallel with one of the peripheral sides  152 ,  154 ,  156  and  158  of section  150 . In addition, section  130  includes a cavity  142  (the backside of which is shown) in end side  140  and one or more alignment impressions (not shown), which enable section  130  to receive a rotational protrusion and one or more alignment protrusions, respectively, of another section. Likewise, section  150  may include a rotational protrusion supported by a reinforcement wall (not shown), and one or more alignment protrusions (not shown) for coupling with an aperture and one or more alignment impressions of another section. Alignment members may include other devices which can be used to achieve a desired rotational relationship with each other and remain fixed that way until the rotational relationship is deliberately changed, such as snap-fit members, VELCRO™, nails, glue, magnets, clamps, and screws.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the rotational holder  100  taken along a plane through the center of the rotational holder  100 .  FIG. 4  further illustrates the coupling of sections  110 ,  130 ,  150  and  170 . Sections  150  and  130  are coupled with each other as described in connection with  FIG. 3 . The rotational protrusion  147  supported by the reinforcement wall  146  of section  130  is coupled with the cavity  162  in the end side  160  (see  FIG. 3 ) of section  150 . The end sides  140 ,  160  of sections  150 ,  130 , respectively, are generally located proximate to the cavities  162 ,  142 , respectively, and perpendicular to reinforcement walls  166 ,  146 , respectively. Section  110  is structured approximately identically to sections  150  and  130 . Section  110  includes an end side  120  and a cavity  122  and alignment indentations  124  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) in the end side  120 . In addition, the reinforcement wall  126  of section  110  supports a rotational protrusion  125  that couples with the cavity  142  in section  130 . Further, section  110  includes alignment protrusions (not shown) that couple with alignment impressions of section  130  (not shown).  
         [0022]     Section  170  includes an end side  180 , a reinforcement wall  186  approximately perpendicular to the end side  180 , an aperture  182 , and alignment impressions (not shown). The cavity  182  and the alignment impressions of section  170  couple with the protrusion  165  and the alignment protrusions (not shown), respectively, of section  150 . Thus, section  170  is similar to sections  150 ,  130  and  110 . However, end side  180  of section  170  is distally located from the cavity  182  so that the cavity  182  is not in contact with the end side  180 . Further, section  170  does not include rotational or alignment protrusions.  
         [0023]     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.