Patent Publication Number: US-3879005-A

Title: Double suction cup vacuum holder

Description:
United States Patent 1 Flick 1 1 Apr. 22, 1975 DOUBLE SUCTION CUP VACUUM HOLDER [75] Inventor: Joseph J. Flick, Amarillo, Tex.  
 [73] Assignee: Oliver W. Bivins, Amarillo, Tex. a  
 part interest 22 Filed: Apr. 17, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 461,619  
  Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 300383, Oct. 24, 1972.  
 [52] U.S. Cl 248/206 R; 248/362 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6b 47/00 [58] Field of Search 248/362, 363, 206; 339/12; 24/73 VA [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,228,649 6/1917 Childs 248/206 R 1,743,442 1/1930 Fanslav et a1 1,883,791 10/1932 .lcwcll 248/206 R 2.024.429 12/1938 Casey 248/206 R 2,319,727 5/1943 2,385,977 10/1945 2.886277 5/1959 Boham et a1 248/206 Primary E.\&#39;aminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Wendell Coffee [57] ABSTRACT An integral web on a double suction cup vacuum holder includes the axis of a stem connecting the two suction cups. When the web is pressed inward, toward the stem, the lip of one or both of the suction cups is raised, thus spoiling the vacuum therein and releasing the holder. A diametrical hole through the stem, normal to the webs, provides convenient attachment means for inserting a pole or strap or other item. Additional items are readily attached to the pole or strap.  
 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures DOUBLE SUCTION CUP VACUUM HOLDER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of my prior application Ser. No. 300.383 filed Oct. 24. I972.  
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to vacuum hold-down supports.  
 2. Description of the Prior Art Vacuum holders or suction cups have long been known to the art. They have many uses such as holding items on glass or for carrying glass or for forming a holder on the top of an automobile carrying luggage or sports equipment such as surf boards.  
 Vacuum holders also are used for work holders on machine tools.  
  A problem exists as to how to spoil the vacuum to release the holder. Prior workers suggest providing a valve which may be opened to permit atmosphere to enter the suction cup which releases same. Other patents show double suction cups wherein the two suction cups are connected by an air passageway. If the disclosure is properly understood. others have suggested that the article be pushed away from the vacuum holder. Childs. US. Pat. No. 1.228.649. suggested that two suction cups could be used connected by a stem.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I. New and Different Function.  
  I have invented a vacuum holder having two suction cups connected by a stem. The stem has a diametrical hole therethrough so a pole or other structure can be extended through the hole to attach items to the suction cups.  
  A diametrical web extends from one suction cup to the other and is attached to the stem. The web is integral with the suction cups and stem. Pressure on the web lifts the lip of the suction cup and breaks the vacuum. This inexpensive web makes it possible to easily spoil the vacuum of the suction cups and release the suction cups.  
  An object of this invention is to provide a vacuum suction cup support.  
  Another object is to provide a suction cup to which objects may be easily attached and readily spoils the vacuum.  
  Other objects are to achieve the above with a device that is sturdy. compact. durable. lightweight. simple. safe. efficient. versatile. and reliable. yet inexpensive and easy to manufacture, install. operate. and maintain.  
  Further objects are to achieve the above with a method that is versatile. rapid. efficient. and inexpensive. and does not require skilled people to install. adjust. operate. and maintain.  
  The specific nature of the invention. as well as other objects. uses. and advantages thereof. will clearly appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawing. the different views of which are not necessarily to the same scale.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of a device according to my invention.  
  along line 22 of FIG. 3.  
 FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken substantially along lines 33 of FIG. 2.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more specifically to the drawing. FIGS. I. 2. and 3, show vacuum device 10. The device has bottom suction cup 12 and top suction cup I4 connected by stem 16. It will be understood that the bottom cup 12 and the top cup 14 are identical and the device 10 is symetrical so that upon inversion. the top and bottom cups are reversed. but for the purpose of designation. they are called top and bottom.  
  The entire device 10 is made of rubber. By the term rubber I do not mean to limit it to natural rubber. but also include those synthetic materials which have rubber-like properties.  
  Both cups I2 and 14 are arcuate and have lip 18. The suction cups themselves are entirely conventional and have basically spherical concavity 20 and operates in the customary manner.  
  The circular cylindrical stem I6 connecting the two cups is coaxial with the cups. I.e.. the axis of the stem 16 would intersect the center point of the sphere or are generating the concavity 20.  
  The stem has circular cylindrical hole 22 extending diametrically therethrough.  
  Webs 24 extend and are integral with the cups I2 and I4 and with the stem 16 and extend as illustrated. The webs contain the axis of the stem. The webs 24 are at right angles to the axis of the circular cylindrical hole 22. Each web 24 forms structure which is attached at the lip of each cup and to the stem 16. The web 24 extends -from the cup 12 along the stem 16 to the other cup 14. It may be seen that if the edge 26 of either web is pushed inward toward the stem. this causes the lip 18 to be moved. If the suction cups are attached to some surface. the pressure or pushing in upon the edges 26 of the webs 24 lift the lips I8 and spoil the vacuum formed within the suction cups l2 and I4; thus providing an easy release. If the web 24 is pushed near the bottom cup 12. the vacuum in the bottom cup I2 is spoiled. Pushing web 24 near the top will spoil the vacuum in the top cup 14. Pushing the edges in the center will release both cups.  
  Although the drawings are not meant to be a scale. I have had good results making the cups 85mm in diameter. the stem 37mm in diameter and about 40mm long from the backside of the cup 12 to the back side of the cup 14. the hole through the stem 25mm in diameter annd the webs 5mm thick. The total height of the vacuum device 10 from the lip I8 of the cup 12 to the lip 18 of the cup 14 is about mm. Although the cups are conventional. l have had good success using a cup which is about 13mm thick where it joins the stem. Of course each cup tapers to a feather edge at the lip 18.  
  Those skilled in the art. with normal ingenuity. will think of many uses to which these devices may be utilized. E.g.. in carrying large pieces of glass. they can be attached one suction cup to the device and the holes through the stems can be used as a handhold. Or. two pieces of glass can be attached together and the hand inserted between the two pieces of glass to the hole as a handheld. When it is desired to release the load. all that is necessary is to apply slight pressure upon the edges 26 of the web 24 and this spoils the vacuum within the cup and the vacuum device is quickly released from whatever object or item to which it is attached.  
  The embodiment shown and described above is only exemplary. I do not claim to have invented all the parts. elements or steps described. Various modifications can be made in construction, material. arrangement. and operation. and still be within the scope of my invention. The limits of the invention and the bounds of the patent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims. The restrictive description and drawing of the specific example above do not point out what an infringement of this patent would be. but are to enable the reader to make and use the invention.  
 SUBJECT MATTER CLAIMED FOR PROTECTION:  
 I claim as my invention:  
 1. In a vacuum holder having a. an arcuate suction cup with a spherical concavity, a flexible circular lip peripherally surrounding the concavity. and  
 b. an integral stem. extending from the side of the cup opposite the spherical concavity c. the stem coaxial with the cup and the spherical cavity d. attachment means on the stem for attaching items thereto:  
 e. An IMPROVED VACUUM BREAKER COM- PRlSlNG:  
 f. a web of planar configuration having one edge integral with said stem and extending radially therefrom. another edge of said web extending from the intersection of said stem and said cup to said lip of said cup and being integral with said cup.  
 g. the web aligned with the axis of the stem.  
 h. so that when the web is pushed toward the stem it lifts the lip of the cup thus breakinng the vacuum of the cup.  
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 with an additional limitation of j. a second web diametrically opposed to the first recited web.  
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 with additional limitations of j. a second suction cup k. integral with the stem.  
 m. the two suction cups being symetrical.  
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said attaching means includes:  
 j. a hole diametrically through the stem.  
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 with additional limitations of k. a second suction cup m. integral with the stem.  
 n. the two suction cups being symetrical.  
 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 with an additional limitation of o. a second web diametrically opposed to the first recited web. each web attached to each cup.