Patent Publication Number: US-2019167046-A1

Title: Towel caddy hook with frictional attachment

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Many different kinds of hooks and towel holders are known. A problem with these hooks and towel holders, however, is that the towels (or other similarly held items), can slip off of the hook. This becomes especially problematic when the hook is on a moving device. This is especially the case, for example, when the hook is attached to a golf cart. 
     A towel holder for a golf cart is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,279. While this hook can hold the towel, the towel can easily slide off the hook. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application describes a frictional holder which secures a towel or other item using a frictional channel that inhibits the object being held from slipping off of the hook. One application of this system is in a golf cart. The hook can also be used in any other application where the hook or towel holder is actually moved or moving. 
     The frictional channel holder secures the towel while providing the ability to quickly and easily remove and replace the towel. Rather than snaps, hooks, magnets, hook and loop or other type clips, the present embodiment creates a pressure channel that restricts the object to be hung, from slipping off of the hook and allows the object to be hung to be held within a cavity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the Drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of the hook with pressure channel, showing the pressure channel formed between the two arms, one extending arm and one inwardly curving arm; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view showing the hook from the front; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view, showing the pressure channel; and 
         FIG. 4  shows how an alternative item can be hung from the hook. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment describes an object holding hook  100  with a pressure channel  105  that forms a gateway to an object holding surface  99 . The object holding hook  100  is connected to a connection part  110  that connects to a support structure, as explained herein. In one embodiment, the support structure can be a golf cart, but other support structures can alternatively be used according to the embodiments. 
     The object holding hook  100  is formed generally of a top curved portion  120  which attaches to the top of the connection part  110  and extends away from the connection part  110  for a length  122 , to curve back at surface  124  down back to a first pressure arm  126 . The end of the first pressure arm  126  faces back towards the connection part  110 . The outermost surface  130  of the first pressure arm  126  forms a first surface of the pressure channel  105 . 
     The bottom portion  135  of the object holding hook  100  attaches to the bottom portion of the connection part  110  and extends by a distance  136  from the connection part  110 . The bottom portion  135  also has a curved part  138  that starts after the distance  136 , which curves upward toward the top curved portion  120 . The curved part  138  extends along an arm  140  that forms a second pressure area  145  that forms the second surface of the pressure channel opposing the first surface  130  of the pressure channel. 
     In one embodiment, the distances  122  and  136  are substantially the same distance. 
     The first pressure area/surface  130  is a first curved surface extending from the top area of the connection part in a first curved direction. The second pressure area/surface  145  is a second curved surface extending from the bottom area of the connection part in a second curved direction. 
     In an embodiment, as shown the first arm  120  is even with the first edge  109  of the securing part and the second arm  140  has a side even with the second edge of the securing part. This can avoid any extra bumps and make a more even hook surface. 
     The pressure channel  105  is formed between the surfaces  130  and  145 . 
     In one embodiment, the hook material is formed of a deformable plastic material such as nylon. There is approximately a 2 mm gap between the first surface  130  of the pressure channel  105  and the second pressing surface  145  of the pressure channel  105 . This 2 mm gap can, however, be pressed open by deforming either or both of the arms  126 ,  140 . The first arm  126  can be deformed inward towards the connection part  110  and also the second arm  140  can be deformed away from the connection part to further open the area. The object to be held is then pushed or pulled in between the surfaces  130  and  145  of the arms  126 ,  140 . Alternatively, the object to be held can be pushed or pulled between the distal end  155  of the first pressure area  126 , and the back surface  160  of the connection part  110 . The object to be held is pushed or pulled between the surfaces  130  and  145  of the arms  126 ,  140  to be held in the area  99 . 
     The object to be hung is either pushed or pulled through the pressure channel, slightly deforming one arm or both arms of the plastic hook, and held in area  99 . The object to be hung can easily be taken off the hook, but the pressure channel prevents the object from slipping off of the hook, keeping it in area  99 . 
     Alternatively, the hook can be made of metal as long as the metal is deformable metal such as aluminum. In one embodiment, the hook can be made of nylon. 
     The hook itself is connected to the connection part  110 . The connection part in this embodiment is a right angle, having a first slot  170  on one arm of the right angle, and having a second slot  205  on another arm of the right angle. These two slots form surfaces which can be used to carry a strap such as a Velcro strap. 
     The connection part in one embodiment is formed of a right angle portion, having a first portion extending in a first direction in the same plane as the hook, a second portion extending perpendicular to the first portion, where both said first and second portions include slots thereon. The slots are of a size adapted to hold a strap therein, like the Velcro strap mentioned above. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top view of the pressure hook, showing the pressure channel  105  formed between the surface  130  and the surface  145 . The holder in this embodiment is seen as the right angle portion. This right angle portion on the holder  110  may be covered with a nonslip rubber liner  300 ,  302  which tends to hold the holder  110  in place once mounted. 
     In this embodiment, the hook can be mounted to any kind of surface using tape, elastic, or a hook and loop fastener. In another embodiment, however, the holding part  100  can be mounted permanently on a surface, e.g. with screws or the like. 
     In operation, the pressure channel keeps the object to be held from slipping off, because the object, such as a towel is pushed between two surfaces of the pressure channel and rests on the upper surface  99  of the bottom portion  135 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment, showing the hook  100  holding a keychain on the surface  99 . 
     While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes certain technological solutions to solve the technical problems that are described expressly and inherently in this application. This disclosure describes embodiments, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative or generalization of these embodiments, which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, other shapes or other variety of surfaces could be used. This system could be used in vehicles, e.g., delivery trucks, or construction vehicles. 
     Also, the inventor(s) intend that only those claims which use the words “means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims. 
     Where a specific numerical value is mentioned herein, it should be considered that the value might be increased or decreased by any amount, so long as it maintains the integrity of the hook  100 , while still staying within the teachings of the present application, unless some different range is specifically mentioned. The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.