Patent Abstract:
A holder for personal effects in a vehicle comprising a base that fits around the support rods of a headrest, a mount that may adjustably connected to the base and designed to hold the strap or other hanging feature of one or more personal items, and at least one securement block that may be used to sure up the base, limit its ability to move laterally, or help it to support heavier items. The base may be detachable and reversible so that it can be used in combination with the headrest support rods of a seat on either side of the car and so that the arm can be positioned in a maximum number of variations for the convenience of the user. In some embodiments, one or more of the securement blocks is easily removable and re-attachable to the base to accommodate a large variety of headrest and support rod configurations.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to an adjustable holding device for automobiles for holding personal effects. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Drivers and passengers in an automobile almost always carry some personal items with them during a trip or commute, and laying the personal items in a nearby seat or floor is undesirable. Under many circumstances, it would be desirable to hang the items up somewhere in the vehicle, but usually there are only a very limited number of places to hang an item. Most vehicles are equipped with an integrated hanger located above the rear side window, but hanging an article on such a hanger may block the driver&#39;s or passenger&#39;s field of view and normally places the item out of the reach of the driver during a trip or commute. The driver or passenger may also try to hang an item around one of the front seats or headrests, but this too could inadequate, since it may be inconvenient or uncomfortable for the person sitting in the seat and some personal effects simply cannot fit around these structures. 
   Other hanging systems for automobiles rely on inconvenient and extensive attachment mechanisms. The simpler attachment mechanisms require removal of the headrest for installation. Still others are bulky, metallic devices to withstand the weight of large heavy items and are inconvenient for normal articles that are carried on a day-to-day basis. The smaller, more convenient hanging devices do not possess the proper leverage to withstand heavier items. 
   For the foregoing reasons there is a need for a holding device for automobiles that is simple to install, convenient to use, aesthetically pleasing, and not cumbersome. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is directed to a holder for personal effects in a vehicle. The holder comprises a base that fits around the support rods of a headrest, a mount that may adjustably connected to the base and designed to hold the strap or other hanging feature of one or more personal items, and at least one securement block that may be used to sure up the base, limit its ability to move laterally, or help it to support heavier items. 
   In some embodiments, the base may be detachable and reversible so that it can be used in combination with the headrest support rods of a seat on either side of the car and so that the arm can be positioned in a maximum number of variations for the convenience of the user. In some embodiments, one or more of the securement blocks is easily removable and re-attachable to the base to accommodate a large variety of headrest and support rod configurations. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment within the scope of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of one such embodiment; and 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment in keeping with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   The present invention is versatile article holder  100  for use in automobiles. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the holder  100  can be secured between a backrest  10  and a headrest  12  of an automobile seat where it can provide a means for holding various articles, such as clothes, bags, purses, and the like. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the holder  100  of the present invention comprises a base  102 , an arm  104  protruding from the base  102 , a mount  107  movably connected to the arm  104 , and at least one securement block  106  attachable to the base  102 . In general, the base  102  provides the foundational support for the mount  107 , the arm  104  provides an extension from the base  102  to increase range and versatility of the holder  100 , the mount  107  provides the means for holding an article, and the securement block  106  helps secure the base  102  in place. 
   The base  102  comprises a longitudinal axis  16 , a first end  108 , a second end  110  opposite the first end  108 , and a middle portion  112  in between the first and second ends  108  and  110 . The base  102  may be constructed of any sturdy and durable material such as plastic, wood, metal, and the like. The middle portion  112  comprises a first and second side having interior edges defining a gap  118 . The first end  108  comprises an opening  114 . Preferably, the opening  114  is a wedge-shaped opening or a “V”-shaped opening that ends at a split  116  in the base  102  leading into the gap  118  in the middle portion  112 . The “V”-shaped design allows the support rods of a headrest, or rods  14 , of a headrest  12  to be guided easily into the opening  114  where the support rods or rods  14  can be pushed passed the split  116  at the vertex of the “V” or wedge. As the rods  14  are pushed deeper into the “V” or wedge  114 , the rods  14  gradually open the split  116 . Once it has passed the split  116 , the rods  14  become “trapped” in the gap  118  as the ledges  120  on the opposite side of the wedge prevents the rods  14  from passing back out of the gap  118  in the opposite direction. 
   In some embodiments, the opening  114  may have a closure  15 . The closure may be a bar, rod, strap, clamp, elastic band, and the like to keep the split  116  in a closed state to facilitate the prevention of the base  102  from slipping out from the headrest rods  14 . 
   Preferably the gap  118  is along the longitudinal axis  16 , thereby separating the middle portion  112  into the first side  122  and second side  124 . The width of the gap  118  is such that a headrest rod  14  can fit tightly inside the gap  118 . In some embodiments, the gap  118  may have a means for conforming to the shape of the headrest rods  14 . For example, the gap  118  may be ribbed with semi-circular concavities so as to allow cylindrical headrest rods  14  to fit inside the concavity. In some embodiments, the first and second sides  122 ,  124  may be lined with a plastic or elastic deformable material, such as foam, neoprene, rubber, and the like on the sides defining the gap  118  to sandwich or clamp the rods  14  between the two sides  122  and  124  with the closure  15  or the securement block  106 . 
   In some embodiments, the first and second sides  122  and  124  of the middle portion  112  may be aligned with holes  126 . Preferably, the holes  126  on the first side  122  are paired with holes  126  on the second side  124 . These holes  126  may be through holes or incomplete holes, such as a divet or an indentation. In some embodiments, the holes  126  may be along the inner or outer edges of the first and second sides  122 ,  124 . These holes  126  provide a means for fixing the securement blocks  106  in place. Therefore, the holes may be any geometric shape such as circular, ovoid, square, rectangular, triangular, star-shaped, and the like that can mate with a reciprocal peg or locating pin having the same shape. In some embodiments, the holes  126  may be elongated slots in which the locating pins can slide. 
   The second end  110  of the base  102  connects with the arm  104 . The arm  104  comprises a proximal end  128  connected to the second end  110  of the base  102 , and a distal end  130  opposite the proximal end  128 . The distal end  130  may have a first orifice  132  through which the mount  107  may be adjustably attached. 
   In some embodiments, the arm  104  is integrally connected to the second end  110  of the base  102 , thereby forming a single piece. In such embodiments, the arm  104  may be angularly offset from the longitudinal axis  16 . In other words, the arm  104  may be bent relative to the base  102 . This angular offset increases the versatility of positioning the article. 
   In some embodiments, the arm  104  may be adjustably attached to the base  102 . For example, the arm  104  may be attached to the base  102  by a swivel, a hinge, a joint, or the like to allow lateral, vertical, or rotational movement. For example, the arm  104  can be rotated so as to be at right angles to the base  102 , then swiveled downward so as to be parallel to the backrest  10 . This positions the mount  107  closer to the floor so that heavier items with handles may rest on the floor but have their handles hooked onto the mount  107  to reduce sliding of the item across the floor and to make it easier to grasp the handles of the items for removal. In some embodiments, the arm  104  may be telescopic so as to adjust the length of the arm  104  to further increase the versatility of placement of the article. 
   The article hangs from the mount  107 . The mount  107  may be movably connected to the distal end  130  of the arm  104 . The mount  107  comprises a base wall  134  having a first surface  136  and a second surface  138  opposite the first surface  136 . The first surface  136  may have a crook  140  so as to form a hook in conjunction with the first surface  136 . In some embodiments, the first surface  136  may have a “T”-shaped crook  140  extruding from the first surface  136 , thereby creating a double hook. The double hook facilitates the reversibility of the holder  100 . In some embodiments, the mount  107  may be fixedly attached to the arm  104  or even integrally formed with the arm  104 . 
   The second surface  138  may have a flange  142  extruding therefrom. The flange  142  may have a second orifice  144  that can align with the first orifice  132  of the arm  104 . A bolt  146  may be inserted through first and second orifices  132  and  144  to secure the mount  107  to the arm  104  with a nut  148 . Using a bolt  146  and nut  148  fastener allows the mount  107  to swivel, thereby creating a swivel hook. The nut  148  also serves as a clamp that may be tightened or loosened to immobilize or make rotatable, respectively, the swivel hook. Other fasteners known to those skilled in the art may be used to create a swivel hook. The mount  107  may have a washer  150  positioned between the nut  148  and the flange  142  to facilitate movement. In some embodiments, the washer  150  may be a shake-proof washer to absorb unwanted movements and vibrations. 
   Besides a nut  148  and bolt  146 , the mount  107  may be fastened to the arm  104  in a variety of ways. For example, the mount  107  may be clamped on, screwed on, stuck on with adhesives, or fit on with resistance. 
   The securement block  106  secures the holder  102  in place on the backrest  10  of a seat with the aid of the headrest rod  14  and the headrest  12 . The securement block  106  is a sturdy block of material that is positioned adjacent to a headrest rod  14 , on top of or underneath the holder  100 , and sandwiched between the headrest  12  and the backrest  10 . The securement block  106  utilizes the compressive force exerted upon it by the headrest  12  to secure the holder  100  on to the backrest  10  and restrict vertical movement of the holder  100 . Examples of material suitable for use as a securement block  106  include durable, pliable material, such as neoprene, foam, cork, rubber, and the like, or harder material, such as plastic, wood, metal, and the like. 
   In some embodiments, the securement block  106  comprises a fastening means  152  to fasten the securement block  106  to the base  102 . The fastening means  152  may be a lockbar  153  with locating pins  154 . The securement block  106  may be fastened to the lockbar  153  by a variety of means. Preferably, adhesives are used to fasten the securement block  106  to the lockbar  153 . The locating pins  154  may be configured to fit resistively into the pair of holes  126  on the first and second sides  122  and  124  of the middle portion  112  of the base  102 . The resistance or pressure created by forcing the locating pins  154  into the holes  126  creates a secure attachment, yet allows for quick and easy removal and attachment. Installation and removal of the securement blocks does not require removal of the headrest rods or any additional tools. Thus, the holder  100  can easily be adjusted to fit headrest holder of a variety of shapes and sizes, including non-traditional headrest rods, such as single block or elongated headrest rods. Using the securement blocks  106  also allows the holder to be quickly moved from seat to seat or from one orientation to another orientation. Thus, the mount may be positioned on the left or right sides of the car (laterally) or in the middle of the car (medially) from the driver&#39;s or passenger&#39;s seat. 
   In some embodiments, the locating pins  154  may have a longitudinal split  156  to allow the locating pins  154  to be compressible to facilitate insertion into the hole pair  126 . In some embodiments, the locating pins  154  may be tapered to facilitate insertion into the holes pair  126 . The securement block  106  can be moved along the base  102  and fit into any hole pair  126  to secure the securement block  106 . The ease with which the securement blocks  106  can be moved improves the adjustability of the holder  100 , thereby improving the variability of the overhang of the mount  107  off the backrest  10 . 
   In some embodiments, locating pins  154  may protrude directly from the securement blocks  106  without the need for a lockbar  153 . In some embodiments, the fastening means  152  may be a clamp, a clip, a bracket, a band, a magnet or any other fastener that can reversibly fasten the securement block  106  to the base  102  while immobilizing the first and second sides  122  and  124  relative to each other. For example, the fastener  152  may be a C-shaped clamp or bracket type device that clamps or fits around the outer edges of the first and second sides  122  and  124 . In such embodiments the holes  126  would not be required on the first and second sides  122  and  124  and the securement block  106  could slide along the base  102  to be placed in the desired position. 
   In use, the holder  100  is passed along the backrest  10  so that the headrest rod  14  is passed through the opening  114  into the gap  118  to the desired position. Once the holder  100  is in position, at least one securement block  106  is inserted in between the holder  100  and the headrest  12  that is supported by the headrest rod  14 . Preferably, the securement block  106  is positioned adjacent to the headrest rod  14  so that the securement block  106  prevents movement in at least one direction. The securement block  106  may be placed below the holder  100  between the holder  100  and the backrest  10  or above the holder  100  between the holder  100  and the headrest  12 . In some embodiments, two or more securement blocks  106  and  106 ′ may be utilized in a variety of configurations to secure the holder  100 . For example two securement blocks  106  and  106 ′ may be positioned on opposite sides but adjacent to the same headrest rod  14 . If there are two headrest rods  14  and  14 ′, the securement blocks  106  and  106 ′ may be placed on the outer sides but adjacent to the two headrest rods  14  and  14 ′, on the inner sides but adjacent to the headrest rods  14  and  14 ′ or the same sides of the different headrest rods  14  and  14 ′. This reduces any lateral movement along the longitudinal axis  16  as any lateral movement in a first direction will be blocked by the first securement block  106  and any lateral movement in a second direction will be blocked by the second securement block  106 ′. A single securement block  106  may be used to buttress against a first headrest rod  14  and the second headrest rod  14 ′ may be buttressed against the ledges  120  at the first end  108  or the second end  110  of the middle portion  102 . 
   Once the securement block  106  is positioned, the headrest  12  can be lowered onto the securement block  106  to secure the securement block  106 . The force created from the headrest  12  compressing the securement block  106  against the backrest  10  provides the resistance to keep holder  100  on the backrest  10  and limit vertical movement of the holder  100 . With the securement block  106  in place, the article can be hung on the mount  107 . 
   In some embodiments, the securement block  106  may be placed underneath the holder  100  between the holder  100  and the backrest  10  rather than on top of the holder. In some embodiments, the securement blocks  106  may be placed underneath and on top of the holder  100  to raise the headrest to a higher position to accommodate taller individuals. 
   In some embodiments, an additional securement block  106 ″ may be used to increase the support provided by the holder  100 . For example, a third securement block is  106 ″ may be positioned anywhere under the headrest  12 . In some embodiments, the additional securement block  106 ″ may be positioned underneath the holder  100  buttressed against the shoulder  18  of the backrest  10  to provide additional support for the arm  104 . In some embodiments, the additional securement block  106 ″ may be configured to conform to the shoulder  18  of the back seat as shown in  FIG. 1  so as to reduce forward and backward movement of the holder  10 . For example, the block portion or foundation of the securement block may be curved or concave to conform to the curvature of the shoulder  18  of the backrest  10 . 
   To accommodate different height positions of the headrest, the securement blocks  106  may come in variety of dimensions. In addition, the height of the headrest may be adjusted by placing a first securement block  106  above the holder and a second securement block  106 ′ below the holder directly underneath the first securement block  106  so as to stack the securement blocks  106 ,  106 ′ to raise the headrest  12 . 
   To remove the holder  100 , the headrest  12  is raised, the securement block  106  is removed, the first and second sides  122 ,  124  are slightly spread apart so that the headrest rod  14  can be slipped past the ledges  120  at the split  116 . 
   Due to the flat characteristic of the holder  100 , the holder  100  can be reversible. Thus, in embodiments with a fixed, bent arm,  104  the holder  100  can be flipped 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis  16  onto the opposite side if the user wants the bent arm  104  pointing in the opposite direction. In embodiments having a double hook, no further modifications need to be made on the mount  107 . In embodiments with a single hook, the mount  107  can be removed easily and re-mounted on the opposite side. The features of the holder  100  also allow the holder to be rotated 180 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis so that the arm may be directed medially or laterally relative to the car. 
   The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   This invention may be industrially applied to the development, manufacture, and use of a holder  100  for automobiles for the purpose of easily and conveniently hanging articles in an automobile. Such a holder  100  comprises a base  102  having a longitudinal axis  16 , the base  102  comprising a first end  108 , a second end  110  opposite the first end  108 , and a middle portion in between the first end  108  and the second end  110 . The first end  108  comprises a split  116  through which the holder  100  can be mounted onto a headrest rod  14 . The middle portion  112  comprises a gap  118 , separating the middle portion  112  into a first side  122  and a second side  124  in which the headrest rods  14  reside. An arm  104  protrudes from the second end  110  of the base  102  to provide clearance from the seat from which the holder  100  is supported. A mount  107  from which the articles may hang is movably connected to the arm  104 . At least one securement block  106  is used to secure the holder  100  on the headrest rod  14  to provide a means to withstand the weight of heavier items. 
   While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1