Abstract:
The invention relates to a relatively universal supporting system and to the components thereof. The basic principle of the invention is to enable the installation and use of accessories produced by third parties and/or original accessories on motor vehicles, around patios or on other similar surfaces. The universal supporting system generally includes an anchoring base designed to be attached to a vehicle or surface, a column that can be mounted in the base and L-shaped supporting arms that are secured to the latter. The invention enables space to be maximised during the installation of accessories owing to the L-shaped supporting arms and the anchoring base which are deployed outside the vital space of the vehicle or surface. As a result, the accessories do not occupy the vital space of the vehicle or surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of Canadian Patent Application no. 2,583,524, entitled “Universal Holder System” and filed at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 28, 2007. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention essentially relates to the field of supporting and/or mounting systems which can be mounted on the ground, on surfaces and/or on vehicles. More particularly, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to supporting and/or mounting systems for accessories which can be mounted to motor vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the field of yachting and pleasure sailing, the lack of space is often a shortcoming which limits the use of accessories which enhance the comfort of the yachtsmen. 
         [0004]    In the market, these accessories destined to be used on recreational vehicles do not generally comprise common and universal installation systems. This is particularly true in the field of yachting. Normally, the installation of these accessories depends on the installation system provided by the manufacturers, when such an installation system exists. However, more often than not, these installation systems cannot be mounted in an efficient and practical manner. Moreover, these systems use a portion of the usable space which is normally very limited. Furthermore, the problem of storing these accessories after their use remains due to the inherent lack of usable space on pleasure boats and yachts. 
         [0005]    Hence, yachtsmen are often forced to try to make homemade mounting systems which resemble do-it-yourself projects, making the use of the accessories hazardous when not plainly dangerous. All these drawbacks are caused by the mere fact that no product exists on the market today which provides a convenient solution for the installation and use of accessories on yachts. 
         [0006]    Moreover, due to the limited available space on yachts, it is often impossible to use several accessories simultaneously. Consequently, yachtsmen need to choose between the accessories. 
         [0007]    There is thus a need for a relatively universal supporting and mounting system which would allow owners of motor vehicles to use, in a simple and safe manner, several accessories simultaneously and which would allow these accessories to remain available without encroaching on the usable space of their vehicles. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The main object of the present invention is to provide a relatively universal supporting and mounting system which can be mounted to a vehicle, at the periphery of a patio or onto any other similar surfaces, and which allows the installation and use of different accessories. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively universal supporting and mounting system which allows the installation and use of accessories without encroaching on the usable space of the vehicle, the patio or the surface. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively universal supporting and mounting system which is modular and which can be adapted in accordance with the characteristics of the accessories which are mounted thereto. 
         [0011]    Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention essentially comprises a system for supporting accessories wherein the elements on which the accessories are mounted extend outside the usable space of the vehicle or of the surface on which the system is installed. 
         [0013]    The supporting system of the present invention generally comprises three elements: an anchoring base, a column and one or more generally L-shaped supporting arms. The elements of the supporting system are preferably made from high quality material such as aluminum, stainless steel and/or other suitable alloys that are able to resist to corrosion. Preferably, the anchoring base and the supporting arm are made from aluminum while the column is preferably made from stainless steel having a polished finish. Nevertheless, other materials and alloys may be used. In addition, the anchoring base and the supporting arm may be painted with catalyzed-urethane-based coating. 
         [0014]    Essentially, the anchoring base comprises a fastening portion and a supporting portion for receiving the column. 
         [0015]    The fastening portion of the anchoring base is generally secured to the rear platform of a boat or to any other suitable location allowing the use of the accessory installed on the supporting system without being in the way of the movement of the users. The anchoring base is generally secured with bolts and nuts passing through the platform, and preferably has a reinforcing plate located under the platform to provide a strong assembly. However, other fastening systems could be used depending of the location of the supporting system. 
         [0016]    According to one aspect of the invention, the portion of the anchoring base receiving the column extends outside the usable space of the vehicle or of the location where the supporting system is installed. This way, the supporting system does not encroach on the usable space that is generally limited. The portion of the base receiving the column has an opening having a diameter which is similar to the diameter of the column. Also, this portion of the base comprises a clamping mechanism to retain the column. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the invention and as mentioned previously, the supporting system comprises one or more L-shaped supporting arms on which the accessories can be installed. 
         [0018]    The supporting arms are installed on the column with their extremities having a clamping ring configuration. These arms support the accessories. The shape of the supporting arms, elbowed or L-shaped, allows the accessories to be installed outside the passageway. Preferably, each supporting arm comprises a central opening in which any type of anchoring systems can be used with bolts and nuts, and to which a platform acting as a receptacle for the accessories can be mounted. Since each extremity of the supporting arm is configured as a clamping ring, each extremity may be used to install a supporting arm. Moreover, the design of the supporting arm allows two supporting arms to be installed on a same column, one supporting arm being upside down such as to have both of them in the same plane. This allows the installation of more voluminous and/or heavier accessories. 
         [0019]    Almost any accessory may be installed on the supporting system of the present invention. For example, a barbecue, a generator, bicycles, diving oxygen tanks, storage containers, shelves, guard rails, microwave, auxiliary outboard motor, etc. 
         [0020]    The universal supporting system is adapted to receive a plurality of accessories of any kind in order to maximize the available usable space and to facilitate the use of the previously mentioned accessories. 
         [0021]    The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the anchoring base with the mounting system for a platform; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the anchoring base; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the anchoring base; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the reinforcing plate; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the column; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the column; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the supporting arm; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the supporting arm; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8A  is side view of two opposed supporting arms installed on a column; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the supporting arm; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of the supporting arm; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an embodiment in accordance with the invention comprising the anchoring base, the column and two supporting arms; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an exemplary assembly for a barbecue; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12A  is a bottom view of the exemplary assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a side view of an exemplary assembly for two diving oxygen tanks; 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a side view of an exemplary assembly for a generator; 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a side view of an exemplary assembly for a refrigerator; 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a top view of an exemplary assembly for a guard rail; 
           [0041]      FIG. 16A  is a front view of the exemplary assembly of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  is a top view of an exemplary assembly for shelves and cup holders; 
           [0043]      FIG. 17A  is a side view of the exemplary assembly of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 17B  are top and side views of the cup holder of  FIGS. 17 and 17A ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 18  is a side view of an exemplary assembly for a bicycle rack showing the details of the fastening system; 
           [0046]      FIG. 18A  is a top view of the exemplary assembly of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18B  is a side view of the exemplary assembly of  FIG. 18  with a bicycle mounted thereto; 
           [0048]      FIG. 19  is a top view of an exemplary assembly for a storage container; 
           [0049]      FIG. 19A  is a front view of the exemplary assembly of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 20  is a side view of an exemplary assembly for an auxiliary outboard motor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0051]    A novel universal supporting system will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the supporting system  10  of the present invention generally comprises three elements: an anchoring base  100 , a column  200  and at least one supporting arm  300 . 
         [0053]    The Anchoring Base: 
         [0054]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 to 4  and to  FIG. 11 , it is possible to see that in one of the preferred embodiments, the anchoring base  100  is installed to the rear of a boat  20 , more particularly to the loading platform  23  located generally at the rear of the boat  20 , near the cockpit. 
         [0055]    Essentially, the anchoring base  100  comprises a fastening portion  120  adapted to be secured to the platform  23 ; and a supporting portion  140  adapted to receive the column  200 . 
         [0056]    The anchoring base  100  may be more or less permanently secured to the structure of the nautical vehicle using the fastening portion  120 . More particularly, the anchoring base  100  is secured to the platform  23  using bolts  130 , washer  132 , nuts  134  and a reinforcing plate  170 . As shown in more details in  FIG. 1 , the fastening portion  120  of the anchoring base  100  is mounted to the platform  23  with bolts  130  passing through the fastening portion  120  via openings  122 , through the platform  23 , and through the reinforcing plate  170  via openings  172 . Understandably, the openings  122  and  172  are aligned. 
         [0057]    To prevent injuries, is it preferable to countersink the openings  122  of the anchoring base  100  so that the heads of the bolts are flush with or under the surface of the anchoring base  100  when installed. 
         [0058]    As mentioned previously, the supporting portion  140  receives and supports the column  200 . The supporting portion  140  is generally configured to operate as a clamping ring. Hence, the supporting portion  140  comprises a circular opening  142  in which the column  200  can be slid. The supporting portion  140  also comprises a clamping portion  144  that is adjusted by the screw  148  and the opening  146 . The screw  148  may be of the Allen type but it is to be understood that other types of screw may be used. 
         [0059]    As for the openings  122 , the opening  146  may be countersunk so that the head of the screw  148  is flush with or under the surface of the anchoring base  100  when the column  200  is installed. In addition, the anchoring base  100  preferably does not comprise any sharp edges such as to prevent injuries to the users of the boat who are usually barefoot in their boat. 
         [0060]    The anchoring base  100  is preferably made from a material that is strong and resistant to corrosion, such as aluminum or stainless steel. However, it is to be understood that other material having similar and/or adequate properties may be used. 
         [0061]    The location of the anchoring base  100  on the platform  23  will depend on the needs of the user and on the general configuration of the vehicle. The anchoring base  100  will generally be cantilevered such as to provide more space. Moreover, since the supporting portion  140  extends away from the platform  23 , and thus not in the usable space, the usable space available on the platform  23  will be maximized and the accessories mounted to the supporting system  10  will have more room. 
         [0062]    The Column: 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  11 , the column  200  of the supporting system  10  is illustrated. In order to provide a strong supporting system  10 , the column  200  is preferably made from polished stainless steel. In the example shown in the drawings, the column  200  is hollow and has a cylindrical shape having a diameter of approximatively five centimetres (two inches). The thickness of the wall  202  is approximatively of 2.4 millimetres ( 3/32 inch). However, these dimensions could vary if another material is used, or if the particular use of the supporting system  10  dictates another configuration. 
         [0064]    The top of the column  200  is generally covered by a decorative cap  240  made from plastic or any other suitable material. The cap  240  is generally press-fitted on the column  200  and its top is generally convex or domed. 
         [0065]    A safety pin  220  is preferably inserted through the top of the column  200  to prevent the column  200  to slide into the water through the opening  142  of the anchoring base  100  when the clamping portion  144  of the anchoring base  100  is loosened. 
         [0066]    The Supporting Arm: 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 to 11 , the supporting arm  300  of the supporting system  10  is illustrated. 
         [0068]    According to the present invention, the supporting arm  300  is generally L-shaped and therefore comprises a long portion  310  and a short portion  330  that are connected through a rounded elbowed portion  350 . 
         [0069]    The support arm  300  comprises, at the respective extremities  312  and  332  of the long portion  310  and the short portion  330 , openings  314  and  334  for engagement with the column  200 . These openings  314  and  334 , having appropriate dimensions, comprise slits  316  and  336  and openings  318  and  338  adapted to respectively receive lateral tightening screws  320  and  340  allowing the supporting arm  300  to be mounted in any desired orientation and/or at any desired height. The openings  318  and  338  are preferably countersunk so that the screws  320  and  340  are flush with or beneath the lateral surface of the supporting arm  300  when screwed in place. 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the long portion  310  of the supporting arm  300  comprises a longitudinal opening  325  which is preferably centrally positioned. Bolts may be inserted into the longitudinal opening  325  to secure a supporting plate  400  (see  FIG. 14 ) or to directly secure an accessory. The opening  325  is generally long enough to allow different spacing between the bolts and to allow a plurality of possible locations for mounting accessories along the length of the supporting arm  300 . 
         [0071]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  8 A, the short portion  330  of the supporting arm  300  comprises a shoulder  360  located between the opening  334  and the elbow  350 . Depending on which side the supporting arm  300  is installed on the column  200 , the shoulder  360  lowers or raises the long portion  310  with respect to the short portion  330  which is typically mounted to the column  200 . With this configuration, it is possible to install two supporting arm  300 , one above the other, one being upside down, such that the pair of supporting arms  300  and their longitudinal openings  325  are in the same plane. This, in turn, allows the installation of a larger shelf or mechanical support to support more voluminous accessories (see  FIG. 8A ). 
         [0072]    When the lateral tightening screws  320  and  340  are loosened, the supporting arm  300  is free to completely rotate about the column  200  and is free to slide up and down along the column  200 . The position of the accessories is thus easily modified according to the needs of the users. 
         [0073]    The supporting arm  300  is preferably made from aluminum or from other suitable materials. Preferably, the supporting arm  300  is painted with catalyzed-urethane-based product. 
         [0074]      FIG. 11  shows the embodiment comprising the anchoring base  100 , the column  200  and two supporting arms  300  (one being parallel to the rear of the platform  23  and the other being perpendicular to the rear of the platform  23 ), the embodiment being installed on the rear platform  23  of a pleasure boat  20  of the “Sportyacht” type. 
         [0075]    Exemplary Installation for a Barbecue 
         [0076]      FIGS. 12 and 12A  show a typical installation for a barbecue  410 . The barbecue  410  is mounted to the supporting arm  300  through a rotative member  412 . The rotative member  412  is connected to the supporting arm  300  through the longitudinal opening  325 . The rotative member  412  may be locked using a locking screw having a handle  414 . Hence, due to the mobility of the supporting arm  300  with respect to the column  200  and due to the rotatability of the barbecue  410 , the user will be able to orient the barbecue according to its needs.  FIG. 12A  shows a bottom view of the supporting arm  300  and of the barbecue  410 , showing in more details the locking screw and its handle  414 . 
         [0077]    Exemplary Installation for Diving Oxygen Tanks 
         [0078]      FIG. 13  shows an example of an installation for diving oxygen tanks  420 . This installation needs two supporting arms  300 , one installed near the anchoring base  100  and the other installed near the top of the column  200 . The diving tanks  420  are installed into holding members  422  and  424  configured therefor. Each of the holding members  422  and  424  has a distinct shape. The bottom holding member  424  has a cylindrical shape to receive the bottom of the tank  420  and the top holding member  422  has a bell shape adapted to receive the top of the tank  420 , the top of the tank being generally provided with a valve and a manometer. The bottom holding members  424  rest on the upper surface of the lower supporting arm  300  and are secured thereto with bolt extending through the longitudinal opening  325 . As for the top holding members  422 , they are secured to the under surface of the upper supporting arm  300  by bolts extending through the longitudinal opening  325 . The diving tanks  420  are installed into their respective bottom holding members  424  while the upper supporting arm  300  is lifted. The diving tanks  420  are then maintained in their position by lowering the upper supporting arm  300  provided with the top holding members  422  such that the diving tanks are held between the holding members  422  and  424 . 
         [0079]    Exemplary Installation for a Portable Generator 
         [0080]      FIG. 14  shows an exemplary installation for a portable generator  430 . The generator  430  is installed and secured on a supporting plate  400  preferably made from aluminum or acrylic. The supporting plate  400  is mounted to anchoring points such as the legs of the generator  430 , thereby keeping the anti-vibration cushions, or directly to the structure of the generator  430 , depending on the generator&#39;s type. The supporting plate  400  is bolted to a supporting arm  300  which is preferably secured near the anchoring base  100 . Depending on the dimensions and the weight of the generator  430 , two supporting arms  300  may be installed parallel to each other as shown in  FIG. 8A . In this case, because of its size, the supporting plate  400  will be cantilevered from both supporting arms  300 . Both supporting arms  300  would preferably be installed near the anchoring base  100 . 
         [0081]    Exemplary Installation for a Portable Refrigerator 
         [0082]      FIG. 15  shows an example of an installation for a portable refrigerator  440 , for example a cooler or a mini-bar. As for the generator  430 , the refrigerator  440  is installed and secured on a supporting plate  400  preferably made from aluminum or acrylic. The supporting plate  400  is mounted to anchoring points such as the legs of the refrigerator  440 , or directly to the structure of the refrigerator  440 , depending on the refrigerator&#39;s type. Depending of the dimensions and weight of the refrigerator  440 , the supporting plate  400  may be bolted to one or more supporting arms  300  (see  FIG. 8A ) which is or are preferably secured near the anchoring base  100 . 
         [0083]    Exemplary Installation for a Guard Rail 
         [0084]      FIGS. 16 and 16A  show an installation for a guard rail  450 . This configuration needs the installation of two anchoring bases  100 , two columns  200 , four supporting arms  300  and fastening accessories for the guard rail  450 . 
         [0085]    The anchoring bases  100  are preferably installed at the extremities of the platform  23  of the boat  20 . On each column  200 , there are two supporting arms  300 , one installed at the bottom of the column  200  and the other at the top of the column  200 . The supporting arms  300  are connected by a frame comprising two members  452  that are connected by two rods  454 . Lateral holding nets  456 , which are preferably made from Nylon™, are installed between each pair of supporting arm  300  and are secured thereto with Velcro™ straps. Similarly, the central holding net  456  is installed between rods  454  and maintained in place with Velcro™ straps. 
         [0086]    Exemplary Installation for Shelves and Cup Holder 
         [0087]      FIGS. 17 ,  17 A and  17 B show the installation of shelves  460  and of cup holders  462 . These may be used independently or with the barbecue  410  or other accessories. 
         [0088]    The shelves  460  are preferably petal-shaped so that they may be extended or retracted according to the needs of the users. In their narrowest portion, the shelves  460  comprise an opening on which is mounted a Nylon™ thrust ring allowing the shelves  460  to be mounted directly to the column  200 , generally above a supporting arm  300 . The shelves  460  may also comprise an adaptor  461  installed at the extremity connected to the supporting arm  300 . The adaptor  461  comprises a flange on which rests the lower shelf  460 . The adaptor  461  is then half-inserted into the opening  314  of the supporting arm  300  and is secured into the desired position by screwing the clamping screw  320  of the supporting arm  300 . Another shelf  460  may then be installed on the top portion of the adaptor  461 . This allows the shelves  460  to freely rotate. 
         [0089]    Another shelf  462 , comprising cups  463 , allows recipients such as glasses, bottles or cans, to be received therein. 
         [0090]    Many configurations may be obtained by joining in different ways the cup holders and the shelves, according to the needs of the users. 
         [0091]    Exemplary Installation for a Bicycle Rack 
         [0092]      FIGS. 18 ,  18 A and  18 B show the installation of a supporting system  10  with a bicycle rack  470 . 
         [0093]    The supporting arm  300 , secured near the top portion of the column  200 , acts as a receiving member for the cradle  472  adapted to receive bicycles  471 . The cradle  472  is secured with bolts passing through the longitudinal opening  325  of the supporting arm  300 . The internal portion of the cradle  472  is preferably covered with a rubbery material to protect the frame of the bicycles  471 . When the bicycle  471  is installed into the internal portion of the cradle  472 , a collar  474  is installed over the cradle  472  and the frame of the bicycle  471 . The internal portion of the collar  474  is also preferably covered with a rubbery material. The collar  474  is tightened and secured by two threaded knobs  475  in order to hold the frame of the bicycle  471  and to keep it in place. 
         [0094]    Since the supporting arm  300  is able to rotate about the column  200 , the bicycles  471  may be deployed away from the usable space of the platform  23 . 
         [0095]    Exemplary Installation for a Storage Container 
         [0096]      FIGS. 19 and 19A  show the installation for a storage container  480  made from fiberglass. 
         [0097]    The installation generally comprises two anchoring bases  100 , two columns  200  and two supporting arms  300 . The supporting arms  300  should be installed in the lower portion of the columns  200 , as near as possible to the anchoring bases  100 . Indeed, the heavier the storage container  480 , the more important it is to mount the supporting arms  300  near the anchoring bases  100  to minimize the leverage effect. The storage container  480  is secured with bolts passing through a reinforcing plate, incorporated to the storage container  480 , and through the bottom of the container  480 , and engaging the longitudinal openings  325  of the supporting arms  300 . Because the supporting arms  300  are deployed outside the usable space, the storage container  480  becomes located behind the platform  23 , thereby freeing the access and the usable space thereof. 
         [0098]    Exemplary Installation for an Auxiliary Outboard Motor 
         [0099]    Many pleasure boats are provided with a single inboard motor. When, a breakdown happens, the users are helpless or have to call the coast guard or a good Samaritan to help them to stop drifting further away. The supporting system  10  of the present invention allows the use of a small outboard motor  490 . For this installation, the supporting arm  300  is installed near the anchoring base  100 , and a plywood board  492 , of same type as those used for motorized canoe, is installed on the upper surface of the supporting arm  300  and secured thereto using bolts passing through the longitudinal opening  325  of the supporting arm  300 . The board  492  acts as a support for the outboard motor  490 , the latter being secured to the board  492  with its clamps as on a motorized canoe. 
         [0100]    While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.