Abstract:
A double suction cup having a first suction cup with a first internal face and a second suction cup having a second internal face. The first suction cup is attached to the second suction cup via an interconnecting base member. At least one protrusion is disposed on at least one of the internal faces of the suction cups to prevent the first or second suction cup from completely flattening and to maintain a tight vacuum on the object the first and second suction cup is attached to.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/652,415, filed May 29, 2012; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety into this disclosure. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The subject disclosure relates generally to suction cups, and more specifically to a double acting suction cup. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Flexible vacuum cups and suction cups are well known and in use for attaching the suction cup to an object. Not to be confused with vacuum cups, suction cups rely on a sophisticated vacuum pump for maintaining a constant vacuum between the inner surface of the cup and the surface to which the cup is to be attached. The advantage of the suction cup over the vacuum cup is the simplicity and ease with which the suction cup may be maneuvered, applied and released to another object. Various other advantages include eliminating the need for the cumbersome vacuum components, thereby reducing cost of manufacture and operation. 
         [0004]    Despite the ineffectiveness of a conventional vacuum and suction cups, a need exists for a simple and efficient double acting suction cup capable of securing a first suction cup to a first object and a second suction cup to a second object. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate exemplary perspective views of a double suction cup according to the subject disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross-section view of the double suction cup. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the double suction cup. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates a view of the larger suction cup of the double suction cup. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows a view of the smaller suction cup of the double suction cup. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 7-8  depict various views of the intimate suction contact created by the first suction cup of the double suction cup. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9-10  illustrate various views of the intimate suction contact created by the second suction cup of the double suction cup. 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  shows an exploded view of a double suction cup assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the double suction cup assembly shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  shows an alternative perspective view of a double suction cup assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 14  shows an exploded view of a double suction cup assembly and connection therefore. 
           [0017]      FIG. 15  shows an exploded view of the double suction cup assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 16  shows a cross section view of the double suction cup assembly in a first position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 17  shows a cross section view of the double suction cup assembly in a second position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 18  shows a side view of another embodiment for a double suction cup assembly having an actuation handle. 
           [0021]      FIG. 19  shows a cross section view of the double suction cup assembly in the first position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 20  shows a cross section view of the double suction cup assembly in the second position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective view of the handle of the double suction cup assembly in the first position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of the handle of the double suction cup assembly in the second position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 23  shows a perspective view of the first and second suction cups and associated retainers of the double suction cup. 
           [0026]      FIG. 24  shows an exemplary cut-away section of the double suction cup illustrating the retainers in position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 25  shows an exemplary cut-away section of the double suction cup illustrating the drive collar in position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate perspective views of an exemplary double suction cup  10  from a top perspective view and a lower perspective view. As shown, the double suction cup  10  includes a first suction cup  12  integrally connected to a second suction cup  14 . The first suction cup  12  and the second suction cup  14  are configured as two opposing arcuate shaped aprons flaring open having walls  28 ,  29  extending outward from each other. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , the first suction cup  12  is connected to the second suction cup  14  via an interconnected base  15  member. The interconnected base  15  is a circular and cylindrical shape and, as shown in the drawings, is coaxial with the first suction cup  12  and the second suction cup  14 . 
         [0031]    According to this embodiment, the interconnected base  15  is solid and includes a first base face  17  on a first side defining the first suction cup  12 . The first base face  17  is comprised of an enlarged circular section disposed in the center of the first suction cup  12  and encircled by a first concentric leading edge  26 . The first concentric leading edge  26  is defined by the adjoining edges of the first base face  17  and an inner concave surface  20  of the first suction cup  12 . 
         [0032]    Likewise, on an opposite side, the interconnected base  15  includes a second base face  19  on a second side defining the second suction cup  14 . The second base face  19  is comprised of an enlarged circular section disposed in the center of the second suction cup  14  and encircled by a second concentric leading edge  27 . The second concentric leading edge  27  is defined by the adjoining edges of the second base face and an inner concave surface  23  of the second suction cup  14 . 
         [0033]    A slight protrusion  16  is provided on the first base face  17  of the interconnected base  15  of the first suction cup  12  at approximately the axial center of the first base face  17 . Another slight protrusion  18  is provided on the second base face  19  of the interconnected base  15  of the second suction cup  14  at approximately the axial center of the second base face  19 . 
         [0034]    The first suction cup  12  and the second suction cup  14  may be made of natural or synthetic rubber, or rubber-like material including certain plastic and resilient and flexible materials. 
         [0035]    The inner concave surface  20  of the first suction cup  12  begins at the first concentric leading edge  26  and terminates at a peripheral lip  21 . The first suction cup  12  also has an outer convex surface  22  beginning at an outer central concentric surface  15   a  of the interconnecting base  15  and terminating at the peripheral lip  21 . 
         [0036]    The inner concave surface  23  of the second suction cup  14  begins at the second concentric leading edge  27  and terminates at a peripheral lip  24 . The second suction cup  14  also has an outer convex surface  25  beginning at an outer central concentric surface  15   a  of the interconnecting base  15  and terminating at the peripheral lip  24 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 4 , the outer convex surface  22  of the first suction cup  12  includes a plurality of successive annular rings or continuous grooves  30  that gradually increase in diameter outward from the outer central concentric surface  15   a  of the interconnecting base  15  to the peripheral lip  21 . Likewise, the outer convex surface  25  of the second suction cup  14  also includes a plurality of successive annular rings or continuous grooves  32  that gradually increase in diameter outward from the outer central concentric surface  15   a  of the interconnecting base  15  to the peripheral lip  24 . 
         [0038]    The various grooves  30 ,  32  resemble an undulating groove surface shape over the outer convex surfaces  22 ,  25  of the first suction cup  12  and the second suction cup  14  respectively. The purpose of providing the various continuous grooves  30 ,  32  is to reduce the thickness of, and weaken the walls  28 ,  29  of the first and second suction cups  12 ,  14  so that the walls  28 ,  29  can easily deform to the surface it is being suctioned on to. The various grooves  30 ,  32  disposed in the walls  28 ,  29  of the suction cups  12 ,  14  modify the flexible properties of the walls  28 ,  29  of the suction cups  12 ,  14  in a discernible manner compared to a suction cup without the grooves where flexibility is dramatically reduced. 
         [0039]    In the region defined by the grooves  30 ,  32 , annular zones are created which are substantially flexible. Within those annular zones, there is less resistance in the flexibility of the walls  28 ,  29  of the first suction cup  12  and the second suction cup  14  when the cups are attached to a suction surface. That is, when one of the first suction cup  12  or the second suction cup  14  is pressed against a surface, the walls  28 ,  29  will flex or yield primarily in the region defined by the annular zones, and because the body is reduced in thickness within these zones, the suction cup can be flattened more easily against the surface until the slight protrusions  16 ,  18  rest against the associated suction surface. 
         [0040]    A volume defined by a concentric vacuum space defined by the surfaces of the protrusions  16 ,  18 , the faces  17 ,  19 , and the walls  28 ,  29  act to secure the suction cups  12 ,  14  to the surface of the items being suctioned. According to this construction, the application of less pressure is required to create the vacuum in the suction cups  12 ,  14  since less thickness in the annular zones of the walls  28 ,  29  of the suction cups  12 ,  14  is required to overcome when the suction cups  12 ,  14  flex against the suctioned surface. The force required to exert on the suction cups  12 ,  14  against a surface being suctioned is substantially reduced in order for a vacuum suction to be made. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 7-10  illustrate various views of the intimate suction contact created by the first and second suction cups  12 ,  14  of the double suction cup  10 . As shown, intimate suction contact is created by the double suction cups  12 ,  14  with a pair of surfaces. In  FIG. 7 , a first suction contact surface  40  is created substantially central to the concentric surface area of the first suction cup  12  between the protrusion  16  and the peripheral edge  21 . Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a second suction contact surface  42  is provided substantially central to the concentric surface area of the second suction cup  14 , between the protrusion  18  and the peripheral edge  24 . 
         [0042]    Unlike the present disclosure, a conventional suction cup without the annular grooves would generate a first and second suction contact surface that would be much closer to the outer peripheral edges  21 ,  24  of the suction cups respectively. Unfortunately, the amount of force required to attach the suction cups  12 ,  14  to a surface would be substantially greater and the amount of force required to remove the suction cups  12 ,  14  from the attached surfaces would be substantially lower. Likewise, conventionally, slight movement of the suction cups  12 ,  14  would have a greater tendency to cause the suction cups  12 ,  14  to lose its vacuum suction and disengage from its attached surface. 
         [0043]    According to the subject disclosure, and as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , as the first and second suction cups  12 ,  14  are pulled from suction surfaces respectively, the intimate suction contact surfaces  40 ,  42  (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 ) are allowed to stretch and/or expand as shown by the expansion contact surfaces  40   a,    42   a.  Advantageously, the expansion contact surfaces  40   a,    42   a  increase the suction capability of the suction contact surface outward over a greater radial range toward the peripheral edges  21 ,  24  of the first and second suction cups  12 ,  14  from a central position on the faces  17 ,  19  of the suction cups  12 ,  14 . 
         [0044]    By initially creating the suction contact surfaces  40 ,  42  closer to the center of the suction cups, the suction contact surfaces  40 ,  42  are able to flexibly stretch  40   a,    42   a  further outward toward the peripheral edges  21 ,  24  of the first and second suction cups  12 ,  14  before the vacuum suction is lost and either of the suction cups  12 ,  14  is disengaged from the vacuum surface. This stretching allows the vacuum suction to be present and stretched over a greater surface area of the object that is attached to the suction cup. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 11-12  illustrate another exemplary embodiment in which a rigid fastener  50  including a plate  52  and retainer  54  are secured through the interconnecting member  15  of the double suction cup  10 . 
         [0046]    The plate  52  of the fastener  50  may be provided on a first face  17  of the interconnecting member  15 , and the second retainer  54  may be provided on a second face  19  of the interconnecting member  15 . The plate  52  and retainer  54  may be connected to each other via various mating posts  56  and receptacles  57  that fasten to each other across the interconnecting member  15 . Various apertures  58  may be provided in the interconnecting member  15  through which the various mating posts  56  and receptacles  57  are disposed and joined together. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , the fastener  50  may be provided in a recess  59  disposed in the first base face  17  and the second base face  19  of the interconnecting member  15  so that the top of plate  52  and the top of the retainer  54  sit substantially flush or level with the first concentric leading edge  26  and the second concentric leading edge  27 . 
         [0048]    The fastener  50  is adapted to provide rigidity to the interconnecting member  15  of the double suction cup  10 . In use, the rigidity of the fastener  50  will ensure that the walls  28 ,  29  of the double suction cup  10  symmetrically attach to an object by preventing the respective first base  17  and the second base  19  of the interconnecting member  15  from shifting from a center and/or over-flexing so as to disrupt the seal made between the wall  28 ,  29  of the suction cups  12 ,  14  and the object being attached. 
         [0049]    The connection may be a mechanical connection, such as a snap connection. Alternatively, the connection may be made by welding, fusing, using an adhesive and/or any other suitable means for connecting the plate  52  to the retainer  54 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  illustrates another exemplary method for providing a rigid disk  60  disposed directly into the interconnecting member  15 . Although the rigid fastener  50  is shown in  FIGS. 11-12  connected on both sides of the interconnecting member  15 , it is to be understood that the rigidity desired at the interconnecting member  15  may be provided by placing a solid disk  60  inside of the interconnecting member  15 . The disk  60  can be molded during construction into the center of the interconnecting member  15  and/or provided in any other suitable manner within the interconnecting member  15  in accordance with this subject disclosure. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 14-17  illustrate another exemplary suction cup plunger assembly. A suction cup plunger assembly  70  is provided that is adapted to connect a container  71  with a lid  72  to a base  73 . As shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , the suction cup plunger assembly  70  includes a drive stack  74  connected to a retainer  75  that is attached to a suction cup  76 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 14  shows the container  71  including a connection mechanism  77 . The connection mechanism  77  may include a pair of mating connection elements. As shown attached to the bottom of the container  71  is pair of locking tabs  78  adapted to be received in a locking keyway of slot  79 . 
         [0053]    The slot  79  is provided with a vertical alignment slot  80  and a circumferential slot  81  that extends radially outward from a lower end of the vertical alignment slot  80  to a predetermined distance that terminates at a back wall  82  of a circumferential slot  81 . The back wall  82  acts as a stop for the rotating locking tabs  78 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , the drive stack  74  includes a keyed internal female slot  89  adapted to receive a mating male key projection  90  of the retainer  75 . The keyed internal female slot  89  and male key projection  90  connection are adapted to align the drive stack  74  to the retainer  75 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 15  further illustrates a circumferential inclined drive slot  83 . The inclined drive slot  83  includes a first terminating end  84  and a second terminating end  85 . The first terminating end  84  is provided at a circumferential elevation that is higher than a circumferential elevation of the second terminating end  85 . As shown in  FIGS. 16-17 , the base  73  includes an alignment projection  86  adapted to travel within the inclined drive slot  83 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 16  illustrates a first position in which the alignment projection  86  is positioned at the first terminating end  84 . When the alignment projection  86  is positioned at the first terminating end  84 , the projection  86  is resting at the highest elevation in the inclined drive slot  83  adjacent to the first terminating end  84 . In this position, the suction cup  76  is in a rest position as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 17  illustrates a second position in which the alignment projection  86  is positioned at the second terminating end  85 . When the alignment projection  86  is positioned at the second terminating end  85 , the projection  86  rests at the lowest elevation in the inclined drive slot  83  nearest the second terminating end  85 . In this position, the retainer  75  at the center of the suction cup  76  has been driven upward away from a surface below the suction cup  76  as a result of the circumferential twisting movement of the projection  86  within the inclined drive slot  83  and has come to rest at the second terminating end  85  as shown in  FIG. 17 . The upward movement of the suction cup  76  increases the negative vacuum pressure within the suction cup  76  providing a secure hold on the surface that the suction cup  76  is attached to. 
         [0058]    In use, the container  71  and locking tabs  78  disposed at the bottom of the container  71  are aligned within the slot  80  and pressed downward until the locking tabs  78  rest against the bottom of the circumferential slot  81 . The container  71  is then rotated clockwise until the locking tabs  78  slide to the back end of the circumferential slot  81  and rest against a back wall  82  thereof. 
         [0059]    As the container  71  is further rotated, the drive stack  74  fixed in a recess  88  of the container  71  rotates with the rotation of the container  71  until the projections  78  disposed in a bottom of the container  71  rotate and abut up against the back wall  82  of the radial slot  82 . As the container  71  continues to be rotated, the projection  86  disposed at rest within the inclined drive slot  83  at position shown in  FIG. 16  travels from the first terminating end  84  of the inclined drive slop  83  toward the second terminating end  85 . 
         [0060]    As mentioned above in  FIGS. 16-17 , as the projection  86  moves within the inclined drive slot  83  from the position associated with the first terminating end  84  toward a position associated with the second terminating end  85 , the male key projection  90  of the retainer  75  is driven upward away from the bottom of the base  73  into the keyed female receptacle  89  disposed in the drive stack  74 . This upward movement of the retainer  75  pulls the suction cup  76  upward thereby increasing the negative vacuum pressure within the suction cup  76  and providing a secure vacuum hold on the surface of an item that the suction cup  76  is attached to. 
         [0061]    Unlike conventional systems that require additional levers and the like, the advantage of this suction cup assembly  70  system is that no additional levers or mechanism are required to move the suction cup  76  upward within the base  73 . Likewise, the negative vacuum pressure created within the suction cup  76  is automatic in response to placement of the container  71  and rotation of the container  71  over the base  73 . 
         [0062]      FIGS. 18-22  illustrate another exemplary double suction cup plunger assembly  100 . The double suction cup plunger assembly  100  illustrated includes an outer body  102  in the shape of a hallow hour-glass shape having a first open end and a second open end. The outer body  102  has a first suction cup  112  disposed adjacent to the first open end and a second suction cup  114  disposed adjacent to a second open end. 
         [0063]    The first suction cup  112  is attached to a second suction cup  114  through a separable interconnecting member  115 . The separable interconnecting member  115  includes a first member or retainer  104  attached to a first suction cup  112 , and a second member or retainer  106  attached to a second suction cup  114 . The first retainer  104  and the second retainer  106  are disposed within a drive collar  108  attached to a handle  110 . The first retainer  104  and the second retainer  106  slide independently of each other from an open position (as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 ) to a retracted position (as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 22 ). 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIGS. 23-24 , the first retainer  104  and the second retainer  106  include respective inclined drive slopes  120 ,  121 . Each of the inclined drive slopes  120 ,  121  include respective first terminating ends  122 ,  123  and second terminating ends  124 ,  125 , respectively. 
         [0065]      FIG. 25  further demonstrates the drive collar  108  disposed within the outer body  102 . The outer body  102  includes a flange  132  around which a mating concentric recess  133  in the drive collar  108  is provided. The drive collar  108  concentrically rotates along the flange  132  as the handle  110  is moved from the open position (as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 ) to the retracted position (as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 22 ). 
         [0066]    The drive collar  108  includes a pair of alignment projections  130 ,  131  that mate with, and are adapted to travel within the recesses defined in the inclined drive slopes  120 ,  121 . 
         [0067]    When the pair of alignment projections  130 ,  131  are disposed at the position of the first terminating ends  122 ,  123 , the alignment projections  130 ,  131  are provided at a circumferential elevation that is closer to the first and second suction cups  112 ,  114  respectively. In this first position as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 , the first and second retainers  104 ,  106  are positioned farthest outward toward the first and second suction cups  112 ,  114  respectively. At this point and the suction cups  112 ,  114  are at rest. 
         [0068]    When the alignment projections  130 ,  131  are disposed at the position of the second terminating ends  124 ,  125 , the alignment projections  130 ,  131  are provided at a circumferential elevation that is farthest away from the first and second suction cups  112 ,  114  respectively. In this second position, as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 22 , the first and second retainers  104 ,  106  are positioned closest inward away from the first and second suction cups  112 ,  114  respectively. As such, further suction is positively provided by the retracted position of the first and second suction cups  112 ,  114  by the inward pull of the retainers  104 ,  106  against the first and second suction cups  112 ,  114 . The inward movement of the suction cups  112 ,  114  increases the negative vacuum pressure within the suction cups  112 ,  114  providing a secure hold on the surface that they are attached to respectively. 
         [0069]    In use, as the handle  110  and the drive collar  108  are rotated from a first position (shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 ) to a second position (shown in  FIGS. 20 and 22 ), the alignment projections  130 ,  131  move from the first terminating ends  122 ,  123  within the inclined drive slots  120 ,  121  toward the second terminating end  124 ,  125  within the inclined drive slots  120 ,  121 . This movement causes the first and second suction cups  112 ,  114  to retract inward thereby increasing the negative vacuum pressure within the suction cups  112 ,  114 . This movement provides a secure vacuum hold on the surfaces of the various items that the suction cups  112 ,  114  are attached to. 
         [0070]    The double suction cup plunger assembly  100  according to this subject disclosure can be used to secure various objects, such as dinnerware to a surface, a memo pads to any flat surface whether it be vertical, horizontal or diagonal, and/or any other suitable object. Depending on the size and/or weight of the object, a number of holders may be utilized such as one in each corner of the object. 
         [0071]    Various materials may be used according to this disclosure including, but not limited to: polypropylene, a thermoplastic elastomer, a high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, urethane rubber, silicone and/or any other suitable material may be used. 
         [0072]    The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.