Abstract:
An inexpensive, durable, clamping-action type mountable holder and area organizer for securing a relatively wide range and variety of objects, particularly open- and close-end containers, including a broad range of Dim. cans, and a method of lockingly and stably holding desired objects that possess opposing curved and/or straight lipped edges, in convenient locations for ready access, whereby the object is secured in place with a single unidirectional pushing force applied to the object itself, but is instantly releasable with a minimum of force and movement/manipulation via a second low-magnitude unidirectional pushing force exerted on the object so as to effect a tipping action of the object relative to the holder. Single wire and single sheet metal embodiments are disclosed, and adjustability of each of such embodiments is provided to extend the range of object sizes accommodated by the holder.

Description:
PRIOR FILING  
       [0001]    Applicant claims benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/330154, filed Oct. 17, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to holders and more particularly to inexpensive, durable, clamping-action type holders and area organizers, mountable for example on a wall and/or a work bench, that secure and hold a wide variety of objects, particularly open- and close-end containers, including a broad range of Dim. cans. The invention further relates to a method of holding a desired object in a convenient location for ready access, whereby the object is securely held in place but is instantly removable with a minimum of force and movement/manipulation.  
           [0003]    Holders, even so-called “quick-release” and/or spring-loaded arrangements, are known to the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,170,414 to Chrisensen illustrates a holder, in this case a can holder, using a pair of hooks carried on a shaft. A spring is employed to pull the two hooks toward one another. Each hook fits over an end of the can. Separation between the hooks is adjustable by the hooks being threaded on the spring. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,212,386 to Norberg, an attachment to a milking stool is described for holding a pail. The pail holder uses a pair of arms to engage the top and bottom of the pail. The one arm extends toward and is demountably coupled to the other arm by a thumb screw arrangement  
           [0004]    In Pierce, U.S. Pat. No. 1,929,562, a can support is depicted that is formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent in essentially an “L” shape to provide a horizontal platform, shelf or base for the object to rest on. The horizontally arranged portion of the support is provided with a frontal tongue, which is intended to be depressed downwardly at the same time force is exerted backwardly on the can itself, to effect release of the can from the support. The platform is overlaid with a transversely running flat metal piece bent into wing-like shape on both ends, to prevent the bottom of the can to be secured from sliding off the platform to either side. The support is provided with holes so that it can be wall (or bench) mounted. The upper and lower portions of the support stand off from the wall to which the support is mounted. Hooks for engaging the rims of a can are formed at the top and bottom (front edge of the platform) of the support.  
           [0005]    The Shurmur U.S. Pat. No. 2,325,712, describes a longitudinally bowed, spring metal container holder that possesses upper and lower can rim engaging tubular “jaws”, and is mountable to a wall or other support, by e.g. screws, proximate the center area thereof. While the manner in which the can is removed from this holder is not particularly described, it appears one would be required to forcibly overcome the clamping force applied to the can by the upper and power jaws through application of a pulling force. See also a similar arrangement in U.S. Pat. No. 2,462,375 to Flaherty which deploys upper and lower hooks coupled together by a spring arrangement in an elongated housing.  
           [0006]    The following additional United States Patents are also called to attention: Culver U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,212,743 (pipe mounting arrangement); Barts 3,794,285 (holder operative on a container having an unitarily provided handle); Chernewski 4,071,976 and Winger 5,320,319 (flower pot stands/brackets); York 4,245,807 (bucket bracket/rest). These references describe holders designed for particular, as opposed to more standard or general shaped objects or containers, such as one having an integrally-provided handle, and/or for mounting on non-flat surfaces, such as a vertically-running cylindrical pipe, and illustrate several of the features embodied in the above-described prior art. As is the case with said above-described art, these arrangements either intentionally do not secure the object to be held snuggly in place, or do not provide sufficient stability or locking when securing the object, or are able to secure the object but in a manner that will not provide a quick disconnect or release, i.e., more than a simple, single movement or force, or more than a low-magnitude or true minimum of force is required to effect separation of the object from the holder.  
           [0007]    Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,330 to Nunes depicts a holder which effectively constitutes a reusable handle, and is not intended to be mounted at all, its use being typically intended in connection with aluminum soda or beer cans.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    What the aforementioned body of prior art lacks and what is needed is a holder of objects such as cans, aerosol cans, drums, and the like, of relatively widely varying size and overall container weight, and having either curved or straight opposing lipped edges, for stably but releasably securing, i.e., locking, the objects or containers to a convenient location, such as a wall or bench, or the like, with a single simple pushing movement or force applied to the object itself, whereby the object cannot be removed from the holder except by a corresponding single simple push-type releasing movement or force which is effectively not duplicatable through accidental contact or means. Such is a principal objective of this invention.  
           [0009]    According to the invention there is provided a mountable holder operative on an object having either or both curved or straight opposing lipped edges, comprising means for securing the object in a locked first position responsive to application of a single substantially unidirectional pushing first force upon the object, and means for effecting release of the object from the holder responsive to application of a single substantially unidirectional pushing second force upon a portion of the object that is distal from a center portion of the holder.  
           [0010]    Also according to the invention there is provided a method of releasably securing to a holder an object of predetermined shape, comprising the holder assuming an initial configuration, applying the object to be secured to the holder whereby the holder is temporarily elastically deformed by a unidirectional low-magnitude pushing force exerted on the object, relaxing the force applied to the holder by removing the force exerted upon the object to be held, thereby allowing the holder to substantially reassume said initial configuration and releasably secure the object to the holder, and effecting release of the object from the holder by applying a unidirectional low-magnitude pushing force to a portion of the object which is distal from the central portion of the object and which force is substantially transverse to a plane defined by the holder, thereby causing a tipping of the object relative to the holder.  
           [0011]    The holder is elongated, is typically oriented substantially vertically, and employs a stable, three-point or greater, holding or gripping action. The holder is made of material capable of providing sufficient elastic memory properties, such as a suitably molded or shaped plastic or metal, including stainless steel and sheet metal.  
           [0012]    The object or container is placed in the secured or locked position by positioning a top or bottom of the container proximate the top or bottom portion (or both) of the holder, so as to be in minimal touching or engagement thereat with one or more angled or bent gripping tabs or ears, and applying a low-magnitude direct, unidirectional pushing force to the container, typically delivered substantially transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holder. The engaging pushing action temporarily distorts the holder, effecting an elastic force stored therein, while tending to spread apart the engaging tabs located at tie opposite ends of die holder. Upon removal of the engaging or securing force from the container, the elastic force stored in the holder is released, such that the holder substantially returns to its original configuration, i.e., to the extent permitted by the presence of the secured container, and the object is thereby secured firmly in place between the top gripping tab(s) and the bottom tab(s) in a manner that is non-releasable by virtue of any anticipated pulling force or accidental striking force having a substantial force component parallel to the general plane defined by the holder itself.  
           [0013]    Release of the object or container from the holder is effected by a simple unidirectional low-magnitude pushing force also applied to or on the container, which similarly is delivered typically substantially transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and general plane defined of the holder, but significantly away from the container&#39;s, and therefore the holder&#39;s mid portion, i.e., toward one end of the container (or holder) or the other. As before, the releasing force temporarily affects the holder, imparting a stored elastic force within and temporary distortion of the holder. However, with the releasing force applied substantially off-center relative to the secured object, there is effected a tipping action of the container along with the temporary distortion of the holder to allow instant release. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The present invention is further described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0015]    FIGS.  1 A- 1 C illustrate respectively in plan, side and end views, a first embodiment of holder according to the invention, employing a wire configuration;  
         [0016]    FIGS.  2 A- 2 B illustrate in plan and side views, a second embodiment of holder according to the invention, employing a unitary flattened piece of material such a plastic or sheet metal;  
         [0017]    FIGS.  3 A- 3 B illustrate in plan and exploded views, a variant of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 2, employing an arrangement by which the holder is adjustable to accommodate a widened range of object sizes. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    There is depicted in FIG. 1 the present invention in its simplest or most basic form. In such form, the holder provides at least three-point holding action by way of a single substantially stiff wire  1  of predetermined low-gage, bent roughly in half, in a substantially narrow V-shaped manner, to effectively provide a pair of operative wire ends  2  at the one end  3  of the holder (i.e., the open end of the V). The two ends  2  of the wire are curled or bent in substantially a U or hook shape  4  and forward in the operative direction of the holder, i.e., in the direction from which the holder receives the object or container, to provide holding or gripping means at or proximate to the open end of the V-shaped configuration.  
         [0019]    Proximate to or at the closed end  4  of the V configuration, the wire  1  is suitably bent outside the general plane defined by the two legs of the V, again forward in the operative direction of the holder, so as to provide a third holding or gripping tab or ear  5  at this opposite end of the V-shaped structure.  
         [0020]    The two portions  6  of the wire constituting the sides of the V-shape structure are maintained in place, separated a pre-selected distance d from one another, by a central piece or plate  7 , made, e.g., of suitable plastic or metal, that serves the dual purpose of being the means by which the holder is secured to a wall or work bench, for example by one or more screws via apertures at  8 . The location of the central clamping plate  7  itself is adjustable to some extent along the length or longitudinal dimension of the pair of wire legs. Clamping plate  7  is provide with slots  10  in the end or side thereof  3   a  which is associated with the open end  3  of the V configuration, to suitably seat the wire pieces  6  predeterminably in place relative to the one another and within the general plane of the central portion of the holder. The slots may be dimensioned relative to the cross-section of tie wire  1  to provide a suitable frictions fit. Though not particularly shown, equivalent slots  10  are provided in the end or side  4   a  of the clamping plate  7  associated with the closed end  4  of the V configuration.  
         [0021]    The clamping plate  7  serves to define a first, centralized plane of the holder. The operative portions of the wire structure which emerge at or from the opposite ends or sides of the clamping plate  3   a  and  4   a  respectively are bent forwardingly in the operative direction of the holder to each define a plane which is angled with respect to the plane of the centralized clamping plate  7 . The angles α and β defined by the respective planes of the upper and lower portions of the holder relative to the central portion  7 , are preferably, but need not be, substantially the same. Thereby, the closed end portion  4  and the open end portion  3  of the V are advantageously bent forward in the operative direction of the bracket, sufficiently outside the plane of the central clamping plate, to impart the capability of elastic deformation or distortion when being engaged by the container (not particularly shown).  
         [0022]    The wire portions  2   a  and  2   b  forming the open end portion  3  of the V configuration are bendable relative to one another within the general plane defined by them, within a substantial range of desired separations as illustrated at  9 , thereby rendering the bracket capable of accommodating a corresponding relatively wide range of container sizes, and more particularly diameters in the case of cylindrically shaped objects to be secured by the holder. The actual bending of the wire pieces  2   a  and  2   b  largely if not completely takes place proximate the point where the wire pieces enter or engage the central clamping plate  7 .  
         [0023]    The V-shaped structure is preferably oriented substantially vertically, i.e., with the V being either upright or upside down, though the most preferred orientation is for the ends  2  of the single wire piece to be such that the V configuration is effectively inverted, as depicted in FIG. 1A. The upper and lower portions of the wire configuration of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C are nevertheless generally reversible in functionality, with regard to both the engaging and release modes, with the releasing force being applied most preferably, however, to the portion of the secured container which is closer to the two-point securing end  3 , i.e., tie open end of tie V configuration.  
         [0024]    To further extend the range of operability of die holder to extended ranges of object sizes, clamping plate  7  is provide with alternate slots  11  in the end  3   a  of clamping plate  7  associated with the open end  3  of the V configuration. In this way, the wire sections  6  may be lifted from slots  10  and replaced in slots  11 , which like slots  10  may be dimensioned for a suitable frictional fit. Moreover, the screws or other means by which the holder may be mounted to a permanent surface may be loosened to facilitate the adjustment of the wire extensions  6  into the desired set of slots  10 ,  11 .  
         [0025]    In an alternate arrangement of this embodiment, the single wire  1  is replaceable with a pair of wires (not particularly shown). In accordance with such alternate version of the structure of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C, the closed end  4  of the V configuration is effectively replaced with an operative arrangement mimicking the aforementioned open end  3  of the V configuration. That is, the U/hook-shaped one ends of the wire pair are suitably formed into gripping ears or tabs substantially the same as exist at  2 . This second pair of gripping ears is positionable so as to have the individual ears arranged anywhere from being next to one another, that is, mimicking the V configuration per se, and thereby effectively providing, together, the one-point end of the stable, three-point holding configuration, to being separated by a predetermined distance, to provide a 4-point stability on the one hand and also allow for accommodating additional object sizes, on the other. That is, advantageously, these contiguous ends may instead be spread apart in a manner similar to the hook-shaped other ends of the wire pair, so as to have both ends of the structure appearing and functioning substantially the same. In this way, there is effected a four-point holding or gripping action which provides additional stability and at the same time accommodates the aforementioned wider range of container sizes.  
         [0026]    Commensurate with the above-described variant of the configuration depicted in FIGS.  1 A- 1 C, the central clamping plate  7  may be arranged such that the end or side  4   a  and the associated end portion thereof is substantially like the end or side  3   a,  so as to render the respective ends of tile clamping plate  7  substantially symmetrical. In this way, the additional adjustability afforded the inventive holder is provided in association with both operative ends of the holder.  
         [0027]    As is the case with each of the within-disclosed embodiments and variations of the quick connect and release holder according to the invention, the wire arrangement of the FIGS.  1 A- 1 C provides its stable, secure holding action in connection with a relatively wide variety of objects and containers, such as typical aerosol dispensers and standard shaped cans. The hook-shaped ends of the above-referenced variant of the embodiment of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C which effectively employs a pair of wires, provides, depending on how one deploys such ends, either the highly stable three-point or four-point securing action.  
         [0028]    The attributes of the arrangements according to FIGS.  1 A- 1 C include that the holder is inexpensive, and made of any suitable material providing durability as well as reliable elastic memory capability, together with the substantially centrally located mounting piece which may be constructed of suitably molded or shaped plastic or metal, for example stainless steel or sheet metal. The invention in addition to being adaptable to handle a relatively broad range of object/container sizes, particularly as to diameter, it is conveniently mountable to any desired location forming part of a permanent structure, such as a wall, work bench or ladder. It is superior to a shelf for wall storage of containers, such as regular and aerosol cans. Only a simple one-hand connect and release motion and force is needed to effectively lock and release the object to/from the holder.  
         [0029]    The container to be secured itself provides the means by which to temporarily elastically deform the holder to accommodate lockingly securing the container to the holder. Release of the engaging force upon the container enables the holder to substantially resume its initial form and provide the strong holding action that is effective even in the face of relatively strong accidental or inadvertent dislodging forces, particularly pulling forces. The holding action provide by the holder according to the invention is such that the more one attempts to pull on the secured object to release it, the greater the holding force created. The engaging force is typically applied substantially to die central area of the object to be secured. The releasing force is also applied to the secured container, and like the securing force, is a pushing force. In the release mode, however, the pushing force is applied to a portion of the container closer to the end of the holder preferably providing the pair of gripping tabs. The release can, of course, be effected by applying the pushing force to the object such that it is in turn applied toward the end of the holder employing a single gripping tab or ear. In either case, a slight tipping of the object/container results, enabling the same to clear the other end of the holder. In connection therewith, the releasing force temporarily causes an elastic deformation within the holder to relax the hold on the container. Holders according to the invention can be employed with containers having rectangular or square cross-section, as well as cylindrical cross-section, and are operative with virtually any object having opposing curved or straight lipped edges, and this device avoids containers becoming “dust-collectors and avoids the tendency to clutter, such as with a shelf.  
         [0030]    A second preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS.  2 A- 2 B. In this preferred embodiment, the holder is an integral or unitary elongated structure  20  composed for example of suitable metal or plastic, with the means to secure the bracket to a wall or bench comprising a central part  21  thereof. In this embodiment, the three-point securing configuration is provided by bent ears or tabs  22 , 23 , two of which  22  are at the one end  3  of the holder but apart from one another a pre-selected separation d 2 , and angled relative to one another, by way of bends at  24  to readily accommodate the curvature of a relatively wide range of cylindrical or other curved containers. As before, the single gripping ear or tab  23  is at the opposite end  4  of the holder, and such end can be oriented as either the top or bottom of the holder, but most preferably the top, the most preferred orientation of the holder again being substantially vertical. The separation distance of the operative ends  3 , 4  of the holder is also pre-selected to be compatible with the height or size of for example the primary dimension of any desired standard containers, such as aerosol cans or other objects or containers having opposing curved lipped edges.  
         [0031]    In the embodiment depicted, a recess  25  is provided to augment the pair of gripping ears  22  at that end  3  of the holder. The portion of the holder  26  running between the central part  21  and the end  3  defines a plane which forms an angle γ with respect to the plane defined by central part  21 . The portion  27  of the holder which extends from central part  21  to the end  4  of the holder likewise defines at least one plane that is angled with respect to central part  21 , in this case at an angle δ. Angles γ and δ may but not need be the same, and in the illustration depicted are shown, preferably, as being different. Upper portion  27  of the holder may be bent, as at  28 , so as to have the portion containing gripping ear  23  define a separate plane relative to the base plane of portion  27 , which is depicted in FIG. 2A and particularly  2 B.  
         [0032]    By virtue of the angled arrangement of portions  26 , 27  of the holder relative to the central part, there is facilitated the ability of the holder to have elastic memory, by allowing temporary distortion of the rest positions of portions  26 , 27  relative to the central part and also relative to each other.  
         [0033]    Central part  21  of the holder of FIGS. 2A and 2B is provided with apertures  29  whereby the holder may be secured to a permanent surface by for example screws. While this simplest means of securing the holder is depicted in FIGS.  2 A- 2 B, it is to be understood that other means of mounting the holder to a permanent surface can be employed, as are well known in the art. Alternatively, the embodiment of FIGS.  2 A- 2 B readily lends it self to function as a handle of/for the object being secured thereto, in an unmounted mode.  
         [0034]    In a four-point securing configuration variant of the embodiment of FIGS.  2 A- 2 B, the holder has a substantially symmetrical appearance (not particularly shown), with a cooperating pair of securing ears or tabs  22 , 23  at each end. As with the wire configuration, the integral or one-piece structure is advantageously bent forward in the operative, i.e., the container-receiving direction, to provide or enhance the elastic deformation capability. An extension of the foregoing is that the portion  27  of the holder is configured symmetrically also as to its planar association with the center part.  
         [0035]    In the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 2, unlike the embodiments associated with FIG. 1, the quick-connect and release holder is presented as a single, integral or unitary, piece, with the portion by which one secure the holder to a permanent surface, such as a wall or bench, also being centered, and, in this instance particularly, contributing to the ability of the holder to be temporarily distorted or deformed to elastically store force. Like the embodiments of FIG. 1, the FIG. 2 arrangements are applicable to a relatively wide variety of objects, including cans and other containers, particularly aerosol cans. The bent-ear ends of the holder provide at least a three-point securing action in the specific embodiment(s) shown, with the pair of gripping ears preferably positioned proximate the bottom or lower end of the holder (in a vertical orientation). However, it is to be understood that the pair of securing ears could be at the top end and the single securing tab or ear at the bottom, and, as described hereinabove, both ends of the holder may employ a pair of bent ears for lockingly securing the container.  
         [0036]    Also like the embodiments of FIG. 1, a plurality of screws is among the simplest means of securing the holder to a wall or bench or ladder. In addition to the aforementioned attributes of the embodiment(s) of FIG. 1, the following attributes particularly apply to the FIG. 2 embodiments. Depending on the size of the holder employed, the range of containers to be accommodated spans from those smaller than a typical soup can to say a 55-gallon drum. The single- or integral-piece embodiment(s) employ(s) a v-shaped arrangement that provides augmented gripping action. The embodiment(s) of FIG. 2 can be used as a releasable handle.  
         [0037]    In either the three-point or four-point stability configuration, the structure of this embodiment represented in FIGS.  2 A- 2 B, can be adapted to provide longitudinal or vertical adjustability by way of adjustment means located at or constituting the central portion of the holder. Such arrangement is depicted in FIGS.  3 A- 3 B. The adjustment means, generally referenced at  30 , is comprised of parts  31 , 32  which slidably communicate with one another.  
         [0038]    The adjustment means  30  is preferably intended to serve the dual function of mounting or securing the holder to a permanent surface such as a wall or bench. It that regard, piece  31 , associated with the end  4  of the holder is provided with an elongated aperture  33 , which is intended to cooperate with substantially round apertures  34  in the piece  32  of the adjustment means that is associated with the end  3  of the holder. Piece  31  is provided with edge guides  35 , which facilitate the sliding arrangement between pieces  31  and  32 . In this way, the operative ends of the holder can be adjusted apart through a relatively wide range to accommodate a corresponding wide range of container sizes. More particularly, the means by which the holder is mounted to a permanent surface, for example screws, would be inserted into slotted aperture  33  and through holes  34  and then tightened when the two pieces  31  and  32  of the adjustments means are slidably positioned as desired for the object to be securely held. Alternatively, the relative positioning of pieces  31  and  32  could be such that the degree of slidable separation takes the end  36  of piece  31  to a point lying between the apertures  34  in piece, wherein a screw or other mounting means can be inserted through the elongated aperture  33  and the aperture  34  closest to edge/end  36  and tightened, along with a second screw being employed similarly just through the other round aperture  34 .  
         [0039]    The attributes of the arrangement according to FIG. 3 include that the adjustment means is advantageously designed to provide simple slidable communication between its component parts as well as ready access for securing the adjustment means once the desired setting has been determined and reached, and the holder can accommodate a substantially increased range of object/container sizes. Either or both end portion are substitutable with other pieces or similar configuration but varying in size, to better accommodate a broad range of object sizes.