Patent Application
20240156266
The present invention relates to a field of mechanical engineering. More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable holding mechanism.
The subject matter discussed in this background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because of its mention herein. Similarly, any solutions to problems mentioned in this background section or associated with the subject matter of this background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter as disclosed in this background section merely represents different approaches related to providing a holding mechanism to users, wherein such mechanism may themselves also correspond to implementation of the claimed technology and invention.
With the improvement of people's living standards, requirements for quality of life items commensurately rise. Traditional furniture rarely meet requirements, for example, for ease of use, comfort, portability, compactness, etc. in daily life as people seek to optimize their living spaces, especially when such living spaces are smaller. For a lucky few, highly sought-after living spaces may be created for those who have a balcony. Balconies, however, can often go unused given many are not large enough to fit traditional types of furniture or décor that owners wish to utilize. These small spaces are mostly utilized by the owner as a sitting space to spend leisure time. Furthermore, owners are challenged by design and configuration constraints that force them to make decisions and compromises between functionality and aesthetics. For example, owners may wish to utilize décor such as potted plants, tables, chairs, and the like. In tight spaces, however, such décor can clutter the balcony space and leave one feeling claustrophobic. It may be noted that terms owners and users may be used interchangeably in the following aspects and embodiments.
Prior art, for various aspects contained there within, relevant to this disclosure includes US patent application No. 20070246991A1 to Farah, US patent application No. 5370060A to Wang, US patent application No. 8479664B2 to Edward and US patent application No. 5653178A to Louis. In each of the prior art references, a footrest for placing feet of a user and a table for placing objects are disclosed. However, the prior arts do not disclose about the features that can aid to increase the weight carrying capacity.
In particular, reference '991 to Farah discloses a footrest for a handrail. The footrest includes an attachment portion configured to receive the handrail. The footrest further includes a vertical offset portion and a foot receiving portion. However, the prior art does not provide a feature to increase the load carrying capacity of the footrest and therefore the footrest disclosed in the prior art cannot be used in multiple scenarios such as storing heavy items, for sitting, etc.
In particular, reference '060 to Wang discloses a multipurpose automobile foldaway table which includes a table pivotably connected to a frame, two retractably bars respectively and retractably fastened to the frame, and lock screws respectively threaded into screw holes on the frame for locking the retractable bars at a desired elevation, each retractable bar having a top end terminated to a swivel hook for mounting on the head rest of a car seat, the table having recessed top comportments covered by a sliding cover for holding things, and collapsible stands at the bottom for supporting the foldaway table on the ground as it is dismantled from the car seat. However, the prior art does not disclose features for allowing the table to be installed over multiple objects such as fence, boundaries etc. Further, the prior art does not provide a feature to increase the load carrying capacity of the footrest and therefore the footrest disclosed in the prior art cannot be used in multiple scenarios such as storing heavy items, for sitting etc.
In particular, reference '664 to Edward discloses an apparatus attachable to a barricading structure and method for providing an activity surface are provided. The barricading structure may be, for example, a railing. The apparatus comprises a mountable backsplash attached to the barricading structure, a foldable support platform attached to the mountable backsplash via multiple connectors, and a locking system for locking the mountable backsplash to the barricading structure. The foldable support platform comprises a first inlay fitted into a support structure for providing an activity surface to hold objects. The connectors are accommodated in slots provided on the mountable backsplash. The accommodated connectors are hinged to the mountable backsplash using a hinge pin to facilitate pivotal connection of the foldable support platform to the mountable backsplash. The apparatus may comprise leg supports for supporting weight of the foldable support platform. The apparatus is made of a weather resistant material and a heat resistant material. However, the prior art does not disclose about the options for restraining an object over the apparatus of various nature, size and weight.
In particular, reference '178 to Louis discloses a folding table adapted to be hooked to the handrail of a vertical railing is disclosed herein. The table includes a pair of upright supports comprising adjustable hooks to allow for different widths of handrails. A table top is pivotally mounted, between the upright supports, to a bottom portion of the upright supports. The folding table also includes a vertical adjustment device to allow the levelling of the table regardless of the construction of the railing. A safety screen extending from the table top to the top of the upright supports, prevents objects from directly falling off the table. However, the prior art does not disclose about the options for restraining an object over the apparatus of various nature, size and weight. Further, the prior art does not include elements specific for re distributing weight of objects, that limits the weight carrying capacity of the apparatus.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved holding mechanism that allows a user to optimize a living space more efficiently.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor delineate the scope of such elements. Its purpose is to present some concepts of the described features in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In an embodiment, a holding mechanism is disclosed. The holding mechanism comprises a retention portion having a first arm and a second arm. The second arm has a jaw coupling that is configured to secure the retention portion. The jaw coupling enables the holding mechanism to be mounted over round shaped railings and also with other shaped railings such as squared, oval, rectangular etc. The holding mechanism further has a platform, having a support bracket that is slidably connected to the first arm. The platform allows a user to alter the height of the height as per the user's requirement. The holding mechanism further has a movable tray that is coupled to the platform. The movable tray allows the user to store various objects, to sit or to place one's feet, for example. The movable tray comprises a plurality of telescopic poles that are configured to retract or extend the movable tray. The plurality of telescopic poles provides a user with linear adjustment to adjust the holding mechanism when installed within a balcony. Further, a seating surface may be installed over the plurality of telescopic poles, via one or more resting slots, to secure the seating surface over the plurality of telescopic poles. In an aspect, the seating surface may be fabricated with a depression to accommodate an object. Further, the seating surface is configured with a covering mechanism configured to cover the depression. In one aspect, the seating surface may include indicia which, for example, indicates affinity to a sports team, or other symbols for the purpose of personalizing the holding mechanism. The movable tray further has a plurality of cross beams that are configured to secure the movable tray within the support bracket. It should be noted that the plurality of cross beams allows the platform to securely support and evenly distribute the weight of the object on the movable tray.
In one or more embodiments, the one or more resting slots are configured to accommodate a plurality of pins to secure the seating surface over the plurality of telescopic poles. The holding mechanism further comprises of plurality of retainers mounted over plurality of telescopic poles. It should be noted that the plurality of retainers is comprised of at least a retainer clip configured to hold the object over the seating surface.
In one or more embodiments, the platform is configured with a locking means to lock the platform at predefined height. Further, the movable tray is coupled to the platform via one or more hinge fixtures to position the movable tray in a deployed state or a stowed state. It should be noted that the one or more hinge fixtures are configured with a ratcheting means to lock the movable tray at a desired position. The one or more hinge fixtures further comprises at least a hinge configured to provide angular movement to the movable tray along the platform.
In one or more embodiments, the holding mechanism further comprises of at least a telescopic pole connector configured to connect the plurality of telescopic poles together. Also, it should be noted that the retention portion is angled to prevent disconnecting of the holding mechanism with the railing. Further, the second arm is installed with a locking mechanism configured to fasten the holding mechanism with the railing. The second arm and the platform are fabricated with plurality of notches configured to lock position of the platform in plurality of steps.
In another embodiment, a movable tray is disclosed. The movable tray is comprised of a plurality of telescopic poles that are configured to retract or extend. Further, in an embodiment the seating surface is installed over the plurality of telescopic poles. Even further, one or more resting slots that are configured to secure the seating surface over the plurality of telescopic poles. Yet even further the movable tray further comprises a plurality of retainers mounted over the plurality of telescopic poles. The plurality of retainers is configured to hold an object over the seating surface.
In one or more embodiments, the one or more resting slots are configured to accommodate a plurality of pins to secure the seating surface over the plurality of telescopic poles. Further, the plurality of retainers comprises at least a retainer clip configured to hold the object over the seating surface.
The foregoing general description of the illustrative embodiments and the following detailed description thereof are merely exemplary aspects of the teachings of this disclosure and are not restrictive.
A more complete appreciation of this disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. Any person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the various boundaries representative of the disclosed invention. It may be that in some examples of this disclosure one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In other examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon the illustrated principles.
Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with the appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner, wherein similar designations denote similar elements, and in which:
The holding mechanism 100 may include a retention portion 102, a first arm 104, a second arm 106, a platform 108, and a moveable tray 110. The retention portion 102 may be configured to support the holding mechanism 100 on a railing (not shown). It may be noted that the retention portion 102 may be mounted over other fixed objects such as wooden bars, hand rails etc. The retention portion 102 may be a flat surface, a textured surface to hold household items such as flower pots, keys, coffee tray etc. It may be noted that the retention portion 102 may also be termed as a connector. Further, the retention portion 102 may comprise the first arm 104 and the second arm 106. The first arm 104 may be spaced apart from the second arm 106. According to an embodiment, the first arm 104 may be longer than the second arm 106. According to another aspect, the first arm 104 and the second arm 106 may be of equal length. Alternatively, the second arm 106 may be longer than the first arm 104. In one embodiment, the retention portion 102 may be angled between the first arm 104 and the second arm 106 to prevent disconnecting of the holding mechanism 100 with the railing.
Further, the first arm 104 and the second arm 106, may be coupled to the retention portion 102 at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees. The first arm 104 and the second arm 106 prevent the forward and backward motion of the movable tray 110 during usage (For example, once installed over the railing). Further, the second arm 106 may have a jaw coupling (not shown) configured to secure the retention portion 102 with the railing. The jaw coupling may be configured to allow the second arm 106 to grip the railing having a round surface. Further, the jaw coupling may be configured to grip the railing of different surfaces including round, squared, oval, rectangular etc.
Further, the first arm 104 may be coupled to the platform 108. The platform 108 may be configured to slide along the surface of the first arm 104 in vertical directions such as downwards direction as shown in
The movable tray 110 may be coupled to the platform 108 via one or more hinge fixtures 112. The one or more hinge fixtures 112 may be configured to provide relative motion to the movable tray 110 along co-axial motion of the one or more hinge fixtures 112. The hinge fixtures 112 may allow the movement of the movable tray 110 from 0 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the first arm 104 and the platform 108. Further, the hinge fixtures 112 may include at least a hinge lock (not shown) on both sides of the movable tray 110. It may be noted that, the hinge lock may also be termed as ratcheting means. The hinge lock may be configured to lock the movable tray 110 in close position at 0 degrees and open position at 90 degrees relative to the first arm 104, or at any angle between 0 to 90 degrees. In one aspect, the hinge lock may be configured such that the movable tray 110 may be positioned in a close position at 0 degrees and an open position at greater than 90 degrees relative to the first arm 104. In this way, the tray 110 may be held in a position substantially parallel to a ground surface when the holding mechanism 100 is held or otherwise placed on a railing that is greater than 90 degrees' perpendicular to said ground surface.
The movable tray 110 may further comprise of a support bracket 114 and a plurality of cross beams 116. The support bracket 114 may be configured to positioned within the plurality of cross beams 116. The plurality of cross beams 116 may be installed in between the one or more hinge fixtures 112. The plurality of cross beams 116 are configured to support and evenly distribute the weight of the movable tray 110 over the platform 108. The plurality of cross beams 116 are configured in a manner that, when the movable tray 110 is positioned in deployed state, the plurality of cross beam 116 gets positioned over the support bracket 114.
Further the support bracket 114 may include a plurality of grooves 118 to support the movable tray 110. According to an embodiment, the plurality of grooves 118 may allow even distribution of the load of the user sitting on the movable tray 110. The plurality of cross beams 116 snugly fits with the support bracket 114 with the help of the plurality of grooves 118 and thereby evenly distributes the weight of the movable tray 110. Further, the plurality of cross beam 116 and the support bracket 114 enhances the load carrying capacity of the movably tray 110. Further, the support bracket 114 may prevent distribution of the load on the one or more hinge fixtures 112.
Further, the plurality of cross beams 116 may be configured to secure the movable tray 110 in lock position within the support bracket 114. For example, the movable tray 110 is in deployed state, the weight of the user and the movable tray 110 is supported by the support bracket 114. Further, the support bracket 114 may release the weight of movable tray 110 from the one or more hinge fixtures 112, thus prevent breaking of the one or more hinge fixtures 112 under load. Further, the cross beams 116 rest over the plurality of grooves 116 that enable to provide parallel or level deployment of the movable tray 110 with respect to the retention portion 102 of the holding mechanism 100 even if a ground surface (not shown) or the railing is not level or parallel to the seating surface.
The movable tray 110 may be further comprised of a plurality of telescopic poles 120. The plurality of telescopic poles 120 may be configured to support a seating surface (not shown). The plurality of telescopic poles 120 may be telescopic in nature. The plurality of telescopic poles 120 may be configured to extend or retracted along longitudinal axis such that the seating surface also extends or retracts with the plurality of telescopic poles 120. The plurality of telescopic poles 120 may be secured in place by the telescopic pole connector 122. The telescopic pole connector 122 may form a bridge between the plurality of telescopic poles 120 to provide rigidity and durability to the movable tray 110.
The movable tray 110 may be coupled to the platform 108 via the one or more hinge fixture 112. The one or more hinge fixture 112 may allow the movement of the movable tray 110 from 0 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the first arm 104 and the platform 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the movable tray 110 may move from 0 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the first arm 104. When the movable tray 110 is fully spaced away from the first arm 104 (at the angle of 90-degrees), the holding mechanism 100 is in the deployed state. In the deployed state, the moveable tray 104 may serve as a receptacle or surface for use as a desk, a plant holder, a seating element and the like. Further, when the movable tray 110 is completely upright and parallel to the platform 108, the movable tray 110 is in the stowed state. The moveable tray 110 may not be spaced away from the first arm 104, if it is in the stowed state. This may allow the user to utilize the space on a porch or patio, for example, without having to disassemble the holding mechanism 100 and moving it to another location. In addition, folding the moveable tray 110 may allow the user to ensure and any items placed on the seating surface is protected from weather elements.
In an embodiment, the plurality of telescopic poles 120 may be coupled to the seating surface 302. The seating surface 302 may be configured to place an object such as a cushion, flower pot etc. The seating surface 302 may be installed to the plurality of telescopic poles 120 via one or more resting slots (not shown). The one or more resting slots may be a cavity that may be fabricated over surface of the seating surface 302 and to the plurality of telescopic poles 120. These cavities may be configured to pass through a plurality of pins 304. The one or more resting slots may be fabricated in a manner that each one of the one or more resting slots fabricated over the plurality of telescopic poles 120 may overlap each one or more one or more resting slots fabricated over the seating surface 302. The overlap may enable the plurality of pins 304 to pass through the surfaces of the plurality of telescopic poles 120 and the seating surface 302 to form an interlock. According to an embodiment, the plurality of pins 304 may be removed to detach the seating surface 302 with the plurality of telescopic poles 120.
Further, the plurality of telescopic poles 120 may include a plurality of retainers 306. The plurality of retainers 306 may be bilaterally spaced apart from each other. According to an aspect, the plurality of retainers 306 may be configured to be placed over the one or more resting slots. According to an aspect, the plurality of retainers 306 may have plurality of holes (not shown) to facilitate the plurality of pins 304 being used to secure the object to the plurality of retainers 306, and the seating surface 302 of the holding mechanism 100. According to an embodiment, the plurality of retainers 306 may be configured to slide over the plurality of telescopic poles 120.
Further, the second arm 106 and the platform 108 may be fabricated with a plurality of notches 404. The plurality of notches 404 may be configured to lock position of the platform in a plurality of steps. The plurality of steps may be defined as height of the platform 108 from a ground surface (not shown). The plurality of notches 404 may be shaped like teeth gears. These teeth gears may be fabricated on surface of the first arm 106 and the platform 108. It may be noted that, the plurality of notches 404 fabricated on the surface of the first arm 106 and the platform 108 may face opposite to each other. This orientation of the plurality of notches 404 may allow the first arm 106 and the platform 108 to interlock with each other. Once the platform 108 is positioned in a required height by the user, the plurality of notches 404 may allow the platform 404 to fix in the same positioned location/height. It may be noted that the plurality of notches 404 may provide multiple positions to the user to position the platform 108 in a required height/location. It may be noted that, the plurality of notches 404 may be used as an exemplary embodiment. Those skilled in the art recognize that other means for locking the position of the first arm 106 and the platform 108 are equivalent in scope. Further, the platform 108 may be installed with at least a pair of support bars 406. The support bars 406 may be configured to provide rigidity to the structure of the platform 108 while experiencing load. The pair of support bars 406 may enable the holding mechanism 100 to carry heavy loads.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the holding mechanism 100 may be installed over the railing of a balcony in a stowed state. When the holding mechanism 100 is not in use, the moveable tray 110 may be rotated towards the first arm 104 so that the movable tray 110 and the first arm 104 may be facing each other, thereby providing space for a user to maximize the use of their balcony. According to another exemplary embodiment, the holding mechanism 100 may be folded so that it may be easily stored. It may be stored under a bed or low-profile surface, or multiple holding mechanisms 100 may be stacked on top of each other.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the holding mechanism 100 may be mounted on the railing of the balcony, and the moveable tray 110 being outward facing to reveal the seating surface 302. Further, the seating surface 302 may be configured with a depression. The depression may be fabricated to place the object over the seating surface 302. The depression provides a contoured section over the seating surface 302 that helps the object to be placed easily. According to an aspect, the depression may be in a centralized location. The depression may be round, square or any other desired shape. According to an aspect, the depression may include a through-hole (not shown) that allows a base of a plant or other item to pass.
Further, the plurality of retainers 306 may include at least a retainer clip. The retainer clip may be configured to grip the object placed over the seating surface 302. The retainer clip may include a plurality of teeth that grab onto the object. Further, the seating surface 302 may be configured with a cover mechanism (not shown). The cover mechanism may be configured to cover the depression. This may allow the holding mechanism 100 to be used as a desk or a seating surface 302, for example. Further, one or more sides of the seating surface 302 may include the plurality of retainers 306 as described earlier. The plurality of retainers 306 may be bilaterally spaced apart from each other. According to an aspect, the plurality of retainers 306 may be configured to retain the object over the seating surface 302.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the seating surface 302 may be placed with the object, according to one or more embodiment. The object may be a cushion that may be disposed and retained upon the seating surface 302, according to one or more embodiments. According to an aspect, the cushion or other soft material is positioned on the seating surface 302 of the moveable tray 110 to provide added comfort for a user when the holding mechanism 100 is being used as a chair or as a footrest.
According to an aspect, the object may be of any soft material that may be positioned on the seating surface 302 of the moveable tray 110 to provide added comfort for a user when the holding mechanism 100 is being used as a chair or as a footrest. When the holding mechanism 100 is not in use, the moveable tray 110 may be rotated towards the first arm 104 so that they are facing each other, thereby providing space for a user to maximize the use of their balcony.
It is contemplated that one or more components of the holding mechanism 100 may be produced in wood, plastic (for example PVC material), or metal with a foldable design for convenient easy storage light weight yet sturdy enough for a wide variety of uses. Its design and material is configured to be durable and sturdy and also weather resistant offering year round comfort. One or more components of the holding mechanism 100 may be provided in an array of fabrics (e.g., with removable seat cushions) and design choices. The holding mechanism 100 will be able to withstand weather elements (e.g., hot temperatures, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. In addition, where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedure claim set forth here below not be construed as being order-specific unless Such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim.
This application claims the priority benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/383,581, filed Nov. 14, 2022, by the present inventor, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63383581 | Nov 2022 | US |
