Patent Application
20080156756
Typical retaining structures used for holding multiple devices in an elongated array contain an elongated base and multiple individual holders. The individual holders maintain the device being displayed in one position, where the holder has a stationary attachment to the elongated base. The stationary attachment prevents the holder from rotating out of the stationary position if the elongated base is rotated. As a result, if the elongated base is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the individual holders rotate with the elongated base, which may result in the devices being maintained in holders falling out of the holders.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a self-adjusting and retaining apparatus for maintaining an object therein regardless of whether the apparatus is maintained horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the self-adjusting and retaining apparatus contains an elongated base and at least one holder rotatably connected to the elongated base. The elongated base contains means for removably connecting to a surface and at least one connection point. In addition, the holder contains at least one holder rotatably connected to the elongated base via the connection point. Further, the holder contains a back portion that is rotatably connected to the elongated base and extending in a first plane, a bottom portion connected to the back portion, wherein the bottom portion extends in a second plane that is not parallel to the first plane, and an end stop connected to the bottom portion of the holder, wherein the bottom portion meets the end stop at an angle.
Other embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such embodiments and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The present invention provides a self-adjusting and retaining apparatus that is capable of holding multiple devices in an elongated array regardless of whether the apparatus is extended in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation. While in the present disclosure the devices being held within the self-adjusting and retaining apparatus are plates (illustrated by dotted lines in certain figures), one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other devices may be held in a specific position by the present self-adjusting and retaining apparatus, such as, but not limited to, picture frames. In addition, while the present retaining apparatus is shown as having four holders rotatably connected within the retaining apparatus, it should be noted that the number of holders is not limited to four. Specifically, the retaining apparatus may have additional or fewer rotatably connected holders.
The holder 20 is rotatably connected to the elongated base 10, so as to allow the holder 20 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Preferably, the holder 20 is capable of rotating 360°. The rotatable connection between the holder 20 and the elongated base 10 is provided by a pivoting point 12. Specifically, the elongated base 10 may have, for example, but not limited to, a bolt that extends from a surface of the elongated base 10, with a bolt head located at an end of the bolt. The holder 20 may contain a pivoting connection point 22 having a hole that allows the bolt to extend therethrough. The bolt head prevents the holder 20 from falling off of the elongated base 10. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other connection points may be provided between the holder 20 and the elongated base 10, as long as the holder 20 is capable of pivoting.
The elongated base 10 may contain other features such as, but not limited to, a wall connection point 14 and a decorative segment 16. The wall connection point 14 may be any mechanism that allows the elongated base 10 to connect to a wall or other structure. As an example,
Returning to
The end stop 28 may be provided in one of many different decorative shapes. As an example, the end stop 28 illustrated in
It should be noted that adjustment in position of the holders 20 is a function of gravity so that the retaining apparatus 2 can be attached to a wall, or other structure, at any desired angle, while the holders 20 will swing to hang vertical, thereby maintaining a plate held therein for display or storage. Examples of positioning of the retaining apparatus 2 are provided by
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Application entitled, “Self-Adjusting Retaining Structure,” having Ser. No. 60/876,775, filed Dec. 22, 2006, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60876775 | Dec 2006 | US |
