Suction cup device

Abstract

A suction cup located on an axis has axially opposite front and rear ends. The front end is configured to adhere to a window pane by suction. A post extends along the axis rearward from the rear end and has axially spaced grooves. A bracket is configured to be mounted in any one of the grooves and to hold an item a set distance rearward from the post.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 are perspective views of a suction cup device, shown in three configurations, securing a candle to a window pane;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a suction cup and post of the device; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket of the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a suction cup located on an axis and having axially opposite front and rear ends, the front end configured to adhere to a window pane by suction;a post extending along the axis rearward from the rear end and having axially spaced grooves; anda bracket configured to be mounted in any one of the grooves and to hold an item a set distance rearward from the post.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post has an additional groove located such that when the bracket is mounted in the additional groove, the post would block the item held by the bracket from extending transversely across the axis unless the post is shortened.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the post has a break-off notch for the shortening to be achieved by breaking the post at the notch.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the notch is axially between two of the grooves.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bracket is configured to engage the item above the post when the post extends horizontally.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post is configured to enable the bracket to be swiveled fully about the post to bring the bracket into a particular orientation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each groove is defined by axially opposite side surfaces that are configured to simultaneously engage the bracket to prevent axial movement of the bracket relative to the post.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each groove has a rectangular side profile and the bracket has a mating rectangular side profile.

9. An apparatus comprising: a suction cup located on an axis and having axially opposite front and rear ends, the front end configured to adhere to a window pane by suction;a post extending along the axis rearward from the rear end and having a groove; anda bracket configured to be mounted in the groove and to hold an item a set distance rearward from the post, the post being sufficiently long to block the item from extending transversely across the axis unless the post is shortened.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the post has a break-off notch for the shortening to be achieved by breaking the post at the notch.

11. An apparatus comprising: a suction cup located on an axis and having axially opposite front and rear ends, the front end configured to adhere to a window pane by suction;a post extending rearward from the rear end and having a groove and a break-off notch at which the post is configured to be broken to shorten the post; anda bracket configured to be mounted in the groove and to hold an item a set distance rearward from the post.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the notch extends circumferentially about the post.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the notch is located forward from the groove.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an indication to a user indicating that the post be broken at the notch.