Patent Application
20190167046
Many different kinds of hooks and towel holders are known. A problem with these hooks and towel holders, however, is that the towels (or other similarly held items), can slip off of the hook. This becomes especially problematic when the hook is on a moving device. This is especially the case, for example, when the hook is attached to a golf cart.
A towel holder for a golf cart is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,279. While this hook can hold the towel, the towel can easily slide off the hook.
The present application describes a frictional holder which secures a towel or other item using a frictional channel that inhibits the object being held from slipping off of the hook. One application of this system is in a golf cart. The hook can also be used in any other application where the hook or towel holder is actually moved or moving.
The frictional channel holder secures the towel while providing the ability to quickly and easily remove and replace the towel. Rather than snaps, hooks, magnets, hook and loop or other type clips, the present embodiment creates a pressure channel that restricts the object to be hung, from slipping off of the hook and allows the object to be hung to be held within a cavity.
In the Drawings:
An embodiment describes an object holding hook 100 with a pressure channel 105 that forms a gateway to an object holding surface 99. The object holding hook 100 is connected to a connection part 110 that connects to a support structure, as explained herein. In one embodiment, the support structure can be a golf cart, but other support structures can alternatively be used according to the embodiments.
The object holding hook 100 is formed generally of a top curved portion 120 which attaches to the top of the connection part 110 and extends away from the connection part 110 for a length 122, to curve back at surface 124 down back to a first pressure arm 126. The end of the first pressure arm 126 faces back towards the connection part 110. The outermost surface 130 of the first pressure arm 126 forms a first surface of the pressure channel 105.
The bottom portion 135 of the object holding hook 100 attaches to the bottom portion of the connection part 110 and extends by a distance 136 from the connection part 110. The bottom portion 135 also has a curved part 138 that starts after the distance 136, which curves upward toward the top curved portion 120. The curved part 138 extends along an arm 140 that forms a second pressure area 145 that forms the second surface of the pressure channel opposing the first surface 130 of the pressure channel.
In one embodiment, the distances 122 and 136 are substantially the same distance.
The first pressure area/surface 130 is a first curved surface extending from the top area of the connection part in a first curved direction. The second pressure area/surface 145 is a second curved surface extending from the bottom area of the connection part in a second curved direction.
In an embodiment, as shown the first arm 120 is even with the first edge 109 of the securing part and the second arm 140 has a side even with the second edge of the securing part. This can avoid any extra bumps and make a more even hook surface.
The pressure channel 105 is formed between the surfaces 130 and 145.
In one embodiment, the hook material is formed of a deformable plastic material such as nylon. There is approximately a 2 mm gap between the first surface 130 of the pressure channel 105 and the second pressing surface 145 of the pressure channel 105. This 2 mm gap can, however, be pressed open by deforming either or both of the arms 126, 140. The first arm 126 can be deformed inward towards the connection part 110 and also the second arm 140 can be deformed away from the connection part to further open the area. The object to be held is then pushed or pulled in between the surfaces 130 and 145 of the arms 126, 140. Alternatively, the object to be held can be pushed or pulled between the distal end 155 of the first pressure area 126, and the back surface 160 of the connection part 110. The object to be held is pushed or pulled between the surfaces 130 and 145 of the arms 126, 140 to be held in the area 99.
The object to be hung is either pushed or pulled through the pressure channel, slightly deforming one arm or both arms of the plastic hook, and held in area 99. The object to be hung can easily be taken off the hook, but the pressure channel prevents the object from slipping off of the hook, keeping it in area 99.
Alternatively, the hook can be made of metal as long as the metal is deformable metal such as aluminum. In one embodiment, the hook can be made of nylon.
The hook itself is connected to the connection part 110. The connection part in this embodiment is a right angle, having a first slot 170 on one arm of the right angle, and having a second slot 205 on another arm of the right angle. These two slots form surfaces which can be used to carry a strap such as a Velcro strap.
The connection part in one embodiment is formed of a right angle portion, having a first portion extending in a first direction in the same plane as the hook, a second portion extending perpendicular to the first portion, where both said first and second portions include slots thereon. The slots are of a size adapted to hold a strap therein, like the Velcro strap mentioned above.
In this embodiment, the hook can be mounted to any kind of surface using tape, elastic, or a hook and loop fastener. In another embodiment, however, the holding part 100 can be mounted permanently on a surface, e.g. with screws or the like.
In operation, the pressure channel keeps the object to be held from slipping off, because the object, such as a towel is pushed between two surfaces of the pressure channel and rests on the upper surface 99 of the bottom portion 135.
While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes certain technological solutions to solve the technical problems that are described expressly and inherently in this application. This disclosure describes embodiments, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative or generalization of these embodiments, which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, other shapes or other variety of surfaces could be used. This system could be used in vehicles, e.g., delivery trucks, or construction vehicles.
Also, the inventor(s) intend that only those claims which use the words “means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims.
Where a specific numerical value is mentioned herein, it should be considered that the value might be increased or decreased by any amount, so long as it maintains the integrity of the hook 100, while still staying within the teachings of the present application, unless some different range is specifically mentioned. The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
