1. Field of the Invention
This application relates generally to devices for holding and storing various articles particularly with an adhesive backing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Originally smaller items were just left to rest on tables or other flat surfaces creating clutter, un-aesthetically pleasing environments, disorganization, and a drastic reduction in useable space. Wires would dangle from their respective devices or attachments. As more people use, own, and carry more and more smaller articles, some means is needed for properly storing various types of articles. The device would not be bound or limited to one dimension such as any horizontally flat surface like a table but has the option to be stored on another dimension such as a wall. As consumers lean toward sleek, futuristic, and clean looking products, the need for a device with the aforementioned characteristics to have the capability to be customized with graphics and to look sleek, slim, and unique is ever so needed. A single holding device with the ability to secure more than one article at once is also being sought by the public.
This problem has been partially solved by previous adhesive backed or fastener devices but these still had significant problems. Esfahni shows an adhesive pen holder with an elastic loop and an adhesive backing. Although this device has a graphics/screen printable body, I have found that this device is limited only to pen-like or smaller tubular articles. I have also found that the radius of the loop is fixed and is non-adjustable providing restriction to the types of articles that can be secured. The
Other devices have been proposed that are able to secure various articles. Servis's proposal includes a flexible back panel and a flexible front panel that attaches to a pocket with a releasable fastener in the back such as suction cups. I have found that this article holder cannot be attached to a wall in different positions, sideways, upside down, etc . . . Although it uses inexpensive material the device acts like a pants pocket with suction cups. It does not offer any aesthetically pleasing, sleek, neat, and appearance as an adhesive storing device. I have also found that the material is not suitable for any type of graphics printing. The suction cups are not reliable enough to properly stick to other solid surfaces such as drywall.
Command Brand creates different types of decorative hooks that can be attached to a solid surface utilizing 3M's stretchable adhesive patented technology. Each hook is made up of a plastic material either dear or another solid color. Although this device aims to save space by being able to secure different types of object on a solid surface such as a wall, the device is made from ordinary plastic and is subject to more wear and tear, faces a shorter life-span, and does not look aesthetically pleasing. I have found that the hook is molded into the body. Thus the distance from the body, gap and space the hook creates in order to house objects is restricted. The main body of the hook could have graphics or designs placed on it however, the article would be blocking it from view.
Several other types of article holders that can be attached to various types of surfaces have been proposed—for example, in Germany DR 4403439, U.S. 2004/0200040, U.S. 2005/0279648 A1, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,522 although they are inexpensive to manufacture, they show a very limited function for its holding mechanisms. I have found that the hooks or other means of securing the article are made of rigid material and demonstrates no elasticity or adjustability. As a result, they are mostly limited to securing eyeglasses only. Nevertheless, all article holders heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages:
a. Lack of aesthetics. The shape and manufacturing process of the mentioned devices comprise the sleeker, cleaner appearance as well as labeling and printability for custom designs, graphics, and art.
b. The restriction and limited capabilities of their securing mechanisms are limited to specific article leaving narrower options for the user.
c. Printing on plastic or synthetic fiber surfaces are often easily erased, thereby reducing its pristine appearance while increasing fading.
d. The reliance of a support structure such as a bedpost, bathroom mirror, or other suitable support structures.
e. The device's ability to secure the article at only a certain angle. For example Servis's Article Holder cannot be placed upside down or sideways.
f. Plastics and synthetic fiber materials durability, longevity, and resistance to wear and tear.
g. The ability to secure more than one article at the same time.
In accordance with one embodiment a various article holder comprises of a rigid body, clips, clip mounds, and an adhesive material on one of its sides.
Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide a device that is not restricted to holding one item, that is not limited to one type, that offers flexibility to the user, relatively inexpensive, that can have an adjustable securing mechanism, that has a sleek, clean, and futuristic appearance aesthetically pleasing, that can be easily manufactured with graphics or screen printed designs, artistically focuses on the object and the holder, that is easy to clean, durable, maintain a pristine appearance, can be arranged in different angled and non-porous surfaces, and is a space saver. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
Referring now more specifically to
A void is created between the clips 14 and the body 10 as it is locked up or down into clips mound 12. I contemplate that the clips 14 be made of a rigid material that has elasticity.
The manner of which the holder can secure various types of articles is due to several features. (
By pulling or pushing on the clips 14, the detents 16 and clips mound stops 20 would allow the user to appropriately increase or decrease the void between the clips 14 and the body 10. Thus, allowing more flexibility for the type of article to be secured. The clips 14 can also be removed by pulling on it past the stops 20 and pushed down as far as possible toward the body 10 for smaller items such as wires to be secured. The clips 14 are completely independent of one another as there are two separate clips mounds 12 allowing more than 1 item to be stored. In addition, the body 10 can have logos or graphics on it, thereby enhancing its aesthetics. I have contemplated that the body be shaped into a blade like shape as shown in this embodiment. But it can be on any shaped rigid body.
There are various possibilities with regard to the relative disposition of securing the articles.
From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my various article holder become evident:
a. As devices and articles get smaller and smaller for flexibility and advancement in technology the need for a storage device that can secure them will be sought after.
b. With the use of article holder common smaller articles that are normally misplaced can now have a resting/home spot.
c. The presence of an article holder that has adhesives will allow the user to be creative, dynamic, and unique in storing items in any room or flat surface
d. Jewelry and other common articles can be displayed in an artistic fashion similar to a painting.
e. A reduction in misplaced objects.
g. Eye glasses can now be stored at a closer proximity when it is needed the most.
h. More room on surfaces such as desks and night stands.
i. A prominent display for 3D TV glasses
j. improvement in ergonomics as the article holder can utilize any sold surface and placed on any dimension.
k. Flexibility for the user as a variety of items can be properly stored.
Accordingly, the reader will see that the various article adhesive holder of the various embodiments can be used to store multiple and a variety of items easily and conveniently, can be removed just as easily without damage or hassle to the article, and can be locked into the same position if the same item is going to be placed back in without requiring any special adjustments. In addition, when an article needs to be secured the mechanisms can be adjusted accordingly to fit the need, without it being fixed or catering to just one type of article. Furthermore, the various article adhesive holder has the additional advantages that:
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, the body can have other shapes, such as circular, oval, trapezoidal, triangular, etc . . . the clips can have other shapes, the clip materials can be replaced by a fixed, molded hook, rubber, or any other solid or elastic material. The clip mounds can be added or reduced. The clips can go inside the clip mounds, along the side, or on the outer face.
Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by examples given.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/699,295 filed 2012 Sep. 11 by the present inventor. The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: Date:Name:Classification:Pat. No.:U.S. D573652Jul. 22, 2008Esfahani, AmirD19/81U.S. D620,981 AAug. 3, 2010Sturken, AxelD3/206U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,182December 1971Calkins, Forrest I.224/584U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,713March 1999Belardinelli,211/Alexander M. 69.1US-2003/0059570January 2002Touzani, William428/99U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,974April 1974Mogel et al.211/69.1US-2002/0027357March 2003Lake, Gary F.281/30U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,095October 1998Stone, John W.211/69.1U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,673September 1997Perry, Irvin Gene206/371U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,327March 1991Kincheloe, Allen 206/232 C.U.S. Pat. No. D545, 675SJul. 3, 2007Liebers, Steven B.D9/434US-2002/0096439 A1Jul. 25, 2002Lin, LinusA43C 11/04US 2004/0200040 A1Oct. 14, 2004Frassanito, RodolpheA45 F 5/06, 23/3.3US-2005/0279648 A1Dec. 22, 2005Liebers, Steven B.A45C 11/04, 206/5;248/693US-2007/0215493 A1Sep. 20, 2007Servis, Alice M.206/5U.S. Pat. No. 3,136,409Jun. 9, 1964Schumann, Lawrence R.U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,071Apr. 11, 1989Steinfield, Robert J.; Sterling402/4;402/80 R; 281/30U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,152Nov. 19, 1991Renaud, Maurice J.401/131; 23/11 HC;23/10 R; 23/3 RU.S. Pat. No. 5,298,089Mar. 12, 1996Motyka, Kenneth J.402/3;281/30; 402/79U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,023Feb. 17, 1998Billish, Thomas P.23/11 HC;233/9; 23336; 224219; 224674; 224251U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,434Mar. 16, 1999Rigney, Douglas E.24/11 R; 24/67/9;24/531; 24/563; 248447/2U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,459Nov. 16, 1999Goldberg, David24/3.3; 24/326; 24/336U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,297Sep. 5, 2005Kovaclk Peter, Thomas402/4; 281/28;281/37; 3-2/79U.S. Pat. No. 6,382, 569 B1May 7, 2002Schattner Robert, L.248/74.1; 248/220.41Clarke, JosephJackson, Kyle A.Zera, Robert A.U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,641 B2Jan. 4, 2005Paul, Christopher P.402/4U.S.-2009/0250366 A1Oct. 8, 2009Esfahani, Amir206/371U.S.-2012/0032043Feb. 9, 2012McGreevy, Sean C.(2006.01)/248/205.3Thompson, Craig D.Qiblawi, Jameel R.Fu, BerlinKun, Ho H.Foreign Patent Doc. No.:DE 4403439 A1Eckel, BerndA45C 11/04PCT/PH2004/000002 A1Aug. 25, 2005Guevara, Isabel F.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61699295 | Sep 2012 | US |