Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-10-30
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
C248S205800, C248S206200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308923
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to detachable support assemblies. Particularly, this invention relates to support assemblies that are held on a relatively smooth surface by means of at least one suction cup. More particularly, it relates to a suction hook assembly that is shaped to reinforce a vacuum upon receiving articles in its engaging position. Specifically, the invention relates to a suction hook assembly that is easy to install and that can receive and support differently shaped and differently sized articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of a suction hook assembly having at least one suction cup is known from a variety of previous patents. Specifically, it is known to have attachments that provide a fulcrum for added support. In some of these cases the fulcrum derives its support directly from the supporting surface. One of the practical consequences of the use of these structures is the undesirable marring of the supporting surface by the displaceable fulcrum. Because suction assemblies have been generally limited to application to smooth surfaces, the potential for slipping of the entire suction support is increased.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,515 to Kimelman illustrates a structure having the drawbacks described above and includes a cup-shaped housing which receives a lever that deforms a diaphragm to create a vacuum. A user operates the turning member to press out air trapped between the diaphragm and a supporting surface to enable the structure to adhere to the surface. A handle of the turning member is pressed against the supporting surface. As a consequence, this surface can easily be marred and damaged. the turning member is pressed against the supporting surface. As a consequence, this surface can easily be marred and damaged.
The U.S Pat. No. 5,028,026 to Panzer is another example of a structure generally described above. Particularly, this patent discloses a suction cup support including a lever which has a cam surface pressing against a central region of the suction cup to deform a membrane, thereby creating a vacuum. Similarly to the structure disclosed in Kimelman, Panzer teaches that the lever extending beyond the suction cup may contact a supporting surface, thereby having the negative consequences, as discussed above, of marring this supporting surface.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,364 to Protz discloses a hanger support including a flexible suction cup and a lever that deforms the cup during its displacement so as to create a vacuum. The lever has a pair of elongated arms extending over the cup to be positioned very close to a supporting surface so as to substantially eliminate any movement of the hanger.
While all of the above-described structures have been found to have practical applications, sometimes they may malfunction in an engaging position, wherein a hook or lever receives a load. Although preservation of a vacuum is largely a function of forces acting inwardly toward a central region of a suction cup, a load hung on an end region of the lever may negatively affect sealing of the cup and add marring to the supporting surface.
It is therefore desirable to have a suction support that does not damage a supporting surface upon receiving a load. It is also desirable to have a suction support tending to minimize the turning moment generated by a load hung on a lever of the support. It is also desirable to have a structure providing a reliable sealing contact between a peripheral region of a suction cup and a supporting surface upon loading the support. A combination of inventive suction supports characterized by ease of installation to create a variety of useful configurations adapted to receive differently shaped and sized items is also desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, the objectives are achieved by a suction support structure minimizing the potential of unsealing a suction cup in a engaging position of the support by providing a lever that generates a force directed toward a peripheral region of the cup.
The lever is shaped to press against a central region of the suction cup during its displacement in the engaging position so as to simultaneously have contact with both central and peripheral regions of the cup. Such structure allows a load received by the support assembly to exert additional forces directed inwardly towards a supporting surface and reinforcing a vacuum that has been created upon displacement of the lever in the engaging position.
As a result of having the increased adhering ability of the suction support, the lever may be formed with an enlarged end hook portion receiving oversized items. The enlarged hook portion can be made in one piece. However, according to another aspect of the invention, it is contemplated to have the hook portion including at least two parts that are displaceable relative to each other so as to increase the total length of the lever. Oversized items placed on the increased hook portion generate a force having a vector directed at the central and peripheral regions of the lever, thereby reinforcing a vacuum. As a result, the suction support capable of carrying relatively heavy loads in its engaging position can have a variety of useful applications. For example, a group of three suction supports mounted on a flat supporting surface can be arranged in a triangular configuration. This combination of the supports having their hook portions extended and connected to one another can be both esthetically appealing and functionally useful by offering additional hanging surfaces. Even a single suction support provided with an extended hook portion can have a variety of applications ranging from a simple home use to an industrial use, for example, in construction.
It is therefore an object of this invention is to provide a suction support assembly overcoming the drawbacks that are characteristic of the known prior art, as enumerated in the background portion of this application.
Another object of the invention is to provide a suction support assembly that may realize optimum holding power and engagement life of a suction cup.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a suction support assembly that can have a simple structure allowing the support to be effectively adhered to a supporting surface.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a suction support assembly that has a lever rotatable to a suction position of the support and shaped to provide a two-point contact with a suction cup to provide an enhanced adhering of the support assembly to a supporting surface.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a suction support having a lever assembly that is able to receive a variety of articles generating forces directed to reinforce a vacuum between a suction cup and a supporting surface in a engaging position of the support assembly.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a system including a combination of a plurality of suction supports that are capable of receiving a utility members, such as a shelve or the like.
REFERENCES:
patent: 355021 (1886-12-01), Lang
patent: 2233870 (1941-03-01), Muter
patent: 2965345 (1960-12-01), Gundelfinger et al.
patent: 3020017 (1962-02-01), Watson
patent: 4012007 (1977-03-01), Cunningham
patent: 4580751 (1986-04-01), Panzer
patent: 4756497 (1988-07-01), Lan
patent: 4844395 (1989-07-01), Perentin
patent: 5028026 (1991-07-01), Philipps et al.
patent: 5386960 (1995-02-01), O'Brien
patent: 5423466 (1995-06-01), Moon
patent: 5511751 (1996-04-01), Shen
patent: 5516019 (1996-05-01), Moon
patent: 5595364 (1997-01-01), Protz, Jr.
patent: 5611511 (1997-03-01), Lee
patent: 5624091 (1997-04-01), Protz, Jr.
patent: 5779205 (1998-07-01), Ching
patent: 5921515 (1999-07-01), Kimelman
patent: 1569052 (1969-05-01), None
DeLuca J.
Ramirez Ramon O.
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