Universal suction-based connection device

Details Universal suction-based connection device Universal suction-based connection device

1999-01-21

2001-06-12

Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3626)

Joints and connections

Flexible diaphragm or bellows

With additional connection or packing

C403S057000, C248S205600, C248S363000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06244778

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to connection devices and, more specifically, to a suction based connection device that supports a generally universal connector with respect to a support surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For a variety of reasons, people want or need to support objects on surfaces such as walls, windows, mirrors, and the surfaces of furniture and equipment. For some surfaces, attachment can be made using such well known connection devices as nails, screws, and other piercing type connectors. However, it is often undesirable or impossible to pierce the surface onto which connection is desired. For example, nails should not be driven into a glass surface. A magnetic connector may be used to connect to a metallic surface but does not work for non-metallic surfaces. Adhesives can also be used with some surfaces but tend to degrade the surface on which they are used.
Suction cups, such as shown in
FIG. 1
, are popular for attaching to smooth surfaces such as glass or metal. In its simplest form, as shown in
FIG. 1
, a suction cup
10
consists of a deformable concave body
12
with a perimeter lip
14
. The suction cup
10
is pushed against a support surface, such as a piece of glass, so that the perimeter lip
14
contacts the support surface and the rest of the body
12
is deformed towards the support surface. When the suction cup
10
is released, the body
12
attempts to regain its concave shape and thereby forms a suction between the support surface and the underside of the body
12
. Other items, such as a hook
16
can then be attached to the suction cup
10
and supported thereby. A drawback to simple suction cup devices, such as the one shown in
FIG. 1
, is that they often do not remain securely attached to a support surface. The suction cup
10
relies on the resilience of the deformable body
12
to create and maintain suction. Typically, such a suction cup does not create very much suction, and therefore is not very strongly attached to the support surface. In addition, the lip
14
may leak slightly causing degradation of the suction.
An improved suction cup is shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
. This suction cup
20
includes a cup-shaped outer housing
22
and an inner member
26
which is fitted to the outer housing
22
. The inner member
26
includes a deformable element
28
with a perimeter lip
29
for contacting a support surface. A post
30
extends upwardly from the deformable element
28
and passes through the outer housing
22
and includes a pivot point
32
. The suction cup
20
also includes a hook
34
which has a pivot end
36
and a hook end
38
. The pivot end
36
of the hook
34
is pivotally interconnected with pivot point
32
of the post
30
.
The suction cup
20
has two positions. The first is an unlocked position, as shown in
FIG. 2
, wherein the hook
34
extends generally outwardly from the outer housing
22
. This is a non-use position for the suction cup
20
. The second position is a locked position, as shown in FIG.
3
. In this position, the hook
34
is pivoted downwardly so that it lies next to the outer housing
22
. As the hook
34
is pivoted downwardly, it pulls the post
30
of the inner member
26
upwardly. This in turn pulls the deformable element
28
upwardly into the outer housing
22
.
In use, the suction cup
20
is placed against a support surface, such as a piece of glass, so that the deformable element
28
is in contact with the support surface, with the suction cup
20
in its unlocked position, as shown in FIG.
2
. The hook
34
is then pivoted downwardly, moving the suction cup
20
to its locked position as shown in
FIG. 3
, thereby drawing the post
30
away from the support surface. This deforms the deformable element
28
creating a suction between deformable element
28
and the support surface.
The improved suction cup
20
engages to the support surface much more securely than the suction cup
10
shown in FIG.
1
. This is for two reasons. First, the deformable element
28
is physically forced away from the support surface, thereby creating a large amount of suction. Secondly, the larger amount of suction causes the outer housing
22
to push the perimeter of the deformable element
28
securely against the support surface, thereby improving the seal between the lip
29
and the support surface. After the suction cup
20
is secured to the support surface, an item such as a hand towel or car keys may be hung from the hook
38
. A major drawback to the suction cup
20
is that it is not a universal connector. Instead, it provides only a hook
38
on which items may be hung. There is a need for an easily attachable and detachable suction type device which provides a universal connector so that a variety of items may be attached to a support surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is disclosed herein a connection device for supporting one of a plurality of accessories with respect to a support surface, each accessory including a connection feature. The connection device includes a two piece suction cup having an outer shell and a flexible inner member attached to a plunger which extends through the shell. The plunger terminates in a connector configured to engage with the connection feature on each of the accessories. In some embodiments, the connector is a quick connect/disconnect type connector with a barbed end. In other embodiments, the connector is a threaded shaft. In other embodiments, the connector extends perpendicular to the outer surface of the outer shell of the two piece suction cup when the two piece suction cup is in a locked position.


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