WO2003055364A1

WO2003055364A1 - Device for removably securing objects to a surface

Info

Publication number: WO2003055364A1
Application number: PCT/CA2003/000034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael John Adjeleian
Original assignee: 3849953 Canada Inc.
Priority date: 2002-01-03
Filing date: 2003-01-03
Publication date: 2003-07-10
Also published as: AU2003201242A1

Abstract

The invention provides a device for removably securing a wide variety of objects to different surfaces wherein the object is contained within a hollow compartment or chamber associated with the device. The device is held in place utilizing a partial vacuum. The device can be described as comprising three components: a hollow chamber (20) which has two ends wherein at least one of these ends (30) is open for the insertion of the object into the chamber; a restraining system (40) which is associated with the second end of the hollow chamber wherein the restraining system (40) can hold the object within the hollow chamber; and an attachment means (50) that is operatively connected to the second end of the hollow chamber (20), wherein the attachment means (50) enables the formation of a partial vacuum thereby removably connecting device and the object inserted therein, to a desired surface.

Description

DEVICE FOR REMOVABLY SECURING OBJECTS TO A

SURFACE

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for securing one or more objects to a variety of surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to secure open beverage containers to a moving surface, such as a deck, dashboard, or table in a boat or recreational vehicle. While it is desirable to prevent sliding and tipping of the container due to acceleration, i.e. changes in the speed, orientation or direction of the vehicle, it is of course desirable to have the ability to lift the container for the purpose of drinking or pouring from it. Previously, various attempts have been made to design devices that would accomplish these somewhat contradictory purposes.

It is known to coat the bottoms of beverage containers with a non-slip material to reduce slippage. However, this significantly increases the cost of manufacture of the container and, in addition, does not address the problem of tipping. In fact, such an arrangement actually increases the tendency of the container to overturn because a shear force acting on the container at its center of mass (which is located above its support surface) will cause an overturning moment about the non-slip interface. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,413,302, 5,273,182, 4,836,488, 4,137,356, 3,847,324, 4,978,566, and 4,040,549 disclose various slip resistant coasters and cup holders. A separate coaster or cup holder having a non-slip material reduces the cost of the container, but does not address the other limitations mentioned above.

Insulated beverage holder "sleeves" have also been used to reduce slippage of beverage containers on movable surfaces. Such a beverage holder is usually constructed of polystyrene and is configured to essentially surround the container. Such a device may have a non-slip surface to decrease the likelihood of slippage. In addition, a base of increased diameter may serve to somewhat increase the stability of the container against tipping. However, because there is necessarily a thickness associated with the base portion, such a device serves to raise the center of gravity of the container to attendantly increase the likelihood of spillage.

A wide variety of devices, referred to as suction cups, or suction devices, have been disclosed that secure objects by utilizing a partial vacuum formed between the device and the attachment surface. In one form or another, such suction devices generally rely on having a non-porous flexible lip fully seated on a non-porous surface to create a partial vacuum thereby suctionally adhering the device, with an attached object, to a surface. Objects are attached, either permanently or temporarily, to the suction device, which is attached, either permanently or temporarily, to a surface. In other examples the order of attachment is reversed.

Recently, it has been known to utilize a suction device to secure a beverage container to a surface. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,759,525 issued to Cross et al. The holding device disclosed therein consists essentially of an initially flat, flexible disc secured to the concave bottom of an aluminum beverage can. The diameter of the disc is larger than that of the can. The disk is deformed into a concave shape in conformance with the bottom surface of the can. When placed upon a table or the like, the weight of the can sets a suction or vacuum chamber created by the convex shape of the disk and its flexible edges that protrude from the peripheral edges of the can. The non-slip characteristics of the disk minimize slippage of the can. In addition, the protruding edges of the disk add stability to the can.

However, the device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,759,525 has several limitations. In particular, this device is only suitable for use with a container having a concave bottom. In addition, since the suction chamber has a relatively large volume the device requires a significant displacement due to the weight of the can in order to set the suction. By the same token, it is difficult to break the seal thereof. In order to overcome this, a vent hole or passage may be provided to eliminate the sealing effect and thus the suction holding ability of the device. The vented Cross device can then be lifted without any manipulation of the coaster. Such a devise is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,180,132, however, this devise comprises an article holder which is only suitable for attachment of an object with an appropriate size and shape.

U.S.D. No. 357,170 discloses a double-sided suction cup for dinnerware, which has a downwardly concave body that apparently functions by securing to an attaching surface and an upwardly concave body that attaches to a dinner plate such that, by imposing downward pressure, there forms between the dinner plate and the attaching surface a vacuum chamber. Another suction device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,192,043, which teaches a magnetic rubber suction disc used for detachably securing an alarming device to a metal surface. This device, however, does not interact well with other objects as it is permanently affixed to the alarming device; furthermore, it is apparently unsuitable for attachment to plastic, drywall, wood, ceramics, and other non-metallic surfaces. In these examples, the suction device increases the distance between the bottom of the object and the top of the attaching surface, thus decreasing stability.

Further suction devices are known, with various improvements, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,760,987, 5,511,752, 5,133,524 and 5,742,971, however, no single device is yet known to have universal utility. Specifically, these suction devices remain generally unsuitable as they are designed to produce only one or more of the following effects or features: double-suction; enhanced release; device specific; surface specific; or enhanced suction. The prior art does not provide for positioning the object in the device, which would facilitate improved stability. The secured object in the prior art is either permanently mounted to the top of the suction device, or is temporarily secured by a hook, hanger, or clasp either permanently or temporarily attached to the top of the suction device.

In addition, the prior art usually secures the object using a relatively small area of attachment per suction device. The area of attachment to the object is usually small in relation to the size of the object which has the effect of reducing stability. There are no internal design features that ensure some measure of proportionality between the size of the object, the area of the object attachment point, and the area of attachment to the surface. In addition, PCT Application No. PCT/CA00/00375 discloses a device for securing object to a surface using a partial vacuum. The device includes flexible material ^• comprising one or more openings, wherein each opening is capable of forming a continuous seal with a portion of an object and the remaining material is capable of forming a continuous seal with a surface. The size of the opening and the size of the material can vary within the constraints that adequate material remains surrounding the opening to enable a continuous seal to be formed with a surface when an object is inserted into the opening. The device is used by inserting an object into an object opening forming a continuous seal between the object and the opening and then pressing the device against a surface, displacing air to create a partial vacuum in a manner that causes a continuous seal to form between the flexible material and the surface, thereby securing the object to the surface.

There remains a need, therefore, for a suction device that can interact with a variety of objects for the purpose of temporary attachment to a variety of surfaces, and that allows an object to be inserted in the device.

In light of the foregoing, it is thus an object of the present invention to provide a device for securing objects that overcomes some of the deficiencies of the prior art devices.

This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention. Publications referred to throughout the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties in this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for removably securing objects to a surface. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for removably securing one or more objects to a surface comprising: a hollow chamber having a first and second end, said first end having an opening for receiving the object; a restraining system associated with the second end of the hollow chamber, said restraining system can hold the object within the hollow chamber; and an attachment means operatively connected to the second end of the hollow chamber, said attachment means enabling the object to be removably secured to a surface by formation of a partial vacuum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the embodiment in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is another perspective view of the embodiment in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the restraining system is a floor with a hole therein.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the restraining system is a series of protrusions.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the embodiment according to Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the device is designed such that a bottle fits snugly within the hollow chamber.

Figure 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the hollow chamber closely conforms to the shape of the bottle and contains a zipper.

Figure 11 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the device is designed such that a can fits loosely within the hollow chamber. Figure 12 is a side view of another embodiment wherein the device is designed with a thick insulating hollow chamber and a bottle fits loosely there within.

Figure 13 is a side view of a device wherein the hollow chamber is designed to hold a paper or Styrofoam coffee cup.

Figure 14 is a side view of a device wherein the hollow chamber is designed to hold a drink box.

Figure 15 is a side view of a device wherein the hollow chamber has a handle attached to it.

Figure 16 is a. perspective view of a device wherein the device has been designed with a multiplicity of hollow chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

The term "object" means any container, such as bottles, cans, pots, boxes, tanks, gas cylinders etc; or any items, such as flashlights, machinery, tools, etc which are required to be secured to a surface. An object can additionally be vials, test tubes, or other types of test sample containers or other items, for example a radio, portable tape or CD player or other electronic equipment. It is important to stress that there is virtually no limitation as to what can constitute an object, as this device can be adapted to various sizes and shapes, within the constraints of the size and center of gravity of the object, the environmental constraints, the physics for formation and retention of the partial vacuum, etc. One skilled in the art would be able to determine whether the device is appropriate for use to reversibly secure an object to a surface under the conditions and for the time period required.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The invention provides a device for removably securing a wide variety of objects to different surfaces wherein the object is contained within a hollow compartment or chamber associated with the device. The device is held in place utilizing a partial vacuum. The device can be described as comprising three components: a hollow chamber which has two ends wherein at least one of these ends is open for the insertion of the object into the chamber; a restraining system which is associated with the second end of the hollow chamber wherein the restraining system can hold the object within the hollow chamber; and an attachment means that is operatively connected to the second end of the hollow chamber, wherein the attachment means enables the formation of a partial vacuum thereby removably connecting device and the object inserted therein, to a desired surface.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the device comprises: a hollow cylindrical- shaped chamber 20 wherein this chamber may or may not have insulating properties. The height and the diameter of the cylindrical-shaped chamber including the size of the opening 30 at the first end thereof can vary to provide different degrees of snugness to the object inserted into the hollow chamber, for example tight or loose fitting. The retaining system 40 is in the form of a floor for the chamber, wherein the floor can come with or without a hole in it. The main purpose of a hole within the floor is to relieve any pressure or suction which may be created when the object is inserted or removed from the hollow chamber, thus facilitating ease of insertion and removal of the object from the device. The device further comprises an attachment means 50 enabling the reversible attachment of the device to a surface though the formation of a partial vacuum. In this example, the attachment means is permanently or detachably connected to the external perimeter of the hollow chamber at its second end.

The design of a device of this invention is extra-ordinarily flexible allowing for a wide degree of variation in manufacturing, marketing and functional applications. In particular, the design of the device including its shape and material are amenable to be fashioned with a wide variety of functional or decorative shapes. Each embodiment of the invention however comprises a hollow chamber, a restraining system and an attachment means. Hollow Chamber .

The hollow chamber is the component into which the object to be removably connected to a surface, is placed. The hollow chamber can take many shapes and sizes and can be designed in a manner that is appropriate for the object that the device is to removably secure to a surface. For example, the hollow chamber may be designed such that the object fits snugly therein and the device together with the object can be attached and removed to a surface, as needed. Alternatively, the hollow chamber may be designed such that the object fits loosely therein, such that the object is easily removed from the device, wherein the device remains attached to the surface upon the removal of the object. It is important to note that the design of the components of the device can directly relate to the desired functionality of the device and its ability to removably secure an object to a surface.

The size and shape of the hollow chamber can easily be scaled for use with a variety of objects, such as, but not limited to: beverage cans, boxes and bottles, coffee cups, flashlights, baby food jars, plant pots, nail polish bottles and paint cans or even other objects for example, tools or pens. In another embodiment, the device may be used to secure a portable CD player to an exercise device, in this embodiment the hollow chamber is fabricated in a manner that the CD player can fit therein. In this example, there may be an additional strap over the opening of the hollow chamber to prevent the CD player from bouncing out of the hollow chamber if the device is secured to an exercise device that bounces for example.

In one embodiment, the shape of the hollow chamber can be in the form of a tubular member, wherein the cross section of the hollow chamber may be in the shape of a square, rectangle, star, triangle, an oval or a circle, or any other shape. In one embodiment the cross sectional shape of the hollow chamber corresponds to the object to be reversibly anchored.

The size and the diameter of the hollow chamber may vary. For example, the internal diameter of a cylinder-shaped hollow chamber may be large enough to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the object, or small enough to provide a tight fit to the object inserted therein. Additionally, the cross sectional shape of the hollow chamber may vary along its length.

In one embodiment, the hollow chamber may also have a slit, a zipper, or other means that facilitate the insertion of the object inserted therein. The hollow chamber may optionally have a handle connected thereto for ease of handling of the device or the device and the object upon its insertion into the hollow chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, a sealing ring is provided in the interior of the hollow chamber, wherein this sealing ring provides a means for establishing an essentially air tight seal between the exterior of the object and the interior of the hollow chamber. This sealing ring can assist in the formation of a partial vacuum in order to removably secure the object to a surface. This sealing ring may be located at any location over the length of the hollow chamber and may be in the form of an "O" ring or a flexible membrane with a hole therein, for example. A worker skilled in the art would understand how to design a sealing ring such that the desired sealing level between the hollow chamber and the object is achieved.

The hollow chamber can be fabricated from a variety of materials that may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible and includes, but is not limited to: fabric, polystyrene foarri, neoprene; glass, ceramic, rubber; silicone; plastic; wax; cellulose; vinyl; and acrylic or any combination thereof. For example, the hollow chamber may be fabricated from two materials, initially an internal sleeve may be fabricated from a hard plastic and this sleeve may be subsequently covered by polystyrene foam to form the hollow chamber, thereby resulting in the hollow chamber potentially having some form of insulating capability. As an additional example the hollow chamber can be fabricated from a material which provides a means for printing thereon, thereby enabling the hollow chamber to have advertisements or other images printed thereon. Additionally, the hollow chamber may be fabricated of a material that can be embossed or etched, for example an image can be embossed on the hollow chamber during injection molding of a plastic during the formation of the hollow chamber, for example. The hollow chamber may additionally be from two materials which are bonded together forming a single unit, for example the bonding of neoprene on one side which may enhance a seal with the object and a fabric, like polyester, nylon or lycra on the opposite side enabling the potentially easier printing thereon. In one embodiment of the invention, the material from which the hollow chamber is fabricated may have an insulating quality thereby potentially limiting the thermal conductivity of the hollow chamber and hence potentially reducing the rate of change of the temperature of the object that is inserted into the hollow chamber.

In another embodiment of the present invention the hollow chamber can be constructed such that it includes an outer layer of glass or plastic and an inner layer of glass or plastic. In this embodiment the void there between may contain items that are aesthetically pleasing, for example, colorful, fluorescent, or luminescent liquid which may potentially move around within this void region.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to attach the hollow chamber to an electronic heating device, or the coating of the hollow chamber side walls with materials that could provide chemical reactions to increase or decrease the temperature of the object inserted therein.

In another embodiment of the present invention the hollow chamber can include an absorbent fabric, wherein the absorbent fabric is in contact with the lower end of the object and acts to protect the surface from condensation generated from the inserted object. This is useful when, for example, the inserted object is a beverage container.

Restraining System

The restraining system is connected to the second end of the hollow chamber and provides a means for ensuring that the object inserted into the hollow chamber cannot fall out the second end thereof. As would be readily understood, the restraining system according to the present invention, simply reduces the internal open cross section of the hollow chamber to a level which is smaller than that of the object to be inserted therein.

In one embodiment of the invention, the restraining system is in the form of a floor that is permanently connected to the interior of the hollow chamber at the second end, wherein this floor may fully or partially fill the internal cross section of the hollow chamber. If the floor only partially encloses the internal cross section, for example a floor with a hole in it, this feature may provide a means for more easily inserting and removing the object from the hollow chamber since air may be more easily inserted or displaced from the hollow chamber during removal or insertion of the object therein, respectively. Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, wherein the restraining system is a floor interconnected to the hollow chamber and the floor includes a hole therein.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the restraining system can be a number of protrusions which are connected to the inside wall(s) of the hollow chamber as illustrated in Figure 5. As would be readily understood a variety of restraining systems can be envisioned.

In one embodiment of the invention, the restraining system is fabricated as an integral part of the hollow chamber. For example, a container fabricated from plastic. or glass can be molded with an integral floor or protrusions, for example through fabrication using injection molding.

In one embodiment, wherein the hollow chamber and the restraining system are fabricated from separate units, the connection there between can be provided by any number of connection means, for example, glue, staples or stitching or any other form of interconnection such that the restraining system is directly connected to the hollow chamber.

The restraining system can be fabricated from a variety of materials that may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible and includes, but is not limited to: fabric, polystyrene foam, neoprene; glass, ceramic, rubber; silicone; plastic; wax; cellulose; vinyl; and acrylic or any combination thereof. For example, the restraining system may be fabricated from two materials, for example neoprene and fabric, for example polyester, nylon or lycra, which are bonded together to from a singe unit or a hard plastic that is covered by polystyrene foam, for example, thereby resulting in the restraining system potentially having some form of insulating capability. As an additional example the hollow chamber can be fabricated from a material which provides a means for printing thereon, thereby enabling the hollow chamber to have advertisements or other images printed thereon. Additionally, the hollow chamber may be fabricated of a material that can be embossed or etched, for example an image can be embossed on the hollow chamber during injection molding of a plastic during the formation of the hollow chamber, for example.

Attachment Means

The attachment means is operatively connect to the second end of the hollow chamber, such that it is capable of creating a partial vacuum with the surface to which the device is to be removably connected. The attachment means can be permanently or non- permanently connected to the hollow chamber wherein this may be dependent on the configuration of the attachment means.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figure 3, the attachment means is a piece of flexible material having an opening therein, wherein the opening is fabricated of a size such that it is capable of forming a continuous seal with the exterior of one end of the hollow chamber. In addition, the outer perimeter region of the attachment means is capable of forming a continuous seal with the surface. If the restraining system fully encloses the second end of the hollow chamber, for example a solid floor, upon the application of a setting force to the device, for example a force applied perpendicular to the surface, a partial vacuum can be created between the device and the surface, thereby removably securing the device to the surface. With this form of the device, the object may be inserted and removed from the hollow chamber without the removal of the device from the surface. Alternately, if the restraining system does not enclose the second end of the hollow chamber, for example a number of protrusions as illustrated in Figure 5, then upon the insertion of the object into the hollow chamber 20 via the open first end 30 and a seal being formed between the hollow chamber and the object, an air pocket can be created. This seal may be created by the tight fit of the object within the hollow chamber or a sealing "ring"- within the interior of the hollow chamber, for example. The subsequent application of a setting force can removably connect the device and inserted object to the surface. As would be readily understood by a worker skilled in the art, if the restraining system is a floor with one or more small holes therein, as illustrated in Figure 4, a seal between the object and interior of the hollow chamber may not be necessary to removably connect the device to the surface, however a seal there between may improve the time for which a partial vacuum can be maintained. In this embodiment, the opening within the attachment means can be in the form of a basic shape such as a square, a rectangle, a star, a triangle, an oval or a circle, or whatever shape best corresponds to the hollow chamber with which it is to form a continuous seal. Another embodiment of the present invention provides an opening in the attachment means comprising a plurality of intersecting insertion slits such that the shape of the opening does not necessarily correspond to the shape of the perimeter of the hollow chamber but the opening is capable of resiliently gripping the hollow chamber resulting in the formation of a continuous seal.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention and as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the attachment means 50 is a flexible material that is connected to the bottom of the second end of the hollow chamber 20. The bottom outer perimeter area of the flexible material forms a continuous seal with the surface and a portion of the attachment means is fixedly connected to the second end of the hollow chamber, wherein the connection may be with the bottom or the internal wall(s) or both of the hollow chamber. In this embodiment, the partial vacuum to removably secure the device to the surface may be created upon attempted movement of the device and may not be a result of a setting force as with the previous embodiment. Due to the continuous seal formed by the attachment means with the surface any external force applied the device which results in some movement perpendicular to the plane of the surface can result in the creation of a partial vacuum. For example, a force parallel to the surface but applied at the top of the hollow chamber will result in the application of an overturning moment being applied to the device which can result in the creation of a partial vacuum by the attachment means. In this manner the device can removably secure an object to a surface.

In this alternate embodiment, the flexible material from which the attachment means is fabricated may have a hole therein in order to provide for ease of insertion and removal of the object to and from the hollow chamber. If a hole is fabricated within the flexible material a seal may have to be formed between the object and the hollow chamber in order for the ability of a partial vacuum to be created.

In one embodiment and with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the restraining system 40 and the attachment means 50 can be fabricated as one unit. In this embodiment an easier manufacturing process for the device may be realized since only one connection must be made for both the restraining system and the attachment means to be secured to the hollow chamber. In Figure 7, the restraining system is the flexible material that extends into the interior of the hollow chamber and therefore holds an object within the hollow chamber, if it is smaller than the interior cross section of the hollow chamber.

In one embodiment, the connection between the attachment means and the second end of the hollow chamber can be provided by any number of connection means, for example, glue, staples, stitching, clips or any other form of interconnection such that the attachment means is directly connected to the second end of the hollow chamber.

Alternately, in the embodiment wherein the attachment means comprises a hole therein which forms a continuous seal with the second end of the hollow chamber, the hollow chamber and the attachment means may not be permanently connected. In this embodiment, the hole within the attachment means may be of a size smaller than the external cross section of the second end of the hollow chamber and therefore the hole essentially may from a compression fit connection with the second end of the hollow chamber, thereby interconnecting these two components.

With reference to Figure 8, one or both of the restraining system and the attachment means can be connected to both the bottom of the hollow chamber and a portion of the interior wall of the hollow chamber. In this manner an improved interconnection may be realized.

The attachment means can be fabricated from a variety of flexible materials, the critical feature being that it is able to form partial vacuum with a surface and that the material is flexible, thereby enabling the device to be removably connected to that surface. Thus the attachment means must be manufactured from materials chosen to suit the attributes of the physical conditions of the surface to which attachment is required. Materials which can be used for this purpose include, but are not limited to: neoprene; rubber; silicone; plastic; wax; cellulose; vinyl and acrylic. In addition, the attachment means may be a combination of two materials which are bonded together thereby acting as a single unit, for example the bonding of neoprene on one side which may enhance a seal with the surface and a fabric, like polyester, nylon or lycra on the opposite side enabling the potentially easier printing thereon. The attachment means may additionally be fabricated from a material which may be embossed for example during the process of injection molding of a material like plastic or rubber.

In one embodiment of the invention, in order to release the device with or without an object therein from a surface, one can break the continuous seal between the attachment means and the surface. This can be provided by lifting a portion of the outer edge of the flexible material from which the attachment means has been fabricated. In another embodiment of the invention, the attachment means incorporates a tab useful for grasping in order to release the continuous seal with the surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device may be fabricated in a single unit comprising the hollow chamber, the restraining system and the attachment means. For example, the device may be manufactured using a process of injection molding or other method of unibody fabrication, as would be known to a worker skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, such as that depicted in Figure 12, the device comprises multiple hollow chambers interconnected to a single attachment means. For example, while performing an assay or collecting samples to be tested it is sometimes desirable to reversibly anchor a number of collection tubes, bottles, jars, etc. to a surface while performing a task such as sample collection. Such an embodiment would find use, for example, in such a situation as for blood collection or a surgical setting in a hospital.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to fabricate any one of the components of the device from a material and then coat it with a substance that renders it fluorescent, luminescent, chemical resistant, non-static, etc.

In another embodiment of the invention, the material from which the attachment means is fabricated comprises a portion that loops back around to grasp the top of the hollow chamber or the object inserted therein, thereby forming a handle that may be used to remove the device and the object from the surface and or to hold the device or device and the inserted object.

In one embodiment, the device may be used to secure an object to a non-horizontal surface when an external setting force is exerted in a direction essentially perpendicular to the surface, wherein this attachment of the device may occur before or after the object is inserted into the hollow chamber. If, for example, the surface is horizontal the setting force may be generated due to the force of gravity acting on the device and the object, however an additional force may be required.

Utility of the Device

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for removably securing objects to a surface. In general, the need would arise to reversibly attach objects to a surface particularly in situations such as in moving vehicles (cars, trains, buses, etc.), boats, or any circumstance where movement of the surface renders stability of an object difficult. The need can also arise in situations where the surface is stable, but the risk of knocking over a container is undesirable and likely.

Thus, it can be easily appreciated that the simplicity of the design of the apparatus renders it useful and adaptable to almost any conceivable situation wherein it is desirable to reversibly attach an object to a surface. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the device will not work properly if the design of the device is such that it allows a significant passage of air into the area where the partial vacuum is intended to be formed. In addition, the size of the device material must correspond to the shape and the mass of the object, and the environmental conditions, to enable the creation of a sufficiently strong partial vacuum and resulting adequate level of attachment and stability.

The device can be used in any instance where there is an increased possibility that an object may tip or fall over, such as bath tub surfaces, swimming pool decks, outdoor deck or balcony railings, serving trays or platters. The device is also useful as a safety device for securing objects, such as glass objects, which may break and produce potentially injurious material if they were to fall. In an embodiment the device is designed for use in securing beverage containers to moving attachment surfaces, such as exercise equipment, boats, and cars.

In another embodiment the device is designed for use with test kits, such as for removably securing samples of water or samples of blood in carrying means. These test kits could optionally include objects to be anchored and instructions for use. As would be readily understood, the device can be fabricated in a number of different shapes and sizes and the components of the device must be designed in a manner that the object to be secured can be held in place by the device. For example, as the object increases in size, the hollow chamber must appropriately increase in cross section in addition to potentially the wall thickness thereof. The restraining system must have sufficient stiffness in order that it may be capable of holding the object within the hollow chamber. And the attachment means must be of sufficient thickness and size to enable the generation and transmission of the securing force to the object. For example, if the interconnection between the attachment means and the hollow chamber is to weak to restrain the movement of the object there will be a failure of this interconnection point. Additionally, for example, if the thickness of the attachment means is not sufficient to transmit the required load to the hollow chamber, the flexible material from which the attachment means is fabricated may tear. A worker skilled in the art would understand how the scale the connection points and the size, thickness and material selection in order to enable the device to secure a particular object to a surface.

The various embodiments of the present invention are adapted to carry indicia on the surface of the hollow chamber and/or the upper surface of the attachment means, such as advertising and promotional messages, calendars, design features, warnings relating to the inserted object, or instructions for use may be provided. An option is to mark the upper surface of the device of the present invention with instructions to indicate the method of use of the device.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a device for securing objects with the option of additional stability by incorporating functional features that allow the object to be secured by the device into which it is placed, rather than having the object attached to the top of the device.

To gain a better understanding of the invention described herein, the following examples are set forth. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only. Therefore, they should not limit the scope of this invention in any way. EXAMPLES

Example I: Reversible Attachment of a Fast Food Coffee Cup

One example of the utility of the device is its interaction with an object such as a polystyrene foam coffee cup, such as that depicted in Figure 13. The object (coffee cup), is inserted into the hollow chamber. When the device is pressed against a surface, such as a surface in a moving vehicle, the flexible lip of the attachment means forms a continuous seal with the surface, such that a vacuum is created between the lower edge of the device and the surface, thereby securing the object and the device to the surface.

Example II: Reversible Attachment of a Beverage Bottle

Figures 9, 10 and 12 demonstrate the use of an insulating hollow chamber embodiment of the device, wherein an object (such as a beverage bottle) has been inserted into the hollow chamber. In Figure 10, the hollow chamber further comprises a zipper for ease of insertion of the bottle therein. Once inserted into the hollow chamber, the device, containing the object (beverage bottle), is pressed against an attachment surface. This results in the creation of a vacuum between the device and the attachment surface and the bottle or can is effectively attached to the surface.

Example III: The Device with an Optional Rigid Hollow Chamber

In Figures 11 shows a horizontal view of an embodiment of the device wherein the hollow chamber is fabricated from a rigid material. The device is pressed against a surface, such that the flexible lip forms a seal with the surface and creates a partial vacuum. Once the device containing the rigid hollow chamber is securely attached to the surface, a beverage container or other object may be inserted into the rigid hollow chamber. In this example, the can fits loosely within the hollow chamber enabling ease of removal thereof, for example. ^•

Example IV: An Embodiment of the Device

Figure 14 presents an embodiment of the device wherein the object to be secured is in the form of a square or rectangular box, such as a juice box. This embodiment demonstrates that the device is not limited to use with objects with a cylindrical perimeter. Example V: The Device with an Optional Handle

Figure 15, which presents one embodiment in which a handle in included in the device and is attached to the hollow chamber.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and appended drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are neither intended nor desired to limit the scope of this invention. Having thus described the various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and novel and desired to be protected is as follows.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A device for removably securing an object to a surface comprising: a) a hollow chamber having a first and second end, said first end having an opening for receiving said object; b) a restraining system associated with the second end of the hollow chamber, said restraining system can hold the object within the hollow chamber; and c) an attachment means operatively connected to the second end of the hollow chamber, said attachment means enabling the object to be removably secured to a surface by formation of a partial vacuum.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a flexible material having a hole therein and a perimeter surface area and wherein the hollow chamber has an exterior surface, wherein the hole forms a continuous seal with the exterior surface of the hollow chamber at is second end and the perimeter surface area of the flexible forms a continuous seal with the surface.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a flexible material having a perimeter surface area, wherein the perimeter surface area forms a continuous seal with the surface.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the restraining system is a floor connected to the hollow chamber.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the floor has a hole therein.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the restraining system is a plurality of protrusions connected to the hollow chamber.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the restraining system and the attachment means are fabricated as a single unit.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber is fabricated from a material having insulating properties.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber has a cross section and a length, wherein the cross section of the hollow chamber varies along the length of the hollow chamber.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber is fabricated from a rigid material.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber has an internal cross section such that the object fits snuggly within the hollow chamber.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber has an internal cross section such that the object fits loosely within the hollow chamber.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the hollow chamber has a sealing ring associated therewith for sealingly connecting the hollow chamber with the object inserted therein.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber, the restraining system and the attachments means are fabricated as a unitary body.