GB2337288A

GB2337288A - Surface mounted or suspended multi-purpose holder

Info

Publication number: GB2337288A
Application number: GB9809991A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Steven Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-11
Filing date: 1998-05-11
Publication date: 1999-11-17
Also published as: GB9809991D0

Abstract

A Multi-purpose holder for mounting on walls or other flat, clean surfaces which will hold paper-work, fabric or other materials firmly and releasably. The said holder comprises a sphere 13 which is Captive but free to move along a sloping groove 14. The groove 14 is deeper towards the upper end of the space between the upper flange 11 and the base plate 12. The leading edge 16 of the base plate 12 is tapered to provide ease of entry for paper-work or other material into the slot 15. An appropriate adhesive (not shown) is applied to the back of the base plate 12 and is protectively covered with a peel-off strip. It is apparent that the thickness of the paper-work or other material which can be placed between the sphere 13 and the upper flange 11 can vary according to the position of the sphere 13 in the groove 14. The outline shape of the said multi-purpose holder can be to any pattern and the surface of the said holder can be to any colour or bear any decorative patterns.

Description

2337288 Sheet 1 SURFACE MOUNTED OR SUSPENDED MULTI-PURPOSE HOLDER

Field of this Invention

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A MEANS WHEREBY A MISCELLANY OF OBJECTS AND IN PARTICULAR ITEMS OF PAPER AND FABRIC MAY BE RELEASABLY HELD IN A SECURE AND NOTICEABLE POSITION.

Background to this Invention

In the business and domestic market, many devices exist for clipping paper sheets, envelopes, fabrics and the like together and holding them In readiness for further action.

The principal aspect of this present invention comprises means whereby a sphere is loosely captive within miscellany of formats which will releasably hold in suspension, papers or fabrics of varying shapes, thicknesses and sizes.

According to the embodiment of this invention, there is provided a base member in which is formed an elongate groove along which a sphere is frpl. to move. Above the base plate and fixedly attached theret9-1s a cover plate which retains the sphere captive within-- the said groove. The outline shape of the base plate and cover plate can take on many forms, each of which could be relative to the overall purpose of the holder Abat is, the environment could influence the outline shapel A 1 a a Sheet 2 SURFACE MOUNTED OR SUSPENDED MULTI-PURPOSE HOLDER In an office environment, the outline shape need have no special significance, but in a domestic environment the outline shape could be decorative and ornamental; especially so when used in a nursery or play room.

The embodiment of this invention comprises two flat surfaces separated from one another by a bridge piece or divider.

Cut into the base or lower flat surface, approximately central therewith, is an elongate groove which deepens as it extends towards the bridge pieces.

A sphere, in the form of a marble, ball-bearing or other appropriate spherical shape is captive within the groove, but free to move therein. It will be obvious that as the said sphere moves towards the deeper end of the groove, the space between the sphere and the cover plate will increase.

If the said flat surfaces are orientated in a vertical mode with the open end facing downwards, any appropriate object placed above the sphere and against the upper flat surface, will be releasably held there. Any downward pull on the object so placed would tend to tighten the sphere against that object.

A specific embodiment of this invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- 2 Sheet 3 SURFACE MOUNTED OR SUSPENDED MULTI-PURPOSE HOLDER Figure 1 - shows the holder in plan, side, and sectional views.

pictorial Figure 2 - illustrates a number of outline shapes incorporating the holding feature.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a plan view of the HOLDER 10 which is formed of a plurality of planar sheets of wood or plastic or any other appropriate material 11, 12.

Between the upper said sheet 11 and the lower sheet 12 is provided a sphere 13 of glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, rubber or any other appropriate material. The said sphere 13 is free to move beneath-the said upper and lower sheet 11, 12. Cut or otherwise provided in the lower sheet 12 and relatively central theretol-AA- an elongate groove 14 (shown with broken lines) which is Aceper as it extends forward of the entry gap 15. The lowot sheet 12 extends longer than the upper sheet 11 with thalforward ends 16 slightly sloping down from the entry gap 15.

It will be obvious that thboi.sloping mode facilitates entry of papers or fabrics with-the gap 15. It will also be obvious that papers, fabrtcs or any other items of other materials can be releasably-held between the upper surface of the sphere 13 and the underside of the said sheet 11.

3 M= Sheet 4 SURFACE MOUNTED OR SUSPENDED MULTI-PURPOSE HOLDER As the sphere 13 is moved deeper into the groove 14, the space between it and the underside of the sheet 11 increases and thus can contain a greater thickness of the items placed within the gap 15.

The sectional view la shows the deepening groove 14. The pictorial view lb indicates the principal features of the HOLDER 10 which have already been herein described. The outline shape of the HOLDER 10 is of little importance to its function as can be seen from the few examples shown in Figure 2, to which reference is now made.

View 2a shows the HOLDER 10a in circular outline shape. it also shows that a plurality of grooves 14a (broken lines) with appropriate diameter spheres 13a are provided in the lower or base element 12a. View 2b illustrates a HOLDER 10b which could be fitted in children's bathrooms, nurseries or other areas to releasably hold face cloths, hand towels and such like or to releasably hold papers, story books or other items. The front facing surface could be appropriately gaily coloured.

View 2c shows a HOLDER 10c which can be suspended by hook 17 and includes the features previously described herein for HOLDERS 10, 10a 10b, each of which is enumerated.

It will be appreciated that the facing surface of any HOLDER 10 can be used for advertisement material, logo or any other identifying mark. Furthermore, any colour scheme for decoration can be applied.

4 Sheet 5 SURFACE MOUNTED OR SUSPENDED MULTI-PURPOSE HOLDER View 2d illustrates a rectangular shape HOLDER 10d which could provide releasable securement for a plurality of items or items which are longitudinally shaped such as envelopes.

A plurality of grooves 14d and spheres 13d are provided.

Any other outline shape can be provided and the fixing of such HOLDERS 10, 10a, 10b, 10d can by any known method including self-adhesive strips along the said lower sheet 12, 12a, 12b, 12d.

Claims

C L A I M S

TITLE SURFACE MOUNTED OR SUSPENDED MULTI-PURPOSE HOLDER.

Claim 1 A multi-purpose holder comprising a captive sphere between two separated surfaces of wood, plastic or other appropriate material which can freely move in a vertical plane along a sloping groove and which can apply a holding grip on paperwork,fabric or other material to maintain it suspended and fully visible,which said holder can be caused to release any material so held by first moving it slightly upwards to cause the sphere to loosen its grip and then to slide the material to one side or the other to release it.

Claim 2 A Multi-purpose holder as claimed in Claim 1 which is provided with an appropriate adhesive to enable it to adhere to any flat,dry,clean surface.

Claim 3 A Multi-purpose holder as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 which is provided with a peel-off cover strip over the said adhesive to enable packing and transport to proceed unaffected.

Claim 4 A Multi-purpose holder as claimed in Claim 1 which can take on any outline shape and any decorative pattern to suit any aesthetic taste.

Claim 5 A Multi-purpose holder as claimed in Claims 1 to 4 which can be to any size and can accept any size sphere to provide any width of holdability.

Claim 6 A Multi-purpose holder as claimed in Claim 1 which will tighten its grip on any material placed between the sphere and the upper surface of wood,plastic or other material when any downward pull is applied to that said material.

CLAIMS Continued.

Claim 7 A Multipurpose holder as claimed in Claims 1 to 6 and which complies substantially with the accompanying description and drawings.

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