Redi-strap

Abstract

A device for the retention and release of heavy, bulky or irregularly shaped items to a surface that includes a rotatable winged flanged plate with strap admitting slots through which a strap and coupling means are passed, and a surface affixing means providing for the releasable retention of large or irregularly shaped items against a wall or other surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to those surface mounted devices providing a means to releaseably secure items against a surface.

A common problem faced when attempting to store bulky or heavy items against a vertical surface such as a wall by leaning is the tendency of these items to fall forward and away from the wall if not leant at a sufficient angle. Inevitably, this means that valuable floor space is wasted trying to get the item to “stay” against the wall. Most people don't have unlimited floor space to accommodate such waste. A typical example is the case of a ladder or bicycle leant against a garage wall. One solution has been to hang the item from a peg or hook mounted on the wall. However some of these items can be too bulky or heavy for many people to lift; this is especially the case with elderly or infirm persons.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,163 to Foote, describes a base plate and tether for the securing of firearms, but the base plate has no swiveling capability.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,193 to Davis, describes a base plate, bracket and straps as a wheelchair restraint, but the straps have no swiveling capability.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,543 to Corson et al. describes a tip-over protection apparatus with wall mounted bracket and cord, but has no swiveling capability.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,562 to Konkle, describes a furniture tipping restraint with wall mounted bracket and cord, but has no swiveling capability.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,941 to Guenther, describes a fastening anchor assembly for fastening an object to a hollow wall, but provides a clamp as the object fastening means which limits the size and shapes of the objects to be retained.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a surface mountable retention system to releasably secure large, irregularly shaped or bulky items against a multiple surface types; for example drywall, masonry or wood as well as others. It enables a person to secure items tightly against a surface such as a wall or crate without having to lean the item, thus saving floor space and creating a safer environment.

In one embodiment, the device consists of a single rotatable flanged face plate with a centered aperture through which a fastener such as a wood screw or hollow wall anchor is placed to affix the plate to a surface such as a wall or crate.

The preferred as well as alternate embodiments share the common element of a rotatable flanged plate having at least two winged flanges opposing each other, each flange punctuated by a slit aperture. Once installed, a flexible strap of shear resistant material with a fastening means at its terminal ends such as male and female buckles, is threaded through the slit aperture such that the terminal ends may encircle an item and fasten together thus securing the item to the surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the invention is an assembly of two principal plates, one having winged flanges, and another that is primarily flat having a centered aperture and a formed sleeve encircling the centered aperture. The two plates are held in place by a hub which is a flanged T-shaped bushing whereby both plates are independently rotatable about the axis provided by the bushing prior to being installed on a surface.

In another embodiment, the second plate is generally planar having no raised sleeve, and the hub is a common cylindrical bushing press fit into place forming a lip at each end of the bushing sufficient to hold the two plates together yet allowing the plates to rotate independently around a common axis provided by the bushing.

In yet another embodiment, the base plate has a resilient fastener formed into the body in place of the bushing and formed sleeve of the preferred embodiment so that the two plates may be pressed together and releasably reatained in position by the resilient fastener which allows the plates to rotate independently of each other. It is envisioned that the base plate of this embodiment will be secured to a surface by an adhesive such as 3M™ Foam Tapes. Thus the means to affix this embodiment differs from the other embodiments because no screw or drywall fastener is required.

With the exception of the embodiment of the previous paragraph, the steps to install the surface mountable retention system are as follows:

If affixing to a stud, or a wood surface, the assembled present invention is placed against the surface and a wood screw of sufficient length is placed through the centered aperture and screwed into the wooden surface thus holding the retention system in place. The plate assembly should fit snug against the wall while allowing the top plate to rotate 360 degrees. One unbuckled end of the flexible strap is then threaded through the slit apertures of the top plate, and an either a male or female buckle is cinched to the strap which is then joined to its mating portion being snapped around the item to be secured.

If affixing to drywall with a typical hollow wall anchor, the expandable sleeve element of a hollow wall anchor is fitted first into the wall, followed by the plate assembly and then a threaded bolt element is passed through the centered aperture of the plate assembly and into the expandable sleeve element of the wall anchor. The plate assembly should fit snuggly against the wall while allowing the top plate to rotate 360 degrees. One unbuckled end of the flexible strap is then threaded through the slit apertures of the top plate, and an either a male or female buckle is cinched to the strap which is then joined to its mating portion being snapped around the item to be secured.

If affixing to drywall with a toggle bolt, the bolt element of the toggle bolt is first passed through the centered aperture of the plate assembly and the toggle element affixed to its terminal end. The toggle element is them placed through a pre-drilled hole in the drywall and the bolt is tightened in the customary way. The plate assembly should fit snuggly against the wall while allowing the top plate to rotate 360 degrees. One unbuckled end of the flexible strap is then threaded through the slit apertures of the top plate, and an either a male or female buckle is cinched to the strap which is then joined to its mating portion being snapped around the item to be secured.

One object of the present invention is to provide an easy means for the releasable retention of heavy or bulky items against a surface without the need to lift or hoist the item.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy means for the releasable retention of irregularly shaped items by providing 360 degrees of attachment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means to releaseably retain large items securely against a vertical surface such as a wall minimizing the required floor space.

The applicant is not aware of any previously described art having the features and advantages of the present invention.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with rotatable flanged face plate;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment showing T-shaped bushing and base plate element;

FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away view of the stacked plate assembly of one alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the non-flanged bushing;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a non-flanged base plate;

FIG. 6 is an edge view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 3 fastened to a hollow wall by a toggle bolt and the flexible belt and buckle elements;

FIG. 7 is an edge view of the assembled preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 fastened to a stud by a wood screw and the flexible belt and buckle elements;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of present invention;

FIG. 9 is an edge view of the assembled alternate embodiment of FIG. 8 and fastened to a surface by way of an adhesive strip;

FIG. 10 plan view of the base plate of FIG. 8 with molded resilient bullet fastener

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention with a flanged face plate 10 having two winged flanges, each having a rectangular slit 20, and a centered aperture 17, and typical fastening means; in this case, a hollow wall anchor with a sleeve element 9 and screw 8. In this embodiment, the flanged face plate 10 rotates 360 degrees once the entire assembly is affixed to a surface. Fastening straps with buckling means as shown in (FIG. 6) are passed through the rectangular slits 20, to encircle the object to be retained.

FIG. 2 Shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention that uses a T-shaped bushing having an aperture 17a there through, a capped flange 15, a beveled countersunk recess 19 to accept the beveled head of a typical wood screw 8. Assembly requires the area 14 below the capped flange 15 is seated into the aperture 17b, and the integrally formed sleeve 17c of base plate 12 is interiorly seated within the body of the T-shaped bushing. Once assembled, the T-shaped bushing acts as a hub around which the flanged face plate 10 and base plate 12 are seated and whereby the two plates may rotate 360 degrees relative to each other prior to the affixing of the present invention to a surface, after which, the flanged face plate 10 is rotatable and the base plate 12 is fixed against a surface and immobilized.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cut away view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention where a planar base plate 12a and flanged face plate 10 are held together by a non-flanged bushing that is situated within apertures of equal diameter 17e, 17d of the flanged face plate and the planar base respectively, which is press fitted during assembly so that a lip is formed at either end of the bushing to retain both plates together about a common axis. The flanged face plate rotates 360 degrees once the entire assembly is affixed to a surface. Fastening straps with buckling means as shown in (FIG. 6) are passed through the rectangular slits 20, and encircle an object to be retained.

FIG. 4 shows the non-flanged bushing 21 of the embodiment of (FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 shows the planar base plate 12a of the embodiment of (FIG. 3).

FIG. 6 is an edge view illustrating the alternate embodiment of (FIG. 3) in typical use being affixed to a hollow wall surface. Visible is the strap 23 having at the respective ends a male and female buckle portion 24, where the strap is meant to encircle a retained article. Although the edge view shows the flanged wings of the face plate 10, it should be understood that flanged face plate 10 is fully rotatable about the axis provided by the press fit bushing 21.

FIG. 7 is an edge view illustrating the preferred embodiment of (FIG. 2) in typical use being affixed to a hollow wall surface. Shown is strap 23 having at each terminal end a male or female buckle portion, where the strap is meant to encircle a retained article. Although the edge view shows the flanged wings of the face plate 10, it should be understood that face plate 10 is rotatable about the axis provided by the T-shaped bushing 15. It should also be understood that while the male and female buckle pairs are are illustrated here, other types of fasteners such as Velcro™, or buckle and cinch loops, are suitable.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the present invention that substitutes a resilient fastener 26 formed into base plate 12b as a substitute for the bushing elements of the other embodiments. The base plate with resilient fastener are of a thermoplastic material such as polystyrene or fiber reinforced thermoplastic. Assembly requires that the flanged face plate 10b be pressed against the base plate 12b aligning the aperture 17 with the head of the resilient fastener having a generally bullet shaped profile and which is partially divided into four sections so that the head of the fastener may contract to allow force fitting through an aperture upon which the sections resume their position, thus releasably securing the two plates together. The completed assembly is attached to a surface by means of double sided adhesive such as 3M™ Foam Tapes. Alternately, it is possible to separate the two plates and simply use the device in the manner described in (FIG. 1) thus omitting the base plate.

FIG. 9 is an edge view illustrating the alternate embodiment of (FIG. 8) in typical use being affixed to a hollow wall surface. Shown is a layer of foam tape 27 of the same circumference as base plate 12b. Visible is the strap 23b having at each terminal end a hook or loop fastener portion so that the straps may be fastened together, so the strap can encircle a retained article. Although the edge view shows the flanged wings of the face plate 10, it should be understood that face plate 10 is rotatable about the axis provided by the resilient fastener 26.

FIG. 10 is an plan view illustrating the base plate of (FIGS. 8, 9) with the sections partially bisection the bullet shaped head of the resilient fastener 26.

While the invention has been described in connection with only two principal embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1) A surface mountable retention system for bulky items comprising:

an affixing surface; and,

a rotatable face plate having a centered aperture there through and a plurality of flanges formed in opposition to one another, each of said flanges having a strap admitting slot; and,

at least one strap having two ends, each of said ends terminated by a coupling means by which each of said ends may be releasably coupled to each other; and,

a surface affixing means comprising: wood screws, hollow wall anchors, drywall inserts, toggle bolts, expansion... bolts, masonry screws, glue, and tape.

2) The surface mountable retention system of claim 1; wherein said face plate has 360 degrees of rotation about said surface after being fastened.

3) A surface mountable retention system for bulky items comprising:

an affixing surface; and,

a top plate having a centered aperture therethrough, and a plurality of flanges formed in opposition to each other, each of said flanges having, a strap admitting slot; and,

a bottom plate, said bottom plate having a centered aperture therethrough; and,

at least one strap, said strap having two ends, each of said ends terminated by a coupling means by which each of said ends may be releasably coupled to each other; and,

a joining member comprising: a bushing flared at its terminal ends about which said top and bottom plates are freely rotatable; and,

an affixing means comprising: wood screws, hollow wall anchors, drywall inserts, toggle bolts, expansion bolts, and masonry screws.

4) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3, wherein said top and bottom plates are sandwiched together, said joining member being a bushing press fitted into place and lipped at its terminal ends such that said top and bottom plates are rotatable about its axis.

5) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3, wherein said top and bottom plates are sandwiched together, said joining member being a generally T-shaped flanged hub bushing having a centered aperture there through and a head part and a body part, said head part having a centered counter bored beveled recess of greater diameter than said centered aperture.

6) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3; wherein said bottom plate is fastened to said surface and is immobilized.

7) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3; wherein said top plate has 360 degrees of rotation about the common axis of said bottom plate after said bottom plate has been fastened to said surface and immobilized.

8) The surface mountable retention system of claim 3; said coupling means comprising:

male and female buckle clips pairs, cinch loops, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners.

8) A surface mountable retention system for bulky items comprising:

an affixing surface; and,

a rotatable face plate having a centered aperture there through and a plurality of flanges formed in opposition to one another, each of said flanges having a strap admitting slot; and,

a bottom plate having a substantially knob-shaped integral resilient fastener wherein said knob-shaped integral resilient fastener is sectioned to allow the releasable coupling of said bottom plate and said top plate by passing said knob-shaped integral resilient fastener through said centered aperture; and,

at least one strap having two ends, each of said ends terminated by a fastening means by which each of said ends may be releasably coupled to each other; and,

a surface affixing means comprising: wood screws, hollow wall anchors, drywall inserts, toggle bolts, expansion bolts, masonry screws, glue, and tape.