Including Annular Vacuum Cup Patents (Class 248/206.2)
  • Patent number: 8333354
    Abstract: A structure for removable attachment to a substantially vertical surface for example of glass, glazed tiles or metal. The structure includes a suction disk for sealingly contacting a surface, a pulling member attached to the suction disk for drawing a part of the suction disk away from the surface, so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction disk and the surface. Rotation of the rotatable member draws the pulling member and respective part of the suction disk away from the surface. An intermediate member is provided which engages the suction disk and supports the rotatable member. A structural member is mounted in or on the intermediate member. The outer diameter of the rotatable member is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the adjacent part of the intermediate member, so that a user's fingers will grip the rotatable member without catching on parts of the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Croydex Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Harry Tooley, Charles Frederick Burrows
  • Publication number: 20120305509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining device for mounting a toy mounting assembly to a surface, such as a table top or highchair tray, wherein the toy mounting assembly further comprises adjustable tethering straps which can be attached to toys or any childcare item used by an infant or toddler. The toy mounting assembly comprises a suction cup base mounted thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Alice K. Benson
  • Publication number: 20120292467
    Abstract: A bracket for holding a household is disclosed. The bracket include an installation member, the installation member including an installation body, a receiving portion and a limiting portion located on the installation body, and a latching opening defined in the receiving portion; an attachment dish, the attachment dish including a suction cup for sucking on a plane, a connecting portion extending from the suction cup, and a latching portion extending from the connecting portion; the latching portion elastically engaged between the receiving portion and the limiting portion; and the connecting portion engaged in the latching opening; and a placing member rotatably secured to the installation member for supporting the household item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YUN-LUNG CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120286113
    Abstract: A temporary bracket includes a mounting bracket, an absorbing dish, and a placing member. The mounting bracket includes a mounting body. A mounting opening is defined in the mounting body. The mounting opening includes a wide part and a narrow part communicating with the wide part. The absorbing dish includes a suction cup for sucking a surface, a neck portion extending from the suction cup, and a securing portion extending from the neck portion. The neck portion is disposed in the narrow part. The securing portion is used for extending into the wide part and moves to the narrow part to enable the neck portion to be disposed in the narrow part. The placing member is secured to the mounting bracket for supporting an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung CHEN, Chuan-Kai CHANG, Tsung-Te TAI
  • Patent number: 8302920
    Abstract: A dual vacuum mount type support device includes a support arm, two vacuum mount assemblies pivotally connected to the two distal ends of the support arm for securing to the flat surface of a support wall and the flat surface of an object to be supported on the support wall, and two pivot locks for locking the vacuum mount assemblies to the support arm in the respective adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Wen-Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 8297568
    Abstract: A sucking and holding device includes: a vacuum chuck for vacuum-sucking a substrate; and a suction assisting device for sandwiching the object between it and the vacuum chuck. The suction assisting device includes a substrate-facing surface. The substrate-facing surface seals a through hole provided in the substrate. With this configuration, the sucking and holding device can vacuum-suck and hold the substrate having a through hole. This leads to an accomplishment of a device which can hold various objects without positional displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Nakamura, Junichi Katsuragawa
  • Patent number: 8251340
    Abstract: A mat having a resiliently deformable mat portion and a securing element provided thereon for securing an item attached thereto against movement and relative to the mat portion is provided. The mat is arranged to grip a support surface on which the mat portion is laid, in use, by formation of at least a partial vacuum between the mat portion and the support surface upon deformation of the mat portion. The mat comprises a projection arranged to urge the item away from the mat when held by the mat, thereby to create a deformation in the mat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Jackel International Limited
    Inventors: Ian Webb, Mark Armstrong, Tom Cotton
  • Patent number: 8251323
    Abstract: A cup body of a suction cup includes a flattenable curved disc portion made of a first elastic material, and an elastic cup portion made of a second elastic material and having the disc portion embedded therein. The first elastic material is stiffer than the second elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Free-Fire Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 8235336
    Abstract: A vacuum suction base includes a base, a fixing mechanism secured on the base, an adjusting cam, and an adjusting bolt. The base includes a suction piece and a column extending upwardly from the center of the suction piece. The fixing mechanism includes a column housing resisting an edge of the suction piece, and a sleeve connected to the column and defining a through hole. The adjusting cam is rotatably installed in the through hole and partially extends out from the through hole. One end of the adjusting bolt is fixed in the adjusting cam and the other end is engaged in the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ze-Bo Lin, Jian-Hui Dai, Shou-Ji Liu, Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen
  • Publication number: 20120193491
    Abstract: A structure for removable attachment to a substantially vertical surface for example of glass, glazed tiles or metal. The structure includes a suction disk for sealingly contacting a surface, a pulling member attached to the suction disk for drawing a part of the suction disk away from the surface, so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction disk and the surface. Rotation of the rotatable member draws the pulling member and respective part of the suction disk away from the surface. An intermediate member is provided which engages the suction disk and supports the rotatable member. A structural member is mounted in or on the intermediate member. The outer diameter of the rotatable member is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the adjacent part of the intermediate member, so that a user's fingers will grip the rotatable member without catching on parts of the intermediate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan Harry Tooley, Charles Frederick Burrows
  • Publication number: 20120168581
    Abstract: A holder is provided for holding an electronic device on a supporting surface. The holder includes a main body, an attaching member, and a connection arm. The main body includes a support member for supporting the electronic device and a restricting mechanism movably connected to the support member for stably keeping the electronic device in the support member. The attaching member is used for attaching the main body to the supporting surface. Two opposite ends of the connection arm are respectively rotatably coupled to the attaching member and the main body to allow the viewing angle of the electronic device being adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: QUAN-CHANG CHENG, CONG-BING ZHOU
  • Patent number: 8196790
    Abstract: A suction cup includes a suction cup main body, an attachment surface and a gel layer. The surface of the gel layer serves as a suction surface. In a method of manufacturing a suction cup, a cavity is formed in the inside of a common mold and a primary mold. Next, a synthetic resin material is injected into the cavity, to mold the suction cup main body. Subsequently, the primary mold is opened, to obtain the suction cup main body. Next, a secondary mold is mated to the common mold, whereby a cavity is formed in the inside of the common mold and the secondary mold. Subsequently, a gel is injected into the cavity, to mold the gel layer. Next, the secondary mold is opened, to obtain a suction cup composed of the gel layer and the suction cup main body, on the common mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Iida, Makoto Kawabata, Fumio Hara
  • Patent number: 8191839
    Abstract: A suction apparatus is provided, including a suction disc unit, a shell base unit, a push obstruct unit and a flip unit. The top surface of the suction disc unit includes an upward extending traction element, with vertical surfaces forming a first teeth surface and a second teeth surface. The shell base unit is located on top of the suction disc unit. The push obstruct unit and the flip unit are located inside the shell base unit, where the flip unit is meshed with the first teeth surface and the push obstruct unit is meshed with the second teeth surface. When the flip unit is flipped downwards, the central area of the suction disc unit is dragged up so that the suction disc unit can attach to a surface via suction force. When the flip element is flipped upwards, the obstructing condition of the push obstruct unit is released so that the suction disc unit restores to a normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 8186642
    Abstract: A portable device accessory is used to hold, grip or manipulate a portable device such as and not limited to mobile phones, MP3 players, portable entertainment/computing devices, and/or gaming devices. The accessory possesses two suctions cups connected by a neck and having an aperture for receiving a jack on earphone. Certain embodiments of the accessory will have tabs, ridges, groove and/or a space to receive earphones. The accessory permits a jack of earphones to be threaded through an aperture and the cord of the earphones to be wrapped around the accessory. The suction cups may be inverted to conceal the cord wrapped around a neck of the accessory and tabs may be used to hold inverted suction cups together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: John Weiss-Vons
  • Patent number: 8157227
    Abstract: A device for supporting an object on a surface has a body including a first portion attachable to a surface so as to attach the body to the surface and a second part having a receptacle for receiving the object, and an element for simultaneously activating the first portion and the second portion so as to simultaneously attach the first portion of the body to the surface and to fix the object in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Sam Zhadanov, Eli Zhadanov
  • Publication number: 20120074083
    Abstract: A device is provided for retaining an elongated article including two oppositely oriented arcuate members. The device also includes a member extending between and connecting the arcuate members, and an arrangement mounted on each of the arcuate members for releasably engaging the article. The device further includes an arrangement associated with each of the arcuate members for mounting the arcuate members on a surface. The elongated article may include a piece of sporting equipment. A retaining device is provided that includes a frame including two arcuate members connected by a cross member. Each arcuate member is oriented opposite to the other arcuate member. The retaining device also includes at least one clip mounted on the frame and adapted to releasably engage an elongated article. The retaining device further includes a mounting arrangement connected to the frame and adapted to attach the frame to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Geoffrey S. Geils
  • Publication number: 20120074276
    Abstract: A hanger, application cup, and an adjustable, retractable hanging system releasably mountable to ceiling or wall. The hanger, housing a take-up reel and a retractable cable, offers various embodiments to meet the needs of differing types of ceilings. The hanger affixes to a ceiling or wall by means of a specially devised cup attached to a pole, which can then be utilized to engage the retractable cable within the hanger to extend or retract a cable. The specialized cup engages the clip on the cable, allowing the user to retract the clip to within reach. A movable device, referred to here as a cable-stop, which is also attached to the cable, allows individuals the ability to adjust the suspending height of the material to be hung.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: James Arthur Hand, Sheryl Elaine Hand
  • Patent number: 8132766
    Abstract: In order to provide a structure for removable attachment to a substantially vertical surface for example of glass, glazed tiles or metal, the structure has a mounting means comprising: suction means (1) for sealingly contacting a surface, pulling means (2) being attached to the suction means (1) for drawing a part of the suction means (1) away from the surface, so that a partial vacuum is created between the suction means (1) and the surface. There is a substantially helical or wedge shaped surface on the pulling means (2) engaged with a corresponding substantially helical or wedge shaped surface of a rotatable member (13), whereby rotation of the rotatable member (13) draws the pulling means (2) and respective part of the suction means (1) away from the surface. An intermediate member (5) is provided for engaging a sealing part of the suction means (1), the intermediate member (5) supporting the rotatable member (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Croydex Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Harry Tooley, Charles Frederick Burrows
  • Patent number: 8128042
    Abstract: A sucker assembly includes a sucker, a pull bar secured on the sucker, a pressing member mounted on the pull bar and pressing the sucker, an elastic member mounted on the pull bar and biased between the sucker and the pressing member, a control handle pivotally mounted on the pressing member, and a pivot shaft extending through the control handle, the pressing member and the pull bar. The pressing member has a periphery provided with a mounting seat which has a fixing recess to receive a hanging rod of a support rack and to abut a surface. Thus, the hanging rod of the support rack is locked onto the surface by the fixing recess of the mounting seat so that the support rack contacts with the surface exactly and closely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ferro-Carbon Ent. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung-Chih Chen
  • Publication number: 20120049019
    Abstract: A mounting device includes an attaching unit having a suction disk assembly and a support arm which has a joint member on a free end thereof. A securing unit has a hollow case and a movable member disposed in the hollow case so as to define a first chamber and a second chamber in the hollow case. The joint member is received in the first chamber. The hollow case is pivotable relative to the joint member. A pressing member is disposed in the second chamber and can force the movable member to securely fix the joint member between the hollow case and the movable member. A holding unit is connected to the hollow case and a communication product is held by the holding unit. The holding unit is moved with the hollow case and the communication product is adjusted to an optimal angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SUPA Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-Shiun Chen
  • Publication number: 20120019641
    Abstract: A novel portable multimedia device for improving client experiences in a personal services industry can be detachably mounted to a tool used by the service provider, such as a hair clipper for a barber. The device comprises a processor, data storage, memory, video display and speakers, as well as a data input module, and can accommodate a library of electronic media files. Optionally, the device can include a camera, telephone, GPS, and other functions including credit card processing and bar code reader. Also provided are methods of using the device for professional service providers, for example barbers, hairstylists, or others. Also provided is a universal mounting system for portable electronic devices that comprises a retaining member and a mounting member for mounting to a variety of mounts including handles, clips, suction cups, goosenecks, flexible joints, magnetic mounts, and key rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth Mark Reeder, III
  • Patent number: 8096537
    Abstract: Remotely engageable and releasable suction cups include a pliable body and an active material in operative communication with the pliable body and configured to create and/or eliminate a partial vacuum through the activation of stiffness or geometry changes in the active material. Suitable active materials include shape memory materials such as shape memory alloys, ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, and shape memory polymers (SMP). A second class of active materials include materials that exhibit a change in at least one attribute when subjected to an applied field but revert back to their original state upon removal of the applied field. Active materials in this category include piezoelectric materials, electroactive polymers (EAP), magnetorheological polymers, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Robin Stevenson, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Patent number: 8091843
    Abstract: A vacuum mount type support device includes a vacuum mount base member having a multilateral upright shaft, a hard vacuum mount cap member having a cup-like body capped on the top side of the rubber disk of the vacuum mount base member and a through hole for the passing of the multilateral upright shaft, a control device threaded onto the multilateral upright shaft and rotatably to impart a pressure to the vacuum mount cap member against the vacuum mount base member for causing formation of a vacuum suction force, and a device holder fastened to the connector of the vacuum mount base member above the control device for holding an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Wen-Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 8087625
    Abstract: A holder includes a suction cup comprising a circular plate formed of resilient material and a rigid bell wherein the plate includes a central coupling member including outer threads, and the bell includes a hollow cylinder including two opposite openings with the outer threads disposed thereat; a manipulation assembly comprising a tube including an internal threaded section threadedly secured to the outer threads, a sleeve securely put on the tube, and a coupling mechanism seated upon the sleeve; and a pivot assembly comprising a pivot mechanism pivotably secured to the coupling mechanism, an arm extended upward from the pivot mechanism, and a seat assembly rotatably, pivotably secured to the arm. Preferably, the holder is adapted to hold an article (e.g., mobile phone) when it is immovably and captively retained on a dashboard of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Ta Shuo Chang
  • Patent number: 8079565
    Abstract: A portable device accessory is used to hold, grip or manipulate a portable device such as and not limited to mobile phones, MP3 players, portable entertainment/computing devices, and/or gaming devices. The accessory possesses two suctions cups connected by a neck and having an aperture for receiving a jack on earphone. Certain embodiments of the accessory will have tabs, ridges, groove and/or a space to receive earphones. The accessory permits a jack of earphones to be threaded through an aperture and the cord of the earphones to be wrapped around the accessory. The suction cups may be inverted to conceal the cord wrapped around a neck of the accessory and tabs may be used to hold inverted suction cups together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: John Weiss-Vons
  • Patent number: 8079557
    Abstract: A suction cup device includes a cup forming unit cooperating with a flat surface to create a volume-variable space, a liftable rod secured to a central portion of the cup forming unit, a bracing shell member having a force-transmitting surrounding wall in engagement with a peripheral portion of the cup forming unit, and a twistable cap member having a surrounding bottom wall in abutting against a circumferential abutment region of the bracing shell member and threadedly engaged with the liftable rod such that a manually twisted movement of the twistable cap member can result in axial movement of the rod so as to pull the central portion away from the flat surface to produce a reduced pressure in the volume-variable space and a biasing force to thereby ensuring fluid-tight engagement of the cup forming unit with the flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Tsung-Tzong Tu, Tsung-An Tu
  • Publication number: 20110297804
    Abstract: A suction apparatus is provided, including a suction disc unit, a shell base unit, a push obstruct unit and a flip unit. The top surface of the suction disc unit includes an upward extending traction element, with vertical surfaces forming a first teeth surface and a second teeth surface. The shell base unit is located on top of suction disc unit 2. The push obstruct unit and the flip unit are located inside shell base unit, where the flip unit is meshed with the first teeth surface and the push obstruct unit is meshed with the second teeth surface. When flip unit is flipped downwards, central area of suction disc unit is dragged up so that suction disc unit can attach to a surface via suction force. When flip element is flipped upwards, the obstructing condition of push obstruct unit is released so that suction disc unit restores to normal position. The present invention provides easy operation for suction apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 8033517
    Abstract: Generally, a liquid holding device with a releasable suction base is a mug or other container operable to hold a substance or device with an integral means for creating a secure suction force with a surface. More specifically, a component of the liquid holding device is not only operable to create a suction force, but the application of the suction force provides a means for stabilizing the device. Advantageously, once the liquid holding device is adhered to a surface via the suction mechanism component, the risk of accidental tipping of the device is greatly reduced. Further, an aspect of the present invention is a mechanism for the convenient creation and release of the stabilizing suction force. In some embodiments, the suction creation and release mechanism can be operated with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Lori A. Wilcoxon
  • Publication number: 20110240670
    Abstract: A disposable hand towel system for a residential bathroom that improves sanitation and hygiene between users. A modular housing dispenses disposable hand towels as an alternative to traditional hand towels or shower towels used to clean and dry hands prior to leaving a bathroom setting. Rather than reusing a single towel placed in a bathroom or water closet, a set of thick, disposable cloth hand towels are provided. A wall-mounted or counter top dispensing container houses the disposable towels and dispenses a single towel at a time. A plurality of holes in the container allow for wall-mounting. Alternatively, a series of suction cups or a high-friction lower surface keeps the container stationary on a counter top. The towels themselves are a thick, soft cloth large enough to effectively dry a user's hands and face without getting saturated, while still thin enough to be disposable after one use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Wanda Coleman
  • Publication number: 20110214258
    Abstract: Applicants have disclosed an apparatus and method for avoiding the strangulation of children by dangling cords from window treatments (e.g., window blinds). The preferred apparatus comprises: a substantially flat base; spool means (e.g., a notched spool), extending from an end portion of the base, for physically winding a set of dangling cords (or a looped dangling cord) around from the window treatment; and connection means (e.g., a slide), extending from another end portion of the base, for connecting the apparatus, with the wound cord, into an uncovered top bracket for the window treatment. The preferred connection means is a slide, which either slides or clips into the uncovered bracket. For instances where brackets are unavailable (e.g., Roman shades or some mini-blinds), a suction cup can be used to attach the apparatus to the window frame or window, adjacent the highest point of the window treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Kristi Lee Seymour, Herbert F. Seymour, III
  • Publication number: 20110198462
    Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides an easily moveable and repositionable hanger. The hanger permits a user to manipulate and reposition the various parts of the hanger to reconfigure the hanger into a desired architecture. The hanger is rotatable relative to its base, and its individual arms are also individually rotatable relative to one another. The hanger can be removably attached to a multitude of different surfaces and is useful for hanging or storing many different types of articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Bob Lee Pell
  • Publication number: 20110186471
    Abstract: A portable caddy, comprising: a base portion; a handle portion removably secured to an upper surface of the base portion, the handle portion having a pair of support members and an elongated member extending therebetween, the handle portion being configured to rotatably support a roll of paper towels above the upper surface of the base portion; a plurality of recessed areas disposed in the upper surface; and an opening in a side wall of the base portion, the opening providing access to a receiving area disposed between the upper surface and a bottom surface of the base portion, wherein the receiving area is configured to store a plurality of plates therein and wherein the opening allows removal of the plates from the receiving area and a rotatable base portion securable to a lower surface of the base portion, wherein the rotatable base portion allows the portable caddy to be rotated with respect to the rotatable base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Dewolf, Michael Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 7975972
    Abstract: An attachment device for attaching an article to a wall surface includes a bracket with an outwardly extending plate having a hole through which an elongated portion of the article can be placed and an attachment plate, perpendicular to the outwardly extending plate, having at least one hole through which the bracket may be attached directly to the wall by a screw. The attachment device additionally includes a housing having a suction cup for attachment to the wall, a coupling for removably receiving the bracket, and an actuator for causing the suction cup to engage and release the wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Zoya Hajianpour
  • Patent number: 7975971
    Abstract: A suction cup holding device that effectively conforms to soft surfaces and complex curves which may be present in the target surfaces such as a dash board of a modern automobile. The suction cup device includes a housing having a recess therein with an opening formed in a first surface, wherein a first portion of the housing adjacent to the first surface is substantially flexible and a second substantially inflexible portion thereof is structured for mounting thereto; a low durometer suction cup having a resiliently deformable central portion that is structured to be drawn into the recess of the housing; and means for drawing the central portion of the suction cup into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Publication number: 20110139732
    Abstract: A placemat holder that allows a user to house placemats within the body of the structure. The placemat holder attaches to the front or side of a refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Reynaldo CABANBAN
  • Publication number: 20110139946
    Abstract: The stand has an adjustable arm that will allow users to hang the accessory over any headrest. The arm can be adjusted along a hinge to change the length for varying widths of headrest. The arm can also rotate to be angled for placement on a flat surface such as a table. The device can be placed in the stand vertically or horizontally. A suction cup accessory for the device can slip over the arms to allow it to be mounted to an automobile windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Mike Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20110139945
    Abstract: A portable electronic device holder adaptable to hold at least one electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device holder comprises of a media holder for securing the at least one electronic device therein, a themed component adaptable to receive the media holder and an attachment means for allowing the electronic device holder to fit against a surface. The themed component designed as a favorite character provides a friendly appearance to the portable electronic device holder and entertainment to a user. The media holder includes at least one base portion configured to hold an external speaker system that plugs into the electronic device. The themed component includes at least one pocket for receiving at least one arm portion of the media holder. The attachment means is designed to connect with the media holder thereby allowing the media player to fit firmly onto the themed component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Beatriz Fahrberger, Louis Fahrberger
  • Publication number: 20110095149
    Abstract: A multi-layered structure for suction disc is provided, including a disc element unit and a wrapping unit. The disc element unit has a shape of disc and is made of soft material. The bottom of the disc element unit us wrapped by the wrapping unit. The material of wrapping unit is even softer than the disc element unit. The suction disc bottom of the present invention is the soft surface of the wrapping unit so that the wrapping unit can tightly attach to the contact surface when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 7931245
    Abstract: A plate holder that attaches a dish to a structure using a suction device. The plate holder includes a three sided “C-shaped structure” that can be made of various hard materials and is composed of a top arm, a side arm, and a bottom arm. On the outer-end or the top arm is a notch or hole through which attaches a suction device facing upward that holds a dish so that it is not spilled by a child, handicapped person, wind, or movement of the structure. A circular protective skirt on the top arm sits just below the suction device and serves to balance the plate on the table. On the bottom arm is a hole through which runs a plastic screw with a handle on the outside used to secure and tighten the plate holder to the table. It can be adjusted for different structures by screwing or unscrewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: LIL Diner, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse Russell Mills, Sr., Meghann Elaine Mills
  • Patent number: 7913962
    Abstract: Herein disclosed a suction cup including: a suction cup body having at least one surface having a gel, the surface being a suction surface; and an elastically deformable spring element provided in or on the suction cup body, having a concave shape so as to make the suction surface have a concave shape, and energizing a central part of the suction surface away from a surface to be sucked in the condition where the suction surface is in suction contact with the surface to be sucked, wherein the spring element is formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity higher than those of natural rubber and synthetic rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Takahashi, Makoto Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7913963
    Abstract: A device stand includes a suction base and a load-supporting module mounted on the suction base. The suction base includes a suction piece, a fixing structure, a face cam, pins, and a fixing cap. The fixing structure, configured for fitting over the suction piece, includes a shaft housing and a sleeve extending upwardly from the shaft housing. The sleeve defines axial running slots. The face cam fit over the sleeve of the fixing structure. One end of each of the pins engages with the face of the face cam, the other end of each of the pins passes through the axial running slots of the sleeve and connects with the shaft of the suction piece. The fixing cap is mounted on an upper end of the sleeve. The stand can be fixed to/taken off from a flat surface easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Cheng, Meng-Hua He, Chun-Che Yen, Yu-Tao Chen, Te-Sheng Jan
  • Publication number: 20110024587
    Abstract: A vacuum mount type support device includes a vacuum mount base member having a multilateral upright shaft, a hard vacuum mount cap member having a cup-like body capped on the top side of the rubber disk of the vacuum mount base member and a through hole for the passing of the multilateral upright shaft, a control device threaded onto the multilateral upright shaft and rotatably to impart a pressure to the vacuum mount cap member against the vacuum mount base member for causing formation of a vacuum suction force, and a device holder fastened to the connector of the vacuum mount base member above the control device for holding an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Wen-Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 7878467
    Abstract: A suction cup structure is disclosed. The suction cup structure can be attached firmly on a surface of an object. The suction cup structure comprises a suction cup and a gel, wherein the gel has a first surface and a second surface; the first surface is connected to the suction cup, and the second surface is attached to the surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Wistron Neweb Corp.
    Inventors: Shih-Hong Chen, Jen-Yung Chang
  • Publication number: 20110017412
    Abstract: A reversible sunshade for keeping the interior of a vehicle cool in the summer or heating the interior in the winter has at least one panel with a light-reflective surface and a light-absorbing surface. The sunshade may be attached to the windshield of a vehicle with suction cups that extend through holes in the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: David F. MACNEIL
  • Publication number: 20100320341
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to universal stands for portable electronic devices. In one embodiment, a stand includes a display platform and a gripping pad attached to the display platform for releasably securing a portable electronic device thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: CLINGO.COM LLC
    Inventors: Scott Baumann, Brian Wheeler, Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 7850133
    Abstract: A novel suction cup mounting apparatus having a novel compact axial suction cup installation and release mechanism and method for assembling such a suction cup apparatus. The suction cup device includes a suction cup portion of a plunger assembly fit within a concave drive base and coupled thereto by a rigid drive pin. An optional rotational drive member or “handle” structured to operate on an external surface of the drive base may be provided for manipulating the drive pin relative to the suction cup and drive base. The suction cup device is intended to secure some device—a “utilization device”—to a surface. Therefore, according to another aspect of the suction cup device, a utilization mounting surface is projected above the drive base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 7837163
    Abstract: Herein disclosed a suction cup including: a suction cup body having at least one surface having a gel, the surface being a suction surface; and an elastically deformable spring element provided in or on the suction cup body, having a concave shape so as to make the suction surface have a concave shape, and energizing a central part of the suction surface away from a surface to be sucked in the condition where the suction surface is in suction contact with the surface to be sucked, wherein the spring element is formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity higher than those of natural rubber and synthetic rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Takahashi, Makoto Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20100290239
    Abstract: An illuminating device for attachment to a translucent/transparent surface is disclosed. The device comprises a suction cup comprising an inner adhering surface; and a light source positioned towards a centre of the suction cup such that when the inner adhering surface is pressed against the translucent surface, light emitted by the light source propagates through the translucent/transparent surface. There is also disclosed a method for attaching a light-emitting device to a translucent/transparent non-porous surface by developing a suction force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Timonthy D.F. FORD
  • Publication number: 20100282931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting element which takes the form of an angle bar. Suitable means are used to provide the bar with a cable guide sheave and the supporting element and the sheave, together with the aforementioned means, are mounted on a guide section of the type used in window regulators. Preferably, a supporting element and a sheave are provided close to each of the ends of the above-mentioned section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Melchor Daumal Castellon
  • Patent number: 7810777
    Abstract: A suction device that may be configured and conformed to a multitude of different types of kitchenware, small appliances, and other devices. The suction device comprises a base, a handle, a pivot, a plate, and a suction pad. The suction pad is connected to the plate. Two bridge-like structures with sloped undersides extend from the plate. The handle extends from the underside of one of the bridge-like structures, through the pivot, to the underside of the second bridge-like structure, and out through an elongated slot in the base. The handle is in sliding contact with the sloped undersides of the bridge-like structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lifetime Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles S. Paradise, Louis F. Henry