Vacuum Patents (Class 248/309.3)
  • Patent number: 11712115
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bracket for mounting a tablet shaped device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: STM MANAGEMENT PTY LTD
    Inventors: Craig Cheney, Jacob Goodridge, Ethan Nyholm
  • Patent number: 9022331
    Abstract: A suction device includes an elastic base and a release structure connected operably to the elastic base. The elastic base has a peripheral portion for to hermetically contacting a contact surface and defining a vacuum chamber therebetween when a predetermined external force is applied on the elastic base, thereby mounting the elastic base on the contact surface. The release structure has a projection protruding outwardly and partially from the elastic base when an applied force on the elastic base is greater than the predetermined external force and retracting inwardly within the elastic base so as to be disposed in the vacuum chamber when the elastic base is mounted on the contact surface such that a distance between a protruding end of the projection and the contact surface is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Buckingham Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Kuo-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 8979046
    Abstract: A vacuum suction device of the present invention comprises: a cover which is rotatably mounted on the upper portion so as to couple to a flat surface by means of vacuum suction; an suction plate, which is coupled to the lower portion of the cover, for vacuum suction to the flat surface; and a height adjustment member, which is arranged between the cover and the suction plate, for moving the suction plate back and forth according to the rotation of the cover; wherein a plurality of fixing pieces are formed on the upper surface of the inside of the cover, a plurality of elastic stoppers are coupled to the inside of the height adjustment member, so as to be movable by sliding when each of the fixing pieces is in contact, and for fixing the cover by each of the fixing pieces being hooked to the end portion of the cover so as to prevent reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Chul Seok Woo
  • Patent number: 8950715
    Abstract: A support apparatus has a positioning disc mounted on a sucking disc. An operation disc is mounted on the positioning disc and has a receiving hole. Two bevel ribs are arc-shaped, are formed on and protrude along an inner wall of the receiving hole. The sucking disc has a column mounted through the positioning disc and the receiving hole of the operation disc. A pin is mounted through the column, with two ends of the pin protruding beyond the column and abutting against the two bevel ribs of the operation disc. By rotating the operation disc to axially move the pin upon abutting against the bevel ribs to pull the sucking disc, the sucking disc can be adhered to a tablet PC. A pivotable stand connected to the positioning disc can be rested on a desk to facilitate viewing at any angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Mao-Tung Chiu, Daphne Su
  • Patent number: 8919712
    Abstract: A sucker assembly includes a sucker (10), a pull bar (13) secured on the sucker, a pressing seat (30) mounted on the pull bar and encompassing the sucker, a control handle (40) pivotally mounted on the pressing seat, and a pivot shaft (45) extending through the control handle, the pressing seat and the pull bar. The sucker includes a first layer (11) and a second layer (12). Thus, when the sucker is placed on a rough surface, the first layer of the sucker can be deformed elastically to fill the corrugated gaps of the rough surface, so that the first layer of the sucker is bonded onto the surface closely to prevent ambient air from entering the space between the sucker and the rough surface to keep the vacuum state of the sucker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ferro-Carbon Ent. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung-Chih Chen
  • Publication number: 20140374552
    Abstract: A combination-type suction cup base, comprising a mounting base with a through-hole and a screw hole is described. One side of the through-hole is connected with a suction cup with a screw stem which absorbs the base to a wall surface. The screw stem is connected with a cap after passing through the through-hole. The screw hole is located in the region covered by the cap. At least two different object holders are mounted on the base. The base abandons the structure model of a cross rail spanned between two mounting bases and mounting multiple object holders on the cross rail. Thus, the structure is simple and small, with simple, convenient operation, facilitating hanging of objects by consumers, making the washroom, etc. tidier and cleaner. Furthermore, the base can also be fixed to an unsmooth wall surface by means of a screw, broadening the range of use of the-base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Xiaowen Zhong
  • Patent number: 8894026
    Abstract: The fixing device of this present invention provides a fixing device of a sucking disc type with smaller volume and simple structure, connects to a housing case of the portable electronic device by a locking screw, and comprises an elastic rubber plate and a resilient metal sheet. The elastic rubber plate has an air-hole. The resilient metal sheet also has a through-hole. The resilient metal sheet forms a tiny gap with the elastic rubber plate, when the fixing device is pressed onto the smooth surface of the metal or glass object, the air between said rubber plate and the smooth surface of the metal or glass object going through the through-hole into the tiny gap and going out of the elastic rubber plate via the air-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Mu-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8820556
    Abstract: A molded bottle for liquids is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the bottle includes a hollow body portion adapted to store liquids therein, with an opening on a top of the body portion to access an interior of the bottle. In addition, the bottle includes a sidewall that extends outward around a bottom periphery of the body portion, where the bottle is supported by an edge of the sidewall when the bottle is placed on a planar surface. The sidewall is configured to flex when the bottle is pressed down onto the planar surface to form a vacuum between the body portion and the planar surface to prevent the bottle from moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Farhan Khan
  • Patent number: 8814113
    Abstract: A sucker includes a sucker body, a pressure sensor, a control circuit board, and a warning member. The sucker body has an attachment surface. The control circuit board and the warning member are combined with the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor, the control circuit board and the warning member are mounted in a closed receiving portion. The pressure sensor is connected to the attachment surface of the sucker body. Thus, the pressure sensor, the control circuit board and the warning member construct an early warning detection mechanism which successively detects and monitors the pressure of the attachment surface of the sucker body, and produces an early warning signal automatically by detection of the pressure differential of the attachment surface of the sucker body to prevent the sucker from being detached from an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tru-Miles Hardware Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuei-I Chen
  • Patent number: 8757418
    Abstract: A self-anchoring, low profile container anchor with directional release and attachment capability comprises a lower base member, an upper movable member adapted for attachment to a container, and a seal member on the base member. The seal member is configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a periphery of a controlled pressure zone. A sealing valve disposed on a valve seat is operably connected to the movable member for lifting off the valve seat and vent the controlled pressure zone when the movable member is raised a first predetermined distance. However, the movable member can tilt a second predetermined tilting distance without the sealing valve lifting off the valve seat, thus providing tilt resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Israel Harry Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8740161
    Abstract: A holder for sustaining a handheld electronic device is provided. The holder includes a sucker and a positioning device. The sucker has a central and peripheral portion. The positioning device, which is disposed on a side of the sucker, comprises a housing, a ball, a clamping assembly and a rod. The housing is disposed on the sucker and has a receiving space for the ball and the clamping assembly. The rod has a first end connecting to the central portion of the sucker and a second end extending towards the receiving space. When the rod is led to position the sucker onto an object, the clamping assembly is adapted to restrict the ball simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Sheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 8662463
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Chuan-Kai Chang, Tsung-Te Tai
  • Publication number: 20130299652
    Abstract: A stand or support for a planar or tablet computing device, comprising: a base, the base may define a slot; wherein the slot is of sufficient length and width, which may be adjustable, for receiving a side of the planar or tablet computing device for supporting the same in a vertical position or at angle with respect to vertical; a ball-shaped shaft support removably disposed within a socket defined by the base; a support shaft removably secured to the ball-shaped shaft support; and a support plate for supporting the planar or tablet computing device; wherein the support plate is removably attachable to the support shaft and the position of the support plate may be adjusted so that a side or upper surface of the support plate contacts the planar or tablet computing device disposed in the slot to provide additional support for the planar or tablet computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Bernard John Graham
  • Patent number: 8534633
    Abstract: A suction cup for a tool driven by vacuum is presented, the suction cup in a first or upper end arranged to be brought into fluid flow communication with a vacuum source and in its opposite end arranged to be brought tightly into contact with the surface of an object to be handled. The suction cup is in its lower end arranged to be coupled to a sealing ring having a sealing surface arranged between an outer periphery and a through-opening defined by an inner periphery, and the sealing ring in the region of its inner periphery having a lip arranged to engage with the suction cup, to which purpose the suction cup in its lower end has a circumferentially running groove) in which the peripheral region and the lip of the sealing ring is insertable under form fitting engagement and in a radially overlapping relation between the groove and the lip in the region (r) of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Xerex AB
    Inventor: Peter Tell
  • Publication number: 20130187020
    Abstract: A positioning grip or device is provided that is selectively interconnectable to a portable electronic device. The positioning grip is preferably interconnected to the portable electronic device via a mechanism that provides a suction cup and allows for selective rotation of the portable electronic device. The positioning grip also includes a support having at least one selectively deflectable arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Octa LLC
    Inventor: Octa LLC
  • Patent number: 8480045
    Abstract: A suction cup has a generally cylindrical neck integral with and extending outwardly from the cup portion outer surface. The neck is formed of a pair of legs separated by a slot opening to an exposed end of the neck. The neck also has a transverse bore passing through the legs along an axis that intersects the slot. Preferably the axis is normal to the slot. The suction cup may have a support or hook having a curved portion. The hook or support has a straight portion and a cross member attached to the straight portion. At least part of the straight portion is within the slot of the suction cup and at least part of the cross member is within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams, IV
  • Publication number: 20130140419
    Abstract: A panel hanger apparatus for roller hemming is disclosed. The panel hanger apparatus clamps parts and loads the parts onto a hemming die, and comprises a hanger frame, a plurality of vacuum cups mounted to the hanger frame and adapted to hold the outer panel of the parts by using vacuum pressure, and a plurality of locators mounted to an edge of the hanger frame for clamping the inner panel of the parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki Soon Kim, Yun Heui Lee
  • Publication number: 20130075563
    Abstract: A suction disc includes a suction disc body and a coupling body. An inner face of the suction disc body is adapted to be sucked on a supporting surface. The coupling body is extended and formed from an outer face of a central portion of the suction disc body, and a chamber is defined in the coupling body. The suction disc further includes a through-hole extending from the inner face of the suction disc body into the coupling body and in communication with the chamber of the coupling body. After the suction disc is sucked and fixed on the supporting surface, the suction disc can be removed easily by pressing the coupling body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Yuan-Song Tsai, Sheng-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 8348208
    Abstract: The vehicle window support apparatus provides for a user to hold a vehicle window in a desired position, relative to up and down, without the typical vehicle window support mechanisms. The apparatus does not need tools or hard installation into the vehicle. Instead, suction cups hold the window. The apparatus lower vertical member and horizontal member position the apparatus within the existing window channel of a given vehicle. The slanted member enables the upper vertical member to be proximal to the window itself, whereby the suction cups are then temporarily and removably affixed to the window, holding the window as desired by a user. Upon termination of use, the apparatus suction cups are easily removed from the window and the lower vertical member removed from the window channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Marco A. Talbott
  • Patent number: 8308118
    Abstract: An item holder mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a deformable body having outer and inner surfaces and a periphery extending around the body. The holder further includes an appendage extending from the periphery and includes a connector attached to the appendage for connecting the appendage to the holder to form a loop for holding an item. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid from the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: We-Flex, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas M. Sheffield, Tamara K. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 8282066
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for using a universal support consisting of one or more modules having a deformable enclosure (3) connected to a vacuum source (5) through an orifice. Said enclosure is of concave shape forming a chamber (6) provided with a flexible body (7). The method consists in the following series of steps: applying a vacuum to the chamber (6) so that the deformable enclosure (3) collapses; positioning the part which is to be supported; breaking the vacuum in the chamber (6); and applying a vacuum inside the deformable enclosure (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Novatec SA
    Inventors: Francis Bourrieres, Clement Kaiser
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8231089
    Abstract: A plate holder can include: a skirt having a top member and one or more side walls forming a cavity therebetween when the one or more side walls are resting on a substrate with the top member oriented away from the substrate; a base coupled with the skirt and located within the cavity, the base having one or more top suction device receptacles and one or more bottom suction device receptacles; one or more top suction devices coupled with the one or more top suction device receptacles such that the top suction device is oriented away from the substrate; and one or more bottom suction devices coupled with the one or more top suction device receptacles such that the bottom suction device is oriented toward the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Lil Diner, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Russell Mills
  • Patent number: 8191846
    Abstract: A magnetic support (10) for aquariums includes a first and a second support element (20a, 20b), each of them having a magnet (26a, 26b) so that by coupling the first and second support elements (20a, 20b) by interposing an aquarium wall (50) between them, the attracting magnetic force operating between the two magnets (26a, 26b) locks the two support elements (20a, 20b). Each support element (20a, 20b) comprises a flat element (40a, 40b) made up of flexible material having a peripheral projecting lip (46a, 46b), so that when the two support elements (20a, 20b) are coupled together by interposing the wall (50), the peripheral projecting lips (46a, 46b) are flattened against the wall (50), thus creating a suction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hydor SRL
    Inventor: Valerio Bresolin
  • Patent number: 8186410
    Abstract: A separating device according to the present invention separates a support plate (14) from a substrate (12) of a laminate (10) including the substrate (12) and the support plate (14) bonded to each other. The separating device includes: a first storing section (20) for storing the laminate (10); a plurality of first processing sections (30) for reducing adhesive force of an adhesive (13) applied between the substrate (12) and the support plate (14); and a first carrying section (50) which is capable of moving in the first direction and carries the laminate (10) from the first storing section (20) to the first processing section (30) while holding the laminate (10). With the first carrying section (50), it is possible to provide a separating device (100) which moves straightly so as to carry the laminate (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Nakamura, Junichi Katsuragawa, Atsushi Miyanari, Yoshihiro Inao, Yasumasa Iwata
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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: 7967263
    Abstract: A fixing device is provided. The fixing device is fixed to a surface, comprising a sucker, a rack, a gear, a transforming unit and a limiting unit. The rack is connected to the sucker. The gear is engaged to the rack. The transforming unit is connected to the gear. The transforming unit rotates the gear to move the rack between a first position and a second position. The rack pushes the sucker to apply a suction force to the surface when the rack is in the first position, and the suction force of the sucker is released when the rack is in the second position. The limiting unit is connected to the rack to restrict the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: ASUSTek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Keng Ping Wang, Chin Chang Meng, Chih-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 7967262
    Abstract: A portable electronic device mount provides a secure attachment point for a personal navigation device, or other electronic device. The mount provides access to the device electronics through interface ports and feature connectors. The mount connects to an attachment mechanism that firmly and reliably attaches the mount to a windshield or other surface. The mount also includes a flexible linkage through which the mounted device may be securely oriented over a wide range of positions. In addition, extendible and retractable extension arms help achieve a compact form factor for convenient carrying and storage of the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Darren Kelly O'Brien, Dannie C. Lau
  • Publication number: 20100282930
    Abstract: A holder for sustaining a handheld electronic device is provided. The holder includes a sucker and a positioning device. The sucker has a central and peripheral portion. The positioning device, which is disposed on a side of the sucker, comprises a housing, a ball, a clamping assembly and a rod. The housing is disposed on the sucker and has a receiving space for the ball and the clamping assembly. The rod has a first end connecting to the central portion of the sucker and a second end extending towards the receiving space. When the rod is led to position the sucker onto an object, the clamping assembly is adapted to restrict the ball simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wen-Sheng HSU
  • Patent number: 7793899
    Abstract: A suction device is provided, including a suction unit, a fixing unit, a press unit and a linkage positioning unit. The fixing unit is located on top of the suction unit. The press unit is restricted between the area close to circumference of the fixing unit and the top surface of the suction unit. The linkage positioning unit is fixed to above the fixing unit and performs linked movement with the pulling element of the suction unit. When the fixing unit tilts partially by the exerted force of a hanging object, the press unit can still press tightly against the area close to the circumference of the suction unit to maintain a strong suction hold and improve the suction durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 7735791
    Abstract: A supporting arm with a suction cup and a handle for attaching various equipment within a mechanical vehicle. The arm is composed of a suction cup, a push button, which slides within a housing, a rigid part, connected with the housing, and a hinging part, connected with the rigid part by means of a joint. The arm is provided with an elastic support for resting on a dashboard, which is situated opposite to the mounting joint of the suction cup under its hinged part, and with a ball joint, located above the elastic support and connected to the handle, which is fitted with an electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Bury SP Z.O.O.
    Inventor: Henryk Bury
  • Patent number: 7731139
    Abstract: A suction device includes a sucking member having a connecting body connected integrally to a flexible disc body that is disposed under an upright sleeve, a connecting member disposed in the sleeve and connected to the connecting body, and an operating rod connected pivotally to a pivot block unit on the sleeve and to the connecting member. The operating rod is operable so that an assembly of the connecting member and the connecting body is pulled upwardly, thereby forming a vacant space between a central portion of the disc body and a supporting surface to which a peripheral portion of the disc body is attached sealingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Hsing Wang, Chia-Hung Su
  • Patent number: 7661638
    Abstract: A suction cup structure includes a suction cup, a lifting rod, a holder base, a slide bolt, a radial arm and an axial-bolt. The lifting rod is vertically connected to the suction cup, and has a through hole with horizontal penetration. The sleeve of the holder base has a rotation axis hole with horizontal penetration and a slide notch. The lifting rod is disposed in a sleeve of the holder base. The suction cup is under a disk body of the holder base. The slide bolt passes through a first hole of the button arm, the slide notch and the through hole. The axial-bolt also passes through the rotation axis hole and a second hole of the button arm. By pressing a button end of the button arm, an activation piece of the button arm rotates based on the axial-bolt to pull the slide bolt. The slide bolt then slides toward the upper portion from the lower portion of the first hole, and slides into the slide notch simultaneously to lift the lifting rod. The suction cup is therefore lifted to generate the suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Lin-Chien Yu
  • Patent number: 7648109
    Abstract: A sucker includes a fixing seat, a sucker body, a control handle and a control valve. The sucker body has a first side provided with a recess and a second side provided with a connecting hole connected to the recess. The control valve includes a valve stem movably mounted on the fixing seat and movable to stop the recess. Thus, the valve stem can be pulled outwardly to detach from the recess of the sucker body so as to connect the connecting hole and the recess of the sucker body and to connect the connecting hole of the sucker body to the ambient air so as to break the vacuum state of the sucker body so that the sucker body can be removed from a surface easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Lung-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 7641167
    Abstract: An item holder mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a deformable and transparent body. The body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer surface and the inner surface. The body further includes a compartment having an opening adjacent the periphery and extending between the inner and outer surfaces for removably holding an item. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is undeformed thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: We-Flex, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas M. Sheffield, Jr., Tamara K. Sheffield
  • Patent number: 7607622
    Abstract: A suction cup device having a compact axial suction cup installation and release mechanism including a suction cup within a concave housing, and a rotational drive member structured to operate on an external surface of the housing. A drive shaft is coupled to the suction cup and extends through an aperture in the housing, projecting above a drive surface axially aligned with the concave surface formed in the housing. The drive shaft extends through an aperture in the rotational drive member and includes an inclined drive surface that interacts with a fixed drive surface to pull a flexible portion of the suction cup into the housing when the rotational drive member is rotated relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 7516926
    Abstract: A suction disc unit, especially a suction disc unit that can be adsorbed on a smooth surface to support a hung article, it comprises a pressing lid, a suction disc, a link and a pressing rod; wherein the pressing rod at least has a first eccentric protruding portion and a second eccentric protruding portion; when the pressing lid is pulled up to make abutment of the suction disc against the smooth surface by pushing of the pressing rod, the air in the gap between the suction disc and the smooth surface is removed as much as it can; when the pressing rod is pressed down, the pressing lid abuts against the periphery of the suction disc, and the central portion of the suction disc is pulled up tight, the air pressure in the gap is much lower than that of the atmosphere to thereby induce a strong suction force, and thereby to increase the bearing strength of the suction disc unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Comart Corporation
    Inventor: Su-Wei Liu
  • Publication number: 20090032663
    Abstract: A sucker assembly is provided, including a suction unit and a decorative unit. The decorative unit is engaged to, but not fixed, the central area of the bottom of the suction unit. The decorative unit can be rotated to detached-and-reattached for adjusting the orientation of decorative unit with respect to suction unit. The bottom surface of decorative unit includes a decorative pattern, which can be displayed to cover the bottom of the suction unit when the sucker is attached to a transparent and smooth surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Publication number: 20080224009
    Abstract: Provided is an adhesion device used to cradle a car navigation system, a mobile phone, etc. The adhesion device according to the present invention comprises a pad (21) having a bottom surface attached to an adhesion surface, a center element (23) fixed upright at the center of the top surface of the pad (21), a housing (22) placed on the top surface of the pad (21) and having a hole through which the center element (23) passes, a ring-shaped leaf spring (27) which is equipped at the outer circumference of the housing (22) and presses the outer circumference of the top surface of the pad (21) and an adhesion controller (24) connected with the top end of the center element (23) by an axis (24c). The adhesion controller (24) comprises a lever (24a) and a press (24b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Soon Young Song
  • Patent number: 7404536
    Abstract: A suction cup removably attached to a housing lifts and moves an object. A venturi removably attached to the housing provides a vacuum effect to secure the suction cup to the object. The venturi includes a pair of opposing ears. When the venturi is inserted into a venturi hole of the housing, the ears compress a pin. When the venturi is rotated to an attached position, the ears do not contact the pin, and a spring biases the pin outwardly to secure the venturi to the housing. The pin is coupled to a button on the housing that can be slid to move the pin inwardly to allow rotation and removal of venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Syron Engineering & Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: James R. Kalb
  • Patent number: 7344114
    Abstract: In an apparatus support device with a suction retaining structure for supporting minicomputers, navigation devices or mobile telephones, comprising a suction foot, a hollow column connected with one end to the suction foot and enclosing an operating mechanism for the suction foot and a joint structure disposed at the other end of the hollow column and supporting an apparatus holder, the hollow column consists of two complementary semi-shells which, with their bottom ends, extend around the suction foot and are provided at their opposite ends with joint structures which are releasably clamped between the semi-shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Harald Richter
  • Publication number: 20080035818
    Abstract: An item holder mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a deformable body. The body includes an outer surface and an inner surface having a concave portion. The body further includes a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer and inner surfaces. The body also includes a hole extending through the body between the outer and inner surfaces for holding an item. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid from the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing them together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas M. Sheffield, Tamara K. Sheffield
  • Patent number: RE40244
    Abstract: Improved vacuum actuated display ornaments which adhere to surfaces by self-suction are improved by a wall thickness at the center of mass thicker than their peripheral wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: We-Flex, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas M. Sheffield, Jr., Tamara K. Sheffield