Article holder

Abstract

The article holder includes a flexible back panel and a smaller flexible front panel attached thereto and defining a pocket therebetween. The front panel is secured to the back panel only along its lower and lateral edges, with the open upper edge providing access to the pocket. The pocket is lined with a soft material to prevent scratching eyeglass lenses, watch crystals, and the like. A releasable fastener, such as an upper and a lower suction cup, is affixed through the backing panel for the temporary and removable attachment of the device to a suitable support structure, e.g., a bathroom mirror, a brass or metal bedpost, etc. The holder is particularly well suited for the temporary storage of eyeglasses, but is also well suited for the temporary placement and storage of such articles as watches, small containers of medication, writing implements, etc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/782,285, filed Mar. 15, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for holding and storing various articles. More specifically, the present invention is an article holder configured for holding relatively small personal articles therein, such as eyeglasses, a watch, small containers or vials for medication, etc. The article holder includes suction cup fasteners for temporarily and removably securing it to a suitable support surface.

2. Description of the Related Art

As people tend to use and carry more and more small articles, such as eyeglasses, medication, watches and timepieces, jewelry, etc., some means is needed for storing such articles conveniently in the home or elsewhere. When using a small bathroom, powder room, or the like to comb one's hair, wash the face or hands, shave, or other similar activities, it becomes necessary to remove one's glasses, watch, jewelry, or other small items to prevent such articles from being damaged by exposure to water, as well as providing full access to the face, hands, etc. However, many small bathrooms, half-bathrooms, powder rooms, etc. have little, if any, countertop space to set such objects down. Often there is little more than a sink with a narrow edge, or the top of a toilet water tank. A similar need for a temporary place to store such small articles where they are close at hand may exist when sleeping if there is no nightstand next to the bed or the nightstand has a small surface area, when working in a shop or laboratory where eyeglasses or jewelry should be removed for safety reasons, at other locations.

A number of dedicated devices for the specialized carriage or storage of personal accessories, such as eyeglasses and jewelry, have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-224,486, published on Aug. 21, 2001, shows various devices for the temporary storage of eyeglasses. However, no patent or publication of which the inventor is aware shows the present invention as claimed.

Thus, an article holder solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The article holder includes a flexible backing panel with a smaller flexible front panel attached thereto and defining a pocket therebetween. The front panel is secured to the back panel only along its lower and lateral edges, with the open upper edge providing access to the pocket. The pocket is lined with a soft padding material, preferably a non-woven synthetic fiber or batting, although other materials may be used as desired. Upper and lower suction cups are affixed through the backing panel for the temporary and removable attachment of the device to a suitable support structure, e.g., a bathroom mirror, a brass or metal bedpost, a wall or cabinet wall, etc.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an article holder according to the present invention, illustrating various features thereof.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in section of the article holder of FIG. 1, showing further details thereof and its removable attachment to a support surface.

FIG. 3 is an environmental perspective view of the article holder of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the device removably secured to a support surface.

FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of the article holder according to the present invention removably secured to an alternative support surface and holding a different article than that shown in the environments of FIGS. 1 through 3.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is an article holder suitable for temporarily holding and storing a variety of small articles therein, either singly or as a group. However, the relatively tall and narrow configuration of the device makes it particularly suitable for the placement and storage of eyeglasses therein.

FIG. 1 of the drawings provides a detailed perspective view of the article holder 10, showing a pair of eyeglasses G stored therein. The holder 10 is formed of a back panel 12 and a front panel 14 joined thereto (e.g., stitched, adhesively bonded, plastic welded, etc., depending upon the material used). The back and front panels 12 and 14 define a pocket 16 therebetween. The back panel 12 includes an upper portion 18 having an upper edge 20, a lower edge 22 opposite the upper edge, and mutually opposed first and second lateral edges, respectively 24 and 26. Similarly, the front panel 14 includes an upper edge 28, an opposite lower edge 30, and mutually opposed first and second lateral edges 32 and 34. The front panel 14 is joined to the rear panel 12 along (or adjacent to) their mutual lower edges 22, 30 and their first and second lateral edges, respectively 24, 32 and 26, 34. The assembly may provide for a small border or span between the respective edges of the front panel 14 and rear panel 12, as shown in the drawings.

The article holder 10 is preferably somewhat narrower across its width, i.e., between the lateral edges 24, 26 of the back panel 12, than along its vertical length between the upper and lower ends or edges 20 and 22. This results in the single open edge of the pocket 16 being oriented upwardly, i.e., at the top of the front panel 14, allowing articles (e.g., eyeglasses G) to be dropped conveniently into the pocket 16 when the holder 10 is oriented as shown in the drawings. The upper portion 18 of the back panel 12 preferably extends somewhat above the upper edge 28 of the front panel 14, which also defines the upper edge of the pocket 16.

The front and back panels 14 and 12 are preferably formed of a relatively flexible plastic sheet material, although other materials (e.g., natural and synthetic fabrics, etc.) may be used as desired. The use of plastics permits the two panels 12 and 14 to be secured together by adhesive, chemical, or heat bonding (welding), as well as by mechanical means, if so desired. Fabrics lend themselves to assembly by conventional stitching. The pocket 16 is preferably lined with a soft, resilient liner material 36 in order to avoid scratching or marring eyeglasses G or other articles that may be placed within the pocket, although lining 36 may be unnecessary when the front panel 14 and rear panel 12 are made from sufficiently soft fabric material, or when the article holder 10 is not to be used for supporting articles having surfaces that can be scratched or marred (eyeglasses, watch crystals, etc.). The lining 36 is preferably a nonwoven synthetic batting material, e.g., a loose polyester fiber, but may comprise other natural or synthetic materials as desired.

The holder 10 is provided with an upper and a lower suction cup, respectively 38 and 40, secured to the back panel 12 of the device and extending rearwardly therefrom for removably attaching the holder 10 to a support surface. FIG. 2 of the drawings shows the suction cup installation clearly. Upper and lower suction cup attachment passages 42, 44 are provided through the back panel 12, with the protruding buttons 46, 48 of the two suction cups passing forwardly through the respective holes 42, 44 and being captured on the opposite (front) side of the back panel 12 from the suction cup discs 38, 40.

FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings show the use of the suction cups 38, 40 to attach the holder 10 to a suitable support surface, e.g., a smooth, nonporous surface, such as a bathroom mirror M. The suction cups 38, 40 need only be pressed against the mirror surface M to expel the air therefrom, thereby securing the holder 10 to the mirror M. The suction cups 38,40 and/or the mirror M may be moistened to provide a better seal. Other releasable fasteners (e.g., magnets, adhesive, hook and loop, etc.) may be used in lieu of suction cups to releasably attach the article holder 10 to one or more types of support surfaces; however, suction cups may be used with a wide variety of surfaces, do not require that a mating fastener be permanently affixed to the support surface, and do not mar the finish of the support surface. Once installed as described above, the article holder 10 serves as a convenient device to hold eyeglasses E or similar personal accessories. When the use of the holder 10 is no longer required, it may be pried easily from the mirror M or other surface to release the suction on the suction cups 38, 40 and transported to another location for further use or storage.

FIG. 4 of the drawings provides an illustration of a further use for the holder 10, in which the device has been secured to a bedpost P. The holder 10 may be used for the convenient storage of eyeglasses, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, or for a watch W, as shown in FIG. 4, or for other article(s), e.g., small vials of medication, writing implements, etc. The convenient transferability of the holder 10 from place to place makes it a most convenient and useful accessory around the home or elsewhere.

In conclusion, the article holder provides considerable convenience to anyone who has a need for the temporary storage of various small articles, such as eyeglasses, etc. The holder may be removably and temporarily secured to any suitable surface, e.g., mirrors and window glass, tile surfaces, or any other surface providing a smooth and unbroken texture to provide a suitable seal for the suction cup attachment. The open top of the pocket allows articles to be quickly and easily placed therein and removed therefrom as needed. When the device is no longer required at a certain location (e.g., bathroom, etc.) it may be easily removed and carried to a new location or for storage until needed again. While the holder will prove to be a quite useful device around the house, it will also be greatly appreciated by travelers staying over in hotel or motel rooms, where the presence of such a handy and useful accessory is often greatly needed. Accordingly, the article holder will prove to be a most desirable accessory for anyone who has need to temporarily store a small article from time to time.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An article holder, comprising:

a back panel;

a front panel secured to the back panel, the panels defining a pocket therebetween;

a soft liner disposed within the pocket; and

at least one releasable fastener extending rearwardly from the back panel for temporarily attaching the article holder to a support surface.

2. The article holder according to claim 1, wherein:

the back panel has an upper portion having an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, mutually opposed first and second lateral edges, and mutually opposed front and rear surfaces;

the front panel has an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, and mutually opposed first and second lateral edges; and

the front panel is joined to the back panel along the lower edge and first and second lateral edges of each of the panels, the back panel and the front panel defining the pocket therebetween, the upper edge of the front panel defining an open upper edge of the pocket.

3. The article holder according to claim 1, wherein the back panel has an upper portion extending beyond the pocket.

4. The article holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one releasable fastener comprises an upper suction cup and a lower suction cup, the suction cups extending rearwardly from the back panel.

5. The article holder according to claim 4, wherein the back panel has upper and lower suction cup attachment passages defined therethrough, each of the suction cups having an attachment button extending forwardly therefrom, the buttons being secured through the respective suction cup attachment passages in the back panel.

6. The article holder according to claim 1, wherein said soft liner comprises a nonwoven synthetic batting material.

7. The article holder according to claim 1, wherein the front panel and the back panel are each formed of flexible plastic material.

8. An article holder, comprising:

a vertically elongate back panel;

a vertically elongate front panel secured to the back panel, the panels defining a generally vertically oriented pocket therebetween; and

at least one releasable fastener extending rearwardly from the back panel for temporarily attaching the article holder to a support surface.

9. The article holder according to claim 8, wherein:

the back panel has an upper portion having an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, mutually opposed first and second lateral edges, and mutually opposed front and rear surfaces;

the front panel has an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, and mutually opposed first and second lateral edges; and

the front panel is joined to the back panel along the lower edge and first and second lateral edges of each of the panels, the back panel and the front panel defining the pocket therebetween, the upper edge of the front panel defining an open upper edge of the pocket.

10. The article holder according to claim 8, wherein the back panel has an upper portion extending beyond the pocket.

11. The article holder according to claim 8, wherein the at least one support structure attachment comprises an upper suction cup and a lower suction cup, each of the suction cups extending rearwardly from the back panel.

12. The article holder according to claim 11, wherein:

the back panel has upper and lower suction cup attachment passages defined therethrough; and

each of the suction cups has an attachment button extending forwardly therefrom, the buttons being secured through the respective suction cup attachment passage in the back panel.

13. The article holder according to claim 8, further including a soft liner lining the pocket.

14. The article holder according to claim 13, wherein the soft liner comprises a nonwoven synthetic batting material.

15. The article holder according to claim 8, wherein the front panel and the back panel are each formed of flexible plastic material.

16. An article holder, comprising:

a vertically elongate, flexible back panel defining an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, mutually opposed first and second lateral edges, and mutually opposed front and rear surfaces, the back panel having an upper portion;

a vertically elongate, flexible front panel defining an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, and mutually opposed first and second lateral edges, the front panel being joined to the back panel along the lower edge and first and second lateral edges of each of the panels, the panels defining a pocket therebetween, the upper edge of the front panel defining an open upper edge of the pocket, the upper portion of the back panel extending beyond the upper edge of the pocket; and

an upper suction cup and a lower suction cup, the suction cups extending rearwardly from the rear surface of the back panel.

17. The article holder according to claim 16, further including a soft liner lining the pocket.

18. The article holder according to claim 17, wherein the soft liner comprises a nonwoven synthetic batting material.

19. The article holder according to claim 16, wherein:

the back panel has upper and lower suction cup attachment passages defined therethrough; and

each of the suction cups has an attachment button extending forwardly therefrom, the buttons being secured through the respective suction cup attachment passage in the back panel.

20. The article holder according to claim 16, wherein the front panel and the back panel are each formed of plastic material.