HOLDER

Abstract

A holder for holding an object in a storage position against the underside of a shelf that includes an upper arm adapted to engage an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf. The space between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a holder, and more particularly to a holder intended to hold an object, such as a pizza box, plate or similar relatively thin object, in a storage position under a shelf in the space normally not occupied by objects on a lower shelf. In many cases partially-eaten meals—pizza is used only by way of example in this application—are stored in the box in which the pizza was delivered, in the box from which the pizza was removed for cooking, or on a plate on which the pizza was served. These boxes can be relatively large even though they are also relatively thin, and for this reason these boxes cannot be easily stored in a refrigerator because even a relatively small pizza delivery box will take up most, if not all, of a refrigerator shelf. Therefore, the box is often placed in the refrigerator balanced on top of the objects-bottles, jars and the like-already positioned on one of the refrigerator shelves. This is an unsightly and potentially messy arrangement, since the box can cause one or more of the objects on which it is resting to tip over and spill.

In most refrigerators, the shelves are spaced vertically far enough apart so that several inches of space is left between the objects on a shelf and the underside of the shelf above that shelf. This space is normally wasted except in the unusual circumstance that an exceptionally large container is placed on the lower shelf. This application discloses several holders that are intended to permit this unused space to be utilized periodically when additional storage space is needed for relatively thin objects such as boxes and plates. Thus, the holder has application in use on typical shelving such as found in, for example, refrigerators, freezers, closets, pantries, cupboards and cabinets. Additionally, the holder can be used as a surface on which to apply advertising material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a holder intended to permit unused space, such as directly underneath a refrigerator or other shelf, to be utilized periodically when additional storage space is needed for relatively thin objects such as boxes and plates.

It is another object of the invention to provide a holder intended to permit unused space such as directly underneath a shelf to be utilized periodically when additional storage space is needed for storing a pizza box.

It is another object of the invention to provide a holder intended to permit unused space such as directly underneath a shelf to be utilized periodically when additional storage space is needed, and which is suitable for displaying advertising material.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention achieved with a holder for holding an object against the underside of a shelf that includes an upper arm adapted to engage an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf. The space between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a solid bridging member.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the body includes a finger recess for withdrawing the holder and object from the shelf.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the holder includes an intermediate arm for engaging a lower surface of the shelf.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the holder includes first and second spaced-apart upper arms and first and second spaced-apart lower arms.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the upper arms each have downwardly-extending hooks thereon for catching against a lip of the shelf.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the lower arms each include upwardly-extending gripping elements thereon for engaging the bottom of the object.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the lower arms each include upwardly-extending teeth thereon for engaging the bottom of the object.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the body includes a rotatable cam for cooperating with the upper arm and lower arm to permit adjustment of the distance between the upper arm and lower arm.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the holder includes biasing means positioned between the upper and lower arms for biasing the upper and lower arms into a closed position, and first and second finger grips for being held between the thumb and forefinger and squeezed together to open the arms sufficiently wide to accommodate both the shelf and object.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the body includes first and second separable segments for permitting the space between the upper and lower arm to be adjustable, and includes locking means for locking the upper and lower arms in a desired position in relation to each other.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the lower arm is collectively comprised of a plurality of adjacent fingers.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a holder is provided for holding an object against the underside of a shelf, and comprises a plurality of upper arms adapted to engage an upper surface of the shelf and a plurality of lower arms maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf. The space between the upper arms and lower arms is predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the upper arms diverge from each other in a radially outwardly direction and the lower arms diverge from each other in a radially outwardly direction.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a distal portion of each of the upper and lower arms extends at right angles to a proximal, diverging portion of each of the upper and lower arms.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of upper arms comprises first and second spaced-apart U-shaped arms and the plurality of lower arms comprises first and second spaced-apart U-shaped arms, and the body comprises a bridging member joining the upper and lower U-shaped arms at respective midpoints thereof.

A method according to an embodiment of the invention relates to a method of storing an object under a shelf in the space normally not occupied by objects on a lower shelf that includes the steps of providing a holder for holding an object against the underside of a shelf that includes an upper arm adapted to engage an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf. The space between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the object. The holder is slid onto one side edge of the object, and the holder and object are slid under the shelf so the that the upper arm engages the top of the shelf, and the lower arm engages the bottom of the object.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a structure is attached thereto and selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a writing surface and a chemically-treated surface that changes color as contents of the object ages.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of supporting the object with an intermediate arm that extends outwardly from the body and engages the bottom of the shelf.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of adjusting the space between the upper arm and lower arm to accommodate the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of biasing the upper arm and lower arm towards each other for applying a clamping force to the top of the shelf and the bottom of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention being used to hold a pizza box in unused space under a refrigerator shelf;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the holder with an advertising display or magnet thereon;

FIG. 4 illustrates application of the holder to a pizza box and the box onto a refrigerator shelf;

FIG. 5 illustrates the holder holding the pizza box on the refrigerator shelf;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-section according to the view in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holder;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the holder;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a holder according to the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-3 at reference numeral 10. As noted above, the holder 10 and the other embodiments disclosed in this application have numerous applications, but for purposes of explanation in this application is described with reference to a pizza delivery box. This type of box is typically square, about 5 cm high and between 25 and 70 cm on each side. As shown environmentally in FIG. 1, the holder 10 is used to suspend a pizza box “B” under a refrigerator shelf “S” in the space below the shelf “S” that is not ordinarily occupied by the objects resting on the shelf below the shelf “S”, as shown.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 10 includes a body 12 with a recess 13 that permits a finger to be inserted to remove the holder 10 from its position on the shelf “S”, and three pairs of outwardly-projecting arms. Upper arms 14 and 16 are preferably relatively short and include downwardly-extending hooks 14A, 16A that, as shown in FIG. 1, will catch against the raised front lip of the shelf “S” and prevent the holder 10 from inadvertently sliding outwardly off of the shelf “S”. Lower arms 18, 20 preferably extend outwardly further than the upper arms 14, 16 and include upwardly-extending hooks 18A, 20A will catch against the lower edge of the front lip of the shelf “S” and, in cooperation with the hooks 14A, 16A, prevent the holder 10 from inadvertently sliding outwardly off of the shelf “S”. The space between the pairs of arms 14, 16 and 18, 20 thus permit the holder 10 to extend over the top and bottom of the shelf “S” and be supported in the position shown in FIG. 1 on the shelf “S”.

The third pair of arms 22, 24 extend outwardly and preferably include one or more upwardly-projecting teeth 23A, 24A that provide a degree of gripping force against the bottom of the box “B”. FIG. 3 also shows that the body 12 can be used to display advertising 26. Alternatively, the patch 26 may be a surface suitable for being written on so the consumer can mark the date the pizza was baked, a patch that has a chemical thereon that changes from, for example, green to yellow and then red over a predetermined amount of days to indicate when the contents of the box “B” should no longer be consumed, or a number switch that allows the consumer to note the age of the pizza in days from baking. As a further alternative, the patch 26 may be magnetic so that the holder 10 can be placed on a refrigerator when not in use. Of course, the magnetic patch 26 may also contain advertising or a writing surface or a chemical that changes color to indicate the age of the contents of the box “B.”

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the method of use, that includes the steps of sliding the holder 10 onto one side edge of the box “B”, and then sliding the holder 10 and box “B” under the shelf “S”, so the that the arms 14,16 engage the top of the shelf “10”, the arms 18, 20 engage the bottom of the shelf “S”, and the arms 22, 24 engage the bottom of the box “B”, as shown in FIG. 6.

In one preferred embodiment among many alternatives, the holder 10 is formed of 3 mm thick polystyrene plastic with the following dimensions:

Body 12 width—6 cm

Body 12 height—10 cm

Upper arms 14, 16—4.5 cm long

Middle arms 18, 20—7 cm long

Lower arms 22, 24—9 cm long

Recess 13—3 cm high and 2.5 cm wide

Space between arms 14, 16 and arms 18, 20—2 cm

Space between arms 18, 20 and 22, 24—6 cm.

The width of 6 cm is the approximate height of many pizza boxes, so that the holder 10 can be slid into place and held in position on the box itself during delivery. In accordance with one embodiment, the arms 14, 18, and 22 converge towards arms 16, 20 and 24 to a distance of about 4.5 cm. By spreading the arms slightly and sliding the holder 10 onto the box, the holder 10 is held on the box by the tension on the arms.

Other embodiments of a holder are illustrated in FIGS. 7-21. In these embodiments, both the shelf of the refrigerator and the pizza box fit in the space between upper and lower arms, as described below. For example, FIG. 7 shows a holder 30 that has a body 32 formed by intersecting arms 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 that diverge outwardly and then at right angles to the body 32. Upper arms 34, 36, 38 are supported by the top surface of the shelf and the lower arms 40, 42, 44 support the bottom of the box, with both the shelf and box positioned between them.

A holder 50 as shown in FIG. 8 includes a body 52 with two outwardly projecting upper arms 54, 56, and two outwardly-projecting lower arms 58 and 60.

In FIG. 9, a holder 70 is shown that includes a body 72 with an upper arm 74 and a lower arm 76 projecting outwardly at right angles.

In FIG. 10, a holder 80 is disclosed that includes a body 82 having two segments 82A, 82B, with an upper arm 84 carried by segment 82A and a lower arm 86 carried by segment 82B. The arms 84 and 86 are movable in relation to each other by means of a cam 88 that drives the arms 84 apart or together by cooperation with a pair of geared racks 90, 92 that engage gear teeth 94 on the cam 88. The arms 84, 86 can be spread by rotating the cam 88 counterclockwise to receive a box, plate, or the like of a particular thickness that is then positioned on a shelf, as described above, and then rotated clockwise to tighten the arms 84, 86 against the top surface of the shelf and the bottom of the box, plate, etc., respectively.

FIG. 11 illustrates a two-piece holder 100 that includes a upper segment 102 and a lower segment 104. The upper segment 102 defines an opening 102A bridged by a cross-piece 106 having a slot 108 therein. A complementary tab 110 on the lower segment 104 slides into the opening 102A and through the slot 108 to an extent sufficient to snugly accommodate the shelf and box between the upper segment 102 and lower segment 104. The biased lever force on the holder 100 by the offset weight of the box binds the tab 110 in the slot 104.

FIG. 12 shows a holder 120 that includes two arms 122, 124 that are biased into a closed position by a spring 130 positioned between the arms and operated by the grips 126, 128 held between the thumb and forefinger. The grips 126, 128 are squeezed together to open the arms 122, 124 sufficiently wide to accommodate both the shelf and box, slid onto the shelf and then released. The box is removed by reversing the process.

FIG. 13 shows a holder 140 comprised of two separate U-shaped arms 142, 144 that function essentially like the holder 70 shown in FIG. 9. The arms 142, 144 may be spaced a predetermined distance apart to maximize stability with even less plastic material that used to fabricate holders such as the holder 70 shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a holder 150 in the shape of a stylized hand is shown, with an upper arm 152 in the general shape of a thumb and palm 152 and four opposed fingers 154, 156, 158, 160 spaced to receive a shelf and box between them, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 15, the holder 170 comprises an upper U-shaped arm 172 and a lower U-shaped arm 174 joined by a bridging member 176 having a length appropriate to provide the desired space between the upper arm 172 and lower arm 174 so as to accommodate the shelf and box.

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another embodiment of a holder 180 that includes four arms 182, 184, 186, 188 connected with bridging members 190, 192, 194 and 196.

FIG. 17 illustrates a holder 200 formed of an upper arm 202 and a lower arm 204 connected by a disc-shaped bridging member 206 having a length appropriate to provide the desired space between the upper arm 202 and lower arm 204 so as to accommodate the shelf and box.

FIG. 18 shows a holder 210 formed of a relatively wide upper arm 212 and a similarly wide lower arm 214 connected by two bridging members 216 and 218, each having a length appropriate to provide the desired space between the upper arm 212 and lower arm 214 so as to accommodate the shelf and box. This arrangement provides a large open space that allows the end of the box to remain visible, provides a wide, stable support to the box while minimizing the material required to fabricate the holder 210.

A holder 220 as shown in FIG. 19 includes a body 222 with two outwardly projecting upper arms 224, 226, and two outwardly-projecting lower arms 228 and 230. The two outwardly projecting upper arms 224, 226, and outwardly-projecting lower arms 228 and 230 have respective downwardly-projecting hooks 224A, 226A and upwardly-projecting teeth 228A, 230A. The hooks 224A, 226A will catch against the raised front lip of the shelf and prevent the holder 220 from inadvertently sliding outwardly off of the shelf. The teeth 228A and 230A apply a gripping force to the bottom of the box.

A holder is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A holder for holding an object against the underside of a shelf, and comprising an upper arm adapted to engage an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf, wherein the space between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.

2. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a solid bridging member.

3. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a finger recess for withdrawing the holder and object from the shelf.

4. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder includes an intermediate arm for engaging a lower surface of the shelf.

5. A holder according to claim 1, and including first and second spaced-apart upper arms and first and second spaced-apart lower arms.

6. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the upper arms each have downwardly-extending hooks thereon for catching against a lip of the shelf.

7. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the lower arms each include upwardly-extending gripping elements thereon for engaging the bottom of the object.

8. A holder according to claim 5, wherein the lower arms each include upwardly-extending teeth thereon for engaging the bottom of the object.

9. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a rotatable cam for cooperating with the upper arm and lower arm to permit adjustment of the distance between the upper arm and lower arm.

10. A holder according to claim 1, and including biasing means positioned between the upper and lower arms for biasing the upper and lower arms into a closed position, and first and second finger grips for being held between the thumb and forefinger and squeezed together to open the arms sufficiently wide to accommodate both the shelf and object.

11. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the body includes first and second separable segments for permitting the space between the upper and lower arm to be adjustable, and includes locking means for locking the upper and lower arms in a desired position in relation to each other.

12. A holder according to claim 1, wherein the lower arm is collectively comprised of a plurality of adjacent fingers.

13. A holder for holding an object against the underside of a shelf, and comprising a plurality of upper arms adapted to engage an upper surface of the shelf and a plurality of lower arms maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf, wherein the space between the upper arms and lower arms is predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.

14. A holder according to claim 13, wherein the upper arms diverge from each other in a radially outwardly direction and the lower arms diverge from each other in a radially outwardly direction.

15. A holder according to claim 1, and including a structure attached thereto and selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a writing surface and a chemically-treated surface that changes color as contents of the object ages.

16. A holder according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of upper arms comprise first and second spaced-apart U-shaped arms and the plurality of lower arms comprise first and second spaced-apart U-shaped arms, and the body comprises a bridging member joining the upper and lower U-shaped arms at respective midpoints thereof.

17. A method of storing an object under a shelf in the space normally not occupied by objects on a lower shelf that includes the steps of:

(a) providing a holder for holding an object against the underside of a shelf, and comprising an upper arm adapted to engage an upper surface of the shelf and a lower arm maintained in spaced-apart relation to the upper arm by a body for engaging and supporting the object against the underside of the shelf, wherein the space between the upper and lower arm is predetermined to be approximately equal to the combined thickness of the shelf and the object;

(b) sliding the holder onto one side edge of the object; and

(c) sliding the holder and object under the shelf so the that the upper arm engages the top of the shelf, and the lower arm engages the bottom of the object.

18. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of supporting the object with an intermediate arm that extends outwardly from the body and engages the bottom of the shelf.

19. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of adjusting the space between the upper arm and lower arm to accommodate the combined thickness of the shelf and the object.

20. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of biasing the upper arm and lower arm towards each other for applying a clamping force to the top of the shelf and the bottom of the object.