Holding device

Abstract

A holding device for objects with rocker such as a surfboard, comprising a holder with at least two support arms wherein one end of each support arm is connected to at least one other support arm by a crossbar. The holder is attachable to a surface such that it can rotate about an axis adjacent and parallel to the plane of the surface, such that the object with rocker will rest with at least one end touching the surface when inserted between the crossbar and the surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of holding devices. In particular, the invention relates to holding devices for objects with rocker.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art includes a holding devices for surfboards, kayaks, and other objects with curvature along the longitudinal axis, commonly referred to as rocker. The prior art has failed to address the problem of providing a holder for such objects that is stable simple, easy to use, stable, and holds the object close to the wall or ceiling. The present invention overcomes this problem, providing a simple device for securely holding surfboards, kayaks, and other objects with rocker against a wall or ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A holding device for objects with rocker comprising a holder comprising at least two support arms, wherein one end of each support arm is connected to at least one other support arm by a crossbar, wherein the holder is attachable to a surface such that it can rotate about an axis adjacent and parallel to the plane of the surface such that the object with rocker will rest with at least one end touching the surface when inserted between the crossbar and the surface. In exemplary embodiments of the invention the support arms are substantially parallel. In exemplary embodiments of the invention the support arms include at least two distinct portions that are positioned at an angle relative to each other. In exemplary embodiments of the invention the crossbar extends between the ends of the support arms located away from the surface. In exemplary embodiments of the invention the holding device comprises a secondary holder extending from the crossbar and capable of moving rotationally about the longitudinal axis of the crossbar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein holding an object against a surface.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein holding an object against a generally vertical surface.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein holding an object against a generally horizontal surface.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another exemplary embodiment of a holding device described herein holding an object against a generally vertical surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an exemplary embodiment of the invention consists of a holding device 100 comprising a holder 102 and mounting hardware 104. Holder 102 is made of a rigid material and comprises two support arms comprising support arm portions 106, extension portions 108 that extend outward from the support arm portions 106, and a crossbar portion 110 extending between the two extension portions 108. Holding device 100 and its components may be constructed of metal, a rigid polymer, or any other suitable material including without limitation wood and a wide variety of plastics.

Holder 102 is attached to a surface such as a wall or ceiling using any suitable fastener such as a screw or a nail such that it can rotate partially about an axis “A.” Axis “A” is approximately aligned with the ends of the extension portions 108 of the holder 102 that are proximate to the surface to which the holder 102 is attached. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 this can be achieved by small mounting arms 112 that are inserted into bores 114 in the mounting hardware 104, or by any other suitable mounting hardware that allows for such rotational movement about axis “A.”

In an exemplary embodiment, holder 102 is attached to a substantially vertical wall surface such that the two support arm portions 106 hang downward generally parallel to the wall surface and the two extension portions 108 extend outward from the wall surface as shown in FIG. 1. In an exemplary embodiment the two extension portions 108 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two support arm portions 106 and are parallel to each other.

When a surfboard 116 that has a maximum width that is larger than the distance between the two extension portions 108 is inserted into the holder 102 it will slide downward until the rails 118 of the surfboard contact the two extension portions 108. As the surfboard 116 slides downward, the rocker of the surfboard may cause the holder 102 to rotate outward about axis “A”. When the surfboard 116 is fully inserted such that its rails 118 are in contact with the two extension portions 108 and the surfboard is released, the force of the surfboard 116 against the holder 102 will cause the holder 102 to rotate to a stable position such that the tip of the surfboard 120 and the tail of the surfboard 122 are in contact with the wall surface. The surfboard 116 will then rest in this position until being removed by the user by pulling the surfboard 116 upward out of the holder 102.

It will be readily understood by those of skill in the art that it is not necessary for the upper end of the object placed in the holder to be in contact with the wall surface. For example, if the exemplary embodiment described above is affixed to a partial wall that does not extend upward sufficiently far above the mounting point for the holder 102, the tip of the surfboard 120 will be in contact with the wall surface while the tail of the surfboard 122 will be freestanding.

Similarly, in another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the lengths of the two support arm portions 106, the two extension portions 108, and the crossbar portion 110 of the holder 102 may be sized such that the surfboard 116 or other object rests with its lower end such as the tip of the surfboard 120 against the wall surface, while its upper end such as the tail of the surfboard 122 is slightly off of the wall surface.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in another exemplary embodiment the holder 202 is fastened to a surface using a simple bolt clamp sized to accommodate the diameter of the holder 202 material. Holder 202 comprises mounting arms 212, two support arm portions 206, and a crossbar 210 extending between the ends of the two support arm portions 206. The mounting arms 212 are affixed to the surface such that they can rotate about axis “A.”

In another exemplary embodiment, the holder 202 may be fastened to a generally horizontal surface such as a ceiling. The object to be placed in the holder 202, such as surfboard 216 is slid into the holder 202 with its concave side facing upward toward the generally horizontal surface until the holder 202 is at an appropriate balance point, typically near the location of the center of gravity along the longitudinal axis of the object. When it is released, the object will rotate about the point of contact with holder 202 until either its tip end 220 or its tail end 222 comes into contact with the generally horizontal surface. At that point the object will come to rest in a stable position.

Referring to FIG. 6, in another exemplary embodiment holding device 300 comprises a holder 302 and a secondary holder 330 arranged so that two objects can be held in place. Holder 302 comprises mounting arms 312, two support arm portions 306, and a crossbar 310 extending between the ends of the two support arm portions 306. The mounting arms 312 are affixed to the surface such that they can rotate about axis “A.” Secondary holder 330 comprises side arms 332 and secondary crossbar 334. Side arms 332 are attached to crossbar 310 such that secondary holder 330 can rotate freely about crossbar 310. When holding device 300 is attached to a generally horizontal surface such as a ceiling, a first object can be placed in holder 302 as described above. A second object can then be placed between crossbar 310 and secondary crossbar 334 and positioned in the same fashion so that one end of the object rests against the object placed in holder 302.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, it will be readily understood by those of skill in the art that the size and relative positioning of the support arm portions 106, 206, 306, 406 and 506, the extension portions 108, and the crossbars 110, 210, 310, 410 and 510 may be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of objects with rocker. Moreover, overall configuration of the holder can be adjusted to take into account the thickness and amount of rocker of the object to be held.

Claims

1. A holding device for objects with rocker comprising:

a holder comprising at least two support arms, wherein one end of each support arm is connected to at least one other support arm by a crossbar,

wherein the holder is attachable to a surface such that it can rotate about an axis adjacent and parallel to the plane of the surface such that the object with rocker will rest with at least one end touching the surface when inserted between the crossbar and the surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said support arms are substantially parallel.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said support arms include at least two distinct portions that are positioned at an angle relative to each other.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said crossbar extends between the ends of the support arms located away from the surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the holding device comprises a secondary holder extending from the crossbar and capable of moving rotationally about the longitudinal axis of the crossbar.