Securing Device

• US 20090211066A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inventec Technology Company Limited (Inventec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Inventec Technology Company Limited (Inventec Corporation)
• Inventors: Swanepoel, Adriaan Retief
• Granted Patent: US 8,807,509 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/304
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/17 using adhesives, suction or magnetism A47G1/168 takes precedence; suction cups for attaching purposes, equivalent means using adhesives F16B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/20 Picture hooks; X-hooks plugs or hooks for general use F16B13/00, F16B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/33 having adhesive fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45152 Each mating member having similarly shaped, sized, and operated interlocking or intermeshable face
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

The invention provides a securing device for use in securing an object to a supporting surface, and/or for restraining an object relative to a supporting surface. The securing device includes a base (20) having a loading region (28) to which a force is applied by the object . The securing device also includes a first securing member (30) and a second securing member (50) for securing the base to the supporting surface, the base (20) pivotably engaging the first securing member (30) in order for the base to be able to transmit a force to the first securing member substantially without inducing a moment about the first securing member.

Claims

1. A securing device (10) for use in securing an object to a supporting surface (15), and/or for restraining an object relative to a supporting surface (15), the securing device (10) including:

a base (20) being securable to the supporting surface (15), the base (20) having a loading region to which a resultant force is applied when the object in use engages the securing device (10); and

the base (20) being securable to the supporting surface (15) by way of a first securing member (30) and a second securing member (50), wherein the first securing member (30) in use is loaded in a first direction, and the second securing member (60) in use is loaded in a second direction, the first direction being substantially perpendicular relative to the second direction, with at least one of the first or the second securing member (50) being bondingly securable to the supporting surface (15); and

the base (20) being at least partially angularly displaceable relative to the first securing member (30) in order for the base (20) to be able to transmit a force to the first securing member (30) substantially without inducing a moment about the first securing member (30).

2. The securing device (10) according to claim 1 wherein the base (20) pivotably engages the first securing member (30) so that only forces substantially parallel to the first securing member (30) are transmittable from the base (20) to the first securing member (30), with no forces substantially perpendicular to the first securing member (30), and directed away from the supporting surface (15), being transmittable to the first securing member (30).

3. The securing device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first securing member (30) is the securing member in use being loaded in a direction substantially parallel to the securing member.

4. The securing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one of the securing members is adhesively securable to the supporting surface (15) without penetrating the supporting surface (15).

5. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) and the second securing member (50) are substantially in the same plane.

10. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base (20) includes a fulcrum formation that in use defines a fulcrum between the base (20) and the supporting surface (15).

11. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) is configured in use to be subjected to a force being substantially parallel to a securing surface of the first securing member (30).

12. The securing device (10) according to claim 11 wherein the force induces shear stress in the first securing member (30), substantially without inducing tensile stress in the first securing member (30).

13. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second securing member (60) is configured in use to be subjected to a force being substantially perpendicular to a securing surface of the second securing member (50).

14. The securing device (10) according to claim 13 wherein the force induces tensile stress in the second securing member (50), substantially without inducing shear stress in the second securing member (50).

15. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a first end zone of the base (20) pivotably engages an engagement formation provided on the first securing member (30).

16. The securing device (10) according to claim 15 wherein an edge of the first end zone engages an engagement formation that is located towards an end of the first securing member (30).

17. The securing device (10) according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the engagement formation is in the form of a fold provided in the end of the first securing member (30), the edge of the base (20) being secured in the fold.

18. The securing device (10) according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the engagement formation is in the form of a socket formation extending from the first securing member (30), the edge of the base (20) defining a spigot that pivotably engages the complimentary shaped socket.

19. The securing device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) includes a displacement zone that divides the first securing member (30) into a primary section and a secondary section, the displacement zone being adapted to prevent displacement of the primary section from being transmitted to the secondary section.

20. The securing device (10) according to claim 19 wherein the displacement zone is in the form of a pleat provided in the first securing member (30).

21. The securing device (10) according to claim 19 wherein the displacement zone is in the form of a weakened section comprising a plurality of perforations.

22. The securing device (10) according to claim 19 wherein the displacement zone is defined by a gap between separate spaced apart primary and secondary sections, the two separate sections being interconnected by means of a bridging member.

23. The securing device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) includes guiding means for in use assisting a user accurately to orientate the securing device (10) on the supporting surface (15).

24. The securing device (10) according to claim 23 wherein the guiding means are in the form of apertures provided in the first securing member (30).

25. The securing device (10) according to claim 24 wherein the apertures are in the form of triangular notches located in an outer edge of the first securing member (30).

26. The securing device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) includes splitting formations allowing the first securing member (30) to be divided into a number of sections when the first securing member (30) is removed from the supporting surface (15).

27. The securing device (10) according to claim 26 wherein the splitting formations are in the form of linear perforations and/or slits.

28. The securing device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) comprises a section of sheet material, one surface of which is covered by a film of adhesive media.

29. The securing device (10) according to claim 28 wherein the first securing member (30) is characterised therein that the distance with which the section of sheet material stretches when a force, resulting from a maximum securing device (10) design load, is applied in a direction parallel to the adhesive film, is smaller than a thickness of the adhesive film.

30. The securing device (10) according to claim 29 wherein the distance with which the section of sheet material stretches is smaller than half the thickness of the adhesive film.

31. The securing device (10) according to claim 30 wherein the distance with which the section of sheet material stretches is smaller than a quarter of the thickness of the adhesive film.

32. The securing device (10) according to claim 28 or 29 wherein the adhesive media is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive layer, double-sided adhesive tape and bonded adhesive tape.

33. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) includes a high-friction surface being adapted to provide sufficient friction between the first securing member (30) and the supporting surface (15) to aid the adhesive layer in preventing the first securing member (30) from being displaced relative to the supporting surface (15) when in use.

34. The securing device (10) according to claim 33 wherein the high-friction surface is selected from the group including sandpaper, rubberised material, silicon, and a sheet with protruding spikes or nodules.

35. The securing device (10) according to claim 33 or claim 34 wherein the entire surface of the first securing member (30) is in the form of a high-friction surface being adapted to provide sufficient friction between the first securing member (30) and the supporting surface (16) to prevent the first securing member (30) from being displaced relative to the supporting surface (15) when in use.

36. The securing device (10) according to claim 35 wherein the high-friction surface is selected from the group including sandpaper, rubberised material, silicon, and a sheet with protruding spikes or nodules.

37. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second securing member (50) is connected to the base (20) in a configuration wherein a resultant force component in the second direction is transmitted to the second securing member (50).

38. The securing device (10) according to claim 37 wherein a second end zone of the base (20) is substantially parallel relative to the supporting surface (15), the second securing member (50) being rigidly connected to the second end zone of the base (20).

39. The securing device (10) according to claim 37 wherein the second securing member (50) is connectable to the base (20) by means of an elongate flexible member being substantially rigid in tension.

40. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second securing member (50) is in the form of a backing section having adhesive films provided on opposite sides thereof.

41. - The securing device (10) according to claim 40 wherein the second securing member (60) is in the form of double-sided tape.

42. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first securing member (30) and the second securing member (50) is configured to be spaced apart when mounted on the supporting surface (15).

43. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second securing member (50) is configured to overlie the first securing member (30) in order for the second securing member (50) to be securable to the first securing member (30), and for the first securing member (30) to be securable to the supporting surface (15).

44. The securing device (10) according to claim 43 wherein the second securing member (50) is securable to the secondary section of the first securing member (30).

45. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the loading region includes a receiving formation (28) for receiving the object.

46. The securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the loading region includes attachment means for attaching the object and the base (20) to one another.

47. The securing device (10) according to any one of claims 45 or 46 wherein the receiving formation (28) or the attachment means are located towards the second end zone of the base (20).

48. The securing device (10) according to claim 45 wherein the receiving formation (28) is selected form the group consisting of a hook, a knob, a rigid loop, a flexible loop, a receiving slot complimentary dimensioned to an engagement formation on an object to be received, any other suitable formation that extends from the base (20), or an aperture provided in the base (20).

49. The securing device (10) according to claim 45 wherein the receiving formation (28) is defined by an operatively upper edge of the base (20).

50. A securing member, suitable for use as a second securing member (50) in the securing device (10) of any of the preceding claims, including:

a body;

at least one backing sheet located on a surface of the body; and

an adhesive medium located on a surface of the backing sheet opposite the body;

the second securing member (50) characterised therein that the backing sheet has a Young'"'"'s modulus of at least 1000 MPa (mega Pascal).

51. The securing member according to claim 50 wherein the backing sheet has a Young'"'"'s modulus of at least 2000 MPa (mega Pascal).

52. The securing member according to claim 50 wherein the backing sheet has a Young'"'"'s modulus of at least 5000 MPa (mega Pascal).

53. A method of removing a securing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims from a supporting surface (15), the method including the steps of:

providing a cutting device that is sufficiently flexible so as to be insertable between the supporting surface (15) and the base (20) without imparting a substantial force on the base (20); and

forcing the cutting device into the body of the second securing member (50) so as to split the body by cutting therethrough, so as to allow the body to be removed.

54. The method according to claim 53 including the step of removing the first securing member (30) after the body of the second securing member (50) has been removed.

55. The method according to claim 54 wherein the first securing member (30) is removed by peeling the sheet from the supporting surface (15).

56. The method according to claim 55 wherein the first securing member (30) is removed by peeling the first securing member (30) in strip-by-strip configuration.

59. A method of securing an object to a supporting surface (15), including the steps of:

providing a securing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 49;

securing the securing device (10) to the supporting surface (15); and

connecting the object to the securing device (10).

60. A method of claim 59 wherein securing the securing device (10) to a supporting surface (15) includes the steps of:

securing the first securing member (30) to the supporting surface (15);

orientating the base (20) so that the second securing member (50) is located adjacent the supporting surface (15); and

securing the second securing member (50) to the supporting surface (15).

61. Use of a securing device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 49 in securing an object to a supporting surface (15).

62. The use of claim 61 wherein the object is permanently secured to the supporting surface (15).

63. The use of claim 61 wherein the object is removably secured to the supporting surface (15).

64. Use of a securing member as claimed in any one of claims 50 to 52 in securing an object to a supporting surface (15).

6. A securing device (10) mounted to a supporting surface (15), for use in securing an object to the supporting surface (15), and/or for restraining an object relative to the supporting surface (15), the securing device (10) including:

a base (20) having a loading region to which a resultant force is applied when the object in use engages the securing device (10), the base (20) secured to the supporting surface (15) by way of a first securing member (30) and a second securing member (50), wherein the first securing member (30) in use is loaded in a first direction, and the second securing member (60) in use is loaded in a second direction, the first direction being substantially perpendicular relative to the second direction, with at least one of the first or the second securing member (50) being bondingly securable to the supporting surface (15); and

;

the base (20) being at least partially angularly displaceable relative to the first securing member (30) in order for the base (20) to be able to transmit a force to the first securing member (30) substantially without inducing a moment about the first securing member (30).

7. The securing device (10) according to claim 6 characterised therein that at least one of the securing members is adhesively secured to the supporting surface (15) without penetrating the supporting surface (15).

8. The securing device (10) according to claim 6 or 7 wherein only forces substantially parallel to the first securing member (30) are transmitted from the base (20) to the first securing member (30), with no forces substantially perpendicular to the first securing member (30), and directed away from the supporting surface (15), being transmitted to the first securing member (30).

9. The securing device (10) of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the first securing member (30) and the second securing member (50) are substantially in the same plane.

57. A method of securing an object to a supporting surface (15) including the steps of

providing a first securing member (30) for resisting a force directed substantially parallel to the support surface;

providing a second securing member (50) for resisting a force directed substantially away form the support surface;

connecting the object to a base (20) member that is connected to both the first securing member (30) and the second securing member (50).

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the securing members have adhesive surfaces.