Holder for remote control units for TV,VCR and the like

• US 4,815,683 A
• Filed: 10/19/1987
• Issued: 03/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laureen Ferrante
• Original Assignee: Laureen Ferrante
• Inventors: Ferrante, Laureen
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSS, J
• Application Number:
  US07/109,912
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 248/314, 248/205.2, 248/205.3, 248/205.4, 248/309.1, 248/310, 248/311.2, 211/88, 211/86, 211/75, 312/7.2, 312/7.1
• US Class Current: 248/205.2
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/025 Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A holder for TV/VCR remote control unit is generally rectangular and has one or two remote control unit receiving compartments. Variously shaped spacer brackets can be used to attach the holder to a support surface such as the housing of a TV or VCR. Advantageously, resilient members, such as springs or foam pads are placed into the receiving compartments to selectively elevating the remote control units above the holder to facilitate gripping and provide protection to the units against mechanical shock.

Claims

1. Holder in combination with a TV/VCR remote control unit comprising means defining a three dimensional space greater than the three dimensional space occupied by the remove control unit and having an opening dimensioned to allow free insertion of the remote control unit into and free removal of the remote control unit from said receiving means, said receiving means being a generally box-shaped enclosure having front, rear, bottom and side walls and a top opening when mounted as a supporting surface and attaching means for attaching said receiving means to a surface to orient said opening generally upwardly to prevent a remote control unit placed into said receiving means from falling out due to the action of gravity and to permit gripping of the remote control unit.

2. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said walls define an internal compartment dimensioned to receive a single remote control unit.

3. A holder as defined in claim 2, wherein said walls define an internal compartment dimensioned to receive two remote control units.

4. A holder as defined in claim 3, wherein said internal compartment is dimensioned to receive two remote control units side by side.

5. A holder as defined in claim 3, further comprising an internal separating wall or partition for dividing said internal compartment into two individual compartments each dimensioned to receive another remote control unit.

6. A holder as defined in claim 5, wherein said internal separating wall is parallel to said side walls.

7. A holder as defined in claim 1, further comprising elevating means at the end of said receiving means remote from said opening for selectively elevating and positioning one end of the remote control unit beyond said opening and exteriorily of said receiving means to facilitate gripping of the remote control unit and removal thereof from the holder.

8. A holder as defined in claim 7, wherein said elevating means is resilient for absorbing mechanical shock of impact when the remote control unit is placed into the holder.

9. A holder as defined in claim 8, wherein said elevating means comprises a spring.

10. A holder as defined in claim 9, wherein said spring is a helical compression spring.

11. A holder as defined in claim 8, wherein said elevating means comprises a foam material.

12. A holder as defined in claim 8, wherein said receiving means has two compartments each for receiving another remote control unit, and wherein two elevating means are provided one in each of said two compartments.

13. A holder as defined in claim 11, wherein said two elevating means have different dimensions to cause two remote control units placed within said two compartments to project beyond said holder opening lesser and greater distances to facilitate selective gripping of one or the other of the remote control units.

14. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises an integral connection with a support surface.

15. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises adhesive for attaching the holder to a support surface.

16. A holder as defined in claim 1, further comprising spacer means for attaching the holder to a support surface in spaced relation thereto.

17. A holder as defined in claim 16, wherein said spacer means comprises at least one "Z" shaped bracket.

18. A holder as defined in claim 16, wherein said spacer means comprises at least one "S" shaped bracket.

19. A holder as defined in claim 16, wherein said spacer means comprises at least one "V" shaped bracket.

20. A holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching means includes hook and loop tape.

21. Holder for a TV/VCR remote control unit comprising means defining a three dimensional space greater than the three dimensional space occupied by the remote control unit and having an opening dimensioned to allow free insertion of the remote control unit into and free removal of the remote control unit from said receiving means said receiving means;

elevating means at the end of said receiving means remote from said opening for selectively elevating and positioning one end of the remote control unit beyond said opening and exteriorly of said receiving means to facilitate gripping of the remote control unit and removal thereof from the holder said elevating means being resilient for absorbing mechanical shock of impact when the remote control unit is placed into the holder; and

attaching means for attaching said receiving means to a surface to orient said opening generally upwardly to prevent a remote control unit placed into said receiving means from falling out due to the action of gravity.

22. A holder as defined in claim 21, wherein said receiving means is a generally box-shaped enclosure having front, rear, bottom and side walls and a top opening when mounted as a supporting surface.

23. Holder for a TV/VCR remote control unit comprising means defining a three dimensional space greater than the three dimensional space occupied by the remote control unit and having an opening dimensioned to allow free insertion of the remote control unit into and free removal of the remote control unit from said receiving means said receiving means;

said receiving means defining an internal compartment dimensioned to receive two remote control units, and having an internal separating wall or partition for dividing said internal compartment into two individual compartments each dimensioned to receive another one of said remote control units and positioning same in relation to each other to facilitate gripping of either remote control unit and attaching means for attaching said receiving means to a surface to orient said opening generally upwardly to prevent a remote control unit placed into said receiving means from falling out due to the action of gravity.

24. Holder in combination with a TV/VCR remote control unit comprising receiving means defining a three dimensional space greater than the three dimensional space occupied by the remote control unit and having an opening dimensioned to allow free insertion of the remote control unit into and free removal of the remote control unit from said receiving means;

and attaching means for attaching said receiving means to a surface to orient said opening generally upwardly to prevent a remote control unit placed into said receiving means from falling out due to the action of gravity, said support surface defining an upper edge, said attaching means comprising an integral connection with said support surface and said receiving means being arranged to position said opening proximate to said upper edge, whereby a control unit placed into the holder extends above said upper edge to thereby facilitate grasping of same.