Multiple layer suction holder

• US 5,318,262 A
• Filed: 11/27/1992
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adams Mfg Corporation (Keter Group SA)
• Original Assignee: Adams Mfg Corporation (Keter Group SA)
• Inventors: Adams, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US07/982,588
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 248/205.5, 248/205.6, 248/205.7, 248/205.8, 248/205.9, 248/206.1, 248/206.2, 248/363, 248/683, 248/362, 248/903
• US Class Current: 248/205.8
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/903 Support reinforcement

Abstract

A multiple layer suction holder is disclosed in which a lower attaching layer is made of a soft, flexible material having a neck extending therefrom. A shell is fitted on top of the lower attaching layer where the shell is made from a flexible material which is harder than the soft, flexible material of the lower attaching layer. The suction holder is further provided with connecting devices which force the shell against the lower attaching layer in order to provide an internal pressure in the lower attaching layer directed toward the mounting surface. Hence, air cannot readily pass under the lower attaching layer. The multiple layer suction holder provides maximum contact with the mounting surface and maximum memory that results in longer life of the suction holder.

Claims

1. A suction holder comprising:

a) a lower attaching layer having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a perimeter therebetween, the top surface having a center portion and a neck attached to the center portion of the top surface, the lower attaching layer being made from a soft, flexible material;

b) at least one shell having a top surface, a bottom surface and a shell perimeter therebetween, the at least one shell fitted on the top surface of the lower attaching layer, the at least one shell being made of a flexible material which is harder than the soft, flexible material of the lower attaching layer;

c) a lip forming a groove extending entirely along the lower attaching layer perimeter, the at least one shell perimeter being positioned within and surrounded by the groove; and

d) a fastener being located on the neck, both the lip and the fastener being sized and proportioned such that when the suction holder is attached to a mounting surface a pressure at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the neck is created on the lip which holds the lip in contact with the mounting surface.

2. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the lower attaching layer and the at least one shell are substantially flat.

3. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the lower attaching layer material is polyvinyl chloride.

4. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the fastener is at least two projections attached to the neck for retaining the at least one shell in a desired position.

5. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the fastener includes annular rings positioned along an exterior surface of the neck.

6. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the at least one shell includes spring gripping section means for retaining an object between the spring gripping section means and the lower attaching top surface, the spring gripping section means and the lower attaching top surface, the spring gripping section means being an integral segmented portion of the at least one shell.

7. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the fastener includes an aperture projecting transversely through the neck and one of a pin and a wedge extending through the aperture and engaging the at least one shell.

8. The suction holder of claim 1 also comprising a hook member attached to one of the neck and the at least one shell.

9. The suction holder of claim 8 wherein the hook member further includes a spring arm.

10. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the at least one shell material is polycarbonate.

11. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein a tab is attached to one of the at least one shell and the lower attaching layer.

12. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the lower attaching layer and the at least one shell are in the shape of a truncated cone.

13. The suction holder of claim 6 wherein the spring gripping section means includes a lift tab.

14. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the neck of the lower attaching layer extends through an opening in the at least one shell.

15. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the lower attaching layer is made from a material with a durometer of less than 50.

16. The suction holder of claim 1 wherein the soft, flexible material of the lower attaching layer has a durometer not greater than 75.

17. The suction holder of claim 15 wherein the lower attaching layer is formed by calendar forming a sheet of the material having a durometer of less than 50;

and stamping the lower attaching layer from the sheet of material having a durometer of less than 50.

18. A suction holder comprising:

a) a lower attaching layer having a bottom surface, a top surface with a center portion and a neck being attached to the center portion of the top surface, the lower attaching layer being made from a soft, flexible material;

b) at least one shell having a top surface and a bottom surface, the at least one shell fitted on the top surface of the lower attaching layer, the at least one shell being made of a flexible material which is harder than the soft, flexible material of the lower attaching layer;

c) a third layer attached to the lower attaching layer, the third layer being made of a material softer and more flexible than the lower attaching layer; and

d) means for connecting the lower attaching layer to the at least one shell and for forcing the bottom surface of the at least one shell against the top surface of the lower attaching layer such that when the suction holder is attached to a mounting surface a pressure is created in the lower attaching layer in a direction opposite the neck.

19. The suction holder of claim 18 wherein the lower attaching layer and the at least one shell are substantially flat.

20. The suction holder of claim 18 wherein the material of the third layer is a silicone caulk.

21. The suction holder of claim 18 wherein the neck of the lower attaching layer extends through an opening in the at least one shell.

22. The suction holder of claim 18 wherein the connecting means includes annular rings positioned along an exterior surface of the neck.

23. The suction holder of claim 18 wherein the connecting means further comprises an elevated rim positioned on the bottom surface of the at least one shell along the circumference of the at least one shell.

24. The suction holder of claim 18 wherein the connecting means includes at least two projections attached to the neck for retaining the at least one shell in a desired position.

25. A suction holder comprising:

a) a lower attaching layer having a bottom surface, a top surface with a center portion and a neck being attached to the center portion of the top surface, the lower attaching layer being made from a soft, flexible material;

b) at least one shell having a top surface and a bottom surface, the at least one shell fitted on the top surface of the lower attaching layer, the at least one shell being made of a flexible material which is harder than the soft, flexible material of the lower attaching layer; and

c) means for connecting the lower attaching layer to the at least one shell and for forcing the bottom surface of the at least one shell against the top surface of the lower attaching layer such that when the suction holder is attached to a mounting surface a pressure is created in the lower attaching layer in a direction opposite the neck, the connecting means including the at least one shell having a plurality of radial arms which engage one of a plurality of protuberances attached to an outer perimeter of the top surface of the lower attaching layer and a lip attached to an outer perimeter of the lower attaching layer.

26. The suction holder of claim 25 also comprising a hook member being attached to one of the neck and the at least one shell.

27. The suction holder of claim 26 wherein the hook member further includes a spring arm.

28. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein the at least one shell is polycarbonate.

29. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein a tab is attached to one of the at least one shell and the lower attaching layer.

30. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein the neck of the lower attaching layer extends through an opening in the at least one shell.

31. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein the at least one shell includes spring gripping section means for retaining an object between the spring gripping section means and the lower attaching top surface, the spring gripping section means being an integral segmented portion of the at least one shell.

32. The suction holder of claim 25 also comprising a lift tab attached to the spring gripping section means.

33. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein the soft, flexible material of the lower attaching layer has a durometer not greater than 75.

34. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein the lower attaching layer is made from a material with a durometer of less than 50.

35. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein the lower attaching layer is formed by calendar forming a sheet of the material having a durometer of less than 50;

and stamping the lower attaching layer from the sheet of material having a durometer of less than 50.

36. The suction holder of claim 25 wherein the lower attaching layer material is polyvinyl chloride.

37. A suction holder comprising:

a) a lower attaching layer having a bottom surface, a top surface with a center portion and a neck attached to the center portion of the top surface, the lower attaching layer being made from a soft, flexible material;

b) a plurality of shells each having a top surface and a bottom surface, the plurality of shells being fitted onto the top surface of the lower attaching layer; and

c) means for connecting the lower attaching layer to the plurality of shells and for forcing the plurality of shells against the top surface of the lower attaching layer such that when the suction holder is attached to a mounting surface a pressure is created in the lower attaching layer in the direction opposite the neck.

38. The suction holder of claim 37 wherein the neck of the lower attaching-layer extends through an opening in each of the plurality of shells.

39. The suction holder of claim 37 wherein the lower attaching layer and the plurality of shells are substantially flat.

40. The suction holder of claim 37 wherein the connecting means further comprises an elevated rim positioned on the bottom surface and along the circumference of at least one of the plurality of shells.

41. The suction holder of claim 37 wherein the connecting means includes at least two projections attached to the neck for retaining the plurality of shells in a desired position.

42. The suction holder of claim 37 wherein the connecting means includes annular rings positioned along an exterior surface of the neck.

43. A suction holder comprising:

a) a lower attaching layer having a bottom surface, a top surface with a center portion and a neck attached to the center portion of the top surface, the neck being an anchor stem, the lower attaching layer being made from a soft, flexible material;

b) at least one shell having a top surface and a bottom surface with a cavity, the at least one shell being fitted on the top surface of the lower attaching layer, the at least one shell being made of a flexible material which is harder than the soft, flexible material of the lower attaching layer; and

c) connecting mans for connecting the lower attaching layer to the at least one shell and for forcing the bottom surface of the at least one shell against the top surface of the lower attaching layer such that a pressure is created n the lower attaching layer in the direction opposite the neck when the suction holder is attached to a mounting surface, the connecting means comprising the anchor stem being friction fitted within the cavity positioned in the bottom surface of the at least one shell.