Article support system

• US 6,913,232 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2003
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harald Richter
• Original Assignee: Herbert Richter
• Inventors: Richter, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): WOOD, KIMBERLY T
• Application Number:
  US10/600,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20040256529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.2, 248/205.5, 248/500, 248/205.8, 248/205.6, 248/205.7, 248/205.9, 248/205.4, 248/683, 248/363, 248/362, 248/309.3
• US Class Current: 248/205.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/006 the suction cups being activated by the rotation of a cranked lever arm
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/10 Arrangements for locking
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• 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: F16M 2200/02 Locking means

Abstract

In an article support system including a housing with a base defining a cavity, a suction disc supported in the cavity so as to delimit the cavity, and a mechanism for actuating the suction disc so as to create a vacuum between the suction disc and a smooth support surface, the housing includes at its end opposite the base an article support plate with engagement claws for engaging a particular article, and a mounting plate is provided for connection to a support surface, which has a smooth surface for mounting the device selectively thereon by way of the suction disc or on a clamp support plate.

Claims

1. An article support system including:

a housing (1) having a housing base (20) with a cavity (3) and a rim (25) extending around said cavity (3), a suction disc (2) supported in said housing base (20) so as to delimit said cavity (3), an operating rod (4) movably supported in said housing (1) and connected to said suction disc (2), a compression spring (7) disposed in said housing (1) behind said operating rod (4) so as to bias the operating rod (4) and, together therewith, the suction disc (2) outwardly from said base 20 and into contact with a surface on which the housing (1) is disposed, a operating means (9, 9a, 9b) connected to said operating rod (4) for pulling said suction disc into said cavity (3) against the force of said compression spring (7) to create a vacuum between said suction disc (2) and support surface on which said housing (1) is disposed, said housing (1) including at its end opposite said base (20) an article support plate (13) having engagement claws (15) for selectively engaging an article provided with means permitting its engagement by said engagement claws (15) said system further including a mounting plate (21) provided at one side with means for its connection to said support surface and having at another side a smooth surface for selectively mounting said housing base (20) thereon by means of said suction disc (2), or a clamp support plate (22) provided with means for engaging said housing base (20) and also with means for mounting said clamp support plate (22) to said support surface.

2. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said article support plate (13) is pivotally supported on said housing (1) so as to permit adjustment of the support angle of an article supported by said support plate (13).

3. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said housing base (20) is rotatably supported on said clamping support plate (22) so as to permit adjustment of angle of the support device about an axis normal to the support plate (22).

4. A support system according to claim 1, wherein an operating arm is pivotally supported on said operating rod (4) and includes at opposite sides of the operating rod (4) cams (9a, 9b) which engage the housing base (20) so as to lift the operating rod (4) and pull the suction disc (2) into the base (20) to generate a vacuum between the suction disc (2) and a surface on which it is supported.

5. A support system according to claim 1, wherein said engagement means are claws (15) projecting from said support plate (13) and said article or, respectively, a adapter plate have openings receiving said claws (15).