Detachable swimming pool shade and sport mounting

• US 7,229,059 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Too KOOL Recreation
• Original Assignee: Too KOOL Recreation
• Inventors: Hood, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez; Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US10/688,696
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 248/518, 248/511, 248/205.5, 248/205.6, 248/205.7, 248/205.8, 248/206.1, 248/206.2, 248/206.3, 248/206.4, 248/362, 248/363, 248/224.8, 248/22.52, 248/222.5, 403/348, 403/349, 403/361
• US Class Current: 248/518
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/03 the user being in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/05 with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/055 used for fixing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 17/02 Awnings , including rigid weather protection structures, e.g. sunroofs; Tarpaulins; Accessories for awnings or tarpaulins
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/14 Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
• 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: F16M 13/022 repositionable

Abstract

An improved mounting apparatus for providing shade, sport, banner and recreational equipment for swimming pool and other locations. The base of the mounting apparatus is comprised of at least one lever activated strong suction cup member easily manually attached to a receptacle unit for accepting and holding vertical pole units, the top sections of which have various athletic, recreational and shade providing equipment. The improvement resides in allowing the mounting apparatus to be affixed to a vertical or horizontal surface, either wet or dry, thus not limiting its positioning or location in a swimming pool or on other hard, smooth, clean and flat surfaces such as on recreational vehicles and boats. These mounting apparatus are readily removable for convenience and light weight and economical to manufacture. Novel handle designs as levers for activating the suction cup members are also presented.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus capable of noninvasive installation on a wet or dry, strong, flat, smooth and clean surface for grasping a vertical pole type member with a shade producing or sports or recreation oriented device at its top, said apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one lever handle activated strong suction cup member;

(b) a receptacle unit comprising a top end, wherein the top end includes a compression fitting adapted to receive and secure said vertical pole type member; and

(c) a means for connecting the suction cup member to the receptacle unit, wherein the means for connecting the suction cup member to the receptacle unit of a includes a tooth member on the suction cup member and an internal ell shaped groove in the receptacle unit whereby the tooth member passes through the ell shaped groove, wherein the at least one lever handle on the suction cup member is at least partially hidden inside the suction cup member when suction force is activated.

2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one lever handle on the suction cup member is controlled by movement of a key type device inserted in a slot in the at least one lever handle.

3. A detachable mounting system for use with sporting equipment, comprising:

(a) a mounting apparatus comprising at least one lever handle activated strong suction cup member;

(b) a pole member having a top end;

(c) a sporting equipment component attached to the ton end of the pole member;

(d) a receptacle unit attached to the mounting apparatus, wherein the receptacle unit is adapted to receive the pole member;

(e) a second mounting apparatus comprising at least one lever handle activated strong suction cup member;

(f) a second pole member having a top end, wherein the sporting equipment component is further attached to the top end of the second pole member; and

(g) a second receptacle unit attached to the second mounting apparatus, wherein the second receptacle unit is adapted to receive the second pole member.

4. A detachable mounting system for use with sporting equipment, comprising:

(a) a mounting apparatus comprising at least one lever handle activated strong suction cup member;

(b) a pole member having a top end;

(c) a sporting equipment component attached to the top end of the pole member;

(d) a receptacle unit attached to the mounting apparatus, wherein the receptacle unit is adapted to receive the pole member;

wherein the mounting apparatus and the second mounting apparatus each further comprise a plurality of lever handle activated strong suction cup members.