FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a clamping device for hanging articles. In particular, the invention relates to a clamping device for hanging medium to heavier articles such as towels, shirts, blankets as well as lighter articles such as papers, films, charts,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hanging articles up over hooks is often unsatisfactory as the articles often slide off.

Although other clamping devices utilizing gravity-operated elements have heretofore been known, they have had various disadvantages in that they were unduly complicated in design or structure, or could not operate effectively, or could not be readily and easily undamped from the article being clamped.

Further, most prior devices were only capable of being used for lightweight articles such as papers, films, and charts.

U.S. Patent No. 446,486 describes a bracket for holding paper.

U.S. Patent No. 2,377,488 describes a device for holding articles in suspension which includes a corrugated wall to increase the gripping action of the ball.

U.S. Patent No. 3,399,429 describes a clamping device for sheets such as papers, charts, and films which uses a roller.

U.S. Patent No. 4,039,134 describes a message holder for paper where the ball detent moves back against a spring bias. An object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device for hanging articles which automatically clamps a medium to heavier article and which is easily and quickly undamped when it is so desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a clamping device for hanging an article in which a ball is retained within the device and can move up and down within a channel of limited length.

Advantages of the present invention include the following:

(A) The channel is angled in such a fashion that as the article is inserted into the clamping device, the article moves past the ball, the ball drops down behind the article by means of gravity, and consequently the article is secured between the ball and the front piece of the clamping device.

(B) The degree of angle of the channel in the clamping device is such that it can secure a minimal width of fabric (fine silk), as well as a thicker width of fabric (bath towel).

(C) The unique combination of the following three measurements combined allow the clamping device to secure articles which range from light weight (e.g. scarf) to heavy weight (e.g. bath towel).

1 — the degree of angle of the channel in the back piece of the clamping device;

2 — the exact space between the channel at its lowest point and the front piece;

3 — the length of space between the highest and lowest point of the channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the clamping device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping device being attached to a vertical surface and having an article held therein;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the clamping device according to FIG. 1 wherein the article is shown being inserted into the clamping device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamping device, not affixed to a vertical surface, and showing the ball in the channel;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the individual components of the clamping device;

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the individual components shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back piece of the clamping device;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the back piece of the clamping device;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the top piece of the clamping device;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the top piece of the clamping device;

FIG. 10 (a) through (k) are views of the clamping device according to another embodiment of the invention showing the back piece and the front piece attached together by screw means;

FIG. 11 (a) through (1) are views of the clamping device according to a still further embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Structure

Referring to Figure 1, the clamping device 2 comprises a molded body 4 made of any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, metal. The body 4 has a back piece 6 and a front piece 8, which are connected along the upper third of their lengths to form a generally u-shaped clamping device 2.

The back piece 6 is adapted to abut against a generally flat surface 10, such as a wall or door. The back piece 6 may be secured or affixed to the surface 10 by means of screws (not shown) or double-sided tape.

The back piece 6 includes a recess channel 12 in the front surface 14 of the back piece 6 thereof extending centrally along the lower two-thirds of the back piece 6 and being of sufficient width and depth to enable a ball 16 to move freely within the channel 12.

Preferably the channel 12 is inclined at about a 15 degree angle. Preferably the two ends of the channel 12 are square. Preferably the sides of the channel 12 are arc shaped.

The front piece 8 has a generally flat guiding surface 18.

To assemble the clamping device 2, the ball 16 is inserted in the channel 12. The back piece 6 and the front piece 8 are connected together, and the operation of securing the clamping device 2 in place effectually closes the channel 12 to prevent the accidental escape of the ball 16 therefrom.

An article 20 is shown being held in place between the ball 16 and the flat guiding surface 18 of the front piece 8. Referring to Figure 2, the article 20 is shown inserted into the u-shaped space formed by the back piece 6 and the front piece 8, In this illustration, the article 20 has caused the ball 16 to ride up within the channel 12.

Figures 4 to 9 show the individual components of the clamping device 2 in greater detail. Referring thereto, it will be seen that the back piece 6 has a block 22 which is of sufficient size and shape to fit snugly and securely within a corresponding aperture 24 on the front piece 8.

While the block 22 has been shown as a rectangle, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the block 22 and the aperture 24 can be of any size or shape as long as they will fit snugly and securely together.

It will also be apparent to a person to a skilled in the art that block 22 could be on the front piece 8 and the aperture 24 could be on the back piece 6.

The block 22 includes a plurality of holes 26 which can be used for screwing the clamping device 2 to the flat surface 10 with screws (not shown). While the use of screws is preferable it will be understood that any similar means, such as nails or the like, could be used.

On the front piece 8 the area 28 where the screws are inserted is recessed so that the heads of the screws are not flush with the front piece 8. A cover 30 can be placed over the screw heads to provide a neat appearance.

The screws also serve as an additional means of ensuring that the back piece 6 and the front piece 8 remain securely fastened together when attached to the flat surface 10.

If the user does not want to use screws to attach the back piece 6 to the flat surface 10, other fastening means such as double-sided tape could be used. Figure 10 (a) through (k) are views of the clamping device according to another embodiment of the invention showing the back piece and the front piece attached together by screw means;

Figure 11 (a) through (1) are views of the clamping device according to a still further embodiment of the invention, preferably in plastic. Figure 1 (a) shows an added chamfer on the hooks for easy insertion. Figure 1 1 (b) shows an increase depth of cutout to increase the flexibility of the hook feature. Figure 11 (c) shows a perspective view of the back piece and the front piece in snug arrangement. Figure 1 1 (d) shows the bottom edge of the back piece.

Figure 11 (e) is a left side view showing the back piece and front piece together with the marble. Figure 11 (f shows the front piece with the cover removed to show where the screws are inserted through the front pieced and back piece to secure the clamping device to the wall.

Figure 11 (g) shows the cover of the front piece in place.

As can be seen, a screw has been added through the back of the clamping device so as to secure the front piece and back pieces together securely. Two screw holes are included beneath a removable cap so that the clamping device can be mounted with screws if desired. When the clamping device is a plastic version, it is manufactured with a polypropylene infused with class so as to withstand -40°C to +40°C such that is can be used indoors and outdoors.

Operation

The operation of the invention is clearly apparent from the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, when the clamping device is attached to a vertical surface, the ball 1 is biased into a clamping position between the front surface 14 and the guiding surface 18 of the front piece 8. In this position, it is merely necessary to insert the upper edge of the article 20 between the ball 16 and the guiding surface 18 and the ball 16 immediately acts to clamp it in place. In order to release the clamping grip, the article 20 is pulled upward and to the right or left to cause the ball 16 to release the clamping grip. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

List of References

2 clamping device

4 molded body

6 back piece

8 front piece

10 flat surface

12 recess channel

14 front surface

16 ball

18 guiding surface

20 article

22 rectangular block

24 aperture

26 holes

28 area

30 cover