Background Art For many people, storage and organization of their personal possessions presents a significant problem. For example, many individuals participate in sports or other activities requiring the use of bulky equipment, such as surf boards, snow boards, in-line skates, and other such equipment.

When not in use, this bulky equipment must be stored.

However, modern housing conditions often limit storage space.

When such sporting equipment is not in use, it may not be properly stored, but instead be randomly placed in a manner that not only is unattractive, but may damage the sporting equipment. Such placement may also even present a risk of injury to anyone that trips or falls over the improperly placed equipment.

The storage of sport boards such as surf boards, snow boards, and skateboards, present a particularly difficult storage problem. Not only are sport boards expensive, but

they are only intermittently used and are awkward to store.

Further, if not stored properly, sport boards present a hazard if left in an unorganized position where a person may inadvertently trip over or loose his or her balance and sustain an injury as a result of falling to the ground.

Others have tried to solve the sport board storage problem. For example, U. S. Patent 5,014,955 discloses a surf board holder for holding a surf board vertically against the wall. In such a manner, the nose of the surf board is placed in a lower piece and when so inserted, a cord is used to tension the surf board behind an upper panel piece. However, inserting a surf board into the device requires a good deal of strength as the board must be lifted and carefully positioned into the lower piece and then the cord stretched and the surf board slid into the upper panel. Additionally, since the bottom of the surf board is not secured, bumping the surf board may knock it from its position, thereby damaging the surf board or injuring someone. Finally, although the'955 patent device may be suitable to support surf boards of different lengths, the surf board must have a sufficiently pointed nose to be retained in the lower member. However, many types of surf boards cannot be accommodated by the'955 patent device. Indeed, skateboards and snow boards are not even contemplated by the'955 patent, due to their shape and configuration.

In a similar manner, U. S. Patent 4,016,976 discloses a support for assisting in the storage and shipping of small boats. The device has a top portion and a bottom portion which are clamped to the sides of the small boat to permit it to be more easily stored. However, since the small boat is clamped inside the outer pieces, it is quite difficult and time consuming to take a boat in and out of the device.

Further, the support pieces must be specifically designed for a particular small boat, and therefore do not provide flexibility but are restricted to one similar style of boat

only. Indeed, if someone desired to store two somewhat different small boats, then different supporting platforms may be required.

Some sporting activities require the use of specialized footwear, such as boots. For example, the sport of in-line skating requires the use of in-line skates, having boots worn on the feet. Also, the sport of skiing uses specialized ski boots. Such skate and ski boots are expensive and subject to being damaged if incorrectly stored.

United States Patent 4,160,310 and D352,173 disclose portable holders that may be used to carry in-line skates.

However, these may be appropriate for carrying the boots to and from the activity, but they are not convenient for storing the skates or other boots. Also, although not designed for boots, United States Patent 1,813,573 discloses a device for hanging shoes. However, the simple wire structure of the'573 patent makes it inappropriate for use with boots such as heavy in-line skate or ski boots.

Still other sporting activities require the use of balls such as basket balls, soccer balls and the like. As expected, an improperly stored ball can inadvertently roll and may be damaged, lost, or cause injury to someone falling over the ball. Therefore, others have tried to create devices to hold or store balls when not in use. For example, U. S. Patent 5,203,462 discloses a sports equipment rack which also holds balls. However, the ball holding devices are set in the sports equipment rack and therefore no flexibility exists as to the placement of the balls. In another example, U. S.

Patent 3,381,824 discloses a device for holding billiard balls. However, the billiard ball holders are positioned on a vertical pole and accommodate only relatively small balls.

Such a configuration would be unacceptable for storing a variety of different types of balls such as footballs, baseballs, and basketballs.

Further, the ball holder as disclosed above, would be inappropriate for holding non-sporting goods related items.

With such limited usage, the flexibility of the ball holder is significantly reduced.

Therefore, there exists a need for object holders for holding or supporting objects, such as bulky sporting goods equipment, in a safe, efficient and flexible manner. Such holders should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and convenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved devices for holding a variety of objects in a relatively safe and convenient manner.

It is a further separate object of the present invention to provide such new and improved devices for holding objects, wherein the device is convenient to use and to install, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Therefore, to meet the objects of the present invention and overcome the limitations of the prior art, there is provided novel holding devices for a variety of objects and a method of making the same.

Object holding devices each include a threaded shank portion for being threadably received into a stable support or structure such as a wooden ceiling joist or wall stud. A supporting member is configured to accept the object to be held to support or suspend the object from the stable support.

A cross member extends between the threaded shank portion and the support member. The holding device is made by threading the shank portion, providing a support member, and extending a cross member between the shank portion and the support portion.

The novel devices advantageously support a wide variety of different kinds of objects. For example, the devices are adapted to hold different types of sport boards including, but not limited to, surf boards, snow boards and skateboards.

Further, the devices support boots such as in-line skates and ski boots and can also be configured to support balls or even decorative items such as flower pots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by

reference to the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG 1 is a side view of a holding device constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG 2 is a pictorial view of a pair of like holding devices of FIG. 1, illustrated holding a surf board suspended from a support such as a ceiling; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of another holding device constructed in accordance with the present invention, illustrating it holding a snow board; FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another holding device made in accordance with the present invention and adapted to hold a surf board or the like; FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another holding device made in accordance with the present invention and adapted to hold a pair of boots; FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 5, illustrating the holding of an in-line skate; FIG. 7 is a plan view of a holding device made in accordance with the present invention and adapted to hold a round object; and FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the holding device of FIG. 7 shown it supporting a flower pot.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a holding device 10, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The holding device 10 includes a threaded shank 11 fastened threadably to a stable support 23. The stable support 23 may be for example, a ceiling joist, wall joist or other such supporting structure inside or outside of a building, as well as any other convenient support. Also, the support may be horizontal, vertical, or any other desired orientation. As shown in FIG. 2, the holding device 10

engages one end portion of a sport board such as a surf board 15, and a like holding device 25 engages the other end of the board 15 to suspend it from the support 23. The sport board may also be, for example, a snow board, or a skateboard.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that other pieces of sporting equipment or non-sporting equipment could also be supported by the holding device 10.

Only the holding device 10 will now be described in greater detail, and it generally includes an L-shaped support portion 24 for engaging and supporting the bottom face 17 of the sport board 15. A cross member 12 extends from the threaded shank 11 to the L-shaped support portion 24. In the preferred form of the invention, the device 10 is constructed of a one-piece member, such as metal rod stock bent into the inventive configuration as illustrated in the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holding device 10 engages the bottom face 17 of the sport board 15. The device 10 supports and end portion 19 of this board 15, and the other holding device 25 is positioned near the other end portion 20 of the sport board 15. In such a manner, each holding device 10 supports approximately one half the weight of the sport board 15. Those skilled in the art will recognize that more holding devices 10 could be utilized to reduce the amount of weight each holding device must hold. Further, those skilled in the art will recognize a single holding device may be used if another means is used to support the other end of the sport board.

In order to install the device 10, as the stable support 23 is often times a wooden joist or stud, a pilot hole (not shown) is drilled in the stable support and the threaded shank 11 manually rotatably inserted into the pilot hole. In such a manner, the threaded shank 11 is held securely in the stable support 23.

Extending transversely at right angles from the threaded shank 11 is a cross member 12. An L-shaped support portion

generally indicated at 24 extends angularly at an acute angle from the cross member 12. The acute angle 22 between the L- shaped support portion 24 and the cross member 12 may be adjusted depending on the size, shape and weight of a sport board intended to be held by the holding device 10.

The L-shaped support portion 24 has a face engageable support portion 13 integrally connected to one end of the cross member 12 and engages the bottom face 17 of the sport board 15. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the support portion 13 could also engage the top face (not shown) of the sport board 18 if the sport board is secured in a reverse position.

An L-shaped resting portion 14 of the L-shaped portion 24 extends from and is integrally connected to one end of the support portion 13. The L-shaped resting portion 14 engages and supports a side edge 16 of the sport board 15. A distal end 21 of the resting portion 14 is upturned to retain the sport board 15 in place. By placing the sport board 15 onto the two spaced apart holding devices 10 and 25, the sport board 15 is conveniently and safely secured and suspended from an overhead support 23.

To fabricate the holding device 10, a shank is threaded with a thread of sufficient depth and pitch to be received into an appropriate stable support such as a wooden joist or beam. A rod stock (not shown) is selected of sufficient strength to support the target object to be held, and is bent into the desired configuration as shown, whereby the cross member extends between the shank portion and the support member. Depending on the physical features of the device to be held, the angle between the support member and cross member is adjusted.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another holding device 30 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown.

The holding device 30 is similar to the holding device 10 and is preferably used with a like device for supporting a sport

board such as a snow board 35. In such a manner, a threaded shank 31 securely attaches to a stable support 43. A cross member 32 is connected integrally at right angles to the shank 31, and an L-shaped support portion 44 extends at an acute angle 42 from the cross member 32. The support portion 33 engages and supports the bottom face 37 of the sport board 35.

A side edge 36 of the sport board 35 engages a resting portion 34 integrally connected to an end of the support portion 33.

The resting portion 34 is curvilinear in shape or hook shaped.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another holding device 50 constructed according to the invention is shown. The holding device 50 is similar to the device 10 and is adapted for holding a sport board. The holding device 50 has a threaded shank 51 for attaching securely to a stable support 63. An L- shaped cross member 52 extends from threaded shank 51 and further attaches to an L-shaped support portion 64. The bottom face 57 of sport board 55 rests on and is supported by support portion 53. An upstanding distal end 61 of L-shaped support portion 64 retains the sport board 55 in place. A leg 59 of L-shaped cross member 52 is integrally connected at right angles to the shank 51 and is sized to be approximately one half the length of support portion 53. In such a manner the weight of the support board 55 is most efficiently transferred to the threaded shank 51. The other leg 60 of L- shaped cross member 52 extends at right angles to the leg 59 and is sized to enable the holder opening 62 is of a sufficient size to comfortably receive the target sport board.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another holding device 70 made in accordance with the present invention is shown and is similar to the device 10. The holding device 70 is adapted to hold a pair of boots such as a boot 75. The boot 75 may be, for example, an in-line skate boot, but other boots such as ski boots may be held by the device 70. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other boots may also be held with holding device 70. Holding device 70 has a threaded shank 71

for engaging a stable support 78 so that a pair of boots can be suspended from a single stud or other support, rather than suspending them from two different supports widely spaced apart.

A pair of like parallel spaced apart angularly extending boot supporting tongs or members 81 and 82 (FIG. 5) receive and support a pair of boots such as the boot 75 (FIG. 6). A bight member 83 integrally interconnects the members 81 and 82, and has the shank 71 fixedly connected at right angles at the mid point thereof by an annular weld 84.

Only the member 81 will now be described, and includes a cross member 77 which extends from threaded shank 71. A support portion 73 extends from cross member 77 at an angle 72. In order to insure that the boots are supported in an inverted manner to permit moisture to drain therefrom and thus protect the boots from mold or other damage, the angle 72 is preferably in the range of 30 to 60 degrees and is most preferably 45 degrees.

The distal end of support portion 33 has a blunt distal end portion 74. The blunt distal end 74 is received into the toe area 76 of the boot 75. The distal end 74 also curves in a manner to assist in positioning the distal end 74 into the toe area 76 of the boot 75. In such a manner, when the boot 75 is placed on the holding device 70, the boot 75 is more securely held with the distal end 74 resisting rotation of the boot 75 and to prevent damage to the boot when it is inserted onto the device 70.

The boot support members 81 and 82 are spaced apart sufficiently such that the boots are separated sufficiently to avoid any damaging contact between the boots.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another holding device 90 is shown constructed in accordance with the present invention, and is similar to the device 10. The holding device 90 is adapted for holding rounded objects such as a flower pot 95 or a ball (not shown). Holding device 90 has a threaded shank 91

for engaging a vertical stable support 94. A cross member 92 extends orthogonally between and integrally connected to the threaded shank 91 and an annular support member 93 extending at right angles from cross member 92. The member 92 enables the shank 91 to be offset from the annular support member 93 and thus engages the vertical support 92 to enable the weight of the object to be supported to cause the member 92 to be pressed against the support 94, thereby helping to support the object.

Annular support member 93 is shown in the shape of a circular ring. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that annular support member 93 may be made in alternative shapes. For example, annular support member 93 may be rectangular for supporting rectangular boxes or flower pots. Further, the loop formed by annular support member 93 may take an irregular shape for supporting a unique item such as a hand drill.

FIG. 8 shows holding device 90 holding a flower pot 95.

The annular support member 93 engages an annular shoulder 96 on the flower pot 95. In such a manner, the flower pot 95 is securely retained. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that holding device 90 is capable of supporting a multitude of rounded objects such as footballs, basketballs, or other such sport balls. Further, the diameter of the annular support member 93 may be adjusted depending on the target rounded object to be held.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the holding devices are each preferably constructed from metal, and most preferably steel. However, those skilled in the art will recognize other materials may be substituted.

In making the holding device, a single length of a metal rod may be bent into the shape of the holding device.

Alternatively, the holding devices may be molded in its final shape. The holding device may be constructed from a plurality of individual metal pieces that are welded together. It will also become apparent to those skilled in the art that the holding devices may have portions of their surfaces coated to protect the device to be held or to protect the holding device from the environment, such coatings may include a thick plastic coating.

There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.