| US4614017A | 1986-09-30 | |||
| US5762410A | 1998-06-09 | |||
| DE3842051A1 | 1989-12-28 | |||
| FR2504363A1 | 1982-10-29 |
| 1. | Multiple purpose support device wherein the first embodiment comprises two parts, defined as male and female parts, being self engageable and providing a quick and easy connection, male and female parts having different shapes and sizes, but they are able to support a weight charge, the female part is to be fixed to a surface, while the male part is to be fixed to the object, or vice. versa, both parts can be fixed in the object or in the surface by means of an adhesive component comprising a double face adhesive tape; the male part (1) is H shaped and comprises a short extension member (2) and a long extension member (3) which are united by a not centralized dash member (4) in relation to such members (2,3) and defining short legs in one side and long legs in the other side; the short leg has an end (5) having an inner cut and a V shaped cut (6) in its middle part, while the long legs have a centrally and longitudinally located projection (7); the projection is scissor shaped and an adhesive component is to be inserted on the long leg ; the short leg has curved edges and the female part (8) is round shaped and has a parabolic cross section; the inner surface receives an adhesive component which is able to support a weight charge of the object to be fixed in the surface or to be fixed in another object, while in its planar shape upper surface (9) a scissor shaped cut (10) is centrally positioned and axially directed in relation to a channel (11) which has a rectangular shape, a V shaped projection (12) is positioned near to the middle part of the upper surface of the rectangular channel and one of the channel edge has a rectangular cut (13), broad width and defines an upper orthogonal wall (14). |
| 2. | Support device, as in the claim 1, wherein the first embodiment comprises a female part joined the ellipse shaped element (15) to be fixed in cylindrical surfaces and other surfaces. |
| 3. | Support device, as in the claim 1, wherein the second embodiment comprises a female part joined the trapezoidal element (16) to be fixed in planar surfaces. |
| 4. | Support device, as in claim 1, wherein in the first embodiment, male and female parts are fixed by means of an adhesive component having weight strength and to each range of weight a pair of male and female parts are provided; a support base is also provided for enhance the adhesion efficiency of the adhesive component and enhance the fixing feature of the male and female parts, the base support can have any suitable shape or size. |
| 5. | Support device, as in claim 4, wherein the male and female parts can be connected, one in the other, independently of the size or shape, permitting change the object from a place to the other. |
| 6. | Support device, as in claim 4, wherein male and female parts are made of any suitable materials and can have any suitable colors or pictures or being melt in the support base, the male parts are hook (17) shaped and the female parts are channel (18) shaped. |
| 7. | Support device, as in claim 4, wherein the male and female parts can be fixed in a flexible strap (19) having a number of different shapes and dimensions, the flexible strap enhances the adhesion area of the male and female parts. |
| 8. | Support device, wherein in the second embodiment, the male part and the female part are rail (20) shaped the engagement of such parts is a pin engagement form. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of fixing or supporting means for fix and/or support many articles over any kind of surface are very known in the art. The most known comprises a fixing pin like screws, hooks, sprigs and the like which is directly applied over the article or over the surface or both; however, such fixing means causes damages to the surface and when the user does not want to keep the article fixed in previous determined position, the fixing point cannot be removed and a trace of it remains even a cover is applied thereto.
Another problem is: all known fixing means are restricted to some applications due to particular features of articles and surfaces, specially those which have a defined fixing point. In this case an adaptation frame is necessary; in many situations, the referred adaptation is not possible be performed without changing structural features of the surface or the fixed article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present multiple purpose support device basically comprises two parts forming an engage set: an engage male part and female part which are self engageable and by this means an easy and safe connection is achieved. The engage set has a short dimension, but it is able to support a considerable weight charge; the female part is fixed by means of an adhesive component,
optionally the adhesive component is a double face adhesive tape, and the male part is fixed to the article by means of an adhesive component-another double face adhesive tape-for fix and <BR> <BR> support articles, e. g. , pictures, mirrors, etc. The male and female parts can be optionally fixed to the article for permit an easy fixation from a surface to the other.
When the female part of the present support device is fixed on a surface, creating a fixing point therefore, and the male part is fixed on the article, creating another fixing point, such parts can be reciprocally engaged in safe and quick manner, permitting the user to fix and support and article on a desired surface, the article having any shape and or dimension since a minimal fixing point is verified in the surface and in the article.
Since the male part is fixed to the article, it can be fixed to any other surface, with the proviso that a female part is installed on the surface for permit and interchangeable connection. If the female part is fixed to a surface, any other male part can be connected thereto. The engage set can be fixed to different articles and in this case the connection operation is the same as previously stated.
The multiple purpose support device of the present invention has been developed for permit that an adhesive component, which is the responsible for the set fixation, can be provided in a number of shapes and or sizes and able to be used in different situations, objects and surfaces.
Referring to the installation procedure, the multiple purpose support device of the present invention is quite easy and no special requirements or accessories are necessary. It is a feature of
this invention provide a good use of the esthetics resources, e. g., better use of a room space, for vertical organization of objects in home, stores or in offices and for fix objects in glass surfaces and for display goods in stores and general commerce establishments.
In view of the size features of the present invention device, it is possible to fix objects many different surfaces and create esthetic concepts; after the installation is concluded, the engage set is kept covered by the referred object and an improved visual effect is achieved. When the object is to be fixed in another place, the adhesive component can be easily removed.
It is to be noticed that the employment of the support device of the present invention is possible by means of the engage set. The set permits an easy connection between the male part and the female part, the article and the surface do not have a real contact, thus an erosion process of them is avoided and the article can be fixed and removed many times and just the set is substituted at the end of the use time.
The support device of the present invention is able to be used in many situations, being easily adapted to particular features of the article and the surface and being manufactured in many sizes, shapes and have particular specifications for support different types of articles.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION In view of the above discussed problems and for provide the art with the corresponding solution, the present invention presents a multiple purpose device having a simple, but practical and effective frame when compared to known fixing means.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a fixation means which is able to support different weights, shapes and sizes of articles and provide a quick and easy fixation operation.
Another objective of the present invention is to permit the fixation of any kind of object on any kind of surface or to fix an object in another object having no defined fixing point.
Another objective of the present invention is to permit an interchangeable connection between male and female parts in order to provide multiple support arrangements.
Another objective of the present invention is to permit an interchangeable fixation of the articles in relation to other articles.
Another objective of the present invention is to permit that any article can be fixed and or supported on any desired surface and on another article if necessary.
Another objective of the present invention is to permit that any article can be quick, easy and efficiently fixed or removed in relation to any surface or in relation to other article without damage of the fixing point.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide multiple options of fixing and supporting articles on a number of different surfaces or on other articles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the male part of the multiple purpose support device; Figure 2 is a side view of the male part of the multiple purpose support device;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the female part of the multiple purpose support device; Figure 4 is a rear view of the female part of the multiple purpose support device; Figure 5 is a front view of the female part of the multiple purpose support device; Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the female part of the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the female part of the present invention; Figure 8 to 11 are examples of application of the multiple purpose support device; Figure 12 is a front view of the male part of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is a side view of the male part of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is a front view of the male part of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 is a side view of male part of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16 is a front view of the female part of one embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 17 is a side view of the female part of one embodiment the present invention; Figure 18 is a front view of the female part of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 19 is a side view of the female part of another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 20 is a perspective view of the female part of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 21 is an upper view of the female part with a flexible strap of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 22 is a front view of the female part with a flexible strap of another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 23 to 25 are front view of the male and the female parts in the form of rails of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 26 and 27, are examples of application of another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the Figures, the present invention refers to a multiple purpose support device which, in its first embodiment, basically comprises two parts: a male and a female parts having a self engage feature for a quick and easy engagement; the male and female parts form a engage set having short dimensions but perfectly able to support any type of charge of weight. The female part is to be fixed to a surface by means of an adhesive element and the male part is to be fixed to an object and vice-versa. Further the engage set can be fixed in a convenient way depending on the user necessity. Both parts can also be fixed to the object or to surfaces by means of an adhesive element, particularly a double face adhesive tape which is specially prepared for this task.
The male part (1) is H shaped and comprises a short leg (2) and a big leg (3) and a dash member (4) uniting both legs.
The dash member (4) is positioned in an inside to outside direction in relation to the legs and defines in one side short extension and
long extension in other side, the short extension has an end (5) having an inner cut and a V shaped cut in the middle part; the long extension comprises a first projection (7) longitudinally positioned alongside the referred extension, the first projection (7) forming a scissor shaped tail. The outer surface of the long extension receives the adhesive element like a double faced adhesive tape or others having mechanical strength for support weight and fix the object and the short extension having a curved shape.
The female part (8) has circular shape and have a parabolic cross section and in its inner surface an adhesive element, like a double faced adhesive tape or others having mechanical strength for support weight and fix the object, is to be positioned. In the upper surface (9) which is planar and has a scissor shaped central cavity (10) being positioned in the same direction of a rectangular channel (11), and a second projection (12) having a V shape and being positioned at the middle of the upper surface of the channel (11). In one end of the channel (11) a cut (13) having a rectangular shape and a large width is provided to define an upper orthogonal wall (14).
Male and female parts engagement is effected by means of the introduction of the male part long leg into the rectangular channel of the female part, therefore, the scissor shaped tail of the inner surface of the long leg is inserted into the scissor shaped tail at the upper surface of the female part; the male part being conducted through the rectangular channel for connect the V shaped pieces, i. e. , the end (5) and the projection (12) while the dash member (4) is positioned joined the upper orthogonal wall (14).
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the female part is combined with an ellipse shaped member (15) for permit the multiple purpose support device is fixed to cylindrical surfaces.
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the female part is combined to a trapezoidal shape member (16) for permit the multiple purpose support device is fixed to planar surfaces.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, male and female parts are fixed by means of an adhesive component having mechanical strength for support weight charges of objects which are defined in a particular class of objects. Therefore, each class of objects has a previous defined engagement set, optionally comprising a support base provided for enhance the adhesion effect between male and female parts. Such support base can be made of a number of rigid and/or flexible materials for surface fitting.
Although male and female parts are provided in different sizes and shapes, they can be independently connected, forming pairs of different dimensions. This feature permits to remove fixed objects from a place to the other without change the male and/or female parts.
Male and female parts can be manufactured from different materials, colors and have pictures or be melt in the support base; male parts have a hook shape (17) and it makes the engagement easy to be accomplished. Female parts have a channel (18) shape.
Further, male and female parts can be fixed on a flexible strap (19) comprising a number of shapes and sizes; the
strap is provided for permit a male/female parts better adhesion, depending on the object to be fixed.
In the second embodiment of the present invention, male parts and female parts are connected by means of a pair of rails (20) in a pin engagement form.