WO2006106557A1

WO2006106557A1 - Multifunctional object holder

Info

Publication number: WO2006106557A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Mattioli
Original assignee: Alessandro Mattioli
Priority date: 2005-04-08
Filing date: 2006-04-06
Publication date: 2006-10-12
Also published as: ITBO20050222A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a multifunctional object holder (1) comprising a substantially rigid structure (2) complete with parts (3a) for anchoring to a reference and at least one body (4), swivelling according to at least one rotation axis with respect to the structure (2). The body (4) is able to support various objects.

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL OBJECT HOLDER

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a multifunctional object holder suitable for use in both homes and in special work environments where objects have to be removed from pockets and certain items of clothing have to be taken off before accessing workstations.

To empty pockets and hang up a jacket (or any other item of clothing) a coat- hanger (or equivalent) and a support surface (a shelf, a top or a small storage unit) are required. it often occurs that these are not nearby, making them inconvenient to use. Or else it may be that the one or the other are insufficient in number: suffice it to mention when all those persons in the premises have a garment to be hung up, but only a few of them have objects to be put away (or vice versa). The technical aim of the present invention is to obviate the aforementioned deficiencies and cater for the mentioned requirements, meaning to develop a multifunctional object holder that makes it possible to hang up an undetermined number of garments and support an undetermined number of objects depending on the user's needs. A further purpose of the present invention is to act, at the same time or not, as an object holder and coat-hanger, depending on the user's needs, it being suitable for both uses or only for one of these.

As part of such technical aim and such purpose, another purpose of the present invention is to perform the previous aim with a simple structure, of relatively easy practical application, safe to use and effective in terms of operation, as well as with a fairly low cost.

- i - This aim and this purpose are achieved by this multifunctional object holder, wherein is comprised a substantially rigid structure featuring parts for anchoring to a reference and at least one body, which swivels according to at least one rotation axis with respect to said structure, said at least one body being able to support various objects.

Further specific features will be made clearer and evident by the detailed description of a form of preferred but not sole embodiment of a multifunctional object holder, illustrated by way of example but not limited to, on the attached drawing tables, in which: fig. 1 represents, in front view, a first embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention; fig. 2 represents, in side view, a first embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention; fig. 3 represents, in view from above, a first embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the partially sectioned invention; fig. 4 represents, in front view, a second embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention; fig. 5 represents, in side view, a second embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention; fig. 6 represents, in view from above, a second embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the partially sectioned invention; fig. 7 represents, in front view, a third embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention; fig. 8 represents, in side view, a third embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention; fig. 9 represents, in view from above, a third embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the partially sectioned invention; fig. 10 represents, in partially sectioned front view, a swivel body of a third embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention in containment configuration; fig. 11 represents, in partially sectioned front view, a swivel body of a third embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention in an emptying configuration; fig. 12 represents, in partially sectioned front view, a swivel body of a third embodiment of multifunctional object holder according to the invention in an emptying configuration.

With special reference to such figures a multifunctional object holder suitable for containing various objects (real and true object holder) and for supporting garments (coat-hanger) is globally indicated by 1. The multifunctional object holder 1 comprises a structure 2, which in the embodiments shown in the illustration consists of a suitably shaped tubular metal body. The structure 2, besides conveying a decorative aspect to the object holder 1, also has the function of representing a rigid body onto which to fasten a number of anchoring parts 3 and at least one body 4, which swivels according to at least one rotation axis with respect to the structure 2 itself.

The anchor bodies 3 can be made according to different solutions, depending on the installation requirements and the requests of the end user. A first embodiment comprises at least one laminar element 3a shaped like a hook which can be substantially placed at any point of the object holder 1 (in the embodiments shown in the illustration, for example, the element 3a is placed at the top of the object holder 1 itself), in this case the element 3a will be arranged with its hook-shaped part engaged on any edge of a fixed reference, for example on the upper edge of a door or on the top of a side wall of a piece of furniture.

A second embodiment of an anchor part 3 comprises a plurality of suction- cups 3b made to firmly adhere to a reference surface that is flat and regular enough to allow perfect adhesion: the number of suction-cups 3b required depends substantially on the overall weight of the embodiment adopted in view of the objects this will have to support during use.

Again it will be possible to directly fasten the structure 2 to the reference (wall, piece of furniture, etc,) by means of screw anchors fitted inside special holes distributed on the structure 2. The at least one body 4 has a substantially round profile. In a possible embodiment the bodies 4 are at least two (in figure 1 the two below or in figure 4 the two above and the single one below) and are hinged to the structure 2 by a part of their perimeter: this way the bodies 4, being able to turn around the perimeter hinging axis, can be positioned so as to improve the position in which garments are hung (as in figure 4 in which they swivel around a respective vertical axis) or to transform the body 4 from a container to a coat-hanger (as in figure 1 or that below in figure 3 in which they swivel around a respective horizontal axis),

The hinging can if necessary consist of an articulated joint according to two different axes, to allow the rotations of the respective body 4 according to same, or else be a ball joint that permits complete spatial adjustment of the body 4.

The body 4 can consist of a plate featuring a surrounding edge, for the purpose of representing a sort of small container, having a diameter small enough to allow use as a coat-hanger when turned according to the respective hinging axis (or respective hinging axes). In fact when the body 4 is arranged horizontally with the concavity turned upwards the plate featuring the surrounding edge is suitable for supporting, by containing, small objects by acting as an object-holder container, while when it is arranged vertically it is suitable for supporting, hung up, other objects (such as clothes bags and the like) acting as a coat-hanger.

According to a partially different solution (shown in figure 7) the at least one body 4 with substantially round profile consists of a tray that swivels according to at least one axis: in this case the tray is shaped like a hollow cylinder deprived of a part of its side surface to obtain a small inside compartment.

Each tray is definitely suitable for supporting, by containing, various objects (including of sizes larger than those of the objects that can be accommodated in the plates) but can also be used as a coat-hanger. The adjustability of the tray is suitable for permitting the easy emptying of same (in the event of the only rotation axis being that horizontal parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tray itself) but in certain cases it permits rotations necessary to optimise use as a coat-hanger.

The structure 2 comprises fixed units 5 suitably shaped to hang up various objects: for example, on structure 2 it is possible to arrange a number of fixed plates (or trays), with the sole function of object holders (or coat-hangers). At the same time, structure 2 can comprise accessory parts with functional characteristics such as for instance a mirror 6.

It is therefore seen how the invention achieves the proposed purposes.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous alterations and variations all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

A further variation of the object holder 1 according to the invention can comprise a structure 2 with adjustable dimensions.

An embodiment can in fact be envisaged using at least one telescopic tube, so as to permit the adjustment of its length, by being able, for example, to adjust the height off the floor of the bodies 4 so that these can also act as umbrella stands or simple drip trays.

The adjustment of the dimensions of structure 2 can also, if necessary, be made by means of a parallelogram frame.

In any case structure 2 (adjustable) enables the user to change the appearance of the object holder 1 in its entirety according to personal tastes and requirements.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

In the examples of embodiments indicated, single characteristics, shown in relation to specific examples, can in fact be interchanged with other different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

Furthermore it should be noted that everything which in the course of the patent obtaining procedure turns out to be already known, shall be intended as not claimed and the subject of disclaimer of the claims. The implementation of this invention shall be done with the most scrupulous observance of legal and regulatory provisions of the products forming the subject of the invention or related to it and following, if necessary, the authorisation of the relevant competent authorities with special reference to rules covering safety, environment pollution and health. In practice the materials used as well as the shapes and sizes, may be any according to requirements without because of this exiting from the protection scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED

1. Multifunctional object holder, wherein is comprised a substantially rigid structure (2) featuring bodies for anchoring to a reference and at least one body (4), swivelling according to at least one rotation axis with respect to said structure (2), said at least one body (4) acting as a support for various objects.

2. Object holder, according to claim 1, wherein said at least one body (4) has a substantially round profile.

3. Object holder, according to claim 1, wherein said bodies (4) are at least two, hinged to said structure (2) along one of their sections.

4. Object holder, according to the previous claim, wherein said hinging is an articulated joint according to at least two different axes.

5. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said at least one body (4) with a round profile is a plate, featuring a surrounding edge, which swivels according to at least one axis substantially tangential to it, said plate being suitable to support, by containing, small objects, when arranged horizontally with the concavity turned upwards, and suitable for supporting, hung up, other objects when arranged vertically.

6. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said at least one body (4) with round profile is a tray that swivels according to at least one axis, tray suitable for supporting by containing various objects.

7. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said structure (2) comprises at least one fixed unit (5) suitably shaped for hanging up various objects.

8. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said structure (2) comprises at least one mirror (6).

9. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said structure (2) comprises at least one shaped metal stem onto which are secured the said hinges connecting to said bodies (4) and the said anchoring bodies.

10. Object holder, according to claim 9, wherein said structure (2) has varying dimensions being provided with telescopic sections.

11. Object holder, according to claim 9, wherein said structure (2) has varying dimensions being provided with parallelogram shaped sections.

12. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said anchoring bodies comprise at least one laminar element (3a) shaped like a hook and able to engage on any edge of the fixed reference.

13. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said anchoring bodies comprise at least one suction cup (3b).

14. Object holder, according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said anchoring bodies comprise at least one through hole in said structure for the stable fitting of an anchor integral with said reference.