An anchoring device having directional release and attachment capability includes a lower base member and an upper movable member. The movable member is wholly or partially nested within the base member and movable relative thereto. The movable member includes a gripping region not covered by the base member for intentional manipulation and lifting of the movable member. A seal member is configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone between the seal member and the reference surface. A communication port can be opened and closed via actuation of the movable member to selectively vent or isolate the controlled pressure zone. A protective member covers one or more areas of the movable member not covered by the base member and not part of the gripping region in order to prevent unwanted venting of the communication port.

A rotary closed-valve type vacuum suction device is mounted to a bottom of an object, and has a valve assembly, a sucker, and a valve part. The valve assembly has a top valve seat and a bottom valve seat mounted below the top valve seat. The sucker is mounted to a bottom of the valve assembly. The valve part is inserted through a valve hole of the sucker and the bottom valve seat, and is connected to the top valve seat. When one of the top valve seat and the bottom valve seat is rotated to change the relative position between the bottom valve seat and the top valve seat in a height direction of the valve assembly, the valve part switches the valve hole of the sucker between an open state and a closed state.

A rotary closed-valve type vacuum suction device is mounted to a bottom of an object, and has a valve assembly, a sucker, and a valve part. The valve assembly has a top valve seat and a bottom valve seat mounted below the top valve seat. The sucker is mounted to a bottom of the valve assembly. The valve part is inserted through a valve hole of the sucker and the bottom valve seat, and is connected to the top valve seat. When one of the top valve seat and the bottom valve seat is rotated to change the relative position between the bottom valve seat and the top valve seat in a height direction of the valve assembly, the valve part switches the valve hole of the sucker between an open state and a closed state.

According to an example of the present disclosure, a learning tableware set includes a bowl and a spoon used in cooperation with the bowl. The bowl includes a bowl bottom and a curved bowl wall. The bowl bottom includes a peripheral recessed portion on one side of the bowl bottom. One side of the curved bowl wall is annularly connected to an edge of the side of the bowl bottom, and the other side of the curved bowl wall, which is not connected to the bowl bottom, includes a protruding edge extending toward a central axis of the bowl bottom. The spoon includes a holding portion and a scooping portion connected to the holding portion, and a curve of one end of the scooping portion away from the holding portion matches a curve of the peripheral recessed portion.

According to an example of the present disclosure, a learning tableware set includes a bowl and a spoon used in cooperation with the bowl. The bowl includes a bowl bottom and a curved bowl wall. The bowl bottom includes a peripheral recessed portion on one side of the bowl bottom. One side of the curved bowl wall is annularly connected to an edge of the side of the bowl bottom, and the other side of the curved bowl wall, which is not connected to the bowl bottom, includes a protruding edge extending toward a central axis of the bowl bottom. The spoon includes a holding portion and a scooping portion connected to the holding portion, and a curve of one end of the scooping portion away from the holding portion matches a curve of the peripheral recessed portion.

In some embodiments, a method includes providing a flexible mat; wrapping the flexible mat around a crossbar of an infant or toddler seat; affixing at least two of a plurality of suction cups; providing a tether configured to secure an object; and coupling the tether to an anchor block by disposing an anchor terminus through an aperture, forming a compression fit. The flexible mat may have a mat body characterized by a front side, back side and thickness; and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor may include an anchor block having an aperture configured to receive a tether, and a suction cup. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The back side may be adjacent a surface of the crossbar. The method may include securing an object to the tether.

The invention relates to an assembly (150) for anchoring a vessel (100) to a reference surface (102). The assembly (150) comprises a sealing element holder (106) for coupling to a vessel (100) and a sealing element (104) coupled to the sealing element holder (106), wherein a portion of the sealing element (104) is moveable relative to the sealing element holder (106). A base member (108) is located proximate to the sealing element holder (106) in use and a diaphragm element (112) is coupled to the base member (108) for engagement with a reference surface (102). The base member (108) comprises upper (142) and lower surfaces (144), including a sealing surface (110) on the upper surface (144) and a channel (140) extending from the upper surface (144) to the lower surface (142). The sealing element holder (106) is moveable relative to the base member (108) between first and second positions and the assembly is configured such that when the diaphragm element (112) is engaged with the reference surface (102) and the sealing element holder (106) is in the first position the sealing element (104) will engage with the sealing surface (110) thereby forming a sealed space between the reference surface (102) and the sealing element (104) to anchor the assembly (150) to the reference surface (102), and the assembly is configured such that when the sealing element holder (106) is in the second position the diaphragm (112) is removable from the reference surface (102).

In some embodiments, an elongated tether may comprise an anchor end, a retention end, and a stretchable elastic section configured to allow stretching along a length of an elongated tether. The retention end may comprise a plurality of retention apertures each characterized by a retention-aperture diameter, and a retention terminus characterized by a retention diameter that is greater than the retention-aperture diameter. The retention end may be configured to enable the retention terminus to be compressed and manipulated through a first or second retention aperture to form a compression fit and a loop of a first size and a loop of a second, larger size. The stretchable elastic section may be configured such that an overall length of the elongated tether does not exceed a maximum length when subjected to a given amount of stretching force.

A platform having a plurality of specialized openings shaped to accept specialized pegs to act as immobilizers for objects to be placed on the platform. The pegs have a shaft and at least one pair of nubs protruding from the shaft of each peg. The openings are shaped to allow the first end of the shaft to pass therethrough but not the nubs unless the peg is positioned so that the nubs are aligned with a notched portion of the opening, and the head at the second end stops further movement of the peg through the opening. When the nubs do not pass through the opening, the nubs act as a pivot axis where a portion of the peg remains above the platform. Pegs so adjustably positioned in the openings can be arranged to surround and immobilize an object on the platform.

In some embodiments, a system comprises a mat body characterized by a front side, a back side and a thickness; a plurality of anchors, each anchor comprising an anchor block having an aperture characterized by an aperture diameter, a suction cup having a sealing surface and an outer surface, and a stem that is coaxial with the suction cup and connects the suction cup to the anchor block. Each anchor may be disposed through the thickness, such that its anchor block is on the front side and its suction cup extends from the back side. The system may further comprise an elongated tether that is removably coupleable to one of the plurality of anchors, and the elongated tether may comprise an anchor end having a generally spherical anchor terminus characterized by an anchor diameter that is greater than the aperture diameter.