HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

A holding device includes a handle, a first side section, and a second side section. Each section, the first and the second, are spaced from one another and connected to respective terminal ends of the handle. Each section presents an inner wall, and an outer wall, and a peripheral wall forming a housing. Each cam element presents a semicircular portion extending to a nose portion and a camming portion defining a teethed surface extending from a pick of the nose portion and partially to the semicircular portion. Each cam element includes a link device disposed about respective axis. The link device is connected to a rod extending to an activator device positioned below the handle. The activator device is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots defined in each section. A linking member is connected to each distal end and is also connected to each rod. Each linking member is movable upwardly and downwardly about the side channels defined in each section.

Claims

1. A holding device for holding and moving parts between locations, said holding device comprising: a body defining a handle, a first side section, and a second side section; an activator device located adjacent said handle; a part holding mechanism defined in said first side section and said second side section, said part holding mechanism presenting at least two cam elements spaced from one another and connected to said activator device, said cam elements movable between a part receiving position as the part is inserted between said cam elements and a part holding position as the part is moving away from said handle thereby frictionally engaging the part between said cam elements and a part releasing position as said activator is pushed relative said handle to disengage said cam element thereby releasing the part from said holding device.

2. The holding device of claim 1, wherein said handle includes terminal ends.

3. The holding device of claim 2, wherein said first side section and said second side section each presenting an inner wall, an outer wall, and a peripheral wall forming a housing, said first side section and said second side section presenting a U-shaped configuration defining two extension parts each extending to distal ends.

4. The holding device of claim 3, wherein said first side section and said second side section include two of said cam elements pivotably connected about respective pivoting axis at the respective distal ends.

5. The holding device of claim 1, wherein each said cam elements presenting a semicircular portion extending to a nose portion and a camming portion defining a teethed surface extending from a pick of said nose portion and partially to said semicircular portion.

6. The holding device of claim 1, wherein each of said cam elements including a link device disposed about respective axis connected to a rod extending to said activator device.

7. The holding device of claim 1, wherein said activator device is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots defined in each said first side section and said second side section.

8. The holding device of claim 1, including a linking member connected to each distal end of said activator device and connected to each rod, each said linking member movable upwardly and downwardly about side channels defined in each of said first side section and second side section.

9. The holding device of claim 1, including a spring element positioned about each axis within each said cam element to return each said cam element relative to one another after said activator device is released.

10. A holding device for holding and moving parts between locations, said holding device comprising: a body defining a handle, a first side section, and a second side section; an activator device located adjacent said handle; a part holding mechanism defined in said first side section and said second side section, said part holding mechanism presenting at least two cam elements spaced from one another and connected to said activator device, said cam elements movable between a part receiving position as the part is inserted between said cam elements and a part holding position as the part is moving away from said handle thereby frictionally engaging the part between said cam elements and a part releasing position as said activator is pushed relative said handle to disengage said cam element thereby releasing the part from said holding device; said handle including terminal ends; said first side section and said second side section each presenting an inner wall, an outer wall, and a peripheral wall forming a housing, said first side section and said second side section presenting a U-shaped configuration defining two extension parts each extending to distal ends; said first side section and said second side section including two of said cam elements pivotably connected about respective pivoting axis at the respective distal ends, each of said cam elements presenting a semicircular portion extending to a nose portion and a camming portion defining a teethed surface extending from a pick of said nose portion and partially to said semicircular portion; each of said cam elements including a link device disposed about respective axis connected to a rod extending to said activator device; said activator device is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots defined in each said first side section and said second side section; a linking member connected to each distal end of said activator device and connected to each rod, each said linking member movable upwardly and downwardly about side channels defined in each of said first side section and second side section; and a spring element positioned about each axis within each said cam element to return each said cam element relative to one another after said activator device is released.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holding device of the present invention with a skateboard disposed in the holding device;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holding device of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the holding device in a surface engaging of an activated position;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the holding device in a released or a non-engaging position;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the holding device showing the skateboard extending between the holding elements;

[0021] FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the holding device showing the skateboard extending between the holding elements securing the skateboard therebetween;

[0022] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the holding device of the present invention with a board disposed in the holding device;

[0023] FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional view of the holding device showing the board extending between the holding elements securing the board therebetween; and

[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the holding device presented in a simplified fashion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Referring to the FIGS. 1 through 9, a holding device of the present invention is generally shown at 10. It will be apparent that multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present embodiments. The following description of embodiments includes references to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments, which are also referred to herein as examples, are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural, logical and operational changes can be made without departing from the scope of what is claimed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0026] Alluding to the above, for purposes of this patent document, the terms or and and shall mean and/or unless stated otherwise or clearly intended otherwise by the context of their use. The term a shall mean one or more unless stated otherwise or where the use of one or more is clearly inappropriate. The terms comprise, comprising, include, and including are interchangeable and not intended to be limiting. For example, the term including shall be interpreted to mean including, but not limited to.

[0027] Alluding to the above, the holding device 10 includes a handle 14, a first side section 16, and a second side section 18. The handle 14 may include a circular or oval cross section or a rectangular cross section. The shape of the handle 14 is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Each section, the first 16 and the second 18, are spaced from one another and connected to respective terminal ends 20 and 22 of the handle 14. Each section 16, and 18 presents an inner wall 24, and an outer wall 26, and a peripheral wall 28 forming a housing. Each section 16 and 18 presents a U-shaped configuration defining two extensions, generally indicated at 30 and 32, extending to distal ends 34 and 36.

[0028] Each section 16 and 18 includes respective cam elements 40 and 42 pivotably connected about respective pivoting axis A and B at the respective distal ends 34 and 36. Each cam element 40 and 42 presents a semicircular portion 44 extending to a nose portion 45 and a camming portion 46 defining a teethed surface 48 extending from a pick of the nose portion 45 and partially to the semicircular portion 44. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations of the cam elements 40 and 42 maybe used without limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Each cam element 40 and 42 includes a link device 50 disposed about respective axis A and B. The link device 50 is connected to a rod 52 extending to an activator device 54 positioned below the handle 14. The activator device 54 is moved upwardly and downwardly within slots 56 defined in each section 16 and 18. The activator device 54 includes distal ends 60 and 62. A linking member 64 is connected to each distal end 60 and 62 and is also connected to each rod 52. Each linking member 64 is movable upwardly and downwardly about side channels 68 and 70 defined in each section 16 and 18.

[0030] In alternative embodiment of the present invention, a spring element 72 is positioned about each axis A and B within each cam element 40 and 42. The spring element 72 will return each cam element 40 and 42 relative to one another after a user U will release the activator device 54. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configuration of the activator devices 54 may be used without limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows a simplified version of the holder device 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other modifications and designs of the holder device 10 may be used and the design shown in Figures of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The holding device 10 may be fabricated from plastic, wood, metal, rubber, and combination thereof. The most important aspect of the present invention is mechanism that allows to perform a surface engagement and holding functions.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the holding device 10 showing the skateboard S extending between the cam elements 40 and 42. FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the holding device 10 showing the skateboard S extending between the cam elements 40 and 42 securing the skateboard S therebetween. FIG. 5 shows the skateboard S entering the holding device 10 as being inserted between the cam elements 40 and 42. FIG. 6 shows the skateboard S fully inserted in the holding device 10 between the cam elements 40 and 42.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the holding device 10 in a surface engaging of an activated position. FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the holding device 10 in a released or a non-engaging position. Referring to FIG. 3, The rods 52 extend to the activator device 54 positioned below the handle 14. The activator device 54 is moved downwardly within the slots 56 defined in each section 16 and 18. The linking members 64 are movable upwardly and downwardly about the side channels 68 and 70 defined in each section 16 and 18 in order to open the cam elements 40 and 42 and either release the skateboard S or other part P to hold the skateboard S or the other part P between the cam elements 40 and 42 during moving of the part P or the skateboard S between locations as shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8.

[0034] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.