SYSTEMS AND METHODS ASSOCIATED WITH A HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

Systems and methods for a holding device. More specifically, embodiments are related to a holding device that is configured to secure a soft good.

Claims

1. A holding device, comprising: a first curve; a second curve, wherein the first curve and the second curve are configured to face each other; a sidewall extending from the first curve to the second curve, wherein the sidewall is a planar sidewall.

2. The holding device of claim 1, wherein a first diameter across the first curve is smaller than a second diameter across the second curve.

3. The holding device of claim 1, wherein a first angle associated with the first curve is smaller than a second angle associated with the second curve.

4. The holding device of claim 3, wherein a stabilizing angle between a distal end of the sidewall and the first curve is based on a first length associated with the sidewall.

5. The holding device of claim 4, wherein the first angle is one hundred eight degrees.

6. The holding device of claim 5, wherein a first midpoint associated with the first curve is aligned in a plane with a second midpoint associated with the second curve.

7. The holding device of claim 6, wherein the second curve is configured to be coupled to a pipe, when the second curve is coupled to the pipe, the plane is aligned with the first midpoint and the second midpoint.

8. The holding device of claim 6, further comprising: a gusset extending from an inner surface of the first curve to an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein the first curve includes a textured inner surface.

9. The holding device of claim 1, further comprising: a handle positioned on an outer surface of the sidewall.

10. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first curve is positioned on a first end of the holding device, and the second curve is positioned on a second end of the holding device.

11. A method associated with a holding device, comprising: positioning a first curve of the holding device around a pipe positioning a soft good within a second curve of the holding device, wherein the first curve and the second curve are configured to face each other, wherein a sidewall extends from the first curve to the second curve.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a first diameter across the first curve is smaller than a second diameter across the second curve.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein a first angle associated with the first curve is smaller than a second angle associated with the second curve.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein a stabilizing angle between a distal end of the sidewall and the first curve is based on a first length associated with the sidewall.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first angle is one hundred eight degrees.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a first midpoint associated with the first curve is aligned in a plane with a second midpoint associated with the second curve.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: aligning the first midpoint and the second midpoint when the second curve is coupled to the pipe.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein a gusset is positioned on an inner surface of the first curve to an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein the first curve includes a textured inner surface.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein a handle is positioned on an outer surface of the sidewall.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the first curve is positioned on a first end of the holding device, and the second curve is positioned on a second end of the holding device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a holding device, according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a holding device, according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a method of using a holding device, according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a method of using a holding device, according to an embodiment.

[0016] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a holding device 100, according to an embodiment. Holding device 100 may be configured to allow a border, soft good, etc. to be supported by a user and/or pipe. By utilizing holding device 100, transfer of soft goods may be safer, quicker, require fewer operators, and be more efficient. Holding device 100 may include a first end 110, second end 120, sidewall 130, and gusset 140.

[0019] First end 110 may be a bowl, semi-circle, container, etc. positioned on a distal end of holding device 100. First end 110 may have a diameter that is approximately eighteen inches, however in other embodiments the diameter of first end 110 may be greater or smaller.

[0020] Second end 120 may be a hook, c-hook, hanger, etc. positioned on a proximal end of holding device 100. Second end 120 may be configured to be positioned around a pipe, rod, cylindrical structure, support structure. etc., which may be utilized to transfer the weight of the soft good to the pipe. A diameter of second end 120 may be less than the diameter of first end 110. For example, the diameter of second end 120 may be two inches. In embodiments, in a first mode of operation, a center of second end 120 may be configured to be vertically aligned with an apex of first end 110. In a second mode of operation, a center of second end 120 may be configured to be vertically aligned with a proximal and distal end of sidewall 130.

[0021] Sidewall 130 may be a device that is configured to couple first end 110 with second end 120. Sidewall 130 may be a body, beam, etc. with a distal end coupled with first end 110 and a proximal end coupled with second end 120. Sidewall 130 may be positioned at a convex angle. This may allow a center of second end 120 to be positioned over an apex of first end 110 in a first mode. In embodiments, sidewall 130 may have a length that is approximate to sixteen inches. In embodiments, a handle 132 may be positioned on an outer surface of sidewall 130. Handle 132 may be configured to allow a user to lift and secure holding device 100.

[0022] Gusset 140 may be welded onto first end 110 and sidewall 130 to provide support and disperse stress caused by the soft good. The gusset may be approximately six inches in length.

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts holding device 100 in a second mode of operation, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 2 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted.

[0024] When an operator is holding handle 132, the operator may position second end 120 to be vertically aligned with sidewall 130. This may expose an area between a distal end of first end 110 and sidewall 130, wherein the soft good may be positioned on first end 110 via the exposed area. As further depicted in FIG. 2, in the second mode of operation, the distal end of first end 110 may be positioned at a vertical offset that is somewhat aligned with a middle of handle 132, between the ends of sidewall 130. This may create a lip, rim, projection, etc. that limits the forward movement of the soft good while positioned on first end 110, while allowing the soft good to be positioned on first end 110.

[0025] FIGS. 3-4 depict a method 300 of utilizing a holding device, according to an embodiment. The operations of the method depicted in FIGS. 3-4 are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, the method may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of the method are illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 and described below is not intended to be limiting. Elements depicted in FIGS. 3-4 may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted.

[0026] At operation 310, a holding device may be tilted backward. This may expose a channel between a first end of the holding device and a sidewall.

[0027] At operation 320, a soft good may be positioned on the first end of the holding device.

[0028] At operation 330, a second end of the holding device may be positioned over a pipe.

[0029] At operation 340, the weight of the soft good may be transferred from the holding device to the pipe. When the weight of the soft good is transferred to the pipe, a center of the second end of the holding device may be vertically aligned with an apex of the first end of the holding device.

[0030] Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or express definitions of any term or terms with which they are utilized. Instead, these examples or illustrations are to be regarded as being described with respect to one particular embodiment and as being illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these examples or illustrations are utilized will encompass other embodiments which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of that term or terms. Language designating such nonlimiting examples and illustrations includes, but is not limited to: for example, for instance, e.g., and in one embodiment.

[0031] References throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment one example, or an example means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present embodiments. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, one example or an example in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0032] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, or refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).