Suction-Cup Release Mechanism

The origin of the suction-cup, or more accurately vacuum-cup, is unclear although the device seems to have a relatively long history. Modern plastics have greatly improved the device's functioning and various uses. In fact, unlike early examples made of rubber and crude plastic compounds, the current devices are so efficient they are sometimes difficult to remove once adhered.

Vacuum-cups varying from one-half inch up to three and four feet in diameter are utilized throughout industry in primarily lifting functions on materials such as paper, glass and sheet metal. Most utilize vacuum pump systems and release valves functioning through the central hub or neck area. Manual uses in industry comprise devices similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,028,640 issued to Zaiger, 3,750,991 issued to Ragir, and 4,580,751 issued to Panzer. Products utilizing a cam-lever to lift the inner-dome of a two-piece cup require two handed operation, where the cup(s) are held in position with one hand while the cam-lever is turned to the vacuum or lifting position. The vacuum is maintained as long as the cam remains in that position, and released when it is turned in the opposite direction to lower the inner dome. Examples of such devices are small clip boards for note taking which are adhered to an auto windshield and certain workshop tools such as vise and clamp bases.

A more common configuration currently utilized in consumer suction cups merely provides a small tab or appendage located near the cup's outer perimeter edge. An adhered cup is released by the user grasping the tab by the finger tips or finger nails and manually pulling the entire cup away from the surface. This results in the need to use both hands, again, as the object being supported by the cup may have to be handled by the second hand as the finger tips of the first hand effect release. Additionally, the grasping of the small tab can be difficult requiring good vision and fairly "steely" fingers.

The present invention contemplates an improved suction-type device for supporting articles on a surface, such as an automobile window, which offers a convenient and natural one-handed release operation.

The suction or vacuum device of the present invention includes an elastic diaphragm having a lever adjacent the top surface of the suction cup. As the suction cup is pressed against a surface, the cup flattens into a condition of compression. As the pressure against the surface is relaxed, a point of stability is reached where there is a shallow central dome and an outer skirt that is flattened out. A vacuum-line is created under the flattened portion encircling the central dome. To release the suction cup, pressure is applied against the lever in the direction of the cup's central hub, and through it's fulcrum configuration, the outer skirt of the suction cup is raised, effecting release of the vacuum. The device may be operated with one hand and full release effected with one finger, with even a quick, finger-flicking motion. The rapid on/off repositioning capability of the device is a major benefit of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken along line A--A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view thereof taken along line A--A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A--A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view taken along line A--A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the device in a compressed condition.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A--A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 1 of the drawings generally shows a suction or vacuum device 20. The vacuum device 20, more clearly shown in a cross sectional view in FIG. 2, includes a resilient, flexible, elastic conical shaped cup or diaphragm 30 which is substantially circular and arcuate, having a convex surface and a concave surface, and is used to support articles such as a sun screen 50 on a flat or curved surface 10, such as a window pane or other smooth surface. The conical shaped cup 30 has basically spherical concavity 32 and operates in the customary manner of suction cup devices. Tabs or flanges 40, 41, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 8, are molded onto the thinner outer portion 34 of elastic diaphragm 30. Thus, diaphragm 30 and flanges 40, 41 are constructed as a one-piece unit, with flanges 40, 41 projecting outwardly from outer perimeter 43 of elastic diaphragm 30. Rigid lever 45 is secured between and attached to flanges 40, 41 by pins 25, 26. The base 46 of lever 45 parallels and lies adjacent the top surface 62 of conical shaped cup 30. Screen 50 is positioned adjacent the upper surface 36 of hub 35 of cup 30, as shown in FIG. 2 and 8, and is held in place against the upper surface 36 of hub 35 by handle 60. FIGS. 2 and 3 show suction device 20 in an assembled, uncompressed condition before being pressed against surface 10.

The sectional geometry of flexible cup or diaphragm 30 is important since, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it requires a thicker interior region 31 which only minimally flexes, and a thinner outer region 34 which stretches, flattens, and can be easily distorted. Elastic diaphragm 30 is generally made from flexible vinyl or other synthetic materials which have rubber-like properties commonly found in the industry. Cup 30 may be transparent, opaque and/or colored. Size of cup 30 may range from a diameter of one-half inch to several inches, although a cup 30 having a diameter of one and three-fourths inches is most preferred.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, as resilient cup or diaphragm 30 is pressed against surface 10, the cup 30 flattens, with its circumference expanding slightly, into a condition of compression. The pressure applied to cup 30 can be manual or mechanical pressure. As the pressure on cup 30 and surface 10 is relaxed, the normal elasticity of the cup material attempts to return to its normal shape. The diaphragm 30 material reaches a point of stability where there is a shallow central dome 38 and an outer skirt 39 of cup 30 that is flattened out. A vacuum line 37 is created under the flattened portion of outer skirt 39 which encircles the central dome 38, as seen in FIG. 6. In its compressed state, therefore, the outer perimeter 43 and the thicker central interior region 31 in the central dome 38 area do not maintain a full vacuum contact with surface 10.

A full, tight vacuum contact appears to normally occur from about a twenty percent (20%) distance from the outer edge 33 of diaphragm 30, along the diaphragm's 30 radius, to about a fifty percent (50%) distance along the same line. As shown in FIG. 6, the relationship of the vacuum line 37 to the central hub 35 and the outer perimeter 43 of diaphragm 30 is particularly easy to discern if transparent materials are used for cup 30. It is important not to have full contact further inward of this general range because fulcrum 49 on lever 45 must function on the interior bearing point 63 behind the vacuum contact area, i.e., inside the vacuum line, when release of suction cup 30 from surface 10 is desired. Interior central bump or button 29 on the underside of inner hub 35 restricts excessive compression, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, so that full vacuum contact of entire cup 30 cannot be achieved with surface 10.

Base 46 of rigid lever 45 parallels the adjacent top surface 62 of cup 30. Lever base 46 extends from flanges 40, 41, toward the central hub 35, to a point above the interior dome region 38. This inner location is a bearing surface 63 for fulcrum 49 on lever 45, which stands perpendicular and upwardly from the diaphragm's 30 conical outward surface 62, as shown in FIG. 4. It is important that the fulcrum 49 of lever base 46 have a clearance of about 1/8 inch between fulcrum 49 and central hub 35 so that contact is not made with hub 35 during compression. The upward extension 68 of lever 45 rises to a finger pad 65 that can be manually actuated with ease, as can be seen for instance in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7. Upon compression of cup 30 against surface 10, lever 45 moves into a slightly more upright position as cup 30 flattens, with the lever's upward extension 68 moving approximately 1/8-1/4 inch, preferably about 3/16 inch.

Very slight movement and pressure, whether manually or mechanically, is required on finger pad 65 of lever 45 in the direction of diaphragm's 30 central hub 35 to effect release of the vacuum. FIG. 7 shows the movement of lever 45 during release of cup 30. Rigid lever 45 effectively pivots or rotates on its fulcrum 49 at the bearing point 63 because the thicker, interior region 31 of cup 30 is substantially stiff and resistant to deformation. Lever 45 does not flex between the appendages 40, 41, the fulcrum 49, or the upward extension 68 of lever 45. By moving the upward extension 68 of lever 45 in an inwardly direction toward central hub 35, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a rotation occurs on fulcrum 49 at the interior bearing point 63 and a lifting movement occurs at flanges 40, 41, on outer skirt 39 causing the desired atmospheric leak and vacuum release of cup 30. The flattened region of outer skirt 39 of diaphragm 30 is lifted as lever 45 is moved toward hub 35, permitting air to flow under outer skirt 39 and break or spoil the vacuum, as shown in FIG. 7. Generally, lever 45 is moved approximately 1/8 inch toward central hub 35 to effect release, the fulcrum 49 depressing into the interior bearing surface 63 about 0.005 to 0.010 inch, while only about five to six ounces of pressure is necessary against the finger pad 65 of lever 45 on a one and three-fourths (13/4) inch diameter cup 30. The lever is at maximum efficiency when there is a minimum of deformation at the fulcrum's bearing point 63. Lever 45 is preferably made from a rigid plastic, such as ABS or nylon, although any strong rigid plastic can be utilized. Alternatively, lever 45 can be made from a metal, such as aluminum or brass.

The lever attachment, such as flanges 40, 41, near the outer perimeter 43 of cup or diaphragm 30 can take on various configurations. One embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, is a single flange or appendage 40a extending upwardly from the top surface 62 of the diaphragm 30 parallel to the perimeter edge or rim 33 and perpendicular to lever base 46 along the diaphragm's 30 radius. A pin 25a located on the front edge 64 of the lever 45a extends into a corresponding hole 66a in flange 40a and holds the lever 45a to the flange 40a in a secure manner. While this configuration is simple, it may allow the inner, fulcrum area 49a of the lever 45a to freely swing from side to side as well as pivot at the pin 25a attachment. Generally, these free movements are not desirable. If the single flange 40a configuration is utilized, it is desirable to place guide appendages 70, 71 at each side of the fulcrum 49a, as shown in FIG. 9, as well as guide arms 72, 73 on each side of upward extension 68a as shown in FIG. 8. The guide arms 72, 73 can extend from the handle 60 in some applications, as shown in FIG. 8.

Alternatively, lever 45 can have two extending, parallel flanges from the lower section of lever 45. The two extending flanges can be secured with pin 25 to single flange 40, single flange 40 projecting outwardly and being perpendicular to the outer edge 33 of cup 30. Guide arms 72, 73 and guide appendages 70, 71, as described above, can optionally be utilized to reduce movement of lever 45.

The flat rectangular section 96 of the lever's upward extension 68 offers stability to the mechanism when guide arms 72, 73, as seen in FIG. 8, or a slotted opening 104, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, is in place around the lever's 45 mid-section and extends the outward limits of the lever's 45 travel. The wide flat section 96 within the slot 104 or guide arms 72, 73 of FIGS. 8, 11 and 12 restricts twisting and misalignment of lever 45.

The more preferred configuration has two flanges 40, 41 near the outer rim or perimeter 43, one on each side of lever 45, with pins 25, 26 extending from each of the adjacent sides of the lever 45 and securely into holes 66, 67 in flanges 40, 41, as shown in FIG. 8. This configuration effectively eliminates the need for the guide appendages 70, 71 at the fulcrum 49 location. Utilizing the two flange configuration is a more stable connection (since lever 45 will not rock or tip) which also doubles the effective lifting area on the outer skirt 39. It has been found that this slightly more inward flange attachment position, as shown in FIG. 8, when compared to the outward placement of the single flange in FIG. 9, corresponds more precisely with the vacuum line 37 and produces an easier, more rapid and precise release of cup 30 from surface 10. The single attachment point of flange 40a located near the outer edge 33 of diaphragm 30, as shown in FIG. 9, results in more flex and lift before the vacuum line 37 is affected and broken. In addition, if flanges 40, 41, flange 40 a or appendage 47 are too near the outer edge 33 of diaphragm 30, diaphragm 30 peels off slowly from surface 10, without a rapid release effect. The use for which cup 30 is utilized determines whether a rapid release is desireable. For instance, a rapid release effect is desirable when cup 30 is utilized with screen 50 for use in a vehicle.

Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment, the lever 45b having two extending parallel flanges 80, 82 which create slot 98 can be secured to cup 30 by an appendage 47 on cup 30 which inserts into the slot receptacle 98 on lever 45b, as shown in FIG. 10. No pin is utilized for attaching lever 45b to cup 30. The appendage 47 can be of varying shapes, such as T-shaped with a post 92 and an enlarged top 94, as shown in FIG. 10. It is preferred to integrally mold appendage 47 to cup 30. Guide arms 72, 73, and guide appendages 70, 71, as described above, can optionally be utilized to reduce movement of lever 45b.

It is preferred that the appendage 47 or flanges 40, 41, or 40a whether in a single or multi-appendage configuration, be integrally molded onto elastic cup 30 for greater durability. However, the flanges can be attached to the suction cup 30 by other methods known in the industry, such as by an adhesive although perhaps the durability will typically not be as great. The flanges 40, 41, 40a are generally trapezoidal in shape, and are generally about 3/16 inch by 3/16 inch, although other shapes and sizes are within the contemplation of this invention. Holes 66, 67, 66a are located centrally in flanges 40, 41, 40a.

The configuration of rigid lever 45 can be of varied shapes, such as the shapes shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Height of lever 45 varies from one-half inch to one and one half inches, depending on the size of flexible suction cup 30. The larger the cup 30, the larger lever 45 must be for adequate leverage in releasing cup 30 from surface 10. When a 13/4 inch diameter cup 30 is used, for example, the lever 45 is preferably about one inch in height. If lever base 46 is too long for cup 30, the fulcrum 49 will contact hub 35, and will interfere with the proper flexing of the diaphragm 30. As a result, cup 30 will not properly adhere to surface 10 since the vacuum will not be effective. Lever base 46 is about one-half to five-eighths inches in length when a 13/4 inch diameter cup 30 is utilized.

It is preferred to attach lever 45 to flanges 40, 41 using pins 25, 26, since gluing lever 45 to cup 30 may disturb the flexibility of cup 30, causing cup 30 to prematurely release without holding the vacuum. Pins 25, 26 can be made from metal wire or integrally molded with lever 45, thereby being of the same material as the lever.

In order for the present invention to correctly function, it is important that a rigid lever 45 be used in conjunction with a flexible, elastic cup 30 because lever 45 must efficiently transfer pressure and movement, and, in particular convert, through the action of fulcrum 49, the natural, one-finger, push-button-like inward motion of the upward extension 68, through an angle of approximately ninety degrees, to an upward motion at the skirt attachment point. This requires that no bending or flexing occur throughout the entire lever 45 and that bending and flexing be limited to and occur only in the thin outer skirt region 39 of cup 30.

As shown in FIG. 13, extensions of varying heights and sizes in the form of enlarged finger-grips 90 can be attached or molded onto flanges or appendages 40c on cup 30 for the purpose of extending release means into a more accessible and convenient position. No rigid levers or fulcrum areas are utilized. The device is removed from surface 10 (not shown) by pulling the enlarged finger-grip 90 in a direction away from surface 10.

Handle 60 located on the upper surface 36 of cup 30, shown in FIG. 2, can facilitate use of vacuum device 20 and can take on different forms. As shown in FIG. 2, a handle 60 can be used to grasp vacuum device 20, utilizing the forefinger of the hand to work the lever 45 to effect release of the diaphragm 30 in manual applications. Handle 60 can be solid or have a hollow interior. Alternatively, handle 60 can include a hole for the fore-finger of the hand, in manual applications, so that the thumb works lever 45 to effect release of the diaphragm 30. Handle 60 is made of a rigid plastic, using materials such as ABS or polyurethane.

Elastic diaphragm or cup 30 can be attached to objects such as a sun or glare screen 50 by means of the handle 60. Stud 100 extending from the center of handle 60 is inserted into opening 102 of hub 35 of cup 30. Opening 102 extends from upper surface 36 into hub region 35, as can be seen in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. Opening 102 is formed when cup 30 is molded. Stud 100 and opening 102 are configured in such a manner as to put handle 60 (in conjunction with guide arms 72, 73 or with slot clearance notch 52) in alignment with lever 45, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12. Stud 100 and opening 102 can be varying of configurations to ensure proper alignment with lever 45, such as a rectangular configuration. Edges of stud 100 may be serrated, to hold more readily and produce better friction when stud 100 is inserted into opening 102 of hub 35 of cup 30.

The sun screen 50 can be round, horizontal, square or any other shape and can be of any size, such as a six inch round disk, or 41/2 inch by ten inch horizontal panel, as seen in FIG. 1. Screen 50 may be of a wide range of materials, such as paper, thin corrugated cardboard, opaque or tinted plastic, transparent plastic with a screen-print or holes punched through-out, and the like. It is preferable that screen 50 material or substrate be flat. In addition, multiple cups 30 can be used to suspend different sized fabric sun screen pieces, such as twelve inches by twenty inches, in automobile or semi-truck windows, for example.

Screen 50 has a slot 104 cut adjacent the center hole of the screen for movement and support of lever 45, as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, and also has a hole 106 through the center of screen 50 so that stud 100 of handle 60 can pass through to insert in opening 102 of cup 30. To reinforce and strengthen the screen's 50 center portion against slippage of the user's grip as vacuum device 20 is pressed against surface 10, a finger guard base 51 is formed with handle 60, as shown in FIG. 12.

Flexible diaphragm 30 with novel rigid lever 45 configuration can be advantageously used in numerous applications. Attaching sun screen 50 to diaphragm 30 creating vacuum device 20, can be used in different locations in an automobile, aircraft, truck or other vehicle, as well as residential, office or restaurant windows where glare occurs. For instance, vacuum device 20 can be easily and quickly applied to the side or rear window of an automobile or semi truck when the sun is low in the sky to block the glaring sun above the traffic level. Since the position of the sun changes rapidly at sunrise or sunset or while turning a vehicle, it is advantageous to quickly release the cup 30 utilizing a light finger tap from one hand on lever 45 and move the sun screen - diaphragm device 20 to a different location to block the glaring sun in a quick, efficient and safe manner with that same hand. No tugging or pulling of suction device 20 is necessary since cup 30 releases readily and quickly once lever 45 is pushed inwardly toward hub 35. A distinct advantage of the present invention is that one hand can move lever 45 to release the vacuum of cup 30, remove suction device 20 from surface 10, and then re-position and apply suction device 20 on another location on surface 10, all within a few seconds of time. The suction device 20 including the sun screen 50 works well on flat or curved glass surfaces, such as automobile or truck windows, or on flat or curved acrylic surfaces, such as in an aircraft.

When the diaphragm 30 is compressed against the surface 10, it is advantageous to have the surface 10 free of lint, dust, dirt or hair, since these disrupt vacuum formation. It is within the contemplation of this invention to use multiple diaphragms 30 on the vacuum device 20. As can be easily appreciated, one lever 45 can be positioned so as to release multiple cups 30 with a quick, flicking motion of the finger on one hand.

As can be appreciated, cups 30 can be made in many sizes, utilized for many purposes, and can be attached to many items, including but not limited to sun-screens and other auto accessories, laboratory test equipment and workshop tools, note/memo clips, ornament hangers and other household/bathroom accessories, toys and game boards and signs and advertising placards.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.