# US 11,306,766 B2 · Electronically-releasable suction cup assembly secured to an appliance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,766 B2 - Document ID: US11306766B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/186,581 - Filed: 2021-02-26 - Published: 2021-06-17 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-23 - Assignees: Todd H. Becker - Applicants: Todd H. Becker - Inventors: Todd H. Becker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306766B2 ## CPC - F16B 47/00: Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives {(devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02)} - E05B 73/00: Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices {(motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00)} - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly to releasably secure an object to a surface, the suction cup assembly comprising: a suction cup secured to the object, the suction cup having a cavity and being configured to be releasably secured to the surface; an actuator configured to selectively inject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface; an electronic circuit coupled to the actuator, the electronic circuit being configured to control the actuator; a remote control wirelessly connected to the electronic circuit to enable remote control of the actuator; and a wireless communication module integrated with the electronic circuit, the electronic circuit being configured to control the actuator, the actuator being configured to open and close an injection port in fluid communication with the cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The suction cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is positioned to control an injection port in fluid communication with the cavity of the suction cup. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The suction cup assembly of claim 2, wherein the suction cup includes a center head that is secured to the object and a base that defines the cavity, the base being configured to be releasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuum with the surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The suction cup assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuator is positioned within an opening of the center head of the suction cup. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The suction cup assembly of claim 2, wherein the base of the suction cup is fabricated from elastic, flexible material, and includes a flat or curved surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The suction cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator controls one of an open state or a closed state of at least one injection port in fluid communication with the cavity of the suction cup. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The suction cup assembly of claim 6, wherein the actuator is connected to the electronic circuit to control the injection of fluid into the cavity through the at least one injection port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The suction cup assembly of claim 6, further comprising a battery integrated into the suction cup assembly along with the actuator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The suction cup assembly of claim 8, wherein the battery is configured to provide power to the electronic circuit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The suction cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit includes a switch configured to cause the actuator to inject fluid into the cavity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The suction cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module is a Bluetooth® wireless circuit. ### Claim 12 An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly to releasably secure an object to a surface, the suction cup assembly comprising: a suction cup secured to the object, the suction cup having a cavity and being configured to be releasably secured to the surface; an actuator configured to selectively inject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface; an electronic circuit coupled to the actuator, the electronic circuit being configured to control the actuator; a remote control wirelessly connected to the electronic circuit to enable remote control of the actuator; and wherein the electronic circuit includes a switch configured to cause the actuator to inject fluid into the cavity, and wherein the switch on the electronic circuit is activated through a security authentication mechanism in the remote control device. ### Claim 13 A method of releasably securing an object to a surface, the method comprising: securing a suction cup of an electronically-releasable suction cup assembly to the object, the suction cup having a cavity and being configured to be releasably secured to the surface; and selectively injecting fluid with an actuator coupled to the suction cup, the actuator being configured to selectively inject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface; controlling the actuator with a remote control wirelessly connected to the actuator; and wirelessly communicating control information to the actuator with a wireless communication module integrated with an electronic circuit coupled to the actuator, the electronic circuit being configured to control the actuator to inject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface, the actuator being configured to open and close an injection port in fluid communication with the cavity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein a wireless remote control module having the wireless communication module is coupled to an electronic circuit including a switch, the switch being configured to control the actuator in inject fluid into the cavity. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the suction cup includes a center head that is secured to the object and a base that defines the cavity, the base being configured to be releasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuum with the surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting the actuator into an opening defined by the center head of the suction cup. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the actuator controls the injection of fluid into the cavity of the suction cup. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising connecting the actuator to the electronic circuit to control the injection of fluid into the cavity of the suction cup from the at least one injection port. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising powering the electronic circuit with a battery integrated into the suction cup assembly along with an actuator.