Supporting apparatus for articles

#This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program.

#The present invention is directed generally to an article supporting device for use within a motor vehicle for supporting a variety of articles. The invention is specifically directed to an article supporting device which is removably attachable to the headrest sockets typically found in modern motor vehicles, and in which the headrest is removable from the sockets, which is typically the case.

#Many types of article supporting devices have been developed for use in motor vehicles. Most supporting devices are designed for supporting articles which have a strap, such as purses, shopping bags, camera cases, etc. Prior art article supporting devices are typically anchored or connected to the passenger's seat so that the article to be supported is in easy access to the driver. The most common type of article supporting device is supported on the posts of the headrest that is part of most modern motor vehicles. The holder includes a hook or loop that is anchored to the posts of the headrest. One particular type of holder includes a tab at one end of the holder, which is rectangular in cross-section for insertion into the single rectangular headrest supporting socket for older motor vehicles which are so equipped. The opposite end of the holder is supported on the dashboard of the motor vehicle.

#The character of the invention, however, may be understood best by reference to one of its structural forms, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a supporting device for articles embodying the principles of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the supporting device;

#Referring to FIGS. 1–5, the preferred article supporting device of the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. Article supporting device 10 includes a horizontal component, generally indicated by the reference numeral 11, a vertical component, generally indicated by the reference numeral 15, and a fixture in the form of a horizontal tab 18. The horizontal component 11 is a generally v-shaped integral deformable flat metal strip having a horizontal first arm, generally indicated by the reference numeral 20, and a horizontal second arm, generally indicated by the reference numeral 22. The arms 20 and 22 are connected at their front ends by a bight 24. The tab 18 is fixed to the bight 24 and extends rearwardly therefrom. Each arm 20 and 22 has a 90° twist at an intermediate point 30 to divide the arm into a forward portion 26 and a rearward portion 28. The major dimension of the rearward portion 28 of each arm 20 and 22 is typically horizontal, and the major dimension of the forward portion 26 of each arm 20 and 22 is typically vertical.

#The vertical component 15 includes a first post, generally indicated by the reference numeral 14, fixed to the rearward end of the arm 20, and a second post, generally indicated by the reference numeral 16, fixed to the rearward end of the arm 22. Each post 14 and 16 has an upper portion 34, a lower portion 36 and an intermediate portion 38. Each post 14 and 16 is a tubular cylinder. The intermediate portion 38 has a smaller diameter than the upper portion 34, and the lower portion 36 has a smaller diameter than the intermediate portion 38. This enables the posts 14 and 16 to fit into headrest sockets of different diameters while maintaining a relatively snug fit.

#Referring to FIG. 5, the article supporting device 10 is shown applied to the seat of an automobile. The seat of the automobile, indicated by the reference numeral 39, has a pair of sockets 37 at the top of the seat for receiving a pair of posts of a conventional headrest, not shown. With the headrest removed from the seat 39, the posts 14 and 16 are inserted into the sockets 37. Due to the deformable nature of the supporting device 10, the posts 14 and 16 can be separated or drawn together for insertion into sockets having different spacings. The rear portions 28 of the arms 20 and 22 can be bent upwardly or downwardly to change the vertical position of the tab 18 relative to the top of the seat 39.