WO1997034741A1

WO1997034741A1 - Holder for removably retaining generally rod-shaped objects

Info

Publication number: WO1997034741A1
Application number: PCT/DK1997/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Svend Karl Lennart Goof
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-03-21
Filing date: 1997-03-21
Publication date: 1997-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 1998-09-21
Also published as: DK9600103U3

Abstract

A holder for removably retaining rod-shaped objects (1, 1a) such as tool handles and dental handpieces, includes a base plate (2) with two upstanding resilient parts (3, 4) having opposed free edges defining an entry passage through which a rod-shaped object can be inserted by pressure while elastically urging the resilient parts away from each other, and wherein each of the two opposed free edges is fitted with at least one pivotally mounted roller (5, 6). Each of the two resilient parts further comprises two standing-apart legs (10, 12 or 14, 16) of a resilient material and between which a roller associated therewith is pivotally suspended. Thus, each of the two opposed rollers is able to adapt to the shape and contour of an object in the holder, because of the individually and resiliently movable legs.

Description

TITLE: Holder for removably retaining generally rod-shaped objects.

The present invention relates to a holder for removably retaining generally rod- shaped objects such as tool handles and in particular handpieces for dental equipment.

More specificly, the invention relates to a holder of the type comprising a base plate for placement on a support and having two upstanding resilient parts which are integral with or connected with the base plate and are arranged opposite to each other with respective free edges thereof defining an entry passage in which a rod- shape object can be inserted by pressure while elastically urging the resilient parts away from each other, and wherein each of the two free edges are fitted with at least one pivotally mounted roller.

Known in the art are diverse variants of holders or clamps of this type having a generally U-shaped cross-section, whereby the bottom part of the U-shape defines the base plate, and the U-legs are defining the two opposed resilient parts. Usually such holders are either moulded in an appropriately resilient plastic material, or they are made by bending a suitable piece of metal plate.

The free edges of the resilient U-leg parts are usually shaped with more or less rounded-off noses or edges which are oriented towards each other and are adapted to snap behind the object in the holder to provide a positive grip on the object.

This known structure gives rise to disadvantages and restrictions of the possible applications of the holder or clamp. When an object is pressed into or pulled out from the holder, the free edges or noses will scrape the surface of the object which easily becomes scratched or scored. Moreover, the cross-section of the space between the two resilient parts has to be shaped relatively accurately in accordance with the cross-section of the object to be clamped and retained. German Utility Model Registration No. 88 03 273.4 discloses a holder of the type in consideration and comprising two opposed and pivotally mounted rollers. The suspensions as used and described are made of angled plate material and will inevitably be relatively rigid in structure and will therefor provide a restricted adaptability for the holder.

The object of this invention is to provide a holder of the type under consideration, whereby these disadvantages and draw backs have been remedied so as to provide a holder which is considerably more gentle to use and in addition is less dependent on the cross-sectional shape of the object to be retained, so that objects with different or varying cross-sectional shape - generally different or varying outer diameter - can be removably retained with a positive grip thereon in one and the same holder.

This is achieved by the holder of the present invention which is characterized in that each of said two opposed resilient parts comprises two standing-apart legs of a resilient material and between which a roller associated therewith is pivotally suspended.

The invention provides a considerably reduced risk of damaging objects used in the holder. Moreover, the two opposed rollers can maintain a positive grip on objects having different or varying cross-sections, in particular by using rollers having an appropriate diameter and shape. Each of the two rollers is, moreover, able to adapt to the shape or contour of an object in the holder, because of the individually and resiliently movable legs. Possible applications for the holder are considerably increased thereby. A preferred embodiment of the holder of this invention has shown to be so efficient that even rather heavy objects can be safety retained therein regardless of the orientation of the holder relative to the horizontal direction. The invention and preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the drawing in which

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of the principle and mode of operation of a holder of the invention shown as seen from one end,

Fig. 2 is schematically showing further features of the holder of the invention, seen from above, and

Fig. 3 is showing a preferred embodiment of the holder of the invention, seen i exploded perspective view.

In figure 1 of the drawing is seen a rod-shaped object 1 which is inserted and positively retained in a holder of this invention. The holder has a base plate 2 adapted to be permamently or removably attached to a suitable support. Appropriate screws, a permanent magnet or double-sided adhesive tape are possible attachment means.

Moreover, the holder has two resilient parts 3, 4 with one end thereof being connected or integral with the base plate 2. These resilient parts are arranged opposite to each other, preferably in parallel, and a free end of each part supports a roller 5, 6 respectively.

When the object 1 is inserted into or removed from the holder, the rollers 5,6 will cause that the resilient prats yield away without essentially affecting or wearing the surface of the object 1. Moreover, the holder is essentially more convenient to use, when an object, such as a hand tool, is to be repeatedly inserted and removed.

As indicated by 1a in fig. 1, the holder is also able to grip and positively retain objects with a different cross-section - shown as a larger diameter at 1a. In this connection the diameter of the rollers is of importance as regards how large or how small diameters can be retained. In the same connection it is also of importance if one or more appropriately shaped bottom stops are arranged as indicated at 7 in the area between the resilient parts 3, 4, and as it is the case in the preferred embodiment.

Especially if such bottom stops also are adjustable as to height relative to the base plate 1 , there is provided further possibilities of retaining different objects 1 , 1a in one and the same holder.

Each of the rollers 5, 6 can be one or more balls supported on a common through- going shaft. Similarly, each roller can be contoured in order to adapt to special objects. However, it is preferred to use circular-cylindrical rollers having a length and diameter which have been adapted to or determined by the actual case of use.

The holder is not restricted to using objects, 1 , 1a with circular cross-sections. As it can readily be seen, it will also be possible to retain objects having various angular or cornered cross-sectional shapes, in particular with suitably adapting and shaping of the bottom stop 7.

Fig. 2 is showing further features of the holder of the invention. As indicated the rollers can easily adapt to the shape or contour of an object. As indicated it is possible to retain for example an object with conical or tapered shape.

This adaptability - and the operation of the holder in general - has been provided or improved by designing each of the two resilient parts 3,4 as or with two individual and standiπg-apart legs 10, 12 and 14, 16 respectively. Each of these legs can be moulded or made from an appropriately elastic or resilient plastic material, but is preferably shaped of spring wire.

The bottom end of each leg can be attached either to the base plate 2 directly or to, and be part of, the resilient part 3 or 4. 5

Fig. 3 of the drawing is illustrating a preferred embodiment. As can be seen, the two spring legs 10, 16 or 12, 14 at the same end of the two rollers 18 have been shaped in one piece so as to define a generally U-shaped configuration 20, 22 respectively. The outermost free end of each spring leg is, moreover, angled to define appropriate pivots 24 adapted to be inserted into a central bore in the respective roller ends.

The base plate 26 is provided with appropriately shaped transverse grooves 28 adapted and located to receive the bottom part of the respective U-configurations 20, 22 after that the respective pivots 24 have been fitted in place into the rollers 18.

A cover plate or sheet 30 is, thereafter, attached to cover the grooves 28 on the bottom surface of the base plate 26, whereby the entire holder structure has been assembled and secured in a simple manner. The cover plate 30 can appropriately be a piece of double-sided adhesive tape which also can be used to attach the holder structure to a support. Alternatively the cover plate 30 may include a permanent magnet for the same purpose.

Finally fig. 3 is indicating two separate bottom stops 32, 34 corresponding to the stop 7 in fig. 1. These stops 32, 34 can be plastic pads which possibly can be easy to exchange in order to provide the possibly of adapting to the object to be retained in the holder . Alternatively, the two stops 32, 34 can be individually adjustable screws of a suitable soft material or including a padding of such a material.

Claims

1. A holder for removably retaining generally rod-shaped objects and comprising a base plate and two upstanding resilient parts which are integral with or connected to the base plate and are arranged opposite to each other with respective free edges thereof defining an entry passage in which a rod-shaped object can be inserted by pressure while elastically urging the resilient parts away from each other, and wherein each of the two free edges is fitted with at least one pivotally mounted roller, Characterized in that each of said two opposed resilient parts (3, 4) comprises two standing-apart legs (10, 12 and 14, 16 respectively) of a resilient material and between which a roller associated therewith is pivotally suspended.

2. A holder as defined in claim 1 , characterized by an outermost free end of said two spring legs being angled towards each other so as to define respective pivots (24) for the roller (18) associated therewith.

3. A holder as defined in claim 2, characterized by said spring legs (10, 16 and 12,14 respectively) located at the same end of said two rollers

(18) being made in one piece so as to define a generally U-shaped configuration (20 and 22 respectively).

4. A holder as defined in any of claims 1 , 2 or 3, characterized by at least one bottom stop (32, 34) being arranged on said base plate (26) in an area between said two resilient parts for supporting the rod-shaped object in the holder.

5. A holder as defined in claim 4, characterized by said bottom stop being adjustable as to height relative to the base plate (26).