Article support using stretch releasing adhesives

Abstract

An article support adapted for adhering to a substrate is described. The article support preferably includes a base member, a stretch release adhesive tape adhered to that base member, and some mechanism for gripping the stretch release adhesive tape. These items are arranged so that when the base member is adhered to the substrate by the stretch release adhesive tape, the base member can be removed by pulling on the gripping means at an acute angle from the surface of the substrate. Gripping means which resist disassociation from the stretch release adhesive tape during the removal of the base from the substrate are disclosed, including handle types. The base member can be generic, suitable for attaching various types of support members via, for example, complimentary dovetail slides. In such cases, provision such as a latch can be made to temporarily lock the support member to the base member. The article support can be provided so that when the support member is removed from the base member, the gripping mechanism engages the support member to automatically stretch the tape and remove the base member from the substrate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An article support adapted for adhering to a substrate, comprising: 
 a base member;    a stretch release adhesive tape adhered to the base member; and    means for gripping said stretch release adhesive tape, wherein    when said base member is adhered to the substrate by said stretch release adhesive tape, said base member is capable of being removed from the substrate by gripping the gripping means and stretching the stretch release adhesive tape at an angle no greater than about 35 degrees from the surface of the substrate, said gripping means resisting disassociation from said stretch release adhesive tape during the removal.    
     
     
         2 . An article support according to  claim 1  wherein said gripping means comprises a handle, wherein said stretch release adhesive tape is adhered to the handle around a surface conformed so as to compress at least a portion of the tape during the removal.  
     
     
         3 . An article support according to  claim 2  wherein said stretch release adhesive tape is wrapped around a portion of said handle in such a manner that said stretch release adhesive tape makes a substantially 180 degree bend.  
     
     
         4 . An article support according to  claim 2  wherein said handle is generally D-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . An article support according to  claim 1  further comprising a support member, and wherein said base member comprises a means for attaching said support member.  
     
     
         6 . An article support according to  claim 5  wherein said attaching means comprises a pair of complimentary dovetail slides on each of said base member and said support member.  
     
     
         7 . An article support according to  claim 5  wherein said attaching means comprises a means for locking said support member to said base member.  
     
     
         8 . An article support according to  claim 7  wherein said locking means is a releasable latch.  
     
     
         9 . An article support according to  claim 5  wherein when said support member is removed from said base member, said gripping means engages said support member so that said stretch release adhesive tape is stretched so as to remove said base member from the substrate.  
     
     
         10 . An article support according to  claim 1  wherein said base member has indicia explaining the action involved in removing said base member from the substrate.  
     
     
         11 . An article support according to  claim 10  wherein said base member comprises a means for attaching a support member, and wherein said indicia are hidden from view when said support member is attached to said base member.  
     
     
         12 . An article support according to  claim 5  wherein said support member is adapted to engage a plurality of base members simultaneously.  
     
     
         13 . An article support according to  claim 12  wherein said support member is adapted to engage said plurality of base members so that said stretch release adhesive tape on each of said base members are oriented in a single plane.  
     
     
         14 . An article support according to  claim 12  wherein said support member is adapted to engage said plurality of base members so that said stretch release adhesive tape on said base members are oriented in more than one plane.  
     
     
         15 . An article support according to  claim 1  wherein said stretch release adhesive tape comprises a backing and at least one layer of adhesive adhered thereto.