Apparatus for supporting articles in a desired orientation

Abstract

An article holding apparatus includes a compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end. The apparatus also includes a resilient biasing member contained within the compartment. The biasing member extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.

1 . An article holding apparatus, comprising: 
 a compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end;    a resilient biasing member contained within the compartment, the biasing member extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.    
     
     
         2 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is rectangular and includes first and second lateral sidewalls.  
     
     
         3 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the biasing member extends between the first and second lateral sidewalls, and the biasing member is coupled to the first lateral sidewall and resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and the second lateral sidewall.  
     
     
         4 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped and includes a free first end forming the large diameter of the teardrop shape and a second end.  
     
     
         5 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second end of the biasing member is secured to the first lateral sidewall adjacent an upper end of the compartment such that the free first end extends across the compartment toward the opposed second lateral sidewall.  
     
     
         6 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a horizontal support surface.  
     
     
         7 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped.  
     
     
         8 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment is composed of plastic.  
     
     
         9 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is composed of plastic.  
     
     
         10 . An article holding apparatus, comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected compartments, each compartment including sidewalls and an open upper end;    a resilient biasing member contained within each of the compartments, each of the biasing members extends between sidewalls of the compartment such that resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and one of the sidewalls.    
     
     
         11 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the compartment is rectangular and includes first and second lateral sidewalls.  
     
     
         12 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the biasing member extends between the first and second lateral sidewalls, and the biasing member is coupled to the first lateral sidewall and resilient energy stored within the biasing member holds an article in a fixed orientation between the biasing member and the second lateral sidewall.  
     
     
         13 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped and includes a free first end forming the large diameter of the teardrop shape and a second end.  
     
     
         14 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the second end of the biasing member is secured to the first lateral sidewall adjacent an upper end of the compartment such that the free first end extends across the compartment toward the opposed second lateral sidewall.  
     
     
         15 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the compartment is shaped and dimensioned to sit upon a horizontal support surface.  
     
     
         16 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the biasing member is substantially teardrop-shaped.  
     
     
         17 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the compartment is composed of plastic.  
     
     
         18 . The article holding apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the biasing member is composed of plastic.