Extendable article holding apparatus

Abstract

An article holding apparatus comprises a telescoping support structure, a clip device and a mounting structure. The clip device is attached to a first end region of the telescoping support structure. The mounting structure is attached to a second end region of the telescoping support structure. The telescoping support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length. The clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from one or more relatively thin sheets of material.

1 . An article holding apparatus, comprising: 
 an extendable support structure; and    a clip device attached to a first end region of the extendable support structure.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the extendable support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the extendable support structure includes a plurality of telescoping sections.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the extendable support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a mounting structure attached to a second end region of the extendable support structure.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the mounting structure is configured for compressively engaging a body having spaced-apart engagement surfaces.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein: 
 the mounting structure includes a contact surface configured for engaging one of said spaced-apart engagement surfaces;    the extendable support structure is rigidly attached to the mounting structure; and    a longitudinal reference axis of the extendable support structure extends generally perpendicular to the contact surface when the extendable support structure is in a fully extended position.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from at least one relatively thin sheet of material.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the clip device is generally shaped in the form of a hand.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a mounting structure attached to a second end region of the extendable support structure;    wherein the extendable support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length;    wherein the extendable support structure includes a plurality of telescoping sections;    wherein the mounting structure is configured for compressively engaging a body having spaced-apart engagement surfaces;    wherein a mounting structure includes a contact surface configured for engaging one of said spaced-apart engagement surfaces;    wherein the extendable support structure is rigidly attached to the mounting structure;    wherein a longitudinal reference axis of the extendable support structure extends generally perpendicular to the contact surface when the extendable support structure is in a fully extended position; and    wherein the clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from at least one relatively thin sheet of material.    
   
   
       11 . An article holding apparatus, comprising: 
 a telescoping support structure;    a clip device attached to a first end region of the telescoping support structure; and    a mounting structure attached to a second end region of the telescoping support structure.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the telescoping support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the mounting structure is configured for compressively engaging a body having spaced-apart engagement surfaces.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the mounting structure includes a contact surface configured for engaging one of said spaced-apart engagement surfaces;    the telescoping support structure is rigidly attached to the mounting structure; and    a longitudinal reference axis of the telescoping support structure extends generally perpendicular to the contact surface when the telescoping support structure is in a fully extended position.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from at least one relatively thin sheet of material.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the clip device is generally shaped in the form of a hand.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the telescoping support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length;    the mounting structure is configured for compressively engaging a body having spaced-apart engagement surfaces;    the mounting structure includes a contact surface configured for engaging one of said spaced-apart engagement surfaces;    the telescoping support structure is rigidly attached to the mounting structure;    a longitudinal reference axis of the telescoping support structure extends generally perpendicular to the contact surface when the telescoping support structure is in a fully extended position; and    the clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from at least one relatively thin sheet of material.    
   
   
       18 . An article holding apparatus, comprising: 
 an extendable support structure;    a mounting structure attached to a second end region of the telescoping support structure; and    a clip device attached to a first end region of the extendable support structure, wherein the clip device is generally shaped in the form of a hand and wherein the clip device is specifically-configured for compressively holding articles made from at least one relatively thin sheet of material.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the extendable support structure includes a plurality of telescoping sections.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the extendable support structure is extendable from a fully retracted length to a length of more than 2 times the fully retracted length.