Retaining device

Abstract

A retaining device is particularly suited for suspending an electrical extension cord from a support. The retaining device features an elastomeric body section. A first holder suspends the retaining device from the support and features a base disposed at a first end of the elastomeric body and a flexible strap. The strap is wrapped around the support and secured to the base. A second holder suspends the electrical cord and features a base secured to a second end of the elastomeric body having at least one arm extending outwardly and generally towards the base. The arms define a channel size and shaped to accept the electrical cord. According to one embodiment, the second holder features at least two arms and at least two channels. Alternatively, the second holder features a single arm that is either biased towards the base or includes a flexible strap that engages the base.

1 . A retaining device comprising: 
 a body made from an elastomeric material;    a first holder disposed proximate a first end of said body, said first holder including a first means for securing said first holder to a first object; and    a second holder disposed proximate a second end of said body, said second holder including a second means for securing said second holder to a second object.    
   
   
       2 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first means for securing said first holder to a first object includes: 
 a first base adapted to be secured to said first end of said body;    a flexible strap extending outwardly from said first base; and    means for securing said flexible strap to said first base.    
   
   
       3 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said means for securing said flexible strap to said first base includes a plurality of apertures sized and shaped to fit at least partially around at least one protrusion.  
   
   
       4 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said plurality of apertures are disposed along said flexible strap and wherein said at least one protrusion is disposed on said first base.  
   
   
       5 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said second means for securing includes: 
 a second base adapted to be secured to said second end of said body;    at least one arm extending outwardly from said second base and towards said second end of said body; and    at least one cavity disposed between said at least one arm and said second base, said at least one cavity sized and shaped to accept said second object.    
   
   
       6 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 5  further including at least two arms, said at least two arms disposed substantially parallel to each other and defining a first and a second cavity, respectively.  
   
   
       7 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 5  further including at least two arms, said at least two arms disposed at an angle less than 180 degrees with respect to each other and defining a first and a second cavity, respectively.  
   
   
       8 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 5  further including at least one strap extending outwardly from a distal end of said at least one arm and means for securing said strap to said second base.  
   
   
       9 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 5  further including a biasing region, said biasing region biasing at least a portion of said arm proximate said second base.  
   
   
       10 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 1  further including means for adjusting the separation between said first and said second holder.  
   
   
       11 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said means for adjusting further includes: 
 a cavity disposed through said second base, said cavity sized and shaped to accept said body; and    means for locking the position of second holder relative to said body.    
   
   
       12 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said means for locking includes at least one clamp biased against said body.  
   
   
       13 . A retaining device comprising: 
 a body made from an elastomeric material;    a first holder disposed proximate a first end of said body, said first holder including a first means for securing said first holder to a first object; and    a second holder disposed proximate a second end of said body, said second holder including: 
 a first base adapted to be secured to said second end of said body;  
 at least one arm extending outwardly from said first base and towards said second end of said body; and  
 at least one cavity disposed between said at least one arm and said first base, said at least one cavity sized and shaped to accept a second object.  
   
   
   
       14 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said first means for securing includes: 
 a second base adapted to be secured to said second end of said body;    a flexible strap extending outwardly from said second base; and    means for securing said flexible strap to said second base.    
   
   
       15 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said second holder further includes at least two arms, said at least two arms disposed substantially parallel to each other and defining a first and a second cavity, respectively.  
   
   
       16 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said second holder further includes at least two arms, said at least two arms disposed at an angle less than 180 degrees with respect to each other and defining a first and a second cavity, respectively.  
   
   
       17 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said second holder further includes at least one strap extending outwardly from a distal end of said at least one arm and means for securing said strap to said first base.  
   
   
       18 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 13  further including a biasing region, said biasing region biasing at least a portion of said arm proximate said second base.  
   
   
       19 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 1  further including means for adjusting the separation between said first and said second holder.  
   
   
       20 . A retaining device for suspending a first object from a second object, said retaining device comprising: 
 an elastomeric body having a first and a second oppositely disposed end;    a first holder including: 
 a first base adapted to be disposed proximate said first end of said elastomeric body;  
 a strap extending outwardly from said first base; and  
 means for securing said strap to said first base; and  
   a second holder including: 
 a second base adapted to be disposed proximate said second end of said elastomeric body; and  
 a first and at least a second arm extending outwardly and generally towards said second base and defining a first and a second cavity sized and shaped to accept said second object.  
   
   
   
       21 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said means for securing said strap to said first base includes at least one protrusion and a plurality of apertures sized and shaped to fit around at least a portion of said at least one protrusion.  
   
   
       22 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein at least one of said arms includes a window region extending at least partially into said at least one arm, wherein said window further includes a retaining tab.  
   
   
       23 . The retaining device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein at least one of said arms includes a notched region.