Portable item holder and method for using the holder

Abstract

An item holder mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a deformable body. The body includes an outer surface and an inner surface having a concave portion. The body further includes a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer and inner surfaces. The body also includes a hole extending through the body between the outer and inner surfaces for holding an item. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid from the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing them together.

1 . An item holder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:
 a deformable body including:
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface; 
 a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer surface and inner surface; and 
 a hole extending through the body between the outer surface and inner surface from the outer surface to the inner surface for holding an item during use of the holder; 
   wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.   
   
   
       2 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 
   
   
       3 . A holder as set forth in  claim 1  comprising a ring extending through the hole for holding said item during use of the holder. 
   
   
       4 . A holder as set forth in  claim 1  comprising a flexible member extending through the hole for holding said item during use of the holder. 
   
   
       5 . A holder as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a message displayed on at least one surface of a group of surfaces consisting of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body. 
   
   
       6 . A holder as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the periphery varies from circular. 
   
   
       7 . An item holder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:
 a deformable body including:
 an outer surface that is substantially free of protrusions; 
 an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface; and 
 a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer surface and inner surface; and 
   an appendage connected directly to said periphery and extending from a base adjacent said periphery to a tip opposite the base and having a hole therein for holding an item during use of the holder;   wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.   
   
   
       8 . A holder as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the appendage has a weight that is at least about 1% of a weight of the body. 
   
   
       9 . A holder as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the appendage has a maximum length that is at least about 10% of a maximum length of the body. 
   
   
       10 . A holder as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the appendage is configured so that the hole and the mounting surface are separable by a maximum clearance of between about 1 inch and about 3 inches while the holder is secured to the mounting surface. 
   
   
       11 . An item holder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:
 a deformable body including:
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface; and 
 a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface; 
   an appendage extending from a base adjacent said periphery to a tip opposite the base; and   a connector attached to the appendage for connecting the appendage adjacent said tip to a position on the holder adjacent said base to form a loop for holding an item during use of the holder;   wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.   
   
   
       12 . A holder as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the connector non-removably connects the appendage adjacent said tip to the appendage adjacent said base. 
   
   
       13 . A holder as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the connector includes an adhesive, a staple, or molded or welded material of said appendage. 
   
   
       14 . A holder as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the connector removably connects the appendage adjacent said tip to the appendage adjacent said base. 
   
   
       15 . A holder as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the connector includes a snap fastener, an adhesive, a latch, a magnet, or a hook-and-pile fastener. 
   
   
       16 . A holder as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said outer surface is substantially free of protrusions. 
   
   
       17 . A holder as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising a message displayed on at least one surface of a group of surfaces consisting of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body. 
   
   
       18 . An item holder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:
 a deformable body including:
 an outer surface having a convex portion that is substantially free of protrusions; 
 an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said convex portion; and 
 a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface; and 
   a fastener attached to said outer surface of the body for attaching an item to the holder;   wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.   
   
   
       19 . A holder as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the holder is substantially free of material other than material of the body between said outer surface and said inner surface. 
   
   
       20 . A holder as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said fastener is attached to a portion of said outer surface other than said convex portion. 
   
   
       21 . A holder as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the fastener includes an adhesive or a part of a hook-and-pile fastener. 
   
   
       22 . A holder as set forth in  claim 18  further comprising a message displayed on at least one surface of a group of surfaces consisting of the outer surface and the inner surface of the body. 
   
   
       23 . A holder as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the periphery has a shape selected from a group of shapes consisting of non-circular and unsymmetric. 
   
   
       24 . An item holder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:
 a deformable body including:
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface; and 
 a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface; and 
   an appendage extending from a base connected to said periphery to a tip opposite the base; and   a fastener attached to said appendage for attaching an item to the holder;   wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.   
   
   
       25 . A holder as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the holder is substantially free of material other than material of the body between said outer surface and said inner surface. 
   
   
       26 . A holder as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said outer surface has a convex portion that is substantially free of protrusions. 
   
   
       27 . An item holder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:
 a deformable body including:
 an outer surface that is substantially free of protrusions; 
 an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface; 
 an edge extending around the body; and 
 a hole extending through the deformable body in a direction that is generally parallel to the mounting surface during use of the holder; 
   wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.   
   
   
       28 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 27  wherein the hole extends between a first location on said edge and a second location on said edge. 
   
   
       29 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 27  wherein the deformable body has a thickness measured between said outer surface and said inner surface that is generally constant throughout the body. 
   
   
       30 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 27  wherein the deformable body has a thickness measured between said outer surface and said inner surface that is greater adjacent said hole than at another part of the body. 
   
   
       31 . An item holder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:
 a deformable body including:
 an outer surface; 
 an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface; and 
 an edge extending around the body; and 
   a protrusion extending from the body having a hole extending through the protrusion in a direction that is generally parallel to the mounting surface during use of the holder;   wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.   
   
   
       32 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said protrusion extends from the outer surface of the body. 
   
   
       33 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said protrusion extends from the inner surface of the body. 
   
   
       34 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said protrusion extends from the deformable body adjacent said edge. 
   
   
       35 . A method of using an item holder including a deformable body having an outer surface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface, a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface, and a hole extending through the body from the outer surface to the inner surface, the method comprising:
 connecting an item to the holder so that said item at least partially fills said hole;   positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent a mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface;   moving the body to an actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface;   demounting the body from the mounting surface by moving the body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking said seal and suction; and   using the item after the demounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shape before using the item.   
   
   
       36 . A method of using an item holder including a deformable body having an outer surface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface, and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface, and an appendage connected directly to the periphery having a hole therein, the method comprising:
 connecting an item to the holder so that said item at least partially fills said hole;   positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent a mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface;   moving the body to an actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface;   demounting the body from the mounting surface by moving the body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking said seal and suction; and   using the item after the demounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shape before using the item.   
   
   
       37 . A method of using an item holder including a deformable body having an outer surface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface, and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface, an appendage extending from a base adjacent said periphery to a tip opposite the base, and a connector attached to the appendage for connecting the appendage adjacent said tip to a position on the holder adjacent said base to form a loop, the method comprising:
 connecting an item to said loop;   positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent a mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface;   moving the body to an actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface;   demounting the body from the mounting surface by moving the body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking said seal and suction; and   using the item after the demounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shape before using the item.   
   
   
       38 . A method of using an item holder including a deformable body having an outer surface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface, a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface, and a hole extending through the body in a direction that is generally parallel to a mounting surface during use of the holder, the method comprising:
 connecting an item to the holder so that said item at least partially fills said hole;   positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface;   moving the body to an actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface;   demounting the body from the mounting surface by moving the body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking said seal and suction; and   using the item after the demounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shape before using the item.   
   
   
       39 . A method of using an item holder including a deformable body having an outer surface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite said outer surface, and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface, and including a protrusion extending from the body having a hole extending through the protrusion in a direction that is generally parallel to a mounting surface during use of the holder, the method comprising:
 connecting an item to the holder so that said item at least partially fills said hole;   positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface;   moving the body to an actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface;   demounting the body from the mounting surface by moving the body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking said seal and suction; and   using the item after the demounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shape before using the item.   
   
   
       40 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said hole connects the outer and inner surfaces at a location in an extra body portion between the periphery and a suction applying portion of the body when the body is in its actuated state. 
   
   
       41 . An item holder as set forth in  claim 40 , wherein the location at which the hole connects the inner and outer surfaces is in a portion of the body at which an edge of the body is spaced a greater distance outside the suction applying portion than an average distance of the edge outside the suction applying portion. 
   
   
       42 . A holder as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the deformable body and the appendage are surrounded by an edge, except where the appendage connects to the body, and wherein said hole is positioned between said edge and said periphery. 
   
   
       43 . A holder as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said appendage and said body comprise the same material.