Multi-appendage device for holding, gripping, or suspending an object

Abstract

A multi-appendage device for holding, suspending, or gripping an object. The device includes: a body, and a plurality of flexible appendages attached to and extending from the body. Each appendage in turn includes an elongate integral piece of molded material, and an elongate integral piece of material that is located within an interior of the elongate integral piece of molded material, and that is generally flexible and inelastic. In accordance with this aspect, each appendage is bendable into various different shapes and is generally inelastic so as to remain in a shape into which it is bent. Preferably, the device further includes an add-on component that attaches to the body to extend from a top of the body and serve as a handle. Alternatively or additionally, the add-on component may include a light, a storage compartment, or both.

1 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A multi-appendage device for holding and gripping an object, comprising:
 (a) a body comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portion between the top portion and the bottom portion, the body having a cross-sectional profile such that the body is configured to be grasped by and fit within the palm of a person's hand;   (b) a plurality of flexible appendages attached to the intermediate portion of the body, wherein each flexible appendage is configured to extend away from the body the same maximum extent in an opposite direction to a direction in which the top portion faces, and wherein each appendage is bendable and remains in a shape into which it is bent; and   (c) an elongate add-on component releasably attachable to the body and configured to serve as a handle for grasping by a person's hand, wherein when the add-on component is releasably attached to the body, the add-on component covers the top portion, with the one or more of the appendages configured to extend away from the body in the opposite direction for holding and gripping an object.   
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the intermediate portion comprises a peripheral wall to which each of the appendages is attached. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein each appendage comprises a generally resilient exterior outer surface. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein each respective appendage is detachable from and reattachable to the body by inserting the respective appendage into and withdrawing the respective appendage out of a respective recess of the body that is configured to receive an appendage. 
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein each appendage snaps into engagement with the body. 
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the appendages are detachable from the body and are interchangeable with each other in attachment to the body. 
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein each appendage is spaced at generally equal distant to each appendage adjacent thereto, and wherein each appendage is structurally the same as each other appendage. 
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 71 , further comprising a layer of resilient material located on the top portion, wherein the layer of resilient material is compressed between the body and the add-on component when the add-on component is releasably attached to the body such that the add-on component is held in tension when attached to the body. 
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the elongate add-on component comprises finger grips. 
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the elongate add-on component comprises a storage compartment. 
     
     
         81 . A multi-appendage device for holding and gripping an object, comprising:
 (a) a body comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, the body further having a cross-sectional profile configured to be grasped by and fit within the palm of a person's hand with the top portion facing the palm; and   (b) a plurality of flexible appendages attached to the side portion of the body, each appendage being bendable and remaining in a shape into which it is bent;   (c) wherein each appendage is configured to extend away from the body the same maximum extent in an opposite direction to a direction in which the top portion faces.   
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 81 , wherein the side portion comprises a peripheral wall. 
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 81 , wherein each respective appendage is detachable from and reattachable to the body by inserting the respective appendage into and withdrawing the respective appendage out of a respective recess of the body that is configured to receive an appendage. 
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 81 , wherein the appendages are detachable from the body and are interchangeable with each other in attachment to the body. 
     
     
         85 . The device of  claim 81 , wherein each appendage is spaced at generally equal distant to each appendage adjacent thereto, and wherein each appendage is structurally the same as each other appendage. 
     
     
         86 . A multi-appendage device for holding and gripping an object, comprising:
 (a) a body comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, the body further having a cross-sectional profile configured to be grasped by and fit within the palm of a person's hand with the top portion facing the palm; and   (b) a plurality of flexible appendages attached to the body, each appendage being bendable and remaining in a shape into which it is bent;   (c) wherein each appendage comprises,
 (i) an outer, elongate integral piece of molded material that defines a sequence of alternating ball and arm portions, and 
 (ii) an inner, elongate integral piece of material that is located within the outer piece of molded material and that defines a second sequence of alternating ball and arm portions, with each ball portion of the second sequence being located within a respective ball portion of the first sequence, and with each arm portion of the second sequence being located within a respective arm portion of the first sequence. 
   
     
     
         87 . The device of  claim 86 , wherein the appendages are interchangeable with each other in attachment to the body. 
     
     
         88 . The device of  claim 86 , wherein each appendage attached to the body is spaced at generally equal distant to each appendage adjacent thereto, and wherein each appendage is structurally the same as each other appendage. 
     
     
         89 . The device of  claim 86 , wherein each of the plurality of sockets is detachable and reattachable to the body along a periphery of a bottom wall of the body, further comprising a layer of resilient material located on a top wall of the body. 
     
     
         90 . The device of  claim 86 , further comprising an add-on component that is releasably attached to the body component in covering relation to the top portion of the body and that is configured to serve as a handle for grasping by a person's hand.