The present invention relates to a support and suspension device, particularly for containers, tablets and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a support and suspension device adapted to suspend small containers, tablets and the like from a fixed structure, such as tables, shelves, laptop monitors, and the like.

As is known, when a user is sitting for example at a desk, it may be handy and useful to have available either a small container to store objects or a support for the tablet, which can be within easy reach and can allow the user to perform other functions without worrying about having to pick up both the container for small objects and the support for tablets or the like.

In other words, there is an assured need for a support and suspension device that allows the user, while having his hands free, to use these objects, such as small containers, tablets and the like, while performing other tasks.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a support and suspension device, particularly for containers, tablets and the like, that can allow coupling to a surface which is preferably but not necessarily fixed.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a support and suspension device that allows the user to use containers, tablets and the like without having to handle them with his hands, having them available since they are supported and suspended from a fixed structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support and suspension device that can be applied to a wide variety of objects, allowing their hands-free use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a support and suspension device that can adapt to any type of surface without requiring adjustments by the user.

Not least object of the present invention is to provide a support and suspension device that is highly reliable, relatively simple to provide and at competitive costs.

This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a support and suspension device, particularly for containers, tablets and the like or other objects, characterized in that it comprises a supporting element adapted to accommodate elastic means provided with a pair of arms, said arms being able to rotate elastically from an inactive position, in which said arms are coplanar to said supporting element, to an active position, in which said arms are angled and spaced with respect to said supporting element, for coupling to a surface, said supporting element being associable with the rear surface of a container, tablet or the like, which is adapted to be hung and suspended from said surface.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the support and suspension device according to the present invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, applied to a pouch;

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the device according to the invention applied to the pouch;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a variation of the device according to the invention in its second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a mode of use of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 5a is a view of another variation of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a front view of the device according to the invention in its fourth embodiment;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a possible use of the fourth embodiment according to the invention;

Figure 11 is another perspective view of the use of the fourth embodiment according to the invention shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of three further types of use of the fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 13 is a front elevation view of the types of use of the device according to the invention shown in Figure 12;

Figures 14-20 are views of different types of elastic means usable in the device according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, in which identical reference numerals designate identical elements, the support and suspension device according to the invention, in a first embodiment thereof, is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 and comprises a supporting element 2 adapted to be connected for example to the back of a container, such as a pouch 3 or the like, in association with elastic means 15 provided with a pair of arms 4 and 5 connected to said supporting element 2 and adapted to pass from an inactive (or rest) position, in which the arms are coplanar to the supporting element 2, to an active position, in which the arms are rotated away from the supporting element 2.

In the case of the first embodiment shown (Figures 1 and 2), the supporting element 2 is applied to the rear of the pouch 3 and the arms 4 and 5 are constituted by the ends of the spring 15, which is essentially U-shaped and is accommodated within the supporting element 2. The arms can rotate elastically away from the plane of the supporting element 2 so as to allow coupling to a structure, such as for example the edge of a drawer, so as to have the pouch 3 or container in general available to the user.

In a second embodiment (Figures 3-5), the device according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and the supporting element, designated in this case by the reference numeral 12, comprises a pair of platelike elements 13 and 14 which are adapted to accommodate between them elastic means 15 in the form of a pair of springs, each with an arm 16, 17. The arms can be angled elastically with respect to the plane on which the springs are formed.

The arms 16 and 17 are L-shaped, with the short portion of the L- shape, respectively 16a and 17a, that allows to apply an action for coupling on a vertical support.

In the case of the second embodiment, the arms 16 and 17 can also have the short portion of the L-shape pivoted to the respective arm. In this case, the short portion of the L-shape is designated by the reference numeral 16b and 16c. This shape of the arms with hinged portion allows the coupling of the support and suspension device to a tubular structure, for example.

Conveniently, the short portions of the L-shape of the arms 4 and 5 and 16 and 17 might be telescopic, so as to be able to adapt to thicker surfaces and in any case ensure adequate suspension of the support and suspension device.

Likewise, the arms of the springs also might be telescopic, again in order to couple to larger surfaces.

Conveniently, both the arms and the short portions of the L-shape can be covered with materials adapted to reduce the wear of the surfaces against which the arms and the short portions of the L-shape rest. Rubber pads, powder paints, silicones, heat-shrinking sheaths, PVC and the like can thus be provided.

Figure 5a shows the use of the device according to the invention in the case of a bag or pochette.

The support and suspension device according to the invention, in a third embodiment (Figure 6), designated by the reference numeral 10a, is conceptually similar to the device according to the invention according to the second embodiment.

In this case, differently from the second embodiment, the supporting element 12 is provided with hanging hooks 12a which are arranged so as to be spaced along its extension.

The third embodiment according to the invention has the configuration of a coat hanger for a door.

The support and suspension device according to the invention, in a fourth embodiment (Figures 7-13), is generally designated by the reference numeral 100.

In this embodiment, the supporting element 101 is constituted by a stand that is substantially fork-shaped, with a central slot 102 provided with a set of teeth 103. The stand 101 is adapted to be fixed to a supporting shell 103 adapted to contain in a recessed manner a tablet 104. The stand 101 is coupled to the supporting shell 103 by means of a pivot 105 which allows the rotation and translation of the stand 101. Fixing of the stand occurs by means of a fixing pivot 106 which blocks the stand 101 against the supporting shell 103.

Elastic means 110 constituted by a pair of springs, shaped as in the preceding embodiments, therefore with arms 111 and 112 provided with the respective short portions of the L-shape, 113 and 114, are provided to be coupled to the stand 101.

Friction hinges 115 and 116 are coupled to the stand 101 and to an engagement element 120 which is substantially H-shaped and has two vertical arms 121 and 122. The portions 120 and 114 of the elastic means 110 are coupled in respective grooves 125 and 126 of the coupling element 120, at its arms 121 and 122.

The coupling element 120 can be opened elastically so as to constitute a pedestal-like support for the supporting shell 103.

The arrangement of the coupling element 120 like a supporting pedestal is possible by means of a prior translation of the stand 101 in a vertical direction, so that the stand 101 slides around the rotation pivot 105 and the corresponding fixing pivot 106, passing notch by notch at the set of teeth 103.

The four embodiments described above of the support and suspension device according to the invention are suitable for different types of use.

In particular, the first embodiment can be used for example to couple a container or pouch to a vertical support, such as for example the front of a drawer, the edge of a screen of a laptop, and the like.

The second and third embodiments of the device according to the invention can be used for example as shown in Figures 5, 5a and 6.

An alternative use of the fourth embodiment of the support and suspension device according to the invention is for example for coupling a tablet to a horizontal surface, with the arms 111 and 112 of the elastic means 110 arranged open, therefore rotated from their inactive position, to rest on the upper surface of the resting plane, while the coupling element 120 is opened at 90° with respect to the plane of the shell element 103, so as to be arranged in a position that lies below the resting plane, i.e., at its lower surface.

In this manner, the device according to the invention can be coupled with the arms 111 and 112 of the elastic means 110 applying a pressure against the upper surface of the resting plane, contrasted in the presence of the hook 120 and of the respective arms 121 and 122, which act as abutment at the lower surface of said resting plane. A further possible use of the resting and suspension device according to the invention provides for coupling to a vertical plane the arms 111 and 112 of the elastic means 110, with the coupling element 120 arranged at the opposite surface of the vertical coupling plane with respect to the one against which the arms of the spring are rested, so as to have, by virtue of the use of the friction hinges 115 and 116, a placement of a tablet 104 accommodated within the supporting shell element 103 so as to be inclined upward, so that the screen is easily visible for the user who is sitting to the side of the vertical resting surface against which the device according to the invention is coupled.

As an alternative, it is obviously also possible to use the fourth embodiment with the arms 111 and 112 coupled to the vertical supporting plane, with the supporting shell 103 arranged parallel and adjacent to the vertical supporting plane, therefore without using the friction hinges 115 and 116 to arrange the coupling element 120 in an angled manner.

Finally, Figures 14-20 show different types of elastic means that can be used in the device according to the invention.

In practice it has been found that the support and suspension device according to the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to support and couple to a vertical plane or to a horizontal plane a container, such as a pouch or the like, a supporting shell for a tablet, and the like.

The coupling and the suspension of the device according to the invention can occur on any type of surface without the need to adjust it, but simply by opening the arms of the device. By virtue of the presence of the elastic means, the device adapts to the chosen surface, ensuring a safe, uniform and oscillation-free grip.

The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. 102016000123548

(UA2016A008822), from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.