Device with a suction cup for supporting and mounting articles to a surface

Abstract

A fixing device with a suction cup for supporting and mounting articles to a surface is provided by the present invention. The fixing device comprises a housing, a suction cup assembly and an air outlet formed in the suction cup assembly. A vacuum pump is contained in the housing and is connected to the air outlet via a first conduit. A battery pack supplies power to the vacuum pump and a switch is provided for activating the vacuum pump. The fixing device can further include a valve for releasing the device from the attached surface, an actuating member for automatically activating the vacuum pump, and a fixing pad with a magnet and two different-shaped surfaces. Accordingly, the fixing device can be fixed on a smooth or roughened surface for a long time and can be easily and quickly removed without damaging the surface. In addition, the fixing device can also be used to support and mount articles of different shapes and functions to the wall.

1 . A device for supporting and mounting articles to a surface, comprising 
 a housing,    a suction cup coupled to the housing,    an air outlet provided in the housing and in communication with a space defined by the housing and the suction cup,    a vacuum pump contained in the housing and being connected to the air outlet via a first conduit,    a battery pack for supplying power source to the vacuum pump, and    a switch for activating the vacuum pump.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further including an air inlet provided in the housing, the air inlet including a valve connected to a release button for opening or closing the valve.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the valve further comprises a valve body, a bar portion, a plug, and a spring urged by a member which is fixed in a second conduit, wherein the valve body is fixedly fitted within the second pipe, and the valve body comprises a first chamber which links a lumen of the second pipe to the atmosphere.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the valve body further comprises a second chamber communicating with said first chamber and a slot connecting the second chamber to the second conduit.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a compressible downward protrusion positioned in the space defined by the housing and the suction cup, a control rod being supported on the protrusion at one end and a second end of the control rod capable of activating a trigger for switching on the vacuum pump.  
   
   
       6 . The device of claims  1 , further comprising a frame connected to the housing, the frame including a fixing pad having a magnet for retaining a desired object.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the fixing pad has two opposed contact surfaces and the fixing pad can be selectively locked in the frame.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein one of the two opposed surfaces is curved and the other is flat.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein a recess is provided on the fixing pad, corresponding to which a latch is provided in the frame with an actuator connected therewith, the recess and the latch being engagable with each other.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for fixing an object to a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction member coupled to the housing and defining an interior suction space;    an air outlet formed in the suction member and in communication with the suction space;    a vacuum pump coupled to the air outlet for removing air from the suction space;    a power source connected to the vacuum pump;    a switch for activating the vacuum pump; and    an air inlet connected to a valve for selectively connecting the suction space with an ambient atmosphere.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising means for automatically activating the vacuum pump.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for automatically activating the vacuum pump comprises a actuating member having one end disposed in the suction space and another end in contact with a trigger for switching the vacuum pump on and off.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the suction space has an air pressure and when the air pressure in the suction space is at a first level, the actuating member switches the vacuum pump on and when the air pressure in the suction space is at a second level, the actuating member switches the vacuum pump off.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a member provided on the housing for actuating the valve for selectively connecting the suction space with the ambient atmosphere via the air inlet.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for removeably mounting a laser generating device on a surface, the apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a suction member coupled thereto such that when the apparatus is placed on the surface, the surface and the suction member define an interior suction space;    an air outlet formed in the suction member and in communication with the suction space;    a vacuum pump coupled to the air outlet for removing air from the suction space;    a power source connected to the vacuum pump;    a switch for activating the vacuum pump;    an air inlet connected to a valve for selectively connecting the suction space with an ambient atmosphere; and    a fixing pad connected to the housing, the fixing pad having means for removeably connecting the light generating device to the housing.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the means for removeably connecting the light generating device comprises a magnet.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the light generating device can be rotated up to 360 degrees with respect to the housing when the apparatus is mounted on the surface.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the fixing pad is removeably mounted with a frame in the housing.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the fixing pad has a first and second contact surface for cooperating with the light generating device.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first contact surface is rounded and the second contact surface is flat.