Article holder

Abstract

An article holder configured for one-handed operation includes an upper arm pivotally connected at one end to a lower arm such that the upper and lower arms having opposing inner surfaces. A cushion may be attached on an inner surface of either arm and a spring member disposed near the hinge may bias the inner surface of the lower arm toward the cushion to form a clamping surface in a rested state. A clip disposed on an outer surface of may be included to attach the holder to a desired surface. In certain embodiments, the lower arm includes a toe portion on an end opposite of the hinge which extends beyond a corresponding end of the upper arm to provide a leveraging surface to open the clamping body from the spring-biased clamping position. Additional embodiments and variants are also disclosed.

1 . An article holder comprising:
 a clamping body comprising:
 an upper arm member having a first width; 
 a lower arm member having a second width substantially similar to the first width of the upper arm member; 
 a pivot connecting one end of the lower ann member to a corresponding end of the upper arm member; 
 a cushion attached on an inner surface of the upper arm member; and 
 a spring member disposed within the clamping body to constantly bias an inner surface of the lower arm member toward the cushion to form a clamping surface in a rested state, the clamping body devoid of a latch mechanism; and 
   a clip connected to an outer surface of the clamping body to attach the clamping body to a desired surface;   wherein the upper arm and lower arm members are formed of an injection molded plastic and wherein the lower arm member includes a toe portion on an end opposite of the pivot, the toe portion extending substantially beyond a corresponding end of the upper arm member and formed to have the inner surface of the lower ann member provide a leveraging surface to open the clamping body from the clamping position.   
   
   
       2 . The article holder of  claim 1  further comprising a securing mechanism formed on one or both of the inner surfaces of the upper or lower arm members. 
   
   
       3 . The article holder of  claim 2  wherein the securing mechanism comprises one or more notches formed in the inner surface of the lower arm member. 
   
   
       4 . The article holder of  claim 2  wherein the securing mechanism comprises a non-slip surface material disposed on the inner surface of the lower arm member at a position opposing the cushion residing on the inner surface of the upper arm member. 
   
   
       5 . The article bolder of  claim 1  wherein the lower arm member including the toe portion is formed in a scoop-like shape between its respective ends. 
   
   
       6 . A holder for supporting and securing objects comprising:
 an upper arm member having a first width and having a cushion member disposed on a bottom surface thereof;   a lower ann member having a second width substantially similar to the first width of the upper arm member, the lower arm member further having a cushion insert disposed on a top surface thereof, the lower arm member having an end hingedly attached to a corresponding end of the upper arm member such that the upper and lower arm members form a clamping body wherein the cushion member and cushion insert face one another to secure an article there between when said upper and lower arm members are in a closed position, the clamping body devoid of any latch mechanism;   a tension member disposed proximate the hingedly attached ends of the upper and lower arm members to constantly bias the upper and lower arm members toward the closed position in a state of rest; and   an attachment portion disposed on an outer surface of the clamping body, the attachment portion arranged to attach the bolder to a desired surface.   
   
   
       7 . The holder of  claim 6  wherein said upper and lower arm members are at least partially composed of an injection molded plastic. 
   
   
       8 . The holder of  claim 6  wherein an end of the lower arm member opposite the hingedly attached end protrudes farther outward than a corresponding end of the upper arm member to form a lever in which pressure may be applied on the top surface of the lower arm member to open the holder from the constantly closed position. 
   
   
       9 . The holder of  claim 7  wherein the too surface of the lower arm member is formed of the injected molded plastic and including a recess, the holder further comprising a second cushion insert positioned within the recess a manner that the second cushion insert is substantially flush with the top surface of the lower arm member. 
   
   
       10 . The holder of  claim 6  wherein the attachment portion comprises one of a segment of double-sided tape; a magnet; a clip; or a hook. 
   
   
       11 . The holder of  claim 6  wherein the lower arm member is longer than the upper arm member and is formed in a scoop-like shape to enable a user to leverage the holder from the tension member-biased closed position to an open position for insertion of an article. 
   
   
       12 . The holder of  claims 6  wherein both the cushion member and opposing cushion insert are formed of a foam rubber material. 
   
   
       13 . A holder of personal articles comprising:
 an elongate first arm having a first width;   an elongate second arm having a second width substantially similar to the first width, the second arm hingedly attached at one end thereof to a corresponding end of the first arm in a manner that the first arm and second arm have substantially opposing inner surfaces, the first and second arms devoid of any latching mechanism;   a cushion member disposed on at least one of the opposing inner surfaces of the first or second arms; and   a spring disposed near the hingedly attached ends of the first and second arms to bias the inner opposing surfaces toward one another to a closed position such that an article may be clamped between the cushion member and an opposite arm, the spring member being positioned within the second arm to substantially concealed from external view; and   a clip attached to an outer surface of one of the first or second arms.   
   
   
       14 . The holder of  claim 13  wherein the holder includes two cushion members, a first large cushion disposed on the opposing inner surface of the first arm and a smaller flat cushion disposed on the inner surface of the second arm. 
   
   
       15 . The holder of  claim 13  wherein one of the first or second arms includes a notch on its respective opposing inner surface to assist in securing articles disposed between the notch and the cushion member. 
   
   
       16 . The holder of  claim 13  wherein one of the first or second arms is longer than the other and formed in a scoop-like shape to enable a user to apply pressure on an inner surface of an extending end of the longer arm to leverage the holder from the closed position to an open position. 
   
   
       17 . The holder of  claim 13  wherein the first and second arms are composed of injection molded plastic. 
   
   
       18 . The holder of  claim 13  wherein the cushion member is composed of a foam rubber material. 
   
   
       19 . The holder of  claim 16  wherein the clip is configured to be attachable to an automobile sun visor. 
   
   
       20 . The holder of  claim 13  further comprising an axial pin to hingedly attach the first arm to the second arm.