Suction cup apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting items, even with irregular surfaces, to each other while maintaining a minimum distance between the items. The apparatus can have a suction cup comprising a cup body, a sealing edge, an internal surface, an external surface, a fluid pathway extending from an interior of the cup body to the exterior of the cup body, and a plurality of cleats positioned on the internal surface of the cup body extending radially inward from proximate the sealing edge. The thickness of each cleat increases distal to the sealing edge. When air is pumped out of the cup body to allow it to seal to a surface, the cleats create a desirable fluid flow profile allowing for a tighter and more efficacious seal.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A suction cup apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising a detachable pump and a frame fluid pathway;   a suction cup coupled with the frame, the suction cup comprising:
 a cup body having at least one bellows fold extending around the entire circumference of the cup body; 
 a sealing edge; 
 an internal surface; 
 an external surface; 
 a cup fluid pathway extending from an interior of the cup body to the exterior of the cup body; and 
 a plurality of cleats positioned on the internal surface of the cup body extending radially inward from proximate the sealing edge, wherein the thickness of each cleat of the plurality of cleats increases distal to the sealing edge. 
   
     
     
         16 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising the detachable pump configured in fluid communication with each of the frame fluid pathway and the cup fluid pathway. 
     
     
         17 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 15 , the frame further comprising a connector. 
     
     
         18 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a connecting rod, a connecting chain, or a connecting rope, wherein a first end of the connecting rod, a first end of the connecting chain, or a first end of the connecting rope is received by and held by the connector. 
     
     
         19 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the connector pivots with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the connector is displaced with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         21 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a connecting rod, wherein a first end of the connecting rod is received by and held by the connector. 
     
     
         22 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a second end of the connecting rod is configured to one of: be received and held by a different connector; comprises a hook; or comprises a carabiner clip. 
     
     
         23 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the connecting rod is telescoping. 
     
     
         24 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the connecting rod comprises a bias. 
     
     
         25 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the detachable pump. 
     
     
         26 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising an at least one indentation in each cleat of the plurality of cleats. 
     
     
         27 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein each of the at least one indentations is a zigzag shape. 
     
     
         28 . A suction cup apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising a connector;   a suction cup coupled with the frame, the suction cup comprising:
 a cup body having at least one bellows fold extending around the entire circumference of the cup body; 
 a sealing edge; 
 an internal surface; 
 an external surface; and 
 a fluid pathway extending from an interior of the cup body to the exterior of the cup body; 
   a pump in fluid communication with the fluid pathway;   a valve in fluid communication with the pump; and   a connecting rod,   wherein a first end of the connecting rod is received by and held by the connector, and wherein the connecting rod is telescoping from a minimum length to a maximum length and at least one telescoping portion is biased.   
     
     
         29 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the connector pivots with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         30 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising an at least one indentation in each cleat of the plurality of cleats. 
     
     
         31 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein each of the at least one indentations is a zigzag shape. 
     
     
         32 . A suction cup apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising: a first frame end, a second frame end; and a frame fluid pathway;   a first suction cup coupled with the first frame end, the suction cup comprising:
 a cup body having at least one bellows fold extending around the entire circumference of the cup body; 
 a sealing edge; 
 an internal surface; 
 an external surface; and 
 a cup fluid pathway extending from an interior of the cup body to the exterior of the cup body, the cup fluid pathway in fluid communication with the frame fluid pathway; 
   a detachable pump coupled with the frame in a manner to be in fluid communication with the frame fluid pathway;   a valve in fluid communication with the pump; and   a connecting rod; and   a second suction cup coupled with the second frame end, the second suction cup having a respective cup fluid pathway in fluid communication with the frame fluid pathway.   
     
     
         33 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the detachable pump creates a vacuum within the frame fluid pathway whereby the external surface is coupled with a first floating vessel, and wherein a respective external surface of a second suction up is coupled with a second floating vessel. 
     
     
         34 . The suction cup apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the suction cup apparatus is configured to keep a constant distance between the first floating vessel and the second floating vessel.