Remote control collector

Abstract

A remote control collector is provided which has an upright support member. The upright support member has a longitudinal axis, at least three side walls, a top wall, and a bottom portion. The sidewalls include edge portions which define and outer circumference. A base is connected to the bottom portion with a width which is greater than the outer circumference defined by the sidewall edge portion. The remote control units are releasably secured to the sidewalls for ease in operation and storage. The remote control collector may further desirably include a circular longitudinal storage area formed in the upright support member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to electronic device collectors. In particular, it relates to a remote control collector for organizing and using a plurality of remote control units which are specific for operation of a respective remote component device in an audio/visual system.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Electronic devices, such as audio and visual units, are powered and operated with a variety of remote control units, and are often interconnected as components in a system. Each of the audio and video units are supplied from the manufacturer with their own remote controls, and a problem thereby arises in the organization and use of the remote controls for each of the respective components of the system. One solution to this problem has been the advent of a single remote control, which can be programmed in order to operate all of the audio and video devices. However, this solution is often unsatisfactory as the programmable units are often difficult to program, and are often times found to be unable to operate all of the features which are provided on the original remote control units as supplied with the respective audio or visual devices. As a result, there is still a need for organizers and/or holders which conveniently collect and attach each of the respective individual remote control units supplied by the manufactures of the various audio and visual components which make up the system.

[0006] One such example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 47,991,892, to Burrell. There, a holder for audio and video remote controls includes three elongate support members to which the remote controls can be attached. The elongate support members are spaced apart and attached to an integral body which forms gaps wide enough for a hand to grasp the support member and the remote control device. The attached remote controls are thereby supported in an upright position, and consequently easy to locate.

[0007] Another such example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,746 to Wells. There, a remote control unit organizer includes four wall members that define both a plurality of open cells for selective attachment of remote control units, and an internal cell in which accessories are stored. A fastener attaches the remote control units to the wall members forming the cells.

[0008] While the foregoing examples offer some utility it is still desirably to provide a remote control organizer for single handed operation of more than one remote control, but which is simple in manufacture, durable and useful in collecting and organizing the remote control units for storage in an upright position for ease in location. The present invention satisfies these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new remote control collector which provides for single handed operation of more than one remote control unit.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new remote control organizer which is simple in manufacture, durable and useful in organizing the remote control units for storage in an upright position.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new remote control organizer which may, or may not, further include an internal aperture in which accessories are storable.

[0012] To overcome the problems of the prior art and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, briefly a remote control organizer is provided which has an upright support member. The upright support member has a longitudinal axis, at least three side walls, a top wall, and a bottom portion. The sidewalls include edge portions which define and outer circumference. A base is connected to the bottom portion with a width which is greater than the outer circumference defined by the sidewalls. The remote control units are releasably secured to the sidewalls for ease in operation and storage.

[0013] Additional advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will be obvious from that description or can be learned from practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained by the invention particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of the specification illustrate at least one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the remote control organizer in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the remote control organizer in accordance with the present invention showing the hidden lines, as dashed, and an example of a fastener on one of the sidewalls for attaching the remote control units to the sidewalls.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the remote control organizer in accordance with the present invention showing the hidden lines, as dashed, and an example of the remote control units attached and unattached to the remote control organizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Unless specifically defined otherwise, all technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0019] Although any of the methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals represent like features of the invention.

[0020] Referring now to the drawing figures, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a remote control organizer 10 which has a solid upright support member. The upright support member has a longitudinal axis, at least three side walls 14, a top wall 15, and a bottom portion. The sidewalls 14 include edge portions 17 which define an outer circumference 13. A base 16 is connected to the bottom portion with an overall width which is greater than the outer circumference 13, as defined by the edges 17 of the sidewalls 14. The remote control units 20 are releasably secured to the sidewalls 14 for ease in operation, and storage of the remote control units 20. The upright support member is desirably constructed of a solid body plastic material in a variety of colors and/or finish textures. As shown in the drawing figures, the upright support member, of the remote control organizer 10, is preferably a three-sided member for attachment of three remote control units 20. However, and as specifically contemplated herein, the upright support member, of the remote control organizer 10, may, but need not, be adapted to include more than three side walls 14, such as five, for attaching any number of remote control units 20. The upright support member may desirably be constructed by injection molding either as a single unit or as a component assembly, machined, or cast as a solid metal body in order to further add more weight to the remote control organizer 10, for stability in an upright position. The upright support member may also include a central annular aperture opening 12 extending downwardly from the top wall 15, along a longitudinal axis of the upright support member, for holding accessories, such as a television schedule or flashlight. The annular aperture 12, in the upright support member, is desirably formed through injection molding, or may be drilled, in such a manner so as to have a diameter in the range of 8.4 mm-38.1 mm. Finally, the remote control organizer 10 is best constructed with the upright support member having a height in the range of 101 mm-177 mm.

[0021] The base 16 is also desirably constructed of a solid body plastic, or metal or ceramic, in a disk shape, and may, but need not, be weighted depending the material selected for manufacture. The base 16 may also be constructed as a body having flattened sides, such as a hexagonal shaped body (not shown). For example, with the base 16 constructed using a light-weight plastic material, the base 16 desirably further includes a weight member (not shown) which is adapted to sufficiently support any number of remote control units 20 secured in a lopsided arrangement with respect to the side walls 14. In a preferred embodiment it is anticipated that the width of the base 16 is in a range of 30%-40% greater than the diameter as defined by the edges 17 of the sidewalls 14. The base 16 is also desirably constructed in a thickness in the range of 6.35 mm-19 mm so as to further provide a weighted function for support of the remote control organizer 10 in an upright position.

[0022] The remote control units 20 are preferably releasably secured to the side walls 14, of the remote control collector 10, with an adhesive, such as a double-stick tape, or a hook 18 and loop 19 fastener which is adhered to the sidewalls 14 and a back wall of the remote control unit 20, to be attached to the remote control organizer 20. Once attached, it can be appreciated that one can simply grasp the remote control organizer 10 with one hand around the remote control unit 20, to be operated, and the upright support member portion, and, while aiming the remote control unit 20 in an operable variable, simply operate the remote control unit 20 with a thumb or finger of the same hand. In order to operate another device of the component system, the user then simply rotates the remote control organizer 10 to a predetermined position so that a second remote control unit 20 is visible for operation of a second respective device of the component audio/visual system.

[0023] While the present invention has been described in connection with the embodiments as described and illustrated above, it will be appreciated and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that certain modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, as described and claimed herein.

Claims

1. A remote control organizer, comprising: (a) an upright solid body having a top solid wall, a bottom solid wall, and at least three side solid walls, wherein each of said side walls are consisting essentially of a flat outer face extending the full length of the body, and whereby said side walls are defined by outer edge portions which in combination establish an outer circumference having a diameter to thickness ratio of 1.0; (b) a solid base connected to the bottom solid wall having a width greater than the circumference; and (c) a means for releasably securing a remote control unit to the face of at least one of the sidewalls.

2. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the width is in a range of 30%-40% greater than the circumference.

3. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the solid body further comprises a central annular aperture drilled in axial alignment with a longitudinal axis, said aperture defining a void centroid area and a peripheral portion, and whereby said peripheral portion has a thickness which is greater the a diameter of the centroid void area.

4. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the base is a disk.

5. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the means for releasably securing the remote control unit is a hook and loop fastener.

6. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the means for releasably securing the remote control unit is an adhesive.

7. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the base is weighted.

8. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a thickness in the range of 6.35 mm-19 mm.

9. The remote control organizer according to claim 1, wherein the solid body has a height in the range of 101 mm-177 mm.

10. The remote control organizer according to claim 3, wherein the annular aperture has a diameter in the range of 8.4 mm-38.1 mm.

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