IP Library Granted Patent US 7,837,162
Granted Patent B2
US 7,837,162 · App. 11/484,429 · Granted Nov 23, 2010

Suction cup with solar cell

Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,837,162
App. No.
11/484,429
Granted
Nov 23, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A suction cup has a cup portion and a head attached to the cup portion. A solar cell is positioned within the head or the cup portion. The solar cell can be placed in a cavity in the head or cup portion or may be molded or formed into the suction cup. The contacts of the solar cell may be positioned so that an object can be hung on the suction cup and be powered by the solar cell. One can also provide a sensor and transmitter or alarm in or on the suction cup and connected to the solar cell such that when the suction cup is moved an alarm will sound.

Claims (32)

1. A suction cup comprised of:

a cup portion having a concave surface,

a head attached to the cup portion,

a solar cell positioned within a cavity in at least one of the head and the cup portion, wherein at least one slot is provided in the head of the suction cup and the solar cell further comprises at least one electrical contact that extends into the at least one slot; and

an object having electrical contacts positioned on the head of the suction cup in a manner so that the electrical contacts of the object engage the electrical contacts of the solar cell.

2. A suction cup comprised of:

a cup portion having a concave surface,

a head attached to the cup portion, and

a solar cell positioned within a cavity in at least one of the head and the cup portion, wherein the head is comprised of at least two arms which together define the cavity and the solar cell is positioned within the cavity.

3. A suction cup comprised of:

a cup portion having a concave surface,

a head attached to the cup portion, and

a solar cell positioned within a cavity in at least one of the head and the cup portion, wherein the head has an inside surface which defines the cavity such that the cavity is open and passes through the head, and which inside surface has a channel in which edges of the suction cup are contained, the edges of the solar cell and the channel forming an airtight seal.

4. A suction cup comprised of:

a cup portion having a concave surface,

a head attached to the cup portion, and

a solar cell positioned within a cavity in at least one of the head and the cup portion, wherein the head is comprised of at least two flexible arms that together define a gripping device which holds the solar cell.

5. A suction cup comprised of:

a cup portion having a concave surface,

a head attached to the cup portion,

a solar cell positioned within a cavity in at least one of the head and the cup portion, and a vacuum pump attached to the suction cup and powered by the solar cell, the vacuum pump positioned and configured to draw air away from the concave surface of the cup portion of the suction cup.

6. A suction cup comprised of:

a cup portion having a concave surface,

a head attached to the cup portion,

a solar cell positioned within a cavity in at least one of the head and the cup portion, and a sensor attached to the suction cup to sense movement of the suction cup.

7. The suction cup of claim 6 also comprising at least one of a transmitter and an alarm connected to the sensor.

8. The suction cup of claim 7 wherein the at least one of the transmitters and the alarm are connected to the solar cell.

9. A power source comprised of a plurality of suction cups each suction cup comprised of:

a cup portion having a concave surface,

a head attached to the cup portion, and

a solar cell molded into at least one of the head and the cup portion; and

wherein the solar cell in each suction cup is connected to a solar cell in another suction cup.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2025
From: ADAMS MFG. CORP.
To: BANK HAPOALIM B.M.
Reel/Frame 071644/0110 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2025
From: UBS AG, LONDON BRANCH, IN ITS CAPACITY AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
To: ADAMS MFG. CORP.
Reel/Frame 071236/0860 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2018
From: ADAMS MFG. CORP.
To: UBS AG, LONDON BRANCH, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 047975/0860 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2006
From: ADAMS, WILLIAM E.
To: ADAMS MFG. CORP.
Reel/Frame 017959/0873 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080011917A1 · Jan 17, 2008