Chain link fence accessory

Abstract

A support device is provided for use in combination with a fence. The support device is mounted on the fence and can be used for hanging planters and the like from the fence. The support device includes an elongate member, having a carrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end. A second brace member is positioned between the first end and the second end. The first brace member is a substantially “U” shaped member affixed to the elongated member proximate the second end. The “U” shaped member has a pair of legs that extend away from said elongate member in a first direction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an accessory for a chain link type of fence, and more particularly, to a hook device for use in hanging planters and the like from fences, such as chain link fences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention provides a simple, inexpensive, reliable mechanism for hanging objects from a fence. Most particularly, the fence of the chain link variety, though the accessory is independent of the chain link portion of the fence. The object hanging mechanism is carried by the horizontal bar of the fence, most commonly the top bar. The hanging mechanism is affixed to the horizontal bar of the fence by means of a pair of hook elements. The hook element has a central U-shaped section that is welded, or otherwise secured to the main bar of the accessory. The U-shaped element has a J hook at each end of the U, and the J hooks are hooked over the upper side of the horizontal fence bar. The accessory is prevented from rotating from the desired vertical position, by means of a lower end hook mechanism that partly encircles the vertical post of the fence. The upper extremity of the main bar of the accessory is curved into a J like shape, thus providing a hook to which a planter or other hanging device can be secured, as by rope, chain, wire or the like, as is typical for flower pots and such type of objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory in accordance with the present invention, secured to a fence.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the accessory of the present invention.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the lowermost securing element of the accessory. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the accessory of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 5 is a front view of the accessory of the present invention, shown carried by a fence.

[0007] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the accessory of the present invention, shown carried by a fence.

[0008] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A support device is provided for use in combination with a fence. The support device is mounted on the fence and can be used for hanging planters and the like from the fence.

[0012] The support device includes an elongate member, having a carrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end. A second brace member is positioned between the first end and the second end. The first brace member is substantially “U” shaped and affixed to the elongated member proximate the second end. The “U” shaped member has a pair of legs that extend away from said elongate member in a first direction.

[0013] The elongate member has a curved region between said second brace member and said first end, said curved region being curved away said second brace member in a direction substantially opposite the aforenoted first direction.

[0014] The fence has at least one horizontal member and at least one vertical post. The second brace member is hooked to a horizontal member and the first member is braced against a vertical post.

[0015] The second brace member has a pair of J hook shaped legs and has an apex region between the pair of J hook shaped legs. Its apex region is affixed to the elongate member and the pair of J hook shaped legs are hooked over said the horizontal member.

[0016] The apex region has an interior peripheral surface or edge and an outer peripheral edge and the second brace member has its interior peripheral edge affixed to said elongate member, as for example by welding, or through an epoxy bonding or by forming it as an integral element. As a further alternative, a press fit joint can be used to lock the components together. The joining mechanism is primarily a matter of manufacturing preference.

[0017] A multiple of elongate members can be used in an over/under or side-by-side relationship, or a combination thereof. In the side-by-side relationship the arms would be oriented radially, like the spokes of a wheel.

[0018] The accessory of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and indicated generally as 100, is designed to be secured to a fence. The accessory as illustrated, is a device for hanging objects such as flower pots, planters and the like. The accessory has a main bar 110 that is positioned essentially vertically, and has a lower section 118. The lower section 118 is essentially parallel to the vertical post 122 of the fence. The upper end of the main bar 110 has a hook 112 at its distal, upper end. The flower pot or planter can be carried by the accessory, by means of the hook 112 receiving rope, chain or the like from the flower pot, or the like, as well known in the art.

[0019] The proximal, lower end of the main bar has a U-shaped hook 116 welded to it. The interior or exterior of the center of the hook can be welded to the main bar lower end, proximate its proximal end. The terms distal and upper end, and proximal and lower end are employed herein interchangeably. The main bar lower end is considered the proximal end since it is proximate the fence post while the distal end 112 is spaced from the fence post 122.

[0020] The main bar 110 is locked over the horizontal fence bar 120, by means of a U shaped element 114. The U shaped locking element 114 has a pair of J shaped hook ends that lock over and partly around the horizontal bar, as best seen in FIG. 1.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the accessory is indicated generally as 200. The distance 201 between the J end of the hook 214 and the lower section 218 of the main bar 210, is slightly greater than the diameter of the horizontal bar to which it is fixed, as seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6.

[0022] The overhang length 203 of the hook portion of the J hook of element 214 is sufficiently long to overhang the horizontal bar. The length 203 must be at least greater than the radius of the horizontal bar, but the maximum length is not narrowly critical. The weight of the object hung from the hook 212 forces the lower section 218 and the U hook 216 against the vertical post. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower section 218 is affixed to the interior peripheral surface of the U hook 216. It is not narrowly critical that the U hook 216 have either its exterior surface or interior surface fixed to the lower section 218. However, the force exerted on the main bar 210 pulls the hook element 214 against the resistance of the horizontal fence bar. Thus, it is highly advantageous that the main bar 210 be fixed, as for example by welding, unitary construction or otherwise, to the interior peripheral surface of the hook 216, as indicated by the weld 230 of FIG. 3. Thus, the main bar presses against the hook rather than pulling away from the weld 230.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the U shaped element can be welded, as indicated by reference numeral 230 to the lower section 218 of the accessory 200.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the hook 514 affixed to the main bar 510. The main bar passed interiorly of the U portion of the hook 514, such that the force applied by the main bar 510 is against the hook 514, rather than against the weld between the main bar and the hook 514.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the accessory is hooked to the fence by positioning the hook 514 over the horizontal bar 530. The lower hook 516 wraps around the vertical fence post 540. The hook 516 preferably is of sufficient size to wrap at least half way around the vertical post. The size of the lower hook 516 is not narrowly critical since it serves only to stabilize the accessory against rotational movement relative to the intersection of the upper hook 514 and the horizontal bar 530.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the accessory relative to the fence, and shows the upper hook 614 extending well beyond the lower edge of the bar 630.

[0027] The force exerted by the main bar 610, when the accessory is carrying an object, pulls the upper hook 614 against the horizontal bar 630.

[0028] The lower hook element 616 is secured to the lower section 618 of the accessory device and locks against the vertical bar 640 to prevent rotation of the accessory relative to the vertical post 640.

[0029] The accessory can be formed most conveniently from iron or steel and the upper and lower hook elements can be welded or otherwise permanently fixed to the main bar. Alternatively, the hook elements can be bolted to the main bar or secured thereto by threaded screws. The mechanism for fixing the component elements together is not narrowly critical.

[0030] Alternatively, the accessory can be formed as a cast element. The accessory can be made from a plastic and formed by injection molding or similar process, as a unitary element. Alternatively, as in the case where the accessory is formed from a metal, the plastic hooks components can be fused to the main bar by solvent welding, sonic welding or the like. Bolts, screws and the like are alternative mechanisms for securing the components together.

[0031] In another embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 7, a ring 700 can be provided to support a flower pot or the like, as shown in FIG. 8. The support hook 702 can be further distanced from the top of the fence rail through the use of a longer vertical member 704, as shown in FIG. 8, relative to the dimensions illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0032] FIG. 9 shows a further modification in which a pair of support bars 900 and 902 are employed. The lower bar can have dimensions corresponding to the bar 702 of FIG. 7, while the upper bar can be positioned comparably to bar 802 of FIG. 8. In another embodiment, the two bars can be of equal height but offset in a “Y” type offset. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the second bar would be hidden by the first bar 210. The looped ended 212 of each bar would be spaced apart, while the lower sections would be proximate each other.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a support ring 804 can be provided to carry a planter 806 or similar device.

[0034] The multiple support bars can be used with or without the support ring 904.

Claims

1. A support device comprising:

an elongate member, said elongate member having a carrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end, and a second brace member between said first end and said second end,

said first brace member being a substantially “U” shaped member affixed to said elongated member proximate said second end, said “U” shaped member having a pair of legs extending away from said elongate member in a first direction,

said elongate member having a curved region between said second brace member and said first end, said curved region being curved away said second brace member in a direction substantially opposite said first direction.

2. The support device of

claim 1, said second brace member having a pair of J hook shaped legs and an apex region between said pair of J hook shaped legs, and having its apex region affixed to said elongate member.

3. The support device of

claim 2, wherein said apex region has an interior peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, said second brace member having its interior peripheral edge affixed to said elongate member.

4. The support device of

claim 1, wherein said second brace member is welded to said elongate member.

5. The support device of

claim 1, wherein said carrier member is a curved loop region.

6. The support device of

claim 1, further comprising an elongate arm member, said elongate arm member having a carrier member at a first end and being secured to at least one of said elongate member and said second brace member.

7. The support device of

claim 6, wherein said elongate member and said carrier member are offset from each other.

8. The support device of

claim 7, wherein said elongate member and said carrier member are in an over/under relationship.

9. The support device of

claim 1, further comprising a support ring member, said support ring member being fixed to said support device and horizontally oriented and relative to a vertical orientation of said elongate member.

10. The support device of

claim 1, wherein said elongate member has a first region between said first end and said second brace member and a second region between said second brace member and said first brace member, said first region extending away from said second region.

11. A support device comprising:

an elongate member, said elongate member having a carrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end, and a second brace member between said first end and said second end,

said first brace member being a substantially “U” shaped member affixed to said elongated member proximate said second end, said “U” shaped member having a pair of legs extending away from said elongate member in a first direction,

said elongate member having a curved region between said second brace member and said first end, said curved region being curved away said second brace member in a direction substantially opposite said first direction,

said second brace member having a pair of J hook shaped legs and an apex region between said pair of J hook shaped legs, and having its apex region affixed to said elongate member,

said apex region having an interior peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, said second brace member having its interior peripheral edge affixed to said elongate member, said second brace member being welded to said elongate member, and said carrier member being a curved loop region.

12. A combination of a support device and a fence,

said support device comprising:

an elongate member, said elongate member having a carrier member at a first end and a first brace member at a second end, and a second brace member between said first end and said second end,

said first brace member being a substantially “U” shaped member affixed to said elongated member proximate said second end, said “U” shaped member having a pair of legs extending away from said elongate member in a first direction,

said elongate member having a curved region between said second brace member and said first end, said curved region being curved away said second brace member in a direction substantially opposite said first direction,

said fence have at least one horizontal member and at least one vertical post, said second brace member being hooked to said at least one horizontal member and said first member being braced against said at least one vertical post.

13. The combination of

claim 12, said second brace member having a pair of J hook shaped legs and an apex region between said pair of J hook shaped legs, and having its apex region affixed to said elongate member said pair of J hook shaped legs being hooked over said at least one horizontal member.

14. The combination of

claim 13, wherein said apex region has an interior peripheral edge and an outer peripheral edge, said second brace member having its interior peripheral edge affixed to said elongate member.

15. The combination of

claim 14, wherein said second brace member is welded to said elongate member.

16. The combination of

claim 12, wherein said carrier member is a curved loop region.

17. The combination of

claim 12, further comprising an elongate arm member, said elongate arm member having a carrier member at a first end and being secured to at least one of said elongate member and said second brace member.

18. The combination of

claim 17, wherein said elongate member and said carrier member are offset from each other.

19. The combination of

claim 18, wherein said elongate member and said carrier member are in an over/under relationship.

20. The combination of

claim 12, wherein said elongate member has a first region between said first end and said second brace member and a second region between said second brace member and said first brace member, said first region extending away from said second region and being substantially offset from a vertical orientation.