Adjustable article hanging assembly

Abstract

An adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface is provided which includes an elongated strap member, a buckle coupled to a first part of the elongated member and capable of locking a second part of the elongated member such that a portion of the elongated member defines a substantially closed shape adapted to hold the article. The shape and size of the closed shape is adjustable by changing the location the buckle locks the second part of the elongated member. The hanging assembly also includes a mounting bracket coupled to the buckle or the elongated member and includes a mounting member adapted to be attached to the surface. One embodiment includes a ratchet buckle with a pawl that interacts with a plurality of notches on the elongated member to adjust and lock the elongated member as the second part of the elongated member passes through the buckle.

Description

The present invention relates to an adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable hanging assembly for suspending articles such as potted plants from a railing, a wall, a tree, a column or post, or other raised surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many have created devices to support flowerpots and similar articles in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,025,707 to Dwyer discloses a flowerpot holder which generally comprises a sustaining clamp which includes a mounting and clamping screw which clamps a supporting ring to hold a flowerpot saucer and another ring to hold the flowerpot. By way of further example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,457 to Dromboski discloses a bracket arrangement adapted to support a plurality of flowerpots which consists of an integral member fabricated from a flexible material which terminates in arcuate end portions consisting of a loop dimensioned to encircle a flowerpot. Several other prior art flowerpot holding devices exist, but none are easily adjustable to fit different size flower pots or other articles, and none are easily adapted to mount to different types of surfaces. There is a need for a hanging assembly that is adjustable to different size articles and specifically, different size flowerpots. There is a need for a hanging assembly that is easy to adapt for different applications.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The following section of the written description describes some of the objects of the present invention, but the section is not exhaustive of all of invention's objects.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hanging assembly for suspending flowerpots that can be adapted to hang from a vertical wall, a column, a post, a railing, a tree trunk or other suspended surface.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface that includes a buckle coupled to two sections of a flexible, elongated member such that the member defines a substantially closed shape adapted to hold the article and wherein the substantially closed shape is adjustable by changing the location where the buckle locks the two sections of the elongated member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hanging assembly that includes a mounting bracket that may be adapted to be attached to different types of surfaces.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a hanging assembly that is sturdy, lightweight and aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article, such as a flowerpot, vase, or similar object from a surface which includes an adjustable, elongated strap member and a buckle coupled to a first part of the elongated member. The buckle is capable of locking a second part of the elongated member such that at least a portion of the elongated member defines a substantially closed shape adapted to hold the article. The size and shape of the substantially closed shape is adjustable by changing the location the buckle locks the second part of the elongated member. In one embodiment, the hanging assembly also includes a mounting bracket coupled to the buckle, and the mounting bracket includes a mounting member adapted to be attached to the surface where the hanging assembly will be positioned.

In one embodiment, the buckle is a ratchet buckle that includes a pawl which coacts with the elongated strap member. The second part of the elongated strap member includes a plurality of ridges which define a plurality of notches constructed and arranged to coact with the pawl to adjust and lock the elongated member as the second part of the elongated member passes through the buckle.

The mounting bracket comes in several embodiments making the hanging assembly of the present invention versatile and adaptable for different surfaces. One mounting bracket embodiment includes a substantially planar face positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the substantially closed shape such that the planar face comes in contact with the mounting surface. The mounting bracket may be secured to the mounting surface using an adhesive. In addition, the substantially planar face may include at least one hole traversing it to secure the mounting bracket to the surface using a fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, pin or similar fastening means.

In another embodiment, or in addition to the embodiment that includes holes to fasten the mounting bracket to a vertical surface, the mounting bracket includes a mounting member having at least one horizontally oriented ridge on a side away from the substantially planar face, the ridge adapted to secure a mounting strap to hold the mounting bracket against the surface of a column, post or tree trunk. In yet another embodiment, the mounting member of the mounting bracket is an inverted U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat adapted to be hooked over a railing. The inverted U-shaped member straddles the railing. One of the downwardly projecting members is coupled to the buckle.

Another mounting bracket includes a mounting member having an inverted U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat which is adapted to be hooked over the top edge of an open container such as a large pot. One of the downwardly projecting members is coupled to the buckle such that a plane defined by the substantially closed shape is substantially perpendicular to the downwardly projecting members. The other downwardly projecting member is designed to be inserted down into the interior of the container or pot. In a further embodiment related to the open container mounting bracket, the downwardly projecting member designed to be placed inside the container is a spike to allow easy penetration into the contents of the container.

The versatility of the present invention is found in a further embodiment which permits the mounting bracket to decouple from the elongated strap member. In one such embodiment, the buckle includes a coupling projection having a neck and radially projecting head. The mounting bracket includes a substantially vertical U-shaped channel having inwardly projecting edges and a closed end at the bottom. The radially projecting head and the U-shaped channel are sized to allow the buckle to detachably couple to the mounting bracket. In a related embodiment, the mating structures are reversed such that the male, radially projecting head is located on the component attached to the mounting surface, and the female U-shaped channel is located on the buckle.

Another embodiment of the adjustable hanging assembly of the present invention includes a mounting bracket coupled directly to the elongated strap member. Similar mounting assemblies may be used in connection with this embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing, and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are shown and described in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which should be viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B diagrammatically illustrate an adjustable hanging assembly of the present invention holding a potted plant;

FIGS. 2A-2B diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of the present invention designed to be attached to a vertical surface;

FIGS. 3A-3B diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of the present invention which may be used to hang an article over the edge of a container;

FIG. 4A diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having a curved mounting bracket suitable for mounting the hanging assembly to a railing;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the adjustable hanging assembly of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6E diagrammatically illustrate various views of one embodiment of the mounting bracket used to suspend the hanging assembly of the present invention from a surface such as a column, post or tree;

FIGS. 7A-7E diagrammatically illustrate various views of another embodiment of the mounting bracket used to suspend the hanging assembly of the present invention from a vertical surface such as a wall;

FIGS. 8A-8F diagrammatically illustrate various views of another embodiment of the mounting bracket used to suspend the hanging assembly of the present invention over an edge of a wall or container and over a railing;

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates part of a mounting assembly used with the elongated, flexible strap used to hold the article or pot; and

FIGS. 10A-10B diagrammatically illustrate one embodiment of a buckle for locking the adjustable hanging assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article, such a potted plant, figurine, vase, ornament or other suitable object from a surface such as a railing, a wall, a tree, a column or post, the edge of a container or other raised surface. It is important to note that the embodiments of the invention described below are only examples of some of the uses of the teachings described herein. In general, statements made in the specification do not limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. Unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. Similar reference numerals and letters represent similar components and system features throughout the drawings and the written description.

FIGS. 1A-1B diagrammatically illustrate an embodiment of an adjustable hanging assembly 60 of the present invention holding a potted plant 20. The hanging assembly 60 includes an adjustable strap 10, a buckle 12, and a mounting bracket 40. Adjustable strap 10 is a flexible elongated member typically 20 to 50 inches in length, between ¾ and 2 inches in width, and 1/16 to 3/16 inches thick, depending on the application and the materials used for its construction. Other dimensions may be used, but the foregoing ranges apply for hanging most articles or flowerpots. The component parts of the hanging assembly 60 may be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable materials. The elongated strap member 10, the buckle 12 and the mounting bracket 40 are preferably made of an injection molded plastic such as a nylon. Nylon provides excellent resistance to wear and to temperature fluctuations if used in outdoor settings. Other suitable materials may be used, including other polymers or metals. Other parts such as biasing members and springs, discussed below, are preferably made of oxidation resistant metal, such as stainless steel. However, other suitable materials may also be used. Elongated strap member 10 is used to hold and suspend an article, such as a flowerpot. Hence, elongated member 10 is flexible such that is can be manipulated to form a closed shape to surround the object to be suspended. Although the typical application involves a circular object, such as the walls of a flowerpot or vase, the present invention may also be used to suspend articles having other shapes, such as a square or rectangular-shaped object. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, elongated member 10 includes a plurality of ridges or notches 16 which are used to lock the strap into the desired shape and size.

In FIGS. 1A and 2A, elongated member or strap 10 is held in a substantially closed, circular shape by buckle 12. Buckle 12 may be a simple pass-through which permits two sections of elongated member 10 to be locked together. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the openings in buckle 12 are similar to those of a cross-section of elongated member 10 such that a tight fit is formed as the ends 24 of member 10 are passed through the openings.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2A, a mounting bracket 40 is coupled to buckle 12. However, mounting bracket 40 may also be coupled to elongated member 10 directly as illustrated in FIG. 5. Mounting bracket 40 includes a mounting member 42 which is used to attach the hanging assembly 60 to the desired surface. The mounting member 42 in FIGS. 1A and 2A includes a substantially planar face 44 positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the closed shape formed by the elongated member 10. The planar face 44 is designed to come in contact with the surface of the mounting location. In FIG. 1A, the mounting member 42 includes two ridges 46 on the opposite side of planar face 44. These ridges 46 may be used to secure the mounting bracket to a surface such as a tree trunk, a column or post utilizing a strap 61. Strap 61 may be a nylon tie, a metal strap, wire or other suitable mounting strap. By using at least one ridge 46, mounting bracket 40 traps mounting strap 61 such that mounting bracket 40 is prevented from slipping off. FIG. 1B diagrammatically illustrates the hanging assembly using a mounting bracket 40 that is strapped to the trunk of palm tree 66. By using this mounting bracket configuration, several hanging assemblies holding potted plants may be strapped around tree 66 to create the illusion of a floating garden. In addition, more than one such set of hanging assemblies may be used to create multiple levels of hanging gardens.

The embodiment of mounting bracket 40 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B includes a substantially planar face 44 having two holes 46, 48 which are used to fasten bracket 40 to a wall, column or post. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, at least one hole 46 is required to fasten bracket 40 to the desired surface 68. Bracket 40 is fastened to the wall or surface 68 using an adhesive, nail, screw, staple, pin or other suitable fastening means as is known to those skilled in the art.

The present invention may also be utilized to suspend an article from an adjacent container or wall. FIG. 3A diagrammatically illustrates the hanging assembly 60 with a mounting bracket 40 having an inverted, U-shaped mounting member 42 defined by two downwardly projecting members 70, 72 attached at a throat 74 adapted to be hooked over a railing or edge. In FIG. 3B, mounting bracket 40 is hooked over the edge 62 of container 64 such that downwardly projecting member 70 projects down into the soil 78. Downwardly projecting member 70 is shaped like a spike to ease insertion of the mounting bracket into a container filled with earth 78.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates another embodiment of mounting bracket 40 suitable for mounting the hanging assembly to a fence railing 80 or other horizontal surface. The mounting member 42 is a curved surface designed to wrap around part of the railing 80. The shape of mounting bracket 40 may be changed depending upon the type of railing. For example for a fence having a square or rectangular-shaped top railing, mounting bracket 40 may include a square or rectangular-shaped mounting member 42.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the elongated member 10 wherein the buckle 12 that locks the member into a closed shape is independent of the mounting bracket 40. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the mounting bracket 40 is detachably coupled to the elongated strap 10. Mounting bracket 40 includes a female D-hook 15 that is attached to elongated strap 10. Bracket 40 also has a male D-hook 13 designed to couple with female D-hook 15 such that the closed elongated member 10 does not rotate relative to bracket 40 upon the two parts being joined. This feature prevents the article held within elongated member 10 from falling as a result of rotation of the assembly. The elongated member 10 includes hooks 14 to hold the end of elongated member or strap 10 after it has been fitted around the article to be suspended.

FIGS. 6A-6E diagrammatically illustrate various views of the embodiment of the mounting bracket 40 used to strap the hanging assembly 60 to a column, post or tree. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6E, the mounting bracket 40 is detachably coupled to elongated member 10 through the use of a D-hook assembly. The bracket 40 member illustrated shows a male D-hook 13 dimensioned to mate with female D-hook 15 (FIGS. 5 & 9). Of course the detachable coupling means may be reversed such that the female component is on the mounting member 42 designed to be attached to the mounting surface (see FIG. 8F) and the male component is attached to the elongated member 10. The male D-hook 13 has a neck 84 attached to a radially projecting head 86. In the illustrated embodiment, the radially projecting head 86 is rounded at the top and flat on the bottom, creating the D-shape. Other shapes may be adopted. The radially projecting head 86 is dimensioned to mate with the female D-hook 15 (FIGS. 5 & 9).

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates female D-hook 15 of detachably coupled mounting bracket 40. The female component 15 includes a substantially vertical U-shaped channel 18 having inwardly projecting edges 22 and a closed end at the top 26. The male D-shaped projection 13 is sized to fit within the U-shaped channel 18 of female 15.

FIGS. 7A-7E diagrammatically illustrate various views of the detachably coupled embodiment of the mounting bracket 40 used to suspend the hanging assembly 60 of the present invention from a vertical surface such as a wall 68, column or post. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 7A-7E, the detachably coupled mounting bracket may be attached to buckle 12 (FIG. 2A) or may be attached directly to elongated member 10 (FIG. 5). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other structures may be implemented to detachably couple the mounting bracket 40 to either buckle 12 or elongated member 10. For example, a simple key and slot arrangement may be used.

FIGS. 8A-8F diagrammatically illustrate various views of two other embodiments of the mounting bracket 40 used to suspend the hanging assembly 60 of the present invention over an edge of a wall or container and over a railing. FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate the mounting member 42 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 8F diagrammatically illustrates the mounting bracket 40 of FIG. 4. Mounting member 42 has an arcuate shape dimensioned to clamp around a railing 80. The detachably coupled mounting member 42 includes a female connector 15. The U-shaped channel 18 of female connector 15 is positioned such that the open end of the channel faces up. This configuration requires that the matching part of the mounting bracket include a male head dimensioned to fit within channel 18. The inward edges 22 of member 42 capture the male head (not illustrated) attached to mounting bracket 40 to hold the hanging assembly 60.

FIGS. 10A-10B diagrammatically illustrate one embodiment of a buckle 12 for locking the adjustable, hanging assembly 60. FIG. 10A is a side view of the buckle 12 attached to an end of elongated member 10. FIG. 10B diagrammatically illustrates a top, partial cutaway view of one embodiment of buckle 12 having a ratchet system for locking and releasing adjustable, elongated member 10. A first part 22 of elongated member 10 is attached to the interior 28 of buckle 12. Part of elongated member 10 includes a plurality of transverse notches or ridges 16 defined on its outer or exterior part. Buckle 12 includes a pawl 50 which rotates about pivot 52. Pawl 50 includes teeth 54, 56 adapted to fall into the notches or interdental spaces between the ridges 16 defined on elongated member 10. Pawl 50 is biased such that teeth 54, 56 are in contact with the second part 24 of elongated member 10 as it passes through buckle 12. Buckle 12 also includes release button 58 which rotates about pivot 90. Release button 58 is biased outward in direction 94 by spring 92. Depressing release button 58 causes pawl 50 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction such that teeth 54, 56 release member 10.

The hanging assembly 60 of the present invention is easy to use and provides a versatile system to custom decorate homes, gardens and any other area requiring articles to be hung. If a flowerpot is to be suspended from a tree trunk as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a strap 61 is positioned around the trunk at the proper height. Depending upon the number of flowerpots to be hung at that level, an equal number of detachable mounting brackets 40 (FIGS. 6A through 6E) are placed around the tree trunk such that the mounting strap 61 captures each bracket 40. The strap 61 is tightened such that the brackets 40 are snug against the tree trunk. Next, an elongated, adjustable strap 10 is wrapped around the target flowerpot and the loose end is fed through buckle 12 and tightened until the elongated strap 10 and buckle 12 form a closed shape surrounding the flowerpot. The elongated strap 10 holding the flowerpot is raised to the level of the mounting member 42 previously strapped to the tree trunk. The mating connectors of the detachably coupled mounting bracket 40 are aligned and slid one into the other. The same steps are repeated for each additional flowerpot to be hung around the tree until all the flowerpots are hanging around the tree. If the mounting bracket being used is not detachably coupled to the elongated strap 10 holding the article, then the entire strap 10, bracket 40 and flowerpot 20 assembly is raised and slid between the mounting strap 61 and the tree trunk.

The other embodiments designed to suspend flowerpots and other articles are used similarly. In the case of the detachably coupled mounting brackets, the mounting member 42 designed to be attached to the desired surface may be fastened first. For example, in the case of a wall-mounted assembly, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7E is fastened to the wall, column or post first, and then the desired article is hung.

In order to remove a flowerpot or other article, the flowerpot or other article is simply lifted until the detachably coupled mounting bracket 40 is decoupled. If the buckle 12 is ratcheted as illustrated in FIG. 10B, then the adjustable elongated strap 10 may be released by pressing release button 58. Buckle 12 may also be a simple friction based buckle that will loosen or allow elongated strap 10 to be removed through added force.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface comprising:

an elongated member;

a buckle coupled to a first part of said elongated member, said buckle capable of locking a second part of said elongated member such that at least a portion of said elongated member defines a substantially closed shape adapted to hold the article wherein said substantially closed shape is adjustable by changing the location said buckle locks said second part of said elongated member; and

a mounting bracket coupled to said buckle, said mounting bracket including a mounting member adapted to be attached to the surface.

2. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said buckle is a ratchet buckle including a pawl and said second part of said elongated member defines a plurality of notches constructed and arranged to coact with said pawl to adjust and lock said elongated member as said second part of said elongated member passes through said buckle.

3. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting member of said mounting bracket includes a substantially planar face positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by said substantially closed shape, said planar face adapted to come in contact with the surface.

4. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said mounting member defines at least one hole traversing said substantially planar face adapted to secure said mounting bracket to the surface using one of a fastener from the group of fasteners consisting of an adhesive, nail, screw, staple and pin.

5. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said mounting member includes at least one ridge on a side away from said substantially planar face, said ridge adapted to secure a strap to hold said mounting bracket against the surface.

6. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting member of said mounting bracket is an inverted U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat adapted to be hooked over a railing wherein one of said downwardly projecting members is coupled to said buckle such that a plane defined by said substantially closed shape is substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting members.

7. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting member of said mounting bracket is an inverted U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat adapted to be hooked over the top edge of an open container wherein one of said downwardly projecting members is coupled to said buckle such that a plane defined by said substantially closed shape is substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting members.

8. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the other of said downwardly projecting members is a spike adapted to be inserted into the container.

9. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said buckle includes a coupling projection having a neck and radially projecting head and wherein said mounting bracket includes a substantially vertical U-shaped channel having inwardly projecting edges and a closed end at the bottom, said radially projecting head and said channel sized to allow said buckle to detachably couple to said mounting bracket.

10. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said buckle includes an outwardly projecting, substantially vertical, U-shaped channel having inwardly projecting edges with a closed top end, and wherein said mounting bracket includes a coupling projection having a neck and outwardly projecting head, said coupling projection and said channel sized to allow said buckle to detachably couple to said mounting bracket.

11. An adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface comprising:

an elongated member;

a buckle coupled to a first part of said elongated member, said buckle capable of locking a second part of said elongated member such that at least a portion of said elongated member defines a substantially closed shape adapted to hold the article wherein said substantially closed shape is adjustable by changing the location said buckle locks said second part of said elongated member; and

a mounting bracket coupled to said elongated member, said mounting bracket including a mounting member adapted to be attached to the surface.

12. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said buckle is a ratchet buckle including a pawl and said second part of said elongated member defines a plurality of notches constructed and arranged to coact with said pawl to adjust and lock said elongated member as said second part of said elongated member passes through said buckle.

13. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting member of said mounting bracket includes a substantially planar face positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by said substantially closed shape, said planar face adapted to come in contact with the surface.

14. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said mounting member defines at least one hole traversing said substantially planar face adapted to secure said mounting bracket to the surface using one of a fastener from the group of fasteners consisting of an adhesive, nail, screw, staple and pin.

15. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said mounting member includes at least one ridge on a side away from said substantially planar face, said ridge adapted to secure a strap to hold said mounting bracket against the surface.

16. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting member of said mounting bracket is an inverted U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat adapted to be hooked over a railing wherein one of said downwardly projecting members is coupled to said elongated member such that a plane defined by said substantially closed shape is substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting members.

17. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting member of said mounting bracket is an inverted U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat adapted to be hooked over the top edge of an open container wherein one of said downwardly projecting members is coupled to said elongated member such that a plane defined by said substantially closed shape is substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting members.

18. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the other of said downwardly projecting members is a spike adapted to be inserted into the container.

19. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting bracket further comprises a coupling projection coupled to said elongated member and projecting outward from said substantially closed shape, said projection having a neck and radially projecting head, and wherein said mounting member includes a substantially vertical U-shaped channel having inwardly projecting edges and a closed bottom end, said radially projecting head and said channel sized to allow said coupling projection to detachably couple to said mounting member of said mounting bracket.

20. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mounting bracket further comprises a coupling receiver coupled to said elongated member and projecting outward from said substantially closed shape, said receiver including a U-shaped channel having inwardly projecting edges and a closed top end, said channel running substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by said substantially closed shape, and wherein said mounting member includes a coupling projection having a neck and radially projecting head, said radially projecting head and said channel sized to allow said coupling receiver to detachably couple to said mounting member of said mounting bracket.

21. An adjustable hanging assembly for suspending an article from a surface comprising:

a flexible, elongated member;

a buckle co-acting with said elongated member to form a closed shape adapted to hold the article, said buckle permitting adjustment of said elongated member when in a loosed position and locking said elongated member when in a locked position; and

a mounting bracket detachably coupled to said buckle, said bracket adapted to attach the hanging assembly to the surface.

22. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said buckle is a ratchet buckle including a pawl and said second part of said elongated member defines a plurality of notches constructed and arranged to coact with said pawl to adjust and lock said elongated member as said second part of said elongated member passes through said buckle.

23. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said mounting bracket includes a substantially planar face positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by said closed shape, said planar face adapted to come in contact with the surface.

24. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein said mounting bracket defines at least one hole traversing said substantially planar face adapted to secure said mounting bracket to the surface.

25. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein said mounting bracket includes at least one ridge on a side facing away from said substantially planar face, said ridge adapted to secure a strap to hold said mounting bracket against the surface.

26. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said mounting bracket includes a U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat adapted to be hooked over a railing wherein one of said downwardly projecting members is coupled to said buckle such that a plane defined by said closed shape is substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting members.

27. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said mounting bracket is a U-shaped member defined by two downwardly projecting members attached at a throat adapted to be hooked over the top edge of an open container wherein one of said downwardly projecting members is coupled to said buckle such that a plane defined by said closed shape is substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting members.

28. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein the other of said downwardly projecting members is a spike adapted to be inserted into the container.

29. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said buckle includes a coupling projection having a neck and radially projecting head and wherein said mounting bracket includes a substantially vertical U-shaped channel having inwardly projecting edges and a closed end at the bottom, said radially projecting head and said channel sized to allow said buckle to detachably couple to said mounting bracket.

30. An adjustable hanging assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said buckle includes an outwardly projecting, substantially vertical, U-shaped channel having inwardly projecting edges with a closed top end, and wherein said mounting bracket includes a coupling projection having a neck and outwardly projecting head, said coupling projection and said channel sized to allow said buckle to detachably couple to said mounting bracket.