Hanging apparatus, method and display rack

Abstract

A hanging apparatus in four general embodiments. In the first embodiment an upright member has at least one hanger removably attached thereto by an attachment, the attachment being fixedly attached to a hanger. A base for holding the upright member has an angle adjusting socket within and can either be a stand or a spike. An upper end cap can be a decorative finial or functional. In the second embodiment a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be positioned over the top of a door or fence. In the third embodiment a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be positioned over the top of a handrail or the like in two variations. In a fourth embodiment at least one hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be positioned around a vertical post. A method of providing a hanging apparatus and a display rack for displaying hanging apparatuses is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] Applicant hereby claims priority of provisional patent application 60/364,821 filed on Mar. 15, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It has long been desirable to have the means for hanging items, sometimes heavy items, in various locations, both indoors and outdoors. The hanging apparatus should be very sturdy and stable to hold heavy items and convenient and simple to use, and have a plurality of adaptations for hanging items in the various locations. Plants can be used as an example of something that would be desirable to hang in various locations, indoors or outdoors. In a garden, high hanging plants would instantly give some height and variation to the gardens so the gardener would not be limited to plants at only one level on the ground, or waiting for trees and bushes to grow to some height. In the prior art, hangers have been devised that are flimsy, do not adequately hold heavy items, and are not adapted to hang an item in an unusual or unexpected spot. If a hanger is adapted to have a base to be inserted into the ground, the arrangements for this capability have been inadequate, in that thin and flimsy rods pull out of the ground and do not hold heavy weight. Also, display racks for prior art devices have been inadequate in displaying these kinds of hangers in a flexible, convenient and attractive way. What is desirable, therefore, is to have a sturdy and reliable hanging apparatus that would hold heavy weight, hold an upright member straight, and be easy and convenient to use. And further, it is desirable to have a display rack that would display various embodiments of the hanging apparatus in a practical manner.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 1,264,264 to Brewer discloses a flag support and cover having a decorative finial at the top.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,287 to Kramer discloses an article suspending hook that has a hook-like hanger that is supported on a flat surface. In particular, the hanger is hung over the top of a door.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,079 to Reisling discloses a flag stand that has a spiked portion inserted into the ground with a cover over the spiked portion.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,136 to DeHart teaches a wall mountable mounting bracket for a hanger that has a tab that fits over a flat surface and attaches the hanger to the flat surface.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,081 to Vollink discloses a square post mounted hanger with a generally c-shaped opening.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,009 to Simoncioni discloses a portable clothes hanger holder that has a mounting bracket adapted to be positioned on a vertical surface, such as the top of a door.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,649 to Bigford discloses an apparatus for anchoring an umbrella that uses a set screw in a stand portion.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,823 to Ibarra teaches a camping apparatus for hanging fishing and camping supplies wherein a hanger can be positioned inside a tubular member. The tubular member is attached to a collar with a set screw.

[0011] U.S. Patent 2002/0113190 to Bertiaume discloses a staff holder having a base using a ringed band and a screw to tighten in on the staff.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In order to overcome problems inherent in the prior art, there has been devised by the present invention a hanging apparatus and display rack for displaying the hanging apparatus of the present invention. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a hanging apparatus that includes a pipe or upright member and a plurality of hangers removably attached to the upright member by means of an attachment that is fixedly attached to the hangers. In a first variation of the first embodiment, a stand portion having a spike portion is adapted to be driven into the ground. Atop the spike portion of the stand portion of the first variation of the first embodiment is a cylindrical member adapted to receive the upright member. A plurality of thumb screws are positioned through corresponding holes in the top of the cylindrical member to thereby position the upright member in an upright or desirable position. In a second variation of the first preferred embodiment, the stand portion is varied to allow the stand portion to be positioned on the floor or other flat surface. A flat base holds a first cylindrical section above the base and a second cylindrical section above the first cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section having a wider diameter opening than the first cylindrical section. At the top of the second cylindrical section is also a plurality of holes adapted to receive a plurality of thumb screws positioned through the holes. The plurality of thumb screws are used to adjust the position of the upright member into the desired position. In the second variation of the first preferred embodiment, there is also provided a decorative cover that slips over the upright member, the first and second cylindrical sections, and the flat base to cover the first and second cylindrical sections and the flat base. In both the first and second variations of the first preferred embodiment, there are upper end caps that can be in the form of a decorative finial and/or a functional upper end cap. One example of a functional upper end cap would be a functional adapter that has a lower portion that attaches to the top of the upright member in a manner similar to the decorative finial. An upper portion of the functional adapter holds any item that a user might want to display, such as a birdhouse, or bird feeder.

[0013] In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be positioned over the top of a door or fence.

[0014] In a first variation of the third preferred embodiment, a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be positioned over the top of a handrail, fence or deck rail. In a second variation of the third preferred embodiment strapping is added to the mounting member for temporary attachment of the apparatus to any size railing, so that an apartment dweller could take his hanging apparatus with him upon moving and so that no marks would be left on a railing.

[0015] In the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be positioned around a vertical post.

[0016] The present invention also includes a display rack for displaying the various embodiments and parts thereof. The display rack includes a generally half rectangular shaped bottom base, having two short sides and one long side, that has an opening in the first short side for demonstrating how the first preferred embodiment holds an upright member in position. In the bottom base on the second short side opposite the first short side that displays the first preferred embodiment, there is a post holding bracket for displaying the fourth preferred embodiment. The bottom base has an upright generally rectangular section removably attached thereto. The upright generally rectangular sections have at least two smaller rectangles removably attached thereto that extend outwardly from the upright generally rectangular member. The first and second smaller rectangles are positioned one atop of the other. Each smaller rectangle has a plurality of holes therethrough for receiving an upright member. A bar member extends from the top of the upright generally rectangular section that displays hangers used for the first and fourth preferred embodiments of the present invention. The upright generally rectangular section also has removably attached thereto wood planks to simulate a door or fence to display the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Also, removably attached to the upright generally rectangular section is a lattice member that displays a plurality of the second and third embodiments.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first variation of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the hanging apparatus can be inserted into the ground with a spiked stand portion.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spiked stand portion of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen in FIG. 1

[0019] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second variation of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the hanging apparatus can be adapted to have a stand portion for standing the hanging apparatus upright on a flat surface and showing a decorative finial at the top of the hanging apparatus.

[0020] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a second variation of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the hanging apparatus can be adapted to have a stand portion for standing the hanging apparatus upright on a flat surface and showing a functional adapter at the top of the hanging apparatus.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stand portion for the second variation of the first preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top down view of the inside of the stand portions of the first and second variations of the first embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the hanging apparatus of the present invention whereby a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be hung over a door or fence.

[0024] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a first variation of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be hung over a handrail, deck rail or fence.

[0025] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a second variation of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be temporarily strapped to a handrail, deck rail or fence.

[0026] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby at least one hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be removably positioned around a vertical post.

[0027] FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing how the fourth preferred embodiment is positioned around a vertical post.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the display rack for the present invention that shows how the various embodiments and parts thereof are displayed.

[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the display rack for the present invention that shows how the display rack is put together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] Referring now to the drawings in general and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a first variation of the first preferred embodiment of the hanging apparatus of the present invention. The hanging apparatus of the present invention is shown generally by the number 10. The first preferred embodiment positions a pole or upright member 12 in a generally upright position, and two variations provide that the upright member 12 be inserted into a stand portion 14 whereby it is held upright from a floor or ground. In both variations of the first preferred embodiment, the hanging apparatus 10 includes the pole or upright member 12 and a plurality of hangers 16 that are removably attached to the upright member 12. The hangers 16 are round and solid curved metal used to position an item that would be hung on the hanger 16 away from the upright member 12 so that the upright member 12 would not be in the way of the item being hung. Each hanger 16, as used In all the preferred embodiments hereinafter described, is generally an inverted u-shaped hanger 18 having a smaller u-shaped hook 20 at the end 22 of the hanger 16 that is distal to the upright member 12. The u-shaped hook 20 at the end 22 of the hanger 16 that is distal to the upright member 12 is adapted so that an item being hung on this u-shaped hook 20 will not easily be blown off the hook 20 by wind or jostling. Each exposed end 24 on this u-shaped hook 20 is covered with a vinyl cap 26. Each hanger 16 is removably attached to the upright member 12 by means of a generally donut-shaped attachment 28, the donut-shaped attachment 28 being fixedly attached to the hanger 16 at the end 30 of the hanger 16 that is proximal to the upright member 12, whereby the hole 32 of the donut-shaped attachment 28 would be positioned over the upright member 12 and held in place at the chosen position on the upright member 12 by a set screw 34 through the donut-shaped attachment 28. The donut-shaped attachments 28 have a groove 36 machined down one side 38 to align the hanger 16 in relation to the upright member 12. In the first variation of the first preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1, the stand portion 14 includes a spike portion 40 for inserting the stand portion 14 into the ground. The spike portion 40 of the first variation of the first preferred embodiment is sized and shaped for an easy drive into the ground. The length of the spike portion 40 is short enough so as not to hit underground utilities and also to provide a secure and stable stand. Fixedly attached at the top 42 of the spike portion 40, there is a generally tubular base 44 that holds a socket portion 46. At the top 45 of the generally tubular base 44, there is an opening 50 accommodated to receive the bottom 52 of the upright member 12, as seen in FIG. 1. The generally tubular base 44 further includes a plurality of holes 54 adapted to receive a plurality of thumb screws 55, 56, and 57, as seen most clearly in FIG. 2, that are used to position the upright member 12 in the desired position. A shortened upright member or drive pipe 58, as seen in FIG. 2, is also included as part of the generally tubular base 44 of the first variation of the first preferred embodiment, so that the spike portion 40 of the base 44 can easily be pounded into the ground without having to pound on a tall and unwieldy upright member 12. The drive pipe 58 is also used to take hammer force during installation so as not to damage the socket portion 46 of the base 44.

[0031] In a second variation of the first preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, the upper portion 60 of hanging apparatus 10 is the same as in the first variation of the first preferred embodiment. However, in the second variation of the first preferred embodiment, the stand portion 61 is different from the stand portion 14 of the first variation of the first preferred embodiment. The stand portion 61 of the second variation of the first preferred embodiment includes a base 62 that is adapted to be positioned on a flat surface such as a floor or the ground. The base 62 in the second variation of the first preferred embodiment includes a flat bottom 64 having screw holes 66 therethrough for receiving screws that would secure the base 62 to a floor. Fixedly attached to the flat bottom 64 is a bottom cylindrical section 68 of a smaller diameter than a top cylindrical section 70. The bottom cylindrical section 68 works as a stop, so that as an upright member 12 is positioned in the top cylindrical section 70, the diameter of the bottom cylindrical section 68 prevents the upright member 12 from being pushed below the top cylindrical section 70. In a manner similar to that of the first variation of the first preferred embodiment, the top 72 of the top cylindrical section 70 has an opening 74 accommodated to receive an upright member 12. The top cylindrical section 70 is within the stand portion 61 of the second variation of the first preferred embodiment and also includes a plurality of holes 54 adapted to receive a plurality of thumb screws 56 that are used to position the upright member 12 in the desired position, in a manner similar to the first variation of the first preferred embodiment. The stand portion 61 of the second variation of the first preferred embodiment can be covered by any kind of decorative or functional cover 71, as shown in phantom in FIG. 4. Each stand portion 14 or 61, either the first stand portion 14 or the second stand portion 61, accommodates a wide range of motion, whereby an upright member 12 can be driven into either stand portion 14 or 61 crookedly and then still be straightened up by means of the thumb screws 55, 56, and. 57. So in the first variation of the first preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upright member 12 can be straightened after the spike portion 40 is driven into the ground and in the second variation of the first preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, the upright member 12 can be straightened after the upright member 12 is put into the stand portion 61. The spike portion 40 of the base 44 of the first variation of the first preferred embodiment can be driven into the ground at an angle, or the ground may be sloped, but the upright member 12 can still be plumb vertically, unless a particular controlled angle other than plumb is desired. If it is desirable to have the upright member 12 at a position other than ninety degrees relative to the ground, the stand portion 14 or 61 will allow the upright member 12 to be as much as eight degrees off true center of the stand portion 14 or 61. So that if the upright member 12 can be as much as eight degrees off true center on either side 76 or 78 of the upright member 12 there is a total range of motion of sixteen degrees. Further, if one hanger 16 carries a heavy item on the first side 76 of the upright member 12, another hanger 16 can be positioned opposite to the first hanger 16, on the second side 78 of the upright member 12, to offset the weight of the first item, by placing an equally heavy item opposite to the first item. More than two hangers 16 can be used on the upright member 12, but they should be spaced equally rotationally at zero degrees, one hundred twenty degrees and two hundred and forty degrees, for example, to offset weight at the various positions. In the first and second variations of the first preferred embodiment, there is also provided an upper end cap 80 at the top 81 of the upright member 12, and this can be of any decorative or practical nature. In FIG. 1 the upper end cap 80 is shown in the form of a simple vinyl or plastic cap 82 similar to the vinyl caps 26 that cover the exposed end 24 on the hook 20 of the hanger 16. In FIG. 3A the upper end cap 80 is shown in the form of a decorative finial 83. In FIG. 3B the upper end cap 80 is shown in the form of a functional adapter 84. The adapter 84 as shown in FIG. 3B, has a lower portion 85 which fits over the top 81 of the upright member 12. An upper portion 86 of the adapter 84 has a flat surface 87 with screw holes 88 therethrough for receiving screws that would secure the upper portion 86 of the adapter 84 to the bottom surface 89 of a birdhouse, bird feeder or the like 90, as seen in phantom in FIG. 3B. All upper end caps 80 in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B are examples, and it is within the spirit and scope of the invention to use any type of ornamental and/or functional upper end cap 80.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is shown a top down view of the inside of the stand portions of the first and second variations of the first preferred embodiment. Each stand portion 14 and 61 includes a socket portion 46. In the first variation of the first preferred embodiment as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the socket portion 46 is within the generally tubular base 44 and in the second variation of the first embodiment as seen in FIGS. 3A and 4, the socket portion 46 is within the top cylindrical section 70. The top 91 of the socket portion 46 includes the opening 50 or 74 that is accommodated to receive an upright member 12. The socket portion 46 of the stand portions 14 and 61 of the first and second variations of the first preferred embodiment is coned on the inside in order to self-center an upright member 12, as seen in FIGS. 1 an 3A. The thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 used in the socket portions 46 are located and sized to provide full contact with an upright member 12 at all times and in all positions. FIG. 5 details the ratio detail of the alignment of the thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 and the contact point 92 where the thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 contact the upright member 12. Different sizes of socket portions 46, upright members 12, and thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 can be used as long as in the extreme adjustment position, the same alignment of sides 93 and 94 of the thumb screws 55, 56, and 57, and the projected intersectinag point 95 on the outside surface 96 of the upright member 12 remains constant as that described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hanger 16 is fixedly attached to a mounting member 97, whereby the mounting member 97 is adapted to be positioned over the upper edge 98 of a door or fence 99 as seen in FIG. 6. The second, third, and fourth embodiments of the present invention, as described hereinafter, are adapted to allow the hanging apparatus 16 of the present invention to be installed simply and without tools. The mounting member 97, as seen in FIG. 6, has two flat sides 100 and 101 and a flat top 102. The first flat side 100 has the hanger 16 fixedly attached thereto, and is positioned over the first side 103 of a door or fence 99. The first flat side 100 of the mounting member 97 is adapted to be positioned over three conventional fence boards in order to spread the weight load over a wide area. The flat top 102 fits over a conventional door or fence 99 and the second flat side 101 of the mounting member 97 is positioned over the second side 104 of a door or fence 99. It is obvious that the various dimensions of the mounting member 97 can easily be varied to accommodate different sizes and styles of doors and fences.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 7A, there is shown a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The third preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to the second preferred embodiment, except that the third preferred embodiment has a mounting member 106 that is adapted to fit over a 2″×4″ handrail 108, as seen in FIG. 7A, or a fence with a 2″×4″ upper trim. In the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hanger 16 is also fixedly attached to the mounting member 106. The mounting member 106 as seen in FIG. 7A also has two flat sides 110 and 112 and a flat top 114. The first flat side 1110 of the third preferred embodiment has the hanger 16 fixedly attached thereto and is positioned over the first side 116 of a handrail 108 or other 2″×4″. The flat top 114 fits over the width 118 of the 2″×4″ and the second flat side 112 of the mounting member 106 is positioned over the second side 120 of a handrail 108 or other 2″×4″. It is obvious also that the various dimensions of the mounting member 106 in the third preferred embodiment can easily be varied to accommodate different sizes of handrails, deck rails and fences. Some examples of how the third preferred embodiment of the present invention could be varied would include the mounting member 106 being adapted to fit a single or double(two nailed together) 2″×4″, 2″×6″, 1″×6″, or a 1″×6″ and a 2″×4″ nailed together. This foregoing list is by no means exhaustive and it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to change the dimensions of the mounting member 106 to countless variations including but not limited to doors, various styles of fences, handrails and deck rails.

[0035] In FIG. 7B and 7C there is shown a perspective view of a second variation of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby a hanger 16 is fixedly attached to a mounting member 121 that is adapted to be temporarily strapped to a handrail, deck rail, or fence 94 In FIG. 7B it can be seen that a hanger 16 is fixedly attached to a different type of mounting member 121 that includes a horizontal bar 122 that is fixedly attached perpendicularly to a hanger 16. The horizontal bar 122 has a first end 123 and a second end 124, each end 123 and 124 having a strap holding loop 125. The horizontal bar 122 is positioned behind any kind of vertical post 126, which can be a baluster 127 of a handrail or fence 94. A strap 128 (not shown in FIG. 7B, but shown in FIG. 7C) is positioned through the loop 125 at each end 123 and 124 of the horizontal bar 122 and positioned around the back 129 of the vertical post 126 where two ends 130 and 131 of the strap 128 are attached together by a cinch 132 or other suitable means. In this way, the hanging apparatus 10 can be removably and adjustably attached to any kind of vertical post 126 without marking the deck rail or fence 94.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 8A AND 8B of the drawings, there is shown a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby at least one hanger 16 is fixedly attached to a mounting member 121 that is adapted to be removably positioned around a vertical post 126. The bend of the hanger 16 on the fourth preferred embodiment is slightly different than that of the first three preferred embodiments. In all embodiments, it is desired to have the diameter of the item being hung to be as large as possible, so the hangers 16 are designed to hang as far away from their mounting locations as possible. Since a 4″×4″ vertical post 126 is wider than the other mounting locations, the bend of the hanger 16 is accommodated to hang as far from the vertical post 126 as possible. In FIG. 8B it can be seen that the mounting member 121 is generally in the shape of a C, the C shape 135 having one side 136, a top 137 and bottom 138, the C shape 135 has a hanger 16 fixedly attached to the bottom 138 of the C shape 135. At the ends 139 of the top 137 and the bottom 138 of the C shape 135, there are smaller generally L-shaped portions 140 that are adapted to be positioned at a first surface 141 of a 4″×4″ vertical post 126. The mounting member 133 of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention slips onto a vertical post 126, from any side position to the vertical post 126, at any desired height on the vertical post 126. As in the first three preferred embodiments, there are also no tools required to install the fourth preferred embodiment. As an item is hung on the hanger 16 of the fourth preferred embodiment, the additional weight from the item pushes back in resistance from the hanger 16 and causes pressure to be exerted from the side 136 of the C shape 135 against a second side surface 142 of a 4″×4″, that is opposite the first surface 141 that has the L-shaped portions 140 against it, thereby making the mounting member 133 grip the post more tightly against the 4″×4″ vertical post. The hanging apparatus 143 of the fourth preferred embodiment is held in place against a vertical post 126 by its own weight. It can also be seen in FIG. 8A that there is a rubberized coating 144 on the inside surface 145 of the C shape 135. This is to provide extra grabbing of the C shape 135 against the vertical post, but this is an optional addition, since the C shape 135 grabs against the vertical post 126 as described above without the rubberized coating 144. As with the other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the configuration as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is an example only, and, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to vary the dimensions of the fourth preferred embodiment also. It is to be understood that the Figures shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B are shown as examples only, and it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the various dimensions of the second, third and fourth embodiments can easily be changed to cover any number of places where the mounting member would fit.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10,, there is shown a perspective view of a display rack for the present invention in FIG. 10 and an exploded perspective view of the display rack in FIG. 9 showing how the parts of the display rack fit together. The display rack 146 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is used to display, as in a retail setting, for example, the various parts of the present invention as described hereinbefore. The display rack 146 includes a bottom base 147 that is generally in the form of a half rectangle. The bottom base 147 sits on a floor and includes squared hollow metal tubing 148 that raises off the floor, the bottom base 147, has other parts of the display rack 146 removably attached thereto. The half rectangular portion 150 of the squared hollow metal tubing 148 includes two short sides 152 and 454 and one long side 156. On the first short side 152 of the bottom base 147, there is an opening 158 in the squared hollow metal tubing 148 that emulates the openings 50 and 74 in the stand portions 14 and 61 that is adapted to receive an upright member 12 in the first embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Thus, where the opening 158 in the squared hollow metal tubing 148 is positioned, an upright member 12 is inserted in order to display it. Removably attached to the one long side 156 of the bottom base 147 is an upright generally rectangular sections 160. The upright generally rectangular section 160 has four sides 162, 164, 166 and 168, as seen most clearly in the exploded view of FIG. 9. At the top 170 of the upright generally rectangular section 160, there is a bar member 172 that extends out from the top 170 of the upright generally rectangular section 160, the bar member 172 is removably attached to the top 170 of the upright generally rectangular section 160 by means of two bar engaging holders 173, as seen in FIG. 9. The bar member 172 holds a plurality of hangers 16 of the first and fourth preferred embodiment, for display, as seen most clearly in FIG. 10. The upright generally rectangular section 160 has at least two upright member holders 174 in the form of two smaller rectangles 175 and 176 removably attached thereto that extend out from the front 178 of the upright generally rectangular section 160 at about a ninety-degree angle, as a seat portion from a chair, also as seen most clearly in FIG. 9. The two smaller rectangles 175 and 176 are positioned one atop of the other and each of the smaller rectangles 175 and 176 has a series of upright member engaging holes 180 therethrough. Thus, a series of upright members 12 are positioned through the holes 180 in the two smaller rectangles 175 and 176 and are displayed in a similar fashion to pool sticks in a rack. The upright generally rectangular section 160 holds a simulator 181 for a fence, door, or the like in the form of wood planks 182, removably attached to its rear 183, to loosely simulate a door or fence 94, so the mounting member 91 of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention can be displayed atop the wood planks 182. Removably attached to the upright generally rectangular section 160 of the display rack 146 at the side 168 of the upright generally rectangular section 160 opposite to the side 164 of the upright generally rectangular section 160 that carries the bar member 172 is a mounting bracket holder 184 in the form of a lattice member 186. The lattice member 186 is removably attached at about a ninety-degree angle to the upright generally rectangular section 160. The lattice member 186 displays a plurality of the second and third embodiments of the present invention. Positioned on cross pieces 188 of the lattice member 186 there are displayed some of the second preferred embodiment with the mounting member 91 of the second preferred embodiment positioned atop a cross piece 188. The third preferred embodiment is also displayed on the cross pieces 188 of the lattice 186, as seen most clearly in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the mounting arrangement 190 to display the third preferred embodiment on a cross piece 188 of the lattice member 186. The mounting member 106 of the third preferred embodiment is positioned over a 2″×4″ 192 as it would be in actual practice. Beneath the 2″×4″ 192 is a spacer 194 for spacing the 2″×4″ 192 away from the frame 196. The frame 196 has an adapter 198 attached thereto for positioning the adapter 198 securely on a cross piece 188 of the lattice member 186. On the second short side 154 of the bottom base 146, there is positioned a post-holding bracket 200 that carries a 4″×4″ vertical post 124 with a mounting member 122 of the fourth preferred embodiment displayed thereon. All of the parts of the display rack 146 are removably attached to the bottom base 147, to the upright generally rectangular section 160 and to each other to insure portability and the ability to adapt the display rack 146 to space limitations that may exist at a location where it is to be used.

[0038] While there has been accomplished advantages by the Applicant's invention, nevertheless, variation in the structure of the invention and the arrangement of the various parts are within the spirit and scope of the Applicant's invention. The embodiments given have been given only by way of illustration and the Applicant is not to be limited to the embodiments shown and described.

Claims

1. A hanging apparatus comprising:

a) an upright member;

b) a base for holding the upright member;

c) at least one hanger removably attached to the upright member;

d) an attachment fixedly attached to each hanger for removably attaching a hanger to the upright member.

2. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base has an angle adjusting socket within.

3. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base is a spike portion.

4. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base is a stand portion.

5. A hanging apparatus comprising:

a) at least one hanger fixedly attached to a mounting member;

b) the mounting member removably positioned onto a pre-existing fiat surface.

6. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the flat surface is on a door or fence.

7. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the flat surface is on a handrail.

8. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the mounting member comprises a horizontal bar and a strap.

9. A hanging apparatus for hanging on a vertical post, the vertical post having four sides, the hanging apparatus comprising:

a) a hanger fixedly attached to a mounting member;

b) a generally C shaped mounting member, the C shape having an inside, the mounting member removably positioned around all four sides of the vertical post.

10. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the generally C shaped mounting member has a rubberized coating fixedly attached on the inside of the generally C shaped mounting member.

11. A display stand for displaying hangers and hanging apparatuses comprising:

a) a base having a first and second sides and a middle portion;

b) an opening in the first side of the base to receive an upright member;

c) an upright generally rectangular section removably attached generally perpendicularly to the middle section of the base;

d) a post holding bracket removably attached to the second side of the base;

e) an upright member holder removably attached to the generally rectangular section for holding upright members; and

f) a mounting bracket removably attached to the generally rectangular section for holding mounting brackets of hanging apparatuses.

12. The display stand for hangers and hanging apparatuses as defined in claim 10 further comprising:

g) a bar member removably attached generally perpendicularly to the upright generally rectangular section for holding a plurality of hangers.

13. The display stand for hangers and hanging apparatuses as defined in claim 10 further comprising:

g) a simulator of a fence, door or the like, removably attached to the upright generally rectangular section for holding hanging apparatuses.

14. A method of providing a hanging apparatus comprising the steps of:

a) providing an upright member;

b) providing a base for holding the upright member;

c) providing at least one hanger removably attached to the upright member;

d) providing an attachment fixedly attached to each hanger for removably attaching a hanger to the upright member.

15. The method of providing a hanging apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the base has an angle adjusting socket.

16. The method of providing a hanging apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the base is a spike portion.

17. The method of providing a hanging apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the base is a stand portion.