Hanger assembly

Abstract

A hanger assembly (10) is disclosed that is adapted for the useful purpose of hanging articles (17) from a generally cylindrical, vertical support member (8). The hanger assembly (10) comprises a hanger arm (16) which connects easily to the vertical support member (8) with attachment means (12) and extends to adjustable lengths to hold articles (17) securely in place. Brace (14) is attached to the underside of attachment means (12) and extends vertically down the vertical support member (8) for added support of the hanger assembly (10).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of Invention

The present invention relates to a hanger assembly for displaying or hanging objects from a substantially cylindrical, vertically extending structure or support, such as the trunk of a Christmas tree.

2. Discussion of Relevant Art

Conventional hangers that attach to vertically extending support members, such as trees, posts, and poles, generally require tools to attach, remove or adjust the hangers. They are often made up of several different parts, and have a multitude of fasteners or complex securing mechanisms that may render these hangers difficult and/or time-consuming to use.

Such hangers are often designed to support considerable weight and are therefore too heavy or large for lighter applications. Most support mechanisms are not adjustable in length or angle of projection. Several have multiple hanging-members and cannot be used singly. Also their size, shape and color may make it difficult to use them aesthetically in a decorating capacity.

What is desired, therefore, is an inexpensive, easy-to-use, adjustable multi-purpose hanger assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 4.421,801 discloses a “decoration stand” in the form of a planar Christmas tree; FIG. 3 shows shelves extending from the trunk or branches of the “tree,” but it is not apparent how they attach.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,328 discloses a conventional clothes stand in which the carrying arms include “comb teeth” or grooves to retain clothes hangers on the arms.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,473 discloses another clothes rack in which the arms have grooves for retaining clothes hangers thereon. Column 2 indicates that the arms and hub portion are preferably an integral, one-piece structure (rather than being detachable or folding).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,035 discloses a “sign supporting system” in which two-part brackets are screwed tight together to secure a conventional sign to a post (the brackets compressing both the post and the sign), with the edge of the sign aligned with the post. FIG. 3 indicates that to the extent the sign could rotate downward, it might be considered to be prevented from doing so by the post.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,256 discloses a support apparatus featuring a quick-release clamp for attachment to rods, tree limbs or the like, and a transverse portion (105) apparently used as a handle, with grooves (87) to improve the user's grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,112 discloses (see col. 2 and the figures) an artificial tree having branch holder collars (13) attached at a fixed angle to the trunk (12).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,546 discloses a conventional rotary hanger device including a vertical support rod, support members arranged about the rod, and multiple hanger rods, each having a ring rotatably mounted around an associated support member.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,619 discloses pole-supported apparatus and clamps for attachment thereto, the clamp including a collar portion for attachment to the pole and a portion to clamp to and hold an article. The clamps can be moved vertically and rotationally on the pole. FIGS. 2/3 are most illustrative, and FIG. 11 shows a large assembly made up of the poles, clamps and various accessories.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,415 discloses an artificial tree with a shelving system, using conventional shelf supports which fasten onto straps which are compressively attached to the trunk. The supports fasten to the straps with bolts or hooks (54), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. No cantilever supports for these components appear to be used.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,396 discloses a conventional potted plant stand which is adjustable to hold pots of various sizes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,572 discloses a “multifunctional knockdown rack structure” including a vertical shaft with “inserting members” (3) which have partial collar shapes. Racks, hooks or the like are attached to these components by conventional means. (See, e.g., FIGS. 4/6.)

U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,661 discloses a “collapsible Christmas tree” in which branch units (branches radially extending from rings) are slidably mounted on the trunk and spaced by springs placed between units. The structure is best seen in FIGS. 2/6; as shown in the latter, the branches appear to be integral parts of the rings rather than suspended or cantilevered.

Despite the existence of all these devices, there remains a need for an inexpensive, easy-to-use hanger assembly which can be attached to vertical poles and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a hanger for quickly, easily, and securely hanging objects from a substantially cylindrical, vertically extending support structure, such as a Christmas tree.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hanger that can be shortened in order to customize the cantilevered hanger arm for its particular purpose. This can be achieved by provision of a series of score marks circumscribed around the distal portion of the cantilevered hanger arm. The hanger arm can be easily broken off at these score marks.

Another object of the invention is to provide secure means of hanging and retaining an object from the hanger arm. This object of the invention can be achieved, e.g., by provision of a series of intermittently spaced beads on the top side and distal portion of the hanger arm, by holes bored through the shaft of the hanger arm, or by hooks or loops attached to the underside of the hanger arm.

In certain embodiments, the hanger includes an angled cantilevered arm in order to retain the hanging object(s) more securely.

Another object of the invention is to make it inconspicuous in appearance to satisfy decorating needs. This object is achieved by producing the invention in a variety of colors which correspond with various decorating needs, for example: dark green or shades of brown to match the color of the branches and trunk of a typical Christmas tree.

An object of the invention is to provide a toolless attachment means to a vertical support structure. This object is achieved by constructing at least one component of the invention out of a semi-flexible material that will frictionally engage the support structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide additional support by means of a brace on the underside of the attachment means, extending to the proximal end of the hanger arm and perpendicular to the attachment means.

A primary application for the hanger assembly of the present invention is for use on a Christmas tree. Applicant understands the limitations of Christmas tree branches in their ability to bear weight, and has therefore invented a hanger assembly that will augment real branches in a fashion that allows them to be easily hidden among the real branches. The mechanism for securement of the base end of the hanger assembly will be such that users can attach said assembly to the tree trunk while holding the protruding (distal) end from which the ornament will hang, thus allowing for easy attachment with minimal exposure to the prickly Christmas tree needles. The hanger assembly is designed to be placed either directly above or directly below a real Christmas tree branch, thus camouflaging the attachment device.

Applicant's invention follows the trend of larger and heavier ornaments which currently inundate the market, but which prove difficult or impossible to hang from a normal Christmas tree branch without great risk of breakage. Additionally, aesthetically speaking, drooping branches are rarely desirable and can deter from the beauty of these ornaments.

There is tremendous marketing potential for an attachable ornament hanger arm in conjunction with ornaments that may require greater support.

In summary, the present invention provides a removably attachable hanger assembly comprising attachment means designed to provide support for articles on generally cylindrical vertical support members by securing resilient semi-circular attachment means to said support member. The attachment means can be attached to the vertical support and removed for reuse. Hanger arm means are attached by a proximal end to the semi-circular attachment means, the hanger arm being generally perpendicular to the vertical support member in the horizontal plane, and describing an acute angle (which can extend to almost 90 degrees) with respect to the vertical support member in the vertical plane. The hanger arm can be hingedly and adjustably attached to the semi-circular attachment means so the angle in the vertical plane can be adjusted to suit the placement of articles hanging from the distal end of the arm.

In addition or alternatively, the hanger arm can be hingedly and adjustably attached to the attachment means so that the angle in the horizontal plane can also be adjusted. The hanger arm can thus have two degrees of freedom with respect to the attachment means. Both of these hinged attachment means employ tight frictional connections or other suitable mechanical means to maintain the arm in any position.

The arm can be made adjustable in length by having at least two components which fit together in a telescoping manner, or by using material and weakened portions in pre-selected positions (such as grooves or notches) to permit small measured portions of the outer distal end to be broken off. Means for retaining hanging devices in place on the hanger arms, even when they describe an acute angle with respect to the vertical support member, can be provided in the form of beads or other protuberances from the arms, the same notches or grooves used to provide break points, small loops on the undersides of the arms, or holes drilled therein.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from perusal of the following detailed description, the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hanger assembly in accordance with the invention attached to a vertical support member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hanger assembly with gripping teeth lining the attachment means.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a spacer lining the attachment means.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hanger assembly with a tooth-lined V-shaped attachment means.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hanger assembly having a strap to completely encircle a vertical support member and retain the hanger assembly thereon.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vertically and horizontally adjustable hanger assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hanger assembly with a support wire.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a telescoping hanger arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of this invention, descriptive and directional terms have been defined as follows: semi-circular—more than half a circle, less than a whole circle. The invention is to be employed in a terrestrial regime, and so is described as having an upper or top side opposite the gravitational force and a bottom or underside closest to the horizontal surface upon which it is supported. The terms proximal and distal are used to indicate the ends of components such as the hanger arms which are nearest and farthest from the vertical support member, respectively.

Turning now to the figures, a preferred embodiment of a hanger assembly 10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The preferred device comprises semi-circular attachment means 12 of one piece of a resilient, springy material such as semi-rigid polypropylene. Wood, metal, other plastics or any combination thereof may be viable alternatives. The attachment means material simply needs to be of sufficient flexibility to frictionally engage a substantially vertical support member 8 and of sufficient strength to support the weight of articles 17 which would be attached thereto.

The hanger assembly 10 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is made up of three major components: attachment means 12, brace 14, and hanger arm 16. Because of the different requirements of each portion of the hanger assembly 10, a separable hanger assembly 10 may be required with each part made of a different material and assembled to form the assembly 10. Ideally, however, the entire hanger assembly 10 could be cast, injection-molded or otherwise. formed of plastic, including the properties of plastics which would be strong enough to support the weight of the ornaments, brittle enough to be broken off at predetermined (preferably weakened or scored) positions, and resilient enough to frictionally engage a support member 8.

Additionally, to satisfy a variety of hanging needs, the hanger assembly 10 of the invention could be made in any suitable range of sizes and colors. A primary purpose of the invention is to provide a support means for hanging an ornament on a natural Christmas tree; therefore shades of green or brown, which can be used to match the natural color of the tree branches or trunk, are preferred colors of at least the hanger arm 16 of the invention. Other colors can be used to match artificial trees. As shown in FIG. 1, attachment means 12 is a resilient semicircular component. Although semicircular attachment means 12 would need to be made in several different sizes in order to accommodate the range of diameters of different support members 8, its resiliency would allow one size to fit a greater range of such diameters, and also allow imperfections of the support member 8 (such as knots on Christmas tree trunks) to be easily and firmly engaged.

A fin-like stabilizing brace 14 contacts the underside of hanger arm 16 and extends downward from attachment means 12 to contact the surface of vertical support member 8. Stabilizing brace 14 is intended to both provide added support and stability for the hanger assembly 10, and also to serve as a means of preventing the hanger assembly 10 from sliding down the vertical support member 8 when frictionally engaged to such by the pressure of an article (such as ornament 17) being hung from hanger arm 16. Here, an ornament 17 is shown hanging from hanger arm 16 by hanging means 17A.

From the top side of brace 14 and the outer surface of attachment means 12 projects hanger arm 16 at an acute angle (relative to member 8) as shown of about 80 degrees, but which can range from about 40 to about 85 degrees, preferably from about 60 to about 75 degrees, from the top of the vertical support member 8. The angle of hanger arm 16 is designed to prevent articles which are hung upon it from slipping off the arm 16 and also to camouflage the hanger assembly 10 among similarly angled Christmas tree branches in a primary application.

A series of score marks, cuts, notches or grooves 18 will be featured at intervals along the length of hanger arm 16, providing weakened areas to facilitate the breaking off of measured portions of the distal end of hanger arm 16 to a variable and suitable length. Score marks 18 may be any weakening of the material intermittently spaced at predetermined positions along hanger arm 16, so as to allow for toolless breakage of the arm 16 to a suitable length for a given application.

A series of intermittently spaced article retaining means 20 will be featured as beads, bumps or protuberances on the topside of hanger arm 16, with article retaining means 20 either correlating directly with or being spaced between each set of score marks 18. Retaining means 20 may be any protuberance or groove on the topside of hanger arm 16. Alternatively, hooks 19 or loops 21 can be provided on the underside of hanger arm 16, as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the retaining means may be holes 15 bored horizontally through the shaft of hanger arm 16 or any other commonly known means of retaining articles from a substantially horizontally extending member. If score marks 18 are cut on the topside of hanger arm 16, they can also serve as retaining means 20.

In FIG. 2, an embodiment of the hanger assembly 10 as described above is shown with the addition of a gripping means 24 lining the inner surface of attachment means .12. Gripping means 24 may be teeth (as shown), knurling, grooves, or any other conceivable texturizing effects, which would serve to further engage the support member 8 (not shown here) within attachment means 12. Gripping means 24 would help secure the hanger assembly 10 to its vertical support member 8, reducing both horizontal and vertical movement of the hanger assembly 10.

As shown in FIG. 2A, alternatively or additionally, gripping means 24 (as shown in FIG. 2) may be in the form of a spacer 25 with at least one layer of an adhesive or tacky material that would similarly engage said support member 8 (not shown here). In a preferred embodiment, spacer 25 could be at least one layer of a double-sided foam tape that would provide tacky surfaces with which to grip both the support member 8 and the attachment means 12, and also provide a resilient spacer to provide a snug fit and mold somewhat to the shape of the support member 8 (especially important for oddly shaped Christmas tree trunks per prior examples).

FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of the hanger assembly 10 in FIG. 2 which features a substantially V-shaped attachment means 22, similarly resilient as described for semi-circular attachment means 12 (in FIGS. 1 and 2). Gripping means 24, shown here as grooved teeth, serve as a requisite component of V-shaped attachment means 22, as its primary means of securement to a vertical support member 8. The combination of angled, resilient arms and gripping teeth 24 permits the unit 22 to be forced onto a natural tree trunk or the like so that it retains its position. While the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 may provide a less secure fit because it does not completely encircle the vertical support member 8 (not shown here), one size may accommodate a larger variety of tree trunk diameters. Once the attachment means 22 is applied, brace 14 will help to retain it in position.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the hanger assembly 10 of the present invention, featuring retaining means 26 which encircles vertical member 8 (not shown here) and secures to both sides of semicircular attachment means 12. In one embodiment, retaining means 26 is permanently affixed to one side of attachment means 12 by any suitable mechanical means (not visible here) and is adjustably attachable at the other side of attachment means 12 by any commonly available clasping, buckling, snapping, cinching, or clamping mechanism, such as one of holes 30 being secured over knob 28. Retaining means 26 can be a strap or other suitable device comprising leather, fabric, flexible and/or elastic polymeric material or metal. Such retaining means 26 permit attachment means 12 (or 22) to be fastened more securely to vertical member 8.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of Applicant's hanger assembly become evident:

(a) Although the need to provide a secure means of attaching an ornament to a Christmas tree has been realized and addressed by inventors of fancy branch-hooking devices, Applicant's invention is the only one that utilizes the trunk of a Christmas tree, which is its strongest part.

(b) The hanger assembly can be easily shortened and camouflaged among Christmas tree branches when used properly, thus providing decorators with a simple and tasteful solution to breaking heavy or expensive ornaments and drooping branches.

(c) The hanger assembly, while durable enough to be used, removed and used over and over again, will be inexpensive enough to make replacement costs nominal.

In an alternative embodiment, FIG. 5 describes a fully adjustable model of the present invention. A vertical swivel mechanism 37 at the distal end of brace 14, featuring swivel pin 34 and forked pin receptacle 38, (at proximal end of hanger arm 16) allows the angle of hanger arm 16 to be altered in a vertical plane to any acute angle from the top of the vertical support member 8 (not shown here). Forked pin receptacle 38 can be designed to fit snugly over roughened surfaces 35 on both sides of brace 14 so as to remain in any position after manual adjustment. Alternatively, mechanical securing means such as a wing nut (not shown here) on a threaded portion of swivel pin 34 can be provided. A horizontal swivel mechanism 33 is also included which comprises a vertical swivel pin 36 attached to attachment means 12 and cylindrical pin receptacle 40 attached to brace 14, thereby allowing brace 14 and hanger arm 16 to be positioned between roughly 0 and 180 degrees horizontally with respect to a line tangent to attachment means 12 at the point of attachment of brace 14. A tight frictional fit of pin 36 in receptacle 40 or other mechanical retaining means are provided to keep brace 14 and hanger arm 16 in the desired position.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, which describes the present invention with the addition of support means 32. Made of various weights and types of wire or cord, support means 32 would be affixed to hanger arm 16 by way of a hole 15 bored through the shaft of hanger arm 16 roughly mid-way down its length. Support means 32 would be of varying lengths and could be cut at a desired length. The purpose of support means 32 is to offer additional weight-bearing support to hanger arm 16 by securing the distal end of support means 32 to the vertical support member 8 (not shown here) by wrapping, tying or any suitable means. Support means 32 is preferably flexible but non-springy, so that it can be wrapped about the support 8 and remain in position.

A final alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7 and shows a telescoping hanger arm 42, comprising principal section 42A and at least one smaller section 42B which can be extended from or stowed within section 42A in a telescoping manner. The inner sections preferably fit within the outer section(s) snugly, so as to provide frictional means of retaining the extended sections in position.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the hanger assembly of the present invention provides an inexpensive, convenient, and adjustable device that can be used by decorators around the world. While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of certain preferred embodiments thereof.

Several additional variations of the hanger assembly are possible, including alternate or supplemental trunk attachment mechanisms such as clamps, mechanical jaws, and strapping devices. Additionally, the extending arm would not necessarily have to be angled and could be made of a plastic or metal material with telescoping abilities for length adjustment. Another possible variation of the invention may involve the length that brace 14 in FIGS. 1-2 and 3-6 extends both downward and outward. In addition, by changing the size (and color, if appropriate) of the attachment means, the invention could be used with artificial Christmas trees.

However, in the spirit of keeping products of the invention inexpensive and simple to use, the embodiment reflecting the drawing in FIG. 2 is generally preferred. While colors and sizes of the preferred embodiment of the hanger assembly will be determined by those of the support members they will be used with, these are indeed variables that should not be limited.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A removably attachable hanger assembly, comprising attachment means for gripping a substantially cylindrical vertical support member, at least one hanger arm attached thereto and extending outward from said support member, and brace means contacting the underside of said support arm and the surface of said vertical support member beneath said attachment means for supporting said support arm.

2. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises a resilient semicircular component adapted to clip onto said vertical member.

3. The hanger assembly of claim 2 wherein said resilient semicircular member comprises at least one springy material selected from the group consisting of polymeric materials, wood and metals.

4. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises means for gripping the surface of said upright member.

5. The hanger assembly of claim 4 wherein said means for gripping comprise roughened rigid surfaces within said attachment means.

6. The hanger assembly of claim 4 wherein said means for gripping comprise adhesive surfaces.

7. The hanger assembly of claim 6 wherein said adhesive surfaces comprise at least one layer of double-sided foam adhesive tape.

8. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises a substantially V-shaped bracket lined with means for gripping said upright member.

9. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means further comprises retaining means for encircling said vertical support member and securing to both sides of said attachment component.

10. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm and said brace means are attached to said attachment means so that said hanger arm projects at an acute angle measured from the top of said vertical support member.

11. The hanger assembly of claim 10 wherein said hanger arm projects at an angle of from about 40 to about 85 degrees from the top of said vertical member.

12. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm is substantially perpendicular to said vertical support member in the vertical plane.

13. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm comprises means for retaining in place items which are hung thereon.

14. The hanger assembly of claim 13 wherein said means for retaining are selected from the group selected from bumps, beads, notches, grooves, hooks, holes and loops.

15. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm comprises materials selected from the group consisting of metal, plastics and wood.

16. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm is scored or otherwise weakened in predetermined positions to allow measured portions to be broken off to produce an arm of the desired length.

17. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said brace is fastened to said hanger arm and said attachment means and adapted to rest against the surface of said vertical support member beneath said attachment means to brace said hanger arm when it is carrying objects of the expected weight and position.

18. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm comprises at least two telescoping components permitting adjustment of the length of said hanger arm.

19. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said brace means is hingedly attached to said attachment means to provide for adjustment of the angle of said brace means and said hanger arm in the horizontal plane.

20. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm is hingedly attached to said brace means to provide for adjustment of the angle of said hanger arm to said vertical support member in the vertical plane.

21. A removably attachable ornament holder comprising:

a) attachment means comprising a resilient, springy semicircular bracket for gripping a substantially cylindrical vertical support member,

b) at least one hanger arm attached to said attachment means, substantially perpendicular to said vertical support member in the horizontal plane and forming an acute angle to said vertical support as measured from the top in the vertical plane, and

c) brace means attached to the underside of said hanger arm and said semicircular bracket and adapted to contact the surface of said vertical support member beneath said bracket so as to brace the assembly and retain it in position when said hanger arm is loaded.

22. The hanger assembly of claim 21 wherein said hanger arm comprises means for retaining hanging items thereon and weakened portions at predetermined positions to permit reduction in the length of said arm by breaking off portions of the distal end.