Utility hook
A utility hook is adapted to removably fit upon a standard overhead garage door track so as to not interfere with the garage door operation and may be used to suspend bulky items from the garage door track. The utility hook's lower portion is configured to hold an item below the hook. The utility hook's upper portion is a vertical segment continuous from the lower portion and bent at the top to approximately a right angle with an inward turned lip on the end, fitting over and engaging the upper flange of the track when the utility hook is set in place. The hook may be moved along the track by first rotating the utility hook outward away from the track and then sliding the utility hook along the track.
This application is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending U.S. patent application (Ser. No. 10/704,230) entitled “UTILITY HOOK FOR ATTACHMENT TO AN OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR TRACK,” filed Nov. 7, 2003 in the name of Martin D. Webb and is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to utility hooks, and more particularly, to a removable storage hook adapted to fit securely to an overhead garage door track so as to not interfere with the garage door operation.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional storage fixtures and particularly garage storage devices have long been used to store items on the walls or ceiling of a garage. The storage space is often at a premium. Many garages have been equipped with extensive shelving to store items off the garage floor, but large bulky items have presented additional problems. Storing a bicycle or ladder on a wall often covers a large percentage of the available wall area. Large items, such as bicycles and ladders, have often been left on the garage floor. Additionally, specialized fixtures are used to hold the bulky items on the garage ceiling or wall. Installation of the specialized devices has required some skill and are most often attached inconveniently or in a complex manner to the ceiling or wall by nails, bolts, or screws. Consequently, many storage devices have been developed to more effectively and efficiently use available storage space. Oftentimes, these devices position bulky items in hard to reach places, making it awkward to position or remove the stored items on the storage devices.
Accordingly, it has been found that a need exists for a simple, cost effective, and efficient way of storing large or bulky items in a garage. A device is needed to store items such as ladders, bicycles, and fishing poles off the garage floor and yet preserves wall space for the storage of other items. A device is needed that requires minimal skills for installation and is easily adjustable. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention is a garage storage system that uses a removable garage door utility hook adapted to attach to a standard overhead garage door track and support an object in an elevated position from the garage door track. The garage door utility hook includes a lower object supporting portion and an upper garage door track attaching portion. The upper portion, which is continuous from the lower portion, is formed to engage over and attach to a standard overhead garage door track so as not to interfere with the garage door operation. The lower portion is configured to support an object directly underneath the track. A system for storing an object in an elevated position from a standard overhead garage door track comprising:
In second aspect, the present invention is a garage storage system that uses a removable garage door utility hook adapted to attach to a standard overhead garage door track and support an object in an elevated position, such as stored bicycles or stored elongated items like pipes and fishing poles, from the garage door track. The garage door utility hook includes a lower object supporting portion and an upper garage door track attaching portion. The lower portion is configured to support an object directly underneath the track. The upper portion continues vertically from the lower portion. The upper portion is formed with approximately a right angle bend that may extend over the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track, such that the upper portion of the utility hook may fit tightly against the outer vertical surface and outer horizontal upper flange of the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track. The right angle extension further comprises a lip formed in such a manner as to nonpermanently engage and hold the garage door utility hook onto the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track as not to interfere with the garage door operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:
A moveable garage door utility hook for supporting an object in an elevated position from a standard overhead garage door track is disclosed.
The garage door utility hook 20 may be rigidly constructed of a metallic material, plastic or a composite material. Preferably, the utility hook is constructed of flat heavy gauge steel bar, such as 11 gauge by 0.500 inches in width. The overall height of the utility hook from the top of the upper portion 32 to the bottom of the lower portion 34 may be constructed for the actual garage site, i.e., a taller than average garage door may require a correspondingly longer utility hook for accessability. Height adjustment problems may also be addressed by using an extendable lower portion that slides downward on an opposing track from the upper section. Such hook height adjustments are well known in the art. A preferred height is approximately 7.00 inches. The dimensions of the hook-shaped lower portion may be varied, but a hook bend of approximately 140 degrees with a 0.75 inch radius orientated under the upper section is preferred to help maintain a center of gravity below the upper portion. The dimensions of the upper section should be closely matched to the shape of the garage door track. Preferably, the right angle extension 36 has an overall length of approximately 1.36 inches. Preferably the lip 42 dimensions are an overall height of approximately 0.34 inches with a 180 degree inward bend and a lip length of approximately 0.35 inches. The surface of the utility hook may be finished in numerous ways, such as unfinished, galvanized, spray painted, powder coated, or the hook-shape may be covered with a protective soft casing.
In the preferred manner of using this invention (reference
The hook may include any configuration on the lower portion to allow attachment or hanging of items upon the hook. For example, in
It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A system for storing an object in an elevated position from a standard overhead garage door track comprising:
- an installed standard overhead garage door track;
- a utility hook having an upper portion wherein the upper portion engages and attaches to the standard overhead garage door track so as not to interfere with the garage door operation; and
- a utility hook having a lower portion with an end, continuous from the upper portion, with a shape that is configured to support an object, the utility hook supporting the object directly underneath the track.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the end is closed-ended.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the end is an eye-hook.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the end is opened-ended.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the lower portion includes a horizontal aligned open end.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein:
- the utility hook has a lower portion extending downward and orientated in the same plane as the upper portion, the lower portion having a first bend segment orientated away from the lip of the upper portion;
- the lower portion's first bend segment extending downward to a second bend segment orientated back toward the lip of the upper portion; and
- the lower portion's second bend segment horizontally extending under the upper portion with the lower portion's second horizontal segment orientated approximately parallel to and under the upper portion's right angle extension to provide a flat supporting surface.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the end of the lower portion's segment has an upturned tip.
8. A system for storing an object in an elevated position from a standard overhead garage door track comprising:
- a utility hook having an upper portion vertically continuous from the lower portion, wherein the upper portion is formed with approximately a right angle bend that is configured to extend over the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track, such that the upper portion of the utility hook fits against the outer vertical surface and outer horizontal upper flange of the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track;
- the right angle extension having a lip formed with an approximately 180 degree bend towards the lower portion of the garage door utility hook to nonpermanently engage and hold the garage door utility hook onto the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track and as not to interfere with the garage door operation; and
- the utility hook having a lower portion for use in engaging and supporting the object, the hook supporting the object directly underneath the track.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the end is closed-ended.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the end is an eye-hook.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the end is opened-ended.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the lower portion includes a horizontal aligned open end.
13. A system for storing an object in an elevated position from a standard overhead garage door track comprising:
- an installed standard overhead garage door track;
- an object to be stored from the garage door track;
- a utility hook having an upper portion formed with approximately a right angle bend that may extend over the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track, such that the upper portion of the utility hook fits against the outer vertical surface and outer horizontal upper flange of the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track;
- the right angle horizontal extension having a lip formed with an approximately 180 degree bend towards the lower portion of the garage door utility hook such that the lip may tightly encompass the horizontal upper flange's edge as to nonpermanently engage and hold the garage door utility hook onto the ceiling mounted section of the garage door track and as not to interfere with the garage door operation; and
- the utility hook having a lower portion extending downward and orientated in the same plane as the upper portion, the lower portion having a first bend segment orientated away from the lip of the upper portion;
- the lower portion's first bend segment extending downward to a second bend segment orientated back toward the lip of the upper portion; and
- the lower portion's second bend segment horizontally extending under the upper portion with the lower portion's second horizontal segment orientated approximately parallel to and under the upper portion's right angle extension to provide a flat supporting surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 21, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 14, 2006
Inventor: Martin Webb (McKinney, TX)
Application Number: 11/359,281
International Classification: A47F 7/00 (20060101);