Hanger with decorative member

Abstract

A hanger for hanging an object comprising a body having means for attaching at least one interchangeable member and a hook for suspending the object is described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for displaying objects, particularly devices used to hang an object that can also display a decorative member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various hanger devices have been used for hanging objects, such as artwork, photographs, calendars, and the like. Some hangers have a body portion that is secured to a surface, such as a wall, and may also have a hook attached to the body portion. These hangers may be formed from one piece or assembled as separate pieces. The hook portion typically suspends an object by hanging the object on the directly hook, or by attaching a second securing device, such as a clip, which suspends the object from the hook. The body of the hanger is sometimes attached to a wall, but may be attached to other surfaces, such as a metal surface with the use of a magnet. Hooks may range from simple items, such as a nail, to elaborately formed pieces that may include curves and flourishes.

A hanger must be securely attached to the surface such that the hanger holds the object without the object and or the hanger detaching from the surface. The object may have a preformed hole or a user may create a hole in the object to use the hook portion of the hanger to display the object. Alternatively, a clip may be attached to the hanger to display the object without the need for a hole.

Some hangers are used to hang typically flat items of interest, such as artwork, pictures, photographs, calendars and the like. These hangers may be as simple as a nail for objects with preformed holes; objects without holes require a clip to secure the object without creating a hole to affix the object to a surface, such as a wail. Users sometimes desire to attach an object to a metal surface, such as a file cabinet, refrigerator, or other office or home metal display area. Hanging an object on a metal surface requires a magnet strong enough to hold the weight of the calendar. Other surfaces, such as cloth and wood require other types of fastening mechanisms.

Existing hangers are usually drab. The object typically hangs below the hanger, leaving a portion of the hanger exposed to view. Many users desire a more attractive hanger to liven their environment. Some users desire embellishments that denote something of interest to the user, such as organizational affiliation, hobbies, special occasions, seasons, holidays, and the like. A need exists for a hanger that hangs an object that can also display a decorative member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hanger comprising a body having means to fasten the hanger to a surface, such as a wall. The body has a first and a second side surface. The first side surface of the body has means for releasably attaching at least one interchangeable member. The member may be ornamental. The present invention comprises a hook that extends from the first side surface for hanging an object. Alternatively, the present invention includes a clip having a first end with an opening corresponding to the hook and a second end used to releasably secure the object.

The present invention further comprises a kit including the hanger described above and a set of interchangeable members. The set comprises a selection of members grouped by a theme.

The present invention and its advantages and uses will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of the specification of the invention, which includes exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the hanger.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the hanger showing a clip attached to the hook.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hanger showing an embodiment of a hook.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the hanger showing the means for releasably attaching a member.

FIGS. 5a and 5b depict side views of different member embodiments.

FIG. 5c shows a front view of a member.

FIG. 5d shows a front view of an embodiment of a member attached to the body.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d depict alternate embodiments of members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is formed from a durable material, such as a metal, wood, resin, strong plastic or other generally rigid material. In an embodiment, the present invention is formed from at least one metal piece. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is molded as a single piece of generally rigid plastic material, such as a polyethylene; however the invention may be comprised of more than one part.

The hanger of the present invention provides means for displaying a hanging object while adding a member, such as a decorative component. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the hanger of the present invention comprises a body 10 comprising fastening means 11 for fastening the hanger to a structure. The fastening means of the hanger may comprise a hole 11 for receiving a hanger-fastening means to secure the hanger to the structure. Alternatively, the hanger-fastening means may be a connector 11a connected to the second side surface 32. The hanger fastening means 11, 11a may be a hole, a magnet, an adhesive, a hook, a snap, a suction cup and the like, and or a molded fastening system, such as a nub receiving bracket arrangement. As depicted in the embodiment pictures in FIG. 1, the shape of the body 10 may be elongated; however, any shape that meets the objectives of the invention may be used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the body 10 has a first side surface 31 and a second side surface 32. The first side surface 31 has a releasably attaching means for releasably attaching one or more interchangeable member 50 (FIGS. 5a-6d). A hook 33 extends from the first side surface 31. The hook 33 is useful for suspending an object from the hanger. The hook 33 may comprise a first section 34 extending generally perpendicular from the body and a second section 35 attached to the first section extending upward from the first section.

The hanger of the present invention optionally comprising a clip 21. The clip 21 has a first end 22 with an opening 23 that can engage the hook and a second end 24 for clasping an object.

The releasably attaching means for releasably attaching the one or more interchangeable member to the hanger may be magnetic or mechanical. Mechanical means include but are not limited to a sticker system, a static plastic member system, a felt system, a spring biased clip, a frictional holder, a hook and loop fastener holder, an adhesive holder, a pocket and the like. As shown in FIG. 5a, the releasably attaching means comprises a body portion 55 connected to the first side surface of the body 10 that corresponds to a compatible portion 56 located on a back surface 51 of the member 50. The releasably attaching means may be in the form of strips attached respectively to the first side surface of the body that correspond to compatible strips located on the back surface 51 of the member 50.

In an embodiment, the member 50 is made from a ferrous material and may or may not have a compatible portion, and the releasably attaching means is a magnet attached to the first side surface 31 of the body 10. In an alternative embodiment, the releasably attaching means is a pocket into which a user places the member 50. The pocket supports all shapes and sizes of members 50. The pocket may be a flexible or rigid material. The pocket may be transparent or opaque; open or solid, and may be decorative or plain.

The member may be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to clay, porcelain, paper, glass, metal, wood, resin, rubber, cloth and the like. The members form and depiction are not limited. The member 50 may be flat (as depicted in FIG. 5a) and or a three-dimensional shape (as depicted in FIG. 5b). The member 50 may be artwork and or a textual work, and may include shapes (geometric, etc.), drawings, numerals, words, such as sayings, checklists, and the like, expressions of present feelings, such as happy faces and the like. The artwork may be a decorative, educational, informational and or an advertising design. Alternatively, the member 50 may be an object, such as a figure, a chalk board, an electronic device, a clock, a business card holder, a name plate, a picture holder, a pen holder, a vase, and the like. Alternatively, the member 50 may be a frame that holds artwork, a photo, text and the like.

The interchangeable member 50 may denote an affiliation, special interest, hobby, a calendar event and or special occasion design and the like. Calendar events may be any year, month, day, week designation, a holiday, a season, and the like. Calendar events may be those used in modern day calendars, ancient calendars, foreign calendars, and the like. Examples of a member 50 depicting an affiliation include but are not limited to a design that is: organization-related, sports-related, school-related, geographic location-related, occupation-related and the like. Examples of a member 50 depicting a special interest include but are not limited to a design that is related to or includes: a motorized device, food, animals, movies, jewelry and the like. Examples of a member 50 depicting a hobby include but are not limited to a design that is related to or includes: sports, reading, sewing, gardening, travel, coin collecting, genealogy, and the like. Examples of a member 50 depicting a season include but are not limited to a design that is related to or includes: summer, spring, fall winter, rain, snow, sunshine, hurricane, volcano, sea, mountain, animals, elements, fishing, hunting, allergy, mating and the like. Examples of a member 50 depicting a holiday include but are not limited to a design that is related to or includes: Chinese New Year, New Year's Eve and Day, Martin-Luther King, Lincoln, Washington, or other President, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Daylight Savings Time, Palm Sunday, Passover, Easter related days, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah related days, Yom Kippur related days, Columbus Day, United Nations Day, Halloween, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Hanukkah related days, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the like. Examples of a member 50 depicting a special occasion include but are not limited to a design that is related to or includes: a birth or birthday, confirmation, bar/bat mitzvah, graduation, promotion, engagement, adoption, a new pet, wedding, divorce, anniversary, funeral or wake, trip, parties and the like. Each design may include text.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6a-6d, the member 50 is one of a snowman design 60, a flower design 61, a sun design 62 and a pumpkin design 63, each of which can be interchanged on the body as the seasons change. In an alternate embodiment, more than one member may be releasably attached to the body at the same time.

A user attaches the body 10 to a generally vertical structure and selects the member 50 and object to display. The user attaches one or more member 50 to the first side surface 31 using the releasably attaching means. The user attaches an object to the hanger using either the hook 33 or the clip 21. When it becomes desirable to replace the member 50, the member is removed and replaced with a different member or members. A member 50 may be reused.

In an embodiment, the body and the member are formed from ferrous metals. The releasably attaching means is a flat magnetic strip that extends the length of the body. The body has a hole that a user may use to insert a nail or other fastening device to secure the body to a wall, door, etc. A hook extends from the front surface of the body of the hanger. In an embodiment, at least two members are assembled in a set. In an alternate embodiment, the set has a theme. In an embodiment, the theme is seasonal and the members are those depicted in FIGS. 6a-6d.

Objects may be any device that a user wants to display or hang, such as a calendar, a photograph, a picture, artwork, a design, a photo frame, text, such as a saying, a document, a recipe, and or instructions and the like, a map, business forms, a catalog, telephone head set, snacks lunch, and the like. Objects suspended from the hanger are suspended from the hook or the clip such that the object is in a substantially parallel relationship with the second side surface 32.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments and examples of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It will be understood that the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A hanger comprising:

a body, said body comprising a fastening means and a first and a second side surface, said first side having means for releasably attaching one or more interchangeable member; and

a hook, said hook extending from the first side surface.

2. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the hook comprises a first section extending generally perpendicular from the body and a second section attached to the first section extending upward from the first section.

3. The hanger of claim 1 comprising a clip, said clip having a first end with an opening corresponding to the hook and a second end having an object-releasably securing means.

4. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the fastening means is a magnetic member connected to the second side surface.

5. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the fastening means is a hole defined in the body for receiving a hanger-securing means.

6. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the means for releasably attaching the one or more interchangeable member to the body is selected from the group magnetic and mechanical means.

7. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the means for releasably attaching one or more interchangeable member is selected from the group of a magnetic member, a spring biased clip, a frictional holder, a hook and loop fastener holder, an adhesive holder, and a pocket.

8. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the releasably attaching means comprises a body portion connected to the first side surface that corresponds to a compatible portion connected to a back surface of the member.

9. A hanger comprising:

at least one interchangeable member;

a body, said body comprising fastening means and a first and a second side surface, said first side surface having means for releasably attaching the at least one interchangeable member; and

a hook, said hook extending from the first side surface.

10. The hanger of claim 9 wherein the member is at least one piece selected from the group flat and three-dimensional.

11. The hanger of claim 9 wherein the member is at least one of an artwork and a textual work.

12. The hanger of claim 9 wherein the member has a design depicting at least one of an affiliation, a special interest, a hobby, a calendar event and a special occasion.

13. The hanger of claim 9 wherein the member is selected from the group of a snowman design, a flower design, a sun design and a pumpkin design.

14. The hanger of claim 9 comprising a set of interchangeable members.

15. The hanger of claim 14 wherein the set has a theme.

16. The hanger of claim 15 wherein the theme is at least one of an affiliation, a special interest, a hobby, seasonal, a holiday, and a special occasion design.

17. The hanger of claim 9 comprising a clip, said clip having a first end with an opening corresponding to the hook and a second end having an object-releasably securing means.

18. A hanger comprising:

a set of interchangeable members, said set comprising a selection of members grouped by a theme;

a body, said body comprising fastening means, a hole for receiving a hanger-securing means, a first side surface and a second side surface, said first side surface having means for releasably attaching the at least one interchangeable decorative member; and

a hook, said hook extending from the first side surface.