Self-locking hook
A self-locking hook for supporting a load on a substantially horizontal surface is disclosed. The hook has a relatively rigid C-shaped body which includes a surface defining an opening for accommodating a substantially horizontal component and a support having a load bearing or attachment point. The surface of the opening includes a first contact area and a second contact area. The load bearing or attachment point is attached to the body relative to the opening such that application of a load at the load bearing point while the first contact area is contacting a component rotates the body about the first contact area until the second contact area abuts the component. This self-locking feature allows the hook to be used effectively on both component surfaces which are slightly angled or sloped and with loads which are not perpendicular to the component surface.
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The present device relates to hooks. Particularly, the present device relates to hooks for supporting a hanging load from a horizontal member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHooks for supporting a hanging load from a substantially horizontal surface have been known and used for a very long time. The J-hook is a common design, often having an eyelet in one end for securing a line tied to some object to be supported. Unfortunately, the J-hook could be easily unseated from an accidental impact or quick loss of tension. C-shaped and S-shaped hooks provide slightly better security from such detachment, and O-rings, D-rings and carbiners even more protection by surrounding the horizontal surface completely when connected.
However, each of these designs fails to provide two important features needed for supporting certain loads. First, they are ineffective on non-horizontal surfaces. Even the slightest angle can create problems for these connection devices when a load is applied. The connectors will typically slide along the surface until they either are physically impeded, reach a level (i.e., horizontal) surface, or reach the lowest point of the surface.
Second, the devices are ineffective at resisting a force having a horizontal component. That is, even when secured to a perfectly horizontal surface, they will slide along that surface if subjected to a horizontal force. Much like the first problem, these devices will continue to traverse the surface unless and until they are physically impeded or the force is sufficiently abated.
The present invention overcomes these and many other disadvantages of previous devices. Disclosed is a self-locking hook which is decorative, yet functional; versatile as a support for any number of commercial, industrial, and household purposes; and is easy and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThere is disclosed herein an improved hook for suspending a load from a substantially horizontal component which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
In a first embodiment the self-locking hook comprises a rigid body having a surface defining an opening for accommodating a substantially horizontal component, the surface comprising a first contact area and a second contact area, and a support comprising a load bearing point. The load bearing or attachment point is attached to the body relative to the opening such that application of a load at the load bearing point while the first contact area is contacting a component rotates the body about the first contact area until the second contact area abuts the component.
In a particular embodiment, the hook is provided in a shower assembly for attaching to a shower head pipe. A shower unit may be attached to the attachment point of the hook such that it causes the body of the hook to bind the shower head pipe between the first surface and the second surface of the body.
These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated.
Referring to
As illustrated in
The opening 14 is shown in
Similarly, with reference to
The greater the amount of weight (i.e., load) affixed to the attachment point 22, the greater the force (F) acting to rotate the hook 10 about the first surface 16 (i.e., torque) until the second surface 18 travels a small angle before contacting the underside of component 30. By offsetting the attachment point 22 from the contact area of the first surface 16—i.e., placing it off-center—the downward pull of force (F) seeks to center below the point of rotation, thereby forcing the contact area of the second surface 18 into abutting engagement with the component 30. This rotating action binds the component 30 between the first surface 16 and the second surface 18 of the hook 10.
In the embodiment of
In a preferred embodiment shown in
The disclosed hook 10 may also be used to support flower pots, animal feeders, displays, pictures, signs, equipment, clothing, shelving, other supports, and a number of other items far too numerous to mention in this application for patent. Further, the size of the disclosed hook 10 can be determined by its intended use, including expected maximum load and size of the horizontal component to which it is to be secured.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
Claims
1. A shower assembly for attaching to a shower head pipe, the assembly comprising:
- a hook comprising: a body comprising a first surface defining a first span of an opening and a second surface defining a second span of the opening opposite the first span; and a support integral to the body and comprising an attachment point for bearing a hanging load; and
- a shower unit attached to the attachment point of the hook such that it causes the body of the hook to bind the shower head pipe between the first surface and the second surface of the body.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shower unit comprises at least one shelf and is removably retained within the support.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the shower unit comprises a frame connected to the support.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the frame is permanently attached to the support.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces of the opening comprise a C-shaped portion for removably retaining the shower unit.
6. The hook of claim 5, wherein the first surface comprises material having a high coefficient of friction.
7. The hook of claim 5, wherein the second surface comprises material having a high coefficient of friction.
8. A self-locking hook for attachment to a substantially horizontal component, the hook comprising:
- a body defining an opening therein for fitting around a substantially horizontal component, wherein a first surface of the body defining a first span of the opening is directly opposite a second surface of the body defining a second span of the opening; and
- a support integral to the body and comprising an attachment point for bearing a hanging load, wherein the support is positioned relative to the opening such that application of a force at the attachment point normal to the component causes the body to bind the component between the first surface and the second surface.
9. The self-locking hook of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the opening is lined with a resilient material.
10. The self-locking hook of claim 9, wherein the material has a high coefficient of friction.
11. The self-locking hook of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the body comprises a resilient material.
12. The self-locking hook of claim 8, wherein the second surface comprises a resilient material.
13. The self-locking hook of claim 8, wherein the surface defining the opening is non-planar.
14. The self-locking hook of claim 13, wherein the attachment point, the first surface, and the second surface are non-planar.
15. The self-locking hook of claim 8, wherein the attachment point is offset from a straight line passing through the first and second surfaces.
16. The self-locking hook of claim 16, wherein the support is positioned below the component when the hook is engaged with the component.
17. The self-locking hook of claim 8, wherein the body is C-shaped.
18. The self-locking hook of claim 8, further comprising at least one shelf unit connected to the support at the attachment point.
19. The self-locking hook of claim 18, wherein the support comprises a C-shaped portion for removably retaining the at least one shelf unit.
20. A self-locking hook comprising:
- a rigid body having a surface defining an opening for accommodating a substantially horizontal component, the surface comprising a first contact area and a second contact area; and
- a support comprising a load bearing point and attached to the body relative to the opening such that application of a load at the load bearing point while the first contact area is contacting a component rotates the body about the first contact area until the second contact area abuts the component.
21. The hook of claim 20, wherein the first contact area is directly opposite the second contact area.
22. The hook of claim 20, wherein the surface defining the opening is substantially C-shaped.
23. The hook of claim 20, wherein the surface defining the opening comprises material having a high coefficient of friction.
24. The hook of claim 20, wherein the first contact area comprises material having a high coefficient of friction.
25. The hook of claim 20, wherein the second contact area comprises material having a high coefficient of friction.
26. The hook of claim 20, further comprising an integral load removably attached to the support.
27. The hook of claim 26, wherein the integral load is a shower shelf unit.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 26, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2008
Applicant:
Inventors: Mark Naden (New York, NY), Marco Perry (Brooklyn, NY), Todd Ethan Brunner (Brooklyn, NY), Troy Phipps (Brooklyn, NY)
Application Number: 11/510,445
International Classification: A47G 29/087 (20060101);