Hanger bracket

Abstract

A versatile hanger or bracket that is removably attached to a fixed horizontal beam of a wide variety of structures in order to hold or support a number of decorative and functional objects to the beam by combining the force of gravity against the fixed horizontal beam. The hanger or bracket is easily and quickly installed and removed from the beam without damaging, modifying or leaving physical remnants of the installation in the structure or surface of the beam.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to corresponding U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/854,603, filed on Oct. 26, 2006, the disclosure and contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a uniquely versatile hanger or bracket that is removably attached to a fixed horizontal beam of a variety of structures in order to hold or support a number of objects to the beam, such as potted plants, lights, bird feeders, shelves and tools. The hanger or bracket is easily and quickly installed and removed from the beam without damaging, modifying or leaving physical remnants of the installation in the structure or surface of the beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows the user to utilize the fixed horizontal beams of a wide variety of structures, such as but not limited to a residential or commercial storefront window ledge or frame, a porch railing, a screened outdoor enclosure, a shelf or the top beam of a fence in order to support a decorative or functional item using the disclosed hanger or bracket by combining the force of gravity against the fixed horizontal beam.

Typically, in order to hang or support a decorative or functional object against the wall or from a ceiling, a wall or ceiling mounted bracket or hook is nailed or screwed into the wall or ceiling or adhered using adhesives. The object is then hung on the hook by a string, wire or other means or supported by a shelf held by the hook or bracket. When nails or screws are used to fix the hook or bracket to the wall or ceiling, unsightly and damaging holes are created in the surface of the wall or ceiling. Furthermore, each time it is desired to move the hook or bracket to a different location, a new destructive hole is created. In addition, unless the hook or bracket is placed directly in line with an underlying support beam, the hook or bracket is limited as to how much weight it can support without being pulled out from the wall or ceiling. When an adhesive is used to adhere the hook or bracket to the wall or ceiling, the adhesive leaves an unwanted sticky residue on the surface of the wall or ceiling when the hook or bracket is removed. The adhesive is usually only suitable for single use only. Furthermore, most adhesives cannot support an object of significant weight and still remain removable from the wall or ceiling. The present invention provides a hanger or bracket that is not mounted to the wall or ceiling thus eliminating the above-described shortcomings of surface-mounted hooks or brackets. Instead, the hanger or bracket is installed onto any fixed horizontal beam of suitable weight to support the intended object by simply combining the force of gravity against the fixed horizontal beam thereby not creating any holes or otherwise damaging the surface of the beam. Therefore, the installation and removal of the hanger or bracket does not require the use of any separate tools such as a screwdriver or hand drill. In addition, a fixed horizontal beam is oftentimes much sturdier for supporting an object than conventional wall constructed of drywall placed on sheetrock. Also, the simplistic installation of the hanger or bracket makes it easily movable from one location to another.

The hanger or bracket of the present invention is particularly useful in environments where there is not an available wall that can support a hook, nail, screw, shelf or other means for holding an object. For example, outdoor screen enclosures are commonly used in humid climates as an attractive option for providing an outdoor entertaining or living space while keeping the abundant insects and other pests out of the space. Outdoor screen enclosures are also widely used in the construction of greenhouses. In order to improve the aesthetics, functionality or decorative aspects of the enclosed space, it is oftentimes desirable to hang or support a decorative or functional object onto the walls of the space. However, screen enclosures are typically made of walls consisting almost entirely of wire mesh screens that are supported by vertical and horizontal metal frames or beams. Wire mesh screens cannot strongly support a hook, nail, screw or shelf. Even if the wire mesh is tightly woven such that a hook can be hung in the weave of the mesh, the hook cannot be supported by the mesh without adversely creating tears or holes in the mesh. The present invention provides a hanger or bracket that can be easily installed onto one of the fixed horizontal beams for holding on object to the screen enclosure without compromising the integrity of the wire mesh.

The hanger or bracket of the present invention is also conveniently used for holding or supporting functional items, such as gardening, cooking, cleaning or mechanical tools, nearby a work area such as a garage, construction site or backyard. The hanger or bracket can also be used to easily attach signage or advertising to a commercial structure or storefront. By using the present invention, the user can easily attach the hanger or bracket to any nearby fixed horizontal beam, and thereafter when the user moves to a different location of the work area, the hanger or bracket can easily be removed and carried to a different location. Thus, because the present invention is highly mobile and maneuverable, it serves as a highly functional work tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hanger or bracket of the present invention is removably attached to a fixed horizontal beam of a wide variety of structures in order to hold or support a number of objects to the beam, such as potted plants, lights, bird feeders, shelves and tools. The hanger or bracket is easily and quickly installed and removed from the beam without damaging, modifying or leaving physical remnants of the installation in the structure or surface of the beam and without the need for separate tools.

The hanger or bracket is comprised of a sleeve piece that is installed onto the fixed horizontal beam using preferably a non-marking clamping means and a separate support piece that is inserted into the sleeve piece and is shaped and sized to hold or support an object to the fixed horizontal beam at its extended end. Upon installation of the sleeve piece on the fixed horizontal beam, a slight gap that provides sufficient space to allow insertion of the support piece into the gap remains between the bottom edge of the beam and the bottom edge of the sleeve piece. The support piece is thereafter inserted into this gap beneath the underside of the beam through one or more holes in the sleeve piece. The support piece is inserted to a sufficient depth such that when an object is placed on the extended end of the support piece, the weight of the object causes the inserted end of the support piece to pivot upwards against the underside of the beam. Thus, the hanger or bracket combines the force of gravity against the underside of the beam in order to support the object whereby the sleeve piece acts as the pivot point between the inserted end and the extended end of the support piece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the hanger or bracket assembled and mounted onto a horizontal beam and supporting a flower pot.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the hanger or bracket assembled and mounted onto a horizontal beam.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the hanger or bracket.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the circular embodiment of the hanger or bracket.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the hook-like embodiment of the hanger or bracket.

FIG. 6 is a front view of two assembled adjacent hangers or brackets mounted onto a horizontal beam and supporting a window flower box.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the hanger or bracket assembled and mounted onto a horizontal beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment or embodiments is shown, it is to be understood at the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill in the appropriate arts may modify the invention herein described while still achieving the favorable results of this invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as being a broad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment whereby the portion of the hanger or bracket is “C-shaped” in order to be installed onto a square or rectangular fixed horizontal beam. It may instead be in the shape suitable for being installed onto a circular or polygonal fixed horizontal beam.

The present invention is a hanger or bracket that is removably attached to a fixed horizontal beam of a wide variety of structures in order to hold or support a number of decorative and functional objects to the beam. Examples of suitable fixed horizontal beams onto which the hanger or bracket can be installed include but are not limited to a residential or commercial storefront window ledge or frame, a porch railing, a horizontal beam of a screened outdoor enclosure, a shelf, the top protruding beam of an outdoor privacy fence and the edge of a table or desk. The hanger or bracket is easily and quickly installed and removed from the beam without damaging, modifying or leaving physical remnants of the installation in the structure or surface of the beam. Moving the hanger or bracket from one location to another is simple and easy to accomplish and does not require any separate tools.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hanger or bracket 25 is comprised of a sleeve piece 1 and a separate support piece 2. As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the sleeve 1 is “C-shaped” in order that it can be mounted onto a vertical side 11 of a square or rectangular-shaped fixed horizontal beam 10. The sleeve 1 has a flat top horizontal surface 3, a flat bottom horizontal surface 4 and a third flat vertical surface 5 that interconnects the two horizontal surfaces 3 and 4. As more fully described below, in order that the separate support piece 2 can be used to support an object as intended in the present invention, the height of the vertical surface 5 of the sleeve 1 must extend past the height of the beam such that there exists a slight gap 15 between the underside 20 of the beam 10 and the bottom horizontal surface 4 of the sleeve when the sleeve is mounted onto the beam.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, to further secure the sleeve 1 to the side 11 of the beam 10, a non-marking and hand-tightened fastener 6 can be applied to the sleeve such that no other separate tools or pieces are needed for installation. Preferably, this hand-tightened fastener 6 is comprised of a screw 7 that is inserted into a hole 8 on the underside of the bottom horizontal surface 4 of the sleeve 1 and hand-tightened against the underside 20 of the beam 10. Therefore, the sleeve 1 is secured to the beam without damaging, modifying or leaving physical remnants of the installation in the structure or surface of the beam. A wooden or rubber dowel or pin may be inserted into the hole 8 as a replacement for the screw 7. Alternatively, a spring loaded clamp may be affixed to the sleeve or a wedge may be driven into the gap 15 between the underside 20 of the beam and the bottom horizontal surface 4 of the sleeve. In addition, the top and/or bottom vertical surfaces 3 and 4 may be constructed to form an angle with the horizontal surface 5 that is less than 90° degrees such that the sleeve 1 grips the side 11 of the beam thereby eliminating altogether the need for a clamp 6. The clamping means 6 may also be one or more tabs which serve to engage the backside 18 of the beam opposite to side 11. Although not preferred, more permanent means such as Velcro patches or adhesives or glues may be used to secure the sleeve 1 to the beam 10.

The dimensions of the two horizontal surfaces 3 and 4 and the vertical surface 5 of the sleeve 1 preferably correspond to the dimensions of the beam 10 such that the sleeve fits snugly and securely onto the beam when it is installed. Therefore, the sleeve 1 is not limited to any one particular size but rather, can be manufactured in a variety of sizes in order to be easily adapted to and installed on different sized beams. For example, the standard width and height dimension of a railing used in a screened enclosure is 2″ inches by 2″ inches. However, the standard width and height dimension of the top beam of a wooden privacy fence is 2″ inches by 4″ inches. The hanger or bracket of the present invention can be used in both of these applications by simply changing the dimensions of the sleeve. Furthermore, although the sleeve is described above as being “C-shaped” in order that it can be mounted onto a square or rectangular-shaped fixed horizontal beam, the sleeve can be formed into any suitable shape that conforms with the shape of the beam.

The sleeve 1 may be constructed of any durable, wear-resistant material. Preferably, the sleeve is made of metal and a water or weather-resistant coating is applied to the metal to protect the sleeve from corrosion when it is used in outdoor environments. Furthermore, it is preferred that the surfaces of the sleeve 1 and the clamping means 6 which are in contact with the surface of the beam when the sleeve is installed be constructed of a non-slip material. Suitable materials include plastics, elastomers or rubbers having non-skid properties.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in order to support an object 30 to the fixed horizontal beam 10, a support piece 2 having a load end 13 and a support or holding end 14 is inserted at its load end 13 into one or more openings 12 that are formed in the vertical surface 5 of the sleeve 1. Therefore, the gap 15 must have a sufficient width to allow the insertion of the loading end 13 of the support piece 2. The one or more openings 12 are formed near the bottom edge of the vertical surface 5 in order that when the load end 13 is inserted into the one or more openings 12, the load end 13 clearly traverses the gap 15 beneath the underside 20 of the beam 10 and is not blocked by the beam. As shown in detail in FIG. 7, the load end 13 is inserted into the gap 15 to a sufficient depth such that when an object 30 is placed on the holding end 14, the weight of the object causes the load end 13 to pivot upward against the underside 20 of the beam. Thus, the hanger or bracket combines the force of gravity against the underside of the beam in order to support the object 30 whereby the sleeve 1 acts as the pivot point between the load end 13 and the holding end 14 of the support piece 2.

The support piece 2 is preferably comprised of a rod or tube 16 that is sized and shaped at its load end 13 to slide through the one or more openings 12 of the sleeve 1. In order to accommodate a tiny gap 15, the load end 13 of the rod or tube 16 could be made to be flat. The support or holding end 14 of the support piece 2 is sized and shaped to fit or hold various types of objects 30 that include but are not limited to flower or plant pots, vases or boxes, indoor or outdoor lights, tools, gardening equipment and supplies, bird feeders, ice buckets, signs or advertisements, artwork, shelves, towels, clothing items, pool equipment, tiki torches, garbage receptacles, swimming pool or spa equipment, water hoses, patio decorations and wind chimes. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a single rod or tube 16 is bent to form a circular-shaped holding end 14 and two substantially parallel load ends 13 which are inserted into two openings 12 of the sleeve 1. A flower pot 18 is inserted into the circular-shaped holding end 14 such that the flower pot is supported at its lip 17 by the support piece 2. In another embodiment, the single rod or tube 16 is bent to form an upwards turned or a downwards turned hook or bracket-shaped holding end 14 and two substantially parallel load ends 13 which are inserted into the openings 12 of the sleeve 1. FIG. 5 depicts this second embodiment whereby the hook is shown assembled in an upturned direction. This second embodiment is highly useful for supporting objects that need to be hung such as bird feeders, water hoses, lanterns or wind chimes. In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, two or more hangers or brackets 25 of the second described embodiment may be installed adjacent to one another in a series such that the upturned hooks or brackets 14 can support a window flower box 19 or a shelf.

Although it is preferred that the support piece 2 be comprised of two parallel load ends 13 in order to provide the greatest support for the object 30, it is possible that support piece 2 could only have one load end 13 that is inserted into only one opening 12 of the sleeve 1. In that instance, it may be desired to directly weld the support piece 2 to the sleeve 1 to add support to the configuration. In addition, where only one load end 13 is desired, the load end 13 must be designed such that it will not roll within the opening 12 under the weight of the object 30. This can be accomplished by using a non-cylindrical rod or tube 16 or by the inclusion of a non-movable flat portion which fits flush against the fixed horizontal beam 10.

Furthermore, the support piece 2 is not limited to a rod or tube. For example, the support piece 2 could be a thin, flat plate that is inserted into an opening 12 of the sleeve 1 whereby the opening 12 is sized and shaped to correspond to the width and thickness of the plate 2.

The support piece 2 can be fabricated from any material that is capable of holding the weight of object 30. Preferably, the support piece is made of metal and a water or weather-resistant coating is applied to the metal to protect the support piece from corrosion when it is used in outdoor environments. In addition, the rod or tube 16 can be manufactured in a variety of diameter sizes and shapes, including cylindrical, square, rectangular or polygonal.

Accordingly, it will be understood that the preferred embodiment or embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hanger or bracket comprising:

a sleeve having a top surface, a bottom surface and a third surface interconnecting said top surface and said bottom surface wherein the sleeve is shaped to conform to at least one side of a fixed horizontal beam;

a means for securing the sleeve to the fixed horizontal beam wherein a gap exists between the underside of said beam and the bottom surface of said sleeve;

a support piece having at least one load end and at least one holding end wherein said at least one holding end is configured to hold or support an object; and

wherein the at least one load end of said sleeve is first inserted through one or more openings in said sleeve and into the gap to a sufficient depth such that when an object is placed on the holding end, the weight of the object causes the at least one load end to pivot upward against the underside of the beam thereby supporting the object to the fixed horizontal beam.

2. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is C-shaped such that it conforms to at least one side of a fixed horizontal beam having a square or rectangular cross section.

3. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the sleeve to the fixed horizontal beam is selected from the group comprised of bonding, welding and mechanical fastening.

4. The hanger or bracket of claim 3 wherein the bonding means is an adhesive, glue or Velcro.

5. The hanger or bracket of claim 3 wherein the mechanical fastening means is a hand-tightened fastener, wedge, or a hand-tightened or spring loaded clamp.

6. The hanger or bracket of claim 3 wherein the mechanical fastening means is a fastener, wedge, or a clamp.

7. The hanger or bracket of claim 3 wherein the mechanical fastening means is non-marking such that it does not damage, modify or leave physical remnants in the structure or surface of the fixed horizontal beam when fastened against said fixed horizontal beam.

8. The hanger or bracket of claim 5 wherein the hand-tightened fastener is a screw adapted to be inserted into a hole on the underside of the bottom surface of the sleeve and hand-tightened against the underside of the fixed horizontal beam.

9. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is comprised of a durable, water and weather-resistant material.

10. The hanger or bracket of claim 9 wherein the sleeve is comprised of metal having a water-resistant coating.

11. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the support piece is comprised of a rod or tube that is sized and shaped to slide through the one or more openings of the sleeve.

12. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the support piece is comprised of a plate that is sized and shaped to slide through one or more openings of the sleeve.

13. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the holding end of the support piece is shaped in the form of a hook.

14. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the holding end of the support piece is shaped in the form of a circle.

15. The hanger or bracket of claim 1 wherein the support piece is comprised of a durable, water and weather-resistant material.

16. The hanger or bracket of claim 15 wherein the support piece is comprised of metal having a water-resistant coating.