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Blanket hangerRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Pivoted Support, Panels Or FramesBlanket hanger description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060175275, Blanket hanger. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to racks, supports, and hangers, and more specifically to a blanket hanger configured for hanging horse blankets, saddle blankets, and/or similar articles thereon. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Horses generally represent a substantial investment, and accordingly the owners of such animals generally see that they are well cared for. This has led to a number of accessories for use with horses and similar large livestock, some of which go back for centuries. Many of these accessories are intended to provide for the health and comfort of the animal, e.g., saddle blankets, horse blankets, and similar articles. [0005] A problem with the typically large number of accessories ("tack") often found in the typical horse barn or stable, is that much of it is rather bulky and difficult to store. While saddles are a particular example of such, even other accessories, such as horse blankets and saddle blankets, can pose storage problems as well. While a single such blanket is not particularly bulky, a few such blankets may be provided for a single animal in order to allow their rotation for cleaning, repair, etc. Moreover, the animal will typically not be wearing such blankets or other tack while resting in the stable or horse barn, and such equipment must be stored until needed in the future. [0006] The present inventor is aware of various devices developed in the past for hanging articles. An example of such is found in Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-52,400, published on Apr. 27, 1977, which describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) various embodiments of a device for displaying slide fasteners (zippers) for sale. The device includes one or more pivotally mounted arms, with the arms being outwardly and downwardly inclined relative to their pivotal attachment points. Each arm includes internal or external ridges, teeth, or similar elements. The single pivot, as well as the downward slope of each arm, is incapable of supporting heavier elements such as horse blankets and the like. [0007] However, such devices either cannot be used to support blankets or lack the features of the present invention. Thus, a blanket hanger solving the aforementioned problems is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The blanket hanger provides an efficient and relatively compact means for storing a large number of horse blankets, saddle blankets, or similar articles in a barn, stable, or similar structure, without requiring additional shelving, closet or similar space, or other areas which require additional floor space. The blanket hanger comprises a frame or brackets that attach to the wall of a stable, barn, or other structure, with the frame or brackets having a series of vertically oriented pivot holes therein. The holes provide for the removable and interchangeable installation of corresponding hanger arm pivots therein, with the hanger arms pivoting within the holes in the frame or brackets for access to the arms as desired for placement or removal of blankets thereon. [0009] Each of the arms is formed of a series of rigid metal rods or tubes welded to form the desired configuration. Each arm includes substantially parallel upper and lower horizontal members, which extend from the hanger arm pivot. The upper arm is curved or bent 90.degree. at its distal end to form a downwardly extending distal end component, with the lower horizontal member attaching to the end component. A diagonal brace is provided from the pivot to the upper member. The downwardly extending end component lies within the fold of a horse blanket suspended from the upper horizontal member in order to maintain the vertical "hang" of the blanket and prevent it from swaying inwardly. [0010] In another embodiment, an intermediate horizontal member may be provided for placement of saddle blankets thereon. The lower end of the distal end component may be bent back toward the pivot to extend between blankets supported on the intermediate member and reduce their swaying as the arm swings arcuately about its pivot. Either embodiment provides for hanging either horse or saddle blankets thereon, as desired, with the arms being interchangeable on the frame or brackets as desired. [0011] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a stable blanket hanger according to the present invention, showing a horse blanket and saddle blankets hanging thereon. [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view with the central portions of the mounting brackets broken away, showing alternative positioning of the different arm types and indeterminate length. [0014] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view showing the procedure for removing and installing one of the blanket hanger arms in the brackets or frame. [0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an exemplary mounting bracket for the blanket hanger arms, illustrating the staggered relationship of the arm pivot holes therein. [0016] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0017] The present invention comprises various embodiments of a multiple arm rack for holding blankets or similar articles. While the device could be used in many different environments to hold and/or store blankets or similar articles associated with those environments, it is particularly well suited for use in barns, stables, and similar structures for holding horse and other livestock blankets, pads, and the like. [0018] FIG. 1 of the drawings provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present blanket holder 10. The blanket holder 10 comprises a series of pivotally disposed arms 12a and 12b, extending from spaced apart upper and lower brackets 14a and 14b. The blanket holder 10 may be formed of any suitable materials, as desired. Aluminum stock (tube or bar, angle, etc.) is well suited for the construction of the present blanket holder, due to its relatively high strength for its weight and its resistance to corrosion. However, other materials may be used, e.g., mild or stainless steel, etc., as desired. [0019] FIG. 4 provides a top plan view of either of the two brackets 14a, 14b, as the two brackets are identical to one another. Each of the brackets 14a and 14b includes a series of arm pivot holes therein, e.g., holes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, etc., depending upon the length of the brackets 14a and 14b and the number of arms 12a and 12b desired for installation. As the two brackets 14a, 14b are identical to one another, the corresponding holes 16a, etc. in each bracket form vertically disposed arm pivot hole pairs. [0020] It will be noted that the holes 16a, 16b, etc. are staggered relative to one another, in relationship to the edges of the bracket 14a, 14b. This staggering of the blanket holder arm pivot holes allows the blanket holder arms to fold flat against, and completely parallel to, one another, as explained below. Each bracket 14a, 14b has a first end 18, an opposite second end 20, and a first edge 22 and opposite second edge 24, from which the wall mounting flange extends. The first arm mounting hole 16a is positioned near the first end 18 of the bracket 14a or 14b, and adjacent the first edge 22 of the bracket. The next hole 16b is positioned somewhat farther down the length of the bracket 14a, 14b toward the opposite second end 20, and spaced slightly farther from the first edge 22. In the case of a five hole bracket as shown in FIG. 4, the third hole 16c is centered between the two ends 18 and 20 and the two edges 22 and 24. This arrangement continues to the final hole 16e, positioned near the second end 20 and adjacent the second or mounting flange edge 24 of the bracket. The holes 16a through 16e are evenly spaced between the two ends 18 and 20 and also between the two edges 22 and 24 of each bracket, to form a generally diagonal straight line from a point adjacent the corner of the first end 18 and first edge 22 to a point adjacent the diagonally opposite corner of the second end 20 and second edge 24. Continue reading about Blanket hanger... Full patent description for Blanket hanger Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Blanket hanger patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Blanket hanger or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Adjustable rack structure Next Patent Application: Method for controlling a crane Industry Class: Supports: racks ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Blanket hanger patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.16423 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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