| Hanger apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Hanger apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20080093519Title: Hanger apparatus Abstract: A hanger apparatus for supporting items such as plants, wind chimes, and the like mounts to a vertical post without marring the post or making holes in the post. The hanger apparatus includes a mounting assembly having first and second frictional lock members that engage front and rear surfaces of the vertical post with an interference fit to prevent the hanger apparatus from moving downwardly. Extending from the mounting assembly is a cantilevered arm having a hanger at its extended end to which the item is suspended with clearance from the vertical post. (end of abstract) Agent: Gardner Groff Greenwald & Villanueva. PC - Atlanta, GA, US Inventor: Steven P. OLSON USPTO Applicaton #: 20080093519 - Class: 2482184 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080093519. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/829,933, filed Oct. 18, 2006, and incorporates the disclosure of the same herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002]The present invention relates generally to a hanger apparatus and in particular relates to a hanger apparatus that can be secured to a structure without making any holes in the structure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]It is common for people to hang items such as potted plants, birdhouses, and wind chimes outside their homes. Typically, a conventional hanger apparatus is attached to a structure, such as a wall, post or rail, usually with nails or screws. One form of a conventional hanger apparatus includes a hook and/or basket for mounting the item directly against the structure. Other forms of conventional hangers include a cantilevered arm for suspending the item a distance from the structure. One problem with the conventional hanger apparatuses is that they require nails, screws, threaded hooks or eyelets, or other fasteners to mount them to the structure. Such attachment to the structure can weaken the structure. Additionally, when the hanger apparatus is removed, there remain unsightly holes in the structure. [0004]Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for hanger apparatus that can be mounted in place without causing fastener holes in the structure to which it is mounted. It is to the provision of such hanger apparatus that the present invention is primarily directed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005]Advantageously, the present invention provides a hanger apparatus for hanging items such as plants, wind chimes, bird houses, etc. outside of one's home. The hanger apparatus includes a support arm for supporting the item and a mounting assembly for mounting the apparatus to one or more vertical members (such as conventional rail pickets and posts commonly used in the construction of homes and other buildings), without making any holes in any of the vertical members. Thus, the present invention provides a hanger apparatus that can be mounted in place without causing fastener holes in the structure to which it is mounted. [0006]In a first form, the present invention provides an apparatus for mounting to at least one vertical post and supporting an object (such as a plant, bird house, wind chimes, etc.) without making any holes in the vertical post. The apparatus has a mounting assembly having first and second frictional lock members that engage front and rear surfaces of the vertical post with an interference fit to prevent the apparatus from moving downwardly. The apparatus also includes a cantilevered arm extending from the mounting assembly and having a hanger at its extended end. Thus, the object can be suspended from the hanger with clearance from the vertical post. Preferably, the cantilevered arm extends from a position between the vertical post and a second adjacent vertical post. Additionally, the first frictional lock member can be positioned proximate a top side of the cantilevered arm and the second frictional lock member can be positioned proximate a bottom side of the cantilevered arm, thereby creating a frictional lock of the apparatus to the vertical posts. [0007]A plurality of fasteners securely connect the front and rear frictional lock members to a pair of extension arms such that the first (or front) frictional lock member is positioned against the front surface of the vertical members at a bottom side of the extension arms and securely fastened thereto and the second (or rear) frictional lock member is positioned against the rear surface of the vertical members at a top side of the extension arms and securely fastened thereto. Accordingly, the hanger apparatus is frictionally secured to the vertical members without making holes in the vertical members. [0008]In another form, the present invention provides a hanger apparatus having a pair of lock members, each of which has a hole extending therethrough. The mounting assembly itself mounts to two adjacent vertical members, each having front and rear surfaces by positioning the first lock member against the front surfaces of the two vertical members and second lock member against the rear surfaces of the two vertical members and parallel to the first lock member such that the holes align. The cantilevered arm extends through the holes (and hence through the gap between adjacent vertical members) of the lock members and is secured to the lock members with the first and second fasteners. Preferably, the cantilevered arm has a hook located at its extended end for suspending an object therefrom. [0009]In yet another form, an extension and support assembly includes a cantilevered platform for supporting an item thereon. The cantilevered platform includes first and second spaced apart extension arms, each having an extended end, a transverse brace, wherein the transverse brace is secured at the extended ends of the first and second extension arms, and a support panel mounted on the first and second extension arms. [0010]In still yet another form, the hanger apparatus has first and second extension arms, wherein the first and second extension arms are coupled to the cantilevered support arm and engage the lateral sides of the vertical post, and front and rear frictional lock members securely coupled to the extension arms and engage front and rear surfaces of the vertical post. Thus, the combination of the extension arms and lock members create an interference fit around the vertical post to prevent the hanger apparatus from moving downwardly. Optionally, the rear frictional lock member is removably attached to the first and second extension arms. [0011]These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012]FIG. 1 is a top view of a hanger apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention. [0013]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the hanger apparatus of FIG. 1. [0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of the hanger apparatus of FIG. 1. [0015]FIG. 4 is a top view of a hanger apparatus according to a second example embodiment of the present invention. [0016]FIG. 5 is a side view of the hanger apparatus of FIG. 4. [0017]FIG. 6 is a top view of a hanger apparatus according to a third example embodiment of the present invention. [0018]FIG. 7 is a side view of the hanger apparatus of FIG. 6. [0019]FIG. 8 is a top view of a hanger apparatus according to a fourth example embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Hanger apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Hanger apparatus 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 Hanger apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Holding device adapted to be attached to a building wall for holding objects or to be gripped by a person Next Patent Application: Frameless glass door clamp Industry Class: Supports ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Hanger apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.84395 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
||
