Branch hanger kit

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to hangers useful for hanging objects such as potted plants, bird houses, bird feeders, wind chimes, lanterns, decorative items, or the like above ground or floor level. The invention more particularly relates to a hanger kit comprising a moldable polymeric hanger releasably attachable to a tree branch or other structural support member and an extension member that cooperates with the hanger to extend the distance that an object can be suspended below the hanger.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Although many devices are commercially available for hanging objects from walls, fewer options are available to consumers wishing to suspend objects from the branches or limbs of trees. Most often, string, cord, wire, or lightweight chain are used to tie objects above ground level. Several disadvantages are encountered in using such conventional tie materials.

[0005] One disadvantage is that, unless knots are properly tied, the supported objects can fall and cause breakage, damage or injury. Where the supported objects are heavy and the tie material is simply looped through a handle or the like, it can also be difficult to support the weight of the object while simultaneously tying off or otherwise fastening the tie material. Another disadvantage of using wire as a tie material is that it can cut into tree bark, damaging a branch or limb. Cords or string, on the other hand, can quickly fray if they are tied in such manner that they rub back and forth over rough bark.

[0006] Desirable hangers are needed that are easily attachable to or releasable from a tree branch or other support member while not under load, that can be conveniently attached to or detached from a supported object, and that can be conveniently adjusted to extend the distance that a load is supported below a tree limb, branch or other support member.

[0007] A hanger kit is disclosed herein that is preferably used to support an object above ground or floor level by attaching the hanger to a tree branch or other similarly configured structural member. The subject hanger kit preferably comprises a hanger member and an extension member, which are preferably made of a moldable polymeric material, most preferably glass-filled nylon. The hanger member preferably comprises a flexible arcuate strap section adapted to wrap around a tree branch or other support member, the arcuate strap section having first and second ends with cooperating releasable fastener members, and a support hook depending from the arcuate strap section between the first and second ends.

[0008] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a releasable fastener mechanism is provided that comprises a clasp with an inwardly curved, split hook at one end of the first strap section and a transversely extending T-bar at the opposite end, the strap being adapted to fit between the spaced-apart portions of the split hook so that the opposed ends of the T-bar can each engage the curved underside of one portion of the split hook. Once the fastener mechanism is engaged, a closed loop is formed around the branch that will remain attached to the branch until the fastener is manually disengaged. The object to be supported can then be attached to the support hook depending from the closed loop. The addition of weight to the support hook will tend to hold the fastener mechanism more tightly closed.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the support hook depends from a second, shorter strap section that itself depends from a U-shaped arcuate section formed near one end of the arcuate strap. The support hook preferably has a tip portion that is adjacent to a guard member that helps prevent the supported object from accidentally disengaging from the support hook if the supported object is bumped or swings back and forth when blown by the wind.

[0010] According to another preferred embodiment, an extension member is provided for optional use in combination with the hanger member of the invention. The extension member preferably comprises an elongate, generally straight, moldable plastic strap or flexible rod having hooks, most preferably oppositely directed, at each end. Each hook is preferably made the same as or similar to the support hook of the hanger member, with a hook portion and an adjacent guard portion to help prevent accidental disengagement during use. To use the extension member, the top hook member is desirably connected to the support hook of a hanger member, which is already releasably connected to a tree branch or support structure. The other hook member then hangs downwardly for attachment to the supported object. In still another embodiment, two or more extension members of the same or different lengths are provided and connected for selective use in supporting an object at different elevations or for collective use in supporting an object even further below the hanger, as desired.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a simplified front perspective view of a preferred hanger kit of the invention, with a hanger member and an extension member appearing in juxtaposition to a product display card as can be used to display and market the subject kit;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a preferred hanger member of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the hanger of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a preferred extension member of the invention; and

[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view, taken from FIG. 1, of a preferred cooperating releasable fastener members for use in a preferred hanger member of the invention.

[0016] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in all figures of the drawings.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, hanger kit 10 of the invention preferably comprises hanger member 12 and extension member 14, which are shown in FIG. 1 juxtaposed against a product display card 16 to which they can be attached by twist ties inserted through apertures 18 or other similarly effective means. It will be appreciated that hanger member 12 and extension member 14 of kit 10 can also be displayed and marketed in other ways, such as in bags, boxes, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, kit 10 comprises only a single extension member 14, although a plurality of extension members 14 of the same or different lengths can also be included in the kit if desired.

[0018] Hanger member 12 and extension member 14 are preferably made of a moldable polymeric material such as nylon, polypropylene, or another commercially available, durable and similarly effective polymeric material that has good low temperature properties and some resistance to degradation when exposed to ultraviolet radiation during outdoor use. Glass filled polymers such as glass-filled nylon are particularly preferred. Product display card 16 is preferably made of cardboard, laminated card stock, printable plastic sheet material, or the like.

[0019] Hanger member 12 preferably comprises an arcuate strap section 20 that is long and flexible enough to be wrapped around a branch or limb of a tree, or around a horizontal or inclined structural support member of a building. It will be appreciated that different length strap sections can be used, depending upon the circumference or perimeter of the branch or structural member, and kit 10 can include only a single hanger member 12 with an arcuate strap section 20 having a typical length, or can include a plurality of hanger members 12 with arcuate strap sections 20 of different lengths if desired. The cross-sectional shape and dimensions of arcuate strap section 20 are preferably such that the section is flexible but sufficiently strong to support objects having a predetermined maximum weight for a given configuration. Arcuate strap section 20 is preferably also formed so that it will not cut into the bark of a tree limb or branch sufficiently to cause damage when subjected to a rated load, even when the supported object is caused to swing back and forth by wind or the like. The width of arcuate strap section 20 is preferably greater than its thickness so that it can be easily flexed around a branch.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, described in relation to FIGS. 1-3, hanger member 12 comprises a flexible arcuate strap section 20 having first and second ends 22, 24 and a narrower U-shaped arcuate section 28 disposed near one of the ends. A support hook 26 preferably depends from strap section 20 between first and second ends 22, 24, and most preferably depends from the narrower U-shaped arcuate section 28 disposed near one of the ends. Referring to FIG. 2, support hook 26 is attached to U-shaped arcuate section 28 by second strap member 30. Support hook 26 preferably comprises a tip 32 designed to facilitate easy attachment of a supported object or an extension hook, and a guard member 34 shaped and positioned sufficiently close to tip 32 to help prevent a supported object or another hook from accidentally disengaging from support hook 26 during normal use.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, hanger member 12, which is preferably unitarily molded, further comprises cooperating fastener members 36, 38, disposed at first and second ends 22, 24, respectively, of flexible arcuate strap section 20. Fastener member 36 is preferably a transversely disposed T-bar cylindrical member molded onto or otherwise attached to first end 22 of arcuate strap section 20. Fastener member 38 is preferably an inwardly curved, split hook having spaced apart hook elements that are releasably engageable with the transversely extending ends of fastener member 36 when end 22 of strap section 20 is inserted in the opening between the spaced apart hook elements. Engagement is easily achieved by pressing end 22 inwardly past end 24 until fastener member 36 is disposed inwardly of and below the curved hook elements of fastener member 38, while positioning strap portion 20 between the spaced apart portions of the split hook. As the inward pressure is gradually released, strap section 20 will normally flex outwardly, causing the T-bar section of member 36 to slidingly engage and be held by the underside of the curved hook elements, with the strap extending between the hook elements. Fastener members 36, 38, as shown, cooperate to releasably fasten arcuate strap section 20 around a tree branch or other structural member in such manner that the connection becomes even more secure when subjected to the weight of a supported object attached to support hook 26 or an extension hook 42, 44 of an extension member 14 as described below. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure that differently configured cooperating fastener members can likewise be used to releasably engage ends 22, 24 of strap section 20 within the scope of the invention. Similarly, other known types of fastener members can be used that are adjustable so as to vary the area enclosed by strap section 20. Such adjustment may be desirable for tightening the strap around a branch to reduce the likelihood of sliding, for example, or to adjust the distance that supporting hook 26 hangs beneath a branch, limb or support member.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, extension member 14 preferably comprises an elongate, flexible strap section 40 having first and second ends, each end respectively having an extension hook 42, 44 with a tip 46, 48 and an opposed guard member 50, 52 disposed near the tip. One extension hook is desirably attachable to support hook 26 and the other extension hook is desirably attachable to an object to be supported by the hanger member 12. Extension member 14 is preferably unitarily molded from the same moldable polymeric material as hanger member 12 but can be made of a different material if desired. Extension member 14 can be made in any suitable length, depending upon the particular intended application, and extension members 14 of differing lengths can be provided in hanger kit 10 if desired. Extension hooks 42, 44 can be made in the same or different configurations and can be facing the same or opposite directions, with the latter version being shown in the drawings. An adjustable length strap section 40 can also be provided within the scope of the invention if desired. The cross-sectional shape and size of extension member 14 are desirably such that extension member 14 will support an object having a weight as great as the weight supportable by hanger member 12.

[0023] Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventor is legally entitled.