Hanging device for supporting an article and associated hanger

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a method of hanging an article and the related hanger employed in the method wherein the hanger is adapted to be simply and effectively secured to a support structure and also to provide a hanging structure to which the article may be secured directly or with an intermediate hanging device.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] It has been known to hang various articles by hangers which have adequate tensile strength to support the load and are secured to a support structure. For example, it has been known to secure hooks to a ceiling surface with an article being suspended from such hooks.

[0005] It has also been known to secure hangers to overlying support by tying knots in a rope or similar flexible material or to provide various forms of clips and other arrangements employing mechanical fasteners to secure the same.

[0006] Among the items secured by such hangers are hanging flower pots, functional items and decorative items, which typically have a flexible member secured to the flower pot at two locations, and engaged by a hook from above to directly support the pot or having a rope tied to the inverted U-shape or bail member with the upper end being secured to a hook or clip fastener.

[0007] It has also been known to secure an overlying hanger member having an eyelet through which a hook or cord, which secures an article, passes.

[0008] Despite the foregoing, there remains a very real and substantial need for the method of hanging an article and an associated hanger which will, without requiring tools and mechanical fastening means, simply and effectively permit those even unskilled in handyman crafts to hang articles securely in a simple manner at a desired elevation.

[0009] The present invention has met the above-described needs. It discloses a method of hanging an article which includes providing a hanger having an elongated line or body with an upper loop at or adjacent one end thereof and a lower hanging structure at or adjacent the other end, passing the line over a support structure and passing the lower hanging structure through the loop followed by suspending the article from the lower hanging structure.

[0010] The lower hanging structure may also be in the form of a loop. The loops may be integrally formed with a suitable fastening means securing the same in the desired configuration. It is preferred that the line or body be flexible and be composed of a resinous plastic material, such as nylon, for example, although a metal wire could also be employed. The article being supported may be secured directly to the lower hanging structure or may have one or intermediate members, such as a double hook, for example.

[0011] In one embodiment, the article may be an upwardly open container which may have inherent functional or decorative properties and/or may secure a plant or flowers.

[0012] The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes an elongated flexible body having an upper loop and a lower hanging structure with the lower hanging structure being of such size, shape and material as to pass through the upper loop.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a strong, simple and economical method and associated hanger for securely supporting articles being hung directly or indirectly therefrom.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide such a hanger which may be composed of a flexible material having integrally formed loops such that one loop can pass through the other after the hanger body has passed over or engaged by the structural support member.

[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an effective hanger which may be installed without requiring mechanical fasteners or the use of tools.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a hanger which is not highly visible.

[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a system which may be made in different lengths depending upon the elevation at which the supported article is to be positioned.

[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the invention with reference to the drawings appended hereto.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a form of hanger of the present invention employable in the method of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a hanger of the present invention partially overlying a support structure.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an illustration similar to FIG. 2, but showing a next step in the method of hanging an article employing the method of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but shows a portion of the hanger extending farther downward from the support structure.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows an article being supported by the hanger of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows an integrally formed upper loop of the hanger of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows a modified form of loop which is a separately formed article secured to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 8 shows a horizontal support structure with a downwardly depending hook and the upper portion of the hanger with the loop which can receive the hook.

[0027] FIG. 9 shows a horizontal support member having a depending hook securable to a hanger loop.

[0028] As employed herein, the term “article” means an item which is to be suspended from and supported by means of a generally overlying structure and shall expressly include, but not be limited to, decorative articles, works of art, containers, containers of flowers, containers having plants therein, functional articles and other items which may advantageously be supported by the hanger construction or method of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment of the hanger 2 of the present invention. In the form shown, it has a line or body 4 which extends from and is connected to an upper loop 6 and a lower hanging structure 10, which in the form shown, is a loop. The line or body is preferably composed of a flexible plastic material or a suitable metal wire, for example. In a preferred embodiment, it is made of nylon and has a thickness of about 0.065 to 0.155 inch.

[0030] As employed herein, the term “loop” means a closed or substantially closed portion of a hanger which defines an opening and may be of circular, oval, rectangular or other desired shape which permits it to function in the manner described herein.

[0031] The hanger preferably has an overall length L of about 1 to 6 feet.

[0032] Referring to the method of the present invention and with specific reference to FIG. 2, there is shown a horizontal structural support member 14 which may, for example, be a portion of a residential or commercial building and may be one which is positioned indoors or out of doors. In the form shown, the support member is a wooden beam. The upper loop 6 is on one side of the structural member 14 and the lower loop 10 is on the other with the line 4 being draped thereover.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the lower loop 10 has passed through the upper loop 6 as has a portion of the line 4. It will be appreciated that either through flexibility or shape and dimension, the lower loop 10 will be so configurated as to pass freely through upper loop 6. FIG. 4 illustrates the next step of the method wherein the lower loop 10 continues to move downwardly drawing more of the line 4 of hanger 2 through upper loop 6.

[0034] In the form shown in FIG. 5, the lower loop 10 has been engaged by hook member 20 which has a downwardly open hook 22 engaged with loop 10. A container 30, in the form shown, contains a plant indicated generally by reference number 32 and a support, which in the form shown, is integrally formed with hook 20 and which has elongated depending support lines 36, 38, 40, 42 secured to the container 30. In this manner, the hanger 2 of the present invention employing the method of the present invention provides a means of supporting the container 30 by structural member 14 without requiring the use of tools or mechanical fasteners in achieving the securement.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, there is shown a body or line 44, which has a loop 46 in the upper portion thereof, having an opening 48. A first portion of the line 60 cooperates with reentrantly bent portion of the line 62 in defining the loop 46. This arrangement is held in place in the form shown by a metal crimping sleeve 64 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In lieu of using a metal, tubular, compressible fastener such as 64, if desired, a generally tubular-shaped shrink plastic element may be positioned in the location shown and under the influence of appropriate heat caused to restrict radially thereby securing the assembly.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, there is a separately formed loop member 70 which may be composed of metal or plastic, for example. This is secured to the hanger 72 by interlocking with line portion 74 and line portion 76 with a suitable compression member 78 securing the assembly. A similar element may be employed as the lower hanging structure, if desired. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible plastic material of the hanger may be made of a transparent or translucent material so as to minimize the visibility of the same.

[0037] FIG. 9 shows a form of the invention wherein a structural member 80 has a downwardly projecting, upwardly open hook 82 which is structured to receive a loop 84 of hanger 86.

[0038] It will be appreciated that while in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire hanger may be made from a unitary piece of material with loops formed by reentrant portions of the ends of the line or body with a suitable crimping element securing loop in the desired configuration, or by a separately formed loop member secured to the line or body, other structures may be employed.

[0039] Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.