Hanger Device

1. Field of the Invention

Present building costs and the pressure for more living space has forced the need for compact orderly storage space. The need to store cars, boats, snowmobiles and large powered lawn and garden tools have rendered garage storage space at a premium. The greater use of garage storage space has resulted in an overflow of articles to be stored into attic and basement storage spaces, however, wall storage of such articles is a more practical answer to this problem.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A variety of prior art hanger devices have been developed to provide ready wall storage. Possibly the most popular of these hanger devices are pegboard systems formed of wire-like hangers which are adapted to be detachably secured in perforations formed in composition wallboard. The wallboard is in turn secured to vertical studs of a wall structure. However, this type of device is costly, difficult to transport, install and relocate. Further, the amount of items are not only limited by the size of the pegboard but fixture hooks have a tendency to pull out when attempts are made to hang relatively heavy objects from the hooks. Thus, size and weight capabilities as well as strength and durability factors of pegboard systems are defninite detrements. Other known hanger devices often are overly complicated relatively expensive structures not adaptable to all conditions of use which may be present.

The present invention pertains to a hanger device for use on vertical studs or horizontal joists of wall structures or other supporting structures, and includes a bail member having laterally spaced arm portions and a bight portion connecting one end of the arm portions. Securing means are positioned adjacent the other end of each of the arm portions for securing the arm portions. An article supporting member has a cantilevered portion extending in a direction generally oppositely from the arm portions and a depending leg portion at one end thereof which operatively engages the bight portion generally centrally between the arm portions to support the cantilevered arm portion in it's operative position.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the present invention showing an operative position thereof on a vertical stud;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as seen generally from the line 3--3 of FIG. 2, portions thereof being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a view in end elevation of a gondola type display shelf utilizing a second embodiment of the present invention for supporting the shelves thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed elevational view of that portion of FIG. 4 contained within the circle A;

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the reference numeral 10 generally indicates a first embodiment of a hanger device utilized to support various articles, not shown, from vertical studs 11 generally associated with a supporting wall structure of a garage or the like, also not shown. Hanger device 10 includes a bail member 12 having laterally spaced arm portions 13, 14 and a bight portion 15 connecting the arm portions 13, 14, together at one end to extend therefrom in generally the same direction. As shown in FIG. 1, securing means for securing the arm portions 13, 14 to the sides of the stud 11 when the arm portions 13, 14 at least partially embrace the stud 11, include a pair of inwardly projecting spike elements 16, 17. The spike elements 16, 17 are mounted one each on the other or free ends of each of the arms 13, 14 respectively. Each of the spike elements 16, 17 is provided with a slot-like notch 20 formed on the bias with respect to the longitudinal axis of a respective spike element 16, 17 so as to open generally toward a respective arm portion 13, 14. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings when the spike elements 16, 17 penetrate the sides of the stud 11, small portions of the stud 11 enter the notches 20 making it difficult for the spikes 16, 17 to withdraw from the stud 11. In place of the slots 20, each spike elements 16, 17 may be coated with a suitable resin to securely anchor the spikes 16, 17 to the stud 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, arms 13 and 14 define respectively with bight portion 15 a pair of first planes which preferably intersect, along bight 15 as a vertex, at a small diahedral angle, although the planes may coincide if desired.

Hanger device 10 also includes an article supporting member 21 having a cantilevered portion 22 which extends generally horizontally in a direction generally oppositely from the arm portions 13, 14 and an integral downwardly depending leg portion 23 at one end thereof. The leg portion 23 operatively engages the bight portion 15 generally centrally between the arm portion 13, 14. As shown, in FIG. 1 and 3, the bight portion 15 is formed with a saddle portion 24 to maintain the central engagement of the leg portion 23 with the bight portion 15 while allowing a major portion of the bight portion 15 to engage the adjacent portion of the stud 11. As seen particularly in FIG. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the bight portion 15 engages the support member 21 at the juncture of the horizontal cantilevered portion 22 and the downwardly depending leg portion 23 on the side defining an included angle between portions 22 and 23. Thus, the cantilevered portion 22 projects from the leg portion 23 above the level of the bight portion 15.

For reasons which will become apparent hereinafter, the bail member 12 is operatively positioned with bight 15 generally orthogonal with respect to a second plane defined by the cantilevered portion 22 and the depending portion 23. In the specific example illustrated, the bail member 12 is separable from the supporting member 21, at least one of the arm portions 13, 14 can be positioned to have an upward angle of inclination relative to the horizontal, so that a respective spike element 16, 17 will be disposed above the level of the bight portion 15 when the hanger device 10 is operatively mounted, see FIG. 2. Preferably, the arms 13, 14 are inclined upwardly with different inclinations whereby to position the spike elements 16, 17 in different vertically and horizontally extended planes so that the spikes 16, 17 penetrate the stud 11 in different vertically and horizontally extended planes to prevent cracking or damage to the stud 11.

The distal end of the downwardly depending leg portion 23 is formed with a spike-like foot portion 25 projecting oppositely from and generally parallel to the cantilevered portion 22 whereby to penetrate a stud 11 on which the hanger device 10 may be mounted. While maintaining the leg portion 23 in contact with the adjacent face of the stud 11 substantially along its entire length to provide a required support to the cantilevered portion 22.

To mount the above described structure to a stud 11, the article supporting member 21 is first positioned as in FIGS. 1-3 by driving the spike-like foot 25 into the stud 11. Thereafter, the bail member 12 is positioned with the arms 13, 14 on opposite sides of the stud 11 and with the leg portion 23 received within the saddle portion 24 generally at the juncture of the cantilevered arm portion 22 and leg portion 23. In this position the cantilevered portion 22 projects from the leg portion 23 above the level of the bight portion 15, so as to take optimum advantage of the support afforded by bight portion 15. The angle of inclination of the bail member 12 is now adjusted to position the spike elements 16, 17 in different vertically and horizontally extended planes and to provide an optimum position to resist forces tending to displace the article supporting member 21 from its article supporting position of FIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the downward force of an article supported by the cantilevered portion 22 tends to pivot the article supporting member 21 at a fulcrum defined by the juncture of the leg portion 23 and the foot element 25. This exerts a force generally longitudinally of the cantilevered portion 22 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2. It will be noted that positioning the spike elements 16, 17 at or below the level of the bight portion 15 would result in a tendency for the bight portion 15 to be forced downwardly on the leg portion 23 when a downward force is applied to the cantilevered portion 22. This, of course, would cause failure of the hanger device 10. It will also be noted, that one of the arm portions 14 is longer than the other of the arm portions 13. This further aids in positioning of the spike elements 16, 17 in different vertically and horizontally extended planes as well as positioning of the bail member 12 under conditions which will become apparent in relationship to the description of the structures of FIGS. 4 and 5. It will be further noted, that all of the components of the hanger device 10 are formed from rod-like material to reduce manufacturing expenses. However, it will be seen that the transverse cross-sectional area of the article supporting member 21 is substantially larger than that of the bail member 12 because of the particular stresses applied to each of the members 12, 21.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein like parts will carry like numerals with the letter a added, a second embodiment of a hanger device 10a is illustrated. As shown, a plurality of hanger devices 10a are positioned on a vertical support or stud 11a of a gondola type display shelf unit 26. As shown, cantilevered arms 22a of pairs of hanger devices 10a are disposed to project from opposite edges of the stud 11a to support pairs of shelves 27 at substantially identical levels. The support or stud 11a is mounted to extend vertically upwardly from a relatively flat base 28 and spaced ones of the supports 11a, one of which is shown, are tied together at their upper ends by the tie member 29.

The hanger device 10a differs from the hanger device 10 only in that the downwardly depending leg portion 23a is slightly longer and that a supporting strut extends between the leg portion 23a and the cantilevered portion 22a. The connection of the strut 30 to leg portion 23a and cantilevered portion 22a is spaced from the juncture of the portions 23a and 22a. As seen particularly in FIG. 5, because the hanger devices 10a are mounted directly opposite each other on the stud 11a, the bail members 12a would normally interfer with each other if the arm portions 13, 14 of each of the adjacent bail members 12a were of equal length. However, because one of the legs 13a is shorter than the other leg 14a of each of the bail members 12a, the leg 14a of one bail member 12a does not interfer with the leg 13a of the other bail member 12a. This allows the bail members 12a to be positioned at a desired degree of inclination as above described. A spike-like foot member 25a likewise stabilizes the article supporting member 21a of each hanger device 10a.

FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates a third embodiment 10b of the invention, wherein like parts carry like numerals with the letter b added. Hanger device 10b is substantially identical to hanger device 10 except that the article supporting member 21b is fixidly attached by welding or the like, as at 33. That is, the article supporting member 21b is fixidly attached to the bight member 15b of bail member 12b at the juncture of the cantilevered portion 22b and the downwardly depending leg portion 23b. Because the article supporting member 21b is fixedly attached to the bight portion 15b a stabilizing spike-like foot portion is not needed at lower end of the downwardly depending leg portion 23b. Also, because the article supporting member 21b is fixidly secured to the bail member 12b the optimum degree of inclination of the arms of the bail member 12b must be preselected prior to assembly of the hanger device 10b.

FIG. 7 of the drawings illustrates a forth embodiment of the present invention, wherein like parts thereof are indicated by like numerals with the reference letter c added. In this embodiment, the hanger device 10c differs from the hanger 10b in that the bail member 12c includes arm portions 13c, 14c which are of equal length and incline upwardly at common degrees of inclination from the horizontal. Also, the securing means differs from the structure of FIG. 6 in that the spike portions 16b, 17b of the hanger device 10b are eliminated and aligned eye portions 36, 37 are formed on the free ends of the arm portions 13c, 14c respectively. Separate securing elements in the nature of a bolt 40 and nut 41 are provided. The bolt 40 is received through the aligned eye portions 26, 37 and through an opening, not shown, but formed in a stud 11c. The nut 41 may be threadly engaged on the bolt 40 to hold the unit securely in place. While I have shown a nut and bolt arrangement for securing the bail 15c to the stud 11c, it will be appreciated that other securing devices such as nails or screws may be used to secure the eye portions 36, 37 to the stud 11c. Also, it will be appreciated that the bail member 10c could be constructed so that the arms 13c, 14c would have different degress of inclination relative to the horizontal so that the nails or screws, not shown, would penetrate the stud 11c at points in different vertically and horizontally extended planes in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. Further, it is noted that the projecting leg portions 23-23c all are operatively disposed between the respective bight portions 23-23c and a stud 11-11c on which each of the hanger devices 10-10c is to be mounted. Thus, in each case the full force of a load carried by the article supporting member 21-21c is carried by the bail member 12-12c without depending solely on welded joints or the like.

Finally, FIG. 8 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein like parts are indicated by like numerals with the letter d added. In this embodiment a hanger device 10d is shown which is constructed to accommodate relatively heavier articles. As such, downwardly depending leg portion 23d is formed at one end to provide a downwardly opening hook portion 43 which at least partially encircles the bight portion 15d of the bail member 12d at the saddle portion 24d. The other end of the leg portion 23d is formed with a spike-like foot portion 25d for penetration of a stud on which the hanger device 10d is to be mounted.

Because the anchor device 10d is meant to support heavier loads, the articles supporting member 21d is constructed to provide this additional support. In this respect, the supporting member 21d includes a pair of laterally spaced horizontal cantilevered arms 44, 45 and a first connecting portion 46 connecting common ends of the arms 44, 45 together. The leg portion 23d is fixedly secured to the first connecting portion 46 generally centrally between the laterally spaced horizontal arms 44, 45. A second connecting portion 47 is affixed to the downwardly depending leg portion 23d in downwardly spaced relation to the first connecting portion 46. The second connecting portion 47 is of equal length and generally parallel to the first connecting portion 46, and has opposite ends which terminate in line with and below the level of the arms 44, 45.

A pair of supporting brackets 49 each include a vertically extended portion 50 extending between each opposite end of the second connecting portion 47 and the first connecting portion 46 and an angularly extending portion 51 which extends between each opposite end of the second connecting portion 47 and an adjacent one of the laterally spaced arms 44, 45. The point of connection of each of the angularly extending portions 51 to it's respective arm 44, 45 is spaced from the first connecting portion 46. In the case of the hanger device 10d, the article supporting member 21d differs from the abovedescribed structures in that it is supported from the laterally projecting leg 23d below the level of the bight portion 15d of the bail member 21d. Thus, on occasion, it may be desired to eliminate the spike-like foot 25d since the article supporting member 21a would then self-center itself relative to the weight mass of the article being suspended much in the manner of a pendulum.

For illustrative reasons, I have illustrated my hanger devices 10-10d as mounted on vertical studs. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that hanger device 10 may be likewise mounted on horizontal joists, not shown, with the cantilevered portion 22 extending in a generally vertical direction. In this application, the cantilevered portions 22 of a spaced pair of hanger devices 10 may be each provided with a loop or the like, also not shown for the reception of an opposite end of a bar in each loop. Also, a loop on a single hanger device 10 may have an article hung therefrom for storage. Of course, when the hanger device 10 is mounted on a horizontal joist, it will be appreciated that the angle of inclination of arm portions 12, 14 relative to the longitudinal axis of cantilevered portion 22 should be minimized to provide a more stable condition or support for the article supporting member 21.