Abstract:
An attachable hanging hook for removably hanging a carrying bag from an upper edge of a vertical support surface or from an edge of a horizontal support surface includes a pair of hooks and a central joint. A first hook is pivotably movable about the joint and a second hook is rotatably movable about the joint. Depending upon the orientation of the hooks relative to one another, the carrying bag can be securely suspended from a horizontal support or a vertical support. The joint also allows the hooks to be collapsibly folded onto one another for storage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Jan. 18, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to carrying bag hanging devices, and in particular, to an attachable hanging hook for suspending a carrying bag from an edge of a generally horizontal support surface and from an upper edge of a generally vertical support surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Everyone is familiar with the hanging garment bag. Not only does it do a great job with keeping one&#39;s clothes clean and wrinkle free, but it also has a large hook which can be placed over almost any object such as a door, a bathroom stall divider, a cabinet, chair, or the like. The hook allows all compartments of the bag to be easily accessed when there is no suitable place to set the bag down and eliminates having to place the bag on a dirty floor. Unfortunately, such versatility is not available in bags of other styles such as purses, briefcases, gym bags, diaper bags and the like. This means that in locations such as locker rooms, hotel rooms, and public bathrooms the bag must be set on the dirty floor. 
     In addition, the traditional carrying bag hook is not useful on a horizontal surface such as a table or a bar. Often times woman do not want to leave their purse or similar carrying bag on the floor or on an adjacent chair. However, there is rarely a hook or protrusion available to hang the bag on. 
     While various garment bag hooks and table top bag hanger exist, each suffers from one or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. Particularly, each device lacks the functionality of the other. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device in which the versatility of a large hanging hook can be made available to all styles of carried bags. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing an attachable hanging hook that provides a means to attach almost any type of bag to any type of surface, thus keeping them off of the floor in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing the attachable hanging hook having a first hook with a first stem and a first curvature to supportingly retain a carrying bag. A second hook is also provided and joined to the first hook by a joint. The joint includes a ball affixed to an end of the first stem and a hollow socket for retaining the ball. The socket also includes a first hook slot through which the first hook protrudes outwardly therefrom such that the first hook is movable within the slot. The second hook includes a second stem rotatably attached within an opening in the socket such that the second hook is rotatable about three hundred sixty degrees relative to the socket and a second curvature to supportingly retain the carrying bag. The first hook is longitudinally aligned with the second hook such that the first curvature directionally opposes the second curvature when the second hook is engaged over an upper edge of a generally vertical support surface to suspend the carrying bag from the vertical support surface. Additionally, the first hook is perpendicularly oriented to the second hook such that the first curvature rests atop a generally horizontal support surface adjacent to an edge to suspend the carrying bag from the horizontal support surface. 
     In an embodiment of the hanging hook, the joint includes a pivot pin extending between an interior of the socket and through the ball to restrict the pivoting motion of the first hook to a single axis. 
     In an embodiment of the hanging hook, the slot includes opposing scalloped edges, each having a plurality of semi-circular indentations for selectably retaining the first stem at a selectable position within the slot. 
     In an embodiment of the hanging hook, a chain is affixed to an exterior of the socket to releasably attach to an interior of the carrying bag when not in use. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an attachable hanging hook depicted in use on a horizontal support surface, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of the attachable hanging hook depicted in use on a vertical support surface, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the attachable hanging hook depicted in a partially collapsed state, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the attachable hanging hook depicted in a fully collapsed state, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the attachable hanging hook, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of a joint taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the attachable hanging hook in accordance with the invention; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the attachable hanging hook in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 
                 attachable hanging hook 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 horizontal surface 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 vertical surface 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 first hook 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 first curvature 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 first stem 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 first foot 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 second hook 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 second curvature 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 second stem 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 second foot 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 “T”-feature 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 joint 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 first hook slot 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 ball 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 non-rotational pin 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 second hook opening 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 socket 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 first alternate embodiment 
               
               
                   
                 51 
                 scalloped edge 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 indentation 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 second alternate embodiment 
               
               
                   
                 61 
                 loop 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 chain 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6  and alternately within  FIGS. 7 and 8 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , depicting an attachable hanging hook (herein described as the “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes an attachment hook which provides for suspending items from various surfaces when no hanger option is readily available, which in turn frees up areas which have limited space or eliminates setting the items upon dirty surfaces. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show environmental views of the device  10 . The device  10  can be utilized upon a horizontal surface  11  such as a table top, a desk, a bar, or similar surface or a vertical surface  12  such as a door, cabinet, or similar surface. Each of the mentioned utilizations of the device  10  suspend a desired article such as, but not limited to: purses, briefcases, luggage, or the like each of which typically include at least one (1) strap or handle for carrying purposes and a compartment for placing various personal or professional articles. The device  10  comprises a first hook  20  and a second hook  30  which are hingedly engaged and provide various suspending options to the desired article. The first hook  20  and the second hook  30  must maintain a center of gravity to balance the desired article on either of the hooks  20 ,  30 . 
     The first hook  20  can be used to suspend the article from a vertical surface  11  as shown in  FIG. 2  or placed atop of a horizontal surface  12  to be a support base as shown in  FIG. 1 . The first hook  20  and the second hook  30  each comprise a generally “J”-shape providing stem which extends into a curvature to receive and support the article. In use, the first hook  20  is orientated parallel to and abuts against the horizontal surface  11  when the second hook  30  is utilized to suspend the desired article. An end of a first hook curvature  21  includes a first foot  25  preferably made of a rubberized material which reduces marring and provides additional securing of the device  10  onto the desired surface  11 ,  12 . The first hook  20  is fabricated from an anti-corrosive durable material such as, but not limited to: stainless steel, plastic, or the like. 
     The second hook  30  can be used to suspend the article from the horizontal surface as shown in  FIG. 1  or be placed over top of an upper edge of a vertical surface  12  to be a support base as shown in  FIG. 2 . The second hook  30  is oriented generally perpendicular to the first hook  20 . An end of a second curvature  31  includes a second foot  35  similar in material and function as the first foot  25 , which reduces marring and provides additional securing of the device  10  onto the desired surface  11 ,  12 . The second hook  30  is fabricated from a material similar to the first hook  20 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show side views of the device  10  depicted in a partially collapsed state and a fully collapsed state. The hooks  20 ,  30  are interconnected at a central location by a joint  40  (also see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The joint  40  is similar to a ball-and-socket joint that allows the first hook  20  to be rotatably manipulated toward the second hook  30  and also allows the second hook  30  to be rotatably manipulated three-hundred-and-sixty degrees) (360°). The joint  40  is fabricated from a material similar to the hooks  20 ,  30 .  FIG. 3  depicts the first hook  20  rotated toward the second hook  30  and  FIG. 4  depicts the second hook  30  rotated in an opposing direction such that the first curvature  21  and the second curvature  31  are aligned and parallel. The aforementioned configurations are utilized for storing the device  10  in a pocket, purse, or the suspended article when not in use. 
       FIG. 5  shows perspective view of the device  10  and  FIG. 6  shows a section view of a joint  40  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2 . The joint  40  comprises a hollow spherical socket  45  which includes a first hook slot  41 , an internal ball  42 , and a second hook opening  44 . The first hook  20  is integral to the ball  42  and protrudes outwardly from the first hook slot  41  and is pivotably within the socket  45  about an axis transverse to longitudinal axis of an aligned first stem  22  and second stem  32 . The first hook slot  41  is a slot which extends along a circumference of the socket  45  to allow the first hook  20  to be positioned in the collapsed state. The ball  42  is prohibited from rotating in more than a single direction by a non-rotational pin  43  which is positioned through the center of the ball  42  and secured to an interior surface of the socket  45 . 
     The second hook  30  is attached within a second hook opening  44  approximately one-hundred-and-eighty degrees (180°) from the furthest most upward position of the first hook  20 . An end of the second stem  32  opposite the second curvature  31  includes a “T”-shaped feature  36  which fits within the second hook opening  44  and allows the second hook  30  to freely rotate three-hundred-and-sixty degrees (360°) therewithin such that the second hook  30  can be properly positioned at a desired orientation relative to the first hook  20  for supporting the desired article. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the attachable hanging hook  50 , which provides for the first hook  20  to be selectively locked into a desired position. In this first alternate embodiment  50 , the slot  41  includes opposing scalloped edges  51  upon each inner surface which extend the length of the slot  41 . The scalloped edges  51  include a plurality of equally spaced and opposingly aligned semi-circular indentations  52  which selectably receive a lower end of the first stem  22  and provide resistance to retain the first hook  20  at a desired selectable angular position. The first hook  20  is positioned between a set of opposing indentations  52  to secure the first hook  20  in the desired position. 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the attachable hanging hook  60 . This second alternate embodiment  60  includes a loop  61  which is integrally attached to an exterior surface of the joint  40  and provides a location to attach a chain  62  or similar feature for attachment to a desired object such as, but not limited to: a purse, a keychain, or the like. The second alternate embodiment  60  can include features as described within the primary embodiment  10  or the first alternate embodiment  50  and enables each to be secured to and within the article which will be suspended when not in use. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance to the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it is installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  on a horizontal surface  11  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; positioning the first hook  20  flat against the upper surface of the horizontal surface  11  with the joint  40  aligned with the edge of the horizontal surface  11  and the second foot  35  perpendicular with the first foot  25 ; rotating the second hook  30  to a desired orientation by rotating about the second hook opening  44 ; suspending an article from the second hook  30 ; enabling the first foot  25  and second foot  35  to protect surfaces; and, providing a means to attach almost any type of article to any type of surface, thus keeping them off of the floor in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  on a vertical surface  13  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; rotating the second hook  30  to a desired orientation and positioning upon the upper surface of the vertical surface  12 ; suspending an article from the first hook  20 ; enabling the first foot  25  and second foot  35  to protect surfaces; and, providing a means to attach almost any type of article to any type of surface, thus keeping them off of the floor in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The method of utilizing the first alternate embodiment  50  on a horizontal surface  11  can be achieved by performing the following steps: repeating the abovementioned steps for the preferred embodiment  10 , yet when positioning the first hook  20  enabling said first hook  20  to engage opposing scalloped edges  51 , thereby locking said first hook  20  in a desired position. 
     The method of utilizing the second alternate embodiment  60  on a horizontal surface  11  can be achieved by performing the following steps: repeating the abovementioned steps for the preferred embodiment  10 ; attaching the second alternate embodiment  60  to a desired item via the loop  61  and chain  62 ; and, removing as desired. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.