TABLE-EDGE HANGER

Abstract: A table-edge hanger having a hook (15) for hanging a personal item such as a purse or a jacket. The hook (15) may be movably attached so it can swing side to side. The hanger can also have a decorative attachment (30) which can be a timepiece for keeping time. Preferably, the hanger has a microswitch (40) for triggering an alarm (47) if the personal item is removed from the hook (15) or removed from the table together with the hanger. The alarm (47) can be disabled when desired.

Description: TABLE-EDGE HANGER Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a hanger with a hook that can be placed against the edge of a table or a counter for hanging a purse or a jacket. In a restaurant, it is not unusual to see that people leave their purses on the table or on the floor, or their jackets on the back of a chair while they eat. By doing so, they risk losing those personal items to petit- theft. It is desirable to provide a table-edge hanger for hanging a personal item next to the owner. Furthermore, the hanger may be equipped with an anti-theft warning device. Summary of the Invention The present invention provide a hanger that can be placed against the edge of a table or a counter-top. The hanger has a hook for hanging a purse or other personal items. The hanger can have a timer or a watch attached thereon to keep time. Moreover, a microswitch can be installed on the hanger where the hanger rests on the table edge such that when the personal item is taken off the hook or it is removed from the table together with the hook, the microswitch will trigger an alarm unless the alarm is disabled or reset by another switch. An indicator light may also be placed on the hanger to indicate whether the alarm is enabled or disabled. It is the object of the present invention to provide a hanger for hanging a purse, a jacket or other personal items on the edge of a table or a counter-top for convenience. It is another object to the present invention to provide a hanger with an attachment such as a watch or a timer for telling time, or a decorative design to make the hanger more appealing. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hanger with an alarm which is triggered to give off a warning signal unless the alarm is disabled. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG.l illustrates a perspective view of a table- edge hanger according to the invention, showing a watch or timer attached thereon; and FIG.2 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the table-edge hanger according to the present invention, showing an on-off switch and a microswitch. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments FIG.l illustrates a preferred embodiment of the table-edge hanger, according to the present invention. In FIG.l, numeral 10 denotes a base for placing against the edge of a table or a counter top. A hook 15 is attached to the base 10 for hanging one or more personal items such as a purse or a jacket. Preferably, the hook is movably attached to the base such that it can swing side to side as indicated by the arrows. Numeral 30 denotes a decorative attachment placed on the hanger. Preferably, the attachment 30 comprises a timepiece such as a watch or timer for telling time, as shown in FIG.l. FIG.2 illustrates the side view of another embodiment of the table-edge hanger, according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.2, a microswitch 40 is installed on the underside of the base 10 such that the microswitch is turned on when a personal item is placed on the hook while the hanger is placed against an edge. The hanger is also equipped with an alarm means 47 which gives out warning light or sound when triggered. If the personal item is taken off the hook 15 or the base 10 is lifted off the edge while the microswitch is turned on, the alarm means 47 is triggered to give out a warning signal. The hanger is also equipped with an on/off switch 50 located at a rather inconspicuous place, which is used to turn off the alarm means 47. The switch 50 can also be used to disable (turn off) the microswitch 40 to prevent microswitch 40 from triggering the alarm means 47, if desired. It is preferred that an indicator light 45 is placed on the hanger to indicate that the microswitch is "on" or "off" states. It is understood that the hanger is also equipped an electronic circuit for controlling the alarm means and at least one battery in a battery compartment to supply power to the electronic circuit and the alarm. The electronic circuit, the battery and the battery compartment are not shown.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A table-edge hanger comprising: a base for placing against the edge of a table or a counter top; a hook connected to one side of said base; and a decorative attachment attached to another side of said base. 2. The hanger of Claim 1 wherein said hook is movably connected to said base for swinging from side to side. 3. The hanger of Claim 1 wherein said decorative attachment comprises a timepiece. 4. A table-edge hanger comprising: a base for placing against the edge of a table or a counter top; a hook connected to one side of said base; an alarm; a first switch; and a second switch on another side of said base, wherein said second switch is turned on when a personal item is placed on said hook while said base is replaced against the edge of a table or a counter top, wherein said second switch triggers said alarm when said personal item is removed from said hook or said base is lifted off said edge if said second switch has been turned on, and wherein said second switch and said alarm can be turned off by activating said first switch. 5. The hanger of Claim 4 further comprising a decorative attachment. 6. The hanger of Claim 5 wherein said decorative attachment comprises a timepiece. 7. The hanger of Claim wherein said hook is movably attached to said base. 8. The hanger of Claim 4 further comprising an indicator light for indicating said second switch being turned on when a personal item is placed on said hook while said base is placed against the edge of a table or a counter top.

Inventors: LO ALLEN KWOK WAH, LO, ALLEN, KWOK, WAH
Applicants: LO ALLEN KWOK WAH, LO, ALLEN, KWOK, WAH
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A44B21
IPC codes: A47G29, G08B13