Abstract:
An architecture is presented that provides an easily moveable and repositionable hanger. The hanger permits a user to manipulate and reposition the various parts of the hanger to reconfigure the hanger into a desired architecture. The hanger is rotatable relative to its base, and its individual arms are also individually rotatable relative to one another. The hanger can be removably attached to a multitude of different surfaces and is useful for hanging or storing many different types of articles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/304,768 filed Feb. 15, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Often times when washing dishes, cooking utensils, pots and pans and the like individuals working in or around a kitchen will lay a wet or damp sponge or wash cloth on a countertop or in a sink area where it may retain moisture and become a breeding ground for bacteria. Likewise, individuals that are cooking will often times lay cooking utensils on a countertop or sink area, which can create a mess and may also be unsanitary. Other individuals may leave wet or damp washcloths or towels in piles on a floor or other surface in a bathroom, kitchen or washroom, which permits the article to retain moisture, which is undesirable and prevents the article from properly drying. However, there is not always a convenient location to hang or store the aforementioned items and other articles. 
         [0003]    One solution that is known in the art is to attach a hanger or other structure such as a hook to a wall or other surface to accommodate the hanging of towels, sponges, cooking utensils and the like. However, such prior art hooks are typically not repositionable or adjustable, and can damage the structure said hooks are attached to when removed, which is undesirable and can lead to costly and time consuming repairs. 
         [0004]    Other free standing hangers, such as hat or coat racks are oftentimes bulky, difficult to move, and consume too much space. Said racks are also typically not repositionable or adjustable in height and are not well suited for the kitchen, bathroom and washroom environments, which are typically relatively small confined spaces. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for a hanger for hanging or storing items that is repositionable, adjustable, and does not consume too much space. The proposed invention allows for a hanger that can accommodate a number of different items at the same time and of potentially varying shapes and sizes. The proposed hanger is durable, easy to use and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0007]    The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises an easily moveable and repositionable hanger for hanging and/or storing a multitude of different articles. The hanger of the present invention preferably comprises a base, a base arm, at least one block with at least one opening therein for receipt of said base arm, and at least one additional arm also attached to said block. Specifically, the hanger of the present invention permits a user to manipulate and reposition the various parts of the hanger to configure a hanger of desired architecture, and to rotate the hanger 360 degrees within its base, and to rotate its individuals arms 360 degrees within an opening in the block. 
         [0008]    Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base of the hanger further comprises a suction cup device and a handle operatively attached thereto. The handle assists the user in engaging/disengaging the suction cup device from a surface. Handle further comprises an opening therein for receipt of the base arm or, alternatively, the additional arm  40 . 
         [0009]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the hanger in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional elevational view of the base of the hanger embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  in an engaged position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an elevational view of the base depicted in  FIG. 1  in a disengaged position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the hanger in accordance with the disclosed architecture in which the hanger arms are of different shapes and are positioned at various heights in relation to the base and in various directions, one hanger arm supporting a cleaning utensil. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective exploded view of a block and its fasteners. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the hanger in accordance with the disclosed architecture including a second block and a tray. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the hanger in accordance with the disclosed architecture including a single base arm. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. 
         [0018]    Typically, most prior art hangers are static devices, such that the individual components of said hangers cannot be manipulated or repositioned relative to one another or to the base, which limits the usefulness of the hanger to the user. Additionally, most hangers of the prior art (e.g., a hook mounted to a wall) are fixed devices, such that the hanger cannot be easily moved to a new location (e.g., from a bathroom to a kitchen). 
         [0019]    Accordingly, the disclosed hanger allows the user to manipulate the hanger in a myriad of different ways to accommodate the user&#39;s preference and to accommodate the particular article being hung or stored thereon. More specifically, the disclosed hanger can be rotated 360 degrees within its base, and its individual arms can also be rotated 360 degrees and extended or shortened, relative to the base, to permit a nearly unlimited number of different configurations to accommodate user preference. Further, the disclosed hanger can also be easily repositioned and removably attached to various surfaces including, without limitation, tables, counter-tops, floors, shelves and the like. 
         [0020]    Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of hanger  10 . Hanger  10  is preferably comprised of a base  20 , a base arm  30 , at least one arm  40 , and at least one block  50 . Unless otherwise stated herein, all components of hanger  10  are preferably made of stainless steel, although it is contemplated that other suitable materials, such as wood, plastic and the like could also be used without affecting the overall concept of the invention. 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , base  20  is further comprised of a suction cup device  22  and a handle  24  operatively attached thereto to assist the user to engage/disengage suction cup device  22  from a surface (not shown). Suction cup device  22  can be any suction cup known in the prior art, and preferably a locking suction cup, and is readily available at most hardware stores. Handle  24  is preferably constructed of plastic, though other suitable materials such as stainless steel, wood and the like can also be used without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Handle  24  further comprises an opening  26  therein for receipt of base arm  30  or, alternatively, arm  40 , as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates suction cup device  22  and handle  24  in the engaged position  27 , such that suction cup device  22  is removably attached to a surface and handle  24  is in proper position for receipt of one of base arm  30  or, alternatively, arm  40  in opening  26 .  FIG. 4  illustrates handle  24  in a disengaged position  28 . 
         [0022]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , base arm  30  is preferably an elongated stainless steel rod of desired length with a generally circular cross-section that can be inserted into opening  26  of handle  24  to removably connect base arm  30  to base  20 . Base arm  30  can also include a curvilinear or other shaped upper portion  32  and a lower portion  34  for removably connecting base arm  30  to base  20 . It is also contemplated that upper portion  32  can be relatively linear without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. 
         [0023]    Upper portion  32  is useful for hanging or otherwise storing items such as cleaning implements, cooking utensils, towels, wash cloths and the like as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Due to the generally circular cross-section of base arm  30 , it is possible to rotate base arm  30  360 degrees within opening  26  of handle  24  to position upper portion  32  of base arm  30  in any desired direction. 
         [0024]    Base arm  30  is preferably between 6 inches and 36 inches in length with a diameter of between ⅛ of an inch and 1 inch, although other desired lengths and diameters can be used without affecting the overall concept of the invention provided that opening  26  in handle  24  is sized accordingly to receive base arm  30  and permit base arm  30  to rotate therein. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment of hanger  10 , block  50  is a generally rectangular stainless steel block with an upper surface  52 , side surfaces  53  and a lower surface  54 . Block  50  is further comprised of at least one continuous opening  56  therethrough from upper surface  52  to lower surface  54  as shown in  FIG. 6  for receipt of base arm  30  or, alternatively, arm  40 . Moreover, block  50  preferably has multiple openings  56  therethrough to accommodate base arm  30  and a plurality of arms  40  as also depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0026]    In order to secure block  50  to base arm  30  and/or arm(s)  40  at a particular location along their respective lengths, at least one of said side surfaces  53  is comprised of at least one opening  522  therein as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Opening  522  is preferably partially threaded for receipt of a set screw or other fastener  524  for coming into contact with base arm  30  or arm  40  to removably secure block  50  thereto at a desired position along base arm  30  and/or arms  40 . Moreover, at least one of side surfaces  53  preferably has multiple threaded partial openings  522  therein, each capable of receiving a fastener  524  for securing block  50  to base arm  30  or arm  40 . 
         [0027]    Similar to base arm  30 , arm  40  is preferably an elongated stainless steel rod of desired length with a generally circular cross-section that can be inserted into opening  56  of block  50  to removably connect arm  40  to hanger  10 . Arm  40  can also include a non-linear upper portion  42  and a non-linear lower portion  44 . It is also contemplated that upper portion  42  and/or lower portion  44  can be relatively linear without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Upper portion  42  and lower portion  44  can be useful for hanging or otherwise storing a number of different items as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Due to the generally circular cross-section of arm  40 , it is possible to rotate arm  40  360 degrees within opening  56  of block  50  to position upper portion  42  and lower portion  44  in any desired direction. 
         [0029]    Arm  40  is preferably between 6 inches and 36 inches in length with a diameter of between ⅛ of an inch and 1 inch, although other desired lengths and diameters can be used without affecting the overall concept of the invention provided that openings  56  in block  50  are sized accordingly to receive base arm  30  and arm  40 . Rubber or plastic caps  60  can also be installed on the upper portion  32  of base arm  30  and upper and lower portions  42 ,  44  of arms  40  for safety or aesthetic purposes. 
         [0030]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, an additional block  50  can be removably installed along one or more of base arm  30  and/or arms  40  in the same manner described herein for first block  50 . Additional block  50  can be useful for attaching other useful devices such as tray  70 , or other useful articles, to hanger  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0031]    A further embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 8  with a single base arm  30 . 
         [0032]    Having now described a number of different embodiments of hanger  10 , its operation and usefulness will now be further described. To utilize hanger  10  of the present invention in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the user (not shown) will attach suction cup device  22  of base  20  to a desired surface (also not shown) by gently pressing suction cup device  22  against said surface and rotating handle  24  into engaged position  24 . User can then insert lower portion  34  of base arm  30  into opening  26  of handle  24  and hanger  10  is ready for use. 
         [0033]    Additionally, base arm  30  can be rotated 360 degrees within opening  26  to position upper portion  32  in any desired direction. Further, block  50  can be positioned at any desired location along the length of base arm  30  and secured by installing fastener  524  in opening  522  until it contacts base arm  30  and holds block  50  in the desired location along base arm  30 . Likewise, arms  40  can also be independently rotated 360 degrees within their respective openings  56  in block  50  as desired by user. The height of arms  40  can also be increased or decreased relative to base  20  to accommodate user preference as shown in  FIG. 5 . Once the desired positioning of arm  40  is achieved by the user, each of arms  40  can be secured by installing fastener  524  in opening  522  until it contacts arm  40  and secures the same in place. 
         [0034]    To remove hanger  10  from a particular surface, the user will simply rotate handle  24  of base  20  into the disengaged position  28  thereby causing suction cup device  22  to be easily removed from the surface. 
         [0035]    What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.