Abstract:
In an embodiment, an interchangeable corner hanger to ornament framing protruding corner structures is provided. The interchangeable corner hanger includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion is designed to rest on an exposed edge of a corner structure, and the vertical portion is designed to hang over the corner of the corner structure and rest against a wall upon which the trim is attached. The vertical portion has a length sufficient to stabilize the corner hanger without the use of other adhesives or attachments. In an embodiment, the vertical portion is configured to allow one or more interlocking elements to be suspended from the vertical portion. For example, the vertical portion may include an interlocking pattern configured to accept a complimentary interlocking pattern on an interlocking element. Further interlocking elements may be attached to the interlocking element.

Description:
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/149,582, filed Jan. 7, 2014, entitled “Device for Enhancing a Corner Structure,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/750,199, filed on Jan. 8, 2013, entitled “Device for Enhancing a Corner Structure,” which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to building structures and, more particularly, to interchangeable devices to ornament framing structures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, framing structures, such as doors and windows, have a decorative piece of trim nailed into place. The trim services to cover the gap between the wall and the framing structure, thereby providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. While the trim is more aesthetically pleasing, many times it is desirable to provide different appearances. 
     One solution to this is to replace the trim as desired. This solution, however, is difficult and time-consuming. Replacing the trim requires the trim to be cut to the precise size, nailing the trim in place, caulking the joints, and painting the trim and wall surfaces. 
     Another solution is placing a wallpaper-type border around the trim. This solution involves affixing a decorative strip with an adhesive. While this solution provides a decorative border, changing or removing the wallpaper-type border may also be difficult and time-consuming as the wallpaper-type border is affixed by glue. 
     Yet another solution is to paint a decorative scene directly on the wall itself around the trim. This solution is time-consuming to put up in the first place as well as replacing it. This solution may also be expensive if it is necessary to hire a painter to create the painting. 
     SUMMARY 
     These and other problems are generally reduced, solved or circumvented, and technical advantages are generally achieved, by embodiments of the present invention, which provides interchangeable devices to ornament a framing structure. 
     In an embodiment, interchangeable corner hanger devices to ornament protruding corner structures are provided. The interchangeable corner hanger devices include a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion is designed to rest on an exposed edge of the corner structure, and the vertical portion is designed to hang over the corner structure and rest against a wall upon which the corner structure is attached. The vertical portion has a length sufficient to stabilize the corner hanger without the use of other adhesives or attachments. Additionally, the vertical portion includes an interlocking pattern to allow one or more interlocking elements to be suspended from the vertical portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1-17  illustrate embodiments of corner hangers having various shapes. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an interchangeable corner hanger  102  placed on a corner structure  104  protruding from a supporting wall  103  in accordance with an embodiment, wherein the corner hanger  102  is shaped as a dog such that the leg of the dog hangs over a corner of the corner structure  104  to provide stability. In this embodiment, the corner structure  104  is illustrated as trim around a doorway for illustrative purposes only. In other embodiments, the corner structure  104  may be trim around a window, a mirror, a light plate switch, or the like. 
     The corner hanger  104  may be formed of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, or the like, and be of any suitable thickness. In an embodiment in which the corner structure  104  is trim around a doorway, the corner hanger  102  is formed of wood having a thickness of about one-eighth of an inch. 
     The corner hanger  102  has a horizontal portion  106  and a vertical portion  108 . The horizontal portion  106  has one or more contact points  107  designed to rest upon an upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 . While the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  illustrates that substantially all of a bottom surface  110  of the corner hanger  102  contacts the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 , in other embodiments, portions of the bottom surface  110  may have multiple contact points such that not all of the bottom surface  110  contacts the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 . 
     The vertical portion  108  extends over a corner of the corner structure  104  and provides stability and balance to the corner hanger  102 , allowing the corner hanger  102  to stay in place without need of fasteners, such as glue, Velcro, nails, screws, or the like. By extending a portion of the corner hanger  102  over the corner of the corner structure  104  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the center of gravity is effectively lowered relative to the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 . It has been found that in this manner, it allows the corner hanger  102  to remain in place, even over a door trim with the door being repeatedly slammed shut. Without the vertical portion  108 , the center of gravity would be considerably higher and provides a much less stable structure. In an embodiment, the center of gravity is lower than about two inches above the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 . For example, in an embodiment, the center of gravity is lower than the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 . 
     The vertical portion  108  may further rest against the supporting wall  103 , such that the supporting wall  103  provides an anti-tipping effect. As can be appreciated, a structure comprising only the horizontal portion has a fulcrum or point of rotation along a joint between the contact points  107  and the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104  and, as a result, could easily tip over. The vertical extension of the vertical portion  108 , however, restricts the tipping motion, because as the horizontal portion  106  tips, the vertical portion  108  is “pushed into” the wall. In this manner, as the wall prevents the vertical portion  108  from rotating into the wall, the horizontal portion  106  is prevented from tipping over. 
     It should be appreciated that the larger the vertical portion  108  is relative to the horizontal portion  106 , the more stable the corner hanger  102  may be. Further, it should be noted that the vertical height of the horizontal portion  106  also affects the stability, wherein the greater the vertical height of the horizontal portion  106 , the less stable. Accordingly, the greater the vertical height of the horizontal portion  106 , it may be desirable to increase the size of the vertical portion  108 . 
     Embodiments of the corner hanger  102  may be easily replaced to provide different themes to a room. For example, seasonal themes may be used for Valentine&#39;s Day, Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and the like, throughout the year. 
       FIGS. 2-11  are examples of types of corner hangers that may be used in accordance with various embodiments. Referring first to  FIG. 2 , the corner hanger  102  has a shape of a snake, wherein the head of the snake is elevated above the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 . Further,  FIG. 2  illustrates that the entirety of the vertical portion  108  does not necessarily rest against the corner structure. For example, the curve of the snake around the corner of the corner structure  104  extends past the corner, thereby leaving a gap between the corner structure  104  and the corner hanger  102 . The lower portion of the snake rests against the trim, thereby aiding in providing a solid, stable base. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the corner hanger  102  has a shape of a sleeping baby, wherein a head and body of the sleeping baby rests on the upper surface  112  of the corner structure  104 , and feet of the sleeping baby hang over the corner of the corner structure  104  to provide stability. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the corner hanger  102  shaped as a boy with angel wings. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the legs hang over the corner of the corner structure  104  to provide support.  FIG. 4  also illustrates an embodiment in which multiple contact points  107  are used for the interface between the horizontal portion  106  and the corner structure  104 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the corner hanger  102  as a bear and a girl, respectively, with angel wings. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the legs hang over the corner of the corner structure  104  to provide support. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate various corner hangers of a cat, wherein  FIG. 7  is illustrated to hang from the right side and  FIG. 8  is designed to hang from the left side. It should also be noted that the vertical portion of the cat in  FIG. 7  comprises the back legs of the cat, while the vertical portion of the cat in  FIG. 8  comprises the tail. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate that embodiments of the corner hanger  102  may use shapes or configurations other than animals or people. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the word “Peace” is used, wherein the “P” hangs over the edge to provide stability.  FIG. 9  further illustrates that a flat edge is not necessarily present to rest against the top surface of the corner structure  104 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a similar embodiment in which the corner hanger  102  is shaped as the word “Joy,” wherein the “y” hangs over the corner of the corner structure  104 . In these embodiments, the corner hanger has multiple points of contact. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the corner hanger  102  shaped as a giraffe. In this embodiment, the corner hanger  102  is designed such that the vertical portion  108  of the corner hanger  102  contacts the corner structure  104  to keep the corner hanger  102  from rotating and swinging off of the corner structure  104 . In particular, the single, relatively small, contact point  107  of the giraffe acts as a point of rotation aided by the weight of the giraffe&#39;s body hanging over the corner of the corner structure. The giraffe rotates thus until the one or more portions of the vertical portion  108  of the giraffe contacts the corner structure  104 . 
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrate embodiments of the corner hanger  102  wherein the horizontal portion  106  is small compared to the overall size of the corner hanger  102 . For example, in  FIG. 12 , the horizontal portion  106  comprises only a hand of a monkey, while remaining portions of the body of the monkey hang over the corner of the corner structure  104 . Similarly, in  FIG. 13 , the dog is hanging by only the lower portions of the back legs of the dog, and in  FIG. 14 , an elf hangs only by the lower legs. 
     In embodiments such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 11-14 , the center of gravity is sufficiently close to the vertical surface of the corner structure  104  such that the corner hanger  102  does not rotate off the corner structure  104 . For example, in an embodiment the center of gravity is within two inches of the vertical surface of the corner structure  104 . 
       FIGS. 15-17  illustrate an embodiment of a corner hanger including one or more suspended interchangeable elements. For example, the corner hanger  1600  includes a support portion  1602  and one or more interlocking elements, illustrated in  FIG. 15  by an interlocking element  1604 . The support portion  1602  may exhibit characteristics as discussed above in addition to a first interlocking pattern  1606 . The first interlocking pattern  1606  is designed to accept the interlocking element  1604 , thereby supporting or suspending the interlocking element  1604  from the support portion  1602 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the first interlocking pattern  1606  is complimentary to a second interlocking pattern  1608  included on the interlocking element  1604 .  FIG. 16  illustrates the support element  1602  connected to the interlocking element  1604 , wherein the first interlocking pattern  1606  has been illustrated with cross-hatching to distinguish from the second interlocking pattern  1608  for illustrative purposes. 
     While  FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate one interlocking element  1604  for illustrative purposes, other embodiments may utilize two or more interlocking elements. For example,  FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment in which the interlocking element  1604  may further include an interlocking pattern, such as a third interlocking pattern  1610 . The use of the third interlocking pattern  1610  on the interlocking element  1604  allows further shapes, patterns, letters, phrases, or other features to be suspended from the interlocking element  1604 , such as interlocking element  1612  having a fourth interlocking pattern  1614  complimentary to the third interlocking pattern  1610 , wherein the first interlocking pattern  1606  and the third interlocking pattern  1610  have been illustrated with cross-hatching to distinguish from the second interlocking pattern  1608  and the fourth interlocking pattern  1610  for illustrative purposes. 
     The use of the first interlocking pattern  1606  and the second interlocking pattern  1608  allow the patterns suspended from the support portion  1602  to be interchanged. For example, different words, phrases, and/or different shapes (e.g., fish, birds, characters, etc.) may be suspended as desired for different times of the year (e.g., Valentine&#39;s Day, Christmas, Halloween), events (e.g., birthdays), and the like. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, other types of interlocking patterns may be used, as well as other types of connectors, such as hooks, eye-hooks, or the like. Furthermore, the interlocking patterns may be hidden, such as a snap or interlocking pattern behind the top element. This embodiment may have a further embodiment of hiding the interlocking pattern from view as well as the interlocking pattern being hidden on the bottom element. 
     Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.