Abstract:
A multipurpose camping hook for mounting any available support surface includes a plurality of functional surfaces and contours for hanging equipment, clothing and associated articles, as well as providing tools for supplemental tasks. In combination with like articles, the hangers may be used for stringing lines and rods for additional organizational capabilities.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 121 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/436,726 filed on Dec. 30, 2002 in the name of the applicant of the present invention and entitled “Multipurpose Camping Hook”. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to outdoor equipment and, in particular, to a multiple purpose device that may be utilized for various outdoor activities and clamped to vertical surfaces for supporting and hanging camping gear and the like. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Outdoor recreational activities such as camping, hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and the like generally require the transport of diverse equipment and clothing. When a destination is reached, food, equipment and clothing must be stored for organization, storing, and drying, preferably above ground to avoid moisture, contamination and pests. Rarely does the location provide satisfactory available sites. 
   The present invention provides a multipurpose camping hook that may be secured to virtually any available support surface. The hook includes a plurality of functional surfaces and contours for hanging equipment, clothing and associated articles, as well as providing tools for supplemental tasks. In combination with like articles, the hangers may be used for stringing lines and rods for additional organizational capabilities. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a hanger for attachment to a vertical support wherein a unitary hook member has a barbed rear section for mechanically engaging the vertical support and a front section having outwardly extending projecting arms for supporting articles therefrom, the hook member having a center transverse opening through which an adjustable strap member extends through for encompassing and clamping to the vertical support. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the multipurpose camping hook attached to a tree; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the camping hook of  FIG. 1 , and 
       FIG. 3  is a partially sectioned front view of the hook. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a multipurpose camping hook  10  comprising a hook or hanger  12  having an adjustable strap  14  for attaching the hook to an available vertical support member, such as a tree or pole  16 . 
   Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hanger  12  is a unitary body  18  having parallel planar sides  20 . The outer peripheral contour of the body  18  includes a barbed vertical base  22 , an upwardly inclined lower base leg  24  merging with a medial horizontal center arm  26 , and a vertical outwardly extending top arm  28  spaced from the center arm by a front leg  30 , all as inwardly defined by a center opening  31 . The center opening  31  includes an elongated rearward vertical slot  32  joined with a frontally upwardly extending, handgrip slot  34 . 
   The strap  14  includes an elongated woven band  40  having a generally rectangular cross section that extends transversely through the slot  32  and wraps around the support pole  16 . The band  40  includes a hook and loop fastener assembly  42  for securing the ends of the band  40  at a desired location. A through hole  44  is formed in the leg  30  of the base  32  for accommodating a mechanical fastener to fixedly connect the hanger  12  to a support surface in lieu of the strap  14 . 
   The base leg  22  is provided with a vertical series of rearwardly pointed barbs  50  having downwardly projecting triangular tips  52 . In assembly, the barbs  50  mechanically engage the support member  16  to resist vertical slippage. Additionally, the barbs  50  are effective for supplemental activities such as scraping functions or scaling fish, with the user conveniently gripping the hook  12  through the center opening  31 . 
   The base leg  24  is provided with an upwardly recessed, semicircular transverse notch  52  terminating with a sharp inwardly projecting tip  54  for functioning as a bottle opener to remove a cap from a container. 
   The center arm  26  is inclined slightly upwardly terminating with a transverse ledge  60 . The arm  26  and the ledge  60  provide a retaining projection for directly hanging articles therefrom. 
   The top arm  28  also projects outwardly terminating with a narrow terminal tip  62  that functions as a screwdriver tip and a scalloped upper surface. The top arm  28  provides a secondary projection for vertically supporting articles. The slopes and contours of the arms  26 ,  28  provides for affirmative retention of the articles hung or supported therefrom. 
   The hooks  10  may be individually supported on adjacent vertical supports and interconnected with lines, poles, shelves or other horizontal rigid members for providing extended support lengths to handle a plurality of components. Moreover, the inclination or the arms provides affirmative retention for interconnection and supporting. 
   Preferably, the hook is formed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic having sufficient strength for the intended purposes. The foregoing objectives have been achieved with aluminum plate with a thickness of about ½, a height of about 3½ inches and a width of about 2¼ inches. The hook may be anodized, if desired. A woven nylon strap, about 1 inch wide with a hook and loop fastening system, provides sufficient gripping to hold a wide variety of articles and attendant weights. Mechanical strap connectors may be alternatively employed. 
   Having thus described a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will now be appreciated that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the sprit and scope of the present invention. The disclosures and description herein are intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting of the invention, which is defined solely in accordance with the following claim.