Abstract:
System and method to easily install and remove hangers for a string of decorative lights around a house or a tree, while standing on the ground and without the use of a ladder. The system and method are particularly intended for attachment to gutter lips, but could be used to attach light strings to a variety of hard to reach surfaces found on and around buildings. The system is comprised of two components, a hanger clip which holds the light string and which is adapted to be suspended by a gutter or tree branch, for example, and an elongated staff configured at one end to temporarily hold the clip until it can be positioned and attached. The staff and hanger clip are engaged by corresponding locking means configured in each, to selectively and temporarily lock the hanger clip at a desired rotation angle relative to an axis defining the elongated staff. In an exemplary embodiment, the hanger clip is configured to simulate an icicle or ornamental object.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a method of installing and displaying decorative lights, such as a continuous strand of Christmas lights, around a house, while standing on the ground, and without the necessity of having to use a ladder. More specifically, the present invention relates to decorative simulated icicles for supporting ornamental lights that may be used during the holiday season. 
   Decorative lighting fixtures are becoming more sophisticated with every new holiday season. Gone are the days when simple blinking lights strung around trees would suffice to welcome Christmas and the New Year. Today there is a demand for more sophisticated lighting scenarios to adorn homes and buildings. With the demand for new lighting arrangements comes the need for newer and improved flexible frames to support these lighting arrangements  and attachment devices to affix such frames to buildings and other structures. 
   In addition to the increasing demand for more versatile lighting frames, there is a concurrent demand for improved ways and devices for attaching such frames to the building structure. Previously, numerous hooks and hangers for supporting cords and wires, particularly those with ornamental Christmas lights were available to adorn homes. Many of these hooks and hangers were permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the building structure. The installation of these devices was particularly time consuming and laborious and removal was equally complicated. In addition, these devices could not be rearranged at a later date to accommodate changes in the structure of the building or simply to rearrange for a different display of the lights. 
   Removable hooks such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,181, 827, wherein a clip designed to hold a cord with ornamental lights has an extended portion that fits between shingles and a clip portion that fits around a gutter are also commercially available. Such hooks have many advantages in that they are relatively easy to use and remove but may still be difficult to install onto gutters and  other building fixtures or hard to reach structures. Other hooks that hold decorative lights are designed solely to fit between shingles such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 356,246 and 356, 492, while some such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,141,192 and 6,347,780 are specially designed to mount onto a gutter. 
   There are a large number of patents related to this field, but there is only two, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,141,192 and 6,347,780, that specifically address a solution for installing decorative light hangers to an elevated part of a house, specifically a gutter lip, while standing on the ground and without the use of a ladder. The 6,347,780 patent requires a complex system including a spring-loaded hanger clip having jaws that grip the gutter and a string connected to a hand actuated slider distal from the hanger clip jaws to actuate the same. Furthermore, the 6,347,780 patent requires two-handed operation. The 5,141,192 patent requires the use of an elongated staff with a horizontal rod mounted at one end. In practice, however, this solution requires a difficult and delicate operation to get the hook to seat properly on the wide variety of gutter lips found on houses, particularly when the desired mounting location is at a fairly high elevation (11  feet or more on many houses). Moreover, use of the elongated staff is cumbersome, as there needs to be amble room and the staff long enough to pivot the staff at an end opposite the hook to properly position the hook with respect to the gutter lip extending horizontally from a leading edge defining the gutter toward the house. 
   Accordingly, a less complex and simpler system is desired for mounting a cord on a gutter and similar hard to reach structures. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome or alleviated by an apparatus and method device for mounting a cord on a gutter and similar hard to reach structures, including gutters and trees. The apparatus and method include a hanger clip having a cord retainer and a first bight configured to at least one of clip to two opposing substantially vertical surfaces defining the structure and suspend the hanger clip by the first bight; and an elongated staff for installing and removing the hanger clip. The elongated staff includes a lock feature disposed at one end of thereof to engage a corresponding mating feature extending from the hanger clip for releasably holding the hanger clip, such that when the  two sets of features are engaged, the hanger clip is temporarily and securely held onto the elongated staff when either installing or removing the hanger clip to and from the structure from below the structure, wherein disengagement of the two sets of features occurs by rotation of the elongated staff about an axis defining the elongated staff. In an exemplary embodiment, the hanger clip includes a member configured to simulate an icicle or other decorative figure extending from the hanger clip to the corresponding mating feature. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross section view of an exemplary embodiment of a clip releasably locked to an elongated staff for installation or removal from a gutter; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross section view of  FIG. 1  illustrating the clip oriented with respect to the elongated staff for removal therefrom; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the clip having a cord extending therethrough;  
       FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the clip of  FIG. 1  illustrating attachment over a gutter lip and releasable profile engagement therebetween; and 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the clip of  FIG. 1  used to hang a cord of hanging lights in a tree. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a hanger clip and elongated staff. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the single embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms or embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a hanger clip  10  removably coupled to an elongated staff  12  for operably coupling clip  10  to a gutter  14 . Hanger clip  10  includes a S-hook  16  and a member  18  extending therefrom and terminating at a lockable profile feature or lock feature  20 . Lockable profile feature  20  engages a complimentary lock feature  22  configured in elongated staff  12  for preventing translation of clip  10  in a direction corresponding to an axis defining  staff  12 . 
   Elongated staff  12  includes an elongated rod  24  disposed in a hanger clip tool  26  defining one end of staff  12 . Tool  26  is configured with complimentary lock feature  22  to selectively and temporarily lock or releasably retain feature  20  at a desired rotation angle relative to an axis defining said elongated staff  12  relative to clip  10 . Tool  26  is further configured with a cavity  28  to receive at least a portion of member  18  therein. At an opposite end of tool  26  having cavity  28 , a second cavity  30  is configured to receive rod  24  and prevent axial rotation of each relative to one another. In this manner, complimentary lock feature  22  is configured in tool  26  intermediate cavities  28  and  30 . 
   When the two sets of lock features  20  and  22  are engaged or properly aligned with respect to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the hanger clip  10  is temporarily and securely held onto the elongated staff  12  when either installing or removing the hanger clip  10  to and from, respectively, substantially a vertical surface defining a leading edge of gutter  14  therebelow. Disengagement of the two sets of features  20  and  22  occurs by rotation of the elongated staff  12  about an axis  32  defining elongated  staff  12  or rod  24  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  illustrates that when lock feature  20  is rotated about 90° about axis  32  relative to the position shown in  FIG. 1 , lock feature  20  is properly aligned with an aperture  34  defined at an interface between cavity  28  and lock feature  22  such that clip  10  may be separated from elongated staff  12  by translation of staff  12  along axis  32  so that lock feature  20  may be slid through aperture  34  without interference therewith. In this manner, the dimensional profile  36  of lock feature  20  with respect to the dimensions defining aperture  34  is smaller in this orientation. However, the dimensional profile  36  is larger than that of aperture  34  when lock feature  20  is rotated preferably between about 10° to about 170°, and more preferably to about 90°. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , an exemplary embodiment of hanger clip  10  will be described in more detail. Member  18  disposed intermediate hook  16  and lock feature  20  is preferably configured to simulate an icicle wherein lock feature  20  is appropriately configured to simulate a water drop from the icicle for ornamental design  while maintaining the structural design attributes with respect to having a releasable lock profile that is complimentary to lock feature  22 . Member  18  resembling an icicle is preferably integrally formed of two planar tapered plates  38  and  40  generally normal to each other intersecting at centerlines  32  defining each and corresponding to axis  32  as best seen in  FIG. 3 . In this manner, tapered plates  38  and  40  extend to lock feature  20  resembling an icicle with a water drop dripping from an end thereof. However, member  18  may be formed in other configurations suitable to the desired end purpose. For example, member  18  may be formed as another decorative design for use as a Halloween decoration for stringing lights appropriate to the holiday. For example, member  18  may be configured as a devil figurine holding a pitch fork. At the other end of the pitch fork, a corresponding lock feature  20  may be configured to mate with lock feature  22  in tool  26 . For instance, the pitch forks defining one end of the pitch fork is optionally utilized to provide the function of lock feature  20 . It will be noted that member  18  is not to be limited to simulate just icicles having a water drop lock feature  20  or a devil figurine with a pitch fork lock feature  20 , as other decorative and ornamental configurations are contemplated for use with member  18  and lock feature  20 .  
   At an opposite end from attachment with lock feature  20 , member  18  is coupled to a bottom portion  44  defining S hook  16 . S hook  16  is defined by a top portion  42  and bottom portion  44 . Top portion  42  includes a first bight  46  defined by a substantially U-shaped member  48  that terminates in a flared out portion  50  that is substantially wider than the remaining portion defining U-shaped member  48 . Flared out portion  50  is configured to easily allow a gutter lip  52  defining a top leading edge of gutter  14  to slide by flare out portion  50  toward bight  46 . Clip  10  is suspended by first bight  46  being suspended by gutter lip  52 . Flared out portion  50  is preferably configured to provide a bias  54  against an inside surface  56  defining a leading edge  58  of gutter  14 . Flared out portion  50  is preferably wider than a remaining portion defining hook  16  in order to facilitate assembly and disassembly of clip  10  with a gutter  14  or similar hard to reach structure. Flared out portion  50  is widera remaining portion defining U-shaped member  48  to orient hook  16  substantially parallel with the leading edge of the gutter and prevent the clip  10  from twisting when staff  12  is engaged and disengaged therefrom. 
   Bottom portion  44  of S hook  16  includes a second bight   60  configured to accommodate and help restrain a cord  62  therein ( FIG. 4 ). In an exemplary embodiment, cord  62  is light string of a plurality of ornamental lights, however, cord  62  may include one or more cords suitable for the desired purpose. In an exemplary embodiment, cord  62  is preferably encompassed in bottom portion  44  configured as a spiral section  64  defined by a small entry  66  so that removal of cord  62  from second bight  60  is less prone due to wind, for example, or during installation of clip  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , hanger clip  10  preferably includes bottom portion  44  of S hook  16  configured with a clip profile  70  complimentary to a gutter profile  72  of leading edge  58  such that vertical translation of clip  10  relative to leading edge  58  is inhibited by abutment between the complimentary configured profiles  70  and  72 . Clip profile  70  corresponds to an interface between top and bottom portions  42  and  44  of S hook  16 , but is not limited thereto, as clip profile  70  may depend from other suitable locations of hook  16 . Furthermore, first bight  46  is configured to properly receive and be suspended by gutter lip  52 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , the method of suspending  the device from a gutter is displayed. A cord is passed through the opening  66  in hook  16  (as seen in  FIG. 4 , not shown here). The clip  10  is attached to tool  26 , which is itself connected to elongated shaft  12 . The clip  10  is suspended over gutter lip  52 , which extends inwardly from the termination of the gutter trough. The clip  10  is then lowered over lip  52  so that spiral curvature or profile  70  is in contact with a complimentary configured profile  72  in an outside face of lead edge  58 . The clip  10  may then be slidingly positioned as being suspended by gutter lip  52  so that contiguous clips  10  may be evenly or proportionately displaced from one another. Clip  10  is then firmly mounted while being suspended on the gutter lip  52  by pinching the gutter trough  14  on both sides defining leading edge  58  with clip profile  70  engaged with gutter profile  72  and flared out portion  50  biasing from inside the gutter trough. The clip  10  is then operably removed from tool  26  by rotating staff  12  approximately 90° about axis  32  so that the orientations of features  20  and  22  shown in  FIG. 1  become oriented as in  FIG. 2 . Then tool  26  is removed from clip  10  by pulling downward on the elongated shaft  12 . Gutter lip  52  thus slides into first bight  46 , distorting flared out portion  50  which then grips  an inside face defining leading edge  58  of the gutter trough. 
   Removal of the clip is simply the reversal of the steps previously mentioned, i.e. insertion of the rod into the clip with feature  22  aligned with aperture  34  to slide therethrough, rotation of the tool  26  by about 90° to engage complimentary lock features  20  and  22 , raising the clip slightly away from to the ground to disengage the clip  10  with the leading edge  58  of the gutter trough, and lowering the clip disposed at the end of the elongated shaft to the ground below. 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, hanger clip  10  and tool  26  are each preferably constructed from a rigid material such as plastic. However, it is considered within the scope of the invention that hanger clip  10  and tool  26  may be constructed from any material suitable to the desired end purpose. In an exemplary embodiment, each of hanger clip  10  and tool  26  is integrally molded, using injection molding, for example. Further, hanger clip  10  is preferably molded with a plastic having a color to simulate the color of an icicle such as clear or white plastic. 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, elongated  rod  24  is preferably constructed from a rigid material such as plastic or wood. However, it is considered within the scope of the invention that elongated rod  24  may be constructed from any material suitable to the desired end purpose. For example, it is contemplated that elongated rod  24  may be a common household threaded broom handle, wherein tool  26  is molded with complimentary threads to receive the threaded broom handle. Other embodiments are contemplated as well, including, but not limited to, mechanical and chemical bonding means and press fit engagement therebetween (e.g., between tool  26  and rod  24 ). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , clip  10  is illustrated being used to suspend cord  62  in a tree  100  without the use of a ladder. As described above with reference to being suspended by a gutter lip  52 ,  FIG. 6  illustrates that clip  10  may be suspended from branches  110  extending from tree  100  using staff  12  without employing a ladder. In this manner, one or more strings of lights may be strung around tree  100  while clips  10  simulate icicles hanging therefrom. 
   The above described embodiments allow hanging a string of lights on an ice-laden day without a ladder perched on  the slippery ground. In addition, the need to wait until a winter thaw to remove the lights is avoided, because the need for a ladder is eliminated. The above described system allows stringing lights on any standard gutter or branches of a tree and allows removal of the same with just an upward nudge with the elongated staff on the releasably locked clip so that the clip may be easily lowered to the ground with the cord of strung lights still attached to the clip. Furthermore, the above operation may be easily done with one hand from beneath the gutter or branch without awkward angling of the staff to properly seat or unseat the clip. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the  invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.