Abstract:
An apparatus for suspending articles from an upwardly facing horizontal edge having a bracket member and a clip member, where the two members are permanently or releasably attached. The bracket member preferably includes a generally flat inverted U-shaped portion to be placed over a door; the clip member includes first and second jaw portions extending from the hinge portion and a locking mechanism designed to deform the clip member from open to closed configuration. This invention offers solutions for manufacturing the apparatus from resilient or non-resilient material, although it is preferable that the clip member is made of resilient material, due to simplicity, economy of manufacture, and durability. The embodiments described in the invention are differ in the construction of their closing mechanism and the nature of the clip-bracket assembly, but it should also be understood that various combinations of features from different embodiments of this invention are also possible.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates generally to the field of clips and brackets and more specifically to an apparatus for holding or suspending various articles from an upwardly facing horizontal edge, such as over the door brackets and clips for holding sheet materials. 
         [0005]    Over the door brackets are usually combined with hooks for hanging clothes and the like individually or in system of hooks; clips for sheet materials usually designed to suspend material from a rod, like curtains or hold the sheets of material down by tie down strings, like tarp clips. 
         [0000]    There is a need though to be able to suspend a sheet material from a door or a frame without having to damage the material by making a hole in it and without having to damage the door by driving a nail into it or mounting a hook.
 
The present invention solves the problems of the prior art, by providing a device that allows to suspend an item without having to damage an item or a door.
 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to grip and suspend various articles requiring suspended support from an upwardly facing horizontal edge on a support such as the top edge of a closet door. 
         [0007]    Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to suspend various articles without damage to the underlying vertical surface such as a closet door, partition or frame. 
         [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to grip and suspend various articles that can be detachable from the bracket section and can be used independently from the bracket section. 
         [0009]    A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to grip and support various articles that can be reversible, i.e. can hold items in suspended position and can hold rigid items up in upward position. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that allows controlled grip pressure on the suspended item. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an apparatus for suspending various articles from an upwardly facing horizontal edge comprising a bracket-clip assembly for mounting on a horizontal edge and gripping an article requiring suspended support, comprising a bracket member which preferably includes a generally flat inverted U-shaped member adapted to be placed over a door, having three sides which meet at right angle, with middle horizontal portion and a first generally flat portion extending transversely from one end of the middle portion and serving as a base for clip attachment and a second generally flat portion transversely extending from the other end of the middle portion, a clip member attached to the first portion of the bracket, comprising a hinge portion, first and second jaw portions extending from the hinge portion, where the second jaw portion permanently or releasably attached to the first bracket portion, a mechanism to change the configuration of the clip member from open to closed, said clip member may be reversibly attached to the bracket member, in a way that the gripping jaws of the clip member may be facing up or down. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an overview of the invention of ClipBracket assembly in assembled state. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an overview of the clip member of the invention without the bracket member. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention (permanently attached bracket clip assembly). 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing front view of the preferred embodiment invention 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing back view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing crossectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with gripping jaws open. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing crossectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention (gripping jaws closed) and illustrating the operation of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing crossectional view and close up view of the closing/locking mechanism of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a portion of the invention, namely closing the jaws by tightening the nut. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the same portion of the invention, namely opening the jaws by unscrewing the nut. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the side and the back view of the detachable clip member. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of the front and side view of the bracket of the detachable embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram showing the coupling nub of the bracket of the detachable clip-bracket embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram showing clip-bracket members in assembled state. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of yet another preferred embodiment of the invention with detachable and reversible clip-bracket members assembly, showing the side and the back view of the Clip member. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of the front and side view of the bracket of the detachable and reversible clip-bracket members embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram showing clip-bracket members in assembled state with the clip jaws facing downwards. 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram showing clip-bracket members in assembled state with the clip jaws facing upwards. 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the invention in which clip member has both jaws having grooves, which form a rounded notch when the jaws are clamped together to accommodate holding of rounded shaped objects. 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram showing crossectional view of the embodiment of the invention in which clip member has both jaws having grooves, which form a rounded notch when clamped together to accommodate holding of rounded shaped objects. 
           [0034]      FIG. 21  is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the invention of the clip-bracket assembly, with a side ratchet locking mechanism. 
           [0035]      FIG. 22  is a schematic diagram of the clip-bracket assembly, with the side ratchet locking mechanism embodiment of the invention illustrating the operation of the ratchet lock and slider, where locking lever is engaged. 
           [0036]      FIG. 23  is a schematic diagram of the clip-bracket assembly, with the side ratchet locking mechanism embodiment of the invention illustrating the operation of the ratchet lock and slider, where locking lever is disengaged. 
           [0037]      FIG. 24  is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the invention of the clip-bracket assembly, with a front ratchet locking mechanism, where a part of the slider is cut-off to show the front ratchet on the clip member. 
           [0038]      FIG. 25  is a cross section diagram of the clip-bracket assembly, with the front ratchet locking mechanism embodiment of the invention illustrating the operation of the ratchet lock and slider, where locking lever is engaged. 
           [0039]      FIG. 26  is a cross section diagram of the clip-bracket assembly, with the front ratchet locking mechanism embodiment of the invention illustrating the operation of the ratchet lock and slider, where locking lever is disengaged. 
           [0040]      FIG. 27  is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the invention of the clip-bracket members assembly, with an internal ratchet locking mechanism. 
           [0041]      FIG. 28  is a front view diagram of the clip-bracket assembly, of the internal ratchet embodiment of the invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 29  is a cross section diagram of the clip-bracket assembly, of the internal ratchet embodiment of the invention illustrating the operation of the invention, where internal ratchet is engaged. 
           [0043]      FIG. 30  is a cross section diagram of the clip-bracket assembly, of the internal ratchet embodiment of the invention illustrating the operation of the invention, where internal ratchet is disengaged. 
           [0044]      FIG. 31  is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the invention providing upward support of an item with rounded shape, like a small flagpole, on an upwardly facing horizontal edge. 
           [0045]      FIG. 32  is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the invention as a holder of an item requiring suspended support from an upwardly facing horizontal edge 
           [0046]      FIG. 33  is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the invention for suspending of a sheet material. 
           [0047]      FIG. 34  is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the invention as a basketball basket holder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    The present invention may be made in different embodiments, a number of these embodiments will be described below, but it is obvious and should also be understood that various combinations of featured portions from different embodiments of this invention are also possible. 
       Overview. 
       [0050]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-2  depicted therein is a general overview of preferred embodiment of a clip-bracket assembly in assembled state  FIG. 1  and clip member only  FIG. 2 .
 
Although the clip-bracket assembly may be formed of any suitable material, it is generally preferable that the clip member is made of resilient material such as the clip member may be deformed from a normally open configuration into a closed position.
 
Such material is highly advantageous from the standpoint of simplicity, economy of manufacture, and durability, also that there are only one or two separate parts in the final assembly.
 
In general all embodiments described below differ in the construction of their closing mechanism and the nature of the clip-bracket assembly.
 
       Structure and Operations 
     Preferred Embodiments 
     A. Permanently Attached Clip-Bracket Assembly 
       [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-7  depicted therein is a permanently attached embodiment of a clip-bracket assembly  40  constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The clip-bracket assembly  40  comprises a clip member  60  and a Bracket member  50 .
 
The clip member  60  defines first and second jaws  62  and  63  connected by a hinge portion  61 . The clip-bracket assembly  40  is molded from a single piece of plastic such that the jaws  62  and  63  extend from the hinge portion  61 . Where the back side of the second gripping jaw  63  is in effect serves as the first portion of the bracket member  54 , and the median over the door traverse portion of the bracket  52  extends from the same hinge portion  61 . The second portion  53  of the bracket member extends from the traverse portion  52  at right angle or slightly less to provide for some gripping action. The first portion  54  and the second portion  53  are separated by a first distance, which corresponds generally to the thickness of a door over which the bracket is to be placed.
 
Without the application of external forces on the jaws  62  and  63  these jaws are spaced from each other in an open or unclamped configuration as shown in FIG.  3 . However, the material from which the clip member  60  is made is sufficiently flexible to allow the jaw members to be forced towards each other into a clamped configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 . The first jaw  62  defines a first gripping portion  84 , flattened platform  72  that may carry ratcheted design for better grip in clamped configuration, and opening  78 .
 
The second jaw  63  defines a second gripping portion  85  and the rounded protrusion  70  with thread that matches thread on the locking nut  71 .
 
Each of the gripping portions  84  and  85 , comprise a plurality of gripping teeth  82  and  83 .
 
         [0052]    A closing mechanism to force the jaws  62  and  63  into a closed configuration comprises a nut  71  and the threaded protrusion  70  from the second jaw  63  working similar to nut and bolt action. 
         [0000]    The locking nut member  71  is fitted on the threaded protrusion  70  of the second gripping jaw portion  63  and moves on/along the threaded protrusion  70  between clamped and unclamped positions. When the locking nut member  71  is in the unclamped position as shown in  FIG. 6 , the jaws  62  and  63  are in the open configuration. When the locking nut member  71  is in the clamped position as shown in  FIG. 7 , the jaws  62  and  63  are forced towards each other such that the clip member  60  is in its clamped configuration. This closing mechanism is advantageous because it provides a controlled grip force on the suspended item  100 .
 
 FIGS. 8-10  show an additional embodiment of the present invention with enhancement features, that would make this invention work even if the clip is made out of non-resilient material. The above mentioned enhancement comprises of a lip protrusion  77  extending from the gripping portion  84  of the first jaw  62  and a circular groove  76  on the edge of the locking nut  71 . Although the clip  60  if made out of resilient material does not require this additional embodiment feature, this also may be advantageous to keep jaws open larger than normal, where without this enhancement the jaws have to be forced apart manually if the item requiring suspension is larger than the normal opening of the jaws in the unclamped configuration.
 
       B. Detachable Clip-Bracket Assembly 
       [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11-14  depicted therein is a detachable embodiment of a clip-bracket assembly constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. This clip-bracket assembly comprises a clip member  110  and a separate bracket member  120 , which are basically have the same structural elements as previously described embodiment, except that first bracket portion  124  is not attached to second jaw portion  160 .
 
Since the clip  110  mostly comprised of the same elements as in the previously described embodiment we will only address structural elements that make this current embodiment detachable.
 
The bracket member  120  is a U-shaped bracket comprising a median over the door traverse portion  122  and first and second portions  124  and  123  attached to the median portion  122 . The first and second portions are separated by a first distance, which corresponds generally to the thickness of a door over which the bracket is to be placed.
 
A nub  141  protrudes from the first portion  124  on its side to be facing the clip member as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  for coupling with the clip member  110 .
 
 FIG. 11  shows the clip member  110  with the jaws  150  and  160  extending from the hinge portion  111 . The second jaw  160  has an opening  140  shaped to accommodate coupling with the nub  141  (shown on  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 ) in a way that the nub  141  fits into the opening  140  and securely locks in place as shown in  FIG. 14 .
 
The nub  141  and opening/recess  140  are positioned in such a way that in assembled state, the hinge portion  111  of the clip  110  does not extend over the median portion  122  of the bracket  120 .
 
       Additional Embodiments 
       [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15-18  depicted therein is a detachable and reversible embodiment of a clip-bracket assembly constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. This embodiment differs from previously described detachable clip-bracket assembly by the additional opening/recess  242  in the clip member  210 . The bracket member  220  is the same as the previously described bracket member  120 .
 
The said additional opening/recess  242  shaped as a mirror-like reflection of the opening recess  240 , and when the clip is reversed it matches the shape of nub  241  for male/female type coupling. The opening/recess  242  is positioned on the gripping portion  285  in a way that when the clip-bracket assembly is in assembled state jaws  250  and  260  do not extend over the median portion  222  of the bracket  220  as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 .
 
Referring now to  FIGS. 19-20  depicted therein is an embodiment feature designed to facilitate holding of the rounded objects, such as flagpole, to prevent them from skewing from side to side when held vertically. The said embodiment comprises
 
first groove  381  with plurality of gripping teeth  382  in the first jaw  350  and the second groove  391  with plurality of gripping teeth  392  in the second gripping jaw  360 . when two jaw are in the closed state the grooves  381  and  392  form an expansion slot  355  that facilitates holding rounded objects vertically.
 
       Side Ratchet Embodiment 
       [0055]    Referring now to  FIGS. 21-23  depicted therein is another embodiment of a clip-bracket assembly of the present invention. This embodiment differs from previously described embodiments by closing/locking mechanism comprising a sliding member  431  and side ratchets  415  and  416  on the second jaw  413 . The sliding member  431  slides between clamped and unclamped positions relative to the clip member  410 . When the sliding member  431  is in the unclamped position as shown in  FIG. 21 , the jaws  412  and  413  are in the open configuration. When the sliding member  431  is in the clamped position as shown in  FIG. 22  the levers  432  and  433  engage with the ratchets  415  and  416  to hold the slider and keep the clip in the locked configuration. Applying pressure on the levers  432  and  433  disengages from the ratchet teeth  415  and can be moved to change clip into unclamped configuration.
 
The bracket member  420  may also be permanently attached or detachable.  FIG. 421  shows embodiment of the present invention with permanently attached Clip-Bracket assembly. First bracket portion  423  extends from the hinge portion  411  of the clip member  410  along and parallel to the second jaw  413  of the clip member  423  and forming a slot  428  between Second jaw  413  and lower portion of the first bracket portion  423  allowing for the movement of the sliding member  431 . At the end of first bracket portion  423  there is a lip  427 , which is in normal position touching the jaw  413  and works as a stoppage for the sliding member  431 , preventing it from sliding off of the clip member  410 .
 
       Front Ratchet Embodiment 
       [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 24-26  depicted therein is another embodiment of a clip-bracket assembly of the present invention. This embodiment differs from previously described embodiments by closing/locking mechanism comprising a sliding member  531  and front ratchet  565  on the first jaw  565  of the clip  510  as shown in  FIG. 24 .
 
The sliding member  531  slides between clamped and unclamped positions relative to the clip member  510 . When the sliding member  531  is in the clamped position as shown in  FIG. 25 , the jaws  550  and  560  are in the closed configuration. Lever  541  is engaged with ratchet  565  to lock sliding member  531  in this position. When the lever  541  pressed it disengages from front ratchet  565  and the sliding member  531  can be moved in the unclamped position as shown in  FIG. 26 .
 
       Internal Ratchet Embodiment 
       [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 27-30  depicted therein is yet another embodiment of a clip-bracket assembly constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. In this embodiment internal ratchet portion  665  is used to hold the clip  610  in closed configuration. Clip  610  may be permanently or detachably connected to bracket  620 . Bracket construction was described earlier in detailed descriptions of previous embodiments.
 
The clip member  610  defines first and second jaws  650  and  660  connected by a hinge portion  611 . The clip-bracket assembly  610  is molded from a single piece of plastic such that the jaws  650  and  660  extend from the hinge portion  611 . The first gripping jaw  650  comprises an opening  643  with set of locking teeth  642 . The second gripping jaw has an internal ratchet protrusion  641  with set of ratchet teeth  665 . Said protrusion  665  is fitted through opening  643  in a way that set of ratchet teeth  665  faces set of locking teeth  642 .
 
Without application of external forces on the jaws  650  and  660  these jaws are spaced from each other in an open or unclamped configuration as shown in  FIG. 27 . However, the material from which the clip member  610  is made is sufficiently flexible to allow the jaw portions to be forced towards each other into a clamped configuration as shown in  FIG. 29  by applying a force directly on the jaws  650  and  660 .
 
The set of ratchet teeth  665  of the internal ratchet  641  then engages with set of locking teeth  642  of the first gripping jaw  650  locking the clip member  610  in a clumped configuration. Since the internal ratchet  641  is made out of the same resilient material as the clip  610  and it is sufficiently flexible to be pushed out of the engagement when a direct force applied to the tip of the internal ratchet  641  in the direction opposite to the locking teeth  642 . Once the set of ratchet teeth  665  disengages from the locking teeth  642  the clip  610  returns in its unclamped configuration.
 
       Use Examples 
       [0058]    Referring now to  FIGS. 31-34  depicted therein are examples of use of the present invention: detachable reversible embodiment holding a Flag vertically upwards;
 
Suspended support of a sound blanket or insulating blanket over the door  FIG. 33 ,
 
Suspended support of a basketball basket  FIG. 34 .
 
         [0059]    While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.