Abstract:
A hangtag is provided that is capable of hanging multiple tools. The hangtag has a body portion, a hanging mechanism connected to the body portion, and a tool supporting mechanism also connected to the body portion for supporting a tool. The body portion has a front surface and a back surface. On the back surface is disposed a hangtag attachment apparatus. The hangtag attachment apparatus comprises a bracket, and an elongated attachment bar configured to be selectively attached to and detached from the bracket. The attachment bar has a length that permits it to be connected to at least two and preferably more hangtags so that multiple hangtags may be selectively connected together. In this way, tools that would otherwise be sold individually can now be sold as a set.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/466,253, filed Apr. 29, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to tools and tool accessories. The invention more particularly relates to hang tags for supporting and displaying tools. Still further, the invention pertains to a hangtag mechanism for supporting and displaying multiple tools.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In the tool industry, it is desirable to display tools in an organized and presentable manner. One way in which this has been done is through the use of hangtags. Hangtags allow individual tools to be supported and displayed.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  presents a hangtag  50  recently developed by Olympia Group, Inc. The hangtag  50  first comprises a main body  54 . The body  54  is generally planar, but optionally includes an upper concave portion  55  for displaying a first label. Typically, the first label will present the house mark under which the tool product is sold. The body  54  may optionally also include a lower concave portion  56 . The lower concave portion allows a label describing the product  10  itself to be affixed in an ornamental and pleasing manner.  
         [0007]     In the exemplary hangtag  50  of  FIG. 1 , the product  10  is a socket. The socket  10  is supported by a tool supporting mechanism  20 . The tool supporting mechanism  20  allows the tool  10  to be securely held to the hangtag  50  in a retail environment, but to be detached from the hangtag  50  once the tool  10  has been purchased by a customer.  
         [0008]     At the top of the body  54 , a hanging mechanism  52  is provided. The hanging mechanism  52  includes a through-opening  53  for receiving a hook (not shown). The hook, in turn, would be attached to a display panel (also not shown). In practice, a number of hooks are disposed along a display panel, permitting various hangtags  50  supporting various products  10  to be presented to the customer in a retail environment.  
         [0009]     In many instances, it is desirable to sell tools as a set. Examples include socket sets and nut driver sets. In this respect, a series of sockets or a series of nut drivers are provided, capable of driving nuts of different sizes. However, when these tools are displayed through a hangtag arrangement, such as the hangtag  50  of  FIG. 1 , it has heretofore been impossible to sell tools as a true set, with a single price and a single product bar code.  
         [0010]     Therefore, a hangtag arrangement is needed for displaying multiple tools as a set. Further, a hangtag arrangement is needed that allows the seller to selectively attach individual hangtags to form a set.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a hangtag for displaying multiple tools. According to the present invention, individual hangtags, such as the exemplary hangtag shown in  FIG. 1 , may be attached together to selectively form a set.  
         [0012]     The hangtag first comprises a body portion. The body portion has a front surface and a back surface. The hangtag has a tool supporting mechanism attached to the body portion. The tool supporting mechanism serves to support a tool. A hanging mechanism is provided. Typically, the hanging mechanism is attached at the top of the body portion of the hangtag.  
         [0013]     A hangtag attachment apparatus is provided with the hangtag. The hangtag attachment apparatus comprises a bracket on the back surface of the hangtags. Each hangtag has a substantially identical bracket arrangement. The brackets receive an elongated attachment bar. The attachment bar is of sufficient length to travel through the brackets of at least two hangtags. The attachment bar is fabricated from a material of sufficient strength as to rigidly support the hangtags, allowing the hangtags to be displayed on a display panel together as a set. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings ( FIGS. 2-10 ). It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  presents a perspective frontal view of a hangtag as might be used to support and display a single tool product. In the view of  FIG. 1 , the hangtag is supporting a socket.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective rear view of a hangtag of the present invention, in a first embodiment. The back surface of the body portion of the hangtag is visible. The back surface includes a bracket for receiving an elongated attachment bar. A mating attachment bar is seen exploded away from the hangtag.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows the attachment bar of  FIG. 2 , in an isometric view.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  presents the hangtag of  FIG. 2  in a side view. The attachment bar is shown mated with the bracket to form a hangtag attachment apparatus.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a plurality of hangtags having been attached through the hangtag attachment apparatus of  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The hangtags are seen from a rear, elevational view. Four connected hangtags are seen. No tools are attached to the hangtags.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  presents a front, perspective view of the four connected hangtags of  FIG. 5 . End portions of the attachment bar are visible.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  provides a perspective rear view of a hangtag of the present invention, in an alternate embodiment. The back surface of the body portion of the hangtag is again visible. The back surface includes an alternate bracket for receiving an alternate elongated attachment bar. The mating attachment bar is seen exploded away from the hangtag.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  presents the hangtag of  FIG. 7  in a side view. The attachment bar is shown mated with the bracket to form a hangtag attachment apparatus.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a plurality of hangtags having been attached through the hangtag attachment apparatus of  FIG. 7 . The hangtags are seen from a front, perspective view. Three connected hangtags are seen.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  presents a rear, elevational view of the three connected hangtags of  FIG. 9 . No tools are attached to the hangtags. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     The present invention provides a hangtag  50  having an attachment apparatus  100 / 110  for displaying multiple tools. The hangtag attachment apparatus  100 / 110  will permit multiple hangtags such as the exemplary hangtag  50  shown in  FIG. 1 , to be selectively attached to form a set  50   s.    
         [0026]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a hangtag  50  of the present invention, in a first embodiment. The hangtag  50  first comprises a body portion  54 . The body portion  54  has a front surface and a back surface  54   b.  In the view of  FIG. 2 , the back surface of the body portion  54  is visible. The back surface  54   b  includes a bracket  100 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 2 , the bracket  100  is comprised of upper  102  and lower  104  shoulder members. The bracket  100  is configured to receive a mating attachment bar  110 . The mating attachment bar  110  is seen exploded away from the hangtag  50  in  FIG. 2 . Together, the bracket  100  and the attachment bar  110  form a hangtag attachment apparatus  100 / 110 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows the attachment bar  110  of  FIG. 2  in an isometric view. The attachment bar  110  defines an elongated bar dimensioned to be received within brackets  100  of at least two hangtags  50 . In the arrangement of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the attachment bar  110  is substantially planar. However, any geometry may be used so long as the attachment bar  110  can be fixedly received within the brackets  100  of the hangtags  50 .  
         [0028]     It can be seen in both  FIGS. 2 and 3  that the attachment bar  110  has upper  112  and lower  114  guide rails. The guide rails  112  and  114  are supported on a base  116 . The base  116  is dimensioned to be received within the bracket  100  under the upper  102  and lower  104  shoulder members. The guide rails  112  and  114 , in turn, are received between the  102  and lower  104  shoulder members. It is understood that a single guide rail having a larger width (not shown) could be used, rather than the two separate and spaced apart guide rails  112 ,  114  shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  presents the hangtag  50  of  FIG. 2  in a side view. The attachment bar  110  is shown received within the bracket  100  on the back surface  54   b  of the hangtag  50 . In this manner, a hangtag attachment apparatus  100 / 110  is formed.  
         [0030]     The hangtag  50  of  FIG. 2  has a tool supporting mechanism  20  attached to the body portion  54 . The tool supporting mechanism  20  serves to support a tool, such as the socket  10  in  FIG. 1 . It is understood that the present invention is not limited by the type of tool supporting mechanism  20  used, or the type of tool attached to the hangtag  50 .  
         [0031]     In accordance with the present invention, multiple hangtags  50  may be selectively attached to form a tool set. To this end, each hangtag  50  is provided with brackets  100  for receiving an attachment bar  110 .  FIG. 5  shows a plurality of hangtags  50  having been attached through the hangtag attachment apparatus  100 / 110  of  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The hangtags  50  are seen from a rear, elevational view. Four connected hangtags  50  are seen. No tools are attached to the hangtags  50 . Nevertheless, it is understood that various tools may be attached to the tool attachment mechanisms  20  on each hangtag  50 .  
         [0032]     Each hangtag  50  has a substantially identical bracket arrangement  100 . The brackets  100  receive the same elongated attachment bar  110 . The attachment bar  110  is of sufficient length to travel through the brackets  100  of at least two and preferably at least three hangtags  50 . In this way, a set  50   s  of hangtags is provided. The attachment bar  110  is fabricated from a material of sufficient strength as to rigidly support the hangtags  50 , allowing the hangtags to be displayed on a display panel together as a set  50   s.    
         [0033]      FIG. 6  presents a front, perspective view of the four connected hangtags  50  of  FIG. 5 . The end portions of the attachment bar  110  are visible extending past the set  50   s  of hangtags  50 . By connecting the multiple hangtags  50  with the attachment bar  110 , a true set  50   s  of hangtags  50  with attached tools (not shown) can be sold.  
         [0034]     A hangtag attachment apparatus  52  is typically provided with each hangtag  50 . When multiple hangtags  50  are attached using the hangtag attachment apparatus  100 / 110 , the retailer has the option of using only a single hook to support the hangtag set  50   s.    
         [0035]      FIG. 7  provides a perspective of a hangtag  50 , having an alternate embodiment for the hangtag attachment apparatus  100 / 110 . The back surface  54   b  of the body portion  54  of the hangtag  50  is again visible. The back surface  54   b  includes an alternate bracket  100 ′ for receiving an alternate elongated attachment bar  110 ′. The mating attachment bar  110 ′ is seen exploded away from the hangtag  50 .  
         [0036]     As in the arrangement of  FIG. 2 , the bracket  100 ′ is again comprised of upper  102 ′ and lower  104 ′ shoulder members. However, in this alternate arrangement, the shoulders  102 ′,  104 ′ extend in opposite directions from a common pedestal  103 ′. The bracket  100 ′ is again configured to receive the mating attachment bar  110 ′. The mating attachment bar  110 ′ is seen exploded away from the hangtag  50  in  FIG. 7 . Together, the bracket  100 ′ and the attachment bar  110 ′ form an alternate hangtag attachment apparatus  100 / 110 .  
         [0037]     As noted,  FIG. 7  shows the alternate attachment bar  110 ′ exploded away from the hangtag  50 . Underside portions of the attachment bar  110 ′ are seen in phantom. The attachment bar  110 ′ defines an elongated bar dimensioned to be received around brackets  100 ′ of at least two hangtags  50 . In the arrangement of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the attachment bar  110 ′ is substantially planar. However, any geometry may be used so long as the attachment bar  110 ′ can be fixedly received around the brackets  100 ′ of the hangtags  50 .  
         [0038]     It can be seen in FIGS.  7  that the alternate attachment bar  110 ′ has upper  112 ′ and lower  114 ′ guide rails. The guide rails  112 ′ and  114 ′ are supported on a base  116 ′. Together, the guide rails  112 ′ and  114 ′ and the base  116 ′ are dimensioned to ride on the bracket  100 ′. In the arrangement of  FIG. 7 , the guide rails  112 ′,  114 ′ and the base  116 ′ cover the upper  102 ′ and lower  104 ′ shoulder members of the bracket  100 ′.  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  presents the hangtag  50  of  FIG. 7  in a side view. The attachment bar  110 ′ is shown disposed around the bracket  100 ′ on the back surface  54   b  of the hangtag  50 . In this manner, the alternate hangtag attachment apparatus  100 ′/ 110 ′ is formed.  
         [0040]     As with the hangtag  50  of  FIG. 2 , the hangtag  50  of  FIG. 7  has a tool supporting mechanism  20  attached to the body portion  54 . The tool supporting mechanism  20  serves to support a tool, such as the socket  10  in  FIG. 1 . It is again understood that the present invention is not limited by the type of tool supporting mechanism  20  used, or the type of tool attached to the hangtag  50 .  
         [0041]     As noted above, the benefit of the hangtag arrangement the present invention is that multiple hangtags  50  may be selectively attached to form a tool set. To this end, each hangtag  50  is provided with brackets  100 ′ for receiving an attachment bar  110 ′.  FIG. 9  shows a plurality of hangtags  50  having been attached through the alternate hangtag attachment apparatus  100 ′/ 110 ′ of  FIG. 7 . The hangtags  50  are seen from a front, perspective view. Three connected hangtags  50  are seen. No tools are attached to the hangtags  50 . Nevertheless, it is understood that various tools may be attached to the tool attachment mechanisms  20  on each hangtag  50 .  
         [0042]     Each hangtag  50  has a substantially identical bracket arrangement  100 ′. The brackets  100 ′ receive the same elongated attachment bar  110 ′. The attachment bar  110 ′ is of sufficient length to travel through the brackets  100 ′ of at least two and preferably at least three hangtags  50 . In this way, a set  50   s  of hangtags is provided. The attachment bar  110 ′ is fabricated from a material of sufficient strength as to rigidly support the hangtags  50 , allowing the hangtags to be displayed on a display panel together as a set  50   s.    
         [0043]      FIG. 10  presents a rear, elevational view of the three connected hangtags  50  of  FIG. 9 . The end portions of the attachment bar  110 ′ are visible extending past the set  50   s  of hangtags  50 . By connecting the multiple hangtags  50  with the attachment bar  110 ′, a true set  50   s  of hangtags  50  with attached tools (not shown) can be sold.  
         [0044]     A hangtag attachment apparatus  52  is typically provided with each hangtag  50 . When multiple hangtags  50  are attached using the alternate hangtag attachment apparatus  100 ′/ 110 ′, the retailer has the option of using only a single hook to support the hangtag set  50   s.    
         [0045]     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.