Patent Publication Number: US-6991204-B2

Title: Recessed hanging apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to hanging devices, and more particularly to a hanging apparatus which includes a hanging member that is recessed into a body when not in use, and which can be rotated about an axis to extend out of the body so that an item may be hung from it. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a hanging apparatus which can be easily and quickly attached to an object such as, for example, a tree trunk. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a hanging apparatus which is capable of being stored and transported in a configuration that is unobtrusive and compact when not in use. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a hanging apparatus of such a configuration that at least a portion of the weight of a hanging item may be used to assist in supporting the object itself. 
   The above noted objects and other objects of the invention may be accomplished in a preferred embodiment of the invention that includes a belt of sufficient length to encircle an object, such as a tree trunk, and at least one hanging apparatus attached to said belt, said at least one hanging apparatus having a body with a recess that contains a rotatable hanging member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hanging system in accordance with the present invention shown installed on the trunk of a tree. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hanging system of  FIG. 1  shown with an item hanging. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hanging apparatus  120  of the first embodiment hanging system with hanging member  180  extended for use in hanging an item. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of hanging apparatus  120  of the first embodiment hanging system with hanging member  180  removed so as to show level floor  171  and sloping floor  172 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side cross-section view of a hanging apparatus  120  as shown in  FIG. 4  to illustrate the angle between sloping floor  172  and level floor  171 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a hanging apparatus  120  of the first embodiment without hanging member  180  so as to illustrate rotation axis  190  about which hanging member  180  rotates. 
       FIG. 7  is perspective view of a hanging apparatus  120  of the first embodiment with hanging member  180  shown above recess  170 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side cross-section view of a hanging apparatus  120  of the first embodiment together with hanging member  180  to illustrate open angular space  184  between hanging member  180  and bracket  120 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side cross-section view illustration of hanging apparatus  120  of the first embodiment showing a user moving hanging member  180  from a recessed position within hanging apparatus  120  to a position extending out from hanging apparatus  120  at an angle. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a hanging system of the first embodiment showing a hanging apparatus  120  slidably attached to support member  100 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of hanging apparatus  120  that contains a channel  220  to facilitate attachment of hanging apparatus  120  to an object by a penetrating fastener. 
       FIG. 12  is a side cross-section view of a hanging apparatus  120  of the first embodiment installed into a wall  230 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of hanging apparatus  120  that has a hanging member  180  with fingers  185 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of hanging apparatus  120  with a plurality of hanging members  180 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following discussion, a preferred embodiment of the hanging system will be described as being installed on the trunk of a tree, but it should be understood that it can be installed on other types of objects. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated hanging system supports various articles from a tree trunk and is particularly useful for campers and hikers.  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the invention being used to hang a pair of boots.  FIG. 10  shows a support member  100  in the form of a belt preferably made of nylon material that is used to encircle an object, such as the tree trunk, and secure a hanging apparatus  120  tightly against the object. Hanging apparatus  120  is preferably attached to support member  100  so that it can slide along support member  100  when not pressed against an object by tension in support member  100 . Tension is maintained in support member  100  by buckle  110 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a structural means used to accomplish a hanging function is shown in further detail. In particular, hanging apparatus  120  in a preferred embodiment has a body that is a substantially rectangular cube having a length l, width w, and depth d. Hanging apparatus  120  has six outer surfaces, including a major rear surface  130  and oppositely facing major front surface  140  that extend in a substantially parallel fashion lengthwise between proximate end  131  and distal end  132 . 
   Hanging apparatus  120  contains a channel  150  located a distance  13  from proximate end  131 . Preferably channel  150  is located at a depth d 1  from major front surface  140  and extends widthwise through the interior of hanging apparatus  120  between an opening  151  in minor surface  160  to an opening  152  in opposite facing and substantially parallel minor surface  161 . Channel  150  is of a size, shape and volume sufficient to accommodate the passage through it of support member  100 , such that major rear surface  130  may be secured firmly against an object by the tension in support member  100  when it is wrapped around such object and secured in place by buckle  110 . An opening may be present in level floor  171  of recess  170 , described in further detail below, where channel  150  passes underneath recess  170 . 
   Referring now to FIG.  4 ., hanging apparatus  120  contains recess  170 . Recess  170  runs through hanging apparatus  120  forming a lengthwise opening in major front surface  140  between distal end  132  and proximate end  131 . Recess  170  is preferably substantially perpendicular in direction to channel  150 . Recess  170  is of width w′ that is less than width w of hanging apparatus  120 . Recess  170  has a parallel floor  171  that is a fixed depth d 1  from major front surface  140  for a distance l 1  between proximate end  131  and a point p that is located a distance l 2  from distal end  132 . Between point p and distal end  132  recess  170  has a sloping floor  172  that slopes at a substantially constant rate from depth d 1  at point p to a greater depth d 2  at distal end  132 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that angle θ between sloping floor  172  and level floor  171  is approximately equal to the absolute value of tan −1  [(d 2 −d 1 )/l 2 ]. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , recess  170  is especially adapted to receive hanging member  180 . Hanging member  180  may occupy recess  170  when not in use such that its major exterior surface  181  lies in the same plane as major front surface  140 . This results in the front side of hanging apparatus  120  being substantially flat and smooth when there, and makes the hanging system compact and easy to store. Hanging member  180  preferably has a width w1′ that is just slightly less than width w′ of recess  170 . In this way hanging member  180  will fit snugly within recess  170  such that there are forces of friction between the walls of recess  170  and hanging member  180  that prevent hanging member  180  from rotating about rotation axis  190  and extending out of recess  170  without a force first being exerted on hanging member  180  as described in greater detail below. Hanging member  180  also has an interior surface  182  that faces level floor  171  and is preferably at a depth of approximately d 1  for an approximate distance l 1  between proximate end  131  and point p that is located a distance approximately  12  from distal end  132 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , between point p and distal end  132  hanging member  180  has an interior sloping surface  183  that slopes away from sloping floor  172  at a substantially constant rate from an approximate depth d 1  at point p to more shallow depth d 3  at distal end  132 . Angle φ between major interior sloping surface  183  and major parallel interior surface  182  is approximately equal to the absolute value of tan −1  [(d 1 −d 3 )/l 2 ]. This results in an open angular space  184  between distal end  132  and point p that is contained between oppositely facing interior sloping surface  183  of hanging member  180  and sloping floor  172  of recess  170 , as well as the side walls of recess  170 . The angle α between interior sloping surface  183  and sloping floor  172  is equal to φ+θ. Preferably φ is equal to θ such that α=2 θ. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , rotation axis  190  traverses recess  170  at approximately point p at a depth d 4  from major front surface  140  that preferably is approximately half of depth d 1 . Rotation axis  190  is inserted through an opening  191  in minor surface  160  and through a channel  192  that extends through to an opening  193  in a first side wall  174  of recess  170 . From there it extends through channel  194  in hanging member  180  that is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Rotation axis  190  is then fixedly attached to the second side wall  175  of recess  170 . Hanging member  180  can thus rotate about rotation axis  190  when forces are applied to hanging member  180  as described below in greater detail. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , proximate end  210  of hanging member  180  can be caused to extend out of and away from recess  170  by applying a force to distal end  200  of hanging member  180  that extends over open angular space  184 . Applying a force to distal end  200  causes hanging member  180  to rotate about rotation axis  190  until major interior sloping surface  183  is in contact with sloping floor  172 . At such point the portion of hanging member  180  between point p and proximate end  210  will be extending out and away from hanging apparatus  120  at an angle equal to α, as shown for example in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 9 . One or more items may then be hung from hanging member  180  as shown for example in  FIG. 2 . The weight of the items will be substantially transmitted through hanging member  180  against sloping floor  172  causing hanging apparatus  120  to be more firmly pressed against the tree trunk, or other object to which it is attached. This will help increase the frictional forces between hanging apparatus  120  and the tree trunk, which will help assist in supporting the item hanging. A force can later be applied to proximate end  210  that will cause hanging member  180  to rotate about rotation axis  190  until major parallel interior surface  182  is flush against parallel floor  171  of recess  170 . At that point hanging member  180  will be contained within recess  170  such that major front surface  140  of hanging apparatus  120  is substantially flat and smooth so as to facilitate easy storage. 
   In a preferred embodiment hanging apparatus  120  and hanging member  180  may be constructed from a single block of wood. However, hanging apparatus  120  and hanging member  180  may also be made of a wide variety of other suitable materials, including but not limited to plastic that could be manufactured in mass quantity through an injection molding process. Rotation axis  190  is preferably a pin that may be made of wood or plastic, or some other material. But in a preferred embodiment rotation axis  190  is a pin made of a hard metal to ensure adequate strength to support loads that may be placed on it when hanging items. 
   Support member  100  may also be made of a wide variety of materials and configurations, including but not limited to rope or twine. However, in a preferred embodiment support member  100  is a belt constructed of sturdy nylon fabric and is generally flat for easier insertion through channel  150 , as shown for example in  FIG. 10 . In a preferred embodiment buckle  110  is of such construction that the effective length of support member  100  may be adjusted before fastening so as to fit securely around the tree trunk, or other object, to which it is attached. In a preferred embodiment buckle  110  may also be easily removable from support member  100  and replaceable thereon, or of such a size, so as to facilitate the easy addition or subtraction of hanging apparatus  120  in the desired quantity. 
   While an embodiment of the hanging system disclosed herein utilizes a support member  100  in the form of a belt to temporarily secure hanging apparatus  120  to an object, it is not necessary that hanging apparatus  120  be secured to an object by a belt. With regards to application in an outdoor setting where it is desired to use the hanging system with a tree trunk, it is preferable to use a support member  100  in the form of a belt because the use of belt will not harm the tree or its protective bark. However, application of the present invention is not limited to use in outdoor settings, or for use with trees. The claimed hanging system has many other potential applications where it may be more appropriate to utilize another support member other than belt  100  as means of attachment to the object. 
   For example, one other application of the present invention is in a retail store for hanging items. Referring to  FIG. 11 , many retail stores have objects to which the present invention could be attached by using a support member  100  in the form of a belt, such as for example a structural or decorative column in the store display area. Several support members  100  in the form of a belt could be secured at different heights along such a column, each belt containing a plurality of hanging apparatus  120  that could be used to hang items. Use of a belt may be appropriate if the hanging of such items is meant to be temporary. However, if such an arrangement is meant to be more permanent, than it may be desirable to permanently attach hanging apparatus  120  to the object (e.g. decorative or support column). Because such an object is not a living tree, hanging apparatus  120  could be permanently attached to such an object using a support member of more conventional means of attachment. Such conventional means of attachment could include, for example, the use of screws, nails, adhesive, or picture frame wire. For example, a channel  220  extending from level floor  171  through to major rear surface  130  could be used to attach hanging apparatus  120  to a peg board using a peg, a cork board using a thumb tack, or to a wall using a screw or nail. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 11 , such channel  220  would be placed in channel  150  to so that the head of the peg, tack, screw or nail would not interfere with the ability of hanging member  180  to be recessed within hanging apparatus  120 , and would also provide for the use of a belt if later the hanging apparatus were removed, and it was desirable to use a belt as the support member. 
   It may also be desirable to build hanging apparatus  120  directly into a structure. For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , hanging apparatus  120  could be built into wall  230 . When not in use hanging member  180  would be recessed into hanging apparatus  120  essentially becoming part of wall  230 . Hanging apparatus  120  and hanging member  180  could be painted, or otherwise decorated, in such a fashion so as to effectively camouflage them so that it could not be readily discerned they were there. When needed, with a simple push hanging member  180  would extend from wall  230  for use in hanging an item. 
   It should also be noted that hanging apparatus  120  and hanging member  120  may be of various sizes and shapes depending upon the particular application. For example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , hanging member  180  may be provided with fingers  185  that extend out from hanging member  180 . Fingers  185  may each be used to hang an item, helping to facilitate the hanging of multiple items from a single hanging member  180 . Finger recesses  186  are formed in major front surface  140  to accommodate fingers  185  when hanging member  180  is recessed. Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 14 , hanging apparatus  120  may contain a plurality of hanging members  180 . 
   In view of the above detailed description of preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, various other modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. The claims below encompass the disclosed embodiments and all the reasonable modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. What follows is a glossary of terms to be used as an aid in the understanding of the disclosure and claims. 
   Body—Any three dimensional object. 
   Recess—A cavity, opening or depression in a body. 
   Hanging Member—An object from which an item may be hung when it is extended outward from a body. 
   Rotatably Mounted—Mounted in such a way that it is free to rotate around a rotation axis. 
   Rotation Axis—Any structure that will allow an object to rotate or pivot about a point or an imaginary line. It includes, but is not limited to, a structure such as a pin. 
   Angular Space—Any volume of space on one side of a rotation axis that is at least partly bounded by a recess floor and an interior surface of a hanging member. 
   Interior Surface—Surface of a hanging member facing substantially towards the interior of a body. 
   Recess Floor—The surface of a cavity substantially facing towards an interior surface of a hanging member. 
   Channel—A passage between an opening in one surface to an opening in another surface. 
   Support Member—Any structure or object that may be used to secure a body to another object, including but not limited to a belt or penetrating fastener. 
   Belt—Any object whose length is greater than its width, and which may be wrapped around an object to secure a body to that object. 
   Penetrating Fastener—Any rigid object that may be used to attach a body to an object by penetrating into the object, such as for example a nail, screw, or tack. 
   Pin—Any substantially circular rigid object with a length greater than its diameter. 
   Finger—Any extension from a hanging member.