Patent Publication Number: US-2013240697-A1

Title: Bracket and hook assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to hardware components for mounting and hanging articles and, more particularly, to bracket and hook assemblies for mounting and hanging articles to a vertical wall, fence or similar structure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various bracket and hook assemblies exist in many different configurations and sizes. Certain of such assemblies require permanent attachment to a structure from which the assembly will mount or suspend an article. Others are adapted to mount or suspend an article from a structure but are incapable of securely and precisely fitting the size of a wall or structure so as to prevent tilting, wobbling, or falling off. Other types of bracket and hook assemblies are large, cumbersome, expensive, and visibly prominent. 
     OBECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     It is desirable to provide a bracket and hook assembly that does not required permanent attachment to a structure, that does provide a secure and precise fit to the structure, that uses space and materials efficiently, that is inexpensive to manufacture, and that is visibly obscure due to its low profile and small size. 
     These and other objects are described herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     An assembly for mounting and securing articles to a vertical structure, such as a wall, has a first vertical section for contacting a first side of the wall, a second vertical section for contacting a second side of the wall, and horizontal section connecting the first and second vertical sections and adapted to rest on top of the vertical structure, and a hook or other suitable implement attached to the second vertical section at an end opposite the horizontal section for attaching and securing an article or articles. One or more of the sections and hook may be secured to an adjacent section permanently or, preferably, non-permanently so that the assembly may be easily shipped and stored in a disassembled, or partially disassembled, state. The individual sections may be provided with means to select one of a plurality of specific points of attachment to each other to facilitate adjustment of size to accommodate varying sizes of vertical structure or wall to be attached to. 
     The present invention assembly has many possible uses including, but not limited to, hanging ornamental articles such as Christmas or holiday garland, lights, wreaths, bows, and other decorations on a stone wall or a fence. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a pair of assemblies according to the present invention mounted on a wall. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded,isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an assembly  1  of the present invention comprises a first section  2 , a second section  3 , a third section  4 , and a hook section  5 . The first section  2  has a vertical component  6  and a horizontal component  7 . The second section  3  has a vertical component  8  and a horizontal component  9 . The third section  4  is a straight member that, when assembled to the first and section sections  2 ,  3  is arranged horizontally. The hook section  5  has a vertical component  10  and a hook end  11 , the hook end  11  having a horizontal section  12  and vertical section  13 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the third section  4  has a first slot  14  and a second slot  15 . Each of the slots  14 ,  15  is engaged by a respective threaded stud  16 ,  17 , each corresponding to one of the first section  2  and the second section  3 . The studs  16 ,  17  are located on the horizontal components  7 ,  9 . 
     Each stud  16 ,  17  passes through the respective slot  14 ,  15  and a respective locking nut  19 ,  20  is engaged on and tightened down on the respective stud  16 ,  17  to fix the relative orientations of the first section  2 , second section  3  and third section  4  with respect to each other. This facilitates adjustment of the width that may be accommodated of a wall or structure, such as wall  21  shown in  FIG. 1 , when the assembly  1  is placed thereon. 
     The hook section&#39;s vertical component  10  has a slot  22 . The vertical component  9  of the second section  3  has a stud  23  that is received through the slot  22 , and a locking nut  24  is engaged on the stud  23  to lock the hook section  5  relative to the second section  3  in a selectively adjustable position. 
     First and second tabs  25 ,  26  on the first section  2 , and first and second tabs  27 ,  28  on the second section  3 , are located on a common side in order to mount clips  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32  that are specifically adapted to retain a standard electrical cord (not shown) in a press-fit manner. This is particularly useful if the present invention assembly  1  is used to hang electrical lights or electrically powered articles on the hook section  5  when the assembly  1  is mounted to a wall  21 . 
     During use the assembly  1  can be adjusted due to the slots  14 ,  15  in the third section  4  to accommodate a variety of widths of a wall  21 . A plurality of such assemblies as the present invention assembly  1  can be placed in series along a wall or structure to hand lights, garland, articles and ornaments. The slot  22  in the hook section  5  makes it possible to adjust the height from which an article or the like may be hung. While the preferred embodiment discloses a hook section  5  having a hook-shaped implement, it is contemplated that the hook section may have any of a variety of configurations suitable to hang, mount or suspend articles. It is further contemplated that the hook section may be substituted with a clamp, threaded fastener, magnet, hook-and-loop fastener, or other known attachment means. 
     The assembly  1  may be made of any one or combination of suitable structural materials including, but not limited to, metallic materials and plastic materials. 
     A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A main body  33  has a first vertical component  34 , a second vertical component  35 , and a horizontal component  36  that connects the first and second vertical components. These three components are permanently attached and not adjustable. A hook section  37  has a slot  38 , a horizontal component  39 , and a vertical component  40 . The slot  38  is passed through by a threaded stud  41 , and a locking nut  42  engages the stud  41  to adjustably secure the hook section  37  to the main body  33 . A plurality of tabs  42 ,  43 ,  44  and  45  accommodate corresponding clips  46 ,  47 ,  48  and  49  to secure an electrical cord (not shown). 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.