Patent Publication Number: US-7219868-B2

Title: Hook device for attachment to tables and the like

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a hook device that is mounted to a flat surface, e.g., the bottom of a table or bar top, and is used for suspending personal items therefrom. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Hook type supporting devices are used in a variety of environments for supporting personal items including purses, handbags, backpacks, coats, umbrellas, or the like. The hook devices may be permanently or removably mounted to walls, tables, and bar tops, for example. Hook devices eliminate having personal items located on the floor or on the back of a chair where they may be soiled, damaged, forgotten, misplaced, or perhaps stolen. Further, hook devices eliminate the need to uncomfortably hold an item, such as a purse, in a person&#39;s lap. 
   Such devices generally include a base which is secured to the mounting surface and a hook which protrudes from the base. In some embodiments of hook devices, the hook is provided with means for allowing the hook to swivel. The hook is radially moveable through 180 degrees such that the hook may be moved out of the way when not in use. 
   A problem with such prior art hook devices which protrude from the flat surface of a table is that the device congests space for persons sitting at the table. Even with a pivotable hook, when the hook is not in use, the hook protrudes from the bottom of the table top. A person may contact the hook when sitting at the table making the location of the hook a hindrance, even when the hook is not in use, with potentially undesirable consequences. 
   In another prior art embodiment of a hook device for supporting personal items, the device may be mounted in a substantially vertical orientation to a shopping cart. The hook device includes a hook which is pivotable between an unused position, wherein the hook is substantially parallel to the shopping cart, and a useable position, wherein the hook protrudes from the cart. 
   One problem with this particular prior art hook device is that the personal item is in the way of the person pushing the shopping cart, particularly if the personal item, i.e. a purse, begins swaying as movement of the cart is started and stopped. The shopper pushing the cart could repeatedly walk into or be hit by the personal item. Additionally, as the shopper walks away from the cart to look at grocery items, for example, the shopper may come in contact with the hook, catching clothing on the hook protruding from the shopping cart. 
   It is desired to provide a hook device which has an automatic retractable position to eliminate the possibility of customer contact particularly when the hook is not in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a hook device for securement to a substantially flat, bottom surface of a table top, bar top, work station, desk, counter, stadium seat, or the like to support personal items. The hook device may also be mounted to the side of a surface such as on gaming machines, or the like, for storage and security of a personal item. The hook device includes a base, a hook, and an attachment mechanism pivotally securing the hook to the base. The attachment mechanism includes a plate and a torsion spring. The torsion spring biases the hook into a stored position in which the hook is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the table top having no sharp edges protruding therefrom. To use the hook, the hook is pivoted away from the surface and a personal item, such as a purse, handbag, backpack, coat, or the like is suspended from the hook which keeps the hook in its pivoted position. The personal item is then conveniently stored while a person is seated. 
   The present invention comprises, in one form thereof, a hook device for suspending personal items from a flat surface, including a substantially planar base for attachment to a flat surface. A hook is pivotably mounted to the base, whereby when the hook is in a stored position, the hook is substantially parallel to the flat surface. 
   The present invention comprises, in another form thereof, in combination, a hook device for suspending personal items and a bottom surface of a table, including a base for attachment to the bottom surface. A table top is provided including a substantially horizontal bottom surface. A hook is provided having a storage position and a use position. A spring is operably mounted with the hook. A mounting plate is secured to the hook and the base, whereby when the hook is in a stored position, the hook is substantially parallel to the bottom surface and when the hook is in a use position the hook is oriented at an angle with respect to the bottom surface. The spring biases the hook into the parallel position. 
   An advantage of the present invention is that when the hook device is not in use, the hook is substantially parallel to the substantially horizontal table surface. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is that a torsion spring is used to maintain the stored position of the hook when not in use as well as return the hook to its stored position when the personal item is removed from the hook. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a table having a hook device of the present invention mounted to the bottom surface of the table top with a personal item suspended from the hook device; 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view of the table of  FIG. 1  illustrating the bottom of the table top and the hook device in a stored position; 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of the table of  FIG. 1  illustrating mounting of the hook device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the table of  FIG. 1  showing both the stored and operable positions of the hook; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the table of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 — 5 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a table having an alternative embodiment of a hook device including a cover; and 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the table and hook device of  FIG. 6 . 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates several embodiments of the invention, in one form, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , hook device  10  of the present invention is a modular unit which is constructed to be mounted to a substantially flat, bottom surface of a table, bar top, or the like. Hook device  10  is used to support personal items such as a purse, handbag, backpack, coat, or umbrella, for example. The use of hook device  10  allows the user to suspend the personal item to prevent the item from being soiled or damaged on the floor. Further, hook device  10  minimizes the possibility that the item will be misplaced, forgotten, or perhaps stolen. Further, by using hook device  10 , a woman may be less inclined to hold her purse in her lap, which is uncomfortable. Hook device  10  has a hook portion that is retractable into a substantially horizontal position such that the hook is substantially parallel with the flat table surface when not in use, and thus is not in the way when a person is seated at the table, bar, desk, or the like. The potentially undesirable consequences of hook devices of the prior art is therefore substantially reduced. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  hook device  10  is illustrated as being secured to a conventional table  12 . Table  12  includes table top  14  having flat bottom surface  16  to which hook device  10  is secured. Hook device  10  includes substantially flat base  18  that is mounted in abutting relationship with flat table surface  16 . Hook  20  is pivotally secured to base  18  by attachment mechanism  22  with hook  20  having a first, stored position ( FIG. 2 ) and a second, operable position ( FIG. 1 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the first, stored position, hook  20  of hook device  10  lies in a plane substantially parallel to that of flat table surface  16 . Hook  20  is biased into the first position by attachment mechanism  22 . When hook device  10  is in use, personal item  24 , such as a purse having strap  26  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ), is suspended from hook  20 . The user pivots hook  20  away from the bottom of surface  16  of table top  14  a distance that allows personal item  24  to be placed on hook  20 . The weight of personal item  24  then pivots hook  20  to its substantially vertical, operable position ( FIG. 4 ). In some instances, hook  20  may not reach a fully vertical position if the weight of the personal item is not able to completely overcome the bias of attachment mechanism  22 . 
   Hook device  10  includes base  18 , hook  20 , and attachment mechanism  22 . Base  18  is constructed from a material robust enough to withstand the loads applied thereto by a variety of personal items. The material may be steel, aluminum, or the like. Alternatively, the material may also be some types of plastic. Base  18  is formed by any suitable method including molding, or being cut from sheets of the chosen material. Base  18  is illustrated as being substantially square; however, base  18  may be any desired shape. Referring to  FIG. 4 , apertures  28  are formed at the corners of base  18  for receiving fasteners used to secure hook device  10  to table  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , hook  20  is substantially C-shaped with semicircular portion  30  designed to prevent personal item  24  from falling off of hook  20 . Hook  20  also includes straight portions  32  and  34  which are substantially perpendicular to each other. Curved end portion  36  is defined at the free end of portion  34  to prevent the hook from being removed from attachment mechanism  22  as will be described further hereinbelow. Hook  20  may be formed from any suitable material able to withstand the weight of personal items  24 . One such material may be a round steel bar stock which is bent into the desired shape, rounded to formed curved portion  36 , and is provided with a smooth finish. Materials having a square, rectangular or other shape cross section may also be used. In some instances, hook  20  may also be coated with a material to alter the aesthetic appeal of the hook or allow the hook to be camouflaged beneath table top  14 . The coating may also provide a smooth surface that is in contact with personal item  24 . 
   Attachment mechanism  22  engages both base  18  and hook  20  to bias hook  20  into a first, stored position. Attachment mechanism  20  includes plate  38  and torsion spring  40 . Plate  38  is constructed from the same material as base  18  and may be formed by any suitable method to have approximately the same outside dimensions as base  18 . Plate  38  includes two rectangular portions  42  which are integrally connected by a pair of U-shaped members  44  ( FIG. 4 ). Hook  20  is pivotably received in U-shaped members  44  and is confined between plate  38  and base  18  when the plate is mounted in abutting contact with the base. Apertures  46  ( FIG. 4 ) are formed at the corners of plate  38  in locations that align with apertures  28  in base  18  when hook device  10  is assembled to receive fasteners for mounting the device. 
   Torsion spring  40  of attachment mechanism  22  is wrapped around a section of portion  34 . The width of torsion spring  40  that is mounted on hook  20  is slightly less than the gap existing between U-shaped members  44  so that torsion spring  40  is captured between members  44  and does not slide along hook portion  34 . In addition, the distance between curved portion  36  of hook  20  and the end of torsion spring  40  nearest curved portion  36  is approximately equal to the width of U-shaped member  44  which further prevents sliding of hook  20  relative to plate  38 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , torsion spring  40  has two ends  48  and  50  which act as lever arms to bias hook  20  into the first, stored position. First spring end  48  is in contact with outer surface  52  of plate  38 . Second spring end  50  is formed having substantially 90 degree bend  54  that allows end  50  to be directed from hook portion  34  toward linear hook portion  32 . At the end of second spring end  50  is hook  56  which engages outwardly facing surface  58  of hook portion  32 . Second spring end  50  applies a spring force to outwardly facing surface  58  of hook  20  to bias hook  20  against plate  38 . 
   The biasing force of torsion spring  40  is determined by the force required to maintain hook  20  in its first, stored position. The force is further defined by the average weight of the personal item  24  being placed on hook  20 . For example, if hook device  10  is mounted on table  12  located in a restaurant, personal item  24  may most often be a purse. If hook device  10  is mounted on table  12  in a library, personal item  24  may most often be a backpack which would contain items that are heavier than those in a purse. Therefore, the tension in torsion spring  40  in hook device  10  can be less in the restaurant because the weight of the purse must overcame the biasing force of the spring to move hook  20  to a second position. If the tension in torsion spring  40  is too great, the purse will not move hook  20  from its stored position to the operable position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , hook device  10  also includes mounting template  60 . Mounting template  60  is provided to ensure that holes pre-drilled into table  12  are in the proper locations when hook device  10  is secured to the table. Mounting template  60  is constructed from any suitable, disposable material such as cardboard, paper, plastic, or the like. Apertures  62  are formed in mounting template  60  in locations that coincide with apertures  28  and  46  in base  18  and plate  38  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), respectively. Mounting template  60  is illustrated as being substantially the same dimensions as base  18 ; however, mounting template  60  may be any size as long as apertures  62  therein are in the appropriate locations to coincide with base apertures  28  and plate apertures  46 . By sizing template  60  similarly to base  18 , packaging hook device  10  may be less complicated. 
   In order to install hook device  10 , mounting template  60  is placed against flat table surface  16  in the location where hook device  10  is to be mounted. A marking instrument  64  is used to mark table surface  16  at four corners which coincide with apertures  28  and  46  in base  18  and plate  38 , respectively. Apertures  66  ( FIG. 4 ) are drilled at the marked locations and hook device  10  is placed against table surface  16  so that base apertures  28  and plate apertures  46  are aligned with apertures  66  in table surface  16 . Alternatively, apertures  66  may be drilled through apertures  62  in mounting template  60  rather than using marking instrument  64 . 
   Hook device  10  is then assembled with torsion spring  40  being mounted to hook  20 . Hook  20  and torsion spring  40  are then positioned relative to plate  38  with spring end  48  being positioned in contact with surface  52  of plate  38  and spring end  50  being attached to hook  20 . Plate  38  is then placed in abutting contact with base  18  and aligned apertures  28  and  46  of hook device  10  are aligned with apertures  66  in table  12 . Hook device  10  may be oriented with the opening of hook  20  facing any desired direction, i.e. toward or away from a person seated at table  12 . Fasteners  68 , such as screws, are then used to secure hook device  10  to table  12 . Alternatively, adhesives that are able to withstand the suspended weight of a typical personal item may be used to secure hook device  10  to table  12 . In most instances, the adhesive should be able to hold up to  50  pounds of suspended weight. 
   In an alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , hook device  10  may be provided with cover  70  to encase a portion of hook device  10  including a majority of torsion spring  40 . Thus, cover  70  prevents a person seated at table  12  from contacting torsion spring  40  and snagging clothing, for example, while still permitting pivotal movement of hook  20 . Cover  70  may be molded from a plastic material to mimic the general shape of base  18  and a portion of attachment mechanism  22  including spring  40  and one U-shaped member  44 . Cover  70  is then mounted in position using two fasteners  68  used to mount hook device  10 . Cover  70  may also be integral with plate  38 . 
   While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.