Patent Publication Number: US-2012043444-A1

Title: Hanger device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/375,905, filed Aug. 23, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Many homeowners like to decorate their doors with wreaths or other decorations throughout the year, reflecting the current season or holiday. Traditional ways of mounting wreaths, especially over-the-door hangers, can scratch the finish of the door or door frame or make excessive noise when the wind blows or by the act of opening and closing the door. Additionally this method of hanging wreaths does not take into account other door fixtures, such as doorknockers or peep holes. Depending on where these items are located on the door, the over-the-door hanger could potentially cover them and make them inaccessible. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides devices and methods for hanger devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an attachment device is provided. The attachment device comprises a hanger receiving portion, the hanger receiving portion having at least a first surface and a second surface and a receiver located between the first surface and the second surface and extending into the hanger receiving portion, and a set screw opening extending from the first surface to the receiver, the second surface adapted to releasably attach the hanger receiving portion to a mounting object, and a hanger including a first portion and a hook portion, the first portion sized to be removably inserted into the receiver, the hook portion having a shape to hold a decorative object. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of attaching a decorative object to an attachment device is provided. The method comprises providing a hanger receiving portion, the hanger receiving portion having at least a first surface and a second surface and a receiver extending into the hanger receiving portion and located between the first surface and the second surface, and a set screw opening extending from the first surface to the receiver, the second surface adapted to releasably attach the hanger receiving portion to a mounting object, providing a hanger including a first portion and a hook portion, the first portion sized to removably insert into the receiver, the hook portion having a shape to hold a decorative object, attaching the hanger receiving portion to the mounting object, inserting the first portion of the hanger into the receiver, inserting a set screw into the set screw opening, the set screw contacting the first portion of the hanger, and attaching the decorative object to the hook portion of the hanger. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplary door hanger holding a decorative object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the exemplary door hanger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the exemplary door hanger of  FIG. 1 , affixed to a door. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of an exemplary door hanger, with the hanger portion and the hanger receiving portion separated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , showing the position of a set screw according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , showing an alternate position of a set screw according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a door hanger in an alternate embodiment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the subject matter of the disclosure. Although the disclosure describes a specific embodiment of door hanger  100 , it should be understood that the concepts presented herein may be used in other various configurations consistent with this disclosure. 
     Shown with reference to  FIG. 1 , a door hanger  100  includes a hanger receiving portion  101  and a hanger  113 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the hanger  113  may form a hook or other shape to releasably retain a decorative object  123 . The decorative object  123  may include, but is not limited to, a wreath, a sign, garland, a bow, or other object. In the embodiment, the hanger  113  is releasably attached to the hanger receiving portion  101 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of an exemplary door hanger  100 , with the hanger  113  portion and the hanger receiving portion  101  separated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in  FIG. 4 , the hanger receiving portion  101  includes a receiver  103  to receive the tapered portion  115  of the hanger  113 . The hanger receiving portion  101  includes a first surface  109  that faces away from the mounting object  121 , and a second surface  111  that faces the mounting object  121 . Shown in  FIG. 1 , the first surface  109  of the hanger receiving portion  101  may, in an embodiment, have a decorative appearance. The receiver  103  is positioned so that the tapered portion  115  of the hanger  113  is inserted in a direction substantially parallel to the second surface  111  of the hanger receiving portion  101 . 
     The first surface  109  of the hanger receiving portion  101  may also contain additional features. For example, the hanger receiving portion  101  may include a peephole to allow a user on one side of the door or other mounting object  121  to see to the other side of the door. The peephole may extend through an opening (not shown) in the hanger receiving portion  101  and through an opening (not shown) in the mounting object  121 . The hanger receiving portion  101  may also, in an embodiment, include a door knocker  127  that a user may use to strike a portion of the hanger receiving portion  101  to create a sound. The hanger receiving portion  101  may, in an embodiment, also include a fixed or removable placard or other device to display, for example and without limitation, a portion or an entire street address, a name, or other characters. The hanger receiving portion  101  may also include an emblem or other decorative or symbolic object. 
       FIG. 7  shows a front perspective view of a door hanger  100  in an alternate embodiment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first surface  601  of the alternate embodiment may be different than the first surface shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , but may include the set screw opening  105  and receiver  103  to engage with a hanger  113 . In a further alternate embodiment, the first surface  601  of the hanger receiving portion  101  is a decorative object. The decorative first surface  601  includes a set screw opening  105 , and the hanger receiving portion  101  also includes a receiver  103 . In an embodiment, the decorative first surface  601  may be partially or fully detachable from the hanger receiving portion  101  so that the first surface  109  may be changed if necessary or desired. The decorative first surface  601 , in the embodiment, may be releasably attached to the hanger receiving portion  101  by screws, tabs, or other similar devices to releasably secure the decorative first surface  601  to the hanger receiving portion  101 . In the embodiment, the receiver  103  and the set screw opening  105  are associated with the hanger receiving portion  101  so that the decorative first surface  601  includes an opening to the receiver  103  and set screw opening  105 , or is designed so that it does not cover or substantially cover the receiver  103  and set screw opening  105 . 
     The receiver  103  extends into the hanger receiving portion  101 . The set screw opening  105  is an opening in the first surface  109  of the hanger receiving portion  101  that intersects with the receiver  103 , so that a set screw  107  or other object may be inserted into the set screw opening  105  and into the receiver  103 . While the set screw opening  105  is shown as perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the receiver  103 , the set screw opening  105  may be positioned at any angle with respect to the receiver  103 . In an embodiment, threads  129  are disposed along the inner walls of the set screw opening  105 , shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The threads  129  engage with complimentary threads  131  on the outer surface of the set screw  107  to retain the set screw  107  in the set screw opening  105 . The position of the set screw  107  within the hanger receiving portion  101  in an embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6 . When the hanger  113  is installed within the receiver  103 , the inner walls of the receiver  103  prevent substantial movement of the hanger  113  from side-to-side, shown as lateral movement with respect to  FIGS. 1-4 , and also prevent substantial movement of the hanger  113  in the direction toward and away from the mounting object  121 . 
     In an embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the set screw opening  105  extends through one surface of the receiver  103  and into the opposite surface. The set screw  107 , in the embodiment, extends through the set screw opening  105  and into the receiver  103 , through the opening of the hanger  113 , and into the opening in the opposite surface of the receiver  103 . This configuration may help to prevent accidental deinstallation of the hanger  113 , as the set screw  107  is in communication with two sides of the receiver  103 . 
     The set screw  107  is a metal or plastic material, and may be the same material as the hanger  113 , or may be a different material. The set screw  107  may have substantially the same color as the hanger receiving portion  101 , or may have a different color. The set screw  107  includes an engaging portion and a head. In an embodiment, the head is decorative, and matches the decor of the front surface of the hanger receiving portion  101 . In another embodiment, a cap or other device fits over the head to hide the set screw  107  from view. The engaging portion, in an embodiment, includes threads that are complimentary to the threads disposed in the set screw opening  105 . 
       FIG. 4  includes a side perspective view of a hanger  113  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hanger  113 , in the embodiment, includes a tapered portion  115  and a hook portion  119 . In an embodiment, the hook portion  119  is “S” shaped created by a first bend, a second bend, and a third bend. The hook portion  119  may, in an embodiment, be used to hold a wreath or other decorative object  123 . In another embodiment, the hook portion  119  is another form of attachment for a decorative object  123 . For example, the hook portion  119  may include a ring or other suitable fastener to grip or otherwise hold a decorative object  123 . 
     The hanger  113  may be a metal or plastic material, or a combination of both metal material and plastic material. For example, the hanger  113  may be a metal material coated with a plastic material, or encased in a plastic material. In an embodiment, the hanger  113  is brass. In another embodiment, the hanger  113  is stainless steel, bronze, or another metal or metal alloy. The hanger  113  may be finished in any way, or in a way similar to the finish of the hanger receiving portion  101 . For example, and without limitation, the hanger  113  may have a polished, brushed, antique, or oil-rubbed finish. The plastic material may include rubber, or any other compound to reduce scratching or marring of the surface of the object and/or the decorative object  123 . 
     In an embodiment, the hanger  113  is between approximately 8 and 12 inches long, one inch wide, and 1/16 inches thick. The width and thickness may vary along the hanger  113 . The hanger  113  may be sized differently depending on the function. For example, the hanger  113  may be one inch wide near the tapered portion  115 , so that the portion of the hanger  113  adjacent to the tapered portion  115  fits within the receiver  103 , but may flare or narrow to another width at another portion. The thickness of the hanger  113  at or near the tapered portion  115  may be sized so that the hanger  113  fits within the receiver  103 , but may be another thickness at the hook portion  119 , to allow for heavier or lighter decorative objects  123 . 
     The attachment portion of the hanger  113  includes an opening  117  through the hanger  113 . The opening  117  may, in an embodiment, include threads disposed within the opening  117  to engage the set screw  107 . In another embodiment, the opening  117  does not have threads disposed within. In another embodiment, the attachment portion does not include an opening  117 , and the set screw  107  presses against the attachment portion, preventing movement of the hanger  113  within the receiver  103 . 
     In an embodiment, the length of the attachment portion is adjustable. The attachment portion may be adjustable to move the position of the hook portion  119  with respect to the hanger receiving portion  101 . This may be desirable, for example, for centering a wreath or other decorative object  123  around the hanger receiving portion  101 , or adjusting the height of the decorative object  123  on the door or other mounting object  121 . The receiver  103  may be sized so that the attachment portion may be moved within the receiver  103 , and then releasably locked using the set screw  107 . In another embodiment, the attachment portion includes a plurality of openings  117 , so that the height of the attachment portion within the receiver  103  may be changed by selecting an opening  117  for the set screw  107  to engage. In another embodiment, the attachment portion contains a plurality of openings  117  and a plurality of marks, so that portions of the attachment portion may be detached, sizing the attachment portion so that the hanger  113  holds the decorative object  123  at a selected height. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the hanger receiving portion  101  is attached to a mounting object  121 , such as a door. The hanger receiving portion  101  may, in other embodiments, be attached to other mounting objects  121 . The hanger receiving portion  101  may be attached to the mounting object  121  by, for example and without limitation, one or more screws or nails that extend through one or more holes in the hanger receiving portion  101  and extend into or through the mounting object  121 . If the screws or nails extend through the mounting object  121 , the screws or nails may be in communication with one or more structures, such as a comparable nut, to retain the one or more screws or nails to the mounting object  121 . In another embodiment, the hanger receiving portion  101  may include one or more screws or nails that are attached to the hanger receiving portion  101 . For example, one or more nails may be welded to the hanger receiving portion  101 , or one or the hanger receiving portion  101  may be cast or machined with one or more nails extending from the surface facing the mounting object  121 . In another embodiment, the surface of the hanger receiving portion  101  that faces the mounting object  121  may be coated or in communication with an adhesive, or an material, such as foam or other suitable material, with an adhesive on both sides may be placed between the surface of the hanger receiving portion  101  that faces the mounting object  121  and the surface of the mounting object  121 , to affix the hanger receiving portion  101  to the mounting object  121 . In an embodiment, the hanger receiving portion  101  is releasably attached to the mounting object  121 . In another embodiment, the hanger receiving portion  101  is not releasably attached to the mounting object  121 . 
     In operation, the hanger receiving portion  101  is attached to the mounting object  121 . The hanger receiving portion  101  may be attached to the mounting object  121  with an adhesive, screws, or other suitable mounting materials. The user places the tapered portion  115  of the hanger  113  in the receiver  103 , and inserts the set screw  107  into the set screw opening  105  on the first surface  109 . The set screw  107  travels through the first surface  109  and into the receiver  103 , and then through the set screw opening  105  of the hanger  113 . In an embodiment, the hanger  113  does not include a set screw opening  105 , and the set screw  107  is pressed against the hanger  113  within the receiver  103 , preventing removal of the hanger  113 . The set screw  107  prevents the hanger  113  from being removed from the hanger receiving portion  101 . To reverse the installation, the set screw  107  is removed from the set screw opening  105  of the hanger  113 , and the tapered portion  115  of the hanger  113  and/or the attachment portion of the hanger  113  is removed from the receiver  103 . The set screw  107  may not be completely removed from the hanger receiving portion  101  if it does not substantially interfere with the removal of the hanger  113 . 
     In an embodiment, the user selects the height of the hanger  113  by changing the length of the adjustment portion of the hanger  113 , or by changing the depth of the adjustment portion within the receiver  103  of the hanger receiving portion  101 . 
     While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can 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 disclosure 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 disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.