Abstract:
A hanger assembly ( 10 ) is disclosed that is adapted for the useful purpose of hanging articles ( 17 ) from a generally cylindrical, vertical support member ( 8 ). The hanger assembly ( 10 ) comprises a hanger arm ( 16 ) which connects easily to the vertical support member ( 8 ) with attachment means ( 12 ) and extends to adjustable lengths to hold articles ( 17 ) securely in place. Brace ( 14 ) is attached to the underside of attachment means ( 12 ) and extends vertically down the vertical support member ( 8 ) for added support of the hanger assembly ( 10 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field Of Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a hanger assembly for displaying or hanging objects from a substantially cylindrical, vertically extending structure or support, such as the trunk of a Christmas tree.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of Relevant Art  
         [0004]     Conventional hangers that attach to vertically extending support members, such as trees, posts, and poles, generally require tools to attach, remove or adjust the hangers. They are often made up of several different parts, and have a multitude of fasteners or complex securing mechanisms that may render these hangers difficult and/or time-consuming to use.  
         [0005]     Such hangers are often designed to support considerable weight and are therefore too heavy or large for lighter applications. Most support mechanisms are not adjustable in length or angle of projection. Several have multiple hanging-members and cannot be used singly. Also their size, shape and color may make it difficult to use them aesthetically in a decorating capacity.  
         [0006]     What is desired, therefore, is an inexpensive, easy-to-use, adjustable multi-purpose hanger assembly.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4.421,801 discloses a “decoration stand” in the form of a planar Christmas tree; FIG. 3 shows shelves extending from the trunk or branches of the “tree,” but it is not apparent how they attach.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,328 discloses a conventional clothes stand in which the carrying arms include “comb teeth” or grooves to retain clothes hangers on the arms.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,473 discloses another clothes rack in which the arms have grooves for retaining clothes hangers thereon. Column 2 indicates that the arms and hub portion are preferably an integral, one-piece structure (rather than being detachable or folding).  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,035 discloses a “sign supporting system” in which two-part brackets are screwed tight together to secure a conventional sign to a post (the brackets compressing both the post and the sign), with the edge of the sign aligned with the post. FIG. 3 indicates that to the extent the sign could rotate downward, it might be considered to be prevented from doing so by the post.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,256 discloses a support apparatus featuring a quick-release clamp for attachment to rods, tree limbs or the like, and a transverse portion (105) apparently used as a handle, with grooves (87) to improve the user&#39;s grip.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,112 discloses (see col. 2 and the figures) an artificial tree having branch holder collars (13) attached at a fixed angle to the trunk (12).  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,546 discloses a conventional rotary hanger device including a vertical support rod, support members arranged about the rod, and multiple hanger rods, each having a ring rotatably mounted around an associated support member.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,619 discloses pole-supported apparatus and clamps for attachment thereto, the clamp including a collar portion for attachment to the pole and a portion to clamp to and hold an article. The clamps can be moved vertically and rotationally on the pole. FIGS. 2/3 are most illustrative, and FIG. 11 shows a large assembly made up of the poles, clamps and various accessories.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,415 discloses an artificial tree with a shelving system, using conventional shelf supports which fasten onto straps which are compressively attached to the trunk. The supports fasten to the straps with bolts or hooks (54), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. No cantilever supports for these components appear to be used.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,396 discloses a conventional potted plant stand which is adjustable to hold pots of various sizes.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,572 discloses a “multifunctional knockdown rack structure” including a vertical shaft with “inserting members” (3) which have partial collar shapes. Racks, hooks or the like are attached to these components by conventional means. (See, e.g., FIGS. 4/6.)  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,661 discloses a “collapsible Christmas tree” in which branch units (branches radially extending from rings) are slidably mounted on the trunk and spaced by springs placed between units. The structure is best seen in FIGS. 2/6; as shown in the latter, the branches appear to be integral parts of the rings rather than suspended or cantilevered.  
         [0019]     Despite the existence of all these devices, there remains a need for an inexpensive, easy-to-use hanger assembly which can be attached to vertical poles and the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0020]     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a hanger for quickly, easily, and securely hanging objects from a substantially cylindrical, vertically extending support structure, such as a Christmas tree.  
         [0021]     Another object of the invention is to provide a hanger that can be shortened in order to customize the cantilevered hanger arm for its particular purpose. This can be achieved by provision of a series of score marks circumscribed around the distal portion of the cantilevered hanger arm. The hanger arm can be easily broken off at these score marks.  
         [0022]     Another object of the invention is to provide secure means of hanging and retaining an object from the hanger arm. This object of the invention can be achieved, e.g., by provision of a series of intermittently spaced beads on the top side and distal portion of the hanger arm, by holes bored through the shaft of the hanger arm, or by hooks or loops attached to the underside of the hanger arm.  
         [0023]     In certain embodiments, the hanger includes an angled cantilevered arm in order to retain the hanging object(s) more securely.  
         [0024]     Another object of the invention is to make it inconspicuous in appearance to satisfy decorating needs. This object is achieved by producing the invention in a variety of colors which correspond with various decorating needs, for example: dark green or shades of brown to match the color of the branches and trunk of a typical Christmas tree.  
         [0025]     An object of the invention is to provide a toolless attachment means to a vertical support structure. This object is achieved by constructing at least one component of the invention out of a semi-flexible material that will frictionally engage the support structure.  
         [0026]     Another object of the invention is to provide additional support by means of a brace on the underside of the attachment means, extending to the proximal end of the hanger arm and perpendicular to the attachment means.  
         [0027]     A primary application for the hanger assembly of the present invention is for use on a Christmas tree. Applicant understands the limitations of Christmas tree branches in their ability to bear weight, and has therefore invented a hanger assembly that will augment real branches in a fashion that allows them to be easily hidden among the real branches. The mechanism for securement of the base end of the hanger assembly will be such that users can attach said assembly to the tree trunk while holding the protruding (distal) end from which the ornament will hang, thus allowing for easy attachment with minimal exposure to the prickly Christmas tree needles. The hanger assembly is designed to be placed either directly above or directly below a real Christmas tree branch, thus camouflaging the attachment device.  
         [0028]     Applicant&#39;s invention follows the trend of larger and heavier ornaments which currently inundate the market, but which prove difficult or impossible to hang from a normal Christmas tree branch without great risk of breakage. Additionally, aesthetically speaking, drooping branches are rarely desirable and can deter from the beauty of these ornaments.  
         [0029]     There is tremendous marketing potential for an attachable ornament hanger arm in conjunction with ornaments that may require greater support.  
         [0030]     In summary, the present invention provides a removably attachable hanger assembly comprising attachment means designed to provide support for articles on generally cylindrical vertical support members by securing resilient semi-circular attachment means to said support member. The attachment means can be attached to the vertical support and removed for reuse. Hanger arm means are attached by a proximal end to the semi-circular attachment means, the hanger arm being generally perpendicular to the vertical support member in the horizontal plane, and describing an acute angle (which can extend to almost 90 degrees) with respect to the vertical support member in the vertical plane. The hanger arm can be hingedly and adjustably attached to the semi-circular attachment means so the angle in the vertical plane can be adjusted to suit the placement of articles hanging from the distal end of the arm.  
         [0031]     In addition or alternatively, the hanger arm can be hingedly and adjustably attached to the attachment means so that the angle in the horizontal plane can also be adjusted. The hanger arm can thus have two degrees of freedom with respect to the attachment means. Both of these hinged attachment means employ tight frictional connections or other suitable mechanical means to maintain the arm in any position.  
         [0032]     The arm can be made adjustable in length by having at least two components which fit together in a telescoping manner, or by using material and weakened portions in pre-selected positions (such as grooves or notches) to permit small measured portions of the outer distal end to be broken off. Means for retaining hanging devices in place on the hanger arms, even when they describe an acute angle with respect to the vertical support member, can be provided in the form of beads or other protuberances from the arms, the same notches or grooves used to provide break points, small loops on the undersides of the arms, or holes drilled therein.  
         [0033]     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from perusal of the following detailed description, the drawings and the appended claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hanger assembly in accordance with the invention attached to a vertical support member.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hanger assembly with gripping teeth lining the attachment means.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a spacer lining the attachment means.  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hanger assembly with a tooth-lined V-shaped attachment means.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hanger assembly having a strap to completely encircle a vertical support member and retain the hanger assembly thereon.  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vertically and horizontally adjustable hanger assembly.  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hanger assembly with a support wire.  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a telescoping hanger arm. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]     For the purpose of this invention, descriptive and directional terms have been defined as follows: semi-circular—more than half a circle, less than a whole circle. The invention is to be employed in a terrestrial regime, and so is described as having an upper or top side opposite the gravitational force and a bottom or underside closest to the horizontal surface upon which it is supported. The terms proximal and distal are used to indicate the ends of components such as the hanger arms which are nearest and farthest from the vertical support member, respectively.  
         [0043]     Turning now to the figures, a preferred embodiment of a hanger assembly  10  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The preferred device comprises semi-circular attachment means  12  of one piece of a resilient, springy material such as semi-rigid polypropylene. Wood, metal, other plastics or any combination thereof may be viable alternatives. The attachment means material simply needs to be of sufficient flexibility to frictionally engage a substantially vertical support member  8  and of sufficient strength to support the weight of articles  17  which would be attached thereto.  
         [0044]     The hanger assembly  10  of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , is made up of three major components: attachment means  12 , brace  14 , and hanger arm  16 . Because of the different requirements of each portion of the hanger assembly  10 , a separable hanger assembly  10  may be required with each part made of a different material and assembled to form the assembly  10 . Ideally, however, the entire hanger assembly  10  could be cast, injection-molded or otherwise. formed of plastic, including the properties of plastics which would be strong enough to support the weight of the ornaments, brittle enough to be broken off at predetermined (preferably weakened or scored) positions, and resilient enough to frictionally engage a support member  8 .  
         [0045]     Additionally, to satisfy a variety of hanging needs, the hanger assembly  10  of the invention could be made in any suitable range of sizes and colors. A primary purpose of the invention is to provide a support means for hanging an ornament on a natural Christmas tree; therefore shades of green or brown, which can be used to match the natural color of the tree branches or trunk, are preferred colors of at least the hanger arm  16  of the invention. Other colors can be used to match artificial trees. As shown in  FIG. 1 , attachment means  12  is a resilient semicircular component. Although semicircular attachment means  12  would need to be made in several different sizes in order to accommodate the range of diameters of different support members  8 , its resiliency would allow one size to fit a greater range of such diameters, and also allow imperfections of the support member  8  (such as knots on Christmas tree trunks) to be easily and firmly engaged.  
         [0046]     A fin-like stabilizing brace  14  contacts the underside of hanger arm  16  and extends downward from attachment means  12  to contact the surface of vertical support member  8 . Stabilizing brace  14  is intended to both provide added support and stability for the hanger assembly  10 , and also to serve as a means of preventing the hanger assembly  10  from sliding down the vertical support member  8  when frictionally engaged to such by the pressure of an article (such as ornament  17 ) being hung from hanger arm  16 . Here, an ornament  17  is shown hanging from hanger arm  16  by hanging means  17 A.  
         [0047]     From the top side of brace  14  and the outer surface of attachment means  12  projects hanger arm  16  at an acute angle (relative to member  8 ) as shown of about  80  degrees, but which can range from about 40 to about 85 degrees, preferably from about 60 to about 75 degrees, from the top of the vertical support member  8 . The angle of hanger arm  16  is designed to prevent articles which are hung upon it from slipping off the arm  16  and also to camouflage the hanger assembly  10  among similarly angled Christmas tree branches in a primary application.  
         [0048]     A series of score marks, cuts, notches or grooves  18  will be featured at intervals along the length of hanger arm  16 , providing weakened areas to facilitate the breaking off of measured portions of the distal end of hanger arm  16  to a variable and suitable length. Score marks  18  may be any weakening of the material intermittently spaced at predetermined positions along hanger arm  16 , so as to allow for toolless breakage of the arm  16  to a suitable length for a given application.  
         [0049]     A series of intermittently spaced article retaining means  20  will be featured as beads, bumps or protuberances on the topside of hanger arm  16 , with article retaining means  20  either correlating directly with or being spaced between each set of score marks  18 . Retaining means  20  may be any protuberance or groove on the topside of hanger arm  16 . Alternatively, hooks  19  or loops  21  can be provided on the underside of hanger arm  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, the retaining means may be holes  15  bored horizontally through the shaft of hanger arm  16  or any other commonly known means of retaining articles from a substantially horizontally extending member. If score marks  18  are cut on the topside of hanger arm  16 , they can also serve as retaining means  20 .  
         [0050]     In  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the hanger assembly  10  as described above is shown with the addition of a gripping means  24  lining the inner surface of attachment means . 12 . Gripping means  24  may be teeth (as shown), knurling, grooves, or any other conceivable texturizing effects, which would serve to further engage the support member  8  (not shown here) within attachment means  12 . Gripping means  24  would help secure the hanger assembly  10  to its vertical support member  8 , reducing both horizontal and vertical movement of the hanger assembly  10 .  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIG. 2A , alternatively or additionally, gripping means  24  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be in the form of a spacer  25  with at least one layer of an adhesive or tacky material that would similarly engage said support member  8  (not shown here). In a preferred embodiment, spacer  25  could be at least one layer of a double-sided foam tape that would provide tacky surfaces with which to grip both the support member  8  and the attachment means  12 , and also provide a resilient spacer to provide a snug fit and mold somewhat to the shape of the support member  8  (especially important for oddly shaped Christmas tree trunks per prior examples).  
         [0052]      FIG. 3  is an alternate embodiment of the hanger assembly  10  in  FIG. 2  which features a substantially V-shaped attachment means  22 , similarly resilient as described for semi-circular attachment means  12  (in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Gripping means  24 , shown here as grooved teeth, serve as a requisite component of V-shaped attachment means  22 , as its primary means of securement to a vertical support member  8 . The combination of angled, resilient arms and gripping teeth  24  permits the unit  22  to be forced onto a natural tree trunk or the like so that it retains its position. While the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  may provide a less secure fit because it does not completely encircle the vertical support member  8  (not shown here), one size may accommodate a larger variety of tree trunk diameters. Once the attachment means  22  is applied, brace  14  will help to retain it in position.  
         [0053]      FIG. 4  is an embodiment of the hanger assembly  10  of the present invention, featuring retaining means  26  which encircles vertical member  8  (not shown here) and secures to both sides of semicircular attachment means  12 . In one embodiment, retaining means  26  is permanently affixed to one side of attachment means  12  by any suitable mechanical means (not visible here) and is adjustably attachable at the other side of attachment means  12  by any commonly available clasping, buckling, snapping, cinching, or clamping mechanism, such as one of holes  30  being secured over knob  28 . Retaining means  26  can be a strap or other suitable device comprising leather, fabric, flexible and/or elastic polymeric material or metal. Such retaining means  26  permit attachment means  12  (or  22 ) to be fastened more securely to vertical member  8 .  
         [0000]     Advantages  
         [0054]     From the description above, a number of advantages of Applicant&#39;s hanger assembly become evident:  
         [0055]     (a) Although the need to provide a secure means of attaching an ornament to a Christmas tree has been realized and addressed by inventors of fancy branch-hooking devices, Applicant&#39;s invention is the only one that utilizes the trunk of a Christmas tree, which is its strongest part.  
         [0056]     (b) The hanger assembly can be easily shortened and camouflaged among Christmas tree branches when used properly, thus providing decorators with a simple and tasteful solution to breaking heavy or expensive ornaments and drooping branches.  
         [0057]     (c) The hanger assembly, while durable enough to be used, removed and used over and over again, will be inexpensive enough to make replacement costs nominal.  
         [0058]     In an alternative embodiment,  FIG. 5  describes a fully adjustable model of the present invention. A vertical swivel mechanism  37  at the distal end of brace  14 , featuring swivel pin  34  and forked pin receptacle  38 , (at proximal end of hanger arm  16 ) allows the angle of hanger arm  16  to be altered in a vertical plane to any acute angle from the top of the vertical support member  8  (not shown here). Forked pin receptacle  38  can be designed to fit snugly over roughened surfaces  35  on both sides of brace  14  so as to remain in any position after manual adjustment. Alternatively, mechanical securing means such as a wing nut (not shown here) on a threaded portion of swivel pin  34  can be provided. A horizontal swivel mechanism  33  is also included which comprises a vertical swivel pin  36  attached to attachment means  12  and cylindrical pin receptacle  40  attached to brace  14 , thereby allowing brace  14  and hanger arm  16  to be positioned between roughly 0 and 180 degrees horizontally with respect to a line tangent to attachment means  12  at the point of attachment of brace  14 . A tight frictional fit of pin  36  in receptacle  40  or other mechanical retaining means are provided to keep brace  14  and hanger arm  16  in the desired position.  
         [0059]     Another alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6 , which describes the present invention with the addition of support means  32 . Made of various weights and types of wire or cord, support means  32  would be affixed to hanger arm  16  by way of a hole  15  bored through the shaft of hanger arm  16  roughly mid-way down its length. Support means  32  would be of varying lengths and could be cut at a desired length. The purpose of support means  32  is to offer additional weight-bearing support to hanger arm  16  by securing the distal end of support means  32  to the vertical support member  8  (not shown here) by wrapping, tying or any suitable means. Support means  32  is preferably flexible but non-springy, so that it can be wrapped about the support  8  and remain in position.  
         [0060]     A final alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 7  and shows a telescoping hanger arm  42 , comprising principal section  42 A and at least one smaller section  42 B which can be extended from or stowed within section  42 A in a telescoping manner. The inner sections preferably fit within the outer section(s) snugly, so as to provide frictional means of retaining the extended sections in position.  
         [0000]     Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope  
         [0061]     Accordingly, the reader will see that the hanger assembly of the present invention provides an inexpensive, convenient, and adjustable device that can be used by decorators around the world. While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of certain preferred embodiments thereof.  
         [0062]     Several additional variations of the hanger assembly are possible, including alternate or supplemental trunk attachment mechanisms such as clamps, mechanical jaws, and strapping devices. Additionally, the extending arm would not necessarily have to be angled and could be made of a plastic or metal material with telescoping abilities for length adjustment. Another possible variation of the invention may involve the length that brace  14  in  FIGS. 1-2  and  3 - 6  extends both downward and outward. In addition, by changing the size (and color, if appropriate) of the attachment means, the invention could be used with artificial Christmas trees.  
         [0063]     However, in the spirit of keeping products of the invention inexpensive and simple to use, the embodiment reflecting the drawing in  FIG. 2  is generally preferred. While colors and sizes of the preferred embodiment of the hanger assembly will be determined by those of the support members they will be used with, these are indeed variables that should not be limited.  
         [0064]     Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.