U.S. patent application number 10/387638 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for hanging apparatus, method and display rack.
Invention is credited to Taylor, Scott A..
Application Number | 20030173474 10/387638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28045448 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030173474 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor, Scott A. |
September 18, 2003 |
Hanging apparatus, method and display rack
Abstract
A hanging apparatus in four general embodiments. In the first
embodiment an upright member has at least one hanger removably
attached thereto by an attachment, the attachment being fixedly
attached to a hanger. A base for holding the upright member has an
angle adjusting socket within and can either be a stand or a spike.
An upper end cap can be a decorative finial or functional. In the
second embodiment a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member
that is adapted to be positioned over the top of a door or fence.
In the third embodiment a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting
member that is adapted to be positioned over the top of a handrail
or the like in two variations. In a fourth embodiment at least one
hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to
be positioned around a vertical post. A method of providing a
hanging apparatus and a display rack for displaying hanging
apparatuses is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Taylor, Scott A.;
(Arlington, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DONNA J. THIES
790 IDYLWOOD DR. SW
ISSAQUAH
WA
98027
US
|
Family ID: |
28045448 |
Appl. No.: |
10/387638 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60364821 |
Mar 15, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/156 ;
248/215; 248/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/156 ;
248/530; 248/215 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/44 |
Claims
Having described my invention, I claim:
1. A hanging apparatus comprising: a) an upright member; b) a base
for holding the upright member; c) at least one hanger removably
attached to the upright member; d) an attachment fixedly attached
to each hanger for removably attaching a hanger to the upright
member.
2. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base has
an angle adjusting socket within.
3. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base is
a spike portion.
4. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base is
a stand portion.
5. A hanging apparatus comprising: a) at least one hanger fixedly
attached to a mounting member; b) the mounting member removably
positioned onto a pre-existing fiat surface.
6. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the flat
surface is on a door or fence.
7. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the flat
surface is on a handrail.
8. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the mounting
member comprises a horizontal bar and a strap.
9. A hanging apparatus for hanging on a vertical post, the vertical
post having four sides, the hanging apparatus comprising: a) a
hanger fixedly attached to a mounting member; b) a generally C
shaped mounting member, the C shape having an inside, the mounting
member removably positioned around all four sides of the vertical
post.
10. The hanging apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the
generally C shaped mounting member has a rubberized coating fixedly
attached on the inside of the generally C shaped mounting
member.
11. A display stand for displaying hangers and hanging apparatuses
comprising: a) a base having a first and second sides and a middle
portion; b) an opening in the first side of the base to receive an
upright member; c) an upright generally rectangular section
removably attached generally perpendicularly to the middle section
of the base; d) a post holding bracket removably attached to the
second side of the base; e) an upright member holder removably
attached to the generally rectangular section for holding upright
members; and f) a mounting bracket removably attached to the
generally rectangular section for holding mounting brackets of
hanging apparatuses.
12. The display stand for hangers and hanging apparatuses as
defined in claim 10 further comprising: g) a bar member removably
attached generally perpendicularly to the upright generally
rectangular section for holding a plurality of hangers.
13. The display stand for hangers and hanging apparatuses as
defined in claim 10 further comprising: g) a simulator of a fence,
door or the like, removably attached to the upright generally
rectangular section for holding hanging apparatuses.
14. A method of providing a hanging apparatus comprising the steps
of: a) providing an upright member; b) providing a base for holding
the upright member; c) providing at least one hanger removably
attached to the upright member; d) providing an attachment fixedly
attached to each hanger for removably attaching a hanger to the
upright member.
15. The method of providing a hanging apparatus as defined in claim
14 wherein the base has an angle adjusting socket.
16. The method of providing a hanging apparatus as defined in claim
14 wherein the base is a spike portion.
17. The method of providing a hanging apparatus as defined in claim
14 wherein the base is a stand portion.
Description
[0001] Applicant hereby claims priority of provisional patent
application 60/364,821 filed on Mar. 15, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It has long been desirable to have the means for hanging
items, sometimes heavy items, in various locations, both indoors
and outdoors. The hanging apparatus should be very sturdy and
stable to hold heavy items and convenient and simple to use, and
have a plurality of adaptations for hanging items in the various
locations. Plants can be used as an example of something that would
be desirable to hang in various locations, indoors or outdoors. In
a garden, high hanging plants would instantly give some height and
variation to the gardens so the gardener would not be limited to
plants at only one level on the ground, or waiting for trees and
bushes to grow to some height. In the prior art, hangers have been
devised that are flimsy, do not adequately hold heavy items, and
are not adapted to hang an item in an unusual or unexpected spot.
If a hanger is adapted to have a base to be inserted into the
ground, the arrangements for this capability have been inadequate,
in that thin and flimsy rods pull out of the ground and do not hold
heavy weight. Also, display racks for prior art devices have been
inadequate in displaying these kinds of hangers in a flexible,
convenient and attractive way. What is desirable, therefore, is to
have a sturdy and reliable hanging apparatus that would hold heavy
weight, hold an upright member straight, and be easy and convenient
to use. And further, it is desirable to have a display rack that
would display various embodiments of the hanging apparatus in a
practical manner.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 1,264,264 to Brewer discloses a flag support
and cover having a decorative finial at the top.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,287 to Kramer discloses an article
suspending hook that has a hook-like hanger that is supported on a
flat surface. In particular, the hanger is hung over the top of a
door.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,079 to Reisling discloses a flag stand
that has a spiked portion inserted into the ground with a cover
over the spiked portion.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,136 to DeHart teaches a wall mountable
mounting bracket for a hanger that has a tab that fits over a flat
surface and attaches the hanger to the flat surface.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,081 to Vollink discloses a square post
mounted hanger with a generally c-shaped opening.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,009 to Simoncioni discloses a portable
clothes hanger holder that has a mounting bracket adapted to be
positioned on a vertical surface, such as the top of a door.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,649 to Bigford discloses an apparatus
for anchoring an umbrella that uses a set screw in a stand
portion.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,823 to Ibarra teaches a camping
apparatus for hanging fishing and camping supplies wherein a hanger
can be positioned inside a tubular member. The tubular member is
attached to a collar with a set screw.
[0011] U.S. Patent 2002/0113190 to Bertiaume discloses a staff
holder having a base using a ringed band and a screw to tighten in
on the staff.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In order to overcome problems inherent in the prior art,
there has been devised by the present invention a hanging apparatus
and display rack for displaying the hanging apparatus of the
present invention. In the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is a hanging apparatus that includes a pipe or
upright member and a plurality of hangers removably attached to the
upright member by means of an attachment that is fixedly attached
to the hangers. In a first variation of the first embodiment, a
stand portion having a spike portion is adapted to be driven into
the ground. Atop the spike portion of the stand portion of the
first variation of the first embodiment is a cylindrical member
adapted to receive the upright member. A plurality of thumb screws
are positioned through corresponding holes in the top of the
cylindrical member to thereby position the upright member in an
upright or desirable position. In a second variation of the first
preferred embodiment, the stand portion is varied to allow the
stand portion to be positioned on the floor or other flat surface.
A flat base holds a first cylindrical section above the base and a
second cylindrical section above the first cylindrical section, the
second cylindrical section having a wider diameter opening than the
first cylindrical section. At the top of the second cylindrical
section is also a plurality of holes adapted to receive a plurality
of thumb screws positioned through the holes. The plurality of
thumb screws are used to adjust the position of the upright member
into the desired position. In the second variation of the first
preferred embodiment, there is also provided a decorative cover
that slips over the upright member, the first and second
cylindrical sections, and the flat base to cover the first and
second cylindrical sections and the flat base. In both the first
and second variations of the first preferred embodiment, there are
upper end caps that can be in the form of a decorative finial
and/or a functional upper end cap. One example of a functional
upper end cap would be a functional adapter that has a lower
portion that attaches to the top of the upright member in a manner
similar to the decorative finial. An upper portion of the
functional adapter holds any item that a user might want to
display, such as a birdhouse, or bird feeder.
[0013] In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention,
a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted
to be positioned over the top of a door or fence.
[0014] In a first variation of the third preferred embodiment, a
hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to
be positioned over the top of a handrail, fence or deck rail. In a
second variation of the third preferred embodiment strapping is
added to the mounting member for temporary attachment of the
apparatus to any size railing, so that an apartment dweller could
take his hanging apparatus with him upon moving and so that no
marks would be left on a railing.
[0015] In the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention,
at least one hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that
is adapted to be positioned around a vertical post.
[0016] The present invention also includes a display rack for
displaying the various embodiments and parts thereof. The display
rack includes a generally half rectangular shaped bottom base,
having two short sides and one long side, that has an opening in
the first short side for demonstrating how the first preferred
embodiment holds an upright member in position. In the bottom base
on the second short side opposite the first short side that
displays the first preferred embodiment, there is a post holding
bracket for displaying the fourth preferred embodiment. The bottom
base has an upright generally rectangular section removably
attached thereto. The upright generally rectangular sections have
at least two smaller rectangles removably attached thereto that
extend outwardly from the upright generally rectangular member. The
first and second smaller rectangles are positioned one atop of the
other. Each smaller rectangle has a plurality of holes therethrough
for receiving an upright member. A bar member extends from the top
of the upright generally rectangular section that displays hangers
used for the first and fourth preferred embodiments of the present
invention. The upright generally rectangular section also has
removably attached thereto wood planks to simulate a door or fence
to display the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Also, removably attached to the upright generally
rectangular section is a lattice member that displays a plurality
of the second and third embodiments.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first variation of the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the
hanging apparatus can be inserted into the ground with a spiked
stand portion.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spiked stand portion of
the first preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen in
FIG. 1
[0019] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a second variation of the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the
hanging apparatus can be adapted to have a stand portion for
standing the hanging apparatus upright on a flat surface and
showing a decorative finial at the top of the hanging
apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a second variation of the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the
hanging apparatus can be adapted to have a stand portion for
standing the hanging apparatus upright on a flat surface and
showing a functional adapter at the top of the hanging
apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stand portion for the
second variation of the first preferred embodiment as seen in FIG.
3.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top down view of the inside of the stand
portions of the first and second variations of the first
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second preferred
embodiment of the hanging apparatus of the present invention
whereby a hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is
adapted to be hung over a door or fence.
[0024] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a first variation of the
third preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby a
hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to
be hung over a handrail, deck rail or fence.
[0025] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a second variation of the
third preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby a
hanger is fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to
be temporarily strapped to a handrail, deck rail or fence.
[0026] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the fourth preferred
embodiment of the present invention whereby at least one hanger is
fixedly attached to a mounting member that is adapted to be
removably positioned around a vertical post.
[0027] FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing how the fourth
preferred embodiment is positioned around a vertical post.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the display rack for the
present invention that shows how the various embodiments and parts
thereof are displayed.
[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the display rack
for the present invention that shows how the display rack is put
together.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] Referring now to the drawings in general and in particular
to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a first variation
of the first preferred embodiment of the hanging apparatus of the
present invention. The hanging apparatus of the present invention
is shown generally by the number 10. The first preferred embodiment
positions a pole or upright member 12 in a generally upright
position, and two variations provide that the upright member 12 be
inserted into a stand portion 14 whereby it is held upright from a
floor or ground. In both variations of the first preferred
embodiment, the hanging apparatus 10 includes the pole or upright
member 12 and a plurality of hangers 16 that are removably attached
to the upright member 12. The hangers 16 are round and solid curved
metal used to position an item that would be hung on the hanger 16
away from the upright member 12 so that the upright member 12 would
not be in the way of the item being hung. Each hanger 16, as used
In all the preferred embodiments hereinafter described, is
generally an inverted u-shaped hanger 18 having a smaller u-shaped
hook 20 at the end 22 of the hanger 16 that is distal to the
upright member 12. The u-shaped hook 20 at the end 22 of the hanger
16 that is distal to the upright member 12 is adapted so that an
item being hung on this u-shaped hook 20 will not easily be blown
off the hook 20 by wind or jostling. Each exposed end 24 on this
u-shaped hook 20 is covered with a vinyl cap 26. Each hanger 16 is
removably attached to the upright member 12 by means of a generally
donut-shaped attachment 28, the donut-shaped attachment 28 being
fixedly attached to the hanger 16 at the end 30 of the hanger 16
that is proximal to the upright member 12, whereby the hole 32 of
the donut-shaped attachment 28 would be positioned over the upright
member 12 and held in place at the chosen position on the upright
member 12 by a set screw 34 through the donut-shaped attachment 28.
The donut-shaped attachments 28 have a groove 36 machined down one
side 38 to align the hanger 16 in relation to the upright member
12. In the first variation of the first preferred embodiment, as
seen in FIG. 1, the stand portion 14 includes a spike portion 40
for inserting the stand portion 14 into the ground. The spike
portion 40 of the first variation of the first preferred embodiment
is sized and shaped for an easy drive into the ground. The length
of the spike portion 40 is short enough so as not to hit
underground utilities and also to provide a secure and stable
stand. Fixedly attached at the top 42 of the spike portion 40,
there is a generally tubular base 44 that holds a socket portion
46. At the top 45 of the generally tubular base 44, there is an
opening 50 accommodated to receive the bottom 52 of the upright
member 12, as seen in FIG. 1. The generally tubular base 44 further
includes a plurality of holes 54 adapted to receive a plurality of
thumb screws 55, 56, and 57, as seen most clearly in FIG. 2, that
are used to position the upright member 12 in the desired position.
A shortened upright member or drive pipe 58, as seen in FIG. 2, is
also included as part of the generally tubular base 44 of the first
variation of the first preferred embodiment, so that the spike
portion 40 of the base 44 can easily be pounded into the ground
without having to pound on a tall and unwieldy upright member 12.
The drive pipe 58 is also used to take hammer force during
installation so as not to damage the socket portion 46 of the base
44.
[0031] In a second variation of the first preferred embodiment, as
seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, the upper portion 60 of hanging
apparatus 10 is the same as in the first variation of the first
preferred embodiment. However, in the second variation of the first
preferred embodiment, the stand portion 61 is different from the
stand portion 14 of the first variation of the first preferred
embodiment. The stand portion 61 of the second variation of the
first preferred embodiment includes a base 62 that is adapted to be
positioned on a flat surface such as a floor or the ground. The
base 62 in the second variation of the first preferred embodiment
includes a flat bottom 64 having screw holes 66 therethrough for
receiving screws that would secure the base 62 to a floor. Fixedly
attached to the flat bottom 64 is a bottom cylindrical section 68
of a smaller diameter than a top cylindrical section 70. The bottom
cylindrical section 68 works as a stop, so that as an upright
member 12 is positioned in the top cylindrical section 70, the
diameter of the bottom cylindrical section 68 prevents the upright
member 12 from being pushed below the top cylindrical section 70.
In a manner similar to that of the first variation of the first
preferred embodiment, the top 72 of the top cylindrical section 70
has an opening 74 accommodated to receive an upright member 12. The
top cylindrical section 70 is within the stand portion 61 of the
second variation of the first preferred embodiment and also
includes a plurality of holes 54 adapted to receive a plurality of
thumb screws 56 that are used to position the upright member 12 in
the desired position, in a manner similar to the first variation of
the first preferred embodiment. The stand portion 61 of the second
variation of the first preferred embodiment can be covered by any
kind of decorative or functional cover 71, as shown in phantom in
FIG. 4. Each stand portion 14 or 61, either the first stand portion
14 or the second stand portion 61, accommodates a wide range of
motion, whereby an upright member 12 can be driven into either
stand portion 14 or 61 crookedly and then still be straightened up
by means of the thumb screws 55, 56, and. 57. So in the first
variation of the first preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and
2, the upright member 12 can be straightened after the spike
portion 40 is driven into the ground and in the second variation of
the first preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5,
the upright member 12 can be straightened after the upright member
12 is put into the stand portion 61. The spike portion 40 of the
base 44 of the first variation of the first preferred embodiment
can be driven into the ground at an angle, or the ground may be
sloped, but the upright member 12 can still be plumb vertically,
unless a particular controlled angle other than plumb is desired.
If it is desirable to have the upright member 12 at a position
other than ninety degrees relative to the ground, the stand portion
14 or 61 will allow the upright member 12 to be as much as eight
degrees off true center of the stand portion 14 or 61. So that if
the upright member 12 can be as much as eight degrees off true
center on either side 76 or 78 of the upright member 12 there is a
total range of motion of sixteen degrees. Further, if one hanger 16
carries a heavy item on the first side 76 of the upright member 12,
another hanger 16 can be positioned opposite to the first hanger
16, on the second side 78 of the upright member 12, to offset the
weight of the first item, by placing an equally heavy item opposite
to the first item. More than two hangers 16 can be used on the
upright member 12, but they should be spaced equally rotationally
at zero degrees, one hundred twenty degrees and two hundred and
forty degrees, for example, to offset weight at the various
positions. In the first and second variations of the first
preferred embodiment, there is also provided an upper end cap 80 at
the top 81 of the upright member 12, and this can be of any
decorative or practical nature. In FIG. 1 the upper end cap 80 is
shown in the form of a simple vinyl or plastic cap 82 similar to
the vinyl caps 26 that cover the exposed end 24 on the hook 20 of
the hanger 16. In FIG. 3A the upper end cap 80 is shown in the form
of a decorative finial 83. In FIG. 3B the upper end cap 80 is shown
in the form of a functional adapter 84. The adapter 84 as shown in
FIG. 3B, has a lower portion 85 which fits over the top 81 of the
upright member 12. An upper portion 86 of the adapter 84 has a flat
surface 87 with screw holes 88 therethrough for receiving screws
that would secure the upper portion 86 of the adapter 84 to the
bottom surface 89 of a birdhouse, bird feeder or the like 90, as
seen in phantom in FIG. 3B. All upper end caps 80 in FIGS. 1, 3A
and 3B are examples, and it is within the spirit and scope of the
invention to use any type of ornamental and/or functional upper end
cap 80.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is shown a
top down view of the inside of the stand portions of the first and
second variations of the first preferred embodiment. Each stand
portion 14 and 61 includes a socket portion 46. In the first
variation of the first preferred embodiment as seen in FIGS. 1 and
2, the socket portion 46 is within the generally tubular base 44
and in the second variation of the first embodiment as seen in
FIGS. 3A and 4, the socket portion 46 is within the top cylindrical
section 70. The top 91 of the socket portion 46 includes the
opening 50 or 74 that is accommodated to receive an upright member
12. The socket portion 46 of the stand portions 14 and 61 of the
first and second variations of the first preferred embodiment is
coned on the inside in order to self-center an upright member 12,
as seen in FIGS. 1 an 3A. The thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 used in
the socket portions 46 are located and sized to provide full
contact with an upright member 12 at all times and in all
positions. FIG. 5 details the ratio detail of the alignment of the
thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 and the contact point 92 where the
thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 contact the upright member 12.
Different sizes of socket portions 46, upright members 12, and
thumb screws 55, 56, and 57 can be used as long as in the extreme
adjustment position, the same alignment of sides 93 and 94 of the
thumb screws 55, 56, and 57, and the projected intersectinag point
95 on the outside surface 96 of the upright member 12 remains
constant as that described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view
of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the
second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hanger 16
is fixedly attached to a mounting member 97, whereby the mounting
member 97 is adapted to be positioned over the upper edge 98 of a
door or fence 99 as seen in FIG. 6. The second, third, and fourth
embodiments of the present invention, as described hereinafter, are
adapted to allow the hanging apparatus 16 of the present invention
to be installed simply and without tools. The mounting member 97,
as seen in FIG. 6, has two flat sides 100 and 101 and a flat top
102. The first flat side 100 has the hanger 16 fixedly attached
thereto, and is positioned over the first side 103 of a door or
fence 99. The first flat side 100 of the mounting member 97 is
adapted to be positioned over three conventional fence boards in
order to spread the weight load over a wide area. The flat top 102
fits over a conventional door or fence 99 and the second flat side
101 of the mounting member 97 is positioned over the second side
104 of a door or fence 99. It is obvious that the various
dimensions of the mounting member 97 can easily be varied to
accommodate different sizes and styles of doors and fences.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 7A, there is shown a perspective view
of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The third
preferred embodiment of the present invention is similar to the
second preferred embodiment, except that the third preferred
embodiment has a mounting member 106 that is adapted to fit over a
2".times.4" handrail 108, as seen in FIG. 7A, or a fence with a
2".times.4" upper trim. In the third preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a hanger 16 is also fixedly attached to the
mounting member 106. The mounting member 106 as seen in FIG. 7A
also has two flat sides 110 and 112 and a flat top 114. The first
flat side 1110 of the third preferred embodiment has the hanger 16
fixedly attached thereto and is positioned over the first side 116
of a handrail 108 or other 2".times.4". The flat top 114 fits over
the width 118 of the 2".times.4" and the second flat side 112 of
the mounting member 106 is positioned over the second side 120 of a
handrail 108 or other 2".times.4". It is obvious also that the
various dimensions of the mounting member 106 in the third
preferred embodiment can easily be varied to accommodate different
sizes of handrails, deck rails and fences. Some examples of how the
third preferred embodiment of the present invention could be varied
would include the mounting member 106 being adapted to fit a single
or double(two nailed together) 2".times.4", 2".times.6",
1".times.6", or a 1".times.6" and a 2".times.4" nailed together.
This foregoing list is by no means exhaustive and it is within the
spirit and scope of the present invention to change the dimensions
of the mounting member 106 to countless variations including but
not limited to doors, various styles of fences, handrails and deck
rails.
[0035] In FIG. 7B and 7C there is shown a perspective view of a
second variation of the third preferred embodiment of the present
invention whereby a hanger 16 is fixedly attached to a mounting
member 121 that is adapted to be temporarily strapped to a
handrail, deck rail, or fence 94 In FIG. 7B it can be seen that a
hanger 16 is fixedly attached to a different type of mounting
member 121 that includes a horizontal bar 122 that is fixedly
attached perpendicularly to a hanger 16. The horizontal bar 122 has
a first end 123 and a second end 124, each end 123 and 124 having a
strap holding loop 125. The horizontal bar 122 is positioned behind
any kind of vertical post 126, which can be a baluster 127 of a
handrail or fence 94. A strap 128 (not shown in FIG. 7B, but shown
in FIG. 7C) is positioned through the loop 125 at each end 123 and
124 of the horizontal bar 122 and positioned around the back 129 of
the vertical post 126 where two ends 130 and 131 of the strap 128
are attached together by a cinch 132 or other suitable means. In
this way, the hanging apparatus 10 can be removably and adjustably
attached to any kind of vertical post 126 without marking the deck
rail or fence 94.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 8A AND 8B of the drawings, there is
shown a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention
whereby at least one hanger 16 is fixedly attached to a mounting
member 121 that is adapted to be removably positioned around a
vertical post 126. The bend of the hanger 16 on the fourth
preferred embodiment is slightly different than that of the first
three preferred embodiments. In all embodiments, it is desired to
have the diameter of the item being hung to be as large as
possible, so the hangers 16 are designed to hang as far away from
their mounting locations as possible. Since a 4".times.4" vertical
post 126 is wider than the other mounting locations, the bend of
the hanger 16 is accommodated to hang as far from the vertical post
126 as possible. In FIG. 8B it can be seen that the mounting member
121 is generally in the shape of a C, the C shape 135 having one
side 136, a top 137 and bottom 138, the C shape 135 has a hanger 16
fixedly attached to the bottom 138 of the C shape 135. At the ends
139 of the top 137 and the bottom 138 of the C shape 135, there are
smaller generally L-shaped portions 140 that are adapted to be
positioned at a first surface 141 of a 4".times.4" vertical post
126. The mounting member 133 of the fourth preferred embodiment of
the present invention slips onto a vertical post 126, from any side
position to the vertical post 126, at any desired height on the
vertical post 126. As in the first three preferred embodiments,
there are also no tools required to install the fourth preferred
embodiment. As an item is hung on the hanger 16 of the fourth
preferred embodiment, the additional weight from the item pushes
back in resistance from the hanger 16 and causes pressure to be
exerted from the side 136 of the C shape 135 against a second side
surface 142 of a 4".times.4", that is opposite the first surface
141 that has the L-shaped portions 140 against it, thereby making
the mounting member 133 grip the post more tightly against the
4".times.4" vertical post. The hanging apparatus 143 of the fourth
preferred embodiment is held in place against a vertical post 126
by its own weight. It can also be seen in FIG. 8A that there is a
rubberized coating 144 on the inside surface 145 of the C shape
135. This is to provide extra grabbing of the C shape 135 against
the vertical post, but this is an optional addition, since the C
shape 135 grabs against the vertical post 126 as described above
without the rubberized coating 144. As with the other preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the configuration as shown in
FIGS. 8A and 8B is an example only, and, it is within the spirit
and scope of the present invention to vary the dimensions of the
fourth preferred embodiment also. It is to be understood that the
Figures shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B are shown as examples
only, and it is within the spirit and scope of the present
invention that the various dimensions of the second, third and
fourth embodiments can easily be changed to cover any number of
places where the mounting member would fit.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10,, there is shown a
perspective view of a display rack for the present invention in
FIG. 10 and an exploded perspective view of the display rack in
FIG. 9 showing how the parts of the display rack fit together. The
display rack 146 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is used to display, as
in a retail setting, for example, the various parts of the present
invention as described hereinbefore. The display rack 146 includes
a bottom base 147 that is generally in the form of a half
rectangle. The bottom base 147 sits on a floor and includes squared
hollow metal tubing 148 that raises off the floor, the bottom base
147, has other parts of the display rack 146 removably attached
thereto. The half rectangular portion 150 of the squared hollow
metal tubing 148 includes two short sides 152 and 454 and one long
side 156. On the first short side 152 of the bottom base 147, there
is an opening 158 in the squared hollow metal tubing 148 that
emulates the openings 50 and 74 in the stand portions 14 and 61
that is adapted to receive an upright member 12 in the first
embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Thus, where the opening
158 in the squared hollow metal tubing 148 is positioned, an
upright member 12 is inserted in order to display it. Removably
attached to the one long side 156 of the bottom base 147 is an
upright generally rectangular sections 160. The upright generally
rectangular section 160 has four sides 162, 164, 166 and 168, as
seen most clearly in the exploded view of FIG. 9. At the top 170 of
the upright generally rectangular section 160, there is a bar
member 172 that extends out from the top 170 of the upright
generally rectangular section 160, the bar member 172 is removably
attached to the top 170 of the upright generally rectangular
section 160 by means of two bar engaging holders 173, as seen in
FIG. 9. The bar member 172 holds a plurality of hangers 16 of the
first and fourth preferred embodiment, for display, as seen most
clearly in FIG. 10. The upright generally rectangular section 160
has at least two upright member holders 174 in the form of two
smaller rectangles 175 and 176 removably attached thereto that
extend out from the front 178 of the upright generally rectangular
section 160 at about a ninety-degree angle, as a seat portion from
a chair, also as seen most clearly in FIG. 9. The two smaller
rectangles 175 and 176 are positioned one atop of the other and
each of the smaller rectangles 175 and 176 has a series of upright
member engaging holes 180 therethrough. Thus, a series of upright
members 12 are positioned through the holes 180 in the two smaller
rectangles 175 and 176 and are displayed in a similar fashion to
pool sticks in a rack. The upright generally rectangular section
160 holds a simulator 181 for a fence, door, or the like in the
form of wood planks 182, removably attached to its rear 183, to
loosely simulate a door or fence 94, so the mounting member 91 of
the second preferred embodiment of the present invention can be
displayed atop the wood planks 182. Removably attached to the
upright generally rectangular section 160 of the display rack 146
at the side 168 of the upright generally rectangular section 160
opposite to the side 164 of the upright generally rectangular
section 160 that carries the bar member 172 is a mounting bracket
holder 184 in the form of a lattice member 186. The lattice member
186 is removably attached at about a ninety-degree angle to the
upright generally rectangular section 160. The lattice member 186
displays a plurality of the second and third embodiments of the
present invention. Positioned on cross pieces 188 of the lattice
member 186 there are displayed some of the second preferred
embodiment with the mounting member 91 of the second preferred
embodiment positioned atop a cross piece 188. The third preferred
embodiment is also displayed on the cross pieces 188 of the lattice
186, as seen most clearly in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows an exploded view
of the mounting arrangement 190 to display the third preferred
embodiment on a cross piece 188 of the lattice member 186. The
mounting member 106 of the third preferred embodiment is positioned
over a 2".times.4" 192 as it would be in actual practice. Beneath
the 2".times.4" 192 is a spacer 194 for spacing the 2".times.4" 192
away from the frame 196. The frame 196 has an adapter 198 attached
thereto for positioning the adapter 198 securely on a cross piece
188 of the lattice member 186. On the second short side 154 of the
bottom base 146, there is positioned a post-holding bracket 200
that carries a 4".times.4" vertical post 124 with a mounting member
122 of the fourth preferred embodiment displayed thereon. All of
the parts of the display rack 146 are removably attached to the
bottom base 147, to the upright generally rectangular section 160
and to each other to insure portability and the ability to adapt
the display rack 146 to space limitations that may exist at a
location where it is to be used.
[0038] While there has been accomplished advantages by the
Applicant's invention, nevertheless, variation in the structure of
the invention and the arrangement of the various parts are within
the spirit and scope of the Applicant's invention. The embodiments
given have been given only by way of illustration and the Applicant
is not to be limited to the embodiments shown and described.
* * * * *