U.S. patent application number 10/841730 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for hanger assembly.
Invention is credited to Spencer, Jessica L..
Application Number | 20050247837 10/841730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238597 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050247837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spencer, Jessica L. |
November 10, 2005 |
Hanger assembly
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).
Inventors: |
Spencer, Jessica L.; (Ft.
Collins, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES K. POOLE, ESQ.
P.O. BOX 925
LOVELAND
CO
80539
US
|
Family ID: |
35238597 |
Appl. No.: |
10/841730 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/218.4 ;
248/230.1; 248/309.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/061 20130101;
A47F 5/04 20130101; A47F 5/0838 20130101; A47G 33/06 20130101; A47G
33/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/218.4 ;
248/230.1; 248/309.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 001/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A removably attachable hanger assembly, comprising attachment
means for gripping a substantially cylindrical vertical support
member, at least one hanger arm attached thereto and extending
outward from said support member, and brace means contacting the
underside of said support arm and the surface of said vertical
support member beneath said attachment means for supporting said
support arm.
2. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means
comprises a resilient semicircular component adapted to clip onto
said vertical member.
3. The hanger assembly of claim 2 wherein said resilient
semicircular member comprises at least one springy material
selected from the group consisting of polymeric materials, wood and
metals.
4. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means
comprises means for gripping the surface of said upright
member.
5. The hanger assembly of claim 4 wherein said means for gripping
comprise roughened rigid surfaces within said attachment means.
6. The hanger assembly of claim 4 wherein said means for gripping
comprise adhesive surfaces.
7. The hanger assembly of claim 6 wherein said adhesive surfaces
comprise at least one layer of double-sided foam adhesive tape.
8. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means
comprises a substantially V-shaped bracket lined with means for
gripping said upright member.
9. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said attachment means
further comprises retaining means for encircling said vertical
support member and securing to both sides of said attachment
component.
10. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm and said
brace means are attached to said attachment means so that said
hanger arm projects at an acute angle measured from the top of said
vertical support member.
11. The hanger assembly of claim 10 wherein said hanger arm
projects at an angle of from about 40 to about 85 degrees from the
top of said vertical member.
12. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm is
substantially perpendicular to said vertical support member in the
vertical plane.
13. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm
comprises means for retaining in place items which are hung
thereon.
14. The hanger assembly of claim 13 wherein said means for
retaining are selected from the group selected from bumps, beads,
notches, grooves, hooks, holes and loops.
15. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm
comprises materials selected from the group consisting of metal,
plastics and wood.
16. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm is
scored or otherwise weakened in predetermined positions to allow
measured portions to be broken off to produce an arm of the desired
length.
17. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said brace is fastened
to said hanger arm and said attachment means and adapted to rest
against the surface of said vertical support member beneath said
attachment means to brace said hanger arm when it is carrying
objects of the expected weight and position.
18. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm
comprises at least two telescoping components permitting adjustment
of the length of said hanger arm.
19. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said brace means is
hingedly attached to said attachment means to provide for
adjustment of the angle of said brace means and said hanger arm in
the horizontal plane.
20. The hanger assembly of claim 1 wherein said hanger arm is
hingedly attached to said brace means to provide for adjustment of
the angle of said hanger arm to said vertical support member in the
vertical plane.
21. A removably attachable ornament holder comprising: a)
attachment means comprising a resilient, springy semicircular
bracket for gripping a substantially cylindrical vertical support
member, b) at least one hanger arm attached to said attachment
means, substantially perpendicular to said vertical support member
in the horizontal plane and forming an acute angle to said vertical
support as measured from the top in the vertical plane, and c)
brace means attached to the underside of said hanger arm and said
semicircular bracket and adapted to contact the surface of said
vertical support member beneath said bracket so as to brace the
assembly and retain it in position when said hanger arm is
loaded.
22. The hanger assembly of claim 21 wherein said hanger arm
comprises means for retaining hanging items thereon and weakened
portions at predetermined positions to permit reduction in the
length of said arm by breaking off portions of the distal end.
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'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'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
17A.
[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.
[0054] Advantages
[0055] From the description above, a number of advantages of
Applicant's hanger assembly become evident:
[0056] (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's invention is
the only one that utilizes the trunk of a Christmas tree, which is
its strongest part.
[0057] (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.
[0058] (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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] A final alternative embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 7 and shows a telescoping hanger arm 42,
comprising principal section 42A and at least one smaller section
42B which can be extended from or stowed within section 42A 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.
[0062] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined
not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.
* * * * *