U.S. patent application number 11/077494 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for hanger with arms that interlock via three dimensional action.
Invention is credited to Waldemar Nieciecki.
Application Number | 20060202102 11/077494 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36969841 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060202102 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nieciecki; Waldemar |
September 14, 2006 |
Hanger with arms that interlock via three dimensional action
Abstract
A unitary attachment mechanism has two opposed arms extending
from a resilient hinge. Each opposed arm has a hook at its distal
end, and the hooks curve in opposite directions from each other. In
an embodiment, at least the hook ends of the arms are biased
towards each other in the Z direction to provide for them to be
engaged in an interwoven crisscross fashion upon compression of the
arms towards each other in the X direction and release. Devices of
the present inventions are particularly suitable for hanging
ornaments but have many other uses.
Inventors: |
Nieciecki; Waldemar;
(Carlsbad, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DANIEL B. SCHEIN
P. O. BOX 28403
SAN JOSE
CA
95159
US
|
Family ID: |
36969841 |
Appl. No.: |
11/077494 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/692 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 33/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/692 |
International
Class: |
A45D 42/14 20060101
A45D042/14 |
Claims
1. A unitary attachment mechanism, comprising: two opposed arms
extending from a resilient hinge, each of said arms having a curved
hook at or near the distal end thereof, the direction of curvature
of each said hook being substantially opposite that of the other
said hook, wherein said arms can be pressed towards each other
substantially parallel to or in a first plane containing said hinge
and overlap, and when said arms overlap sufficiently to a first
compressed stage, at least one distal end moved towards the other
distal end in a direction that does not coincide with the first
plane to interlock said hooks or disengage interlocked hooks upon
release of said arms from said first compressed stage to move away
from each other in or substantially parallel to said first
plane.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said arms and said hooks can
be engaged in an interwoven crisscross fashion.
3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises a
material selected from the group consisting of a polyamide, an
acrylate, an acetal, a polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene,
metal, and wood.
4. The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said material comprises
nylon.
5. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said mechanism has a length
from said hinge to each distal arm end of about 1/2 inch to about 2
inches and a greatest at-rest width of about 1/4 inch to about 2
inches.
6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein said arms have a thickness of
about 1/32.sup.nd inch to about 1/8 inch.
7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of said
mechanism and the materials comprising same depend upon the size
and strength requirements to which the mechanism will be used.
8. An ornament hanger, comprising the mechanism of claim 1.
9. A Christmas tree ornament hanger, comprising the mechanism of
claim 1.
10. An attachment mechanism, comprising: two opposed arms extending
from a hinge, each of said arms having a curved hook at or near the
distal end thereof, the direction of curvature of each said hook
being substantially opposite that of the other said hook, a first
of said arms having a first said hook and having portions in a
first plane with said hinge, and the distal portion of said second
arm capable of movement with respect to said first hook both in the
X, Y and Z direction, wherein at least a portion of at least one
arm or said hinge is resilient, wherein said arms can be pressed
towards each other substantially parallel to or in said first plane
to overlap, and when said arms overlap sufficiently to a first
compressed stage movement of said distal portion of said second arm
in the Z direction towards said first hook will cause said arms to
overlap in the Z direction and wherein movement of said arms away
from each other in the X and/or Y direction will interlock said
hooks, whereby said resiliency will help maintain said hooks
interlocked.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to devices for hanging or
attachment of one item to another, and more particularly to hangers
having opposed arms with terminal hook members that can be engaged
and disengaged via three dimensional action for connecting a
portion of at least two items to each other.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many different types of wire and plastic hangers
and other attachment mechanisms. For example, some attachment
mechanisms are used for suspending decorative ornaments from limbs
of Christmas trees. Numerous disadvantages have been encountered in
using the prior decorative ornament hangers. Many of the
conventional ornament hangers utilize one hook for engaging a loop
on the decorative ornament and another hook at the opposite end of
the hanger for engaging the limb or branch from which the ornament
is to be suspended. Because the hooks do not form closed loops,
ornaments frequently fall and break when accidentally bumped or
brushed. This sometimes happens because the ornament becomes
disengaged from the hanger, and sometimes happens because the
hanger itself becomes disengaged from the limb or branch to which
it is attached. In either case, fragile and breakable ornaments are
frequently damaged or ruined whenever they fall to the floor.
[0003] Another disadvantage encountered with many metal wire
hangers is that they have sharp edges, and break if bent too many
times.
[0004] Suggested solutions can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,424,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,344, U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,238, and U.S. Pat. No.
6,347,780. The text of all patents and other documents referenced
herein, including documents referenced within referenced documents,
is hereby incorporated by reference as if same were reproduced in
full below.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,424, to Connor, discloses an apparatus
for securing articles to a line, rod or other elongated cylindrical
support. The apparatus includes two wire flanges biased by a coil
spring from which they extend. The flanges include opposed-opening
hooks, one at the end of each flange. The hooks form an opening
when the springed flanges are compressed, and form a closed
attachment means when the flanges are released. The flanges are
substantially co-planar when in the compressed and released
positions. A hook retainer is used to hold the hooks together when
in the closed position.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,344, to Gary, discloses a plastic
ornament hanger that comprises opposed, recurved overlapping jaws
adapted to be separated by the application of a compressive manual
force to the hanger so that the jaws can surround and releasably
engage the branch to which the hanger is to be attached. The hanger
also comprises a snap rib and snap rib channel formed in a hinge or
pivot connecting the opposing limbs forming the jaws. A snap rib on
one limb can engage a snap rib channel on the opposing limb to hold
the jaws together. The hinge includes a space for insertion of an
ornament hanging loop. Disengagement of the snap rib from the snap
rib channel separates the limbs to open the hanger. The rib engages
the channel solely via frictional force. If the channel has high
friction, it will be difficult to open and close the device, and if
it has low friction, the device will too easily release. Further,
to achieve optimal and consistent performance characteristics,
there can be little tolerance for error in manufacture of the rib
and rib channel.
[0007] While the attachment mechanisms of Conner and Gary have
advantages over their predecessors, it is desired to have an
attachment or hanging mechanism that is easier to manufacture,
simple in design, and provides for direct interlocking of its hook
members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect, the present invention involves a unitary
attachment mechanism (or clasp) that has two opposed resilient arms
extending from a hinge. The arms have opposed curved hooks at or
near their tip ends. The hooks curve in substantially opposite
directions from each other, and can be engaged by articulating the
arms in three dimensions, or likewise disengaged from an engaged
position by articulating the arms.
[0009] Description of the invention may be facilitated using
Cartesian coordinates. In the Figures the X direction is
horizontal, the Y direction is vertical, and the Z direction is
perpendicular to the X and Y directions, i.e., into and out of the
page. In a perspective view, the Cartesian coordinate orientations
match those of the plan view (i.e., the X, Y and Z directions used
in describing the device are the same as in a plan view of the
device, only adjusted in the perspective view to match the
corresponding difference in angular position between the point of
reference for the plan view and for that of the perspective
view).
[0010] The distal ends of the arms can be pressed towards each
other substantially parallel to or in a first X-Y plane containing
the hinge (e.g., moved towards each other in the X direction in or
parallel to the first X-Y plane) so that the arms cross
sufficiently in the X direction to permit interlacing or
interlocking of the hooks, and at least one tip end moved in a
direction that does not coincide with the first plane (e.g., the Z
direction) to interlock the hooks or disengage interlocked hooks
upon release of the arms to move away from each other. By spacing
the distal ends of the arms from each other in the Z direction,
frictional resistance to clasping and unclasping is substantially
eliminated. In the alternative, at least one of the tip ends of the
arms can be biased toward the other and curved to project at an
angle from the first plane, e.g. 7-10.degree. in the Z direction
towards the other arm, to facilitate interlocking of the hooks when
the arms are sufficiently overlapped in the X and Z directions and
subsequently released. Hence, when the arms sufficiently overlap in
the X direction wherein one arm and the hinge lie substantially in
a first X-Y plane, and the tip end of the other arm is moved in the
Z direction towards the other tip end so that the arms sufficiently
overlap in the Z-direction, the arms and hooks can be engaged in an
interwoven crisscross fashion to create a secure attachment upon
release of the arms resiliently biased away from each other in the
X direction. Release is accomplished by reversing the steps to
interlock the hooks. In an embodiment, at least the tip ends of the
arms are resiliently biased toward each other in the Z
direction.
[0011] These and other advantages of the present invention and
various embodiments thereof are more fully described below with
reference to the following drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an attachment
mechanism of the present invention in top plan view in open (i.e.,
unlocked) position at rest. Note that open sides of the hooks face
away from each other in the X direction and an optional at rest gap
exists between the two hooks in at least the X direction
(alternatively the at rest hook gap exists in at least the Y
direction) so that no obstruction exists for an item, e.g.,
ornament hoop, to enter the clasp bite space.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates the attachment mechanism of FIG. 1 with
the arms compressed towards each other in the X direction so that
the arms overlap and the open sides of the hooks face each other.
Note that the tips of the arms have moved past each other in the X
direction so that each tip is free to move in the Z direction
without interference from the other hook. This position is a
locking or unlocking position depending on which direction at least
one of the hooks is moved with respect to the other in the Z
direction.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the attachment mechanism of FIG. 1 with
the arms compressed towards each other so that the arms and hooks
overlap. This is an intermediate position between the at-rest
configuration and the compressed configuration shown in FIG. 2.
However, an alternative embodiment is envisioned where the
configuration of FIG. 3 is an at rest configuration.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates the attachment mechanism of FIG. 1 with
the arms interlocked via the double crisscrossed overlap of the
hooks.
[0016] FIGS. 5A-B illustrate two exemplary embodiments of devices
of the present inventions, wherein the device of FIG. 5A has an
unclasped at-rest gap between the hooks, whereas the device of FIG.
5B has an unclasped at-rest configuration that provides a slight
overlap of the inner curve of the hooks.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a side perspective view of a
device of the present invention. Note that, starting from the hinge
and moving towards the tips, the arms have a slight bow shape in
the Z direction (in addition to bowing away from each other in the
X direction) with one tip/hook being biased towards the other. This
facilitates interlocking of the hooks when the arms are compressed
towards each other sufficiently in the X direction, e.g., as shown
in FIG. 2, and then the arms released to move apart in the X
direction.
FURTHER DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. Hanger 10 comprises a hinge portion 12,
arms 14 and 16, and hooks 18 and 20. The hanger in FIG. 1 has the
general appearance of the Greek letter omega (upside down in the
Figures). Arms 14 and 16 have bow sections 19 and 21 that cause
them to extend outward from each other in the X direction to form a
first opening 22 of suitable size to encircle two items to be
connected together by hanger 10. The clasp bite space defined by
first opening 22 is determined by the length and curvature of the
arms extending from the hinge to the point where the hooks can move
freely with respect to each other in the Z direction when the arms
are overlapped in the X direction (the hook
"engagement/disengagement" position, "lock/unlock" position, or
"clasp/unclasp" position). Hence, where items of small dimensions
are to be connected together the clasp bite space can be relatively
small, whereas greater curvatures in and lengths of the arms 16
and/or 14 can enable larger items to be connected together. The
portions of the arms 14 and/or 16 forming the bite space can be
altered and/or "keyed" to accommodate different shapes as well. For
example, if it is desired that an item or items not rotate in the
clasp, the bite space shape can match one or more portions of one
or more items to be connected by the clasp. Further, hinge 12 can
be modified to accommodate different uses.
[0019] One use for the embodiment of FIG. 1 is, when sized
appropriately, as a Christmas tree ornament hanger, wherein after
inserting one of the arms through the ornament hanger wire or
string loop, the first opening 22 is sized to accommodate a tree
branch when the device is in the clasped configuration. The
insertion of the ornament hanger wire or string loop into hinge 12
may serve to bar further compression of the arms together in the X
direction or even bias the arms apart to enhance the grip between
the engaged hooks.
[0020] A hook, e.g., 18 and 20, is located at the distal end of
each bow section 19 and 21, and can be described as having three
sections. The distal direction is defined herein as the direction
projecting away from hinge 12 generally toward hooks 18 and 20
(since the ends of the arms of the devices of the present invention
can move in the X, Y and Z directions, the distal direction may
vary in all three coordinates). Hence, each arm has a hinge end and
a distal end. For example, the hinge ends are 30 and 32.
[0021] Referring to hook 18, an inwardly curved section 24 meets an
outwardly curved section 26 that terminates in tip 28, leaving a
first hook opening 34 sufficiently large for a portion of the shaft
forming hook 20 to be inserted therethrough, while hook 20
encircles a second hook opening of suitable size for the shaft
forming opposite hook 18 to be contained within.
[0022] Hanger 10 is preferably made of a moldable polymeric resin
selected from the group consisting of nylon or other suitable
polyamide, an acrylate, an acetal, a polystyrene, polypropylene,
and polyethylene, although it is understood that other resins can
also be used satisfactorily provided that any such resin has
sufficient flexibility and resilience to function in the manner
described herein. The device may be injection molded. The hanger
can also be formed of metal, wood and/or a composite (e.g., like a
bow used to shoot arrows) provided the construction materials have
sufficient flexibility and resilience to function in the manner
described herein. In an embodiment, the dimensions of mechanisms of
the present invention and the materials comprising same depend upon
the size and strength requirements to which the mechanism will be
used, e.g., the amount of force that can be withstood without the
mechanism failing.
[0023] Devices of the present inventions are preferably formed by
molding, e.g., injection molding. Alternatively, the inventions may
be manufactured by stamping. There are numerous other ways of
manufacturing the devices as one of ordinary skill in the art can
appreciate. In an embodiment, devices were formed of nylon sheet
cut to the desired form, and functioned acceptably.
[0024] FIGS. 2-6 illustrate how devices of the present inventions
function and some exemplary alternative embodiments. Referring to
the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the distal ends of the arms are
biased towards each other. If the hanger in FIG. 1 was rotated
90.degree. to provide an end view, only the side of one arm and the
side of the hinge would be seen. However, such an end view
illustration of the device in FIG. 6 would show the hooks
crisscrossed in the Z direction. As the arms of the device of FIG.
6 are compressed towards each other in the X direction from the
position shown, the hanger will first reach the configuration of
FIG. 3. If compressed further, the hanger will reach the
configuration shown in FIG. 2, wherein a gap 36 exists between the
tips of the hooks of the overlapped arms. Due to the biasing of the
hooks towards each other in the Z direction, when there is
sufficient arm overlap for gap 36 to exist, the distal ends of the
arms will move towards each other in the Z direction to cross. It
should be understood that when gap 36 is 0 or more crossing of the
hooks in the Z direction will occur when the distal ends of the
arms are biased towards each other in the Z direction. In an
embodiment, the crossing in the Z direction may be initiated when
there is an overlap of the tips ends if the tip ends are
sufficiently flexible. This crossing in the Z direction can be
counteracted to disengage the clasp by manipulating the hooks
against the Z bias. When the hooks of the overlapped arms are
crossed in the Z direction, release of the arms to move apart in
the X direction will cause the arms and hooks to be engaged in an
interwoven crisscross fashion, or double crisscross configuration,
illustrated in FIG. 4; otherwise, the device will return to the
configuration of FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates two different embodiments. In FIG. 5A,
there is an at-rest hook gap 40 between the hooks in the X
direction when the hooks are not interlocked. In FIG. 5B, this
at-rest hook gap is eliminated, and the arms overlap in the X
direction when at rest. The embodiment of FIG. 5B might be used,
for example, for light weight ornaments, wherein even if the hooks
are accidentally not interlocked or unlocked, the ornaments might
still stay attached where desired if the arms are biased together
sufficiently.
[0026] Referring further to FIG. 5, in an embodiment, a portion of
the upper surface 42 on hook 18 can engage and slide against the
corresponding lower surface of hook 20. Surface 42 and the
corresponding lower hook surface of 20 can be shaped and have a
smooth texture to ease interlocking of the hooks 18 and 20.
However, the inner edges 44 and 46 of hooks 18 and 20 can have a
different, rougher or tacky (e.g., adhesive) texture, to facilitate
keeping the hooks from coming apart when engaged. In an embodiment,
inner edges 44 and 46 can have ridges that extend at opposed
angles, forming a ratchet mechanism that enhances the clasp lock
strength.
[0027] While the embodiment of FIG. 6 has the hooks biased toward
each other in the Z direction to facilitate interlocking from an
unlocked position, in another embodiment, the arms do not have to
have any particular bias in the Z direction. In this case, the arms
must be manipulated sufficiently to overlap in both the X and Z
direction. In a preferred embodiment, this can be done by
compressing the arms between the two fingers of one hand.
[0028] An exemplary embodiment of a Christmas tree ornament hanger
has a length from hinge to each distal arm end of about 1/2 inch to
about 2 inches and a greatest at-rest width of about 1/4 inch to
about 2 inches. The thickness of the arms is about 1/32.sup.nd inch
to about 1/8 inch, but preferably between about 1/32.sup.nd inch
and 1/16.sup.th inch or 1/10.sup.th inch. Arm width (versus overall
device greatest width) can be about equal to our greater than arm
thickness. In am embodiment, the overall device components can have
the same thickness and width (i.e., the hinge, arms and hooks have
the same thickness and width), although the hook tips at the ends
of the arms are preferably tapered. In an exemplary embodiment, the
ornament is formed of a polyamide, such as but not limited to
nylon. Of course, much larger devices can be formed, a foot or more
in size, for large public displays and other uses.
ADVANTAGES
[0029] Many advantages arise from the present invention. The device
is very easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and has no complicated
parts. The double crisscross overlap of the hooks and/or arms
creates a very strong grip, reducing the risk of accidental
detachment.
[0030] The foregoing are non-limiting examples of the advantages of
the present invention. In view of these advantages, one of skill in
the art will desire new devices constructed in accordance with the
present invention. For example, the tips can rounded or be in a
shape that facilitates that interlocking action.
[0031] A cam mechanism can be included on at least one arm to
facilitate the three dimensional interlocking action.
[0032] The present pioneer invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments only, and incorporates by
reference numerous teachings. Therefore, many variations to the
disclosed embodiments are envisioned to be within the teachings and
spirit of the present application.
* * * * *