Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~2Z948~
1 FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to components suitable for use and
reuse to hang receptacles, for example, planters.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Many approaches have been taken to the hanging of planters.
They have been secured by macrame, ropes, chains and the like and sup-
penned from hooks fastened to the ceiling.
These approaches, however, each have the disadvantage that
their distance from the ceiling cannot be easily adjusted. In most
instances the material is knotted to provide some degree of adjustment.
However the degree of adjustment is approximate. Additionally, the
adjustment is unsightly.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide come
pennants suitable for use to hang planters.
It is a further object of this invention to provide components
to hang planters which permit easy adjustment of the distance the planter
is suspended from the support (for example, the ceiling).
It is a further object of this invention to provide for such
adjustment without special tools, or complex or unsightly adjustments.
In many instances, it is desired to suspend planters without
any apertures slots or slits in their body. In those instances, the
means of suspending the planter must safely and attractively envelope
the planter in such a way to permit secure suspension. Therefore, the
means for suspension must carry a seat substantially of the same size as
the bottom or base of the planter with the sides of the means of sup-
pension engaging the sides of the planter to securely and attractively
hold the planter. If the means of suspension is not the right size -
the planter will not be securely and/or attractively suspended.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an
improved means for suspending a planter which does not require the use
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~294~34
1 of holes, slits, slots, tabs or protrusions or other means of modifying
the planter to securely yet attractively suspend the planter.
Further and other objects of the invention will be realized by
those skilled in the art from the following summary of the invention and
detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a hanger support
suitable for use in hanging a receptacle (for example, a planter) or
other items (such as sign age) is provided, the support comprising:
(1) a hanger from which the support may be secured to hang a
receptacle (planter), or other item from, for example, a hook in the
ceiling, the hanger having:
(a) a plane or zone disposed or oriented in the vertical direction when
the hanger support is secured or suspended for hanging for example, a
planter, and,
(b) a position whereat the hanger would be supported when the support
is used to hang a planter,
(2) a take-up spool having an endless channel defined between a
spool (preferably cylindrical spool) and a pair of preferably radially
extending walls extending from either end of the spool, the take-up
spool secured to the hanger for taking up material (for example, cables
for example nylon-coated kink-resistant stainless steel cable , wire,
plastic strands, or the like) for supporting the planter or other item,
the take-up spool incorporating a plane or zone disposed in the vertical
direction when the hanger support is secured or suspended for hanging
the planter, or other item, and
(3) a lock vertically below the spool and hanger offset to the
plane or zone of the take-up spool but in vertical alignment with the
plane or zone of the hanger, to cause material extending downwardly from
the spool to be offset relative to the plane or zone of the spool and into
lZi~948~
1 the vertical plane or zone of the hanger and in vertical alignment with
the position in the hanger whereat the hanger would be supported to
support the hanger support whereby there exists neither rotational
forces exerted about the hanger causing the spool to rotate about the
hanger nor forces tending to cause the spool to tilt out of a vertical
plane or zone.
In this way, excess material carried in the hanger support may
be wound-up and stored to permit alteration of the vertical position of
the receptacle (for example, planter) or reuse with another receptacle
as required. Furthermore, this support lends itself to use with small
diameter cables and support means which facilitate the display of planters
and plants contained therein without visual conflict with the means of
suspension. This hanger support structure also finds use to hang other
items for display purposes which require length adjustment, such as
sign age.
In one embodiment the lock incorporates a vertically extending
slot (when the support is hung) offset to the plane or zone of the take-
up spool and vertically aligned with the plane or zone of the hanger, to
assist to lock the material to extend vertically offset from the plane or
zone of the take-up spool.
In another embodiment, the lock comprises an L-shaped struck
lure extending below the take-up spool, the L-shaped structure comprising
a pair of spaced flanges extending laterally from the structure (preferably
at the bottom thereof), the L-shaped structure carrying a slot between the
spaced flanges offset relative to the plane or zone of the take-up spool
but aligned with the plane or zone of the hanger to permit material from
; the spool to pass through the slot and be locked thereby to hang vertically
therefrom.
According to another aspect of the invention, the take-up
spool is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the hanger. In one
~2Z9~84
1 embodiment the take-up spool is rigidly fixed relative to the lock so
that the lock, and, in the embodiment where the lock incorporates the
slot, the slot, are each offset relative to the zone or plane of the
take-up spool but in vertical alignment with the plane or zone of the
hanger.
According to another aspect of the invention, the take-up
spool may carry an aperture through the spool surface around which the
material is wound to permit material passed through the aperture to be
tied, knotted and/or covered by a brass fitting (eyelet) and/or, crimped
to secure the material behind the surface. Therefore, where the length
of the material is to be adjusted (shortened for example), more material
can be pulled through the aperture and for example, tied or knotted
behind the aperture to preclude the pulled through material from returning
to the take-up spool until for example, the knot is untied. Where the
take-up spool is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the hanger,
a pin may be fixed in one of the radially extending walls of the take-up
spool and passed through a portion of the hanger permitting relative
rotation of the pin and thus the take-up spool relative to the hanger.
A cap may be used to cover the pin to secure the pin to the hanger.
The support may be used to carry material (for example, nylon
covered kink-resistant stainless steel cable) used to secure and suspend
a planter in the manner disclosed in my Canadian Application Serial
Number 372,031 and in United
States Patent Application Serial Number 126,663 in which Applications a
receptacle or container (e.g. a planter) having an outer surface and
bowl shaped recess is provided for carrying a plurality of tabulate
bodies or protrusions equally spaced about the planter, each tabulate
body or protrusion presenting a face on the side of the body remote the
outer surface of the planter and being carried by the planter proximate
its rim, each tabulate body or protrusion carrying a slot intermediate
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~229484
1 its width from proximate the top of the protrusion extending downwardly
and opening through the bottom and the face of the protrusion, the slot
opening through the face being less than the width of the slot, the slot
carrying a socket or wider slot portion at the upper end of the slot in
communication with the slot, also opening through the face, the opening
through the face being less than the width of the socket, the tabulate
body or protrusion carrying another channel, slot or groove from the
bottom of the protrusion, preferably also curvilinearly around a port-
furl or circumferential portion of the protrusion, to the upper rim
portion and having means for restricting a portion of the opening of the
slot, channel or groove to require flexor of a filament or strand when
pushed into the channel, slot or groove to thereby allow the strand to
seat and be held in the channel, slot or groove during use in supporting
the receptacle.
The material carried by the spool may comprise nylon covered
kink-resistant steel wire or extruded monofilaments (stranded, twisted
or braided) or any other suitable material found on the market, each
strand or length of material carrying a knot, button, fitting, rivet or
the like (of a width greater than the width of the slot) for being
received longitudinally into each socket and locked against removal
through the face of the body by the wider dimensions of the knot, fitting,
rivet or the like than the restricted slot opening through the face, the
wire or thread causing the means for restricting the channel, slot or
groove to flex when pushed into the channel, slot or groove until sufficient
force is exerted to remove the wire or thread past the means.
According to another aspect of the invention, where the planter
is unmodified but comprises an upper planter rim and bottom, means for
supporting the planter or any receptacle or item are provided comprising
a base, a plurality of strands of material, each strand passing through
at least two apertures in the base to a support, each strand carrying a
lZ29484
l hook or other non-disturbing connector (for example, a clip) for seating
over the rim of for example the planter. The hook or other connector,
in one embodiment, carries a depending loop to which one end of the
strand is secured and through which loop the strand of material passes
to the support used for suspending the receptacle. Preferably the base
comprises a horizontally extending support portion and an annular skirt
secured to the outer periphery of the horizontally extending support
portion sloped angularly outwardly and downwardly away from the horizon-
tally extending support portion and the apertures are disposed in the
skirt.
Where the means for supporting for example the planter comprises
at least three strands of material, the base comprises at least three
pairs of equally spaced apertures in the base, one pair for each strand,
each pair of apertures being spaced from one another and preferably by a
curved spacer surface on the side of the base remote the top of the base
supporting the planter, for carrying one strand of material between the
apertures to prevent extreme bends in the strand material to prevent
weakening of the line, each strand being secured to a hook or other non-
disturbing or non-disfiguring connector, preferably to a loop at one end
of the hook or other non-disturbing or non-disfiguring connector with an
intermediate portion of the strand material also passing through the
loop, intermediate the strand's length, the other end of the strand to
which the intermediate portion is secured being secured to a support to
support for example, the planter.
For locking the end of the strand with the hook on it, an
injection molded component having an upper end and a lower end, may be
employed comprising a slot extending through the body of the component
between the upper and lower ends, the slot having a width, height and
varying depths with the side edges of the slot being of a greater depth
than the central portion, the deeper slot portion on one side extending
1229484
1 through the body from the upper end to lower end and the other deeper
slot portion having an enlarged slot portion extending from intern1ediate
the upper and lower ends to either the upper and lower ends to form a
socket. With this component, the strand of material which carries the
hook, may be locked by this component to the hook, the strand of a width
to pass through the wider slot portion at each side edge of the slot but
not the central reduced slot portion, the enlarged slot portion forming
the socket to accommodate a fitting, button, knot, rivet or the like at
the end of the strand.
Where the means for supporting the planter receptacle or other
item comprises only two strands (or a plurality of strands joined to-
getter to form two strands of material) the base comprises:
(i) a pair of two spaced apertures in the base, well spaced from one
another and,
(ii) a pair of other apertures, one of these apertures intermediate each
pair of the two spaced apertures in the base, each strand of material
having two ends and carrying a loop of material comprised of portions of
the strand of material extending through the intermediate aperture from
each of the other apertures, the loop carrying a hook or other con-
section, each end of the loop extending through the intermediate aperture to a position behind the base to the aperture of the pair of apertures
remote from the portion of the loop between the hook and intermediate
aperture, the material passing through the said aperture and through the
base to the support for supporting the base, the hook or other con-
section for attaching to the rim of the receptacle carried on the base and the ends of the material for securing the receptacle as supported by
the base, to a support for suspending the structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the
following description of embodiments of the invention in which:
lZ29484
1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hanger support used to
carry a receptacle (planter) according to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hanger support of Figure
1 looking from one side.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the hanger support of Figure
1 looking from the bottom towards the top.
Figure 4 is a front view of the hanger support of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5'-5'
of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a front schematic view of a hanger support act
cording to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 is a top schematic view of the hanger support in
Figure 6 with part thereof being rotated about a vertical axis relative
to the bottom portion.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a hanger support used to
support a planter according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 is a close-up view of part of the structure shown in
Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10
of Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a close-up view of part of the structure shown in
Figure 8 in a different position.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a support for a receptacle
(for example a planter) according to still another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, hanger support 20
is provided suitable for use in hanging a planter 22, support 20 come
prosing:
(1) hanger 24 having a plane or zone 26 disposed or oriented in the
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~;~Z~4~4
1 vertical direction (see Figures 2 and 4) when hanger support Z0 is
secured or suspended for hanging planter 22 at point X whereat hanger 24
engages a support (for example a hook fastened to the ceiling).
(2) take-up spool 28 integrally injection molded of polycarbonate with
hanger 24 for taking up three nylon coated kink-resistant stainless
steel lines 30 wrapped around cylindrical spool 32 (see Figures 4 and 5)
the sides of which are closed by walls 34 and 36 which extend radially
from spool 32 to define endless line receiving channel 38 between the
outer peripheral surface 40 of cylinder 32 and between walls 34 and 36,
channel 38 of take-up spool 28 incorporating a plane or zone 42 (see
Figures 4 and 5) disposed or oriented in the vertical direction when
hanger 24 is secured or suspended for hanging planter 22, and,
(3) L-shaped locking structure 44 integrally molded with take-up spool
28, offset to plane or zone 42 of take-up spool 28 but in vertical
alignment with plane or zone 26 of hanger 24 and particularly the
vertical plane passing through point X whereat hanger 24 engages a
support (for example a hook fastened to the ceiling) not shown.
L-shaped structure 44 comprises connector 46 formed as an
extension of wall 38 and includes channel, slot or groove 48 (formed in
the face of connector 46) vertically aligned with point X (see Figure
5). Connector 46 at the lower end thereof is integrally molded to
laterally extending spacer 50 in turn integrally molded to flange 52
(shaped like a finger) spaced from connector 46 by spacer 50. Channel,
slot or groove 48 cuts through an edge portion of spacer 50 and flange
52 to permit lines 30 to pass between connector 46 and flange or finger
52 from spool 28 and abut spacer 50 as it is channeled by channel, slot
or groove 48 from hanger support 20 see Figure 3). Therefore, as can
be seen, the construction of hanger support 20 by offsetting hanger 24,
channel 38 of take-up spool 28 and the L-shaped locking structure 44 in
the manner described precludes hanger support 20 from laterally rotating
lZ~948~
1 about point X to one side or from tilting or rotating about point X
either forwardly or rearwardly out of vertical plane when hanger support
20 is secured by lines 30 to planter 22 and secured to a support (not
shown) which engages hanger 24 at point X.
To adjust the distance planter 22 is supported below hanger
support 20, lines 30 need only be taken up (wound) or let out (unwound)
from take-up spool 28. To secure lines 30 to take-up spool 28, lines 30
are wound together on cylindrical spool 32 after passing the ends through
aperture 54 seen best in Figure 4 and 5) extending through surface 40
of cylinder 32 through the body of cylindrical spool 32 opening through
inner radial surface 56 and crimping, covering or knotting them.
When adjustment of planter 22 up or down relative to hanger
support 20 is required, the line 30 is wound together around spool 32 in
channel 38. The radius of the cylinder (for example 3/8" [.96 cm]),
will control the increments of adjustment available with hanger support
(for example, approximately 3/4 I' or 1.92 cam adjustments for the lines
at surface 40 of cylinder 32). If finer adjustment is required, the
ends of line 30 projecting beyond inner radial surface 56 may be pulled
through aperture 54 and the lines knotted or looped or clipped at 58
and the line rewound about spool 28.
To permit relative rotation about a vertical axis of hanger 24
relative to take-up spool 28, the two components may be separately
molded and secured by a pin 60 fixedly embedded in wall 38 and secured
through a hole 62 passing through hanger 24 vertically aligned with
point X (see Figure 6). Because channel, slot or groove 48 is vertically
aligned with point X see Figure 5 particularly), relative rotation of
take-up spool 24 and hanger 20 is permitted without tilting of hanger 20
out of vertical or lateral rotation about point X (see Figure 7).
Hanger support 20 is shown in Figure 1 supporting receptacle
22 by the use of three lines 30 wound in take-up spool 28 and extending
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AYE
1 therefrom spread from cylindrical bead 62 to three separate places
proximate rim 63 at which place, each line is secured. To this end the
end of each line carries an upset, enlarged end or bead, or knot or the
like. Each position carries a tabulate body or protrusion 64 of the
construction shown in my Canadian Patent Application Serial Number
372,031 . Particularly each
tabulate body or protrusion 64 is disposed proximate rim 63 and has face
66 on the side of body 64 remote the outer surface 67 of planter 22.
Each tabulate body or protrusion 64 carries vertically extending slot 68
intermediate body's 64 width from the top 70 of protrusion 64 and opening
through the bottom and face 66, the portion of slot 68 opening through
face 66 being less than the width of slot 68. Slot I comprises a wider
slot portion or socket 72 at the upper end of slot 68 in communication
with slot 68 and opening through face 66, the opening of socket 72
through the face 66 being the same as the opening of slot 68 through
face 66. Slot 68 opens at the bottom into 3 channel, slot or groove 75
defined by bead 74 extending from face 66 beyond the periphery of body
64 spaced from outer surface 67 curvilinearly around body 64 to upper
rim 70 and having means for example, bead 74 being thickened in places
between surface 67 and bead 74 (e.g. at the rim 70) to reduce the width
of mouth AYE leading into channel, slot or groove 75, to require flexor
of each line 30 when pushed into mouth 74 past the thickened portions
into channel, slot or groove 75 to thereby secure strand in channel,
slot or groove 75. Therefore, when each line 30 is to be secured to
each tabulate body 64, the upset knot or the like on the end of line 30
is inserted into socket 72, line 30 pushed through the opening in face
66 into slot 68 and into channel, slot or groove 75 past thickened
portions AYE in mouth 74 to cause each line 30 to extend curvilinearly
around body 64 and be secured in such position to support the receptacle
22.
AYE
1 With reference to Figures to 11 inclusive, hanger support 20
is used to support another receptacle 80 which carries no visible means
for its support. In this regard, three lines 30 extend from each support
20 for spreading at bead 82, to secure receptacle 80 using metal hooks
84 each carrying loop 86 on its end. Each line is fastened to base 88
on which receptacle 80 seats, base 88 comprising horizontally extending
annular support 90 (reinforced by connector 92) and annular skirt 94
secured to the periphery of annular base 88 and, sloped angularly downwardly
away from base 90. Three pairs of spaced apertures 96 through skirt 94
are equally spaced from one another, each pair of apertures 96 comprising
apertures AYE and 96B for permitting each of lines 30 to be brought
behind skirt 94, through one of apertures 96 and returned through the
other aperture. On the back side 94B of skirt 94 (see Figure 11)
secured to both the underside 90B of annular support 90 and back side
94B of skirt 94B and extending between apertures AYE and 96B is curved
spacer surface 98 against which line 30 abuts to prevent extreme wends
in the line to prevent weakening of the line. The end of line 30 remote
support hanger 20 is, prior to inserting through aperture 96, passed
through loop 86 of hook 84, then passed through aperture AYE along
surface 98 to aperture 96B, out aperture 96B and connected to loop 86
with the assistance of connector 100 by passing the line through con-
nectar 100 around a portion of loop 86 and secured in connector 100.
Each hook 84 is then pulled upwardly and pulled over the rim of recap-
lade (planter) 80 securely supporting receptacle 80 by support hanger
20. Particularly the weight of receptacle 80 on base 90 causes each
hook 84 to be pulled tightly onto the rim of receptacle 80 (see Figure
8) maintaining receptacle 80 on base 90. Because three equally spaced
pairs of apertures 96 have been employed for securing the three lines
30, lines 30 preclude receptacle 80 from falling from base 90 because of
the disposition of the hooks 84 and supporting lines 30 at 120 degrees
12Z9~84
1 to one another.
With reference to Figures 9 and 10, each connector 100 comprises
an injection molded part comprised of polycarbonate and carries slot 102
having width "w", height "h" and varying depth "d" opening through both
upper end 104 and lower end 106. At each side edge of slot 102, air-
cuter slot portions 108 and 110 are of greater depth "d" than inter-
mediate slot portion 112 between portions 108 and 110, the depth "d" of
slot portion 112 being less than the thickness of line 30, however the
depth "d" of portions 108 and 110 being greater than line 30. Slot
portion 110 has a wider slot portion or socket Lola extending from
intermediate upper and lower ends 104 and 106, to end 106 where it
opens. The end of line 30 carries bell-shaped metal member 114 carrying
radially directed flange 116 at one end arid is secured through hole 120
in member 114 by the end of line 30 being knotted at 122 (see Figure
10). Member 114 is wider than slot 110 but narrower than slot portion
Lola and is about the length of slot portion AYE to seat in socket AYE
and lock line 30 to connector 100.
With reference to Figure 12, another method of securing planter
80 to base 88' similarly constructed to base 88 is shown which employs
only two hooks and two long lines secured to one hanger support (not
shown). Particularly, base 88' carries two sets of well spaced aver-
lures AYE and 124B on skirt 94' and a third aperture 126 intermediate
apertures AYE and 124B. The reason for such spacing is to ensure the
end portions of line 30 extending upwardly from base 88', portion AYE
and 30B, are spaced enough to hold the receptacle, along with hooks 84'
secured to the rim of the receptacle (planter - not shown, from falling
from base 88'. On the under surface of skirt 94' are curved spacer
surfaces (not shown) between apertures 124B and 126, and AYE and 126,
against which line 30 abuts, also to prevent extreme bends in the line
to prevent weakening of the line. Therefore, as is apparent, a loop 86'
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~229~34
1 Of material 30C carrying a hook extends through each aperture 126 with
the continuation of the two ends of loop 86' extending through aperture
126 behind skirt 94' to abut the curved surfaces (not shown), with the
end of loop 86' emanating from that portion between hook 84' and aperture
126 extending towards the aperture AYE or 124B remote the portion
between hook 84' and aperture 126 from which it emanates. Therefore,
portion 30C' closest aperture AYE (remote aperture 124B) 'crosses over'
portion 30C" and extends to aperture 124B and portion 30C" closest
aperture 124B (remote aperture AYE) 'crosses-over' portion 30C' and
extends to aperture AYE, each abutting the curved surface (not shown)
and, passing from behind skirt 94' through the respective aperture
vertically to the support.
Therefore, any planter carried on base 88' is fully supported
so that it cannot fall out when hooks 84' are applied to the planter's
rim and prevented from falling by the loops of material 30C and hooks
84' and the widely spaced vertically extending portions AYE and 30B.
As many changes can be made to the embodiments without de-
parting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained herein be interpreted as illustrative of the invention and not
in a limiting sense.
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