Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~56~
FIE~ OF INV~NI'ION
This invention relates -to components suitable for use
and reuse to hang receptacles, for example, plan-ters.
B~C~Ç~QUND OF INVENTION
Many approaches have been taken to the hanglng of
planters. They have been secured by macrame, ropes, chains and
the like and suspended from hooks fastened to the ceiling.
These approaches, however, each have the disadvantage
that their dis-tance 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
components 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 suspension engaging the
sides of the planter to securely and attractively hold the
planter. If the means of suspension is not the right size - the
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planter will no-t be securely and/or attractively suspended.
It is therefore an object of this inven-tion to provide
an improved means for suspending a planter which does not
require the use 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 signage) 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
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spool incorporating a p:Lane 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 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 signage.
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
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structure 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 thehanger. In one 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. Therefoxe, where the length of the material is to
be adjusted tshortened 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
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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
Paten-t 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 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 thrGugh 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 peripheral 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 flexure 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 recep-tacle.
The material carried by the spool may comprise nylon
covered kink-resistant steel wire or extruded monofilaments
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(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
S 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 at least two of the strands extending to the suspension
means for the support means to a support, each strand carrying a
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 suspension means 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 horizontally extending support portion and the
apertures are disposed in the skirt.
Where the suspension means for suspending for example,
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the planter comprises at least three strands of material, the
base comprlses 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
suspension means to suspend 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 through the body from
~ the upper end to lower end and the other deeper slot portion
having an enlarged slot portion extending from intermediate 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
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accommodate a fitting, button, knot, rivet or the like at the
end of the strand.
~ here the suspension means for suspending the planter,
receptacle or other item comprises only two strands (or a
plurality of strands joined together 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 in-termediate aperture from each of the
other apertures, the loop ca rying a hook or other connection,
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 connection 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
suspension means for suspending the structure.
BRIEF DESCR~eTION OF THE DR~WIN~7.~
The invention will now be illustrated with reference to
the following description of embodiments of the invention in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hanger support used
to carry a receptacle ~planter) according to one embodiment of
the invention.
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Figure 2 is a perspec-tive view of the hanger support o~
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.
5Figure 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
according 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.
DET~ILF.~ DES~RIPTIQN OF TH~ DRAWINGS
With reference to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, hanger
support 20 is provided suitable for use in hanging a planter 22,
support 20 comprising:
tl) hanger 24 having a plane or zone 26 disposed or oriented in
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the vertical direction (see Figures 2 and 4) when hanger support
20 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 9 and 5) the sides of which
are closed by walls 34 and 36 which extend radially from spool
10 32 to define endless line receiving channel 38 between the ou-ter
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
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from spool 28 and abut spacer 50 as it is channelled 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 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 le-t
- 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/~" or 1.92~ cm 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
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be separately molded and secured by a pin 60 fixedly imbedded in
wall 38 and secured through a hole 62 passing through hanger 24
vertically aligned with point X (see Figure 6). Because
cnannel, slot or groove 48 is vertically aligned wi-th 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 Dy the use of three lines 30 wound in take-up
spool 28 and extending 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
2Q 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 68
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 a 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
0 70 and having means for example, bead 74 being thickened in
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places between surface 67 and bead 74 (e.g. at the rim 70) toreduce the width of mouth 74A leading into channel, slot or
groove 75, to require flexure of each line 30 when pushed into
mouth 74 past the thickened portions into channel, slot or
5 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
10 75 past thickened portions 74A 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.
~ ith reference to Figures 8 to 11 inclusive, hanger
support 20 is used to support another receptacle 80 which
15 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
20 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 g6A and
25 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 96~ and
96B is curved spacer surface 98 against which line 30 abuts to
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prevent extreme bends 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 96A 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
connector 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 receptacle (planter) 80 sec~lrely 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 rirn 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 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, circular slot portions 108 and
110 are of greater depth "d" than intermediate 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 IIOA 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 and
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is secured through hole 120 in member 114 by the end o~ line 30
being knotted at 122 (see Figure 10). Member 114 is wider -than
slot 110 but narrower than slot portion llOA and is abou-t the
length of slot portion llOA to seat in socket llOA and lock line
30 to connector 100.
With reference to Figure 12, another method of securing
planter 80 to base 8-8' 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 apertures 124A and 124B on skirt 94' and a
third aperture 126 intermediate apertures 124A and 124B. The
reason for such spacing is to ensure the end portions of line 30
extending upwardly from base 88', portion 30A 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 124A 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' 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
124A or 124B remote the portion between hook 84' and aperture
126 from which it emanates. Therefore, portion 30C' closest
aperture 124A (remote aperture 124B) 'crosses over' portion 30C"
and extends to aperture 124B and portion 30C" closest aperture
0 124B (remote aperture 124A) 'crosses-over' portion 30C' and
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extends to aperture 124A, each abutting the curved surface (notshown) 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 30A and 30B.
As many changes can be made to the embodiments without
departing 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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