SUSPENDED HANGER
United States Patent 3780875
A hanger for suspending articles, such as pots and pans, from an overhead surface. The hanger comprises a base member adapted to be secured to the overhead surface, a column secured to and suspended from the base member, a hanger assembly secured to the lower end of the column for rotation about the axis of the column, and an intermediate member secured to the column above and adjacent to the hanger assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the hanger assembly and intermediate member each comprise a hub having a plurality of spokes extending radially therefrom and the hanger assembly is rotatable relative to the intermediate member whereby the spokes of the assembly may be selectively moved out of alignment with the spokes of the intermediate member.
US Patent References:
Rotating clothes drier
Jenks - May 1939 - 2159436
Circular tie rack
Ragland - May 1950 - 2506467
Rotating clothes drier
Jenks - May 1939 - 2159436
Circular tie rack
Ragland - May 1950 - 2506467
Application Number:
05/262638
Publication Date:
12/25/1973
Filing Date:
06/14/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
211/163
International Classes:
A47F5/08; A47J47/16; A47J47/00; A47F5/08
Field of Search:
211/113,115,117,118,119,70,163,131,77,78,53,58
Primary Examiner:
Britts, Ramon S.
Assistant Examiner:
Stroup, Richard L.
Claims:
I claim
1. A hanger for suspending articles between an overhead surface and a surface spaced therebeneath, said hanger comprising:
2. A hanger for suspending articles between an overhead surface and a surface spaced therebeneath, said hanger comprising:
1. A hanger for suspending articles between an overhead surface and a surface spaced therebeneath, said hanger comprising:
2. A hanger for suspending articles between an overhead surface and a surface spaced therebeneath, said hanger comprising:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hanger for suspending articles at a location conveniently within the reach of a user and is particularly concerned with such a hanger ideally suited for the hanging of kitchen utensils, such as pots and pans.
Various types of hangers are known in the prior art, but these typically rely, at least in part, upon floor support. While certain prior art hangers are designed for suspension without floor support, these are generally relatively simple devices which are designed to support articles in close proximity to a supporting surface, such as a wall or low, overhanging member. The latter type of devices are not suitable for suspending articles from an overhead surface such as a ceiling, which is out of the normal reach of a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The basic structure and mode of operation of the present invention is believed apparent from the foregoing abstract of the disclosure and more detailed definition will be found in the description of the illustrated embodiment which appears in the following discussion.
A principal object of the present invention is to provide a hanger for suspending articles at a location within convenient reach of a user.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hanger for suspending articles wherein the support for the articles may be selectively rotated to make a plurality of articles on the hanger accessible from a single location.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hanger with a hanger assembly having spokelike members radiating from a central hub wherein the spokelike members are shaped to support pots and pans in spaced relationship relative to one another.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a hanger with an assembly for directly supporting articles wherein the supporting elements of the assembly may be selectively moved out of alignment with an intermediate member disposed above and adjacent thereto.
A further object of the invention is to provide a hanger which is fabricated of elements which may be packed in a compact, knocked-down form and readily erected.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the hanger secured to a ceiling, with phantom line representations showing pots and pans suspended on the hanger.
FIG. 2 is an eleventional view, partially in section, of the hanger illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the hanger illustrating the manner in which the element designated as the "hanger assembly" is rotatable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, the hanger is designated therein in its entirety by the numeral 10. As shown, the hanger is suspended from an overhead surface in the form of a ceiling 12 and disposed in spaced relationship to a floor 14.
The basic elements of the hanger comprise a base member 16, column 18, hanger assembly 20, and intermediate member 22. A pot and a pan are shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 and designated by the numerals 24 and 26, respectively.
The base member 16 is of unitary construction and of generally star-shaped planar configuration. It comprises a central or hub portion 16a having a plurality of spokes 16b extending radially therefrom. The spokes 16b are each apertured proximate the distal ends thereof to provide anchor points through which screws 28 may be extended to secure the base member to an overhead surface, such as the ceiling 12. The anchor points provided by the apertures in the spokes 16 are spaced from one another and from the central portion 16a. Accordingly, these points provide for the stable securing of the base member to a ceiling and are so spread apart that generally two or more of the screws extending therethrough may be anchored into a ceiling joist.
The hub portion 16a has an aperture 20 extending centrally therethrough and is provided with a countersunk recess 32 at the upper side of the aperture. The recess 32 provides means whereby a nut 34 may be received in the base member in alignment with the aperture 30.
The column 18 comprises a tubular element 18a having a rod 36 extending axially therethrough. End caps 38 and 40 are disposed over either end of the tubular element 18a and abut, respectively, against the base member 16 and the intermediate member 22. The upper end of the rod 36 is threaded securely into the nut 34 and, thus, the rod is suspended from the base member 16. The lower end of the rod has a nut 42 threadably secured thereto and this nut rotably supports the hanger assembly 20.
The intermediate member 22 is of substantially the same shape and construction as the base member 16, with the exception that anchor apertures are not provided at the distal ends of its spokes and a countersunk recess is not provided in the central or hub portion. The central or hub portion of the intermediate member 22 is designated by the numeral 22a and the spokes of the member are designated by the numeral 22b. The aperture in the hub portion 22a through which the rod 36 extends is designated by the numeral 44.
A spacer comprised of a tubular element 46 and end caps 48 and 50 is received on the rod 36 and interposed relationship between the hanger assembly 20 and the intermediate member 22. The tubular element 46 is similar in diameter to the element 18a and the end caps 48 and 50 correspond in construction to the end caps 38 and 40. Each of the end caps is provided with an outwardly disposed flange which extends around the tubular element cooperating therewith and an inwardly disposed flange which extends around the rod 36. Through the latter arrangement, the end caps function to maintain the tubular elements 18a and 46 in concentric alignment with the rod 36.
The hanger assembly 20 comprises a central hub 20a having spokelike members 20b and 20c extending radially therefrom. The spokelike members 20b alternate so that a member 20c is located between each pair of adjacent members 20b. The members 20b are fabricated of generally round stock and are downwardly bowed (See FIG. 2) so that items hung thereon tend to gravitate to the center of the members. Small protusions 52 are provided near the distal ends of the members 20b to prevent items supported thereon from inadvertently slipping off. The members 20c are fabricated of flat stock and provided with upwardly bent distal ends 54 to prevent items hung thereon from inadvertnetly slipping off. A ring 56 is welded to the upper surface of the members 20c to lend added strength thereto.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the hanger assembly 20 is an integral unit with the parts thereof welded together. Specifically, the ring 56 is welded to the spokelike members 20c and the spokelike members are welded to a washer 58 comprising part of the central hub 20a. A small ring 60 is welded beneath the washer 58 and the spokelike members 20b are welded to this ring. As assembled in the condition shown in FIG. 2, the nut 42 bears against the underside of the washer 58 to support the hanger assembly on the rod 36.
In the assembled condition, the rod 36 and the nuts thereon function to secure the members 16, 18 and 22 and the spacer comprised in part by the element 46 against rotation relative to one another. The hanger assembly 20, however, is supported on the rod for rotation relative to the intermediate member 22. Accordingly, the assembly 20 may be rotated to move a pot or pan supported thereon to a position adjacent a user of the device and also to selectively dispose the spokelike members 20b and 20c out of alignment with the spokes 22b of the intermediate member. This misaligned condition has the advantage that it facilitates ease of removal of a pot or pan from the spokelike member on which it is supported. FIG. 3 shows how the spokelike members 20b and 20c may be misaligned with the spokes 22b.
While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited, but rather is defined by the accompanying claims. For example, it is anticipated that the intermediate member 22 might rotate relative to the column 10 and that the column 10 might rotate relative to the base member 16.
The present invention relates to a hanger for suspending articles at a location conveniently within the reach of a user and is particularly concerned with such a hanger ideally suited for the hanging of kitchen utensils, such as pots and pans.
Various types of hangers are known in the prior art, but these typically rely, at least in part, upon floor support. While certain prior art hangers are designed for suspension without floor support, these are generally relatively simple devices which are designed to support articles in close proximity to a supporting surface, such as a wall or low, overhanging member. The latter type of devices are not suitable for suspending articles from an overhead surface such as a ceiling, which is out of the normal reach of a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The basic structure and mode of operation of the present invention is believed apparent from the foregoing abstract of the disclosure and more detailed definition will be found in the description of the illustrated embodiment which appears in the following discussion.
A principal object of the present invention is to provide a hanger for suspending articles at a location within convenient reach of a user.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hanger for suspending articles wherein the support for the articles may be selectively rotated to make a plurality of articles on the hanger accessible from a single location.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hanger with a hanger assembly having spokelike members radiating from a central hub wherein the spokelike members are shaped to support pots and pans in spaced relationship relative to one another.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a hanger with an assembly for directly supporting articles wherein the supporting elements of the assembly may be selectively moved out of alignment with an intermediate member disposed above and adjacent thereto.
A further object of the invention is to provide a hanger which is fabricated of elements which may be packed in a compact, knocked-down form and readily erected.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the hanger secured to a ceiling, with phantom line representations showing pots and pans suspended on the hanger.
FIG. 2 is an eleventional view, partially in section, of the hanger illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the hanger illustrating the manner in which the element designated as the "hanger assembly" is rotatable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, the hanger is designated therein in its entirety by the numeral 10. As shown, the hanger is suspended from an overhead surface in the form of a ceiling 12 and disposed in spaced relationship to a floor 14.
The basic elements of the hanger comprise a base member 16, column 18, hanger assembly 20, and intermediate member 22. A pot and a pan are shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 and designated by the numerals 24 and 26, respectively.
The base member 16 is of unitary construction and of generally star-shaped planar configuration. It comprises a central or hub portion 16a having a plurality of spokes 16b extending radially therefrom. The spokes 16b are each apertured proximate the distal ends thereof to provide anchor points through which screws 28 may be extended to secure the base member to an overhead surface, such as the ceiling 12. The anchor points provided by the apertures in the spokes 16 are spaced from one another and from the central portion 16a. Accordingly, these points provide for the stable securing of the base member to a ceiling and are so spread apart that generally two or more of the screws extending therethrough may be anchored into a ceiling joist.
The hub portion 16a has an aperture 20 extending centrally therethrough and is provided with a countersunk recess 32 at the upper side of the aperture. The recess 32 provides means whereby a nut 34 may be received in the base member in alignment with the aperture 30.
The column 18 comprises a tubular element 18a having a rod 36 extending axially therethrough. End caps 38 and 40 are disposed over either end of the tubular element 18a and abut, respectively, against the base member 16 and the intermediate member 22. The upper end of the rod 36 is threaded securely into the nut 34 and, thus, the rod is suspended from the base member 16. The lower end of the rod has a nut 42 threadably secured thereto and this nut rotably supports the hanger assembly 20.
The intermediate member 22 is of substantially the same shape and construction as the base member 16, with the exception that anchor apertures are not provided at the distal ends of its spokes and a countersunk recess is not provided in the central or hub portion. The central or hub portion of the intermediate member 22 is designated by the numeral 22a and the spokes of the member are designated by the numeral 22b. The aperture in the hub portion 22a through which the rod 36 extends is designated by the numeral 44.
A spacer comprised of a tubular element 46 and end caps 48 and 50 is received on the rod 36 and interposed relationship between the hanger assembly 20 and the intermediate member 22. The tubular element 46 is similar in diameter to the element 18a and the end caps 48 and 50 correspond in construction to the end caps 38 and 40. Each of the end caps is provided with an outwardly disposed flange which extends around the tubular element cooperating therewith and an inwardly disposed flange which extends around the rod 36. Through the latter arrangement, the end caps function to maintain the tubular elements 18a and 46 in concentric alignment with the rod 36.
The hanger assembly 20 comprises a central hub 20a having spokelike members 20b and 20c extending radially therefrom. The spokelike members 20b alternate so that a member 20c is located between each pair of adjacent members 20b. The members 20b are fabricated of generally round stock and are downwardly bowed (See FIG. 2) so that items hung thereon tend to gravitate to the center of the members. Small protusions 52 are provided near the distal ends of the members 20b to prevent items supported thereon from inadvertently slipping off. The members 20c are fabricated of flat stock and provided with upwardly bent distal ends 54 to prevent items hung thereon from inadvertnetly slipping off. A ring 56 is welded to the upper surface of the members 20c to lend added strength thereto.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the hanger assembly 20 is an integral unit with the parts thereof welded together. Specifically, the ring 56 is welded to the spokelike members 20c and the spokelike members are welded to a washer 58 comprising part of the central hub 20a. A small ring 60 is welded beneath the washer 58 and the spokelike members 20b are welded to this ring. As assembled in the condition shown in FIG. 2, the nut 42 bears against the underside of the washer 58 to support the hanger assembly on the rod 36.
In the assembled condition, the rod 36 and the nuts thereon function to secure the members 16, 18 and 22 and the spacer comprised in part by the element 46 against rotation relative to one another. The hanger assembly 20, however, is supported on the rod for rotation relative to the intermediate member 22. Accordingly, the assembly 20 may be rotated to move a pot or pan supported thereon to a position adjacent a user of the device and also to selectively dispose the spokelike members 20b and 20c out of alignment with the spokes 22b of the intermediate member. This misaligned condition has the advantage that it facilitates ease of removal of a pot or pan from the spokelike member on which it is supported. FIG. 3 shows how the spokelike members 20b and 20c may be misaligned with the spokes 22b.
While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited, but rather is defined by the accompanying claims. For example, it is anticipated that the intermediate member 22 might rotate relative to the column 10 and that the column 10 might rotate relative to the base member 16.