Supports – Suspended supports – Adjustable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-18
2001-10-09
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Suspended supports
Adjustable
C248S317000, C248S323000, C248S339000, C047S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299118
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates broadly to improvements in hanger assemblies for articles such as plant holders, flower pots, and the like. More particularly, the invention pertains to an easily assembled and installable suspension system used to adjustably support a plant holder, or the like, along a vertical axis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hanging plant holders typically employ a non-adjustable set of support stands such as wires, cables, ropes, cords or chains attached to the plant holder at one end of the support strands and to the usual ceiling hook or other support element at the other end of the support strands. Irrigation and maintenance of the contained plants is at times inconvenient, especially if the plant holder is suspended adjacent the ceiling and the ceiling is high.
The height of plant holders has been adjustable, however, by means of various structures. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,693, issued Jun. 2, 1986 to Kagan, there is disclosed a plant hanger and a take-up reel for winding up cables supporting the hanger. A lock is provided below the reel to prevent rotational forces from being exerted about the hanger.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,589, issued May 2, 1989 to Straw et al, there is set forth a hanging plant carrier providing a supporting surface on which a potted plant is placed. Below the supporting surface is a spring-powered reel for providing a means of lengthening the support cables extending from an overhead fixed structure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,653, issued Oct. 24, 1989 to Connolly, an article suspension system is provided for raising, lowering and suspending an article such as a plant on a cord at selected positions of static and dynamic suspension. The system includes an article hook device, locking handle structure and a cord lock for suspension from one or more pulley supports.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,937, issued Sep. 18, 1990 to Haddox, there is shown a hanger adapted for supporting a plant container from a fixed support. The hanger comprises a plurality of flexible straps having upper reaches terminating in upper extremities adapted for connection to the fixed support, and lower reaches terminating in lower extremities adapted for disposition adjacent the plant container. The effective length of each strap is adjustable and dependent on the adjustment of other straps for varying the vertical position of the plant relative to the fixed support.
Despite the attempts of the prior art, there continues to be a need for a simplified, vertically adjustable plant hanger which can be manufactured at a low cost and yet provides adequate support and also is aesthetically pleasing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide a hanger which is capable of conveniently altering the elevation of a potted plant with respect to a support structure.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a plant hanger which is capable of suspending plant containers of various sizes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for supporting potted plants and other devices therefrom.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pair of elongated hanger components which can be quickly and easily employed to change the elevation of a potted plant.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a plant hanger which is adjustable along a vertical axis without special tools or complex, unsightly adjustments.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plant hanger which is economically produced with a minimum of components.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a plant hanger which is easy to relocate.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved potted plant assembly for use in indoor and outdoor plant display.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plant hanger which is lightweight and yet extremely strong in suspending potted plants therefrom.
A final object of the present invention is to provide a sleek plant hanger in accordance with the proceeding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction, and easy to use so as to provide a device which is economically feasible, long lasting and trouble-free in operation.
In one object of the present invention, a plant hanger is provided for adjustably supporting an article, such as a potted plant, in a plant holder along a vertical axis. The plant hanger includes a first piece having an elongated body provided with a support arrangement spaced therealong, and a hook at one end thereof adapted to be suspended from a support structure. A second piece has a series of flexible rods provided at one end with bent portions adapted to engage and support the plant holder and provided at another end with a common hook bracket adapted to be engaged with the support arrangement.
In the preferred embodiment, the body is a shaft and the support arrangement is defined by a plurality of tangs spaced along the shaft. Each of the tangs has a semi-circular cross section. The hook bracket has an inverted L-shape and includes a pair of spaced fingers, each being supported on one side of a selected tang. In an alternative embodiment, the body is a strip formed with a series of aligned openings. The hook bracket includes a single finger engageable with the wall of any one of the openings.
In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for adjustably supporting an article such as a potted plant in a plant holder along a vertical axis.
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Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Braun Leslie A.
Marsh Steven
LandOfFree
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