Patent Application
20060266724
This invention relates to article hanging devices and more particularly to article hanging devices for 5th wheel trailers.
The present popularity of camping has led many campgrounds, for ascetic as well as safety purposes, to institute policies forbidding clothes lines from being strung between trees or poles or adjacent trailers. Such policies have created difficulties for campers when it comes to drying wet clothing such as bathing attire, towels or other clothing that has become wet. Prior art proposals for this problem have not provided suitable solutions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,661 teaches a drying rack that is permanently mounted to a wall of a trailer. This suggestion requires drilling multiple holes in the trailer wall that can provide an opportunity for water leakage during rainstorms as well as added air resistance when the trailer is being towed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,851 teaches a bracket that can be hung from a vehicle window; however only a single item such as a lantern can be accommodated. U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,299 teaches a garment hanger for mounting internally of a vehicle for transporting hanging garments in a high-density packing arrangement. This device also is not suited for drying wet articles.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the invention to enhance article hangers for camping trailers.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a portable article hanger.
Still another object of the invention is the provision of an article hanger specifically designed for 5th wheel trailers.
Yet another object is the provision of an article hanger that cooperates with the king pin of a 5th wheel trailer.
These objects are accomplished, in one aspect of the invention, by an article hanger for mounting upon the king pin of a 5th wheel trailer, the article hanger comprising a substantially cup-shaped body formed to engage at least a part of the king pin, plural means for mounting longitudinally extending hangers from the body; and means for removably affixing the body to the king pin.
In a preferred embodiment, an article hanging device for a cylindrical 5th wheel king pin, wherein the king pin has a first diameter with a reduced second diameter near an end thereof providing an extending flange having an end surface, comprises: a cup-shaped body with a wall and a bottom, the wall having an inner diameter formed to fit over the first diameter of the cylindrical king pin; a threaded opening centrally located in the bottom; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures in the wall adjacent the bottom; at least one longitudinal hanger having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned in one of the spaced apertures and contacting the reduced second diameter of the king pin; and a threaded stud positioned in the threaded opening having an internal end in contact with the end surface of the king pin and an external end extending outside of the cup-shaped body.
This article hanger is compact and easily transported and assembled on site. Since it is provided on the king pin of the trailer itself it requires no additional support. It does not require drilling any holes in the trailer body and thereby does not threaten the environment within the trailer. Additionally, when the article hanger is in place it protects the king pin from the weather.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims taken in conjunction with the above-described drawings.
Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in
At least one longitudinal hanger 34 having a first end 36 and a second end 38, has its first end 34 positioned in one of the spaced apertures 32 and contacting a reduced second diameter 16 of the king pin 12 near an end 18 and above the flange 20. Since the size of the king pin 12 is determined by Government regulation, as set forth in SAE 700, it will be apparent that only one size of article hanger 10 is necessary, greatly simplifying production and reducing costs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there are eight longitudinal hangers 34; however, other numbers can be provided as desired. A threaded stud 40 is positioned in the threaded opening 30 and has an internal end 42 in contact with an end surface 22 of the king pin 12 and an external end 44 extending outside of the cup-shaped body 24. The terminal portion 45 of the external end 44 of the stud 40 can be provided with a “J” configuration to provide additional hanging capacity.
The body 24 can be formed of a suitable plastic material such as, for example, ABS or polypropylene, or a metal such as aluminum or zinc. Other metals can also be utilized but they preferably are weatherized to withstand the elements.
A boss 46 surrounds the circumferentially spaced apertures 32 to provide added strength. When a plastic material is employed for the body 24 it is preferred that a threaded metal nut 31 be included in the bottom 28, as by insert molding or friction fitting a threaded part into an internal boss 33.
Preferably, the longitudinal hangers 34 are formed from steel rod, suitably weatherized, for example, by a zinc coating. Alternatively, other materials such as wood or plastic can be utilized. The second ends 38 of the longitudinal hangers 34 are provided with stop members 50. In the case of metal hangers 34 the stop members 50 can be hooks; as shown, while in the case of wood or plastic hangers the stop members 50 can be, for example, a threaded or glued ball.
The threaded stud 40 preferably has a locknut or wing nut 48 engaging the bottom 28 of the cup-shaped body 24 to secure the assembly together. A wing nut is preferred since the extended wings provide a good finger grip allowing hand tightening and avoiding the necessity of tool use.
To assemble and use the article hanging device 10, the trailer 100 is removed from its tractor exposing the king pin 12 that projects from bracket 110. The body 24 is slipped upwardly over the king pin 12 and is held in position while the longitudinal hangers 34 are inserted into the apertures 32 until their first ends 36 abut the reduced diameter portion 16. The hooked ends 38 of the longitudinal hangers 34 should be positioned in an upper most. When all of the longitudinal hangers 34 are properly located the treaded stud 40 is turned through nut 31 until its internal end 42 abuts the surface 22 of the kin pin 12. This action creates an equal and opposite force downward from the upper edge 32a of apertures 32 through the longitudinal hanger 34 to the lower edge 32b of apertures 32 and king pin surface 22. Hand tightening is all that is necessary. All of the longitudinal hangers 34 are now held against the edges 32a and 32b of apertures 32 and the king pin surface 22. This prevents the article hanger 10 from being removed. The last step in the assembly is to tighten the wing nut 48. Removing the article hanger 10 involves reversing the above-described procedure.
There is thus provided an article hanger that can be hung from the king pin of a 5th wheel trailer. It installs and removes easily without tools and is self-supporting. It is safe to use since the longitudinal hangers have stops formed on the projecting ends thereof to avoid any sharp projections and also to keep articles, such as towels, from falling to the ground.
The device is light in weight making it easy to transport. When installed, the article hanger not only provides it's hanging function but also protects the king pin itself from the elements while covering the necessary grease required on the king pin.
Also, since a substantial part of the article hanger is located under the trailer overhang it allows articles to be hung even in the event of rain.
While there have been shown and described what are present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
