1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to a device for suspending a potted plant at an elevated height, and in particular relates to an adjustable hanger for a potted plant, having a cord which selectively extends from a housing, wherein the cord is attachable to the potted plant and allows a user to easily raise and lower the potted plant without the need for climbing upon a stepladder or a chair.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many plants are grown and maintained in hanging flower pots. Most plants require periodic maintenance, including watering and trimming the plants. In the case of a hanging potted plant, watering and trimming the plant often requires a user to climb upon a stepladder or a chair in order to reach the potted plant. However, climbing upon a stepladder or a chair in order to reach a plant is inconvenient and may lead to accidents. Accordingly, there is a need for an adjustable hanger for a potted plant, having a cord which selectively extends from a housing, wherein the cord is attachable to the potted plant and allows a user to easily raise and lower the potted plant without the need for climbing upon a stepladder or a chair.
A variety of accessories are available for use in conjunction with a potted plant. While these accessories may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustable hanger that allows a user to easily raise and lower a potted plant without the need for climbing upon a stepladder or a chair. Accordingly, the adjustable hanger comprises a ratchet reel assembly that enables the user to selectively lower the potted plant upon a cord without the need for climbing upon a stepladder or a chair.
It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable hanger having a cord that may be selectively retracted into a reel assembly housing as desired. Accordingly, the ratchet reel assembly has an associated coiled spring that biases the ratchet reel assembly to selectively wind the cord around the reel and thereby retract the cord within the housing.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an adjustable hanger that may be used to fixedly suspend a potted plant at an elevated display position. Accordingly, the ratchet wheel assembly has a ratchet wheel having ratchet teeth, and has a pawl that selectively engages the ratchet teeth. When the pawl engages the ratchet teeth, the ratchet wheel is prevented from rotating in a direction that would further extend the cord from the housing, and thereby fixedly suspends the potted plant at an elevated display position.
Further objects of the invention will become apparent in the detailed description of the invention that follows.
The invention is an adjustable hanger for a potted plant, having a selectively extendable cord which is attachable to the potted plant and which allows a user to easily raise and lower the potted plant without the need for climbing upon a step ladder or a chair. The adjustable hanger has a housing that encloses a spring-loaded ratchet reel assembly having a ratchet reel, a pawl which selectively engages the ratchet reel, and a coiled spring which biases the ratchet reel assembly to a position wherein the cord is selectively wound around the reel. When the pawl selectively engages the ratchet reel, the reel is only able to rotate in a clockwise direction, thereby fixedly suspending the potted plant at an elevated display position.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.
Turning to
The adjustable hanger 10 has a storage position wherein the cord 12 is selectively wound around the reel 30, and a deployed position wherein the cord 12 is partially or fully extended from the reel 30.
The mechanism by which the pawl 32 selectively engages the ratchet teeth 30T will now be described.
The cord 12 is preferably constructed from a material such as plastic, elastic, or rubber. The housing 18 and the components of the ratchet reel assembly 32 are preferably constructed from a durable metal. The coiled spring 28 is preferably constructed from a resilient metal.
In use, the user attaches the adjustable hanger 10 onto an existing support structure such as a wall by extending a nail 53 or a threaded screw through the circular opening 18P of the housing 18 and into the support structure. The user attaches a potted plant 50 to the hook 14 at the free end 12A of the cord 12, and pulls the potted plant 50 fully downward, thereby fully extending the cord 12 from the reel assembly housing 18. This causes the knot 12X in proximity to the attached end 12B of the cord 12 to push the pawl 32 into engagement with the teeth 30T of the ratchet reel 30. Now, the ratchet reel 30 may only rotate in a clockwise direction, and the potted plant 50 may be selectively manually raised and stably maintained at an elevated display position. In order to lower the potted plant 50 for periodic maintenance, the user first manually lifts the potted plant 50 fully upwards, thereby allowing the bias of the spring 28 to fully retract the cord 12 back into the housing 18. This causes the knot 12Y at the free end 12A of the cord 12 to disengage the pawl 32 from the ratchet teeth 30T, thereby allowing the ratchet reel 30 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, and thereby allowing the potted plant 50 to be fully lowered for servicing, and thereby causing the pawl 32 to once again reengage the ratchet teeth 30T. After servicing is complete, the user returns the potted plant 50 to the optimal display height by manually lifting the potted plant 50 to the optimal display height. The weight of the potted plant 50 prevents the cord 12 from being fully retracted within the housing 18 by the bias of the spring 28. If the user no longer desires to selectively adjust the vertical height at which the potted plant is suspended, the user may detach the potted plant 50 from the cord 12, remove the adjustable hanger 10 from the support structure, and store the adjustable hanger 10 until once again needed.
In conclusion, herein is presented an adjustable hanger for a potted plant, for allowing a user to easily raise and lower the potted plant without the need for climbing upon a stepladder or a chair. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.
This application is a continuation of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/621,603, filed in the United States Patent Office on Oct. 22, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60621603 | Oct 2004 | US |