Patent Grant
7611116
A decorative cover that is used to camouflage a prior art suspension hook typically sold in combination with a potted plant at the point of purchase. Such suspension hooks include three support members that are attached onto the plant's pot and also interconnected onto the suspension hook. The support members are not terribly unappealing but the suspension hook itself is extremely aesthetically unpleasant and a true eyesore. Thus when viewed, the suspension hook greatly diverts ones attention away from appreciating the natural beauty of the plant and this is most unfortunate. Therefore, the present decorative cover resolves this issue as it not only camouflages the hook but the cover itself is a pleasant variant and a conversational piece.
It is well known that hanging plants are extremely popular and are commonly displayed both indoors and outdoors. Plants are not only displayed for beautifying of their surroundings but also for creating oxygen of which is most beneficial and inherently increases ones health. Most plants are displayed for beauty and inspired admiration thereof. As a result the means for suspending the plant should not distract or divert attention there from. More importantly, the suspension means should not be unsightly. Unfortunately, most hanging plant suspension means include a hideous hook and this needs to be addressed and resolved.
Heretofore, hanging plant suspension means have addressed and recognized numerous disadvantages typically associated therewith. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,065,971, 4,220,306, 5,052,148, 5,077,936 and 5,360,193 all pertain to various means for adjusting the height of the plant. This is an advantage as suspended hanging plants should be adjustable in height, so as to be easily displayed at different locations and/or usable with ceilings of various heights. These references are useful for their intended purpose, but each still do not address camouflaging of the hook and this is most desirable. In fact it would be most beneficial if the present invention were to be combined with the existing prior art to enhance performance thereof. Namely, to aesthetically improve each of the inventions.
Still further prior art addresses the fact that it is an advantage to allow for rotation of the suspended plant. This is an important feature as this encourages the plant to grow uniformly as opposed to growing lopsided. Such prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,546,698 and 4,46,653. However, again they still include use of a hideous distracting suspension hook or the like.
It appears that nowhere in the prior art (known to the applicants) do they address, recognize, or attempt to resolve the issue at hand. Namely, to camouflage the unsightly suspension hook associated with potted plants when purchased having the standard hanger device.
Thus, there is a great need for improving the aesthetic properties of typical plant hangers as those currently available all include some type of suspension hook that is extremely distracting and most displeasing to the viewer.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a new decorative cover that is used for camouflaging “in an aesthetically pleasing manner” a standard suspension hook typically associated with a plant-hanging device.
It is another important object of the present invention is to provide a decorative cover that can be easily slidably engaged over the standard suspension hook. Whereby the decorative cover and the suspension hook are not attached together.
Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide the decorative cover with ornamentation thereon that enhances the aesthetic appearance. For example, the ornamentation can be flowers, animals, raindrops, holiday related items, or anything else that is imaginable.
Also another object of the present invention is to provide optional features that are pleasing to the end user. For example, if so desired the decorative cover may be sold as a kit having numerous covers that may be easily interchanged. This is most advantageous as the user can pick and choose which covers are to be displayed for various occasions or the like. This option may be more appealing as the user can have fun changing the covers, such as one may be a Christmas tree for the holiday, a baby related item for a baby shower, a bridal gown for a wedding, etc. This also reduces boredom if the user is tired of looking at the same cover everyday.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide the option that the cover may be manufactured having interchangeable accessory ornaments. For example, the cover may be made from plastic having an elongated aperture and the accessory ornament device may have an elongated flange that is frictionally engageable with the aperture. Whereby, the accessory ornaments can be easily interchanged with only one cover.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide adjustment means for varying the length of the fastener that suspends the cover and hook from the ceiling hook.
Also another important object of the present invention is to provide swivel means that allows the user to easily rotate the plant between various positions of choice.
Other objects and advantages will be seen when taken into consideration with the following specifications.
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views. It is to be noted the most important feature of the present invention is that it teaches a novel decorative cover for camouflaging a hook associated with a plant-hanging device. It is to be understood the present invention can be used with any pre-existing plant-hanging device of choice that includes a suspension hook.
Within
With reference to the decorative cover (12) it is to be understood that it can be made from any suitable material of engineering choice. For example, including but not limited too, wood, plastic, ceramic, rubber, etc. Furthermore, the shape of the decorative cover (12) is not to be limited to any specific shape or design. Thus, the substantial bell-shape as depicted herein is only exemplary of one possible shape. This is an important factor as the decorative cover (12) includes numerous optional alternatives. Namely, the decorative cover (12) can be fixedly attached and sold with the other components. Or the decorative cover can be manufactured and sold as a kit providing variable shapes/decorations of engineering choice, and/or multiples may be purchased so as to allow the user to interchange the decorative covers to their liking and individual needs. For example, the decorative covers may include an assortment of holiday decorations that are interchangeable according to the holiday. For example, the covers may be in the form of a pumpkin for Halloween, a Santa Clause for Christmas, etc. Other options are to include specific artistic variations, such as the covers may be hand-painted, include glitter, glow in the dark, or the like, they may even become valuable collector items. However, the size of the decorative cover is somewhat limited as it must be large enough to completely camouflage the suspension hook (14) when positioned therein.
Therefore, the decorative cover (12) substantially includes a housing (16) that is partially cutaway in
The invention further includes a fastening member having an elongated body portion (24), a first end (24-A) and a second end (24-B). It is to be noted the fastening member (24) can be made from an endless variety of materials of engineering choice, including but not limited too; cloth, string, rope, plastic, metal, rubber, fishing line or the like.
The general concept of the present invention further includes the fastening member (24) being removably attachable onto any type of an above support structure. For example, as depicted in
The general concept further includes that the fastening member is interconnected onto a stop assembly of which is of a size larger than the centralized upper opening (22). This allows for the housing (16) to be vertically slidable upon the elongated body portion (24) when installed above the stop assembly but when lowered will rest upon the stop assembly. For illustrative purposes, the housing (16) is shown in a lowered position in
It is again to be noted that various types of stop assemblies can be incorporated depending on engineering choice. Thus the invention is not to be limited to any specific type of stop assembly. However, the stop assembly includes attachment means for removably attaching the hook structure (14) thereto. Therefore a circular ring design is most functional as this provides use with variable attachment means of choice. It can now be seen the housing (16) of the decorative cover (12) functions as an aesthetically pleasing decorative cover that is functional for camouflaging the hook structure (14) when positioned therein.
In the preferred embodiments as depicted herein, the attachment means for removably attaching the hook structure (14) onto the stop assembly (30), is a swivel (32) of which is most advantageous. It is to be noted the swivel (32) can be any standard type (prior art) of swivel mechanism, such as those associated with fishing tackle, or the like. Furthermore, the swivel can be installed onto the fastening member at any other desirable location such as onto the uppermost end of the fastening member, or the like. Whereby, the hook structure (14) can be easily rotated. This is very important as this allows the user to rotate and reposition the plant for variable exposure to the sunlight so as to eliminate lopsided growth thereof.
Furthermore, another optional advantage for the present invention is to include adjustment means for variably adjusting the length of the fastening member (24). Again, numerous types of adjustment means can be incorporated depending on engineering choice. Thus, the following specification is only exemplary and describes two possible types of adjustment means but the invention is not limited thereto.
Referring now to
As another option for the above embodiment it may be desirable to further include an additional ornamental member (41) that is removably attachable onto the second attachment bracket (36) for camouflaging the second attachment (36) as well. Again, the additional ornamental member (41) maybe made from various materials of engineering choice and/or also formed into any appropriate shape or size. Thus, the additional ornamental member (41) as depicted herein is only exemplary of one possible embodiment. For example, in
Referring now to
Referring now to
It will now be seen we have herein provided a new and novel decorative cover for camouflaging a hook associated with a plant-hanging device. The decorative cover truly accentuates the beauty of the plant rather than detracting there from. Furthermore, the decorative covers and the fastening member can each be made from various materials of choice. More importantly the decorative cover and fastener can be interchanged and sold as a kit so as to provide various styles for variety and interchangeable fun options.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there from within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3740123 | Leitl | Jun 1973 | A |
| 4102308 | Kilham | Jul 1978 | A |
| 4117630 | Kalas | Oct 1978 | A |
| 4523357 | Widditsch | Jun 1985 | A |
| 6230436 | Givens | May 2001 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20080135710 A1 | Jun 2008 | US |
