A broad object of a particular embodiments of the invention can be to provide a hanger system, and methods of making and using such a hanger system, whereby the hanger system includes a body having opposing body first and second faces; a hanger element coupled to the body, the hanger element configured to facilitate hanging of the hanger system; a first support element coupled to the body, the first support element configured to support a first article; and an aperture element disposed within the body, the aperture element having an aperture element edge defining an aperture element opening which communicates between the body first and second faces; whereby the aperture element opening is configured to receive at least a portion of a bottle cap removably coupled to a bottle; and whereby the aperture element edge is configured to engage the bottle cap to facilitate removal of the bottle cap from the bottle.
Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, and claims.
Now referring primarily to
Further, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “coupled to” means linked, joined, or connected to, whether indirectly or directly. Thus, as to particular embodiments, coupled can mean indirectly linked, indirectly joined, or indirectly connected to; and, as to other particular embodiments, coupled can mean directly linked, directly joined, or directly connected to.
Now referring primarily to
Now referring primarily to
Now referring primarily to
Again referring primarily to
As to particular embodiments, the hanger element (5) can outwardly extend from the body (2). As an illustrative example, the hanger element (5) can be configured as an annular member or a hook (16) (as shown in the examples of the Figures) which outwardly extends from the body (2).
Now referring primarily to
As to particular embodiments, the hanger element junction (17) can be configured to have a lesser thickness relative to portions of the body (2) and hanger element (5) adjacent to the hanger element junction (17), the lesser thickness facilitating the rotation of the hanger element (5) about the hanger element junction (17) and the consequent uncoupling of the hanger element (5) from the body (2) along the hanger element junction (17) upon forcible urging.
Now referring primarily to
As to particular embodiments, the first article (7) can include a wearable article, such as an article of footwear, clothing, jewelry, or the like. As shown in the illustrative example of
As to particular embodiments, the first support element (6) can outwardly extend from the body (2). As an illustrative example, the first support element (6) can be configured as an elongate first support element (6) outwardly extending from the body (2), the elongate first support element (6) having a clip or hook (16) (as shown in the examples of the Figures) disposed proximate an elongate first support element end (19) distal from the body (2).
Now referring primarily to
Now referring primarily to
Now referring primarily to
As to particular embodiments, the second support element (21) can outwardly extend from the body (2). As an illustrative example, the second support element (21) can be configured as an elongate second support element (21) outwardly extending from the body (2), the elongate second support element (21) having a clip or hook (16) (as shown in the examples of the Figures) disposed proximate an elongate second support element end (23) distal from the body (2). As to particular embodiments, the second support element (21) can outwardly extend from the body (2) opposite the first support element (6).
Now referring primarily to
As to particular embodiments, the second support element junction (24) can be configured to have a lesser thickness relative to portions of the body (2) and second support element (21) adjacent to the second support element junction (24), the lesser thickness facilitating the rotation of the second support element (21) about the second support element junction (24) and the consequent uncoupling of the second support element (21) from the body (2) along the second support element junction (24) upon forcible urging.
As to particular embodiments of the hanger system (1) having first and second support elements (6)(21), each of the first and second support elements (6)(21) can have opposing support element first and second faces (25)(26), whereby each support element first face (25) disposes in generally coplanar relation with the body first face (3) and each support element second face (26) disposes in generally coplanar relation with the body second face (4).
As to particular embodiments of the hanger system (1) having first and second support elements (6)(21), each of the first and second support elements (6)(21) can have opposing support element first and second faces (25)(26) whereby each support element first face (25) disposes in generally coplanar relation with the body first face (3) and with a hanger element first face (27) of the hanger element (5), and each support element second face (26) disposes in generally coplanar relation with the body second face (4) and a hanger element second face (28) of the hanger element (5).
As to particular embodiments, the hanger system (1) can further include additional support elements, which can be similar to the first and second support elements (6)(21) as described above, capable of supporting additional articles, which can be similar to the first and second articles (7)(22) as described above, depending upon the application.
Now referring primarily to
Typically, but not necessarily, the bottle cap (11) can be formed from a rigid material, such as metal, and can overlay a bottle opening disposed in the top of the bottle (12), through which contents of the bottle (12) can egress from the bottle (12). As to particular embodiments, the bottle cap (11) can be affixed about a bottle rim which defines the bottle opening by crimping.
Again referring primarily to
As an illustrative example, at least a portion of the bottle cap (11) can be received within the aperture element opening (10), whereby the flange (29) can operably engage an underside of the bottle cap (11). The fulcrum (30) can operably engage a top portion of the bottle cap (11) to provide a pivot point on the bottle cap (11) relative to the bottle (12) when a user uses the body (2) of the hanger system (1) as a lever, thereby allowing the flange (29) to pry the bottle cap (11) off of the bottle rim to uncouple the bottle cap (11) from the bottle (12).
Now referring primarily to
A method of making a hanger system (1) can include providing a body (2) having opposing body first and second faces (3)(4); coupling a hanger element (5) to the body (2), the hanger element (5) configured to facilitate hanging of the hanger system (1); coupling a first support element (6) to the body (2), the first support element (6) configured to support a first article (7); and disposing an aperture element (8) within the body (2), the aperture element (8) having an aperture element edge (9) defining an aperture element opening (10) which communicates between the body first and second faces (3)(4); whereby the aperture element opening (10) is configured to receive at least a portion of a bottle cap (11) removably coupled to a bottle (12); and whereby the aperture element edge (9) is configured to engage the bottle cap (11) to facilitate removal of the bottle cap (11) from the bottle (12).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the hanger element (5) as a hook (16) which outwardly extends from the body (2).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include removably coupling the hanger element (5) to the body (2).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the first support element (6) as a hook (16) which outwardly extends from the body (2).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include removably coupling the first support element (6) to the body (2).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include coupling a second support element (21) to the body (2), the second support element (21) configured to support a second article (22).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the second support element (21) as a hook (16) which outwardly extends from the body (2).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include outwardly extending the second support element (21) from the body (2) opposite the first support element (6).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include removably coupling the second support element (21) to the body (2).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the aperture element edge (9) to have a flange (29) which inwardly extends into the aperture element opening (10); and a fulcrum (30) disposed opposite the flange (29); whereby the flange (29) and the fulcrum (30) are configured to engage the bottle cap (11) to facilitate removal of the bottle cap (11) from the bottle (12).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the body (2) as an image of a head of Tiki (15).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the aperture element edge (9) to define a mouth (31) of Tiki (15).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the aperture element edge (9) to have a flange (29) which inwardly extends into the aperture element opening (10); and configuring the flange (29) to define a portion of upper teeth (32) within the mouth (31) of Tiki (15); whereby the flange (29) is configured to engage the bottle cap (11) to facilitate removal of the bottle cap (11) from the bottle (12).
The method of making the hanger system (1) can, but need not necessarily, further include configuring the aperture element edge (9) to have a fulcrum (30) disposed opposite the flange (29); and configuring the fulcrum (30) to define a portion of lower teeth (33) within the mouth (31) of Tiki (15); whereby the flange (29) and the fulcrum (30) are configured to engage the bottle cap (11) to facilitate removal of the bottle cap (11) from the bottle (12).
Elements of the hanger system (1) can be entirely formed of the same material, or alternatively, various elements of the hanger system (1) can be formed from different materials. As to particular embodiments, a portion of the body (2) which defines the aperture element edge (9) can be formed from a rigid material which allows the aperture element edge (9) to engage the bottle cap (11) to facilitate removal of the bottle cap (11) from the bottle (12). As to particular embodiments, the flange (29) and the fulcrum (30) can be formed from the rigid material, allowing the flange (29) and fulcrum (30) to engage the bottle cap (11) to facilitate removal of the bottle cap (11) from the bottle (12). As non-limiting examples, the rigid material can include metal, wood, plastic, plastic-like material, acrylic, polyamide, polyester, microfiber, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride-based materials, silicone-based materials, or the like, or combinations thereof.
The hanger system (1) or elements of the hanger system (1) can be produced from any of a wide variety of processes depending upon the application, such as molding, press molding, injection molding, fabrication, machining, printing, additive printing, or the like, or combinations thereof, as one piece or assembled from a plurality of pieces into an embodiment of the hanger system (1).
Now referring primarily to
Now referring primarily to
Now referring primarily to
Again referring primarily to
As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a hanger system with an integrated bottle opener and methods for making and using such a hanger system, including the best mode.
As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and figures.
It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “hanger” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “hanging”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “hanging”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “hanger” and even a “means for hanging”. Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description for each term as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by reference.
All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” one particular value to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.
Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwise limited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each of the hanger systems herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.
The background section of this patent application, if any, provides a statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United States patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.
The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent application or continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.
This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/110,940, filed Feb. 2, 2015, hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1552376 | Allen | Sep 1925 | A |
1689373 | Weinberg | Oct 1928 | A |
1783709 | Goldberg | Dec 1930 | A |
2271901 | Smith | Feb 1942 | A |
2478590 | McKnelly | Aug 1949 | A |
2840284 | Howell | Jun 1958 | A |
4300688 | London | Nov 1981 | A |
4669642 | Nicholas | Jun 1987 | A |
4717053 | Wang | Jan 1988 | A |
4795121 | Comito | Jan 1989 | A |
4967622 | Phillips | Nov 1990 | A |
5085357 | Chen | Feb 1992 | A |
5114017 | Doyel | May 1992 | A |
5314160 | Larsen | May 1994 | A |
5375726 | Lechleiter | Dec 1994 | A |
5417352 | Jen | May 1995 | A |
5520311 | Lam | May 1996 | A |
5538166 | Ogawa | Jul 1996 | A |
D382784 | Kagiyama | Aug 1997 | S |
D383954 | Biunno | Sep 1997 | S |
5664669 | VanFleet | Sep 1997 | A |
5778556 | Ohsugi | Jul 1998 | A |
5938160 | Hartmann | Aug 1999 | A |
5946753 | Roberts | Sep 1999 | A |
6076716 | Reyes | Jun 2000 | A |
6360899 | Smith | Mar 2002 | B1 |
D488689 | Smith, IV | Apr 2004 | S |
D488974 | Kelleghan | Apr 2004 | S |
D555447 | Bhavnani | Nov 2007 | S |
D633351 | Welch | Mar 2011 | S |
D658463 | Welch | May 2012 | S |
D741674 | Seiders | Oct 2015 | S |
D800524 | Weiss | Oct 2017 | S |
D811837 | Brandes | Mar 2018 | S |
20030159545 | Teppe | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20080290121 | Wise | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20110068066 | Dushey | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20130206797 | Ivoska | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20150028066 | Zechini | Jan 2015 | A1 |
20150162712 | Yan | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20150231014 | Capobianco | Aug 2015 | A1 |
20160223137 | Ochipa | Aug 2016 | A1 |
20170000278 | Hansen | Jan 2017 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20160223137 A1 | Aug 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62110940 | Feb 2015 | US |