The present invention relates in general to ornament hangers, and more particularly to plush ornaments having hanger loops that maintain the ornaments in desired orientations.
In order to decorate a person's home, office or place of business, it is often desirable to hang ornaments and items that are important to the person, or that relate to a holiday, birthday or other event. The ornaments can be of various types including Christmas ornaments hung from a mantel, ledge, door or tree, or plush toys or stockings, also hung from a mantel or the like. Some ornaments are constructed with writings or pictures on them that relate to the season or event. When hung for display, it is desirable that the ornament be oriented so that the information can be read or seen by the observer. With many rigid ornaments, the hanger is constructed so that the orientation of the ornament can be manipulated so that it remains in a desired orientation so that the information located thereon can be easily seen, and not hidden behind the ornament. Other ornaments, such as plush or soft items, such as Christmas stockings, are constructed with a flexible material loop sewn to the stocking, and thus the orientation of the stocking cannot be adjusted so as to be suspended from a hanger in a desired orientation. Sometimes the material loop can be twisted somewhat to achieve a desired orientation, but this is by happenstance and is not predictable.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that a need exists for a technique to attach a loop to an item so that the loop can be easily adjusted to achieve a desired orientation. A further need exists for a loop type hanger mechanism and technique that can be adjusted in countless different angles to achieve any orientation of the item that is suspended from a hook, or the like. Another need exists for an adjustable hanger that is cost effective and easily integrated into the manufacture of many different ornamental items.
In accordance with the principles and concepts of the invention, there is disclosed a technique for fastening a loop to an ornamental item where the loop can be rotated or twisted in any orientation so that the ornament will maintain a desired orientation when hung from a hanger.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, disclosed is a Christmas stocking having a flexible material loop that is terminated with an enlarged end, such as with a conventional button. The stocking has a button hole therein at the top edge, and the button of the loop is inserted through the button hole. The material loop can then be twisted in any orientation with respect to the stocking so that the stocking hangs in the desired orientation when the adjustable loop is hung from a hanger, or the like.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the loop by which the ornamental item is hung can have a wire inserted therein, where the wire extends into the object. Thus, the loop with the wire therein can be twisted sufficiently to provide a desired stable orientation to the object when hung by the loop.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, disclosed is a loop for hanging an item of the type having a hole therein so that the item can be hung with a desired orientation. The loop is constructed of a flexible material, and has an enlarged end. The enlarged end of the loop is adapted for insertion into the hole of the item so that at least a portion of the loop adjacent the enlarged end can be twisted in the hole of the item to adjustably orient the loop with respect to the item.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, disclosed is a loop for hanging a Christmas stocking with a desired orientation, where the Christmas stocking has a stocking-shaped body and an open top. A hole is formed in a top portion of the Christmas stocking. A loop is constructed of a flexible material having an enlarged end that can be inserted through the hole of the Christmas stocking. A portion of the flexible loop adjacent the enlarged end can be twisted in the hole of the stocking to thereby adjust the orientation of the loop with respect to the stocking.
According to yet another embodiment, disclosed is a method of adjusting an orientation of an item hung from a hanger. The method includes hanging the item on a hanger hook from a flexible loop and observing the natural orientation of the item. If the orientation of the hung item is other than desired, the flexible loop is twisted at a location where it passes through a hole in the item to thereby rotate that portion of the loop passing through the hole. The new natural orientation of the item is then observed when hung from the hanger.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following and more particular description of the preferred and other embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters generally refer to the same parts, functions or elements throughout the views, and in which:
a illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable closed loop;
b illustrates yet another embodiment of an adjustable open loop;
With reference to
With reference to
A slit or button hole 34 is formed in the upper back surface of the stocking 16. Preferably, there are at least two layers of material at the button hole location so that the slot 34 is only formed in the inner layer of material, such as in the material forming the body 22 of the stocking 16. With two layers of material at the button hole location, the enlarged end of the loop is not visible from outside of the stocking 16. While the button hole 34 is shown vertically oriented, which is preferable, other orientations of the button hole 34 are possible. Depending on the type of enlarged end attached to the loop, the hole formed in the stocking 16 can be different shapes and need not be a slot. It is preferable that the button hole be formed vertical to allow stocking 16 to be loaded with toys or gifts without the adjustable loop 26, 28 or 30 becoming disconnected from the stocking. The perimeter of the button hole 34 can be stitched to make it stiffer, more durable and longer lasting.
The adjustable hanger loops 26, 28 and 30 are all constructed with respective loops 36 which can be of the same material as the body 22 of the stocking 16, i.e. a red plush material. The loop 36 is generally tubular in cross section, with the plush material on the entire outside surface of the loop 36. The red plush material can be sewn or bonded at the elongate seam to form a tubular member that is then arranged in a loop, as shown. A portion of the loop 36 is then fastened to or otherwise formed with an enlarged end. The hanger loop 26 has an end fastened to a ball 38 or other bulb-type member. The hanger loop 28 is fastened to a button 40, and the hanger loop 30 is tied in a knot 42 at the end thereof. Those skilled in the art may find that there are many other things that can be fastening to the end of the loops 36 to form enlarged ends.
The enlarged ball 38 of the hanger loop 26 can be inserted into the button hole 34 of the stocking 16 so that the stocking 16 can be hung by way of the loop 36. The enlarged button 40 of the hanger loop 28 can be inserted into the button hole 34 of the stocking 16 so that the stocking 16 can be hung by way of the loop 36. Similarly, the enlarged knot 42 of the loop 30 can be inserted into the button hole 34 of the stocking 16 so that the stocking 16 can be hung by way of the loop 36.
As illustrated in
b illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable hanger loop or hook 47. In this embodiment, the adjustable hanger loop 47 is open, rather than being closed as illustrated in
Those skilled in the art may find that the button hole can be formed in the ornament in many other locations. For example, the button hole can be formed in the outer layer of the stocking, near the top annular open end. Moreover, the button hole can be located on the top side of the stocking so that the opposite side of the stocking is presented to the observer. In yet other instances, the stocking can be constructed with multiple button holes located in different positions on the stocking so that the user can choose where to insert the enlarged end of the loop. The loop itself can be constructed of materials other than the same material of the hanging ornament. For example, the loop can be constructed of a plastic or other synthetic material film. Lastly, and as noted above, the button hole can be shapes other than slits.
From the foregoing, disclosed are various techniques for constructing hanging ornaments, items and objects where the position of the suspended ornament, item or object is important. The hanger loop by which the item is hung can be adjusted with respect to the item so that the natural hanging position of the item is a desired position. It should be understood that while the principles and concepts of the invention have been described in connection with a Christmas stocking, many other ornaments, items and objects can be the subject matter of the invention. For example, many ornaments can be hung to celebrate many holidays or events, and many items can be hung for display, sale or other reasons.
While the preferred and other embodiments of the invention have been disclosed with reference to specific ornament hanger loops and hanger apparatus, and associated methods of construction and use thereof, it is to be understood that many changes in detail may be made as a matter of engineering choices without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/628,707, filed Nov. 4, 2011.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61628707 | Nov 2011 | US |