Patent Application
20230355022
The invention relates to decorative ornament hanging systems; and more particularly, to an ornament hanging system for hanging ornaments on trees and structures at a height significantly above unassisted human reach.
Numerous ornament-hanging systems have been described in a crowded field of prior art.
An exemplary disclosure of conventional ornament hanging systems can be appreciated from a review of U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,905, issued Sep. 10, 1996 to Bentivegna, hereinafter “Bentivegna”; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
While Bentivegna provides a useful system for hanging ornaments, particularly on trees and structures at a height significantly above unassisted human reach, there remain certain problems and disadvantages requiring improvement.
For example, the conventional ornament hook, as shown in
These, and other problems as appreciated by one having skill in the art, are solved by the improved ornament hanging system as disclosed herein.
An improved ornament-hanging system includes an ornament-hanging apparatus and one or more ornament-hanging hooks, wherein each of the one or more ornament-hanging hooks comprises an ornament-engaging loop, a first engagement-element for engaging a tree branch or other hanging structure, and a second engagement element disposed between the ornament-engaging loop and the first engagement-element for contact with the ornament-hanging apparatus during hanging. The second engagement-element comprises second bend having a plurality of flections, wherein a portion of the second bend forms a fulcrum, wherein upon engagement with the ornament-hanging apparatus at the fulcrum the ornament attached at the ornament-engaging loop is balanced gravitationally such that the first-engagement element is positioned upright and in an unobstructed manner. Thus, with the ornament-hanging hook as disclosed herein, a user may lift the ornament and engaged ornament-hanging hook upwardly, using the ornament-hanging apparatus, without obstruction to the first engagement for attaching the first engagement-element to a tree branch or other hanging structure.
In one aspect, the invention is provided as an ornament-hanging hook with novel features and benefits as disclosed herein.
In another aspect, the invention is provided as an ornament hanging system that includes an ornament-hanging apparatus and one or a plurality of the ornament-hanging hooks, the system configured for hanging decorative ornaments, particularly on trees and structures at a height significantly above unassisted human reach.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments, including certain variations or alternative combinations that depart from these details and descriptions. The examples disclosed herein are intended to enable those with skill in the art to practice the invention, but such examples shall not reasonably be construed as limiting the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
For purposes herein, the term “′n′ degree bend” means a degree of bend characterized by “n degrees”, or to the angle to which the bend is formed, and would be appreciated by one with skill in the art. For example, a ninety-degree bend is one that creates a right-angle, a one-hundred-eighty degree bend creates a u-shape, etc.
“Curvature path” means a rotation direction of a portion of the ornament-hanging hook, beginning at a terminal end of said ornament-hanging hook. A curvature path can be characterized as having a rotation direction that is either clockwise or counter-clockwise.
“Flection” means a condition of being bent.
“Sigmoid curve” means having a characteristic “S”-shaped curve. The sigmoid curve can either be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.
In a first embodiment, an ornament-hanging hook is disclosed, the ornamental-hanging hook comprises a monolithic filament extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The monolithic filament comprises an ornament-engaging loop disposed at the proximal end, a first-engagement element disposed at the distal end and a second-engagement element disposed between the ornament-hanging loop and the first-engagement element along a length of the monolithic filament. The ornament-engaging loop is configured to engage at least a portion of a decorative ornament. The first-engagement element is configured to engage at least a portion of a tree branch or other hanging structure. The first-engagement element comprises a first bend of the monolithic filament, wherein the first bend is characterized as one that is at least ninety degrees. The second-engagement element comprises a second bend of the monolithic filament, wherein the second bend comprises a sigmoid curve, and wherein a portion of the sigmoid curve is configured to engage at least a portion of an ornament-hanging apparatus for hanging the decorative ornament on the tree branch or other hanging structure.
In some embodiments, the first bend may be characterized as one that is at most two-hundred seventy degrees. The first bend may comprise a plurality of smaller bends wherein the plurality of smaller bends is characterized as one that is at least ninety degrees.
In a preferable embodiment, the ornament-engaging loop and the first-engagement element may each comprise a curvature path having a same rotation direction. In alternative embodiments, the ornament-engaging loop and the first-engagement element may each comprise a curvature path having an opposite rotation direction.
In a second-embodiment, an ornament-hanging hook comprises an ornament-engaging loop disposed at a proximal end, the ornament-engaging loop being configured to engage at least a portion of a decorative ornament. The ornament-hanging hook further comprises a first-engagement element and a second-engagement element. The first-engagement element is disposed at a distal end opposite the proximal end and configured to engage at least a portion of a tree branch or other hanging structure. The first-engagement element includes first bend. The second-engagement element is disposed between the ornament-engaging loop and the first-engagement element. The second-engagement element comprises a second bend, wherein the second bend comprises a plurality of flections, and wherein a portion of the second bend is configured to engage at least a portion of an ornament-hanging apparatus for hanging the decorative ornament on the tree branch or other hanging structure.
Generally, the ornament-hanging hook may comprise a monolithic filament extending from the proximal end to the distal end.
In some embodiments, the first bend may be characterized as one that is at least ninety degrees.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of flections may be characterized as one that is at least one hundred eighty degrees, wherein one hundred and eighty degrees is characterized as being a “U”-shape.
In some embodiments, the first bend may comprise a plurality of smaller bends wherein the plurality of smaller bends is characterized as one that is at least ninety degrees.
Generally, the second bend may further comprise a sigmoid curve, wherein a portion of the sigmoid curve is configured to engage at least a portion of the ornament-hanging apparatus.
In some embodiments, the ornament-engaging loop and the first-engagement element may each comprise a curvature path having a same rotation direction. In other embodiments the ornament-engaging loop and the first-engagement element may each comprise a curvature path having an opposite rotation direction.
In a third embodiment, an ornament-hanging system, comprises an ornament-hanging hook and an ornament-hanging apparatus. The ornament-hanging hook comprises: an ornament-engaging loop disposed at a proximal end, a first-engagement element disposed at a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a second-engagement element disposed between the ornament-engaging loop and the first-engagement element The ornament-engaging loop is configured to engage at least a portion of a decorative ornament. The first-engagement element includes a first bend, and the second-engagement element comprises a second bend having a plurality of flections. The ornament-hanging apparatus comprises an engagement feature coupled to an elongated pole. The engagement feature is configured to engage at least a portion of the second bend for hanging the decorative ornament on a tree or other hanging structure via the first-engagement element.
In the third embodiment, the engagement feature may further comprise a magnet element and the ornament-hanging hook may comprise a corresponding ferrous element configured to provide a magnetic coupling therebetween.
In some embodiments, the ornament-hanging apparatus may further comprise a plurality of concentrically-nested portions such that the ornament-hanging apparatus is configured to expend and collapse.
In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a plurality of ornament-hanging hooks wherein each of the plurality of ornament-hanging hooks comprises one of a plurality of sizes.
In some embodiments, the second bend may further comprise a sigmoid curve, wherein a portion of the sigmoid curve is configured to engage at least a portion of the ornament-hanging apparatus.
In a preferable embodiment, the ornament-hanging hook may comprise a monolithic filament extending from the proximal end to the distal end.
A function of the ornament-hanging hook and system is to eliminate any need for using a ladder, thereby improving safety, reducing time required for hanging ornaments, and overall improving ornament-hanging efficiency.
The ornament-hanging hook may comprise a thermoplastic material, or more preferably a metal, such as steel, aluminum and the like. In some embodiments, the ornament-hanging hook may comprise a shape-memory metal, such as nitinol. Generally, the ornament-hanging hook comprises a monolithic filament. Preferable embodiments comprise a thickness of 12 gauge. Alternative thicknesses can also be used to achieve similar function.
A wire bending machine may be used to bend the shape of the monolithic filament for manufacturing the ornament-hanging hook. Alternatively, the ornament-hanging hook may be cast or molded using conventional techniques known to one having skill in the art.
Generally, the ornament-hanging apparatus comprises thermoplastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The ornament-hanging apparatus may comprise a plurality of concentrically-nested portions such that the apparatus is configured to expand during use and collapse for storage.
Each of the components of the ornament-hanging hook and related system described herein may be manufactured and/or assembled in accordance with the conventional knowledge and level of a person having skill in the art. An exemplary embodiment with dimensions of an ornament-hanging hook is illustrated in
While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
The first bend (115) is characterized as one that is at least ninety degrees and up to two-hundred seventy degrees and may contain superfluous bends which only adds an ornamental quality and which provides no additional function or utility. The second bend (125) comprises a plurality of flections (126) thereby forming a fulcrum for the ornament-hanging apparatus (
As illustrated, the plurality of flections (126) of the second bend (125) forms a sigmoid curve (127), which can be characterized an “S” shape. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other shapes and formations for the second bend. Other examples may include, without limitation, a “Z” shape or any other shape comprising a variety of angles including angles characterized as being sharp, smooth, acute, and/or obtuse.
The ornament-hanging hook (100) additionally comprises a first curvature path (160) located at the proximal end (140), said proximal end having a first terminal end (145). The first curvature path can be characterized as having a direction of rotation being counter-clockwise when beginning from the first terminal and following along the monolithic filament. Furthermore, a second curvature path (165) is shown located at the distal end (150) and wherein the direction of rotation is also counter-clockwise when beginning from a second terminal end (155). As such, the first illustrated embodiment shows the first and second curvature paths having same direction of rotation, namely counter-clockwise. In other embodiments, the first and second curvature paths may comprise a rotation direction which are both clockwise, or alternatively having opposite rotation directions, namely one clockwise and another counter-clockwise.
The ornament-hanging system (300) may comprise a plurality of ornament-hanging hooks (100) wherein each of the plurality of ornament-hanging hooks comprises one of a plurality of hook sizes, such as small, medium, and large.
In some embodiments, at least one of the ornament-hanging hooks (100) and engagement feature (220) may comprise a magnetic element, and the other of the ornament-hanging hook and engagement feature of the ornament-hanging apparatus (200) may comprise a corresponding ferrous element or magnet for providing a magnetic engagement therebetween. In this regard, the ornament-hanging hook may be magnetically coupled to the engagement feature and easily removed with minimal user-provided force, such as a twisting motion, during hanging.
Use of the ornament-hanging system (300) is used, by any order, engaging a portion of the decorative ornament (400) with the ornament-engaging loop (130); engaging the second-engagement element (120) with the engagement feature (220) of the ornament-hanging apparatus (200); using the elongated pole (210) of the ornament-hanging apparatus, lifting the ornament-hanging hook (100) and hanging said ornament-hanging hook to a tree branch or other hanging structure.
While various details, features, and combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features and details disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is intended to be determined from the appended claims.
This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/993,550, filed Mar. 23, 2020; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17188815 | Mar 2021 | US |
| Child | 18352514 | US |
