Apparatus for hanging personal items in a motor vehicle

• US 10,040,399 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2018
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Manzo
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Manzo
• Inventors: Manzo, Thomas A
• Primary Examiner(s): Nash, Brian D
• Application Number:
  US15/910,791
• Time in Patent Office: 158 Days
• Field of Search: 224275, 224927
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/905 the head-rest or seat used as an anchorage point, for an object not covered by groups in B60N, e.g. for a canvas
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/10 for supporting hats, clothes or clothes hangers

Abstract

Described is an apparatus that allows items to be hung from a hook next to a motor vehicle headrest that can be installed to the posts of that headrest. The apparatus includes a first arm, a second arm, a pin for pivoting, and a hook. The pin allows the arms to swivel in a scissor-like fashion, which makes installation and removal of the apparatus quick. The two arms each have a set of half-circular notches and a slot area that allow the apparatus to be secured to the posts of the headrest. The hook is located at the end of one of the arms proximal to the pin. Items can be hung from the apparatus, which frees up seat and floor space and can also prevent items from picking up dirt from the seat or the floor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for installation to a first post and second post of a headrest of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a first arm, including a first set of half-circular notches extending along a first portion of an edge of the first arm, each half-circular notch configured to fit coextensively around about half of the first post of the headrest when the apparatus is attached to the first post and second post, the first arm also including a first slot area extending along a second portion of the same edge, the first slot area positioned to abut the second post of the headrest;

a second arm, including a second set of half-circular notches extending along a first portion of an edge of the second arm each oppositely aligned with the first set of half-circular notches, each half-circular notch configured to fit coextensively around about half of the first post of the headrest when the apparatus is attached to the first post and second post wherein the first and second half-circular notches approximately form a circle to fit coextensively around the first post, the second arm also including a second slot area extending along a second portion of the same edge oppositely aligned with the first slot area, the second slot area positioned to abut the second post of the headrest;

a pin located at an end portion of both the first arm and the second arm wherein the pin pivotally connects the first arm to the second arm allowing the two arms to swivel at an axis point about the pin in a scissor-like fashion; and

a hook positioned at a distal end of either the first arm or second arm proximal to the pin.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first arm and second arm further include a hole for receiving a second pin therein.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hook is U-shaped.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hook includes a hole.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the apparatus is between approximately twelve and fourteen inches, the width of the apparatus is between approximately two and three inches, and the height of the apparatus is between about two and three inches.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radius of each half-circular notch in the first set of half-circular notches is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, the radius of each half-circular notch in the second set of half-circular notches is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, the depth of the first slot area is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, the length of the first slot area is approximately two inches, the depth of the second slot area is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, and the length of the second slot area is approximately two inches.

7. An apparatus for hanging personal items in a motor vehicle so that the personal items are readily accessible to either a driver or passenger, comprising:

a first arm, including a first hole located proximal to a distal end of the first arm and a second hole located proximal to the other distal end of the first arm, the first arm also including a first set of half-circular notches extending along a first portion of an edge of the first arm, each half-circular notch configured to fit coextensively around about half of the first post of the headrest when the apparatus is attached to the first post and second post, the first arm also including a first slot area extending along a second portion of the same edge, the first slot area positioned to abut the second post of the headrest;

a second arm, including a first hole located proximal to a distal end of the second arm and a second hole located proximal to the other distal end of the second arm, the second arm also including a second set of half-circular notches extending along a first portion of an edge of the second arm each oppositely aligned with the first set of half-circular notches, each half-circular notch configured to fit coextensively around about half of the first post of the headrest when the apparatus is attached to the first post and second post wherein the first and second half-circular notches approximately form a circle to fit coextensively around the first post, the second arm also including a second slot area extending along a second portion of the same edge oppositely aligned with the first slot area, the second slot area positioned to abut the second post of the headrest;

a first pin located in the first hole of the first arm and the first hole of the second arm wherein the pin pivotally connects the first arm to the second arm allowing the two arms to swivel at an axis point about the pin in a scissor-like fashion;

a second pin located in the second hole of the first arm and the second hole of the second arm wherein the pin connects the first arm and the second arm to each other; and

a hook positioned at a distal end of the first arm proximal to the first pin.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hook is U-shaped.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hook includes a hole.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the length of the apparatus is between approximately twelve and fourteen inches, the width of the apparatus is between approximately two and three inches, and the height of the apparatus is between approximately two and three inches.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the radius of each half-circular notch in the first set of half-circular notches is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, the radius of each half-circular notch in the second set of half-circular notches is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, the depth of the first slot area is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, the length of the first slot area is approximately two inches, the depth of the second slot area is between approximately one-quarter inch and one-half inch, and the length of the second slot area is approximately two inches.