Collapsible hook with two magnets

• US 7,131,616 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henkel Diversified Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Henkel Diversified Incorporated
• Inventors: Livingstone, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDUFFIE, MICHAEL D
• Application Number:
  US11/055,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20060071137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 248/206.5, 248/220.1, 248/288.1, 248/291.1, 248/301, 248/303, 248/304, 248/307, 248/308, 248/309.4, 211/100, 211/171
• US Class Current: 248/304
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 25/0642 preventing overloading
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/008 plastics

Abstract

A hook for hanging articles is capable of holding the weight of a typical garment or knapsack while permitting the release of heavier objects. The hook has a base with two spaced-apart outwardly extending brackets and an arm pivotally mounted to and between the brackets. The arm is pivotable between a load bearing and load releasing position. A first magnet is secured to the arm and a second magnet is secured to the base. The first magnet is magnetically connected to the second magnet to maintain the arm in the load bearing position. The magnetic connection is releasable to permit the arm to move towards the load releasing position when a load having a weight in excess of a predetermined weight is applied to the arm. The first magnet provides weight for returning the arm to the load bearing position after the load has been released. Such hooks are particularly useful in schools to reduce the possibility of children being hung from hooks.

Claims

1. A hook comprising:

(a) a base having a back and a front and having two spaced-apart outwardly extending brackets;

(b) an arm having a first end and a second end, the arm pivotally mounted to and between the brackets at a pivot position between the first and second ends so that the arm has a load bearing section from the first end to the pivot position and an effort bearing section from the second end to the pivot position, the arm pivotable between a load bearing position and a load releasing position;

(c) a first magnet secured to the arm proximal the second end;

(d) a second magnet secured to the base;

(e) the first magnet magnetically connected to the second magnet to maintain the arm in the load bearing position, the magnetic connection releasable to permit the arm to move towards the load releasing position when a load having a weight in excess of a predetermined weight is applied to the load bearing section of the arm; and

,

(f) the first magnet providing weight on the effort bearing section of the arm for returning the arm to the load bearing position after the load has been released.

2. The hook of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a guard housing between the spaced-apart brackets.

3. The hook of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is secured within a pocket integrally formed with the arm at the second end of the arm.

4. The hook of claim 1, wherein the base has an opening in the back.

5. The hook of claim 2, wherein the base is integrally formed including the guard housing and the brackets.

6. The hook of claim 1, wherein the base and the arm are made of a plastic or plastic composite.

9. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 1 mounted on a support means.

10. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 2 mounted on a support means.

11. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 3 mounted on a support means.

12. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 4 mounted on a support means.

13. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 5 mounted on a support means.

14. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 6 mounted on a support means.

7. A hook comprising:

(a) a base having a back and a front, two spaced-apart outwardly extending brackets, and a guard housing between the spaced-apart brackets, the back of the base having an opening;

(b) an arm having a first end and a second end, the arm pivotally mounted to and between the brackets at a pivot position between the first and second ends so that the arm has a load bearing section from the first end to the pivot position and an effort bearing section from the second end to the pivot position, the arm pivotable between a load bearing position and a load releasing position;

(c) a first magnet secured in a pocket integrally formed with the arm at the second end;

(d) a second magnet secured to the base;

(e) the first magnet magnetically connected to the second magnet to maintain the arm in the load bearing position, the magnetic connection releasable to permit the arm to move towards the load releasing position when a load having a weight in excess of a predetermined weight is applied to the load bearing section of the arm; and

,

(f) the first magnet providing weight on the effort bearing section of the arm for returning the arm to the load bearing position after the load has been released.

8. The hook of claim 7, wherein base and the arm are made of a plastic or plastic composite.

15. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 7 mounted on a support means.

16. A hook rack comprising a plurality of hooks as defined in claim 8 mounted on a support means.