Article hanger

• US 7,395,997 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dean J. Padden
• Original Assignee: Dean J. Padden
• Inventors: Padden, Dean J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez; Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US11/525,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20070090251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 248/303, 248/304, 248/339, 248/215, 248/340, 248/301, 294/142, 294/159, 297/188.03, 297/188.05, 224/560, 224/275, 224/927
• US Class Current: 248/303
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• 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 7/10 for supporting hats, clothes or clothes hangers

Abstract

The article hanger is formed of a wire or rod and is configured for removable attachment to parallel posts, such as the posts supporting an adjustable height headrest above the seatback of an automobile. Each end of the device includes a multiple element clip attachable about the corresponding headrest support post, with the multiple elements precluding angular deflection of the remainder of the device and firmly attaching it to the posts. An arm extends from each attachment clip, with a spring coil loop formed in each arm to allow the two clips to be deflected for installation and removal. An article support hook is formed medially in the wire or rod, between the two spring coils. The device may be coated with a resilient or nonabrasive material to preclude metal-to-metal contact between the device and the headrest support rods, and/or other metal components.

Claims

1. An article hanger, comprising a single monolithic rod having opposed first and second end portions, the rod being shaped to have:

a headrest support post attachment clip formed of each of the end portions, each of the clips having multiple opposed gripping elements adapted for removably securing each of the end portions to a corresponding support post when attached thereto;

an article support arm extending from each the clips, the arms defining a span therebetween and having a distal portion; and

an article support hook formed from the distal portion of the support arms, the hook joining the distal portions.

2. The article hanger according to claim 1, further including a spring coil loop formed in each said arm.

3. The article hanger according to claim 1, wherein said article support hook has:

a closed, smoothly curved back portion facing generally away from each said arm; and

an inwardly oriented hook tip facing the span between each said attachment clip.

4. The article hanger according to claim 1, wherein the multiple gripping elements of each clip comprise:

an elongate, generally U-shaped upper clip portion having first and second post forward contact members and a single post rear contact member; and

an elongate, generally U-shaped lower clip portion having first and second post rear contact members, the post forward contact members and the post rear contact members defining a headrest support post gripping passage and a throat therebetween, the throat being narrower than the post gripping passage.

5. The article hanger according to claim 1, wherein said rod is formed of spring steel.

6. The article hanger according to claim 1, further including a non-metallic coating disposed over at least a portion of said rod.

7. An article hanger, comprising a single, monolithic rod having opposed first and second end portions, the rod being shaped to have:

a support post attachment clip formed from each of the end portions;

an article support arm extending from each of the clips, the arms defining a span therebetween;

a spring coil loop formed in each of the arms opposite the clips; and

an article support hook formed in the rod between the loops.

8. The article hanger according to claim 7, wherein each clip further includes multiple opposed gripping elements selectively securing each of said end portions to a corresponding headrest support post rigidly when attached thereto.

9. The article hanger according to claim 7, wherein said article support hook has:

a closed, smoothly curved back portion facing generally away from each said arm; and

an inwardly oriented hook tip facing the span between each said attachment clip.

10. The article hanger according to claim 7, wherein the multiple gripping elements of each clip comprise:

an elongate, generally U-shaped upper clip portion having first and second post forward contact members and a single post rear contact member; and

an elongate, generally U-shaped lower clip portion having first and second post rear contact members, said post forward contact members and said post rear contact members defining a headrest support post gripping passage and a throat therebetween, the throat being narrower than the post gripping passage.

11. The article hanger according to claim 7, wherein said rod is formed of spring steel.

12. The article hanger according to claim 7, further including a non-metallic coating disposed over at least a portion of said rod.

13. An article hanger, comprising:

a pair of support post attachment clips formed from wire, each of the clips being adapted for resiliently gripping a post;

a pair of article support arms, the article support arms extending from the clips and defining a span therebetween, each of the arms being formed from wire and having a distal portion formed into a helical spring loop opposite the clip, the spring loops biasing the clips away from each other; and

a hook joining the two spring loops together, the arms offsetting the hook from the clips so that the arms and spring loops form a generally U-shaped structure, the hook forming a bight of the U-shape and opening towards the clips.

14. The article hanger according to claim 13, wherein each clip further includes multiple opposed gripping elements selectively securing each of said end portions to a corresponding headrest support post rigidly when attached thereto.

15. The article hanger according to claim 13, further including a spring coil loop formed in each said arm.

16. The article hanger according to claim 13, wherein the multiple gripping elements of each clip comprise:

an elongate, generally U-shaped upper clip portion having first and second post forward contact members and a single post rear contact member; and

an elongate, generally U-shaped lower clip portion having first and second post rear contact members, said post forward contact members and said post rear contact members defining a headrest support post gripping passage and a throat therebetween, the throat being narrower than the post gripping passage.

17. The article hanger according to claim 13, wherein said rod is formed of spring steel.

18. The article hanger according to claim 13, further including a non-metallic coating disposed over at least a portion of said rod.