GB2418954A - Hanging basket security clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The clamp may comprise two identical circular metal plates <B>4</B> and a nut/bolt/washer <B>5</B>. The plates have a flange <B>8</B> at the top and a cut-out <B>7</B> at the bottom. In use, the flanges face inwards to assist with positioning and to prevent the device being shifted upwards releasing the chain hook <B>2</B>. The cut-outs are positioned over the chain hook and the two plates clamped together with the nut/bolt/washer <B>5</B>. The hanging basket cannot then be easily removed.

Description

IIANGING BASKET SECURITY CLAMP

This invention was devised to prevent the theft of floral hanging baskets which are easily removed from their wrought-iron brackets simply by lifting the chain hook off the hanging scroll.

To make this more difficult, the invention comprises two identical circular plates that are placed either side of the scroll after the basket has been hung. The plates are then bolted together with a suitable nutlboltlwasher through central holes in the plates.

Thus clamped, the chain hook can no longer be lifted off the bracket without the use of tools and the corresponding time-consuming activity. This will deter the opportunist thief An example of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings: - Figure 1 illustrates an unprotected scroll/chain hook - Figure 2 shows the plate (of which two identical items are required) and a nutlbolt - Figure 3 is a side view of the plate illustrating the bent-over flange - Figure 4 shows the clamp in situ protecting the chain hook Also enclosed are photographs of a prototype, similarly numbered, but with the addition of Figure 5 to show the clamp from both sides.

Two steel discs 4 are formed with a central hole 6 to accommodate a bolt 5. The discs will be of sufficient diameter to match the outside diameter of the scroll 1 on which they are to be mounted. The discs will also have a bent-over flange 8 at the top and a cut-out 7 at the bottom to enclose the chain hook 2. After hanging the basket, the resultant plates are placed either side of the scroll with the flanges positioned inwards and the cut-outs over the chain hook. The flanges have a dual purpose (a) to assist with positioning and (b) to prevent the device from being moved or tapped upwards to free the chain hook. The plates are then secured by the central bolt, washer and nut.

Claims (1)

1. A clamp to secure the chain hook of a floral hanging basket to the wrought iron bracket that supports it.