US20170311739A1 - Over-the-door hanging apparatus - Google Patents
Over-the-door hanging apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170311739A1 US20170311739A1 US15/652,586 US201715652586A US2017311739A1 US 20170311739 A1 US20170311739 A1 US 20170311739A1 US 201715652586 A US201715652586 A US 201715652586A US 2017311739 A1 US2017311739 A1 US 2017311739A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bracket member
- flat plate
- elongate bracket
- aperture
- mounting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 11
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003203 everyday effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011900 installation process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003801 milling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010422 painting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011505 plaster Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000002618 waking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
- A47G1/16—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like
- A47G1/1653—Devices for hanging or supporting pictures, mirrors, or the like for connecting to a surface other than a flat wall, e.g. room corner, ceiling, window
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D42/00—Hand, pocket, or shaving mirrors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
- A47G1/02—Mirrors used as equipment
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B45/00—Hooks; Eyes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B45/00—Hooks; Eyes
- F16B45/005—Hooks; Eyes characterised by the material
- F16B45/015—Hooks; Eyes characterised by the material sheet metal
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
- F16B5/06—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips
- F16B5/0607—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other
- F16B5/0621—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship
- F16B5/065—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
- F16B5/07—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of multiple interengaging protrusions on the surfaces, e.g. hooks, coils
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an over-the-door hanging apparatus.
- Mirrors are used often in everyday life. For example, the first thing that a person does after waking up is go to the bathroom and look at him or herself in the mirror. Furthermore, people also typically look at themselves in the mirror prior to leaving the house to make sure that they are pleased with their appearance. A very common room in the home for a person to desire to have a mirror is in the bedroom or the bathroom. However, there is not always a good place to put a mirror in those rooms. Therefore, it has been known to hang a mirror on a wall or from a door by using adhesives, screws, nails or hangers. Doors have been widely used to support mirrors because they provide convenient available space, because they may be removed to facilitate mounting of the mirror, and because they avoid the necessity of placing wall anchors in plaster or drywall.
- people are often desirous to hang other articles or objects from a door in order to conserve space while still enjoying the benefits of the article. For example, people may desire to hang a painting, picture or some other framed article from a door. Depending on the person's needs and the space that the person has available, a person may desire to hang any object that may otherwise be hung or attached to a wall from a door instead.
- Typical hangers that enable a user to hang a mirror or other article from a door require a user to assemble the hanger onto the rear of the mirror or other article by screwing, gluing or otherwise attaching the hanger directly onto the rear of the mirror or other article.
- This type of an installation requires a screw driver or glue, which a user or consumer does not always have available.
- a screw-type assembly even if the user has a screwdriver, the user may find it difficult to force the screw into the rear of the mirror or other article because the mirror or other article typically does not have pilot or pre-drilled holes.
- a need exists for an apparatus and/or system that can be used to hang a mirror, piece of art, or other article from a door without the need for a screw driver or any other tools.
- a need also exists for an apparatus and/or system that enables a user to hang a mirror, piece of art, or other article from a door in a matter of seconds without the need for excessive physical force and with the ability to adjust its hanging height.
- the present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to an over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: a mirror apparatus comprising a rear surface; a first channel formed into the rear surface of the mirror apparatus; a second channel formed into the rear surface of the mirror apparatus, the first and second channels located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the mirror apparatus; a first flat plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the first flat plate secured to the rear surface of the mirror apparatus by a plurality of fasteners, the first flat plate overlying a first portion of the first channel and forming a passageway into a second portion of the first channel via the first aperture of the first flat plate; a second flat plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the second flat plate secured to the rear surface of the mirror apparatus by a plurality of fasteners, the second flat plate overlying a first portion of the second channel and forming a passageway into a second portion of the second channel via the first aperture of the second flat plate;
- the invention can be an over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: a support structure comprising a rear surface; a mirror coupled to the support structure; a first flat plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure by a plurality of fasteners; a second flat plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure by a plurality of fasteners, the first and second flat plates located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the over-the-door hanging apparatus; a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door; a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the second elongate bracket member for slidably engaging the top edge of the door; the support structure mounted to the first elongate bracket member by first and second connection points between the first flat plate and the first elongate bracket member that
- the invention can be an over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: a support structure comprising a rear surface; a mirror supported by the support structure; a first mounting plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure; a second mounting plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure; the first and second mounting plates located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the over-the-door hanging apparatus; a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the first elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door; a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the second e
- FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a top portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 a is a side view of an elongate member of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of the elongate member of FIG. 3 a.
- FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 b is a front view of the mounting plate of FIG. 4 a.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the connection between the elongate member and the mounting plate.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 7 in accordance with an alternative embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 1 hanging from a top edge of a door.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a close-up view of a top portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 14 a is a side view of an elongate member of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 14 b is a perspective view of the elongate member of FIG. 14 a.
- FIG. 15 a is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 15 b is a front view of the mounting plate of FIG. 15 a.
- FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 17 a is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 showing the connection between the elongate member and the mounting plate.
- FIG. 17 b is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 showing the connection between the mounting plate and a door with the elongate member omitted in accordance with an alternative embodiment.
- FIG. 18 a is a side view of an elongate member of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 in accordance with an alternative embodiment.
- FIG. 18 b is a rear perspective view of the elongate member of FIG. 18 a.
- FIG. 19 a is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 in accordance with an alternative embodiment.
- FIG. 19 b is a front view of the mounting plate of FIG. 19 a.
- FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 12 showing the connection between the elongate member of FIG. 18 a and the mounting plate of FIG. 19 a.
- FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state.
- FIG. 21B is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 21A with the elongate member and the mounting element in an attached state.
- FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state.
- FIG. 22B is a side view of the elongate member of FIG. 22A .
- FIG. 22C is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 22A with the elongate member and the mounting element in an attached state.
- FIG. 23A is a plan view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state.
- FIG. 23B is a side view of the elongate member of FIG. 23A .
- FIGS. 23C and 23D are plan views of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 22A illustrating the manner of coupling the elongate member to the mounting element.
- FIG. 24A is a plan view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state.
- FIGS. 24B and 24C are plan views of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 24A illustrating the manner of coupling the elongate member to the mounting element.
- FIG. 25A is a perspective view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state.
- FIG. 25B is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 25A with the elongate member and the mounting element in the attached state.
- FIG. 25C is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 25B illustrating an alternative embodiment of the mounting element.
- FIG. 25D is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 25A illustrating still another alternative embodiment of the mounting element with the elongate member and the mounting element in a detached state.
- FIG. 25E is a perspective view of the over-the-door hanging apparatus of FIG. 25D with the mounting element and the elongate member in an attached state.
- FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention with one elongate member in an attached state and another elongate member in a detached state.
- FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a bracket member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 .
- FIG. 29 is a side view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 .
- FIG. 30A is a front perspective view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 supporting first and second support structures.
- FIG. 30B is a rear perspective view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 supporting the first and second support structures.
- FIG. 31 is a side view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 supporting the first and second support structures.
- FIG. 32A is a front view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the first support structure at a first hanging height.
- FIG. 32B is a front view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the first support structure at a second hanging height.
- FIG. 32C is a rear view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the second support structure at a first hanging height.
- FIG. 32D is a rear view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the second support structure at a second hanging height.
- FIG. 33 is a rear view of the bracket member of FIG. 27 supporting an accessory and the second support structures in accordance with an alternative embodiment.
- FIG. 34 is a side view of the bracket member of FIG. 33 mounted to a door and supporting the accessory and the second support structure.
- FIG. 35A is a front view of the bracket member of FIG. 33 mounted to a door and supporting the accessory at a first hanging height.
- FIG. 35B is a front view of the bracket member of FIG. 33 mounted to a door and supporting the accessory at a second hanging height.
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 generally comprises a frame 101 , a flat article 110 supported within the frame 100 , first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 secured to a rear surface 103 of the frame 101 , and a bracket assembly 150 to which the frame 101 is slidably mounted (as discussed in greater detail below).
- the frame 101 is a perimeter-type frame comprising an outer edge 112 and an inner edge 113 .
- the inner edge 113 forms a closed-geometry thereby defining a central opening 114 .
- a flat article 110 such as a mirror, is positioned and supported within the central opening 114 according to known mounting techniques. Although the invention will be described with reference to the flat article 110 being a mirror, any other substantially flat article (or article with a substantially flat rear surface) can be used in conjunction with the present invention, including artwork, diplomas, or the like.
- frame is not limited to a traditional perimeter-type frame having a central opening, but includes frames resembling a simple backer-board or plate that takes up the entire (or a portion of) rear surface area of the article to be mounted thereon.
- the desired flat article is displayed by frame 101 so as to be visible to a user when the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is hung from a door as described below.
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 comprises a first mounting plate 120 and a second mounting plate 220 that are secured to the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 on opposite lateral sides of a vertical centerline A-A.
- the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 are secured to the frame 101 via screws 121 , 221 , respectively.
- other fasteners and fastening techniques can be used to secure the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 to the frame, including without limitation bolts, nails, rivets, clamps, ties, slot-and-groove mating connections, snap-fit connections, and/or combinations thereof.
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 also comprises a bracket assembly 150 to which the frame 101 is detachably mounted. More specifically, the frame 101 is detachably mounted to the bracket assembly through a slidable mating between the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 and the hooks of the bracket assembly 150 , which will be described in great detail below.
- the frame 101 comprises a first channel 130 and a second channel 230 (fully visible in FIG. 5 ). Only a bottom portion of the first and second channels 130 , 230 is visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 comprises a perimeter-style frame 101 , two mounting plates 120 , 220 and a bracket assembly 150 that includes a first elongate bracket member 151 and a second elongate bracket member 251 .
- the two mounting plates 120 , 220 are attached to the frame 101 on opposite sides of the vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 while the first elongate member 151 is slidably attached to the first mounting plate 120 and the second elongate member 251 is slidably attached to the second mounting plate 220 .
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may comprise only one mounting plate and one elongate bracket member connected to a central region of the frame 101 .
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may comprise greater than two mounting plates and a corresponding number of elongate members of the bracket assembly to provide for a more secure connection between the bracket assembly 150 and the frame 101 .
- the first and second elongate bracket members 151 , 251 are exemplified as separate structures, it is possible for theses members 151 , 251 to be formed as a single construct.
- bracket assembly 150 a detailed description of the bracket assembly 150 will be set forth.
- the structural details of the elongate bracket members 151 , 252 will be discussed herein with respect to the first elongate member 151 with the understanding that the same is applicable to the second elongate member 251 in all respects.
- the first elongate member 151 extends from a distal end 152 to a proximal end 153 and comprises a front surface 193 and an opposite rear surface 194 .
- the first elongate member 151 is preferably an integrally formed structure formed by appropriately bending a flat strip of flexible metal (sheet metal) which may be formed from steel or the like.
- sheet metal flexible metal
- other materials and formation techniques can be used, including the molding, milling and/or lathing of plastics, matrix materials, or any other material capable of withstanding the required load-bearing requirements.
- the first elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150 is preferably flexible in nature, it may be constructed so as to be substantially rigid if desired.
- a generally U-shaped bracket 158 is provided at a proximal end 153 of the first elongate member 151 and extends from the rear surface 194 thereof for sliding over and engaging a top edge of a door.
- the U-shaped bracket 158 comprises a front portion 154 , a top portion 155 and a back portion 156 that terminates with an angled flange 157 .
- the front portion 154 corresponds to a top portion of the elongate member 151 and it encompasses the proximal end 153 of the elongate member 151 .
- the top portion 155 extends outward from the rear surface 194 of the elongate member 151 at the proximal end 153 so as to form an approximately 90 degree angle with the front portion 154 of the U-shaped bracket 158 .
- the top portion 155 is described as extending at an approximately 90 degree angle from the front portion 154 of the U-shaped bracket 158 , it may extend at other angles if desired.
- the back portion 156 of the U-shaped bracket 158 extends downwardly from the top portion 155 at an approximately 90 degree angle with the top portion 155 , thereby forming the U-shaped bracket 158 of the first elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150 .
- the angled flange 157 diverges slightly outward from the back portion 156 at an obtuse angle ⁇ in order to facilitate placement of the U-shaped bracket 158 over a top edge of a door as will be described below with reference to FIG. 8 .
- the U-shaped bracket 158 is preferably made of a flexible material so that it can bend and more easily fit over doors with varying widths. In other words, it is preferable that a user is able to extend the distance between the back portion 156 and the front portion 154 of the U-shaped bracket 158 by applying an outward force on the flange 157 .
- the top portion 155 of the U-shaped bracket 158 is made wide enough to accommodate a conventional door width which the inventive bracket assembly 150 is to be used.
- the thickness of the material, and hence its flexibility, must be chosen so that the U-shaped bracket 158 is sufficiently rigid to avoid deformation under the load of the flat article 110 and yet is thin enough to fit over the top of the door without creating clearance problems with respect to the cap of the door frame.
- a user may grip and pull on the flange portion 157 of the U-shaped bracket 158 of the bracket assembly 150 in order to assist with the attachment of the bracket assembly 150 to the top edge of a door as will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 11 .
- the first elongate member 151 further comprises a top hook 161 and a bottom hook 162 near the distal end 152 of the elongate member 151 .
- the top hook 161 and the bottom hook 162 collectively form a pair of hooks and are often referred to as such throughout this application.
- the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 are integrally formed with the first member 151 . More specifically, the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 are preferably formed by punching an appropriate pattern in the first elongate member 151 and subsequently bending the in-plane tab out of plane and into the desired shape. As a result, apertures 163 , 164 (i.e.
- the apertures 163 , 164 enable the elongate member 151 to be manufactured with less material and also prevent the elongate member 151 from prematurely deteriorating due to the friction of the mounting plates 120 , 220 against the hooks 161 , 162 .
- the apertures 163 , 164 need not be included as a part of the elongate member 151 and the hooks 161 , 162 can be separate structures that are subsequently welded, fastened, clamped or otherwise connected to the first elongate member 151 .
- the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 each extend outwardly from the front surface 193 of the elongate member 151 and upwardly toward the proximal end 153 .
- the top hook 161 extends from a base 166 at which it connects to the elongate member 151 to a distal end 192 at which it terminates.
- the bottom hook 162 extends from a base 165 at which it connects to the elongate member 151 to a distal end 191 at which it terminates.
- the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 are preferably in a linear vertical alignment with one another on the front surface 193 of the elongate member 151 .
- the hooks 161 , 162 each have a length which is equal to the distance from the bases 165 , 166 to the distal ends 191 , 192 of the hooks 161 , 162 , respectively.
- the base 166 of the top hook 161 is spaced a distance D 1 from the base 165 of the bottom hook 162 , the importance of which will become apparent from the description below with reference to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b.
- the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 are preferably S-shaped tabs.
- the S-shape of the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 are preferred in order to accomplish an efficient attachment between the bracket assembly 150 and the mounting plates 120 , 220 as will be described below.
- the invention is not limited by the shape of the hooks and other shapes may be used as would be known to persons skilled in the art.
- the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 could simply be straight tabs extending outwardly in an angled fashion from the bracket assembly 150 for slidable mating with the edges of the mounting plates as described below.
- hooks is intended to include any tab-type structure that may extend outwardly from the bracket assembly 150 in a manner that affords slidable mating with the edges of the mounting plates 120 , 220 and is not intended to be in any other way limiting of the present invention.
- Both of the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 extend outwardly and upwardly from the front surface 193 of the elongate member 151 in a spaced part manner so that slots 168 , 169 are formed between the hooks 161 , 162 and the front surface 193 of the elongate member 151 .
- Both of the slots 168 , 169 have an open top end 167 , 197 that provides access into the slots 168 , 169 so that the edges of the mounting plates can be lowered into the slots 168 , 169 during mounting of the frame 101 to the bracket assembly 150 , which will be described in greater below with reference to FIG. 6 .
- FIGS. 4 a and 4 b the details of the mounting plates 120 , 220 of the present invention will be described. Similarly to the description of the elongate members 151 , 251 above, only the first mounting plate 120 will be described in detail with the understanding that the discussion is applicable to the second mounting plate 220 .
- the first mounting plate 120 is preferably a flat plate that can be secured to the frame 101 by any of the techniques described above.
- the first mounting plate 120 comprises a plurality of screw holes 122 that are sized and configured to receive a screw to facilitate the attachment of the first mounting plate 120 to the frame 101 .
- the first mounting plate 120 is illustrated having three screw holes 122 , the invention is not so limited and the first mounting plate 120 may have more or less than three screw holes 122 as desired.
- a rear surface (not shown) of the first mounting plate 120 is in surface contact with the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 by nature of their opposing flat surfaces.
- the first mounting plate 120 is preferably a flat plate that is substantially free of contour for the entirety of its major planar surfaces.
- the first mounting plate 120 has an overall perimeter shape such that its cross-sectional area changes throughout its length.
- the first mounting plate 120 has a bottom edge 125 , a top edge 126 and two vertical sides that collectively form the perimeter of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the first mounting plate 120 also comprises a vertical axis B-B that is substantially transverse to and intersects the bottom and top edges 125 , 126 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- a top section 127 of the first mounting plate 120 extends from the top edge 126 of the first mounting plate 120 to a transition point TP 1 .
- a middle section 128 of the first mounting plate 120 extends from the transition point TP 1 to a transition point TP 2 .
- a bottom section 129 of the first mounting plate 120 extends from the transition point TP 2 to the bottom end 125 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the cross-sectional area of the top section 127 of the first mounting plate 120 gradually decreases from a point 141 in the top section 127 to the transition point TP 1 .
- the middle section 128 of the first mounting plate 120 which extends from the transition point TP 1 to the transition point TP 2 , has a constant cross-sectional area throughout its length.
- the cross-sectional area of the bottom section 129 of the first mounting plate 120 gradually increases from the transition point TP 2 to a point 142 .
- the cross-sectional area of the first mounting plate 120 is again constant from the point 142 of the bottom section 129 of the first mounting plate 120 to the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the shape of the first mounting plate 120 provides the first mounting plate 120 with a structural rigidity while using a minimized amount of materials in order to reduce the costs in manufacturing.
- the first mounting plate 120 comprises a top aperture 123 and a bottom aperture 124 .
- the top aperture 123 is positioned partially within both of the top and middle sections 127 , 128 while the bottom aperture 124 is positioned within the bottom section 129 only.
- the first mounting plate 120 may have only one aperture or more than two apertures as would be understood by a person skilled in the art.
- the apertures 123 , 124 may be positioned on other locations on the first mounting plate 120 as desired. Using more apertures will enable additional adjustability to the hanging height of the article as will be described below.
- the apertures 123 , 124 in the first mounting plate 120 are preferably rectangular in shape, but may take on any other shape as desired.
- the top aperture 123 is defined by a closed-geometry edge that includes a top edge 145 and a bottom edge 143 .
- the bottom aperture 124 is defined by a closed-geometry edge that includes a top edge 146 and a bottom edge 144 .
- the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 is spaced a distance D 2 from the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 , measured along the linear axis B-B.
- the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 is spaced a distance D 3 from the bottom edge 125 , measured along the axis B-B.
- the first mounting plate 120 is designed so that the distance D 2 is substantially equal to the distance D 3 .
- both of these distances D 2 , D 3 are also substantially equal to the distance D 1 between the hooks 161 , 162 (discussed above with respect to FIGS. 3 a , 3 b ).
- the importance of the edges 145 , 146 , 125 , and the distances D 1 , D 2 , D 3 will become apparent from the description below with reference to FIG. 5 .
- the frame 101 comprises has a first channel 130 formed into the rear surface 103 on one side of the vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 along the right lateral (another one of the channels is provided on the opposite side of the vertical centerline A-A).
- the channel 130 is illustrated as a segmented channel 130 comprising a first channel segment 131 , a second channel segment 132 and a third channel segment 133 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates the channel 130 as comprising a first channel segment 131 , a second channel segment 132 and a third channel segment 133 .
- more than three channel segments may be used as desired for further adjustability in the hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 as will be described below.
- the frame 101 may be configured with less than three channel segments and still be used as described below as would be understood by a person skilled in the art.
- Each of the channel segments 131 - 133 of the channel 130 is a rectangular shaped depression formed into the frame 101 .
- the channel segments 131 - 133 of the channel 130 each form a groove or trough within the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 that comprises a floor and, thus, do not extend through the entire thickness of the frame 101 .
- one or more of the channel segments 131 - 133 of the channel 130 may be through-holes in the sense that they could extend all the way through the thickness of the frame 101 .
- the channel segments 131 - 133 are contemplated as taking on any other shapes, including without limitation circles, triangles, trapezoids or the like.
- channel 130 is exemplified as a segmented channel, the invention is not so limited and the channel 130 may be a singular continuous annular channel that extends around the entire perimeter of the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 or can be a continuous channel that extends from below the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 to above the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- FIGS. 7-9 These alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 7-9 and will be described in greater detail below.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 concurrently, the placement and attachment of the first mounting plate 120 to the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 will be described.
- first mounting plate 120 is shown for clarity and ease of understanding.
- the second mounting plate 220 is attached to the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 in the same manner as the first mounting plate 120 , except that the second mounting plate 220 is attached to the opposite side of the vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 ( FIG. 2 ) in cooperation with a second channel.
- the first mounting plate 120 is secured to the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 so that the vertical axis B-B of the first mounting plate 120 is coextensive with the elongated channel 130 , which in the exemplified embodiment is substantially parallel with the vertical centerline A-A.
- the second mounting plate 220 is secured to the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 on the opposite side of a vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 in an identical orientation with respect to the second channel 230 .
- the first mounting plate 120 is secured to the frame 101 so that: (1) the first channel segment 131 extends from a position below the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 to a position above the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 ; (2) the second channel segment 132 extends from a position below the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 to a position above the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 ; and (3) the third channel segment 133 extends from a position below the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 to a position above the top edge 145 of the top aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the first mounting plate 120 be secured to the frame 101 so that further: (1) the bottom edge 144 of the bottom aperture 124 is aligned with the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 ; and (2) the bottom edge 143 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 is aligned with the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the top aperture 123 is aligned with the first channel segment 133 and forms a passageway through the first mounting plate 120 into the third channel segment 133 .
- the bottom aperture 124 is aligned with the second channel segment 132 and forms a passageway through the first mounting plate 120 into the second channel segment 132 .
- the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 extends transversely across the third channel segment 133 .
- the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 extends transversely across the second channel segment 132 .
- the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 extends transversely across the first channel segment 131 .
- the first, second and third channel segments 131 - 133 preferably extend above the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 , the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 , and the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 , respectively, by a distance that is at least equal to the length of the hooks 161 , 162 .
- This configuration provides sufficient space for the hooks 161 , 162 to fit within the selected channel segments 131 - 133 when the frame 101 is slidably mounted to the bracket assembly 150 as will be discussed below.
- bracket assembly 150 to the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 will be described.
- the description will be provided with specific reference to the mating between the first mounting plate 120 and the first elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150 .
- the description is equally applicable to the mating of the second mounting plate 220 with the second elongate member 251 .
- the first mounting plate 120 is secured to the rear surface 103 of the frame 101 by extending the screws 121 through the screw holes 122 and threadily engaging the frame. It is preferred that the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 be preassembled (i.e., secured) to the frame 101 during manufacturing. Thus, the user will be able to hang the apparatus 100 to a door without the need for any tools or excessive physical strength. In other words, the user will purchase the product fully assembled with the exception that the bracket assembly 150 will be separate from the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 and frame 101 .
- the user will only need to slide the U-Shaped brackets of the bracket assembly 150 over the top edge of the door and then slide the hooks 161 , 162 of the bracket assembly into mating cooperation with either: (1) the top edges 145 , 146 of the apertures 123 , 124 ; or (2) the top edge 146 and the bottom edge 125 .
- the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 has an advantageous built-in hanging height adjustability. In other words, depending upon which of the channel segments 131 - 133 of the frame 101 the top and bottom hooks 161 , 162 are attached to, the hanging height may be altered. A more detailed description of how the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may be hung at a lower and/or a higher position will be set forth below.
- the first elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150 When a lower hanging position is desired, such as is shown in FIG. 6 , the first elongate member 151 of the bracket assembly 150 will be attached to the frame 101 by inserting the bottom hook 162 through the bottom aperture 124 in the first mounting plate 120 and the top hook 161 through the top aperture 123 in the first mounting plate 120 . Because the first mounting plate 120 is attached to the frame 101 so that the bottom aperture 124 is aligned with the second channel segment 132 and the top aperture 123 is aligned with the third channel segment 133 , the bottom hook 162 will be inserted into the second channel segment 132 of the frame 101 while the top hook 161 will be inserted into the third channel segment 133 of the frame 101 .
- the frame 101 will be lowered (or the elongate member 151 will be raised) until the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 slides into the slot 168 of the top hook 161 and the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 slides into the slot 169 of the bottom hook 162 .
- the base 165 of the bottom hook 162 When fully slid into the slots 168 , 169 , the base 165 of the bottom hook 162 will contact the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 and the base 166 of the top hook 161 will contact the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the second and third channel segments 132 , 133 extend upwardly beyond the edges 145 , 146 (in the direction of the vertical axis A-A) and beneath the first mounting plate 120 .
- This configuration enables the hooks 161 , 162 of the bracket assembly 150 to extend into the frame 101 so that a portion of the first mounting plate 120 is snugly disposed within each of the slots 168 , 169 .
- the hooks 161 , 162 frictionally engage the portions of the first mounting plate 120 positioned within the slots 168 , 169 to prevent the frame 101 from becoming accidentally dislodged from the bracket assembly 150 .
- the frictional engagement is further facilitated by the S-shape and resilient nature of the hooks 161 , 162 .
- the attachment is described as being a friction fit, the invention is not so limited and the attachment may be described as a press fit, an interference fit or any other fit as would be known to persons skilled in the art.
- bracket assembly 150 The attachment between the bracket assembly 150 and the frame 101 will be enhanced when the U-shaped bracket 158 of the bracket assembly 150 is attached to a top edge of a door because the weight of the flat article 110 being hung will increase the tight nature of the fit between the hooks 161 , 162 and the combined plate/frame 120 / 101 apparatus.
- the invention has been described with the bracket assembly 150 attached to the second and third channel segments 133 , 132 in the frame 101 .
- Such an attachment is used when the hanging height of the mirror or article is desired to be a lower hanging height.
- the hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is adjustable. Therefore, the mirror or other flat article 110 may be hung at a higher hanging height in the manner described below and as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the first channel segment 131 in the frame 101 extends beyond the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 as illustrated in FIG. 2 . Therefore, rather than attaching the bracket assembly 150 through the second and third channel segments 133 , 132 of the frame 101 , the hooks 161 , 162 of the bracket assembly 150 are attached to the second and first channel segments 132 , 131 of the frame 101 , respectively. Specifically, the bottom hook 162 will be inserted into the first channel segment 131 below the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 while the top hook 161 will be inserted into the second channel segment 132 via the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting.
- the frame 101 will be lowered (or the elongate member 151 will be raised) until the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 slides into the slot 168 of the top hook 161 and the bottom edge 146 of the first mounting plate 120 slides into the slot 169 of the bottom hook 162 .
- the base 165 of the bottom hook 162 will contact the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 and the base 166 of the top hook 161 will contact the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the first and second channel segments 131 , 132 extend upwardly beyond the edges 146 , 125 (in the direction of the vertical axis A-A) and beneath the first mounting plate 120 .
- This configuration enables the hooks 161 , 162 of the bracket assembly 150 to extend into the frame 101 so that a portion of the first mounting plate 120 is snugly disposed within each of the slots 168 , 169 .
- the same frictional/interference fit is formed.
- the apparatus 100 may be hung at a higher level on a door than previously described manner.
- the adjustable height mounting is achieved by designing the distances D 1 , D 2 , D 3 to be substantially equal.
- the second elongate member 251 may be attached in the same manner as described above except that the second elongate member 251 is attached to the second mounting plate 220 which is secured onto the frame 101 on the opposite side of the vertical centerline A-A.
- the flat article 110 will be more securely hung from the top of the door.
- an alternative embodiment of a frame 301 to be used with an over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 will be described.
- the components of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 that are the same as the components described above with reference to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 will be delineated by the same reference numerals except that the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 will use the 300- and 400-series of numbers rather than the 100- and 200-series of numbers.
- only those aspects of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 that are different from the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 described above will be described below in detail. Therefore, all features of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 that are not described below should be interpreted as being identical to the corresponding component from the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 described above.
- the frame 301 may have a continuous channel 330 along all four sides of the frame 301 so as to form an annular channel about the perimeter of the frame 301 .
- This embodiment is advantageous in that it reduces the costs in manufacturing by reducing the amount of material needed to create the frame 301 and by reducing the time required to attach the first and second mounting plates 320 , 420 to the frame 301 .
- the first mounting plate 320 is aligned with the channel 330 so that the channel 330 can be seen through the apertures 323 , 324 in the first mounting plate 320 .
- This embodiment nullifies the need to align the apertures 323 , 324 of the first mounting plate 320 with the channel 330 in a vertical direction and instead enables the first mounting plate 320 to be attached to the frame 301 in a myriad of positions so long as the channel 330 is visible and accessible through the apertures 323 , 324 .
- Such an embodiment provides a significantly greater amount of flexibility to the hanging height of the flat article.
- the hooks 361 , 362 of the bracket assembly 350 are inserted through the apertures 323 , 324 of the first mounting plate 320 in the same manner as described above.
- the entire attachment procedure between the bracket assembly 350 and the frame 301 is identical to the attachment procedure described above with reference to the bracket assembly 150 and the frame 101 .
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 is identical to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 except that instead of having a segmented channel 130 in the frame 101 , there is one continuous channel 330 in the frame 301 that forms a rectangular border around the entirety of the frame 301 . As can be seen the channel 330 still extends from a position below to a position above each of the edges 345 , 346 , 325 .
- This embodiment comprises a continuous channel 530 that is not segmented and that does not form a border around the frame 101 . Rather, the channel 530 only extends from a position below the bottom edge 147 of the first mounting plate 120 to a position above the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- a second channel (not shown) which is identical to the channel 530 will be located on the opposite lateral side of the frame 101 , thereby forming a mirror image.
- the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 may each comprise a first plate segment 621 , 721 , a second plate segment 622 , 722 and a third plate segment 623 , 723 . This embodiment will be further described only with reference to the first mounting plate 120 . It should be understood that the second mounting plate 220 will have features and components that are identical to the first mounting plate 120 .
- a bottom edge 625 of the third plate segment 623 serves an identical purpose to the bottom edge 125 of the first mounting plate 120 described above.
- a bottom edge 646 of the second plate segment 622 serves an identical purpose to the top edge 146 of the bottom aperture 124 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- a bottom edge 645 of the first plate segment 621 serves an identical purpose to the top edge 145 of the top aperture 123 of the first mounting plate 120 .
- the mirror 110 or other article is illustrated hanging from a top edge 171 of a door 170 .
- the mirror or other flat article 110 is attached to the bracket assembly 150 which comprises the first elongate member 151 and the second elongate member 251 on opposite lateral sides of the rear surface (not shown) of the flat article 110 .
- the U-shaped brackets 158 , 258 of the elongate members 151 , 251 of the bracket assembly 150 are attached to the top edge 171 of the door 170 so that the flat article 110 is hung therefrom.
- the flat article 110 is a mirror, it is hung so that the reflective front surface 111 is visible and the rear surface (not shown) is in surface contact with the door 170 .
- any of the various types of channels and mounting plates may be used with the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus in many different combinations.
- the three plate segment 621 , 622 , 623 mounting plate may be used with the segmented channels 131 , 132 , 133 or with the elongated channel 530 or with the border/annular channel 330 .
- the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 may also be used with any of the above mentioned channel configurations.
- the frame 100 may not include channels 130 , 230 in its rear surface 101 .
- the first and second mounting plates 120 , 220 (or the segments thereof) would be placed over planar sections of the rear surface 101 of the frame 100 and be designed so that the hooks 161 - 162 , 191 - 292 could be slid/inserted between a raised portion of the mounting plates 120 , 220 and the planar sections of the rear surface 101 .
- first, second and/or third edges 125 , 145 , 146 could be formed to include a raised portion that protrudes from the rear surface 101 of the frame 100 , thereby forming a nesting space/gap between the rear surface 101 of the frame 100 and the rear surfaces of the mounting plates 120 , 220 (or the segments thereof).
- the mounting plates 120 , 220 (or the segments thereof) could be formed in to resemble one half of a C-clamp and/or a V-clamp.
- first, second and/or third edges 125 , 145 , 146 could be bent out of plane with the remaining sections of the mounting plates 120 , 220 (or the segments thereof) that are coupled to the frame 100 .
- the frame 801 may be designed so that the channels 130 , 230 are omitted.
- the bracket assembly 850 comprises a first elongate member 851 and a second elongate member 951 that are slidably attached to mounting plates 820 , 920 respectively.
- the first and second mounting plates 820 , 920 are placed over planar sections of the rear surface 803 of the frame 801 .
- first mounting plate 820 along with its cooperation with the first elongate member 851 , is described in detail herein with the understanding that the second mounting plate 920 , and its coupling to the second elongate member 951 , is identical.
- the first mounting plate 820 generally comprises a plurality of planar portions 875 A-C and a plurality of raised portions 848 A-C.
- the plurality of planar portions 875 A-C are substantially coplanar with one another.
- the plurality of raised portions 848 A-C are substantially coplanar with one another.
- the plurality of raised portions 848 A-C are offset from and not coplanar with the plurality of planar portions 875 A-C.
- the plurality of raised portions 848 A-C and the plurality of planar portions 875 A-C are arranged in an alternating manner and are interconnect to one another.
- the first mounting plate 820 is designed so that the hooks 861 - 863 (or flanged bosses, rivets, screws or bolts in other embodiments) of the first elongate member 851 may be slidably inserted between the raised portions 848 A-C of the first mounting plate 820 and the planar sections of the rear surface 801 of the frame 801 , respectively.
- the first mounting plate 820 further comprises a first aperture 823 , a second aperture 824 , and a multi-width aperture 830 that are formed in the raised portions 848 A-C of the first mounting plate 820 respectively.
- the multi-width aperture 830 is divided into a nesting section 832 and a receiving section 831 .
- the nesting section 832 extends vertically from the receiving section 831 and is narrowed relative to the receiving section 831 . Stated simply, the nesting section 832 has a width that is less than the width of the receiving section 831 . While the multi-width aperture is exemplified as having stepped width, in other embodiments the width may simply taper such that the multi-width slot resembles a V-shape.
- the multi-width aperture 830 terminates in a top edge 847 .
- the top edge 847 is curved to accommodate the shaft of a screw but can be linear in other embodiments.
- the receiving section 831 is sized such that it will permit the head of a screw, flanged fastener, bolt, or rivet to pass therethrough.
- the receiving section 831 of the multi-width aperture 830 may have a semi-circular shape or may be constructed in any shape that permits the passage of a flanged portion of fastener (such as the head of a screw or the head of a flanged fastener).
- the multi-width aperture 830 has a bottom edge 834 that is located on or near the planar portion 875 A of the first mounting plate 820 to facilitate insertion of the screw head into the screw aperture 830 .
- the nesting section 832 is sized such that the head of the screw may not pass through the slot section 832 . This allows the multi-width aperture 830 of the first mounting plate 820 to be aligned with a protruding screw such that the screw head can be slid into the receiving section 831 .
- the screw body passes into the nesting section 832 and the screw head is trapped between the raised portion 848 A of the first mounting plate 820 and the rear surface of the frame 801 , thereby facilitating mounting to a door or other vertical surface.
- Each of the first aperture and second aperture 823 , 824 have a top edge 845 , 846 respectively.
- the top edge 845 of the first aperture 823 is located on the raised portion 848 B while the top edge 846 of the second aperture 824 is located on the raised portion 848 C.
- the first and second apertures 823 , 824 also have bottom edges 843 , 844 , respectively.
- the bottom edge 843 of the first aperture 823 is located on the planar portion 875 B while the bottom edge 844 of the second aperture 824 is located on the planar portion 875 C.
- the hooks 861 - 863 are slidably inserted into the apertures 823 , 824 , 830 and engage the top edges 845 - 847 of the first mounting plate 820 .
- the first mounting plate 820 further includes a plurality of fastener holes 822 which are sized and configured to receive a screw (or other fastener) to facilitate fixed attachment of the first mounting plate 820 to the rear surface 803 of the frame 801 .
- the first mounting plate 820 is illustrated as having three fastener holes 822 , the invention is not so limited and the first mounting plate 820 may have more or less than three fastener holes 822 as desired.
- the planar portions 875 A-C are in surface contact with the rear surface 803 of the frame 801 .
- the over-the-door apparatus 800 may be hung from a door by using the first and second elongate members 851 , 951 .
- the first and second elongate members 851 , 951 are slid over the top edge of the door as described above for the embodiments of FIGS. 1-10 .
- the first and second mounting plates 820 , 920 which are coupled to the frame 801 , are then slidably mounted to the first and second elongate members 851 , 951 , respectively, as discussed in greater detail below.
- the hooks 861 - 863 are inserted through the multi-width aperture 830 , the first aperture 823 , and the second aperture 824 .
- the hook 861 is inserted through the multi-width aperture 830
- the hook 862 is inserted through the first aperture 823
- the hook 863 is inserted through the second aperture 824 .
- the elongate member 851 is then slid upward until the hooks 861 - 863 fully engage the top edges 847 , 845 , 846 respectively.
- the hook 861 may be inserted through the first aperture 823 and the hook 862 may be inserted through the second aperture 824 .
- hook 862 may be inserted through the multi-width aperture 830 and hook 863 may be inserted through the first aperture 823 .
- the hook 861 may be inserted through the second aperture 824 .
- the hook 863 may be inserted through the multi-width aperture 830 .
- first and second apertures 823 , 824 may have the same shape as the multi-width aperture 830 .
- the frame 801 is hung by installing a screw 849 into a door 870 .
- the first mounting plate 820 may be mounted to any other vertical surface, such as a wall.
- the first mounting plate 820 is installed to the frame 801 via screws 821 , and then the head of the screw 849 is inserted into the multi-width aperture 830 and slid upward until the shaft of the screw 849 contacts the top edge 847 of the multi-width aperture 830 .
- This permits flexible mounting of the frame 801 without requiring the use of the first and second elongate members 851 , 951 .
- Multiple screws 849 may be used, and the first mounting plate 820 may be designed to accommodate multiple screw apertures 830 as desired.
- FIGS. 18A and 18B disclose an alternate embodiment of the first elongate member 851 A, with three flanged fasteners 881 - 883 in place of hooks 861 - 863 .
- the elongate member 851 A is identical to the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 12-17B excepting those features explicitly described.
- the second elongate member is also identical to the first elongate member 851 A disclosed in this embodiment.
- the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 each have a post portion 886 and a flange portion 888 .
- the flanged fasteners engage multi-width apertures 891 - 893 as will be discussed in further detail below.
- FIGS. 19A and 19B disclose an alternate embodiment of the first mounting plate 820 A.
- the first mounting plate 820 A has three multi-width apertures 891 - 893 .
- the first mounting plate 820 A is identical to the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 12-17B excepting those features explicitly described.
- the second mounting plate is also identical to the first mounting plate 820 A disclosed in this embodiment.
- the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 are shown engaged with the multi-width apertures 891 - 893 .
- the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 are inserted into the multi-width apertures 891 - 893 and slidably engaged such that the post portion 886 of the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 mates with the nesting section of the corresponding multi-width apertures 891 - 893 .
- the flange portion 888 of the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 prevents the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 from withdrawing from the multi-width apertures 891 - 893 unless the first mounting plate 820 A is slid upward with respect to the first elongate member 851 A to release the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 .
- Alternate embodiments of the flanged fasteners 881 - 883 may be bolts, rivets, screws, or other fasteners having a flange and post portion which permit engagement with the nesting portion of the multi-width apertures 891 - 893 .
- the hooks, flanged fasteners, bolts, rivets, or screws of the first and second elongate members as shown and described in the preceding embodiments may be substituted for the apertures of the first and second mounting plates of the preceding embodiments.
- the apertures of the first and second mounting plates may be substituted for the hooks, flanged fasteners, etc. of the first and second elongate members.
- the mounting features may be reversed to permit the mounting plates to have hooks or flanged fasteners which engage apertures of the elongate members.
- FIGS. 21A and 21B an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 will be described in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 21A and 21B only illustrate a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 showing the coupling components on one side thereof, it being understood that the opposite side thereof may have identical components and an identical structure.
- the configuration shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 is applicable to this embodiment except that the structure of the mounting components is different in this embodiment as will be described herein below.
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 comprises a support structure 1001 having a rear surface 1002 .
- a mirror is coupled to the support structure 1001 .
- the invention is not to be limited to a mirror being coupled to the support structure 1001 in all embodiments and other articles may be coupled to the support structure 1001 in other embodiments as described herein above.
- the mirror (or other article) is not illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B , but the description above regarding the coupling of the mirror may be applicable.
- the support structure 1001 may have the rear surface 1002 and an opposite front surface, and the mirror may be coupled to the front surface.
- the mirror may be directly or indirectly coupled to the front surface.
- the mirror may be coupled to a door that is hingedly coupled to the front surface of the support structure 1001 similar to conventional cabinets such as medicine cabinets or other storage cabinets with a mirrored door.
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 also comprises a first elongate member 1003 and a second elongate member (not illustrated) and a first pair of mounting elements 1004 and a second pair of mounting elements (not illustrated).
- the first pair of mounting elements 1004 is secured to the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 on a first side of a vertical centerline of the support structure 1000 and the second pair of mounting elements (not illustrated) is secured to the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 on a second side of the vertical centerline of the support structure 100 that is opposite the first side. Because only one side of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 is illustrated, only one of the elongate members and one of the pairs of mounting elements is illustrated.
- a second elongate member that is identical in structure to the first elongate member 1003 and a second pair of mounting elements that is identical in structure to the first pair of mounting elements 1004 are also included as a part of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 similar to that which has been described in the previous embodiments.
- the first pair of mounting elements 1004 (and also the second pair of mounting elements) is secured to the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 .
- the details of the first pair of mounting elements 1004 described below are applicable to the second pair of mounting elements that are not illustrated in the exemplified embodiment.
- the first pair of mounting elements 1004 comprises a first mounting element 1005 and a second mounting element 1006 . More specifically, in this embodiment the first mounting element 1005 is a first set screw that is screwed into the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 and the second mounting element 1006 is a second set screw that is screwed into the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 .
- first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 may be other types of fasteners, including nails, rivets, bolts, pins, barbs, or the like (see, for example, FIG. 26 and the related description below).
- the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 may be secured to the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 and then the first elongate member 1003 secured to the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 or the first elongate member 1003 may be placed adjacent/into contact with the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 and then the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 used to couple the first elongate member 1003 to the support structure 1001 .
- the first and second pairs of mounting elements 1004 may be secured to the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 by the factory during manufacturing or by the user during assembly after purchase.
- the first elongate member 1003 will be described below, it being understood that the same description is applicable to the second elongate member although it is not specifically illustrated in the figures for this particular embodiment.
- the first elongate member 1003 extends from a distal end 1007 to a proximal end 1008 and comprises a first surface 1009 and an opposite second surface 1010 .
- the first elongate member 1003 comprises a plurality of mounting elements 1011 for mounting the first elongate member 1003 to the support structure 1001 , and more specifically to the first pair of mounting elements 1004 .
- the first elongate member 1003 also comprises a first bracket 1012 for engaging a top edge of a door as has been described above.
- the plurality of mounting elements 1011 comprises four separate multi-width apertures 1011 a - d formed into the first elongate member 1003 in a vertically spaced apart manner.
- the multi-width apertures 1011 a - d comprise a larger width portion that permits the head/flange of the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 of the first pair of mounting elements 1004 to pass therethrough and a smaller width portion that prevents the head of the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 of the first pair of mounting elements 1004 from passing therethrough.
- the smaller width portions of the multi-width apertures 1011 a - d permit the stem portions of the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 of the first pair of mounting elements 1004 to pass therethrough.
- the first elongate member 1003 can be coupled to the first pair of mounting elements 1004 by inserting the heads of the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 of the first pair of mounting elements 1004 (which may be set screws or other fasteners as described above) through the larger width portion of two of the multi-width apertures 1011 a , 1011 b and then sliding the first elongate member 1003 relative to the support structure 1001 so that the stem portions of the first and second mounting elements 1005 , 1006 of the first pair of mounting elements 1004 (which may be set screws or other fasteners as described above) enter into the smaller width portion of the multi-width apertures 1011 a , 1011 b .
- first and second elongate members 1003 are separate components from the support structure 1001 .
- the first and second pairs of mounting elements 1004 are coupled to the rear surface 1002 of the support structure 1001 before the first and second elongate members 1003 are mounted to the support structure 1001 .
- the first and second elongate members 1003 are configured to be mounted to the support structure 1001 via engagement between the mounting elements 1011 of the first and second elongate members 1003 and the first and second pairs of mounting elements 1004 .
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100 generally comprises a support structure 1101 having a rear surface 1102 , first and second elongate members 1103 (only the first elongate member is illustrated), and first and second pairs of mounting elements 1104 (only the first pair of mounting elements is illustrated). Similar to the embodiments described above, a mirror or other flat article may be coupled to the support structure 1101 . As with the previously described embodiment of FIGS. 21A-21B , in this embodiment only one side of the apparatus 1100 and thus only one of the elongate members 1103 and one of the pairs of mounting elements 1104 is illustrated.
- first pair of mounting elements 1104 and the second pair of mounting elements are located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the support structure 1101 as described above.
- the first pair of mounting elements 1104 (and also the second pair of mounting elements) is secured to the rear surface 1102 of the support structure 1101 .
- the details of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 described below are applicable to the second pair of mounting elements.
- the first pair of mounting elements 1104 comprises a first mounting element 1105 and a second mounting element 1106 .
- the first and second mounting elements 1105 , 1106 of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 are vertically aligned and spaced apart from one another.
- the first mounting element 1105 is a D-ring located on the rear surface 1102 of the support structure 1101 and the second mounting element 1106 is a set screw that is screwed into the rear surface 1102 of the support structure 1101 .
- the D-ring may be coupled to the rear surface 1102 of the support structure 1101 via a bracket or plate member 1115 .
- the set screw may be replaced with other fasteners such as those described above with reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B .
- the apparatus 1100 may only include the first mounting element 1105 and not also the second mounting element 1106 , and thus the second mounting element 1106 (i.e., the set screw or equivalent) may be omitted in some embodiments.
- first mounting element 1105 of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 is horizontally aligned with the first mounting element of the second pair of mounting elements and the second mounting element 1106 of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 is horizontally aligned with the second mounting element of the second pair of mounting elements.
- the first elongate member 1103 extends from a proximal end 1107 to a distal end 1108 and comprises a first surface 1109 and an opposite second surface 1110 .
- the first elongate member 1103 comprises a plurality of mounting elements 1111 for mounting to the support structure 1101 (and more specifically for mounting to the first pair of mounting elements 1104 ) and a first bracket 1112 for engaging a top edge of a door.
- the first bracket 1112 is located at the distal end 1108 of the first elongate member 1103 .
- the plurality of mounting elements 1111 extend from the first surface 1109 of the first elongate member 1103 and the first bracket 1112 extends from the second surface 1110 of the first elongate member 1103 .
- the plurality of mounting elements 1111 comprises a first mounting element 1111 a , a second mounting element 1111 b , a third mounting element 1111 c , a fourth mounting element 1111 d , and a fifth mounting element 1111 e .
- the number of the mounting elements 1111 is not to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments and there may be more or less than that which is shown in the appended drawings.
- each of the first through fourth mounting elements 1111 a - d is a protrusion or hook that extends from the first surface 1109 of the first elongate member 1103 and the fifth mounting element 1111 e is an aperture, and more specifically a multi-width aperture, that is formed through the first elongate member 1103 .
- the fifth mounting element 1111 e is formed into the main portion of the first elongate member 1103 .
- the fifth mounting element 1111 e may be an aperture that is formed into one of the first through fourth mounting elements 1111 a - d .
- the first elongate member 1103 may comprise the first mounting element 1111 a , but it may be elongated relative to that which is illustrated so that it extends further vertically along the first elongate member 1103 .
- the aperture of the fifth mounting element 1111 e may be formed into the first mounting element 1111 a.
- the first mounting element 1111 a is located at the proximal end 1107 of the first elongate member 1103 .
- the fifth mounting element 1111 e is located between the first mounting element 1111 a and the proximal end 1108 of the first elongate member 1103 .
- the plurality of mounting elements 1111 may comprise only the first mounting element 1111 a and the fifth mounting element 1111 e . It should be appreciated that the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on is merely intended to distinguish between the different mounting elements and is not otherwise intended to limit the scope of the application or claims. Thus, the phrase “first mounting element,” “second mounting element,” etc. in the claims may refer to any of the mounting elements 1111 a - e described herein.
- the first elongate member 1103 is positioned adjacent the rear surface 1102 of the support structure 1101 so that the first mounting element 1111 a of the first elongate member 1103 is aligned with the first mounting element 1105 of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 and the fifth mounting element 1111 e of the first elongate member 1103 is aligned with the second mounting element 1106 of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 .
- any one of the first through fourth mounting elements 1111 a - d of the first elongate member 1103 may be aligned with the first mounting element 1105 depending on the desired hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100 .
- the positioning/location of the second mounting element 1106 of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 may simply need to be changed to ensure that it is aligned with the fifth mounting element 1111 e of the first elongate member 1103 depending on which of the first through fourth mounting elements 1111 a - d of the first elongate member 1103 is to be coupled to the first mounting element 1105 of the first pair of mounting elements 1104 .
- the second through fourth mounting elements 1111 b - d may be omitted so that there is only the first mounting element 1111 a and the fifth mounting element 1111 e and no adjustability in the hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100 .
- the first mounting element 1111 a of the first elongate member 1103 is engaged with the first mounting element 1105 such that the D-ring becomes positioned within a space between the first mounting element 1111 a and the first surface 1109 of the first elongate member 1103 .
- the second mounting element 1106 enters into the larger width portion of the second mounting element 1106 of the first elongate member 1103 .
- the first elongate member 1103 is slid upwardly/vertically so that the second mounting element 1106 enters into the smaller width portion of the second mounting element 1106 and the D-ring becomes hooked onto/engaged with the first mounting element 1111 a .
- This dual mount system prevents substantial movement of the first elongate member 1103 relative to the support structure 1101 .
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1200 generally comprises a support structure 1201 having a rear surface 1202 , first and second elongate members 1203 (only the first elongate member is illustrated, it being understood that the second elongate member is identical thereto), and first and second pairs of mounting elements 1204 (only the first pair of mounting elements is illustrated, it being understood that the second pair of mounting elements is identical but positioned on the opposite side of the support structure 1201 as has been discussed in the previous embodiments).
- FIGS. 23A-23D only illustrate a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1200 sufficient to show the mount system for mounting the first and second elongate members 1203 to the support structure 1201 via the first and second pairs of mounting elements 1204 .
- the first pair of mounting elements 1204 is coupled or secured to the rear surface 1202 of the support structure 1201 .
- the first pair of mounting elements 1204 comprises a first mounting element 1205 and a second mounting element 1206 .
- the first and second mounting elements 1205 , 1206 are illustrated as separate and distinct elements.
- the invention is not to be so limited and the first and second mounting elements 1205 , 1206 may be formed into a single mounting plate that is coupled to the rear surface 1202 of the support structure 1201 .
- Each of the first and second mounting elements 1205 , 1206 comprises a curved channel 1215 .
- the first elongate member 1203 extends from a distal end 1207 to a proximal end 1208 and comprises a first surface 1209 and an opposite second surface 1210 .
- the first elongate member 1204 comprises first and second mounting elements 1211 a , 1211 b extending from the first surface 1209 and a first bracket 1212 extending from the second surface 1210 .
- the first and second mounting elements 1211 a , 1211 b are hooks that are configured to cooperate with the first and second mounting elements 1205 , 1206 of the first pair of mounting elements 1204 to mount the first elongate member 1203 to the support structure 1201 .
- the first mounting element 1211 a is a hook that extends outwardly and downwardly towards the distal end 1207 of the first elongate member 1203 and the second mounting element 1206 is a hook that extends outwardly and upwardly towards the proximal end 1208 of the first elongate member 1203 .
- the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and both of the first and second mounting elements 1211 a , 1211 b of the first elongate member 1203 may extend outwardly and upwardly towards the proximal end 1208 in other embodiments.
- the first bracket 1212 is configured to engage a top edge of a door to support the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1200 from the door.
- FIGS. 23C and 23D illustrate the manner of mounting the first elongate member 1203 to the support structure 1201 via the first and second mounting elements 1205 , 1206 of the first pair of mounting elements 1204 .
- the first elongate member 1203 is positioned adjacent to the first and second mounting elements 1205 , 1206 of the first pair of mounting elements 1204 so that the first and second mounting elements 1211 a , 1211 b of the first elongate member 1203 are aligned with openings into the channels 1215 of the first and second mounting elements 1205 , 1206 of the first pair of mounting elements 1204 .
- the first elongate member 1203 is rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to the first and second surfaces 1209 , 1210 of the first elongate member 1203 so that the first mounting element 1211 a of the first elongate member 1203 enters into the channel 1215 of the first mounting element 1205 and the second mounting element 1211 b of the first elongate member 1203 enters into the channel 1215 of the second mounting element 1206 .
- the coupling is achieved via a rotational movement of the first elongate member 1203 relative to the support structure 1201 .
- the same rotational technique is used for mounting the second elongate member to the second pair of mounting elements.
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1300 generally comprises a support structure 1301 having a rear surface 1302 , first and second elongate members 1303 , 1313 , and first and second pairs of mounting elements 1304 , 1314 .
- FIGS. 24A-2 d C only illustrate a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1300 sufficient to show the mount system for mounting the first and second elongate members 1303 , 1313 to the support structure 1301 via the first and second pairs of mounting elements 1304 , 1314 .
- the first and second pairs of mounting elements 1304 , 1314 are coupled or secured to the rear surface 1302 of the support structure 1301 on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the support structure 1301 .
- the first pair of mounting elements 1304 comprises a first mounting element 1305 and a second mounting element 1306 and the second pair of mounting elements 1314 comprises a first mounting element 1315 and a second mounting element 1316 .
- the first and second mounting elements 1305 , 1306 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 are positioned on a single plate and the first and second mounting elements 1315 , 1316 of the first pair of mounting elements 1314 are positioned on a single plate.
- the invention is not to be limited in this regard in all embodiments.
- the first elongate member 1303 extends from a distal end 1307 to a proximal end 1308 and comprises a first surface 1309 and an opposite second surface 1310 .
- the first elongate member 1304 comprises first and second mounting elements 1311 a , 1311 b extending from the first surface 1309 and a first bracket 1312 extending from the second surface 1310 .
- more than two mounting elements may extend from the first surface 1309 of the first elongate member 1304 in other embodiments.
- the first and second mounting elements 1311 a , 1311 b are hooks that are configured to cooperate with the first and second mounting elements 1305 , 1306 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 to mount the first elongate member 1303 to the support structure 1301 .
- each of the first and second mounting elements 1311 a , 1311 b extends outwardly and upwardly towards the proximal end 1308 of the first elongate member 1303 .
- the second elongate member 1313 extends from a distal end 1317 to a proximal end 1318 and comprises a first surface 1319 and an opposite second surface 1320 .
- the second elongate member 1314 comprises first and second mounting elements 1321 a , 1321 b extending from the first surface 1319 and a second bracket 1322 extending from the second surface 1320 .
- the first and second mounting elements 1321 a , 1321 b are hooks that are configured to cooperate with the first and second mounting elements 1315 , 1316 of the second pair of mounting elements 1314 to mount the second elongate member 1313 to the support structure 1301 .
- each of the first and second mounting elements 1321 a , 1321 b extends outwardly and upwardly towards the proximal end 1308 of the first elongate member 1303 .
- the first and second brackets 1312 , 1322 are configured to engage a top edge of a door to support the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1300 from the door.
- first pair of mounting elements 1304 and specifically the first and second mounting elements 1305 , 1306 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 , will now be described, it being understood that the same description applies to the second pair of mounting elements 1314 .
- the first pair of mounting elements 1304 is formed into a plate that is coupled to the rear surface 1302 of the support member 1301 .
- the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the first pair of mounting elements 1304 may be formed directly into the rear surface 1302 of the support member 1301 or each mounting element 1305 , 1306 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 may be formed into separate plates that are coupled to the rear surface 1302 of the support member 1301 .
- the first mounting element 1305 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 comprises an entry region 1330 and a nesting region 1331 .
- the second mounting element 1306 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 comprises an entry region 1332 and a nesting region 1333 .
- the entry regions 1330 , 1332 are vertically oriented channels that permit the first and second mounting elements 1311 a , 1311 b of the first elongate member 1303 to pass therethrough.
- the nesting regions 1331 , 1333 are horizontally oriented channels.
- the first elongate member 1303 is coupled to the support member 1301 (and more specifically to the first pair of mounting elements 1304 ) via a horizontal sliding motion.
- first the first and second mounting elements 1311 a , 1311 b are aligned with and inserted into the entry regions 1330 , 1332 of the first and second mounting elements 1305 , 1306 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 .
- the first elongate arm 1303 is slid horizontally relative to the support structure 1301 so that the first and second mounting elements 1311 a , 1311 b slide horizontally along/within the nesting regions 1331 , 1333 of the first and second mounting elements 1305 , 1306 of the first pair of mounting elements 1304 .
- this embodiment utilizes a horizontal sliding motion between the first elongate arm 1303 and the support structure 1301 to mount the first elongate arm 1303 to the support structure 1301 via the first pair of mounting elements 1304 .
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 generally comprises a support structure 1401 having a rear surface 1402 and a mirror or other flat article coupled to the support structure 1401 , first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 , and a mounting bracket 1404 secured or coupled to the rear surface 1402 of the support structure 1401 .
- the first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 are similar in structure to the previously described first and second elongate members.
- the first elongate member 1403 comprises a plurality of mounting elements 1411 (a first mounting element 1411 a , a second mounting element 1411 b , and a third mounting element 1411 c ) and a first bracket 1412 .
- the second elongate member 1413 comprises a plurality of mounting elements 1421 (a first mounting element 1421 a , a second mounting element 1421 b , and a third mounting element 1421 c ) and a second bracket 1422 .
- the mounting bracket 1404 comprises first portions 1405 that are secured directly to the rear surface 1402 of the support structure 1401 and second portions 1406 that are raised relative to the rear surface 1402 of the support structure 1401 .
- first portions 1405 of the mounting bracket 1404 are in direct surface contact with the rear surface 1402 of the support structure 1401 to couple the mounting bracket 1404 to the support structure 1401 and the second portions 1406 of the mounting bracket 1404 are spaced apart from the rear surface 1402 of the support structure 1401 .
- the mounting bracket 1404 extends horizontally along the rear surface 1402 of the support structure 1401 transverse to a vertical centerline of the support structure 1401 .
- the first portions 1405 of the mounting bracket 1404 are on opposing ends of the mounting bracket 1404 and the second portion 1406 of the mounting bracket 1404 extends between the first portions 1405 of the mounting bracket.
- FIG. 25A illustrates the first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 detached from the mounting bracket 1404 and FIG. 25B illustrates the first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 attached or mounted to the mounting bracket 1404 .
- To mount the first elongate arm 1403 to the mounting bracket 1404 one of the first, second, and third mounting elements 1411 a - c of the first elongate arm 1403 (which may be hooks as described herein above) is aligned with a bottom edge of the raised portion 1406 of the mounting bracket 1404 .
- the first elongate member 1403 is then slid vertically to trap the raised portion 1406 of the mounting bracket 1404 within the slot or space formed by the mounting element 1411 a - c being used.
- Any of the first, second, and third mounting elements 1411 a - c may be used depending on the desired hanging height of the support structure 1401 . Specifically, if the first mounting element 1411 a is used, the support structure 1401 will hang lower and if the third mounting element 1411 c is used the support structure will hang higher.
- the same technique is used for mounting the second elongate member 1413 to the mounting bracket 1404 . In FIG. 25B , the second mounting elements 1411 b , 1421 b of the first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 are used in the mounting.
- a second mounting bracket may also be coupled to the rear surface 1402 of the support structure 1401 at a vertical position above or below the mounting bracket 1404 .
- two of the mounting elements 1411 a - c , 1421 a - c of the first and second elongate embers 1403 , 1413 will engage with mounting brackets simultaneously, resulting in a more secure attachment between the first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 and the support structure 1401 , allowing less potential movement of the support structure 1401 when it is hanging from a door as described herein above.
- FIG. 25C illustrates an embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1500 that is similar to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 of FIGS. 25A and 25B except as described herein below.
- the mounting bracket 1504 has two raised portions 1406 a , 1406 b and three non-raised portions 1405 a - c .
- the non-raised portion 1405 c is positioned and extends in between the two raised portions 1406 a , 1406 b .
- the raised portions 1406 a , 1406 b are reduced in length relative to the raised portion 1406 of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 . This will reduce horizontal sliding of the first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 when the first and second elongate members 1403 , 1413 are mounted to the mounting bracket 1504 .
- FIGS. 25D and 25E illustrate still another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1600 that is similar to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 of FIGS. 25A and 25B except as described herein below.
- the mounting bracket 1604 is a generally flat, planar structure extending across the width of the support structure 1401 .
- one of the mounting elements 1411 a - c of the first elongated member 1403 is inserted into the cutout 1606 a , and then the first elongated member 1403 is slid upwardly.
- one of the mounting elements 1421 a - c of the second elongated member 1413 is inserted into the cutout 1606 b , and then the second elongated member 1413 is slid upwardly.
- FIG. 26 another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1700 is illustrated.
- the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1700 is similar to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 of FIGS. 21A and 21B except that instead of using set screws as the mounting elements that are secured to the rear surface 1702 of the support structure 1701 and to which the first and second elongated members 1703 , 1713 are mounted to the support structure 1701 , barbs 1705 a , 1705 b , 1706 a , 1706 b are used.
- first and second elongated members 1703 , 1713 may be aligned with the rear surface 1702 of the support structure 1701 as desired, and then the barbs may be inserted into through-holes (i.e., mounting elements) formed into the first and second elongated members 1703 , 1713 .
- the material and construction of the barbs 1705 a , 1705 b , 1706 a , 1706 b and the material of the support structure 1701 may be such that the barbs 1705 a , 1705 b , 1706 a , 1706 b are able to be press fit into the support structure 1701 with the force of a user's hand or thumb/fingers.
- the rear surface 1702 of the support structure 1701 may include pre-drilled holes into which the barbs 1705 a , 1705 b , 1706 a , 1706 b may be press-fit to secure the first and second elongate members 1703 , 1713 to the support structure 1701 .
- This embodiment may be used in combination with a plate (not shown) that is affixed to the rear surface 1702 of the support structure 1701 or without such a plate as shown in the exemplified embodiment.
- any type of fastener may be used.
- the elongated members 1703 , 1713 may be secured to the rear surface 1702 of the support structure 1701 using adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like.
- FIGS. 27-35D all relate to the bracket member 2000 and its use. Specifically, FIGS. 27-29 illustrate the bracket member 2000 by itself, FIGS. 30-32D illustrate the bracket member supporting two distinct products, and FIGS. 33-35D illustrate the bracket member supporting two distinct products whereby at least one of the products in FIGS. 33-35D is different than one of the products in FIGS. 30-32D .
- This section of the application will begin with a description of the bracket member 2000 and will follow with a description of how various products or support structures are mounted to the bracket member 2000 and how the bracket member 2000 is mounted to a door.
- the bracket member 2000 is configured to engage a top edge of a door to mount the bracket member 2000 to the door in a similar manner to that which has been described above.
- the bracket member 2000 comprises a top portion 2001 extending from a first end 2002 to a second end 2003 , a first portion 2004 extending along a first axis A-A from the first end 2002 of the top portion 2001 to a distal edge 2005 , and a second portion 2006 extending along a second axis B-B from the second edge 2003 of the top portion 2001 to a distal edge 2007 .
- each of the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 extend perpendicularly from the top portion 2001 , although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments.
- the bracket member 2000 is in the shape of a “U” although one of the legs of the “U” is longer than the other as discussed below.
- the first portion 2004 has a first length L 1 measured from the top portion 2001 to the distal edge 2005 and the second portion 2006 has a second length L 2 measured from the top portion 2001 to the distal edge 2007 .
- the first length L 1 is greater than the second length L 2 .
- the first length L 1 may be between 450 mm and 470 mm and the second length may be between 340 mm and 360 mm. Of course, lengths outside of these ranges are possible in other embodiments as would be understood by persons skilled in the art.
- the first length L 1 may be approximately 100 mm-120 mm greater than the second length L 2 .
- a ratio of L 1 :L 2 is between 1.2:1 and 1.4:1, and more specifically approximately 1.3:1.
- the top portion 2001 of the bracket member 2000 extends along an axis that is generally perpendicular to the first and second axes A-A, B-B. Furthermore, the first and second axes A-A, B-B, and hence also the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 , are generally parallel to one another. The first and second portions 2004 , 2006 are spaced apart from one another along their length thereby forming a gap 2008 that is configured to receive a portion of a door when the bracket member 2000 is mounted to the door. Specifically, the bracket member 2000 is mounted to a door by positioning the top portion 2001 of the bracket member 2000 adjacent a top edge of the door so that the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 extend along the front and rear surfaces of the door, respectively.
- the bracket member 2000 can slide side-to-side along the door but cannot be removed from the door without lifting the bracket member 2000 until the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 are above the top edge of the door or sliding the bracket member 2000 until it slides off the free edge of the door (opposite the hinges).
- the gap 2008 between the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 has a constant width measured between the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 (which is generally dictated by the length of the top portion 2001 of the bracket member 2000 measured between the first and second ends 2002 , 2003 ).
- the exact width of the gap 2008 is not limiting of the present invention but may be selected depending on the thickness of the door to which the bracket member 2000 is to be mounted (approximately 35-55 mm in some embodiments).
- the bracket member 2000 may be formed of a material that permits the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 to each be pivoted/rotated relative to the top portion 2001 , which would enable the gap 2008 to increase or decrease in width.
- the bracket member 2000 is a generally U-shaped member such that when it is mounted to the top edge of a door, the top portion 2001 is adjacent to and in contact with the top edge of the door, the first portion 2004 is adjacent to and possibly in contact with one of the major surfaces (front or rear) of the door, and the second portion 2006 is adjacent to and possibly in contact with the other of the major surfaces (front or rear) of the door.
- the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 comprises a front surface 2009 and an opposite rear surface 2010 .
- the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 comprise a front surface 2011 and an opposite rear surface 2012 .
- the rear surface 2010 of the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 faces the rear surface 2012 of the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 , although the rear surfaces 2010 , 2012 are separated by the gap 2008 as described herein.
- the rear surfaces 2010 , 2012 of the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 face and/or are in contact with the door while the front surfaces 2009 , 2011 of the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 face away from the door.
- a first plurality of hooks 2020 extend from the front surface 2009 of the first portion 2004 .
- the first plurality of hooks 2020 are arranged in a spaced apart manner along the first axis A-A.
- the first plurality of hooks 2020 comprises a first hook 2021 adjacent to but spaced apart from the distal end 2005 of the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 by a first distance D 1 , a second hook 2022 adjacent to but spaced apart from the first hook 2021 by a second distance D 2 , and a third hook 2023 adjacent to but spaced apart from the second hook 2022 by a third distance D 3 .
- none of the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 is located at the distal end 2005 of the first portion 2004 , but rather all are spaced some distance along the first axis A-A from the distal end 2004 .
- the second and third distances D 2 , D 3 are the same and are greater than the first distance D 1 .
- the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the spacing between the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 may be different in other embodiments.
- the exemplified embodiment includes three hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 in the first plurality of hooks 2020
- the invention is not to be so limited and the first plurality of hooks 2020 may include two hooks or more than three hooks in various alternative embodiments.
- just one hook may extend from the front surface 2009 of the first portion 2004 .
- the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 comprises a second plurality of hooks 2030 extending from the front surface 2011 of the second portion 2006 .
- the second plurality of hooks 2030 are arranged in a spaced apart manner along the second axis B-B.
- the second plurality of hooks 2030 comprises a fourth hook 2031 adjacent to but spaced apart from the distal end 2007 of the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 by a fourth distance D 4 , a fifth hook 2032 adjacent to but spaced apart from the fourth hook 2031 by a fifth distance D 5 , and a sixth hook 2033 adjacent to but spaced apart from the fifth hook 2032 by a sixth distance D 6 .
- the second plurality of hooks 2030 may include two hooks or more than three hooks, and in some embodiments there may simply be a single hook rather than a plurality of hooks extending from the second portion 2006 .
- the fifth and sixth distances D 5 , D 6 are the same and are greater than the fourth distance D 4 .
- the first and fourth distances D 1 , D 4 are the same and the second, third, fifth, and sixth distances D 2 , D 3 , D 5 , D 6 are the same.
- the first and fourth distances D 1 , D 4 are in a range of approximately 12 mm-15 mm whereas the second, third, fifth, and sixth distances D 2 , D 3 , D 5 , D 6 are in a range of 40 mm-50 mm.
- the length of the hooks (measured from a bottom-most edge of the hook to a top-most edge of the hook in the direction of the axes A-A, B-B) is between 10-15 mm.
- these ranges are provided with reference to one possible embodiment and distances/spacing between the hooks outside of these noted ranges are possible in other embodiments.
- the invention is not to be limited in all embodiments by the specific spacing illustrated in the drawings and described herein and thus the spacing between the hooks 2031 , 2032 , 2033 may be different in other embodiments.
- the exemplified embodiment includes three hooks 2031 , 2032 , 2033 in the second plurality of hooks 2030 , the invention is not to be so limited and the second plurality of hooks 2030 may include two hooks or more than three hooks in various alternative embodiments (or a single hooks).
- Each of the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033 has a width measured along a width of the first or second portion 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 from which it extends that is less than the width of the first or second portion 2004 , 2006 .
- the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033 do not span the entire width of the bracket member 2000 , but rather are centrally located (in the width direction) within the first or second portion 2004 , 2006 from which it extends.
- the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033 are formed by punching out a portion of the first and/or second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 and subsequent bending as described above.
- the width of the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033 must be less than the width of the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 .
- each of the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033 is similar in shape and function to the hooks 161 , 162 described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- the details of the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033 will not be further described herein, it being understood that the description already made previously herein is applicable. Specifically, despite the description of the hooks 161 , 162 being made with regard to a different embodiment, the details remain the same and thus are equally applicable to this embodiment.
- the hooks of the first and second pluralities of hooks 2020 , 2030 are generally not aligned with one another. In fact, although there is some slight overlap between one of the hooks of the first plurality of hooks 2020 and one of the hooks of the second plurality of hooks 2030 as discussed below, none of the hooks of the first plurality of hooks 2020 is perfectly aligned with any of the hooks of the second plurality of hooks 2030 . Of course, in other embodiments alignment of the hooks of the first and second pluralities of hooks 2020 , 2030 may occur.
- each of the first and second hooks 2021 , 2022 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 is spaced a greater distance from the top portion 2001 of the bracket member 2000 than each of the second plurality of hooks 2030 .
- first and second hooks 2021 , 2022 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 are located at a position on the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 that extends beyond the distal end 2007 of the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 in a direction of the first and second axes A-A, B-B.
- the third hook 2023 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 is transversely aligned with the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 .
- the third hook 2023 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 is spaced a greater distance from the top portion 2001 than each of the fifth and sixth hooks 2032 , 2033 of the second plurality of hooks 2030 and a lesser distance from the top portion 2001 than the fourth hook 2031 of the second plurality of hooks 2030 .
- the fourth hook 2031 is located further from the top portion 2001 of the bracket member 2000 than the third hook 2023 .
- a plane RP 1 that is orthogonal to the first and second axes A-A, B-B exists that intersects the third hook 2023 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 and the fourth hook 2031 of the second plurality of hooks 2030 .
- the third hook 2023 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 and the fourth hook 2031 of the second plurality of hooks 2030 are not in perfect transverse alignment, but they have some overlap which results in their both being intersected by the plane RP 1 .
- the third hook 2023 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 is closer to the top portion 2001 than the fourth hook 2031 of the second plurality of hooks 2030 .
- an over-the-door hanging apparatus 2500 is illustrated that utilizes two of the bracket members 2000 each coupled to first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 for supporting the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 by a door 10 .
- the invention is not to be so limited and a single one of the bracket members 2000 may be used by itself without a second bracket member 2000 while still achieving the same function as described herein, which is to hang the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 from the door.
- more than two of the bracket members 2000 may also be used to support each of the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 in still other embodiments.
- the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 may be coupled to the bracket members 2000 in any one of the manners as has been described herein above.
- the invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiment shown in the drawings but the entire disclosure set forth in this application may be applicable to this embodiment, particularly with regard to the details of the mounting elements that are coupled to the support structures 2100 , 2200 and the manner of coupling the bracket members 2000 to the support structures 2100 , 2200 .
- the first support structure 2100 comprises a front surface 2101 and an opposite rear surface 2102 .
- the first support structure 2100 extends along a longitudinal axis C-C.
- a first mounting element 2110 is coupled to the rear surface 2102 of the first support structure 2100 .
- the second support structure 2200 comprises a front surface 2201 and an opposite rear surface 2202 .
- the second support structure 2200 extends along a longitudinal axis D-D.
- a second mounting element 2210 is coupled to the rear surface 2202 of the second support structure 2200 .
- a third mounting element (not visible in the drawings) having an identical structure to the first mounting element 2110 is also coupled to the rear surface 2102 of the first support structure 2110 and a fourth mounting element 2211 having an identical structure to the second mounting element 2210 is coupled to the rear surface 2202 of the second support structure 2200 .
- the first and third mounting elements 2110 are coupled to the rear surface 2102 of the first support structure 2100 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis C-C and the second and fourth mounting elements 2210 , 2211 are coupled to the rear surface 2202 of the second support structure 2200 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis D-D.
- the first and second mounting elements 2110 , 2210 are plates having apertures therein that are aligned with apertures in the rear surfaces 2102 , 2202 of the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 .
- the mounting elements 2210 , 2210 , 2210 are similar to the mounting plates 120 , 220 described previously herein.
- one or more of the hooks 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033 of the bracket members 2000 may be inserted through the apertures in the plates to mount the support structures 2100 , 2200 to the bracket members 2000 as has been described herein above with specific reference to FIGS.
- any of the alternative mounting mechanisms can be used as the first and second mounting elements 2110 , 2210 in place of the plate such as the plate segments 621 of FIG. 10 , the mounting plates 820 of FIGS. 15A and 15B , the mounting elements 1104 of FIG. 22A , the mounting elements 1205 , 1206 of FIG. 23A , the mounting elements 1304 of FIG. 24A , and the mounting brackets 1404 , 1504 , 1604 of FIGS. 25A-25E .
- the entirety of the disclosure set forth in this document is applicable to this particular embodiment.
- bracket member 2000 has two elongated portions that are each configured to support a product so that the bracket member 2000 can support two products rather than just one as with the embodiments previously described herein.
- the manner in which the products are mounted to the bracket member 2000 is the same.
- a writing surface 2120 is coupled to the front surface 2101 of the first support structure 2100 . Stated another way, the writing surface 2120 is exposed at the front surface 2101 of the first support structure 2100 so that a user can write on the writing surface 2120 .
- the first support structure 2100 is essentially a frame or other type of structure that is configured to support the writing surface 2120 . Collectively, the first support structure 2100 and the writing surface 2120 form a first product.
- the writing surface 2120 may be a chalkboard, a blackboard, a white board or any other type of writing surface on which a user can write with a marking instrument and then erase for reuse.
- the writing surface 2120 may not be reusable in other embodiments but may instead be a pad of paper or the like that is coupled to the first support structure 2100 and can be written on but generally not erased (unless using pencil).
- a mirror 2220 is coupled to the front surface 2201 of the second support structure 2200 .
- the mirror 2220 is exposed at the front surface 2201 of the second support structure 2200 so that a user can view themselves in the mirror as desired.
- the second support structure 2200 is essentially a frame or other type of structure that is configured to support the mirror 2220 .
- the second support structure 2200 and the mirror 2220 form a second product.
- the first support structure 2100 is mounted to the (or each when more than one is used as shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B ) bracket member 2000 through slidable mating between one of the mounting elements 2110 coupled to the rear surface 2102 of the first support structure 2100 and at least one of the first plurality of hooks 2020 of the bracket member 2000 .
- the second support structure 2200 is mounted to the (or each when more than one is used as shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B ) bracket member 2000 through slidable mating between one of the mounting elements 2210 coupled to the rear surface 2202 of the second support structure 2200 and at least one of the second plurality of hooks 2030 of the bracket member 2000 .
- first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 are mounted to the same bracket member 2000 , and possibly to more than one bracket member 2000 such as is shown in the exemplified embodiment.
- Multiple bracket members 2000 may be used for mounting each of the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 to provide added support, but this is not required in all embodiments and a single bracket member 2200 may be used as would be appreciated by persons skilled in the art. If a single bracket member 2200 is used to support the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 the mounting elements 2110 , 2210 may be located on the longitudinal axes C-C, D-D of the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 to facilitate a proper mounting orientation. There are no tools required to achieve the mounting of the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 to the bracket member 2000 as has been described in great detail herein.
- FIG. 31 illustrates the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 mounted to the bracket member 2000 and the bracket member 2000 mounted to a door 10 .
- the rear surfaces 2010 , 2012 of the first and second portions 2004 , 2006 of the bracket member 2000 are adjacent to and/or in contact with the opposing major surfaces (i.e., front and rear surfaces) of the door 10 and the top portion 2001 of the bracket member 2000 is adjacent to and/or in contact with the top edge of the door 10 .
- the first support structure 2100 is mounted to the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 via at least one of the first plurality of hooks 2020 and the second support structure 2200 is mounted to the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 via at least one of the second plurality of hooks 2030 .
- This mounting technique results in the writing surface 2120 being exposed on a first side 11 of the door 10 and the mirror 2220 being exposed on the second opposite side 12 of the door 10 .
- first support structure 2100 (comprising the writing surface 2120 ) is illustrated and described as being coupled to the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 and the second support structure 2200 (comprising the mirror 2220 ) is illustrated and described as being coupled to the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000
- the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Thus, this may be flipped in alternative embodiments if so desired so that the first support structure 2100 is coupled to the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 and the second support structure 2200 is coupled to the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 .
- products other than writing surfaces and mirrors may be mounted to the bracket member 2000 in other embodiments, one such embodiment being described herein with reference to FIGS. 33-35D .
- Another product type may be a picture frame, an electronic display, or the like. Really any type of product desired to be hung from/mounted to a surface of a door without putting holes into the door can be used. Moreover, in some embodiments the same product may be hung from both the first and second sides of the door 11 , 12 (a mirror, a writing surface, or some other type of product on both opposing sides of the door).
- FIGS. 32A and 32B are illustrations of the first surface 11 of the door 10 having the bracket member 2000 mounted thereon with the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 coupled to the bracket member 2000 .
- FIGS. 32C and 32D discussed below. Comparing FIG. 32A to FIG. 32B , these figures illustrate the manner in which the hanging height of the first support structure 2100 may be modified depending on which of the first plurality of hooks 2020 the first mounting element 2110 of the first support structure 2100 is coupled to. Specifically, in FIG.
- the mounting element 2110 of the first support structure 2100 is coupled to the first hook 2021 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 .
- the mounting element 2110 of the first support structure 2100 is coupled to the second and/or the third hook 2022 , 2023 of the first plurality of hooks 2020 .
- the vertical height of the first support structure 2100 on the door 10 may be modified.
- the writing surface 2120 is exposed at the first surface 11 of the door 10 so that a user can write thereon as desired.
- FIG. 32C to FIG. 32D these figures illustrate the manner in which the hanging height of the second support structure 2200 may be modified depending in which of the second plurality of hooks 2030 the mounting element 2210 of the second support structure 2200 is coupled to.
- the mounting element 2210 of the second support structure 2200 is coupled to the fourth hook 2031 of the second plurality of hooks 2030 .
- the mounting element 2210 of the second support structure 2200 is coupled to the fifth and/or the sixth hook 2032 , 2033 of the second plurality of hooks 2030 .
- the vertical height of the second support structure 2200 on the door 10 may be modified.
- the mirror 2220 is exposed at the second surface 12 of the door 10 so that a user can view themselves in the mirror 2220 as desired.
- the invention may be directed to a kit that comprises one or two (or more as necessary) of the bracket members 2000 , the first support structure 2100 comprising the writing surface (i.e., a first product), and the second support structure 2200 comprising the mirrored surface (i.e., a second product).
- the first support structure 2100 would include the writing surface 2120 and the first mounting element 2110 and the second support structure 2200 would include the mirror 2220 and the second mounting element 2210 .
- these components may be packaged together into a singular item that is sold at a retail store. A user can purchase the item and very easily hang both the first and second support structures 2100 , 2200 from a door without any tools or hardware required.
- FIGS. 33-35D an over-the-door hanging apparatus 3000 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- This embodiment is the same as the previously described embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 30A-32D except that the first support structure/product has been modified.
- the first product included the first support structure 2100 , the first mounting element 2110 and the writing surface 2120 .
- the first product is an organizational item 3100 that includes a basket 3101 , a hanger 3102 , clips 3103 , hooks 3104 , and mounting elements 3105 .
- the organizational item 3100 may be a bathroom or shower valet, a bathroom or shower caddy, a set of shelves, or similar type of product.
- the organizational item 3100 may be any type of product that assists a user in organizing his or her belongings.
- a user can store various items in the basket 3101 , can use the hanger 3102 and clips 3103 to hang clothing, and can use the hooks 3104 to hang clothing, bags, purses, hats, or the like.
- the organizational item 3100 generally comprises a wire frame and includes the mounting elements 3105 that are configured for coupling/mounting to the first plurality of hooks 2020 of the first portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 (or to the second plurality of hooks 2030 of the second portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000 ).
- FIGS. 35A and 35B illustrate the organizational item 3100 mounted to the bracket member 2000 at two different elevations/heights with the organizational item 3100 being used to store and hold several of a user's belongings.
- the hanging height of the organizational item 3100 may be readily changed by changing the particularly hook to which the mounting elements 3105 of the organizational item 3100 are coupled.
- FIG. 35A the organizational item 3100 is hung at a lower height than in FIG. 35B .
- the organizational item 3100 may be hung at a lower height when the user is smaller, such as a child, and the organizational item 3100 may be hung at a higher height when the user is taller, such as an adult.
- the invention is not to be limited by the products shown in these drawings and described herein in all embodiments.
- the same product may be mounted on the opposing sides of the door or any various combinations of different products may be mounted on opposing sides of the door.
- the products may be writing surfaces, mirrors, organizational items, shelving units, picture frames, posters, other artwork, clothing hanging units, or any other type of product desired to be hung from a door. Unless specifically recited as such in the claims, the invention is not to be limited by the particular product being mounted on the bracket member 2000 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Support Devices For Sliding Doors (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus for hanging an article from a door. In one aspect, the apparatus may comprise a support structure comprising a rear surface and a mirror supported by the support structure. First and second mounting plates may be secured to the rear surface of the support structure that each comprise a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge. First and second elongate bracket members, each comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket may be provided. The support structure may be mounted to the first and second elongate bracket members, at least in part, by the first mounting elements slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first and second mounting plates respectively.
Description
- The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/475,963, filed Mar. 31, 2017, which in turn is: (1) a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/297,291, filed Oct. 19, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,622,600; and (2) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/405,325, filed Oct. 7, 2016.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/297,291, filed Oct. 19, 2016, is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/084,102, filed Mar. 29, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,480,350, which in turn: (1) claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/216,703, filed Sep. 10, 2015; and (2) is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/747,656, filed Jun. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,867.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/747,656, filed Jun. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,386,867, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/300,834, filed Jun. 10, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,627, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/028,839, filed Sep. 17, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,644, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/915,747, filed Oct. 29, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,627, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/334,914, filed May 14, 2010.
- The entirety of each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to an over-the-door hanging apparatus.
- Mirrors are used often in everyday life. For example, the first thing that a person does after waking up is go to the bathroom and look at him or herself in the mirror. Furthermore, people also typically look at themselves in the mirror prior to leaving the house to make sure that they are pleased with their appearance. A very common room in the home for a person to desire to have a mirror is in the bedroom or the bathroom. However, there is not always a good place to put a mirror in those rooms. Therefore, it has been known to hang a mirror on a wall or from a door by using adhesives, screws, nails or hangers. Doors have been widely used to support mirrors because they provide convenient available space, because they may be removed to facilitate mounting of the mirror, and because they avoid the necessity of placing wall anchors in plaster or drywall.
- In addition to mirrors, people are often desirous to hang other articles or objects from a door in order to conserve space while still enjoying the benefits of the article. For example, people may desire to hang a painting, picture or some other framed article from a door. Depending on the person's needs and the space that the person has available, a person may desire to hang any object that may otherwise be hung or attached to a wall from a door instead.
- Typical hangers that enable a user to hang a mirror or other article from a door require a user to assemble the hanger onto the rear of the mirror or other article by screwing, gluing or otherwise attaching the hanger directly onto the rear of the mirror or other article. This type of an installation requires a screw driver or glue, which a user or consumer does not always have available. Furthermore, in the case of a screw-type assembly, even if the user has a screwdriver, the user may find it difficult to force the screw into the rear of the mirror or other article because the mirror or other article typically does not have pilot or pre-drilled holes.
- Thus, a need exists for an apparatus and/or system that can be used to hang a mirror, piece of art, or other article from a door without the need for a screw driver or any other tools. A need also exists for an apparatus and/or system that enables a user to hang a mirror, piece of art, or other article from a door in a matter of seconds without the need for excessive physical force and with the ability to adjust its hanging height.
- The present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to an over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: a mirror apparatus comprising a rear surface; a first channel formed into the rear surface of the mirror apparatus; a second channel formed into the rear surface of the mirror apparatus, the first and second channels located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the mirror apparatus; a first flat plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the first flat plate secured to the rear surface of the mirror apparatus by a plurality of fasteners, the first flat plate overlying a first portion of the first channel and forming a passageway into a second portion of the first channel via the first aperture of the first flat plate; a second flat plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the second flat plate secured to the rear surface of the mirror apparatus by a plurality of fasteners, the second flat plate overlying a first portion of the second channel and forming a passageway into a second portion of the second channel via the first aperture of the second flat plate; a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the first elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door; a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the second elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the second elongate bracket member for slidably engaging the top edge of the door; the mirror apparatus mounted to the first elongate bracket member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate, the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member extending through the first aperture of the first flat plate and into the first channel; and the mirror apparatus mounted to the second elongate bracket member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate, the first mounting element of the second elongate member extending through the first aperture of the second flat plate and into the second channel.
- In another aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: a support structure comprising a rear surface; a mirror coupled to the support structure; a first flat plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure by a plurality of fasteners; a second flat plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure by a plurality of fasteners, the first and second flat plates located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the over-the-door hanging apparatus; a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door; a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the second elongate bracket member for slidably engaging the top edge of the door; the support structure mounted to the first elongate bracket member by first and second connection points between the first flat plate and the first elongate bracket member that maintain the front surface of the first elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the first flat plate, wherein the first connection point between the first flat plate and the first elongate bracket member is accomplished by slidable mating between a first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and a first mounting element of the first flat plate; and the support structure mounted to the second elongate bracket member by first and second connection points between the second flat plate and the second elongate bracket member that maintain the front surface of the second elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the second flat plate, wherein the first connection point between the second flat plate and the second elongate bracket member is accomplished by slidable mating between a first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and a first mounting element of the second flat plate.
- In yet another aspect, the invention can be an over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising: a support structure comprising a rear surface; a mirror supported by the support structure; a first mounting plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure; a second mounting plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure; the first and second mounting plates located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the over-the-door hanging apparatus; a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the first elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door; a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the second elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the second elongate bracket member for slidably engaging the top edge of the door; the support structure mounted to the first elongate member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first mounting plate; and the support structure mounted to the second elongate bracket member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second mounting plate.
- Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
- The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a top portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3a is a side view of an elongate member of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the elongate member ofFIG. 3 a. -
FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4b is a front view of the mounting plate ofFIG. 4 a. -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 1 illustrating the connection between the elongate member and the mounting plate. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 7 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. -
FIG. 10 is a rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 1 hanging from a top edge of a door. -
FIG. 12 is a perspective rear view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 13 is a close-up view of a top portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14a is a side view of an elongate member of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14b is a perspective view of the elongate member ofFIG. 14 a. -
FIG. 15a is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 15b is a front view of the mounting plate ofFIG. 15 a. -
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 17a is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 showing the connection between the elongate member and the mounting plate. -
FIG. 17b is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 showing the connection between the mounting plate and a door with the elongate member omitted in accordance with an alternative embodiment. -
FIG. 18a is a side view of an elongate member of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. -
FIG. 18b is a rear perspective view of the elongate member ofFIG. 18 a. -
FIG. 19a is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. -
FIG. 19b is a front view of the mounting plate ofFIG. 19 a. -
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional schematic of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 12 showing the connection between the elongate member ofFIG. 18a and the mounting plate ofFIG. 19 a. -
FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state. -
FIG. 21B is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 21A with the elongate member and the mounting element in an attached state. -
FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state. -
FIG. 22B is a side view of the elongate member ofFIG. 22A . -
FIG. 22C is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 22A with the elongate member and the mounting element in an attached state. -
FIG. 23A is a plan view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state. -
FIG. 23B is a side view of the elongate member ofFIG. 23A . -
FIGS. 23C and 23D are plan views of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 22A illustrating the manner of coupling the elongate member to the mounting element. -
FIG. 24A is a plan view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state. -
FIGS. 24B and 24C are plan views of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 24A illustrating the manner of coupling the elongate member to the mounting element. -
FIG. 25A is a perspective view of a portion of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention with an elongate member and a mounting element in a detached state. -
FIG. 25B is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 25A with the elongate member and the mounting element in the attached state. -
FIG. 25C is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 25B illustrating an alternative embodiment of the mounting element. -
FIG. 25D is a perspective view of the portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 25A illustrating still another alternative embodiment of the mounting element with the elongate member and the mounting element in a detached state. -
FIG. 25E is a perspective view of the over-the-door hanging apparatus ofFIG. 25D with the mounting element and the elongate member in an attached state. -
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an over-the-door hanging apparatus in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention with one elongate member in an attached state and another elongate member in a detached state. -
FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a bracket member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 . -
FIG. 29 is a side view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 . -
FIG. 30A is a front perspective view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 supporting first and second support structures. -
FIG. 30B is a rear perspective view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 supporting the first and second support structures. -
FIG. 31 is a side view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 supporting the first and second support structures. -
FIG. 32A is a front view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the first support structure at a first hanging height. -
FIG. 32B is a front view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the first support structure at a second hanging height. -
FIG. 32C is a rear view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the second support structure at a first hanging height. -
FIG. 32D is a rear view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 mounted to a door and supporting the second support structure at a second hanging height. -
FIG. 33 is a rear view of the bracket member ofFIG. 27 supporting an accessory and the second support structures in accordance with an alternative embodiment. -
FIG. 34 is a side view of the bracket member ofFIG. 33 mounted to a door and supporting the accessory and the second support structure. -
FIG. 35A is a front view of the bracket member ofFIG. 33 mounted to a door and supporting the accessory at a first hanging height. -
FIG. 35B is a front view of the bracket member ofFIG. 33 mounted to a door and supporting the accessory at a second hanging height. - The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
- The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. Where there is a conflict in the language used throughout the specification, the definition and use of the terminology in the section of the specification describing embodiments that are relevant to the particular claims at issue controls.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1-2 concurrently, a first embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is illustrated. The over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 generally comprises aframe 101, aflat article 110 supported within theframe 100, first and second mountingplates rear surface 103 of theframe 101, and abracket assembly 150 to which theframe 101 is slidably mounted (as discussed in greater detail below). - In the exemplified embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 2 , theframe 101 is a perimeter-type frame comprising anouter edge 112 and aninner edge 113. Theinner edge 113 forms a closed-geometry thereby defining acentral opening 114. Aflat article 110, such as a mirror, is positioned and supported within thecentral opening 114 according to known mounting techniques. Although the invention will be described with reference to theflat article 110 being a mirror, any other substantially flat article (or article with a substantially flat rear surface) can be used in conjunction with the present invention, including artwork, diplomas, or the like. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “frame” is not limited to a traditional perimeter-type frame having a central opening, but includes frames resembling a simple backer-board or plate that takes up the entire (or a portion of) rear surface area of the article to be mounted thereon. Preferably, however, the desired flat article is displayed byframe 101 so as to be visible to a user when the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is hung from a door as described below. - The over-the-
door hanging apparatus 100 comprises afirst mounting plate 120 and asecond mounting plate 220 that are secured to therear surface 103 of theframe 101 on opposite lateral sides of a vertical centerline A-A. The first and second mountingplates frame 101 viascrews plates - The over-the-
door hanging apparatus 100 also comprises abracket assembly 150 to which theframe 101 is detachably mounted. More specifically, theframe 101 is detachably mounted to the bracket assembly through a slidable mating between the first and second mountingplates bracket assembly 150, which will be described in great detail below. Theframe 101 comprises afirst channel 130 and a second channel 230 (fully visible inFIG. 5 ). Only a bottom portion of the first andsecond channels FIGS. 1 and 2 . - In the exemplified embodiment, the over-the-
door hanging apparatus 100 comprises a perimeter-style frame 101, two mountingplates bracket assembly 150 that includes a firstelongate bracket member 151 and a secondelongate bracket member 251. In this embodiment, the two mountingplates frame 101 on opposite sides of the vertical centerline A-A of theframe 101 while the firstelongate member 151 is slidably attached to the first mountingplate 120 and the secondelongate member 251 is slidably attached to thesecond mounting plate 220. Of course, the invention is not so limited and the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may comprise only one mounting plate and one elongate bracket member connected to a central region of theframe 101. Alternatively, the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may comprise greater than two mounting plates and a corresponding number of elongate members of the bracket assembly to provide for a more secure connection between thebracket assembly 150 and theframe 101. Moreover, while the first and secondelongate bracket members theses members - For purposes of referencing direction and orientation of the various components of the over-the-
door hanging apparatus 100, it should be noted that relative terms such as top, bottom, left, right, lateral, proximal, distal, upward, outward, inward, vertical, horizontal, and the like are used to delineate relative positions of the components of the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 with respect to one another and with respect to the vertical centerline A-A and are not intended to be in any further way limiting of the present invention. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2, 3 a and 3 b concurrently, a detailed description of thebracket assembly 150 will be set forth. The structural details of theelongate bracket members elongate member 151 with the understanding that the same is applicable to the secondelongate member 251 in all respects. - The first
elongate member 151 extends from adistal end 152 to aproximal end 153 and comprises afront surface 193 and an oppositerear surface 194. The firstelongate member 151 is preferably an integrally formed structure formed by appropriately bending a flat strip of flexible metal (sheet metal) which may be formed from steel or the like. Of course, other materials and formation techniques can be used, including the molding, milling and/or lathing of plastics, matrix materials, or any other material capable of withstanding the required load-bearing requirements. Moreover, while the firstelongate member 151 of thebracket assembly 150 is preferably flexible in nature, it may be constructed so as to be substantially rigid if desired. - A generally
U-shaped bracket 158 is provided at aproximal end 153 of the firstelongate member 151 and extends from therear surface 194 thereof for sliding over and engaging a top edge of a door. TheU-shaped bracket 158 comprises afront portion 154, atop portion 155 and aback portion 156 that terminates with anangled flange 157. Thefront portion 154 corresponds to a top portion of theelongate member 151 and it encompasses theproximal end 153 of theelongate member 151. Thetop portion 155 extends outward from therear surface 194 of theelongate member 151 at theproximal end 153 so as to form an approximately 90 degree angle with thefront portion 154 of theU-shaped bracket 158. Although thetop portion 155 is described as extending at an approximately 90 degree angle from thefront portion 154 of theU-shaped bracket 158, it may extend at other angles if desired. Theback portion 156 of theU-shaped bracket 158 extends downwardly from thetop portion 155 at an approximately 90 degree angle with thetop portion 155, thereby forming theU-shaped bracket 158 of the firstelongate member 151 of thebracket assembly 150. Theangled flange 157 diverges slightly outward from theback portion 156 at an obtuse angle Θ in order to facilitate placement of theU-shaped bracket 158 over a top edge of a door as will be described below with reference toFIG. 8 . - The
U-shaped bracket 158 is preferably made of a flexible material so that it can bend and more easily fit over doors with varying widths. In other words, it is preferable that a user is able to extend the distance between theback portion 156 and thefront portion 154 of theU-shaped bracket 158 by applying an outward force on theflange 157. Thetop portion 155 of theU-shaped bracket 158 is made wide enough to accommodate a conventional door width which theinventive bracket assembly 150 is to be used. The thickness of the material, and hence its flexibility, must be chosen so that theU-shaped bracket 158 is sufficiently rigid to avoid deformation under the load of theflat article 110 and yet is thin enough to fit over the top of the door without creating clearance problems with respect to the cap of the door frame. In use, a user may grip and pull on theflange portion 157 of theU-shaped bracket 158 of thebracket assembly 150 in order to assist with the attachment of thebracket assembly 150 to the top edge of a door as will be described in detail below with reference toFIG. 11 . - The first
elongate member 151 further comprises atop hook 161 and abottom hook 162 near thedistal end 152 of theelongate member 151. Thetop hook 161 and thebottom hook 162 collectively form a pair of hooks and are often referred to as such throughout this application. In the exemplified embodiment, the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are integrally formed with thefirst member 151. More specifically, the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are preferably formed by punching an appropriate pattern in the firstelongate member 151 and subsequently bending the in-plane tab out of plane and into the desired shape. As a result,apertures 163, 164 (i.e. holes) are formed in theelongate member 151 behind thehooks apertures elongate member 151 to be manufactured with less material and also prevent theelongate member 151 from prematurely deteriorating due to the friction of the mountingplates hooks apertures elongate member 151 and thehooks elongate member 151. - The top and bottom hooks 161, 162 each extend outwardly from the
front surface 193 of theelongate member 151 and upwardly toward theproximal end 153. Thetop hook 161 extends from a base 166 at which it connects to theelongate member 151 to adistal end 192 at which it terminates. Similarly, thebottom hook 162 extends from a base 165 at which it connects to theelongate member 151 to adistal end 191 at which it terminates. The top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are preferably in a linear vertical alignment with one another on thefront surface 193 of theelongate member 151. Thehooks bases hooks base 166 of thetop hook 161 is spaced a distance D1 from thebase 165 of thebottom hook 162, the importance of which will become apparent from the description below with reference toFIGS. 4a and 4 b. - The top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are preferably S-shaped tabs. The S-shape of the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are preferred in order to accomplish an efficient attachment between the
bracket assembly 150 and the mountingplates bracket assembly 150 for slidable mating with the edges of the mounting plates as described below. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term hooks is intended to include any tab-type structure that may extend outwardly from thebracket assembly 150 in a manner that affords slidable mating with the edges of the mountingplates - Both of the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 extend outwardly and upwardly from the
front surface 193 of theelongate member 151 in a spaced part manner so thatslots hooks front surface 193 of theelongate member 151. Both of theslots top end slots slots frame 101 to thebracket assembly 150, which will be described in greater below with reference toFIG. 6 . - Referring now to
FIGS. 4a and 4b , the details of the mountingplates elongate members plate 120 will be described in detail with the understanding that the discussion is applicable to thesecond mounting plate 220. - The
first mounting plate 120 is preferably a flat plate that can be secured to theframe 101 by any of the techniques described above. Thefirst mounting plate 120 comprises a plurality of screw holes 122 that are sized and configured to receive a screw to facilitate the attachment of the first mountingplate 120 to theframe 101. Although the first mountingplate 120 is illustrated having threescrew holes 122, the invention is not so limited and the first mountingplate 120 may have more or less than threescrew holes 122 as desired. When attached to theframe 101, a rear surface (not shown) of the first mountingplate 120 is in surface contact with therear surface 103 of theframe 101 by nature of their opposing flat surfaces. - The
first mounting plate 120 is preferably a flat plate that is substantially free of contour for the entirety of its major planar surfaces. Thefirst mounting plate 120 has an overall perimeter shape such that its cross-sectional area changes throughout its length. Thefirst mounting plate 120 has abottom edge 125, atop edge 126 and two vertical sides that collectively form the perimeter of the first mountingplate 120. Thefirst mounting plate 120 also comprises a vertical axis B-B that is substantially transverse to and intersects the bottom andtop edges plate 120. Atop section 127 of the first mountingplate 120 extends from thetop edge 126 of the first mountingplate 120 to a transition point TP1. Amiddle section 128 of the first mountingplate 120 extends from the transition point TP1 to a transition point TP2. Abottom section 129 of the first mountingplate 120 extends from the transition point TP2 to thebottom end 125 of the first mountingplate 120. The cross-sectional area of thetop section 127 of the first mountingplate 120 gradually decreases from apoint 141 in thetop section 127 to the transition point TP1. Themiddle section 128 of the first mountingplate 120, which extends from the transition point TP1 to the transition point TP2, has a constant cross-sectional area throughout its length. The cross-sectional area of thebottom section 129 of the first mountingplate 120 gradually increases from the transition point TP2 to apoint 142. The cross-sectional area of the first mountingplate 120 is again constant from thepoint 142 of thebottom section 129 of the first mountingplate 120 to thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120. The shape of the first mountingplate 120 provides the first mountingplate 120 with a structural rigidity while using a minimized amount of materials in order to reduce the costs in manufacturing. - In the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting
plate 120 comprises atop aperture 123 and abottom aperture 124. Thetop aperture 123 is positioned partially within both of the top andmiddle sections bottom aperture 124 is positioned within thebottom section 129 only. Although the invention is described with a plate having two apertures, the first mountingplate 120 may have only one aperture or more than two apertures as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, theapertures plate 120 as desired. Using more apertures will enable additional adjustability to the hanging height of the article as will be described below. Theapertures plate 120 are preferably rectangular in shape, but may take on any other shape as desired. - The
top aperture 123 is defined by a closed-geometry edge that includes atop edge 145 and abottom edge 143. Similarly, thebottom aperture 124 is defined by a closed-geometry edge that includes atop edge 146 and abottom edge 144. Thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 is spaced a distance D2 from thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124, measured along the linear axis B-B. Similarly, thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 is spaced a distance D3 from thebottom edge 125, measured along the axis B-B. Thefirst mounting plate 120 is designed so that the distance D2 is substantially equal to the distance D3. Furthermore, both of these distances D2, D3 are also substantially equal to the distance D1 between thehooks 161, 162 (discussed above with respect toFIGS. 3a, 3b ). The importance of theedges FIG. 5 . - Referring now to
FIG. 5 , a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is illustrated in an exploded state. As can be seen, theframe 101 comprises has afirst channel 130 formed into therear surface 103 on one side of the vertical centerline A-A of theframe 101 along the right lateral (another one of the channels is provided on the opposite side of the vertical centerline A-A). In the exemplified embodiment ofFIG. 5 , thechannel 130 is illustrated as asegmented channel 130 comprising afirst channel segment 131, asecond channel segment 132 and athird channel segment 133. - As noted above,
FIG. 5 illustrates thechannel 130 as comprising afirst channel segment 131, asecond channel segment 132 and athird channel segment 133. However, more than three channel segments may be used as desired for further adjustability in the hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 as will be described below. Furthermore, theframe 101 may be configured with less than three channel segments and still be used as described below as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. - Each of the channel segments 131-133 of the
channel 130 is a rectangular shaped depression formed into theframe 101. The channel segments 131-133 of thechannel 130 each form a groove or trough within therear surface 103 of theframe 101 that comprises a floor and, thus, do not extend through the entire thickness of theframe 101. However, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the channel segments 131-133 of thechannel 130 may be through-holes in the sense that they could extend all the way through the thickness of theframe 101. Of course, the channel segments 131-133 are contemplated as taking on any other shapes, including without limitation circles, triangles, trapezoids or the like. - Furthermore, while the
channel 130 is exemplified as a segmented channel, the invention is not so limited and thechannel 130 may be a singular continuous annular channel that extends around the entire perimeter of therear surface 103 of theframe 101 or can be a continuous channel that extends from below thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120 to above thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120. These alternative embodiments are shown inFIGS. 7-9 and will be described in greater detail below. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 concurrently, the placement and attachment of the first mountingplate 120 to therear surface 103 of theframe 101 will be described. InFIGS. 5 and 6 , only the first mountingplate 120 is shown for clarity and ease of understanding. However, it is to be understood that thesecond mounting plate 220 is attached to therear surface 103 of theframe 101 in the same manner as the first mountingplate 120, except that thesecond mounting plate 220 is attached to the opposite side of the vertical centerline A-A of the frame 101 (FIG. 2 ) in cooperation with a second channel. - The
first mounting plate 120 is secured to therear surface 103 of theframe 101 so that the vertical axis B-B of the first mountingplate 120 is coextensive with theelongated channel 130, which in the exemplified embodiment is substantially parallel with the vertical centerline A-A. Thesecond mounting plate 220 is secured to therear surface 103 of theframe 101 on the opposite side of a vertical centerline A-A of theframe 101 in an identical orientation with respect to thesecond channel 230. - More specifically, the first mounting
plate 120 is secured to theframe 101 so that: (1) thefirst channel segment 131 extends from a position below thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120 to a position above thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120; (2) thesecond channel segment 132 extends from a position below thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120 to a position above thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120; and (3) thethird channel segment 133 extends from a position below thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120 to a position above thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120. While not required, it may be preferred that the first mountingplate 120 be secured to theframe 101 so that further: (1) thebottom edge 144 of thebottom aperture 124 is aligned with thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120; and (2) thebottom edge 143 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120 is aligned with thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120. - When the first mounting
plate 120 is secured to theframe 101 in the manner described above, thetop aperture 123 is aligned with thefirst channel segment 133 and forms a passageway through the first mountingplate 120 into thethird channel segment 133. Similarly, thebottom aperture 124 is aligned with thesecond channel segment 132 and forms a passageway through the first mountingplate 120 into thesecond channel segment 132. Moreover, thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 extends transversely across thethird channel segment 133. Thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 extends transversely across thesecond channel segment 132. Thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120 extends transversely across thefirst channel segment 131. - Referring solely now to
FIG. 6 , the first, second and third channel segments 131-133 preferably extend above thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120, thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124, and thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123, respectively, by a distance that is at least equal to the length of thehooks hooks frame 101 is slidably mounted to thebracket assembly 150 as will be discussed below. - Referring to
FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 concurrently, the attachment of thebracket assembly 150 to the first and second mountingplates plate 120 and the firstelongate member 151 of thebracket assembly 150. However, it should be understood that the description is equally applicable to the mating of thesecond mounting plate 220 with the secondelongate member 251. - After properly aligning the first mounting
plate 120 as described above, the first mountingplate 120 is secured to therear surface 103 of theframe 101 by extending thescrews 121 through the screw holes 122 and threadily engaging the frame. It is preferred that the first and second mountingplates frame 101 during manufacturing. Thus, the user will be able to hang theapparatus 100 to a door without the need for any tools or excessive physical strength. In other words, the user will purchase the product fully assembled with the exception that thebracket assembly 150 will be separate from the first and second mountingplates frame 101. As such, the user will only need to slide the U-Shaped brackets of thebracket assembly 150 over the top edge of the door and then slide thehooks top edges apertures top edge 146 and thebottom edge 125. - By nature of having an option between sliding the
hooks top edges apertures top edge 146 and thebottom edge 125, the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 has an advantageous built-in hanging height adjustability. In other words, depending upon which of the channel segments 131-133 of theframe 101 the top and bottom hooks 161, 162 are attached to, the hanging height may be altered. A more detailed description of how the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 may be hung at a lower and/or a higher position will be set forth below. It should be understood, however, that while the description will be set forth below in relation to the firstelongate member 151 mating with the first mountingplate 120 and thefirst channel 130, the same principles apply to the mating between the secondelongate member 151, thesecond mounting plate 220, and thesecond channel 230. - When a lower hanging position is desired, such as is shown in
FIG. 6 , the firstelongate member 151 of thebracket assembly 150 will be attached to theframe 101 by inserting thebottom hook 162 through thebottom aperture 124 in the first mountingplate 120 and thetop hook 161 through thetop aperture 123 in the first mountingplate 120. Because the first mountingplate 120 is attached to theframe 101 so that thebottom aperture 124 is aligned with thesecond channel segment 132 and thetop aperture 123 is aligned with thethird channel segment 133, thebottom hook 162 will be inserted into thesecond channel segment 132 of theframe 101 while thetop hook 161 will be inserted into thethird channel segment 133 of theframe 101. Once sufficiently inserted through theapertures third channel segments frame 101, theframe 101 will be lowered (or theelongate member 151 will be raised) until thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120 slides into theslot 168 of thetop hook 161 and thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120 slides into theslot 169 of thebottom hook 162. When fully slid into theslots base 165 of thebottom hook 162 will contact thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120 and thebase 166 of thetop hook 161 will contact thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120. - As noted above, the second and
third channel segments edges 145, 146 (in the direction of the vertical axis A-A) and beneath the first mountingplate 120. This configuration enables thehooks bracket assembly 150 to extend into theframe 101 so that a portion of the first mountingplate 120 is snugly disposed within each of theslots - Through this slidable mating, the
hooks plate 120 positioned within theslots frame 101 from becoming accidentally dislodged from thebracket assembly 150. The frictional engagement is further facilitated by the S-shape and resilient nature of thehooks bracket assembly 150 and theframe 101 will be enhanced when theU-shaped bracket 158 of thebracket assembly 150 is attached to a top edge of a door because the weight of theflat article 110 being hung will increase the tight nature of the fit between thehooks frame 120/101 apparatus. - The invention has been described with the
bracket assembly 150 attached to the second andthird channel segments frame 101. Such an attachment is used when the hanging height of the mirror or article is desired to be a lower hanging height. As noted above, the hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 is adjustable. Therefore, the mirror or otherflat article 110 may be hung at a higher hanging height in the manner described below and as shown inFIG. 2 . - When the first mounting
plate 120 is secured to theframe 101, thefirst channel segment 131 in theframe 101 extends beyond thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120 as illustrated inFIG. 2 . Therefore, rather than attaching thebracket assembly 150 through the second andthird channel segments frame 101, thehooks bracket assembly 150 are attached to the second andfirst channel segments frame 101, respectively. Specifically, thebottom hook 162 will be inserted into thefirst channel segment 131 below thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120 while thetop hook 161 will be inserted into thesecond channel segment 132 via thebottom aperture 124 of the first mounting. - Once sufficiently inserted into the first and
second channel segments frame 101, theframe 101 will be lowered (or theelongate member 151 will be raised) until thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120 slides into theslot 168 of thetop hook 161 and thebottom edge 146 of the first mountingplate 120 slides into theslot 169 of thebottom hook 162. When fully slid into theslots base 165 of thebottom hook 162 will contact thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120 and thebase 166 of thetop hook 161 will contact thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120. - As noted above, the first and
second channel segments edges 146, 125 (in the direction of the vertical axis A-A) and beneath the first mountingplate 120. This configuration enables thehooks bracket assembly 150 to extend into theframe 101 so that a portion of the first mountingplate 120 is snugly disposed within each of theslots apparatus 100 may be hung at a higher level on a door than previously described manner. Thus, the present invention provides an easy and efficient way for a user to adjust the hanging height of a mirror or other object without the need for tools or an excessive amount of physical force. The adjustable height mounting is achieved by designing the distances D1, D2, D3 to be substantially equal. - Of course, the second
elongate member 251 may be attached in the same manner as described above except that the secondelongate member 251 is attached to thesecond mounting plate 220 which is secured onto theframe 101 on the opposite side of the vertical centerline A-A. By using the first and secondelongate members flat article 110 will be more securely hung from the top of the door. - Referring to
FIGS. 7 and 8 concurrently, an alternative embodiment of aframe 301 to be used with an over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 will be described. The components of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 that are the same as the components described above with reference to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 will be delineated by the same reference numerals except that the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 will use the 300- and 400-series of numbers rather than the 100- and 200-series of numbers. Furthermore, only those aspects of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 that are different from the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 described above will be described below in detail. Therefore, all features of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 that are not described below should be interpreted as being identical to the corresponding component from the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 described above. - Specifically, rather than having a
channel 130 comprising three distinct channel segments 131-133 in theframe 101 that require time and effort in order to properly align the first and second mountingplates frame 301 may have acontinuous channel 330 along all four sides of theframe 301 so as to form an annular channel about the perimeter of theframe 301. This embodiment is advantageous in that it reduces the costs in manufacturing by reducing the amount of material needed to create theframe 301 and by reducing the time required to attach the first and second mountingplates frame 301. - In use, the first mounting
plate 320 is aligned with thechannel 330 so that thechannel 330 can be seen through theapertures plate 320. This embodiment nullifies the need to align theapertures plate 320 with thechannel 330 in a vertical direction and instead enables the first mountingplate 320 to be attached to theframe 301 in a myriad of positions so long as thechannel 330 is visible and accessible through theapertures - After the first mounting plate 320 (and preferably also the second mounting plate 420) is secured to the frame, the
hooks bracket assembly 350 are inserted through theapertures plate 320 in the same manner as described above. The entire attachment procedure between thebracket assembly 350 and theframe 301 is identical to the attachment procedure described above with reference to thebracket assembly 150 and theframe 101. Essentially, the over-the-door hanging apparatus 300 is identical to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 except that instead of having asegmented channel 130 in theframe 101, there is onecontinuous channel 330 in theframe 301 that forms a rectangular border around the entirety of theframe 301. As can be seen thechannel 330 still extends from a position below to a position above each of theedges - Referring to
FIG. 9 , another alternative embodiment of the channel in the frame will be described. This embodiment comprises acontinuous channel 530 that is not segmented and that does not form a border around theframe 101. Rather, thechannel 530 only extends from a position below the bottom edge 147 of the first mountingplate 120 to a position above thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120. In such an embodiment, a second channel (not shown) which is identical to thechannel 530 will be located on the opposite lateral side of theframe 101, thereby forming a mirror image. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment for a mounting plate will be described. The first and second mountingplates first plate segment second plate segment third plate segment plate 120. It should be understood that thesecond mounting plate 220 will have features and components that are identical to the first mountingplate 120. - In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 10 , abottom edge 625 of thethird plate segment 623 serves an identical purpose to thebottom edge 125 of the first mountingplate 120 described above. Furthermore, abottom edge 646 of thesecond plate segment 622 serves an identical purpose to thetop edge 146 of thebottom aperture 124 of the first mountingplate 120. Further still, abottom edge 645 of thefirst plate segment 621 serves an identical purpose to thetop edge 145 of thetop aperture 123 of the first mountingplate 120. It should be understood to a person skilled in the art that the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus 100 would operate in the same exact manner with the threeplate segment plate 120 as described above. In other words, thebracket assembly 150 will be attached to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10 in the same manner as was described above. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , themirror 110 or other article is illustrated hanging from atop edge 171 of adoor 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror or otherflat article 110 is attached to thebracket assembly 150 which comprises the firstelongate member 151 and the secondelongate member 251 on opposite lateral sides of the rear surface (not shown) of theflat article 110. TheU-shaped brackets elongate members bracket assembly 150 are attached to thetop edge 171 of thedoor 170 so that theflat article 110 is hung therefrom. When theflat article 110 is a mirror, it is hung so that the reflectivefront surface 111 is visible and the rear surface (not shown) is in surface contact with thedoor 170. It should be understood that any of the various types of channels and mounting plates may be used with the inventive over-the-door hanging apparatus in many different combinations. For example, the threeplate segment segmented channels elongated channel 530 or with the border/annular channel 330. Similarly, the first and second mountingplates - In alternative embodiments of the invention, which are not illustrated, the
frame 100 may not includechannels rear surface 101. In such embodiments, the first and second mountingplates 120, 220 (or the segments thereof) would be placed over planar sections of therear surface 101 of theframe 100 and be designed so that the hooks 161-162, 191-292 could be slid/inserted between a raised portion of the mountingplates rear surface 101. This could be accomplished by forming the first, second and/orthird edges rear surface 101 of theframe 100, thereby forming a nesting space/gap between therear surface 101 of theframe 100 and the rear surfaces of the mountingplates 120, 220 (or the segments thereof). For example, the mountingplates 120, 220 (or the segments thereof) could be formed in to resemble one half of a C-clamp and/or a V-clamp. In another example, a small section of the first, second and/orthird edges plates 120, 220 (or the segments thereof) that are coupled to theframe 100. Finally, any of the foregoing details described above with respect toFIGS. 1-11 could be utilized with such an alternative embodiment. - In a still further embodiment of the invention, shown in
FIGS. 12-17B , theframe 801 may be designed so that thechannels bracket assembly 850 comprises a firstelongate member 851 and a secondelongate member 951 that are slidably attached to mountingplates plates rear surface 803 of theframe 801. To avoid redundancy, only the first mountingplate 820, along with its cooperation with the firstelongate member 851, is described in detail herein with the understanding that thesecond mounting plate 920, and its coupling to the secondelongate member 951, is identical. - As best shown in
FIGS. 15A and 15B , the first mountingplate 820 generally comprises a plurality ofplanar portions 875A-C and a plurality of raisedportions 848A-C. The plurality ofplanar portions 875A-C are substantially coplanar with one another. Similarly, the plurality of raisedportions 848A-C are substantially coplanar with one another. The plurality of raisedportions 848A-C are offset from and not coplanar with the plurality ofplanar portions 875A-C. The plurality of raisedportions 848A-C and the plurality ofplanar portions 875A-C are arranged in an alternating manner and are interconnect to one another. - The
first mounting plate 820 is designed so that the hooks 861-863 (or flanged bosses, rivets, screws or bolts in other embodiments) of the firstelongate member 851 may be slidably inserted between the raisedportions 848A-C of the first mountingplate 820 and the planar sections of therear surface 801 of theframe 801, respectively. - The
first mounting plate 820 further comprises afirst aperture 823, asecond aperture 824, and amulti-width aperture 830 that are formed in the raisedportions 848A-C of the first mountingplate 820 respectively. Themulti-width aperture 830 is divided into anesting section 832 and areceiving section 831. Thenesting section 832 extends vertically from the receivingsection 831 and is narrowed relative to the receivingsection 831. Stated simply, thenesting section 832 has a width that is less than the width of the receivingsection 831. While the multi-width aperture is exemplified as having stepped width, in other embodiments the width may simply taper such that the multi-width slot resembles a V-shape. - The
multi-width aperture 830 terminates in atop edge 847. As exemplified, thetop edge 847 is curved to accommodate the shaft of a screw but can be linear in other embodiments. The receivingsection 831 is sized such that it will permit the head of a screw, flanged fastener, bolt, or rivet to pass therethrough. The receivingsection 831 of themulti-width aperture 830 may have a semi-circular shape or may be constructed in any shape that permits the passage of a flanged portion of fastener (such as the head of a screw or the head of a flanged fastener). - The
multi-width aperture 830 has abottom edge 834 that is located on or near theplanar portion 875A of the first mountingplate 820 to facilitate insertion of the screw head into thescrew aperture 830. Thenesting section 832 is sized such that the head of the screw may not pass through theslot section 832. This allows themulti-width aperture 830 of the first mountingplate 820 to be aligned with a protruding screw such that the screw head can be slid into the receivingsection 831. Then, upon the first mountingplate 820 being slid downward, the screw body passes into thenesting section 832 and the screw head is trapped between the raisedportion 848A of the first mountingplate 820 and the rear surface of theframe 801, thereby facilitating mounting to a door or other vertical surface. - Each of the first aperture and
second aperture top edge top edge 845 of thefirst aperture 823 is located on the raisedportion 848B while thetop edge 846 of thesecond aperture 824 is located on the raisedportion 848C. The first andsecond apertures bottom edges bottom edge 843 of thefirst aperture 823 is located on theplanar portion 875B while thebottom edge 844 of thesecond aperture 824 is located on theplanar portion 875C. As will be discussed below with respect toFIG. 17A , the hooks 861-863 are slidably inserted into theapertures plate 820. - The
first mounting plate 820 further includes a plurality offastener holes 822 which are sized and configured to receive a screw (or other fastener) to facilitate fixed attachment of the first mountingplate 820 to therear surface 803 of theframe 801. Although the first mountingplate 820 is illustrated as having threefastener holes 822, the invention is not so limited and the first mountingplate 820 may have more or less than threefastener holes 822 as desired. When attached to theframe 801, theplanar portions 875A-C are in surface contact with therear surface 803 of theframe 801. - As can be best seen in
FIGS. 12 and 17A , the over-the-door apparatus 800 may be hung from a door by using the first and secondelongate members elongate members FIGS. 1-10 . The first and second mountingplates frame 801, are then slidably mounted to the first and secondelongate members - To avoid redundancy, only the mounting of the first
elongate member 851 to the first mountingplate 820 is described in detail herein with the understanding that the secondelongate member 951 and thesecond mounting plate 920 are identical. In order to slidably mount the firstelongate member 851 to the first mountingplate 820, the hooks 861-863 are inserted through themulti-width aperture 830, thefirst aperture 823, and thesecond aperture 824. Thehook 861 is inserted through themulti-width aperture 830, thehook 862 is inserted through thefirst aperture 823, and thehook 863 is inserted through thesecond aperture 824. Theelongate member 851 is then slid upward until the hooks 861-863 fully engage thetop edges - Instead of inserting hooks 861-863 through
apertures hook 861 may be inserted through thefirst aperture 823 and thehook 862 may be inserted through thesecond aperture 824. Alternately, hook 862 may be inserted through themulti-width aperture 830 and hook 863 may be inserted through thefirst aperture 823. In yet other mounting combinations, thehook 861 may be inserted through thesecond aperture 824. Further, thehook 863 may be inserted through themulti-width aperture 830. By inserting different hooks 861-863 throughdifferent apertures apertures apertures apertures second apertures multi-width aperture 830. - In an alternate mounting best shown in
FIG. 17B , theframe 801 is hung by installing ascrew 849 into adoor 870. To avoid redundancy, only the first mountingplate 820 is disclosed, with thesecond mounting plate 920 being identical. Instead of adoor 870, the first mountingplate 820 may be mounted to any other vertical surface, such as a wall. As with other embodiments, the first mountingplate 820 is installed to theframe 801 viascrews 821, and then the head of thescrew 849 is inserted into themulti-width aperture 830 and slid upward until the shaft of thescrew 849 contacts thetop edge 847 of themulti-width aperture 830. This permits flexible mounting of theframe 801 without requiring the use of the first and secondelongate members Multiple screws 849 may be used, and the first mountingplate 820 may be designed to accommodatemultiple screw apertures 830 as desired. -
FIGS. 18A and 18B disclose an alternate embodiment of the firstelongate member 851A, with three flanged fasteners 881-883 in place of hooks 861-863. Theelongate member 851A is identical to the embodiments disclosed inFIGS. 12-17B excepting those features explicitly described. The second elongate member is also identical to the firstelongate member 851A disclosed in this embodiment. The flanged fasteners 881-883 each have apost portion 886 and aflange portion 888. The flanged fasteners engage multi-width apertures 891-893 as will be discussed in further detail below. -
FIGS. 19A and 19B disclose an alternate embodiment of the first mountingplate 820A. Thefirst mounting plate 820A has three multi-width apertures 891-893. Thefirst mounting plate 820A is identical to the embodiment disclosed inFIGS. 12-17B excepting those features explicitly described. The second mounting plate is also identical to the first mountingplate 820A disclosed in this embodiment. - Turning to
FIG. 20 , the flanged fasteners 881-883 are shown engaged with the multi-width apertures 891-893. The flanged fasteners 881-883 are inserted into the multi-width apertures 891-893 and slidably engaged such that thepost portion 886 of the flanged fasteners 881-883 mates with the nesting section of the corresponding multi-width apertures 891-893. Theflange portion 888 of the flanged fasteners 881-883 prevents the flanged fasteners 881-883 from withdrawing from the multi-width apertures 891-893 unless the first mountingplate 820A is slid upward with respect to the firstelongate member 851A to release the flanged fasteners 881-883. Alternate embodiments of the flanged fasteners 881-883 may be bolts, rivets, screws, or other fasteners having a flange and post portion which permit engagement with the nesting portion of the multi-width apertures 891-893. - In yet other embodiments, the hooks, flanged fasteners, bolts, rivets, or screws of the first and second elongate members as shown and described in the preceding embodiments may be substituted for the apertures of the first and second mounting plates of the preceding embodiments. Likewise, the apertures of the first and second mounting plates may be substituted for the hooks, flanged fasteners, etc. of the first and second elongate members. Thus, the mounting features may be reversed to permit the mounting plates to have hooks or flanged fasteners which engage apertures of the elongate members.
- Referring now to
FIGS. 21A and 21B , an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 will be described in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 21A and 21B only illustrate a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 showing the coupling components on one side thereof, it being understood that the opposite side thereof may have identical components and an identical structure. Thus, the configuration shown, for example, inFIGS. 1 and 2 is applicable to this embodiment except that the structure of the mounting components is different in this embodiment as will be described herein below. - The over-the-
door hanging apparatus 1000 comprises asupport structure 1001 having arear surface 1002. In certain embodiments a mirror is coupled to thesupport structure 1001. However, the invention is not to be limited to a mirror being coupled to thesupport structure 1001 in all embodiments and other articles may be coupled to thesupport structure 1001 in other embodiments as described herein above. The mirror (or other article) is not illustrated inFIGS. 21A and 21B , but the description above regarding the coupling of the mirror may be applicable. In certain embodiments, thesupport structure 1001 may have therear surface 1002 and an opposite front surface, and the mirror may be coupled to the front surface. The mirror may be directly or indirectly coupled to the front surface. For example, in some embodiments the mirror may be coupled to a door that is hingedly coupled to the front surface of thesupport structure 1001 similar to conventional cabinets such as medicine cabinets or other storage cabinets with a mirrored door. - The over-the-
door hanging apparatus 1000 also comprises a firstelongate member 1003 and a second elongate member (not illustrated) and a first pair of mountingelements 1004 and a second pair of mounting elements (not illustrated). Specifically, the first pair of mountingelements 1004 is secured to therear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001 on a first side of a vertical centerline of thesupport structure 1000 and the second pair of mounting elements (not illustrated) is secured to therear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001 on a second side of the vertical centerline of thesupport structure 100 that is opposite the first side. Because only one side of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 is illustrated, only one of the elongate members and one of the pairs of mounting elements is illustrated. However, it should be appreciated that a second elongate member that is identical in structure to the firstelongate member 1003 and a second pair of mounting elements that is identical in structure to the first pair of mountingelements 1004 are also included as a part of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 similar to that which has been described in the previous embodiments. - The first pair of mounting elements 1004 (and also the second pair of mounting elements) is secured to the
rear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001. The details of the first pair of mountingelements 1004 described below are applicable to the second pair of mounting elements that are not illustrated in the exemplified embodiment. In the exemplified embodiment, the first pair of mountingelements 1004 comprises afirst mounting element 1005 and asecond mounting element 1006. More specifically, in this embodiment thefirst mounting element 1005 is a first set screw that is screwed into therear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001 and thesecond mounting element 1006 is a second set screw that is screwed into therear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001. Of course, the first and second mountingelements FIG. 26 and the related description below). The first and second mountingelements rear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001 and then the firstelongate member 1003 secured to the first and second mountingelements elongate member 1003 may be placed adjacent/into contact with therear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001 and then the first and second mountingelements elongate member 1003 to thesupport structure 1001. Thus, the first and second pairs of mountingelements 1004 may be secured to therear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001 by the factory during manufacturing or by the user during assembly after purchase. - The first
elongate member 1003 will be described below, it being understood that the same description is applicable to the second elongate member although it is not specifically illustrated in the figures for this particular embodiment. The firstelongate member 1003 extends from adistal end 1007 to aproximal end 1008 and comprises afirst surface 1009 and an oppositesecond surface 1010. The firstelongate member 1003 comprises a plurality of mountingelements 1011 for mounting the firstelongate member 1003 to thesupport structure 1001, and more specifically to the first pair of mountingelements 1004. The firstelongate member 1003 also comprises afirst bracket 1012 for engaging a top edge of a door as has been described above. - In the exemplified embodiment, the plurality of mounting
elements 1011 comprises four separatemulti-width apertures 1011 a-d formed into the firstelongate member 1003 in a vertically spaced apart manner. Themulti-width apertures 1011 a-d comprise a larger width portion that permits the head/flange of the first and second mountingelements elements 1004 to pass therethrough and a smaller width portion that prevents the head of the first and second mountingelements elements 1004 from passing therethrough. The smaller width portions of themulti-width apertures 1011 a-d permit the stem portions of the first and second mountingelements elements 1004 to pass therethrough. - Thus, referring collectively to
FIGS. 21A and 21B , the firstelongate member 1003 can be coupled to the first pair of mountingelements 1004 by inserting the heads of the first and second mountingelements multi-width apertures elongate member 1003 relative to thesupport structure 1001 so that the stem portions of the first and second mountingelements multi-width apertures elongate member 1003 from being separated from the first pair of mountingelements 1004 unless the installation process including the sliding movement noted above is reversed. - Thus, the first and second
elongate members 1003 are separate components from thesupport structure 1001. The first and second pairs of mountingelements 1004 are coupled to therear surface 1002 of thesupport structure 1001 before the first and secondelongate members 1003 are mounted to thesupport structure 1001. Specifically, the first and secondelongate members 1003 are configured to be mounted to thesupport structure 1001 via engagement between the mountingelements 1011 of the first and secondelongate members 1003 and the first and second pairs of mountingelements 1004. - Referring now to
FIGS. 22A-22C , another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100 will be described. The over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100 generally comprises asupport structure 1101 having arear surface 1102, first and second elongate members 1103 (only the first elongate member is illustrated), and first and second pairs of mounting elements 1104 (only the first pair of mounting elements is illustrated). Similar to the embodiments described above, a mirror or other flat article may be coupled to thesupport structure 1101. As with the previously described embodiment ofFIGS. 21A-21B , in this embodiment only one side of theapparatus 1100 and thus only one of theelongate members 1103 and one of the pairs of mountingelements 1104 is illustrated. However, it should be appreciated that a second elongate member and a second pair of mounting elements that are identical to the firstelongate member 1103 and the first pair of mountingelements 1104 is provided on the opposite side of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100. In certain embodiments, the first pair of mountingelements 1104 and the second pair of mounting elements are located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of thesupport structure 1101 as described above. - The first pair of mounting elements 1104 (and also the second pair of mounting elements) is secured to the
rear surface 1102 of thesupport structure 1101. The details of the first pair of mountingelements 1104 described below are applicable to the second pair of mounting elements. In the exemplified embodiment, the first pair of mountingelements 1104 comprises afirst mounting element 1105 and asecond mounting element 1106. The first and second mountingelements elements 1104 are vertically aligned and spaced apart from one another. In the exemplified embodiment, thefirst mounting element 1105 is a D-ring located on therear surface 1102 of thesupport structure 1101 and thesecond mounting element 1106 is a set screw that is screwed into therear surface 1102 of thesupport structure 1101. The D-ring may be coupled to therear surface 1102 of thesupport structure 1101 via a bracket orplate member 1115. The set screw may be replaced with other fasteners such as those described above with reference toFIGS. 21A and 21B . In certain embodiments, theapparatus 1100 may only include thefirst mounting element 1105 and not also thesecond mounting element 1106, and thus the second mounting element 1106 (i.e., the set screw or equivalent) may be omitted in some embodiments. Although the second pair of mounting elements is not illustrated in the drawings, in some embodiments thefirst mounting element 1105 of the first pair of mountingelements 1104 is horizontally aligned with the first mounting element of the second pair of mounting elements and thesecond mounting element 1106 of the first pair of mountingelements 1104 is horizontally aligned with the second mounting element of the second pair of mounting elements. - The first
elongate member 1103 extends from aproximal end 1107 to adistal end 1108 and comprises afirst surface 1109 and an oppositesecond surface 1110. The firstelongate member 1103 comprises a plurality of mountingelements 1111 for mounting to the support structure 1101 (and more specifically for mounting to the first pair of mounting elements 1104) and afirst bracket 1112 for engaging a top edge of a door. Thefirst bracket 1112 is located at thedistal end 1108 of the firstelongate member 1103. In the exemplified embodiment, the plurality of mountingelements 1111 extend from thefirst surface 1109 of the firstelongate member 1103 and thefirst bracket 1112 extends from thesecond surface 1110 of the firstelongate member 1103. - In the exemplified embodiment, the plurality of mounting
elements 1111 comprises afirst mounting element 1111 a, asecond mounting element 1111 b, athird mounting element 1111 c, afourth mounting element 1111 d, and afifth mounting element 1111 e. However, the number of the mountingelements 1111 is not to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments and there may be more or less than that which is shown in the appended drawings. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first through fourth mountingelements 1111 a-d is a protrusion or hook that extends from thefirst surface 1109 of the firstelongate member 1103 and thefifth mounting element 1111 e is an aperture, and more specifically a multi-width aperture, that is formed through the firstelongate member 1103. - In the exemplified embodiment, the
fifth mounting element 1111 e is formed into the main portion of the firstelongate member 1103. However, in other embodiments thefifth mounting element 1111 e may be an aperture that is formed into one of the first through fourth mountingelements 1111 a-d. For example, the firstelongate member 1103 may comprise thefirst mounting element 1111 a, but it may be elongated relative to that which is illustrated so that it extends further vertically along the firstelongate member 1103. In some embodiments, the aperture of thefifth mounting element 1111 e may be formed into thefirst mounting element 1111 a. - In the exemplified embodiment, the
first mounting element 1111 a is located at theproximal end 1107 of the firstelongate member 1103. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment thefifth mounting element 1111 e is located between thefirst mounting element 1111 a and theproximal end 1108 of the firstelongate member 1103. In some embodiments, the plurality of mountingelements 1111 may comprise only thefirst mounting element 1111 a and thefifth mounting element 1111 e. It should be appreciated that the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on is merely intended to distinguish between the different mounting elements and is not otherwise intended to limit the scope of the application or claims. Thus, the phrase “first mounting element,” “second mounting element,” etc. in the claims may refer to any of the mountingelements 1111 a-e described herein. - Referring to
FIGS. 22A and 22C , the coupling of the firstelongate member 1103 to thesupport structure 1101 via the first pair of mountingelements 1104 will be described, it being understood that this same description is applicable to the coupling of the second elongate member to thesupport structure 1101 via the second pair of mounting elements. The firstelongate member 1103 is positioned adjacent therear surface 1102 of thesupport structure 1101 so that thefirst mounting element 1111 a of the firstelongate member 1103 is aligned with thefirst mounting element 1105 of the first pair of mountingelements 1104 and thefifth mounting element 1111 e of the firstelongate member 1103 is aligned with thesecond mounting element 1106 of the first pair of mountingelements 1104. Of course, any one of the first through fourth mountingelements 1111 a-d of the firstelongate member 1103 may be aligned with thefirst mounting element 1105 depending on the desired hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100. The positioning/location of thesecond mounting element 1106 of the first pair of mountingelements 1104 may simply need to be changed to ensure that it is aligned with thefifth mounting element 1111 e of the firstelongate member 1103 depending on which of the first through fourth mountingelements 1111 a-d of the firstelongate member 1103 is to be coupled to thefirst mounting element 1105 of the first pair of mountingelements 1104. In some embodiments the second through fourth mountingelements 1111 b-d may be omitted so that there is only thefirst mounting element 1111 a and thefifth mounting element 1111 e and no adjustability in the hanging height of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1100. - Once aligned as described herein, the
first mounting element 1111 a of the firstelongate member 1103 is engaged with thefirst mounting element 1105 such that the D-ring becomes positioned within a space between thefirst mounting element 1111 a and thefirst surface 1109 of the firstelongate member 1103. Simultaneously, thesecond mounting element 1106 enters into the larger width portion of thesecond mounting element 1106 of the firstelongate member 1103. Next, the firstelongate member 1103 is slid upwardly/vertically so that thesecond mounting element 1106 enters into the smaller width portion of thesecond mounting element 1106 and the D-ring becomes hooked onto/engaged with thefirst mounting element 1111 a. This dual mount system prevents substantial movement of the firstelongate member 1103 relative to thesupport structure 1101. - Referring to
FIGS. 23A-23D , another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1200 will be described. The over-the-door hanging apparatus 1200 generally comprises asupport structure 1201 having arear surface 1202, first and second elongate members 1203 (only the first elongate member is illustrated, it being understood that the second elongate member is identical thereto), and first and second pairs of mounting elements 1204 (only the first pair of mounting elements is illustrated, it being understood that the second pair of mounting elements is identical but positioned on the opposite side of thesupport structure 1201 as has been discussed in the previous embodiments). As with the embodiments above with regard toFIGS. 21A-21B and 22A-22C ,FIGS. 23A-23D only illustrate a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1200 sufficient to show the mount system for mounting the first and secondelongate members 1203 to thesupport structure 1201 via the first and second pairs of mountingelements 1204. - As with the previously described embodiments, the first pair of mounting
elements 1204 is coupled or secured to therear surface 1202 of thesupport structure 1201. In this embodiment, the first pair of mountingelements 1204 comprises afirst mounting element 1205 and asecond mounting element 1206. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second mountingelements elements rear surface 1202 of thesupport structure 1201. Each of the first and second mountingelements curved channel 1215. - The first
elongate member 1203 extends from adistal end 1207 to aproximal end 1208 and comprises afirst surface 1209 and an oppositesecond surface 1210. The firstelongate member 1204 comprises first and second mountingelements first surface 1209 and a first bracket 1212 extending from thesecond surface 1210. The first and second mountingelements elements elements 1204 to mount the firstelongate member 1203 to thesupport structure 1201. In the exemplified embodiment, thefirst mounting element 1211 a is a hook that extends outwardly and downwardly towards thedistal end 1207 of the firstelongate member 1203 and thesecond mounting element 1206 is a hook that extends outwardly and upwardly towards theproximal end 1208 of the firstelongate member 1203. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and both of the first and second mountingelements elongate member 1203 may extend outwardly and upwardly towards theproximal end 1208 in other embodiments. The first bracket 1212 is configured to engage a top edge of a door to support the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1200 from the door. -
FIGS. 23C and 23D illustrate the manner of mounting the firstelongate member 1203 to thesupport structure 1201 via the first and second mountingelements elements 1204. The firstelongate member 1203 is positioned adjacent to the first and second mountingelements elements 1204 so that the first and second mountingelements elongate member 1203 are aligned with openings into thechannels 1215 of the first and second mountingelements elements 1204. Next, the firstelongate member 1203 is rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to the first andsecond surfaces elongate member 1203 so that thefirst mounting element 1211 a of the firstelongate member 1203 enters into thechannel 1215 of thefirst mounting element 1205 and thesecond mounting element 1211 b of the firstelongate member 1203 enters into thechannel 1215 of thesecond mounting element 1206. Thus, the main difference between this embodiment and those that were previously described is that the coupling is achieved via a rotational movement of the firstelongate member 1203 relative to thesupport structure 1201. The same rotational technique is used for mounting the second elongate member to the second pair of mounting elements. - Referring to
FIGS. 24A-24C concurrently, another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1300 will be described. The over-the-door hanging apparatus 1300 generally comprises asupport structure 1301 having arear surface 1302, first and secondelongate members elements FIGS. 21A-21B, 22A-22C, and 23A-23D ,FIGS. 24A-2 dC only illustrate a portion of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1300 sufficient to show the mount system for mounting the first and secondelongate members support structure 1301 via the first and second pairs of mountingelements - As with the previously described embodiments, the first and second pairs of mounting
elements rear surface 1302 of thesupport structure 1301 on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of thesupport structure 1301. In this embodiment, the first pair of mountingelements 1304 comprises afirst mounting element 1305 and asecond mounting element 1306 and the second pair of mountingelements 1314 comprises afirst mounting element 1315 and asecond mounting element 1316. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second mountingelements elements 1304 are positioned on a single plate and the first and second mountingelements elements 1314 are positioned on a single plate. However, the invention is not to be limited in this regard in all embodiments. - The first
elongate member 1303 extends from adistal end 1307 to aproximal end 1308 and comprises afirst surface 1309 and an oppositesecond surface 1310. The firstelongate member 1304 comprises first and second mountingelements first surface 1309 and afirst bracket 1312 extending from thesecond surface 1310. Of course, more than two mounting elements may extend from thefirst surface 1309 of the firstelongate member 1304 in other embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second mountingelements elements elements 1304 to mount the firstelongate member 1303 to thesupport structure 1301. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second mountingelements proximal end 1308 of the firstelongate member 1303. Thesecond elongate member 1313 extends from adistal end 1317 to aproximal end 1318 and comprises afirst surface 1319 and an oppositesecond surface 1320. Thesecond elongate member 1314 comprises first and second mountingelements first surface 1319 and asecond bracket 1322 extending from thesecond surface 1320. The first and second mountingelements elements elements 1314 to mount thesecond elongate member 1313 to thesupport structure 1301. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second mountingelements proximal end 1308 of the firstelongate member 1303. The first andsecond brackets door hanging apparatus 1300 from the door. - The first pair of mounting
elements 1304, and specifically the first and second mountingelements elements 1304, will now be described, it being understood that the same description applies to the second pair of mountingelements 1314. In the exemplified embodiment, the first pair of mountingelements 1304 is formed into a plate that is coupled to therear surface 1302 of thesupport member 1301. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the first pair of mountingelements 1304 may be formed directly into therear surface 1302 of thesupport member 1301 or each mountingelement elements 1304 may be formed into separate plates that are coupled to therear surface 1302 of thesupport member 1301. - The
first mounting element 1305 of the first pair of mountingelements 1304 comprises anentry region 1330 and anesting region 1331. Similarly, thesecond mounting element 1306 of the first pair of mountingelements 1304 comprises anentry region 1332 and anesting region 1333. Theentry regions elements elongate member 1303 to pass therethrough. Thenesting regions - Thus, as best illustrated in
FIGS. 24B and 24C , the firstelongate member 1303 is coupled to the support member 1301 (and more specifically to the first pair of mounting elements 1304) via a horizontal sliding motion. Specifically, first the first and second mountingelements entry regions elements elements 1304. Next, the firstelongate arm 1303 is slid horizontally relative to thesupport structure 1301 so that the first and second mountingelements nesting regions elements elements 1304. There is either a cutout formed into therear surface 1302 of thesupport structure 1301 or the plate that contains the first pair of mountingelements 1304 is raised to provide a pocket or open space within which the first and second mountingelements elongate arm 1303 and thesupport structure 1301 to mount the firstelongate arm 1303 to thesupport structure 1301 via the first pair of mountingelements 1304. - Referring to
FIGS. 25A and 25B , another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 is illustrated and will be described. The over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 generally comprises asupport structure 1401 having arear surface 1402 and a mirror or other flat article coupled to thesupport structure 1401, first and secondelongate members bracket 1404 secured or coupled to therear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401. The first and secondelongate members elongate member 1403 comprises a plurality of mounting elements 1411 (afirst mounting element 1411 a, asecond mounting element 1411 b, and athird mounting element 1411 c) and a first bracket 1412. Thesecond elongate member 1413 comprises a plurality of mounting elements 1421 (afirst mounting element 1421 a, asecond mounting element 1421 b, and athird mounting element 1421 c) and a second bracket 1422. - The main difference in this embodiment relative to those previously described is that rather than having a mounting plate or pairs of mounting elements on the
rear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401, there is asingle mounting bracket 1404. The mountingbracket 1404 comprisesfirst portions 1405 that are secured directly to therear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401 andsecond portions 1406 that are raised relative to therear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401. Thus, thefirst portions 1405 of the mountingbracket 1404 are in direct surface contact with therear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401 to couple the mountingbracket 1404 to thesupport structure 1401 and thesecond portions 1406 of the mountingbracket 1404 are spaced apart from therear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401. The mountingbracket 1404 extends horizontally along therear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401 transverse to a vertical centerline of thesupport structure 1401. Thefirst portions 1405 of the mountingbracket 1404 are on opposing ends of the mountingbracket 1404 and thesecond portion 1406 of the mountingbracket 1404 extends between thefirst portions 1405 of the mounting bracket. -
FIG. 25A illustrates the first and secondelongate members bracket 1404 andFIG. 25B illustrates the first and secondelongate members bracket 1404. To mount the firstelongate arm 1403 to the mountingbracket 1404, one of the first, second, and third mountingelements 1411 a-c of the first elongate arm 1403 (which may be hooks as described herein above) is aligned with a bottom edge of the raisedportion 1406 of the mountingbracket 1404. The firstelongate member 1403 is then slid vertically to trap the raisedportion 1406 of the mountingbracket 1404 within the slot or space formed by the mountingelement 1411 a-c being used. Any of the first, second, and third mountingelements 1411 a-c may be used depending on the desired hanging height of thesupport structure 1401. Specifically, if thefirst mounting element 1411 a is used, thesupport structure 1401 will hang lower and if thethird mounting element 1411 c is used the support structure will hang higher. The same technique is used for mounting thesecond elongate member 1413 to the mountingbracket 1404. InFIG. 25B , thesecond mounting elements elongate members - Although only a
single mounting bracket 1404 is used in the exemplified embodiment, in alternative embodiments a second mounting bracket may also be coupled to therear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401 at a vertical position above or below the mountingbracket 1404. When two mounting brackets are used, two of the mountingelements 1411 a-c, 1421 a-c of the first and secondelongate embers elongate members support structure 1401, allowing less potential movement of thesupport structure 1401 when it is hanging from a door as described herein above. -
FIG. 25C illustrates an embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1500 that is similar to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 ofFIGS. 25A and 25B except as described herein below. Thus, the description above with regard to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 is applicable to this embodiment except for the differences specifically described below. In this embodiment, the mountingbracket 1504 has two raisedportions non-raised portions 1405 a-c. Thenon-raised portion 1405 c is positioned and extends in between the two raisedportions portions portion 1406 of the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400. This will reduce horizontal sliding of the first and secondelongate members elongate members bracket 1504. -
FIGS. 25D and 25E illustrate still another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1600 that is similar to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 ofFIGS. 25A and 25B except as described herein below. Thus, the description above with regard to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1400 is applicable to this embodiment except for the differences specifically described below. In this embodiment, the mountingbracket 1604 is a generally flat, planar structure extending across the width of thesupport structure 1401. However, in this embodiment there are twocutouts rear surface 1402 of thesupport structure 1401 from a location adjacent atop edge 1640 of the mountingbracket 1604 vertically downwardly beyond abottom edge 1641 of the mountingbracket 1604. - To mount the first
elongated member 1403 to the mountingbracket 1604, one of the mountingelements 1411 a-c of the firstelongated member 1403 is inserted into thecutout 1606 a, and then the firstelongated member 1403 is slid upwardly. Similarly, to mount the secondelongated member 1413 to the mountingbracket 1604, one of the mountingelements 1421 a-c of the secondelongated member 1413 is inserted into thecutout 1606 b, and then the secondelongated member 1413 is slid upwardly. - Referring to
FIG. 26 , another embodiment of an over-the-door hanging apparatus 1700 is illustrated. The over-the-door hanging apparatus 1700 is similar to the over-the-door hanging apparatus 1000 ofFIGS. 21A and 21B except that instead of using set screws as the mounting elements that are secured to therear surface 1702 of thesupport structure 1701 and to which the first and secondelongated members support structure 1701,barbs elongated members rear surface 1702 of thesupport structure 1701 as desired, and then the barbs may be inserted into through-holes (i.e., mounting elements) formed into the first and secondelongated members barbs support structure 1701 may be such that thebarbs support structure 1701 with the force of a user's hand or thumb/fingers. Alternatively, therear surface 1702 of thesupport structure 1701 may include pre-drilled holes into which thebarbs elongate members support structure 1701. This embodiment may be used in combination with a plate (not shown) that is affixed to therear surface 1702 of thesupport structure 1701 or without such a plate as shown in the exemplified embodiment. - Rather than
barbs elongated members rear surface 1702 of thesupport structure 1701 using adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like. - Referring to
FIGS. 27-29 concurrently, abracket member 2000 will be described in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 27-35D all relate to thebracket member 2000 and its use. Specifically,FIGS. 27-29 illustrate thebracket member 2000 by itself,FIGS. 30-32D illustrate the bracket member supporting two distinct products, andFIGS. 33-35D illustrate the bracket member supporting two distinct products whereby at least one of the products inFIGS. 33-35D is different than one of the products inFIGS. 30-32D . This section of the application will begin with a description of thebracket member 2000 and will follow with a description of how various products or support structures are mounted to thebracket member 2000 and how thebracket member 2000 is mounted to a door. - The
bracket member 2000 is configured to engage a top edge of a door to mount thebracket member 2000 to the door in a similar manner to that which has been described above. Specifically, thebracket member 2000 comprises atop portion 2001 extending from afirst end 2002 to asecond end 2003, afirst portion 2004 extending along a first axis A-A from thefirst end 2002 of thetop portion 2001 to adistal edge 2005, and asecond portion 2006 extending along a second axis B-B from thesecond edge 2003 of thetop portion 2001 to adistal edge 2007. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first andsecond portions top portion 2001, although the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Thus, in the exemplified embodiment thebracket member 2000 is in the shape of a “U” although one of the legs of the “U” is longer than the other as discussed below. - The
first portion 2004 has a first length L1 measured from thetop portion 2001 to thedistal edge 2005 and thesecond portion 2006 has a second length L2 measured from thetop portion 2001 to thedistal edge 2007. In the exemplified embodiment, the first length L1 is greater than the second length L2. In some embodiments, the first length L1 may be between 450 mm and 470 mm and the second length may be between 340 mm and 360 mm. Of course, lengths outside of these ranges are possible in other embodiments as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. In some embodiments the first length L1 may be approximately 100 mm-120 mm greater than the second length L2. In some embodiments a ratio of L1:L2 is between 1.2:1 and 1.4:1, and more specifically approximately 1.3:1. - The
top portion 2001 of thebracket member 2000 extends along an axis that is generally perpendicular to the first and second axes A-A, B-B. Furthermore, the first and second axes A-A, B-B, and hence also the first andsecond portions bracket member 2000, are generally parallel to one another. The first andsecond portions gap 2008 that is configured to receive a portion of a door when thebracket member 2000 is mounted to the door. Specifically, thebracket member 2000 is mounted to a door by positioning thetop portion 2001 of thebracket member 2000 adjacent a top edge of the door so that the first andsecond portions bracket member 2000 can slide side-to-side along the door but cannot be removed from the door without lifting thebracket member 2000 until the first andsecond portions bracket member 2000 until it slides off the free edge of the door (opposite the hinges). - In the exemplified embodiment, the
gap 2008 between the first andsecond portions bracket member 2000 has a constant width measured between the first andsecond portions top portion 2001 of thebracket member 2000 measured between the first andsecond ends 2002, 2003). The exact width of thegap 2008 is not limiting of the present invention but may be selected depending on the thickness of the door to which thebracket member 2000 is to be mounted (approximately 35-55 mm in some embodiments). Furthermore, it is possible that thebracket member 2000 may be formed of a material that permits the first andsecond portions top portion 2001, which would enable thegap 2008 to increase or decrease in width. This may be possible due to the thickness of the material or the particular material chosen regardless of thickness. However, when in a biased un-pivoted position, the width of thegap 2008 is constant along the entirety of the lengths of the first andsecond portions bracket member 2000. Thus, thebracket member 2000 is a generally U-shaped member such that when it is mounted to the top edge of a door, thetop portion 2001 is adjacent to and in contact with the top edge of the door, thefirst portion 2004 is adjacent to and possibly in contact with one of the major surfaces (front or rear) of the door, and thesecond portion 2006 is adjacent to and possibly in contact with the other of the major surfaces (front or rear) of the door. - The
first portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000 comprises afront surface 2009 and an oppositerear surface 2010. Similarly, thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000 comprise afront surface 2011 and an oppositerear surface 2012. Therear surface 2010 of thefirst portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000 faces therear surface 2012 of thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000, although therear surfaces gap 2008 as described herein. When mounted to a door, therear surfaces second portions bracket member 2000 face and/or are in contact with the door while thefront surfaces second portions bracket member 2000 face away from the door. - A first plurality of
hooks 2020 extend from thefront surface 2009 of thefirst portion 2004. The first plurality ofhooks 2020 are arranged in a spaced apart manner along the first axis A-A. The first plurality ofhooks 2020 comprises afirst hook 2021 adjacent to but spaced apart from thedistal end 2005 of thefirst portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000 by a first distance D1, asecond hook 2022 adjacent to but spaced apart from thefirst hook 2021 by a second distance D2, and athird hook 2023 adjacent to but spaced apart from thesecond hook 2022 by a third distance D3. Thus, none of thehooks hooks 2020 is located at thedistal end 2005 of thefirst portion 2004, but rather all are spaced some distance along the first axis A-A from thedistal end 2004. As shown inFIG. 29 , in the exemplified embodiment the second and third distances D2, D3 are the same and are greater than the first distance D1. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the spacing between thehooks hooks hooks 2020, the invention is not to be so limited and the first plurality ofhooks 2020 may include two hooks or more than three hooks in various alternative embodiments. Furthermore, rather than a plurality of hooks, in some embodiments just one hook may extend from thefront surface 2009 of thefirst portion 2004. - The
second portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000 comprises a second plurality ofhooks 2030 extending from thefront surface 2011 of thesecond portion 2006. The second plurality ofhooks 2030 are arranged in a spaced apart manner along the second axis B-B. The second plurality ofhooks 2030 comprises afourth hook 2031 adjacent to but spaced apart from thedistal end 2007 of thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000 by a fourth distance D4, afifth hook 2032 adjacent to but spaced apart from thefourth hook 2031 by a fifth distance D5, and asixth hook 2033 adjacent to but spaced apart from thefifth hook 2032 by a sixth distance D6. Thus, none of thehooks hooks 2030 is located at thedistal end 2007 of thesecond portion 2006, but rather all are spaced some distance along the second axis B-B from thedistal end 2007. The second plurality ofhooks 2030 may include two hooks or more than three hooks, and in some embodiments there may simply be a single hook rather than a plurality of hooks extending from thesecond portion 2006. - As shown in
FIG. 29 , in the exemplified embodiment the fifth and sixth distances D5, D6 are the same and are greater than the fourth distance D4. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the first and fourth distances D1, D4 are the same and the second, third, fifth, and sixth distances D2, D3, D5, D6 are the same. In some embodiments, the first and fourth distances D1, D4 are in a range of approximately 12 mm-15 mm whereas the second, third, fifth, and sixth distances D2, D3, D5, D6 are in a range of 40 mm-50 mm. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the length of the hooks (measured from a bottom-most edge of the hook to a top-most edge of the hook in the direction of the axes A-A, B-B) is between 10-15 mm. However, these ranges are provided with reference to one possible embodiment and distances/spacing between the hooks outside of these noted ranges are possible in other embodiments. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the invention is not to be limited in all embodiments by the specific spacing illustrated in the drawings and described herein and thus the spacing between thehooks hooks hooks 2030, the invention is not to be so limited and the second plurality ofhooks 2030 may include two hooks or more than three hooks in various alternative embodiments (or a single hooks). - Each of the
hooks second portion bracket member 2000 from which it extends that is less than the width of the first orsecond portion hooks bracket member 2000, but rather are centrally located (in the width direction) within the first orsecond portion hooks second portions bracket member 2000 and subsequent bending as described above. Thus, the width of thehooks second portions bracket member 2000. - In the exemplified embodiment, each of the
hooks hooks FIGS. 3A and 3B . Thus, the details of thehooks hooks - Due to the first length L1 of the
first portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000 being greater than the second length L2 of thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000, the hooks of the first and second pluralities ofhooks hooks 2020 and one of the hooks of the second plurality ofhooks 2030 as discussed below, none of the hooks of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 is perfectly aligned with any of the hooks of the second plurality ofhooks 2030. Of course, in other embodiments alignment of the hooks of the first and second pluralities ofhooks - In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and
second hooks hooks 2020 is spaced a greater distance from thetop portion 2001 of thebracket member 2000 than each of the second plurality ofhooks 2030. In fact, in the exemplified embodiment there exists no plane transverse (perpendicular) to the first and second axes A-A, B-B that intersects one of the first andsecond hooks hooks 2020 and any portion of thesecond portion 2030 of thebracket member 2000. This is because the first andsecond hooks hooks 2020 are located at a position on thefirst portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000 that extends beyond thedistal end 2007 of thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000 in a direction of the first and second axes A-A, B-B. - Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the
third hook 2023 of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 is transversely aligned with thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000. Specifically, thethird hook 2023 of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 is spaced a greater distance from thetop portion 2001 than each of the fifth andsixth hooks hooks 2030 and a lesser distance from thetop portion 2001 than thefourth hook 2031 of the second plurality ofhooks 2030. Thus, thefourth hook 2031 is located further from thetop portion 2001 of thebracket member 2000 than thethird hook 2023. As can be seen, a plane RP1 that is orthogonal to the first and second axes A-A, B-B exists that intersects thethird hook 2023 of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 and thefourth hook 2031 of the second plurality ofhooks 2030. Thethird hook 2023 of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 and thefourth hook 2031 of the second plurality ofhooks 2030 are not in perfect transverse alignment, but they have some overlap which results in their both being intersected by the plane RP1. In the exemplified embodiment, thethird hook 2023 of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 is closer to thetop portion 2001 than thefourth hook 2031 of the second plurality ofhooks 2030. - Referring to
FIGS. 30A, 30B, and 31 , an over-the-door hanging apparatus 2500 is illustrated that utilizes two of thebracket members 2000 each coupled to first andsecond support structures second support structures door 10. Although these figures illustrate two of thebracket members 2000 being used, the invention is not to be so limited and a single one of thebracket members 2000 may be used by itself without asecond bracket member 2000 while still achieving the same function as described herein, which is to hang the first andsecond support structures bracket members 2000 may also be used to support each of the first andsecond support structures bracket members 2000 to the first andsecond support structures second support structures bracket members 2000 in any one of the manners as has been described herein above. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiment shown in the drawings but the entire disclosure set forth in this application may be applicable to this embodiment, particularly with regard to the details of the mounting elements that are coupled to thesupport structures bracket members 2000 to thesupport structures - In the exemplified embodiment, the
first support structure 2100 comprises afront surface 2101 and an oppositerear surface 2102. Thefirst support structure 2100 extends along a longitudinal axis C-C. Afirst mounting element 2110 is coupled to therear surface 2102 of thefirst support structure 2100. Similarly, thesecond support structure 2200 comprises afront surface 2201 and an oppositerear surface 2202. Thesecond support structure 2200 extends along a longitudinal axis D-D. Asecond mounting element 2210 is coupled to therear surface 2202 of thesecond support structure 2200. In the exemplified embodiment, a third mounting element (not visible in the drawings) having an identical structure to thefirst mounting element 2110 is also coupled to therear surface 2102 of thefirst support structure 2110 and afourth mounting element 2211 having an identical structure to thesecond mounting element 2210 is coupled to therear surface 2202 of thesecond support structure 2200. Specifically, as with the embodiments discussed previously above, the first and third mountingelements 2110 are coupled to therear surface 2102 of thefirst support structure 2100 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis C-C and the second and fourth mountingelements rear surface 2202 of thesecond support structure 2200 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis D-D. - In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second mounting
elements 2110, 2210 (and also the third and fourth mounting elements 2211) are plates having apertures therein that are aligned with apertures in therear surfaces second support structures elements plates hooks bracket members 2000 may be inserted through the apertures in the plates to mount thesupport structures bracket members 2000 as has been described herein above with specific reference toFIGS. 1-9 . However, any of the alternative mounting mechanisms can be used as the first and second mountingelements plate segments 621 ofFIG. 10 , the mountingplates 820 ofFIGS. 15A and 15B , the mountingelements 1104 ofFIG. 22A , the mountingelements FIG. 23A , the mountingelements 1304 ofFIG. 24A , and the mountingbrackets FIGS. 25A-25E . Thus, the entirety of the disclosure set forth in this document is applicable to this particular embodiment. The difference is that in this embodiment thebracket member 2000 has two elongated portions that are each configured to support a product so that thebracket member 2000 can support two products rather than just one as with the embodiments previously described herein. However, the manner in which the products are mounted to thebracket member 2000 is the same. - In the exemplified embodiment, a
writing surface 2120 is coupled to thefront surface 2101 of thefirst support structure 2100. Stated another way, thewriting surface 2120 is exposed at thefront surface 2101 of thefirst support structure 2100 so that a user can write on thewriting surface 2120. Thus, thefirst support structure 2100 is essentially a frame or other type of structure that is configured to support thewriting surface 2120. Collectively, thefirst support structure 2100 and thewriting surface 2120 form a first product. In the exemplified embodiment, thewriting surface 2120 may be a chalkboard, a blackboard, a white board or any other type of writing surface on which a user can write with a marking instrument and then erase for reuse. Alternatively, thewriting surface 2120 may not be reusable in other embodiments but may instead be a pad of paper or the like that is coupled to thefirst support structure 2100 and can be written on but generally not erased (unless using pencil). - In the exemplified embodiment, a
mirror 2220 is coupled to thefront surface 2201 of thesecond support structure 2200. Thus, themirror 2220 is exposed at thefront surface 2201 of thesecond support structure 2200 so that a user can view themselves in the mirror as desired. Thus, thesecond support structure 2200 is essentially a frame or other type of structure that is configured to support themirror 2220. Collectively, thesecond support structure 2200 and themirror 2220 form a second product. - As with the previously described embodiments, the
first support structure 2100 is mounted to the (or each when more than one is used as shown inFIGS. 30A and 30B )bracket member 2000 through slidable mating between one of the mountingelements 2110 coupled to therear surface 2102 of thefirst support structure 2100 and at least one of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 of thebracket member 2000. Similarly, thesecond support structure 2200 is mounted to the (or each when more than one is used as shown inFIGS. 30A and 30B )bracket member 2000 through slidable mating between one of the mountingelements 2210 coupled to therear surface 2202 of thesecond support structure 2200 and at least one of the second plurality ofhooks 2030 of thebracket member 2000. Thus, the first andsecond support structures same bracket member 2000, and possibly to more than onebracket member 2000 such as is shown in the exemplified embodiment.Multiple bracket members 2000 may be used for mounting each of the first andsecond support structures single bracket member 2200 may be used as would be appreciated by persons skilled in the art. If asingle bracket member 2200 is used to support the first andsecond support structures elements second support structures second support structures bracket member 2000 as has been described in great detail herein. -
FIG. 31 illustrates the first andsecond support structures bracket member 2000 and thebracket member 2000 mounted to adoor 10. As seen, therear surfaces second portions bracket member 2000 are adjacent to and/or in contact with the opposing major surfaces (i.e., front and rear surfaces) of thedoor 10 and thetop portion 2001 of thebracket member 2000 is adjacent to and/or in contact with the top edge of thedoor 10. Thefirst support structure 2100 is mounted to thefirst portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000 via at least one of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 and thesecond support structure 2200 is mounted to thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000 via at least one of the second plurality ofhooks 2030. This mounting technique results in thewriting surface 2120 being exposed on afirst side 11 of thedoor 10 and themirror 2220 being exposed on the secondopposite side 12 of thedoor 10. - Although in the exemplified embodiment the first support structure 2100 (comprising the writing surface 2120) is illustrated and described as being coupled to the
first portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000 and the second support structure 2200 (comprising the mirror 2220) is illustrated and described as being coupled to thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Thus, this may be flipped in alternative embodiments if so desired so that thefirst support structure 2100 is coupled to thesecond portion 2006 of thebracket member 2000 and thesecond support structure 2200 is coupled to thefirst portion 2004 of thebracket member 2000. Furthermore, products other than writing surfaces and mirrors may be mounted to thebracket member 2000 in other embodiments, one such embodiment being described herein with reference toFIGS. 33-35D . Another product type may be a picture frame, an electronic display, or the like. Really any type of product desired to be hung from/mounted to a surface of a door without putting holes into the door can be used. Moreover, in some embodiments the same product may be hung from both the first and second sides of thedoor 11, 12 (a mirror, a writing surface, or some other type of product on both opposing sides of the door). -
FIGS. 32A and 32B are illustrations of thefirst surface 11 of thedoor 10 having thebracket member 2000 mounted thereon with the first andsecond support structures bracket member 2000. In this view, only thefirst support structure 2100 is visible because thesecond support structure 2200 is located at thesecond surface 12 of thedoor 10 as shown inFIGS. 32C and 32D discussed below. ComparingFIG. 32A toFIG. 32B , these figures illustrate the manner in which the hanging height of thefirst support structure 2100 may be modified depending on which of the first plurality ofhooks 2020 thefirst mounting element 2110 of thefirst support structure 2100 is coupled to. Specifically, inFIG. 32A the mountingelement 2110 of thefirst support structure 2100 is coupled to thefirst hook 2021 of the first plurality ofhooks 2020. InFIG. 32B the mountingelement 2110 of thefirst support structure 2100 is coupled to the second and/or thethird hook hooks 2020. Depending on which hooks are used, the vertical height of thefirst support structure 2100 on thedoor 10 may be modified. As seen in these figures, thewriting surface 2120 is exposed at thefirst surface 11 of thedoor 10 so that a user can write thereon as desired. - Comparing
FIG. 32C toFIG. 32D , these figures illustrate the manner in which the hanging height of thesecond support structure 2200 may be modified depending in which of the second plurality ofhooks 2030 the mountingelement 2210 of thesecond support structure 2200 is coupled to. Specifically, inFIG. 32C the mountingelement 2210 of thesecond support structure 2200 is coupled to thefourth hook 2031 of the second plurality ofhooks 2030. InFIG. 32B the mountingelement 2210 of thesecond support structure 2200 is coupled to the fifth and/or thesixth hook hooks 2030. Depending on which hooks are used, the vertical height of thesecond support structure 2200 on thedoor 10 may be modified. As seen in this figure, themirror 2220 is exposed at thesecond surface 12 of thedoor 10 so that a user can view themselves in themirror 2220 as desired. - In certain embodiments, the invention may be directed to a kit that comprises one or two (or more as necessary) of the
bracket members 2000, thefirst support structure 2100 comprising the writing surface (i.e., a first product), and thesecond support structure 2200 comprising the mirrored surface (i.e., a second product). When packaged, thefirst support structure 2100 would include thewriting surface 2120 and thefirst mounting element 2110 and thesecond support structure 2200 would include themirror 2220 and thesecond mounting element 2210. Thus, these components may be packaged together into a singular item that is sold at a retail store. A user can purchase the item and very easily hang both the first andsecond support structures - Turning now to
FIGS. 33-35D , an over-the-door hanging apparatus 3000 is illustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is the same as the previously described embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 30A-32D except that the first support structure/product has been modified. As noted above, the first product included thefirst support structure 2100, thefirst mounting element 2110 and thewriting surface 2120. In this embodiment, the first product is anorganizational item 3100 that includes abasket 3101, ahanger 3102, clips 3103, hooks 3104, and mountingelements 3105. Theorganizational item 3100 may be a bathroom or shower valet, a bathroom or shower caddy, a set of shelves, or similar type of product. Alternatively, theorganizational item 3100 may be any type of product that assists a user in organizing his or her belongings. A user can store various items in thebasket 3101, can use thehanger 3102 andclips 3103 to hang clothing, and can use thehooks 3104 to hang clothing, bags, purses, hats, or the like. Theorganizational item 3100 generally comprises a wire frame and includes the mountingelements 3105 that are configured for coupling/mounting to the first plurality ofhooks 2020 of thefirst portion 2004 of the bracket member 2000 (or to the second plurality ofhooks 2030 of thesecond portion 2006 of the bracket member 2000). -
FIGS. 35A and 35B illustrate theorganizational item 3100 mounted to thebracket member 2000 at two different elevations/heights with theorganizational item 3100 being used to store and hold several of a user's belongings. The hanging height of theorganizational item 3100 may be readily changed by changing the particularly hook to which the mountingelements 3105 of theorganizational item 3100 are coupled. InFIG. 35A theorganizational item 3100 is hung at a lower height than inFIG. 35B . Theorganizational item 3100 may be hung at a lower height when the user is smaller, such as a child, and theorganizational item 3100 may be hung at a higher height when the user is taller, such as an adult. - As has been discussed above, although specific product types are illustrated in these figures for mounting to the
bracket member 2000, the invention is not to be limited by the products shown in these drawings and described herein in all embodiments. Thus, as mentioned above the same product may be mounted on the opposing sides of the door or any various combinations of different products may be mounted on opposing sides of the door. The products may be writing surfaces, mirrors, organizational items, shelving units, picture frames, posters, other artwork, clothing hanging units, or any other type of product desired to be hung from a door. Unless specifically recited as such in the claims, the invention is not to be limited by the particular product being mounted on thebracket member 2000. - While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:
a mirror apparatus comprising a rear surface;
a first channel formed into the rear surface of the mirror apparatus;
a second channel formed into the rear surface of the mirror apparatus, the first and second channels located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the mirror apparatus;
a first flat plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the first flat plate secured to the rear surface of the mirror apparatus by a plurality of fasteners, the first flat plate overlying a first portion of the first channel and forming a passageway into a second portion of the first channel via the first aperture of the first flat plate;
a second flat plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the second flat plate secured to the rear surface of the mirror apparatus by a plurality of fasteners, the second flat plate overlying a first portion of the second channel and forming a passageway into a second portion of the second channel via the first aperture of the second flat plate;
a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the first elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door;
a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the second elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the second elongate bracket member for slidably engaging the top edge of the door;
the mirror apparatus mounted to the first elongate bracket member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate, the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member extending through the first aperture of the first flat plate and into the first channel; and
the mirror apparatus mounted to the second elongate bracket member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate, the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member extending through the first aperture of the second flat plate and into the second channel.
2. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mirror apparatus comprises:
a frame comprising the rear surface of the mirror apparatus; and
a mirror supported by the frame that forms at least a portion of a front surface of the mirror apparatus.
3. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member comprising a base portion and a distal portion, a slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and the front surface of the first elongate bracket member;
the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member comprising a base portion and a distal portion, a slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and the front surface of the second elongate bracket member;
the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate slidably disposed within the slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and the front surface of the first elongate bracket member; and
the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate slidably disposed within the slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and the front surface of the second elongate bracket member.
4. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member is a hook and the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member is a hook.
5. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
wherein the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate that slidably mates with the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member comprises a top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate; and
wherein the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate that slidably mates with the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member comprises a top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate.
6. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 5 wherein the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate overlies the first channel and the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate overlies the second channel.
7. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:
the first portion of the first channel located above the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate and the second portion of the first channel located below the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate; and
the first portion of the second channel located above the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate and the second portion of the second channel located below the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate.
8. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second channels is a through-hole.
9. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
the slidable mating between the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate forming a first connection point between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate;
the slidable mating between the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate forming a first connection point between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate;
a second connection point between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate that is spaced apart and below the first connection point between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate; and
a second connection point between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate that is spaced apart and below the first connection point between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate.
10. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first and second connection points between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate maintain the front surface of the first elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the first flat plate; and wherein the first and second connection points between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate maintain the front surface of the second elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the second flat plate.
11. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
the mirror apparatus comprising a frame and a mirror;
wherein the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate that slidably mates with the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member comprises a top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate;
wherein the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate that slidably mates with the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member comprises a top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate;
wherein the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate overlies the first channel and the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate overlies the second channel;
the first portion of the first channel located above the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate and the second portion of the first channel located below the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate;
the first portion of the second channel located above the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate and the second portion of the second channel located below the top edge of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate;
wherein each of the first and second channels is a through-hole;
the slidable mating between the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first flat plate forming a first connection point between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate;
the slidable mating between the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second flat plate forming a first connection point between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate;
a second connection point between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate that is spaced apart and below the first connection point between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate;
a second connection point between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate that is spaced apart and below the first connection point between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate;
wherein the first and second connection points between the first elongate bracket member and the first flat plate maintain the front surface of the first elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the first flat plate; and
wherein the first and second connection points between the second elongate bracket member and the second flat plate maintain the front surface of the second elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the second flat plate.
12. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:
a support structure comprising a rear surface;
a mirror coupled to the support structure;
a first flat plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure by a plurality of fasteners;
a second flat plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure by a plurality of fasteners, the first and second flat plates located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the over-the-door hanging apparatus;
a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door;
a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the second elongate bracket member for slidably engaging the top edge of the door;
the support structure mounted to the first elongate bracket member by first and second connection points between the first flat plate and the first elongate bracket member that maintain the front surface of the first elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the first flat plate, wherein the first connection point between the first flat plate and the first elongate bracket member is accomplished by slidable mating between a first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and a first mounting element of the first flat plate; and
the support structure mounted to the second elongate bracket member by first and second connection points between the second flat plate and the second elongate bracket member that maintain the front surface of the second elongate bracket member in surface contact with a front surface of the second flat plate, wherein the first connection point between the second flat plate and the second elongate bracket member is accomplished by slidable mating between a first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and a first mounting element of the second flat plate.
13. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:
the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member comprising a protuberance extending from the front surface of the first elongate bracket member;
the first mounting element of the first flat plate comprising a portion of a closed-geometry aperture formed in the first flat plate;
the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member comprising a protuberance extending from the front surface of the second elongate bracket member; and
the first mounting element of the second flat plate comprising a portion of a closed-geometry aperture formed in the second flat plate.
14. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:
a portion of the protuberance of the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member being in surface contact with a rear surface of the first flat plate; and
a portion of the protuberance of the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member being in surface contact with a rear surface of the second flat plate.
15. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:
a first channel formed into the rear surface of the support structure;
a second channel formed into the rear surface of the support structure, the first and second channels located on opposite sides of the vertical centerline;
the first flat plate overlying the first channel, the portion of the protuberance of the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member located within the first channel; and
the second flat plate overlying the second channel, the portion of the protuberance of the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member located within the second channel.
16. An over-the-door hanging apparatus comprising:
a support structure comprising a rear surface;
a mirror supported by the support structure;
a first mounting plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure;
a second mounting plate comprising a first aperture defined by a closed-geometry edge, the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure;
the first and second mounting plates located on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of the over-the-door hanging apparatus;
a first elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the first elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the first elongate bracket member for slidably engaging a top edge of a door;
a second elongate bracket member comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first mounting element protruding from the front surface of the second elongate bracket member, and a bracket extending from the rear surface of the second elongate bracket member for slidably engaging the top edge of the door;
the support structure mounted to the first elongate bracket member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first mounting plate; and
the support structure mounted to the second elongate bracket member, at least in part, by the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member slidably mating with a portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second mounting plate.
17. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:
the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member comprising a base portion and a distal portion, a slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and the front surface of the first elongate bracket member;
the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member comprising a base portion and a distal portion, a slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and the front surface of the second elongate bracket member;
the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first mounting plate slidably disposed within the slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member and the front surface of the first elongate bracket member; and
the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second mounting plate slidably disposed within the slot formed between the distal portion of the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member and the front surface of the second elongate bracket member.
18. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first mounting element of the first elongate bracket member is a flanged fastener and the first aperture of the first mounting plate is a multi-width aperture; and wherein the first mounting element of the second elongate bracket member is a flanged fastener and the first aperture of the second mounting plate is a multi-width aperture.
19. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 16 wherein the support structure comprises a frame.
20. The over-the-door hanging apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:
a first channel formed into the rear surface of the support structure;
a second channel formed into the rear surface of the support structure;
the first mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure so that the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the first mounting plate overlies the first channel; and
the second mounting plate secured to the rear surface of the support structure so that the portion of the closed-geometry edge of the first aperture of the second mounting plate overlies the second channel.
Priority Applications (9)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/652,586 US9801478B1 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-07-18 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US15/726,865 US10238221B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-10-06 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US16/192,218 US11033125B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2018-11-15 | Hanging apparatus |
US16/567,969 US10835061B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2019-09-11 | Over the door mirror apparatus |
US15/931,951 US11419437B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2020-05-14 | Hanging apparatus |
US16/938,629 US10959546B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2020-07-24 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US17/865,805 US11744390B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2022-07-15 | Hanging apparatus |
US18/205,161 US11771245B1 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2023-06-02 | Hanging apparatus |
US18/452,775 US20230389727A1 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2023-08-21 | Hanging apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (11)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US33491410P | 2010-05-14 | 2010-05-14 | |
US12/915,747 US8534627B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2010-10-29 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US14/028,839 US8746644B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2013-09-17 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US14/300,834 US9060627B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2014-06-10 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US14/747,656 US9386867B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2015-06-23 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US201562216703P | 2015-09-10 | 2015-09-10 | |
US15/084,102 US9480350B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2016-03-29 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US201662405325P | 2016-10-07 | 2016-10-07 | |
US15/297,291 US9622600B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2016-10-19 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US15/475,963 US10080448B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-03-31 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US15/652,586 US9801478B1 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-07-18 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/475,963 Continuation US10080448B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-03-31 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/726,865 Continuation-In-Part US10238221B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-10-06 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US9801478B1 US9801478B1 (en) | 2017-10-31 |
US20170311739A1 true US20170311739A1 (en) | 2017-11-02 |
Family
ID=59313431
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/475,963 Active US10080448B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-03-31 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US15/652,586 Active US9801478B1 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-07-18 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/475,963 Active US10080448B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2017-03-31 | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US10080448B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11033125B2 (en) * | 2010-05-14 | 2021-06-15 | Mcs Industries, Inc. | Hanging apparatus |
US11419437B2 (en) * | 2010-05-14 | 2022-08-23 | Mcs Industries, Inc. | Hanging apparatus |
US10952552B2 (en) | 2016-04-08 | 2021-03-23 | Mcs Industries, Inc. | Frame apparatus |
US11246431B2 (en) | 2016-06-23 | 2022-02-15 | Mcs Industries, Inc. | Hanging apparatus and bracket thereof |
US11337560B2 (en) * | 2019-03-04 | 2022-05-24 | Helen Of Troy Limited | Shower caddy |
WO2021194829A1 (en) | 2020-03-25 | 2021-09-30 | Lipkowski Brian Andrew | Gantry crane adapter for two-post lift |
USD946908S1 (en) * | 2021-04-13 | 2022-03-29 | An Hui Mao Xin Household Crafts Co., Ltd | Mirror |
USD998979S1 (en) | 2021-04-19 | 2023-09-19 | E. Mishan & Sons, Inc. | Back view hanging mirror |
US11627805B2 (en) * | 2021-04-30 | 2023-04-18 | Patio Lab Inc. | Shelving apparatus and systems |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030201291A1 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2003-10-30 | Kestler Jeremy B. | Laundry backpack bag |
US20040173550A1 (en) * | 2003-03-04 | 2004-09-09 | Adams William E. | Door hook with interlocking hook segments |
US20080110777A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2008-05-15 | Renee Bentley | Clothes hanger storage device |
US20080185353A1 (en) * | 2007-01-05 | 2008-08-07 | Interdesign, Inc. | Utility items made with rods of oval construction |
US20090199783A1 (en) * | 2008-02-09 | 2009-08-13 | Wilmore Candice A | Door-mounted pet perch |
US20120251988A1 (en) * | 2011-04-01 | 2012-10-04 | Joshua Thomas Moffatt | Reward dispenser |
Family Cites Families (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2270796A (en) | 1938-06-24 | 1942-01-20 | Bonner B Hauser | Door attachment hanger appliance |
US3224715A (en) | 1964-01-20 | 1965-12-21 | Maggiore Joseph | Door-mounting for a mirror |
US5413297A (en) | 1994-01-14 | 1995-05-09 | Adams Mfg. Corp. | Door hook |
US5485932A (en) | 1994-05-03 | 1996-01-23 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Wall mountable modular component mounting system |
US5810304A (en) * | 1996-01-16 | 1998-09-22 | Lehrman; David | Ironing board holder |
US5645178A (en) | 1996-02-23 | 1997-07-08 | Graph-It, Inc. | Method and system for storing and hanging articles |
US5695073A (en) * | 1996-04-10 | 1997-12-09 | Lynk, Inc. | Hanging shoe rack |
US5950337A (en) * | 1998-01-07 | 1999-09-14 | Lehrman; David | Hanging attachment for hanging an ironing board assembly from an upper edge of a door |
US6138841A (en) * | 1999-01-08 | 2000-10-31 | Lynk, Inc. | Hanging rack for sports equipment |
US6223914B1 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2001-05-01 | Interdesign | Over the door brackets |
US6857608B2 (en) | 2001-02-08 | 2005-02-22 | Emerald Innovations, Inc. | Adjustable wreath hanger |
US6575416B1 (en) | 2002-03-26 | 2003-06-10 | Gemmy Industries, Inc. | Adjustable length over-the door hanger |
US7097048B2 (en) | 2002-07-02 | 2006-08-29 | Hsn Improvements, Llc | Shoe rack |
US6857528B2 (en) | 2002-10-24 | 2005-02-22 | Lynk, Inc. | Over door storage rack for base cabinet doors |
US7185864B2 (en) | 2003-10-01 | 2007-03-06 | Adams Mfg. Corp. | Door hook with hinge |
US7207088B2 (en) | 2004-03-01 | 2007-04-24 | Adams Mfg. Corp. | Door hook with removable spacer |
US7188741B1 (en) | 2004-08-13 | 2007-03-13 | Merrick Engineering, Inc | Over the door support apparatus |
US7887017B2 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2011-02-15 | Korina Moran | Hanger, decorative item incorporating the same, and method therefor |
US7992833B1 (en) * | 2008-02-14 | 2011-08-09 | Spectrum Diversified Designs, Inc. | Adjustable hanger device |
US8387838B2 (en) | 2010-04-15 | 2013-03-05 | Janet F. Adams | Device for use in folding fitted sheets |
US9480350B2 (en) | 2010-05-14 | 2016-11-01 | Mcs Industries, Inc. | Over-the-door hanging apparatus |
US20110284707A1 (en) | 2010-05-18 | 2011-11-24 | Patrice Adams | Over-the-door hangit system |
US8353490B2 (en) | 2011-03-28 | 2013-01-15 | Thomas Spinelli | Device for attaching electronic components to flat-screen television |
US20140034801A1 (en) | 2012-08-06 | 2014-02-06 | Dong Koo Kim | Over door hanger |
US9380891B2 (en) | 2014-08-11 | 2016-07-05 | Target Brands, Inc. | Over-the-door storage armoire |
US10902322B2 (en) | 2017-07-26 | 2021-01-26 | Adobe Inc. | Classification training techniques to map datasets to a standardized data model |
-
2017
- 2017-03-31 US US15/475,963 patent/US10080448B2/en active Active
- 2017-07-18 US US15/652,586 patent/US9801478B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030201291A1 (en) * | 2002-04-30 | 2003-10-30 | Kestler Jeremy B. | Laundry backpack bag |
US20040173550A1 (en) * | 2003-03-04 | 2004-09-09 | Adams William E. | Door hook with interlocking hook segments |
US20080110777A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2008-05-15 | Renee Bentley | Clothes hanger storage device |
US20080185353A1 (en) * | 2007-01-05 | 2008-08-07 | Interdesign, Inc. | Utility items made with rods of oval construction |
US20090199783A1 (en) * | 2008-02-09 | 2009-08-13 | Wilmore Candice A | Door-mounted pet perch |
US20120251988A1 (en) * | 2011-04-01 | 2012-10-04 | Joshua Thomas Moffatt | Reward dispenser |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9801478B1 (en) | 2017-10-31 |
US20170202374A1 (en) | 2017-07-20 |
US10080448B2 (en) | 2018-09-25 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9801478B1 (en) | Over-the-door hanging apparatus | |
US9060627B2 (en) | Over-the-door hanging apparatus | |
US9622600B2 (en) | Over-the-door hanging apparatus | |
US10238221B2 (en) | Over-the-door hanging apparatus | |
US11033125B2 (en) | Hanging apparatus | |
US9386867B2 (en) | Over-the-door hanging apparatus | |
US11744390B2 (en) | Hanging apparatus | |
US6325223B1 (en) | Display wall section | |
US8011635B2 (en) | Adjustable wall-hanger assembly | |
US8453387B2 (en) | Display arrangement having profile member for supporting a display element | |
US4531331A (en) | Display apparatus | |
US20170059084A1 (en) | Decorative object including integral hanging member | |
US20210169240A1 (en) | Frame apparatus | |
US9186001B2 (en) | Offset hanger for minimizing space between frame and wall | |
US20080197253A1 (en) | Standard | |
NZ519028A (en) | Wall hanging device | |
JPS6026684Y2 (en) | display panel | |
CN211747900U (en) | Shelf and cloakroom with suspension structure | |
JPH053091Y2 (en) | ||
CA3065303C (en) | Frame apparatus | |
KR200311571Y1 (en) | A Shelf | |
JP2021058566A (en) | Hanger using window frame | |
US20190000245A1 (en) | Mounting block and use |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MCS INDUSTRIES, INC., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KRESSIN, MATTHEW S.;PYLE, MICHAEL LEE;REEL/FRAME:043031/0836 Effective date: 20160222 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |