WO2006022473A1

WO2006022473A1 - A fixed hanger

Info

Publication number: WO2006022473A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Kwang Kim
Original assignee: Young-Kwang Kim
Priority date: 2004-08-26
Filing date: 2005-04-22
Publication date: 2006-03-02

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a supporting apparatus, which is intended to easily attach or detach an item, such as a banner, to or from a post, ceiling, or wall. The supporting apparatus includes a main body (10) and a plurality of poles (12). The main body is secured to a desired object, with a plurality of pole insertion holes formed around the outer circumference of the main body at regular intervals. An end of each pole is detachably inserted into an associated pole insertion hole, and the other end of each pole holds a predetermined item. This invention allows easy attachment and detachment of an item, thus affording efficient space utilization. Further, this invention allows the distances between the poles to be appropriately adjusted according to the size of an item, thus allowing items of various sizes to be stably held.

Description

A FIXED HANGER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for supporting banners or the like and, more particularly, to an apparatus, which is intended to easily attach or detach thin and wide items, such as banners, to or from a ceiling or wall, in addition to stably supporting the items. Background Art

[2] Generally, banners, a form of advertising media, are used for various purposes.

Banners have been widely used for advertising in various fields. The merchandising banners are usually made of cloth, with an advertising description or information being printed on the cloth.

[3] A conventional rectangular banner is installed as follows. That is, after square staffs are secured to both edges of cloth, the banner is installed at a desired place using a rope or wire. Thus, it is complicated to install the banner, and locations for installing the banner are limited.

[4] In order to solve the problems, Korean U.M. registration No. 20-0330625 which is titled "banner supporting apparatus" and is hereinafter referred to as cited document 1, and Korean U.M. registration No. 20-0187230 which is titled "banner supporting apparatus" and is hereinafter referred to as cited document 2 have been proposed.

[5] The cited document 1 relates to a stand-type banner supporting apparatus capable of being independently set up, in which a banner is constructed to be shorter than general banners. The banner supporting apparatus includes a base, a support leg, and a plurality of elastic poles. The base is placed on the ground surface. The height adjustable support leg extends upwards from a rear portion of the base. The elastic poles are installed at an end of the support leg and are arranged in the form of Y, such that an edge of the banner is secured to an end of each elastic pole. Thus, the banner may be installed in a desired place, while being maintained taut due to the restoring force of the elastic poles.

[6] However, the stand-type banner supporting apparatus according to the cited document 1 is problematic in that the size of the banner held by the elastic poles is limited. Since only a standard sized banner may be held by the banner supporting apparatus, it is impossible to hold banners having various sizes using a single banner supporting apparatus, so that the versatility of the banner supporting apparatus is poor. Usually, the banner is movably installed beside a road or installed in front of a su¬ permarket, so that it may obstruct passers-by. Further, when the wind is strongly blowing, the banner supporting apparatus may be blown down, thus marring the appearance of the surroundings and inconveniencing passers-by. Meanwhile, when the banner supporting apparatus is not used (when the banner supporting apparatus is carried or stored), the base, the support leg, and the poles must be disassembled from each other. However, the base is large, and the support leg and the poles are long, so that it is difficult to store the banner supporting apparatus. Further, it is impossible to hold the banner at various angles, that is, the banner is always displayed with the same orientation.

[7] Further, according to the cited document 2, the banner supporting apparatus includes a base, a mounting unit, and a plurality of threaded holes. The base is secured to a desired object. The mounting unit protrudes from the base to hold a banner. The threaded holes are bored through the mounting unit, such that external threads of banner support rods engage with the corresponding threaded holes. Such a construction allows the banner to be installed at various angles.

[8] However, the banner supporting apparatus according to the cited document 2 must be mounted to a lower surface of the specified object (e.g. the ceiling of a room or the underside of a sign). Further, the end of the banner is not fixed, so that the banner may flutter or collapse due to wind or the like. Thus, it is difficult to commercially use the banner supporting apparatus for the purpose of advertising. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and the present invention has the following objects.

[10] An object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus, capable of easily attaching or detaching a banner or the like to or from a post, ceiling, or wall of a building, thus affording efficient space utilization.

[11] Another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus, capable of supporting banners having various sizes.

[12] A further object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus, capable of more firmly and stably supporting a banner.

[13] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus, which can be disassembled into several small parts, thus being easy to store.

[14] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus, capable of supporting a banner at various angles, and adjusting the angle of the hanging banner as desired. Technical Solution

[15] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a supporting apparatus including a main body fastened to a specified object, and having a plurality of pole insertion holes provided along an outer circumference of the main body at regular intervals and a bolt through hole through which a mounting bolt passes; a mounting unit directly secured to the specified object so as to fasten the main body to the specified object, with the mounting bolt being provided at a predetermined position in the mounting unit and passing through the bolt through hole; a plurality of poles, a first end of each of the poles being detachably inserted into an associated pole insertion hole, and a second end of each of the poles supporting a predetermined item; and a nut engaging with an end of the mounting bolt of the mounting unit, which passes through the bolt through hole to protrude forwards from the main body, thus allowing the main body to be fastened to the mounting unit.

[16] According to an aspect of the invention, the supporting apparatus further includes an elastic ring which is inserted into each of the pole insertion holes, and supports an end of each of the poles.

[17] In another aspect of this embodiment, the supporting apparatus further includes a support leg, a first end of the support leg being bent to be fitted into the bolt through hole, and a second end of the support leg extending in a straight line.

[18] In yet another aspect of this embodiment, each of the poles further includes a hanging member which is provided on the second end of each of the poles and supports the predetermined item.

[19] In still another aspect of this embodiment, each of the poles includes a mounting part inserted into an associated pole insertion hole; and a holding part to hold the pre¬ determined item, wherein the supporting apparatus further includes a coupling pipe to couple the mounting part to the holding part, with ring seating grooves formed through inner and outer circumferences of both ends of the coupling pipe such that elastic rings are seated in the corresponding ring seating grooves.

Advantageous Effects

[20] The supporting apparatus according to the present invention has the following ad¬ vantageous effects.

[21] First, the supporting apparatus is capable of easily attaching or detaching a banner or the like to or from a post, ceiling, or wall of a building, thus affording efficient space utilization.

[22] Second, the supporting apparatus is capable of supporting banners having various sizes.

[23] Third, the supporting apparatus is capable of more firmly and stably supporting a banner.

[24] Fourth, the supporting apparatus can be disassembled into several small parts, thus being easy to store. [25] Fifth, the supporting apparatus is capable of supporting a banner at various angles, and adjusting the angle of the hanging banner as desired.

Brief Description of the Drawings [26] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a supporting apparatus, according to the first embodiment of this invention; [27] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body included in the supporting apparatus of

FIG. 1; [28] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the main body included in the supporting apparatus of

FIG. 1; [29] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the state where the main body of the supporting apparatus of FIG. 1 is fastened to a desired object; [30] FIG. 5 is a view showing a modification of the main body included in the supporting apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

[31] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a pole included in the supporting apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

[32] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the pole included in the supporting apparatus of FIG.

1; [33] FIG. 8 is a view showing another use of the pole included in the supporting apparatus of FIG. 1 ; [34] FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of a hanging member included in the pole of FIG. 1; [35] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a coupling unit included in the supporting apparatus of FIG. 1 ; [36] FIG. 11 is a view showing the use of the supporting apparatus of FIG. 1, according to a modification of this invention; [37] FIG. 12 is a view showing the use of the supporting apparatus of FIG. 1, according to another modification of this invention; [38] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a supporting apparatus, according to the second embodiment of this invention; [39] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main body included in the supporting apparatus of

FIG. 13; [40] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the main body included in the supporting apparatus of

FIG. 13; and [41] FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the state where poles are combined with the main body of the supporting apparatus of FIG. 13.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [42] The preferred embodiments of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For brevity of description of this invention, repetitive descriptions will be avoided.

[43] <First Embodiment

[44] As shown in FIG. 1, a supporting apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention includes a main body 10, a plurality of poles 12, coupling units 11, and other components.

[45] The construction of the supporting apparatus will be described below in detail.

[46] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 and the sectional view of FIG. 3, the main body 10 has the shape of a disc having a predetermined thickness and diameter. A plurality of pole insertion holes 10a is formed along the outer circumference of the main body 10 at regular intervals. Further, the pole insertion holes 10a are arranged at regular angular intervals, so that it is possible to arrange the poles at various angles. In this embodiment, neighboring pole insertion holes 10a are at 30°angles with respect to each other. Further, each pole insertion hole 10a comprises a nut hole.

[47] A bolt through hole 10b is provided in a central portion of the main body 10 such that a mounting bolt passes through the bolt through hole 10b.

[48] The main body 10 may be secured to a desired object, using the bolt through hole

10b. FIG. 4 shows the example in which the main body 10 is fastened to a desired object using the bolt through hole 10b. As shown in FIG. 4, a mounting unit 30 is required to mount the main body 10 to a desired object. The mounting unit 30 has a disc shape, with a mounting bolt 31 provided at the center of the mounting unit 30. Further, a plurality of screw holes 32 is formed around the mounting bolt 31. By tightening screws 32 into the corresponding screw holes 32, the mounting unit 30 is directly fastened to a wall of the desired object. The mounting bolt 31 of the mounting unit 30 passes through the bolt through hole 10b of the main body 10. Subsequently, a nut 34 is fastened to an end of the mounting bolt 31 protruding out of the front of the main body 10. Thereby, the main body 10 is mounted to the desired object. When it is required to adjust the angle of an item supported by the supporting apparatus, the nut 34 is loosened and the main body 10 is rotated at a predetermined angle. In this way, the angle of the supported item can be adjusted as desired.

[49] Of course, the main body 10 may be directly secured to the wall using a bolt driven into the wall. However, the mounting unit 30 is preferably provided so that the angle of a supported item may be adjusted.

[50] Further, the rear surface of the mounting unit 30 is stepped to provide an adhesive holding part 30a. The adhesive holding part 30a holds an adhesive to attach the mounting unit 30 to a desired object. Thus, the mounting unit 30 may be secured to the desired object by tightening the screws 33 into the screw holes 32. Alternatively, the mounting unit 30 may be secured to the desired object by bonding the mounting unit 30 to the desired object using adhesive filled in the adhesive holding part 30a.

[51] Further, a plurality of bolt insertion holes 1Od is formed along the edge of the main body 10 at regular intervals, so that bolts are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 1Od. When this invention is used in practice, the main body 10 may comprise a plastic injection molded structure. Since the injection molding process is required, the main body 10 is manufactured to be divisible into upper and lower parts 1OA and 1OB. Thus, in order to combine the upper and lower parts 1OA and 1OB with each other, the bolt insertion holes 1Od must be formed. Further, the upper and lower parts 1OA and 1OB are combined with each other by providing bolts 1Oe and nuts 1Of into the insertion holes 1Od.

[52] Of course, it is unnecessary for the main body 10 to have a disc shape. According to a modification, the main body 10 may have a polygonal shape, as shown in FIG. 5.

[53] The poles 12 are made of an elastic material so that the poles 12 may elastically bend and thereby hold an item tightly. A first end of each pole 12 is detachably mounted to an associated pole insertion hole 10a, while a second end of the pole 12 holds the item. The construction and shape of the poles 12 are shown in detail in the exploded view of FIG. 6 and the sectional view of FIG. 7. As shown in the drawings, each pole 12 has a mounting part 12a inserted into an associated pole insertion hole 10a, and a holding part 12b to hold the item. Further, a coupling pipe 12c couples the mounting part 12a to the holding part 12b. As shown in FIG. 10, a stop protrusion 12c-l is provided at a middle position in the coupling pipe 12c. The mounting part 12a and the holding part 12b are inserted into both sides of the coupling pipe 12c until they are stopped by the stop protrusion 12c-l, thus constituting one pole. Further, ring seating grooves 12c-2 are provided on both ends of the coupling pipe 12c. The ring seating grooves 12c-2 are formed through inner and outer circumferences of the coupling pipe 12c. Elastic rings 12c-3 are seated in the corresponding ring seating grooves 12c-2. Thus, after the mounting part 12a and the holding part 12b are coupled via the coupling pipe 12c, the elastic rings 12c-3 are seated in the corresponding ring seating grooves 12c-2, thus elastically stably supporting the mounting part 12a and the holding part 12b on the coupling pipe 12c.

[54] Alternatively, external threads may be provided on the mounting part and the holding part, and internal threads may be provided on the coupling pipe, so that the external threads of the mounting part and the holding part engage with the internal threads of the coupling pipe. Further, when two or more coupling pipes are used as shown in FIG. 8, a longer pole may be realized.

[55] Further, a hanging member 12d is provided on the second end of the pole 12. The hanging member 12d is fitted over the second end of the pole 12, like a cap, with a hook 12d-l provided on an outer surface of the hanging member 12d to hook the item. If necessary, it is possible to hold the item by tying the item on the second end of the pole 12. However, it is more preferable that the hanging member 12d be provided on the second end of the pole 12, thus allowing the item to be more easily held.

[56] FlG. 9 shows a hanging member, according to a modification of this invention. As shown in FlG. 9, the hanging member may have a plurality of hooks. Thus, if one hook becomes broken or damaged, it is possible to use another hook. Accordingly, the hanging member maintains its ability to hold the item.

[57] Generally, a banner is representative of items which may be held on the poles.

However, this invention may be adapted to various items without being limited to the banner, as long as items are made of wide, thin, and rectangular pieces of cloth, like menu banners used in restaurants.

[58] As shown in FlG. 10, each coupling unit 11 includes an external thread 11a and a boss 1 Ib. The external thread 1 Ia engages with an associated pole insertion hole 10a through a screw-type fastening method. The cylindrical boss 1 Ib extends longi¬ tudinally from the external thread 11a, such that an end of each pole 12 is inserted into the boss 1 Ib. Further, splines are longitudinally formed on an inner surface of the boss 1 Ib. An end of each pole 12, that is, a part of the mounting part 12b, also has splines. Thus, after each coupling unit 11 is assembled with the main body 10, an end of each pole 12 is inserted into the boss 12b of the coupling unit 11 through a spline coupling method. In this way, the poles 12 are secured to the main body 10. In this case, since the coupling units 11 can be detachably connected to the main body 10 at various angles, it is possible to arrange the poles 12 at various angles.

[59] The use of the supporting apparatus constructed as described above will be described below.

[60] First, as shown in FlG. 4, a user secures the mounting unit 30 to a wall or the like.

The mounting unit 30 is firmly secured to the wall by tightening the screws 33 into the corresponding screw holes 32 that are formed around the mounting bolt 31.

[61] Subsequently, the mounting bolt 31 of the mounting unit 30 is inserted into the bolt through hole 10b of the main body 10 to protrude forwards from the main body 10. In such a state, the nut 34 engages with an end of the mounting bolt 31. Thereby, the main body 10 is secured to the wall or the like.

[62] Next, the coupling units 11 are inserted into the corresponding pole insertion holes

10a of the main body 10.

[63] Meanwhile, the user couples a plurality of poles (usually, four poles are sufficient) to the coupling units. In a detailed description, the mounting part 12a and the holding part 12b of each pole are fitted into the coupling pipe 12c. Thereafter, the mounting part 12a is coupled to an associated coupling unit 12c through the engagement of the splines of the mounting part with the splines of the coupling unit. In this way, the assembly of the poles is completed.

[64] When the poles 12 are stably assembled with the main body 10, four comers of an item to be supported, such as a banner P, are hooked by the hooks 12d-l of the hanging members 12d provided on ends of the poles 12. At this time, the poles 12 are elastically bent by the banner P, so that the banner P is maintained taut.

[65] If the user desires to adjust the angle of the hanging banner P, the nut 34 is loosened from the mounting bolt 31, and the main body 10 is rotated at a desired angle. Thereafter, the nut 34 is fastened to the mounting bolt 31 again. Hence, the angle of the hanging banner P is adjusted.

[66] Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when a larger banner P' must be supported, two main bodies 10 are secured to a desired object to be spaced apart from each other by a pre¬ determined interval. Thereafter, the poles 12 are arranged in diagonal directions such that the poles 12 of one main body are aligned with the poles 12 of the other main body.

[67] FIG. 12 shows the example in which a supporting apparatus 100 is not fixed but is freely movable. Such a construction is utilized when a user desires to freely move the supporting apparatus 10. To this end, the supporting apparatus 100 further includes a support leg 13. Further, a first end 13a of the support leg 13 is bent and inserted into the bolt through hole 10b of the main body 10. A second end 13b of the support leg 13 extends in a straight line.

[68] That is, the first end 14a of the support leg 14 is inserted into the bolt through hole

10b of the main body 10 holding the banner P. Thereafter, two poles 12 contacting the ground surface and the second end 14b of the support leg 14 are arranged in a triangular pattern, thus stably supporting the banner P. Therefore, it is possible for a user to conveniently move the supporting apparatus 100.

[69]

[70] <Second Embodiment

[71] According to the second embodiment of this invention, a supporting apparatus 900 includes a main body 90, a plurality of poles 92, elastic rings 91, and other components, as shown in FIG. 13.

[72] The construction of the supporting apparatus will be described below in detail.

[73] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the main body 90 has the shape of a disc having a predetermined thickness and diameter. A plurality of pole insertion holes 90a is formed on the outer circumference of the disc at regular intervals.

[74] A bolt through hole 90b is provided on the central portion of the main body 90 such that a mounting bolt passes through the bolt through hole 90b. Like the first embodiment, bolt insertion holes 9Od may be provided on the edge of the main body 90 in a circumferential direction thereof at regular intervals, so that bolts are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 9Od.

[75] Further, ring insertion holes 9Oe are provided on the main body 90 in the circum¬ ferential direction thereof. Thus, the elastic rings 91, which will be described below in detail, are inserted into the ring insertion holes 9Oe at positions corresponding to the pole insertion holes 90a of the main body 10. The ring insertion holes 9Oe are formed around the bolt through hole 90b of the main body 90 in the circumferential direction thereof, and open towards the front of the main body 90.

[76] The elastic rings 91 are inserted into the corresponding ring insertion holes 9Od of the main body 90. The poles 92 may be directly fitted into the corresponding pole insertion holes 90a without an additional coupling means. Preferably, the poles 92 may be coupled to the main body through a screw-type fastening method. However, this fitting method is problematic in that the poles 92 cannot be stably secured to the main body 90. The screw-type fastening method is problematic in that external threads must be formed on the poles 92, so that the strength of portions of the poles having the external threads may be reduced after the poles have been used for a lengthy period of time, thereby the poles 92 may break. Thus, the poles 92 are fitted into the pole insertion holes 90a, and the elastic rings 91 are additionally provided so as to stably secure the poles 92 to the main body. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, when the poles 92 are inserted into the corresponding pole insertion holes 90a, the poles 92 are elastically supported by the elastic rings 91. Such a construction allows the poles 92 to be stably held on the main body 90.

[77] The use of the supporting apparatus 900 constructed as described above will be described below.

[78] First, a user secures the mounting unit 30 to a wall or the like.

[79] Subsequently, the mounting bolt 31 of the mounting unit 30 is inserted into the bolt through hole 90b of the main body 90 to protrude forwards from the main body 90. In such a state, a nut 34 engages with an end of the mounting bolt 31. Thereby, the main body 90 is secured to the wall or the like.

[80] After the assembly of the poles 92 is completed, the mounting part of each pole 92 is inserted into an associated pole insertion hole. Thereby, the assembly of the supporting apparatus is completed. At this time, the poles 92 are elastically supported by the elastic rings 91, so that the poles 92 are stably held on the main body.

[81] After the poles 92 are stably assembled with the main body 90, four corners of an item to be supported are hooked by the hanging members. In this way, the banner or the like is supported by the supporting apparatus.

[82] Of course, the supporting apparatus of the second embodiment may further include a support leg such that it is possible to move the supporting apparatus, in the same manner as the first embodiment. [83] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modi¬ fications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A supporting apparatus, comprising: a main body fastened to a specified object, and comprising: a plurality of pole insertion holes provided along an outer circumference of the main body at regular intervals; and a bolt through hole through which a mounting bolt passes; a mounting unit directly secured to the specified object so as to fasten the main body to the specified object, with the mounting bolt being provided at a pre¬ determined position in the mounting unit and passing through the bolt through hole; a plurality of poles, a first end of each of the poles being detachably inserted into an associated pole insertion hole, and a second end of each of the poles supporting a predetermined item; and a nut engaging with an end of the mounting bolt of the mounting unit, which passes through the bolt through hole to protrude forwards from the main body, thus allowing the main body to be fastened to the mounting unit.

[2] The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an elastic ring inserted into each of the pole insertion holes, and supporting an end of each of the poles.

[3] The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a support leg, a first end of the support leg being bent to be fitted into the bolt through hole, and a second end of the support leg extending in a straight line.

[4] The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the poles further comprises: a hanging member provided on the second end of each of the poles, and supporting the predetermined item.

[5] The supporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the poles comprises: a mounting part inserted into an associated pole insertion hole; and a holding part to hold the predetermined item, and wherein the supporting apparatus further comprises a coupling pipe to couple the mounting part to the holding part, with ring seating grooves formed through inner and outer circumferences of both ends of the coupling pipe such that elastic rings are seated in the corresponding ring seating grooves.