Apparatus for fastening items on a mantle or shelf

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for securing decorative items such as figurines, lights, garland and Christmas stockings on top of or hanging over the front edge of a shelf or mantel. The apparatus has a retainer that is secured to the wall or the rear of a mantel or shelf, a fastener that is fixed to the decorative item, and an adjustable length tether connecting the two. The retainer is preferably a flat piece that inserts between the rear edge of the shelf or mantel but may be a U shaped clip mounted on the back edge of a shelf. The apparatus prevents the decorative items from being accidentally knocked off or pulled off the shelf or mantel.

1 . Apparatus for holding items on and/or hanging items from a shelf or mantel that is adjacent to a wall with the shelf or mantel having a top, a front edge furthest from the wall and a rear edge nearest the wall that define the width of the shelf or mantel, so the items are not easily pulled off or knocked off the shelf or mantel, the apparatus comprising: 
 a first element positioned on top of the shelf or mantel near its front edge and an item is fastened to the first element;    a second element that is held to the wall; and    adjustable means for connecting the first and second elements to span shelves or mantels of different widths so that any force applied to the item fastened to the first element will not cause the item to fall from the shelf or mantel.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the first element comprises first hangar means that extend over the front edge of the shelf or mantel, said first hangar means permitting the item to be hung in front of the shelf or mantel planar surface.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the first element comprises a first fastening means that permits the item to be fastened to the first element on top of the shelf or mantel.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the adjustable connecting means has a first end and a second end and the first element comprises first means for holding the first end of the adjustable connecting means.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the second element comprises second means for holding the second end of the adjustable connecting means.  
   
   
       6 . (deleted)  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the first element comprises a first fastening means that permits the item to be fastened to the first element on top of the shelf or mantel.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the first element comprises first hangar means that extend over the front edge of the shelf or mantel, said first hangar means permitting the item to be hung in front of the shelf or mantel.  
   
   
       9 . (deleted)  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the adjustable connecting means has a first end and a second end and the first element comprises first means for holding the first end of the adjustable connecting means.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein the second element comprises second means for holding the second end of the adjustable connecting means.  
   
   
       12 . (deleted)  
   
   
       13 . (deleted)  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus for holding items set on a shelf or mantel that is adjacent to a wall, with the shelf or mantel having a top, a front edge furthest from the wall and a rear edge nearest the wall, so that items pulled off or knocked off the shelf or mantel will not fall very far, the apparatus comprising: 
 a first element positioned on top of the shelf or mantel near its front edge and an item is fastened to the first element;    a second element held to the wall; and    means for connecting the first and second elements and if a force is applied to the item fastened to the first element that causes it to fall from the shelf or mantel the item will not fall very far and will held by the connecting means.    
   
   
       15 . (deleted)  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the first element comprises a first fastening means that permits the item to be fastened to the first element on top of the shelf or mantel.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 16  wherein the connecting means has a first end and a second end and the first element comprises first means for holding the first end of the connecting means.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the second element comprises second means for holding the second end of the connecting means.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus for holding an item set on a shelf or mantel that is adjacent to a wall, with the shelf or mantel having a top, a front edge furthest from the wall and a rear edge nearest the wall, so that if the item is pulled off or knocked off the shelf or mantel it will not fall very far, the apparatus comprising: 
 a fastening element held to the wall; and    A tether having a first end that is attached to the fastening element and a second end that is attached to the item on the shelf or mantel, and if a force is applied to the item fastened to the tether that causes it to fall from the shelf or mantel the item will not fall very far and will held by the tether.