Hanger having a locking bar

Abstract

A hanger having a first hook portion extending above a central body portion has at least one arm extending laterally outward from the central body portion to a first distal end. At least one locking bar has a first end and is secured along the first arm extending adjacent the first arm to a second end. Additionally, at least one support bar can be provided having a third end and secured along the first arm extending beneath the first locking bar to a fourth end. Either or both of the second and fourth ends may extend beyond a midpoint of the hanger. A second support bar and/or a second locking bar may be provided. The locking bar deflects under the weight of the hung article to engage an article between the locking bar and a support.

1 . a hanger comprising: 
 a first hook portion extending above a central body portion;    first and second arms, each extending laterally outward from the central body portion to a respective first and second distal end;    a first locking bar having a first end secured distally along the first arm and extending inward towards the central body portion beneath the first arm to a free second end;    a first support bar having a third end secured distally along the first arm and extending inward towards the central body portion beneath the first locking bar to a fourth end;    a second support bar having a fifth end secured distally along the second arm and extending inward towards the central body portion beneath the second arm to a sixth end;    a second locking bar having a seventh end secured distally along the second arm and extending inward towards the central body portion beneath the second arm and above the second support bar to a free eighth end;    wherein the locking bar is dimensioned to deflect to interface the support bar under a predetermined minimum force, and further wherein the second end of the first locking bar extends at least to the sixth end of the second support bar and above the second support bar.    
   
   
       2 . A hanger comprising: 
 a first hook portion extending above a central body portion;    first and second arms, each extending laterally outward from the central body portion to a respective first and second distal end;    a first locking bar having a first end secured along the first arm and extending inward toward the central body portion and beneath the first arm to a second end; and    a first support bar having a third end secured along the second arm and extending inward towards the central body portion at least to the first end of the first    locking bar and beneath the first locking bar to a fourth end.    
   
   
       3 . The hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the locking bar is dimensioned to deflect to interface the supporting bar under a predetermined minimum force.  
   
   
       4 . The hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the supporting bar and locking bar are dimensioned to support together a predetermined maximum force.  
   
   
       5 . The hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein a lower surface of the locking bar and an upper surface of the first support bar are provided with complementary profiles.  
   
   
       6 . A hanger comprising: 
 a first hook portion extending above a central body portion;    a first arm extending laterally outward from the central body portion to a first distal end;    a first locking bar having a first fixed end secured along the first arm and extending inward beyond a midpoint of the hanger and beneath the first arm to a first free end; and    a first support bar having a second fixed end secured along the first arm and extending inward beyond a midpoint of the hanger and beneath the first locking bar to a second free end.    
   
   
       7 . The hanger according to  claim 6  wherein the locking bar is dimensioned to deflect to interface the supporting bar under a predetermined minimum force.  
   
   
       8 . The hanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the supporting bar and locking bar are dimensioned to support together a predetermined maximum force.  
   
   
       9 . The hanger according to  claim 6 , wherein a lower surface of the locking bar and an upper surface of the first support bar are provided with complementary profiles.  
   
   
       10 . A hanger comprising: 
 a first hook portion extending above a central body portion;    first and second arms, each extending laterally outward from the central body portion to respective first and second distal ends; and    a first locking bar having a first end secured to the hanger and extending adjacent the first arm to a second end, wherein the first locking bar is dimensioned to deflect to interface a support under a predetermined minimum force.    
   
   
       11 . The hanger according to  claim 10 , further comprising a second locking bar having a third end secured to the hanger and extending adjacent the second arm to a fourth end, wherein the second locking bar is dimensioned to deflect to interface a support under a predetermined minimum force.  
   
   
       12 . The hanger according to  claim 10 , wherein the support comprises one of the first arm, and a first support bar having a fifth end secured to the hanger and extending adjacent the first locking bar to a sixth end.  
   
   
       13 . The hanger according to  claim 10 , wherein the first locking bar is positioned above the first arm.  
   
   
       14 . A method for hanging a flexible article, the method comprising: 
 a. providing a hanger having at least a hook portion, a support beneath the hook portion and a flexible locking bar between the support and the hook portion;    b. folding the flexible article over itself at least once;    c. positioning one side of the folded article between the locking bar and the support;    d. positioning another side of the folded article above the locking bar; and    e. allowing the weight of the article to deflect the locking bar into engagement with the support, thereby securing the side of the folded article located therebetween.    
   
   
       15 . The method for hanging a flexible article according to  claim 14 , further comprising suspending the hanger from a support by the hook portion.  
   
   
       16 . The method for hanging a flexible article according to  claim 14 , wherein a lower surface of the locking bar and an upper surface of the support are provided with complementary profiles.