Hanger apparatus

Abstract

A hanger apparatus for supporting items such as plants, wind chimes, and the like mounts to a vertical post without marring the post or making holes in the post. The hanger apparatus includes a mounting assembly having first and second frictional lock members that engage front and rear surfaces of the vertical post with an interference fit to prevent the hanger apparatus from moving downwardly. Extending from the mounting assembly is a cantilevered arm having a hanger at its extended end to which the item is suspended with clearance from the vertical post.

1 . An apparatus for mounting to at least one vertical post and supporting an object, comprising:
 a mounting assembly having first and second frictional lock members that engage front and rear surfaces of the vertical post with an interference fit to prevent the apparatus from moving downwardly;   a cantilevered arm extending from the mounting assembly and having an extended end; and   a hanger proximate the extended end of the cantilevered arm, wherein the object is suspended from the hanger with clearance from the vertical post,   wherein the apparatus is secured to the vertical post without making any holes in the vertical post.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising two spaced apart extension arms, wherein the cantilevered arm extends between the two spaced apart extension arms and wherein at least one transverse brace secures the extension arms and the cantilevered arm together for suspending the object therefrom. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the two spaced apart extension arms extend beyond the front and rear surfaces of the vertical post, the first frictional lock member is positioned at a lower elevation than the second frictional lock member, and the first and second frictional lock members are engaged by the two spaced apart extension arms. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vertical post comprises two vertical posts and wherein the cantilevered arm extends from a position between the two vertical posts and wherein the first frictional lock member is positioned proximate a top side of the cantilevered arm and the second frictional lock member is positioned proximate a bottom side of the cantilevered arm thereby creating a frictional lock of the apparatus to the vertical posts. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered arm comprises a support arm and two spaced apart brace arms, wherein the spaced apart brace arms are positionable on opposing lateral sides of the vertical post and wherein the first and second frictional lock members are attached to the extension arms. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first frictional lock member is removably attached to the extension arms. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered arm comprises a threaded eyelet with a mounting end that extends through openings in the frictional lock members for fastening in place. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger is a crook. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered arm is substantially perpendicular to the vertical post. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered arm has a substantially nonlinear shape. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger is a hook for suspending the object therefrom. 
   
   
       12 . A hanger apparatus for mounting to two adjacent vertical members and for suspending an item therefrom, comprising:
 a mounting assembly having front and rear frictional lock members that engage front and rear surfaces of the two vertical members with an interference fit to prevent the hanger apparatus from moving downwardly, wherein the mounting assembly mounts to the two vertical members without marring the two vertical members;   an extension and support assembly coupled to the mounting assembly, wherein the extension and support assembly includes
 a pair of extension arms extending from the mounting assembly, wherein the extension arms are spaced apart; and 
 a support arm extending from the mounting assembly and between the spaced apart extension arms; and 
   a plurality of fasteners for securely connecting the front and rear frictional lock members to the pair of extension arms,   wherein the front frictional lock member is positioned against the front surface of the vertical members at a bottom side of the extension arms and securely fastened thereto and wherein the rear frictional lock member is positioned against the rear surface of the vertical members at a top side of the extension arms and securely fastened thereto, whereby the hanger apparatus is frictionally secured to the vertical members.   
   
   
       13 . The hanger apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the support arm further comprises a hook for securely suspending the item therefrom. 
   
   
       14 . The hanger apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the two adjacent vertical members include two adjacent and generally Y-shaped extenders for mounting to a horizontal edge of a fence. 
   
   
       15 . A hanger apparatus, comprising:
 a cantilevered arm;   a mounting assembly coupled to the cantilevered arm, wherein the mounting assembly comprises first and second lock members, wherein the first and second lock members each have a hole extending therethrough, and wherein the mounting assembly mounts to two adjacent vertical members having a gap therebetween, each vertical member having front and rear surfaces;   a first fastener for securing the cantilevered arm to the first lock member; and   a second fastener for securing the cantilevered arm to the second lock member,   wherein the first lock member is positioned against the front surfaces of the two vertical members, wherein the second lock member is positioned against the rear surfaces of the two vertical members and parallel to the first lock member such that the holes align, and wherein the cantilevered arm extends through the holes and is secured to the lock members with the first and second fasteners.   
   
   
       16 . The hanger apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the cantilevered arm has an extended end and a hook is located at the extended end thereof for suspending an item therefrom. 
   
   
       17 . The hanger apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the cantilevered arm has an extended end and an eye nut is located at the extended end thereof for suspending an item therefrom. 
   
   
       18 . A hanger apparatus for mounting to a single vertical post and for supporting an item, comprising:
 an extension and support assembly to which the item is coupled for support with clearance from the vertical member, wherein the extension and support assembly comprises a cantilevered platform for supporting an item thereon and having
 first and second spaced apart extension arms, each having an extended end; 
 a transverse brace, wherein the transverse brace is secured at the extended ends of the first and second extension arms; and 
 a support panel mounted on the first and second extension arms; and 
   a mounting assembly coupled to the extension and support assembly, wherein the mounting assembly includes front and rear frictional lock members that engage front and rear surfaces of the vertical member with an interference fit to prevent the hanger apparatus from moving downwardly, wherein the hanger apparatus is secured to the vertical post without making any holes in the vertical post.   
   
   
       19 . A hanger apparatus for mounting to a vertical post having front, rear, and lateral sides, comprising:
 a cantilevered support arm;   first and second extension arms, wherein the first and second extension arms are coupled to the cantilevered support arm and engage the lateral sides of the vertical post; and   front and rear frictional lock members, wherein the front and rear frictional lock members engage front and rear surfaces of the vertical post and are securely coupled to the extension arms to create an interference fit around the vertical post to prevent the hanger apparatus from moving downwardly, wherein the hanger apparatus is secured to the vertical post without making any holes in the vertical post.   
   
   
       20 . The hanger apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the rear frictional lock member is removably attached to the first and second extension arms.