GB2251550A - Secured hanging system for hanging baskets - Google Patents

Abstract

A security hanging system for hanging baskets comprises a rigid steel rod with a welded circular plate at one end and a flat surface with a small circular hole to allow a bolt to pass through at the other end, the rod being inserted through the middle of the base of a hanging basket such that the basket firmly and symmetrically sits on the base plate of the rod. <IMAGE>

Description

Secured Hanging System for Sponsored and Private Displays of Hanging Baskets Technical Field This invention relates to a Security Hanging Mechanism and Advertising Bracket for fixing a plantffloral hanging basket on a wall, lamp post etc Background Hanging baskets for plantffloral displays are well kno',m and extensively used by private households, commercial and public businesses and properties such a.s Pubs, Restaurants, Shops ete as well as by City Councils and Local Authorities on lamp posts, public buildings etc The traditional hanging basket containers comprise of an open top basket shaped unit made of wire mesh, compressed peat, terra-cotta, plastic or similar material.The container filled with a growing medium is planted on the sides as well as on the open top. The unit is hung from a wall or lamp post bracket or directly from a beam or hook. The normal hanging system primarily comprises of a chain, rope or plastic rods connected to the top edge of the basket in 3 to 4 positions or alternately from the base of the container. The other end of the chain, rope or plastic rods are connected to a ring which slides into the hooklXich is an integral part of, for en.mples a wall or lamp post bracket.

Most hanging brackets for wall mounting or lamp posts are made of metal and comprise of simple or elaborate design that may be cast iron. This design occupies the area between the horizontal and the vertical bar of the bracket. Examples of the designs used include scrolls, 5 shape etc.

The above. system of normally attaching a hanging basket to a hanging bracket is insecure in that the hanging garden unit can be easily stolen or displaced by simply sliding the ring out of the hook. Moreover the unit is also susceptible to swing in windy conditions and can become dislodged.

Some other disadvantages of using a chain, rope or plastic rods are that the plants may be damaged by the rope or chain since it is liable to become entangled with the plants, also the chain may rust, the rope may become weaken in places and the plastic may deteriorate over time.

Furthermore effort and precision is required to ensure that the chain, rope or plastic rods are positioned such that the hanging basket is displayed in a symmetric and straight manner without damage to the plants. All these aspects mean that the ti-aditional mechanism for hanging a hanging basket is susceptible to damage or complete loss of the hanging basket and its contents.

Essential Technical Features In the present invention a steel rod (plastic or paint. coated for weather resistance) with a circular base plate at one end and a plate hole at the other end is used to securely connect via a security boltXnut system to a specially designed hanging bracket for walls, lamp posts etc. The hanging bracket design provides for advertising space ( leg for the logo of a sponsoring company or a company 5 advertising message) or at the level of a private household : a welcome or house number etc type of information. In public displays of hanging baskets, City Councils and Local Authorities often aim to obtain commercial and business sponsorship.

This would be much more likely to materialize if sponsors can obtain direct benefit. The available surface area in designed advertising bracket would fulfill this need in a discreet and environmentally acceptable manner.

The steel hanging rod is slid through the middle of the base of the hanging basket such that the basket firmly and symmetrically sits on the base plate of the rod. The other end of the rod is connected to a wall or lamp post bracket via a security boltXnut system.

Although the basket is free to move along the plane of the boltfnut systern, it will not swing or oscillate wildly in all directions in windy conditions and cannot become dislodged. The hanging basket can only be.

removed if relevant tools are available to remove the security boltorrlut.

connection.. As most baskets are stolen on the spur of the moment', the boltgfnut system should considerably reduce the risk of theft since most people do not normally walk around all the time with tools in their pockets.

Example A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shoA7s a perspective of the hanging basket with the linked hanging rod and connected to the hanging bracket Figure la shown a close-up view of the insertion of tlle hanging rod through the middle of the hanging basket and the firm and symmetric positioning of the hanging basket on the lower plate of the hanging rod Figure lb shows a close-up view of the security boltfnut system connecting the top end of the hanging rod to the hanging bracket.

Figure lc shows the a close -up of the fixing of the hanging bracket on a wall , lamp post Figure 2 shows the front( plan) view and the bottom (cross-sectional) view of the hanging rod.

Figure 3 shows the front( plan) view and the side (elevation) view of the hanging bracket . The area marked with the X is available as advertising or sponsorship message space.

Ref erring to the drawling, Figure 1, the hanging rod inserted through the middle of the hanging basket ensures that the basket firmly sits on the base plate of the hanging rod (Fig la and Fig 2)). The other end of the hanging rod is securely fastened (Fig Ib) by via a security a Golt/nut system to the hanging bracket( Figure 3). Using a spanner, as per specification of the bolt and/or nut, the bolt and nut can be undone and the hanging rod with its integral hanging basket disconnected from the hanging bracket Fig lb). The other end of the hanging bracket is iixed to a wall or lamp post by three sets of screws or wall bolts or via a clamp system around a lamp post.

Note the following features (1) It is easy to carry the hanging basket ( simply by picking it up with the end of the rod) with little risk of damage to the plants.

(2) Tools would be required to undo the fastening bolt/nut in order to be able to remove the hanging basket.

(3) The rigid fastening system ensures the hanging basket will not swing or become dislodged in tvinbg conditions.

(4) The advertising space available on the bracket provides for ease of obtaining commercial and business sponsorship.

(5) The hanging bracket and rod are made of heavy duty steel and are plastic or paint coated for protection against rust.

Claims (3)

1. A hanging mechanism omprising a rigid steel rod( plastic or paint.

coated for weather resistance) inserted through the base of a traditional or similar open-top hanging basket such that the basket sits firmly on a base plate welded to the bottom end of the steel rod. The other end of the hanging rod has a hole through which a bolt can be inserted.

2. The hanging rod with its integral and secured hanging basket as in claim 1 connected with a security boltfnut system to a hanging bracket for wali / lamp post mounting or suspended by chain or rope from a beam or any such support.

3. The plantXfloral display basket hung via a steel rod from a hanging bracket as in claims 1 and 2 such that in public and private places the advertising space in the hanging bracket can be utilized for a promotional message such as a company logo or its product or a household message.

4 A hanging system and hanging bracket system to display living or artificial plants as substantially described herein x ith reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.