An adjustable hook

Abstract

 An adjustable hook, comprising supporting means (2) and elastically deformable means (3) for attaching it to a fixed structure, is made as a single piece. It comprises a single shaped plate (4) with two perforated tabs (5) that bend to enable the hook (1) to slide relative to the fixed structure.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable hook.

[0002] The main feature of hooking devices used in numerous interior decoration or building infrastructure applications must be that of allowing the point of connection between the hooked elements to be moved.

[0003] In particular, adjustable hooks which can be attached to a fixed "hanger" are known. These hooks are equipped with supporting means which extend in one or more directions and which are designed to support elements of various kinds such as ceilings, plasterboard walls or piping.

[0004] These hooks, which are made of metal, usually consist of two matching parts: a main rigid element and a bent, elastically compliant plate used as a spring. The main element is equipped with protrusions designed to support other elements, as mentioned above, and means for locking it to the plate. The plate, on the other hand, has two suitably perforated tabs enabling the hook to be attached to the fixed hanger.

[0005] The plate is designed in such a way that the hanger can be inserted into the holes only by compressing the tabs, whilst the elasticity of the tabs confers rigidity on the hook assembly.

[0006] Further compressing the plate tabs enables the hook to slide relative to the hanger, thus modifying the position of the elements supported by the hook.

[0007] Hooks of these kinds are made by moulding and bending the supporting tabs of the main rigid element and then separately moulding, hardening and bending the plate tabs. Next, the main element and the plate are suitably positioned relative to each other and the plate is secured to the main element by deforming a protruding portion of the surface of the main element.

[0008] The main disadvantage of these hooks is that they consist of two components: they must therefore be made in separate stages, thus increasing production time and cost. Moreover, the security of the fit between the main element and the plate depends on the quality of the materials used and of the production process, reducing the reliability that the structure can guarantee over time.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages.

[0010] This aim is achieved by providing a hook made as a single piece.

[0011] The main advantage achieved by the present invention lies essentially in that fact that it minimises the number of stages required to make the hook, thus reducing production time and cost.

[0012] Further, it eliminates the problems due to the need to hold together two separate elements.

[0013] Further advantages and characteristics of the invention are apparent from the detailed description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non-restricting embodiment of the invention and in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view from above, showing the invention during use;
• Figure 2 illustrates the invention in a plan view from above;
• Figure 3 illustrates the invention in a side view;
• Figure 4 illustrates the invention in a perspective view from below.

[0014] As shown in the drawings, the invention relates to an adjustable hook. Like those traditionally used, it comprises supporting means (2) and elastically deformable attachment means (3) for attaching it to a fixed structure. The hook (1) according to the invention is characterised in that it is made as a single piece.

[0015] It consists of a single shaped plate (4) in which the attachment means (3) comprise two perforated tabs (5). With reference to its typical application, the drawings show the hook (1) connected to a fixed hanger (p). The deformability of the tabs (5) enables the hanger (p) to be inserted into the holes and their spring back guarantees the stability of the connection. The hook (1) may be moved along the hanger (p) by acting simultaneously on the tabs (5) to temporarily deform them so as to allow the hook (1) to slide along the hanger (p).

[0016] The plate (4) may be made in various ways and using various materials: for example, it may be made by cutting and bending or by moulding metal or plastic.

[0017] It will be understood that the invention can be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

[0018] In practice, the invention can be modified and improved without departing from the scope of the claims set out below.

Claims

1. An adjustable hook, comprising supporting means (2) and elastically deformable attachment means (3) for attaching it to a fixed structure, characterised in that it is made as a single piece.

2. The adjustable hook according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a single shaped plate (4) in which the attachment means (3) comprise two perforated tabs (5).

3. The adjustable hook according to claim 2, characterised in that the tabs (5) enable the insertion and the movement of the hook (1) on a fixed structure by their simultaneous deformation.

4. The adjustable hook according to claim 2, characterized in that the tabs (5) guarantee the stability of the connection between the hook (1) and a fixed structure by their spring back.

5. The adjustable hook according to claim 2, characterised in that the plate (4) is made by a cutting and bending process.

6. The adjustable hook according to claim 2, characterised in that the plate (4) is made by a moulding process.

7. The adjustable hook according to claim 2, characterised in that the plate (4) is made from plastic.

8. The adjustable hook according to claim 2, characterised in that the plate (4) is made from metal.

Drawing