Product hanger and method related thereto

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a device and method for hanging and distributing both spooled and non spooled products. The invention provides a means to hang a series of adjacent spools from a single axle such that any single spool can be removed and replaced without disturbing any other spool on the axle. The invention also provides a means to hang a container.

1 . A universal product hanger comprising: 
 at least one main support member, the main support member defining a longitudinal axis and whereby the main support member comprises at least one hanging means for hanging the product hanger from a support; and 
 whereby a first end of the main support member comprises a first vertical support arm extending downwardly to a terminating end, wherein the terminating end of the first vertical support arm comprises a first engagement member; and  
 whereby a second end of the main support member comprises a second vertical support arm extending downwardly to a terminating end, wherein the terminating end of the second vertical support arm comprises a second engagement member.  
   
   
   
       2 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the main support member comprises first and second hanging means for hanging the product hanger from the support; 
 wherein the first hanging means is an arcuately formed section of the first end of the main support member extending from the longitudinal axis into the first vertical support arm; and 
 wherein the second hanging means is an arcuately formed section of the second end of the main support member extending from the longitudinal axis into the second vertical support arm; and  
 whereby the first and second hanging means form a substantially identical pair of hooks extending perpendicular to and from opposite ends of the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
   
       3 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement members are adapted to engage first and second ends of a center hole disposed within a spool.  
   
   
       4 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement members are adapted to engage first and second ends of a center hole disposed within an axle.  
   
   
       5 . A product hanger according to  claim 3 , wherein the hanging means comprises a rotating hanging means for hanging the product hanger from the support, whereby the rotating hanging means is operable to allow the product hanger to rotate three hundred sixty degrees about an axis, the axis extending through the support, through the rotating hanging means, through the longitudinal axis and between the first and second support arms.  
   
   
       6 . A product hanger according to  claim 5 , further-comprising a product guide extending outwardly from the main support member, whereby the product guide is operable to guide product being removed from the spool and to initiate rotation of the product hanger.  
   
   
       7 . A product hanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the product guide comprises at least one guide arm pivotally attached to the main support member whereby the product guide pivots about the longitudinal axis, the guide arm comprising a guide opening.  
   
   
       8 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the main support member, the hanging means, the first vertical support arm, the second vertical support arm, the first engagement member, and the second engagement member, are formed from a single length of rigid material  
   
   
       9 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the product hanger is constructed from rigid material from the group consisting of metal, steel, stainless steel, spring steel, steel wire, extruded plastic, and PVC.  
   
   
       10 . A product hanger according to  claim 9 , wherein the product hanger is constructed of spring steel.  
   
   
       11 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement members angle in toward each other, wherein the first engagement member forms an angle of between about 45 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the first vertical support arm, and wherein the second engagement member forms an angle of between about 45 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the second vertical support arm.  
   
   
       12 . A product hanger according to  claim 7 , wherein the angle between the first engagement member and the first vertical support arm is about 70 degrees, and wherein the angle between the second engagement member and the second vertical support arm is about 70 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , further comprising first and second spacing means for positioning spools at an operable distance from adjacent spools.  
   
   
       14 . A product hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein an upper end of the first vertical support arm comprises the first spacing means, and wherein an upper end of the second vertical support arm comprises the second spacing means.  
   
   
       15 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement member is a roller rotatingly attached to a lower end of the first vertical support arm, and wherein the second engagement member is a roller rotatingly attached to a lower end of the second vertical support arm.  
   
   
       16 . A product hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first vertical support arm and the second vertical support arm is adjustable.  
   
   
       17 . A product hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second engagement members are adapted to engage a container.  
   
   
       18 . A product hanger according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second engagement members angle in toward each other, wherein the first engagement member forms an angle of between about 45 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the first vertical support arm, and wherein the second engagement member forms an angle of between about 45 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the second vertical support arm.  
   
   
       19 . A product hanger according to  claim 17 , wherein the container comprises at least one channel adapted to engage one of the vertical support arms.  
   
   
       20 . A product hanger according to  claim 19 , wherein the container comprises a first channel and a second channel, the channels disposed vertically within the container, the first channel adapted to engage the first vertical support arm, and the second channel adapted to engage the second vertical support arm.  
   
   
       21 . A method for distributing elongated product from a spool comprising the steps of: 
 a. Providing a product hanger comprising a the main support member defining a longitudinal axis, the main support member having a first end, and a second end, the main support member comprising at least one hanging means for hanging the product hanger from a support; and 
 whereby the first end of the main support member comprises a first vertical support arm extending downwardly to a terminating end, wherein the terminating end of the first vertical support arm comprises a first engagement member; and  
 whereby the second end of the main support member comprises a second vertical support arm extending downwardly to a terminating end, wherein the terminating end of the second vertical support arm comprises a second engagement member; and  
   b. flexing the first and second vertical support arms around side walls of the spool; and    c. releasing the first and second vertical support arms when the first and second engagement member are lined up with a hole disposed within the center of the spool, whereby the first and second engagement members enter the hole disposed within the center of the spool providing an axis of rotation; and    d. hanging the product hanger from a support, by engaging the support with the hanging means; and    e. Pulling an end of product off of the spool, and through a space defined by the main support member, the spool, the first vertical support arm, and the second vertical support arm; and    f. Distributing the product by pulling it from the spool.    
   
   
       22 . A method for distributing elongated product from a spool comprising the steps of: 
 a. Providing a product hanger comprising a the main support member defining a longitudinal axis, the main support member having a first end, and a second end, the main support member comprising at least one hanging means for hanging the product hanger from a support; and 
 wherein the first end of the main support member comprises a first vertical support arm extending downwardly to a terminating end, wherein the terminating end of the first vertical support arm comprises a first engagement member; and  
 wherein the second end of the main support member comprises a second vertical support arm extending downwardly to a terminating end, wherein the terminating end of the second vertical support arm comprises a second engagement member; and  
 wherein the hanging means comprises a rotating hanging means for hanging the product hanger from the support, whereby the rotating hanging means is operable to allow the product hanger to rotate three hundred sixty degrees about an axis, the axis extending through the support, through the rotating hanging means, through the longitudinal axis and between the first and second support arms; and  
 wherein a product guide comprising at least one guide arm is pivotally attached to the main support member whereby the product guide pivots about the longitudinal axis, the guide arm comprising a guide opening; and  
   b. flexing the first and second vertical support arms around side walls of the spool; and    c. releasing the first and second vertical support arms when the first and second engagement member are lined up with a hole disposed within the center of the spool, whereby the first and second engagement members enter the hole disposed within the center of the spool providing an axis of rotation; and    d. hanging the product hanger from a support, by engaging the support with the hanging means; and    e. Pulling an end of product off of the spool, and through a space defined by the main support member, the spool, the first vertical support arm, and the second vertical support arm; and    f. Feeding the product through the guide opening; and    g. Distributing the product by pulling it from the spool.