Self-Locking Hook

Abstract

A self-locking hook for supporting a load on a support surface is disclosed. The hook has a relatively rigid C-shaped body which includes a surface defining an opening for accommodating a support component and a connector having a load bearing or attachment point. The surface of the opening includes a first contact area and a second contact area. The load bearing or attachment point is attached to the body relative to the opening such that application of a load at the load bearing point while the first contact area is contacting a component rotates the body about the first contact area until the second contact area abuts the component. This self-locking feature allows the hook to be used effectively on component surfaces which are at almost any angle or slope relative to horizontal.

1 . A shower assembly for attaching to a shower head pipe, the assembly comprising:
 a hook comprising:
 a body comprising a first surface defining a first span of an opening and a second surface defining a second span of the opening opposite the first span; and 
 a connector integral to the body and comprising an attachment point for bearing a hanging load; and 
   a shower unit attached to the attachment point of the hook such that a force created by the weight of the shower unit causes each of the first surface and the second surface to bind against a shower head pipe positioned within the opening.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shower unit comprises at least one shelf and is removably retained within the connector. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the shower unit comprises a frame connected to the connector. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the frame is permanently attached to the connector. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces of the opening comprise a C-shaped portion for removably retaining the shower unit. 
   
   
       6 . The hook of  claim 5 , wherein the first surface comprises material having a coefficient of friction, with respect to the material of a shower head pipe, sufficient to resist a force substantially perpendicular to a plane of the opening. 
   
   
       7 . The hook of  claim 5 , wherein the second surface comprises material having a coefficient of friction, with respect to the material of a shower head pipe, sufficient to resist a force substantially perpendicular to a plane of the opening. 
   
   
       8 . A self-locking hook for attachment to a support component, the hook comprising:
 a body defining an opening therein for fitting around a support component, wherein a first surface of the body defining a first span of the opening is directly opposite a second surface of the body defining a second span of the opening; and   a connector integral to the body and comprising an attachment point for bearing a hanging load,   wherein the connector and the opening are oriented on the body such that application of a force at the attachment point of the connector causes the body to bind a component positioned within the opening between the first surface and the second surface.   
   
   
       9 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the opening is lined with a resilient material. 
   
   
       10 . The self-locking hook of  claim 9 , wherein the material has a coefficient of friction, with respect to the material of a shower head pipe, sufficient to resist a force substantially perpendicular to a plane of the opening. 
   
   
       11 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the first surface of the body comprises a resilient material. 
   
   
       12 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , wherein the second surface comprises a resilient material. 
   
   
       13 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , wherein the surface defining the opening is non-planar. 
   
   
       14 . The self-locking hook of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment point, the first surface, and the second surface are non-planar. 
   
   
       15 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment point is offset from a straight line passing through the first and second surfaces. 
   
   
       16 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment point of the connector is pivotable to allow the hanging load to create a force parallel to gravity when the hook is engaged with a support component. 
   
   
       17 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , wherein the body is C-shaped. 
   
   
       18 . The self-locking hook of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one shelf unit connected to the connector at the attachment point. 
   
   
       19 . The self-locking hook of  claim 18 , wherein the support comprises a C-shaped portion for removably retaining the at least one shelf unit. 
   
   
       20 . A self-locking hook comprising:
 a rigid body having a surface defining an opening for accommodating a support component, the surface comprising a first contact area and a second contact area; and   a connector comprising a load bearing point and attached to the body at a position relative to the position of the opening on the body such that application of a load at the load bearing point while the first contact area is contacting a support components rotates the body about the first contact area until the second contact area abuts the component thereby locking the hook to the support component.   
   
   
       21 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the first contact area is directly opposite the second contact area. 
   
   
       22 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the surface defining the opening is substantially C-shaped. 
   
   
       23 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the surface defining the opening comprises material having a coefficient of friction, with respect to the material of a shower head pipe, sufficient to resist a force substantially perpendicular to a plane of the opening. 
   
   
       24 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the first contact area comprises material having a coefficient of friction with respect to the material of a shower head pipe sufficient to resist a force substantially perpendicular to a plane of the opening. 
   
   
       25 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the second contact area comprises material having a coefficient of friction with respect to the material of a shower head pipe, sufficient to resist a force substantially perpendicular to a plane of the opening. 
   
   
       26 . The hook of  claim 20 , further comprising a component removably attached to the support for applying a load at the load bearing point. 
   
   
       27 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the load bearing point of the connector is pivotable to allow the hanging load to create a force parallel to gravity when the hook is engaged with the component. 
   
   
       28 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second contact areas are capable of locking about a substantially vertical support component. 
   
   
       29 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second contact areas are capable of locking about a support component sloped at an angle within the range of from about 0 to about 90°. 
   
   
       30 . The hook of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second contact areas are capable of locking about a support component sloped at an angle within the range of from about 40 to about 90°. 
   
   
       31 . The hook of  claim 26 , wherein the component is a shower shelf unit.