Apparatus for Suspending at Least One Object From or Above a Support Surface

Abstract

An apparatus for suspending at least one object from or above a support surface includes a frame having a first segment, a second segment, a third segment and a fourth segment. The first segment extends generally parallel to the second segment and the third segment extends generally parallel to the fourth segment. The first segment extends generally perpendicularly to the second segment. A web formed by elastic bands extends between the segments of the frame. The web includes at least a first pair of the elastic bands extending generally parallel to each other and at least a second pair of the elastic bands. Opposing ends of each of the first pair of the elastic bands extend around the first and second segments of the frame. Opposing ends of each of the second pair of the elastic bands extend around the third and fourth segments of the frame.

1 . An apparatus for suspending at least one object from or above a support surface, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame including a first segment, an opposing second segment, a third segment and an opposing fourth segment, the first segment extending generally parallel to the second segment and the third segment extending generally parallel to the fourth segment, the first segment extending generally perpendicularly to the third segment; and   a web formed by elastic bands extending between the segments of the frame, the web including at least a first pair of the elastic bands extending generally parallel to each other and at least a second pair of the elastic bands, opposing ends of each of the first pair of the elastic bands extending around the first and second segments of the frame, opposing ends of each of the second pair of the elastic bands extending around the third and fourth segments of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each elastic band of the first and second pair of the elastic bands forms a continuous loop. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of the elastic bands generally surrounds the second pair of the elastic bands. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second pair of the elastic bands generally surrounds the first pair of the elastic bands. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each band of the first and second pair of the elastic bands is formed of rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each band of the first and second pair of the elastic bands has a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the width of at least one of the elastic bands is at least three times greater than the thickness thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, the third segment and the fourth segment are unitarily, integrally and monolithically formed, and wherein each segment is generally cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a length of each of the first and second segments of the frame is greater than a length of each of the third and fourth segments of the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second pair of the elastic bands extend generally parallel to each other and the first pair of the elastic bands extend generally perpendicularly to the second pair of the elastic bands. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a base directly engaging the support surface, wherein the base supports the frame on or above the support surface such that a plane defined by the web of the elastic bands extends at an angle other than parallel or perpendicularly to a plane defined by the support surface.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a base directly engaging the support surface, wherein the base supports the frame on or above the support surface such that a plane defined by the web of the elastic bands extends parallel or perpendicularly to a plane defined by the support surface.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , the base including a framework, a first portion of the framework extending generally parallel to the third segment of the frame and proximate thereto and a second portion of the framework extending generally parallel to the fourth segment of the frame and proximate thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the frame is removably attachable to the framework. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , the base including a plate having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending generally perpendicularly thereto around an outer periphery of the bottom wall, a plane defined by the bottom wall of the plate extending generally perpendicularly to the plane defined by the web of the elastic bands. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the plate is removably attachable to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the framework extends upwardly from the base and extends from an exterior surface of one portion of the sidewall of the plate to an exterior of an opposing portion of the sidewall of the plate, the framework supporting the frame above the base. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least two support ledges extending inwardly from opposing portions of the framework, each support ledge being sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the frame thereon. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , further comprising a plug removably positionable between a bottom wall of one of the at least two support ledges and a portion of the second segment of the frame for maintaining the frame in a desired position. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is a basket having a pivotable handle, and wherein the web of the elastic bands is located on a first side of the basket and a second web of the elastic bands is located on an opposing second side of the basket. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , the base including:
 a first plate having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending generally perpendicularly thereto around an outer periphery of the bottom wall, a plane defined by the bottom wall of the first plate extending generally parallel to the plane defined by the web of the elastic bands; and   a second plate having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending generally perpendicularly thereto around an outer periphery of the bottom wall, a plane defined by the bottom wall of the second plate extending generally parallel to the plane defined by the web of the elastic bands, the second plate being spaced-apart from the first plate.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , the base further including:
 a framework extending from an exterior surface of one portion of the sidewall of each of the first and second plates to an exterior of an opposing portion of the sidewall of each of the first and second plates, the framework supporting the frame above the first and second plates; and   at least two hooks extending inwardly from opposing portions of the framework, each hook being sized and shaped to engage at least a portion of the frame.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the base includes at least one door hook sized and shaped to extend across a top of a door from one side of the door to an opposing side of the door. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the base includes at least one hinge, wherein the hinge allows at least a portion of the base to be pivoted with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the base includes a collar sized and shaped to surround at least a portion of a pole, and wherein the collar includes a threaded opening extending generally perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the pole for receiving a fastener to directly engage at least a portion of the pole. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the web is formed at least partially of a sheet, and wherein the elastic bands extend across gaps formed in the sheet. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for suspending at least one object from or above a support surface, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame including a first segment, an opposing second segment, a third segment and an opposing fourth segment, the first segment extending generally parallel to the second segment and the third segment extending generally parallel to the fourth segment, the first segment extending generally perpendicularly to the third segment;   a web formed by elastic bands extending between the segments of the frame, at least a first pair of the elastic bands extending generally parallel to each other, opposing ends of each of the first pair of the elastic bands extending around the first and second segments of the frame, at least a second pair of the elastic bands extending generally parallel to each other, opposing ends of each of the second pair of the elastic bands extending around the third and fourth segments of the frame, the first pair of the elastic bands extending generally perpendicularly to the second pair of the elastic bands, each band of the first and second pair of the elastic bands forming a continuous loop, the first pair of the elastic bands generally surrounding the second pair of the elastic bands; and   a first portion of a framework extending generally parallel to the third segment of the frame and proximate thereto and a second portion of the framework extending generally parallel to the fourth segment of the frame and proximate thereto, the frame being removable from the framework.