BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cross Reference To Related Applications

(0001] This application claims Hie benefit of U.S. patent application no.

15/904,389, filed on February 25. 2018; the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a piftata mount assembly for mounting the piftata to a discrete vertical member and over the top of a wall.

Background

[0003] Pinatas are a fun activity for many parties and events. Finding a suitable place to mount the piftata can be challenging however. In some cases, people attach the piftata to the end of a pole and manually hold the piftata. This can be dangerous as children swinging the bat can hit the person holding the pirlata. Some locations may have trees for mounting a piftata over a limb, but this too can be challenging when the limbs are high. Some locations don't have trees, such as the southwest but may have a pole, such as a lamp pole or porch post support, or a wail. There is no convenient and versatile means to attach a piftata to these structures however.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention is directed to a pirlata mount assembly that has a plurality of versatile attachment orientations for attachment to either a discrete vertical member, such as a tree trunk, pole or post, or over the top of a waif. The piftata mount assembly has a reversible wail support that can be coupled to the main bracket in opposing orientations. The reversible wall support may have different mount surfaces for mounting to different types surfaces. The reversible wail support may be flipped around depending on the type of mounting member and/or the type of surface of the mounting member. A first mounting surface is a textured surface which may comprises a saw-toothed surface and a second mounting surface may be a grip surface and may comprise high friction material such as an elastomeric material· An exemplary pinata mount assembly comprises a vertical portion coupled with the reversible wall support. An exemplary vertical portion is coupled with a horizontal portion that has threads for engagement with threads of a knob. When the knob is turned, the horizontal portion is indexed by the engaged threads and moves substantially orthogonally with respect to the vertical portion. The horizontal portion has a claw on a claw end, opposing the knob end, that can be used to couple pinata mount assembly over the top of the wall. When the pinata mount assembly is coupled to a discrete vertical member, the reversible wall mount may be reversed so that the horizontal member extends toward the pulley extension side of the main bracket. The exemplary pihata mount assembly has a mount side, the side facing the surface it is mounted to, and a pulley extension side, the side that the pulley extension extends from.

[0005] An exemplary pinata mount assembly comprises a pulley extension that is coupled with the main bracket. The main bracket may have a pulley cavity for receiving the attached end of the pulley extension, and the pulley extension may be detachably attachable to the main bracket. An exemplary pulley extension is telescoping having a plurality of telescoping portions, such as at least one or more, at least two or more, at least three or more and any range between and including the number of telescoping pu!ley portions listed. A pulley guide may be coupled to the extended end of the pulley extension for guiding a cord attached to the piriata. The pulley guide may comprise an aperture, such as a ring and the pulley guide may be detachably attachable to the pulley extension.

[00063 An exemplary pinata mount assembly comprise a support retainer for retaining the reversible wall mount. An exemplary support retainer comprises a slot, whereby the reversible wall mount may be slid into the slot. An exemplary support retainer comprises a pair of opposing slots for retaining the opposing sides of the reversible wall mount. As described herein, the reversible wall mount may be detached from the support retainer and flipped around and reattached to the support retainer. The vertical portion and horizontai portion wiii also be flipped around, turned 180 degrees in this process, as they are coupled to the reversible wall mount.

Flipping the reversible wall mount may expose different types of mounting surfaces, such as the textured and grip surfaces as the mount surface. Also, in a first orientation of the reversible wall mount, the horizontal member may extend toward the pulley extension side and the daw end may couple with the pulley extension to provide additional support of the pulley extension, in the second orientation of the reversible wail mount, the horizontal member may extend toward the mount side of the piflata mount assembly, and may extend the claw over the top of a wail. Turing of the knob may create a force on the claw to support the pulley extension or tighten the mount surface to the wail, depending on the orientation.

[0007] An exemplary piflata mount assembly comprises a strap that can be used to secure the piflata mount assembly to a discrete vertical member, such as a tree trunk, pole, post and the like. The strap may be detachabiy attachable to the main bracket. The main bracket may comprise a strap aperture for receiving the strap therethrough and a strap buckle may be used to tighten the strap, to secure it to the discrete vertical member. In an exemplary embodiment, the main bracket comprises two strap apertures configured on opposing sides of the main bracket for attaching the strap thereto. The strap may extend through the first aperture, around the discrete vertical member and then through the second strap aperture. Again, the strap buckle may be used to tighten the strap.

[0008] The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction to some of the embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting.

Additional example embodiments including variations and alternative configurations of tiie invention are provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further

understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a side view of an exemplary piflata mount assembly having a main bracket a reversible wall support and a telescoping pulley extension.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a side view of the exemplary piflata mount assembly as shown in FIG. 1 attached to a discrete vertical member, such as a pole.

[0012] Figure 3 shows a side view of the exemplary piflata mount assembly as shown in FIG. 1 attached to a wall.

[0013] Figure 4 shows a side view of the exemplary piflata mount assembly as shown in FIG. 1 attached to a fence. [0014] Figure 5 shows a side view of the exemplary piflata mount assembly as shown in FIG. 1 with the pulley extension retracted down.

(0015] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the main bracket and pulley extension with the reversible wall support removed to show the support retainer.

[0016] Figure 7 shows a top view of the main bracket with the reversible wail support removed to show the support retainer.

[0017] Figure 8 shows a top view of the main bracket with the reversible wall support retained in the support retainer with the textured surface as the mount surface.

[0018] Figure 9 shows a top view of the main bracket with the reversible wall support retained in the support retainer with the grip surface as the mount surface.

[0019] Figure 10 shows a back view of the wall with the exemplary piftata mount assembly as shown in FIG. 3 attached to a wail.

[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes,"

"including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. [0022] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention,

[0023] Definitions:

[0024] A discrete vertical member, as used herein, is a member that extends vertically having an outer perimeter that a strap can extend around and may be substantially circular, such as a pole or tree trunk or may be polygonal such as a light or fence post, for example. The outer perimeter of the vertical member may not exceed about four feet, or about three feet to allow a strap to extends there around.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary pinata mount assembly 10 has a main bracket 30, a reversible wail support 40 that engages with the mount plate 36, and a telescoping pulley extension 60, The reversible wall support 40 slides down into the mount plate 36 and has a mount surface 57, which may be a textured surface or grip surface depending on the side that is facing toward a mount member, such as a discrete vertical member or a wall, for example. A vertical portion 42 is coupled to the reversible wail support and extends up to secure the horizontal portion 44, The horizontal portion has threads 45 that couple with knob threads 47 of the knob 46 to adjust and move the horizontal portion by turning the knob. The knob is coupled proximal to or near the knob end of the horizontal portion and on the opposing side of the vertical portion as the daw 48. Note that the vertical portion 42 may also have threads that engage with the threads of the horizontal portion. The claw 48 is coupled proxima! to or near the claw end 41 of the horizontal portion. The daw may also be coupled to the pulley extension 60 to provide additional support of the pulley extension. The telescoping pulley extension 60 has a plurality of telescoping portions, 62, 62’, The telescoping pu!!y extension has an attached end 64, coupled with the main bracket 30, and an extended end 66, A pulley guide 70 is coupled proxima! to the extended end of the telescoping pulley extension and guides a cord 22, such as a rope or string to allow movement of the pinata 20 The telescoping puily extension may collapse down for transport and storage, as shown in FIG, 4. Note that the strap 80 and strap buckle 82 are not attached to the mount but are part of the exemplary pinata mount assembly 10.

[00263 As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary plfiata mount assembly 10 is attached to a discrete vertical member 26, such as a pole 27, post or tree. A strap 80 extends around the outer perimeter of the discrete vertical member and is retained in the strap aperture 34. A buckle 82 may be used to tighten the strap around the discrete vertical member to retain the pinata mount assembly to the discrete vertical member. The reversible wall support 40 is configured with the textured surface 50 facing the discrete vertical member to provide a secure and stable engagement. The reversible wall support 40 is configured with the textured surface 50 oriented as the mount surface 57, or surface for engagement with a mounting member, such as the pole shown. Note that if the pole is a metal pole, or hard surface, the grip surface may be oriented as the mount surface to provide a more secure engagement. The reversible wall support 40 is coupled with the horizontal portion 44 that extends and couples with the pulley extension 60 and provides additional mechanical support of the pulley extension. The horizontal portion extends through an aperture 43 in the vertical portion 42, and comprises threads 45 that couple with threads 47 of the knob 46, Rotation or turning of the knob 46 moves the horizontal portion back and forth. The knob may be rotated to produce a force that pulls on the pulley extension, for example.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary pinata mount assembly 10 is attached to a wall 24, wherein the reversible wall support extends over the top of the wall 25. The reversible wail support 40 is coupled with the horizontal portion 44 that extends over the top of the wall and the claw 48 secures the wall support to the wall. Note that the reversible wall support is flipped around with respect to the orientation shown in FIG. 2, The grip surface 52 of the reversible wall support is facing the wall 24 to provide secure and stable engagement with the wall. The reversible wall support 40 is configured with the grip surface 52 oriented as the mount surface 57, or surface for engagement with a mounting member, such as the wall shown. Note that if the wall is soft, such as a wooden wall or member, the textured surface may be oriented as the mount surface to provide a more secure engagement The claw 48 is positioned on the opposing side of the wall, the side opposite the main bracket 30. As described herein, the horizontal portion 44 comprises threads 45 that engage with threads of the know 46The knob 46 may be turned to pull the horizontal portion 44 and the claw 48 toward the vertical portion 42, or main bracket side of the wall, to apply force between the ciaw 48 and the main bracket 30. This force, as indicated by the bold arrow, will secure the piflata mount assembly to the wall. Note that the strap 80 and strap buckle 82 are not attached to the mount but are part of the exemplary piflata mount assembly 10. A strap would not fit around a wall and therefore the claw extending over the top of the wail is the attachment mechanism as shown. As shown in FIG. 10, the claw 48 extends over the back surface of the wall to secure the exemplary piflata mount to the wail 24.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary piflata mount assembly 10 is attached to a fence 28, wherein the hook portion 76 of the reversible wail support extends over the top of the fence. The hook portion is coupled with the reversible wall support 40. Note that the reversible wall support is flipped around with respect to the orientation shown in FIG. 2. The grip surface 52 of the reversible wall support is facing the fence to provide secure and stable engagement with the wail. The reversible wail support 40 is configured with the grip surface 52 oriented as the mount surface 57, or surface for engagement with a mounting member, such as the fence shown. Note that if the fence is soft, such as a wooden fence or member, the textured surface may be oriented as the mount surface to provide a more secure engagement. The hook portion may be detachabiy attachable to the reversible wall support to allow selection of the mount surface facing the object to be mounted to. Note that the strap 80 and strap buckle 82 are not attached to the mount but are part of the exemplary piflata mount assembly 10. A strap would not fit around a wall and therefore the claw extending over the top of the wail is the attachment mechanism as shown.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the exemplary piflata mount assembly 10 is configured for transport with the pulley extension 60 ret/acted. An exemplary pully extension comprises telescoping portions 62, 62' that may be retained one inside another in a retracted orientation. Note that the strap 80 and strap buckle 82 are not attached to the mount but are part of the exemplary piflata mount assembly 10. Note that the pulley extension 60 may be detachabiy attachable to the main bracket 30. The pulley extension may be received and retained in the pulley cavity 61 of the main bracket, which may be a tubular shaped cavity for receiving the round cross- sectional shaped pulley extension. [0030] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the main bracket 30 comprises a support retainer 37 for retaining the reversible wail support, not shown. The exemplary support retainer 37 comprises mount slots 38, 38' on either side of the back of the main bracket 30 for receiving and retaining the reversible wall support. The strap apertures 34, 34' are configured on either side of the main bracket for receiving a retaining strap, not shown. The main bracket 30 comprises a pulley receiver 31 , for receiving an attached end of die pulley extension, not shown.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the reversible wail support 40 is configured in the support retainer 37, wherein the reversible wall support is now slid down into the mount slots 38, 38'. As shown in FIG. 8, the reversible wall support is configured in a first direction or orientation with the textured surface 50 facing out or toward the back-side of the main bracket. As described herein the textured surface may be used for attachment to wooden post or tree, wherein the textured surface may provide a more secure engagement. The textured surface 50 may comprises a sawtooth surface 51 and this sawtooth surface may extend in a vertical direction, as shown or a horizontal direction. A horizontal direction may be preferred as it may prevent vertical slippage of the piftata mount assembly 10. The grip surface 52 is facing the main bracket or front side in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the reversible wall support is configured in a second direction or orientation with the grip surface 52 facing out or toward the back-side of the main bracket. As described herein the grip surface may be used for attachment to smooth and/or hard surfaces, such as a wall or a metal lamp post, wherein the grip surface may provide a more secure engagement. The grip surface may comprise an elastomeric material 53. such as urethane, or silicone which has a high coefficient of friction with many surfaces. Note that there is a space in the support retainer proximal the front side of the main bracket for receiving one of the textured surface and the grip surface.

[0032] it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of mis invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.