Elevator pad hanging system
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system for hanging elevator pads against a wall of an elevator cab and more particularly to an elevator pad hanging system which will prevent the unauthorized removal of an elevator pad from an elevator cab wall. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, elevator pads 10 are traditionally used to cover walls of an elevator cab 12 in order to prevent scratching of the walls when large or heavy objects are moved into the cab. These pads are generally held by a row of hooks which are screwed into the elevator wall. One type of hook 14, which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a single groove into which a loop in the elevator pad is hooked. A problem with the use of the hooks 14 are that the elevator pads 10 are bulky and are likely to come loose and fall off the hooks. In addition, these pads 10 are generally used in public elevators, and on occasion such pads are stolen. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an elevator pad hanging system which will securely hang elevator pads against the walls of an elevator cab. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an elevator pad hanging system that will prevent the theft of the elevator pads. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an elevator pad hanging system that is inexpensive to manufacture and which securely holds elevator pads having loops of standard sizes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the improved elevator hanging system of the present invention includes a first groove onto which a loop in the elevator pad will rest. In one embodiment, a second groove, which is separated from the first groove by a flange, is provided and has a diameter which is just slightly smaller than the dimensions of the opening of a padlock defined by its shackle. Another flange is located on the opposite side of the groove so that when the padlock is placed around the groove and locked, it is securely trapped in the groove. As a result, since the lock cannot be removed without a key, the elevator pad cannot be removed either because the loop does not fit over the lock. In an alternate embodiment, a second flange includes a hole therethrough having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the shackle of the padlock which is locked through the flange. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description which should be read in light of the accompanying drawings in which corresponding reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a view of an elevator cab on which elevator pads have been hung to protect the walls; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art elevator pad hook on which an elevator pad has been hung; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art elevator pad hook shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hook for the elevator pad hanging system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the hook for the elevator pad hanging system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the elevator pad hanging system including the hook shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the elevator pad hanging system including the hook, shown in FIG. 5. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, one embodiment of the elevator pad hanging system of the present invention includes a hook 20 with a screw section 22 which is connected to a first flange 24 which in turn is connected to a groove portion 26. On the opposite side of the groove portion 26 is a second flange 28 which is generally of a diameter similar to that of the first flange portion 24. Connected to the opposite side of the second flange 28 is a second groove portion 30 having a diameter less than the diameter of surrounding flange 28, 32. The diameter of this second groove 30 is chosen so that it is just slightly smaller than the distance between opposite sides of the shackle 34, so that the shackle 34 of the lock may fit over this groove and not be able to move out of the groove 30 because of the two flanges 28, 32 surrounding groove 30. 
     In use, the threaded section 22 is inserted into a receiving female member (not shown) embedded in the wall of the elevator cab. After the pads are placed over groove 26, a padlock is placed around the second groove 30 thereby securely locking and fastening the elevator pad against the wall. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 7, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown which includes a threaded portion and two flange portions 44, 46. A groove section 48 is located between the flanges to receive the elevator pad loop. Flange 46 includes an opening 50 through its body. Opening 50 has a diameter just slightly larger than the diameter of the shackle 34. 
     In use, after the hook 40 is threaded into the wall of the elevator, the elevator pad is placed over the flange 46 until it lies in groove 48. Then, the shackle 34 of padlock 36 is placed through the hole and locked, thereby securing the elevator pad against the wall of the elevator cab. 
     While the foregoing invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, various alterations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.