Adjustable garment hanger

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6688503
  • Patent Number
    6,688,503
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, January 15, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 10, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
An adjustable garment hanger is provided which includes a body, a pair of fixed arms extending from the body, such that an upper end of each fixed arm includes a guide rail, and a mid-section of each fixed arm includes an indexing track. The adjustable garment hanger also includes a pair of telescoping arms slidingly disposed on the guide rail for each fixed arm, wherein the telescoping arm includes two side walls joined by an upper wall, and a plurality of opposed indexing arms that travel in the indexing track of the fixed arm to retain a position of the telescoping arm relative to the fixed arm. The adjustable garment hanger further includes a stop integral with the fixed arm for limiting the travel of the telescoping arm relative to the fixed arm in a fully extended position.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to a hanger and, more specifically, to a multi-functional hanger for a garment that is adjustable.




2. Description of the Related Art




Hangers are well known in the art for vertically storing a garment. A hanger typically includes a longitudinally extending body, and a hook extending radially from the body. The body supports a shoulder portion of a garment or item of clothing disposed thereon. Nonadjustable garment hangers are commercially available in only a few sizes, as measured by the length of the body. However, clothing comes in a wide variety of styles, sizes and shapes to accommodate the myriad of shapes and sizes of the population. For example, a hanger intended for child-sized clothing will inadequately support adult clothing, and likewise a hanger intended for adult clothing will inadequately support child-sized clothing. As a result of using the wrong sized hanger, the clothing tends to develop unwanted wrinkles, puckers, hanger marks or the like in a shoulder portion or a sleeve portion.




Hangers with adjustable body lengths are known in the art to accommodate various sized clothing. One example of an adjustable hanger includes a tubular body with outwardly extending fixed arms, and a telescoping arm having a U-shape slidingly disposed on the fixed arm, for modifying the length of the body portion. While this type of hanger works in extending the length of the body, it suffers from several shortfalls. First of all, it is difficult to extend both of the telescoping arms an even distance. Also, the telescoping arm can be pulled off the fixed arm while adjusting the length. In addition, the telescoping arms flex when extended outwardly and supporting the weight of an article of clothing.




Thus, there is a need in the art for a multifunctional hanger with a telescoping arm to adjust the overall length of the hanger to accommodate a variety of clothing shapes and styles.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, the present invention is an adjustable garment hanger which includes a body, and a pair of fixed arms extending from the body, such that an upper end of each fixed arm includes a guide rail, and a mid-section of each fixed arm includes an indexing track. The adjustable garment hanger also includes a pair of telescoping arms slidingly disposed on the guide rail for each fixed arm, wherein the telescoping arm includes two side walls joined by an upper wall, and a plurality of opposed indexing arms that travel in the indexing track of the fixed arm to retain a position of the telescoping arm relative to the fixed arm. The adjustable garment hanger further includes a stop integral with the fixed arm for limiting the travel of the telescoping arm relative to the fixed arm in a fully extended position.




One advantage of the present invention is that an adjustable garment hanger is provided that is multifunctional. Another advantage of the present invention is that the adjustable garment hanger includes a telescoping arm that is incrementally positioned to accommodate various sized clothing. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the adjustable garment hanger holds multiple clothing items and includes a belt hook, a slot for an article of clothing such as a tie or scarf, and hooks for straps or loops. A further advantage of the present invention is that the adjustable garment hanger is easily adjusted to accommodate various types and sizes of clothing, so that the clothing hangs neatly from the hanger without puckering, slipping, wrinkling or the like.




Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an adjustable garment hanger, according to the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the adjustable garment hanger of

FIG. 1

with the telescoping arms in an adjusted position, according to the present invention.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the body for the adjustable garment hanger of

FIG. 1

, according to the present invention.





FIG. 4

is an enlarged view of an end of the body of the adjustable garment hanger of

FIG. 3

, according to the present invention.





FIG. 5

is a perspective top view of the telescoping arm for the adjustable garment hanger of

FIG. 1

, according to the present invention.





FIG. 6

is a perspective bottom view of the telescoping arm for the adjustable garment hanger of

FIG. 1

, according to the present invention.





FIG. 7

is a partially cutaway sectional view illustrating the travel of the telescoping arm limited by the stop in the fixed for the adjustable garment hanger of

FIG. 2

, according to the present invention.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)




Referring to

FIGS. 1-7

an adjustable garment hanger


10


is illustrated. The garment hanger


10


is utilized to support articles of clothing (not shown), such as coats, jackets, shirts, blouses or the like. In this example, the overall length of the adjustable garment hanger


10


varies from seventeen inches to twenty-seven inches, to advantageously accommodate various clothing dimensions. The adjustable garment hanger


10


includes a body


12


, a pair of longitudinally extending fixed arms


14


extending from the body


12


, and a telescoping arm


16


slidingly disposed on each fixed arm


14


. It should be appreciated that the fixed arms


14


extend at an inclined angle from the body


12


to further accommodate the shape of the shoulder portion of clothing.




The body


12


includes a radially extending hook member


18


. Preferably the hook member has a backwards “L” shape. Advantageously, the hook


18


provides for storage of a belt or the like. The body


12


also includes a longitudinally extending slot


20


. In this example, the longitudinally extending storage slot


20


is positioned below the hook member


18


. Advantageously, the storage slot


20


provides for storage of a clothing item, such as a tie or scarf. The body


12


further includes a centrally located aperture


22


, preferably having a square shape, that provides a user (not shown) with easier access to an item of clothing stored on the hook


18


or in the storage slot


20


.




The body


12


includes a hanger hook


24


extending upwardly from an upper end of the body


12


, for hanging the hanger


10


for storage or display purposes. For example, the hanger


10


may be hung on a closet rod (not shown), or a display rack (not shown). The hanger hook


24


has a generally “C” shape. It should be appreciated that the hanger hook


24


may be integral with the body


12


, or a separate member attached to the body


12


. It should also be appreciated that the hanger hook


24


may be stationary, or may swivel. Advantageously, the swivel hanger hook


24


increases the flexibility of how the adjustable garment hanger


10


is used. This is particularly beneficial for a visual display in a retail environment. In addition, a garment size identification marker


26


, as is known in the art, may be secured on the hanger hook


24


.




The telescoping arm


16


is slidingly disposed over the fixed arm


14


. The fixed arm


14


generally has an I-shape in cross-section. An upper end of the fixed arm includes a radially extending guide rail


28


that the telescoping arm


16


fits over, in a manner to be described. A mid-section


30


of the fixed arm


14


includes a pair of parallel ribs


32


, extending radially from the mid-section


30


of the fixed arm


14


and longitudinally therealong, to form an indexing track for the telescoping arm


16


. An end wall


34


extends therebetween an upper end of each of the parallel ribs. It should be appreciated that the end wall


34


can provide an upper stop for use in positioning the telescoping arm


16


in a retracted position.




The fixed arm


14


also includes at least one, and preferably two lower stops


36


for retaining the telescoping arm


16


on the fixed arm


14


. A first lower stop


36




a


is positioned at an end of the fixed arm


14


, and adjacent the guide rail


28


. A second lower stop


36




b


is positioned a predetermined distance inwards of the first lower stop


36




a


. Preferably, the lower stops


36




a


,


36




b


extend radially from the fixed arm


14


, and generally have a wedge shape. Advantageously, this shape provides for ease of assembly of the telescoping arm


16


onto the fixed arm


14


, and retention of the telescoping arm


16


on the fixed arm


14


after assembly.




The mid-section


30


of the fixed arm


14


also includes an indexing surface


38


extending therebetween the parallel ribs


32


, for indexing the position of the telescoping arm


16


relative to the fixed arm


14


. In this example, the indexing surface


38


includes a plurality of raised members


40


extending radially from the fixed arm


14


. Also, in this example, the raised members


40


have a cylindrical shape, although other shapes are contemplated, such as rectangular or triangular. Another example of an indexing surface (not shown) includes a plurality of vertically extending grooves spaced a predetermined distance apart. The fixed arm


14


further includes an indexing mark


39


, which in this example is a plurality of ribs spaced a predetermined distance apart. The indexing marks


39


are used to evenly position each telescoping arm


16


with respect to each fixed arm


14


.




The telescoping arm


16


includes two parallel side walls


42


, and an upper wall


44


joining the side walls


42


to form a generally U-shaped member. It should be appreciated that the width of the upper wall


44


is advantageously determined to provide adequate support of the shoulder portion of the clothing hung on the adjustable hanger. The telescoping arm


16


also includes a plurality of opposed indexing arms


46


extending radially from an inner surface


48


of each side wall


42


. In this example, the indexing arm


46


is a generally planar member having a vertical orientation, with a notch


50


located in the center of the arm. Advantageously, the notch


50


in the indexing arm


46


assists in providing an inference fit between the indexing arm


46


and the raised member


40


. In this example, there are five pairs of opposed indexing arms


46


. The telescoping arm


16


further includes an end wall


52


positioned between an outer end of the parallel side walls


42


. The end wall


52


limits the travel of the telescoping arm


16


in a retracted direction.




In operation, the position of the telescoping arm


16


is adjusted relative to the fixed arm


14


by sliding the telescoping arm


16


. The upper wall


44


of the telescoping arm


16


slides along the guide rail


28


in the fixed arm


14


, and the indexing arm


46


of the telescoping arm


16


travels through the indexing track


32


of the fixed arm


14


. The desired position of the telescoping arm


16


relative to the fixed arm


14


is maintained by an interference fit between the indexing arm


46


and the indexing surface


38


. It should be appreciated that the end wall


52


and lower stops


36




a


,


36




b


limit the travel of the telescoping arm


16


relative to the fixed arm


14


in retracted and extended positions respectively. In addition, the lower stop


36




a


,


36




b


prevents the telescoping arm


16


from sliding off the fixed arm


14


.




The body


12


further includes a cross-member


54


extending therebetween an outer end of the fixed arm. In this example, the cross-member


54


generally has a cross-sectional “I”-shape. Advantageously, the cross-member


54


provides a storage surface for an article of clothing such as pants. In this example, an outer end


56


of the cross-member has a backwards “J” shape, to form a vertically extending hook


58


. Advantageously, an article of clothing with a hanging loop, or thin strap, can be securely hung on the hanger


10


using the hook


58


. Also in this example, a pair of slots


60


are formed in the cross-member


54


, with one end open, to form a longitudinally extending hook


62


. Advantageously, an article of clothing with a hanging loop, or thin strap, can also be securely hung on the hanger


10


using the longitudinally extending hook


62


.




It should be appreciated that the adjustable garment hanger


10


may include other attaching mechanisms, such as clips (not shown) or bars (not shown) or the like, that are known in the art for securing at article of clothing to a hanger. Preferably, the body


12


, fixed arm


14


, and cross-member


54


are integral and formed as one piece. The hanger


10


of the present invention may be fabricated from a number of materials, including metals, polymers, composites, wood or the like. In some preferred embodiments, the hanger hook


24


will be integral with the body


12


, in others the hanger hook


24


is a separate piece fabricated from another material, such as metal.




The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.




Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.



Claims
  • 1. An adjustable garment hanger comprising:a body, wherein said body includes a cross-member extending therebetween an outer end of each of said fixed arms, and an outer end of said cross-member includes a vertically extending hook forming a backwards “J” shape; a pair of fixed arms extending from said body, wherein an upper end of each fixed arm includes a guide rail, and a mid-section of each fixed arm includes an indexing track; a pair of telescoping arms slidingly disposed on said guide rail for each of said fixed arms, wherein said telescoping arm includes two side walls joined by an upper wall, and a plurality of opposed indexing arms extending radially from an inner surface of each side wall, such that said indexing arms travel in said indexing track of said fixed arm to retain a position of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm; and a stop integral with said fixed arm for limiting the travel of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm in a fully extended position.
  • 2. A hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cross-member includes a pair of longitudinally extending hooks.
  • 3. A hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body includes a longitudinally extending storage slot.
  • 4. A hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body includes a radially extending hook member having a backwards “L” shape.
  • 5. A hanger as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a hanger hook extending from an upper end of said body.
  • 6. A hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fixed arm has an I-shape in cross-section.
  • 7. A hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indexing track includes a pair of parallel ribs extending radially from a midsection of the fixed arm and longitudinally therealong.
  • 8. A hanger as set forth in claim 7 wherein said indexing track also includes an indexing surface between said parallel ribs, and said indexing surface includes a plurality of radially extending raised members.
  • 9. A hanger as set forth in claim 8 wherein said raised members are cylindrical in shape.
  • 10. A hanger as set forth in claim 8 wherein said raised members are a plurality of vertically extending grooves spaced a predetermined distance apart.
  • 11. A hanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said telescoping arm includes an end wall located between an outer end of said side walls, to limit the travel of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm in a retracted position.
  • 12. An adjustable garment hanger comprising:a body; a pair of fixed arms extending from said body, wherein said fixed arm has an I-shape in cross-section and an upper end of each fixed arm includes a guide rail; an indexing track formed on a midsection of said fixed arm, wherein said indexing track includes a pair of parallel ribs extending longitudinally therealong; an indexing surface between said parallel ribs, wherein said indexing surface includes a plurality of radially projecting raised members; a pair of telescoping arms slidingly disposed on said guide rail for each of said fixed arms, wherein said telescoping arm includes two side walls joined by an upper wall, and a plurality of opposed indexing arms extending radially from an inner surface of each side wall, such that said indexing arms travel in said indexing track of said fixed arm, and a position of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm is maintained by the retention of the indexing arm by the indexing surface; an end wall located at an outer end of said side walls of said telescoping arm, to limit the travel of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm in a retracted position; a stop integral with said fixed arm for limiting the travel of said telescoping arm relative to said telescoping arm in a fully extended position; and a cross-member extending therebetween an outer end of each of said fixed arms, wherein said cross-member has a cross-sectional “I” shape, and an outer end of said cross-member includes a vertically extending hook forming a backwards “J” shape.
  • 13. A hanger as set forth in claim 12 where in said cross-member includes a pair of longitudinally extending hooks.
  • 14. A hanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein said body includes a longitudinally extending storage slot.
  • 15. A hanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein said body includes a radially extending hook member having a backwards “L” shape.
  • 16. A hanger as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a hanger hook extending from an upper end of said body.
  • 17. A hanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein said raised members are cylindrical in shape.
  • 18. A hanger as set forth in claim 12 wherein said raised members are a plurality of vertically extending grooves spaced a predetermined distance apart.
  • 19. An adjustable garment hanger comprising:a body, wherein said body includes a longitudinally extending storage slot and a radially extending hook member having a backwards “L” shape; a hanger hook extending from an upper end of said body; a pair of fixed arms extending from said body, wherein each of said fixed arms has an I-shape in cross-section, and an upper end of each fixed arm includes a guide rail; an indexing track formed on a midsection of said fixed arm, wherein said indexing track includes a pair of parallel ribs extending longitudinally therealong; an indexing surface between said parallel ribs, wherein said indexing surface includes a plurality of radially projecting raised members; a pair of telescoping arms slidingly disposed on said guide rail for each of said fixed arms, wherein said telescoping arm includes two side walls joined by an upper wall; a plurality of opposed indexing arms extending radially from an inner surface of each side wall wherein said indexing arm includes a notch, such that said indexing arms travel in said indexing track of said fixed arm and a position of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm is maintained by the retention of the notch in the indexing arm by the indexing surface; an end wall located at an outer end of said side walls of said telescoping arm, to limit the travel of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm in a retracted position; a stop integral with said fixed arm for limiting the travel of said telescoping arm relative to said fixed arm in a fully extended position; and a cross-member extending therebetween an outer end of each of said fixed arms, wherein said cross-member has a cross-sectional “I” shape, an outer end of said cross-member includes a vertically extending hook forming a backwards “J” shape, and said cross-member includes a pair of longitudinally extending hooks.
  • 20. A hanger as set forth in claim 19 wherein said raised members are cylindrical in shape.
  • 21. A hanger as set forth in claim 19 wherein said raised members are a plurality of vertically extending grooves spaced a predetermined distance apart.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Number Name Date Kind
5074445 Chen Dec 1991 A
5082152 Chen Jan 1992 A
5145098 Tung Sep 1992 A
5456391 Chang Oct 1995 A
5680972 Clarke Oct 1997 A
5934524 Gray Aug 1999 A
5975385 See Nov 1999 A
6062445 Nakamoto May 2000 A