CUSTOMIZABLE HANGER FOR GARMENTS

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a customizable garment hanger for a garment worn for a memorable occasion. The hanger includes a main body that has a length and a girth to support the shoulders of the garment in a more natural condition to that when the garment is worn on the user. The shoulder blank may include a padding layer and a fabric material sleeve that is customizable for the memorable occasion. The customization may include an embroidery commemorating or uniquely associated with the memorable occasion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hangers for garments, and more particularly to hangers for garments worn on memorable occasions.

Heavy garments, such as wedding dresses, do not have a sturdy hanger that can be customized. Other hangers on the market do not offer a suitable girth so that the shoulders of the garment may hang more naturally to a worn condition this causes the garment to develop an undesirable crease or malformation of the shoulders when hung for extended durations.

Likewise, the girth of conventional hangers is not amenable for a cosmetic customization to accompany a garment worn for memorable occasions, either leading up to the occasion or after the occasion.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved garment hanger that has a girth to support a garment shoulder area without distortion and allows the hanger to be cosmetically customizable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a garment hanger includes: a hook; and a main body coupled to the hook and comprising a first hollow shell and a second hollow shell coupled together, the first shell and the second shell each comprising ribbing, the main body being configured to support a garment.

This hanger offers a wider, longer, and thicker base that can hold more than fifteen pounds of weight and the ability to be customized with writing on each side of the hanger. The only things on the mark are wood hangers that can break with heavy weight, wired hangers that do not hold any weight, and flimsy plastic hangers. There is no hanger on the market that has the length and girth of this hanger that can also allow customization. This hanger offers girth and a longer length to disperse weight. Heavy garments are easily held on this hanger without it breaking.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along 4-4 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the present invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for providing a customizable hanger for garments for a memorable occasion.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 1-4, the customizable hanger for garments 28 includes a hanger body having a width and a girth to support the shoulders of a garment 28 in a more natural state to that when the garment is worn by a user. It is also better equipped to support heavier weights (e.g., 15 pounds or more). Preferably, and by way of example, the main body 10 may have a width of about 20 inches and a girth of about 2 inches. The main body 10 may have a height of about 3 inches from a lower aspect at the opposed ends of the main body 10 and an apex of the main body 10 at a mid-point thereof.

Making reference to FIG. 3, the hanger body 10 may be formed as two hollow shells that are reinforced by ribbing (as seen in the exploded view). Both hollow shells include a right arm 12 and a left arm 14, with the right arm 12 of one operably engaging the left arm 14 of the other, in use. To do this, the right arms 12 of each shell may be provided with a plurality of bosses 32 and the left arms 14 may be provided with a plurality of pins 30 that engage one another.

A hook 24 is formed to extend through an upper aperture 16 at the apex of the main body 10. The upper aperture 16 is formed between the left arm 14 and the right arm 16. A bottom end of the hook has a fastener 26 for securement of the hook 24 to the main body 10. For example, the fastener 26 may be threading that extends through a sleeve 20 positioned in the aperture 16 and threadably couples with a nut 22. As seen in FIG. 4, the nut 18 extends through a lower aperture 18 defined in the main body 10. As will be appreciated by those with skill in the art, the hook 24 is designed in a manner that it may rotate to allow a 360-degree rotation of the hanger body 10, when hung from a support, such as a closet rod or a hanger bracket.

In certain embodiments, one or more padding layers may be applied to the shoulder blank. The one or more padding layers are then covered by a customizable fabric sleeve. The fabric sleeve is dimensioned to enclose the main body 10 and the one or more padding layers. The fabric sleeve may be constructed with a smooth front surface and, preferably, a smooth back surface. The smooth front surface and the smooth back surface are adapted to receive an embroidery commemorating the memorable occasion. By way of non-limiting example, for a bridal occasion, the embroidery may include the bride's married name on the smooth front surface. The smooth back surface may be embroidered, with a date of the memorable occasion.

A method of forming the customizable hanger of the present invention may include the following. Forming the main body 10 as a pair of complementary shoulder blanks via plastic injection molding. Press fitting the shoulder blanks together. Placing a nut in the lower aperture. Placing a metal sleeve in the upper aperture Embroidering a fabric material with the embroidery commemorating the memorable occasion. Applying the cushion layer on the main body. Cutting the fabric material having a length to at least span the main body, and a width to surround to at least encircle the main body. The fabric material is cut such that the embroidery is positioned in a desired position on the main body when the sleeve is applied to the main body. The sleeve may then be applied to the fabric blank, by slipping over the main body. Ends of the fabric sleeve may then be sewn to close the sleeve about the main body.

Once assembled, and in use, garment sleeves or strings may be strung from both sides of the main body 10 in a secure manner.

While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A garment hanger comprising: a hook; anda main body coupled to the hook and comprising a first hollow shell and a second hollow shell coupled together, the first shell and the second shell each comprising ribbing, the main body being configured to support a garment.

2. The garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the first hollow shell and the second hollow shell each comprise a left arm and a right arm, with the left arm of the first hollow shell coupling with the right arm of the second hollow shell.

3. The garment hanger of claim 2, wherein the left arm of the first hollow shell comprises a plurality of pins, and wherein the right arm of the second hollow shell comprises a plurality of bosses, the plurality of pins and the plurality of bosses press-fitting together.

4. The garment hanger of claim 2, wherein the main body defines an upper aperture at an apex thereof, the hook being received through the upper aperture.

5. The garment hanger of claim 4, wherein the main body defines a lower aperture, the hook coupling to the main body in the lower aperture.

6. The garment hanger of claim 5, wherein the hook rotatably couples to the main body in the lower aperture.

7. The garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the hook is rotatably coupled the main body.

8. The garment hanger of claim 7, wherein the hook extends through a sleeve and couples with a nut disposed in a lower portion of the main body.