GARMENT HANGER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a garment hanger for holding clothes, including a hook composed of a metal wire, and a hanger body integrally formed of a resin, capable of preventing a jacket from losing original shape thereof at a collar and shoulders.

2. Description of the Related Art

Clothes such as jackets for men and jackets and one-pieces for women, having been cleaned in a laundry shop are kept hung by means of a garment hanger (hereinafter often referred to simply as a “hanger”) for preventing those clothes from being wrongly deformed to thereby lose original shape thereof, until they are handed to consumers.

In a cleaning factory, clothes are held by a hanger and hung from a rail arranged in the factory. Clothes are carried in the factory together with a hanger. Accordingly, since clothes hung from a hanger are caused to swing while being carried, resulting in that an excessive load acts on a hook of the hanger. Since a diameter of the hook of the hanger carried along a rail is limited to a specific range of a diameter, it is not allowed to design the hook to have a sufficiently great diameter for the purpose of providing sufficient strength to the hook. Consequently, a hanger composed of a resin would be short of strength of a hook. Thus, a hook is generally composed of metal in conventional hangers required to include a hook having sufficient strength, as follows.

FIG. 20 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. H6 (1994)-77654.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, a hook 100 includes a neck 101 inserted into a groove 111 formed at a hanger body 110, a curled engagement portion 102 continuous to the neck 101. When the hook 100 is pulled up through the groove 111, an abutment piece 112 formed below the groove 111 and a pair of engagement pieces 113 formed at opposite sides about the groove below the groove 111 make abutment with the engagement portion 102 of the hook 100 at upper and lower surfaces to thereby cause the hook 100 not to rotate about the neck 101.

FIG. 21 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. H6 (1994)-86655.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the hook includes a metal wire 210 having a hook portion (not illustrated) at an upper end, a bending portion 212 at a lower end and a shaft portion 211 connecting the hook portion and the bending portion 212 to each other, and a hook attachment 230 formed on a plate 220 composed of a resin. The hook attachment 230 includes a hole 231 through which the bending portion 212 can be inserted, and an elastic piece 232 acting an elastic force on the plate 220 such that the shaft portion 211 is elastically compressed onto the plate 220 for preventing the bending portion 212 from being released out of the hole 231. The hook attachment 230 is formed with a groove 233 into which the shaft portion 211 of the metal wire 210 is inserted. The elastic piece 232 is formed with a groove 234 into which the shaft portion 211 is detachably engaged, in order to prevent the metal wire 210 from rotating about the bending portion 212 inserted into the hole 231.

FIG. 22 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H8 (1996)-33551.

The illustrated hanger includes a hook 310 composed of metal, and a hanger base body 320 composed of synthetic resin. The hanger base body 320 includes a hook attachment 330 having a reinforcement frame 331 located centrally of and above the hanger base body 320, a pair of elastic pieces 332 and 333 housed in the reinforcement frame 331, a space 334 in which a bending portion 311 of the hook 310 is housed, and a space 335 in which a shaft portion 312 of the hook 310 is housed. Each of the elastic pieces 332 and 333 includes engagement claws 336 and 337, respectively, being engaged to the shaft portion 312 to thereby prevent the shaft portion 312 from being released out of the space 335.

FIG. 23 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H10 (1998)-243867.

The illustrated hanger includes a hook 410 composed of metal, and a hanger body 420. The hook 410 includes a shaft portion 411, a hook portion 412 formed at an upper end of the shaft portion 411, and an engagement portion 413 formed at a lower end of the shaft portion 411. The hanger body 420 includes a hook attachment 430 at a center and at an upper area thereof. The hook attachment 430 is detachably engaged with a lower portion of the hook 410.

The hook attachment 430 is formed with a recess 433 including a groove 431 in which the shaft portion 411 of the hook 410 is rotatably and slidably inserted, and a space 432 in which the engagement portion 413 of the hook 410 is housed. The hook attachment 430 further includes a closer 434 capable of closing the hook attachment 433.

In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 20, the hook 100 can be easily attached to the hanger body 110 by inserting the neck 101 into the groove 111. However, if a force acts on the neck 101 to forwardly push down the neck 101, the neck 101 is afraid of being released out of the groove 111.

In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 21, the metal wire 210 can be easily attached to the plate 220 by inserting the shaft portion 211 of the metal wire 210 into the groove 233. However, if a force acts on the shaft portion 211 to forwardly push down shaft portion 211, it is afraid that the shaft portion 211 pushes up the elastic piece 232 to thereby be released out of the groove 233.

In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 22, the engagement claws 336 and 337 prevent the shaft portion 312 of the hook 310 from escaping out of the space 335. However, if a force acts on the shaft portion 312 to forwardly push down shaft portion 312, it is afraid that the shaft portion 312 is released out of the space 335.

In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 23, it is considered that the closer 434 firmly holds the shaft portion 411 and the engagement portion 413 of the hook 410. However, if a force acts on the shaft portion 411 to forwardly push down shaft portion 411, it is afraid that the closer 434 is open, and resultingly, the shaft portion 411 is released out of the hook attachment 433.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional garment hangers, it is an object of the present invention to provide a garment hanger making it possible to readily attach a hook to a hanger body, and further, not allowing a hook to be released out of a hanger body, if a force acts on the hook.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment hanger including a hook composed of a metal wire, and a hanger body to which the hook is detachably connected for holding clothes therearound, the hanger body being integrally formed of a resin, the hook including a hook portion, a bending portion through which the hook is connected to the hanger body, and a shaft portion connecting the hook portion and the bending portion to each other, the hanger body including a shaft guide formed therethrough with a path through which the shaft portion of the hook is inserted, and a hook-receiving unit to which the bending portion is engaged and in which the bending portion is housed when the bending portion is pulled up with the shaft portion being inserted into the path of the shaft guide, to thereby connect the hook to the hanger body.

In the garment hanger in accordance with the present invention, the hanger body is integrally formed of a resin, and the shaft portion of the hook is inserted in the path of the shaft guide. Thus, if a force would act on the shaft portion to incline the shaft portion forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction, the hook is not released out of the hanger body. Furthermore, the hook can be readily connected to the hanger body by inserting a straight metal wire into the path of the shaft guide, bending a lower portion of the metal wire to form the bending portion, and causing the bending portion to be engaged with the hook-receiving unit.

It is preferable that the bending portion is bent in one of opposite directions around the shaft portion, and the garment hanger includes two hook-receiving units located at opposite sides about the shaft portion.

Even if the bending portion were bent to the left or right, it is possible to cause the bending portion to be held in the hook-receiving unit for restricting the movement of the bending portion.

It is preferable that the hook-receiving unit includes a recess for preventing the bending portion from upwardly, forwardly and backwardly moving, and a pair of protrusion units for preventing the bending portion from downwardly moving.

When the bending portion is housed in the recess, a pair of the protrusion units restricts the downward movement of the bending portion, resulting in that the hook can be fixed.

It is preferable that each of the protrusion units includes a claw and a protrusion, and wherein when the hook-receiving unit receives therein the bending portion, the bending portion moves over the protrusion to elastically deform the claw to thereby be housed in the recess.

Since the bending portion is housed in the recess due to the elastic deformation of the claws, the hook can be readily attached to and fixed to the hanger body.

It is preferable that the shaft guide includes at least two shaft receivers for receiving the shaft portion along an axis of the shaft portion, the shaft receivers being alternately situated in front of and at rear of the shaft portion.

Even if a force acts on the shaft portion of the hook, the shaft receivers by the number of two or more support the shaft portion to prevent the shaft portion from axially inclining. Furthermore, when a plurality of the garment hangers is stacked one on another, raised and recessed portions of a first shaft receiver are received in those of a second shaft receiver stacked below and/or above the first shaft receiver, ensuring that a plurality of the garment hangers can be stacked one on another without unnecessary increase of a volume.

It is preferable that the shaft guide includes two or three shaft receivers, the shaft portion being open at a side opposite to a side at which the shaft portion is received in each of the shaft receivers.

When the hook is released out of the hook-receiving unit and is caused to pass through the two or three shaft receivers, since those shaft receivers are open at a side opposite to a side at which the shaft portion is received, those shaft receivers do not interfere with the bending portion.

It is preferable that a slit is formed between the claws.

It is possible to cause the bending portion to pass through the slit after uprightly standing the bending portion. Consequently, the hook including the bending portion could be attached to or released out of the hook-receiving unit.

It is preferable that the bending portion is substantially L-shaped relative to the shaft portion.

The bending portion can be readily formed merely by bending a lower portion of the shaft portion in the shape of “L”. Furthermore, since the L-shaped bending portion protrude in a direction intersecting with a direction in which an axis of the shaft portion extends, it is possible to attach the hook to the hanger body by pulling up the shaft portion inserted in the path of the shaft guide to thereby cause the bending portion to be engaged to the hook-receiving unit.

It is preferable that the bending portion is bent in a direction identical to or opposite to a direction in which the hook portion is bent.

When the garment hangers are stacked one on another, the hooks of the garment hangers are not so thick, ensuring that the garment hangers can be stacked without increase of a volume.

The garment hanger in accordance with the above-mentioned present invention provides advantages as follows.

In the garment hanger in accordance with the present invention, even if a force acts on the shaft portion of the hook to incline the shaft portion forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction, it is possible to prevent the hook from being released out of the hanger body. Furthermore, the hook can be readily connected to the hanger body.

The above and other objects and advantageous features of the present invention will be made apparent from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the garment hanger in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the garment hanger in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged front view of the hanger body comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged rear view of the hanger body comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate the steps to be carried out for attaching the hook to the hook-receiving unit.

FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate the steps to be carried out for turning the bending portion of the hook.

FIG. 7 illustrates a shirt, showing a name of each portion of a shirt.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the garment hanger in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the garment hanger in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged front view of the hanger body comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged rear view of the hanger body comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 12A is a partially enlarged front view of the garment hanger in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a partially enlarged rear view of the garment hanger in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a partial bottom view of the garment hanger in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the garment hangers to be stacked one on another.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 16A to 16F illustrate the steps to be carried out for attaching the hook to the hook-receiving unit with the bending portion being as it is.

FIGS. 17A to 17E illustrate the steps to be carried out for releasing the hook out of the hook-receiving unit with the bending portion being as it is.

FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged front view of the garment hanger in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged rear view of the garment hanger in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a partial front view of the first conventional garment hanger.

FIG. 21 is a partially enlarged view of the second conventional garment hanger.

FIG. 22 is a partial front view of the third conventional garment hanger.

FIG. 23 is a broken perspective view of the fourth conventional garment hanger.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment

First, elements of a shirt to be hung by a garment hanger (hereinafter often referred to simply as a “hanger”) are explained with reference to FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a dress shirt includes a collar 81 comprising a rear collar portion 82, a front collar portion 84, and a pair of side collar portions 83 connecting the front collar portion 84 and the rear collar portion 82 to each other. As mentioned below, the dress shirt is hung by the hanger in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

A hanger 10 in accordance with the first embodiment is explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

The hanger 10 holds the collar 81 and shoulders of a jacket, a shirt and so on.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the hanger 10 includes a hook 20, and a hanger body 30 by which a dress shirt is held.

In the specification, a front or a forward relative to the hanger 10 indicates a direction X1, a rear or a back relative to the hanger 10 indicates a direction X2, an “up” relative to the hanger 10 indicates a direction X3, and a “down” relative to the hanger 10 indicates a direction X4.

The hook 20 is composed of a metal wire. The hook 20 includes a U-shaped hook portion 21, a bending portion 22 through which the hook 20 is fastened to the hanger body 30, and a linear shaft portion 23 connecting the hook portion 21 and the bending portion 22 to each other.

In the first embodiment, the hook portion 21 is bent in the same direction as a direction in which the bending portion 22 is bent. The hook portion 21 may be bent in a direction opposite to a direction in which the bending portion 22 is bent.

The hanger body 30 is integrally formed of a resin. The hanger body 30 includes a collar support 40 for supporting the collar 81 of a dress shirt, and a pair of shoulder supports 50 supporting shoulders of a dress shirt.

The collar support 40 includes a pair of first supports 41 for supporting the side collar portions 83 of a dress shirt, a pair of second supports 42 for supporting the rear collar portion 82 of a dress shirt, and a reinforcement 43 connecting lower edges of the first supports 41 to each other for reinforcement of the collar support 40. Each of the second supports 42 is designed to be curved such that a portion thereof located centrally in a width-wise direction backwardly protrudes beyond the hook 20.

The collar support 40 includes a shaft guide 44 formed therethrough with a path into which the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20 can be inserted, and a pair of hook-receiving units 45 to each of which the bending portion 22 is engaged, when the hook 20 is pulled up with the shaft portion 23 being inserted in the shaft guide 44, to thereby fasten the hook 20 to the hanger body 30.

Each of the first supports 41 is designed to include a sidewall 41a comprised of a slope downwardly inclining from an upper edge toward a side. The sidewalls 41a of the first supports 41 make contact with the side collar portions 83 of the dress shirt (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the first supports 41 forwardly protrudes gradually from the sidewall 41 towards a front 41b. Each of the first supports 41 is hollow at an inner side thereof relative to the second supports 42.

The second supports 42 are formed continuous to and between the first supports 41, and make contact with the rear collar portion 82 of the dress shirt (see FIG. 7). Each of the second supports 42 includes a collar portion 42a extending between an upper portion each of the hook-receiving units 45 and each of the first supports 41, a first strip 42c downwardly and backwardly extending from the collar portion 42a, and further, downwardly and forwardly extending from a central portion 42b towards the reinforcement 43, and a second strip 42d extending from the first strip 42c towards a lower end of each of the hook-receiving units 45.

The first supports 41 and the second supports 42 make contact with the rear collar portion 82, the side collar portions 83, and the front collar portion 84 of the dress shirt to thereby prevent the collar 81 of the dress shirt from being collapsed.

The reinforcement 43 is formed to connect the shoulder supports 50 to each other. The reinforcement 43 includes a front portion 43a, and a pair of walls 43b vertically facing each other to thereby have a cross-section in the form of a groove. The reinforcement 43 increases strength of the first supports 41 and the second supports 42.

The shaft guide 44 is situated centrally of and at an upper area of the collar support 40. The shaft guide 44 is substantially in the form of a square pole. The shaft guide 44 is formed with a through-hole acting as a path 44p through which the shaft portion 23 is inserted.

The hook-receiving units 45 are located at opposite sides about the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20. Each of the hook-receiving units 45 includes a recess 45a restricting the upward, forward and backward movement of the bending portion 22 of the hook 20, and a claw 45b and a protrusion 45c both restricting the downward movement of the bending portion 22 when the bending portion 22 is fit thereinto.

The recess 45a is formed integrally with each of the second supports 42, and is downwardly open.

A slit 45d extends between the claws 45b along an axis of the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20. Each of the claws 45b is designed to have a gradually reduced thickness in order to receive therein the bending portion 22 having passed over the protrusion 45c, and is upwardly curved to be continuous to the recess 45a.

The protrusion 45c has a substantially triangular cross-section, and is continuous to the recess 45a. The protrusion 45c has an inclining lower surface and an inclining upper surface. The inclining lower surface has a small gradient such that the bending portion 22 is able to upwardly and smoothly move, making slide with the inclining lower surface. The inclining upper surface is designed to have a gradient greater than the same of the inclining lower surface in order to restrict the downward movement of the bending portion 22.

The claw 45b and the protrusion 45c are situated such that a gap formed therebetween has a width smaller than a diameter of the bending portion 22.

The shoulder supports 50 extend in opposite directions from the collar support 40. Each of the shoulder supports 50 includes a front portion 51, and a pair of walls 52 vertically facing each other to thereby have a cross-section in the form of a groove. The front portion 51 is formed with a stepped portion 53 (see FIG. 1) in order to increase strength of the shoulder support 50.

The hanger 10 in accordance with the first embodiment, having the above-mentioned structure, is used as follows.

First, the hook 20 is connected to the hanger body 30 as follows.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, before the hook 20 is connected to the hanger body 30, the bending portion 22 is not yet formed. That is, the hook 20 includes only the hook portion 21 and the shaft portion 23. First, the shaft portion 23 is aligned with the path 44p of the shaft guide 44.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the shaft portion 23 is inserted into the path 44p until a lower portion of the shaft portion 23, which will make the bending portion 22, passes over the shaft guide 44 and the hook-receiving unit 45.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, a lower portion of the shaft portion 23 is bent by 90 degrees into “L” shape relative to an axis of the shaft portion 23 to thereby form the bending portion 22.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the hook portion 21 is pulled up, resulting in that the bending portion 22 passes over the inclining lower surface of the protrusion 45c located above the bending portion 22, and elastically deforms and thereby pushes up the claw 45b. Thus, the bending portion 22 is housed in the recess 45a.

While the bending portion 22 is housed in the recess 45a, the recess 45a restricts the upward, forward and backward movement of the bending portion 22, and the claw 45b and the protrusion 45c restrict the downward movement of the bending portion 22, ensuring that the hook 20 is fixed to the hanger body 30.

In the above-mentioned manner, the hook 20 can be readily attached to the hanger body 30 by inserting a lower portion of the shaft portion 23 into the path 44p, bending the lower portion to thereby form the bending portion 22, and engaging the bending portion 22 to the hook-receiving unit 45.

Furthermore, since the hanger body 30 is integrally formed of a resin, and the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20 is inserted into the path 44p of the shaft guide 44, even if a force acts on the shaft portion 23 to thereby incline the shaft portion 23 forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction, the hook 20 is not released out of the hanger body 30, because the shaft portion 23 is not fit into a groove formed at the hanger body 30 unlike the above-mentioned conventional hangers illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 23.

Thus, the hanger 10 in accordance with the first embodiment provides the advantages that the hook 20 can be readily attached to the hanger body 30, and that the hook 20 is quite difficult to be released out of the hanger body 30, even if an external force acts on the hook 20.

Though the path 44p in the first embodiment is designed to have a circular cross-section, the path 44p may be designed to have a triangular, rectangular, polygonal or any other shaped cross-section.

Steps of turning the hook portion 21 of the hook 20 are explained hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, pushing the hook portion 21 down, the bending portion 22 pushes down the claw 45b of the hook-receiving unit 45, passes over the inclining upper surface of the protrusion 45c, and then, is released out of the hook-receiving unit 45.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, if the bending portion 22 turns to the left, the shaft portion 23 is rotated by 180 degrees to thereby cause the shaft portion 23 to turn to the right. Since the path 44p of the shaft guide 44 comprises a through-hole extending along an axis of the shaft portion 23, it is possible to smoothly rotate the shaft portion 23 about an axis thereof.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the shaft portion 23 is pulled up, resulting in that the bending portion 22 passes over the inclining lower surface of the protrusion 45c located above the bending portion 22, elastically deforms to push up the claw 45b, and is housed in the recess 45a.

As mentioned above, since the bending portion 22 is bent in either direction about the shaft portion 23, and the hook-receiving units 45 are formed at opposite sides around the shaft portion 23, it is possible to readily turn the hook portion 21. Furthermore, even if the bending portion 22 turns to the left or right, it is possible to restrict the movement of the bending portion 22 by means of the hook-receiving units 45.

In the first embodiment, the bending portion 22 is bent in L-shape relative to the shaft portion 23. Since the bending portion 22 is formed merely by bending a lower portion of the shaft portion 23 into L-shape, the bending portion 22 can be formed more readily than the curled engagement portion 102 of the hook 100 illustrated in FIG. 20, for instance. Furthermore, the L-shaped bending portion 22 protrudes in such a direction that the bending portion 22 intersects with an axis of the shaft portion 23, the hook 20 can be attached to the hanger body 30 by pulling up the shaft portion 23 inserted in the path 44p of the shaft guide 44 to thereby cause the bending portion 22 to be engaged with the hook-receiving unit 45.

Second Embodiment

A hanger 10x in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is explained hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14. Parts or elements of the hanger 10x that correspond to those of the hanger 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 have been provided with the same reference numerals, and operate in the same manner as corresponding parts or elements in the first embodiment, unless explicitly explained hereinbelow.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 13, the shaft guide 44 in the hanger 10x in accordance with the second embodiment is designed to include a first shaft receiver 44a, a second shaft receiver 44b and a third shaft receiver 44c each of which receives the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20 along an axis of the shaft portion 23. The first shaft receiver 44a is located uppermost among the first to third shaft receivers, and the third shaft receiver 44c is located lowermost among the first to third shaft receivers.

The first shaft receiver 44a includes a groove forwardly open, into which the shaft portion 23 is inserted at a rear thereof. The first shaft receiver 44a backwardly protrudes beyond the collar portions 42a of the second supports 42.

The second shaft receiver 44b includes a groove backwardly open, into which the shaft portion 23 is inserted at a front thereof. The second shaft receiver 44b forwardly protrudes beyond the collar portions 42a of the second supports 42. The second shaft receiver 44b is recessed at a rear surface thereof relative to the collar portions 42a.

The third shaft receiver 44c includes a groove forwardly open, into which the shaft portion 23 is inserted at a rear thereof. The third shaft receiver 44c and the first shaft receiver 44a are located almost identical with each other with respect to rear surfaces thereof. The third shaft receiver 44c is recessed at a front thereof relative to the second shaft receiver 44b by being cut off.

As mentioned above, the path 44p is cut out alternately at a rear side and a front side of the shaft portion 23 to thereby define the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c. Even if the shaft guide 44x is formed open oppositely to the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c, the shaft portion 23 is supported in the path 44p by means of the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c, and thus, the shaft portion 23 is surely guided such that an axis thereof does not incline. Accordingly, even if a force acts on the shaft portion 23 to incline the shaft portion 23 forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction, the hook 20 is not released out of the hanger body 30.

In the conventional hangers illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 23, a plurality of the hangers is not expected to be stacked one on another. For instance, in the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 20, a rear of the groove 111 protrudes backwardly of the hanger body 110, and the engagement pieces 113 protrude forwardly of the hanger body 110. Consequently, even if the hangers were attempted to be stacked one on another, the engagement pieces 113 make collision with a rear of the groove 111, resulting in that the hangers cannot be stacked one on another.

In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 21, a rear of the hole 231 is wider than the groove 233, and a portion (not illustrated) protrudes beyond the plate 220. Hence, even if the hangers were attempted to be stacked one on another, the protruding portion make collision with an opening edge of the groove 233, resulting in that the hangers cannot be stacked one on another.

In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 22, the hook attachment 330 protrudes forwardly and backwardly of the hanger base body 320. Hence, even if the hangers were attempted to be stacked one on another, the hook attachments 330 make collision with each other, resulting in that the hangers cannot be stacked one on another.

In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 23, when the closer 434 is folded, the closer 434 protrudes forwardly and backwardly of the hanger body 420. Hence, even if the hangers were attempted to be stacked one on another, the closers 434 make collision with each other, resulting in that the hangers cannot be stacked one on another.

As mentioned above, since a part formed with a groove into which a hook is inserted forwardly and backwardly protrudes, the hangers including such a part cannot be stacked one on another.

In contract with the conventional hangers, when a plurality of the hangers 10x in accordance with the second embodiment is attempted to be stacked one on another, the raised portions of the first to third supports 41 to 43 of the hangers 10x in the first hanger 10x are fit into the recessed portions of the first to third supports 41 to 43 of the hangers 10x in the second hanger 10x located immediately forwardly or backwardly of the first hanger 10x, and vice versa.

With respect to the shaft guide 44, the first shaft receivers 44a of the first hanger 10x are fit into an opening front of the first shaft receivers 44a of the second hanger 10x, the second shaft receivers 44b of the first hanger 10x are fit into the second shaft receivers 44b of the second hanger 10x, and the third shaft receiver 44c of the first hanger 10x is fit into the third shaft receiver 44c of the second hanger 10x. The claws 45b in the hook-receiving unit 45 in the second hanger 10x aligns with an opening rear of the hook-receiving unit 45 in the first hanger 10x.

Furthermore, the stepped portions 53 formed at the shoulders 50 in the second hanger 10x are fit into the recesses formed at the shoulders 50 in the first hanger 10x.

As mentioned above, even if the hook 20 is composed of a metal wire in order to provide strength for being hung to both the hanger body 30x and the shoulders 50 in the hanger 10x, the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c are formed alternately at a front side and a rear side of the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20, and the raised and recessed portions are fit into each other in the hanger body 30x and the shoulders 50, ensuring that a plurality of the hangers 10x can be stacked one on another without unnecessary increase in a volume.

Thus, the hangers 10x can be stacked one on another in a box for transportation without unnecessary increase in a volume, ensuring reduction in transportation costs and storage costs.

Furthermore, since the bending portion 22 is bent in the same direction as a direction in which the hook 20 is directed, when a plurality of the hangers 10x are stacked one on another, the hooks 20 are not so much thickened, preventing a volume of the hangers 10x from unnecessarily increasing.

The bending portion 22 in the first embodiment is bent in the same direction as a direction in which the hook 20 is directed, but it should be noted that the bending portion 22 may be bent in a direction opposite to a direction in which the hook 20 is directed.

The bending portion 22 in the second embodiment can be formed in the same manner as that of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 5A to 5D), specifically by inserting a lower portion of the shaft portion 23 into the path 44p and bending the lower portion relative to the path 44p.

In addition, eve after the bending portion 22 was formed, the hook 20 can be readily connected to the hanger body 30x.

The steps of doing the same are explained hereinbelow.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 16A, the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20 is located perpendicularly to an axis of the path 44p of the first shaft receiver 44a, and a leading edge of the bending portion 22 is directed to the path 44p of the first shaft receiver 44a.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, the bending portion 22 is inserted into the first shaft receiver 44a, and the hook 20 is pushed downwardly through the path 44p until the shaft portion 23 arrives at the second shaft receiver 44b. In the condition that the shaft portion 23 is making abutment with the second shaft receiver 44b, the bending portion 22 is located across the second shaft receiver 44b and the third shaft receiver 44c.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16C, the shaft portion 23 is caused to stand up by 90 degrees to thereby cause the bending portion 22 to stand up by 90 degrees relative to the groove-shaped path 44p of the third shaft receiver 44c.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16D, the shaft portion 23 inserted in the path 44p of both the first shaft receiver 44a and the second shaft receiver 44b is pushed downwardly. The shaft portion 23 passes over the third shaft receiver 44c, and the bending portion 22 passes over the slit 45d formed between the claws 45b. Thus, the bending portion 22 passes over the hook-receiving unit 45.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16E, the hook 20 is rotated about an axis of the shaft portion 23 such that the bending portion 22 turns to the right or left (the right in FIG. 16E).

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16F, the hook 20 is pulled upwardly to thereby cause the bending portion 22 to pass over the inclining lower surface of the protrusion 45c and push up the claws 45b of the hook-receiving unit 45. Thus, the bending portion 22 enters the hook-receiving unit 45, and is housed in the recess 45a.

Even if the bending portion 22 is already formed in the hook 20, the hanger 20 can be connected to the hanger body 30 (see FIG. 8) in the above-mentioned way.

In the hook 20 connected to the hanger body 30x in the above-mentioned way, the bending portion 22 is restricted in moving upwardly, forwardly and backwardly by the recess 45a, and further restricted in moving downwardly by the claws 45b and the protrusion 45c. Accordingly, the hook 20 can be kept fixed to the hanger body 30x by connecting the hook 20 to the hook-receiving unit 45.

The hook 20 connected to the hook-receiving unit 45 can be released out of the hanger 30x as follows.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 17A, the hook portion 21 (see FIG. 8) of the hook 20 is pushed downwardly to thereby cause the bending portion 22 to push up the claws 45b of the hook-receiving unit 45, and pass over the inclining upper surface of the protrusion 45c. Thus, the bending portion 22 is released out of the hook-receiving unit 45.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, the hook 20 is rotated by 90 degrees about an axis of the shaft portion 23 such that the bending portion 22 turns forwardly.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17C, the hook 20 is pulled up. The bending portion 22 passes over the slit 45d formed between the claws 45b, further passes over an opening front of the third shaft receiver 44c, and makes abutment with the second shaft receiver 44b. Since the third shaft receiver 44c is open at a front thereof, the third shaft receiver 44c does not prevent the bending portion 22 from moving upwardly.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17D, the hook 20 is rotated by 90 degrees such that a leading edge of the bending portion 22 turns downwardly and the shaft portion turns forwardly. By rotating the hook 20 by 90 degrees, the bending portion 22 rotates towards an opening front of the first shaft receiver 44a, protruding into an opening rear of the second shaft receiver 44b, to thereby be housed in both the slit 45d formed between the claws 45b, and an opening front of the third shaft receiver 44c. Since the second shaft receiver 44b is open at a rear and the first shaft receiver 44a is open at a front, the first shaft receiver 44a and the second shaft receiver 44b do not interfere with the rotation of the bending portion 22.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17E, the hook 20 is pulled up. Thus, the bending portion 22 is released out of the second shaft receiver 44b and further the first shaft receiver 44a. That is, the hook 20 is released out of the hanger body 30.

Since the slit 45d is formed between the claws 45b, it is possible to cause the bending portion 22 to stand up and then pass through the slit 45d. When the hook 20 is caused to pass over the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c after the hook 20 was released out of the hook-receiving unit 45, since the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c are open at a side opposite to a side at which the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c support the shaft portion 23, the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c do not interfere with the movement of the bending portion 22.

As mentioned above, even if the hook 20 includes the bending portion 22, the hook 20 can be released out of the hook-receiving unit 45.

For instance, in a conventional hanger including a hook composed of a metal wire, and a hanger body composed of resin and fixed with the hook by insert-molding, the hook cannot be released out of the hanger body, because the hook is firmly fixed to the hanger body. Thus, complex and much work volume is required to carry out for recycling such a conventional hanger by separating the hook and the hanger body from each other.

In contrast, in the hanger 10x in accordance with the second embodiment, as having been explained with reference to FIGS. 17A to 17E, the hook 20 can be readily released out of the hanger body 30, even if the bending portion 22 is bent relative to the shaft portion 23. Accordingly, it is possible to separate the hook 20 and the hanger body 30 from each other and collect only the hook 20 or only the hanger body 30, contributing to recycling of the hangers 10x.

Third Embodiment

A hanger 10y in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is explained hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. Parts or elements of the hanger 10y that correspond to those of the hanger 10x illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 11 have been provided with the same reference numerals, and operate in the same manner as corresponding parts or elements in the second embodiment, unless explicitly explained hereinbelow.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the shaft guide 44y in the hanger 10y in accordance with the third embodiment is designed to include a second shaft receiver 44b and a third shaft receiver 44c each of which receives the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20 along an axis of the shaft portion 23. The second shaft receiver 44a is located above the third shaft receiver 44c. That is, the hanger 10y is designed not to include the first shaft receiver 44a relative to the shaft guide 44x of the hanger 10x in accordance with the second embodiment.

The shaft portion 23 is housed in the shaft guide 44y in such a manner that the second shaft receiver 44b supports a front side of the shaft portion 23, and the third shaft receiver 44c supports a rear side of the shaft portion 23. Hence, the shaft portion 23 is guided such that an axis thereof does not incline. Accordingly, even if a force acts on the shaft portion 23 to incline the shaft portion 23 forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction, the hook 20 is not released out of the hanger body 30.

Similarly to the hanger 10 in accordance with the first embodiment, since the bending portion 22 is housed in the recess 45a, the recess 45a restricts the bending portion 22 from upwardly, forwardly and backwardly moving, and the claws 45b and the protrusion 45c restrict the bending portion 22 from downwardly moving, ensuring that the hook 20 is fixed to the hanger body 30.

Thus, it is possible to keep the hook 20 surely connected to the hanger body 30.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the hook 20 can be connected to the hanger body 30 by inserting the shaft portion 23 into the path 44p of the shaft guide 44 before forming the bending portion 22, bending a lower portion of the shaft portion 23 into the bending portion 22, and causing the bending portion 22 to be engaged with the hook-receiving unit 45.

Furthermore, the hook 20 can be readily connected to the hanger body 30y in accordance with the steps illustrated in FIGS. 16A to 16F. In addition, the hook 20 can be readily released out of the hanger body 30 in accordance with the steps illustrated in FIGS. 17A to 17E.

While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

For instance, the shaft guide 44 in the first embodiment is designed to be in the form of a square pole, but it should be noted that the shaft guide 44 may be designed to be in the form of a circular cylinder or a pole having a polygonal cross-section such as a pentagonal cross-section.

In the hangers 10x and 10y in accordance with the second and third embodiments, respectively, the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c are open at a front or rear side, but the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c may be designed not to be open, if it is not necessary to release the hook 20 out of the hanger body 30 by causing the hook 20 to pass through the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c. The first shaft receiver 44a supports the shaft portion 23 at a rear side of the shaft portion 23, the second shaft receiver 44b supports the shaft portion 23 at a front side of the shaft portion 23, and the third shaft receiver 44c supports the shaft portion 23 at a rear side of the shaft portion 23, but it should be noted that the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c support the shaft portion 23 at opposite sides.

The shaft guide 44x in the hanger 10x in accordance with the second embodiment is designed to include the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c, and the shaft guide 44y in the hanger 10y in accordance with the third embodiment is designed to include the second and third shaft receivers 44b and 44c. The shaft guide may be designed to include four or more shaft receivers. This is because if the shaft guide includes two or more shaft receivers, the hook 20 is not caused to be released out of the hanger body 30, even if a force acts on the shaft portion 23 to incline the shaft portion 23 forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The garment hanger in accordance with the present invention is able to prevent a collar of a jacket or a shirt from being collapsed, and hence, is suitable not only to a cleaning industry and an apparel industry, but also to domestic use. Since the hook is composed of a metal wire to thereby increase strength thereof, the garment hanger is suitable particularly to a cleaning industry.

GARMENT HANGER

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