BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to holders for clothing articles, and more particularly, to holders for handbags and other accessories.
2. Description of Related Art
Devices for temporarily holding clothing articles, such as handbags, hats, and coats, are generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,415,126; 1,501,807; 2,064,133; 2,473,086; 2,521,037; 2,532,255; 4,210,302; and 5,094,417 and U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 159,834 and 256,738. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,415,126 to Stahle discloses a clip for holding a hat. U.S. Pat. No. 1,501,807 to Petschel discloses another type of hat supporting hook. U.S. Pat. No. 2,521,037 to Brinton discloses a C-shaped hook for holding a purse and an elastomeric strap for holding gloves. U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,417 to Creed discloses a C-shaped mount with a C-shaped hook pivotally attached thereto. U.S. Design Pat. No. 159,834 to Meyers discloses another type of holder for gloves and a handbag.
In general, the prior art reasonably teaches that as the number of clothing articles to be held increases, the complexity of the device also increases. Therefore, a need exists for a clothing article holder that accomplishes multiple functions with a reduced amount of parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a holder for a clothing article, such as a handbag, generally includes a base having a first surface and a second surface, and a hanger having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a first end and a second end and the second portion defines a loop. The first end of the first portion of the hanger is connected to the base, and the loop supports the clothing article but does not compress the clothing article.
A pivot joint rigidly connected to an outer edge of the base or to the body of the base may also be provided, wherein the first end of the first pendent portion of the hanger is rotatably connected to the pivot joint. A resilient pad positioned adjacent to the base, and the first surface of the base and the second surface of the base may each define a circular shape.
The loop may be a substantially closed O-shaped loop or a substantially C-shaped loop. A ball may be positioned at a free end of the C-shaped loop. The loop is designed to receive a clothing article, such as a scarf, a glove, or handbag strap.
A method of holding a clothing article, such as a handbag, is also provided. The method generally includes the steps of: a) providing a planar surface having a leading (overhanging) edge; b) providing a holder comprising a base and a hanger pivotally connected to the base, the hanger having a first pendent portion and a second portion, the second portion defining a loop; c) positioning the base of the holder on the planar surface adjacent to the leading edge of the planar surface, such that the second portion of the hanger is positioned substantially parallel to the leading edge of the planar surface, the loop extends away from the base, and the planar surface is positioned between the base and the loop; and d) inserting the clothing article or handbag strap in the loop, such that the loop supports the clothing article but does not compress the clothing article. If a stem is positioned between the loop and the first portion of the hanger, and a purse having a carrying strap is provided, a further step may include positioning the carrying strap of the purse adjacent to the stem.
This simple design of the present invention eliminates the need for multiple parts, such as constrictive elastic bands. Moreover, the loop design does not squeeze a clothing article, such as a delicate scarf, so wrinkling and other damage to the clothing article are significantly reduced.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the attached drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention with a hanger in a deployed position;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the holder shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the holder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the holder shown in FIGS. 1-3 with the hanger in a storage position;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the holder shown in FIGS. 1-4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the holder shown in FIGS. 1-5;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention with a hanger in a deployed position;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the holder shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the holder shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;
FIG. 10 is a top view of the holder shown in FIGS. 7-9 with the hanger in a storage position.
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the holder shown in FIGS. 7-10; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the holder shown in FIGS. 7-11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown generally in FIGS. 1-6, a first embodiment of the present invention generally relates to a holder 10 for clothing articles, such as handbags, scarves, baseball caps, or other suitable articles. As shown in FIG. 1 and the combination of FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 10 according to the present invention includes a base 12 having a first surface 14, a second surface 16, and an outer edge 18. The base 12 is preferably circular in shape when viewed from a top perspective or a bottom perspective and is made from metal, such as brass of other suitable metal of metal alloy, plastic, of any other suitable material. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a protective pad 20 may be positioned adjacent the second surface 16 of the base 12. Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, in the preferred embodiment, a hollow cylinder 22 is rigidly connected to the base 12, preferably at the outer edge 18 of the base 12. The hollow cylinder 22 is also preferably made from metal, metal alloy, plastic, or other suitable material.
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a hanger 24 is pivotally connected to the base 12 via the hollow cylinder 22. The hanger 24 may be made of metal, metal alloy, plastic, or other suitable material and generally includes a first pendent portion 26 and an integrally formed second portion 28. The first pendent portion 26 has a first end 30 and a second end 32, with the first end 30 of the hanger bent at as approximate ninety degree angle with respect to the first pendent portion 26 of the hanger 24. The first end 30 of the first pendent portion 26 of the hanger 24 is inserted into the hollow cylinder 22 as to define a pivot joint 22a, so that the hanger 24 is rotatable with respect to the base 12.
The second portion 28 of the hanger 24 generally includes a stem 34 that is connected to the second end 32 of the first pendent portion 26 of the hanger 24, and a substantially closed O-shaped loop 36 is connected to the stem 34. The stem 34 intersects the second end 32 of the first pendent portion 26 of the hanger 24 at an intersection point 38 such that an angle α is defined between the first pendent portion 26 of the hanger 24 and the step 34. The substantially closed O-shaped loop 36 is preferably large enough to allow a scarf 44, gloves, or other clothing article to easily pass through the substantially closed O-shaped loop 36 without being bunched or clamped.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a holder 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention in two respective storage positions. In operation, as shown in FIG. 1, the second surface 16 of the base 12 is placed on a table or other generally planar surface 40 adjacent to a leading (overhung) edge 46. The hanger 24 is pivoted with respect to the base 12 via the pivot joint 22a so that the hanger 24 extends away from the base 12 and the planar surface 40 and is substantially parallel to the leading (overhung) edge 46. As shown in FIG. 6, a handbag carrying strap 42 may be placed on the stem 34 of the second portion 28 of the hanger 24, adjacent to the intersection point 38 of the first pendent portion 26 of the hanger 24 and the stem 34. A scarf 44 or other clothing article can also be fed through the substantially closed O-shaped loop 36.
When the articles do not need to be held any longer, the scarf 44 can be removed from the substantially closed O-shaped loop 36 and the handbag carrying strap 42 can be removed from the stem 34. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base 12 can then be removed from the planar surface 40, and the hanger 24 can be moved into a storage position by pivoting the hanger 24 to lie in the same imaginary plane as the base 12.
FIGS. 7-12 generally show a holder 10a according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7 and the combination of FIGS. 8 and 9, the holder 10a according to the second embodiment of the present invention generally includes a base 12a having a first surface 14a, second surface 16a, and an outer edge 18a. The base 12a is preferably circular in shape when viewed from a top perspective or a bottom perspective and is preferably made from metal, such as brass or other suitable metal or metal alloy, plastic, or any other suitable material. As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, the first surface 14a defines a ridge 48 and a depression 50, with the depression configured to receive a pad, such as the pad 20 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6 of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 9-11, a hanger 24a is pivotally connected to the base 12a via a cavity or bore 52 defined by the base 12a. As clearly shown in FIG. 7, the base has a flat bottom that can be positioned on the horizontal surface 40 at the leading edge 46 of a table or counter. It is also clear from FIGS. 7-12 that the hanger pivots around a substantially horizontal axis when the bottom of the base is positioned on a flat horizontal surface because the axis of the pivot connection is then substantially horizontal and lies in a plane between the top and bottom surfaces of the base. Most preferably, the bore 52 extends between the first (top) and second (bottom) surfaces of the base 12a when resting flat on a table. The first end of the hook has a head with a diameter larger than the first portion of the hook and smaller than the bore 52. Once the head has been inserted in the bore 52, the first surface 14a or the bottom surface can be crimped to narrow the bore slightly behind the head to prevent the first portion of the hook from being removed from the bore. The hanger 24a may be made of metal, metal alloy, plastic, or other suitable material and, as shown generally in FIGS. 7-12, may include a generally curve-shaped first pendent portion 26a integrally formed to a second portion 28a. The first pendent portion 26a has a first end 30a and a second end 32a, with the first end 30a of the first pendent portion 26a of the hanger 24a bent at an angle with respect to a balance of the first pendent portion 26a of the hanger 24a. The first end 30a of the first pendent portion 26a of the hanger 24a is inserted into the cavity 52 defined by the base 12a as to define a pivot joint 22a, so that the hanger 24a is rotatable with respect to the base 12a.
The second portion 28a of the hanger 24a generally includes a stem 34a that is connected to the second end 32a of the first pendent portion 26a of the hanger 24a and a C-shaped loop 36a connected to the stem 34a. The stem 34a intersects the second end 32a of the first pendent portion 26a of the hanger 24a at an intersection point 38a such that at an angle β is defined between the second end 32a of first pendent portion 26a of the hanger 24a and the stem 34a. As is clear from FIG. 7, the second portion of the hanger 24a has a C-shaped opening upward when the flat bottom of the base is resting on a horizontal surface and the stem 34a of the hanger 24a is pivoted to a more or less vertical position and the loop is shaped to locate an article held thereby directly below the bottom surface of the base. Most preferably, the center of the loop is exactly under the center of the base so that gravity acts as the anchor for the base. The weight of the held item becomes the anchor for the base. Once an item is placed on the hook, the base does not move off a flat surface. The C-shaped loop 36a is preferably large enough to allow a scarf 44, gloves, or other clothing article to easily pass through the C-shaped loop 36a without being bunched or clamped. A stop 54 may be added to a free end of the C-shaped loop 36a to prevent a sharp edge and help hold articles.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show the holder 10a according to a second embodiment of the present invention in two respective storage positions. In operation, as shown in FIG. 7, the second surface 16a of the base 12a is placed on a table or other generally planar surface 40 adjacent to a leading overhung edge 46. The hanger 24a is pivoted with respect to the base 12a via the pivot joint 22a so that the hanger 24a extends away from the base 12a and the planar surface 40 and is substantially parallel to the leading overhung edge 46. As shown in FIG. 12, a handbag carrying strap 42 may be placed on the stem 34a of the second portion 28a of the hanger 24a adjacent to the intersection point 38a of the first pendent portion 26a of the hanger 24a and the stem 34a. A scarf 44 or other clothing article can also be fed through the C-shaped loop 36a.
When the articles do not need to be held any longer, the scarf 44 can be removed from the C-shaped loop 36a and the handbag carrying strap 42 can be removed from the stem 34a. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the base 12a can then be removed from the planar surface 40 (FIG. 7), and the hanger 24a can be moved into a storage position by pivoting the hanger 24a to lie in the same imaginary plane as the base 12a.
As described above, a holder 10, 10a according to either embodiment of the present invention offers the advantages of a simple design, is easy to manufacture, is multi-functional, and can hold or support a clothing article without compressing the clothing article.
The protective pad 20 is preferably a resilient polymer that enables the base to grip onto flat, slippery surfaces, such as glass, wood, polyurethane, metal, or linen without sliding off but without leaving a mark on the surface. A particularly suitable protective pad is a 70 Shore A durometer clear urethane 0.02 to 0.05, say 0.031, thick with an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side. It is believed that a Shore A durometer hardness of 60 to 80 is acceptable. The adhesive side is placed against the second surface 16, 16a and secured the pad to the base 12, 12a.
Referring to FIG. 8, the depression 50 in the first surface 14a supports a decorative natural or synthetic gemstone 51. In a sense, when in use, the holder becomes a piece of table jewelry.
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the loop 36a when the first pendent portion is hanging down forms a C shape open toward the first pendent portion as opposed to a J-shaped opening upwardly. This enables the user to place multiple objects on the hook as opposed to a hook with a shallow J-shaped hook.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Patent Application
20050082319
