Self Spacing Hangers

Abstract

An improved apparatus and system for hangers which automatically space themselves from one another such as to regulate the space between garments. These hangers have a spacing post protruding laterally from below the intersection of the hook and apex of the hanger body. The spacing post can be formed as part of the hanger, or added to existing hardware.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a hanger of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a hanger of the present invention hanging on a hanger rod;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a group of hangers of the present invention in a cascading arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a group of hangers of the present invention on a hanger rod;

FIG. 5 is a rear detail view of a preferred embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 6 is a front detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a hook element assembled on an existing hanger;

FIG. 7 is a left detail view of a preferred embodiment of the current invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a group of hangers which embody the present invention hanging on a hanger rod;

FIG. 9 is a section view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a feature of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 a is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 b is a left elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a left sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention being applied to an existing hanger.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate aspects of the current invention. A hanger 10 is generally comprised of a hook 12 for suspending the hanger from a hanger rod 18, beam, or other suitable surface. Extending from the hook 10 to either side are the shoulders 14 for hanging garments, generally the sleeves for shirts, coats, jackets and the like. Optionally located at the bottom end of the shoulders 14, a lower support 16 may be found. Many time at the apex where the shoulders 14 meet, just below the hook, is a substantially flat region called the face side 15, with a corresponding back side 17 just opposite the face side 15. While spacer assembly 20 can be mounted in various regions of the hanger 10, it has been found that a spacer assembly 20 is best suited to be mounted relatively centered on the face side 15. The spacer assembly 20 can either be formed as part of the hanger 10, or can be manufactured separately and added to an existing hanger.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a group of hangers of the present invention in a cascading arrangement. This is particularly suited for banging garments in an ensemble or arrangement, and can be particularly useful for utilizing vertical space when closet space is tight.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a group of hangers 10 of the present invention on a hanger rod 18 illustrating the self arranging nature when hangers 10 of the present invention are organized together. Note the even spacing between hangers 10 as the hanger assembly 20, as mounted on the face side 15 of the preceding hanger contacts the back side 17 surface of the following hanger 10.

FIGS. 5 through 7 show detail views of a part of a preferred embodiment of the current invention. The spacer assembly 20 is comprised of an end which set the distance between hangers 10. An optional spacer button 22 serves to provide a rounded surface for contact. Immediately behind the spacer button 22 is a spacer ledge 24 which is generally parabolic and provides a protuberance for holding hanging accessories 50, or holding a group of hangers 10 in a cascading arrangement as shown in FIG. 3. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7 illustrates a spacer attachment means 30 such that the spacer assembly 20 can be attached to and detached from existing hangers via an attachment means. The attachment means is comprised of a vertical face 32 which is secured to the spacer assembly 20 via an attachment means 40. The vertical face 32 is formed into a horizontal shelf 34 which adds additional support to spacer assembly 20 in increase the load bearing capability. Roughly centered in the horizontal shelf 34 is a mounting hole 36 for mounting the spacer assembly 20 to the hook 12. The mounting hole 36 can be enlarged to accommodate hangers with flared ends to the hook. In addition, a mounting slit 38 extends from the mounting hole 36 to accommodate hooks 12 with a recurved configuration. In an alternate embodiment, an open ended mounting hook 37 allows the spacer attachment means 30 to be applied with out sliding over the end of the hook 12. It is recommended that a small amount of tape, two sided tape, or glue, such as applied by a hot glue gun be used to minimize movement or swinging of the spacer assembly 20 during use.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a group of hangers which embody the present invention hanging on a hanger rod.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a section view and a rear perspective view respectively of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with the spacer assembly 20 formed into the hanger 10. Also shown are examples of the registration key 60, which is a slightly concave region formed into the back side 17 of the hanger. In operation, the spacer button 22 nests into the registration key 60 which adds another dimension of registration and organization. In use, the rounded surface of the spacer button 22 provides just the right amount of resistance to be easily removed yet self aligning.

FIG 11a and b are front and left elevation views of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, for example wire hangers, the hanger 10 has very little or no face in the shoulder. In such cases, the vertical face 32 can be replaced with an extended vertical face 32a which extends to the lower support 16 and provides a stable structure.

FIG. 12 is a left sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention being applied to an existing hanger.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention had been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Claims

1. A self spacing hanger for automatically spacing garments, hanging from a rod, from one another in an orderly way, comprising: means for receiving garments to hang;means for suspending said garment receiving means from a rod;means for providing a base for spacer assembly;means for attaching a spacer assembly to a hanger; andmeans for providing an interface point between the backside of one hanger and the distal end of said spacer assembly of an adjacent hanger.

2. The self spacing hanger in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing an interface point between the backside of one hanger and the adjacent hanger comprises a spacer button.

3. The self spacing hanger in accordance with claim 2, wherein said spacer button is detachable from said hanger.

4. The self spacing hanger in accordance with claim 1, wherein said backside of one hanger corresponding to said interface point comprises a slightly concave surface.

5. A self spacing hanger for automatically organizing garments in an orderly way, comprising: a hanger, for receiving garments to hang;a planar region face side, for providing a base for spacer assembly;a spacer button, for providing an interface point between the backside of one hanger and the face side of the adjacent hanger;a spacer attachment means, for attaching a spacer assembly to a hanger; anda securing means, for securing a vertical face to a spacer button, permanently coupled to said spacer button.

6. The self spacing hanger as recited in claim 5, further comprising: a substantially planar back side containing a slightly concave region, for providing an alignment surface for adjacent spacer assembly.

7. The self spacing hanger with a spacer button as recited in claim 5, further comprising: a substantially parabolic spacer ledge, for providing a shelf for hanging accessories.

8. The self spacing hanger as recited in claim 5, further comprising: an open ended mounting hook, for providing an alternative way of mounting spacer assembly to a hook.

9. The self spacing hanger as recited in claim 5, further comprising: an elongated mounting slit, for fitting alternative embodiments of hangers.

10. The self spacing hanger as recited in claim 7, further comprising: an elongated extended vertical face, for intercepting the lower support to provide a base for an alternate embodiment.

11. The self spacing hanger as recited in claim 7, further comprising: a horizontal shelf, for resting on the surface of the hanger shoulders while providing means for mounting hole to attach to hanger hook.

12. The self spacing hanger as recited in claim 7, further comprising: a hollow, enlarged mounting hole, for fitting a spacer assembly over an existing hanger.

13. The self spacing hanger as recited in claim 7, further comprising: an open ended mounting hook, for providing an alternative way of mounting spacer assembly to a hook.

14. A self spacing hanger for automatically spacing garments from one another in an orderly way, comprising: a hanger, for receiving garments to hang;a planar region face side, for providing a base for spacer assembly;a substantially planar of slightly concave back side, for providing an abutment surface for adjacent spacer assembly;a spacer button, for providing an interface point between the backside of one hanger and the face side of the adjacent hanger;extending orthogonally from hanger face side, a substantially parabolic spacer ledge, for providing a shelf for hanging accessories;a spacer attachment means, for attaching a spacer assembly to a hanger;a vertical face, for connecting between securing means and hanger hook, rigidly connected to said spacer button;a hollow, enlarged mounting hole, for fitting a spacer assembly over an existing hanger;an open ended mounting hook, for providing an alternative way of mounting spacer assembly to a hook;an elongated, hollow mounting slit, for fitting alternative embodiments of hangers;a securing means, for securing a vertical face to a spacer button, simultaneously connected to said vertical face, and permanently coupled to said spacer button; anda concave registration key, for registering the back of one hanger with the front of another, reciprocally associated to said spacer button.