The present invention relates generally to garment hangers.
Garment hangers typically cannot easily hold an ensemble but rather usually can support only a single coat or but a few items of an ensemble. This is because most garment hangers are intended to hold only a single garment. For example, the ubiquitous wire hanger cannot easily hold more than one garment and in some cases can leave a crease in the shoulder of a lighter garment such as a shirt. Also, most hangers do not securely hold many common items of an ensemble, such as a man's tie or a woman's scarf. When carrying such items on a hanger a person consequently must keep an eye on them to ensure they do not fall off.
As recognized by the present invention, this causes people who might wish to carry an entire clothing ensemble on a hanger to, e.g., the gymnasium or other location at which they intend to change clothes to resort to using several hangers. This is cumbersome. Further, many ensemble items may require separate baggage altogether particularly if the mode of transportation used to arrive at the destination causes insecurely hung items such as ties to slip off the hanger. Nonetheless, conveying clothing on a hanger is often preferable to folding the clothing into luggage because hung clothing does not wrinkle. Having made these critical observations, the invention herein is provided.
A sturdy garment hanger is defined by a unitary body that includes a hook, a hook support member depending downwardly from the hook, and first and second arm members extending downwardly away from the hook support member. Each arm member includes an inner arm and an outer arm connected to the inner arm by at least one connector, with the outer arm of each arm member forming at least one strap retaining clip. Also, a lower support member extends between the arm members and connects them. The lower support member includes an elongated lower element, an elongated upper element, and at least one connector such as a strengthening web between the lower and upper elements. The arms and upper and lower elements may have flat faces.
In non-limiting embodiments the hook support member may have three edges defining an enclosure and a hook support web filling the enclosure. The edges of the hook support member can define a first thickness and the hook support web defines a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. Likewise, the elements of the lower support member define a first thickness and the strengthening web defines a second thickness that may be less than the first thickness.
In one embodiment the body is made of Aluminum, and the outer arm of each arm member forms at least two strap retaining clips. In this embodiment the body can further include a cross bar extending between the arm members below the hook support member, with an auxiliary enclosure being formed above the cross bar. Also, the arm members join each other below the hook support member to define an arm junction, and the arm junction defines an enclosure and plural strengthening struts each extending across the enclosure. Garment retainers with tacky surfaces can be engaged in an interference fit with each arm member and with the lower support member to uncreasingly support a shirt at its shoulders or pants that are folded over the lower support member.
In another aspect, a garment hanger has a hook connected to a hook support member and two arm members extending down from the hook support member. Each arm member has double arm construction. The arm members join the hook support member and are connected to each other by a lower support member having double arm construction.
In still another aspect, a hanger with a hook and a generally triangular-shaped body has a double arm configuration in each of three sides and at least one web in at least one side for strength.
The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
Referring initially to
As shown in
The main portion of the hanger 10 is generally shaped like an equilateral triangle and is established by two elongated arm members 22, 24 that are connected to and extend down from the hook support member 16 to essentially establish the arms of the triangle and by an elongated lower support member 26 extending between the arm members 22, 24 and connecting the arm members 22, 24 to essentially establish the base of the triangle. The members 22, 24, 26 can have double arm construction. Specifically, each arm member 22, 24 can include a respective inner arm 28, 30 and a respective outer arm 32, 34 connected to the associated inner arm 28, 30. In one embodiment the arms are connected by at least one and preferably plural connector segments 36. Or, a web can be used.
Also, the outer arm 32, 34 of each arm member 22, 24 can form preferably two strap retaining clips 38, so that more than one garment having shoulder straps can be conveniently supported on the hanger 10. In essence, each strap retaining clip 38 is established by a discontinuity in the outer arm 32, 34 in combination with a respective connector segment 36 and the continuous inner arm 28, 30 as shown. Thus, the inner arms 28, 30 are continuous throughout their lengths but the outer arms 32, 34 can have discontinuities to establish the strap retaining clips 38.
The lower support member 26 also may have double arm construction. Specifically, the lower support member 26 can include an elongated lower element 40 and an elongated upper element 42. In the embodiment shown in
In addition to the above-described structure, the body 12 may include a cross bar 46 extending between the arm members 22, 24 below the hook support member 16. An auxiliary enclosure 48 is thus formed above the cross bar 46. A scarf or other small garment can be partially placed through the enclosure 48 and supported with other garments on the hanger 10.
As shown in
Completing the description of
While the particular STRONG GARMENT HANGER as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and is thus representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more”. It is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. Absent express definitions herein, claim terms are to be given all ordinary and accustomed meanings that are not irreconcilable with the present specification and file history.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050269377 A1 | Dec 2005 | US |