Suit hangers

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6244479
  • Patent Number
    6,244,479
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, December 2, 1999
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 12, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Mohanty; Bibhu
    Agents
    • Kamrath; Alan
    • Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel, LLP
Abstract
A suit hanger includes a hook having a straight portion and a frame connected to the hook. The frame has an articulating section in a middle thereof, thereby allowing the frame to be folded at the articulating section along a pivotal axis that is at an angle with an extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to suit hangers, and more particularly to suit hangers of the type having a foldable neck to allow easy use.




2. Description of the Related Art




When using a suit hanger for hanging up a sweater or T-shirt that has a narrow neck hole, one of two shoulder portions of the suit hanger is firstly inserted into the neck hole and then the other. Yet, it is common that the hook of the suit hanger is stuck in the neck and thus difficult to complete insertion of the other shoulder portion into the neck hole. In addition, the neck hole might be permanently enlarged if the suit hanger is forcibly inserted into the neck hole. A method for avoiding such problems is to insert the suit hanger from a bottom hole of the sweater or T-shirt, yet it is troublesome. For a place for selling or display of clothes, frequent hanging up/taking off of the clothes onto/from suit hangers must be completed as soon as possible.




The present invention is intended to provide suit hangers of the type having a foldable neck to mitigate and/or obviate the above problems.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved suit hanger having a neck that can be folded along an axis for easy insertion of shoulders of the suit hanger into the neck hole of a sweater or T-shirt. The suit hanger, including the neck and the shoulders, is made of metal (e.g., steel) and covered by resin to prevent falling of the sweater or T-shirt. Thus, the suit hanger can be used for knitwear. Alternatively, the suit hanger can be integrally formed from plastic material. A card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon may be attached to the swivel hook of the suit hanger.




Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a suit hanger in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 1A

is a sectional view taken along line


1


A—


1


A of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 1B

is a perspective view of a swivel hook of the suit hanger in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the suit hanger in

FIG. 1

, wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.





FIG. 3

is a schematic view illustrating insertion of the suit hanger in

FIG. 1

into a neck hole of upper wear.





FIG. 4

is a view similar to

FIG. 3

, wherein the suit hanger is in an extended status.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the suit hanger in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 6

is a perspective view of the suit hanger in

FIG. 5

, wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.





FIG. 7

is a sectional view illustrating a neck area of the suit hanger in FIG.


5


.





FIG. 8

is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the suit hanger in FIG.


5


.





FIG. 9

is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the suit hanger in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 10

is a perspective view of the suit hanger in

FIG. 9

, wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.





FIG. 11

is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the suit hanger in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of the suit hanger in

FIG. 11

, wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.





FIG. 13

is an exploded perspective view of the suit hanger in FIG.


11


.





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the suit hanger in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 15

is a perspective view of the suit hanger in

FIG. 14

, wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.





FIG. 16

is a sectional view taken along line


16





16


in FIG.


14


.





FIG. 17

is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the suit hanger in accordance with the present invention.





FIG. 18

is a perspective view of the suit hanger in

FIG. 17

, wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.





FIG. 19

is a top view, partly sectioned, illustrating a neck area of the suit hanger in FIG.


17


.





FIG. 20

is a top view similar to

FIG. 19

, wherein the suit hanger is in a folded status.





FIG. 21

is a modified embodiment of the suit hanger in accordance with the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




The invention will be explained below with reference to

FIGS. 1 through 21

. Referring to

FIG. 1

, a first embodiment of a suit hanger


10


in accordance with the present invention generally includes a frame


11


consisting of two shoulders


11




a


and


11




b


and a swivel hook


12


. Each shoulder


11




a


,


11




b


includes a neck


14




a


,


14




b


extended from an inner end thereof, each neck


14




a


,


14




b


having a distal end articulated at


13


. In this embodiment, each neck


14




a


,


14




b


is pivotally mounted about a pintle section


12




a


(

FIG. 1B

) of the swivel hook


12


. The pintle section


12




a


is at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straight portion


12




b


of the swivel hook


12


. As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the articulating section


13


formed by the necks


14




a


and


14




b


and the pintle


12




a


of the swivel hook


12


extends along a direction that is at an angle (preferably 45°) with a horizontal plane. As a result, the necks


14




a


and


14




b


may pivot about the pintle section


12




a


of the swivel hook


12


, i.e., shoulder


11




a


may be pivoted to a position shown in

FIG. 2

, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suit hanger into the neck hole


101


of upper wear


100


(FIG.


3


). Next, shoulders


11




a


and


11




b


are returned to their straight positions for hanging up the upper wear


100


. The frame


11


may be made of steel and covered by resin


15


(

FIG. 1A

) by means of immersing the frame


11


in a resin solution. Thus, the upper wear is less likely to slide down along the shoulders


11




a


and


11




b


, which is advantageous for knitwear. Removal of the suit hanger from the upper wear can be easily achieved by reversing the above steps. Undesired enlargement of the neck hole is thus avoided. The articulating section


13


of the suit hanger


10


is located in a center of the suit hanger


10


and thus avoids undesired swaying of the suit hanger when the suit hanger is in its extended status.




Referring to

FIGS. 5 through 8

, a second embodiment of a suit hanger


20


in accordance with the present invention is made of plastic material and generally includes a frame


21


consisting of two shoulders


21




a


and


21




b


and a swivel hook


22


. Each shoulder


21




a


,


21




b


includes a neck


24




a


,


24




b


extended from an inner end thereof, each neck


24




a


,


24




b


having a distal end articulated at


23


. A pivotal axis of the articulating section


23


is at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straight portion


22




b


(

FIG. 8

) of the swivel hook


22


. In this embodiment, neck


24




a


has a pivotal member


25


formed on the distal end thereof and neck


24




b


has a pivotal member


26


formed on the distal end thereof. The swivel hook


22


is freely rotatably mounted to the pivotal member


26


. The pivotal member


25


includes an annular groove


25




a


, a tapered engaging end


25




b


, and at least two slits


25




c


. The slits


25




c


extend in the tapered engaging end


25




b


and a bottom wall defining the annular groove


25




a


and provides resiliency, thereby allowing easy assembly of the pivotal member


26


to the pivotal member


25


. The pivotal member


26


is hollow and includes an inner flange


26




a


so as to be snapped into the annular groove


25




a


(

FIG. 7

) with the tapered engaging end


25




b


rotatably engaged in a complimentary compartment


26




b


in the pivotal member


26


, thereby allowing relative pivotal movements between the pivotal members


25


and


26


. An end wall


25




d


,


26




c


(

FIG. 7

) of pivotal member


25


,


26


may be omitted.




By such an arrangement, shoulder


21




a


may be pivoted to a position shown in

FIG. 6

, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suit hanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in this embodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.




Referring to

FIGS. 9 and 10

, a third embodiment of a suit hanger


30


in accordance with the present invention is made of plastic material and generally includes a frame


31


consisting of two shoulders


31


a and


31


b and a swivel hook


32


. Each shoulder


31




a


,


31




b


includes a neck


34




a


,


34




b


extended from an inner end thereof. The necks


34




a


and


34




b


are interconnected by a bendable junction


34




c


therebetween. The junction


34




c


is a thin, flat member with a V-shape notch


34




d


defined in one side thereof to thereby form an articulating section


33


that has a pivotal axis at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straight portion


32




b


(

FIG. 9

) of the swivel hook


32


. The swivel hook


22


is integrally formed with the neck


34




b.






By such an arrangement, shoulder


31




a


may be pivoted to a position shown in

FIG. 10

, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suit hanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in this embodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.




Referring to

FIGS. 11 through 13

, a fourth embodiment of a suit hanger


40


in accordance with the present invention is made of plastic material and generally includes a frame


41


consisting of two shoulders


41




a


and


41




b


and a hook


42


. Each shoulder


41




a


,


41




b


includes a neck


44




a


,


44




b


extended from an inner end thereof, each neck


44




a


,


44




b


having a distal end articulated at


43


. A pivotal axis of the articulating section


43


is at an angle (preferably 45°) with a straight portion


42




b


(

FIG. 13

) of the hook


42


. In this embodiment, neck


44




a


has a circular member


45




a


with a hole


48




a


formed on the distal end thereof and neck


44




b


has a circular member


45




b


with a hole


48




b


formed on the distal end thereof. The hook


42


includes a substantially U-shape member


46


formed on a distal end of the straight portion


42




b


thereof. The U-shape member


46


has two lateral walls (not labeled) for pivotally receiving the circular members


45




a


and


45




b


by means of extending a pin


47


through aligned holes


49


in the lateral walls of the U-shape member


46


and the holes


48




a


and


48




b.






By such an arrangement, shoulder


41




a


may be pivoted to a position shown in

FIG. 12

, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suit hanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in this embodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.




Referring to

FIGS. 14 through 16

, a fifth embodiment of a suit hanger


50


in accordance with the present invention is made of steel and generally includes a frame


51


consisting of two shoulders


51




a


and


51




b


and a hook


52


. As described in the first embodiment, the frame


51


may be covered by a layer of resin. Each shoulder


51




a


,


51




b


includes a neck


54




a


,


54




b


extended from an inner end thereof, each neck


54




a


,


54




b


having a horizontal extension


55




a


,


55




b


extended from a distal end thereof. The extensions


55




a


and


55




b


are articulated at


53


. In this embodiment, the hook


52


includes a substantially U-shape member


56


formed on a distal end of a straight portion


52




b


thereof. The U-shape member


56


has two lateral walls (not labeled) defining a compartment therebetween for pivotally receiving the extensions


55




a


and


55




b


. Two pins


57


are provided to pivotally retain the extensions


55




a


,


56




a


(

FIG. 16

) in the compartment of the U-shape member


56


. A pivotal axis of each extension


55




a


,


55




b


is at an angle (preferably 45°) with the straight portion


52




b


(

FIG. 16

) of the hook


52


.




By such an arrangement, shoulder


51




a


may be pivoted to a position shown in

FIG. 15

, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suit hanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in this embodiment is identical to that in the first embodiment.




Referring to

FIGS. 17 through 20

, a sixth embodiment of a suit hanger


60


in accordance with the present invention is made of plastic material and generally includes a frame


61


consisting of two shoulders


61




a


and


61




b


and a hook


62


. Shoulder


61




a


includes an end that is articulated to an end of shoulder


61




b


at an articulating section


63


. A pivotal axis of the articulating section


63


is parallel to an extending direction of a straight portion


62




b


(

FIG. 18

) of the hook


62


. In this embodiment, the articulating section


63


includes a first half


63




a


on the shoulder


61




a


and a second half


63




b


on the shoulder


61




b


, the first half


63




a


and the second half


63




b


being interconnected by a thin, flat bendable section


63




c


(

FIG. 20

) with a V-shape notch


63




d


defined in one side thereof.




By such an arrangement, shoulder


61




a


may be pivoted to a position shown in

FIG. 12

, thereby allowing easy insertion of the suit hanger into the neck hole of upper wear. Use of the suit hanger in this embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, except for that the shoulders


61




a


and


61




b


may pivot horizontally to allow easier use. In addition, the first half


63




a


has a protrusion


65




a


and the second half


63




b


has a groove


65




b


for releasably receiving the protrusion


65




a


(see FIGS.


19


and


20


).





FIG. 21

illustrates a modified embodiment of the suit hanger in accordance with the present invention, wherein a card


200


with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon is attached to the swivel hook


12


. It is noted that the card


200


may be attached to any one of the hooks illustrated in all of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention.




According to the above description, it is appreciated that the suit hangers in accordance with the present invention may be inserted into the neck hole of upper wear easily and removal of the suit hanger from the upper wear can be achieved easily by means of the articulating section located in a middle of the suit hanger frame. The suit hangers in accordance with the present invention may be made of plastic material or steel covered by a layer of resin to thereby prevent falling of the upper wear from the suit hangers, which is advantageous to knitwear. Manufacture of the suit hangers of plastic material can be accomplished at a lower cost.




Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.



Claims
  • 1. A suit hanger comprising:a hook having a straight portion; and a frame connected to the hook and having an articulating section in a middle thereof, the frame being foldable at the articulating section along a pivotal axis that is at an angle other than perpendicular and other than parallel with an extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.
  • 2. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivotal axis of the articulating section is at an angle of 45° with the extending direction of the straight portion of the hook.
  • 3. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suit hanger is made of steel.
  • 4. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 3, wherein the frame of the suit hanger is made of steel and covered by a layer of resin.
  • 5. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
  • 6. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
  • 7. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, the articulating section being formed on distal ends of the necks.
  • 8. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivotal axis of the articulating section is defined by a pintle projected from the straight portion of the hook and extended in a direction at said angle with the straight portion of the hook.
  • 9. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 7, wherein the suit hanger is made of steel.
  • 10. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein the frame of the suit hanger is made of steel and covered by a layer of resin.
  • 11. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, and wherein one of the necks includes a first pivotal member formed thereon and having an annular groove and a tapered engaging end, and the other neck includes a second pivotal member having a compartment for receiving the tapered engaging end, thereby allowing relative pivotal movement between the first pivotal member and the second pivotal member and thus forming the articulating section.
  • 12. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first pivotal member includes at least two slits that extend in the tapered engaging end and a bottom wall defining the annular groove, thereby allowing easy assembly of the second pivotal member to the first pivotal member.
  • 13. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
  • 14. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
  • 15. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, the necks being interconnected by a bendable junction therebetween.
  • 16. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 15, wherein the junction is a flat member having a notch defined in one side thereof, thereby forming the articulating section.
  • 17. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 15, wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
  • 18. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
  • 19. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, the necks being interconnected by a bendable junction therebetween.
  • 20. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 19, wherein the junction is a flat member having a notch defined in one side thereof, thereby forming the articulating section.
  • 21. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 19, wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
  • 22. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
  • 23. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, each said neck having a circular member formed thereon, the hook having a member formed on a lower end of the straight portion, the member defining a compartment therein, the circular members being aligned with each other and pivotally received in the compartment in the member by a pin.
  • 24. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 23, wherein the circular members are completely covered by two lateral walls of the member of the hook.
  • 25. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 23, wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
  • 26. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
  • 27. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, each said neck having a circular member formed thereon, the hook having a member formed on a lower end of the straight portion, the member defining a compartment therein, the circular members being aligned with each other and pivotally received in the compartment in the member by a pin.
  • 28. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 27, wherein the circular members are completely covered by two lateral walls of the member of the hook.
  • 29. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 27, wherein the suit hanger is made of plastic material.
  • 30. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 29, further comprising a card with a trademark or manufacturer name thereon.
  • 31. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, each said neck having an extension formed thereon, the hook having a member formed on a lower end of the straight portion, the member defining a compartment therein, the extensions being pivotally received in the compartment in the member, respectively.
  • 32. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 31, wherein the extensions are completely covered by two lateral walls of the member of the hook.
  • 33. The suit hanger as claimed in claims 31, wherein the suit hanger is made of steel.
  • 34. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 33, wherein the frame of the suit hanger is made of steel and covered by a layer of resin.
  • 35. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, each said neck having an extension formed thereon, the hook having a member formed on a lower end of the straight portion, the member defining a compartment therein, the extensions being pivotally received in the compartment in the member, respectively.
  • 36. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 35, wherein the extensions are completely covered by two lateral walls of the member of the hook.
  • 37. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 35, wherein the suit hanger is made of steel.
  • 38. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 37, wherein the frame of the suit hanger is made of steel and covered by a layer of resin.
  • 39. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 6, wherein the card is attached to the straight portion of the hook.
  • 40. The suit hanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame includes two shoulders each having a neck extended from an inner end thereof, and wherein one of the necks includes a first pivotal member formed thereon and having an annular groove and a tapered engaging end, and the other neck includes a second pivotal member having a compartment for receiving the tapered engaging end, thereby allowing relative pivotal movement between the first pivotal member and the second pivotal member and thus forming the articulating section.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
10-360394 Dec 1998 JP
US Referenced Citations (4)
Number Name Date Kind
1097889 Sommer May 1914
3082921 Sadowsky Mar 1963
5397037 Ozawa Mar 1995
5480076 Siegel et al. Jan 1996