Luxury garment hangers

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed wherein, according to one example embodiment, there is provided a hanger having a rigid body and a hook connected to the body. The body is covered at least in part with a fabric having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface, such as cashmere wool or a cashmere wool blend. According to one example embodiment there is provided padding between the body and the fabric. The hanger may also provide that the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon. The hook portion may also include a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon. According to another example embodiment, there is provided an assembly attached to the body to hold a pair of pants or other garment on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This inventive technology relates generally to the field of storage technology, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for storing or hanging clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The market for luxury and designer garments and accessories is strong worldwide. High end suits, shirts, dresses, sweaters, blouses, tops and other articles of clothing are sold by the millions each year. Many consumers who purchase luxury clothing items also wish to hang the items in their closets, and have a taste for other luxury goods. In addition, there is a strong market for baby clothing and accessories. Parents and friends of parents often have a desire to pamper their babies with soft and cuddly outfits. These consumers also contribute to the luxury clothing market demand.

[0003] In addition, many owners of fine clothing that needs to be hung in a closet can testify to the disappointment when a cherished or expensive item falls off a hanger unexpectedly due to slipping off the end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE SUBJECT MATTER

[0004] According to one example embodiment, there is provided method and apparatus for a garment hanger including a fabric cover having a loft sufficient to provide a soft, plush feel, and a fuzzy nap that provides a non-slip surface with a soft, luxurious feel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0005] FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrates a first example embodiment of a hanger according to the inventive subject matter.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates another example embodiment of a hanger according to the inventive subject matter.

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates still another example embodiment of a hanger according to the inventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description. Note that in the description, references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that the feature being referred to is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Further, separate references to "one embodiment" in this description do no necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the present invention can include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. Moreover, in this description, the phrase "exemplary embodiment" means that the embodiment being referred to serves as an example or illustration.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a first example embodiment of a clothing hanger 100 according to the inventive subject matter hereof. Hanger 100 includes a body 110 and a hook 120. In one example embodiment, body 110 includes a rigid support member 112 (shown in dotted lines) covered with a fabric or other covering 114. In one example embodiment, a padding 116 is wrapped around all or part of the body 110, or at least on the surface of the hanger that supports a garment when hung on a clothes rod. Alternatively, the padding need not be included. Padding 116 may be formed of any desirable padding material, such as foam or cloth, by example but not by way of limitation.

[0010] In one example embodiment, the member 112 is constructed of wood. Member 112 may, however, be constructed of wood, plastic, metal or any other material that can provide a rigid support for hanging clothes, such as may be provided in respective alternate embodiments. The support member 112 may be, in one example embodiment, a space-saving flat body, or a rounded body. The member 112 may be curved or straight. The hook 120 may be, in one example embodiment, a polished steel swivel hook. In one alternate embodiment, hook 120 includes a roller-ball assembly in the form of a ball bearing 122 mounted in a socket 124 allowing the ball bearing to rotate freely in the socket. Ball bearing 122 and socket 124 are shown in more detail in FIG. 4. When hung on a clothes rod, ball bearing 122 engages the rod and allows the hanger to slide freely from side to side on the rod. In an alternate embodiment ball bearing may be a cylinder and rotate about its longitudinal axis in socket adapted therefor.

[0011] In another example embodiment, the fabric 114 is Cashmere wool, as may be obtained from the Cashmere (Kashmir) or down goat, and in particular from the fine, soft undercoat or underlayer of hair. Cashmere fabric 114 has the properties of Cashmere wool, which is highly adaptable and easily constructed into fine or thick yarns, and light to heavy-weight fabrics. Further pertinent properties include that it is luxuriously soft, with high napability and loft. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric 114 is made of a pure virgin Cashmere fiber (i.e., fiber used for the first time) or from recycled fibers (e.g., fiber reclaimed from scraps or fabrics that were previously woven or felted and may or may not have been used by the consumer) or alternatively blended with non-Cashmere wool, such as lamb's wool, only. Other alternate embodiments include blends with nylon or tri-blends with wool and/or nylon in woven patterns with pure virgin or recycled fibers).

[0012] Accordingly in one example embodiment, the cashmere wool fabric or cashmere blend is formed with a nap that provides a soft and/or fuzzy surface. Further, in another alternate embodiment, the cashmere fabric or blend has a loft. This loft provides a cushion-like feel, and when combined with the fuzzy nap of the cashmere, provides a non-slip surface with a soft, cushiony, luxurious feel. Further, the loft and nap of the fabric 114 using cashmere or cashmere blends, or natural or man-made fabrics of equivalent feel and properties, provides for a soft, plush surface to support a garment when hanging from the hanger, lessening the chance the garment will fall off the hanger and also reducing the chance of wrinkling or deforming the portion of the garment in contact with the hanger.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of a suit hanger 200, wherein hanger 200 includes a body 210 and a hook 220, which may include the ball bearing 222 design discussed above with socket 224. In one example embodiment, body 210 includes a rigid support member 212 (shown in dotted lines) covered with a fabric 214. In addition, hanger 200 includes a clamping assembly 230 for hanging pants or other articles of clothing, wherein clamping assembly 230 is supported on either end to body 210. Assembly 230 includes a wooden rod member 232 fastened on one end to a metal rod 234 and which can be used to clamp a pair of pants or other garment by hooking the free end of the wooden rod member 232 in a looped hook portion 236 of metal rod component 236, as is known in the art. Fabric 214 may also be provided on the wooden rod member 232. In another example embodiment, a padding 216 is wrapped around all or part of the body 210, or at least on the surface of the hanger that supports a garment when hung on a clothes rod. Padding 216 may also be included around wooden rod member 232 and under fabric 214 in the embodiments wherein fabric 214 is provided on rod 232. Alternatively, the padding need not be included either on member 232 or 212. Padding 216 may be formed of any desirable padding material, such as foam or cloth, by example but not by way of limitation. Further, fabric 214 may take any of the forms noted above with respect to fabric 114, and in particular feature Cashmere wool and the above noted properties.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 3, there may be provided yet another alternate embodiment of a pant hanger 300, wherein hanger 300 includes a body 310 and a hook 320, which may include the ball bearing 322 and socket 324 design discussed above. In one example embodiment, body 310 includes a rigid support member 312 (shown in dotted lines) covered with a fabric 314. In addition, hanger 300 includes a clamping assembly 330 for hanging pants or other articles of clothing. Assembly 330 includes a metal rod member 332 supported on either end by body 310. A pair of clamps 334a and 334b are mounted to slide on rod member 332 and can be used to clamp a pair of pants or other garment for hanging, as is known in the art. In another example embodiment, a padding 316 is wrapped around all or part of the body 310, or at least on the surface of the hanger that supports a garment when hung on a clothes rod. Alternatively, the padding need not be included on 312. Padding 316 may be formed of any desirable padding material, such as foam or cloth, by example but not by way of limitation. Further, fabric 314 may take any of the forms noted above with respect to fabric 114, and in particular feature Cashmere wool and its above noted properties. In another alternate embodiment, the shank of the hook 320 may be extended in length.

[0015] According to one example embodiment, the hangers of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are sized for adult clothing, and in an alternate embodiment, for children's clothing, or in a still further embodiment, for baby clothing.

[0016] Thus, there has been described above various alternate embodiments of garment hangers featuring a cover having a loft sufficient to provide a soft, plush feel, and a fuzzy nap that provides a non-slip surface with a soft, luxurious feel.

Claims

1. A hanger comprising: a rigid body; a hook connected to the body; the body covered at least in part with a fabric having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.

2. A hanger according to claim 1 further including padding between the body and the fabric.

3. A hanger according to claim 1 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.

4. A hanger according to claim 1 further including a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.

5. A hanger according to claim 1 further including an assembly attached to the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.

6. A hanger comprising: a rigid body; a hook connected to the body; the body covered at least in part with a fabric including a sufficient quantity of cashmere wool to provide a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.

7. A hanger according to claim 6 further including padding between the body and the fabric.

8. A hanger according to claim 6 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.

9. A hanger according to claim 6 further including a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.

10. A hanger according to claim 6 further including an assembly attached to the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.

11. A method comprising: connecting a hook to a rigid body to form a hanger; and covering the body at least in part with a fabric having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.

12. A method according to claim 11 further including placing padding between the body and the fabric.

13. A method according to claim 11 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.

14. A method according to claim 11 further including mounting a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.

15. A method according to claim 11 further including supporting an assembly on the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.

16. A method comprising: connecting a hook to a rigid body to form a hanger; and covering the body at least in part with a fabric including a sufficient quantity of cashmere wool having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.

17. A method according to claim 16 further including placing padding between the body and the fabric.

18. A method according to claim 16 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.

19. A method according to claim 16 further including mounting a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.

20. A method according to claim 16 further including supporting an assembly on the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.