U.S. patent application number 11/537987 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for pinch clip garment hanger.
Invention is credited to Wai Shing Yau.
Application Number | 20070075104 11/537987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37906539 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070075104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yau; Wai Shing |
April 5, 2007 |
Pinch Clip Garment Hanger
Abstract
A pinch clip garment hanger includes a cross member, a hook
member, and at least one pinch clip member. The pinch clip member
has a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member, a
moveable jaw member pivotally secured to the fixed jaw member, and
a biasing spring that holds the jaw members together. The fixed jaw
member has a first surface facing the moveable jaw member, and the
moveable jaw member has a second surface facing the fixed jaw
member. The first and second surfaces are pressed together by the
biasing spring to hold the garment that is positioned between the
fixed and moveable jaw members.
Inventors: |
Yau; Wai Shing; (Kowloon,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & MCKENZIE LLP;PATENT DEPARTMENT
2001 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 2300
DALLAS
TX
75201
US
|
Family ID: |
37906539 |
Appl. No.: |
11/537987 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60596608 |
Oct 5, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/485
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/085 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/22 20060101
A41D027/22 |
Claims
1. A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: a cross member; a hook
member connected to a center portion of the cross member and
extending upwardly therefrom; and a first pinch clip member
comprising: a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross
member; a moveable jaw member pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw
member; and a biasing spring having: a first leg end and a second
leg end, the first leg end compressibly coupled to the fixed jaw
member, the second leg end compressibly coupled to the moveable jaw
member; a first portion connected to the first leg end, and a
second portion connected to the second leg end; and a sprung arch
having a first arch end and a second arch end, the first arch end
connected to the first portion, the second arch end connected to
the second portion.
2. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the
fixed jaw member comprises a first surface facing the moveable jaw
member, and the moveable jaw member comprises a second surface
facing the fixed jaw member.
3. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 2, wherein the
first and second surfaces are pressed together by the biasing
spring.
4. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 2, wherein at
least one surface of the first and second surfaces is a curved
surface.
5. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 4, wherein the
curved surface is one of concave and convex.
6. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 4, wherein the
opposite surface to the curved surface has a profile that is
substantially curved to complement the profile of the curved
surface.
7. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 6, wherein the
profile of the opposite surface to the curved surface comprises a
set of teeth.
8. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 2, wherein at
least one surface of the first and second surfaces comprises a
friction-enhancing pad.
9. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the
fixed and moveable jaw members comprise: a first set of teeth, each
first set tooth having a triangular profile, each first set tooth
being separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothless portion,
wherein the leading edges of the first set of teeth are
collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom, wherein the
first set of teeth is located on one of the fixed and moveable jaw
members; and a second set of teeth having a concave corrugated
zigzag profile, wherein the second set of teeth is located on the
opposing jaw member to the jaw member having the first set of
teeth, wherein the first and second set of teeth mesh such that the
teeth of the first set integrate with the depressions between the
teeth of the second set.
10. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the
biasing spring comprises a single metal piece.
11. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the
biasing spring comprises a single plastic piece.
12. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the
sprung arch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped and
substantially U-shaped.
13. A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: a cross member; a hook
member connected to a center portion of the cross member and
extending upwardly therefrom; a first pinch clip member comprising:
a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member, a
moveable jaw member pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw member, and
a biasing spring; wherein the fixed and moveable jaw members
comprise: a first set of teeth, each first set tooth having a
triangular profile, each first set tooth being separated from the
adjacent tooth by a toothless portion, wherein the leading edges of
the first set of teeth are collectively in tapered relation from
top to bottom, wherein the first set of teeth is located on one of
the fixed and moveable jaw members; and a second set of teeth
having a concave corrugated zigzag profile, wherein the second set
of teeth is located on the opposing jaw member to the jaw member
having the first set of teeth, wherein the first and second set of
teeth mesh such that the teeth of the first set integrate with the
depressions between the teeth of the second set.
14. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 13, wherein the
first and second set of teeth are biased toward each other by the
biasing spring.
15. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 14, wherein the
biasing spring comprises: a first leg end and a second leg end, the
first leg end compressibly coupled to the fixed jaw member, the
second leg end compressibly coupled to the moveable jaw member; a
first portion connected to the first leg end, and a second portion
connected to the second leg end; and a sprung arch having a first
arch end and a second arch end, the first arch end connected to the
first portion, the second arch end connected to the second
portion.
16. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 15, wherein the
sprung arch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped and
substantially U-shaped.
17. A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: a cross member; a hook
member connected to a center portion of the cross member and
extending upwardly therefrom; a first pinch clip member comprising:
a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member, the fixed
jaw member comprising a first arm; a moveable jaw member pivotally
coupled to the fixed jaw member, the moveable jaw member comprising
a second arm; and a biasing spring operable to assert compressive
forces acting upon the fixed and moveable jaw members while
simultaneously asserting compressive forces upon a pivot point
coupling the moveable jaw member to the fixed jaw member, wherein
the second arm is disposed in substantially parallel or tapered
relation to the first arm.
18. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 17, wherein the
second arm is disposed in substantially parallel or tapered
relation to the first arm while carrying a garment, such that when
the pinch clip garment hanger is adjacent to another hanger, the
second arm is resistant to being pushed toward the first arm to
prevent inadvertent release of the garment.
19. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 17, wherein the
fixed and moveable jaw members further comprise: a first set of
teeth, each first set tooth having a triangular profile, each first
set tooth being separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothless
portion, wherein the leading edges of the first set of teeth are
collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom, wherein the
first set of teeth is located on one of the fixed and moveable jaw
members; and a second set of teeth having a concave corrugated
zigzag profile, wherein the second set of teeth is located on the
opposing jaw member to the jaw member having the first set of
teeth, wherein the first and second set of teeth mesh such that the
teeth of the first set integrate with the depressions between the
teeth of the second set.
20. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 18, wherein the
sprung arch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped and
substantially U-shaped.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/596,608, filed Oct. 5, 2005, entitled "Pinch
Clip Garment Hanger," the contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
Technical Field
[0002] This disclosure relates to a hanger, and more particular to
a pinch clip garment hanger.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Numerous types of hangers have been used to hang garments,
such as skirts, slacks and pants. Generally, many of these hangers
use clips to hold the garment on the hanger. For example, some
conventional hanger assemblies utilize an elongated crossbar having
clip members integrally formed with the crossbar. These clip
members include cooperating jaw members and an intermediate hinge
member that connects the clip members, as well as a spring that
biases the jaw members against each other.
[0004] A common failing of conventional pinch clip designs is the
inability to adequately grip a garment. In addition, garments often
fall from the hanger when pinch clips touch hangers or objects
adjacent to the hanger, thereby causing the garment to be released
from the clip.
[0005] The foregoing disclosure addresses these issues, as well as
others.
Summary
[0006] A pinch clip garment hanger includes a cross member, a hook
member, and at least one pinch clip member. The cross member, the
hook member, and the clip member can be made of plastic, metal, or
other materials that are suitable for garment hangers. The pinch
clip member has a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross
member, a moveable jaw member pivotally secured to the fixed jaw
member, and a biasing spring that holds the jaw members together.
The fixed jaw member has a first surface facing the moveable jaw
member, and the moveable jaw member has a second surface facing the
fixed jaw member. The first and second surfaces are pressed
together by the biasing spring to hold the garment that is
positioned between the fixed and moveable jaw members.
[0007] According to one embodiment, at least one surface of the
first and second surfaces is a curved surface. The curved surface
can be in the shape of concave or convex. The curved surface can
comprise more than one concave or convex shapes. The other surface
of the first and second surfaces can be a curve that complements
with the shape of the at least one surface of the first and second
surfaces, so that the garment can be hung in between the two
surfaces by friction. In a further embodiment of the invention, at
least one surface of the first and second surfaces is attached by a
friction-enhancing pad or has a set of teeth.
[0008] In another embodiment, one of the first and second surfaces
has a first set of teeth, each first set tooth having a triangular
profile. Each first set tooth is separated from the adjacent tooth
by a toothless portion. In one embodiment, the leading edges of the
first set of teeth are collectively in tapered relation from top to
bottom. The other surface of the first and second surfaces has a
second set of teeth. The first and second set of teeth mesh such
that the teeth of the first set integrate with the depressions
between the teeth of the second set. In one embodiment, the second
set teeth has a concave corrugated zigzag profile
[0009] In a further embodiment, when lying horizontally, the
garment hanger is designed in such a manner that the pivot post
section of the garment hanger possesses the biggest height than
other portions of the clipper. An advantage of such design is that,
when two hangers are held next to each other, the upper ends of the
clippers will not push against each other so as to cause the jaws
to open, inadvertently releasing the garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the principles
disclosed herein, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made
to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary hanger in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a rearward elevational view of the pinch clip
garment hanger of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary pinch clip of the
hanger of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIGS. 4A-C are side views of other embodiments of a pinch
clip in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a rearward elevational view of a fixed jaw member
formed integrally with a cross bar of a hanger in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a forward elevational view of the fixed jaw member
of FIG. 5 in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a rearward elevational view of a moveable jaw
member in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a forward elevational view of the moveable jaw
member of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is a perspective view
of a hanger according to the present disclosure, generally
designated by reference numeral 100. Garment hanger 100 is capable
of holding pants, skirts, shorts, and other garments. Garment
hanger 100 includes a cross member 10, and a hook member 12 of
conventional configuration for hanging on a rail. Hook member 12 is
coupled to cross member 10 by collar for receiving hook 14 and is
supported by collar 16. As shown, hook member 12 is metal, but in
other configurations may be plastic, as part of the cross member 10
molding. Cross member 10 may be of I-beam construction or any such
similar structure providing rigidity. Cross member 10 may be made
using vacuum molding or injection molding techniques and may be
made of translucent or colored plastic material. As shown, pinch
clips 20 are disposed at opposing terminal ends of cross member 10.
Alternatively or in addition, pinch clips 20 may be positioned on
sliders and positioned along cross member 10.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a rearward elevational view of pinch clip
garment hanger in accordance with the present disclosure. Garment
hanger 100 includes fixed jaws 24 integrally molded to the ends of
cross member 10. Hanger 100 also includes biasing springs 22
secured to the fixed jaw members.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a pinch
clip 20. Each pinch clip 20 includes a fixed jaw member 24
integrally molded to the cross member 10, and a moveable jaw member
26 pivotally secured to the fixed jaw member with biasing spring
member 22. Fixed jaw member 24 includes a first set of teeth 40, a
first arm 28, a pivot post 32, and retaining nodules 36. Moveable
jaw member 26 includes a second set of teeth 42, a socket 34, a
second arm 30, and a retaining nodule 37.
[0022] The first set of teeth 40 has a concave corrugated zigzag
profile. The exemplary teeth are small in relation to the teeth of
the second set 42, providing desired friction for maintaining grip
of a garment. The second set of teeth 42 generally comprise large
teeth with triangular profiles, with each tooth being separated
from the adjacent tooth by a toothless portion 43. As shown in FIG.
3, the profile of the second set of teeth from top to bottom is
progressively diminishing, thereby providing a tapered tooth
profile from top to bottom. Also, the leading edges of the first
set of teeth 40 mesh such that the teeth of the first set integrate
with some of the depressions between the teeth of the second set
42. The outer teeth of the second set 42 overlap the outer teeth of
the first set 40. Note that the combination of the first set of
teeth 40 with the second set of teeth 42 in the clip provides
desired friction to grip garments of various materials and varying
thicknesses.
[0023] Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first set of
teeth 40 are small and the second set of teeth 42 are bigger, their
respective size can be exchanged. In other embodiments, the second
set of teeth 42 is small while the first set of teeth 40 are
bigger. In a further embodiment, both of the first and second sets
of teeth 40 and 42 are small. One advantage of using smaller teeth
is that they are less likely to leave notable marks on the garment
even after long time of use.
[0024] Moveable jaw member 26 is pivotally secured to the fixed jaw
member using biasing spring member 22. Biasing spring member 22
keeps the jaw together, ensuring coupling of the moveable jaw
member and the fixed jaw member 24. The biasing spring has a first
leg end 39 and a second leg end 41, configured to secure the
biasing spring member to the respective jaw member. Retaining
nodules 36 and 37 prevent biasing spring member 22 from releasing.
However, the biasing spring member 22 is releasable with a suitable
tool, such as a pry bar or a screwdriver. Retaining nodules 36 or
37 may also be other means that prevent the biasing spring 22 from
releasing, such as indentations, notches, slots, cavities and the
like. As shown in FIG. 3, pivot post 32 is integrally molded with
the fixed jaw member 24. Socket 34 is integrally molded with
moveable jaw member 26. Pivot post 32 fits into socket 34, such
that a fulcrum is provided for pivotally securing the movable jaw
member 26 to the fixed jaw member 24. The first arm 28 is
integrally molded with cross member 10 and fixed jaw member 24. The
second arm 30 is integrally molded with moveable jaw member 26. In
operation, the user of the hanger 100 compressibly squeezes the
second arm 30 toward the first arm 28, such that when released, the
biasing spring member 22 returns the first set of teeth 40
proximate to the second set of teeth 42 as possible.
[0025] Turning now to FIG. 4A, which illustrates a side view of
another embodiment, an exemplary clip includes a concave fixed jaw
member 48, a moveable jaw member 26 as shown in FIG. 3, and a
biasing spring member 22 as shown in FIG. 3. Concave fixed jaw
member 48 may include a friction pad 46. In this embodiment, the
inner surface of the concave fixed jaw member 48 is profiled as a
concave curve, providing sufficient friction to hold a garment.
Additional friction may be provided by having a friction pad 46
attached to the inner concave surface, or alternatively, having a
scored pattern in the concave fixed jaw member 48 (not shown). As
shown, the topmost and bottommost teeth of the second set of teeth
42 overlap the termination of the concave curve and the middle
teeth interact with the surface of the concave curve, in order to
hold a garment. It is to be noted that the provision of the
friction pad 46 is only optional. If the surface of the jaw member
48 is formed to be able to provide sufficient friction, the
friction pad 46 can be dispensed. Alternatively, the friction pad
46 can be replaced with small teeth like the first set of teeth 40
shown in FIG. 3.
[0026] It is further to be noted that although in FIG. 4A, the
fixed jaw member 48 is shown as concave and the moveable jaw member
is shown with teeth, the two members can also be designed such that
the fixed jaw member has teeth thereon and the moveable jaw member
is concave. In this case, the moveable jaw member can have the
friction pad 46 or small teeth formed thereon.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4B, the fixed jaw member has a concave
profile 50b and the moveable jaw member has a convex profile 52b
which matches with the concave profile of the fixed jaw member. As
an alternative, a concave profile can be formed in the moveable jaw
member and a convex profile in the fixed jaw member. As a preferred
(but not required) feature, one or both of the jaw members may have
a friction pad or small teeth formed thereon.
[0028] Although in the embodiment show in FIG. 4B, the concave and
convex profiles of the two jaw members have only one simple curve,
the profiles can have two, three or more continuous curves (50c and
52c) as shown in FIG. 4C. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B,
one or both of the jaw members may have a friction pad or small
teeth formed thereon, but the provision of this friction pad or
small teeth is only optional, not required.
[0029] It should be noted that the upper portion of the second arm
30 shown in the above embodiments is tapered toward the first arm
such that when two hangers are held next to each other, the upper
ends of the second arm 30 will not push against each other so as to
cause the jaws to open, inadvertently releasing the garment.
[0030] However, it is to be noted that the tapering configuration
in the above embodiments is only one exemplary structure used to
achieve the objective that when two hangers are held next to and
pushed against each other their jaws will not open. Generally
speaking, this objective can be achieved as long as the overall
structure of the pinch clip 20 is formed such as the pinch clip 20
has a width at the pivot post 32 (i.e. along line "a" as shown in
FIG. 4A) that is either equal to or greater than the width of the
arm portion of the pinch clip (i.e. along line "b" as shown in FIG.
4A).
[0031] FIG. 5 is a rearward elevational view of a fixed jaw member
24 formed integrally with a cross member 10 of garment hanger 100.
The back of the fixed jaw member 24 in this embodiment is
substantially flat to provide a profile that doesn't snag or catch
on adjacent garments.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a forward elevational view of the fixed jaw member
24 of FIG. 5. Fixed jaw member 24 is shown in this figure to
include first set of teeth 40. First set of teeth 40 has a concave
corrugated zigzag profile, with the leading edges of the teeth
extending laterally from side to side.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a rearward elevational view the moveable jaw
member 26. The moveable jaw member 26 in this figure includes the
second set of teeth 42. Each second set tooth has a triangular
profile, extending from side to side, where each second set tooth
is separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothless portion 44.
Note that in this embodiment, the leading edges of the first set of
teeth are collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom. Also
note that the second set of teeth 42 may be located on one of the
fixed and moveable jaw members. The first and second set of teeth
mesh such that the teeth of the first set integrate with the
depressions between the teeth of the second set.
[0034] In some embodiments, each second set tooth may be of varying
profiles, including rounded teeth, square teeth, oblong teeth,
pyramidal and hemispherical rows of teeth, and the like.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a forward elevational view of the moveable jaw
member 26 of FIG. 7. The back of the moveable jaw member 26 in this
embodiment is substantially flat to provide a profile that doesn't
snag or catch on adjacent garments.
[0036] While various embodiments of a garment hanger according to
the principles disclosed herein have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of
the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only
in accordance with any claims and their equivalents issuing from
this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are
provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the
application of such issued claims to processes and structures
accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.
[0037] Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for
consistency with the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to
provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or
characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue
from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although
the headings refer to a "Technical Field," such claims should not
be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe
the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a
technology in the "Background" is not to be construed as an
admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this
disclosure. Neither is the "Summary" to be considered as a
characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims.
Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to "invention" in the
singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single
point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set
forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing
from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the
invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In
all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on
their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be
constrained by the headings set forth herein.
* * * * *