U.S. patent application number 11/618729 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for expandable and/or foldable hanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to Left Field Enterprises, LLC a Corporation of the State of California. Invention is credited to Lori Ann Elder.
Application Number | 20070194064 11/618729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38427150 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070194064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elder; Lori Ann |
August 23, 2007 |
EXPANDABLE AND/OR FOLDABLE HANGER
Abstract
An expandable clothing/accessories hanger using a telescope like
function from each end of a center tube to expand from its smallest
size to the size of a full length hanger. In specific embodiments,
the hanger is constructed with one or more swivel points between
hanging portion and hook portion.
Inventors: |
Elder; Lori Ann; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUINE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP, P.C.
P O BOX 458
ALAMEDA
CA
94501
US
|
Assignee: |
Left Field Enterprises, LLC a
Corporation of the State of California
|
Family ID: |
38427150 |
Appl. No.: |
11/618729 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60755239 |
Dec 30, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/1442 20130101;
A47G 25/1407 20130101; A47G 25/483 20130101; A47G 25/4023 20130101;
A47G 25/1464 20130101; A47G 25/4053 20130101; A47G 25/32
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/089 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/22 20060101
A41D027/22 |
Claims
1. A hanger, comprising: an expandable hanging means, having two
expanding parts at opposite ends; a hook means for attaching said
hanging means to a bar or other support; wherein said hook means is
roughly perpendicular to said hanging means in at least one
configuration.
2. The hanger according to claim 1 wherein: said expandable hanging
means has at least two stable expanded positions.
3. The hanger according to claim 1 further comprising: a swivel
connector connecting said hanging means and said hook means,
allowing said hanging means to be rotated up to 360 degrees.
4. The hanger according to claim 1 further comprising: at least one
swivel connector connecting said hanging means and said hook means,
allowing said hanging means to be positioned in at least a folded
up and a folded down position.
5. The hanger according to claim 1 wherein said hanging means
and/or said hook means are constructed from a metal material.
6. The hanger according to claim 1 wherein said hanging means
and/or said hook means are constructed from a plastic material.
7. The hanger according to claim 1 wherein said hanging means
and/or said hook means are constructed from a wood material.
8. The hanger according to claim 1 wherein said hanging means
and/or said hook means are constructed from a composite
material.
9. The hanger according to claim 1 further comprising: an end-cap
at each of two ends of said hanging means.
10. A hanger in any one of the configurations illustrated
herein.
11. A hanger in any one of the configurations textually described
herein.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional patent
application 60/755,239, filed 30 Dec. 2005 and incorporated herein
by reference. Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.71(e), Applicants note that a
portion of this disclosure contains material that is subject to and
for which is claimed copyright protection (such as, but not limited
to, drawings and/or design elements). The copyright owner has no
objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent
document or patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and
Trademark Office patent file or records. All other rights are
reserved, and all other reproduction, distribution, creation of
derivative works based on the contents, public display, and public
performance of the application or any part thereof are prohibited
by applicable copyright law.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to new designs methods, and
packaging for hangers, such as clothing hangers or other material
or utility hangers. Hangers according to specific embodiments of
the invention have unique construction allowing compression into
smaller spaces and expansion into one or more than one expanded
configurations for one or more uses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] While a number of different hanger designs have been
proposed, many of these designs result in inclusion of aspects that
can detract from the aesthetic appeal of the hangers and/or
diminished size.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention involves an expandable clothing/clothing
accessory hanger which according to specific embodiments of the
invention can be understood as a collapsible or folding hanger. The
invention is overall characterized by simplicity in construction,
function and appearance. In specific embodiments, the invention can
be constructed of plastics, metals, metal alloys, wood, or any
other material firm enough to support the desired clothing or
accessory.
[0005] In specific embodiments, the hanger when expanded has a
shape roughly resembling an ordinary clothes hanger, with a hanging
hook or other hanging means situated near the center. The
extendable portions of the hanger can be retracted as shown in the
accompanying figures. According to specific embodiments of the
invention, the collapsed hanging portion can be further turned or
swiveled to minimize the space needed for storage of the collapsed
hanger.
[0006] In alternative embodiments, the hanger can be associated
with a decorative or promotional packaging device or can have a
promotional message or name attached to the hanger itself.
[0007] Thus, the invention provides a new and improved clothing or
clothing accessory hanger and methods for the same that has a
simplicity in construction and that also provides promotional or
marketing opportunities.
Other Features & Benefits
[0008] The invention and various specific aspects and embodiments
will be better understood with reference to the following drawings
and detailed descriptions. In some of the drawings and detailed
descriptions below, the present invention is described in terms of
the important independent embodiment of specific hangers of
specific design and construction and dimensions, in some cases
including specific materials. This should not be taken to limit the
invention, which, using the teachings provided herein, can
encompass a variety of different materials of construction and a
variety of different design elements. It is therefore intended that
the invention not be limited except as provided in the attached
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention showing a collapsed and a
fully expanded position.
[0010] FIG. 2 is schematic illustration of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention indicating a swivel point
allowing the hanging portion to swivel 360 degrees around a pin
attaching from the hook means.
[0011] FIG. 3 is schematic illustration of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention showing the internal a
collapsed portions of the hanging means.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of is the invention showing placement of a
product name or promotional message on the hanging means and an
optional translucent packaging allowing viewing of the message
while the hanger is packaged.
[0013] FIG. 4B is a top elevation view of a hanger according to
alternative specific embodiments of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a back elevation view of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention showing placement of a
product name, owner's name, or promotional message on an optional
packaging.
[0015] FIG. 6A-D are various views of a hanger design according to
specific embodiments of the invention having separately foldable
hanging portions showing various positions of each hanging
portion.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view of a hanger according to specific
embodiments of the invention in a clam-shell type case.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a back view of multiple hangers according to
specific embodiments of the invention in a clam-shell type
case.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a photographic image showing an example prototype
hanger with hanging portions in a folded down position at three
different extensions according to specific embodiments of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a photographic image showing an example prototype
hanger with hanging portions in a folded up position according to
specific embodiments of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a is photographic image showing an example
prototype hanger with optional clips according to specific
embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention showing a collapsed and a
fully expanded position. These hangers can vary in the overall
shapes of the extendible parts (such as nearly round
cross-sections, oval cross-sections, rounded rectangular
cross-sections, squared cross-sections, etc.) and the shape of the
hanging part (a traditional hook, a knob for fitting into a hanging
receptacle, etc.) but otherwise operate similarly. Thus, according
to specific embodiments of the invention, the hangers can be
understood to comprise a hook means, and an expandable hanging
means. The dimensions shown in all figures are examples only and
hangers of a wide range of sizes can be constructed according to
specific embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] According to specific embodiments of the invention, the
hanging body can be designed to expand to different lengths while
used as a hanger. Thus, for example, the hanger may be expanded
only part-way (for example 50-80% of its full length) in one use
(such holding hanging clothes in a travel bag or valise) and
expanded fully in another use, such as hanging clothes in a closet.
These are just examples, and various configurations of expansion
are possible.
[0023] According to specific embodiments of the invention,
unpackaged, the collapsed size of the hanger can be about 2'' to
5'' wide by about 3' to 6'' in length. In specific embodiments, the
hanger can expand from either end to about 12'' to 18'' in
length.
[0024] FIG. 2 is schematic illustration of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention indicating a swivel point
allowing the hanging portion to swivel 360 degrees around a pin
attaching from the hook means. It will be understood that this
swivel action can be used to allow a garment to be swiveled from
the front, back or sideways, for example for hanging the garment
over a door while traveling.
[0025] In use, the hanger can be fully expanded for handing common
clothing items for adults, but can also be expanded to shorter
lengths for handing baby clothes, kids clothes, or accessories. In
the closed state, it can be used to hanging such things as
neckties, belts, or scarves.
[0026] FIG. 3 is schematic illustration of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention showing the internal a
collapsed portions of the hanging means. In specific embodiments,
the hanger is manufactured in a material such as plastic with no
springs. The telescoping operation is similar to that of a
television antenna, with each part as it is pulled out stopping at
about 1'' to 2'' intervals to create the desired length.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention showing placement of a
product name or promotional message on the hanging means and an
optional translucent packaging allowing viewing of the message
while the hanger is packaged. The optional packaging can be
provided with a zipper or zip-locking mechanism that starts and
stops about 1/2 way around the hanger. The packaging is preferable
made of a soft plastic clear material.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a back elevation view of a hanger according to
specific embodiments of the invention showing placement of a
product name, owner's name, or promotional message on an optional
packaging. The back side of the packaging can be fitted with a card
or insert providing instructions as to how to use the hanger or
providing a place for further promotional messages or a place for a
user to write their name and contact information.
[0029] FIGS. 6A-D are various views of a hanger design according to
specific embodiments of the invention having separately foldable
hanging portions showing various positions of each hanging portion.
As can be observed from the figures, in this embodiment, a hanger
according to the invention can be constructed with two hanging
portions that can each be folded up to provide a more compact shape
for the hanger when not is use.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a front view of a hanger according to specific
embodiments of the invention in a clam-shell type case. FIG. 8 is a
back view of multiple hangers according to specific embodiments of
the invention in a clam-shell type case. While these cases when
used to package hangers according to specific embodiments of the
invention have novel features, they are optional and in some
embodiments, hangers of the invention can be provided without any
case or housing.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a photographic image showing an example prototype
hanger with hanging portions in a folded down position at three
different extensions according to specific embodiments of the
invention. FIG. 10 is a photographic image showing an example
prototype hanger with hanging portions in a folded up position
according to specific embodiments of the invention. These images
together illustrate aspects of the hanger construction and use
according to specific example embodiments.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a is photographic image showing an example
prototype hanger with optional clips according to specific
embodiments of the invention.
[0033] For sales purposes, a hanger according to specific
embodiments of the invention can be sold in multiple packages, or
in packages of 6. In specific embodiments, the hanger may be
referred to by a trademark name such as The Fanger.TM.,
Fangerz.TM., or The Expandable Hanger.TM..
[0034] It is understood that the examples and embodiments described
herein are for illustrative purposes and that various modifications
or changes in light thereof will be suggested by the teachings
herein to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within
the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the
claims.
[0035] In specific embodiments, believe the main bottom tube under
the hook is about 4''. In other embodiments, about 2'' total length
is possible. The preferred length may in part depend on the
materials used and the other dimensions of the parts of hanger.
When closed, in specific embodiments, the hanger can be used for
belts, scarves, ties and the like. The hanger can thus, in various
embodiments be expanded from function from very small to a standard
or plus size clothes hanger.
[0036] All publications, patents, and patent applications cited
herein or filed with this application, including any references
filed as part of an Information Disclosure Statement, are
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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