U.S. patent application number 11/663774 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for garment hanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to CORPORATION MP-8 INC.. Invention is credited to Robert Barbusci, Michele Boulet.
Application Number | 20090078726 11/663774 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36118538 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090078726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boulet; Michele ; et
al. |
March 26, 2009 |
GARMENT HANGER
Abstract
A garment hanger (1) including a main body (3) for operatively
receiving a garment, a first hook (5) connected to the main body
(3) for hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a first support, and a
second hook (7) operatively connected to the first hook (5) for
alternatively hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a second support
(9). The main body (3) and the first and second hooks (5,7) are
preferably contained within a same substantially vertical plane.
The second hook (7) preferably includes a securing flange (11)
operatively projecting from the first hook (5), the securing flange
(1) being shaped so as to define a recessed portion (13) for
receiving therein the second support (9). Preferably also, the
second hook (7) is operable between a first configuration for
allowing the garment hanger from being removed from the second
support (9), and a second configuration for securing the garment
hanger (1) onto the second support (9) and preventing the garment
hanger (1) from being removed from the second support (9).
Preferably also, the garment hanger (1) has a locking mechanism
(15) for maintaining the second hook (7) in the second
configuration. Preferably also, the second hook (7) is provided
with a finger receiving portion (27) being shaped and sized for
receiving a finger of a user of the garment hanger so as to
facilitate operating of the second hook (7).
Inventors: |
Boulet; Michele;
(Charlebourg, CA) ; Barbusci; Robert; (Longueuil,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Franz Bonsang;EQUINOX PROTECTION
410-1500, Du College, Quebec
St-Laurent
H4L 5G6
CA
|
Assignee: |
CORPORATION MP-8 INC.
Charlesbourg
QC
|
Family ID: |
36118538 |
Appl. No.: |
11/663774 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
September 27, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2005/001476 |
371 Date: |
March 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60612796 |
Sep 27, 2004 |
|
|
|
60656388 |
Feb 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/325 20130101;
A47G 25/30 20130101; A47G 25/485 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/85 |
International
Class: |
A47G 25/32 20060101
A47G025/32 |
Claims
1. A garment hanger (1) comprising: a main body (3) for operatively
receiving a garment; a first hook (5) connected to the main body
(3) for hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a first support; and a
second hook (7) operatively connected to the first hook (5) for
alternatively hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a second support
(9).
2. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein the main body
(3) and the first and second hooks (5,7) are contained within a
same substantially vertical plane.
3. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
second hook (7) operatively projects from the first hook (5).
4. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the second hook (7) includes a securing flange (11)
operatively projecting from the first hook (5), the securing flange
(11) being shaped so as to define a recessed portion (13) for
receiving therein the second support (9).
5. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 4, wherein the recessed
portion (13) has a diameter ranging between about 0.145 inches and
about 0.220 inches.
6. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the second hook (7) is made of a resilient material.
7. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the second hook (7) is operable between a first
configuration for allowing the garment hanger (1) from being
removed from the second support (9), and a second configuration for
securing the garment hanger (1) onto the second support (9) and
preventing the garment hanger (1) from being removed from said
second support (9).
8. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 7, wherein the garment
hanger (1) comprises a locking mechanism (15) for maintaining the
second hook (7) in the second configuration.
9. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 8, wherein the locking
mechanism (15) comprises first and second components (17,19) being
provided on the second hook (7) and main body (3) respectively, the
first component (17) being securable against the second component
(19) for maintaining the second hook (7) in the second
configuration.
10. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first
component (17) includes an abutment portion (21) provided on an
extremity of the second hook (7) and wherein the second component
(19) comprises a stopper (23) provided on the main body (3) on a
segment adjacent to said second hook (7), the second hook (7) being
configured for selectively positioning and securing the abutment
portion (21) thereof against the stopper (23) on the main body (3)
so as to maintain the second hook (7) in the second
configuration.
11. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 10, wherein the
abutment portion (21) and the stopper (23) have complementary
contact surfaces (25).
12. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 11, wherein the
complementary contact surfaces (25) are slanted.
13. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein the second hook (7) comprises a finger receiving portion
(27) being shaped and sized for receiving a finger of a user of the
garment hanger (1) so as to facilitate operating of the second hook
(7).
14. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 12, wherein the finger
receiving portion (27) is provided with ribs (29).
15. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
wherein the main body (3) comprises an integrated handle (31).
16. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
wherein the main body (3) comprises a pair of shoulder sections
(33).
17. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
wherein the main body (3) comprises a transversal bar (35).
18. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
wherein the garment hanger (1) is made of a single material and of
a single piece.
19. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
wherein the main body (3) is provided with at least one suspension
accessory (37) for suspending a given article from said at least
one suspension accessory (37).
20. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
wherein the main body (3) is provided with anti-skidding components
(39).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a hanger. More
particularly, in its preferred intended use, the present invention
relates to a garment hanger which can act as a conventional hanger,
and which is also devised to be secured onto a clothesline, or any
other suitable corresponding rope-like support structure, such as a
wired rack for example, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Garment hangers are very well known in the art. Indeed, a
typical garment hanger usually comprises a main body devised to
receive a garment to be hung thereon, and a hooking member (also
referred to simply as "hook") operatively connected to the main
body for hooking the garment hanger onto a support structure, such
as a pole in a closet, for example.
[0003] Clotheslines are also very well known in the art. Indeed,
they generally consist of a cord, rope, or wire on which clothes
may be hung to dry and/or air out by means of suitable accessories,
such as clothespins for example.
[0004] Known to the Applicant are the following US patents which
describe various garment hangers, and/or devices for use with the
same and/or with clotheslines: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,690,614; 2,250,245;
2,494,973; 2,498,400; 2,505,306; 2,594,228; 2,762,103; 2,877,941;
2,917,212; 2,921,728; 3,008,614; 3,202,329; 3,240,462; 3,253,813;
3,524,226; 4,034,902; 4,049,163; 4,139,174; 4,310,096; 4,553,294;
4,823,444; 4,833,759; 5,075,935; 5,083,690; 5,383,588; 5,526,968;
6,041,985; 6,196,399 B1; 6,296,160 B1; 6,487,760 B1; 6,506,108 B1;
6,842,951 B1; and Re. 32,269.
[0005] Also known to the Applicant is Japanese document No.
2001-224897.
[0006] However, a substantial problem associated with these types
of devices is that they are not intended to retain a garment in a
very simple and efficient manner (i.e. used as a conventional
garment hanger), while at the same time being capable of being
securely mounted in place onto a clothesline for example, without
being displaced according to the effect of winds and without
leaving behind on the garments with which they cooperate any
disgracial folds caused by the use of conventional accessories,
such as clothespins for example.
[0007] It is also known in the art that conventional garment
hangers, with or without pivoting hooks, are generally designed to
be hooked onto standard poles of closets and the like, via the
hooks thereof. Unfortunately, existing garment hangers are not
devised to be fixed perpendicularly or suspended to clotheslines or
other similar rope-like structures, outdoors, in an efficient and
secured manner. Moreover, it is also known that conventional
garment hangers do not have a convenient retaining device
integrated thereto which would enable to accomplish the
above-mentioned functions and/or advantages. Instead, a
conventional garment hanger which is suspended outdoors will
generally be displaced by winds or other loads/vibrations, and may
eventually fall to the ground and thus damage and/or stain, soil,
and the like, the garments which may be hung thereon, which is very
undesirable.
[0008] Furthermore, it is also known in the art that for
conventional garment hangers, which are placed onto a conventional
clothesline, in a neighboring manner, the garments of such
neighboring garment hangers will touch themselves because each
garment hanger is not devised to preserve a fixed configuration or
positioning with respect to the clothesline (preferably, in a
successive and perfectly transversal manner with respect to said
clothesline). Indeed, conventional hooks of garment hangers are
known to rotate or slide along clotheslines, which may result in
neighboring garment hangers (and the corresponding garments hung
thereon) "bunching up" together in a given clothesline, which is
disadvantageous for drying purposes. Thus, it is also known in the
art that drying of such garments with conventional garment hangers,
as a result of their traditional hooks, etc., is not done in an
efficient manner.
[0009] Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for
an improved device which would be able to overcome some of the
aforementioned prior art problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a garment
hanger which, by virtue of its design and components, satisfies
some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement
over other related devices known in the prior art.
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, the above object
is achieved, as will be easily understood from the present
description, with a garment hanger such as the one briefly
described herein and such as the one exemplified in the
accompanying drawings.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, there is also
provided a rope-like support (e.g. clothesline) provided with the
above-mentioned garment hanger.
[0013] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
also provided a method for securing the above-mentioned garment
hanger onto a rope-like support.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
also provided a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned garment
hanger.
[0015] More particularly, the present invention provides a garment
hanger comprising:
[0016] a main body for operatively receiving a garment;
[0017] a first hook connected to the main body for hooking the
garment hanger onto a first support; and
[0018] a second hook operatively connected to the first hook for
alternatively hooking the garment hanger onto a second support.
[0019] The second support is preferably a rope-like structure, such
as a clothesline, for example.
[0020] Preferably also, the main body and the first and second
hooks are contained within a same substantially vertical plane.
[0021] Preferably also, the second hook operatively projects from
the first hook. More particularly, the second hook preferably
includes a securing flange operatively projecting from the first
hook, the securing flange being shaped so as to define a recessed
portion for receiving therein the second support.
[0022] Preferably also, the second hook is made of a resilient
material, and is operable between a first configuration for
allowing the garment hanger from being removed from the second
support, and a second configuration for securing the garment hanger
onto the second support and preventing the garment hanger from
being removed from said second support.
[0023] Preferably also, the garment hanger comprises a locking
mechanism for maintaining the second hook of the garment hanger in
the second configuration.
[0024] Preferably also, the locking mechanism comprises first and
second components being provided on the second hook and main body
respectively, the first component being securable against the
second component for maintaining the second hook in the second
configuration.
[0025] Preferably also, the second hook comprises a finger
receiving portion being shaped and sized for receiving a finger of
a user of the garment hanger so as to facilitate operating of the
second hook, and said finger receiving portion is preferably
provided with ribs.
[0026] Preferably, the garment hanger and the different components
thereof are made of a single material and of a single piece.
[0027] Preferably also, the garment hanger, and more particularly
the main body thereof, may comprise some of the following
components: an integrated handle, a pair of shoulder sections, a
transversal bar, at least one suspension accessory for suspending a
given article from said at least one suspension accessory, and/or
anti-skidding components.
[0028] The objects, advantages, and other features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given
for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a garment hanger according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of section A illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the garment hanger shown in
FIG. 1, said garment hanger being now shown provided with three
suspension accessories, one of said accessories being shown in an
operating configuration and the other two suspension accessories
being shown in a transportation configuration.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front plan view of what is shown in FIG. 5, the
first suspension accessory being shown to be slidably moveable
along a transversal bar of the hanger via a dotted representation
thereof.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a suspension accessory such
as the ones illustrated in FIG. 6, said suspension accessory being
shown prior to mounting onto the hanger.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a front plan view of what is shown in FIG. 8.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 9.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 9.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a front plan view of a garment hanger according
to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
garment hanger being shown with a second hook provided with a
finger receiving portion and corresponding locking mechanism.
[0041] FIG. 13 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 12.
[0042] FIG. 14 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 12.
[0043] FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view of a portion of the
garment hanger shown in FIG. 12, the second hook of the garment
hanger being shown in the first configuration ("opened
configuration").
[0044] FIG. 16 is yet another partial enlarged view of a portion of
the garment hanger shown in FIG. 12, the second hook of the garment
hanger being now shown in an intermediate configuration.
[0045] FIG. 17 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 16, the
second hook of the garment hanger being now shown in the second
configuration ("retaining" or "secured" configuration).
[0046] FIG. 18 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 15, the
second hook of the garment hanger being shown in the opened
configuration.
[0047] FIG. 19 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 18, the
garment hanger being now shown cooperating with a cross-sectional
view of an adjacent clothesline.
[0048] FIG. 20 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 19, the
garment hanger being now shown further cooperating with the
clothesline, the latter being introduced into the recessed portion
of the second hook of the hanger.
[0049] FIG. 21 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 20, the
second hook being now shown in an intermediate configuration.
[0050] FIG. 22 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 21, the
second hook being now shown in a securing configuration and
clamping the clothesline securely.
[0051] FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of what is shown in
FIG. 17.
[0052] FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of what is shown in
FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0053] In the following description, the same numerical references
refer to similar elements. The embodiments and dimensions
(expressed in inches) shown in the figures are preferred, for
exemplification purposes only.
[0054] Moreover, although the present invention was primarily
designed for use with garments and/or clotheslines, it may be used
with other objects and/or other hanging supports, such as wired
racks for example, and the like, as apparent to a person skilled in
the art. For this reason, expressions such as "garment",
"clothesline", etc., used herein should not be taken as to limit
the scope of the present invention and include all other kinds of
objects and/or applications with which the present invention could
be used and may be useful. As will also be easily understood, the
cross-sectional area of the rope-like support 9 ("clothesline")
according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to a
circular configuration, and may take on other suitable geometrical
configurations, such as square, rectangular, triangular, etc., and
the like, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Consequently,
the second hook 7 and corresponding portions of the garment hanger
1 according to the present invention may also take on other
suitable geometrical configurations other than the ones briefly
described herein, so as to be complementary to the support 9 onto
which the second hook 7 of the garment hanger 1 is to be hooked on,
as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0055] Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the
expressions "device" and "hanger", as well as any other equivalent
expressions and/or compound words thereof, may be used
interchangeably. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent
expressions, such as "rope", "support", "rack" and "clothesline"
for example, as well as "second hook", "clip", "securing means",
"retaining means", "locking means" and "security means", as also
apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0056] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the
present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
comprise various components such as accessories, etc., and although
the preferred embodiments of the garment hanger 1 and corresponding
parts as shown consist of certain geometrical configurations as
explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and
geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be
taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to
limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood,
as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other
suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as
other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the
garment hanger 1 and corresponding parts according to the present
invention, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily
inferred herefrom, without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0057] Broadly described, the hanger 1 according to the present
invention, is a hanger 1 adapted to be secured onto a support rope,
or any other suitable rope-like structure (e.g. clothesline 9), as
will be easily understood from the present description by a person
skilled in the art. Indeed, the present invention relates to a
garment hanger 1 which can act as a conventional hanger, and which
is also devised to be secured onto a clothesline 9, or any other
suitable rope-like structure, such as a wired rack for example, and
the like.
LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES AND CORRESPONDING PREFERRED COMPONENTS
ILLUSTRATED
[0058] 1. garment hanger [0059] 3. main body [0060] 5. main or
"first" hook [0061] 7. complementary or "second" hook [0062] 9.
second support (e.g. clothesline) [0063] 11. securing flange (of
the second hook 7) [0064] 13. recessed portion (of the second hook
7) [0065] 15. locking mechanism [0066] 17. first component (of the
locking mechanism 15) [0067] 19. second component (of the locking
mechanism 15) [0068] 21. abutment portion [0069] 23. stopper [0070]
25. contact surface(s) [0071] 27. finger receiving portion [0072]
29. rib(s) (of finger receiving portion 27) [0073] 31. handle
[0074] 33. shoulder section(s) [0075] 35. transversal bar [0076]
35a. main transversal bar for main garment suspension [0077] 35b.
secondary transversal bar for smaller garment suspension [0078] 37.
suspension accessory [0079] 39. anti-skidding component(s) [0080]
39a. anti-skidding rib(s) [0081] 39b. anti-skidding material(s) for
receiving and increasing retaining of garment(s) (e.g. pant(s),
skirt(s), etc.) [0082] 41. rest area for non-operating finger(s)
[0083] 43. suspension arm(s) (e.g. for suspender(s), dress(es),
etc.) [0084] 45. transition portion (of the second hook 7)
[0085] Indeed, in its preferred intended use, the garment hanger 1
according to the present invention, as exemplified in the
accompanying drawings, is a garment hanger 1 which comprises a main
body 3 devised to receive garment(s) or garment accessory(ies) (not
shown) to be hung thereon, and a hooking member for hooking the
garment hanger. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the
main body 3 or structure may be provided with different suitable
components and/or accessories for carrying out different purposes,
that is, for receiving different items.
[0086] The hooking member preferably comprises a first or "main"
hook 5 for hooking the garment hanger 1 onto a first support (not
shown), such as a pole or a rack of a closet for example, as is
possible with conventional garment hangers. The garment hanger 1
according to the present invention preferably further comprises a
complementary or "second" hook 7 (similar to a "clip mechanism"),
preferably in the form of a securing flange 11, which is
positioned, shaped and sized onto the garment hanger 1, and
preferably the main hook portion thereof, so as to be appropriately
clamped onto another or "second" support 9, such as a clothesline
for example, so as to be able to securely mount the garment hanger
1 onto said second support 9. As illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, and according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the securing flange 11 is positioned in a bottom portion
of the main hook portion, and preferably within the same plane of
the hanger 1, as evidenced by FIGS. 2 and 3, so that the hanger 1
may be easily stacked for advantageously facilitating shipping,
storing and the like.
[0087] It is to be understood that although the second hook 7 (i.e.
securing flange 11) is positioned in a bottom section of the main
hook 5 of the garment hanger 1 according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention, said second hook 7, or any other suitable
securing means devised for allowing the hanger 1 to be secured onto
a clothesline for example, may be suitably positioned and secured
elsewhere on another component of the garment hanger 1 in order to
enable the same to be properly secured and be hanged onto a second
support 9, such as a clothesline for example, as apparent to a
person skilled in the art.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an enlarged view of a
preferred embodiment of the second hook 7 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the second hook 7
is shaped, positioned and sized so as to be appropriately secured
onto a rope-like structure, such as a clothesline for example, as
aforementioned, and preferably, having a diameter comparable to
those most available in the market, namely of about 0.145 inches to
about 0.220 inches. Preferably also, each hanger volume comprises
about 4.523 cubic inches, and each clip volume preferably comprises
about 0.330 cubic inches. As previously mentioned, the
cross-sectional shape of the rope-like support 9 need not be
necessarily circular according to the present invention, and may
take on various other shapes and/or dimensions, as well as the
corresponding different components of the garment hanger 1
according to the present invention, as also apparent to a person
skilled in the art. Consequently, the shape of the second hook 7
(and/or of the securing flange 11 thereof need not be necessarily
circular either, and may take on various other shapes and/or
dimensions, complementary to that of the second support 9 onto
which the second hook 7 is to be hooked on, as also apparent to a
person skilled in the art.
[0089] Furthermore, as can be easily understood from the present
invention, the garment hanger 1 and the various components thereof,
namely the main hook 5 and the second hook 7 operatively secured
thereto (either directly or via the main body 3), are preferably
made of a suitable material, such as a polymer material, and the
like, enabling the garment hanger 1 to be produced according to a
suitable manufacturing process, such as injection molding for
example, which enables the garment hanger 1 to be produced in a
cost effective manner, which is also very advantageous.
[0090] Several modifications could be made to the garment hanger 1
according to the present invention. Indeed, for example, the main
hook 5 may comprise a support rod operatively connected to the main
body 3 of the garment hanger 1, via a suitable socket, the support
rod being preferably rotatable with respect to said body 3 so that
a garment hung onto the body 3 may be positioned in parallel,
transversely, or at an angle, with respect to a support onto which
the garment hanger 1 may be secured.
[0091] Moreover, the portion below the main hook portion or body 3
of the garment hanger 1 may be shaped and sized for receiving
corresponding means or providing publicity, whether of the garment
hanger manufacturer, or of another company, as can be easily
understood by a person skilled in the art. The means for supporting
the above-mentioned publicity may be affixed onto the main body 3
in a suitable manner, and with suitable fastening means, which are
preferably devised to be removably connected, as also apparent to a
person skilled in the art. Moreover, the shoulder sections 33 of
the garment hanger 1 may comprise adjustable portions which extend
therealong the corresponding slanted portions of the shoulder
sections 33 in order to accommodate different formats and sizes of
garments. Furthermore, the main hook 5 of the garment hanger 1
according to the present invention may be provided with suitable
retaining means so that once hooked onto a conventional pole, such
as that of a closet and the like, an operator must trigger the
retaining means into an opened configuration, so as to enable the
garment hanger 1, and more particularly the main hook 5 thereof, to
be removed from said pole.
[0092] Furthermore, it is worth mentioning, as better exemplified
in FIGS. 12-24, that the garment hanger 1 and the second hook 7
thereof, namely the securing flange 11, may be altered so as to
provide the garment hanger 1 with increased clamping, securing,
retaining and/or security capabilities, as well as an improved
ergonomic use thereof by the fingers of a user of the garment
hanger 1. Indeed, as better shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, and as can be
easily understood when referring to FIGS. 12-22, the second hook 7
(and/or the securing flange 11 thereof) of the garment hanger 1
according to the present invention may preferably further comprise
a finger receiving portion 27 for receiving at least one finger of
a user of the garment hanger 1, as well as a corresponding abutment
portion 21 destined to cooperate with a corresponding stopper 23
provided preferably along a neighboring segment of the main body 3
of the garment hanger 1 so that once in a securing configuration,
as better shown in FIGS. 17, 22 and 23, the clothesline 9
positioned between the corresponding recessed portion 13 of the
flange 11, and as a result of the corresponding shape of the flange
11 and the corresponding resilient properties thereof, may be
further clamped and secured between the flange 11 and the
corresponding adjacent portion of the main hook 5.
[0093] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the garment hanger 1 and corresponding second hook 7
(i.e. securing flange 11) are preferably used in the following
manner: on a given indoor or outdoor clothesline 9 for example, the
garment to be dried or treated is preferably installed onto the
garment hanger 1. Subsequently, by using preferably a single hand,
a user may hang the garment hanger 1 onto the clothesline 9 by
means of the securing flange 11. One simply has to insert the
clothesline 9 perpendicularly in the corresponding opening of the
small transition portion 45 of the second hook 7 provided to that
effect and positioning the clothesline 9 at the end of said
recessed portion 13, as better shown in FIG. 20, and as can be
easily understood when referring and contrasting FIGS. 19 and 20.
Then, by means of a single hand preferably, one may secure it if
need may be with the security locking mechanism 15 which prevents
the garment hanger 1 and corresponding second hook 7 from being
removed from the clothesline 9 under the influence of great wind
conditions or similar abrupt and oscillating/jerky movements.
Indeed, one simply has to push the security feature (i.e. finger
receiving portion 27 or abutment portion 21) towards the stopper 23
provided preferably on an adjacent segment of the main body 3 of
the garment hanger 1 and properly position these two components,
that is the abutment portion 21 versus the stopper 23, one towards
the other, for locking thereinbetween due to the resilient nature
of the flange 11, as can be easily understood by a person skilled
in the art.
[0094] In order to disengage the above-mentioned security means,
one simply has to push the security/locking component onto its side
or rearwardly and the memory effect of the second hook 7 will bring
back the securing flange 11 to its original disengaged or opened
configuration from the start, as better illustrated in FIGS. 15, 18
and 24.
[0095] One may then remove the garment hanger 1 from the
clothesline 9 by raising it from the top via a suitable portion of
the garment hanger 1 and by sliding the clothesline 9 thereout in
order to have the transition portion 45 of the second hook 7
removed from said clothesline 9. A user may then conveniently
install the garment hanger 1 onto a standard pole such as the ones
known in the art by hooking the garment hanger 1 thereon via its
main hook 5 in a well-known manner.
[0096] Several components, features and advantages are associated
to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-24, as briefly described
hereinbelow. For example, and as explained earlier, the garment
hanger 1 according to the present invention preferably comprises a
main support portion or body 3, a main or "first" hook 5
operatively connected thereto, as well as a complementary or
"second" hook 7 preferably made integral to the garment hanger 1
and positioned within a same vertical plane, shaped and sized to
preferably cooperate in a perpendicular manner with a clothesline 9
or any other corresponding rope-like support, said retaining device
being further provided with a security device preventing the second
hook 7 from letting go of said clothesline 9 once in the clamped or
closed configuration, as can be easily understood when referring to
FIGS. 17 and 22.
[0097] The garment hanger 1 and corresponding components thereof,
namely the above-mentioned securing second hook 7, are preferably
made of a suitable material, whether rigid or flexible, but with
sufficient resilient properties in order to carry out the
above-mentioned functions, as exemplified in the accompanying
drawings. Moreover, the retaining system is preferably devised to
preferably cooperate in a perpendicular manner onto a fixed or
free-moving rope, thread, tube, rod, pole or any rope-like
structure, such as a clothesline 9 or the like, irrespectively of
the diameter and shape thereof, and furthermore, the security
locking mechanism 15 for preventing the second hook 7 from letting
go of its clamping configuration is preferably devised to do so
even under the influence of winds, physical forces or unwanted
situations which could result in the garment hanger 1 and
corresponding second hook 7 from being otherwise removed from the
clothesline 9.
[0098] As can be easily understood, several other modifications
could be made to the above-described embodiments. For example, the
different components thereof may be made of and/or include suitable
materials/components 39, such as anti-skidding ribs 39a or
anti-skidding materials 39b, which are suitably connected to the
components of the garment hanger 1, whether glued, injected,
co-injected, clipped, snapped, screwed onto, riveted, or
operatively connected thereto by any other suitable fixing means on
the shoulder sections 33, retaining locking mechanism 15,
transversal bar(s) 35a,35b, or any suitable other location on the
garment hanger 1.
[0099] Furthermore, as better shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the finger
receiving portion 27 of the second hook 7 is preferably provided
with corresponding ribs 29 or knurled portions facilitating a
better grip and operation of the finger receiving portion 27 by a
finger of a user of the garment hanger 1 and corresponding second
hook 7, and furthermore, it is to be also understood by a person
skilled in the art that other suitable means may be used for
ensuring that the second hook 7 is maintained in a clamped
configuration such as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 17, 22 and 23.
Indeed, instead of having an abutment portion 21 cooperating with a
corresponding stopper 23 provided along an adjacent portion of the
main body 3, one may replace either one of the abutment portion 21
and/or stopper 23, by a corresponding orifice, such that the other
non-replaced portion could consist of a pin to be removably
insertable into said orifice, so as to maintain the clip or
securing flange 11 in a constant and fixed clamped configuration,
as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
[0100] As may now be better appreciated, the embodiments described
hereinabove and in the accompanying drawings provide several
advantages. For example, the garment hanger 1 with corresponding
second hook 7 according to the present invention may be hooked and
secured perpendicularly to clotheslines 9 thanks to its integrative
innovative securing/security means which are preferably made
integral to the garment hanger 1, and thus consist of a single and
same piece. Furthermore, by virtue of its clamping and securing
capabilities, the garment hanger 1 is ensured to be maintained
perfectly perpendicular to a given clothesline 9 thereby preventing
it from undertaking angles and movements which are not desirable so
as to ensure that the garments of neighboring garment hangers 1 do
not touch other and dry in a more rapid/efficient manner.
Furthermore, by virtue of its second hook 7, and corresponding
locking mechanism 15 as exemplified in the accompanying drawings,
these features prevent the garment hanger 1 from traveling or
sliding along a given clothesline 9, which is also very
advantageous. Furthermore, it has been tested that the garment
hanger 1 according to the present invention, when properly
hooked/secured can sustain violent winds of up to about 60 km/h or
even violent shakings of the clotheslines 9.
[0101] It has also been established that when the garment is
perpendicular to the clothesline, the corresponding systems of the
present garment hanger 1 enable to position up to about 6 times
more clothing in a given space than that what is possible with
conventional hanging methods such as clothespins and the like.
[0102] Furthermore, the present invention is also advantageous in
that its various systems may be used and operated by using a single
hand contrary to what is possible with conventional devices known
in the art, such as known clothespins, because in these latter
cases, one must hold the garment to be hung with the other
hand.
[0103] Preferably also, the components of the hooking portions,
including the first and second hooks 5,7 thereof, are preferably
made of a suitable polymeric material, such as plastic for example,
so as to sustain the entire weight of the garment hanger 1 and
possible garment(s) hung thereon. Preferably also, the main body 3
of the garment hanger, and the covering of the hooks 5,7, are made
of a similar suitable material, such as a polymer, or composite
material, and the like, as apparent to a person skilled in the art,
so as to properly sustain the weight of possible garment(s) hung
thereon. It is worth mentioning though that the hooks 5,7 and main
body 3 of the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention
may be made of other suitable materials depending on the
applications for which the garment hanger 1 is intended, as
apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example, if the
garment hanger 1 is intended to be used in very humid environment,
then its parts are preferably made of materials which would be
corrosion resistant, so as to prevent adverse interaction, such as
stains for example, with the garments used therewith.
[0104] Preferably also, the components (e.g. the securing flange 11
of the second hook 7) of the garment hanger 1 are preferably
devised so as to have a sufficient amount of resiliency in order to
adapt themselves and suitably clamp thereinbetween different
diameters and types of clotheslines 9 sold in the market, as can be
easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
[0105] As aforementioned, the garment hanger 1 according to the
present invention may act as a conventional garment hanger and
preferably has a securing flange 11 operatively connected to the
main hook 5 (either directly or indirectly via the main body 3),
said flange 11 being devised so as to carry out a clamping of a
second support 9, such as a clothesline for example, and maintain
the garment hanger 1 onto which the mechanism is integrated
securely mounted onto said second support 9. As can be easily
understood from the present description, the garment hanger 1 may
be used with other hanging devices intended to be used with
clotheslines and/or conventional closets.
[0106] According to the present invention, the garment hanger 1 and
corresponding parts may be shaped and sized so as to accommodate
different formats of garments, ranging from junior size to senior
size, and may be provided with additional components and features
depending on the applications for which the garment hanger 1 is
intended, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example,
the main body 3 of the garment hanger 1 may be provided with wider
support areas for heavier coats and garments, or may be provided
with elastometer fixtures so as to prevent skidding of the garment
with respect to the body 3, as well as with suitable bands, and the
like. Moreover, the garment hanger 1 according to the present
invention may be provided with suitable means devised to receive
other accessories 37, such as those intended to hang and/or dry
several pairs of socks, pants, skirts, and the like. Thus, it could
be easily understood that several components and features may be
modified or added to the main body 3 and corresponding hooking
members of the garment hanger 1 without departing from the scope of
the present invention. Indeed, for example, instead of having a
securing flange 11 which projects within the same plane from the
garment hanger 1, said securing flange 11 may be positioned
elsewhere along said hanger 1 or may simply consists of a bend
along a component of said hanger 1, such as the main hook 5, for
allowing the main hook 5 to not only be hooked onto a conventional
first support, such as a conventional pole, but allow said hook 5,7
with its corresponding groove to be secured and/or clamped onto a
clothesline 9 for example (second support). Indeed, an important
feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the
garment hanger 1 may not only be used as a conventional garment
hanger, but comprises additional clamping or securing means, which
may come in various forms, as apparent to a person skilled in the
art, for securely mounting the garment hanger 1 onto another second
support 9, such as a clothesline for example, in the manner
described herein. For example, the width of the securing flange 11
of the second hook 7 could be made larger and/or the inner portion
thereof could be provided with appropriately sized spikes to
further increase securing of the second hook 7 (and thus of the
garment hanger 1) onto the second support (e.g. clothesline).
[0107] It can be easily understood that according to the present
invention, one may easily increase the amount of garments which can
be dried at the same time on a clothesline. Indeed, the garments,
while remaining on their corresponding hanger 1, may be secured
properly, with respect to a clothesline 9, and thus dried, without
the creation of folds resulting from accessories such as
clothespins for example, which are not required with the present
invention. Upon suitable drying and/or airing of the garments, the
garment hanger 1 may be returned for storing in a conventional
closet for example, using the main hook 5 of the hanger 1.
[0108] As may now be appreciated, the present invention is a
substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by virtue of
its design and components, the garment hanger 1 enables to easily
multiply the amount of garments which may be dried at the same time
on a given clothesline 9, as aforementioned. Indeed, the present
garment hanger 1 occupies a minimal space, and is devised to be
positioned transversely with respect to the clothesline 9.
[0109] Moreover, the present invention is also advantageous with
respect to the prior art in that the garment hanger 1 is intended
to be hooked onto two different support structures, such as a
conventional closet and a clothesline 9 for example. Moreover, by
virtue of its design and components, the garment hanger 1 is also
advantageous in that it prevents the formation of wrinkles on the
clothes when mounted onto a clothesline 9 because there is no
longer the need for the use of clothespins. Moreover, the present
invention is also a substantial improvement over the prior art in
that it provides substantial advantages without any substantial
increase in manufacturing costs. Indeed, the second hook 7 (e.g.
securing flange 11) and corresponding parts of the garment hanger 1
may be easily integrated into the main hook 5 for example, by very
simple means and manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the present
invention is also advantageous in that, as may now be better
appreciated, the use of the present garment hanger 1 reduces the
need for ironing, tumble-drying, and/or dry-cleaning, thereby
substantially reducing consumption of energy and the production of
waste, which is very beneficial from an environmental point of
view, as well as from an economic point of view. Moreover, the use
of the present garment hanger 1 may incite the users thereof to
become more environmentally conscientious.
[0110] Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the
above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the
present invention, as defined in the appended claims.
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