U.S. patent application number 12/857886 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for lightweight sustainable hanger.
Invention is credited to Henry John Louw.
Application Number | 20110057001 12/857886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43646921 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110057001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Louw; Henry John |
March 10, 2011 |
LIGHTWEIGHT SUSTAINABLE HANGER
Abstract
A lightweight and sustainable hanger provides for minimum weight
and material usage.
Inventors: |
Louw; Henry John;
(Bergvliet, ZA) |
Family ID: |
43646921 |
Appl. No.: |
12/857886 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61234594 |
Aug 17, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
223/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/50 20130101;
A47G 25/485 20130101; A47G 25/1428 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/85 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/22 20060101
A41D027/22 |
Claims
1. A hanger comprising: a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge; a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element; and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the top element.
2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the main body is tapered in width
from a center to the first end and from the center to the second
end.
3. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the main body is tapered in
height from a center to the first end and from the center to the
second end.
4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a
gripping element mounted on the top edge of the main body
positioned on at least one of the first end and the second end.
5. The hanger of claim 1, further comprising a clip extending
downward from the bottom edge of the main body and positioned
toward at least one of the first end and the second end.
6. The hanger of claim 1, further comprising a boss position on the
top element and configured and operable to receive the hook such
that the hook is rotatable in the boss.
7. A hanger comprising: a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge; a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element; and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the top element; wherein the main body
is tapered in width from a center to the first end and from the
center to the second end.
8. The hanger of claim 7, wherein the main body is tapered in
height from a center to the first end and from the center to the
second end.
9. A hanger comprising: a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge; a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element; a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the top element; and a gripping element
mounted on the top edge of the main body on at least one of the
first end and the second end.
10. A hanger comprising: a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge; a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element; a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the main body; and a clip extending
downward from the bottom edge of the main body and positioned
toward at least one of the first end and the second end.
11. A hanger comprising: a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end, including a top edge and a bottom edge
and having a height of 13 mm; a hook mounted in the top edge of the
main body; a first clip mounted on the first end of the main body;
a second clip mounted on the second end of the main body; the first
clip and the second clip having width of 24 mm and a height of 52
mm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims benefit of and priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/234,594 filed Aug.
17, 2009 entitled LIGHTWEIGHT SUSTAINABLE HANGER, the entire
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Filed of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a lightweight but strong
hanger that reduces plastic use. The hanger is preferably
approximately 20% lighter than similar competing hangers.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Plastic hangers are a common sight in many retail settings
since they to provide a durable and inexpensive way to display
clothing in an attractive manner. While plastic hangers tend to be
inexpensive and relatively durable, they are also not
environmentally friendly since they use petroleum-based
plastic.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a durable
hanger that is more environmentally friendly.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
lightweight and durable hanger that reduces plastic use.
[0008] A hanger in accordance with an embodiment of the present
application includes a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the top element.
[0009] A hanger according to another embodiment of the present
application includes a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element; and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the top element. The main body is
tapered in width from a center to the first end and from the center
to the second end.
[0010] A hanger according to another embodiment of the present
application includes a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element, a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the top element and a gripping element
mounted on the top edge of the main body on at least one of the
first end and the second end.
[0011] A hanger according to another embodiment of the present
application includes a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom
edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main
body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge
and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the
top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top
element, a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward
from the second top edge of the top element and a clip extending
downward from the bottom edge of the main body toward at least one
of the first end and the second end.
[0012] A hanger according to another embodiment of the present
application includes a main body extending horizontally from a
first end to a second end, including a top edge and a bottom edge
and having a height of 13 mm, a hook mounted in the top edge of the
main body, a first clip mounted on the first end of the main body
and a second clip mounted on the second end of the main body. The
first clip and the second clip having width of 24 mm and a height
of 52 mm.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of the invention
which refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a lightweight hanger in
accordance with an embodiment of the present application.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of an indicator positioned on
the lightweight hanger of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the lightweight hanger of FIG.
1 with the indicator removed.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the lightweight hanger of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a more detailed view of an end of a body of the
lightweight hanger of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a lightweight hanger in
accordance with another embodiment of the present application.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a more detailed view of a clip included in the
lightweight hanger of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a hanger 10 in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present application. The hanger 10 preferably
includes a body 12 with a hook 14 extending upward from a top of
the body. The hook 14 is preferably rotatably attached to the body
12 and is generally used to suspend the hanger 10 from a hanging
bar, or clothes rack.
[0022] More specifically, the body 12 includes a main body 12a,
which has an elongated shape between a first end and a second end.
A top portion, or top element, 12b extends upward from a top edge
of the main body 12a in a center thereof. The hook 14 preferably
extends upward from the top portion 12b. In order to both reduce
weight and to minimize the amount of plastic used in the hanger 10
the top portion 12b is preferably connected to the main body 12a at
only two points. An air gap is left between the main body 12a and
the top portion 12b in between these two points. Thus, the total
weight of the hanger 15 is reduced along with the amount of
petroleum based plastic necessary to make the hanger 10.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, an indicator 16 slides over the
hook 14 and rests on the top portion 12b of the body 12. More
specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the top portion 12b
includes a hook boss 20 in which the hook 14 is received. As noted
above, the hook 14 is preferably rotatable relative to the body 12.
In a preferred embodiment, the indicator 16 is held in place on the
top portion 12b by a protrusion 22 extending outward from a top of
the hook boss 20. In this manner, the indicator 16 is held on the
hanger 10. FIG. 3 illustrates hanger 10 with the indicator 16
removed such that the hook boss 20 is visible.
[0024] In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 5, for example, if
desired, a rubber coating 30, or other gripping element, may be
applied to the top edge of the main body 12a of the body 12 at the
ends thereof to help grip clothing hanging thereon. Any other
suitable high friction coating or element may be used, as desired.
In addition, the main body 12a of the body 12 may include lower
clips 12c extending downward from a bottom surface thereof. These
clips 12c may be useful for holding straps of clothing articles,
such as dresses, for example.
[0025] In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the body 12 is
tapered in thickness, or width, from the middle to the sides to
further reduce the amount of plastic needed for the hanger 10.
Specifically, the width of the main body 12a is at a maximum in the
middle, substantially under the hook boss 20 and tapers to a
minimum out toward either end. The maximum thickness is preferably
from 8-10 mm while the minimum thickness is preferably about 3-5
mm. Further, the height of the main body 12a may also be tapered in
a similar manner from a maximum height of 8-10 mm to a minimum
height of 5-7 mm. FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the hanger 10
with the indicator 16 removed and illustrates the tapered width of
the main body 12a.
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a hanger 100
in accordance with the present application. The hanger 100 of FIG.
6 includes two opposing clips 130 on opposite ends of main body
112. The clips 130 preferably include a first arm 130a that is
preferably fixedly attached to the body 112 of the hanger 100 and a
second arm 130b pivotally attached to the first arm 130a. The
second arm 130b is preferably biased toward the first arm 130a and
is separable therefrom be application of pressure at the top of the
arm. In this manner, the arms 130a, 130b can be separated from each
other such that an article of clothing can be placed between them.
As indicated in FIG. 7, the clips 130 are preferably about 24 mm
wide and have a height of approximately 62 mm. This provides
sufficient gripping power to support even relatively heavy fabrics
such as denim. The body 112 preferably has a height of
approximately 13 mm, as indicated in FIG. 7. While these
measurements are preferred, any other measurements may be used, as
desired. The hanger 100 may include a hook 114 mounted rotatably
mounted in a hook boss 120 formed on the main body 112.
[0027] The hanger 10, 100 of the present application provides a
lightweight alternative to the hangers presently available on the
market. The weight of the hanger 10, 100 is minimized to provide
sufficient stability while using the minimum amount of material. As
a result, the hanger 10 of the present application weighs
approximately 25 grams, which represents a weight reduction of
about 22% when compared with conventional hangers of this style.
The hanger 100 uses approximately 10-15% less plastic than similar
conventional hangers. Indeed, over the course of 10 years, assuming
an average of 100 million hangers made a year, hangers similar to
that illustrated in FIG. 5 will save 6000 metric tons of raw
materials when compared with conventional designs.
[0028] Although the present invention has been described in
relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations
and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those
skilled in the art.
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