U.S. patent application number 12/822698 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-29 for collapsible hanger.
Invention is credited to Casey McClellan.
Application Number | 20110315723 12/822698 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45351581 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20110315723 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McClellan; Casey |
December 29, 2011 |
COLLAPSIBLE HANGER
Abstract
Described herein is a collapsible hanger. The collapsible hanger
typically has a hook disposed on a top portion of a deployment rod.
A deployment hub is slideably coupled to the deployment rod and is
configured to move the collapsible hanger from an extended state to
a contracted state. A first hanger arm and a second hanger arm are
pivotably coupled to a first flange and a second flange
respectively. The collapsible hanger also includes a first
deployment link and a second deployment link. A proximal end of the
first deployment link is pivotably coupled to a distal end of the
deployment rod and a distal end of the first deployment link is
pivotably coupled to the first hanger arm. Additionally, hanger arm
extenders that are slidably coupled to the hanger arms adapted to
extend and retract the total length of the arm members can be
included.
Inventors: |
McClellan; Casey; (Cortez,
CO) |
Family ID: |
45351581 |
Appl. No.: |
12/822698 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/4023 20130101;
A47G 25/4053 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/94 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/22 20060101
A41D027/22 |
Claims
1. A collapsible hanger comprising: a hook disposed on a top
portion of a deployment rod; a deployment hub slideably coupled to
the deployment rod, wherein the deployment hub is configured to
move the collapsible hanger from an extended stated to a contracted
state; a plurality of finger flanges disposed on a proximal end of
the deployment hub; a first arm and a second arm pivotably coupled
to a first connection flange and a second connection flange
disposed on a distal end of the deployment hub; a first deployment
link, wherein a proximal end of the first deployment link is
pivotably coupled to a distal end of the deployment rod and wherein
a distal end of the first deployment link is pivotably coupled to
the first hanger arm; and a second deployment link, wherein a
proximal end of the second deployment link is pivotably coupled to
the distal end of the deployment rod and wherein a distal end of
the second deployment link is pivotably coupled to the second
hanger arm.
2. The collapsible hanger of claim 1, further comprising a spring
disposed on the deployment rod between the deployment hub and the
hook.
3. The collapsible hanger of claim 1, wherein the deployment hub is
slideably coupled to the deployment rod via a bore disposed in a
central axis of the deployment hub.
4. The collapsible hanger of claim 1, wherein the hanger moves from
an extended state to a contracted state when a downward force is
applied to the deployment rod.
5. The collapsible hanger of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the first deployment link fits within the first arm and at least a
portion of the second deployment link fits within the second arm
when the collapsible hanger is in an extended state and a
contracted state.
6. The collapsible hanger of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of hinging pins configured to pivotably couple the first
arm, the second arm, the deployment rod, the first deployment link
and the second deployment link.
7. The collapsible hanger of claim 1, further comprising, a first
hanger arm extender, the first hanger arm extender having a first
stopping mechanism and being slidably coupled to and fixably
movable with respect to the first arm; and a second hanger arm
extender, the second hanger arm extender having a second stopping
mechanism and being slidably coupled to and fixably movable with
respect to the second arm.
8. The collapsible hanger of claim 7, wherein the first and second
hanger arm extenders comprise curved ends distal the deployment
hub.
9. The collapsible hanger of claim 7, wherein the first and second
hanger arm extenders comprise bores adapted to receive ends of the
first and second arms distal the deployment hub.
10. A method of collapsing and extending a collapsible hanger with
a single hand, the method comprising: placing a first finger of the
single hand on a proximal end of a deployment rod, wherein the
deployment rod is coupled to a hook; inserting a second finger of
the single hand into a first finger flange and a third finger of
the single hand into a second finger flange, wherein the first
finger flange and the second finger flange are disposed on a
deployment hub slideably coupled to the deployment rod and wherein
the deployment hub has a first connection flange that is pivotably
coupled to a first hanger arm and a second connection flange that
is pivotably coupled to a second hanger arm; moving the collapsible
hanger from an extended state to a collapsed state by using the
first finger of the single hand to exert a downward force on the
deployment rod to slideably move the deployment rod in a downward
direction from a first position to a second position, wherein when
the deployment rod moves in the downward direction, a proximal end
of the first deployment link that is coupled to a distal end of the
deployment rod and a proximal end of the second deployment link
that is coupled to the distal end of the deployment rod move in the
downward direction and cause the first arm and the second arm to
move from an extended state to a contracted state and wherein a
distal end of the first deployment link is pivotably coupled to the
first hanger arm and wherein a distal end of the second deployment
link is pivotably coupled to the second hanger arm; inserting the
collapsible hanger into an opening of a garment; and moving the
collapsible hanger from the collapsed state to the extended state,
wherein the collapsible hanger is moved from the collapsed state to
the extended state by the single hand.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein moving the collapsible hanger
from the collapsed state to the extended state comprises using the
first finger of the single hand to exert an upward force on the
deployment rod to move the deployment rod in an upward direction
when the deployment rod is in the second position and using the
second finger of the single hand and the third finger of the single
hand to exert the downward force on at least a portion of the
deployment hub, wherein the combination of the upward force on the
deployment rod and the downward force on the at least the portion
of the deployment hub, causes the first deployment link, the second
deployment link, the first hanger arm and the second hanger arm to
move from the contracted state to the extended state.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the garment is held by a hand
other than the single hand holding the collapsible hanger.
13. A collapsible hanger comprising: a finger hub having a
plurality of finger flanges disposed on a top end and a plurality
of connection flanges disposed on a bottom end; a bore disposed on
a center axis of the finger hub; a deployment rod slideably coupled
to the finger hub via the bore; a hook coupled to a top portion of
the deployment rod, wherein the hook has a thumb rest disposed
thereon; a plurality of hanger arms pivotably coupled to the
plurality of flanges on the finger hub; and a plurality of
deployment links pivotably coupled to the plurality of arms and
pivotably coupled to the deployment rod, wherein each of the
plurality of deployment link are partially contained within a
plurality of slots located on each of the plurality of arms.
14. The collapsible hanger of claim 13, further comprising, a
spring disposed on the deployment rod between the finger hub and
the hook, and a plurality of hinging pins configured to pivotably
couple the plurality of hanger arms, the deployment rod, and the
plurality of deployment links.
15. The collapsible hanger of claim 14, wherein the collapsible
hanger moves from a contracted state to an extended state when an
upward force is applied by the spring.
16. The collapsible hanger of claim 13, wherein when the deployment
rod is in an extended state, each of the plurality of hanger arms
is in an extended state.
17. The collapsible hanger of claim 13, further comprising a
plurality of hanger arm extenders, each hanger arm extender having
a stopping mechanism and being slidably coupled to and fixably
movable with respect to a corresponding hangar arm, wherein the
plurality of hanger arms includes at least one circumferential
groove adapted to receive the stopping mechanism.
18. The collapsible hanger of claim 13, wherein the hanger moves
from an extended state to a contracted state when a downward force
is applied to the thumb rest of the deployment rod.
19. The collapsible hanger of claim 13, wherein the hanger moves
from a contracted state to an extended state when an upward force
is applied to the hook.
20. The collapsible hanger of claim 13, wherein the finger flanges
are configured for a single hand of a user.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention generally relates to a collapsible and
extendable hanger.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hangers are used to hang various articles of clothing.
Examples include polo shirts, t-shirts, dresses, blouses, dress
shirts, slacks, suit coats etc. Typically, when hanging an article
of clothing, such as a dress shirt, the dress shirt may be
unbuttoned and placed on a hanger. Once placed, a topmost button
may be buttoned to secure the dress shirt on the hanger. In order
to remove the hanger from the dress shirt the shirt must either be
unbuttoned, the collar stretched or the hanger must be dropped
through the torso of the shirt. Occasionally the hanger gets caught
on the shirt when trying to remove it through the torso and often
ends up on the floor. It would be much easier if a dress shirt
could be buttoned to the top, a hanger inserted, expand it and hang
up the shirt. When hanging t-shirts, polo shirts, blouses or any
other top garments that do not have buttons, which enable the shirt
and/or blouse to be entirely unbuttoned, the collar of the shirt or
blouse may need to be stretched in order to place the hanger inside
the garment. This stretching motion may cause the collar of the
shirt and/or blouse to be damaged. This continued stretching motion
may ruin the shirt and/or blouse. Additionally, trying to force a
full sized hanger into an opening of a garment may cause the hanger
to break which may cause injury to a user.
[0003] Alternatively, a hanger may be threaded through a shirt's
torso opening and up to the neck. While this may eliminate
stretching, this process is time consuming and as such, is not
practiced as pervasively as stretching the neck opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a collapsible hanger in an extended state
according to embodiments.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a collapsible hanger in an extended state
according to alternative embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 3A shows a collapsible hanger in an extended state with
hanger arm extenders according to alternative embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a hanger arm
extender according to alternative embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a collapsible hanger in a contracted state
according to embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a collapsible hanger
according to embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method for moving a
collapsible hanger from an extended state to a contracted state
with a single hand according to embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] This disclosure will now more fully describe exemplary
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
specific embodiments are shown. Other aspects may be embodied in
many different forms and the inclusion of specific embodiments in
the disclosure should not be construed as limiting such aspects to
the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments depicted
in the drawings are included to provide a disclosure that is
thorough and complete and which fully conveys the intended scope to
those skilled in the art. When referring to the figures, like
structures and elements are shown throughout are indicated with
like reference numerals.
[0012] Described herein are embodiments of a collapsible hanger.
The collapsible hanger has a hook disposed on a top portion of a
deployment rod. A deployment hub is slideably coupled to the
deployment rod and is configured to move the collapsible hanger
from an extended state to a contracted state. A plurality of finger
flanges are disposed on a proximal end of the deployment hub and a
first connection flange and a second connection flange are disposed
on a distal end of the deployment hub. A first hanger arm and a
second hanger arm are pivotably coupled to the first flange and the
second flange respectively. The collapsible hanger also includes a
first deployment link and a second deployment link. A proximal end
of the first deployment link is pivotably coupled to a distal end
of the deployment rod and a distal end of the first deployment link
is pivotably coupled to the first hanger arm. Additionally, a
proximal end of the second deployment link is pivotably coupled to
the distal end of the deployment rod and a distal end of the second
deployment link is pivotably coupled to the second hanger arm.
[0013] Also described herein is a method of collapsing and
extending a collapsible hanger with a single hand. According to
this method a first finger of a hand is placed on a proximal end of
a deployment rod that is coupled to a hook. A second finger and a
third finger of the hand are inserted into a first finger flange
and a second finger flange respectively. The first finger flange
and the second finger flange are disposed on a deployment hub that
is slideably coupled to the deployment rod. The deployment hub also
has a first connection flange that is pivotably coupled to a first
hanger arm and a second connection flange that is pivotably coupled
to a second hanger arm. The collapsible hanger is moved from an
extended state to a collapsed state by using the first finger of
the hand to exert a downward force on the deployment rod. This
downward force causes the deployment rod to slideably move in a
downward direction from a first position to a second position. When
the deployment rod moves in the downward direction, a proximal end
of the first deployment link that is coupled to a distal end of the
deployment rod and a proximal end of the second deployment link
that is coupled to the distal end of the deployment rod, move in
the downward direction which causes the first arm and the second
arm to move from an extended state to a contracted state as a
distal end of the first deployment link is pivotably coupled to the
first hanger arm and a distal end of the second deployment link is
pivotably coupled to the second hanger arm. Once contracted, the
method provides that the collapsible hanger is inserted into an
opening of a garment. Once inserted, the collapsible hanger is
moved from the collapsed state to the extended state by the single
hand.
[0014] Other embodiments provide hanger arm extenders slidably
coupled to the hanger arms adapted to extend and retract the total
length of the arm members. Such embodiments are advantageous to
hang clothes of variable sizes as well as when a user's clothing
sizes rapidly change, such as the case when the user is an infant
or child. Still yet other embodiments provide a collapsible hanger
having a finger hub with a plurality of finger flanges disposed on
a top end of the finger hub and a plurality of connection flanges
disposed on a bottom end of the finger hub. A bore disposed on a
center axis of the finger hub slideably couples the finger hub to
the deployment rod. A hook is coupled to a top portion of the
deployment rod. The hook has a thumb rest disposed thereon. A
plurality of hanger arms are pivotably coupled to the plurality of
flanges on the finger hub. Furthermore, a plurality of deployment
links are pivotably coupled to the plurality of hanger arms and are
also pivotably coupled to the deployment rod. Each of the plurality
of deployment links are partially contained within a plurality of
slots located on each of the plurality of arms.
Terminology
[0015] The terms and phrases as indicated in quotes (" ") in this
section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this
Terminology section applied to them throughout this document
including the claims unless clearly indicated otherwise in context.
Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply,
regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural
variations of the defined word or phrase.
[0016] The term "or" as used in this specification and the appended
claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive
meaning "either or both".
[0017] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "a preferred embodiment", "an alternative embodiment"
and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the
same embodiment.
[0018] The term "couple" or "coupled" as used in this specification
and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct
connection between the identified elements, components or objects.
Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to
the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.
[0019] The term "deployment hub" means a yoke or center piece of
the collapsible hanger that causes the collapsible hanger to move
from an extended state to a contracted state.
[0020] Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not
limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical,
horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and
are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element
or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of
the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be
construed as limiting.
[0021] Hangers are currently sized such that they can be placed
through the collar of a garment, not to hang the garment in the
most efficient manner possible. Children's clothes may also be
difficult to hang because the hangers are either too small or too
large for the clothes. With a collapsible hanger, typical adult
sized hangers can be used for children's clothing. For adult
garments, collapsible hanger arms may be considerably longer than
the typical hanger arms. Thus, the distal ends of the hanger arms
reach the sleeve/shoulder interface of a top garment and eliminate
the "nipple" or bump that you commonly see on the shoulders of top
garments that have been hanging on the typical undersized hanger.
Using a collapsible hanger such as described herein may enable the
garment to hang better and therefore, clothes may be less
wrinkled.
[0022] As discussed above, there are different hanger sizes for
adult top garments versus children's top garments. Extendable
hanger arms such as described herein may allow one hanger to be
used for both children's clothing and all adults, male or female.
Regardless of the type of garment being hung, a collapsible hanger
may be collapsed, placed through a neck opening of the garment
without stretching the neck, then extended in order to properly
support the garment.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a collapsible hanger 100 in an extended state
according to embodiments. A collapsible hanger 100 such as
described below enables a user to extend and contract the
collapsible hanger 100 with a single hand, such as, for example,
three fingers on the single hand. A collapsible hanger 100 may be
useful when hanging clothing articles. For example, when placing
the hanger in a shirt, the hanger 100 may be held by one hand only,
contracted and inserted into a collar of the shirt that is held be
another hand, without necessitating that the collar be stretched.
Once inserted into the shirt, the collapsible hanger may be moved
from the contracted state to an extended state by one hand, and
placed on a closet rod or other hanging device. A collapsible
hanger such as the one described herein may prevent a collar of the
shirt from being stretched each time a hanger is inserted and
removed. Such a hanger 100 as described herein may also be suitable
for traveling due to the compact nature of the hanger.
[0024] Embodiments provide that the collapsible hanger 100 such as
the one described herein may be made of plastic or other such
polymer. Other embodiments provide the hanger 100 may be formed out
of wood, steel, aluminum or other such materials. Due to the
slipperiness of the plastic, the moveable pieces of the collapsible
hanger 100 need not be lubricated. Thus, the collapsible hanger 100
may be used multiple times without requiring any maintenance.
[0025] According to embodiments, the collapsible hanger 100
includes a hook 110 coupled to a top portion of a deployment rod
120. The hook 110 is configured to enable a user to hang the
collapsible hanger 100 on any type of hanger rod or other hanging
device. The deployment rod 120 is slideably coupled to a deployment
hub 130. The deployment hub 130 has a plurality of finger flanges
135 disposed on a proximal end of the deployment hub 130. The
deployment hub 130 also has a plurality of connection flanges, such
as for example, finger flanges 433 (FIG. 5) coupled to a distal end
of the deployment hub 130. A plurality of hanger arms 140 are
pivotably coupled to the plurality of connection flanges 135 using
a plurality of hinging pins, such as for example, hinging pins 470
(FIG. 5). It is also contemplated that a ball and socket connector
may be used in lieu of the hinging pins or in combination with the
hinging pins.
[0026] The plurality of hanger arms 140 may have curved ends
according to embodiments. The curved ends may be used to connect an
optional removable cross-piece that connects each of the arms
together. The curved end may also prevent "hanger bumps" from being
formed on the shoulder of a garment when the garment is placed on
the hanger. Additional embodiments provide that the curved portion
of the hanger may be removably coupled to the hanger arms 140. In
such embodiments, various sizes of curved extension portions may be
removably coupled to the arm portions to either increase or
decrease the overall length of the hanger arms. Thus, a single
hanger, with or without the extensions, may be used to hang
clothing of different sizes.
[0027] The deployment rod 120 includes a thumb rest 125 disposed on
a proximal end. When moving the collapsible hanger from the
extended state such as shown in FIG. 1 to a contracted state (FIG.
4), a thumb 103 of a user's hand 101 may be placed on the thumb
rest 125. The thumb 103 exerts a downward force on the thumb rest
125. The downward force causes the deployment rod 120 to move in a
downward direction from a first position to a second position which
causes the collapsible hanger 100 to move from the extended state
to the contracted state.
[0028] To move the collapsible hanger from the contracted state to
an extended state, the thumb 103 of the user's hand 101 may be
inserted into a center opening of the hook 110. The thumb 103
exerts an upward force on the hook 110 which causes the deployment
rod 120 to move in an upward motion from the second position to the
first position which in turn, causes the hanger to move from a
contracted state to an extended state.
[0029] The deployment rod 120 is slideably coupled to a deployment
hub 130 via a bore, such as for example, bore 437 (FIG. 5),
disposed in a central axis of the deployment hub 130. The
deployment hub 130 also includes a plurality of finger flanges 135
disposed on a proximal end of the deployment hub 130.
[0030] The finger flanges 135 are used to support fingers 105 and
107 of a user's hand 101. The finger flanges 135 may also be used
in conjunction with the thumb rest 125 when moving the collapsible
hanger from an extend state to a contracted state. When the
downward force is exerted on the thumb rest 125, an upward force,
or counter force, may be exerted by the fingers 105 and 107 on the
finger flanges 135. This causes the deployment rod 120 and
deployment hub 130 to move the collapsible hanger 100 from an
extended state to a contracted state.
[0031] The deployment hub 130 also includes a plurality of
connection flanges, such as, for example connection flanges 433
(FIG. 5), disposed on a distal end of the deployment hub 130. The
connection flanges are used to pivotably couple proximal ends of
each of the hanger arms 140 to the deployment hub 130. The
connection flanges may also be used as finger rests for fingers 105
and 107 when moving the collapsible hanger 100 from a contracted
state to an extended state.
[0032] For example, when the thumb 103 is used to exert an upward
force on the hook 110, fingers 105 and 107 may exert a downward
force on the connection flanges. While the upward force of the
thumb 103 on the hook 110 causes the deployment rod 120 to move in
an upward direction, the downward force by fingers 105 and 107 on
the connection flanges causes the deployment hub 130 to move in a
downward direction. The combination of forces causes the hanger
arms 140 to pivotally move from the contracted state to an extended
state. Alternatively, the downward force on the connection flanges
may provide enough resistance to cause the deployment rod to more
easily slide in the upward direction which causes the hanger arms
140 to move from the contracted state to an extended state.
[0033] When in the extended state, the distal end of deployment rod
positions the proximal end of the deployment links over-center.
Such a configuration may cause the weight of the garment, when
placed on the hanger, to apply a continuous upward force on the
deployment links. The deployment rod keeps the proximal ends of the
deployment links set firmly against the distal end of the
deployment hub which prevents the hanger from contracting.
[0034] According to embodiments, the collapsible hanger 100 also
includes a plurality of deployment links 150. A proximal end of
each of the plurality of deployment links 150 are coupled to a
distal end of the deployment rod 130. A distal end of each of the
deployment links 150 are also coupled to the hanger arms 140 of the
collapsible hanger 100. The deployment links 150 control the
extension and contraction of the hanger arms 140. As the deployment
rod 120 moves in a downward direction from a first position to a
second position, the deployment links 150 pivotally move in the
downward direction because they are pivotably coupled to the
deployment rod. The downward motion causes the hanger arms 140 to
move from an extended state to a contracted state.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a collapsible hanger 200 in an extended state
according to alternative embodiments. The collapsible hanger 200
includes a hook 210 coupled to a top portion of a deployment rod
220. The deployment rod 220 is slideably coupled to a deployment
hub 230 via a bore disposed on a central axis of the deployment hub
230. According to embodiments, the collapsible hanger 200 also
includes a spring 260 disposed on the deployment rod 220. The
spring 260 is positioned between the thumb rest 225 and the
deployment hub 230.
[0036] The deployment hub 230 has a plurality of finger flanges 235
disposed on a proximal end of the deployment hub 230. The
deployment hub 230 also has first and second connection flanges
coupled to a distal end of the deployment hub 230. The collapsible
hanger 200 also includes first and second hanger arms 240 that are
pivotably coupled to the first and second connection flanges via a
plurality of hinging pins.
[0037] The collapsible hanger 200 also includes first and second
deployment links 250. A proximal end of each of the first
deployment link 250 and the second deployment link 250 is pivotably
coupled to a distal end of the deployment rod 220. Each of the
first deployment link 250 and the second deployment link 250 is
also pivotably coupled to the first and second hanger arms 140
respectively.
[0038] The deployment rod 220 is slideably coupled to a deployment
hub 230 via a bore disposed on a central axis of the deployment hub
230. The deployment hub 230 has a plurality of finger flanges 235
disposed on a proximal end of the deployment hub 230. The
deployment hub 230 also has first and second connection flanges
coupled to a distal end of the deployment hub 130. First and second
hanger arms 240 are pivotably coupled to the first and second
connection flanges via a plurality of hinging pins.
[0039] When a downward force is exerted by the thumb 203 of the
user's hand 201 on the thumb rest 225, the deployment hub 220 will
move in a downward motion while the fingers 205 and 207 of the
user's hand 201 stabilize the deployment hub 230 using the finger
flanges 235. The downward motion of the deployment rod 220 cause
the spring to become compressed as the collapsible hanger 200 moves
from the extended state to the contracted state. When the downward
force is removed, the spring 260 becomes uncompressed. The spring
becoming uncompressed causes the deployment rod to move in an
upward direction which moves the hanger arms 240 to move from a
contracted state to an extended state.
[0040] Now referring to FIG. 3A, the collapsible hanger 200 is
shown in the extended state with hanger arm extenders according to
embodiments. Generally, hanger arm extenders are adapted to
increase and decrease the overall length of arm members of the
collapsible hanger 200. There are many ways contemplated to achieve
such a mechanical interaction between the hanger arm extenders and
the hanger arms. In one embodiment, the hanger arm extenders are
adapted to be slidably coupled to and fixably movable with respect
to the corresponding hanger arm 240 to which they are attached.
[0041] The hanger arm extenders include a variety of sizes and
shapes such as, but not limited to, a straight hanger arm extender
280 and a curved hanger arm extender 290 as illustrated in FIG. 3A.
It is pertinent to note that FIG. 3A shows two types of hanger arm
extenders (280 & 290) on the collapsible hanger 200 for
illustrative purposes only; typically in operation a single type of
hanger arm extender is used in conjunction with both the first and
second hanger arms 240. Each hanger arm extender typically includes
a stopping mechanism adapted to aid in fixing the hanger arm
extender to the corresponding hanger arm 240. The stopping
mechanism can comprise a flexible (or somewhat pliable)
circumferential flange inwardly extending having a diameter
slightly less than the diameter of the hanger arm 240 when the
stopping mechanism is in an unstressed state.
[0042] Accordingly, when the stopping mechanism of the hanger arm
extender engages with the hanger arm 240, the circumferential
flange is compressed along the outer circumferential surface of the
hanger arm 240 causing some frictional force, yet the hanger arm
extender can be moved along the hanger arm 240 to increase or
decrease the overall length of the arm member of the collapsible
hanger 200. Moreover, when the stopping mechanism reaches a
circumferential groove 245 on the hanger arm 240, the
circumferential flange of the stopping mechanism (stopping
mechanism 285, for instance) will become slightly unstressed or
expand to fill the circumferential groove 245 and effectively fix
the hanger arm extender (straight hanger arm extender 285, for
instance) in place with respect to the hanger arm 240. Many other
variations of the stopping mechanism are contemplated. For example,
the stopping mechanism can also include a piece that when depressed
will reduce or release any pressure or force applied the surface of
the hanger arm 240.
[0043] Still referring to FIG. 3A, stopping mechanism 285 of the
straight hanger arm extender 280 and stopping mechanism 295 of the
curved hanger arm extender 290 are typically coupled to an end of
its hanger arm extender proximal the deployment hub 230 when
attached to the hanger arm 240. The first and second hanger arms
240 are typically the same as described in other embodiments with
the exception that they include one or more circumferential grooves
245 as illustrated. The circumferential grooves 245 are typically
arcuate indentations extending circumferentially around the surface
of the hanger arm 240.
[0044] Other grooves extending partially or fully circumferentially
the hangar arms such as, but not limited to, u-type indentations,
v-type indentations, and square indentations can be used to fix the
hanger arm extenders in place. When other grooves are utilized,
corresponding stopping mechanism may be used with the hanger arm
extender. It is also to be appreciated that in some embodiments,
the one or more grooves 245 may not be required where, for
instance, the stopping mechanism of the hanger arm extender
provides a suitable frictional force to allow the hanger arm
extender to both slide and become sufficiently fixed along the
hanger arm 240.
[0045] The hanger arm extender typically but not necessarily
engages with the hanger arm 240 whereby a portion of the hanger arm
240 resides in an interior cavity of a bore within the hanger arm
extender. The bore is typically centered at an end of the hanger
arm extender proximal the deployment hub 230 (when engaged with the
hanger arm 240) and extends longitudinally along the length of the
hanger arm extender. Typically, but not necessarily, the bore does
not extend completely through the entire length of the hanger arm
extender, but rather stops at some point within the interior of the
hanger arm extender.
[0046] An exemplary engagement of the bore of hanger arm extension
280 with hanger arm 240 therein is illustrated in the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B. While in some embodiments, the
hanger arm extender and hanger arm are generally telescoping and
circular, in other embodiments, the hanger arm extender and the
hanger arm can be telescoping ovular, square, rectangular, or other
cross-sectional shapes to prohibit or minimize any rotation between
the hanger arm extender and the hanger arm. In yet other
embodiments, the hanger arm extender and the hanger arm may not
have a telescoping relationship at all, but rather employ an
overlapping engagement, for example, adapted to enable the hanger
arm extender to be fixably movable with respect to the hanger
arm.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a collapsible hanger 300 in a contracted state
according to embodiments. The collapsible hanger 300 includes a
hook 310 disposed on a proximal end of a deployment rod 320. The
deployment rod 320 is slideably coupled to a deployment hub 330 on
which a plurality of finger flanges 335 and a plurality of
connection flanges, such as for example finger flanges 433 (FIG. 5)
are disposed.
[0048] When in the contracted state, a planar top surface of the
deployment hub 330 is located near a thumb rest, such as for
example, thumb rest 125 (FIG. 1) and hook 310. A substantial
majority of the deployment rod 320 is located below the deployment
rod 330 and between the hanger arms 340. As shown in FIG. 4, when
the deployment rod 320 has slideably moved through the deployment
hub 330, the plurality of deployment links 350 move from an
extended state to a contracted state. As the deployment links 350
moves from the extended state to the contracted state, the hanger
arms 340 also move from the extended state to a retracted
state.
[0049] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a collapsible hanger
400 according to embodiments. The collapsible hanger 400 includes a
hook 410 configured to be coupled to a proximal end a deployment
rod 420. The proximal end of the deployment rod may be rounded to
so as to provide comfortable thumb rest 425 for a thumb or finger
of a hand of a user. Alternative embodiments provide that the thumb
rest 425 may be a small platform or other such mechanism that would
provide a comfortable or suitable area to place a finger or thumb.
The deployment rod 420 may be substantially circular in shape.
However, it is contemplated that the deployment rod may also have
other shapes, such as for example, square, triangular, oval etc. or
any combination thereof. The deployment rod 420 may also have a
section that is substantially rectangular in shape as the
deployment rod 420 of the present disclosure as shown by FIG.
5.
[0050] A bore is disposed on a distal end of the deployment rod 420
and is used to pivotably couple a plurality of deployment links 450
to the deployment rod 420. A hinging pin 470 is used to secure the
deployment rod to each of the plurality of deployment links.
[0051] According to embodiments, a spring 460 may be disposed on
the deployment rod 420 and positioned between the hook 410 and a
deployment hub 430. The spring 460 may be used to move the
collapsible hanger from a contracted state to an extended state
without the need for a user to exert any type of force.
[0052] The collapsible hanger 400 also includes a deployment hub
430 according to embodiments. The deployment hub 430 has first and
second finger flanges 435 disposed on a proximal end of the
deployment hub 430 while first and second connection flanges 433
are disposed on a distal end of the deployment hub 430.
[0053] Each of the first and second connection flanges 433 contain
a bore through which a hinging pin 470 may be placed to pivotably
couple first and second hanger arms 440 to the first and second
connection flanges 433. The deployment hub 430 also contains a bore
437 disposed on a central axis. The bore 437 is configured to
receive the deployment rod 420 and to enable the deployment rod 420
to slide within the deployment hub 430 from a first position to a
second position and vice versa.
[0054] According to embodiments the collapsible hanger 400 also
includes first and second hanger arms 440. Each of the first and
second hanger arms 440 have flange connection points 447 disposed
on proximal ends. The flange connection points 447 are configured
to pivotably mate with the connection flanges 433 disposed on the
deployment hub 430. When the flange connection points 447 have
mated with the connection flanges 433, a hinging pin 470 secures
the flange connection points 447 to the connection flanges 433.
[0055] Each of the first and second hanger arms 440 also contain a
deployment link connection point 445. The deployment link
connection point 445 is disposed at a second point on each of the
first and second hanger arms 440. The deployment link connection
point 445 is configured to pivotably mate with distal ends of each
of the first and second deployment links 450. Once mated, hinging
pins 470 secure each of the first and second hanger arms 440 to the
first and second deployment links 450. According to embodiments the
deployment link connection point 445 is configured to enable at
least a portion of each deployment link 450 to pivotably move
within the deployment link connection point 445 when in both the
extended state and the contracted state.
[0056] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method 500 for moving a
collapsible hanger, such as, for example, collapsible hanger 100
(FIG. 1), from an extended state to a contracted state with a
single hand, such as, for example, using three fingers of the hand
according to embodiments. Step 510 provides that a finger or thumb
of a single hand of a user is placed onto a top portion or thumb
rest of a deployment rod. The deployment rod may be deployment rod
120 and contain a thumb rest such as described above.
[0057] In step 520, fingers of the single hand of the user are
placed onto a plurality of finger flanges that are disposed on a
deployment hub of the collapsible hanger. According to embodiments,
the deployment hub includes the plurality of finger flanges
disposed on a proximal end and a plurality of connection flanges
disposed on a distal end. Embodiments also provide that the
deployment hub may be slideably coupled to the deployment rod.
[0058] Once the fingers of the single hand have been placed
according to steps 510 and 520, flow proceeds to step 530 in which
a downward force is exerted on the deployment rod which contracts
the collapsible hanger. This force may be applied by a thumb or
finger of the user on the thumb rest of the deployment rod. As the
downward force is being applied, the fingers of the hand are
exerting a counter force on the finger flanges of the deployment
hub. These counteracting forces cause the deployment rod to
slideably move in a downward direction within the deployment hub
from a first position to a second position. As the deployment rod
moves downward, first and second deployment links that are
pivotably coupled to the deployment rod pivotally move from an
extended state to a contracted state. Because the first and second
deployment rods are also pivotably coupled to first and second
hanger arms, as the first and second deployment rods move from an
extended state to the retracted state, the first and second hanger
arms also pivotally move from and extended state to a contracted
state.
[0059] Step 540 provides that the collapsible hanger is placed into
a neck of a shirt or other such garment once the collapsible hanger
has been moved to the contracted state. According to embodiments,
the collapsible hanger is being held by a first hand while the
shirt or garment into which the collapsible hanger is being placed
is either held by a second hand or is laying flat on a surface such
as a bed.
[0060] Once the collapsible hanger has been inserted into the neck
of the shirt or garment, step 550 provides that the collapsible
hanger is moved from the contracted state to the extended state.
The extension of the hanger is performed by the single hand that
guided the collapsible hanger into the neck of the shirt or
garment.
[0061] The collapsible hanger may move from the contracted state to
an extended state by placing a thumb on an inner portion of the
hook of the hanger and placing first and second fingers between the
finger flanges and connection flanges. As the thumb exerts an
upward force on the hook of the hanger, the first and second
fingers exert a downward force on the plurality of connection
flanges. The combination of forces causes the deployment rod to
slideably move in an upward direction within the deployment hub
from the second position to the first position. As the deployment
rod moves in the upward direction the first and second deployment
links pivotally move from the contracted state to the extended
state. Because the first and second hanger arms are also pivotably
coupled to the first and second deployment links, as the deployment
links move from the contracted state to the extended state, the
movement causes the first and second hanger arms to pivotally move
from the contracted state to an extended state. The shirt or
garment may then be released by the second hand, and the hand
holding the collapsible hanger may then place the hanger on a
closet rod or other hanging mechanism.
[0062] Alternatively, when the collapsible hanger is in the
contracted state and has been inserted into the neck of the shirt
or garment held by the second hand, a spring, positioned between a
hook of the collapsible hanger and the deployment rod may force the
collapsible hanger to move from the contracted state to an extended
state when the thumb is removed from the deployment rod and/or when
a downward force is no longer being applied. Once the arms of the
hanger have been extended in this manner, the hand holding the
shirt or garment may release the shirt or garment to permit the
shirt or garment to rest on the arms of the hanger. The hand
holding the collapsible hanger may then place the hook portion of
the collapsible hanger on a closet rod or other hanging device.
[0063] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to those precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and
variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art.
Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore,
it is contemplated that a particular feature described either
individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other
individually described features, or parts of other embodiments,
even if the other features and embodiments make no mentioned of the
particular feature. Thus, the absence of describing combinations
should not preclude the inventor from claiming rights to such
combinations.
* * * * *