U.S. patent application number 14/258252 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for garment hanger.
This patent application is currently assigned to MARUSO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is MARUSO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Osamu YAMADA.
Application Number | 20150297012 14/258252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54320892 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150297012 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YAMADA; Osamu |
October 22, 2015 |
GARMENT HANGER
Abstract
A garment hanger includes a hook composed of a metal wire, and a
hanger body to which the hook is detachably connected for holding
clothes therearound, the hanger body being integrally formed of a
resin, the hook including a hook portion, a bending portion through
which the hook is connected to the hanger body, and a shaft portion
connecting the hook portion and the bending portion to each other,
the hanger body including a shaft guide formed therethrough with a
path through which the shaft portion of the hook is inserted, and a
hook-receiving unit to which the bending portion is engaged and in
which the bending portion is housed when the bending portion is
pulled up with the shaft portion being inserted into the path of
the shaft guide, to thereby connect the hook to the hanger
body.
Inventors: |
YAMADA; Osamu; (Fukuoka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MARUSO INDUSTRY CO., LTD. |
Fukuoka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MARUSO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Fukuoka
JP
|
Family ID: |
54320892 |
Appl. No.: |
14/258252 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/32 20130101;
A47G 25/20 20130101; A47G 25/1442 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 25/32 20060101
A47G025/32; A47G 25/24 20060101 A47G025/24 |
Claims
1. A garment hanger comprising a hook composed of a metal wire, and
a hanger body to which said hook is detachably connected for
holding clothes therearound, said hanger body being integrally
formed of a resin, said hook including a hook portion, a bending
portion through which said hook is connected to said hanger body,
and a shaft portion connecting said hook portion and said bending
portion to each other, said hanger body including; a shaft guide
formed therethrough with a path through which said shaft portion of
said hook is inserted; and a hook-receiving unit to which said
bending portion is engaged and in which said bending portion is
housed when said bending portion is pulled up with said shaft
portion being inserted into said path of said shaft guide, to
thereby connect said hook to said hanger body.
2. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bending
portion is bent in one of opposite directions around said shaft
portion, and said garment hanger includes two hook-receiving units
located at opposite sides about said shaft portion.
3. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
hook-receiving unit includes; a recess for preventing said bending
portion from upwardly, forwardly and backwardly moving; and a pair
of protrusion units for preventing said bending portion from
downwardly moving.
4. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said
protrusion units includes a claw and a protrusion, and wherein when
said hook-receiving unit receives therein said bending portion,
said bending portion moves over said protrusion to elastically
deform said claw to thereby be housed in said recess.
5. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 4, wherein said shaft
guide includes at least two shaft receivers for receiving said
shaft portion along an axis of said shaft portion, said shaft
receivers being alternately situated in front of and at rear of
said shaft portion.
6. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 5, wherein said shaft
guide includes two or three shaft receivers, said shaft portion
being open at a side opposite to a side at which said shaft portion
is received in each of said shaft receivers.
7. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 6, wherein a slit is
formed between said claws.
8. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bending
portion is substantially L-shaped relative to said shaft
portion.
9. The garment hanger as set forth in claim 8, wherein said bending
portion is bent in a direction identical to or opposite to a
direction in which said hook portion is bent.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a garment hanger for holding
clothes, including a hook composed of a metal wire, and a hanger
body integrally formed of a resin, capable of preventing a jacket
from losing original shape thereof at a collar and shoulders.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Clothes such as jackets for men and jackets and one-pieces
for women, having been cleaned in a laundry shop are kept hung by
means of a garment hanger (hereinafter often referred to simply as
a "hanger") for preventing those clothes from being wrongly
deformed to thereby lose original shape thereof, until they are
handed to consumers.
[0005] In a cleaning factory, clothes are held by a hanger and hung
from a rail arranged in the factory. Clothes are carried in the
factory together with a hanger. Accordingly, since clothes hung
from a hanger are caused to swing while being carried, resulting in
that an excessive load acts on a hook of the hanger. Since a
diameter of the hook of the hanger carried along a rail is limited
to a specific range of a diameter, it is not allowed to design the
hook to have a sufficiently great diameter for the purpose of
providing sufficient strength to the hook. Consequently, a hanger
composed of a resin would be short of strength of a hook. Thus, a
hook is generally composed of metal in conventional hangers
required to include a hook having sufficient strength, as
follows.
[0006] FIG. 20 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in
Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. H6
(1994)-77654.
[0007] As illustrated in FIG. 20, a hook 100 includes a neck 101
inserted into a groove 111 formed at a hanger body 110, a curled
engagement portion 102 continuous to the neck 101. When the hook
100 is pulled up through the groove 111, an abutment piece 112
formed below the groove 111 and a pair of engagement pieces 113
formed at opposite sides about the groove below the groove 111 make
abutment with the engagement portion 102 of the hook 100 at upper
and lower surfaces to thereby cause the hook 100 not to rotate
about the neck 101.
[0008] FIG. 21 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in
Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. H6
(1994)-86655.
[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 21, the hook includes a metal wire
210 having a hook portion (not illustrated) at an upper end, a
bending portion 212 at a lower end and a shaft portion 211
connecting the hook portion and the bending portion 212 to each
other, and a hook attachment 230 formed on a plate 220 composed of
a resin. The hook attachment 230 includes a hole 231 through which
the bending portion 212 can be inserted, and an elastic piece 232
acting an elastic force on the plate 220 such that the shaft
portion 211 is elastically compressed onto the plate 220 for
preventing the bending portion 212 from being released out of the
hole 231. The hook attachment 230 is formed with a groove 233 into
which the shaft portion 211 of the metal wire 210 is inserted. The
elastic piece 232 is formed with a groove 234 into which the shaft
portion 211 is detachably engaged, in order to prevent the metal
wire 210 from rotating about the bending portion 212 inserted into
the hole 231.
[0010] FIG. 22 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H8 (1996)-33551.
[0011] The illustrated hanger includes a hook 310 composed of
metal, and a hanger base body 320 composed of synthetic resin. The
hanger base body 320 includes a hook attachment 330 having a
reinforcement frame 331 located centrally of and above the hanger
base body 320, a pair of elastic pieces 332 and 333 housed in the
reinforcement frame 331, a space 334 in which a bending portion 311
of the hook 310 is housed, and a space 335 in which a shaft portion
312 of the hook 310 is housed. Each of the elastic pieces 332 and
333 includes engagement claws 336 and 337, respectively, being
engaged to the shaft portion 312 to thereby prevent the shaft
portion 312 from being released out of the space 335.
[0012] FIG. 23 illustrates a conventional hanger suggested in
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H10 (1998)-243867.
[0013] The illustrated hanger includes a hook 410 composed of
metal, and a hanger body 420. The hook 410 includes a shaft portion
411, a hook portion 412 formed at an upper end of the shaft portion
411, and an engagement portion 413 formed at a lower end of the
shaft portion 411. The hanger body 420 includes a hook attachment
430 at a center and at an upper area thereof. The hook attachment
430 is detachably engaged with a lower portion of the hook 410.
[0014] The hook attachment 430 is formed with a recess 433
including a groove 431 in which the shaft portion 411 of the hook
410 is rotatably and slidably inserted, and a space 432 in which
the engagement portion 413 of the hook 410 is housed. The hook
attachment 430 further includes a closer 434 capable of closing the
hook attachment 433.
[0015] In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 20, the hook
100 can be easily attached to the hanger body 110 by inserting the
neck 101 into the groove 111. However, if a force acts on the neck
101 to forwardly push down the neck 101, the neck 101 is afraid of
being released out of the groove 111.
[0016] In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 21, the metal
wire 210 can be easily attached to the plate 220 by inserting the
shaft portion 211 of the metal wire 210 into the groove 233.
However, if a force acts on the shaft portion 211 to forwardly push
down shaft portion 211, it is afraid that the shaft portion 211
pushes up the elastic piece 232 to thereby be released out of the
groove 233.
[0017] In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 22, the
engagement claws 336 and 337 prevent the shaft portion 312 of the
hook 310 from escaping out of the space 335. However, if a force
acts on the shaft portion 312 to forwardly push down shaft portion
312, it is afraid that the shaft portion 312 is released out of the
space 335.
[0018] In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 23, it is
considered that the closer 434 firmly holds the shaft portion 411
and the engagement portion 413 of the hook 410. However, if a force
acts on the shaft portion 411 to forwardly push down shaft portion
411, it is afraid that the closer 434 is open, and resultingly, the
shaft portion 411 is released out of the hook attachment 433.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In view of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional
garment hangers, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a garment hanger making it possible to readily attach a
hook to a hanger body, and further, not allowing a hook to be
released out of a hanger body, if a force acts on the hook.
[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
garment hanger including a hook composed of a metal wire, and a
hanger body to which the hook is detachably connected for holding
clothes therearound, the hanger body being integrally formed of a
resin, the hook including a hook portion, a bending portion through
which the hook is connected to the hanger body, and a shaft portion
connecting the hook portion and the bending portion to each other,
the hanger body including a shaft guide formed therethrough with a
path through which the shaft portion of the hook is inserted, and a
hook-receiving unit to which the bending portion is engaged and in
which the bending portion is housed when the bending portion is
pulled up with the shaft portion being inserted into the path of
the shaft guide, to thereby connect the hook to the hanger
body.
[0021] In the garment hanger in accordance with the present
invention, the hanger body is integrally formed of a resin, and the
shaft portion of the hook is inserted in the path of the shaft
guide. Thus, if a force would act on the shaft portion to incline
the shaft portion forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side
direction, the hook is not released out of the hanger body.
Furthermore, the hook can be readily connected to the hanger body
by inserting a straight metal wire into the path of the shaft
guide, bending a lower portion of the metal wire to form the
bending portion, and causing the bending portion to be engaged with
the hook-receiving unit.
[0022] It is preferable that the bending portion is bent in one of
opposite directions around the shaft portion, and the garment
hanger includes two hook-receiving units located at opposite sides
about the shaft portion.
[0023] Even if the bending portion were bent to the left or right,
it is possible to cause the bending portion to be held in the
hook-receiving unit for restricting the movement of the bending
portion.
[0024] It is preferable that the hook-receiving unit includes a
recess for preventing the bending portion from upwardly, forwardly
and backwardly moving, and a pair of protrusion units for
preventing the bending portion from downwardly moving.
[0025] When the bending portion is housed in the recess, a pair of
the protrusion units restricts the downward movement of the bending
portion, resulting in that the hook can be fixed.
[0026] It is preferable that each of the protrusion units includes
a claw and a protrusion, and wherein when the hook-receiving unit
receives therein the bending portion, the bending portion moves
over the protrusion to elastically deform the claw to thereby be
housed in the recess.
[0027] Since the bending portion is housed in the recess due to the
elastic deformation of the claws, the hook can be readily attached
to and fixed to the hanger body.
[0028] It is preferable that the shaft guide includes at least two
shaft receivers for receiving the shaft portion along an axis of
the shaft portion, the shaft receivers being alternately situated
in front of and at rear of the shaft portion.
[0029] Even if a force acts on the shaft portion of the hook, the
shaft receivers by the number of two or more support the shaft
portion to prevent the shaft portion from axially inclining.
Furthermore, when a plurality of the garment hangers is stacked one
on another, raised and recessed portions of a first shaft receiver
are received in those of a second shaft receiver stacked below
and/or above the first shaft receiver, ensuring that a plurality of
the garment hangers can be stacked one on another without
unnecessary increase of a volume.
[0030] It is preferable that the shaft guide includes two or three
shaft receivers, the shaft portion being open at a side opposite to
a side at which the shaft portion is received in each of the shaft
receivers.
[0031] When the hook is released out of the hook-receiving unit and
is caused to pass through the two or three shaft receivers, since
those shaft receivers are open at a side opposite to a side at
which the shaft portion is received, those shaft receivers do not
interfere with the bending portion.
[0032] It is preferable that a slit is formed between the
claws.
[0033] It is possible to cause the bending portion to pass through
the slit after uprightly standing the bending portion.
Consequently, the hook including the bending portion could be
attached to or released out of the hook-receiving unit.
[0034] It is preferable that the bending portion is substantially
L-shaped relative to the shaft portion.
[0035] The bending portion can be readily formed merely by bending
a lower portion of the shaft portion in the shape of "L".
Furthermore, since the L-shaped bending portion protrude in a
direction intersecting with a direction in which an axis of the
shaft portion extends, it is possible to attach the hook to the
hanger body by pulling up the shaft portion inserted in the path of
the shaft guide to thereby cause the bending portion to be engaged
to the hook-receiving unit.
[0036] It is preferable that the bending portion is bent in a
direction identical to or opposite to a direction in which the hook
portion is bent.
[0037] When the garment hangers are stacked one on another, the
hooks of the garment hangers are not so thick, ensuring that the
garment hangers can be stacked without increase of a volume.
[0038] The garment hanger in accordance with the above-mentioned
present invention provides advantages as follows.
[0039] In the garment hanger in accordance with the present
invention, even if a force acts on the shaft portion of the hook to
incline the shaft portion forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or
right-side direction, it is possible to prevent the hook from being
released out of the hanger body. Furthermore, the hook can be
readily connected to the hanger body.
[0040] The above and other objects and advantageous features of the
present invention will be made apparent from the following
description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts
throughout the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the garment hanger in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the garment hanger in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged front view of the hanger body
comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged rear view of the hanger body
comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0045] FIGS. 5A to 5D illustrate the steps to be carried out for
attaching the hook to the hook-receiving unit.
[0046] FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate the steps to be carried out for
turning the bending portion of the hook.
[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates a shirt, showing a name of each portion
of a shirt.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the garment hanger in
accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the garment hanger in
accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged front view of the hanger
body comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 8
and 9.
[0051] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged rear view of the hanger body
comprising a part of the garment hanger illustrated in FIGS. 8 and
9.
[0052] FIG. 12A is a partially enlarged front view of the garment
hanger in accordance with the second embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 12B is a partially enlarged rear view of the garment
hanger in accordance with the second embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 13 is a partial bottom view of the garment hanger in
accordance with the second embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the garment hangers to be stacked
one on another.
[0056] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the
line A-A shown in FIG. 10.
[0057] FIGS. 16A to 16F illustrate the steps to be carried out for
attaching the hook to the hook-receiving unit with the bending
portion being as it is.
[0058] FIGS. 17A to 17E illustrate the steps to be carried out for
releasing the hook out of the hook-receiving unit with the bending
portion being as it is.
[0059] FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged front view of the garment
hanger in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0060] FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged rear view of the garment
hanger in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0061] FIG. 20 is a partial front view of the first conventional
garment hanger.
[0062] FIG. 21 is a partially enlarged view of the second
conventional garment hanger.
[0063] FIG. 22 is a partial front view of the third conventional
garment hanger.
[0064] FIG. 23 is a broken perspective view of the fourth
conventional garment hanger.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0065] First, elements of a shirt to be hung by a garment hanger
(hereinafter often referred to simply as a "hanger") are explained
with reference to FIG. 7.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 7, a dress shirt includes a collar 81
comprising a rear collar portion 82, a front collar portion 84, and
a pair of side collar portions 83 connecting the front collar
portion 84 and the rear collar portion 82 to each other. As
mentioned below, the dress shirt is hung by the hanger in
accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
[0067] A hanger 10 in accordance with the first embodiment is
explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.
[0068] The hanger 10 holds the collar 81 and shoulders of a jacket,
a shirt and so on.
[0069] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the hanger 10 includes a
hook 20, and a hanger body 30 by which a dress shirt is held.
[0070] In the specification, a front or a forward relative to the
hanger 10 indicates a direction X1, a rear or a back relative to
the hanger 10 indicates a direction X2, an "up" relative to the
hanger 10 indicates a direction X3, and a "down" relative to the
hanger 10 indicates a direction X4.
[0071] The hook 20 is composed of a metal wire. The hook 20
includes a U-shaped hook portion 21, a bending portion 22 through
which the hook 20 is fastened to the hanger body 30, and a linear
shaft portion 23 connecting the hook portion 21 and the bending
portion 22 to each other.
[0072] In the first embodiment, the hook portion 21 is bent in the
same direction as a direction in which the bending portion 22 is
bent. The hook portion 21 may be bent in a direction opposite to a
direction in which the bending portion 22 is bent.
[0073] The hanger body 30 is integrally formed of a resin. The
hanger body 30 includes a collar support 40 for supporting the
collar 81 of a dress shirt, and a pair of shoulder supports 50
supporting shoulders of a dress shirt.
[0074] The collar support 40 includes a pair of first supports 41
for supporting the side collar portions 83 of a dress shirt, a pair
of second supports 42 for supporting the rear collar portion 82 of
a dress shirt, and a reinforcement 43 connecting lower edges of the
first supports 41 to each other for reinforcement of the collar
support 40. Each of the second supports 42 is designed to be curved
such that a portion thereof located centrally in a width-wise
direction backwardly protrudes beyond the hook 20.
[0075] The collar support 40 includes a shaft guide 44 formed
therethrough with a path into which the shaft portion 23 of the
hook 20 can be inserted, and a pair of hook-receiving units 45 to
each of which the bending portion 22 is engaged, when the hook 20
is pulled up with the shaft portion 23 being inserted in the shaft
guide 44, to thereby fasten the hook 20 to the hanger body 30.
[0076] Each of the first supports 41 is designed to include a
sidewall 41a comprised of a slope downwardly inclining from an
upper edge toward a side. The sidewalls 41a of the first supports
41 make contact with the side collar portions 83 of the dress shirt
(see FIG. 7). Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of
the first supports 41 forwardly protrudes gradually from the
sidewall 41 towards a front 41b. Each of the first supports 41 is
hollow at an inner side thereof relative to the second supports
42.
[0077] The second supports 42 are formed continuous to and between
the first supports 41, and make contact with the rear collar
portion 82 of the dress shirt (see FIG. 7). Each of the second
supports 42 includes a collar portion 42a extending between an
upper portion each of the hook-receiving units 45 and each of the
first supports 41, a first strip 42c downwardly and backwardly
extending from the collar portion 42a, and further, downwardly and
forwardly extending from a central portion 42b towards the
reinforcement 43, and a second strip 42d extending from the first
strip 42c towards a lower end of each of the hook-receiving units
45.
[0078] The first supports 41 and the second supports 42 make
contact with the rear collar portion 82, the side collar portions
83, and the front collar portion 84 of the dress shirt to thereby
prevent the collar 81 of the dress shirt from being collapsed.
[0079] The reinforcement 43 is formed to connect the shoulder
supports 50 to each other. The reinforcement 43 includes a front
portion 43a, and a pair of walls 43b vertically facing each other
to thereby have a cross-section in the form of a groove. The
reinforcement 43 increases strength of the first supports 41 and
the second supports 42.
[0080] The shaft guide 44 is situated centrally of and at an upper
area of the collar support 40. The shaft guide 44 is substantially
in the form of a square pole. The shaft guide 44 is formed with a
through-hole acting as a path 44p through which the shaft portion
23 is inserted.
[0081] The hook-receiving units 45 are located at opposite sides
about the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20. Each of the
hook-receiving units 45 includes a recess 45a restricting the
upward, forward and backward movement of the bending portion 22 of
the hook 20, and a claw 45b and a protrusion 45c both restricting
the downward movement of the bending portion 22 when the bending
portion 22 is fit thereinto.
[0082] The recess 45a is formed integrally with each of the second
supports 42, and is downwardly open.
[0083] A slit 45d extends between the claws 45b along an axis of
the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20. Each of the claws 45b is
designed to have a gradually reduced thickness in order to receive
therein the bending portion 22 having passed over the protrusion
45c, and is upwardly curved to be continuous to the recess 45a.
[0084] The protrusion 45c has a substantially triangular
cross-section, and is continuous to the recess 45a. The protrusion
45c has an inclining lower surface and an inclining upper surface.
The inclining lower surface has a small gradient such that the
bending portion 22 is able to upwardly and smoothly move, making
slide with the inclining lower surface. The inclining upper surface
is designed to have a gradient greater than the same of the
inclining lower surface in order to restrict the downward movement
of the bending portion 22.
[0085] The claw 45b and the protrusion 45c are situated such that a
gap formed therebetween has a width smaller than a diameter of the
bending portion 22.
[0086] The shoulder supports 50 extend in opposite directions from
the collar support 40. Each of the shoulder supports 50 includes a
front portion 51, and a pair of walls 52 vertically facing each
other to thereby have a cross-section in the form of a groove. The
front portion 51 is formed with a stepped portion 53 (see FIG. 1)
in order to increase strength of the shoulder support 50.
[0087] The hanger 10 in accordance with the first embodiment,
having the above-mentioned structure, is used as follows.
[0088] First, the hook 20 is connected to the hanger body 30 as
follows.
[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, before the hook 20 is connected
to the hanger body 30, the bending portion 22 is not yet formed.
That is, the hook 20 includes only the hook portion 21 and the
shaft portion 23. First, the shaft portion 23 is aligned with the
path 44p of the shaft guide 44.
[0090] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the shaft portion 23 is
inserted into the path 44p until a lower portion of the shaft
portion 23, which will make the bending portion 22, passes over the
shaft guide 44 and the hook-receiving unit 45.
[0091] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, a lower portion of the
shaft portion 23 is bent by 90 degrees into "L" shape relative to
an axis of the shaft portion 23 to thereby form the bending portion
22.
[0092] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the hook portion 21 is
pulled up, resulting in that the bending portion 22 passes over the
inclining lower surface of the protrusion 45c located above the
bending portion 22, and elastically deforms and thereby pushes up
the claw 45b. Thus, the bending portion 22 is housed in the recess
45a.
[0093] While the bending portion 22 is housed in the recess 45a,
the recess 45a restricts the upward, forward and backward movement
of the bending portion 22, and the claw 45b and the protrusion 45c
restrict the downward movement of the bending portion 22, ensuring
that the hook 20 is fixed to the hanger body 30.
[0094] In the above-mentioned manner, the hook 20 can be readily
attached to the hanger body 30 by inserting a lower portion of the
shaft portion 23 into the path 44p, bending the lower portion to
thereby form the bending portion 22, and engaging the bending
portion 22 to the hook-receiving unit 45.
[0095] Furthermore, since the hanger body 30 is integrally formed
of a resin, and the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20 is inserted
into the path 44p of the shaft guide 44, even if a force acts on
the shaft portion 23 to thereby incline the shaft portion 23
forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction, the
hook 20 is not released out of the hanger body 30, because the
shaft portion 23 is not fit into a groove formed at the hanger body
30 unlike the above-mentioned conventional hangers illustrated in
FIGS. 20 to 23.
[0096] Thus, the hanger 10 in accordance with the first embodiment
provides the advantages that the hook 20 can be readily attached to
the hanger body 30, and that the hook 20 is quite difficult to be
released out of the hanger body 30, even if an external force acts
on the hook 20.
[0097] Though the path 44p in the first embodiment is designed to
have a circular cross-section, the path 44p may be designed to have
a triangular, rectangular, polygonal or any other shaped
cross-section.
[0098] Steps of turning the hook portion 21 of the hook 20 are
explained hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C.
[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, pushing the hook portion 21 down,
the bending portion 22 pushes down the claw 45b of the
hook-receiving unit 45, passes over the inclining upper surface of
the protrusion 45c, and then, is released out of the hook-receiving
unit 45.
[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, if the bending portion 22 turns
to the left, the shaft portion 23 is rotated by 180 degrees to
thereby cause the shaft portion 23 to turn to the right. Since the
path 44p of the shaft guide 44 comprises a through-hole extending
along an axis of the shaft portion 23, it is possible to smoothly
rotate the shaft portion 23 about an axis thereof.
[0101] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the shaft portion 23 is
pulled up, resulting in that the bending portion 22 passes over the
inclining lower surface of the protrusion 45c located above the
bending portion 22, elastically deforms to push up the claw 45b,
and is housed in the recess 45a.
[0102] As mentioned above, since the bending portion 22 is bent in
either direction about the shaft portion 23, and the hook-receiving
units 45 are formed at opposite sides around the shaft portion 23,
it is possible to readily turn the hook portion 21. Furthermore,
even if the bending portion 22 turns to the left or right, it is
possible to restrict the movement of the bending portion 22 by
means of the hook-receiving units 45.
[0103] In the first embodiment, the bending portion 22 is bent in
L-shape relative to the shaft portion 23. Since the bending portion
22 is formed merely by bending a lower portion of the shaft portion
23 into L-shape, the bending portion 22 can be formed more readily
than the curled engagement portion 102 of the hook 100 illustrated
in FIG. 20, for instance. Furthermore, the L-shaped bending portion
22 protrudes in such a direction that the bending portion 22
intersects with an axis of the shaft portion 23, the hook 20 can be
attached to the hanger body 30 by pulling up the shaft portion 23
inserted in the path 44p of the shaft guide 44 to thereby cause the
bending portion 22 to be engaged with the hook-receiving unit
45.
Second Embodiment
[0104] A hanger 10x in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention is explained hereinbelow with reference to FIGS.
8 to 14. Parts or elements of the hanger 10x that correspond to
those of the hanger 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 have been
provided with the same reference numerals, and operate in the same
manner as corresponding parts or elements in the first embodiment,
unless explicitly explained hereinbelow.
[0105] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 13, the shaft guide 44 in the
hanger 10x in accordance with the second embodiment is designed to
include a first shaft receiver 44a, a second shaft receiver 44b and
a third shaft receiver 44c each of which receives the shaft portion
23 of the hook 20 along an axis of the shaft portion 23. The first
shaft receiver 44a is located uppermost among the first to third
shaft receivers, and the third shaft receiver 44c is located
lowermost among the first to third shaft receivers.
[0106] The first shaft receiver 44a includes a groove forwardly
open, into which the shaft portion 23 is inserted at a rear
thereof. The first shaft receiver 44a backwardly protrudes beyond
the collar portions 42a of the second supports 42.
[0107] The second shaft receiver 44b includes a groove backwardly
open, into which the shaft portion 23 is inserted at a front
thereof. The second shaft receiver 44b forwardly protrudes beyond
the collar portions 42a of the second supports 42. The second shaft
receiver 44b is recessed at a rear surface thereof relative to the
collar portions 42a.
[0108] The third shaft receiver 44c includes a groove forwardly
open, into which the shaft portion 23 is inserted at a rear
thereof. The third shaft receiver 44c and the first shaft receiver
44a are located almost identical with each other with respect to
rear surfaces thereof. The third shaft receiver 44c is recessed at
a front thereof relative to the second shaft receiver 44b by being
cut off.
[0109] As mentioned above, the path 44p is cut out alternately at a
rear side and a front side of the shaft portion 23 to thereby
define the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c. Even if the
shaft guide 44x is formed open oppositely to the first to third
shaft receivers 44a to 44c, the shaft portion 23 is supported in
the path 44p by means of the first to third shaft receivers 44a to
44c, and thus, the shaft portion 23 is surely guided such that an
axis thereof does not incline. Accordingly, even if a force acts on
the shaft portion 23 to incline the shaft portion 23 forwardly,
backwardly or in a left- or right-side direction, the hook 20 is
not released out of the hanger body 30.
[0110] In the conventional hangers illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 23, a
plurality of the hangers is not expected to be stacked one on
another. For instance, in the conventional hanger illustrated in
FIG. 20, a rear of the groove 111 protrudes backwardly of the
hanger body 110, and the engagement pieces 113 protrude forwardly
of the hanger body 110. Consequently, even if the hangers were
attempted to be stacked one on another, the engagement pieces 113
make collision with a rear of the groove 111, resulting in that the
hangers cannot be stacked one on another.
[0111] In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 21, a rear of
the hole 231 is wider than the groove 233, and a portion (not
illustrated) protrudes beyond the plate 220. Hence, even if the
hangers were attempted to be stacked one on another, the protruding
portion make collision with an opening edge of the groove 233,
resulting in that the hangers cannot be stacked one on another.
[0112] In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 22, the hook
attachment 330 protrudes forwardly and backwardly of the hanger
base body 320. Hence, even if the hangers were attempted to be
stacked one on another, the hook attachments 330 make collision
with each other, resulting in that the hangers cannot be stacked
one on another.
[0113] In the conventional hanger illustrated in FIG. 23, when the
closer 434 is folded, the closer 434 protrudes forwardly and
backwardly of the hanger body 420. Hence, even if the hangers were
attempted to be stacked one on another, the closers 434 make
collision with each other, resulting in that the hangers cannot be
stacked one on another.
[0114] As mentioned above, since a part formed with a groove into
which a hook is inserted forwardly and backwardly protrudes, the
hangers including such a part cannot be stacked one on another.
[0115] In contract with the conventional hangers, when a plurality
of the hangers 10x in accordance with the second embodiment is
attempted to be stacked one on another, the raised portions of the
first to third supports 41 to 43 of the hangers 10x in the first
hanger 10x are fit into the recessed portions of the first to third
supports 41 to 43 of the hangers 10x in the second hanger 10x
located immediately forwardly or backwardly of the first hanger
10x, and vice versa.
[0116] With respect to the shaft guide 44, the first shaft
receivers 44a of the first hanger 10x are fit into an opening front
of the first shaft receivers 44a of the second hanger 10x, the
second shaft receivers 44b of the first hanger 10x are fit into the
second shaft receivers 44b of the second hanger 10x, and the third
shaft receiver 44c of the first hanger 10x is fit into the third
shaft receiver 44c of the second hanger 10x. The claws 45b in the
hook-receiving unit 45 in the second hanger 10x aligns with an
opening rear of the hook-receiving unit 45 in the first hanger
10x.
[0117] Furthermore, the stepped portions 53 formed at the shoulders
50 in the second hanger 10x are fit into the recesses formed at the
shoulders 50 in the first hanger 10x.
[0118] As mentioned above, even if the hook 20 is composed of a
metal wire in order to provide strength for being hung to both the
hanger body 30x and the shoulders 50 in the hanger 10x, the first
to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c are formed alternately at a
front side and a rear side of the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20,
and the raised and recessed portions are fit into each other in the
hanger body 30x and the shoulders 50, ensuring that a plurality of
the hangers 10x can be stacked one on another without unnecessary
increase in a volume.
[0119] Thus, the hangers 10x can be stacked one on another in a box
for transportation without unnecessary increase in a volume,
ensuring reduction in transportation costs and storage costs.
[0120] Furthermore, since the bending portion 22 is bent in the
same direction as a direction in which the hook 20 is directed,
when a plurality of the hangers 10x are stacked one on another, the
hooks 20 are not so much thickened, preventing a volume of the
hangers 10x from unnecessarily increasing.
[0121] The bending portion 22 in the first embodiment is bent in
the same direction as a direction in which the hook 20 is directed,
but it should be noted that the bending portion 22 may be bent in a
direction opposite to a direction in which the hook 20 is
directed.
[0122] The bending portion 22 in the second embodiment can be
formed in the same manner as that of the first embodiment (see
FIGS. 5A to 5D), specifically by inserting a lower portion of the
shaft portion 23 into the path 44p and bending the lower portion
relative to the path 44p.
[0123] In addition, eve after the bending portion 22 was formed,
the hook 20 can be readily connected to the hanger body 30x.
[0124] The steps of doing the same are explained hereinbelow.
[0125] First, as illustrated in FIG. 16A, the shaft portion 23 of
the hook 20 is located perpendicularly to an axis of the path 44p
of the first shaft receiver 44a, and a leading edge of the bending
portion 22 is directed to the path 44p of the first shaft receiver
44a.
[0126] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, the bending portion 22 is
inserted into the first shaft receiver 44a, and the hook 20 is
pushed downwardly through the path 44p until the shaft portion 23
arrives at the second shaft receiver 44b. In the condition that the
shaft portion 23 is making abutment with the second shaft receiver
44b, the bending portion 22 is located across the second shaft
receiver 44b and the third shaft receiver 44c.
[0127] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16C, the shaft portion 23 is
caused to stand up by 90 degrees to thereby cause the bending
portion 22 to stand up by 90 degrees relative to the groove-shaped
path 44p of the third shaft receiver 44c.
[0128] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16D, the shaft portion 23
inserted in the path 44p of both the first shaft receiver 44a and
the second shaft receiver 44b is pushed downwardly. The shaft
portion 23 passes over the third shaft receiver 44c, and the
bending portion 22 passes over the slit 45d formed between the
claws 45b. Thus, the bending portion 22 passes over the
hook-receiving unit 45.
[0129] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16E, the hook 20 is rotated
about an axis of the shaft portion 23 such that the bending portion
22 turns to the right or left (the right in FIG. 16E).
[0130] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16F, the hook 20 is pulled
upwardly to thereby cause the bending portion 22 to pass over the
inclining lower surface of the protrusion 45c and push up the claws
45b of the hook-receiving unit 45. Thus, the bending portion 22
enters the hook-receiving unit 45, and is housed in the recess
45a.
[0131] Even if the bending portion 22 is already formed in the hook
20, the hanger 20 can be connected to the hanger body 30 (see FIG.
8) in the above-mentioned way.
[0132] In the hook 20 connected to the hanger body 30x in the
above-mentioned way, the bending portion 22 is restricted in moving
upwardly, forwardly and backwardly by the recess 45a, and further
restricted in moving downwardly by the claws 45b and the protrusion
45c. Accordingly, the hook 20 can be kept fixed to the hanger body
30x by connecting the hook 20 to the hook-receiving unit 45.
[0133] The hook 20 connected to the hook-receiving unit 45 can be
released out of the hanger 30x as follows.
[0134] First, as illustrated in FIG. 17A, the hook portion 21 (see
FIG. 8) of the hook 20 is pushed downwardly to thereby cause the
bending portion 22 to push up the claws 45b of the hook-receiving
unit 45, and pass over the inclining upper surface of the
protrusion 45c. Thus, the bending portion 22 is released out of the
hook-receiving unit 45.
[0135] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, the hook 20 is rotated by
90 degrees about an axis of the shaft portion 23 such that the
bending portion 22 turns forwardly.
[0136] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17C, the hook 20 is pulled up.
The bending portion 22 passes over the slit 45d formed between the
claws 45b, further passes over an opening front of the third shaft
receiver 44c, and makes abutment with the second shaft receiver
44b. Since the third shaft receiver 44c is open at a front thereof,
the third shaft receiver 44c does not prevent the bending portion
22 from moving upwardly.
[0137] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17D, the hook 20 is rotated by
90 degrees such that a leading edge of the bending portion 22 turns
downwardly and the shaft portion turns forwardly. By rotating the
hook 20 by 90 degrees, the bending portion 22 rotates towards an
opening front of the first shaft receiver 44a, protruding into an
opening rear of the second shaft receiver 44b, to thereby be housed
in both the slit 45d formed between the claws 45b, and an opening
front of the third shaft receiver 44c. Since the second shaft
receiver 44b is open at a rear and the first shaft receiver 44a is
open at a front, the first shaft receiver 44a and the second shaft
receiver 44b do not interfere with the rotation of the bending
portion 22.
[0138] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17E, the hook 20 is pulled up.
Thus, the bending portion 22 is released out of the second shaft
receiver 44b and further the first shaft receiver 44a. That is, the
hook 20 is released out of the hanger body 30.
[0139] Since the slit 45d is formed between the claws 45b, it is
possible to cause the bending portion 22 to stand up and then pass
through the slit 45d. When the hook 20 is caused to pass over the
first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c after the hook 20 was
released out of the hook-receiving unit 45, since the first to
third shaft receivers 44a to 44c are open at a side opposite to a
side at which the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c support
the shaft portion 23, the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c
do not interfere with the movement of the bending portion 22.
[0140] As mentioned above, even if the hook 20 includes the bending
portion 22, the hook 20 can be released out of the hook-receiving
unit 45.
[0141] For instance, in a conventional hanger including a hook
composed of a metal wire, and a hanger body composed of resin and
fixed with the hook by insert-molding, the hook cannot be released
out of the hanger body, because the hook is firmly fixed to the
hanger body. Thus, complex and much work volume is required to
carry out for recycling such a conventional hanger by separating
the hook and the hanger body from each other.
[0142] In contrast, in the hanger 10x in accordance with the second
embodiment, as having been explained with reference to FIGS. 17A to
17E, the hook 20 can be readily released out of the hanger body 30,
even if the bending portion 22 is bent relative to the shaft
portion 23. Accordingly, it is possible to separate the hook 20 and
the hanger body 30 from each other and collect only the hook 20 or
only the hanger body 30, contributing to recycling of the hangers
10x.
Third Embodiment
[0143] A hanger 10y in accordance with the third embodiment of the
present invention is explained hereinbelow with reference to FIGS.
18 and 19. Parts or elements of the hanger 10y that correspond to
those of the hanger 10x illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 11 have been
provided with the same reference numerals, and operate in the same
manner as corresponding parts or elements in the second embodiment,
unless explicitly explained hereinbelow.
[0144] As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the shaft guide 44y in
the hanger 10y in accordance with the third embodiment is designed
to include a second shaft receiver 44b and a third shaft receiver
44c each of which receives the shaft portion 23 of the hook 20
along an axis of the shaft portion 23. The second shaft receiver
44a is located above the third shaft receiver 44c. That is, the
hanger 10y is designed not to include the first shaft receiver 44a
relative to the shaft guide 44x of the hanger 10x in accordance
with the second embodiment.
[0145] The shaft portion 23 is housed in the shaft guide 44y in
such a manner that the second shaft receiver 44b supports a front
side of the shaft portion 23, and the third shaft receiver 44c
supports a rear side of the shaft portion 23. Hence, the shaft
portion 23 is guided such that an axis thereof does not incline.
Accordingly, even if a force acts on the shaft portion 23 to
incline the shaft portion 23 forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or
right-side direction, the hook 20 is not released out of the hanger
body 30.
[0146] Similarly to the hanger 10 in accordance with the first
embodiment, since the bending portion 22 is housed in the recess
45a, the recess 45a restricts the bending portion 22 from upwardly,
forwardly and backwardly moving, and the claws 45b and the
protrusion 45c restrict the bending portion 22 from downwardly
moving, ensuring that the hook 20 is fixed to the hanger body
30.
[0147] Thus, it is possible to keep the hook 20 surely connected to
the hanger body 30.
[0148] As illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the hook 20 can be
connected to the hanger body 30 by inserting the shaft portion 23
into the path 44p of the shaft guide 44 before forming the bending
portion 22, bending a lower portion of the shaft portion 23 into
the bending portion 22, and causing the bending portion 22 to be
engaged with the hook-receiving unit 45.
[0149] Furthermore, the hook 20 can be readily connected to the
hanger body 30y in accordance with the steps illustrated in FIGS.
16A to 16F. In addition, the hook 20 can be readily released out of
the hanger body 30 in accordance with the steps illustrated in
FIGS. 17A to 17E.
[0150] While the present invention has been described in connection
with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the
subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not
to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is
intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included
within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
[0151] For instance, the shaft guide 44 in the first embodiment is
designed to be in the form of a square pole, but it should be noted
that the shaft guide 44 may be designed to be in the form of a
circular cylinder or a pole having a polygonal cross-section such
as a pentagonal cross-section.
[0152] In the hangers 10x and 10y in accordance with the second and
third embodiments, respectively, the first to third shaft receivers
44a to 44c are open at a front or rear side, but the first to third
shaft receivers 44a to 44c may be designed not to be open, if it is
not necessary to release the hook 20 out of the hanger body 30 by
causing the hook 20 to pass through the first to third shaft
receivers 44a to 44c. The first shaft receiver 44a supports the
shaft portion 23 at a rear side of the shaft portion 23, the second
shaft receiver 44b supports the shaft portion 23 at a front side of
the shaft portion 23, and the third shaft receiver 44c supports the
shaft portion 23 at a rear side of the shaft portion 23, but it
should be noted that the first to third shaft receivers 44a to 44c
support the shaft portion 23 at opposite sides.
[0153] The shaft guide 44x in the hanger 10x in accordance with the
second embodiment is designed to include the first to third shaft
receivers 44a to 44c, and the shaft guide 44y in the hanger 10y in
accordance with the third embodiment is designed to include the
second and third shaft receivers 44b and 44c. The shaft guide may
be designed to include four or more shaft receivers. This is
because if the shaft guide includes two or more shaft receivers,
the hook 20 is not caused to be released out of the hanger body 30,
even if a force acts on the shaft portion 23 to incline the shaft
portion 23 forwardly, backwardly or in a left- or right-side
direction.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0154] The garment hanger in accordance with the present invention
is able to prevent a collar of a jacket or a shirt from being
collapsed, and hence, is suitable not only to a cleaning industry
and an apparel industry, but also to domestic use. Since the hook
is composed of a metal wire to thereby increase strength thereof,
the garment hanger is suitable particularly to a cleaning
industry.
* * * * *