A Clothes Hanger

Abstract

An adjustable clothes hanger (1) is provided for use in retaining a variety of sizes/types of clothing using the same hanger. The adjustable clothes hanger (1) having a main hanger body (2) with two arms (3) extending outwards from a central hanging means (4) at identical but opposing angles to the central hanging means (4). Each arm (3) has an extending element (5) pivotably mounted at an end region thereof such that each extending element (5) has a limited pivoting range about each arm (3). Further, first limiting means (7) are provided to prevent each extending element (5) pivoting outwards beyond the angle at which its associated arm (3) extends. Second limiting means are provided to prevent each extending element (5) pivoting inwards beyond the horizontal plane in which the ends of arms (3) lie.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to clothes hangers and in particular clothes hangers capable of being adjusted to retain a range of different clothing types and/or sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Clothes hangers are available in a large range of shapes and sizes to accommodate various types and sizes of clothing.

[0003] Whilst some hanger designs are only suitable to retain certain types and sizes of clothing, it is known for hangers to be designed to accommodate multiple types and/or sizes of clothing.

[0004] In order to accommodate multiple types/sizes of clothing it is known to provide hangers with slideable mechanisms that are adjustable to vary the shape of hanger so that it can better retain a particular article of clothing. UK patent documents GB 2148107, GB2274980 and GB277680 describe adjustable hangers of this type.

[0005] One disadvantage of the hangers described in the prior art is that over time, and through continuous adjusting, the hangers can lose their ability to retain a particular shape when they are adjusted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide an adjustable hanger which is capable of retaining a range of types and/or sizes of clothing and which survive repeated adjustment of the hanger over an extended period of time.

[0007] To this end the present invention provides an adjustable clothes hanger as claimed in claim 1.

[0008] It will be appreciated that in limiting the range with which each extending elements can be pivoted relative to the hanger arm that they are attached to it is possible to adjust the hanger to make it suitable for either hanging large shirts or small/medium shirts and trousers.

[0009] As will be demonstrated below it is the variation of the positioning of the extending elements relative to the main hanger body (and the arms) that determine the types and/or sizes of clothing that the hanger can retain.

[0010] Preferably first limiting means may be provided on the main hanger body. Alternatively or additionally each of the extending elements may be provided with said first limiting means.

[0011] In this way the outward pivoting movement of the extending elements may be limited by a stop (or another form of limiting element) on the main hanger body, the extending element or a combination of both.

[0012] Preferably second limiting means may be provided on the main hanger body. Alternatively or additionally each of the extending elements may be provided with said second limiting means.

[0013] In this way the inward pivoting movement of the extending elements may be limited by a stop (or another form of limiting element) on the main hanger body, the extending element or a combination of both.

[0014] Preferably the main hanger body may comprise two pairs of parallel arms extending outwards from the central hanging means at identical but opposing angles to the central hanging means. Further preferably the ends of each pair of parallel arms may be linked by a cross-bar.

[0015] It is appreciated that providing a pair of parallel arms rather than a single arm gives the hanger greater structural strength. This structural strength is further supported by the provision of the cross-bar linking each pair of arms.

[0016] Preferably each extending element may comprise a substantially rectangular frame pivoted mounted at a first end thereof to its associated arm. Further preferably the second end of each rectangular frame may be provided with engaging means that are complementary to the engaging means of other extending element.

[0017] It is appreciated that the substantially rectangular frame provides greater structural strength to the extending elements. The provision of the complementary engaging means help to perform the role of the second limiting means when the two extending elements engage with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will now be described with reference to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an adjustable hanger according to the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment in a first arrangement;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment in the first arrangement;

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a time-lapse side view of the preferred embodiment adjusting from the first arrangement to a second arrangement;

[0023] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment in the second arrangement;

[0024] FIG. 6 shows the preferred embodiment of the hanger, in the first arrangement, in use with a small/medium sized shirt;

[0025] FIG. 7 shows the preferred embodiment of the hanger, in the second arrangement, in use with a large sized shirt; and

[0026] FIG. 8 shows the preferred embodiment of the hanger, in the first arrangement, in use with a pair of trousers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] The present invention provides a clothes hanger that can be adjusted for use in hanging clothing of various types and/or sizes. It is appreciated that the clothes hanger of the present invention might be used as standard clothes hangers are and be hung in a wardrobe or cupboard.

[0028] However it is also envisioned that the adjustability of the described hanger makes it particularly suitable for use with a domestic washing machine of the type shown in European Patent Application No. 06755552.4. It is envisioned that the washing machine would be provided with one or more clothes hangers of the present invention and that the user would be able to adjust the hangers to suit the size and/or type of the articles of clothing that are to be washed.

[0029] A preferred embodiment of the adjustable clothes hanger 1 of the present invention is shown in the figures. FIGS. 6 to 8 show how different arrangements of the same adjustable clothes hanger 1 can be used to retain different sizes/types of clothing. The different possible arrangements of the clothes hanger will be described in more detail hereinafter.

[0030] As will be appreciated from FIGS. 1 to 3, the adjustable clothes hanger 1 has a main body 2. In the embodiment shown a pair of arms 3 extend away from the main body 2 in the style of a typical clothes hanger (i.e. at an angle that is greater than 90.degree. but less than 180.degree. from the hanging means 4).

[0031] In the hanger shown in the figures a pair of parallel arms 3 extend from either side of the main body 2. This provides structural strength to the hanger of the present invention. However it is appreciated that in alternative embodiments a single arm, rather than a pair of arms, may extend from either side of the main body 2.

[0032] The main body 2 is provided with hanging means 4, which may be formed (e.g. moulded) as one with the main body or, alternatively, attached to the main body using suitable attachment means.

[0033] Although not shown in the figures it is appreciated that the hanging means 4 may be provided with a hook to hang the hanger from a clothes rail for example. Of course the present invention could also make use of suitable alternatives to the hook known in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0034] Further it is considered beneficial if the hanging means are such that they enable the hanger of the present invention to engage with the domestic washing machine of the type shown in European Patent Application No. 06755552.4.

[0035] Each pair of arms 3 carries an extending element 5 pivotally mounted by a pivot 6 located at the ends of the arms 3 (or at least in the general end region of the arms). In the preferred embodiment the pivot 6, which is held between the two ends of arms 3, is threaded through the extending element 5 to secure the pivotal relationship. It will be appreciated that alternative ways of securing the extending elements 5 to the pivots 6 will be readily apparent to a person of suitable skill.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment each extending element 5 takes the form of a substantially rectangular frame. However it is appreciated that alternative shapes may also be suitable provided they comprise at least one elongate portion that can be pivotably mounted to an arm 3 of the main hanger body 2.

[0037] In embodiments where pairs of arms 3 are employed it is highly preferable that the dimensions (e.g. width and length) of each extending element must be such that it can readily pass through the gap formed between the pivot 6 and the main body 2. In this way the extending elements can be pivoted (see FIG. 4) from the first hanger arrangement (shown in FIGS. 1-3) to the second hanger arrangement (shown in FIGS. 4-5).

[0038] So that the hanger of the present invention can easily and quickly be adjusted between the first arrangement, which is suitable for retaining small/medium shirts and trousers, and the second arrangement, which is suitable for retaining larger shirts, the extent to which each extending element is free to pivot relative to the main body is limited.

[0039] The hanger 1 is provided with first limiting means that limit the extent to which each extending element can be pivoted outwards relative to the arms 3 and the main body 2 (see FIG. 4).

[0040] In the preferred embodiment the first limiting means are provided by the cross-bar 7 that extends between the ends of each arm pairing. The cross-bar 7 is shaped and positioned so as to ensure that each extending element 5 cannot pivot beyond the angle of orientation of the arms to which the extending element 5 is attached. The cross-bar 7 provides the additional benefit of giving additional structural support.

[0041] It is envisaged that the first limiting means may be provided by alternative arrangements, such as resilient biasing means (e.g. springs, magnetic contacts, pneumatics) or other physical projections (provided on the arms, body or internal components, extending elements, hinged clips or a combination of means) that do not necessary connect a pairing of arms together.

[0042] The hanger 1 is also provided with second limiting means that limit the extent to which each extending element can be pivoted inwards relative to the arms 3 and the main body 2 (see FIG. 4).

[0043] In the preferred embodiment the second limiting means are provided by complementary engaging means (not shown) located on the non-pivot ends of the extending elements 5. It is envisaged that suitable engaging means would interlock the extending elements 5 when they are pivoted inwards towards one another.

[0044] It is envisaged that alternative, or additional, forms of second limiting means may be provided. Once again the pivotal movement of the extending elements beyond the chosen limits could be restricted using resilient biasing means or other physical projections as identified above.

[0045] The use of the adjustable hanger of the present invention can be further understood with reference to FIGS. 6-8, which show the hanger being used to retain different sizes/types of clothing.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows the hanger of the present invention in a first arrangement wherein the extending elements 5 are pivoted inwards out of the way. This enables the hanger to be used to retain small and medium sized shirts and tops 8.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows the hanger of the present invention in a second arrangement wherein the extending elements are pivoted outwards until they essentially act as extensions of the arms 3 of the main hanger body 2. This then enables the hanger to be used to retain larger, wider shirts and tops 9.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows the hanger of the present invention returned to the first arrangement wherein the extending elements 5 are pivoted inwards and locked into a secure engagement to form a horizontal member extending along the bottom of the hanger. This then enables the hanger to be used to retain trousers 10.

[0049] It is appreciated that the hanger of the present invention might suitably be formed from those materials currently used to manufacture typical clothes hangers (e.g. plastics, woods, metals or any suitable combination thereof).

Claims

1. An adjustable clothes hanger comprising: a main hanger body comprising two pairs of parallel arms extending outwards from a central hanging means at identical but opposing angles to the central hanging means; each pair of arms having an extending element pivotably mounted at an end region of said arm pairing such that each extending element has a limited pivoting range about each arm pairing; first limiting means that prevent each extending element pivoting outwards beyond the angle at which its associated arm pairing extends; and second limiting means that prevent each extending element pivoting inwards beyond the horizontal plane in which the ends of the two pairs of arms lie.

2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the first limiting means are provided on the main hanger body.

3. The hanger of claim 1, wherein each of the extending elements is provided with said first limiting means.

4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the first limiting means are provided on the main hanger body and on each of the extending elements.

5. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the second limiting means are provided on the main hanger body.

6. The hanger of claim 1, wherein each of the extending elements is provided with said second limiting means.

7. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the second limiting means are provided on the main hanger body and on each of the extending elements.

8. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the end of each pair of parallel arms are linked by a cross-bar.

9. The hanger of claim 1, wherein extending element comprises a substantially rectangular frame pivoted mounted at a first end thereof to its associated arm pairing.

10. (canceled)

11. The hanger of claim 9, wherein the second end of each rectangular frame is provided with engaging means that are complementary to the engaging means of other extending element.