U.S. patent application number 14/965611 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for clothing hanger with outfit organizer features.
The applicant listed for this patent is Annie VARGHESE-ABRAHAM. Invention is credited to Annie VARGHESE-ABRAHAM.
Application Number | 20160166098 14/965611 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56108282 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160166098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VARGHESE-ABRAHAM; Annie |
June 16, 2016 |
CLOTHING HANGER WITH OUTFIT ORGANIZER FEATURES
Abstract
A clothing hanger that allows a user to store clothing garments
and accessories, such as shirts, pants, jackets, blouses,
necklaces, bracelets, ear rings, finger rings, bangles, wristbands,
headbands, scrunchies, etc. in close proximity to one another,
that, in combination, form an entire clothing outfit.
Inventors: |
VARGHESE-ABRAHAM; Annie;
(Frisco, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VARGHESE-ABRAHAM; Annie |
Frisco |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56108282 |
Appl. No.: |
14/965611 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62091495 |
Dec 13, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
223/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 25/16 20130101;
A47G 25/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 25/32 20060101
A47G025/32; A47G 25/16 20060101 A47G025/16 |
Claims
1. A clothing hanger comprising: a central hub portion; a bar hook
extending from the central hub portion, wherein the bar hook
defines a support cavity oriented in a first direction; a first
shoulder support member extending from the central hub portion in a
second direction; a second shoulder support member extending from
the central hub portion in a third direction, wherein the second
and third directions are opposite one another; a jewelry display
tab extending from the central hub portion opposite the bar hook,
wherein the jewelry display tab comprises two perforations, wherein
each perforation comprises a first diameter; two necklace hooks,
wherein one necklace hook extends from the first shoulder support
and another necklace hook extends from the second shoulder support,
wherein each necklace hook defines a support cavity oriented in a
fourth direction, wherein the first direction and fourth direction
are opposite one another; and at least two hooks extending from a
bottom end of the clothing hanger accessory, wherein the at least
two hooks define a plane that is approximately parallel with the
front face and the back face.
2. The clothing hanger of claim 1 wherein the jewelry display tab
further comprises two additional perforations, wherein each
additional perforation comprises a second diameter which is
different than the first diameter.
3. The clothing hanger of claim 1 wherein the first shoulder
support member comprises an integral first storage compartment,
wherein the first storage compartment is defined by at least one
sidewall, an opening, and a lid operative to selectively open and
close the first storage compartment.
4. The clothing hanger of claim 3 wherein the second shoulder
support member comprises an integral second storage compartment,
wherein the second storage compartment is defined by at least one
sidewall, an opening, and a lid operative to selectively open and
close the second storage compartment.
5. The clothing hanger of claim 1 further comprising a crossbar
connecting the first shoulder support member and the second
shoulder support member.
6. The clothing hanger of claim 1 further comprising a crossbar
extending between distal ends of the first shoulder support member
and the second shoulder support member. The clothing hanger of
claim 6 wherein the crossbar is detachable.
8. The clothing hanger of claim 3 wherein the lid is hingedly
connected to the first shoulder support member.
9. The clothing hanger of claim 8 wherein the lid engages a lip
that defines the opening by a compression fit.
10. The clothing hanger of claim 4 wherein the lid is hingedly
connected to the second shoulder support member.
11. The clothing hanger of claim 10 wherein the lid engages a lip
that defines the opening by a compression fit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/091,495 filed on Dec.
13, 2014, and entitled "Hanger" the technical disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a clothing hanger, and more
particularly a hanger that allows for compact storage of garments
and accessories in order to organize an outfit of clothing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One embodiment of the invention is a clothing hanger
comprising: a central hub portion; a bar hook extending from the
central hub portion, wherein the bar hook defines a support cavity
oriented in a first direction; a first shoulder support member
extending from the central hub portion in a second direction; a
second shoulder support member extending from the central hub
portion in a third direction, wherein the second and third
directions are opposite one another; a jewelry display tab
extending from the central hub portion opposite the bar hook,
wherein the jewelry display tab comprises two perforations, wherein
each perforation comprises a first diameter; two necklace hooks,
wherein one necklace hook extends from the first shoulder support
and another necklace hook extends from the second shoulder support,
wherein each necklace hook defines a support cavity oriented in a
fourth direction, wherein the first direction and fourth direction
are opposite one another; and at least two hooks extending from a
bottom end of the clothing hanger accessory, wherein the at least
two hooks define a plane that is approximately parallel with the
front face and the back face.
[0004] In another embodiment, made according to any other
embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or
below, the jewelry display tab further comprises two additional
perforations, wherein each additional perforation comprises a
second diameter which is different than the first diameter. In
another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or
combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the
first shoulder support member comprises an integral first storage
compartment, wherein the first storage compartment is defined by at
least one sidewall, an opening, and a lid operative to selectively
open and close the first storage compartment.
[0005] In another embodiment, made according to any other
embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or
below, the second shoulder support member comprises an integral
second storage compartment, wherein the second storage compartment
is defined by at least one sidewall, an opening, and a lid
operative to selectively open and close the second storage
compartment.
[0006] In another embodiment, made according to any other
embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or
below, the hanger further comprises a crossbar connecting the first
shoulder support member and the second shoulder support member. In
another embodiment, made according to any other embodiment or
combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or below, the
hanger further comprises a crossbar extending between distal ends
of the first shoulder support member and the second shoulder
support member. In another embodiment, made according to any other
embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or
below, the crossbar is detachable.
[0007] In another embodiment, made according to any other
embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or
below, the lid of the first compartment is hingedly connected to
the first shoulder support member. In another embodiment, made
according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments
disclosed herein above or below, the lid of the first compartment
engages a lip that defines the opening by a compression fit.
[0008] In another embodiment, made according to any other
embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed herein above or
below, the lid of the second compartment is hingedly connected to
the second shoulder support member. In another embodiment, made
according to any other embodiment or combination of embodiments
disclosed herein above or below, the lid of the second compartment
engages a lip that defines the opening by a compression fit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention may be understood by reference to the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements,
and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one
embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of one embodiment
of the clothing hanger of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevation view of one embodiment
of the clothing of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one
embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of another
embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevation view of another
embodiment of the clothing hanger of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear elevation view of another
embodiment of the clothing of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The clothing hanger of the present invention is intended for
use as a clothing hanger that allows a practitioner to organize an
entire outfit including the clothes on the hanger. One example
embodiment of the inventive clothing hanger is depicted in FIG. 1,
referred to generally by reference numeral 100. As depicted
therein, the clothing hanger generally comprises a central hub
portion 126. Two shoulder support members 106 and 108 extend in
opposite directions from the central hub 126. It is noted that by
extending in "opposite directions" the shoulder support members do
not necessarily need to form a 180.degree. angle between one
another along any plane. It can be beneficial for the shoulder
support members to form a somewhat obtuse angle between them to
more closely approximate the shape of human shoulders to more
effectively store clothing garments. However, in this case, the
shoulder support members would still be extending in opposite
directions.
[0018] The hanger also comprises a bar hook 102 attached to the
central hub 126 by the bar hook base 104. It is noted that the bar
hook may be a separate piece that is attached to the central hub,
or may be molded as one piece with the central hub and shoulder
support members. The bar hook 102 is intended to be used to hang
the hanger on a support bar in a closet, armoire, or similar
clothing storage facility.
[0019] In one embodiment, the hanger of the present invention
comprises a jewelry display tab extending 118 extending in a
direction opposite from the bar hook 102. In a preferred
embodiment, the jewelry display tab is located between the shoulder
support members 106 and 108. The jewelry display tab may comprise
two or more perforations or holes 120 and 122 which are adapted to
hold and display at least one pair of earrings. The storage and
display of one pair of earrings would require two holes. In another
embodiment, the jewelry display tab comprises a first pair of holes
120 and 122, and a second pair of holes 124, wherein the diameter
of the holes in the first pair of holes is larger than the diameter
of the holes in the second pair of holes. In this embodiment, the
jewelry display tab may be used to store and display different
sizes of earrings using the differently sized holes.
[0020] The location of the jewelry display tab is important.
Because it extends down from the central hub and between the two
shoulder supports, any jewelry displayed on the tab will be clearly
and easily visible because the neck portion of any shirt or similar
garment draped over the shoulder support members will likely dip
down and reveal the contents of the jewelry display tab. If a
hanger were to provide jewelry mounting structures, such as the
holes on the jewelry display tab, at another location on the
hanger, that jewelry is more likely to be completely covered up and
rendered invisible by a garment being stored on the hanger
itself.
[0021] In one embodiment, the hanger of the present invention
comprises a pair of necklace hooks, with each hook being located on
opposite sides of the central hub. Each necklace hook defines a
support cavity that is oriented in a direction opposite from the
bar hook. In other words, the bar hook is oriented in a direction
that allows the hanger to hang under its own weight on a support
bar with the support bar inside the bar hook's support cavity,
whereas the necklace hooks are oriented in a direction that allows
them to support a necklace, bracelet, or other elongated, arcuate
or looped piece of jewelry or fashion accessory when the necklace
or similar is placed on the necklace hook's support cavity while
the hanger is hanging under its own weight on a support bar. In
another embodiment, each necklace hook extends in the same
direction as the jewelry display tab. In another embodiment, each
necklace hook extends outward from the front face of the clothing
hanger. The location of the necklace hooks is also important
because any accessories mounted on them should also be visible when
a clothing garment is draped on the shoulder supports of the
hanger.
[0022] In another embodiment, at least one of the shoulder supports
comprises an integral storage compartment 132 and 134. An integral
storage compartment is a storage compartment that is formed as a
part of the shoulder support--not a separate structure that is
attached or affixed to the shoulder support. In one embodiment,
each storage compartment is defined by at least one sidewall 150,
an opening, and a cover or lid which is selectively operable to
cover the opening. The lid engages with a lip that defines the
opening of the compartment. In another embodiment, each storage
compartment is located between the central hub portion 126 and the
distal end 110 or 112 of the shoulder support that the particular
storage compartment is integral to.
[0023] The at least one sidewall may comprise one curved sidewall,
multiple planar sidewalls joined to one another (such as a "box"
comprising four planar sidewalls joined at each of two of their
edges by right angles and a bottom sidewall joined to the other
four sidewalls at its edges) or a combination of curved and planar
sidewalls that collectively form a compartment with an opening that
can be selectively covered by a lid. FIG. 4 depicts a bottom
perspective view that clearly shows one embodiment of sidewalls 150
that define the compartments found in each shoulder support.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the lid 136 and 138 is hingedly
connected to at least one of the sidewalls defining the compartment
such that it may be opened or closed by selective rotation about
the hinged connection. In another preferred embodiment, the lid
closes to form a compression fit, or "snap fit," such that contents
of the compartment are contained while the lid is closed, but are
accessible when a practitioner manually releases the compression
fit by pulling on a tab or by pulling or pressing on some other
manual release mechanism.
[0025] The storage compartments in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1
can be used to store loose fashion accessory items, such as rings,
tie clips, decorative pins, collar stays, and the like. The
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is particularly useful as a travel
hanger for the busy professional who needs easy, efficient access
to a pre-planned outfit of clothing and fashion accessories.
[0026] The embodiment of the hanger shown in FIG. 1 also comprises
a crossbar 140 which connects the shoulder supports 106 and 108.
Crossbar 140 is intended as a hanging structure for pants, ties, or
other clothing items that are not easily hung on the shoulder
supports 106 and 108. The crossbar 140 may be molded as one piece
with the shoulder supports and central hub portion, or it may be a
separate detachable piece. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows a
crossbar that attaches to each shoulder support through a grooved
compression fit at opposite ends of the crossbar.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view and FIG. 3 is a rear
elevation view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.
[0028] Another embodiment of the hanger of the present invention is
shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the hanger 200 comprises a
central hub portion 226, and shoulder supports 206 and 208, the
distal ends of which (212 and 210, respectively) extend in opposite
directions from the central hub portion 226. The hanger comprises
bar hook 202 extending upward from bar hook base 204, which is
attached to the central hub portion 226. This embodiment of the
hanger also includes the necklace hooks 214 and 216, and the
jewelry display tab 218 comprising perforations or holes 220, 222
and 224. These features can comprise any or all of the descriptors
ascribed to them above regarding the first embodiment.
[0029] The main difference between the first and second embodiments
shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 is that the embodiment in FIG. 5 has omitted
the storage compartments from the shoulder supports 206 and 208,
and the crossbar. This embodiment is simpler and less expensive to
manufacture, yet still provides a high degree of functionality to
the busy professional who wishes to organize an entire outfit of
clothing on the inventive hanger. In this sense, the storage
compartments and crossbar are optional, but may be provided for
additional storage capacity.
[0030] FIGS. 6 and 7 depict, respectively, front and rear elevation
views of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.
[0031] Again, all of the figures depict a clothing hanger having a
plurality of apertures that can be used for various purposes,
including storage of additional earrings, or other sundry items
such as charms or motivational quotes in order to allow the user to
personalize the clothing hanger as desired. Additionally, the
clothing hanger of the present invention can be used to organize
specific outfits of clothing. A specific outfit would include
clothing accessories, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings,
finger rings, headbands, wristbands, scrunchies, other hair
accessories, bangles, etc., that are intended to be worn with the
specific articles of clothing (not shown in the Figures for
clarity) stored on the hanger, such as shirts, pants, blouses, etc.
Therefore, the clothing hanger of the present invention has several
useful purposes.
[0032] First, the clothing hanger of the present invention could be
used in a retail setting to allow a retailer to quickly and easily
display a complete clothing outfit package for purchase by a
consumer. The invention could thereby increase sales by making the
entire outfit purchase an easier proposition than possible with
prior art clothing hangers.
[0033] Second, the clothing hanger of the present invention could
be used by consumers at their home or while traveling to organize
specific outfits to be worn at a future time. Again, each hanger
would allow the consumer to store one complete outfit all together
on the same clothing hanger, including all clothing accessories
intended to be worn with the outfit. The hanger would be useful in
the home by allowing the user to more easily and quickly decide on
what to wear that day. It would also be beneficial as a travel
accessory when used as part of a garment bag.
[0034] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown
by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the description
herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed.
* * * * *