AU691833B2 - Garment hanger - Google Patents

Description

IRcg~aation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

S

S.

S S

S

Names of Applicants: Erich Johannes UNTERWURZACHER, Thomas Alfred WEISLER and Gerhard .Toachim. MAYER Actual Inventors: Erich Johannes UNTERWURZACHER, Thomas Alfred WEISLER and Gerhard Joachim MAYER *55*

S

*5*S

*SSSSO

S

S S S. 0*S*S*

S

Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

Invention Title: Garnw 4 t Hanger Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PM1894/93 Filed 19 October, 1993 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1- Q \CPiRi'"7942 114M -2- GARMENT HANGER This invention relates to a garment hanger especially to a security garment hanger which is designed to inhibit unauthorised removal of garments therefrom.

In the retailing industry there is a continual problem with shoplifting of garments which are displayed on racks. There have been some attempts to design a garment hanger which prevents or substantially prevents garments being removed from the hanger and or substantially prevents the hanger being removed from the hanging rail. These arrangements have, however, been somewhat cumbersome and no such arrangements are thought to be in widespread use. The objection of the present invention is to provide a novel form of security garment hanger which is convenient to use and which will prevent or inhibit unauthorised removal of a garment from a hanger and/or removal of the hanger itself from a hanging rail 15 or the like.

o According to the present invention there is provided a security garment hanger having a body portion including garment support means for supporting a garment by hanging, a hanging element by which the hanger may be supported on an elongate rail or other support, 20 a retaining element pivotally connected to the body portion for movement about an axis which is, in use, generally parallel to said elongate rail or other support and being movable from an .0.0.0 Sopen position to a clamping position in which a garment supported on said garment support means is clamped against or relative to said body portion.

Preferably, the retaining means may be arranged so as not to be visible when a garment is positioned on the body portion to cover the opposite side of the body portion when the hanger and garment are viewed in the direction towards the opposite side of the body portion. Preferably the locking means is provided so as at least substantially not to be visible when the hanger and garment are so viewed.

I I U Q f'IIR( UI' P13WV( Ii -2A- Preferably, the hanger includes a hanging element by which the hanger may be supported on a rail or other support, the hanging element being movable between an unlocked position enabling lateral or edgewise withdrawal of the hanger from a rail or other support and a locked position substantially preventing such withdrawal. In this case, preferably, the hanging element when in the position preventing withdrawal latches the retaining element in the clamping position. The hanging element may include a lengthwise slidable shank, slidable to engage an aperture in the retaining element. The locking means in this case may serve to lock the hanging element in position when latching the retaining element in the clamping position whereby to lock the retaining element in that position, and to lock the hanging element in the position for preventing edgewise withdrawal of the hanger from a rail or other support.

The invention is further described by way of example only by reference to the .accompanying drawings in which: *oWI o*o* -3- Figure 1 is a front side view of a garment hanger constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an edge view of the garment hanger of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a fragmentary front to rear cross-section of an upper part of the hanger of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a fragmentary upper end perspective view of a retaining element incorporated into the hanger of Figure 1.

In Figure 1, the garment hanger 10 is shown as comprising a body portion 12 of somewhat triangular form having a lower rail 14 with upper rails 16, 18 which extend from the opposite ends of rail 14 to join at a central part 20 of the body portion. The central part 20 is of generally rectangular form, extending forwardly of the remainder of the body portion 12, and having upper and lower faces 22, 24.

15 Central part 20 has, extending downwardly from an upper face thereof, a bore 26 "which slidably receives a shank 28 of a hanging element 30. Hanging element 30 is of hook like form having an upper semi circular portion 32 from one end of which depends the shank 28 and from the other end of which depends a somewhat shorter leg portion 34.

S0 The hanging element 30 is slidable relative to bore 26 between the upper position shown in solid lines in Figure 1 to the lower position 36 shown. In the upper position, the lower end of leg portion 34 is spaced substantially above the upper surface 22 of part of body 12. In the lower position, the lower end of leg portion 34 enters a shallow recess 38 in the upper surface 22 of the central part 20. The hanging element 30 may be locked :an the lower position by a lock generally designated by reference numeral which lock 40 is preferably of a kind which automatically effects locking when the hanging element is pushed downwardly to the lower position.

In the upper position of the hanging element 30, the clearance between the lower end of leg portion 34 and the upper surface 22 of central part 20 is sufficient to enable the hanger 10 to be positioned on a rail or similar support (not shown), by edgewise 941019,p:\Apcrgcpchgercp.3 I I -4movement of the hanger relative to the support so that the support is entered between the lower end of leg portion 34 and the upper surface 22 of central part 20. In the lower position of the hanging element 30, however, the hanger cannot be removed from the support, since it is captured between the hanging element 30 and the central part On the front side of the hanger 10, immediately below central part 20 there is provided a hinged retaining element 42. This is hinged to the bottom front edge of central part 20 so as to be swingable between a clamping position shown in solid lines in Figure 2 where it depends more or less vertically downwardly from the central part to the outwardly swung open position shown by broken lines 44.

The body portion 12 has a downwardly extending central projection 46 which depends from central part 20, and when the retaining element 42 is in the clamping position, the lower part of the retaining element 42 is positioned adjacent a front surface 15 of central projection 46.

~As best shown in Figure 3 the upper part of retaining element 42 has a downwardly extending bore 48 which, in the clamping position is axially aligned with the bore 26 in central part 20. The length of the shank 28 of hanging element 30 is such that when the hanging element is in the lower position shown in Figure 1, the lower end of S the shank extends downwardly into tie extending bore 48, from bore 26. In this case, then, the retaining element 42 is latched in the clamping position by the shank 28 and cannot be swung to the open position.

5.5.5 A garment 50 is shown in phantom lines in Figure 1 hung on the hanger 10, with a portion thereof interposed between the retaining element 42 and the central projection 46, and with the opposite part of the garment extending over the rear side of the hanger and extending downwardly therefrom. The front part of the garment, adjacent the neck portion thereof can be readily introduced between the central projection 46 and the retaining element 42 wheul the retaining element 42 is in the open position shown in Figure 2, with the hanging element 30 at its upper position. Then, the retaining element 42 may be swung to the clamping position at which the front portion of the garment is 941019,p\ope'gcpchanger.cap,4 securely clamped between the retaining element 42 and central projection 46, the retaining element 42 being latched in this position by downward depression of the hanging element 30. The clamping action is facilitated, since entry of the lower portion of the shank 28 into the bore 48 of the retaining element 42 under the condition where the retaining element is still slightly open, because of the thickness of garment material between the central projection 46 and the retaining element 42, will cause the retaining element 42 to be pressed against the material, by camming action of the shank 28 as it is introduced into the bore 48. As shown in Figure 3, the rear part of the bore 48 may be outwardly flared as indicated by reference numeral 52 to facilitate entry of the shank under conditions where the retaining element is offset from the clamping position.

Similarly, the lower end of the shank 28 may be of curved profile to further facilitate entry, again as shown in Figure 3.

The central projection 46 is, at its lower end outwardly bulged when viewed from the side, and the lower facing surface of retaining element 42 has a complimentary concavity so as to facilitate gripping of the garment.

Figure 4 shows the upper end of the retaining element 42, particularly two upstanding projections 54 with apertures 56 for receiving a pivot pin 60 (Figure 3) which extends through an aligned bore in another projection 62 (Figure 3) on the central part to provide the aforementioned hinging as between these components. The bore 48 is also shown.

The lock 40 may be of any conventional type. That shown is a conventional form 25 having two index wheels 58 which are rotatable about the axis of the bore 26 and which form a combination lock of the kind where locking action as between the hanging element 30 and the body portion 12 may only be released (by upward movement "he hanging element) when the index wheels are at particular rotational positions. In this particular form of lock, the particular rotational positions are selectable by a user, by positioning the wheels 58 to those positions when the hanging element 30 is moved to the upper position and then rotated about the axis of shank 28 to a predetermined rotational position, and the hanging element is downwardly depressed. On return of the 941019,p:\opcftq'.dnger.cap.5 I I -6shank 28 to its normal position, by upward movement and back pivoting, the positions of the wheels 58 at that time correspond to the positions at which the lock is released.

For convenience of identification, the indexable positions of the wheels 58 are identified by numerals printed on the peripheries of the wheels. The particular lock has the advantage that locking is effected by the simple action of downward depression of the hanging element. In the described construction, this locking action, as it is effected, also locks the retaining element in the clamping position as mentioned previously. The arrangement is thus particularly simple to operate.

The central projection 46 is generally planar in form and is sized so as to substantially cover the retaining element 42 when the hanger is viewed from the rear side at which the central projection is disposed. Furthermore, both the central projection 46 and the retaining element 42 are accommodated within the confines of the perimeter of the body portion 12 of the hanger 10. The only parts of the lock 40 which are visible comprise the two wheels 58 which are disposed, as shown largely at the front side of the hanger and as such are relatively indiscernible when viewed from the rear side.

In use of the hanger 10, garments may be hung from the hanger in the manner described and clamped to the hanger by the retaining element 42. In particular, with the garment in position on the hanger and with the retaining element in the open position, the hanging element is in its uppermost location. Then, the hanger may be positioned on a hanging rail by passing the hanging element edgewise over the rail so that the rail passes under the portion 32 of the hanging element. Then, by depressing the hanging S:element, the hanger is captured to the rail, and the garment is simultaneously clamped to •coo•3 the hanger. It has been found possible to easily generate an adequate clamping action such that it is difficult to remove the garment from the hanger. Since, by the described means, the hanger is not removable from the hanging rail, it is at least extrr nely difficult to remove a garment from the hanger or from the vicinity of the hanging rail. The arrangement described has the further advantage that since the retaining element is positioned to the "front" side of the hanger and in a position where its presence is not immediately apparent on inspection from the other side of the hanger, it is possible to so position garments, such as in position where they are offered for sale suspended from a 941019,p:\opei'gcp,changercap,6 -7rail on the hangers, so that the back side of the hangers only are readily visible.

Particularly where a number of garments are so disposed on a rail for display, it is possible to arrange that careful observation is required to note that the garments are retained by the hangers.

If desired, resilient means may be provided to bias the retaining element 42 to the open position when not latched in the clamping position. This may comprise, for example, a helical spring (not shown) which surrounds the pivot pin of the hinged joint between central part 20 and the retaining element 42, with free ends of the spring respectively secured to the central part 20 and the retaining element 42.

The hanger may be constructed of plastics or other materials. For example, the central part 20, lock 40, hanging element 30 and retaining element 42 may be formed as a unit separate from the remainder of the hanger 10, and might, if also formed with the central projection 46, be designed, in an alternative construction, to fit a standard hanger.

The outwardly bulged portion of the central projection 46 shown in Figure 2 may be i formed as a neoprene cushion to provide an anti-slip surface.

Forms of hinge other than that described may likewise be employed. For example 20 a piano hinge may be employed to couple the retaining element 42 to the central part Particularly in this case, the resilient means might comprise a clip like device of known Sgo• form formed of a curved strip of resilient material having in turned free ends which accommodate free edge portions of the leads of the piano hinge and which exhibits an over-centre action so that, although the retaining element 42 is biased to the open position when moved away from the clamping position the retaining element is biased towards the central portion when in the clamping position.

More complex locks than described may be used. For example a combination lock similar to that described but having more than two index wheels may be used, in order to increase the number of lock permutations.

941019,p:\op gcp,changr.cap,7 r 9 -8- The described hanger finds particular application in stores or shops where it is desired to display garments in a fashion which inhibits theft. Thus, it is only readily possible to remove garments from a storage rack, when clamped to the described hangers, if the combination for the lock 40 is known to enable the lock to be released to free the garment from the hanger and the hanger from the rack rail. Thus the combination may be known only to trusted employees and not be known to the general public. Because the method by which the garments are attached to the hangers is not readily apparent when the garments are hung on a rack, the method of attachment is less likely to become readily known to thieves, while also avoiding an undesirable atmosphere of excessive security in a shop or store, which may inhibit customers entering the store or purchasing garments.

The described construction has been advanced merely by way of explanation, and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without 15 departing Crom the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and combination of features herein disclosed.

0* 0 0 9 o*• o *•o 941019,p:\oper\gcp,chzngcrxap,8

I

Claims (14)

1. A security garment hanger having a body portion including garment support means for supporting a garment by hanging, a hanging element by which the hanger may be supported on an elongate rail or other support, a retaining element pivotally connected to the body portion for movement about an axis which is, in use, generally parallel to said elongate rail or other support and being movable from an open position to a clamping position in which a garment supported on said garment support means is clamped against or relati, 2: to said body portion.

2. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retaining element is located on one side of the body portion and is, at least substantially, not visible when the hanger is viewed from a side opposite to said one side. 15

3. A garment hanger as claimea in claim 1 or 2 including locking means for releasably locking the retaining element in its clamping position.

4. A hanger as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the hanging element is movable between an unlocked position enabling lateral withdrawal of the hanger from the rail 20 or other support and a locked position substantially preventing such withdrawal.

A hanger as claimed in claim 4 including means to interlock the hanging element and the retaining element such when the hanging element is in its locked position the retaining means is in its clamping position.

6. A hanger as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means to interlock operates such when the hanging element moves from its locked position to its unlocked position, the retaining element is movable from its clamping position to its open position. ~c I' Q 4411 I 'IflIM75DI 1 I 4M

7. A hanger as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the hanging element includes a shank which is slidable relative to the body and one end of the shank is engagable with an opening in the retaining means, said one end of the shank and said opening constituting the means to interlock.

8. A hanger as claimed in claim 7 wherein the locking means operates to control sliding movement of the shank relative to the body.

9. A hanger as claimed in claim 8 wherein in a locked condition of the locking means the shank is held in a position such said one end thereof is within said opening.

A hanger as claimed in claim 9 wherein the locking means comprises a combination lock having index wheels.

11. A hanger as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the body portion includes V. a central portion, and the garment support means comprises two upper rails extending in opposed directions therefrom the ends of the upper rail being joined by a lower rail, and wherein the hanging element is slidable relative to the central portion and the retaining mean, is hingedly connected to the central portion.

12. A hanger as claimed in claim 11 including a projection extending from the central portion towards the lower rail and wherein the retaining means cooperates with the 11 projection to clamp garments thercbctwcen.

13. A hanger as claimed in claim 12 wherein the projection and retaining means have respective clamping faces which are complementary in shape.

14. A hanger as claimed in claim 13 wherein the clamping faces are provided with non-slip surfaces. A garment hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. *9 U. S *bSS S DATED this 19th day of October, 1994 *00 06S *56** Erich Johannes Unterwurzacher, Thomas Alfred Weisler and Gerhard Joachim Mayer By their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE 941019,p:\Nopcft~cp,changer.xap,1l ABSTRACT A garment hanger (10) having a body portion (12) for supporting a garment by hanging, retaining means (42) positioned at one side of the body portion and movable to a clamping position for clamping a so supported garment to the body portion, for retaining the garment on the hanger, and locking means (28,52) for releasably locking the retaining means in the clamping position, the retaining means being such that, at least substantially, it is not visible when the garment hanger is viewed from a side opposite the one side. *o ooo* g *ooo 9411i9,p:\opegcpchanger.cap,12