AU693728B2

AU693728B2 - Hanger

Info

Publication number: AU693728B2
Application number: AU10014/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yasuhiro Ohsugi
Original assignee: NKG Co Ltd
Current assignee: NKG Co Ltd
Priority date: 1996-02-15
Filing date: 1997-01-02
Publication date: 1998-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-02
Also published as: JPH09276115A; CA2197605A1; EP0790026A2; EP0790026A3; KR19980041668A; AU1001497A; ID15878A; JP3800442B2

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): NKG Co., Ltd.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE "I Patent Attorneys S, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

INVENTION TITLE: I, c Hanger rVC i t The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:i C i t' ia c S. L 1 00'^ 1 1 i-V.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hanger suspending a garment for drying, displaying or Description of Related Art for hanging and storing.

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For storing a garment or drying a washed garment, the garment can be kept in shape by hanging it on a hanger. A hanger comprises a hanging part for hanging a garment and a suspending part for supporting the hanging part at its center.

With the neck and a hung portion of the garment hung on the hanging part of the hanger, die suspending part is projected 15 upward through the neck, and a hook-shaped tip portion of the suspending part is hitched on, for example, a clothes-drying bar. Since the suspending part is disposed at the center of the hanging part, the hanger is balanced between the shoulders of the hung garment, and hence, the garment hung on the hanger can be stably kept.

When, for example, a turtleneck sweater or a child sweater having a small neck is hung on such a hanger, the neck of the sweater is stretched by inserting rightward and leftward S extending portions of the hanging part through the neck, :resulting in spoiling the shape of the sweater. Therefore, the ]a it;

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a~ Cat ca t o ar ata tat tab entire hanger is inserted into the sweater from the lower hem thereof, the hanger is moved upward within the sweater so as to project the suspending part through the neck, and the shoulders of the sweater are adjusted to lie on the rightward and leftward extending portions of the hanging part. The neck can be thus prevented from being stretched, but the hanger should be moved by a distance equal to the length of the garment, which is troublesome. In addition, for drying a washed garment, since the garment is wet and heavy, it is more 10 difficult to move the hanger within the garment. When the garment is removed from the hanger, the procedures are reversed. In this case, the tip portion of the suspending part can be caught by a part of the garment, resulting in disadvantageously damaging the garment.

15 A hanger for solving such disadvantages is now commercially available. FIG. 1 is a front view of this hanger.

In this hanger, a hanging part 31 having rightward and leftward extending portions is supported at its center by a suspending part 32, and the hanging part 31 is provided with a notch 33, which is formed by bending a substantially center part of the rightward or leftward extending portion to be closer to the other, the leftward or righward, portion. When a garment is to be hung on this hanger, the rightward or leftward portion having the notch 33 of the hanging part 31 is first .inserted through the neck of the garment, and the neck is moved 2 I I V4 j;

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i~h P: I:::Tjp-: ril~l P:\OPER\SS]\I0014.97.133- 13/5198 along the notch 33. After the neck reaches the end of the notch 33, the other leftward or rightward portion of the hanging part 31 is inserted through the neck, and the shoulders of the garment are adjusted to lie on the hanging part 31. In using this hanger, there is no need to insert the hanger through the lower hem of the garment and move it within the garment.

However, when the distance between the end of the notch 33 and the tip of the other leftward or rightward portion of the hanging part 31 exceeds the size of the neck of the garment to be hung, the neck is unavoidably stretched.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a hanger including: a hanging member for hanging an object; a suspending member having an engaging part, wherein the hanging member includes a plurality of catching portions which are each separately engageable with the engaging part i of the suspending member, and the catching portions are adapted to catch the engaging part of the suspending member by moving the hanging member relative to the engaging part of the suspending member, such that said hanging member is supported in a lateral position or a longitudinal position relative to said suspending member, depending on which of said C catching portions is caught by the engaging part of the suspending member.

The invention also provides a suspending member of a hanger, including: an engaging part in a U-shape, in a side view, having an upward projection formed Si at a bottom centre of the U-shape for catching and supporting a hanging member including a shoulder part, for hanging an object and being removable from the suspending member, the Shanging member having a recess at a substantial centre thereof and at least one side part extending from an end of the shoulder part, Wherein the projection is adapted to be caught by and to support the recess and the side m-:part by oving the hanging member, relative to the suspending member, in a space opposing K the engaging part suh that the hanging member is supported in a lateral position or a Slongitudinal position relative to the suspending member, depending on which of said recess or said at least one side part is caught by said upward projection.

RT 0 The invention also provides a hanging member ofa hanger, including: PA\OPER\SSB\10014-97,133- 131519 .r S IS Vt C Si tr Vrr

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a shoulder part for hanging an object, having, at a substantial centre thereof, a recess adapted to catch and be supported by an upward projection formed at a centre bottom of a Ushaped part, in a side view, of a suspending member, said suspending member being removable from the hanging member; and at least one side part extending from an end of the shoulder part, wherein the hanging member is movable in a space opposing the U-shaped part, and the recess and the side part are adapted to catch and be supported by the projection by moving the hanging member, relative to the upward projection, in the space, such that the hanging member is supported in a lateral position or a longitudinal position relative to the suspending member, depending on which of said recess or said at least one side part is caught by said upward projection.

In embodiments of the invention, the hanger comprises a hanging member for hanging an object; and a suspending member for catching and supporting the hanging member with an engaging part, and the hanging member includes a plurality of catching portions which are fittable with the engaging part of the suspending member, and the catching portions are adoptable to catch and to be supported by the engaging part of the suspending member by moving the hanging member.

In this case the suspending member can be engaged with the plural catching portions of the hanging member, so as to support the hanging member at the respective positions of the catching portions. Therefore, the direction of the hanging member can be changed in accordance with the states of the object to be hung, such as a state where the object is started to be hung, a state where the object is hung and suspended, and a state where the object is removed. In this embodiment, in starting hanging the object, the engaging part is engaged with the catching portion disposed at the end of the hanging member, so as to support the hanging member to extend in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the hanging member can be easily inserted through a narrow portion of the object. Then, the engaging part is released from the catching portion and is engaged with the other catching portion disposed at the center of the hanging member. Thus, the hanging member can be supported so as to extend in the lateral direction suitably for suspending the objedt. In removing the object from the hanger, the engaging part is released from the catching portion at the center and is engaged with the catchingportion disposed atthe end so that the hanging member is supported to rn;

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p i i ;P:\OPER\SSB\10014-I7.133- 1315198 extend in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the hanging member caii be easily pulled out through the narrow portion of the object. In this manner, the object can be smoothly hung on and removed from the hanger in a short period of time.

In one embodiment of the present hanger, the hanging member includes a shoulder part for hanging the object and at least one side part extending form the shoulder part and adoptable as one of the catching portions; the engaging part of the suspending member is formed in a U-shape in a side view, having an upward projection at a bottom center of the U-shape; and one of the catching portions of the hanging member is a recess formed at substantially a center of the shoulder part and fittable with the projection, the hanging member is movable in a space disposed in opposing the engaging part, and the projection of the suspending member is adoptable to be caught by and support the recess and the side part of the hanging member by moving the hanging member in the space.

In another embodiment, the present suspending member of the hanger comprises an engaging part in a U-shape, in a side view, having an upward projection formed at a bottom center of the U-shape for being caught by and supporting a hanging member including a S tshoulder part, for hanging an object, having a recess at substantially a center thereof and at 'i "least one side part extending from an end of the shoulder part, and the projection is adoptable I to be caught by and support the recess and the side part by moving the hanging member in a space disposed in opposing the engaging part.

In another embodiment, the present hanging member of the

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ea C 4. CO hanger comprises a shoulder part for hanging an object having, at substantially a center thereof, a recess fittable with an upward projection formed at a center bottom of a U-shaped part, in a side view, of a suspending member; and at least one side part extending from an end of the shoulder part, and the hanging member is movable in a space disposed in opposing the U-shaped part, and the recess and the side part are adoptable to catch and to be supported by the projection by moving the hanging member.

Accordingly, when the side part catches and is supported by the projection, the side part with a small width is disposed at an upper end of the hanging member, resulting in suspending the hanging member so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the hanger can attain a shape easily inserted 15 through the narrow portion of the object. Furthermore, when the recess catches and is supported by the projection, the side part of the hanging member is disposed at a right or left end, resulting in suspending the hanging member so as to extend in the lateral direction. Thus, the hanger can attain a shape suitable for hanining the object. Such a change of the shape of the hanger can be easily attained through engagement or release between the projection and the recess by rotating the hanging member and moving the hanging member in the space disposed in opposing the engaging part. As a result, for example, a garmentwith a small Ieksuch as a child sweater can be

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Furthermore, when the hanger is stored while suspended on a bar, a space for the storage can be prevented from expanding in the horizontal direction by catching the projection by the side part to support the hanger. In addition, when the suspending member or the hanging member is lost or broken, a desired member alone can be replaced with a new one.

In still another embodiment, the projection has a height larger than a depth of the recess, and a supporting piece for supporting an opening edge of the recess are projected on a base portion of the projection.

In still another embodiment, the projection has, in a sectional view, an arc-shaped top portion and a substantially trapezoid base portion with a larger width toward a bottom thereof, and the recess has, in a sectional view, an arc-shaped bottom portion and a substantially trapezoid opening with a larger width toward an edge thereof.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the projection is engaged with the recess merely through contact between the top portion of the projection and the bottom portion of the recess.

Therefore, the hanging member can be swung by slightly rotating the hanging member, so that the peripheral face of the recess is moved away from the peripheral face of the projection. Since the projection has a height larger than the depth of the recess, the edge of 'J d the recess comes in contact with the supporting piece after removing from the peripheral face, and the hanging member is rotated with the supporting piece as a center. The engagement S 20 between the projection and the recess can be thus easily released. In addition, in the reverse operation, the recess can be easily engaged with the projection.

In still another embodiment, the hanging member is removable from the suspending 0 cc0 0 member. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the hanger can be stored with the hanging member removed from the suspending member, resulting in requiring only a small space for the storage.

I.:n still another embodiment, the suspending member includes a clipping part in a Uo shape in a sectional view and an elastic member for applying a force in a direction to make ends of the clipping part closer to each other.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, by clipping a bar such as a clothes-drying bar with 41 ,30 the U-shaped clipping part, the hanger can be suspended on the bar. Since the elastic member B'5 B~ ~ls Ir:; I II P:\OPER\KAT\I014-97.77 19/3198 -8makes the ends of the clipping part closer to each other by its elasticity, the hanger can be fixed on the bar so as not to come off from the bar even when the hanger is winded or a sudden external force is applied to the hanger.

In still another embodiment, the elastic member is a split ring spring, the clipping part is provided with spring bearing pieces projected outward from an outer face of the U-shape, and the split ring spring is supported and fixed by the spring bearing pieces at both ends with a center of the split ring spring positioned on a bottom of the U-shape of the clipping part.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, owing to the elasticity of the split ring spring fixed on the clipping part. ,he ends of the clipping part are more strongly pushed in the direction to make them closer to each other, resulting in enforcing the fixation on the bar. In addition, the elasticity of the split ring spring has a sufficient restoring property even after long time usage. Therefore, even after clipping a bar with a large diameter for a long period of time, the clipping part can strongly clip a bar with a small diameter.

In still another embodiment, the suspending member includes clipping pieces opposing each other and linked with each other at one end thereof through a bent portion, each of the clipping pieces rounding out at substantially a center thereof, the other end of each of the t t clipping pieces being curved outward, and the clipping pieces are provided, at portions closer to the bent portion, with spring bearing pieces projected outward from outer faces of the e clipping pieces, for supporting ends of a split ring spring for applying a force in a direction to make the clipping pieces closer to each other.

i Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the clipping pieces round out at substantially ,the center thereof, a bar such as a clothes-drying bar can be stably clipped. Furthermore, since the ends of the clipping pieces in this embodiment are curved outward, the bar can be easily guided to the center of the clipping part in hanging the suspending member on the bar.

In addition, owing to the elasticity of the split ring spring fixed on the bent portion, in this embodiment the ends of the clipping pieces are more strongly pushed in the direction to make Sthem closer to each other, resulting in enforcing the fixation on the bar.

In still another embodiment, each of the spring bearing pieces includes a stop portion having a face formed toward the bent portion of the suspending member for stopping SnOvement of the split ring spring in a lengthwise direction of the clipping pieces at the tips Ki 1 11. 1 1 i V P;\OPHR\KAT\l0014-97.77 -19/3198 i .'i -9of the split ring spring; and first and second restricting portions each having a face formed along the lengthwise direction of the clipping pieces for restricting movement of the split ring spring in a widthwise direction of the clipping pieces at both sides of the ends of the split ring spring, and the split ring spring is supportable to be positioned along the bent portion with the ends thereof inserted into the spring bearing pieces.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the tips of the split ring spring butt against the stop portions, the split ring spring is prevented from moving toward the ends of the clipping pieces. Also, since, in this embodiment, the both sides of the ends of the split ring spring butt against the first and second restricting portions, the split ring spring is prevented from being shifted in the widthwise direction of the clipping pieces. Additionally, since, in tls embodiment, the first and second restricting portions are disposed at different positions in the lengthwise direction of the clipping pieces, the split ring spring can be easily inserted into the spring bearing pieces. In this manner, the split ring spring is fixed by the stop portion and i the first and second restricting portions of each spring bearing piece, so as to be prevented from shifting in the widthwise direction and coming off from the spring bearing pieces.

The above and further objects and features of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view for showing the structure of a conventional hanger; FIG. 2 is a perspective view for showing the structure of a hanger of the present to invention; FIG. 3 is a front view for showing the structure of the hanger of the invention; I t FIG. 4 is a front view for showing the structure of a hanging member of the hanger -25 of the invention; o FIG. 5 is a front view for showing the structure of a .L S I 11 1 087169 0 2 JANN? suspending member of the hanger of the invention; i FIG. 6 is a right side view for showing the structure of the suspending member of the hanger of the invention; FIG. 7 is a rear side view for showing the structure of the suspending member of the hanger of the invention; FIG. 8 is a plan view for showing the structure of the suspending member of the hanger of the invention; FIG. 9 is a bottom view for showing the structure of the suspending member of the hanger of the invention; 10 FIG. 10 illustrates setting of the suspending member on the hanging member; FIG. 11 is a sectional view for showing engagement and o release between an engaging projection and a catching recess; FIG. 12 is another sectional view for showing the engagement and release between the engaging projection and the catching recess; X FIG. 13 is a still another sectional view for showing the susengagement and releasr of the between the engaging preojection and the t: 10 FIG. 10 illustrates setting of the suspending member on engagement and release between the engaging projection and the catching recess; FIG. 15 is a front view for showing the engagement and release between ath engaging projection and the catching recess;ess; 2 FIG. 14Ais0 a still aother sectional view fo showing the ;7 si ga f| I.6i ih ieve frsoigtesrcueo 7 ^7 I h upnigmme ftehne fteivnin 7i' j7I.7i7 ersieve o hwn tesrcueo

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for showing the structure of a haner of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view thereof.

As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the present hanger comprises a SI-.PAOPER\-,SSB: \o0014 97 133 13I5/s9

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:(i i Llieeuiano r iastone idepar extending rom an eil Of~the shulder part /2 4 tot t hanging member 1, which has a laterally extending rectangularshape similarly to the hanging part of a conventional hanger, and a suspending member 2 for catching and supporting the hanging member 1. The suspending member 2 can be caught by and 5 released from the hanging member 1 by rotating the hanging member 1 and is removable from the hanging member 1. With a garment, that is, an object for hanging, hun, on the hanging member 1, a clothes-drying bar or the like is clipped with a clipping part 21 provided at the upper end of the suspending 10 member 2, and thus the garment can be suspended.

FIG. 4 is a frout view for showing the structure of the hanging member 1. The hanging member 1 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and is integrally formed as a frame having a predetermined thickness in the back-and-forth 15 direction. As is shown in FIG. 4, an upper hanging part 11, that is, one side of the frame, is slightly bent upward at the center so as to extend along a line between the neck and the shoulder of a garment. In the upper hanging part 11, a first catching portion 14., corresponding to the peak of its bent shape, has a larger width in the vertical direction than both end portions of thf upper hanging part 11. The catching portion. 14 inludes a catching recess 16 in a reverse U-shape ith its opening facing downward. A lower hanging part 12 opposing the upper hang-ing part 11 is formed in the shape of a straight bar. Side parts 13, that is, second catching(1 065545i- 5* V. .554 i 541* K 9" r:zr2i;i~i ;n .d;i i:ri::i i i i i iii i i 1- j:i :i; 1 I1-~ I-I ;ri; u V 1< 1~ *trooo portions, opposing each other so as to link the upper hanging part 11 with the lower hanging part 12, have a shorter length than the upper hanging part 11 and the lower hanging part 12.

The neck and the shoulders of the garment are in contact with and hung on the upper hanging part 11, and the lower hanging part 12 can be used for hanging trousers, a towel or the like.

The lower hanging part 12 has upward projections 17 at its both ends with a distance therebetween approximately equal to a width of a skirt. For example, a skirt can be suspended by catching the projections 17 with loops attached to the skirt.

FIG. 5 is a front view for showing the structure of the suspending member 2, and FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are respectively a right side view, a rear side view, a plan view and a bottom view thereof. The suspending member 2 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and is integrally formed so as to comprise a post 22 provided with the clipping part 21 at the Supper end thereof for clipping a clothes-drying bar or the like and an engaging part 23 in a U-shape in a side view at the lower end thereof. The engaging part 23 includes a support plate 24, for supporting the hanging member 1, formed in a vertically extending rectangular shape, in a front view, having a given thickness in the back-and-forth direction. The upper portion of the support plate 24 is bent by approximately degrees in the forward direction. The lower end of the post 22 is fixed on a substantially center of the upper face of the P:\,OPER\SSB\()10497.133 131 5 1 9

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At the lower end of the support plate 24, an engaging projection 25 having a reverse U-shaped section is projected forward. The engaging projection 25 is projected from the front face of the support plate 24 by a distance larger than the thickness of the hanging member 1, and has a height in the longitudinal direction larger than the depth of the catching recess 16 so as to be engaged with the catching recess 16. On the lower peripheral face of the engaging projection rotation supporting pieces 26 are formed so as to be projected in the rightward and leftward directions, respectively. The front face of the engaging projection 25 is positioned at the same level in the back-and-forth direction as the upper bent portion of the support plate 24. The engaging projection 25 is provided with a fastening rod 27 extending upward at the upper portion of the front face thereof. The tip of the fastening rod 27 is away from the upper tip of the support plate 24 by a S' predetermined distance, thereby forming an insert opening The distance between the tip of the fastening rod 27 and the tip of the support plate 24 is larger than the width at the top of the catching portion 14, is substantially the same as the thickness of the engaging projection 25, and is larger than the thickness of the hanging member 1.

includes, as is shown in FIG. 5, two clipping pieces with an P \OPE SB\0014 7.1 13/5 \LB 3 1519 8 I i: ii ;-i -s:i i i: ~-ggi; i -I 1:i o; .in i:" opening facing rightward (or leftward), and its lower face around the lower tip is fixed on the upper end of the post 22.

The clipping part 21 round out at substantially the center of each clipping piece, and a plurality of grooves extending in the back-and-fourth direction are formed on the inner face of each round portion for preventing slip. The tip portions of the clipping pieces are curved outward. Since the clipping part 21 is formed in the U-shape out of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, it has a material elasticity so as to attain ttIct flexibility in a direction to make the clipping pieces closer to and farther from each other. Owing to this flexibility, the clipping part 21 can be applied to various bars with different diameters. In addition, on the outer face of the U-shaped Sbottom of the clipping part 21, a U-shaped flat spring 29 of steel in a shape that can be fit on the U-shaped bottom is removably fit. After clipping a bar or the like with the clipping part 21, the U-shaped flat spring 29 is externally fit on the clipping part 21, thereby enforcing the clip of the suspending member 2 on the bar.

The hanging member 1 is set on the suspending member 2 as Sfollows FIG. 10 illustrate the setting of the hanging member I. As is shown in FIG. 10, the center of the catching portion 14 is positioned at the insert opening 30 of the suspending member 2, and the hangin member 1 is moved downward, as is shown wi'th arrows, in a movement space defined by the support l 1 ;i -1

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plate 24 and the fastening rod 27. When the hanging member 1 is removed from the suspending member 2, the procedures are reversed.

Now, engagement and release between the engaging projection 25 and the catching recess 16 will be described.

FIGS. 11 through 14 are sectional views for illustrating the engagement and release between the engaging projection 25 and the catching recess 16. FIG. 11 shows a state where the catching recess 16 is engaged with and supported by the oo 10 engaging projection 25. The engaging projection 25 has a o section with an arc-shaped top portion and a trapezoid base l portion having a larger width toward the bottom, and similarly the catching recess 16 has an arc-shaped bottom portion and a Strapezoid opening having a larger width toward the edge. Also, as described above, since the height of the engaging projection is larger than the depth of the catching recess 16, the engaging projection 25 supports, at its top, the bottom of the Scatching recess 16, with the edge of the catching recess 16 not in contact with the rotation supporting pieces 26. In this case, the hanging member 1 is supported with the upper hanging part 11 and the lower hanging part 12 extending in the lateral direction.

Such engagement between the engaging projection 25 and the catching recess 16 can be released by rotating the hanging member 1. he a small force is applied to one ofthe side i id- 2 4 2 I 1/ 4

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'Ciiparts 13, the hanging member 1 can be swung. When a downward force is applied to the left side part 13, the hanging member 1 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as is shown in FIG. 12, so that the left edge of the catching recess 16 comes in contact with the rotation supporting piece 26 of the engaging projection 25. When the downward force is further applied to the left side part 13, the catching recess 16 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction with the rotation supporting piece 16 as a fulcrum as is shown in FIG. 13, so that the right edge of the catching recess 16 is moved beyond the top of the engaging projection 25. When the catching recess 16 is further rotated, the left edge of the projection recess 16 is removed from the rotation supporting piece 26, so that the hanging member 1 is moved downward in the movement space as is shown in FIG. 14, and the right side part 13 catches the engaging projection 25. At this point, the hanging member 1 is supported by the suspending member 2 with the short side parts 13 positioned at the upper and lower ends. FIG. illustrates a possible highest position of the hanging member 1 )20 moved in the movement space. The fastening rod 27 has a vertical dimension sufficient for the hanging member 1 to move without coming off from the suspending member 2 when positioned as shown in FIG. 15.

In returning the hanger from the state where the side part 13 catches the engaging projection 25 to the state where the c:.

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b rsc 45 44rg hanging member 1 is supported to laterally extend as is shown in FIG 11, an upward force is applied to the hanging member 1, so that the upper hanging part 11 is slid on the peripheral face of the engaging projection 25. When the catching recess 16 catches the engaging projection 25, the upward force is released, and thus the catching recess 16 is engaged with the engaging pinYction 25. When the hanging member 1 is moved upward, there is no need to slide the upper hanging part 11 on the engaging projection 25 but the hanging member 1 can be 10 moved to an extent that the hanging member 1 is not removed from the suspending member 2. Furthermore, the hanging member 1 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in order to release the engagement between the engaging projection 25 and the catching recess 16 in the above description, but the 15 engagement can be released also through the clockwise rotation.

Now, specifi6 usage of the present hanger will be described. FIGS. 16 through 19 illustrate procedures for hanging or removing a washed sweater on or from the present hanger. As is shown in FIG. 16, a clothes-drying bar 3 is clipped with the clipping part 21 of the suspending member 2 set on the hanging member I, and the i-shaped flat spring 29 is fit on the clipping part 21 so as to fix the hanger on the clothes-drying bar 3. At this point, since the tip portions of the clipping pieces of the clipping part 21 are curved outward, the clothes-drying bar 3 can be easily guided to the center of 4 H 4.4 ;i .4 4,'i :;i 3/24 the clipping part 21 even when the clothes-drying bar 3 has a large diameter. The hanging member 1 is supported by the suspending member 2 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. In order to hang a sweater 4 on the hanging member 1, the side part 13 at the lowest end of the hanging member 1 is inserted through the neck, and the sweater 4 is moved upward. At this point, the sweater 4, which has just been washed, is heavy and tensionless, but the hanging member 1 can i. be smoothly inserted through the neck because the side part 13 10 has a small width in the lateral direction. After the entire hanging member 1 is insezted into the sweater 4, the sweater 4 and the hanging member 1 are together grasped with hands and pushed upward, so that the upper hanging part 11 is slid on the S...engaging projection 25 (See FIG. 17). Then, the movement of the hanging member 1 is stopped when the catching recess 16 is engaged with the engaging projection 25, and the hands are removed from the hanging member 1. Thus, the hanging member 1 can be supported in a state shown in FIG. 18. The state where ,the hanging member 1 is supported to extend in the longitudinal direction can be retained without applying any force to the hanger, and therefore, the operation for hanging a garment on the hanger can be conducted by using both hands.

When the sweater 4 is removed from the hanger, the Sproedures are reversed. Specifically, from the state shown in FIG. 18, the right or left part of the hanging member I is i i+ 1 .r i 4/24 iiii pushed downward, so that the hanging member 1 is rotated,' thereby releasing the engagement between the catching recess 16 and the engaging projection 25. The hanging member 1 is moved downward, the side part 13 catches the engaging projection and the hanging member 1 is supported by the suspending member 2 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. After attaining this state, the sweater 4 is moved downward, so that the hanging member 1 is pulled out through the neck.

Furthermore, the sweater 4 can be removed from the hanger .r 10 also by slightly pulling the neck of the sweater 4 in the rightward or leftward direction as is shown in FIG. 19.

Specifically, the neck of the sweater 4 is pulled in, for Sexample, the leftward direction (or the rightward direction), and a downward force is applied on the right portion of the upper hanging part 11, so that the hanging member 1 is rotated in the clockwise direction, thereby releasing the engagement between the catching recess 16 and the engaging projection S. Thereafter, the sweater 4 can be removed from the hanger in the same manner as described above.

,In this nmanner, since the side part 13 with a small width of the hanging member 1 can be inserted through the neck, the neck of the garment can be prevented from being stretched. Also, since the shape of the hanger can be changed merely by :i smoothly moving the hanging member 1, the object to be hung can be hung on and removed from the hanger in a short period of 4/24 ends of the clipping part closer to each other.

Accordingly in this embodiment, by clipping a bar such as a clothes-drying bar with onthebar.Since the elastic member thle U-shaped clipping part, the hanger can be susnddothba.Snehelsicm br time. Additionally, when the hanger is stored while suspended on the clothes-drying bar 3, the space for the storage can be prevented from expanding in the horizontal direction by suspending the hanging member I in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, when the hanging member I is removed from the suspending member 2 for storage, the hanger can be stored in a small space.

In the above description, the hanging member 1 and the suspending member 2 are made of a synthetic resin, but the material for these members is not limited to the synthetic resin but can be any material which is light and cannot rust IR, easily.

oI Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, the side parts Won 13 of the hanging member 1 are linked with the both ends of the ii 15 upper hanging part 11. However, merely one of the ends of the supper hanging part 11 can be provided with the side part 13.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the U-shaped flat spring having the shape to fit on the U-shaped bottom of the clipping part 21 is externally fit on the clipping part 21 in hanging the suspending member 2 on the clothes-drying bar, so that the lrclothes-drying bar can be fixedly clipped by the clipping part but this does not limit the invention. For example, the., suspending member 2 can be integrally formed so that the clipping part 21 has a U-shaped bottom with a larger thickness than the tip portions of the U-shape, thereby attaining the supndn mebe 2 ar "ad of, a sythti resi, bu ,h1 5/24 LI u4pMnung member for stopping Movement of the split ring spring in a lengthwis recng iee t ttips onti ii same effect resulting from the U-shaped flat spring 29 fit on the clipping part 21 as is shown in FIG. In addition, in order to further enforce the fixation of the suspending member 2 on the clothes-drying bar, the clipping part 21 can be provided with the following structure: FIG. is a front view for showing this other structure of the suspending member, FIG. 21 is a perspective view thereof, FIG.

22 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 23 is a left side view thereof. In FIGS. 21 and 23, the engaging part 23 is omitted.

As is shown in FIGS. 20 through 23, the suspending member 2 is integrally formed with the clipping part 21 having spring bearing pieces 41, each having a substantially fan-shape in a clipping piece, and a split ring spring 28 is set on the spring bearing pieces 41.

Each of the spring bearing pieces 41 has a stop portion 41a formed by projecting the curve portion of the clipping part '4 21 corresponding to the arc of the fan-shape, namely, the concave curve portion formed toward the bottom of the U-shape, from the outer face of each clipping piece, and also has first and second restricting portions 41b and 41c each having a face formed along the lengthwise direction of the clipping piece and respectively projected forward and backward at different positions in the lengthwise direction. The first ristricting portion 41b of each spring bearing piece 41 is disposed closer 6/24 I: ii I ii i i ji:: i i: i:: I r a ii "tt i: i; ~a II 0 *t 0 ot~ .r 00 or 0*40c to the center of the clipping part 21, and the second ristricting portion 41c of each spring bearing piece 41 is disposed closer to the U-shaped bottom of the clipping part 21.

The upper portions of the first and second ristricting portions butt against and are integrated with the stop portion 41a.

Between the first ristricting portion 41b and the second ristricting portion 41c, there is a space with a predetermined length in the back-and-forth direction. Furthermore, the first ristricting portion 41b of one of the two spring bearing pieces 41 is disposed on the rear face, and the first ristricting portion 41b of the other spring bearing piece 41 is disposed on the front face. Similarly, the second ristricting portion 41c of the former spring bearing piece is disposed on the front flce and the second ristricting portion 41c of the latter 15 spring bearing piece is disposed on the rear face.

The split ring spring 28 is an elastic member formed by bending a metallic wire material, which has a diameter substantially the same as the space between the first and second ristricting portions 41b and 41c, in a C-shape. With the center of the ring spring 28 disposed along the U-shaped bottom, the tip portions of the C-shaped ring spring 28 are respectively inserted into the spaces in the spring bearing pieces 41 so as to be in contact with the stop portions 41a.

Thus, the split ring spring 28 is supported by the spring bearing pieces 41 so as to be fixed on the U-shaped bottom of i i i

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changed with ease. As a result, an object to be hung can be smoothly hung on or removed from the hanger without spoiling the shape of the object, and time required for hanging or removing the object can be shortened.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to embrace the claims.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

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Claims

1. A hanger including: a hanging member for hanging an object; a suspending member having an engaging part, wherein the hanging member includes a plurality of catching portions which are each separately engageable with the engaging part of the suspending member, and the catching portions are adapted to catch the engaging part of the suspending member by moving the hanging member relative to the engaging part of the suspending member, such that said hanging member is supported in a lateral position or a longitudinal position relative to said suspending member, depending on which of said catching portions is caught by the engaging part of the suspending member.

2. The hanger according to claim 1 wherein the hanging member is removable from the suspending member.

3. The hanger according to claim 1 wherein: the hanging member includes a shoulder part for hangingly suspending the object and at least one side part extending from the shoulder part and which forms one of the catching portions, 20 the engaging part of the suspending member being of a U-shape in a side view, having an upward projection at the bottom of the U-shape, and another of the catching portions of the hanging member is a recess formed substantially centrally in the shoulder part and engageable with the upward projection of the engaging part of the suspending member, the hanging member being movable relative to the suspending member in a space S25 defined within said U-shape and opposing the upward projection, and the upward projection of the suspending member being adapted to engage and support the hanging member by engagement with the hring member at the recess and to engage and support the at least one side part catching portion of the hanging member by moving the hanging member, relative to the suspending member, in the space. I.. S Sr S.. 1 a .i~-e9 .**Si SS V *V i

4- V Vrt VIliFS BB::i4* VtV i I I -i i :i in~ r* i tl opposing tne uppe. r Pi 5 straght bar. Side parts 13, that is, second catching Ssuspending member. IR J -7 :\PaER4SB\OO4.9.l;-33

7. The hanger according to claim 3, wherein the suspending member includes a clipping part in a U-shape in a sectional view and an elastic member or applying a force i a direction so as to make ends of the clipping part move closer to each other, so as in use to enable the clipping part to grip a member from which the hanger is to be supported.

8. The hanger according to claim 3, wherein the hasuspending member incs removable from the and suspeond clipping member. opposing each other and linked with each other at one end thereof The hanger according to claim 3, wherein t he projection hasclin a ectes being cthan the Sr -edge portion of the recess projecs id ng outwardly from a base portion of the p rojection. 6. The hanger according to claim 3, wherein the projection has, in a sectional view, an ar-shaped upper portion and a substantially trapezoid-shaped base portion, with a larger 0 width toward a bottom thereof, and 1502 part in a U-shape in a sectional view and an elastic member for applying a force in a direction I A so as to make ends of the clipping part move closer to each other, so as in use to enable the clipping part to grip a member from which the hanger is to be supported. 1 i The hanger according to claim 3, wherein the suspending member includes first and second clipping pieces opposing each other and linked with each other at one end thereof through a bent portion, the other ends of the first and second clipping pieces being curved i: thfsa sod cli pp'in.;g pieces are provided, at portions adjacent to the bent portionwith spring bearing pieces projecting outwardly from the outer faces of the first and .si: ^5 :secondclipping pieces, for supporting a split ring spring for applyig a force in a direction i arc-shaped upe oto n usatap deortion, ith a larger 1^ ^^I^^fwidthi tw;r bottom thereof and V.. is fixed oil a substantially center of the upper face of the J I T i t s:a ii -i- ai: x I 4:d:t' i_&6~ )i ;311:;551 i :I j 1 i:; i u~ i- -iBi~ P;\OPER\SS\l0014.97,133 -13/1/98 the recess has, in a sectional view, an arc-shaped inner portion and a substantial!y trapezoid-shaped portion with a larger width at a lower end thereof.

10. The hanger according to claim 7, wherein the elastic member is a split ring spring, the 5 clipping part is provided with spring bearing pieces projecting outwardly from an outer face of the U-shape, and the split ring spring is supported and fixed by the spring bearing pieces at both ends with a centre of the split ring spring positioned at a centre of the U-shape of the clipping part. 10 11. The hanger according to claim 8, wherein each of the spring bearing pieces includes: a stop portion having a face formed toward the bent portion of the suspending member for stopping movement of the split ring spring in a lengthwise direction of the clipping pieces at the tips of the split ring spring; and first and second restricting portions each having a face formed along the lengthwise direction of the clipping pieces for restricting movement of the split ring spring in a widthwise direction of the clipping pieces at both ends of the split ring spring; and the split ring spring is supportable to be positioned along the bent portion with the ends thereof inserted into the spring bearing pieces. 20 12. A suspending member of a hanger, including: an engaging part ina U-shape, in a side view, having an upward projection formed at a bottom centre of the U-shape for catching and supporting a hanging member including a shoulder part, for hanging an object and being removable from the suspending member, the hanging member having a recess at a substantial centre thereof and at least one side part 2 5 extending from an end of the shoulder part, wherein the projection is adapted to be caught by and to support the recess and the side part by moving the hanging member, relative to the suspending member, in a space opposing the engaging part such that the hanging member is supported in a lateral position or a longitudinalposition relative to the suspending member, depending on which of said recess or said at least one side part is caught by said upward projection. i :Q Z ii~~f~OM j VP C,.C CUF( V V V CC V C c C V" C OCCr C eC I-P CC :~i il-~i~ :Tii;--il1 :a~ia~wa 0 IILUUeS, d6S IS SHOW i i 'it. 0, TWO GJ.ppti P;\OPER\SSB\10014 97,133 13/5/98

13. A hanging member of a hanger, including: a shoulder part for hanging an object, having, at a substantial centre thereof, a recess adapted to catch and be supported by an upward projection formed at a centre bottom of a U- shaped part, in a side view, of a suspending member, said suspending member being removable from the hanging member; and at least one side part extending from an end of the shoulder part, wherein the hanging member is movable in a space opposing the U-shaped part, and the recess and the side part are adapted to catch and be supported by the projection by moving the hanging member, relative to the upward projection, in the space, such that the hanging member is supported in a lateral position or a longitudinal position relative to the suspending member, depending on which of said recess or said at least one side part is caught by said upward projection.

14. A hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. C 15 15. A suspending member or hanging member of a hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. t DATED this 13th day of May, 1998 SI NKG Co., Ltd. i By its Patent Attorneys Davies Collison Cave l I S8il^^ll^ 12/24 Shown with arrows, in a movement space defined by the support :1 i~ d-: sa::8 ~a ~.al c s 1 r i i srlE 4 4 r 1-1: **t9tt V .tl to' 0 e:in 0 004~ 0000 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hanging member caught and supported by a suspending member includes a plurality of catching portions. By moving the hanging member, the positional relationship between the hanging member and the suspending member can be changed. As a result, the hanger of this invention can easily hang an object to be hung without spoiling the shape of the object. .4I Ai A :1 *1 ,i