CN112788968B - Folding clothes hanger operated by one hand - Google Patents

Abstract

The garment hanger has the advantage of being particularly easy to use when removing or hanging shirts or blouse of the turndown collar or turndown collar type. The garment hanger provides an easy to handle intuitive mechanism for folding the garment supporting portion of the garment hanger so that a narrow neck opening of a garment can be simply passed therethrough. The garment hanger also provides an easy to handle intuitive mechanism for returning the folded garment support portions to their extended and support positions, which can be done with the garment hanger wrapped within the garment, thus providing an improved means for hanging some shirts or blouse without the need to feed the garment hanger upwardly through the bottom opening of the garment.

Description

Folding clothes hanger operated by one hand

Background

Conventional rigid garment hangers may often encounter difficulties in attempting to slide them into a shirt or sweater that is left open at the front or back. Typically, one must hold a rigid garment hanger in one hand while the other hand holds an unopened shirt (e.g., a round-neck T-shirt) at the waist opening of the shirt, and then use the first hand to pass the garment hanger through the center of the shirt while positioning the shirt with the second hand to hang over the garment hanger. Since the garment is typically of a flexible and stretchable nature, when inserted into the garment hanger, the shirt is effectively hung upside down when held at the waist opening and is not corrected until the garment hanger passes the centre of gravity of the shirt, at which point the cloth of the shirt will be pulled over the garment hanger until it slides into place such that the hooks of the garment hanger protrude through the neck opening of the shirt. These movements can often be difficult and the garment can often be permanently stretched or damaged, especially when the garment has a particularly small neck opening or is made of delicate materials, such as a thin sweater. Removing the garment from the rigid hanger can be equally difficult and can cause damage to the garment because it essentially requires reversing the same steps used to hang the garment.

Because of the difficulty in making a rigid garment hanger for use with unopened garments, it is preferable to have a folding garment hanger that can be folded in a manner such that the support members of the hanger can be easily passed over the neck opening of the garment and then extended into the center of the garment to re-support the shoulder portions of the garment while the hook features of the hanger remain extended over the neck opening of the garment. Many such designs have been proposed in the past, among which a common factor is the presence of a shoulder support feature that is pivotally suspended about an axis passing through the smaller central portion where the support hook is attached. When the shoulder support features of this design are pivoted downwardly to a more closed position, they can be passed through the neck opening of the garment and then extended rearwardly to a more open position where they effectively support the garment because the hook features of the hanger remain outside the garment for placement on the hooks or closet rods.

A common disadvantage of many folding garment hanger designs is that although they can be folded easily, they can be much more difficult to open back into a rigid position, particularly when using only one hand. This disadvantage makes it difficult to insert the folded hanger with one hand into the neck opening of a garment held by the second hand and then extend it into the garment with the first hand. Moreover, due to the flexible nature of most garments, they will hang along the components of the folded garment hanger and the weight of the garment will provide significant resistance to the extension of the garment hanger back to the support position. Some folding garment hanger designs attempt to overcome the resistance to extension caused by the garment by using some resilient biasing means, such as a spring, which will compress as the shoulder support is folded. An inherent disadvantage of this approach is that in order for the spring force to effectively counteract the resistance from the heaviest garment, it must have an excessive spring resistance to the lightest garment. Thus, spring-enhanced folding garment hanger designs may be difficult to fold with one hand as intended because a more powerful spring is used than is normally required to ensure that it is strong enough to support the heaviest garment.

Disclosure of Invention

Disclosed herein is a folding garment hanger that can be manipulated through a variety of conditions using one hand. The garment hanger may include a locking mechanism that selectively maintains the folded garment support (referred to herein as a "wing") in a locked and extended condition. The locking mechanism is simple to operate in order to unlock in an intuitive way, so that the wings are folded into a folded state. In the folded state, the hanger wing can be easily passed through the neck opening of the garment for removal or insertion. The garment hanger may further comprise a support and lifting surface which allows a pinching or squeezing motion of an operating hand to reposition the wing from the folded condition to the extended condition. The operating mechanism allows the relatively high force of the squeezing hands to overcome the moderate forces that may be exerted on the garment hanger when the garment hanger is inflated back to the extended condition when wrapped within the garment.

Most of the disclosed folded hanger embodiments are configured with features and surfaces for grasping and manipulating the hanger with only one hand in various states without the need for a hand to significantly reposition or assist in manipulation when transitioning from one state to the next. Moreover, many of the disclosed folding garment hanger embodiments allow for controlled folding and extension of the wings by having a manipulating surface that can remain in contact with and in control of the palm and finger portions of the operator during various garment hanger manipulations.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a folding garment hanger assembly with the wings extended to an open position and the shoulder support in a retracted position.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1 with the components repositioned to a folded condition and the shoulder supports in a retracted position.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the folding garment hanger assembly of figure 1 from the front side.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the folding garment hanger assembly of figure 1 from the upper rear.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a stationary wing member of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a moving wing member of the folding garment hanger assembly of figure 1.

Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of a lock member of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a side perspective view of a lock member of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the torsion spring member of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1 in a tightly wound condition.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the torsion spring member of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1 in a less wrapped condition than in fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1 with the wing portions extended to an open position and the shoulder support in an extended position.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse P in fig. 11 with the moving wing wall removed for viewing of the latter component parts.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged front view similar to fig. 12 with the hanger component in an intermediate unlocked position.

Fig. 14 is a front view of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1 with the components repositioned to an unlocked configuration and the shoulder support in an extended position.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse Q in fig. 14 with the moving wing wall removed for viewing of the latter component parts.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged front view similar to fig. 15, with the hanger components positioned near the end of the unlocking sequence.

Fig. 17 is a front view of the folding garment hanger assembly of fig. 1 with the components repositioned to a folded configuration and the shoulder support in an extended position.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse R in fig. 15 with the moving wing wall removed to see the rear assembly portion.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse Q in fig. 14 with the moving wing wall removed and the inner member positioned as if in a re-locked configuration.

Figure 20 is the same view as figure 19 except that the moving wing has been removed from the view to show only the positioning of the spring and lock member on the stationary wing when the garment hanger is in the re-locked condition.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged front view similar to fig. 19, with the hanger components positioned near the end of the relock sequence.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse P in fig. 11 with the moving wing wall removed to see the following assembly portions and the components positioned as if in a forced unlocked condition.

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a lock component with an additional lock catch limiting surface.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged front view similar to fig. 22 for an alternative embodiment of a garment hanger utilizing the latch assembly of fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is an upper perspective view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of fig. 1 with the shoulder support removed.

Fig. 26 is an upper perspective view of the shoulder support of fig. 1.

Fig. 27 is a lower perspective view of the shoulder support of fig. 1.

FIG. 28 is an upper perspective view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of FIG. 1 with the shoulder support in a retracted position.

Fig. 29 is a front view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of fig. 1 with the shoulder support in a retracted position.

FIG. 30 is an upper perspective view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of FIG. 1 with the long end of the shoulder support lifted above the stationary wing garment support surface.

Fig. 31 is a front view of the tip portions of the stationary wing of fig. 1 as they are positioned as in fig. 30.

FIG. 32 is an upper perspective view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of FIG. 1 with the shoulder support pivoted between a retracted position and an extended position.

FIG. 33 is an upper perspective view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of FIG. 1 with the short end of the shoulder support lifted above the stationary wing garment support surface.

Fig. 34 is a front view of the tip portions of the stationary wing of fig. 1 as they are positioned as in fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is an upper perspective view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of fig. 1 with the shoulder support in an extended position.

Fig. 36 is a front view of the tip portions of the stationary wing of fig. 1 as they are positioned as in fig. 35.

Fig. 37 is a front cross-sectional view of the tip portions of the stationary wing of fig. 1 as they are positioned as in fig. 35.

Fig. 38 is an upper perspective view of the tip portion of the stationary wing of fig. 1 with the shoulder support in an extended position as seen from a front side view opposite fig. 35.

Detailed Description

The form and operation of the various embodiments of the one-handed folding garment hanger are described below. For ease of understanding, it should be understood that the terms "upwardly", "open", "extended", "erect" and "raised" and the like have the same general meaning of referring to the location of the hanger wing in their various tenses. Likewise, the terms "downward", "closed", "lowered", "folded" and "lowered" and the like have the same general meaning of referring to the position of the hanger wing in their various temporal contexts.

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary one-handed folded garment hanger 110 in its extended configuration. The embodiment shown in fig. 1 generally comprises: a hook 112; a first stationary wing 120, the first stationary wing 120 having a first garment support surface 121; a second motion wing 140, the second motion wing 140 having a second garment support surface 141; shoulder support 160; a lock member 170; and a torsion spring 190, as shown in fig. 3. In this example embodiment, the hooks 112 are formed of metal and fit with an interference fit into the stationary wing 120, which stationary wing 120 is shown as being constructed of plastic. Alternatively, any hanger component may be constructed of alternative materials, and the hooks 112 may be secured to the stationary wing 120 by some alternative method (e.g., insert molding, adhesive, etc.), or integrally formed as part of the stationary wing 120. The moving wing 140 is pivotally mounted to the stationary wing 120 by a pivot boss 144 (fig. 4). Shoulder supports 160 are pivotally mounted on wings 120, 140 by attachment posts 127, 147. In fig. 1, shoulder supports 160 are shown in their retracted positions.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the folding garment hanger 110 in its folded configuration. The moving wing 140 rotates about its mounting toward the stationary wing 120. It can be seen that the free ends (or distal ends) of wings 120, 140 are positioned very close to each other in order to create a smaller insertion profile. In this view, the folding garment hanger 110 is also rotated to a vertically narrow orientation to show the position of the garment hanger when it is most easily fitted through the neck opening of a shirt or coat (when held at the collar). Fig. 2 also shows shoulder support 160 in a retracted position.

Fig. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the folding garment hanger 110 in its extended configuration. The thick dashed lines indicate the alignment of the various components during assembly. The lock pivot boss 130 is visible on the stationary wing 140 in alignment with the lock member 170, which allows the lock member 170 to be fully rotated about the axis of the lock pivot boss 130. The attachment holes 167 of the shoulder supports 160 are aligned with the attachment posts 127, 147 on the wings 120, 140, respectively.

Fig. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the folding garment hanger 110 in its extended configuration. The thick dashed lines indicate the alignment of the various components during assembly. The hanger 112 has a lower barb portion 113, which lower barb portion 113 can be interference fit into a hook receptacle 117 on top of the stationary wing 120. The screw 114 passes through the stationary wing 120, through the torsion spring 190, and into the pivot boss 144 on the moving wing 140 so that the pivot mount can be secured within the pivot hole 124 of the stationary wing 120. Although screws are used to create the connection in this example, alternative methods may be used to pivotally connect the wings 120, 140, such as rivets, snap-fits, or the like. In this view, a plunger contact surface 153 may be formed at the end of the lock plunger 152 on the motion wing 140.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the stationary wing 120. The hook attachment holes 117 are formed in the upper stationary wing bracket 136, the top of the upper stationary wing bracket 136 forming the finger grip surface 116. To the right of the upper stationary wing bracket 136 is a kidney-shaped finger clearance opening 125, the perimeter of the finger clearance opening 125 forming the stationary wing handle surface 126. The lower stationary wing bracket 137 is below the clearance opening 125. The stationary wing wall 134 is to the left of the stationary wing 120 (in this view) and the pivot hole 124 is in the center of the stationary wing wall 134. The spring boss 123 surrounds a pivot hole 124. The lock pivot boss 130 is to the right of the spring boss 123. The garment support surface 121 can be seen at the right end (in this view) of the stationary wing 120, with the support structure 122 underneath it. Wing tip nesting pockets 138, 139 are formed in the garment support surface 121. The stationary wing shoulder support connection features 127, 128 and flexible member 129 are at the distal end of the stationary wing 120.

Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the moving wing 140. A contoured thumb clearance opening 145 is visible in the upper portion of the moving wing 140, the perimeter of the thumb clearance opening 145 forming a moving wing handle surface 146. The upper moving wing bracket 156 is to the left of the thumb clearance opening 145 and the lower moving wing bracket 157 is below the thumb clearance opening 145. Below the upper moving wing bracket 156 is a spring contact surface 143, near the bottom of the spring contact surface 143, a pivot boss 144, which pivot boss 144 is centered on the moving wing wall 154. A lock plunger 152 is fixed to the left side of the pivot boss 144, and a plunger contact surface 153 is formed on the lock plunger 152. The actuator 150 is secured to an upper portion of the moving wing wall 154, and an actuator contact edge 151 and an actuator side surface 155 are formed on the actuator 150. The garment support surface 141 can be seen at the right end (in this view) of the motion wing 140, with the support structure 142 underneath it. Wing tip nesting pockets 158, 159 are formed in the garment support surface 141. The motion wing shoulder support connection features 147, 148 and flexible member 149 are at the distal end of the motion wing 140.

Fig. 7 shows a front perspective view of the lock member 170, the lock member 170 being generally formed in a "star" shape with a lock pivot hole 175 through its center. Fig. 8 shows a side perspective view of the lock member 170. At the base of the lock member 170 is a lock flange 177 from which a hexagonal structure 180 protrudes. Six sides of the hexagonal structure 180 are spring contact surfaces 176, and the intersection of these sides forms six spring pressure edges 178. Six pointed star structures 181 project from the hexagonal structure 180, wherein each of the pointed corners forms a lock impact surface 171 and a lock dwell surface 174, and a lock dwell edge 179 is formed at the acute intersection thereof. Three equally spaced lock catches 172 project from the star structure 181. A lock catch surface 173 is formed on the outside of each lock catch 172. A plunger clearance channel 182 is formed between the lock catches 172. The entire surface and channel of the lock member 170 is shaped to have triple rotational symmetry. For simplicity, this feature is only identified in one of the positions in fig. 7 and 8, but some features are also present in three positions (172, 173, 182) or six positions (171, 174, 176, 178, 179) on the lock member 170.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the torsion spring 190 in a torsion state similar to that in the folded hanger assembly 110 when fully extended, as shown in fig. 1. The free ends 193, 196 are twisted toward each other relative to the stationary spring to store a large amount of potential energy. The lock side free end 196 is curved to create an improved lock twist condition when operated.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the torsion spring 190 in a less resilient state similar to that in the folded hanger assembly 110 when fully folded, as shown in fig. 2. In contrast to the spring state shown in fig. 9, some of the potential energy stored therein has been used to force the free ends 193, 196 to a position closer to the inelastic resting spring shape.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the folding garment hanger assembly 110 of the present embodiment in its locked and extended state. Shoulder supports 160 are shown rotated to their extended positions to provide a wider overall garment support function. When the hanger 112 is fully supported (as if it were hanging on a rod) and a downward force (e.g., garment weight) is applied to the garment support surfaces 121, 141 and the shoulder support 160, the hanger will retain its extended shape, thereby preventing structural failure or intentional release of the lock member 170. A portion of the upper moving wing bracket 156 is shown to be located behind the upper stationary wing bracket 136 (in this view). So that the upper wing brackets 136, 156 are in this configuration and combine with the position of the wing walls 134, 154, physical resistance is created to any force in the direction of the pivot axis (which may be used to separate the wings 120, 140).

Fig. 12 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by the ellipse P in fig. 11 with the moving wing wall 154 removed for viewing of the latter components. Torsion spring 190 is seen positioned around spring boss 123 with one free end 193 bearing against spring contact surface 143 and the other free end 196 exerting a downward force on spring contact surface 176 of lock member 170. The lock member 170 is positioned on the lock pivot boss 130 and maintains resistance to pivoting by the combination of forces exerted on the lock catch 172 by the spring free end 196 and the lock plunger 152. In this view, the torsion spring 190 urges the stationary wing 120 to rotate clockwise about the pivot boss 144, but is restrained from pivoting by the reaction force of the lock member 170 acting on the plunger contact surface 153 by the lock contact surface 173, which plunger contact surface 153 is formed in the moving wing 140.

Referring to fig. 11, to begin the folding sequence, the thumb of one hand may be placed through thumb clearance opening 145 to rest on handle surface 146 and one or more fingers of the same hand placed through thumb clearance opening 125 to rest on handle surface 126. The thumb and finger may then be squeezed together in the directions indicated by arrows a and B. Under these forces, the moving wing 140 will be caused to rotate clockwise (in this view) about the axis of the pivot boss 144 relative to the stationary wing 120, and in this case the lock plunger 152 will again move and release its pressure on the lock catch 172, causing the lock member 170 to rotate against the force of the free spring end 196.

Fig. 13 is a view nearly identical to fig. 12, except that the components of the motion wing 140 are rotated clockwise (in this view) to an intermediate unlocked position. This is the same direction as described in the preceding paragraph. The lock member 170 rotates clockwise (in this view) about the lock pivot boss 130 from its position in fig. 12, with the trigger contact edge 151 shown in contact with the lock strike surface 171 and the spring free end 196 shown in contact with the spring pressure edge 178.

When the push-to-unlock action is initiated, the trigger contact edge 151 will contact the lock strike surface 171, thereby exerting a rotational force on the lock member 170 about the lock pivot boss 130. When the spring pressure edge 178 presses against the spring free end 196, the lock member 170 will begin to rotate clockwise (in this view). As the lock member 170 continues to rotate clockwise, the spring pressure edge 178 will reach an apex beyond which the force of the torsion spring 190 will urge the lock member 170 to continue to rotate clockwise. When continued to be applied as indicated by arrows a and B (fig. 11), the upper portions of the wings 120, 140 will continue to rotate together until their structural components prevent further squeezing movement and the folded garment hanger 110 will reach an unlocked configuration, as shown in fig. 14.

In fig. 14, the moving wing 140 is shown as if it were pivoted clockwise relative to the stationary wing 120. In this unlocked configuration, the upper moving wing bracket 156 is almost completely hidden (in this view) behind the upper stationary wing bracket 136. Fig. 15 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse Q in fig. 14 with the moving wing wall 154 removed for viewing of the latter components. Both the moving wing 140 member and the lock member 170 rotate clockwise (in this view) about their respective pivot boss connections (144 about 130 within 124 and 175, as shown in fig. 13). The trigger contact edge 151 can be seen to be located at the innermost portion of the movable lock impact surface 171 and the movable lock stay surface 174 is in full contact with the trigger side surface 155.

To continue the unlocking process, the compressive force applied at arrows a and B (fig. 11) is released, such that the force of torsion spring 190 can act through its free ends 193, 196 and push moving wing 140 counterclockwise (in this view) with respect to stationary wing 120. When this movement begins, the trigger 150 will move away from the movable lock strike surface 171 as the trigger side surface 155 slides along the movable lock dwell surface 174 and continue until the trigger contact edge 151 moves past the lock dwell edge 179. Fig. 16 shows the inner folded hanger 110 component in this configuration when the trigger 150 just loses contact with the lock component 170, at which point the force of the spring free end 196 will press downwardly on the spring pressure edge 178, causing the lock component 170 to continue rotating clockwise (in this view) until the spring free end 196 is fully in contact with the next movable spring contact surface 176. In this view, it can be seen that the plunger clearance channel 182 is aligned with the lock plunger 152, which will allow the lock plunger 152 to pass between the lock catches 172 when the wings 120, 140 are rotated about each other to the fully folded position, as shown in fig. 17.

In fig. 17, the folded hanger assembly 110 is oriented as if it were ready to be passed through the neck opening of an upstanding shirt, which can be accomplished by holding the shirt at the rim of the collar with one hand and holding the hanger with the other hand (by placing the thumb through the thumb clearance opening 145 to support the handle surface 146 and the other finger of the same hand through the finger clearance opening 125 to support the handle surface 126). The lower moving wing bracket 157 is shown to be located behind (hidden in this view) the lower stationary wing bracket 137. Having the lower wing brackets 137, 157 in this configuration and connected to the position of the wing walls 134, 154 creates a physical resistance to any force in the direction of the pivot axis that may act to separate the wings 120, 140. Also in this view, the shoulder supports 160 are shown rotated to their extended positions relative to their retracted positions (as shown in fig. 2), which will not impede insertion of the folded garment hanger 110 into the neck opening of the shirt.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse R in fig. 17 with the moving wing wall 154 removed for viewing of the latter components. The torsion spring 190 continues to urge the stationary wing 120 to rotate clockwise (in this view) about the pivot boss 144, but is held against further movement by the structure of the wings 120, 140. The lock plunger 152 can be seen extending completely through the plunger clearance channel 182 between the lock catches 172. It can also be seen that the spring free end 196 is fully in contact with the now movable spring contact surface 176.

To initiate the stretching process of the hanger assembly 110, the thumb of one hand may be placed through the thumb clearance opening 145 to rest on the moving wing handle surface 146 and one or more fingers of the same hand placed on the finger handle surface 116, with the remaining fingers of the same hand placed through the clearance opening 125 to rest on the stationary wing handle surface 126. The thumb and finger may then be squeezed together in the direction indicated by arrows C, D and E in fig. 17. Under these forces, the moving wing 140 will be caused to rotate clockwise (in this view) about the axis of the pivot boss 144 relative to the stationary wing 120 until a re-locking configuration is reached, which is identical to the configuration shown in fig. 14 from the outside.

When the push-to-relock action is initiated, the trigger contact edge 151 comes into contact with the new movable lock strike surface 171 as the wings 120, 140 approach movement to the relock configuration. After such contact, the actuator 150 will continue to urge the lock members 170 clockwise (in these views) about the pivot boss 130 until all of the members reach their positions shown in fig. 19.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by ellipse Q in fig. 14 with the moving wing wall 154 removed, but with the internal components repositioned as if in a relock condition. The trigger contact edge 151 can be seen to be located at the innermost portion of the movable lock impact surface 171 and the movable lock stay surface 174 is in full contact with the trigger side surface 155. Fig. 20 is the same view as fig. 19, except that the stationary wing 120 components have been removed to clearly see the contact of the spring 190 with the lock component 170. In this way, the spring free end 196 can be seen to press down on the spring pressure edge 178, pushing the lock member 170 to rotate clockwise (in this view) about the lock pivot boss 130. The spring free end 196 is in the same configuration as the spring pressure edge 178 when the initiator side surface 155 is maintained in full contact with the lock stay surface 171. The only difference between the unlocked and re-locked configurations is the 60 degree rotational positioning of the lock member 170 about the lock pivot boss 130.

To complete the relock process, the compressive forces previously applied at arrows C, D and E in FIG. 17 are released such that the torsion springs 190 force the wings 120, 140 to rotate on their pivot mounts (144 in 124) to push them back from their relock position (FIG. 19) to their extended position (FIG. 12). Figure 21 shows the inner part of the folded garment hanger 110 in an intermediate configuration when the trigger 150 has just lost contact with the lock member 170, at which point the force of the spring free end 196 will press downwardly on the spring pressure edge 178, thereby causing the lock member 170 to continue to rotate clockwise (in this view) until the spring free end 196 is fully in contact with the next movable spring contact surface 176. In this view, it can be seen that the plunger contact surfaces 153 are approaching the forthcoming movable lock capture surfaces 173, whereby they will fully contact as the wings 120, 140 are rotated back to the extended configuration (as shown in fig. 11) and the lock member 170 is returned to the position shown in fig. 12.

The torsion spring member 190 in the figures is shown as if it were a conventional metallic torsion spring design. It is contemplated that the torsion spring 190 could be made of another material, replaced with an elastic band, or replaced with an alternative resilient biasing method that would urge the wings 120, 140 to fold while the lock member 170 is indexed as needed for proper folding garment hanger 110 function.

In the illustrated embodiment, the handle surfaces 126 and 146 represent the inner surfaces of a generally oval or circular ring-shaped feature. Alternatively, the handle surfaces used to manipulate the design may be of various sizes, shapes and numbers, so long as they effectively lock, fold and extend the wings 120, 140.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged front view of the area generally outlined by the ellipse P in fig. 11 with the moving wing wall 154 removed for viewing of the latter components. In this view, the components are positioned as if the wings 120, 140 were to be forced to fold against the resistance of the lock component 170. In this embodiment, the geometric relationship between the plunger contact surface 153 and the lock capture surface 173 allows the lock member 170 to deliberately release under excessive loads. For example, when the folding garment hanger assembly 110 of the present embodiment is supported on the hanger 112 (as shown in fig. 11) and excessive force is applied downwardly at arrows M and N, the lock plunger 152 will exert sufficient force on the lock catch 172 to cause the plunger contact surface 153 to slide across the lock catch surface 173, pushing the lock member 170 to rotate clockwise (in this view) about the lock pivot boss 130, as shown in fig. 22. Under such force, the lock member 170 will eventually rotate clockwise through an entire 60 degrees to the next lock position where the lock plunger 152 will be free to pass between the lock catches 172 and the folding garment hanger 110 will fold and release any garments previously supported. After such forced folding, the folded garment hanger 110 will continue to operate normally as there are no permanent damage to the components. This intentional design feature allows the snap release to be built into the folded hanger 110 so that excessive loads applied to the wing will not cause structural failure within the assembly.

A second embodiment of a folding garment hanger assembly is therefore proposed which will not include the break release feature described in the preceding paragraph. Fig. 23 is a side view of a non-drooping lock member 170' that shares all features with the lock member 170 of the previous embodiment, except that a lock catch limiting surface 183 is added, the lock catch limiting surface 183 being formed in the lock catch 172' beside the lock catch surface 173 '.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged front view of the internal components of a second embodiment of a folded garment hanger 110', the folded garment hanger 110' sharing all of the features with the folded garment hanger 110 of the previous embodiment, except for the replacement of the non-sagging lock components 170' and the addition of a lock plunger limiting surface 199, the lock plunger limiting surface 199 being formed in the lock plunger 152' beside the plunger contact surface 153 '. The view shown matches the view of fig. 22, except as a feature of a non-sagging folded hanger 110'. The lock catch limiting surface 183 and the lock plunger limiting surface 199 contact each other to prevent the plunger contact surface 153 'from sliding across the lock catch surface 173' under any force. Thus, the non-sagging lock feature 170' will not rotate in position under excessive downward loads acting on the wing 120', 140 '. It is speculated that such a non-sagging folded hanger 110' maintains a greater weight than the folded hanger 110 of the previous embodiment, but eventually will suffer serious structural damage when the load is excessive.

It is contemplated that the rotary lock members 170, 170' used in these embodiments may be formed in different shapes and still provide the desired functionality for the push lock/push re-lock mechanism to function. For example, the inventors have successfully created a different design that uses an alternative lock component with four spring contact surfaces and two lock catches. The number of spring surfaces and lock catches may vary and the lock member may still function as long as it can still be rotated from a position that limits rotation of the wings 120, 140 or 120',140' to a position that allows them to rotate. It is also contemplated that the shape of the lock plunger 152 or 152 'may vary, or that multiple plungers may be used, so long as they provide the desired contact against the lock catch 172 or 172'.

Fig. 25 is an upper perspective view of the free (distal) end of the stationary wing 120 with no accessory in place. Near the tip, an attachment post 127, the attachment post 127 including a radially protruding retaining ledge 128, is formed on top of the flexible member 129. Wing tip nesting pockets 138, 139 are formed in the garment support surface 121.

Fig. 26 shows an upper perspective view of shoulder support 160. An attachment hole 167 is formed offset from the center, the attachment hole 167 including a retaining edge 168 for final fitting over the retaining ledge 128 of the attachment post 127. By forming the attachment hole 167 eccentrically, the shoulder support 160 will naturally extend to different lengths as it rotates about its mount toward the attachment post 127. There is also a long end blocking surface 164 (not visible from the line of sight) and a short end blocking surface 165. Fig. 27 shows a lower perspective view of shoulder support 160. Shoulder bearing nesting pockets 162 and 163 are formed in pivot surface 169. Similarly, shoulder bearing nesting pockets 161 are formed in the long end nesting surface 166.

Fig. 28 is an upper perspective view of the distal end of the stationary wing 120 with the shoulder support 160 secured in the retracted position. The attachment posts 127 are seen to project upwardly through attachment holes 167 formed in the shoulder support 160. Fig. 29 is a front view of the distal end of the stationary wing 120 with the shoulder support 160 secured in a retracted position. Wing tip nesting pockets 138, 139 and shoulder support nesting pockets 161, 162 (respectively) are hidden in their fully seated positions.

Fig. 30 is an upper perspective view of the distal end of the stationary wing 120 with the long end of the shoulder support 160 raised off the garment support surface 121. FIG. 31 is a front view of the wing tip component when positioned in FIG. 30. Fig. 32 is an upper perspective view of the distal end of the stationary wing 120 with the shoulder support 160 rotated to an intermediate position. Fig. 33 is an upper perspective view of the distal end of the stationary wing 120 with the long end of the shoulder support 160 extended and pressed downward such that the short end of the shoulder support 160 is lifted off the garment support surface 121. Fig. 34 is a front view of the wing tip component when positioned in fig. 33. Fig. 35 is an upper perspective view of the distal end of the stationary wing 120 with the shoulder support 160 secured in an extended position. FIG. 36 is a front view of the wing tip component when positioned in FIG. 35.

To begin the extension sequence of the shoulder support 160, the stationary wing 120 is firmly grasped by the first hand while the second hand is used to raise the long end of the shoulder support 160 away from the garment support surface 121 in the direction of arrow F in fig. 29. When this force is applied, the flexible member 129 will deform, causing the shoulder bearing nest pockets 161 and 162 to rise away from the wing tip nest pockets 138 and 139 (respectively), as can be seen in fig. 30 and 31.

To continue the extension sequence, the shoulder support 160 will pivot about its connector axis with the attachment post 127 in the direction of arrow G in fig. 32. As the shoulder support 160 sweeps through its arc of rotation, pressure will be applied downwardly by the second hand in the direction of arrow J in fig. 34 to the long end so as to maintain the gap of the short end of the shoulder support 160 over the garment support surface 121 and the wing tip nesting recess 139, as shown in fig. 33 and 34. To complete the extension sequence, the downward pressure at arrow J is released, and thus the elasticity of the flexible member 129 can push the shoulder support 160 into its fully seated extended position, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36.

To initiate the retraction sequence of shoulder support 160, stationary wing 120 is firmly grasped by a first hand while a second hand is used to press down on the long end of shoulder support 160 in the direction of arrow K in fig. 36, such that the short end of shoulder support 160 and shoulder support nesting pocket 163 are raised away from garment support surface 121 and wing tip nesting pocket 139, respectively, as shown in fig. 33 and 34. The shoulder support 160 is then pivoted about its link axis with the attachment post 127 in the direction of arrow H in fig. 32. As shoulder support 160 sweeps through its arc of rotation, force will be applied upwardly by the second hand in the direction of arrow F in fig. 29 to the long end so as to maintain the gap of the long end of shoulder support 160 over garment support surface 121 and wing tip nesting pockets 138 and 139, as shown in fig. 30 and 31. To complete the retraction sequence, the upward force at arrow F is released so that the elasticity of the flexible member 129 can push the shoulder support 160 into its fully seated retracted position, as can be seen in FIGS. 28 and 29.

Fig. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing in detail the interconnection of the distal end of the stationary wing 120 and the shoulder support 160 when in the fully seated extended position. A portion of the garment support surface 121 can be seen protruding above the wing tip nesting recess 139 and into the shoulder support nesting recess 163. The pivot surface 169 can be seen out of plane and below the garment support surface 121, and the short-end blocking surface 165 can be seen extending above and below the garment support surface 121.

Fig. 38 is an alternative upper perspective view of the component shown in fig. 35. Since the garment support surface 121 is partially blocked by the short end blocking surface 165 and, in turn, partially protrudes through the short end blocking surface 165 in a snug fit, there is a fit that prevents even very thin fabric from sliding under the bottom pivot surface 169 of the shoulder support 160. This intentional design feature is present at the tip of each folded hanger wing 120, 140 and will prevent a garment portion (e.g., shoulder strap) from being pinched or stuck between the distal ends of the wings 120, 140 and the shoulder support 160. A similar condition will occur when the shoulder support 160 is in the retracted position and the long end nesting surface 166 is fully seated in the wing tip nesting pocket 138, 158.

The wing 120 and shoulder support 160 shown in figures 25 to 38 may be used to work on other folded hanger designs or on conventional unfolded hangers.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and the case, the above-described example construction is considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted, however, that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. For example, in any embodiment, the hooks may be integrally formed as part of the frame or as part of the wing. The hooks may also be formed in alternative shapes, such as a "T" shape or other functional shape that allows hanging and supporting the garment on the hanger. The term "hook" includes anti-theft closure rings and nailhead ends.

Moreover, while the present invention is disclosed in the context of a hanger, it should be appreciated that the lock mechanism described herein is itself inventive, independent of the particular application. The lock mechanism of the present invention may be used in other applications, particularly other applications involving two parts that may pivot or rotate relative to each other.

Claims (22)

1. A lock mechanism comprising:

a first body movable in a first direction relative to a second body;

A lock member secured to the first body and rotatable relative to the first body about a lock axis, the lock axis being transverse to the first direction, the lock member being arranged to rotate relative to the first body only in a second direction when acting within the lock mechanism, wherein the lock member is arranged to selectively permit or restrict movement of a plunger attached to the second body depending on the relative rotational position of the lock member relative to the first body, thereby selectively permitting or preventing relative movement of the first body relative to the second body in the first direction.

2. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the lock member further includes a plurality of catch features that selectively engage or disengage the plunger depending on a rotational position of the lock member.

3. The lock mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a resilient member arranged to act on the profile of the lock member to index the lock member into discrete engaged or disengaged rotational positions relative to the plunger.

4. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the lock member is rotatable in a second direction through a plurality of discrete engaged positions and a plurality of discrete disengaged positions.

5. The lock mechanism of claim 4, further comprising: a resilient member arranged to act on the profile of the lock member to index the lock member into each of the plurality of discrete engaged positions and the plurality of discrete disengaged positions.

6. The lock mechanism of claim 5, wherein: the first body is pivotally connected to the second body about a body axis, and the first direction is a first rotational direction.

7. The lock mechanism of claim 6, wherein: the body axis is offset from the lock axis.

8. The lock mechanism of claim 7, wherein: at least one of the first body or the second body includes a garment support feature that will selectively support or not support a garment depending on whether the lock mechanism is engaged or disengaged, respectively.

9. The lock mechanism of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the first body or the second body includes a support surface on which an object can be supported.

10. The lock mechanism of claim 9, wherein: the at least one support surface is shaped for supporting a men's shirt, a women's shirt, or other clothing.

11. A folding garment hanger comprising:

a pair of rotating hubs pivotally connected to each other so as to be movable between an upper position and a lower position, each of the pair of rotating hubs including a handle feature formed thereon;

a lock movable relative to the pair of rotating hubs between a locked position and an unlocked position such that when the lock is in the locked position, the pair of rotating hubs are held in an upper position and when the lock is in the unlocked position, the pair of rotating hubs are pivotable to a lower position;

a pair of folded wings pivotally secured to each other, each of the pair of folded wings pivotally secured to one of the pair of rotating hubs to enable the wings to move between an extended position and a folded position, wherein the wings are capable of supporting a garment when the pair of rotating hubs are in an upper position and are capable of pivoting to a folded position when the pair of rotating hubs are in a lower position; and

wherein the handle feature enables manipulation of the garment hanger from the extended position to the folded position and vice versa using only one hand, the lock being arranged to lock and unlock sequentially by successive, identical movements of the pair of rotating hubs relative to each other; wherein: the lock comprises a rotary lock member movable relative to the pair of rotary hubs between a locked position in which relative rotation of the pair of rotary hubs is to be prevented and an unlocked position in which relative rotation of the pair of rotary hubs is to be permitted, and the rotary lock member is arranged to be alternately moved between the locked and unlocked positions by sequentially pressing handle surfaces of the pair of rotary hubs towards each other.

12. The folding garment hanger according to claim 11, wherein: the successive, identical relative movement of the pair of rotating hubs is the successive, identical relative rotational movement of the pair of rotating hubs.

13. The folding garment hanger according to claim 11, wherein: the rotational lock member rotates about an axis that is parallel and offset from the rotational axes of the pair of rotational hubs.

14. The folding garment hanger according to claim 11, further comprising: hooks for hanging the folding garment hanger and any garments supported thereon on a rod or other rigid anchor.

15. The folding garment hanger according to claim 11, wherein: the pair of folded wings including a first wing and a second wing, the first wing including a first garment supporting upper surface, the first wing extending in a first direction away from a central portion of the folded hanger; the second wing extending away from the central portion in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second wing including a second garment support upper surface;

the folding garment hanger further includes a first elongate member including a first end and a second end, the first elongate member being pivotally mounted on the first wing such that either the first end or the second end is furthest from the central portion.

16. The folding garment hanger according to claim 15, wherein: the first elongate member is elongate and is pivotally mounted on the first end about a first axis, wherein the first end of the first elongate member is closer to the first axis than the second end.

17. The folding garment hanger according to claim 16, wherein: the first axis is transverse to the first direction.

18. The folding garment hanger according to claim 16, further comprising: and a first post protruding upward from an upper surface of the first wing, wherein the first extension member is pivotally secured to the first post.

19. The folding garment hanger according to claim 16, further comprising: a blocking feature at the first end of the first elongate member interrupts the plane of the first garment support upper surface as the first end of the first elongate member is closer to the central portion.

20. The folding garment hanger according to claim 15, further comprising: a position interlock feature orients the first elongate member to selectively position the first end or the second end farther from the central portion.

21. The folding garment hanger according to claim 20, further comprising: a resilient biasing member that maintains the first elongate member in contact with the position interlock feature.

22. The folding garment hanger according to claim 17, wherein: the first wing and the second wing are repositionable relative to each other between an extended state or a collapsed state.