EP0623300B1 - Garment hanger sizing system - Google Patents

Garment hanger sizing system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0623300B1
EP0623300B1 EP19940303207 EP94303207A EP0623300B1 EP 0623300 B1 EP0623300 B1 EP 0623300B1 EP 19940303207 EP19940303207 EP 19940303207 EP 94303207 A EP94303207 A EP 94303207A EP 0623300 B1 EP0623300 B1 EP 0623300B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tab
seat member
tabs
garment hanger
garment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19940303207
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0623300A1 (en
Inventor
Robert Bredeweg
Russell O. Blanchard
Donald F. Morgan
Edward Joseph Dooley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Batts Inc
Original Assignee
Batts Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/164,237 external-priority patent/US5524801A/en
Application filed by Batts Inc filed Critical Batts Inc
Publication of EP0623300A1 publication Critical patent/EP0623300A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0623300B1 publication Critical patent/EP0623300B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G25/00—Household implements used in connection with wearing apparel; Dress, hat or umbrella holders
    • A47G25/14—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers
    • A47G25/1407—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers with identification means
    • A47G25/1414—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers with identification means connected to the hook member
    • A47G25/1435—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers with identification means connected to the hook member at a web between the stem and hanger body

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to an improved system for indicating the size of a garment suspended from a garment hanger. Specifically, this invention relates to an improved system for easily indicating the sizes of the garments on hangers in retail outlets. Structurally, the garment hanger is equipped with a size-indicating tab that cannot be easily removed from the hanger after it is attached thereto without destroying the tab.
  • the tab and tab-holder mounted on the hanger are of an improved ergonomic design that reduces the likelihood of carpal tunnel syndrome in assembly-line workers who attach the tabs to the hangers.
  • the tab is provided in stick form to decrease the assembly time and improve the manufacturing process for size-indicating garment hangers.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common nerve disorder affecting the hands, wrist and forearm of its victims. Specifically, carpal tunnel syndrome results from the compression of the median nerve at the wrist, within the carpal tunnel.
  • the carpal tunnel acts as a conduit for important nerves, blood vessels and tendons extending through the wrist to the thumb and fingers.
  • the compression of nerves in the carpal tunnel causes sensory and motor changes in the median distribution of the hand.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs in women between ages 30 and 60 and poses a serious occupational health problem. Assembly-line workers, packers and persons who repeatedly use poorly designed tools are most likely to develop this disorder. Any strenuous use of the hands, including sustained grasping, twisting or turning, may aggravate this condition.
  • the size-indicating tab must also include the non-removable aspects previously known so as to not create a child-safety problem.
  • the garment hanger assembly resulting from the present invention is safe to use in homes with small children and is further easy to manufacture and avoids requiring the assembly-line worker to perform an excessive amount of grasping, twisting or turning which may lead to development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • the garment hanger assembly has hang means connected to a middle portion of the garment support.
  • a recess tab-holding section is preferably mounted to one side of the hook or hang means where the hang means is connected to the garment support member.
  • the tab-holding section includes a wall that is preferably connected to both the hang means and the garment support member. The wall extends outwardly towards the consumer as the garment and hanger are hung from a rack. The wall terminates at a bullet-shaped member which serves as a male connector for the tab.
  • the bullet-shaped member is connected to the end of the wall at the base of the bullet-shaped member.
  • the U-shaped size-indicating tab has a front end thereof disposed between two side members.
  • the opposing side members extend away from the consumer and terminate in two inwardly-curved ends.
  • the front end of the tab serves as a rigid hinge connection between the two opposing side members and the outer front wall of the front end serves as a space for indicating the size of the garment.
  • the front display wall indicating the size of the garment, faces outward or frontward, toward the consumer.
  • the two inwardly curved ends of the tab are separated by a distance. This defined distance is approximately equal to the thickness of the wall that connects the bullet-shaped member to the hanger.
  • the inwardly curved ends of the opposing side members of the tab are further characterized as terminating in substantially flat inner walls that engage the wall that connects the bullet-shaped member to the hanger.
  • Each flat inner wall of a curved end is disposed between a rounded edge and a relatively square edge.
  • the rounded edge is the distal or outermost portion of the tab and provides a smooth engagement between the tab and the narrow front end of the bullet-shaped member when the tab is pushed over the bullet-shaped member during installation of the tab.
  • the square edge of each inwardly curved end is disposed adjacent to the base portion of the bullet-shaped member after the tab is installed. The engagement of the square edges of the curved ends of the tabs with the base portion of the bullet-shaped member precludes removal of the tab from the hanger without substantially damaging or destroying the tab.
  • the curved outer edges of the inwardly curved ends of the opposing side members of the tab slide over the tapered front end of the tab-holder and over the flared rear end of the tab-holder and engage the receiving sections of the wall disposed immediately rearward of the flared rear end of the tab-holder.
  • the tapered front end of the tab-holder is received in a slot disposed in the inside front wall of the front end of the tab.
  • the wall that connects the tab-holder to the hanger includes two opposing outwardly projecting ribs.
  • the two outwardly protruding ribs and the flared rear end of the tab-holder define the two sections that receive the flat inner walls of the inwardly curved ends of the tab after installation of the tab over the tab-holder.
  • the two opposing ribs prevent even the smallest hands from obtaining a purchase on the outer curved edges of the inwardly curved ends of the tab. Accordingly, the tab cannot be removed from the tab-holder without a sharp instrument.
  • the ribs and the flared rear end of the base member may include slots for accommodating a tab-removal tool in the event that an incorrect tab is mounted on the hanger and needs to be removed.
  • the narrow channels do not compromise the child-proof qualities of the hanger and tab because they are too narrow for even the smallest fingers to extend through.
  • a strip of tabs may be easily manufactured by molding a single elongated tab and placing a series of equally spaced cuts through the opposing side members that fall short of the front end of the tab.
  • the result will be a series of tabs provided in stick form whereby the tab disposed at the distal end of the stick may be easily snapped off as it is inserted on to the tab-holding section of the garment hanger.
  • An even larger quantity of tabs may be provided in a coiled form of still varying quantities and lengths.
  • the use of the size-indicating tabs and stick or coil form greatly reduces wasted time and motion associated with orientating the tabs prior to each application of a tab to a garment hanger.
  • The. operator may simply hold the stick upward, insert the tab disposed at the distal end of the stick or coil on to the tab-holding section of the garment hanger and as the tab is inserted over the tab-holding section the tab will break off the end of the stick and the operator is in position and ready to insert the next tab on the next garment hanger.
  • the repetitive motion carried out by the assembly-line worker is greatly reduced.
  • the garment hanger 10 includes a hang means 11 which is connected to the garment support member 12.
  • the distal end 13 of the hang means 11 is hung over a rack and is directed away from the consumer. Therefore, the size-indicating tab 24 is directed outward, toward the consumer.
  • the tab-holding section, indicated generally at 15, is preferably connected to both the hang means 11 and the garment support member 12.
  • the tab-holding section 15 includes a wall 16 which is connected to the garment support member 12 and the hang means 11.
  • the wall 16 is connected to the bullet-shaped member 17 at the base portion 18 thereof.
  • outwardly extending ribs 21, 22 may be disposed on the wall 16 to provide structural support and block access to the tab 24 after installation.
  • Upper and lower ribs 51, 52 respectively also block access to the tab 24 after installation.
  • the bullet-shaped member terminates at a narrow front end 23.
  • the size-indicating tab 24 engages the tab-holding section 15 as seen in Figure 3.
  • the tab 24 includes two opposing side members 25, 26. Both opposing side members 25, 26 are attached to the front end 27 of the tab 24.
  • the front end 27 includes a front display wall 28 and a slot 29 for accommodating the front end 23 of the bullet-shaped member 17.
  • the opposing side members 25, 26 terminate in two inwardly curved ends 31, 32.
  • the inwardly curved ends 31, 32 feature rounded edges 33, 34, inwardly facing walls 35, 36 and square edges 37, 38.
  • the rounded edges 33, 34 initially engage the front end or nose 23 of the bullet-shaped member.
  • the rounded configuration of the edges 33, 34 along with the general rounded configuration the front end 23 of the bullet-shaped member 17 make it easy to slide the curved ends 31, 32 of the tab 24 over the bullet-shaped member 17.
  • the distance between the inwardly facing walls 35, 36 of the tab 24 is generally about the same thickness as the wall 16 and the distance between the inwardly facing walls 35, 36 is substantially less than the average thickness of the bullet-shaped member and substantially less than the thickness represented by the base portion 18 of the bullet-shaped member 17.
  • the tab 24 must be made of some resilient material, such as plastic or other thermoplastic materials, and must be forced over the bullet-shaped member 17.
  • the rounded edges 33, 34 and the rounded configuration of the bullet-shaped member 17 enables the tab 24 to be inserted over the bullet-shaped member 17 with a minimum of effort.
  • the inwardly facing walls 35, 36 are accommodated in the receiving sections 41, 42 that are disposed between the ribs 21, 22 and the base portion 18 of the bullet-shaped member 17. Any attempt to pull the tab 24 out of the tab-holding section 15 will result in the engagement of the square edges 37, 38 against the square edges 43, 44 of the base portion 18 of the bullet-shaped member 17.
  • the opposing side members 25, 26 must be grasped, spread apart so that the flat inner walls 35, 36 of the inwardly curved ends 31, 32 clear the edges 43, 44 of the base portion 18 of the bullet-shaped member 17.
  • This sort of simultaneous grasping and pulling requires dexterity that is beyond the capabilities of small children.
  • the tab 24 includes 3 areas for the display of the garment size.
  • the front display wall 28 extends frontward or outward and faces the consumer as the consumer browses along full racks of clothes in a retail store.
  • Outer side walls 45, 46 also provide a place to display the size of the garment.
  • the tab 24 may be installed by pushing inward or in a plane represented by the front end 23 of the bullet-shaped member and the wall 16 or, the tab 24 may be inserted using a rolling action made easier by the rounded edges 33, 34 disposed at the distal ends of the side members 25, 26 of the tab 24.
  • the accommodation of the front end 23 of the bullet-shaped member 17 in the slot 29 in combination with the flat inwardly facing walls 35, 36 of the curved ends 31, 32 provides rocking-free stability of the tab once installed on the hanger.
  • the stability afforded by the installed tab 24 also precludes removal of the tab 24 from the hanger 10.
  • the tab 24 would be substantially damaged and rendered useless if it were successfully removed. Rendering the tab 24 useless after one removal ensures that worn or structurally tired tabs 24 will not be installed on hangers 10 which may find their way into the homes of consumers with small children. The structure of the tab 24 ensures that it will be used only once.
  • the garment hanger 110 includes a hang means 112 which is connected to a garment support member 114.
  • the distal end 116 of the hang means or hook 112 is hung over a rack (not shown) and is directed away from the consumer. Therefore, the tab-holding section, indicated generally at 118 (see also Figures 6 and 7), is directed toward the consumer.
  • the tab-holding section 118 is also preferably connected to both the hang means 112 and garment support member 114 by the wall 120.
  • the tab-holding section 118 includes the wall 120 which is connected to the hand means 112 as well as the garment support member 114.
  • the wall 120 extends outward and is connected to the tab-holder 122.
  • a pair of outwardly protruding ribs 124, 126 are disposed along the wall rearward of the tab-holder 122.
  • the ribs 124, 126 provide structural support to the tab-holding section 118 and the ribs 124, 126 block access to the tab 128 after installation as explained below.
  • the upper rib 130 and lower rib 132 also block access to the tab 128 after installation of the tab 128 on to the tab-holder 122.
  • the tab-holder 122 is best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
  • the flared base portion 134 is connected to the wall 120 and includes two outwardly projected ledges 136, 138.
  • the outward distal end of the tab-holder 122 features a tapered front end 140.
  • the tab-holder 122 is bullet-shaped.
  • the slots or channels 142, 143, 144 are intended to accommodate a tab-removing tool (not shown) in the event an incorrect size-indicating tab is mounted over the tab-holder 122.
  • the channels 142, 143, 144 are sufficiently narrow so as to preclude a small child's finger from obtaining a purchase on the curved ends 152, 154 of the tab 128 (see below).
  • the channels 142, 143, 144 extend from through the ribs 124, 126, through the receiving sections 174, 176 and through the ledges 136, 138 to enable an assembly-line worker to quickly pry the curved ends 152, 154 of the tab 128 over the ledges 136, 138 with an appropriate tool (not shown).
  • the tab 128 includes a front end 146 disposed between two opposing side members 148, 150.
  • Each opposing side member 148, 150 terminates in an inwardly curved end 152, 154 respectively.
  • Each curved end 152, 154 features a rounded outer edge 156, 158 respectively, a flat inner wall 160, 162 respectively, and a squared or sharp inner edge 164, 166 respectively.
  • the inner walls 168, 170 of the opposing side members 148, 150 respectively are substantially smooth and free of abutments and protuberances.
  • the inner wall of the front end 146 features a slot or groove 172 that accommodates the tapered front end 140 of the tab-holder 122.
  • the receiving sections 174, 176 of the wall 120 receive the flat inner walls 160, 162 of the inwardly curved ends 152, 154 respectively upon installation of the tab 128 over the tab-holder 122.
  • the outer rounded edges 156, 158 of the ends 152, 154 of the tab first engage the tapered front end 140 of the tab-holder.
  • the rounded edges 156, 158 slide smoothly over the tab-holder 122 and the flared base portion 134 of the tab-holder 122.
  • the curved ends 152, 154 and specifically the flat inner walls 160, 162 of the curved ends 152, 154 respectively are received in the receiving sections 174, 176 of the wall 120 (see Figure 7).
  • the mating-type engagement of the tapered front end 140 of the tab-holder 122 in the slot 172 disposed in the front end 146 of the tab 128 provides a relatively tight fit of the tab 128 over the tab-holder 122 and therefore precludes manipulation of the tab 128 by a child in an attempt to remove the tab 128 from the tab-holding section 118 of the garment hanger 110.
  • the upper rib 130 and lower rib 132 also preclude small fingers from obtaining a purchase on the tab 128.
  • the size of the garment may be indicated on the outer display walls 186, 188 (see also Figure 6) of the opposing side members 148, 150 respectively as well as the front display wall 190 (see also Figure 6) for a clear indication of the size of the garment from three sides.
  • the front end 146 or front display wall 190 of the tab 128 also includes an upper edge 192 and lower edge 194.
  • the upper edge 192 and lower edge 194 are detachably connected to adjacent tabs 128 when the tabs are provided in a stick or coil of tabs as shown in Figures 5, 10 and 12.
  • FIG 12 an improved method of installing a size-indicating tab 128 on a garment hanger 110 is illustrated.
  • the stick or coil of tabs 196 that has been severed or cut at the opposing side walls 148, 150 to provide a stick of tabs 128 connected at the upper and lower edges 192, 194 of the front ends 146
  • an operator may insert a first tab 128 on to the tab-holding section 118 of the garment hanger 110 and the lower edge 194 of the front wall 190 will easily snap off of the adjacent tab.
  • the operator maintains control of the stick or coil of tabs 196 and is ready to quickly insert the next tab 128 on to the next tab-holding section 118 of the next garment hanger 110.
  • Minimal dexterity is required because the operator need not pick up a small tab 128 from a dish or tray of tabs, line it up against the tab-holding section 118 of a garment hanger 110 and then insert the small tab 128 on to the tab-holder 122.
  • the stick or coil of tabs 196 provided by the detachable connections of the upper and lower edges 192, 194 of the front walls 190 of the tabs enables an operator to handle the small tabs 128 with greater ease and further improves the speed at which the tabs 128 may be installed on to the hangers 110.
  • Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a stick or coil 196 of tabs 128 that are made from molding a series of tabs 128 and then placing a series of equally spaced cuts or slits 197 through the opposing side members 148, 150 (see Figures 6 and 7) but leaving the front display walls 190 connected to each other.
  • the connection of one tab 128 to another tab 128 at the front end 146 or front wall provides a detachable connection and the tab 128 being installed on to the tab-holding section 118 of a garment hanger 110 will naturally snap off the distal end of a stick or coil 196 of tabs 128.
  • the operator then maintains possession and control of the stick or coil 196 of tabs 128 and is ready to install the next tab 128 disposed at the distal end of the stick or coil 196 of tabs onto the next succeeding garment hanger 110.
  • a new sizing system is provided for the garment industry which is both easier and faster to install which reduces the aggravation and strain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome as well as provides a hanger that is safe for use in homes with small children.
  • the tab 128 may be installed by pushing inward on the tab 128 disposed at the distal end of a stick or coil 196 of tabs 128.
  • the lack of any fingers or protuberances on the inner surfaces 168, 170 of the opposing side members 148, 150 substantially decreases the amount of rocking or twisting involved in installing a tab 128 over the tab-holding section 122.
  • the accommodation of the tapered front end 140 of the tab-holder 122 in the slot 172 of the front end 146 of the tab in combination with the engagement of the flat inwardly facing walls 160, 162 with the receiving section 174, 176 provides a rocking-free stability of the tab once installed on the hanger.
  • the stability afforded by the installed tab 128 precludes removal of the tab 128 from the hanger 110.
  • the tab 128 may be installed easily by engaging an index finger 198 with the front display surface 190 of the tab 128 and pushing the tab 128 onto the tab-holder 122.
  • the tab 128 would be substantially damaged and rendered useless if it were successfully removed. Rendering the tab 128 useless after one removal ensures that worn or structurally tired tabs 128 will not be installed on hangers 110 which may find their way into the homes of consumers with small children.
  • the complementary structures of the tab 128 and the tab-holding section 118 ensure that the tab 128 will be used only once.

Landscapes

  • Holders For Apparel And Elements Relating To Apparel (AREA)
  • Display Racks (AREA)
EP19940303207 1993-05-05 1994-05-04 Garment hanger sizing system Expired - Lifetime EP0623300B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US5713993A 1993-05-05 1993-05-05
US57139 1993-05-05
US08/164,237 US5524801A (en) 1993-12-09 1993-12-09 Stick form size indicators and method of assembly to garment hangers
US164237 1993-12-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0623300A1 EP0623300A1 (en) 1994-11-09
EP0623300B1 true EP0623300B1 (en) 1998-12-09

Family

ID=26736118

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19940303207 Expired - Lifetime EP0623300B1 (en) 1993-05-05 1994-05-04 Garment hanger sizing system

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0623300B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
KR (1) KR970010878B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CN (1) CN1167378C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU678819B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BR9401883A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA2122801C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE69415074T2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES2127352T3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
MX (1) MXPA94003300A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
TW (1) TW306997B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101073463B (zh) * 2006-05-02 2010-09-01 斯波特雷斯塑料有限公司 通用型低颈尺码夹

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5449099A (en) * 1994-01-25 1995-09-12 Batts, Inc. Hanger with child-proof size-indicator and tool for removing same
CN102551253B (zh) * 2012-01-04 2013-10-16 吕新 可显示布料裁片规格的衣架
JP5813706B2 (ja) 2013-08-08 2015-11-17 株式会社鷺宮製作所 加振装置、および、それを備えるシミュレーター用加振システム

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4115940A (en) * 1977-07-29 1978-09-26 A. & E. Warbern, Inc. Garment hanger with size indicator
GB2091796A (en) * 1980-11-13 1982-08-04 Hightons Plastics Ltd Clip
SE431040B (sv) * 1982-05-14 1983-12-27 Johansson Gert A Merkenhet for anbringande pa en langstreckt kropp sasom en kledeshengares upphengningskrok jemte forfarande for tillverkning av en sadan merkenhet
EP0456741B1 (en) * 1989-02-08 1997-04-16 Spotless Plastics Pty. Ltd. Indicators for garment hangers
US5199608A (en) * 1990-10-09 1993-04-06 Different Dimensions, Inc. Garment hanger with irremovable information tabs
US5096101A (en) * 1991-04-19 1992-03-17 A & E Products Group, A Division Of Carlisle Plastics, Inc. Garment hanger with locking information tab

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101073463B (zh) * 2006-05-02 2010-09-01 斯波特雷斯塑料有限公司 通用型低颈尺码夹

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1100289A (zh) 1995-03-22
AU6182394A (en) 1994-11-10
BR9401883A (pt) 1994-11-29
EP0623300A1 (en) 1994-11-09
CN1167378C (zh) 2004-09-22
MXPA94003300A (es) 2004-08-20
TW306997B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1997-06-01
DE69415074T2 (de) 1999-07-08
CA2122801A1 (en) 1994-11-06
ES2127352T3 (es) 1999-04-16
KR970010878B1 (ko) 1997-07-02
CA2122801C (en) 1999-09-14
AU678819B2 (en) 1997-06-12
DE69415074D1 (de) 1999-01-21

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