ES1298677U - ONE HAND OPERATED FOLDING HANGER (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable hanger that can be operated with one hand, comprising: - a hook (1) for hanging the hanger associated with a first arm (2); - a first arm (2) pivotable with respect to a second arm (3), where the first arm (2) also includes a support area (4) on which a user's hand rests that simultaneously holds and operates the hanger ; - a second arm (3) pivotable with respect to the first arm (2); - a pivot (5) around which any of the two arms (2, 3) pivot relatively between an expanded position and a closed position; and - blocking means that block or unlock the relative pivoting movement of the arms (2, 3); characterized because The support area (4) supports the support of a portion located between the index finger and thumb of the user's hand, because the second arm (3) comprises a guide profile (6) around the pivot (5) and a notch (7) that cooperates with a locking tooth (8), because the blocking means comprise a trigger (9) operable with the aforementioned hand, which pivots with respect to a second pivot (10) associated with the first arm (1) pivoting between a first configuration and a second configuration, where said trigger (9) comprises a locking tooth (8) that cooperates with the notch (7), where in a first configuration the locking tooth (8) selectively engages with the notch (7) to block the relative movement of the arms (2, 3) , and in a second configuration, the locking tooth (8) is selectively released from the notch (7) allowing the relative movement of the arms (2, 3), and where said trigger (9) also comprises a movable follower profile on the guide profile (6), and because it also comprises resilient recovery means (11) associated with the trigger (9) that exert a recovery load on the trigger (9) so that it pivots between the second configuration and the first configuration. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ONE HAND OPERATED FOLDING HANGER

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The present invention relates to a foldable hanger for hanging garments, operable with one hand. The hanger comprises a hook for hanging the hanger associated with a first arm that pivots with respect to a second arm, a pivot, and locking means for locking or unlocking the relative movement of the arms. The first arm also includes a support area for holding and operating the hanger with one hand. More specifically, the blocking means comprise a trigger with a blocking tooth and a follower profile. The second arm comprises a guide profile on which the follower profile can move and a notch that cooperates with the locking tooth. Furthermore, it comprises a resilient recovery means associated with the trigger that exerts a recovery load on the trigger.

The invention is applicable in those sectors in which hangers are designed, manufactured, produced or used, such as, for example, the commerce sector, clothing stores, clothing distribution and logistics, textile factories, dry cleaners, laundries and other textile treatment facilities, common homes, hotel establishments and facilities with cloakrooms or closets, among others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hangers are devices used to hang clothes so that a garment can be arranged on them while maintaining a shape. They also facilitate the storage of various garments in a compact space, allow clothing to be transported more comfortably, and improve the display and selection of textile products by a user. Typically, a spar consists of a hook and a pair of rigid arms that extend laterally from the base of the hook at an obtuse angle opposite the hook.

These rigid hangers maintain their geometric shape over time, and different types of garments are usually hung on them. However, there are some that due to their particular design they are difficult to hang on and off rigid hangers and may even be damaged. These are garments that have a closed collar (including those that are kept closed with zippers, buttons, hooks, velcro, etc.). The deterioration of this type of clothing can occur when the rigid hanger is inserted or removed from the garment through the neck, because the distance between the ends of the arms of the hanger is usually greater than the opening of the neck itself. . One way to proceed to avoid this deterioration is to manipulate the garment to insert or remove the rigid hanger from its lower part, which is normally wider than the neck area. Another way is, when the neck can be opened, unbutton it so that the hole through which the hanger passes is greater. But these ways of hanging and taking down the garments have several obvious drawbacks: it takes more time to put on and take off a garment, it requires additional handling effort... So, despite the risk of damaging the clothes, the hanging procedure Passing the hanger through the closed collar is very common and frequently occurs in commercial settings or when the user is in a hurry and is not careful with the garment.

A possible solution to the above problem is the use of hangers with folding arms. In this type of hangers, the arms can be folded manually, going from an expanded position to a closed position, in which the ends of the arms are closer or even touching. Although they are typically collapsible hangers for easy transport, they can also be used to be inserted or removed through the collar of clothing.

Several types of folding hangers are known, but all of them have different drawbacks:

- They are usually difficult to use because they require the intervention of both hands during the process of picking up, hanging and taking down the hanger itself from a coat rack. In addition, the user must coordinate the hands correctly and follow a specific sequence of movements for the process to go well, and these movements are not natural or intuitive (it is necessary to learn and practice).

- Sometimes it is not easy to fold them either and in general they do not offer a way to recover the expanded form using only one hand, having to use both hands to open the arms. For example, in patent US 20170325614 A1, the way to manipulate the hanger is by supporting one hand on an arm that contains a trigger that serves to unlock the arms and fold the hanger. That The trigger is on an arm that moves relative to the hook, which makes the hanger inoperable with one hand, especially if you intend to unhook or hang a garment while holding the hanger in the air.

- In general, they are not secure devices. In some cases, the possibility of using a single hand to grasp the hanger and close it is indicated, but due to the arrangement of elements and the way the hanger is held, it is evident that there is a high risk of hitting or getting caught with any of the parts in movement, especially when the hanger is folded (especially if it is done suddenly, when there is a garment hanging on it). Although there are many other examples, this can also be seen on the same hanger described above in US 20170325614 A1. It is dangerous to handle because the gripping and trigger hand is caught or hit on the knuckles when the arms close.

- The load-bearing capacity in the expanded position is usually ensured through some retaining or locking element that can be released, but in general they are difficult to manipulate with one hand while simultaneously holding the hanger.

- They are usually complex devices with a large number of parts, made of different materials (plastic, metal, wood...), which must be joined with auxiliary elements such as screws, pins, staples, etc. This heterogeneity has repercussions in the increase in manufacturing and assembly requirements and in a greater possibility of failure. It also makes them difficult to repair. Even those hangers that are made up of two or three pieces, these usually have geometries that are difficult to materialize through standard manufacturing techniques: extraction or addition of material (for example, cutting processes, machining, additive manufacturing, etc.) , or through molding processes (they require very complex, expensive and difficult to amortize molds). In addition to the economic impact, these deficiencies also have a negative impact on the recyclability of the product and separate it from the circular economy model (the circular economy —also called "circularity"— is a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing , renew and recycle existing materials and products for as long as possible and opposes the traditional linear models based on extract-produce-use-dispose).

- They present problems of durability and robustness. In the simplest proposals, with three pieces or less, functional portions that form part of the same piece but that experience a high risk of weakening or breakage due to being subjected to cyclical loads. Over time, these loads induce premature fatigue exhaustion rendering the spar unusable. For example, this occurs in hangers with monobloc springs (such as US 6540121 B1), in which the springs are integrated forming a single piece with the rest of the hanger. As the hanger is used, the capacity of the springs tends to deplete reaching a point where the hanger stops working. It also occurs in spars with parts that comprise some type of cantilevered portion such as a locking trigger or ratchet detent lever, which must flex each time the spar is to be folded or opened. This type of parts, with flexible portions that are usually made of plastic, do not behave well with continued use, and over time they break or deform permanently.

An example to provide a folding hanger that can be made of plastic, is as described in US 8517232 B1 . These are hangers that can be materialized with two pieces and that also have a flexible trigger but that is integrated into one of the pieces. This trigger is used to activate an unlocking system and thus close the hanger. In these cases, there are the usual safety problems if one tries to operate with one hand, due to the risk of hitting or getting caught by any of the moving parts, especially when the hanger is held in the air. This is due to the fact that these hangers are held by grasping an arm that pivots with respect to the hook and where the trigger is also located. When unlocked, there is a sudden collapse of the hanger and a more than likely knock to the knuckles of the holding hand. The way to use it is not intuitive at first glance either and this, added to the above, increases the risk of an accident. On the other hand, as pointed out before, the integration of flexible parts in the pieces also has a negative impact on the durability of the product and its manufacturability.

The invention described in patent ES 2755850 A1, by the same inventor as this new hanger, manages to overcome several drawbacks of previous hangers. Here we propose a materializable product with two pieces that can effectively be operated with one hand in all phases of use (holding, unhooking the hanger from a coat rack, unlocking the arms, folding the chest, reopening it, locking the arms and hang the hanger again) without having to release the hanger, and intuitively and safely. The layout of the trigger and a support area on the hook itself allows, among other things, that the user can hold and grasp the hanger with one hand and simultaneously, in addition, press the trigger with a prehensile movement and release the arms. However, this hanger also has the typical drawbacks relating to manufacturability and durability, in addition to others noted below.

As for the manufacturability, in this aspect it maintains the same problems as those of the hangers mentioned above. These types of hangers, with multifunctional parts, can only be produced profitably with plastic molding technologies, and in huge series. Even when produced on a large scale, profitability can suffer due to the complexity required by the molds (with costs that can exceed hundreds of thousands of euros) and a higher replacement rate caused by premature wear.

Furthermore, although plastic is a reusable material, today it is questioned as it is derived from petroleum and due to the difficulty of managing such a volume of waste and reintroducing it in an economically efficient way in value chains. This happens because the recycling process is complex and expensive, because its reuse is practically reduced to the manufacture of new plastic products and because non-recycled plastic, which still accounts for a large portion of the waste we generate, has a negative and significant in the environment (Leal, Walter, Saari, U, Fedoruk, M, lital, A, Moora, H, Kloga, M and Voronova, V (2019) “An overview of the problems posed by plastic products and the role of extended producer responsibility in Europe.” Journal of Cleaner Production, 214. pp.

550-558. ISSN 0959-6526). In short, the most reasonable materialization of these hangers is with a material with a difficult reuse, which means that this product moves away from the circular economy model .

Regarding durability, this hanger also includes at least two flexible portions integrated into each of its two pieces. One in the form of an actionable locking trigger that serves to unlock the movement of the arms, and another in the form of a retention lever of a kind of ratchet mechanism that moves when the trigger pushes it and allows the rotation of the arms. . As already mentioned, as the unlocking, folding, opening and locking cycles of the arms increase, these parts suffer great wear due to fatigue. This can give rise to exhaustion due to plastic deformation (the flexible part does not recover its shape and loses its functionality) or even exhaustion due to material breakage. In any case, this wear means a premature shortening of the life of the product and also makes it difficult to repair, which involves discarding and completely replacing the damaged part.

In addition to the manufacturability and durability problems, the integration of the flexible portions forming part of the hanger parts poses a problem from the functional, ergonomic and formal point of view. When a user grasps the hanger hand with a prehensile effect, they will tend to pull the trigger with their index and middle fingers to unlock arm movement. To be ergonomic and easy to use, the trigger travel must be compatible with this grasping movement of the fingers and this implies a minimum amount of trigger movement that makes this movement comfortable for the user (at least 5mm). . Therefore, a functional trigger must be large enough to accommodate the fingers of the hand and must also have the ability to move a certain distance when pressed, accompanying the natural closure of the fingers on the palm of the hand. In addition, for proper operation, when the user stops pulling the trigger, it must somehow return to the starting position so that the system is ready for a new cycle of use.

Meeting these requirements simultaneously is a problem when the trigger is integrated into a part, which is usually made of conventional plastic (eg cheap materials used in mass production, such as ABS, PVC, PS, PP plastics, etc.), and it materializes as a flexible element embedded at one end and free at the other. The arc that the free end of the trigger describes is determined by its shape and the flexible capacity of the material. In these hangers, it is virtually impossible to design a geometrically integrated plastic trigger, large enough to accommodate fingers, and also able to move more than a few millimeters without breaking or permanently deforming (unless they are used engineering materials, very expensive and not very accessible). Above all, when the recovery of the starting position of the trigger is also entrusted solely to the elastic capacity of the material. This has limiting effects on the design, which must take into account the risk of plasticization of the base of the trigger. If not done these problems can surface at any time during the life of the product making the hanger unusable after just a few uses and even if it is done the design limitations of the flexible parts make these hangers uncomfortable and unsuitable. manageable.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a one-hand operable, collapsible garment hanger. The hanger comprises a hook, two arms pivotable relative to and around a pivot, and locking means with a trigger that locks or unlocks. the relative pivoting movement of the arms. The hanger also comprises recovery means associated with the trigger.

The hanger described herein can be made of any suitable material or by any suitable method except where certain preferred embodiments are clearly indicated. For example, the hanger can be made of plastic, rubber, fiber, wood, composite, metal or metal alloys, or a combination of the above. In addition, various components can be of similar, the same, different materials or a combination of materials or multi-materials. Likewise, various components can be manufactured unitarily, be part of others, or be comprised of multiple parts. In one example, an arm may have a plastic or metal core and a rubber outer layer. In another example, an arm may further comprise a pivot.

It should be noted that, as used in this description and in the claims, the singular forms of the articles "a", "one", "the" and their feminines, also refer to the plurals unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term "one finger" can refer to a single finger or to a combination of fingers.

For the purposes of this invention and its disclosure, the term closed, collapsed, or folded position refers to the configuration of the slinger in which the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm are closer together. The term expanded, unfolded, or open position refers to the configuration in which the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm are further apart.

One aspect of the present invention is a one hand operable collapsible hanger comprising:

- A hook for hanging the hanger associated with a first arm.

- A first arm pivotable with respect to a second arm. This first arm also includes a support zone on which a user's hand rests. The support zone supports the support of a portion located between the index finger and thumb of the user's hand. In this way, a natural and intuitive way of holding the hanger is favored and at the same time the grasping movement of the rest of the fingers of the hand is facilitated to reaffirm the hold, to press a trigger belonging to a blocking device or to push the second arm. to fold the hanger. The user can also open the hanger while it supports the assembly formed by the first arm and the hook, while the second arm pivots to recover the expanded configuration. Thanks to this feature, the user can simultaneously hold and fully operate the hanger with one hand intuitively and safely.

- A second arm pivotable with respect to the first arm. This second arm comprises a guide profile around the pivot on which it rotates, and a notch that cooperates with a locking tooth. The guide profile can have various shapes: for example, it can be circular in shape with the pivot centered on it, or it can have a spiral or cam shape.

- A pivot about which either arm relatively pivots between an expanded position and a closed position. For the purposes of this invention and its disclosure, a pivot is a central point about which something swings or rotates. A pivot can be materialized in many ways, such as an axis or a hollow or solid drum that rotates around a cylinder or a hole and can have a single face or be a set of faces, such as several stepped cylindrical side faces. .

- Blocking means that block or unblock the relative pivoting movement of the arms. The locking means comprise a trigger that can be operated with one or more of the fingers of the same hand with which the user holds the hanger when resting it on the support zone. The trigger is located within reach of the index finger (and optionally several other fingers such as the index and middle fingers) so that it can be activated by squeezing the hand, with a prehensile effect. Although the trigger could be depressed in other ways, such as by pushing it with the palm of the hand, the trigger on the hanger is preferably operated with the fingers of the hand because this facilitates the interaction between an average user and the system through of a more precise and natural prehensile gesture. This trigger pivots with respect to a second pivot that is associated with the assembly of the first arm and the hook, pivoting between a first configuration and a second configuration. The trigger also comprises a locking tooth which is therefore likewise movable between the first configuration and the second configuration together with the trigger. This locking tooth has the ability to cooperate with the notch located on the second arm. In a first configuration, the locking prong selectively engages the notch to lock relative movement of the arms in the expanded position. In a second configuration the locking tooth selectively releases from the notch allowing relative movement of the arms to close the hanger. The trigger also includes a follower profile that can be moved on the guide profile.

When using only one hand to hold the bar and wanting the bar to return to the expanded position, the user tends to decrease the amount of pressure on the trigger. This causes a resilient recovery means associated with the trigger to exert a recovery load on the trigger causing it to move from the second configuration to the first configuration. In this situation, the follower profile of the trigger comes into contact with the guide profile of the second arm so that during the opening process of the hanger the trigger can return to the position of the first configuration and also the crimp between the locking tooth and the notch remains guaranteed. This also makes it easier to retrieve the expanded configuration and lock the arms when the user moves the bar so that the second arm opens under its own weight (for example, by turning the bar in midair pointing it downwards), or when the The user opens the hanger by a quick jerk to give the second arm a boost.

- A resilient recovery means associated with the trigger that exerts a recovery load on the trigger so that it pivots between the second configuration and the first configuration when the user releases the pressure that he exerts with his fingers on the trigger. When the user presses the trigger and it pivots, the recovery load of the resilient self-recovery means is exceeded and causes the resilient self-recovery means to elastically load by adding recovery load. When the force induced by the user is reduced or eliminated, the recovery charge stored in the resilient self-recovery means acts on the trigger to pivot towards the starting position. For the purposes of this invention and its disclosure, the term resilient self-healing media comprises resilient media, but also any means for providing resilient force, work or energy.

In a preferred embodiment, the first arm comprises a support zone or area on which the palm and the back of a user's hand rest. For the purposes of this invention and its disclosure, the palm or back of a hand includes the surfaces of the interdigital skin folds that lie between the bases of the fingers. The support on the back of the hand is an attribute that allows, among other things, to easily support the hand and lift the hanger when it is hanging from a coat rack, even with an open hand. Once in the air, it also serves as a support to hold it without falling. In this way, the ease of interaction of the user with the hanger is increased. Even if the fingers are not closed on the perch with a prehensile grip effect, the perch can be held with one hand. Is all It gives the user time to intuit how the device works, not to rush, and to act on it through a gesture as natural as closing their fingers.

In a more preferred embodiment, the first arm comprises the hook forming a single component. Unlike other hangers, this feature makes it possible to reduce the number of parts that make up the product and facilitates the manufacturing processes. Additionally, when they form a single piece, it is possible to configure a more stable support zone for the hand and with more support to support the palm and the back of the hand.

In another more preferred embodiment, the support zones or areas are a straight section located on the first arm and a straight section located on the hook. The straight shape of the spans should be broadly understood. For example, a straight section can in turn comprise a curved portion, or a rounding, or a curved chamfer that connects it to another section. In an even more specific embodiment, the support zones or areas are a straight section located on the first arm and several straight sections located on the hook. In another even more specific embodiment, the straight sections converge at a point. The convergence of the sections conforms to the convergence that circumscribes the profile of the palm and the back of the hand in the vicinity of the base of the fingers, facilitating intimate contact between the hand and the group that forms the first arm with the second. hook.

In these embodiments, the hanging of the hanger can be done with one hand and is secured simply by inserting the hand between the hook and the first arm. In doing so, a collaboration is produced between the hand and the hanger that allows the hanger to be firmly held while it is being handled with the same hand or, if the user prefers, with the help of the other hand, to move it, hang or unhook garments, open it or close. This collaboration can also be favored if the section where the back rests includes elements that prevent slippage between the back of the hand and the hanger, such as several straight sections in the shape of saw teeth, indentations, notches, grooves, recesses, compression elements on the back of the hand or non-slip surfaces (for example, a foam or a rubbery surface).

In another preferred embodiment, the follower profile of the trigger is located in the locking tooth in such a way that the same component assumes the two characteristics. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, the complexity of the part and facilitate its materialization.

In another preferred embodiment, the hook, the first arm, the second arm and the trigger are made of wood or a derivative of wood. In a more preferred embodiment, the pin and the second pin are also made of wood or a derivative of wood. Unlike other materials such as plastic, wood is a robust element of natural origin and recyclable in multiple ways. The hanger made of wood facilitates its repair and the replacement of parts in a cheap and more sustainable way. Even when the useful life of the product ends, wood allows for multiple reuses such as its use in new wood products -plywood, MDF, OSB, chipboard...-, manufacturing compost, in thermal and acoustic insulation elements, such as filler material, such as fuel (eg pellets), etc. Therefore, the materialization of the hanger with wooden elements makes the product circular from the point of view of the circular economy model.

In another more preferred embodiment, the hook and the first arm, the second arm and the trigger are cut-out pieces obtained from cutting at least one flat board. In an even more preferred embodiment, the hook and the first arm form a single composite component from the union of various portions or flat parts. This union can be materialized in various ways, such as through a natural resin-based adhesive or with mechanical unions (such as screw and nut, with pins, bolts, rivets, snap-fit type unions, staples, etc.). etc.).

The above features have highly advantageous technical effects from the standpoint of manufacturability and repairability. The functional attributes of this hanger can be materialized in pieces with very simple geometries and easily machinable. In addition, almost all of its parts can be obtained from direct cutting on a flat board, without further finishing procedures (and if laser techniques are also used, with minimal tool wear). Assembly operations from the produced components are also few and very simple; so much so that they can even be carried out by the end user. Disassembly is just as simple, making the product easily repairable and recyclable. The hanger production model with these characteristics is ultra-efficient, easily scalable and can be adapted to both short series and mass production in an economical and sustainable manner. These characteristics, together with the choice of wood as the constituent material, allow the product's life cycle to be closed in a loop, making it totally circular and even more integrated into the circular economy model .

In a specific embodiment, the resilient recovery means is an elongable band or thread. By way of example, the elongable band or thread can be materialized by one or more bands or threads (eg rubber) arranged one on top of the other or interwoven, or by a single band or thread.

In a more specific embodiment, the elongable band or thread comprises two ends and is arranged by associating each end of the elongable band or thread to each end of the pivot, with an intermediate portion in contact with the trigger, capable of exerting a load of recovery on the trigger when it pivots.

In another more specific embodiment, the stretchable band or thread is a closed loop that is arranged around each end of the pivot, with an intermediate portion in contact with the trigger capable of exerting a recovery load on the trigger when it pivots.

One of the effects of this configuration has to do with the ease of product assembly and repair operations. On the one hand, it is trivial to arrange the band on the hanger in relation to the pivot, and also to remove it whether using assembly tools or a person doing it with their hands. On the other hand, if the band or thread is tensioned during assembly and remains slightly tensioned on the hanger, a transverse shear type load is exerted on the ends of the pivot. This load causes the pivot to remain in its position without the need to use other auxiliary fastening elements (such as adhesives or pins), substantially simplifying the product, its manufacture, its assembly, its repair and its disassembly.

The invention provides a foldable hanger that allows garments to be hung and unhooked with the neck closed or with the closures unopened in a very simple manner. This hanger can be easily held during the process of picking up, hanging and taking down the hanger itself, and can be done using only one hand. It can also be manipulated to go from an expanded position to a closed position and vice versa in a very intuitive way and using, if desired, the same hand with which the hanger is held. Thanks to its characteristics, the opening and closing of the arms also occurs fluidly when it is held, even when the hanger is inside the garment.

The hanger that is proposed is superior to the known technique in several respects. Among the most important are:

- Ease of using the hanger during the process of picking up, hanging and unhooking the hanger itself with one hand and without letting go of the hanger during the entire operation process of the hanger, including manipulation of the trigger to unlock and lock the hanger.

- The simplicity to fold the hanger and the way in which it recovers its expanded form, using the same hand with which the hanger is held. All movements to operate the hanger are made by holding it with one hand. When the hand slides over the support zone, a grip is obtained that is completed when the user makes a grasping movement and presses the trigger, which is within finger reach. Once attached, you can even push the second arm with the free fingers of the same hand to fold the spar. All these gestures (swipe, squeeze, squeeze) are natural and intuitive, and do not require learning. To open the hanger without releasing it, the user can simply move it so that the second arm pivots by gravity, or can jerk the second arm upward until it locks.

- Safety of use so that the user does not suffer any risk of entrapment or pinching when the hanger is folded or opened. As the support area for the hand and the trigger are associated with the assembly formed by the first arm with the hook, the user's hand and all the gestures he performs with it are located in a portion of the hanger away from the trajectory of the second. pivotable arm, which is the one that moves. Also, the hand is positioned and squeezed over the top of the spar, across the area that the arms sweep out when the spar is folded.

- The ability of the hanger to support garments without accidentally collapsing.

The locking means are made up of simple and reliable elements, and the engagement of the locking tooth and the notch is guaranteed by the guide and follower profile, and by the resilient recovery means.

- The simplicity of the device in terms of its manufacturability and repairability, with a low environmental impact and its adaptation to the circular economy model. All parts can be easily manufactured, assembled, replaced and removed, and from ecologically sustainable materials. In addition, when the components are flat, it facilitates the realization of hangers that are compact and easy to stack and pack. Even When several hangers of the invention are hung on a rack, they take up less space than other collapsible hangers and therefore more garments can be displayed.

- Its robustness and durability. The parts that must move relatively to fold the hanger are only the second arm and the trigger, which also comprise a guide and follower profile respectively, which guarantees operation and greatly reduces the possibility of failure. On the other hand, the interaction between parts does not depend on the bending capacity of any component. All parts are independent and work with predominantly tensile and compressive stresses. This means that the effects of material fatigue are negligible and that the product is therefore more robust and durable. The predominant work in tension and compression also opens the range of materials and manufacturing processes with which the hanger can be built, wood being a perfectly legible option. Since the trigger can be built as an independent pivotable part and its operation does not depend on its flexibility (contrary to when it is a flexible portion that forms an integral part of a part), the limitations regarding the maximum movements that can be assumed by the triggers are overcome. integrated. The movements of the trigger do not depend on the bending resistance of the material and this allows designing a trigger that is more functional and ergonomically compatible with the grasping movement of the fingers of the hand (the movement of the trigger can now be several millimeters and even of the order of centimeters). In addition, the trigger of this hanger returns to the starting position thanks to the effect of the recovery means, and its positioning is ensured thanks to the support on the guide profile (unlike flexible triggers that can lose their repositioning capacity due to of plastic exhaustion caused by fatigue).

The invention is applicable in those sectors in which hangers are designed, manufactured, produced or used, such as, for example, the commerce sector, clothing stores, clothing distribution and logistics, textile factories, dry cleaners, laundries and other textile treatment facilities, common homes, hotel establishments, and facilities with cloakrooms or wardrobes, among others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a general view from one side of the one-hand operable folding hanger, where the breastplate can be seen in the expanded configuration. The hanger comprises a hook (1), a first pivotable arm (2), a second pivotable arm (3), and a pivot (5). The first arm (2) also includes the hook (1) forming a single component. The hanger also includes a support area (4) on which a portion located between the index finger and thumb of a user's hand can be supported. In addition, the hanger comprises locking means with a trigger (9), which pivots with respect to a second pivot (10) to lock or unlock the relative pivoting movement of the arms (2,3). The figure also shows resilient recovery means (11) associated with the trigger in the form of an elongable band with two ends. The band is arranged in tension associating each of its ends with each end of the pivot (5), with an intermediate portion in contact with the trigger (9) being able to exert a recovery load on the trigger (9).

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the spar of Fig. 1 where the previous spar is folded.

Fig.3 shows some views of the hanger of Fig. 1 during the process of actuating the locking means and folding and opening of the hanger. The dashed lines represent the hidden parts of some hanger components. In Fig. 3A the hanger is shown in the expanded configuration with the arms locked by the locking means. The hanger is shown with the same features as those indicated in Fig. 1 plus some other features that were hidden in Fig. 1. These other previously hidden features are a guide profile (6) and a notch (7) located on the second arm (3), and a locking tooth (8) located on the trigger (9). In this first configuration, the locking tooth (8) is selectively engaged with the notch (7), blocking the relative movement of the arms (2,3). In Fig. 3B, the operation of the trigger (9) is represented with at least one of the fingers of the same hand that simultaneously holds the hanger. The trigger (9), when pressed with the fingers, pivots with respect to the second pivot (10), pivoting between the first configuration and a second configuration. Along with the trigger (9), the locking tooth (8) also moves between the first setting and the second setting and selectively releases from the notch (7) allowing relative movement of the arms (2,3). In addition, the pivoting movement of the trigger (9) causes the recovery means (11), which in this figure is an elongable band, to exert tension to exert a recovery load on the trigger (9). This recovery charge allows the trigger (9) to pivot between the second setting and the first setting when the user releases pressure on the trigger (9). In Fig. 3C the folding of the hanger is represented when the second arm (3) pivots with respect to the first arm (1). This figure shows the hanger with the user still maintaining pressure on the trigger (9). For the folding of the hanger, the user can use the fingers that are still free of the same hand (for example, the middle finger, the ring finger and/or the little finger) to rest them on the second arm (3) and press it to pivot through a prehensile, closing effect of the fingers on the palm, through the same gesture that you used to press the trigger. Another option to fold the hanger can be to drop the second arm (3) due to the effect of gravity. In Fig. 3C the folded hanger is represented when the user stops pressing the trigger (3). The recovery means (11) maintains the recovery charge on the trigger (9) causing the trigger (9) to pivot towards the first configuration. In this position, the follower profile located on the trigger (9) rests on the guide profile (6) of the second arm (3) and can move on it. In this representation, the follower profile is located in the locking tooth (8) of the trigger (9) itself. When the user pivots the second arm (3) to open the hanger, the follower profile moves on the guide profile (6) until the trigger (9) returns to the first setting and the locking tooth (8) selectively engages. with the notch (7) blocking the relative movement of the arms (2,3). In this way the hanger returns to the first expanded position as shown in Fig. 3A.

In Fig. 4 different characteristics of the hanger and a way of materializing them are represented. Fig. 4A shows the pivot (5) and the second pivot (10) obtainable from cutting a wooden bar or a derivative of wood. In this figure, one can also see a resilient recovery means (11) that is an elongable rubber band. The band comprises two ends each with a hole in such a way that it can be arranged by associating each end of the band with each end of the pivot (5). Fig. 4B shows a flat board made of wood or a wood derivative and by broken lines cut lines of several parts. Each of these parts correspond to various parts and characteristics of the hanger. Among them you can see the hook (1) and the first arm (2), with the support zone (4) and two holes to house the pivot (5) and the second pivot (10) respectively. You can also see the trigger (9) with the locking tooth (8) and the follower profile forming in the same locking tooth (9), and a hole to house the second pivot (10). You can also see the second arm (3) with the guide profile (6), a notch (7), and a hole to house the pivot (5).

Fig.5 shows a way to materialize the hanger from the components and characteristics indicated in Fig. 4. This hanger is made up of 6 pieces made up of 8 parts that are related to each other and are assembled following the dashed lines . In this figure it can be seen how the hook (1) and the first arm (2) is a piece made from the union of three flat parts.

Fig.6 shows the hanger of Fig.5 once assembled. The resilient recovery means (11) are an elongable band and are arranged by associating each of its ends with each end of the pivot (5), with an intermediate portion in contact with the trigger (9) and with the capacity to exert a load. recoil on the trigger (9).

Fig.7 shows the hanger shown in any of the above figures when operated by a one-handed user. Although not taught, the hanger may be hanging from a bar or may be in the air. It could also have a piece of clothing on it, such as a T-shirt. In this figure it can be seen how the user holds the hanger resting the palm and the back of the hand on the support zone (4), which is hidden. In this position, the hanger is already securely attached and could easily be dropped from a closet rod or kept suspended in the air. At the same time, the user is free to use the free fingers of the same hand to operate the trigger (9) and/or to press the second arm (3) and close the hanger with a prehensile effect. To reopen the hanger, the user can choose to jerk without releasing the hanger, forcing the second arm (3) to pivot until the hanger fully expands and the arms (2,3) lock again.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Below, for a better understanding of the present invention, the following preferred embodiment examples are described, described in detail, which must be understood without limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A hanger like the one represented in Fig. 1 was manufactured with a first pivotable arm (2) that also included a hook (1) for hanging the hanger, a second pivotable arm (3), a pivot (5) and some locking means. with a trigger (9). The hanger included a support area (4) where the palm and the back of the hand could be supported.

The first arm (2) with the hook (1) materialized from machining operations on a piece of wood. These operations included two holes to house the pivot (5) and a second pivot (10) and the opening of a vertical slot to house the pivoting trigger (9) and the second pivoting arm (3) inside. The support zone (4) was materialized by means of a straight section located in the hook (1) converging with another straight section located in the first arm (2) so that the user could comfortably support both the palm and the back of his hand and easily hold the hanger.

The second arm (3) had a hole at one of its ends so that it could pivot around the pivot (5). In addition, it included a guide profile (6) around the pivot in the form of a cam profile on which a follower profile located on the trigger (9) moves. In the widest part of the cam profile, it also incorporated a notch (7) that cooperated with a locking tooth (8) located in the trigger (9) so that when they were engaged, they blocked the relative movement of the arms (2, 3).

The trigger (9) of the blocking means was arranged in the area proximal to the open part of the hook (1) so that it was accessible with the fingers of the same hand with which the hanger is held. This trigger (9) included another hole so that it could pivot around the second pivot (10). The trigger incorporated a locking tooth (8) and in it there was a follower profile that could rest on the guide profile (6) of the cam of the second arm.

Both the pivot (5) and the second pivot (10) were obtained by cutting a bar, specifically a 6 mm diameter wooden rod.

The hanger also incorporated resilient recovery means (11) materialized with an elongable rubber band 1 cm wide, 1 mm thick and 9 cm long. The band had a hole in each of its two ends so that it could be fitted by inserting each end of the pivot (5) into each hole. The intermediate part of the rubber was in contact with a portion of the trigger (9). In this way, when the trigger was pressed, the rubber was stressed, exerting a recovery load on the trigger (9).

In the expanded configuration, the hanger had a cleat, measured between the distal ends of the arms (2,3), of 420 mm and a height, measured from the end of one arm (2,3) to the top of the hook. (1), 180mm. The thickness of the assembly made up of the hook (1) and the first arm was 8 mm and the thickness of the second arm (3) and the trigger was 2 mm.

EXAMPLE 2

For this materialization, the hanger of the previous example was used, although its components and characteristics materialized in a different way, as shown in Fig.4.

To make the hanger, a flat wooden board 4 mm thick was used. From laser cutting operations, 5 parts were obtained like those represented in Fig. 4B that later served to materialize the second arm (3), the first arm (2) with the hook (1) and the trigger (9). .

On the other hand, both the pivot (5) and the second pivot (10) were obtained from the cut of the same 6 mm diameter wooden rod. The pin (5) had a length of 16 mm and the second pin (10) had a length of 12 mm.

The resilient recovery means (11) was a rubber band 1 cm wide, 1 mm thick and 9 cm long, with a 6 mm diameter hole punched at each end.

The assembly operations consisted of gluing the three flat parts that made up the first arm (2) with the hook (1), with a natural resin-based adhesive obtained from plants. The adhered parts made up a single piece with an interior hole that could house the pivoting trigger (9) and the second pivoting arm (3).

Next, the trigger (9) and the second arm (3) were placed in such a way that the holes to accommodate the pivot (5) and the second pivot (10) corresponded with the holes to accommodate the pivot (5) and the second pivot (10) located on the first arm (2) with the hook (1). Then both the pin (5) and the second pin (10) were inserted transversely so that the pin (5), which was a little longer than the thickness of the first arm (2) with the hook (1), had both ends protruding from the body of the hanger.

Finally, the resilient recovery means (11) were placed. To do this, a first end of the pivot (5), which protruded, was inserted into one of the holes located at one of the ends of the elastic band. The band was then wrapped over the hanger and over an exposed portion of the trigger (9) to then insert a second end of the pin (5) into the other hole at the other end of the elastic band.

EXAMPLE 3

For this materialization, the hanger of the previous example was used, although with other resilient recovery means (11).

In this case, an elongable thread was selected, and more specifically a rubber that formed a closed loop 19 cm long and 2 square millimeters thick. For the assembly of the hanger, the rubber was arranged surrounding each end that protrudes from the pivot (5), with an intermediate portion in contact with the trigger (9).

EXAMPLE 4

In any aspect or embodiment of the present invention, when a user wishes to insert the hanger through an opening in a garment to hang it, he must first fold the hanger if it was previously open. To close the hanger, it first acts on the blocking means when they are blocking the arms (2,3), to allow their relative pivotal movement. When the user grasps the hanger with one hand, the trigger (9) is naturally accessible to the free fingers of the same hand and this induces the user to press it, while holding the hanger firmly. You can then fold the hanger either by exerting a force on the second arm (3), by letting the second arm (3) fall under its own weight, or by jolting it to move. In this way, the arms (2,3) pivot relatively towards a closed position, facilitating the introduction of the hanger into the garment through the opening. To recover the expanded position, the user can also choose to exert a force on the second arm (3), to allow them to open under their own weight, or to give a jolt to deploy them.

Similarly, when a user wishes to take a garment off the hanger, first, if the arms (2,3) are blocked, he must act on the blocking means to allow the relative pivoting movement of the arms (2,3) and that the arms (2,3) pivot relatively towards a closed position. When the arms (2,3) are closed, removal of the hanger from the garment, or the garment from the hanger, is facilitated by passing the hanger through an opening in the garment, preferably through the neck. Once the garment has been taken down, the user can reopen the hanger.

Although various preferred embodiments and examples have been described, they are to be understood as not limiting the scope of the invention. When the examples or drawings indicate specific components that are arranged in a certain way, with certain orientations or positions, this arrangement could also be different. The same happens when you describe methods or events that occur in a certain order. That order could also be different. Although the examples are described in detail, it is to be understood that various modifications in form and detail may be made, as well as a variety of uses in different applications, which will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined here could be applied to a wide range of implementations.

Claims (11)

1. One-hand operable folding hanger comprising: - a hook (1) for hanging the hanger associated with a first arm (2); - a first arm (2) pivotable with respect to a second arm (3), where the first arm (2) also includes a support area (4) on which a user's hand rests that simultaneously holds and operates the hanger ; - a second arm (3) pivotable with respect to the first arm (2); - a pivot (5) around which any of the two arms (2, 3) pivot relatively between an expanded position and a closed position; and - some locking means that lock or unlock the relative pivoting movement of the arms (2,3); characterized by the support zone (4) supports the support of a portion located between the index finger and thumb of the user's hand, because the second arm (3) comprises a guide profile (6) around the pivot (5) and a notch (7) that cooperates with a locking tooth (8), because the blocking means comprise a trigger (9) operable with the aforementioned hand, which pivots with respect to a second pivot (10) associated with the first arm (1) pivoting between a first configuration and a second configuration, where said trigger (9) It comprises a locking tooth (8) that cooperates with the notch (7), where in a first configuration the locking tooth (8) selectively engages with the notch (7) to block the relative movement of the arms (2,3 ), and in a second configuration, the locking tooth (8) is selectively released from the notch (7) allowing the relative movement of the arms (2,3), and where said trigger (9) also comprises a follower profile that can be moved on the guide profile (6), and because it also comprises resilient recovery means (11) associated with the trigger (9) that exert a recovery load on the trigger (9) so that it pivots between the second configuration and the first configuration. Hanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the first arm (2) comprises at least one support zone (4) on which the palm and the back of a user's hand rest. Hanger according to claim 2, characterized in that the first arm (2) comprises the hook (1) forming a single component. Hanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the follower profile is located on the locking tooth (8). Hanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook (1), the first arm (2), the second arm (3) and the trigger (9) are made of wood or a derivative of wood. Hanger according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivot (5) and the second pivot (10) are made of wood or a derivative of wood. Hanger according to claim 5, characterized in that the hook (1), the first arm (2), the second arm (3) and the trigger (9) are cut-out pieces obtained from cutting a flat board. 8. Hanger according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the hook (1) and the first arm (2) form a single composite component from the union of several flat parts. Hanger according to claim 1, characterized in that the resilient recovery means (11) are an elongable band or thread. 10. Hanger according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elongable band or thread comprises two ends and is arranged by associating each end of the elongable band or thread to each end of the pivot (5), with an intermediate portion in contact with the trigger (9 ) exerting a recovery charge on the trigger (9). 11. Hanger according to claim 10, characterized in that the elongable band or thread is a closed loop that surrounds each end of the pivot (5), with an intermediate portion in contact with the trigger (9) exerting a recovery load on the trigger (9).