GB2127284A - Clothes-hangers - Google Patents

Abstract

A clothes-hanger shaped in at least part of its structure to form or carry a representation. The representation may be of some character, person or article and may be in the form of a three-dimensional representation thereof, or, in the form of a two- dimensional print, picture or drawing, in which case the hanger may be shaped to correspond to the outline of the representation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clothes-hangers This invention relates to clothes-hangers shaped in at least part of their structure to form or carry a representation, which may be sold as novelties. The representation may be of some character, person or article and may be in the form of a three-dimensional representation thereof or, preferably, in the form of a two-dimensional print, picture or drawing. In the latter case it is preferred that the hangers be shaped to correspond to the outline of the two-dimensional representation.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is a hanger carrying orto carry a representation of a fictional or real character or person on the neck of the hanger, our a hanger having the neck formed as a character or person, so that any clothes on the hanger look as if they are being worn by the character or person concerned.

The invention is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a clothes-hanger having a generally triangular carrying portion 1, as is common, although any design of carrying portion may be used, such as a straight or arcuate bar. Extending from the carrying portion 1 is the neck 2 in the form of a well-known cartoon character and leading to the hook 3 of the hanger, which in this case forms part of the character. In Figure 2 there is shown a hanger in which the hook does not form part of the character.

Any clothes on the hanger will look somewhat as if being worn by the character. The hanger may carry some inscription such as the name of the character as at 4, but any appropriate word or words may be used.

The neck portion or neck portion alone need not be especially shaped to carry a representation since the carrying portion may also or alternatively be so shaped. It is particularly preferred that the hanger or the shaped portion thereof be shaped to conform to the outline of the representation. Further examples of representations are those of interest to tourists, such as of a London policeman or a famous building.

Representations or caricatures of politicians may be used.

The hangers may be made in two stages: first the shaped hanger blank is formed and then the representation is applied to the blank. The invention includes both the blank and the completed hanger as well as the above method of manufacture.

The invention is not limited as to the material(s) or mode of manufacture of the hangers but it is presently preferred that they be stamped out of a sheet of plastics material such as PVC or high impact polystyrene and thereafter be screen-printed to apply the representation. Such stamped hangers tend to be slightly bowed and it is preferable to print a representation only on the outwardly-bowed side of the hanger, although the hangers of the invention may carry the same or different representations on both sides.

1. A clothes-hanger shaped at least in part of its structure to form or carry a representation.

2. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 1 shaped to conform to the outline of the representation.

3. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the representation is twodimensional print, picture or drawing.

4. A clothes-hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises a hook joined to a carrying portion by a neck and wherein the neck is shaped.

5. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the representation is of a real or fictional character or person.

6. A clothes-hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which carries the representation.

7. A clothes hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is stamped out of a plastics sheet.

8. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the representation is screen-printed thereon.

9. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

10. A method of making a clothes-hanger shaped at least in part of its structure to form or carry a representation, which comprises stamping the hanger from a sheet of plastics material.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 which further comprises screen-printing the representation onto the hanger.

12. A clothes-hanger whenever produced by a method as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clothes-hangers This invention relates to clothes-hangers shaped in at least part of their structure to form or carry a representation, which may be sold as novelties. The representation may be of some character, person or article and may be in the form of a three-dimensional representation thereof or, preferably, in the form of a two-dimensional print, picture or drawing. In the latter case it is preferred that the hangers be shaped to correspond to the outline of the two-dimensional representation. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is a hanger carrying orto carry a representation of a fictional or real character or person on the neck of the hanger, our a hanger having the neck formed as a character or person, so that any clothes on the hanger look as if they are being worn by the character or person concerned. The invention is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a clothes-hanger having a generally triangular carrying portion 1, as is common, although any design of carrying portion may be used, such as a straight or arcuate bar. Extending from the carrying portion 1 is the neck 2 in the form of a well-known cartoon character and leading to the hook 3 of the hanger, which in this case forms part of the character. In Figure 2 there is shown a hanger in which the hook does not form part of the character. Any clothes on the hanger will look somewhat as if being worn by the character. The hanger may carry some inscription such as the name of the character as at 4, but any appropriate word or words may be used. The neck portion or neck portion alone need not be especially shaped to carry a representation since the carrying portion may also or alternatively be so shaped. It is particularly preferred that the hanger or the shaped portion thereof be shaped to conform to the outline of the representation. Further examples of representations are those of interest to tourists, such as of a London policeman or a famous building. Representations or caricatures of politicians may be used. The hangers may be made in two stages: first the shaped hanger blank is formed and then the representation is applied to the blank. The invention includes both the blank and the completed hanger as well as the above method of manufacture. The invention is not limited as to the material(s) or mode of manufacture of the hangers but it is presently preferred that they be stamped out of a sheet of plastics material such as PVC or high impact polystyrene and thereafter be screen-printed to apply the representation. Such stamped hangers tend to be slightly bowed and it is preferable to print a representation only on the outwardly-bowed side of the hanger, although the hangers of the invention may carry the same or different representations on both sides. CLAIMS

1. A clothes-hanger shaped at least in part of its structure to form or carry a representation.

2. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 1 shaped to conform to the outline of the representation.

3. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the representation is twodimensional print, picture or drawing.

4. A clothes-hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which comprises a hook joined to a carrying portion by a neck and wherein the neck is shaped.

5. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the representation is of a real or fictional character or person.

6. A clothes-hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which carries the representation.

7. A clothes hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is stamped out of a plastics sheet.

8. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the representation is screen-printed thereon.

9. A clothes-hanger as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described.

10. A method of making a clothes-hanger shaped at least in part of its structure to form or carry a representation, which comprises stamping the hanger from a sheet of plastics material.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 which further comprises screen-printing the representation onto the hanger.

12. A clothes-hanger whenever produced by a method as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11.