GB2140679A

GB2140679A - Garment hanger with coding means

Info

Publication number: GB2140679A
Application number: GB08409171A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Jack Hogarth
Original assignee: Rainsfords Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Rainsfords Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1983-04-08
Filing date: 1984-04-09
Publication date: 1984-12-05
Also published as: NZ207772A; GB8409171D0; GB2140679B

Abstract

The hook of a garment hanger is provided with a coding support member (3, Fig 2) and garment coding means 6 releasably engaging the support member (3). The coding means 6 comprises two complementary shaped discs 7, 8 which straddle the support member (3) and are joined by a hinge piece 10. A coding pin (11, Fig 7) projecting from at least one disc 8 passes through a hole (5, Fig 7) in the support member (3) and a hole 12 in the other disc 8 in which it is retained by a releasable catch 13. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coding means for garment hangers This invention relates to coding means for garment hangers.

The manufacturers of garments always include on the garments labels or tags which indicate the size of the garment, the garments are then draped on a garment hanger which is then supported on a display rack and purchasers then have to go through the display racks and examine the label or tag on the garment to ascertain whether the garment they wish to purchase is a correct size.

The mentioned labels or tags are often difficult to locate and sometimes difficult to read. This has lead to a time consuming operation in the selection of a garment of the correct size and as the same garment may be repeatedly handled by different purchasers there is a risk that the garment will become shop soiled and so reduce or lose its marketability.

In order to overcome this problem it has been proposed to include on the garment hanger at a readily visible location, a coding tag which predominently indicates the size of the garment. The tag may be of a particular colour to indicate the size of the garment and will also include readily visible numerals which also indicate the size of the garment. It will be appreciated that other readable information may be included on the coding tag.

Such a method of indicating the size of garments is called colour coding and its use is not only appreciated by members of the public but also by retailers as it reduces the likelihood of shop soiling and at the same time makes stocktaking much easier.

According to one prior colour coding system a colour coding device comprises a hood member having a cavity therein, the hood member has numerals on its opposed faces and is of a colour which contrasts with the colour of the garment hanger. The hood member is adapted to be clamped over protrusion extending upwardly from the hanger hood and so indicates the size of the garment both by reference to colour and by numerals.

It will be appreciated that the colour coding system appearing on the garment hangers has to be frequently changed depending upon stock movements and whilst the colour coding system has proved satisfactory to a certain extent, the means used to lock the hood on the protrusion have been such that it is very difficult to disengage the hood from the protrusion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a coding means for garment hangers which overcomes the problems associated with the mentioned coding apparatus.

The invention in its broadest form comprises a clothing hanger, including a hook housing a front portion and a back portion and being adapted to engage a supporting member, the hook being provided with a coding support member extending from the back of the hook and located at a position which is below its supporting member, and garment coding means releasably engaging the coding support member. Preferably the coding means comprises two complimentary discs provided with a pin or pins which pass through a hole in the coding support member to releasably retain the discs on said member.Preferably the discs are connected by a hinge member extending from the periphery of each disc one of said discs having a pin projecting therefrom which in the assembled condition of the coding means passes through a hole in the coding support member and a corresponding hole in the other discs with catch means on said pin to retain the coding means in the assembled condition on the hanger.

Alternatively the coding means may comprise two complimentary shaped discs, each disc have a pin projecting therefrom which in the assembled condition of the coding means passes through a hole in the coding support member and a corresponding hole in the other disc with catch means of each pin to retain coding means in the assembled condition on the hanger.

The invention will now be described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof in which: Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the hook of a garment hanger with the coding means affixed thereto; Figure 2 is a part side view illustrating the hook illustrated in Figure 1 with the coding means detached therefrom; Figure 3 is a section on line Ill-Ill of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of the coding means illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 5 is an end view of the coding means illustrated in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the coding means in the folded or engaged condition and, Figure 7 is a sectional view illustrating a modified coding means.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings the hook has a front portion A and a back portion B and is formed with a transverse flange 2 extending from both sides thereof and a coding means support member 3 extends from the back of the hook below the level of the supporting means (not shown) for the hook. The hook and its parts are conveniently formed in one piece along with the remaining parts of the hanger from plastics material in a moulding operation.

The support member is provided with a flange 4 which extends part way around the periphery of the support member as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and a hole 5 extends through the support member.

According to one embodiment the coding means comprises a hinge member designated generally by the reference 6 (Figure 4) and is of a colour which contrasts with that of the hook. The member 6 is formed of two discs 7 and 8 which have numerals 9 cut therein to indicate the size of the garment. The discs are joined by a hinge piece 10 and the disc 8 is provided with a pin 1 1 which in the folded condition of the coding means registers with and passes through a hole 12 in the disc 7. The pin 11 is provided with a catch member 1 3 of such dimensions that the folded condition of the coding means the catch passes through the hole 12 and the hole 5 and automatically retains the coding means in the folded condition as illustrated in Figures 1 and 6.

To release the catch the projecting end of the pin is simply moved downwardly with reference to Figure 1. This permits the catch to automatically release its engagement and so the coding means may be simply removed from the hanger and replaced by another as circumstances dictate.

In the case of the coding means illustrated in Figure 7 the hinge piece 10 is omitted and each disc 7 and 8 is provided with a pin 11 which in the assembled condition of the coding means projects through openings 14 and 15 in the support member and through corresponding openings in each disc. The pins are retaining in an engaged condition by catches 1 3 as previously described.

Claims

1. A clothing hanger including a hook having a front portion and a back portion and being adapted to engage a supporting member, the hook being provided with a coding support member extending from the back of the hook and located at a position which is below the support member and comprising two complementary shaped discs provided with garment coding means (releasably) engaging the coding pin or pins which pass through a hole in the coding support member to releasably retain the discs on said member on the hanger.

2. A clothing hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coding means releasably engages the coding supporting member and is of a colour which contrasts with the colour of the hanger.

3. A clothing hanger as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said coding means has coding numerals therein or fixed thereto.

4. A clothing hanger as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said are discs connected together by a hinge member extending from the periphery of each disc, one of said discs having a pin projecting therefrom which in the assembled condition of the coding means passes through a hole in the coding support member and a corresponding hole in the other discs with catch means on said pin to retain the coding means in the assembled condition.

5. A clothing hanger including a hook having a front portion and a back portion and being adapted to engage a supporting member, the hook being provided with a coding support member extending from the back of the hook and located at a position which is below the support member and garment coding means releasably engaging the coding support member, said garment coding means comprises two complimentary discs, each disc having a pin projecting therefrom which in the assembled condition of the coding means passes through a corresponding hole in the coding support member and a corresponding hole in the other disc with catch means of each pin to retain coding means in the assembled condition on the hanger.

6. A clothing hanger as claimed in claim 5 wherein said coding means is of a colour which contrasts with the colour of the hanger.

7. A clothing hanger as claimed in claims 5 or 6 wherein said coding means has coding numerals therein or fixed thereto.

8. A clothing hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A clothing hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.