GB2168248A

GB2168248A - Garment hangers

Info

Publication number: GB2168248A
Application number: GB08519083A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond David Gaftarnick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-01-31
Filing date: 1985-07-29
Publication date: 1986-06-18
Also published as: GB2168248B; GB8519083D0

Abstract

A garment hanger 1 is provided on each of its two arms 2 with a respective collar 5 of foamed plastics material which serves to inhibit slippage of a garment off the hanger. The collars 5 are cheap and simple to manufacture, and can readily befitted to existing hangers (especially moulded plastics hangers), as well as being incorporated during manufacture of hangers. In addition to collars, thin pads (10, 20) of foamed plastics material are also disclosed, either with slits (11 - Figures 2, 3) for engagement by the arms 2 of hangers, or provided with stiffening wires (22 - Figures 4 to 6) such that they may be bent into engagement around the arms (26) of hangers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Garmere angers This invention relates to garment hangers, and is concerned particularly although not exclusively with disposable garment hangers of plastics material.

A large percentage of merchandise sold in clothing shops at the presenttime is displayed on garment hangers. Itwill be appreciated that clothing shops tendto use a considerable number of such hangers, and accordingly, these are required to be produced as cheaply as possible, such thatthe shop may regard them as disposable. More often than not, such hangers are made these days of plastics material.

One of the disadvantages of such hangers is that, because ofthe relatively smooth surface ofthe plastics material, garments can readily fall from the hangers on to the floor, where they may become damaged. In fact, most shop keepers are only too well aware of this problem, and the amount of stock that is continually spoiled in this way.

The present invention aims to provide garment hangers which may be improved in the above respect.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment hanger comprising a pair of arms on which to hang a garment, at least one of said arms being provided on its upper surface with a portion of material which is rough relative to the general surface of the hanger, such that a part of a garment may rest on said portion, in use ofthe hanger.

According to a second aspect of the present invention,there is provided a method of modifying a garment hanger having a pair of arms on which to hang a garment, comprising the step offitting to the upper surface of at least one of the arms a portion of material which is rough relative to the general surface ofthe hanger, such that a part of a garment may rest on said portion, in use ofthe hanger.

Preferably, each arm is provided with a portion of material as aforesaid.

In an especially advantageous arrangement, the or each said portion of material is provided by a collar of foamed plastics material which is fitted around the respective arm.

It will be appreciated that foamed plastics material has a coefficientoffriction which is significantly greaterthan that of the usual smooth surface of plastics material of which garment hangers are often moulded. Thus, such collars may serve to reduce any tendency of a garmentto slip offthe hanger, without in any way affecting adversely the material ofthe garment.

The or each collar may beformed with a longitudinal slit, to allow the collarto be opened and fitted around a respective arm of a garment hanger. This may be of particular advantage where the hanger has enlarged ends, or is otherwise of a shape which does notfacilitate insertion of the end of an arm through a respective cLtaF It is not necessary forthe or each said portion of material to extend the full length ofthe respective arm ofthe hanger. Indeed, it may be quite effective, whilst being of relatively modest length.

As an alternative to collars, the or each said portion may be provided in the form of a pad or strip of material, which may be provided with a self-adhesive backing, by means ofwhich said portion may be secured to the respective arm ofthe hanger.

In one embodiment, the or each said portion may comprise a thin pad of material, formed with a pair of slits th rough which an arm ofthe hanger passes.

Said thin pad of material preferably has a thickness of mm or less.

In another embodiment, the or each said portion may comprise a pad of material reinforced with stiffening means, such that the pad may be bentto various shapes, which shapes tend to be retained by the stiffening means.

For example, such a pad may comprise a thin pad of foamed plastics material in which are embedded thin wires.

Fora better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which: Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation a garment hanger embodying the invention; Figure 2 illustrates in plan view a foam pad for use with a garment hanger; Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a garment hangerfitted with the pad of Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 show anotherfoam pad for use with a garment hanger, respectively in plan view and end elevation; and Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a garment hanger fitted with the pad of Figures 4 and 5.

In Figure 1 ,the illustrated garment hanger 1 is moulded of plastics material, and has a pair of arms 2 on which to hang a garment, and a hook 3 by means of which the hanger may be hung on a rail. The hanger 1 may be used to hang many different types of garment -e.g. blouses, jackets, jumpers, and each arm 2 is provided with the respective hook 4, from which a skirt ora pair of slacks may be suspended, by means of loops. Thus far, the garment hanger 1 is conventional.

As the plastics material of which the hanger 1 is moulded is of a smooth finish, there is a tendencyfor garment hung thereon (other than via the hooks 4) to slip offthe hanger. However, to preventthis, a respective collar 5, of foamed plastics material, is fitted on to each ofthe arms 2. The relatively rough surface of the collars 5 reduces the risk of garments slipping off the hanger 1 , but as the material ofthe collars 5 is soft, there is virtually no risk of any damage to the garments.

Infurtheruses, collars 5 may befitted atthe ends of the arms 2,to reduce the risk of the arms 2 damaging a garment on the hanger 1. It will be appreciated, moreover, that in the illustrated positions, the collars 5 inhibit a respective ga rmentfrom moving sideways, and thus reduce anyway the likelihood ofthe arms 2 penetrating through the garment.

If collars 5 are placed towards the insides of the arms 2 (i.e. towardsthe centre ofthe hanger 1 ),they may serve to keep the neckline of a garment in a proper position, not only to display the garment better, but also to reduce the risk ofthe neck of the garment being stretched (this being especially importantforknitted garments).

Conveniently, the collars 5 may be simply manufactured ofcontinuoustubular material, cutto appropriate lengths. The resilience ofthe material allows the collars readiluto be expanded, such asto acceptthe arms 2 ofthe hanger 1, with which they resiliently engage.

Itwill be appreciated thatthe collars 5 are of a relatively small length, as compared to the length of the arms 2, but in tests, I have found that, perhaps surprisingly, the length ofthe collars 5 does not make a great deal of difference to their effectiveness.

Because the collars 5 may be produced in relatively short lengths, this helps to minimise their cost.

Coat hangers come in various different shapes, and in certain cases, it may not be practicable to insertthe arms 2 completely through the collars 5. This may apply, for example, where trouser rail extends be tweenthe lower end of the arms 2, such thatthe coat hangeris of substantiallyA-configuration. In such cases,thecollars5 maybeformedwith a longitudinal split, such thatthey may be opened out and readily placed around the arms of a respective garment hanger, at appropriate positions. Alternatively the collars may be of spiral configuration.

Thus, it may be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment affords an extremely simple and inexpensive way of reducing the risk of garments slipping off a garment hanger. A particularly important advan tageisthatthis improvement may be obtained without requiring any change at all to the design or construction of existing hangers. Indeed, a particular advantage is that collars such as 5 may be used immediatelyto modify existing hangers, at very low cost. It will readily be appreciated that, in atypical clothes shop, the cost of modifying coat hangers in accordance with the invention will be negligible, as compared to the likely savings on spoiled garments.

It is preferred thatthe collars 5 are of a resilient material, such that they may readily befitted onto coat hangers of differing configurations. However, if desired, it is possible to produce collars having a particular desired internal cross-section,to conform to the cross-section ofthe arm of a particular hanger.

In theforegoing,the collars 5 are stated to be of foamed plastics material. However, more generally, the collars could be of any other material which provides a relatively high coefficient offriction, compared to that ofthe material ofthe coat hanger The foamed plastics (or alternative material) may be provided just atthe tops ofthe a rms -- e.g. in the form of self-adhesiv-e pads.

Where it is desired to use the hanger 1 with particularly delicate garments, it may be desired to make the collars 5 less prominent. This may be achieved simply by using collars 5 of relatively thin material. Alternatively, the arms 2 of the hanger may be formed with recesses in which the collars 5 engage, so that they do not protrude prominen.ly above the top surfaces of the arms 2. If the hooks 4are made of appropriate dimensions, the collars 5 may engage therein, so that they do not protrude promin ently above the top surface ofthe hanger arms 2 and thereby appear unsightly.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate another arrangement which may be particularly suitable for use with delicate garments. In Figures 2 and 3, a foam pad 10 is provided with transverse slits 11 extending therethrough. The pad 10 is of a relatively thin foam plastics material - by way of example, having a thickness in the range 1 to3 mm. By way offurtherexample, the foam pad 10, which is rectangular in plan, may have a length of about8 cm. and a width of about4 cm.

In use,thefoam pad 10 isfitted onto an arm 2 of a garment hanger as illustrated in Figure 3. The foam pad 10 deforms readilyto allow the passage ofthe arm 2 through the slits 1 1, and the foam pad 10 is positioned at a desired location on the arm 2. Being very thin, the foam pad 10may be virtually imperceptible in use, such that it does not appear unsightly when underneath a delicate garment.

Itwill be appreciatedthatfoam pads 10 may be provided very cheaply, and readily fitted to garment hangers as desired. The fact that there is little foam underneath the arm 2 is of little significant. However, it will beappreciatedthatthefoam pad 10tends to provide a significant surface area on the sides of the arms 2, which is of importance.

Thefoam pad 20 that is shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be used with particular advantage with plastics coat hangers which are of somewhat broader cross- section. For example, coat hangers which are used for suits often have arms which are ofarcuate crosssection, such thatthey have a recess that opens downwardly, and form a significantly larger surface area to support a garment, than a conventional thin plastics hanger.

The pad 20 comprises a thin body 21 offoamed plastics material within which there are embedded a plurality of thin, parallel wires 22. It may be appreci ated that the pad 20 may be bent to any desired shape, and the stiffness ofthewires 22 tends to retain the pad 20 in a shape into which it is bent.

Thus, for example, as illustrated in Figure 6the pad 20 may readily be fitted to the arm 26 of one ofthe broader types of plastics garment hangers. The ends ofthe pad 20may be conveniently tucked up into the recess afforded underneath the arm 26.

Itwill be appreciated that pads such as 20 may readily be used on all types of hangers, and may be especially advantageous for use with hangers in which the arms do not have free ends-for example, as in Figure 6, where a trouser rail 27 extends between the ends of the hanger 25.

The wires 22 may be embedded within the foam body 21 during manufacture thereof. Alternatively, pads such as 20 may be made by securing together two thin layers offoamed plastics material, with the wires 22 disposed therebetween. The wires 22 may be in any suitable arrangement-- e.g. a mesh ratherthan individual parallel wires. Stiffening means otherthan wires may be employed. The foam pad 20 preferably hasathicknessoflessthan 10 mm, and preferably a thicknessintherange3to6mm.

A particular advantage of the illustrated embodiments is that, although the foamed plastics (or other relatively rough) material serves usefully to retain a garment on a hanger, it does not make it difficult to place garments on and take garments offa hanger.

This is in marked contrast to previously proposed hangersofwhichlam aware, in which almostthe entire surface ofthe hanger is provided with a high friction material. Apart from being relatively expensive, such hangers suffer the disadvantage that there is excessive friction between the hanger and the garment, making the hanger rather difficult to use.

Thus, it is an importantfeature ofthe illustrated embodiments that the total surface area of the relatively high friction material is small compared to the overall surface area ofthe hanger arms with which a garment may engage.

Aithough the illustrated embodiments envisage the use of portions of material which are fixed to a hanger afterthe manufacture thereof, the invention may also extend to garment hangers which have portions of relatively rough material provided thereon, during the manufacturing process ofthe hanger.

With further reference to the embodiment of Figure 1, there may be provided an apparatus to facilitate the fitting of the collars 5 to the hanger arms 2. To this end, the apparatus may comprise means for holding a collar 5 in a predetermined position, means for receiving an arm of a garment hanger such that it passesthroughthe collar5, and means for releasing the arm ofthe garment hangertogetherwith the collar, when fitted thereto. Thus, in use, an operator may insertthe arm of a garment hanger into the apparatus until a collar is frictionally engaged upon the arm, in a desired position, and then simply withdraw the hanger arm, with collarfitted thereto.

By way of example, the apparatus may comprise meansforgripping a collarso asto permit movement only in one direction axially ofthe collar.

The invention is not restricted to the details ofthe foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification and/or drawings, orto any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process disclosed herein.

Claims

1. Agarmentcomprising atleastonearm on which to hang a garment, said arm being provided on an upper and/or side surface thereofwith a portion of material which is rough relative to the general surface ofthe arm such that, in use, a garment may hang on said arm with said portion inhibiting relative movement between the garment and said arm, due to frictional contact between the garment and said portion.

2. Agarmenthangeraccording to Claim 1, having a pairofarms,each ofwhich is provided with a respective said portion.

3. A garment hanger according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said material comprises a foamed plastics material.

4. A garment hanger according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the or each said portion extends over both upper and side surfaces of its respective arm.

5. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said portion is short, relativetothe length of its respective arm.

6. A garment hangeraccording to Claim 5,wherein the or each said portion is positioned at or adjacent an end of its respective arm.

7. Agarment hanger according to Claim 5, wherein the or each said portion is positioned imtermediate the ends of its respective arm.

8. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said material is resiliently deformable material.

9. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said portion is formed separately from the hanger, and is provided with engagement means by which it engages its respective arm.

10. Agarment hanger according to Claim 9, wherein the or each said portion is formed as a collar, which engages around its respective arm.

11. A garment hanger according to Claim 9, wherein the or each said portion comprises a pad of said material, formed with a pair of slits through which its respective arm passes.

12. A garment hangeraccording to Claim 9, wherein the or each said portion comprises a pad of said material reinforced with stiffening means, such that the pad may be bentto various shapes, which shapestendto be retained by the stiffening means.

13. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said arm is formed with means for engaging its respective said portion.

14. AgarmenthangeraccordingtoClaim 13, wherein said means on the or each said arm comprises a recess adapted to receive the respective said portion.

15. A garment hanger according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 orto Claim 13 or 14as appendantthereto, wherein the or each said portion is formed integrally with the hanger.

16. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanger is, at least principally, of a moulded plastics material.

17. A method of modifying a garment hanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A garment hanger comprising at least one arm on which to hang a garment, said arm being provided with a portion offoamed plastics material so arranged that, in use, a garment may hang on said arm with said portion inhibiting relative movement between the garmentand said arm, duetofrictional contact between the garment and said portion.

18. A method of modifying agarmenthanger having at least one arm on which to hang a garment, comprising the step offitting to the arm a portion of material as recited in any one of the preceding claims except Claim 15, thereby to provide a hanger in accordance with any one ofthe preceding claims except Claim 15.

19. Agarmenthangersubstantiallyashereinbe- fore described with reference to Figure 1, Figures 2 and 3, or Figures 4to 6 ofthe accompanying drawings.

20. A method of modifying a garment hanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and havethefollowing effect: Claims 1 to 20 above have been deleted ortextually amended.

Newortextuallyamended claims have been filed as follows:

1. A garment hanger comprising at least one arm on which to hang a garment, and a portion of material which is disposed on said arm and affords a local friction surface to inhibit garments falling offthe hanger,wherein said portion of material comprises a pad of soft resilient material which engages around at least an upper portion and a side portion ofthe arm.

2. A garment hanger according to Claim 1, having a pair of arms, and a respective said pad of soft, resilient material disposed on each said arm.

3. A garment hanger according to Claim 1 or2, wherein said material comprises a foamed plastics material.

4. A garment hanger according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the or each said pad is positioned at or adjacent an end of its respective arm.

5. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said pad is formed as a removable collar, which engages around its respec- tive arm.

6. A garment hanger according to Claim 1,2,3 or4, wherein the or each said pad comprises a substantiallyflat pad formed with a pair of apertures through which said arm passes.

7. A garment hanger according to Claim 1,2,3 or4, wherein the or each said pad is reinforced with stiffening means, such thatthe pad may be bentto various shapes, which shapes tend to be retained by the stiffening means.

8. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said arm is formed with meansforengaging its respective said pad.

9. A garment hanger according to Claim 8, wherein said means on the or each said arm comprises a recess adapted to receive the respective said pad.

10. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the hanger is, at least principally, of a moulded plastics material.

11. A garment hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said pad is adjustable in position along its respective arm.

12. A garment hanger according to Claim 1,2,3 or 4, orto Claim 10 as appendantthereto, wherein the or each said pad is formed integrally with the hanger.

13. A method of modifying agarmenthanger having at least one arm on which to hang a garment, comprising the step of flitting to the arm a pad of material as recited in any one of Claims 1 toll, thereby to provide a hanger in accordance with any one of Claims 1 toll.

14. A garment hanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 ofthe accompanying drawings.

15. A garment hanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

16. A garment hanger, substantially as hereinbe forewith reference to Figures 4,5, and 6ofthe accompanying drawings.