GB2208266A - Adjustable garment hanger - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment hanger has a cross-bar 1 of channel-shaped cross-section, a suspension hook 2, and attachment members 3 and 4 with shanks 3a and 4a. Ratchet surfaces 8 and 9 (Fig 2) cooperate with pawls 10 on each shank 3a, 4a so that the hanger can be adjusted to and held at the derived overall width. A downward projection of each pawl, when pressed inwards manually, disengages the respective pawl from its ratchet if desired. Various structures for the outer parts of the attachment members 3 and 4 are disclosed, including U-shaped resilient members with ribs 17 (Fig. 1). <IMAGE>

Description

GARMENT HANGER This invention relates to a garment hanger, and more especially to the type of garment hanger which is inserted into the waist band of a skirt or trousers so that the skirt or trousers can be suspended in such a way as to hang in its proper creases.

British Patent Application 2 129 289 shows a garment hanger comprising a cross bar with a central hook carrying two attachment elements which are independently moveable along the cross bar and immobilisable in relation to the bar so that they can be used to hold the waist portion of a skirt or trousers.

The present invention, while possessing some points of similarity with this earlier invention, sets out to provide such a garment hanger of neater appearance and more robust and concealed construction which moreover can be used in such a way as to lie effectively hidden within the upper part of the garment when in use.

In one aspect the invention provides a garment hanger comprising a hollow open ended cross bar and an attachment member at each end of the bar, each attachment member being mounted on an elongate shank slidable within the cross bar to alter the effective spacing between the attachment members and thereby accommodate different dimensions of a waist band, or the like, of a garment: in which each shank carries a flexible pawl biassed to engage a ratchet surface within the bar and thus prevent decrease of the spacing.

Preferably, the shank and pawl at least are fabricated as an integral structure of synthetic polymer. Possibly the attachment member itself, including the shank and pawl, is of a completely integral structure. A spring member, of integral construction or as an added component, can be interposed for compression or flexure somewhat between the attachment member and the pawl, e.g. to connect two parts of the shank, or connect the attachment member and the shank.

The cross bar is also conveniently fabricated of synthetic polymer.

In accordance with a major feature of the invention, each pawl is engageable with a corresponding ratchet surface located on a front or a back wall of the bar.

For purposes of symmetry in manufacture, it is preferred if one ratchet surface is located on the back wall of the bar (between one end and the centre) and the other ratchet surface is located on the front wall of the bar (between the other end and the centre). Of course, there is conveniently a suspension hook at the mid-point of the bar.

In a preferred embodiment the bar is a downwardly open channel, and each pawl has a portion projecting beneath the bar whereby manual pressure on the pawl can disengage the pawl from the ratchet and thus permit the spacing between the attachment members to be decreased when required.

The attachment ends themselves, each preferably integral with its shank to form the attachment member, are conveniently generally U-shaped. They can be flexible across the width of the U-shape and the material can be variously channelled or perforated to increase this flexibility. Upon their outermost surfaces the U-shapes can be provided with engagement configurations such as teeth or ribs and it will also be found advantageous if the U-shape terminates in a outwardly and downwardly projecting lip.

However, they need not be U-shaped, and any convenient attachment member utilising additional compression or flexure springs for attachment 6, or interposition along, the shank can be used. Normally, such attachment member will posses a ribbed or like end surface and optionally a downwardly directed hook portion i.e. lip at the top part of the end.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the garment hanger with the shank of one attachment member partially pulled out of the crossbar, Figure 2 is a view of the garment hanger from below, Figure 3 shows an alternative configuration, and Figure 4 shows another alternative end configuration.

The garment hanger shown in Figures 1 and 2 is composed of four members namely a crossbar 1, a suspension hook 2 connected to the mid-point of the crossbar, and two attachment members 3 and 4 each with an elongate shank 3a and 4a respectively.

The crossbar 1 is formed as a downwardly open channel of material with stabilising bridges 5 and 6 at each end. At the top of the crossbar there is moulded a fixing tab 7. Inside the crossbar there are two ratchet surfaces on the inside of the front and back walls, surface 8 extending to bridge 5 and surface 9 extending to bridge 6.

The hook 2 is of conventional construction and is held in place in the tab 7.

The attachment members 3/3a and 4/4a are essentially identical. Thus, member 3 comprises a U-shaped portion 3 and a shank 3a . At the inner end of the shank 3a is provided a flexible pawl 10 which is biassed towards the teeth of ratchet 8. The pawl is wider than the depth of the cross-bar so that it projects slightly at lOa below the open mouth of the channel for reasons more fully below.

The U-shaped portion 3 is designed for flexibility.

It has a double walled region 12, a triple walled region 13 (in the bend of the U) and a more rigid region 15 terminating in lip 16 at the outer edge of the hook. The outer surface of region 15 is provided with ribs or teeth 17.

Identical features are of course present upon attachment member 4/4a which is however engageable with ratchet surface 9.

In use, the waist band of a skirt or trousers is pushed within the lips 16 and the attachment members 3 or 4 are pulled outwards so that the U-shape is slightly compressed and until the natural resistance of the size of waist band is encountered. At this stage the waist band is gripped by the teeth 17, and there is a inward force upon the shank portions 3a and 4a. This is resisted by the interengagement of the pawls with the ratchets 8 or 9. Thus, the garment can be suspended with a stretched waistband in the best condition for maintaining its appearance, and the hanger is largely concealed within the garment.

If it should be desired to reduce the hanger to a smaller dimension then the protruding portions lOa of the pawls can be manipulated by the finger or thumb so that the pawl disengages with its rack The shank 3a or 4a is then free to slide inwards in the crossbar with consequent diminution in overall dimension of the hanger.

Figure 3 shows an alternative attachment member 31, with horizontal ribs or teeth 32 and upper end lips 33 (cf. 17 and 16 respectively in Figures 1 and 2).

However, flexibility in this instance is achieved not by an apertured U-shape of polymer but by flexible integral polymer spring members 34, attached to arm 35, which in use flex to accommodate different dimensions of garment.

The shank and cross-bar assembly are as shown and described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows a yet further alternative and attachment. In this, the attachment member 41, shaped as member 31 in Figure 3 i.e. with ribs (42) and lip (43), is fixed directly to the end of a shank 4a. However, this shank has a compression spring 44 fixed intermediate its ends) to serve the same function as the perforate U-shape (Figures 1 and 23) or the flexible spring members 34 (Figure 3).

Claims (9)

1. A garment hanger comprising a hollow open ended cross bar and an attachment member at each end of the bar, each attachment member being mounted on an elongate shank slidable within the cross bar to alter the effective spacing between the attachment members and thereby accommodate different dimensions of a waist band, or the like, of a garment: in which each shank carries a flexible pawl biassed to engage a ratchet surface within the bar and thus prevent decrease of the spacing.

2. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 1 in which the shank and the pawl are fabricated as an integral structure of synthetic polymer.

3. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 2 in which the shank. the pawl and the attachment member are fabricated as an integral structure.

4. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein each pawl is engageable with a corresponding ratchet surface located on a front or a back wall of the bar.

5. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 4 in which one ratchet surface is located on the back wall of the bar between one end and the centre, and the other ratchet surface is located on the front of the bar, between the other end and the centre.

6. A garment hanger as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein in a preferred embodiment the bar is a downwardly open channel, and each pawl has a portion projecting beneath the bar whereby manual pressure on the pawl can disengage the pawl from the ratchet and thus permit the spacing between the attachment members to be decreased when required.

7. A garment hanger as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the attachment ends are generally U-shaped and flexible across the width of the U-shape.

8. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 7 in which on their outermost surfaces the U-shaped attachment ends are provided with teeth or ribs.

9. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.