GB2239793A

GB2239793A - Security clothes support

Info

Publication number: GB2239793A
Application number: GB9100573A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Murphy; Terence Monaghan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-10
Filing date: 1991-01-10
Publication date: 1991-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-10
Also published as: GB9000554D0; GB2239793B; GB9100573D0

Abstract

A security clothes support is disclosed in the form of a hanger having a substantially inflexible rod or rods attached thereto. The rod(s) are passed through or into the garment ensuring the garment cannot be folded readily into a small unit for hiding thus deterring thieves. Figure 1 shows one example of the security hanger. <IMAGE>

Description

"Security Clothes Support" This invention relates to a security clothes support such as a security hanger.

Security hangers are well-known accessories in public places such as theatres and dance halls where coats and garments are left unattended for some time.

Similarly it is often advantageous to secure expensive suits and garments which have been arranged for display in shops and stores. These hangers often consist of chains which run through the garment and which lock to a rail. However, if the hanger is forced off the rail the garment may be hidden about the person until such time as the hanger can be removed at the thief's leisure. An additional problem is that hangers which are not fixed to a rail are often taken with the garment to save time.

According to the present invention there is provided a security clothes support comprising a hanger and an elongate member, said member supported by the hanger and being substantially inflexible.

Preferably, the elongate member is a rod of a length which approximates at least the width of the hanger Preferably also, the rod has a identifying means such as a tag attached to it. The tag may be colour-coded and/or numbered for identification. The rod may hang inside the garment or pass through a portion, for example sleeve or trouser leg.

The rod may be either permanently or releasably attached to the hanger.

The rod may also be in two sections, the first section of equal length to the hanger and the second section attaching onto one end of the first section giving added length for security.

Preferably also, the support has bracing means connecting the rod to the hanger giving added support.

The support may be made of a material such as metal or strong plastics, or a combination of these.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a security clothes support of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 above shows a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

A first embodiment of a security clothes support 1 comprises a hanger 2 and an elongate member in the form of a stiff rod 3 which is supported by the hanger 2.

The rod 3 is mounted on the hanger so that it can pass through an arm of a garment (not shown). The rod 3 has a tag 4 attached at one end which is intended to emerge from the arm of the garment and is coloured and numbered for identification.

A second embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. Corresponding parts are given the same number plus 100. This embodiment has the rod 103 positioned centrally on the hanger 102, rather than at one end as in Fig. 1, and as the rod 103 will be enclosed in the garment, no identifying tag 4 is attached.

A third embodiment is shown in Fig. 3. The stiff rod 30 is in two sections of which the first section 40 of at least equal length to the hanger 20 slots through an aperture (not shown) at one end of said hanger 20 and is held on the end of said hanger 20 by an end piece 50 which is of greater dimension than said aperture. A second section 60 is then attached to the other end of the first section 40 giving it extra length for security. This second section 60 has identifying means 70 attached at the opposite end from the end attached to the first section 40. This embodiment allows for easy transportation of the security clothes support 10 as the rod 30 is in two sections 40, 60 of which the first section 40 is not greater in length than the hanger 20. Additionally there is a bracing means 80 connecting the rod 30 and the hanger 20 giving added support.

A fourth embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. This is essentially the same as Fig. 1 but has two rods 203, 213 and two identifying means 204, 214 at either end of the hanger 202. In addition to providing added security, the two rods 203, 213 provide a means for retaining the shape of a jacket/suit whilst on the hanger 202.

A fifth embodiment is shown in Fig. 5. This is for trousers only and has the rod 303 positioned centrally on the hanger 302 as in Fig. 2 and again has no identifying tag.

These embodiments of the invention provide a means of preventing shop-lifters from stealing garments by taking the hanger off the rail and secreting it in one swift movement. The inflexibility of the rod ensures that the garment cannot be folded into a small unit for hiding about the person and this simple but effective modification provides a significant deterrent effect to thieves.

Similarly, the inconvenience and distress associated with having outdoor wear stolen may be avoided by the use of the present invention as described in the embodiments.

Manufacture of the hangers is inexpensive requiring cheap materials and only slight modifications to factory processes.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A security clothes support comprising a hanger and an elongate member, said member supported by the hanger and being substantially inflexible.

2. A security clothes support as claimed in Claim 1, in which the elongate member is a rod of a length which approximates at least the width of the hanger.

3. A security clothes support as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the elongate member has identifying means attached to it.

4. A security clothes support as claimed in Claim 3, in which the identifying means is a colour coded tag.

5. A security clothes support as claimed in Claim 4, in which the tag is also numbered for identification.

6. A security clothes support as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, in which the elongate member is permanently fixed to the hanger.

7. A security clothes support as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the elongate member is releasably attached to the hanger.

8. A security clothes support as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, in which the elongate member is in two sections.

9. A security clothes support as claimed in Claim 8, in which a first section of the elongate member is of equal length to the hanger.

10. A security clothes support as claimed in Claim 8, in which a second section of the elongate member is releasably attached to the first section of the elongate member.

11. A security clothes support as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, in which bracing means are provided extending between the elongate member and the hanger to give added support.

12. A security clothes support as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, in which the elongate member is arranged to hang inside a garment or passes through a portion of said garment, for example, a sleeve or trouser leg.

13. A security clothes support substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.