GB2285746A

GB2285746A - Adjustable garment hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2285746A
Application number: GB9503798A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nick Andrew Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-08
Filing date: 1995-02-24
Publication date: 1995-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-02-24
Also published as: GB2290026B; GB2285746B; GB9513098D0; GB2290026A; GB9503798D0

Abstract

A garment hanger having two extendible arms which can be adjusted to suit the size and shape of the garment to be hung. Each arm comprises a first arch section 3, 4 and, telescopically engaged therewith, a second section 5, 6 held in position by a flat retention portion 7 on the first section. A series of grooves 10, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arm, are provided in the inner wall of the first section. A rectangular peg or rib 9, projects outwardly from the surface of the second section, which can be engaged in the grooves in the first section thus locking the arm at the desired length. Other arrangements are possible, e.g. with the outer telescoping sections being outside rather than inside the centre section. <IMAGE>

Description

GARMENT HANGERS This invention relates to garment hangers, for example coat hangers.

Garment hangers are available in several different shapes and sizes, and are often included in the price of a garment, although garment hangers are also available separately.

Large and small retailers often need to use a wide range of different sized hangers for display purposes, because garments vary widely in size and style.

However, the cost of stocking a large number of different sized hangers can be prohibitively high and therefore the choice of hanger used by a retailer is inevitably a compromise.

As a result, the display of hanging garments can suffer, as well as the garment itself being damaged, often by bumps and general misshaping occurring along the shoulder ridge.

Similarly, garment hangers sold separately in retail outlets are generally available only in fixed format. Certain hanging garments require better support and care than the fixed hanger can provide.

For example leather goods, fine wool and silk garments, and other delicate garments which are prone to misshaping. The customer also has to make a compromise by selecting a nearest fit hanger.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a garment hanger comprising a central section and, extending in substantially opposite directions from the central section, a pair of arms for supporting a garment, each arm comprising inner and outer telescopically arranged elongate sections, the outer section being generally of U-shaped form in that it comprises side walls joined by a bight, there being locking means for defining a plurality of distinct extension positions of the sections, wherein each extension position is determined by interengaging of features of shape of the inner and outer sections, and the outer section has a retention portion extending from one to the other of its side walls for opposing transverse displacement of the inner section out of the outer section.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the locking means comprise a series of grooves, the series extending in a longitudinal direction along one of the sections and the grooves extending at right angles to the series, and a projection projecting from the other of the sections so that the projection can be engaged and disengaged by exerting a longitudinal pushing or pulling force.

In one such embodiment, the projection projects from an inner surface of the outer section, and the series of grooves are arranged in a longitudinal direction along a corresponding outer surface of the inner section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment hanger comprising a central section and, extending in substantially opposite directions from the central section, a pair of arms for supporting a garment, each arm comprising inner and outer telescopically arranged elongate sections, the outer section being generally of U-shaped form in that it comprises side walls joined by a bight, there being locking means for defining a plurality of distinct extension positions of the sections, wherein each extension position is determined by interengaging of features of shape of the inner and outer sections and the series of grooves is arranged in a longitudinal direction along an inner surface of the outer section, and the projection projects from a corresponding outer surface of the inner section. In such an embodiment, the locking means are hidden from view.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the retention plate may extend substantially the length of the outer section.

In embodiments of the present invention, the inner section may have a lip, which will engage with the retention plate to oppose separation of the inner section from the outer section.

Alternatively, the inner section may have a member traversing between its side walls and the retention plate has a lip, which will engage with the member of the inner section to oppose separation of the inner section from the outer section.

Embodiments may also include an outer section having edge portions shaped to receive the edges of the inner section for opposing relative transverse displacement of the sections. These edge sections may extend substantially the length of the section.

The outer section may be of a resilient material which allows fractional sideways movement of the side walls of both of those sections, in order to allow the locking mechanism to operate.

The inner and outer sections may be substantially arch-shaped. In such an embodiment the arch-shaped sections may have a larger width than height, larger height then width, or substantially equal height and width. Also, in such an embodiment, the first and second sections may have adjacent bights.

Factors to bear in mind are the simplicity of moulding and the minimising of the number of parts.

For example, one embodiment needs only three moulded parts and these are arranged such that the lengths of the arms can be altered independently of one another.

One can also arrange by such a construction that the arms extend outwardly and downwardly from the central section.

Embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a support arm fixed at its end regions to the sections of respective arms which are integral with the central section, which support arm is shaped to provide surfaces for supporting garments.

In such embodiments, the support arm may also have cranked end regions defining surfaces for supporting garments.

In embodiments of the present invention, the outer section may have a free end region of material which tapers towards that end to tend to merge with the inner section.

In an embodiment of the present invention, either the outer section, or the inner section is integral with the central section.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view of a garment hanger embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the line II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a first arm section of the hanger of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a side view of a second arm section of the hanger of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention including edge retaining portions; Fig. 7 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

Figure 1 shows a garment hanger embodying the present invention, which is generally of standard hanger shape i.e. it comprises a central section 1, having a hook 2, and two arms. The arms comprise outer sections 3 and 4, integral with the central section 1, and inner sections 5 and 6 telescopically slidable in the sections 3 and 4. The arms extend outwardly and downwardly from the central section 1 at an angle of 25 to 35 degrees.

As shown in Figure 1, the garment hanger may be provided with a trouser support arm 11 which is fixed at its ends to the first sections 3 and 4 of the respective arms. This support arm is provided with cranked side portions defining surfaces 14 and 15 for supporting dress straps or the like.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view, taken on the line II-II of Figure 1. As is apparent from Figure 2, each of the sections 3, 4 or 5, 6 is of arched or U form, with the inner section telescopically arranged inside the outer section so that the length of each arm can be altered by pushing or pulling the sections relative to one another.

Figures 3 and 4 show respective cross-sectional side views of one of the outer sections and one of the inner sections used in the embodiment of Fig. 1. As seen from Figure 3, the inner section in each case is retained in the outer by means of a retention plate 7 which ensures that the inner section remains in position when a downward force is exerted upon it. The retention plate also gives lateral strength to the outer section to assist in maintaining a required frictional engagement between the sections. The retention plate 7 may extend the length of the section, thereby further improving the lateral strength of the section.

As shown in Figure 4, one end of each inner section has a lip 8 which will engage with the retention plate on the outer section in order to prevent the two sections from readily separating completely. Alternatively, there may be a lip 12 on the retention plate to engage an end plate 13 of the inner section for the same purpose.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the sections are designed so that their side walls frictionally engage.

Moreover, there are locking means in the form of interengaging features of shape which define a plurality, e.g. 5 or 6, distinct relative positions of the sections. In this example, these features of shape are an integral rectangular rib 9 projecting from the inner section and a series of correspondingly shaped recesses 10 in an inner side wall of the outer section, these recesses and the rib extending transverse to the longitudinal axes of the arms. Alternatively the rib 9 may project from the inner surface of the outer section, and the grooves arranged along the outer surface of the inner section.

As shown in Figure 3, each outer section 3 and 4 has a free end which has a projection 14 having a tapering thickness of material, in order to achieve, as far as possible, merging with the associated inner section 5 or 6.

In use, the length of the arms may be adjusted by exerting a longitudinal force pulling or pushing the inner section so that its rib is located in any desired recess or groove 10 in the inner wall of the first section. The inner section is thus locked into a recess of the outer section - this locking effect enables the arm to stay in position until further adjustment is required.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 5. This embodiment also is generally of a standard hanger shape, having a central section 1', a hook 2' and two arms. In this embodiment, the arms comprise inner sections 3' and 4', integral with the central section 1', and outer sections 5' and 6 telescopically slidable over the sections 3' and 4'.

The arms extend outwardly and downwardly from the central section at an angle of 250 to 350.

The difference between the first and second embodiments is that the sections which are integral with the central section form the outer sections in the first embodiment and the inner sections in the second embodiment. The operation of both embodiments is virtually identical, and so a detailed description of the operation of the second embodiment is omitted here.

The arched shape of the inner and outer sections and properties of the material used, especially its resilience, enables a fractional sideways movement, or bowing, of the side walls of both the said sections to allow the locking mechanism to operate and to release.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 5 have the added advantage that the locking means for defining the distinct relative positions is hidden from the view of the user, because the grooves are on the inwardly facing surfaces of the outer section and the projection is on the outer surface of the inner section. Thus both the grooves and the projection are concealed.

Fig. 6 shows a modification which can be applied to either of the above embodiments. In this case, the outer sections may also include edge portions 20, which are generally U-shaped so as to receive the edges of the inner section and thus oppose relative transverse displacement of the sections. These shaped edge portions may extend substantially the length of the outer section.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 shows a garment hanger generally of a standard hanger shape, i.e. it comprises a central section 30, a hook 31, and two arms. The arms comprise telescopically arranged sections 32 and 33 and sections 34 and 35. These sections are arranged as shown in the cross-sectional diagram of Fig. 8. The inner sections 32 and 34 are prevented from being readily separated from the outer sections by means of two retaining portions 36. These retaining portions could be replaced by a single portion extending the over a longer part of the arm.

This alternative embodiment also includes the locking means described with reference to the first and second embodiments.

Claims

1. A garment hanger comprising a central section and, extending in substantially opposite directions from the central section, a pair of arms for supporting a garment, each arm comprising inner and outer telescopically arranged elongate sections, the outer section being generally of U-shaped form in that it comprises side walls joined by a bight, there being locking means for defining a plurality of distinct extension positions of the sections, wherein each extension position is determined by interengaging of features of shape of the inner and outer sections, and the outer section has a retention portion extending from one to the other of its side walls for opposing transverse displacement of the inner section out of the outer section.

2. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means for defining a plurality of extension positions comprise a series of grooves, the series extending in a longitudinal direction along one of the sections and the grooves extending at right angles to the series, and a projection projecting from the other of the sections so that the projection can be engaged and disengaged by exerting a longitudinal pushing or pulling force.

3. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection is elongate and extends in a direction transverse to the arm.

4. A garment hanger as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the projection projects from an inner surface of the outer section, and the series of grooves are arranged in a longitudinal direction along a corresponding outer surface of the inner section.

5. A garment hanger comprising a central section and, extending in substantially opposite directions from the central section, a pair of arms for supporting a garment, each arm comprising inner and outer telescopically arranged elongate sections, the outer section being generally of U-shaped form in that it comprises side walls joined by a bight, there being locking means for defining a plurality of distinct extension positions of the sections, wherein each extension position is determined by interengaging of features of shape of the inner and outer sections and the series of grooves is arranged in a longitudinal direction along an inner surface of the outer section, and the projection projects from a corresponding outer surface of the inner section.

6. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking means is hidden from view.

7. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retention portion extends substantially the length of the outer section.

8. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner section has a lip, which will engage with the retention portion to oppose separation of the inner section from the outer section.

9. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner section is solid.

10. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner section is Ushaped.

11. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein the inner section has a member traversing between its side walls and the retention portion has a lip, which will engage with the member of the inner section to oppose separation of the inner section from the outer section.

10. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer section includes edge portions shaped to receive the edges of the inner section for opposing relative transverse displacement of the sections.

11. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 10, wherein said edge portions extend substantially the length of the outer section.

12. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer sections is of a resilient material which allows fractional sideways movement of the side walls of both of those sections to allow the locking means to operate.

13. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner and outer sections are arch-shaped.

14. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 13, wherein the arch-shaped sections have substantially equal width and height.

15. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 13, wherein the arch-shaped sections have a larger width than height.

16. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 13, wherein the arch-shaped sections have a larger height than width.

17. A garment hanger as claimed in one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the inner and outer sections have adjacent bights.

17. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer section has a free end region of material which tapers towards that end to tend to merge with the inner section.

18. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer section is integral with the central section.

19. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the inner section is integral with the central section.

20. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lengths of the arms can be altered independently of one another.

21. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arms extend outwardly and downwardly from the central section.

22. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support arm fixed at its end regions to the first sections of respective arms, which support arm is shaped to provide surfaces for supporting garments.

23. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 22, wherein the support arm has cranked end regions defining surfaces for supporting garments.

24. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sections are of a non-slip material which serves to prevent unwanted movement of garments supported by the hanger, when in use.

25. A garment hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.