GB2391463A

GB2391463A - Adjustable garment hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2391463A
Application number: GB0218285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nick Andrew Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-07
Filing date: 2002-08-07
Publication date: 2004-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-07
Also published as: GB2391463B; GB0218285D0

Abstract

The central section 1 of a garment hanger has integral sloping arms, each formed as an elongate channel (3),4 which receives a second arm member (5),6 longitudinally adjustably within it by way of co-operating formations 8,10 which define a plurality of distinct extension positions. The channels include a bridge 12 extending between their side walls 14 for opposing transverse movement of the inner member out of the channel. The hanger has an axis (eg that of the hook receiving portion 2) in which the bridge and base 16 of the channel are out of register whereby the channel can be moulded in a two part die. Each arm member (5),6 may include a plurality of formations defining distinct positions for the retention of a detachable garment retaining member such as a hook or clamp. Such a member is claimed.

Description

GARMENT HANGER

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

It is well known that garment hangers are available in several different 5 shapes and sizes, and that they are often included in the price of a garment, although garment hangers are also available separately. Since garments vary widely in size and style it is often necessary for large and small retailers to stock and use a wide range of differently sized hangers for display purposes. This can be of considerable inconvenience and high cost 10 so that the choice of hanger used by a retailer is, to some extent, a compromise. As a result, not only are garments not displayed to their best advantage, but also the garment itself maybe damaged by mix-shaping along the shoulder ridge.

I have accordingly previously proposed, in my British Patent No. 15 CB 2 285 764, a garment hanger which is adjustable in size. This hanger goes a long way towards overcoming the objections referred to above, but the form of garment hanger proposed in that Patent is expensive to manufacture. It is a principal object of the present invention to enable an adjustable 20 garment hanger to be manufactured more economically, and/or more easily.

According to 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 an elongate channel member having a base and side 25 walls, and a second, inner, member longitudinally adjustable therein, co

operating inter-engageable formations defining a plurality of distinct extension positions of the two inner members, the channel member including a bridge portion extending between the channel side walls for opposing transverse displacement of the inner member out of the channel, S characterized in that the garment hanger has an axis along which the bridge portion and the base of the channel of each respective arm are out of register. Because the bridge portion and the base of the channel of each respective arm are out of register the main body of the hanger may be moulded, for 10 example from a synthetic resin material such as a polystyrene, using a two part die whose respective parts are separable along the axis referred to.

This simplifies manufacture which is also more economical than manufacture of the hanger described in my earlier Patent No. 2 285 746, i because that hanger required the use of a three-part die for moulding.

15 A further advantage of such a hanger is that it may be made from a plurality of different plastics materials. The design disclosed in my previous patent I GB 2 285 764 was more limited in the range of suitable materials since this previous design relied upon the resilience of the material to locate the inner member relative to the channel member.

20 Preferred embodiments of the present invention adopt one or more of the following optional features: said co-operating inter-engageable formations comprise serrations in the base of the channel and in the inner arm member.

the side walls of said channel member are provided with formations 2S which are a snap fit with co-operating formations on the inner arm member in order to retain that inner arm member within the channel.

said formations comprise lips on the channel side walls for retaining the base of the inner arm member.

the arms are each provided with at least one formation for retaining a detachable garment holding member.

5 said formations are adapted for retaining a said detachable garment holding member in different positions along the arm.

the hanger is provided with a pair of detachable garment grips.

the hanger is provided with a pair of detachable garment hooks.

the hanger is provided with a trouser bar.

10 each said channel arm member is fixed to said central section.

said channel arm members and said central section are formed as an integral moulding. I The feature of providing for the attachment of a detachable garment holding element is believed to be of considerable commercial significance, and it is 15 itself believed to be new. The skilled person will appreciate that for an item to be detachable within the meaning of this description it will

generally be re-attachable once it has been detached.Conveniently, the bridge portion is arranged such that it provides a pivot for the inner member, such that the weight of a garment held by the hanger causes a force 20 tending to rotate the inner member about the bridge portion.

The co-operating inter-engageable formations may be provided on an upper surface of the inner member. Such an arrangement is advantageous, particularly when the bridge portion is arranged to provide a pivot in which

case the weight of the garment can be arranged to urge the co-operating inter-engagable formations together.

Accordingly, in its second aspect, the present invention further provides a garment hanger comprising sloping side arms for hanging a garment, 5 wherein each said side arm is provided with formations for the retention of a detachable garment-retaining member.

Each such side arm may be provided with formations for the retention of a said detachable garment-retaining member in at least one and preferably in a plurality of positions. The garment-retaining members may be hooks and/or 10 grippers, and the hanger of the second aspect may include any other feature of the first aspect of the invention.

It can be advantageous to provide a plurality of positions in which the detachable garment-retaining member can be positioned so that the garment retaining member can be used to retain garments of different widths. When 15 the features of the second aspect of the invention are used in combination with features of the first aspect of the invention, it will be appreciated that the width to which it is desired to set the garment hanger to support, for example, a jacket does not affect the width to which it is desired to set the or each garment-retaining member. Therefore having a plurality of 20 positions at which the garmentretaining members can be attached may allow the two to be varied independently.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a garment hanger having, distributed along a length thereof, a plurality of formations for the retention of a detachable garment-retaining member.

25 The hanger may comprise a pair of arms for supporting a garment and each arm may have distributed along a length thereof, a plurality of formations for the retention of a detachable garment-retaining member.

s Alternatively, or additionally, the garment hanger may comprise a cross member, which generally extends between the two arms, which may have distributed along a length thereof, a plurality of formations for the retention of a detachable garment-retaining member.

5 The hanger of the third aspect may include any other feature of the first and/or second aspects of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the 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, lo each arm comprising an elongate channel member having a base and side walls, and a second, inner, member longitudinally adjustable therein the channel member including a bridge portion extending between the channel side walls for opposing transverse displacement of the inner member out of the channel characterised in that the bridge portion is arranged such that it 15 provides a pivot for the inner member, such that the weight of a garment held by the hanger causes a force tending to rotate the inner member about the bridge portion.

The hanger of the fourth aspect of the invention may include any of the features of the first and/or second and/or third aspects of the invention.

20 According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a detachable garment-retaining member arranged to be used in combination with a hanger according to any of the first four aspects of the invention.

The detachable garment-retaining member may comprise two portions which are substantially a mirror image of one another. The two portions 25 may be secured together with a clip means, which may be a spring clip, or the like.

Conveniently, at least one of and preferably both portions are fabricated from a resilient material which allows the two portions to be move relative to one another. Such fabrications allows the garments to be gripped between the two portions if they are move apart. The clip means may assist S this action.

Alternatively, or additionally, the detachable garment-retaining member may comprise two portions, one of which is pivotably mounted on the other.

In a Further alternative, or additional embodiment the detachable garment-

retaining member comprises a single portion and provides a hook means.

10 The detachable garment-retaining member may comprise a garment-hanger engaging means.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a garment hanger comprising a pair of sloping side arms on which a garment can be supported wherein each of said side arms are of adjustable length and said 15 hanger further comprising at least one pair of garment retaining members which are detachably mounted to said hanger.

Conveniently, the hanger is arranged such that each of the detachably mounted garment retaining members can attached to the hanger at a plurality of positions on the hanger.The hanger of the sixth aspect of the 20 invention may include any of the features of the first and/or second and/or third and/or fourth and/or fifth aspects of the invention.

Conveniently, the garment retaining members may be attached to the inner member as defined in the first aspect of the invention.

An advantage of a hanger according to the sixth aspect of the invention is 25 that the width of the garment retaining members can be set independently to

the width of the arms. Therefore, the width of the hanger can be set independently to support a garment by the arms (for example a jacket) and also to hold a garment by the garment retaining members (for example a skirt, a pair of trousers, or the like). Therefore, the clothes may be better a 5 supported and a single hanger may be used where previously a plurality of differently sized hangers may have been required. Clearly, cost savings may result if a single hanger can be used whereas previously a plurality have been needed.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater 10 detail and by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a full view in cross section of an embodiment of coat hanger in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a view in cross section of half of a coat hanger in 15 accordance with a second embodiment of present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 with the arm dislocated for adjustment; Figure 3a shows a portion of Figure 3 arranged to provide positions for attachment of a detachable garment-retaining member; 20 Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 4, showing the arm dislocated for adjustment and Figure 6 is a perspective view; and

figures 7 and 8 respectively show how the inner arm member may e be retained within the channel or released therefrom; Figure 9 illustrates a formation in the arm arranged to retain a detachable garment holding member; -

5 Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment of garment grip for snap fittings into the formation shown in Figure 9; Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a garment hook snap fitted into a hanger arm; a Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a garment grip snap fitted in to a hanger 10 arm; Figures 16 to 18 are respectively perspective end and side views are of a garment gripper; and e Figures 19 to 20 show a further embodiment of a garment gripper.

As shown in Figure 1, a garment hanger comprises a central section I 15 having a circular portion 2 for the reception of a hook (not shown). The hanger has sloping arms for supporting a garment each of which comprises an elongate channel member 3, 4 moulded integrally with the central section 1, and a second, inner, member 5, 6 which is longitudinally adjustable within its associated channel 3, 4.

20 The arms extend downwardly and outwardly from the central section I at an angle of, say, 10 to 30 . They may also be angled to one another in a plane containing an axis of the circular hook-retaining portion 2, for example with an included angle of 150 to 170 .

Co-operating inter-engageable formations 8, 10 (Figures 2 to 6) define a plurality of distinct relative extension positions of the arm members. The channel member 4 includes a bridge 12 extending between channel side walls 14 for opposing transverse movement of the inner member 6 out of 5 the channel.

In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the hanger has an axis (in the embodiment illustrated, an axis coincident with the axis of the hook-

receiving portion 2) in which the bridge portion 12 and the base 16 of the channel are out of register. This enables that portion of the hanger to be 10 moulded using a two-part die which promotes ease and economy of manufacture. As illustrated, each said channel arm member 3, 4 is fixed to the central section 1, and those parts are in fact formed as an integral moulding.

The co-operating inter-engageable formations 8, 10 are constituted by 15 serrations in the base 16 of the channel 4 and in the inner member 6.

As can be seen from Figures 6, 7 and the side walls 14 of each channel member such as 4 are provided with formations comprising lips 20 which are a snap fit with the inner member 6 in order to retain that inner member 6 within the channel. The resilient nature of the plastics materials from 20 which the hanger is generally fabricated allows the lip to move out of the way as a two part tool separates. However, such movement of the lip may be facilitated by a gap in the lip adjacent or in the region of the bridge 12.

As illustrated in Figures 9 to 13, the inner members 6 are each provided with at least one formation 22 for retaining a detachable garment holding 25 member such as a grip 24 or a hook 26.

Those formations are suitably adapted for retaining a said detachable garment holding member in different positions along the arm.

As can be seen in at least Figure 10 an embodiment of a detachable garment holding member which comprises a first portion 100 which engages the S formation 22 on the hanger, and pivotably mounted 102 to the first portion is a second portion 104. The pivotal mounting 102 may include a biasing means such as a coil spring to urge the first 100 and the second 104 portion together. At least Figure 11 shows an example of a detachable garment holding 10 member which comprises a hook means, or hook 26. This embodiment comprises a single portion (i.e. is a one piece moulding), but could comprise a plurality of portions, which engages the formation 22.

Figures 19 to 21 provides a further embodiment of the detachable garment holding member 150, which comprises a first 152 and a second 154 which 15 are substantially mirror images of one another. The first 152 and the second 154 portions are placed back to back and held together with a clip means 156, which in this embodiment comprises a metal spring clip. The first 152 and the second 154 portions are each fabricated from a resilient material and are arranged such that they tend to revert to a closed position.

20 Each of the first 152 and the second 154 portions comprises a tab 158 and a jaw portion IS9. The first 152 and second 154 portions are arranged such that when pressure is applied to both tabs 158 the jaw portions 159 are forced to tend to away from each other such that the garment holding member 150 tends to an open position. The resilience of the material and of 25 the clip 156 tend to close the jaws such that a garment can be gripped therebetween.

Optionally a hook 160 can be provided on one and/or both of the first 152 and second 154 portions.

Each of the first 152 and second 154 portions comprises a hanger engaging means 162,164 which are arranged to engage the formation 22.As can be 5 seen from Figure 3a a plurality of formations 22 can be provided along the length of the inner member 6 such that the detachable garment- retaining member can be located at a number of positions therealong. Indeed, in one aspect the invention may comprise the provision of grips along the arms of a hanger with sloped arms.

10 The hanger may be provided with a pair of detachable garment grips 24.

The hanger may be provided with a pair of detachable garment hooks 26.

The hanger may be provided with a trouser bar.

The invention provides a good range of adjustability in hanger size, though it will be appreciated that it will not necessarily allow for the full range of 15 sizes from small children's to large adult's to be accommodated.

The central section of the hanger may be provided with a logo or other device representing the manufacturer or designer of the garment with which it is intended to be supplied, or representing the supplier, such as a retailer.

Claims

e Amendments to me claims have been filed as follows 1'2 CLAIMS

A garment hanger comprising adjustable sloping side arms for hanging a garment, wherein each said side arm is provided with one or more formations for the retention of a detachable garment-retaining member 5 wherein at least one of the portions comprises a hanger engaging means arranged to engage a garment hanger2. A garment hanger according to claim 1' wherein each said adjustable side arm is provided with formations for the retention of a said detachable garment-retaining member in one of a plurality of positions.

10 3. A garment hanger according to claim I or 2, wherein said hanger is À@ À. À provided with a pair of garment hooks.

A.- À Àe 4 The garment hanger of claim 1 comprising a detachablegarment À À Àe retaining member arranged to be used in combination with a hanger Àeaccording to any of claims 1 to 3.

À - À .e 15 5. A detachable garment-retaining member according to claim 4 which comprises two portions which are substantially a mirror image of one another. 6. A detachable garment-retaining member according to claim 5 which comprises a clip means securing the two portions together.

20 7. A detachable garment-retaining member according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the two portions are fabricated from a resilient material which allows the two portions to be move relative to one another.

8. A detachable garment-retaining member according to any of claims 5 to 7 wherein said member comprises hanger-engaging means arranged to engage a garment hanger.

9. A detachable garment-retaining member according to claim 4 which 5 comprises two portions, one of which is pivotably mounted on the other 10. A detachable garment-retaining member according to claim 4 which comprises a hook means 11. A detachable garment-retaining member according to claim 11 wherein said member comprises a hanger engaging means arranged to 10 engage a garment hanger.

À. Àe À À À - a 12. A garment hanger having, distributed along a length thereof, a plurality of formations for the retention of a detachable garment-retaining member. À: .,. 13. An adjustable garment hanger according to claim 13 wherein said 15 hanger comprises a pair of arms for supporting a garment and each arm has distributed along a length thereof, a plurality of formations for the retention of a detachable garmentretaining member.

14. An adjustable garment hanger according to claim 13 wherein said hanger comprises a pair of arms for supporting a garment and further 20 comprises a cross member, extending between the two arms, which has distributed along a length thereof, a plurality of formations for the retention of a detachable garment-retaining member.

1 S. An adjustable garment hanger comprising a central section and, extending in substantially opposite directions from the central section, a pair 25 of arms for supporting a garment, each arm comprising an elongate channel

member having a base and side walls, and a second, inner, member longitudinally adjustable therein, co-operating inter-engageable formations defining a plurality of distinct extension positions of the two inner members, the channel member including a bridge portion extending between the S channel side walls for opposing transverse displacement of the inner member out of the channel, characterised in that the garment hanger has an axis along which the bridge portion and the base of the channel of each respective arm are out of register.

16 An adjustablegarment hanger according to claim 16, wherein said co-

10 operating inter-engageable formations comprise serrations in the base of the channel and in the inner arm member.

e. . 17 An adjustable garment hanger according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the side walls of said channel member are provided with formations which ; . are a snap fit with co-operating formations on the inner arm member in order A. 15 to retain that inner arm member within the channel.

À À À. 18. An adjustable garment hanger according to claim 18, wherein said À-e À. formations comprise lips on the channel side walls for retaining the base of the inner arm member 19 An adjustable garment hanger according to any of claims 16 to 19, 20 wherein the arms are each provided with at least one formation for retaining a detachable garment holding member.

20. An adjustable garment hanger according to claim 20, wherein said formations are adapted for retaining a said detachable garment holding member in different positions along the arm 25 21. An adjustable garment hanger according to claim 20 or 21, and provided with a pair of detachable garment grips.

1. 22. An adjustable garment hanger according to any of claims 20 to 21, and provided with a pair of detachable garment hooks 23. An adjustable garment hanger according to any of claims 1 to 3 or 13 to 23 and provided with a trouser bar.

S 24. An adjustable garment hanger according to any of claims 1 to 3 or 13 to 24, wherein each said channel arm member is fixed to said central section.

25. An adjustablegarment hanger according to claim 2S, wherein said channel arm members and said central section are formed as an integral moulding. e... À 10 26. An adjustable garment hanger according to any of claims 16 to 26 in tea.. . which the bridge portion is arranged such that it provides a pivot for the , inner member, such that the weight of a garment held by the hanger causes a , force tending to rotate the inner member about the bridge portion.

À,. 27. An adjustable garment hanger according to claim 27 in which the co e À,,,,' 15 operating inter-engageable formations are provided on an upper surface of the inner member.

28. An adjustable garment hanger comprising a pair of sloping side arms on which a garment can be supported wherein each of said side arms are of adjustable length and said hanger further comprising at least one pair of 20 garment retaining members which are detachably mounted to said hanger.

29 An adjustable garment hanger substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.