GB2420271A

GB2420271A - Clip hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2420271A
Application number: GB0425318A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Edward Jones
Original assignee: Mainetti UK Ltd
Current assignee: Mainetti UK Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-17
Filing date: 2004-11-17
Publication date: 2006-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-17
Also published as: GB2420271B; GB0425318D0

Abstract

A clip hanger, particularly for hanging footwear, is disclosed. The clip hanger includes a suspension means or hook 5 for suspending the hanger from a rail. The hanger also has at least one clip 7 which is adapted to apply a gripping force, typically to a pair of shoes, in a plane which is not perpendicular to the axis of the rail. The clip may be attached to the main body of the hanger by means of a pivoting hinge.

Description

1 2420271 Clip Hanger The present invention relates to a clip hanger, and

particu'arly, but not exclusively, to a hanger for footwear formed from plastic materials and utilising a pinch clip arrangement.

The use of such a clip hanger, for displaying items such as footwear in retail establishments is well known. An example of such a hanger already manufactured by the applicant is depicted in Figure 1. This type of hanger consists of four major components.

The body(l) comprises of a hanging element(la) usually taking the form of a hook shape, a graphics area(lb) for displaying price, customer logo or the like and a clip support portion(lc) . The hanger also comprises of two identical clips (2a)and(2b) . The clips have an area adapted for manipulation by fingers or thumhs(2c) and an area to grip the items being sold; most notably but not exclusively made from a material that will provide extra grip without damaging the item being displayed such as rubber(2d) * S. * S S...

". The clips (2a) and (2b) are seated on the clip support portion(lc) *.S.

A spring(3) is then inserted between the two clip halves to hold he S.....

* * assembly together. The spring(3) is usually but not exclusively made from a metal material or a suitable polymer that has a high * * elastic memory. * a * S. *0 Sa

* The clip halves (2a) and (2b) rock around fulcrum point (4) and the clip support portion (ic) when pressure is applied by the user to the to the finger grips (2c) thus opening the ends of the clips and allowing the insertion of the item being retailed. Once the finger grips (2c) are released, the force of spring(3) exerts force on the ends of the clips (2d) clamping the item being retailed as in Figure 2.

This form of hanger serves its particular function but it is not suitable for displaying certain types of retail items in a manner acceptable to the retailer. For example many retailers prefer to display footwear with the toes of the footwear pointing towards the floor whilst still utilising a pinch clip' arrangement because of its simplicity and ability to hold heavy items due to the spring force in the assembly. An example of such a hanger that displays footwear in this manner is disclosed in our patent GB2355181. This hanger displays the footwear in a manner that the present invention seeks to achieve but the hanger is only suitable for hanging footwear items with a back to grip. The hanger disclosed in GB2355181 also relies on gravity to hold the footwear and over prolonged periods the polymer creeps and the grip force is subsequently reduced.

The hanger in Figure 1. discloses a simple effective pinch clip' hanger but it does not have the ability to display footwear or other retail items in the manner disclosed in GB2355181.

Figure 3. highlights the problem that the graphics area(lb) and *i;:.' hook(la)face the wrong direction when gripping the footwear in the S..

manner depicted in patent GB2355181. The hanger disclosed in * Figure 3. also has the disadvantage that the footwear is not able to hang down freely force the hanging means and information display on an angle. * S * S S a Si

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome

disadvantages with the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a hanger comprising: - suspension means for suspending the hanger from a rail at at least one suspension location having a respective first axis extending therethrough; at least one clip adapted to apply a gripping force to a plane not perpendicular to said first axis.

The hanger may further comprise at least one hinge between said suspension means and at least one said clip.

At least one the hinges may comprises first and second hinge parts adapted to pivot relative to each other along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said plane.

In a preferred embodiment at least one said suspension device and at least one said hinge are formed as a single molded article.

The hanger may further comprise at least one information display portion.

In a preferred embodiment the hanger is at least partially formed ::S from at least one plastic material. * a..

At least one of the clips may comprlse gripping portions formed 0'**a. * 0

from a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the remainder of the hanger. * S o a *

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a versatile clip hanger that can display a multitude of retail items in a fashion acceptable to the retailer.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any way limited by the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front and side view of a hanger of the prior art; Figure 2 is front view of the hanger of Fgure 1 in use; Figure 3 is a side view of the hanger of Figure 1 in use; Figure 4 is a front elevation of a hanger of the present invention; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the hanger of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top elevation of the hanger of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the hanger of Figure 4 showing an item of footwear gripped in a desirable presentation and indicates a secondary function of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a front elevation of the hanger of Figure 4 showing the present invention gripping an item of footwear with the desirable presentation * .. * * S

Referring specifically to Figures 4 - 5, a clip hanger with hanging IdSS means, suspension device or hook(5) for hanging the hanger from a * suoport such as a rail (not shown) . Directly below the hook is a SSSSS* * S connected graphics/label area (6) for displaying the customer's logo, price of the item being retailed or size of the item being *::* retailed. Below the label area is an attached clip support means *. (6)that is capable of attaching two clip (7a) and (7b) with spring (9)in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the hook (5), information area(6) Referring to Figure 6 specifically, when finger grips (8) are compressed by the user, the item retaining end of the clip open allowing for insertion of the item that is to be displayed. When the finger grips (8) are released the spring bias (9) provides sufficient force to securely hold the item being displayed.

Referring specifically to Figure 7, a secondary advantage of the present invention over the prior art is the introduction of a flexible membrane (10) . Said flexible membrane allows the item being held such as footwear (11) to find it's own natural position through gravity. The advantage of such a flexible membrane is that the hanging means (5) and information display (6) always remain vertical. If this feature were not present there would be a tendency for he items being displayed to tilt the hanger causing un-necessary force the hanging means (5) and the information display area (6) would not face directly towards the possible purchaser of the item being retailed.

Referring specifically to Figure 8, the desired presentation of an item of footwear (11) is achieved through the present invention.

Such a presentation is not achieved with any of the prior art. *I * . I I, . * I I.e.

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Claims

Claims 1. A hanger comprising:- suspension means for suspending the hanger

from a rail at at least one suspension location having a respective first axis extending the ret hr o ugh; at least one clip adapted to apply a gripping force to a plane not perpendicular to said first axis.

2. A hanger according to claim 1, further comprising at least one hinge between said suspension means and at least one said clip.

3. A hanger according to claim 2, wherein at least one said hinge comprises first and second hinge parts adapted to pivot relative to each other along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said plane.

4. A hanger according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein at least one said suspension device and at least one said hinge are formed as a single molded article.

A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, further I...

comprising at least one information display portion.

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*8$ISS * 6. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger is at least partially formed from at least one plastic *:.:..material.

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7. A hanger according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said clip comprises gripping portions formed from a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the remainder of the hanger.

8. A hanger substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 to 9 of the accompanying drawings. * *e * S * *5SS **SS * * S...

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