GB2456228A - Hanger rail for organising multiple garment hangers and/or garments - Google Patents

Abstract

A hanger rail 10, from which garment hangers 22 and/or garments [Figs 15D,15E] can be suspended in an orderly fashion, comprises a plurality of separate or interconnected slots 14 which are capable of receiving and holding multiple garment hangers 22. The slots 14 are formed between slats 13 which extend outwardly from a main rail portion, or can be provided as cut-outs in a flat panel body. The edges of the slats 13 may be profiled to accommodate a specially adapted head 21 of a garment hanger [see Figs. 5A-5D]. The slats may also be curved or inclined to the horizontal [see e.g. Fig 3C].

Description

Garment Rail & Hangar

Introduction

This invention relates to garment suspension for storage and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with garment hanger support and guidance.

A tree-span' elongate hanging rail, mounted upon end support fittings is a commonplace provision for garment suspension by carriage of individual garments mounted on respective hangers. Such hangers are free to slide back and forth along the rail, to create intervening local spaces for garment inspection, insertion or removal However, that very freedom can lead to or even invite over-dense packing, crushing garments and impeding access.

Typical installation locations are such as within closed confines of a wardrobe / closet or exposed upon an open free-standing rail.

Aside from domestic personal storage, retail point-of-sale and warehouse bulk storage environments are also addressed Two principal suspension elements are considered, namely a rail and a hanger, with a certain blurring or usurping of roles.

Terminology Garment An item of personal apparel, but the hanger and rail features might be used for wider suspension tasks than garments, so that term and role should be interpreted accordingly broadly.

Hanger An individual garment brace and/or support frame, depending from a suspension hook or demountable spike stem and rail runner. Rail

An elongate support structure or member for multiple hangers and garments.

Prior Art

Traditional (free-form') garment rails and garment suspension hangers for rail interaction and mounting support have a free (de-)mounting ethos, allowing dense packing of juxtaposed hangers for greater rail capacity in a given span o A common rail format is an elongate (hollow) tube and a common hangar formof a splayed or cross-arm about a mid-set swivel hook.

In hotel use, to avoid hanger loss, a hanger variant with a split suspension hook of spike and captive rail collar runner is known, but this still has the undisciplined format and attendant over-packing and clutter problems The rail and hanger are essentially discrete elements, with no provision in either or otherwise (such as, say, through an intermediate element) for determining hangar spacing or a minimum closure limit Rather hangers are free to be shuffled into mutual abutment.

Problem IC) Unfortunately, with limited rail capacity (which is generally a reflection of longitudinal span or breadth), and free-form rail and hanger storage, there is a tendency to over-pack. Thus rails and garments can readily become crushed together, making extraction for inspection or use and re-loading difficult, with cramped stock obstructing and interfering with stock change.

Moreover, dense packing leads to garment crushing and creasing.

Objective A disciplined and regulated garment suspended storage format, without s undue complexity or cost, and hanger packing regulation, without impeding (un)loading access would be desirable.

Statement(s) of Invention (SQl)

A hanger rail 10 for garment suspension storage is configured for orderly garment separation and spacing, o garment suspension hanger location and guidance pathways are configured as a regular rectilinear array of elongate slots 14, such as spacing intervals between multiple slats 13, or as local cut-outs in an otherwise contiguous flat panel body.

In one construction, a (garment) suspension panel o incorporates a plurality of / one or more peripheral edge slots defining (guidance) pathways for garment hangers carried upon upstanding pin stems or hooks, the slot spacing defining garment spacing when mounted.

Thus, for example, a prefabricated (garment) storage module, 2(1 comprises an elongate transverse upper capture panel, carried at opposite ends by (demountable) panel upstands; the capture panel having a plurality of peripheral edge slots, for hanger mounting and guidance, the slot bracing defining garment spacing when mounted A modular garment store, could feature a plurality of interfitting panels, configurable to form a self-supporting, braced structure with an elevated (garment) capture rail supported at opposite ends by upstand panels.

ci A flat pack, self-assembly, garment storage module, of interconnectable flat panel elements, could include a carrier panel, with a plurality of juxtaposed edge slots for reception of garment hanger hooks os and a pair of end upstand support panels, the panels having a mutual interlocking edge interaction.

A slotted panel can incorporate fixed-format suspension pathways for garment hangers; say using hanger stem upstands, terminating in a carrier head.

The pathway layout admits of considerable variation, including multiple discrete stubs and closed loops with offshoots The slot cross-section profile could be adapted for complementary interfit with the neck of a hangar spike or hook; thus, say, a recess, step or shoulder in a slot profile os could accommodate a hanger locating collar or bush.

A bearing lateral location and/or vertical carrier arrangement between hanger (neck upstand) and panel slot could promote free-running Slot pathway viewed in planform could be curvilinear and splayed from back to front, ; with a slot spacing increase from back to front, for readier access when garments are brought forward for a compact stacked rear group.

A series of sweeping curvilinear arc paths could cluster together at a rear, parking' disposition, rather like railway sidings, parted forward for greater separation and access.

Hanger A hanger configured with opposed splayed support arms about a suspension pin or spike, with upper head termination, rather than a hook, could interact with a slot, or rather slot shoulders, for ease of loading or unloading, and allowing hanger rotation for closer rear packing Rail One configuration is an elongate (transverse) rail with protruding or projecting slats on one or both sides The rail could be timber beam, with an array of 1 timber slats disposed as cantilever strut offshoots or branches. Alternatives would be metal or plastics or some combination for mutual reinforcement Slat A simple slat format would be a rectangular section, elongate rectangular planform, even depth. An alternative wavy (say, sinusoidal) longitudinal 21 profile could provide a series of dips or toughs and alternating peaks for hangar detention Slats could be fixed, adjustable (say in pitch and/or orientation) or demountable, such as by a spring clip, tongue and slot detent interlock, or screw fastener attachment, on the rail 2 Slats could be configured as elongate flat strips. As such, slats could be local break-out portions severable from a contiguous plate, with separation delineations by part-depth cuts, indentations or creases.

A certain inherent slat resilience and flexibility would allow modest bending upon loading, and impart a modest give' or cushion suspension action.

o The intervals between slats serve as hanger slots.

Provision might be made for adjustable lateral slat spacing; with slats only fitted selectively to a rail locally where required. A predetermined or adjustable slot interval, ie spacing or gap between slats could be employed.

Similarly, slat orientation or cant could be varied from horizontal to upward or downward orientation. At one extreme, with slats orientated vertically or upright, a greater slat depth than spacing interval or pitch could be used, so garment spacing represents or determines garment spacing.

The rails and slats could be integrated in a contiguous unitary slotted (flat sheet) panel construction, in which slots are configured as lateral offshoots, i tongues or vertebrae from a common longitudinal spine.

Slats could be rotatable about their respective axes, through a series of incremental index positions, to vary their presented orientation.

Thus successive adjacent slats could adopt an alternating upright then reversed V' profile in their relative disposition as a trough for hangar ii disposition and retention Slat and Intervening slot configuration could be such as to accommodate either conventional or bespoke hangars. 3i

Hanger Hanger and slat, or rather intervening slat interval or slot, interaction could be simply through the hanger suspension hook or spike; to allow hanger arm swivel about the hook or spike An alternative integrated' hanger format would be an integral stub spike upstand with depending splayed arms and an enlarged retention head collar Consolidation A consolidation or merger of rail, slat and hanger functionality could be contrived. Rail and slat admit of integration, such as in the flat panel variant of the present invention. A slat or pairs of slats could have some hanger, or direct garment suspension, functions.

A demountable hanger is convenient for ongoing garment support when removed from a suspension rail. It also assists garment mounting and demounting from a rail. A convertible hanger hook or spike could adapt to either conventional suspension or bespoke rail slot pathway roles Particular Construction In a particular construction, a clothes or garment storage (and display) system is contrived for individual garment separation and spacing for ease of access in (un)loading. This notwithstanding the number and density of 2() garments stored That is, the ultimate storage capacity cannot be abused or over-used, rather, once full, further loading is inhibited, but orderly garment arrangement is preserved.

A standard (swivel hook) or bespoke hangar might be used in conjunction with a garment rail. A bespoke hangar affords the opportunity of special 2 functionality, such as suspension engagement and guidance. A combination, consolidation or concantenation of rail and hangar could be contrived. That is the role of one usurped or subsumed by the other or the roles subsumed or merged.

Embodiments o There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, with some illustrative simplification of constructional detail, and in whicft Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a garment support rail 10 with regulated oo or indexed storage, configured as an elongate transverse rack with evenly-spaced outwardly-projecting slats 13.

Juxtaposed is a curved shouldered hanger 22 of splayed arms 18 with a bespoke mounting pin head with an enlarged end boss 21; Alternative end bracket mountings are depicted for an elongate strip rail io format with projecting slats Hangers with spike' stems 20 are fitted into slots 14 between slats 13.

Figure 2 shows the garment rail of Figure 1 with a hanger installed; the hanger stem fits in slot pathways between slats and a retention collar fitment atop the neck stem holds the hanger in place.

o Figures 3A through 3E show a double-sided rack variant of Figures 1 and 2; more specifically.

Figure 3A shows a side elevation of a dual-sided rack, with opposed dorsal and proximal slats as vertebrae or ribs about a central spine; hangar 4.

installation options are shown in broken outline either parallel to the slats or to the spine suspended from carrier pin heads.

Figure 3B shows shows a side elevation of a the dual-sided rack of Figure 3A, with two hangers in place, one orientated longitudinally, the other transversely.

Figure 3C shows an end elevation (or transverse section) of the dual-sided rack of Figures 3A and 3B, with a hanger fitted.

Figure 3D show a front elevation of a round-shouldered hanger 22 with profiled pin head mounting fitting for a slatted rack of Figures 3A to 3D Figure 3E shows a side perspective view of the hanger of Figure 3D.

Figures 4A through 4G show a variant rail configuration with regular slat or minimal stub projections, on either one or both sides, rather than the pronounced slats of Figures lAto 3D; variation in stub cross-section (for a given pin head profile) is depicted in Figures 4B through 4G; variation in hanger spike, pin or pin head profile for a given slat profile is depicted in Figures 4H through 4M; more specifically Figure 4A show a longitudinal side elevation of a spacer' rack with vestigial stubs; 2) Figure 4B is a local enlargement Figure 4A showing interaction and inter-fit of a conical dome profile hanger pin head interposed between oval slats.

Figure 4C shows a variant of Figure 4B with chamfer or bevelled edged otherwise rectangular slats.

Figure 4D shows a variant of Figure 4C with single upper chamfer edge slats.

2 Figure 4E shows a departure from Figures 4B through 4D, with round stub pins or pegs Figure 4F shows an alternative to Figure 4E with triangular prisms Figure 4G shows a variant of Figure 4F with inverted triangular prisms Figure 4H shows a wide flare cone head hangar stem; Figure 41 shows an inverted cone head hanger stem.

Figure 4J shows an inverted concave waisted hanger stem.

Figure 4K shows an abrupt inverted T-head hanger stem.

Figure 4L shows a mid-waisted barrel hanger stem Figure 4M shows a single-sided cranked head hanger stem Figures 5Athrough 5D show local enlargement detail of hanger stem and local slat bevel interaction over successive mounting stages of a hanger; more specifically Figure 5A shows a plan view of a single-sided rack with slats having local inward-facing bevelled portions at the slat feet.

Figure 5B shows an enlarged perspective view of a rack of Figure 5A juxtaposed with a hanger stem.

Figure 5C shows a follow-on stage from Figure 5B with hanger stem partially inserted between successive adjacent slats Figure 5D shows final insertion stage to that of Figures 5A and 5B with hanger stem nested between opposed slat bevels in a complementary interfit.

o Figures 6A through 6B show a canopy array of cantilever slat profile with multi-stage ramp surfaces from a pronounced droop at the outer margin to an uplift at an inboard mounting with a transverse rail; facing local edge bevels help provide local detents or rest for hanger stems; Figure 7 shows an extrapolation of Figures 6A and 6B slat canopy with provision for hanger re-orientation from inboard to outboard.

Figures 8A through 8D show various splayed fan slat canopy arrangements; more specifically.

Figure 8A shows a swooping S' curvature slat ramp profile, this for visual aesthetic appeal and to facilitate inter-slat loading, from a steep entry/exit 1 0 nose to an inner end buffer ramp.

Figure 8B shows a more exaggerated variant of Figure 8A with a differential flare profile from mid to end span.

Figure 8C shows a plat view of a slat and intervening slot profile widening at the outer margins.

Figure 8D shows shows a rectilinear slat and intervening slot configuration over an arcuate segment Figures 9A through 9E show variant canopy format garment stands of pre-fabricated panel elements, such as in a collapsible kit form; more specifically Figure 9A shows a slotted top panel stacked upon an oval base panel with intervening side and back wrap panels.

Figure 9B shows an erected version of the flat-pack collapsed kit form of Figure 9A Figure 9C shows a two-tier or double-height variant of Figures 9A and 9B, with a supplementary intermediate depth slotted panel; so overall, dual slotted panels are mounted in a common back and side carcass upon a stabilising base.

Figure 9D shows a stand-alone slotted panel with a downturned rear edge mounting lip or rib.

oo Figure 9E shows a more organic tree' form, with upper slotted panel sat upon a slender stem set into a base plate counterbalance, a cluster of parked (empty or unloaded) hangers mutually aligned with the slot orientation, are fitted into the inner reaches of slots a one end, whilst an individual hanger sits at the outboard end of one slot, so its orientation can be across the slot.

0; Figures 1OA and lOB show a kit form rail with demountable individual slats; slats can be intermixed to achieve other slot spacings or groupings; more specifically Figure 1OA shows a generally symmetrical array of individually demountable slats with an inboard carrier peg or pin and slot mounting.

o Figure lOB shows an asymmetric variant of Figure bA, with some wider, say double-width slats interposed between regular (slim) slats; a logarithmic spacing progression could be adopted 6'_ Figures hA through liD show integrated variant slotted panels; more specifically Figure hA shows a single-sided multiple slat tooth comb arrangement with symmetrically spaced uniform slat or slat teeth from one common panel edge.

Figure 11B shows a double-sided slat variant of Figure hA Figure 11C shows a single-sided slat variant with alternative differential or asymmetric slat tooth widths to Figure hA, slot width can remain uniform for hanger conformity.

Figure liD shows an even more differentiated variant to Figure liD.

1 0 Figures 1 2A through 1 2E show a rack with cylindrical slats or stub pins, more specifically Figure 12A shows a side elevation of rail with stub spacer bars rather than flat strip slats to delineate a regular hanger separation.

Figure 12B shows a side section of rail bar with hanger hook termination is Figure 12C shows an an upper plan of a rail with side notches for hanger stem mounting Figure 12D shows a section along the broken line in Figure 12C for a hanger with enlarged stem head pin Figure 12E shows an alternative to Figure 12D with a hook hanger termination.

Figure 13 shows an intersecting strap lattice array for locating stem heads of hangers; allowing local displacement for insertion and removal, along with some lateral and longitudinal tolerance, local enlargement hanger stem heads show shallow and more pronounced dome head variants.

Figures 14A through Figures 14F show more elaborate slatted rail configurations; more specifically Figure 1 4A shows a fragmentary plan view of a slattted rail with a demountable closure plates for selectively closing off contents access by blocking the ends of certain hanger slots.

oo Figure 14B shows a fragmentary plan view of a variant of Figure 14A with lockable slat closure plate(s) Figure 14C shows shows a plan view of a slatted rail with demountable front closure plate allowing a longitudinal front transfer passage between successive adjacent slots.

Figure 14D shows a plan view of multiple juxtaposed slot track loops with peripheral (eg tangential) branches, offshoots or sidings.

Figure 14E shows a plan view of a grouped sidings with individual or group capture fittings and attendant identification markings.

Figure 14F shows a plan view of multiple siding array of slots fed from a 1) common outer loop.

Figures 15A through 15 J show a slatted rack with certain slats adapted for hanging clothes directly alongside and independently of intervening hanger slots, more specifically Figure 15A shows a plan view of a slatted rack with variant slat as detailed individually in Figures 15B through 15G. 7;

Figure 15B shows a local enlarged view an individual slat of Figure 15A featuring a retention spring clip.

Figure 15C show a hinge clip of Figure 15B used to secure an article of clothing e.g. socks.

o Figure 15D shows a local enlarged view of a slat for hanging clothing or linen directly Figure 15E shows a local enlarged view of a hollow or open slat with an inset thin rod or bar for hanging items directly, e g ties Figure 15F shows a resilient slat, deployable as in Figure 15G.

Figure 15G shows an enlarged view of a flexible hanger slat, with side support portions and flexible slat.

Figure 15H shows a slatted rail with provision for folded garment overlay.

Figure 151 shows a skirt held in position by a hanger slat of Figure 15G.

Referring to the drawings, some variants are generally self-explanatory from o their respective illustrations so are not all described in detail, nor are all individual components individually referenced or discussed A garment suspension or carrier rail 23 has in-built garment separation or spacing for more disciplined orchestration of contents storage collection.

This differs from the conventional free-form' garment rail, susceptible to undisciplined over-packing.

Garment suspension storage is confined to elongate location, guidance and retention pathways of slots 14, such as spacer intervals between successive adjacent divider slats 13.

The slots 14 offer discrete individual pathways for garment hangers, with a 2 convenient option of hanger entrainment and guidance. A single individual hanger can be allocated to a slot or several hangers could share a slot.

Slot ends represent a common point entry and exit for loading and unloading of garments mounted on hangers An alternative would be to fit garments directly into the slots 14 or apertures oo in the slat body.

Hangars are confined or captive to the slots by the hanger hook spindle shaft or stem, either a conventional or bespoke hanger can be fitted. A bush sleeve or roller bearing collar could be fitted to a hanger stem for lower friction easier running interfit within a slot between facing slat edges.

oo With a packing regime of one hanger per slot, risk of contact or entanglement between hangers is reduced.

Capacity is thus fragmented or sub-divided into individual portions In some variants, such as of Figures 1 through 7, multiple discrete slats 13 are fitted to a common elongate carrier spine 23 o The spine rail can span a wardrobe transverse span In other variants, such as of Figures 8C through lithe slats 13 and rails 23 are integrated by adopting a slotted flat panel configuration, with residual intervening lands' equating to the slats of other variants; That is a slender rail or tube is replace or obviated by the integrity of the panel structure.

Slats 13 can have a further role, such as localised apertures or slots in the slat or land' body for smaller and/or lighter garments, such as lingerie, ties, scarves, wraps or towels.

A timber, plastics or reinforced composite slat, rail and panel construction is feasible, as an alternative to conventional metal tubular rails.

Individual slots 14 can feed into a larger and overall more complex pathway or route, such as a continuous loop.

A domestic, retail, commercial or warehouse role can be contemplated.

A panel format lends itself to bespoke sculptural display forms Slot orientation does not dictate hanger orientation, but rather allows to have hangers sideways and/or facing a user access plane. This is helpful for selective garment display, such as in retail use.

i Garments on hangers docked in local clusters could serve as feeds for display areas of a rail Demountable slats could have an alternative role, such as garment stiffeners.

Flexible sprung slats could serve as garment supports, such as to trouser or skirt waist band.

2 A wholesale demountable panel rail could serve as folding and/or pressing table, with slots used to determine over-fold return creases.

A hanger rail could be fitted with security measures, such as lockable slot closures to hold hangers captive, for cloakroom use. Rail contents could be categorised or indexed, such as by numbered positions. a

Component Listing hanger support rack 11 back board / plate 12 side support brace 13 protruding slats 14 slots bracket hook 16 end bracket 17 curved hanger arm ic 18 hanger body 19 identification hanger neckstem 21 hanger neck collar fitment 22 hanger ic 23 dorsal spine 24 dorsal fin / vertebral slats proximal slats 26 dual-sided hanger support rack 27 bevelled slat edge 28 stub rod hanger slat

Claims (1)

1. Claims A hanger rail 10 for garment suspension, with orderly separation and spacing, comprising a plurality of garment hanger location and guidance pathways configured elongate slots 14, either as spacing intervals between multiple slats 13, or as local cut-outs in an otherwise contiguous flat panel body is A slatted (garment) hanger rail 10 of Claim 1, comprising a plurality of individual slats 13, with intervening spacer slots 14 configured as location and guidance pathways for individual hangers 22. 3.

   i s A slatted hanger rail of either preceding claim, with multiple slats 13, disposed as offshoot branches upon a common rail 23. 4.

   A hanger rail 10 of Claim 1, configured as a contiguous slotted panel, with a plurality of juxtaposed, mutually-aligned, slots 14 extending from a common access edge, and defining intervening slats. 5.

   A hanger rail of any preceding claim, with one or more location and guidance slots configured to interact with a hanger stem 20 A hanger rail with hanger suspension and guidance slots configured as a plurality of interconnected pathways for multiple individual hangers. 7.

   A hanger rail of any preceding claim, with profiled slot edges to serve as detents for hangers. 8.

   A hanger rail of any preceding claim, configured as a cantilever canopy array of slats projecting from a back plane.

   L:' 9.

   A hanger rail of Claim 8, with slat widths splayed outwardly, for greater slot and so hanger separation from back to front A hanger rail of any preceding claim, with a curvilinear slat and/or slot profile, for progressive ramp between hanger (un) loading and storage.