GB2461998A

GB2461998A - Clothes hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2461998A
Application number: GB0912557A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Silvio Perna
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-19
Filing date: 2009-07-20
Publication date: 2010-01-27
Also published as: GB0912557D0; GB0819150D0

Abstract

A clothes hanger having a flexible loop 2 and a cross bar 4 rigid relative to said loop 2. The cross bar 4 extends across the inside of said loop 2 to allow clothes to be suspended therefrom. The loop 2 may be made from string and the cross bar 4 may be made from a natural degradable material such as cardboard or bamboo. Alternatively the entire hanger may be made from a natural degradable or cellulose material.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CLOTHES HPNGERS

This invention relates to a clothes hanger.

Cheap clothes hangers are known consisting of bent and twisted steel wire and are used particularly in the laundry trade. Slightly more expensive coat hangers are of plastics-coated metal wire, plastics only, or plastics with a metal hook. Those various types are not of material which is readily degradable (which, herein, means the ability to break down when on the ground and exposed to the weather), cannot readily be collapsed for carrying and, moreover, snag others with their hooks. It is also known to make coat hangers of only cardboard. Although these are of a readily degradable material, they cannot readily be collapsed for carrying.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothes hanger comprising a flexible loop, and a cross-bar rigid relative to said loop and extending across said loop to the inside of said loop.

Owing to this aspect of the invention, the hanger can be readily collapsed for carrying. Moreover, if the loop is above the cross-bar, the hanger need not snag other, identical clothes hangers.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothes hanger substantially entirely of *:::: cellulose material and comprising a flexible loop and a cross-bar rigid relative to said loop.

*:*::* According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothes hanger substantially entirely of readily degradable material and comprising a flexible loop I..

and a cross-bar rigid relative to said loop.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothes hanger comprising bamboo Owing to these aspects of the invention, the coat hanger can be especially environmentally friendly.

The ioop, when provided, may be an open loop whereof the ends are attached to respective opposite end zones of the cross-bar. Those ends may be in the form of respective knots underneath the cross-bar. Alternatively, the loop may be a closed loop, with a single knot, for example underneath the cross-bar or above the middle of the cross-bar. The cross-bar is advantageously of inverted channel form, of U or V cross-section, although it may be a tube, with portions of the loop being received in the channel or the tube. It is particularly advantageous if the cross-bar, when of inverted channel form, is formed with short slots therealong at respective opposite ends thereof for receiving respective parts of the loop; this is a simple way of deterring dropping of the cross-bar from the loop. To promote correct orientation of the suspended clothes hanger, the loop preferably has a minor flexible loop spaced upwardly from the middle of the cross-bar and formed by knotting of the loop itself. Alternatively, for the same purpose, the loop may have its zone above the centre of the cross-bar hardened into an inverted U or V shape to provide a locating notch. * * *

In an alternative embodiment, the cross-bar may be part of a triangle which is rigid relative to the loop and to an apex of which the loop is connectible. The triangle may be of U or V cross-section or tubular and the loop extend downwardly through a hole through the apex of the triangle ** *. * * S * S a

S.. --a and be knotted underneath the apex to suspend the triangle therefrom.

It is particularly advantageous for one or the other, or preferably both, of the loop and the cross-bar to be made of natural, readily degradable material, particularly of string in the case of the loop and of bamboo or cardboard in the case of the cross-bar. Bamboo is preferred for the cross-bar, since it is readily available in strips which are naturally curved in cross-section and are easily slotted at their ends to receive the string. Alternatively the cross-bar could be made of thermoplastics or thermosetting material.

In order that the invention may be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clothes hanger; Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the right-hand end thereof in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of a modified version of the clothes hanger; Figures 4 to 9 are prospective front views from below of respect other modified versions of the clothes hanger; Figures 10 to 12 are perspective front views from above :: of respective further modified versions of the clothes hanger; and * a. * * . * ..

Figures 13 and 14 are perspective front views from below of respective yet further modified versions of the clothes S. *S * S *

S

*. -3-hanger.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the clothes hanger comprises a closed, flexible loop 2 in the form of string of a vegetable material, and a cross-bar 4 which is rigid relative to the loop 2 and extends across the loop 2 internally of the loop 2. The loop 2 is knotted at 6 to form a minor flexible loop 8 directly above the middle of the cross-bar 4 and whereby the clothes hanger can be suspended. The closed loop 2 has its ends knotted together to form a knot 10. The cross-bar 4 is of cardboard and of inverted channel form of, for example, triangular cross-section and the knot 10 is received in the channel. The cross-bar 4, at the apex of its cross-section, is formed with slots (of which one is seen in Figure 2 and referenced 12) therealong at respective opposite ends thereof and receiving respective parts of the loop 2. Since the loop 2 is readily collapsible to lie beside the cross-bar 4 and is not provided with a hook, the clothes hanger is readily portable and is not prone to snagging with identical clothes hangers. The cross-bar 4 is sufficiently rigid to control the shape of the suspended clothes hanger. Moreover, the loop 2 and the cross-bar 4 are readily recyclable, particularly relatively degradable, independently of each other if so desired.

It will be noted that the clothes hanger described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 consists of only a loop and a cross-bar, does not include any inorganic material and is :. wholly of readily recyclable and degradable material. ::.

The version shown in Figure 3 is more expensive to **::* produce than that shown in Figures 1 and 2, but is still nevertheless relatively cheap. The cross-bar 4 here is part of a triangle 14 formed from a cardboard strip of shallow V * ** * cross-section bent and glued together at its ends (at 16) The loop 2 of vegetable string is a closed loop knotted at its lower end (not seen) beneath the apex 18 of the triangle, where the ioop 2 extends through a hole 20 through the apex, the triangle 14 being supported upon the unseen knot.

The hanger consists of only a loop and a triangle and, again, does not include any inorganic material and is wholly of readily recyclable and degradable material.

The version shown in Figure 4 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the cross-bar 4 is in the form of an inexpensive, relatively rigid, metal rod which is curled over at its ends to form respective eyelets 22 and there are passed through the respective eylets 22 and knotted the ends 24 of an open loop 2 of vegetable string which is knotted at 6 to form the minor flexible loop 8. Although the metal rod 4 is not readily degradable, it can be cheaper to produce than the cross-bar 4 of Figure 1, which is of cardboard and of triangular cross-section.

The version shown in Figure 5 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the cross-bar 4 takes the form of a tube of readily degradable material, such as cardboard, bamboo, or a suitable plastics. It can be more user-friendly than the version of Figure 1, in that, unless the hidden knot of the :. loop 2 of vegetable string comes undone, there is no risk of ::i the cross-bar 4 becoming detached from the loop 2.

*:* The version shown in Figure 6 differs from that shown in Figure 4 in that the cross-bar 4 has been made from a strip of bamboo. To produce such strips of bamboo, the hollow bamboo stems are slit longitudinally. The strips so formed are cut to length to provide the cross-bars such as 4. Bamboo has the advantage that it is a quick-growing natural product the use of which is less damaging to the environment than use of wood from relatively slow-growing trees. Moreover, the outer surfaces of the bamboo strips so formed are slightly curved in cross-section, so that their outer surfaces are ready for use as the upper surfaces of the cross-bars such as 4. The cross-bar 4 in Figure 6 is formed with short slots 12 therealong at respective ends thereof for receiving respective ends of the open loop 2 of vegetable string, those ends being knotted at 26 beneath the cross-bar 4 in order to support the cross-bar.

The version shown in Figure 7 differs from that shown in Figure 6 in that the loop 2 of vegetable string is a plain, closed loop with its knot 10 centrally below the bamboo cross-bar 4.

The version shown in Figure 8 differs from that shown in Figure 7 in that the length of string employed to form the loop 2 is knotted at 6 to form not only a minor flexible loop 8 but also a second, minor flexible loop 28 which is itself knotted at a location 30 at a portion of the loop 28 furthest from the knot 6. The knot 6 also incorporates the ends 32 of the length of string. The items 8, 28 and 30 provide a simple way of hanging the clothes hanger from a clothes rail, because, with the loops 8 and 28 brought up from beneath over r. respective opposite sides of the rail, the uppermost part of the loop 8 can be placed over the knot 30 so as to engage *SS.

behind it. * **

* I, * * ** The version shown in Figure 9 differs from that shown in Figure 8 in that, although the loop 2 is again knotted at 6, ** S. * S S

S

*** -6 -this is in order to provide two end tails of the length of string, one of which is longer than the other. The two tails are knotted together at 34 at substantially equal distances from the knot 6 and adjacent the end 32 of the shorter tail, so as to form an eye 36. At a distance from the knot 34, the longer tail is knotted about a short bar 38 of bamboo. This, although more complex than the hanging arrangement 8, 28 and of Figure 8, provides a more secure hanging arrangement.

In this arrangement, the end 32 of the longer tail is passed over the rail and the bar 38 inserted into the eye 36, where it remains engaged more reliably than does the knot 30 with the loop 8 in the version of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is another version where the clothes hanger can relatively reliably remain suspended from a clothes rail.

In this instance, a cross-bar 4 of bamboo is supported by knots 26 in respective ends of longer and shorter readily degradable textile ribbons 40 and 42 which are knotted together at 6 at a location which is part-way along the longer ribbon 40 and is at the opposite end of the shorter ribbon 42 from its knotted end 26. Thus, an open loop 2 is formed by the ribbon 42 and part of the ribbon 40. At the knot 6 is sewn-on a button 44, preferably of readily degradable material. The free end of the ribbon 40 is formed with a button hole 46, so that the free end zone of the ribbon 40 can be passed over the clothes rail and the button 44 inserted through the button hole 46.

r. The version shown in Figure 11 has been made entirely of O bamboo. It consists of an upwardly bowed cross-bar 4 and an *SS.

inverted hook 48 formed from respective bamboo strips and **:* permanently shaped in any conventional manner. The cross-bar 4 and the hook 48 are joined together, at a mid-point 50 of the cross-bar 4, where the cross-bar 4 is formed with a * * * * * * ***

S

vertical slot 52 extending to half-way across its width and the hook 48 is formed with a horizontal slot 54 extending to half-way across its width and where the items 4 and 48 have been pressed in friction fits releasably into each other.

Because the interconnection is by friction fits, without any adhesive, the two parts 4 and 48 can readily be dismantled for carrying.

The version shown in Figure 12 differs from that shown in Figure 11 in having its cross-bar 4 extend across the inside of an open loop 2 of vegetable string which is supported from the cross-bar 4 by knotted ends 26 of the loop 2 being received above respective slots 12 in the ends of the cross-bar 4.

The version shown in Figure 13 differs from that shown in Figure 12 in that here the bamboo hook 48 is connected directly to the vegetable string 22 which here is above the bamboo cross-bar 4, so that the knots 26 support the bar. The longer limb of the inverted hook 48 has, adjacent its free end, a narrow slit 56 in which the central portion of the loop 2 is received as a friction fit.

The version shown in Figure 14 differs from that shown in Figure 11 in that the upwardly bowed cross-bar 4 of bamboo has a metal hook 48 of a conventional character riveted centrally thereto. s. * S S S. S S... * S **S. * *5 * . S * .* *. S. * S * * S

S.. -8 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A clothes hanger comprising a flexible loop, and a cross-bar rigid relative to said loop and able to extend across said loop to the inside of said loop.
2. A hanger according to claim 1, wherein said loop is an open ioop whereof the ends are attachable to respective opposite end zones of the cross-bar.
3. A hanger according to claim 2, wherein the ends of said loop are in the form of respective knots.
4. A hanger according to claim 1, wherein said loop is a closed loop.
5. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said cross-bar is of channel form for receiving portions of said loop.
6. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said cross-bar is formed with slots therealong at respective opposite ends thereof for receiving respective parts of said loop.
7. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said loop has a minor flexible loop whereby the clothes hanger can be suspended. * * *

**.30
8. A hanger according to claim 7, wherein the minor loop S...has been formed by knotting of the first-mentioned loop. * S* * S * * S.
9. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said loop is of natural, readily degradable material.
10. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said loop is of string.
11. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said cross-bar is of natural, readily degradable material.
12. A hanger according to claim 11, wherein said cross-bar is of cardboard.
13. A hanger according to claim 11, wherein said cross-bar is of a strip of bamboo.
14. A hanger according to any preceding claim and substantially entirely of cellulose material.
15. A hanger according to any preceding claim and substantially entirely of natural, readily degradable material.
16. A clothes hanger substantially entirely of cellulose material and comprising a flexible loop and a cross-bar rigid relative to said loop.
17. A hanger according to claim 16, wherein said cross-bar is able to extend across said loop internally of said loop.
18. A hanger according to claim 17, wherein said cross-bar is a strip of bamboo. * *b ** S

*
19. A hanger according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said cross-bar is of cardboard. I. ** * * S * -

* -10 -
20. A hanger according to claim 16, wherein said cross-bar is part of a triangle which is rigid relative to said loop and to an apex of which said ioop is connectible.
21. A hanger according to claim 20, wherein said triangle is of cardboard.
22. A hanger according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein said loop is of string.
23. A clothes hanger substantially entirely of readily degradable material and comprising a flexible loop and a cross-bar rigid relative to said loop.
24. A hanger according to claim 23, wherein said cross-bar is able to extend across said loop internally of said loop.
25. A hanger according to claim 24, wherein said cross-bar is a strip of bamboo.
26. A hanger according to claim 23, wherein said cross-bar is part of a triangle which is rigid relative to said loop and to an apex of which said loop is connectible.
27. A hanger according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said cross-bar is of cardboard. * * *

::.o
28. A hanger according to claim 26, wherein said triangle is of cardboard. * (. * * I * S.
29. A hanger according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein said loop is of string. S. **P S * --11 -S
30. A clothes hanger comprising bamboo.
31. A clothes hanger according to claim 30, wherein a cross-bar of said hanger consists of bamboo.
32. A clothes hanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or any one of Figures 3 to 14 of the accompanying drawings. Sb * S *j5I: * * * * S * 4* 4( S. * , S-12 -