GB2502597A

GB2502597A - A portable valet stand that can be reconfigured to serve as a clothes hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2502597A
Application number: GB201209732A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Steven Stuchbury
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-31
Publication date: 2013-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-31
Also published as: GB201209732D0; GB2502597B

Abstract

Apparatus for the suspension or hanging of a clothing garment, comprising of a first arm 12, a second arm 14 and a third arm 16. The apparatus may be configured to be a garment hanger (10-Fig1) with a hook and extendible arms (12a-Fig1), where the three arms are disposed adjacent one another (e.g. nested). The apparatus can be converted into a valet stand 50 by arranging the first arm to receive a garment of clothing, whilst second arm 14 and third arm 16 are arranged perpendicular to one another forming a base which supports an upright member comprised of connected rods or rails 24, 30a, 30b, 36a, 36b & 44, to which the first arm 12 is mounted. When configured as a garment hanger, the rods are either stored in recesses within the arms (36a, 36b, Fig4) or form part of the hanger (e.g. a trouser rail, 30a, 30b, Fig1).

Description

PORTABLE VALET STAND

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable valet stand and particularly, but not exclusively, to a valet stand which may be configured into a garment hanger.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

It is known to provide mannequins for display of garments; it is also known to provide valet stands for this purpose. Conventional mannequins and valet stands can be large and cumbersome, the transportation of which may be at the expense of carrying more stock.

It is also known to provide garment hangers, also known as clothes hangers, along with rails for storage of garments.

It is desirable to provide a portable valet stand that may be utilised to convey or store garments and which may be erected from a compact state into an erected state for presentation of garments.

The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention provide an apparatus and a method as claimed in the appended claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for suspension of a clothing garment comprising a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, the apparatus being configurable in a first arrangement in which the first, second and third arms are disposed adjacent one another and form a garment hanger, and wherein the apparatus is configurable in a second arrangement in which the first arm is arranged to receive a garment of clothing and the second and third arms are arranged to form a base for supporting an upright member to which the first arm is mounted so as to form a valet stand.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a user with a means to stow away garments on a hanger in the conventional way, such as in a wardrobe or on a rail. It also converts to a stand that conveniently presents clothing for display and/or cleaning.

A further advantage of the present invention is that a stand can be readily erected from a compact state and provide the traveller with a means to conveniently hang clothing when taken from luggage and ironed. It is particularly useful when wardrobe space is restricted, or absent in the traveller's accommodation.

The present invention can be conveniently used by retailers to give in-store customers an opportunity to view garments in more detail. It is particularly beneficial where shop space is limited, and display areas restricted. The apparatus can be employed inside a garment on a rail, and converted to a stand as required.

The space saving benefits of the apparatus are particularly beneficial to those who transport clothing for retail sale at venues such as markets, trade stands and exhibitions.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a rail for suspension of a clothing garment in the first arrangement and for forming the upright member in the second arrangement.

Preferably, a first hook is mounted to the first arm in the first arrangement.

Preferably, a second hook is mounted to a rod upon which the first, second and third arms are mounted in the first arrangement.

Preferably, the second hook comprises three hooked elements.

Preferably, the second hook is mounted upon the first arm in the second configuration in an inverted orientation.

Preferably, the three hook elements can be rotationally moved with respect to one another.

Preferably, the first arm comprises a first part received in a second part such that the first arm is extendable in length.

Preferably, the rail comprises a hollow tube for receiving an extension member for forming a part of the upright member in the second arrangement.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 2 to 5 illustrate the apparatus of Figure 1 in a partially disassembled condition; FIGURES GA and GB illustrate components of the apparatus of Figure 1; FIGURE 7 illustrates a stage in the assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1; FIGURE 8 illustrates a further stage of the assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1; FIGURE 9 illustrates an enlarged view of an upper portion of the apparatus of Figure 8; FIGURE 10 illustrates a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1; and FIGURE 11 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus of Figure 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the portable valet stand of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied.

Indeed, it will be understood that the portable valet stand described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 forming a portable valet stand for the display, storage and transportation of items of clothing. In Figure 1 the apparatus 10 is in a storage or transportation configuration; in this configuration, the apparatus can be employed in a similar manner to that of a conventional coat hanger. The apparatus 10 has a first arm 12 for receiving an item of clothing such as, but not limited to, a jacket, coat, shirt, blouse or dress.

The first arm 12 mimics the shoulders of a person and can receive any item of clothing which a person would wear about their shoulders. The apparatus comprises a second arm 14 and a third arm 16. Preferably second arm 14 is nested within first arm 12 and third arm 16 is nested within second arm 14. In alternative embodiments the second and third arms 14, 16 are positioned in a linear series with the first arm 12, such that the second arm is disposed adjacent to the first arm 12 and the third arm 16 is disposed adjacent to the second arm 14.

First, second and third arms 12, 14, 16 are preferably shaped to form an inverted V shape.

The first, second and third arms 12, 14, 16 each comprise an aperture which is disposed centrally so as to bisect each respective arm 12, 14, 16. A rod 24 passes though each of the apertures in first, second and third arms 12, 14, 16. The rod 24 is slideably disposed within the apertures. Three hooks 28a, 28b, 28c are removeably mounted to a lower end of the rod 24. The hooks 28a, 28b, 28c are mounted to a body 26 which receives an end portion of the rod 24. The body may be mounted on the rod 24 by means of an internal screw thread on the body 26 and an external screw thread on the rod 24; alternatively the rod 24 may be formed as a hollow tube and comprise a spring loaded button locking pin 32, shown in figure 2, therein. An aperture provided on the rod 24 may receive a portion of the pin 32 such that a portion of the pin 32 passes through the aperture in the wall of the rod 24 to extend radially outward from the external surface of the rod 24, the pin 32 engaging with an aperture or recess provided on the body 26. A further spring loaded button locking pin 34 is provide proximate an upper end of rod 24 as shown in Figure 3.

A hook or other hanger 18 is provided at an upper end of the rod 24 such that the apparatus may be hung or suspended therefrom. The hanger 18 is mounted to a support 20 which is removeably attached to the upper end of the rod 24, for example by a screw thread mechanism.

A rail 30a/30b is provided for hanging further items of clothing, such as but not limited to trousers, therefrom. Rail 30a/30b is preferably formed from two pieces, first piece 30a and second piece 30b, abutted together; the rail 30a130b is detachably received at opposing ends thereof in opposing ends of third arm 16. In some embodiments, the first and second pieces may be detachably connected to each other, for example by means of a screw thread mechanism. The first and second pieces 30a, 30b are formed as hollow tubes and each receive an extension rod 44, shown in Figure 6B.

The apparatus 10 comprises first and second additional rods 36a, 36b detachably mounted within a recess provided in the bottom of third arm 16, best illustrated in Figure 4. First and second additional rods 36a, 36b are formed as hollow tubular structures and each comprise a first portion having a first width or diameter, and a second portion having a second width or diameter which is smaller than the first width or diameter. A tapered portion connects the first portion to the second portion. The second portions of each of the first and second additional rods 36a, 36b comprise an aperture 38, 40 respectively. Apertures 38, 40 are arranged to receive a portion of the further spring loaded button locking pin 34.

First arm 12 is preferably adjustable in length. First arm 12 comprises an outer part 12a slideably mounted within an inner part 12b at each end of the inner part 12b, as shown in Figure 11. Inner part 12b comprises a pair of jaws 64, 66 which receive a rack 60 in a void 68 between the pair of jaws 64, 66. Rack 60 comprises a plurality of V shaped recesses 62 which receive complementary V shaped protrusions provided on one of the jaws 64. The jaws 64 are arranged to be resiliently biased so as to grip the rack 60 therebetween.

Figure 8 illustrates the apparatus 10 formed into a valet stand 50. The second and third arms 14, 16 have been arranged so as to substantially perpendicular to one another. The second and third arms 14, 16 form a base or feet of the valet stand 50. The rod 24, extension rod 44, first piece 30a, second piece 30b and first and second additional rods 36a, 36b have been coupled together to form an upstanding member connecting the first arm 12 to the second and third arms 14, 16. The first arm 12 forms a hanger element from which a garment of clothing may be hung. The triple hook 28a128b!28c is attached to a central portion of first arm 12 by support 20, best illustrated in Figure 9.

Optionally, the first arm 12 comprises a display region 52, for the display of promotional or advertising information. Preferably the display region comprises at least one aperture for receiving a clip mechanism of a display board (not shown). Preferably, the clip mechanism comprises one or more prong arms which are resiliently biased, such that when the clip mechanism is pressed into the aperture, the prong arm compresses as it passes through the aperture and then snaps back to its unbiased position once it has passed through the aperture.

The valet stand 50 may be assembled from the apparatus of Figure 1 by first disassembling the apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1. The triple hook 28a/28b128c is removed from the lower end of rod 24 as shown in Figure 2.

The first arm 12 is detached form the rod 24. The rod 24 is slid upwardly, as indicated by direction arrow Dl, through the apertures in the second arm and third arm such that a majority of the rod 24 is disposed above the second arm 14, as shown in Figure 3.

The rail 30a/30b has been removed from the third arm 16, as shown in Figure 4.

First and second additional rods 36a, 36b are then removed from the third arm 16. The second arm is then slid along the rod 24 away from the third arm 16 as indicated by direction arrow 02, as shown in Figure 5. The third arm 16 comprises a pair of recesses 42a, 42b disposed centrally on an upper region of the third arm 16 on opposing side of the aperture which receives the rod 24. The second arm 14 comprises a cut-out which is centrally disposed on a lower region of the second arm 14. The pair of recess 42a, 42b and the cutout together form an interlocking mechanism such that the second arm can be locked in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the third arm 16 as shown in Figure 7.

This is achieved by rotating the second arm in the direction indicated by direction arrow D4.

The first and second pieces 30a, 30b of the rail 30a/30b are separated from the extension rod 44 by sliding the first and second pieces 30a, 3Db with respect to the extension rod 44.

The extension rod 44 is preferably formed from two tubes arranged telescopically with respect to each other. The extension rod 44 is extended to a desired length, as indicated by direction arrow D3, and locked in place by a locking mechanism, for example; a spring loaded button locking pin.

The valet stand 50 is then constructed from the disassembled parts of the apparatus 10. The second additional rod 36b is attached to the upper end of the rod 24 and locked in position.

An upper end of the second additional rod 36b receives a portion of a lower end of the second piece 30b; the upper end of the second piece 3Db receives a portion of the lower end of the first piece 30a. The upper end of the first piece 30a receives a lower end of the extension rod 44. An upper end of the extension rod 44 is received in a lower end of the first additional rod 36a and is locked in position with a locking mechanism. The first arm 12 is mounted on the first additional rod 36a; the triple hook 28a, 28b, 28c is secured to the first arm 12 preventing the first arm 12 from sliding down the upstanding member formed from the rod 24, extension rod 44, first piece 30a, second piece 30b and first and second additional rods 36a, 36b.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the apparatus 10 of Figure 1 formed into an alternative hanger configuration. In this alternative configuration, the apparatus forms a hanging device 54 comprising the first arm 12 having first part 12a and second part 12b, hook 18 mounted upon a support, the support being coupled to the first arm 12 by means of a screw thread mechanism.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the apparatus may be provided with one or more additional arms, which may be nested with the first, second and third arms in the stowed condition, but which may be mounted upon the upright member at a different elevation to that of the first member for display of additional clothing items; in some embodiments, the one or more additional arms may be offset from the first arm such that the clothing it supports hangs in a different vertical plane to that suspended by the first arm.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for suspension of a clothing garment comprising a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, the apparatus being configurable in a first arrangement in which the first, second and third arms are disposed adjacent one another and form a garment hanger, and wherein the apparatus is configurable in a second arrangement in which the first arm is arranged to receive a garment of clothing and the second and third arms are arranged to form a base for supporting an upright member to which the first arm is mounted so as to form a valet stand.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a rail for suspension of a clothing garment in the first arrangement and for forming the upright member in the second arrangement.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein a first hook is mounted to the first arm in the first arrangement.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 to 3 wherein a second hook is mounted to a rod upon which the first, second and third arms are mounted in the first arrangement.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second hook comprises three hooked elements.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5 wherein the second hook is mounted upon the first arm in the second configuration in an inverted orientation.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the three hook elements can be rotationally moved with respect to one another.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first arm comprises a first part received in a second part such that the first arm is extendable in length.
9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rail comprises a hollow tube for receiving an extension member for forming a part of the upright member in the second arrangement.