US20080054029A1 - Crown sizer with locking mechanism - Google Patents
Crown sizer with locking mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080054029A1 US20080054029A1 US11/848,900 US84890007A US2008054029A1 US 20080054029 A1 US20080054029 A1 US 20080054029A1 US 84890007 A US84890007 A US 84890007A US 2008054029 A1 US2008054029 A1 US 2008054029A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sizer
- post
- hanger
- sidewall
- combination
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G25/00—Household implements used in connection with wearing apparel; Dress, hat or umbrella holders
- A47G25/14—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers
- A47G25/1407—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers with identification means
- A47G25/1414—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers with identification means connected to the hook member
- A47G25/1428—Clothing hangers, e.g. suit hangers with identification means connected to the hook member at or around the stem
Landscapes
- Holders For Apparel And Elements Relating To Apparel (AREA)
Abstract
A crown sizer for mounting to a post of hanger. The sizer includes a body having a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the body during installation of the body about the post of the hanger. The body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the body into a closed position following installation of the sizer about the post.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,483 Filed Aug. 31, 2006.
- The present invention relates to a crown sizer and, more particularly, to a crow%,n sizer with a locking mechanism for mounting about the post of a metal hook hanger.
- Various types of hangers are used in the retail industries. One such hanger is formed from a plastic body having a threaded post on its upper edge. A metal hook is threaded into this post to provide what is commonly referred to as a metal hook hanger.
- Although size indicators are commonly used with plastic hook hangers (i.e., a hanger having both a plastic body and plastic hook), the use of size indicators on metal hook hangers has proven more challenging. One such size indicator available for metal hook hangers is referred to as a crown sizer, and is disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2006/0006204 A1. The sizers disclosed in this publication are intended to be passed over the metal hook and “snapped” into position about the post of the hanger. These sizers, however, have several shortcomings. For example the ability of such crown sizers to remain engaged with the hanger varies from hanger to hanger due to differences in design and tolerances between the various manufacturers. Moreover, certain of these sizers are designed for easier installation, which tends to make the engagement less permanent and prone to unwanted disassembly. Finally, the more elaborate designs present manufacturing challenges, as well as issues with both the installation and retention of the sizer on the hanger.
- There is therefore a need in the art for a crown sizer which is more easily manufactured, which can be readily installed about the post of a metal hook hanger, and which will remain securely engaged to the hanger.
- The present invention, which addresses the needs of the prior art, relates to a sizer for mounting to a post of a hanger. The sizer includes a body configured to surround at least a portion of the post. The body is formed with a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the body during installation of the body about the post. The body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the boded into a closed position following installation about the post.
- In one preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism includes cooperating interfitting structure located on a sidewall of the sizer body. In a still further preferred embodiment, the cooperating interfitting structure includes a groove disposed on a first edge of the sidewall and a rib disposed on a second edge of the sidewall, wherein the rib is configured to engage the groove when the body is locked into the closed position.
- The present invention further relates to the combination of a hanger and a sizer. The hanger includes a hanger body, a hook-receiving post extending from the hanger body, and a pair of struts connected to the hanger body and located on opposing sides of the posts. The posts and struts define at least one engagement cavity. The sizer includes a sizer body configured to surround at least a portion of the post. The sizer body is Conned with a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the sizer body during installation of the sizer body about the post. The sizer body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the sizer body into a closed position following installation about the post.
- As a result, the present invention provides a sizer which can be easily and cost effectively manufactured, which can be readily installed about the post of a metal hook hanger without requiring excessive force, and which will remain securely engaged to the hanger during usage.
-
FIG. 1 a is a top view of a crown sizer formed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 1 b is a front perspective view of the sizer ofFIG. 1 a; -
FIG. 1 c is a bottom perspective view of the sizer ofFIG. 1 a; -
FIG. 2 is a front view of a conventional hanger; -
FIG. 2 a is an enlarged detail of the post portion of the hanger ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 3 is a view showing the sizer ofFIG. 1 positioned over the hook of the hanger; -
FIG. 3 a is a view showing the sizer ofFIG. 1 being installed about the post of the hanger; -
FIG. 4 is a view showing the sizer ofFIG. 1 being loosely positioned about the post of the hanger; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative sizer formed in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the sizer ofFIG. 5 loosely positioned about the post of the hanger; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sizer ofFIG. 5 locked into the closed position about the post of the hanger; -
FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the sizer ofFIG. 5 locked into the closed position about the post of the hanger. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 a-1 c, acrown sizer 10 formed in accordance with the present invention is shown.Sizer 10 includes abody 11, and is sized and configured to mount about the post of a metal hook hanger, e.g.,post 12 ofhanger 14, as shown inFIG. 2 .Post 12 extends fromhanger body 15, and is preferably formed integrally therewith. Hanger 14 further includes ametal hook 16 having a threadedend 11 which threadingly engages the interior ofpost 12. In one preferred embodiment,hanger 14 is molded with a pair ofopposing struts 20 as best seen inFIG. 2 a. Acavity 22 is defined between each of the struts andpost 12. Of course, it is contemplated herein that the construction ofpost 12 andstruts 20 can vary in size and configuration from that shown inFIGS. 2-2 a. - Those skilled in the art will recognize that a sizer must be both 1) easily securable to the hanger, and 2) capable of remaining secured to the hanger during normal usage (i.e., the sizer should remain on the hanger in a child proof manner). As discussed above, the prior art has been unable to provide a crown sizer for a metal hook which meets both of these criteria. In contrast, the sizers of the present invention are capable of being easily mounted about the post of a metal hook hanger and of remaining secured to the hanger during normal usage.
- The sizers of the present invention fulfill these dual goals through the unique configuration of such sizers. More particularly, the sizers of the present invention, e.g.,
sizer 10, are formed with a split-wall construction which defines anopening 24 in one wall of the sizer. The split-wall construction configuration allows the sizer to be easily installed over hook 16 (seeFIG. 3 ) and to be positioned about post 20 (seeFIG. 3 a). In this regard,sidewalls 26 are capable of being spread apart aboutend wall 28 because of the split-wall configuration of such sizer. The spreading apart of the sidewalls thus allowstabs 30 located on the interior ofsidewalls 26 to pass overpost 12 andstruts 20 and engagecavities 22. Oncetabs 30 are positioned withincavities 22, the expanding force applied toside walls 26 is removed. At this point, the sizer is loosely positioned about tile post and struts (seeFIG. 4 ). - In addition, it has been discovered herein that the split-wall construction allows
tabs 30 to be configured to more closely match and to more fully engagecavities 22, which results in a more secure attachment between the sizer and the hanger. Moreover, the split-wall construction allows the wall thicknesses of the sizer to be increased for enhanced rigidity. In contrast, the prior art crown sizers which lack the novel split-wall construction of the present sizers must be forced over and into engagement with the post of the hanger. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this prior art design necessarily limits the extent to which the interior protrusions can engage the cavities formed aside the post, or any other such cavity formed on the post. It also limits the ability to increase the rigidity of the sizer. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 a-1 c,sizer 10 includes a locking mechanism, i.e., cooperating mechanical structure on opposing sides of opening 24 for locking the sizer into a closed position once properly located on the hanger. In one preferred embodiment, one edge of opening 24 includes arib 34, while the other edge of opening 24 includes agroove 36 for lockably receivingrib 34. Of course, it is contemplated herein that other cooperating structure can be used to lock the sizer into the closed position. Once closed,tabs 30 securely engagecavities 22 to lock the sizer onto the hanger. The cooperation oftabs 30 andcavities 22 prevents removal of the sizer from the hanger under normal conditions. In fact, removal of the sizer typically requires the disengagement of the cooperating mechanical structure positioned alongend wall 32. - An alternative embodiment of the present sizer is shown in
FIGS. 5-8 . In particular,sizer 100 is ring-shaped. The height H ofsizer 100 can be varied as desired. Likesizer 10,sizer 100 includes abody 101 having an opening i.e., opening 102, formed on one end to provide the sizer with a split-wall configuration.Sizer 100 further includes cooperating mechanical structure on opposing sides of opening 102 for locking the sizer into a closed position once properly located on the hanger. In one preferred embodiment, one edge of opening 102 includes arib 134, while the other edge of opening 102 includes agroove 136 forlockable receiving rib 134. Of course, it is contemplated herein that other cooperating structures can be use to lock the sizer into the closed position. It is further contemplated herein that the shape of the sizer can vary from that shown in the two embodiments illustrated herein. -
Sizer 100 is shown positioned aboutpost 112 ofhanger 114 inFIG. 6 .Tabs 130 are generally aligned withcavities 122 whensizer 100 is positioned aboutpost 112, but before the sizer is locked into the closed position. - Turning now to
FIGS. 7 and 8 ,sizer 100 is shown in the closed position, i.e., after the interfitting mechanical structure located along opening 102 has been lockingly-engaged. The locking of the sizer causestabs 130 to push into and securely engagecavities 122. Engagement oftabs 130 withcavities 122 prevents the removal ofsizer 100 fromhanger 114 under normal conditions. In fact, to removesizer 100 fromhanger 114 typically requires the disengagement of the cooperating mechanical structure. - It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred or exemplary embodiments. The preferred or exemplary embodiments described herein may be modified, changed, added to or deviated from without departing from the intent, spirit and scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such additions, modifications, amendment and/or deviations be included within the scope of the followings claims.
Claims (15)
1. A sizer for mounting to a post of a hanger, comprising:
a body configured to surround at least a portion of said post, said body having a split-wall construction to allow expansion of said body during installation of said body about said post, said body further including a locking mechanism for locking said body into a closed position following installation about said post.
2. The sizer of claim 1 , wherein said body comprises at least one sidewall containing said split-wall, said split-wall defining first and second opposing edges on said sidewall.
3. The sizer of claim 2 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises cooperating interfitting structure located along said edges of said sidewall.
4. The sizer of claim 3 , wherein said interfitting structure includes:
a groove disposed on said first edge of said sidewall; and
a rib disposed on said second edge of said sidewall, wherein said rib is configured to engage said groove when said body is locked into said closed position.
5. The sizer of claim 4 , further comprising:
at least one tab disposed on the interior of said body for securing said body to said post.
6. The sizer of claim 5 , further comprising at least two pairs of opposing tab disposed on the interior wall of said body, said tabs extending away from the interior wall and towards one another.
7. In combination:
a hanger, comprising:
a hanger body;
a hook-receiving post extending from said hanger body;
a pair of struts connected to said hanger body and located on opposing sides of said post, said posts and struts defining at least one engagement cavity;
a sizer for mounting to a post of a hanger, comprising:
a sizer body configured to surround at least a portion of a post, said sizer body having a split-wall construction to allow expansion of said sizer body during installation of said sizer body about said post, said sizer body further including a locking mechanism for locking said sizer body into a closed position following installation about said post.
8. The combination of claim 7 , wherein said sizer body comprises at least one sidewall containing said split-wall, said split-wall defining first and second opposing edges on said sidewall.
9. The combination of claim 8 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises cooperating interfitting structure located along said edges of said sidewall.
10. The combination of claim 9 , wherein said interfitting structure includes:
a groove disposed on said first edge of said sidewalk and
a rib disposed on said second edge of said sidewall, wherein said rib is configured to engage said groove when said sizer body is locked into said closed position.
11. The combination of claim 10 , further comprising:
at least one tab disposed on the interior of said sizer body for securing said body to said post.
12. The combination of claim 11 , further comprising at least two pairs of opposing tab disposed on the interior wall of said sizer body, said tabs extending away from the interior wall and towards one another.
13. The combination of claim 11 , wherein said tab is located to engage said cavity.
14. The combination or claim 13 , wherein said body includes four sidewalls defining a substantially rectangular cross-section.
15. The combination of claim 13 , wherein said sidewall is substantially continuous and defines a substantially oval cross-section.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/848,900 US20080054029A1 (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-31 | Crown sizer with locking mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US84148306P | 2006-08-31 | 2006-08-31 | |
US11/848,900 US20080054029A1 (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-31 | Crown sizer with locking mechanism |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080054029A1 true US20080054029A1 (en) | 2008-03-06 |
Family
ID=39150096
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/848,900 Abandoned US20080054029A1 (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-31 | Crown sizer with locking mechanism |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20080054029A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090120973A1 (en) * | 2007-11-08 | 2009-05-14 | The Build-Up Plastic & Metal Co., Ltd. | Crown sizer for metal hook hanger |
US20090294494A1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2009-12-03 | The Build-Up Plastic & Metal Co., Ltd. | Garment hanger including fold-over paper sizer |
US20100270338A1 (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2010-10-28 | Mario Mainetti | Crown-type sizer for a hanger |
WO2012007840A2 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2012-01-19 | Wai Shing Plastic Products Ltd. | Snap-on-twist-off tag for a hanger |
EP2514344A1 (en) * | 2011-04-21 | 2012-10-24 | Braitrim (Uk) Limited | Garment support apparatus |
US8833618B2 (en) * | 2012-04-11 | 2014-09-16 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Sizer for a hanger, a combination thereof, and a method of use |
USD866992S1 (en) * | 2018-02-07 | 2019-11-19 | Mainetti (Uk) Ltd | Size marker for a garment hanger |
USD873037S1 (en) * | 2017-09-25 | 2020-01-21 | Braiform (Hk) Ltd. | Side sizer for garment hanger |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2690863A (en) * | 1952-06-14 | 1954-10-05 | Adelman William | Garment hanger |
US4045899A (en) * | 1976-02-17 | 1977-09-06 | City Products Corporation | Indicator device for a garment hanger |
US4123864A (en) * | 1976-01-07 | 1978-11-07 | John Thomas Batts, Inc. | Tally for article displays |
US4322902A (en) * | 1979-04-16 | 1982-04-06 | F. L. Plastics Industries Pty. Ltd. | Indicators for garment hangers |
US4333590A (en) * | 1980-01-10 | 1982-06-08 | Princiotta Raymond A | Garment hanger |
US4679340A (en) * | 1985-03-08 | 1987-07-14 | Johansson Gert A | Clothing data marker |
US4881836A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1989-11-21 | Batts, Inc. | Information display means for garment hanger hooks |
US5687887A (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 1997-11-18 | Red Wing Products, Inc. | Side sizer system |
US20020095829A1 (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-07-25 | I-Wen Liu | Identification tallies for mounting on coat hangers |
US20060006204A1 (en) * | 2004-07-09 | 2006-01-12 | Mario Mainetti | Sizer for a hanger |
US20060213938A1 (en) * | 2005-03-14 | 2006-09-28 | Stanley Gouldson | Lower neck indicator for wire hook hangers |
-
2007
- 2007-08-31 US US11/848,900 patent/US20080054029A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2690863A (en) * | 1952-06-14 | 1954-10-05 | Adelman William | Garment hanger |
US4123864A (en) * | 1976-01-07 | 1978-11-07 | John Thomas Batts, Inc. | Tally for article displays |
US4045899A (en) * | 1976-02-17 | 1977-09-06 | City Products Corporation | Indicator device for a garment hanger |
US4322902A (en) * | 1979-04-16 | 1982-04-06 | F. L. Plastics Industries Pty. Ltd. | Indicators for garment hangers |
US4322902B1 (en) * | 1979-04-16 | 1996-01-02 | Spotless Plastics Pty Ltd | Indicators for garment hangers |
US4333590A (en) * | 1980-01-10 | 1982-06-08 | Princiotta Raymond A | Garment hanger |
US4679340A (en) * | 1985-03-08 | 1987-07-14 | Johansson Gert A | Clothing data marker |
US4881836A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1989-11-21 | Batts, Inc. | Information display means for garment hanger hooks |
US5687887A (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 1997-11-18 | Red Wing Products, Inc. | Side sizer system |
US20020095829A1 (en) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-07-25 | I-Wen Liu | Identification tallies for mounting on coat hangers |
US20060006204A1 (en) * | 2004-07-09 | 2006-01-12 | Mario Mainetti | Sizer for a hanger |
US20060213938A1 (en) * | 2005-03-14 | 2006-09-28 | Stanley Gouldson | Lower neck indicator for wire hook hangers |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7832602B2 (en) | 2007-11-08 | 2010-11-16 | The Build-Up Plastic & Metal Co., Ltd. | Crown sizer for metal hook hanger |
US20090120973A1 (en) * | 2007-11-08 | 2009-05-14 | The Build-Up Plastic & Metal Co., Ltd. | Crown sizer for metal hook hanger |
US20090294494A1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2009-12-03 | The Build-Up Plastic & Metal Co., Ltd. | Garment hanger including fold-over paper sizer |
US8113394B2 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2012-02-14 | The Build-Up Plastic & Metal Co., Ltd. | Garment hanger including fold-over paper sizer |
US8556138B2 (en) | 2009-04-27 | 2013-10-15 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Crown-type sizer for a hanger |
US20100270338A1 (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2010-10-28 | Mario Mainetti | Crown-type sizer for a hanger |
US8141756B2 (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2012-03-27 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Crown-type sizer for a hanger |
US9155414B2 (en) | 2009-04-27 | 2015-10-13 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Crown-type sizer for a hanger |
US8978940B2 (en) | 2009-04-27 | 2015-03-17 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Crown type sizer for a hanger |
WO2012007840A2 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2012-01-19 | Wai Shing Plastic Products Ltd. | Snap-on-twist-off tag for a hanger |
US20130200114A1 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2013-08-08 | Wai Shing Yau | Snap-On Twist-Off Tag for a Hanger |
WO2012007840A3 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2012-05-18 | Wai Shing Plastic Products Ltd. | Snap-on-twist-off tag for hanger |
US9420910B2 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2016-08-23 | Wai Shing Yau | Snap-on twist-off tag for a hanger |
EP2514344A1 (en) * | 2011-04-21 | 2012-10-24 | Braitrim (Uk) Limited | Garment support apparatus |
US8833618B2 (en) * | 2012-04-11 | 2014-09-16 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Sizer for a hanger, a combination thereof, and a method of use |
US9155413B2 (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2015-10-13 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Sizer for a hanger, a combination thereof, and a method of use |
US9706866B2 (en) | 2012-04-11 | 2017-07-18 | Mainetti S.P.A. | Sizer for a hanger, a combination thereof, and a method of use |
USD873037S1 (en) * | 2017-09-25 | 2020-01-21 | Braiform (Hk) Ltd. | Side sizer for garment hanger |
USD866992S1 (en) * | 2018-02-07 | 2019-11-19 | Mainetti (Uk) Ltd | Size marker for a garment hanger |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THE BUILD-UP PLASTIC & METAL CO., LTD., HONG KONG Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HO, LEUNG;REEL/FRAME:019799/0044 Effective date: 20070906 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |