US20090078726A1

US20090078726A1 - Garment hanger

Info

Publication number: US20090078726A1
Application number: US11/663,774
Authority: US
Inventors: Michele Boulet; Robert Barbusci
Original assignee: CORPORATION MP 8 Inc
Current assignee: CORPORATION MP 8 Inc
Priority date: 2004-09-27
Filing date: 2005-09-27
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Also published as: WO2006034579A1

Abstract

A garment hanger (1) including a main body (3) for operatively receiving a garment, a first hook (5) connected to the main body (3) for hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a first support, and a second hook (7) operatively connected to the first hook (5) for alternatively hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a second support (9). The main body (3) and the first and second hooks (5,7) are preferably contained within a same substantially vertical plane. The second hook (7) preferably includes a securing flange (11) operatively projecting from the first hook (5), the securing flange (1) being shaped so as to define a recessed portion (13) for receiving therein the second support (9). Preferably also, the second hook (7) is operable between a first configuration for allowing the garment hanger from being removed from the second support (9), and a second configuration for securing the garment hanger (1) onto the second support (9) and preventing the garment hanger (1) from being removed from the second support (9). Preferably also, the garment hanger (1) has a locking mechanism (15) for maintaining the second hook (7) in the second configuration. Preferably also, the second hook (7) is provided with a finger receiving portion (27) being shaped and sized for receiving a finger of a user of the garment hanger so as to facilitate operating of the second hook (7).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hanger. More particularly, in its preferred intended use, the present invention relates to a garment hanger which can act as a conventional hanger, and which is also devised to be secured onto a clothesline, or any other suitable corresponding rope-like support structure, such as a wired rack for example, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment hangers are very well known in the art. Indeed, a typical garment hanger usually comprises a main body devised to receive a garment to be hung thereon, and a hooking member (also referred to simply as “hook”) operatively connected to the main body for hooking the garment hanger onto a support structure, such as a pole in a closet, for example.
Clotheslines are also very well known in the art. Indeed, they generally consist of a cord, rope, or wire on which clothes may be hung to dry and/or air out by means of suitable accessories, such as clothespins for example.
Known to the Applicant are the following US patents which describe various garment hangers, and/or devices for use with the same and/or with clotheslines: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,690,614; 2,250,245; 2,494,973; 2,498,400; 2,505,306; 2,594,228; 2,762,103; 2,877,941; 2,917,212; 2,921,728; 3,008,614; 3,202,329; 3,240,462; 3,253,813; 3,524,226; 4,034,902; 4,049,163; 4,139,174; 4,310,096; 4,553,294; 4,823,444; 4,833,759; 5,075,935; 5,083,690; 5,383,588; 5,526,968; 6,041,985; 6,196,399 B1; 6,296,160 B1; 6,487,760 B1; 6,506,108 B1; 6,842,951 B1; and Re. 32,269.
Also known to the Applicant is Japanese document No. 2001-224897.
However, a substantial problem associated with these types of devices is that they are not intended to retain a garment in a very simple and efficient manner (i.e. used as a conventional garment hanger), while at the same time being capable of being securely mounted in place onto a clothesline for example, without being displaced according to the effect of winds and without leaving behind on the garments with which they cooperate any disgracial folds caused by the use of conventional accessories, such as clothespins for example.
It is also known in the art that conventional garment hangers, with or without pivoting hooks, are generally designed to be hooked onto standard poles of closets and the like, via the hooks thereof. Unfortunately, existing garment hangers are not devised to be fixed perpendicularly or suspended to clotheslines or other similar rope-like structures, outdoors, in an efficient and secured manner. Moreover, it is also known that conventional garment hangers do not have a convenient retaining device integrated thereto which would enable to accomplish the above-mentioned functions and/or advantages. Instead, a conventional garment hanger which is suspended outdoors will generally be displaced by winds or other loads/vibrations, and may eventually fall to the ground and thus damage and/or stain, soil, and the like, the garments which may be hung thereon, which is very undesirable.
Furthermore, it is also known in the art that for conventional garment hangers, which are placed onto a conventional clothesline, in a neighboring manner, the garments of such neighboring garment hangers will touch themselves because each garment hanger is not devised to preserve a fixed configuration or positioning with respect to the clothesline (preferably, in a successive and perfectly transversal manner with respect to said clothesline). Indeed, conventional hooks of garment hangers are known to rotate or slide along clotheslines, which may result in neighboring garment hangers (and the corresponding garments hung thereon) “bunching up” together in a given clothesline, which is disadvantageous for drying purposes. Thus, it is also known in the art that drying of such garments with conventional garment hangers, as a result of their traditional hooks, etc., is not done in an efficient manner.
Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved device which would be able to overcome some of the aforementioned prior art problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a garment hanger which, by virtue of its design and components, satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement over other related devices known in the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as will be easily understood from the present description, with a garment hanger such as the one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a rope-like support (e.g. clothesline) provided with the above-mentioned garment hanger.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for securing the above-mentioned garment hanger onto a rope-like support.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned garment hanger.
More particularly, the present invention provides a garment hanger comprising:
a main body for operatively receiving a garment;
a first hook connected to the main body for hooking the garment hanger onto a first support; and
a second hook operatively connected to the first hook for alternatively hooking the garment hanger onto a second support.
The second support is preferably a rope-like structure, such as a clothesline, for example.
Preferably also, the main body and the first and second hooks are contained within a same substantially vertical plane.
Preferably also, the second hook operatively projects from the first hook. More particularly, the second hook preferably includes a securing flange operatively projecting from the first hook, the securing flange being shaped so as to define a recessed portion for receiving therein the second support.
Preferably also, the second hook is made of a resilient material, and is operable between a first configuration for allowing the garment hanger from being removed from the second support, and a second configuration for securing the garment hanger onto the second support and preventing the garment hanger from being removed from said second support.
Preferably also, the garment hanger comprises a locking mechanism for maintaining the second hook of the garment hanger in the second configuration.
Preferably also, the locking mechanism comprises first and second components being provided on the second hook and main body respectively, the first component being securable against the second component for maintaining the second hook in the second configuration.
Preferably also, the second hook comprises a finger receiving portion being shaped and sized for receiving a finger of a user of the garment hanger so as to facilitate operating of the second hook, and said finger receiving portion is preferably provided with ribs.
Preferably, the garment hanger and the different components thereof are made of a single material and of a single piece.
Preferably also, the garment hanger, and more particularly the main body thereof, may comprise some of the following components: an integrated handle, a pair of shoulder sections, a transversal bar, at least one suspension accessory for suspending a given article from said at least one suspension accessory, and/or anti-skidding components.
The objects, advantages, and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a garment hanger according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of section A illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the garment hanger shown in FIG. 1, said garment hanger being now shown provided with three suspension accessories, one of said accessories being shown in an operating configuration and the other two suspension accessories being shown in a transportation configuration.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of what is shown in FIG. 5, the first suspension accessory being shown to be slidably moveable along a transversal bar of the hanger via a dotted representation thereof.

FIG. 7 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a suspension accessory such as the ones illustrated in FIG. 6, said suspension accessory being shown prior to mounting onto the hanger.

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of what is shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of a garment hanger according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the garment hanger being shown with a second hook provided with a finger receiving portion and corresponding locking mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a side view of what is shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top view of what is shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view of a portion of the garment hanger shown in FIG. 12, the second hook of the garment hanger being shown in the first configuration (“opened configuration”).

FIG. 16 is yet another partial enlarged view of a portion of the garment hanger shown in FIG. 12, the second hook of the garment hanger being now shown in an intermediate configuration.

FIG. 17 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 16, the second hook of the garment hanger being now shown in the second configuration (“retaining” or “secured” configuration).

FIG. 18 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 15, the second hook of the garment hanger being shown in the opened configuration.

FIG. 19 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 18, the garment hanger being now shown cooperating with a cross-sectional view of an adjacent clothesline.

FIG. 20 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 19, the garment hanger being now shown further cooperating with the clothesline, the latter being introduced into the recessed portion of the second hook of the hanger.

FIG. 21 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 20, the second hook being now shown in an intermediate configuration.

FIG. 22 is another view of what is shown in FIG. 21, the second hook being now shown in a securing configuration and clamping the clothesline securely.

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments and dimensions (expressed in inches) shown in the figures are preferred, for exemplification purposes only.
Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for use with garments and/or clotheslines, it may be used with other objects and/or other hanging supports, such as wired racks for example, and the like, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as “garment”, “clothesline”, etc., used herein should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and include all other kinds of objects and/or applications with which the present invention could be used and may be useful. As will also be easily understood, the cross-sectional area of the rope-like support 9 (“clothesline”) according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to a circular configuration, and may take on other suitable geometrical configurations, such as square, rectangular, triangular, etc., and the like, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Consequently, the second hook 7 and corresponding portions of the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may also take on other suitable geometrical configurations other than the ones briefly described herein, so as to be complementary to the support 9 onto which the second hook 7 of the garment hanger 1 is to be hooked on, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions “device” and “hanger”, as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may be used interchangeably. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as “rope”, “support”, “rack” and “clothesline” for example, as well as “second hook”, “clip”, “securing means”, “retaining means”, “locking means” and “security means”, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprise various components such as accessories, etc., and although the preferred embodiments of the garment hanger 1 and corresponding parts as shown consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the garment hanger 1 and corresponding parts according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Broadly described, the hanger 1 according to the present invention, is a hanger 1 adapted to be secured onto a support rope, or any other suitable rope-like structure (e.g. clothesline 9), as will be easily understood from the present description by a person skilled in the art. Indeed, the present invention relates to a garment hanger 1 which can act as a conventional hanger, and which is also devised to be secured onto a clothesline 9, or any other suitable rope-like structure, such as a wired rack for example, and the like.

LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES AND CORRESPONDING PREFERRED COMPONENTS ILLUSTRATED

- 1. garment hanger
- 3. main body
- 5. main or “first” hook
- 7. complementary or “second” hook
- 9. second support (e.g. clothesline)
- 11. securing flange (of the second hook 7)
- 13. recessed portion (of the second hook 7)
- 15. locking mechanism
- 17. first component (of the locking mechanism 15)
- 19. second component (of the locking mechanism 15)
- 21. abutment portion
- 23. stopper
- 25. contact surface(s)
- 27. finger receiving portion
- 29. rib(s) (of finger receiving portion 27)
- 31. handle
- 33. shoulder section(s)
- 35. transversal bar
  - 35 a. main transversal bar for main garment suspension
  - 35 b. secondary transversal bar for smaller garment suspension
- 37. suspension accessory
- 39. anti-skidding component(s)
  - 39 a. anti-skidding rib(s)
  - 39 b. anti-skidding material(s) for receiving and increasing retaining of garment(s) (e.g. pant(s), skirt(s), etc.)
- 41. rest area for non-operating finger(s)
- 43. suspension arm(s) (e.g. for suspender(s), dress(es), etc.)
- 45. transition portion (of the second hook 7)

Indeed, in its preferred intended use, the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention, as exemplified in the accompanying drawings, is a garment hanger 1 which comprises a main body 3 devised to receive garment(s) or garment accessory(ies) (not shown) to be hung thereon, and a hooking member for hooking the garment hanger. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the main body 3 or structure may be provided with different suitable components and/or accessories for carrying out different purposes, that is, for receiving different items.
The hooking member preferably comprises a first or “main” hook 5 for hooking the garment hanger 1 onto a first support (not shown), such as a pole or a rack of a closet for example, as is possible with conventional garment hangers. The garment hanger 1 according to the present invention preferably further comprises a complementary or “second” hook 7 (similar to a “clip mechanism”), preferably in the form of a securing flange 11, which is positioned, shaped and sized onto the garment hanger 1, and preferably the main hook portion thereof, so as to be appropriately clamped onto another or “second” support 9, such as a clothesline for example, so as to be able to securely mount the garment hanger 1 onto said second support 9. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing flange 11 is positioned in a bottom portion of the main hook portion, and preferably within the same plane of the hanger 1, as evidenced by FIGS. 2 and 3, so that the hanger 1 may be easily stacked for advantageously facilitating shipping, storing and the like.
It is to be understood that although the second hook 7 (i.e. securing flange 11) is positioned in a bottom section of the main hook 5 of the garment hanger 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said second hook 7, or any other suitable securing means devised for allowing the hanger 1 to be secured onto a clothesline for example, may be suitably positioned and secured elsewhere on another component of the garment hanger 1 in order to enable the same to be properly secured and be hanged onto a second support 9, such as a clothesline for example, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of the second hook 7 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the second hook 7 is shaped, positioned and sized so as to be appropriately secured onto a rope-like structure, such as a clothesline for example, as aforementioned, and preferably, having a diameter comparable to those most available in the market, namely of about 0.145 inches to about 0.220 inches. Preferably also, each hanger volume comprises about 4.523 cubic inches, and each clip volume preferably comprises about 0.330 cubic inches. As previously mentioned, the cross-sectional shape of the rope-like support 9 need not be necessarily circular according to the present invention, and may take on various other shapes and/or dimensions, as well as the corresponding different components of the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art. Consequently, the shape of the second hook 7 (and/or of the securing flange 11 thereof need not be necessarily circular either, and may take on various other shapes and/or dimensions, complementary to that of the second support 9 onto which the second hook 7 is to be hooked on, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Furthermore, as can be easily understood from the present invention, the garment hanger 1 and the various components thereof, namely the main hook 5 and the second hook 7 operatively secured thereto (either directly or via the main body 3), are preferably made of a suitable material, such as a polymer material, and the like, enabling the garment hanger 1 to be produced according to a suitable manufacturing process, such as injection molding for example, which enables the garment hanger 1 to be produced in a cost effective manner, which is also very advantageous.
Several modifications could be made to the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention. Indeed, for example, the main hook 5 may comprise a support rod operatively connected to the main body 3 of the garment hanger 1, via a suitable socket, the support rod being preferably rotatable with respect to said body 3 so that a garment hung onto the body 3 may be positioned in parallel, transversely, or at an angle, with respect to a support onto which the garment hanger 1 may be secured.
Moreover, the portion below the main hook portion or body 3 of the garment hanger 1 may be shaped and sized for receiving corresponding means or providing publicity, whether of the garment hanger manufacturer, or of another company, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art. The means for supporting the above-mentioned publicity may be affixed onto the main body 3 in a suitable manner, and with suitable fastening means, which are preferably devised to be removably connected, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art. Moreover, the shoulder sections 33 of the garment hanger 1 may comprise adjustable portions which extend therealong the corresponding slanted portions of the shoulder sections 33 in order to accommodate different formats and sizes of garments. Furthermore, the main hook 5 of the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may be provided with suitable retaining means so that once hooked onto a conventional pole, such as that of a closet and the like, an operator must trigger the retaining means into an opened configuration, so as to enable the garment hanger 1, and more particularly the main hook 5 thereof, to be removed from said pole.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning, as better exemplified in FIGS. 12-24, that the garment hanger 1 and the second hook 7 thereof, namely the securing flange 11, may be altered so as to provide the garment hanger 1 with increased clamping, securing, retaining and/or security capabilities, as well as an improved ergonomic use thereof by the fingers of a user of the garment hanger 1. Indeed, as better shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, and as can be easily understood when referring to FIGS. 12-22, the second hook 7 (and/or the securing flange 11 thereof) of the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may preferably further comprise a finger receiving portion 27 for receiving at least one finger of a user of the garment hanger 1, as well as a corresponding abutment portion 21 destined to cooperate with a corresponding stopper 23 provided preferably along a neighboring segment of the main body 3 of the garment hanger 1 so that once in a securing configuration, as better shown in FIGS. 17, 22 and 23, the clothesline 9 positioned between the corresponding recessed portion 13 of the flange 11, and as a result of the corresponding shape of the flange 11 and the corresponding resilient properties thereof, may be further clamped and secured between the flange 11 and the corresponding adjacent portion of the main hook 5.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the garment hanger 1 and corresponding second hook 7 (i.e. securing flange 11) are preferably used in the following manner: on a given indoor or outdoor clothesline 9 for example, the garment to be dried or treated is preferably installed onto the garment hanger 1. Subsequently, by using preferably a single hand, a user may hang the garment hanger 1 onto the clothesline 9 by means of the securing flange 11. One simply has to insert the clothesline 9 perpendicularly in the corresponding opening of the small transition portion 45 of the second hook 7 provided to that effect and positioning the clothesline 9 at the end of said recessed portion 13, as better shown in FIG. 20, and as can be easily understood when referring and contrasting FIGS. 19 and 20. Then, by means of a single hand preferably, one may secure it if need may be with the security locking mechanism 15 which prevents the garment hanger 1 and corresponding second hook 7 from being removed from the clothesline 9 under the influence of great wind conditions or similar abrupt and oscillating/jerky movements. Indeed, one simply has to push the security feature (i.e. finger receiving portion 27 or abutment portion 21) towards the stopper 23 provided preferably on an adjacent segment of the main body 3 of the garment hanger 1 and properly position these two components, that is the abutment portion 21 versus the stopper 23, one towards the other, for locking thereinbetween due to the resilient nature of the flange 11, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
In order to disengage the above-mentioned security means, one simply has to push the security/locking component onto its side or rearwardly and the memory effect of the second hook 7 will bring back the securing flange 11 to its original disengaged or opened configuration from the start, as better illustrated in FIGS. 15, 18 and 24.
One may then remove the garment hanger 1 from the clothesline 9 by raising it from the top via a suitable portion of the garment hanger 1 and by sliding the clothesline 9 thereout in order to have the transition portion 45 of the second hook 7 removed from said clothesline 9. A user may then conveniently install the garment hanger 1 onto a standard pole such as the ones known in the art by hooking the garment hanger 1 thereon via its main hook 5 in a well-known manner.
Several components, features and advantages are associated to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-24, as briefly described hereinbelow. For example, and as explained earlier, the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention preferably comprises a main support portion or body 3, a main or “first” hook 5 operatively connected thereto, as well as a complementary or “second” hook 7 preferably made integral to the garment hanger 1 and positioned within a same vertical plane, shaped and sized to preferably cooperate in a perpendicular manner with a clothesline 9 or any other corresponding rope-like support, said retaining device being further provided with a security device preventing the second hook 7 from letting go of said clothesline 9 once in the clamped or closed configuration, as can be easily understood when referring to FIGS. 17 and 22.
The garment hanger 1 and corresponding components thereof, namely the above-mentioned securing second hook 7, are preferably made of a suitable material, whether rigid or flexible, but with sufficient resilient properties in order to carry out the above-mentioned functions, as exemplified in the accompanying drawings. Moreover, the retaining system is preferably devised to preferably cooperate in a perpendicular manner onto a fixed or free-moving rope, thread, tube, rod, pole or any rope-like structure, such as a clothesline 9 or the like, irrespectively of the diameter and shape thereof, and furthermore, the security locking mechanism 15 for preventing the second hook 7 from letting go of its clamping configuration is preferably devised to do so even under the influence of winds, physical forces or unwanted situations which could result in the garment hanger 1 and corresponding second hook 7 from being otherwise removed from the clothesline 9.
As can be easily understood, several other modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments. For example, the different components thereof may be made of and/or include suitable materials/components 39, such as anti-skidding ribs 39 a or anti-skidding materials 39 b, which are suitably connected to the components of the garment hanger 1, whether glued, injected, co-injected, clipped, snapped, screwed onto, riveted, or operatively connected thereto by any other suitable fixing means on the shoulder sections 33, retaining locking mechanism 15, transversal bar(s) 35 a,35 b, or any suitable other location on the garment hanger 1.
Furthermore, as better shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the finger receiving portion 27 of the second hook 7 is preferably provided with corresponding ribs 29 or knurled portions facilitating a better grip and operation of the finger receiving portion 27 by a finger of a user of the garment hanger 1 and corresponding second hook 7, and furthermore, it is to be also understood by a person skilled in the art that other suitable means may be used for ensuring that the second hook 7 is maintained in a clamped configuration such as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 17, 22 and 23. Indeed, instead of having an abutment portion 21 cooperating with a corresponding stopper 23 provided along an adjacent portion of the main body 3, one may replace either one of the abutment portion 21 and/or stopper 23, by a corresponding orifice, such that the other non-replaced portion could consist of a pin to be removably insertable into said orifice, so as to maintain the clip or securing flange 11 in a constant and fixed clamped configuration, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
As may now be better appreciated, the embodiments described hereinabove and in the accompanying drawings provide several advantages. For example, the garment hanger 1 with corresponding second hook 7 according to the present invention may be hooked and secured perpendicularly to clotheslines 9 thanks to its integrative innovative securing/security means which are preferably made integral to the garment hanger 1, and thus consist of a single and same piece. Furthermore, by virtue of its clamping and securing capabilities, the garment hanger 1 is ensured to be maintained perfectly perpendicular to a given clothesline 9 thereby preventing it from undertaking angles and movements which are not desirable so as to ensure that the garments of neighboring garment hangers 1 do not touch other and dry in a more rapid/efficient manner. Furthermore, by virtue of its second hook 7, and corresponding locking mechanism 15 as exemplified in the accompanying drawings, these features prevent the garment hanger 1 from traveling or sliding along a given clothesline 9, which is also very advantageous. Furthermore, it has been tested that the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention, when properly hooked/secured can sustain violent winds of up to about 60 km/h or even violent shakings of the clotheslines 9.
It has also been established that when the garment is perpendicular to the clothesline, the corresponding systems of the present garment hanger 1 enable to position up to about 6 times more clothing in a given space than that what is possible with conventional hanging methods such as clothespins and the like.
Furthermore, the present invention is also advantageous in that its various systems may be used and operated by using a single hand contrary to what is possible with conventional devices known in the art, such as known clothespins, because in these latter cases, one must hold the garment to be hung with the other hand.
Preferably also, the components of the hooking portions, including the first and second hooks 5,7 thereof, are preferably made of a suitable polymeric material, such as plastic for example, so as to sustain the entire weight of the garment hanger 1 and possible garment(s) hung thereon. Preferably also, the main body 3 of the garment hanger, and the covering of the hooks 5,7, are made of a similar suitable material, such as a polymer, or composite material, and the like, as apparent to a person skilled in the art, so as to properly sustain the weight of possible garment(s) hung thereon. It is worth mentioning though that the hooks 5,7 and main body 3 of the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may be made of other suitable materials depending on the applications for which the garment hanger 1 is intended, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example, if the garment hanger 1 is intended to be used in very humid environment, then its parts are preferably made of materials which would be corrosion resistant, so as to prevent adverse interaction, such as stains for example, with the garments used therewith.
Preferably also, the components (e.g. the securing flange 11 of the second hook 7) of the garment hanger 1 are preferably devised so as to have a sufficient amount of resiliency in order to adapt themselves and suitably clamp thereinbetween different diameters and types of clotheslines 9 sold in the market, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
As aforementioned, the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may act as a conventional garment hanger and preferably has a securing flange 11 operatively connected to the main hook 5 (either directly or indirectly via the main body 3), said flange 11 being devised so as to carry out a clamping of a second support 9, such as a clothesline for example, and maintain the garment hanger 1 onto which the mechanism is integrated securely mounted onto said second support 9. As can be easily understood from the present description, the garment hanger 1 may be used with other hanging devices intended to be used with clotheslines and/or conventional closets.
According to the present invention, the garment hanger 1 and corresponding parts may be shaped and sized so as to accommodate different formats of garments, ranging from junior size to senior size, and may be provided with additional components and features depending on the applications for which the garment hanger 1 is intended, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example, the main body 3 of the garment hanger 1 may be provided with wider support areas for heavier coats and garments, or may be provided with elastometer fixtures so as to prevent skidding of the garment with respect to the body 3, as well as with suitable bands, and the like. Moreover, the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may be provided with suitable means devised to receive other accessories 37, such as those intended to hang and/or dry several pairs of socks, pants, skirts, and the like. Thus, it could be easily understood that several components and features may be modified or added to the main body 3 and corresponding hooking members of the garment hanger 1 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Indeed, for example, instead of having a securing flange 11 which projects within the same plane from the garment hanger 1, said securing flange 11 may be positioned elsewhere along said hanger 1 or may simply consists of a bend along a component of said hanger 1, such as the main hook 5, for allowing the main hook 5 to not only be hooked onto a conventional first support, such as a conventional pole, but allow said hook 5,7 with its corresponding groove to be secured and/or clamped onto a clothesline 9 for example (second support). Indeed, an important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the garment hanger 1 may not only be used as a conventional garment hanger, but comprises additional clamping or securing means, which may come in various forms, as apparent to a person skilled in the art, for securely mounting the garment hanger 1 onto another second support 9, such as a clothesline for example, in the manner described herein. For example, the width of the securing flange 11 of the second hook 7 could be made larger and/or the inner portion thereof could be provided with appropriately sized spikes to further increase securing of the second hook 7 (and thus of the garment hanger 1) onto the second support (e.g. clothesline).
It can be easily understood that according to the present invention, one may easily increase the amount of garments which can be dried at the same time on a clothesline. Indeed, the garments, while remaining on their corresponding hanger 1, may be secured properly, with respect to a clothesline 9, and thus dried, without the creation of folds resulting from accessories such as clothespins for example, which are not required with the present invention. Upon suitable drying and/or airing of the garments, the garment hanger 1 may be returned for storing in a conventional closet for example, using the main hook 5 of the hanger 1.
As may now be appreciated, the present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by virtue of its design and components, the garment hanger 1 enables to easily multiply the amount of garments which may be dried at the same time on a given clothesline 9, as aforementioned. Indeed, the present garment hanger 1 occupies a minimal space, and is devised to be positioned transversely with respect to the clothesline 9.
Moreover, the present invention is also advantageous with respect to the prior art in that the garment hanger 1 is intended to be hooked onto two different support structures, such as a conventional closet and a clothesline 9 for example. Moreover, by virtue of its design and components, the garment hanger 1 is also advantageous in that it prevents the formation of wrinkles on the clothes when mounted onto a clothesline 9 because there is no longer the need for the use of clothespins. Moreover, the present invention is also a substantial improvement over the prior art in that it provides substantial advantages without any substantial increase in manufacturing costs. Indeed, the second hook 7 (e.g. securing flange 11) and corresponding parts of the garment hanger 1 may be easily integrated into the main hook 5 for example, by very simple means and manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the present invention is also advantageous in that, as may now be better appreciated, the use of the present garment hanger 1 reduces the need for ironing, tumble-drying, and/or dry-cleaning, thereby substantially reducing consumption of energy and the production of waste, which is very beneficial from an environmental point of view, as well as from an economic point of view. Moreover, the use of the present garment hanger 1 may incite the users thereof to become more environmentally conscientious.
Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A garment hanger (1) comprising:

a main body (3) for operatively receiving a garment;

a first hook (5) connected to the main body (3) for hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a first support; and

a second hook (7) operatively connected to the first hook (5) for alternatively hooking the garment hanger (1) onto a second support (9).

2. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (3) and the first and second hooks (5,7) are contained within a same substantially vertical plane.

3. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second hook (7) operatively projects from the first hook (5).

4. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second hook (7) includes a securing flange (11) operatively projecting from the first hook (5), the securing flange (11) being shaped so as to define a recessed portion (13) for receiving therein the second support (9).

5. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 4, wherein the recessed portion (13) has a diameter ranging between about 0.145 inches and about 0.220 inches.

6. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second hook (7) is made of a resilient material.

7. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second hook (7) is operable between a first configuration for allowing the garment hanger (1) from being removed from the second support (9), and a second configuration for securing the garment hanger (1) onto the second support (9) and preventing the garment hanger (1) from being removed from said second support (9).

8. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 7, wherein the garment hanger (1) comprises a locking mechanism (15) for maintaining the second hook (7) in the second configuration.

9. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism (15) comprises first and second components (17,19) being provided on the second hook (7) and main body (3) respectively, the first component (17) being securable against the second component (19) for maintaining the second hook (7) in the second configuration.

10. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first component (17) includes an abutment portion (21) provided on an extremity of the second hook (7) and wherein the second component (19) comprises a stopper (23) provided on the main body (3) on a segment adjacent to said second hook (7), the second hook (7) being configured for selectively positioning and securing the abutment portion (21) thereof against the stopper (23) on the main body (3) so as to maintain the second hook (7) in the second configuration.

11. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 10, wherein the abutment portion (21) and the stopper (23) have complementary contact surfaces (25).

12. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 11, wherein the complementary contact surfaces (25) are slanted.

13. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second hook (7) comprises a finger receiving portion (27) being shaped and sized for receiving a finger of a user of the garment hanger (1) so as to facilitate operating of the second hook (7).

14. A garment hanger (1) according to claim 12, wherein the finger receiving portion (27) is provided with ribs (29).

15. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the main body (3) comprises an integrated handle (31).

16. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the main body (3) comprises a pair of shoulder sections (33).

17. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the main body (3) comprises a transversal bar (35).

18. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the garment hanger (1) is made of a single material and of a single piece.

19. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the main body (3) is provided with at least one suspension accessory (37) for suspending a given article from said at least one suspension accessory (37).

20. A garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the main body (3) is provided with anti-skidding components (39).