US20120168396A1

US20120168396A1 - Accessory for a hanger

Info

Publication number: US20120168396A1
Application number: US13/496,197
Authority: US
Inventors: Gail Davies
Original assignee: Cullens Patent and Trademark Attorneys
Current assignee: Cullens Patent and Trademark Attorneys
Priority date: 2009-09-14
Filing date: 2010-09-13
Publication date: 2012-07-05
Also published as: WO2011029156A1

Abstract

The invention provides an accessory for a hanger which allows the hanger to be adapted to include a number of hook formations which can be used to suspend pieces of clothing such as ties, belts, undergarments or the like.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein generally relates to a supporting device and more particularly is concerned with an accessory for a hanger although the scope of the invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

BACKGROUND ART

One way of storing a piece of clothing is to hang the piece of clothing on a hanger in a closet. However, traditional hanger designs normally typically allow for pieces of clothing such as jackets, shirts and trousers to be easily hung from the hanger. However, such designs can make it difficult for other pieces of clothing such as ties, skirts and undergarments such as brassieres to be stored in the closet with the hanger. Typically, these types of garments cannot be securely suspended from the hanger and can quite easily fall off the hanger. This can be most undesirable.
Consequently, hanger designs have been changed to provide features which allow, for example undergarments, to be suspended from the hanger. Such improvements are typically only incorporated into new hangers so that the difficulty of suspending pieces of clothing such as undergarments from existing hangers largely remains.
It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a supporting device, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
In a broad form of the invention, there is provided an accessory for a hanger which includes a support structure; the accessory including a body and at least one hook formation which extends from the body; and wherein the body can be engaged with the support structure of the hanger so that the at least one hook formation is suspended from the hanger.
A typical hanger has a support structure which includes a hook member and a triangular shape structure which has two angled portions and a lower or bottom portion which extends between the two angled portions. Pieces of clothing such as jackets and shirts are normally draped over the angled portions and pieces of clothing such as trousers folded over the bottom portion.
The accessory according to invention can be engaged with the bottom portion or with the angled portions if required. The accessory is furthermore detachable from the hanger so that the accessory can be used temporarily on other hangers when a user of the accessory goes, for example, on holidays or business trips. The accessory according to invention can be relatively easily engaged with the hanger and has a simple construction so that the accessory does not have too many parts which can break or get lost.
In other forms of hangers, the support structure typically consists of only the bottom portion which extends below the hook member. The accessory according to invention can equally be used on any other suitable type of hanger apart from the traditional triangular shaped hanger and the example used of a triangular shaped hanger in the specification should not be seen as limiting.
In one form of the invention, the body of the accessory may be formed with a first section and a second section and wherein the body is engaged with the support structure by folding the body over a portion of the support structure so that the first and second section are positioned alongside each other.
In a different form of the invention, the body may be in the form of a frame which includes a first side member and an opposed second side member, and a first end member and an opposed second end member; the first and second side members and the first and second end members are engaged with each other to form the frame, and wherein the frame is engaged with the support structure by bending the first and second side members over at least a portion of the support structure.
In an example of the invention, the frame is dimensioned so that the first and second side members each have a predetermined length so that, once the accessory is engaged with the support structure, the respective first and second side members making up the first and second sections have respective lengths which reduce the likelihood of the accessory been displaced from engagement with the support structure while a piece of clothing is being detached from the accessory so that the piece of clothing is no longer suspended from the support structure by the accessory. Furthermore, the respective lengths of the first and second sections may be such so that the at least one hook formation is positioned relative to an adjacent hanger so that the likelihood of the at least one hook formation getting entangled with the adjacent hanger is reduced.
In an example of the invention, the first and second end members extend between the first and second side members. The first and second end members may be bendable at any suitable location along a respective length of the first and second end members thereby allowing the frame to be engaged with the support structure. In one form of the invention each of the first and second side members are bent at a position so that each of the first and second end members occupy a different horizontal plane relative to each other. In other words, the first and second side members are preferably bent such that the portion of the accessory on one lateral side of the hanger is shorter than the portion of the accessory on the other lateral side of the hanger.
In a further form of the invention the at least one hook formation includes a shaft which extends from the body or frame and at least a first hook member which extends from a free end of the shaft. In a different form of the invention, the at least one hook formation further includes at least one second hook member which extends from the free end of the shaft in a direction which is different to a direction in which the first hook member extends. For example, the least one second hook member may extend in a direction which is substantially opposite to the first hook member thereby forming a double hook or hook formation in which multiple hook members are provided radially about the shaft.
In one embodiment of the invention the accessory includes at least two hook formations so that once the body is engaged with the support structure, hook formations on different lateral sides of the hanger are positioned at different horizontal planes relatively to each other. Alternatively, once the body is engaged with the support structure, one hook formation of the at least two hook formations is positioned on one side of the support structure and the other hook formation of the at least two hook formations is positioned on an opposite side of the support structure.
In an example of the invention, the first section of the body contains a number of hook formations which are greater than the number of hook formations on the second section of the body. In use, the hook formations of the first section may be positioned closer to the hanger than the hook formations of the second section once the body is engaged with the support structure.
The hook formations may be manufactured from any suitable material so that the hook formations are imparted with sufficient rigidity to allow one or more pieces of clothing to be suspended through the accessory from the hanger. For example, materials such as a settable plastic or a metal or a composite metal may be used in the manufacture of the hook formations.
One or more portions of the body may be flexible or malleable. The body may be partially rigid or parts of the body may be rigid. In particular, the hook formations may be substantially rigid and the remainder of the accessory may be flexible, or rigid. The entire accessory may be rigid. The accessory may be pre-folded in order to have a curved portion to engage the hanger to locate the accessory.
Typically, the accessory will be available in two configurations, a substantially rigid configuration for more permanent use and a “travel” configuration in which either the hook formations are rigid and the remainder is flexible or the accessory may be modular to allow assembly for use and disassembly for travel.
Any suitable technique can be used to suspend the body from the hanger. In one example the body can incorporate one or more retaining formations which allow the body to be engaged and thereby being suspended from the hanger. Alternatively, when the body is folded over the support structure, the body may include one or more joints which allow the body to be folded over part of the support structure. The one or more joints may be formed using any suitable technique such as by reducing the thickness of the material forming the one or more joints relative to the remainder of the body so that when sections of the body on either side of the one or more joints are pivoted towards each other about the one or more joints, the body is likely to fold on the one or more joints due to the reduced thickness of the material.
In the example of the invention when the accessory is folded over the bottom portion of the hanger, the one or more retaining formations is such that the accessory is engaged with the support structure in a way that reduces the amount of transverse movement which the accessory may have relative to the hanger. In other words, the accessory should be tightly folded over the bottom portion so that the accessory is almost clamped onto the bottom portion. The at least one retaining formation, when viewed from a side, should have a profile which is rounded as opposed to squared or angled.
In another example, the one or more joints can be manufactured from a pliable material such as a suitable plastics material. The first and second sections of the body are then secured to each other through the one or more joints thereby allowing the first and second sections to be manufactured from a more rigid material such as a metal if required. Any suitable technique can be used to attach the first and second sections to the one or more joints if these components are manufactured from different materials, for example, by using rivets, bolts gluing, suitable fasteners such as nuts and bolts, or the like.
The body may be flexible and provided with rigid or semi-rigid hook formations. The hook formations may be weighted to assist with location of the assembly on the hanger. The body may be manufactured from any suitable material including a fabric and the at least one hook formation may be manufactured from a more rigid material such as a plastic or a metal.
The body may be substantially planar when in an unfolded position thereby allowing one or more accessories to be stacked on to each other relatively easily. The planar configuration of the accessory when unfolded also allows the accessory to have a reduced height when viewed in elevation from a side of the accessory.
The material used in the manufacture of the accessory may be treated using any suitable technique to reduce the likelihood of the material used in the manufacture of accessory from damaging a garment which is suspended from the accessory, for example by staining it when the accessory is rusted. In one example, the accessory may be covered entirely or partly, for example only the at least one hook formation, with a suitable plastics material.
In another form of the invention, the body is engaged with the support structure by suspending the accessory from the support structure using one or more hooks.
Any of the hook formations may be rotatably associated with the accessory.
Attachment portions may be provided on the accessory such that when the accessory is located relative to the hanger, the attachment portions prevent accidental removal or dislodgement. The attachment portions are preferably provided on portions of the accessory which will be adjacent one another when the accessory is folded.
Any of the features of the invention disclosed herein may be claimed in any combination with any of the other features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an accessory according to the invention in an inoperative, unfolded configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the accessory in an operative, folded configuration and being engaged with a support structure of a hanger.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a variation of an accessory according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an accessory according to a further alternative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an accessory according to still a further alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an accessory according to yet a further alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, an accessory for a hanger is provided.
FIG. 1 of the accompanying representations illustrates an accessory 10 according to the invention which includes a body or frame 12 and a plurality of hook formations 14 each of which extends from the frame. Each hook formation includes a shaft 16 which extends from the frame and at least one hook member 18 which extends from a free end 20 of the shaft. Some hook formations 14A include two hook members one of which extends in a first direction 24 and the other extending in a second, opposite direction 26. Consequently, when the hook formation 14A is viewed along the length of the shaft 16 the hook formations 18 occupy substantially the same plane as that of the shaft.
The frame 12 includes a first side member 26 and an opposed, second side member 28, a first end member 30 and an opposed, second end member 32. The first and second side members and first and second end members are engaged with each other to form the frame. Each of the first and second side members includes a joint 34 which allows the frame to be folded about a fold line 36 so that the frame includes a first section 38 and a second section 40.
The joint 34 of each of the first and second side members 26 and 28 is manufactured from any suitable material which allows the first and second sections 38 and 42 to be movable relative to each other about the fold line 36. Typically a plastics material may be used which allows the first and second side members to be bent a number of times at the respective joints 34 without breaking. In order to simplify manufacture of the accessory 10 the remainder of the frame (i.e. the first and second sections 38 and 40 including each of the hook formations 18) can be manufactured from the same material as used in the joints 34. It should however be noted that this example is merely used for illustrative purposes and should not be seen as limiting since the remainder of the frame can be manufactured from a different material such as a metal and which is thereafter joined, that is the first and second sections, to each other through the joint 34 using any suitable technique such as gluing, rivets, nuts and bolts or the like.
In FIG. 1 the accessory 10 is shown in an inoperative or un-folded configuration 44 and in FIG. 2 the accessory shown in an operative or folded position 46.
In FIG. 2 the accessory 10 is shown ready for use and has been engaged with a bottom or lower portion 48 of a support structure 50 forming a hanger 52. Reconfiguring the frame 12 into the folded configuration 46 forms a retaining formation 54 at each joint 34 with which the accessory can be engaged with the hanger. In this way the first section 38 is suspended on one side from the hanger and the second section 40 is suspended on an opposite side of the hanger. Additionally, the fold line 36 is suitably chosen so that the hook formations 14 of the first section are offset with the hook formations of the second section 40. In other words, the first end member 30 substantially occupy a first horizontal plane 56 which is lower than a second horizontal plane 58 which is substantially occupied by the second end member 32. The offset of the hooks 14 of the first and second sections 38 and 40 reduces the likelihood of the hooks getting entangled or caught up with each other.
Each retaining formation 54 also has an inner width 60 which is large enough to allow the accessory to be fitted to hangers 52 which have portions 48 of different sizes.
In the unfolded configuration 44 the accessory 10 is substantially planar when viewed from a side. This allows the accessory when in this configuration to be stored relatively flat thereby allow the accessory to be more easily stored without requiring a large volume to do so. Additionally, the planar structure of the accessory in the unfolded configuration allows a plurality of accessories to be stored more easily on top of each other and reducing the space required to store a number of accessories. The first and second sections 38 and 40 are suitably dimensioned so that the hook members 18 are positioned a predetermined distance from the hanger to which the accessory 10 is engaged so that the likelihood is reduced of the hook members from getting entangled with an adjacent hanger when a piece of clothing suspended from the accessory is removed. Typically the hook members 18 are lower than a cross member of the hanger. Additionally, the first and second sections 38 and 40 will also have a length so that the likelihood is reduced of the accessory disengaging from the hanger when clothing suspended from the accessory is removed.
A variation 10A of accessory according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3. Like reference numerals are used to designate like components of accessories 10 and 10A, unless where otherwise indicated. The hook members 18 which are carried in accessory 10 by the first and second side members 26 adjacent the first end member 30, are replaced with hooks 64 with which the accessory 10A can be suspended from hanger. The hooks 64 are screwed into the respective free ends 20. In this way the accessory 10A is engaged in the unfolded configuration 44 to the hanger so that clothing can be suspended from the accessory from the hook members 18 extending from the second end member 32. This will allow the accessory 10A to be suspended, for example, from a hanger which allows clothing to be suspended from a door.
The invention provides an accessory which can be engaged with the hanger so that the hanger is adapted to include a number of hook formations with which piece of clothing such as ties, belts, or undergarments such as braziers can be suspended from the hanger. The accessory can also be suspended from hangers having supporting structures of different sizes, for example thin hangers made from plastic and thicker hangers made from wood.
In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An accessory for a hanger which includes a support structure; the accessory including a body and at least one hook formation which extends from the body; wherein the body is configured as a frame including a first side member and an opposed second side member, and a first end member and an opposed second end member and wherein the first and second side members are at least partially arcuate to extend over at least a portion of the support structure so that the frame is engaged with the support structure and such that the at least one hook formation is suspended from the hanger.

2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of the accessory is formed with a first section and a second section and wherein the body is engaged with the support structure by folding the body over a portion of the support structure so that the first and second section are positioned adjacent each other.

3. An accessory as claimed in claim 2 wherein the respective lengths of the first and second sections differs.

4. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is configured as a frame including a first side member and an opposed second side member, and a first end member and an opposed second end member and wherein the frame is engaged with the support structure by bending the first and second side members over at least a portion of the support structure.

5. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first and second side members are deformable at a position so that each of the first and second end members occupy a different horizontal plane relative to each other.

6. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is at least partially rigid.

7. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hook formations are substantially rigid.

8. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more portions of the body is flexible.

9. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the entire accessory may be rigid.

10. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the accessory is pre-folded in order to have a curved portion to engage the hanger to locate the accessory.

11. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the accessory is modular to allow assembly for use and disassembly for travel.

12. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the accessory is clamped onto support structure.

13. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hook formations are weighted to assist with location of the accessory relative to the support structure.

14. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is engaged with the support structure by suspending the accessory from the support structure using one or more hooks.

15. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein any of the hook formations is rotatably associated with the accessory.

16. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein attachment portions are provided on the accessory such that when the accessory is located relative to the support structure, the attachment portions prevent accidental removal or dislodgement.

17. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein attachment portions are provided on portions of the accessory which are adjacent one another when the accessory is folded.