US20170181540A1

US20170181540A1 - Clothes Hanger Rack

Info

Publication number: US20170181540A1
Application number: US15/394,741
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Edwards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-29
Filing date: 2016-12-29
Publication date: 2017-06-29

Abstract

A clothes hanger rack for housing clothing hangers between uses is provided. The clothes hanger rack comprises a first vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, a second vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, and a horizontal rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the horizontal rod is secured to the second end of the first support vertical rod and the second end of the horizontal rod is secured to the second end of the second vertical support rod. The clothes hanger rack provides a compact suspension configured to house clothing hangers, providing an easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing, eliminating clutter, and reducing time consuming searches for free clothing hangers.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/272,550 filed Dec. 29, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Empty Clothes Hanger Rack,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of household accessories, and more specifically to the field of clothes hanger racks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For most people, household chores are a fact of life. Vacuuming debris from carpeting, polishing furniture, waxing floors and cleaning windows are necessary tasks which are done regularly to ensure a healthy and clean household. In particular, most consumers wash laundry on a regular basis. Whether tossing a child's dirty baseball uniform into the wash before a big game, laundering bed linens for unexpected company or washing soiled bath towels and washcloths for next day's use, most people utilize a washing machine at least once a week. For large families and children, laundry often is washed daily, simply to keep all household members in clean clothing.
Once clothes have been cleaned in a washing machine, the next step typically involves hanging the laundered clothing on a wire or plastic hanger. Hangers are extremely useful devices which enable consumers to keep clean or freshly pressed clothing neat and wrinkle free between wear. Convenient accessibility to hangers as one removes clothing from a dryer is challenging. The laundry areas of most homes are typically small, with little room for neatly storing a selection of empty hangers for use. A launderer has little choice but to stack a tangled clutter of hangers anywhere they can fit the stack. The launderer often treks back and forth from a laundry area to household closets to gather hangers together. Spare hangers are difficult to locate among occupied hangers within a closet. Nestled between dresses and jackets, a free hanger seems to be playing a game of hide and seek as the launderer impatiently moves aside garment after garment to locate the elusive hanger.
The prior art has put forth several designs for clothes hanger racks. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,342 to Brandon D. Vandelaar describes an adjustable, collapsible clothes rack that is easily portable due to a telescopic fit of the leg inserts within the legs and a slidable crossbar insert within the crossbar. The pivoted fastening of the legs to the crossbar assembly provides for a further compact state. The expandable and retractable features of the apparatus provide for fit to a variety of surfaces. The rubberized leg insert stoppers and the suction cups provide for apparatus position retention on a given surface. The suction cups are pivoted, allowing for the cups to be removably attached to a wall or other surface at an angle to the positioning of the leg inserts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,341 to Michael R. Zeid describes a device for supporting hangable items thereupon and a modular system incorporating such devices. A support surface having a socket formed therein and an elongated horizontally oriented rod having a detent mechanism disposed thereon are engaged such that the detent mechanism is secured within the socket. The rod extends away from the support surface in a cantilever fashion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,355 to Keith E. Hall, Anna-Leena Dove and Sandra B. Crane describes a hanger storage assembly for handling garment hangers, including an elongated hanger bar for receiving and supporting the hangers and an elongated retainer bar that is positionable adjacent the hanger bar to engage and secure the hanger hooks interposed there between along the length of the hanger bar. The retainer bar is slidably mounted upon supporting members projecting from the hanger bar, each including a biasing spring to position the retainer bar in adjacent, spaced, parallel alignment away from the hanger bar to allow access for loading. The assembly includes a latch pair that engages and secures the retainer bar in a hanger clamping position to hold the hangers on the hanger bar. The latch is releasable, allowing the biasing spring to slidably reposition the retainer bar for loading or unloading. The hanger bar is provided with end caps which fit into a rack having retaining clips that support the hanger bar and prevent it from rotating. In a typical arrangement, the supporting elements are fixed to the hanger bar such that the retainer bar elevates upwardly clear of the hanger bar for loading upon release of the latching members. The retainer bar is locked, clamping the hangers onto the hanger bar, by pushing the retaining bar into contact with the hangers. The latch assembly includes a resilient member that has surfaces that engage the retainer bar and hold it in place in opposition to the biasing spring until the latch resilient members are pressed clear of engagement with the retainer bar.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact suspension bar that is particularly configured to house clothing hangers, providing a place to collect empty clothes hangers in the bedroom and giving users an easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing and eliminating clutter in the bedroom and the laundry as well as time consuming searches for free hangers.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a place to store employ clothes hangers when ready to put on a garment, in the bedroom. When it is time to do the laundry, the rack with all of the hangers can be carried to the laundry area. When all of the hangers have been used with the new clean clothes, the empty rack is returned to the bedroom to repeat the cycle.
The present invention includes a clothes hanger rack for housing clothing hangers between uses. The clothes hanger rack comprises a first vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, a second vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, and a horizontal rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the horizontal rod is secured to the second end of the first support vertical rod and the second end of the horizontal rod is secured to the second end of the second vertical support rod. The clothes hanger rack provides a compact suspension configured to house clothing hangers, providing an easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing, eliminating clutter, and reducing time consuming searches for free clothing hangers.
In addition, the present invention includes a method for housing clothing hangers between uses. The method comprises providing a first vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, providing a second vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, providing a horizontal rod having a first end and a second end, securing the first end of the horizontal rod to the second end of the first support vertical rod, securing the second end of the horizontal rod to the second end of the second vertical support rod, providing a compact suspension configured to house clothing hangers, providing an easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing, eliminating clutter, and reducing time consuming searches for free clothing hangers.
The present invention further includes a clothes hanger rack for housing clothing hangers between uses. The clothes hanger rack comprises a first vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, a second vertical support rod having a first end and a second end, a telescoping horizontal rod having a first end and a second end, a first connector member having a first opening and a second opening, and a second connector member having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening of the first connector member slidably receives the second end of the first vertical support rod, the second opening of the first connector member slidably receives the first end of the horizontal rod, the first opening of the second connector member slidably receives the second end of the second vertical support rod, and the second opening of the second connector member slidably receives the second end of the horizontal rod. The clothes hanger rack provides a compact suspension configured to house clothing hangers, providing an easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing, eliminating clutter, and reducing time consuming searches for free clothing hangers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a clothes hanger rack, constructed in accordance with the present invention, measuring approximately ten (10″) inches in height by sixteen (16″) inches in width and contains four (4″) inch by six (6″) inch bases.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view illustrating the clothes hanger rack, constructed in accordance with the present invention, measuring approximately ten (10″) inches in height by twenty six (26″) inches in width and contains four (4″) by six (6″) inch bases.

FIG. 3 is still another perspective view illustrating the clothes hanger rack, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with empty clothes hangers presented for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Clothes Hanger Rack, indicated generally at 10, is a compact suspension bar system that is particularly configured to house clothing hangers 12 between uses. The Clothes Hanger Rack provides users with easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing and eliminates clutter as well as time consuming searches for free clothes hangers 12. The Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention conveniently stores and organizes a selection of empty clothes hangers 12 which are instantly accessible whenever needed in the bedroom and in the laundry.
The Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention has a first vertical support rod 14, a second vertical support rod 16, and a horizontal rod 18. The first vertical support rod 14 has a first end and a second end, the second vertical support rod 16 has a first end and a second end, and the horizontal rod 18 has a first end and a second end. The first end of the horizontal rod 18 is secured to the second end of the first support vertical rod 14 and the second end of the horizontal rod 18 is secured to the second end of the second vertical support rod 16. Preferably, the horizontal rod 18 is secured perpendicularly between the first vertical support rod 14 and the second vertical support rod 16.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention includes a first connector member 20 and a second connector member 22 for securing the horizontal rod 18 between the first vertical support rod 14 and the second vertical support rod 16. The first connector member 20 and the second connector member 22 can be pair of knobs or a pair of elbow connectors. The first connector member 20 has a first aperture and a second aperture and the second connector member 22 has a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture of the first connector member 20 slidably receives the second end of the first vertical support rod 14, the second aperture of the first connector member 20 slidably receives the first end of the horizontal rod 18, the first aperture of the second connector member 22 slidably receives the second end of the second vertical support rod 16, and the second aperture of the second connector member 22 slidably receives the second end of the horizontal rod 18. The first vertical support rod 14, the second vertical support rod 16, and the horizontal rod 18 are held in place within the first and second connector members 20, 22 by friction or mechanical mechanism means including, but not limited to, bolts, screws, etc.
Preferably, the first connector member 20 and the second connector member 22 of the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention preferably has a diameter or thickness greater than a diameter or thickness of the horizontal rod 18. In this manner, the first connector member and the second connector member also function to space the clothes hangers 12 from the first vertical support rod 14 and the second vertical support rod 16 thereby allowing a user to more easily grab or otherwise acquire the clothes hangers 12.
Preferably, the first vertical support rod 14, the second vertical support rod 16, and the horizontal rod 18 of the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention are tubular rods constructed from a metal material, a wood material and/or a PVC plastic material although constructing the first vertical support rod 14, the second vertical support rod 16, and the horizontal rod 18 from a different material is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, each of the first vertical support rod 14 and the second vertical support rod 16 are preferably approximately ten (10″) inches high allowing the clothes hangers 12 to hang freely above a supporting surface although having the first vertical support rod 14 and the second vertical support rod 16 being a different height is within the scope of the present invention.
The horizontal rod 18 of the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention is a telescoping rod having at least two or more horizontal portions with each horizontal portion telescopingly receivable within an adjacent horizontal portion. The horizontal rod 18 is preferably able to telescope from approximately sixteen (16″) inches to approximately twenty-six (26″) inches.
In addition, the Hanger Clothes Rack 10 of the present invention includes a first base 24 secured to the first end of the first vertical support rod 14 and a second base 26 secured to the first end of the second vertical support rod 16. The first vertical support rod 14 and the second vertical support rod 16 are secured to the first base 24 and the second base 26, respectively, by means of a two (2″) inch screw or the like. Preferably, the first base 24 and the second base 26 are constructed from a wood material offering optimal stability and measure approximately four (4″) inches in width by approximately six (6″) inches in length and one (1″) inch in height.
As stated above, the horizontal rod(s) of the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention is laterally connected to each vertical support rod 14, 16 by means of a right angled tubular connector 20, 22 or a screw. A one (1″) inch log PVC pipe spacer can be inserted to keep the smaller wood rod in place.
Easily adjustable in width, the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention fits comfortably even in the most cramped of laundry areas. The Clothes Hanger Rack 10 accommodates virtually any hanger style including inexpensive wire clothes hangers 12 and durable wood clothes hangers 12 for more delicate garments.
To use the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention, when clothes are removed from the clothes hanger 12, the empty clothes hangers 12 are placed on the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 in the bedroom. When it is time to do the laundry, the launderer brings the full Clothes Hanger Rack 10 with empty clothes hangers 12 to the laundry room and places it in a convenient and functional space near or on their dryer in the laundry area. When pulling clothing from a dryer, the launderer simply reaches for an empty clothes hanger 12 to instantly hang and suspend a garment on another rod, not shown. When clothes are hung, the clothing is taken to closets to be stored until their next wearing. The Clothes Hanger Rack 10 may be returned to the bedroom to be refilled for the next laundry day.
A fully portable and adjustable suspension bar, the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 of the present invention allows all empty clothes hangers 12 to be neatly kept in a bedroom or laundry area, making sure a clothes hanger 12 is always available to accommodate a piece of clothing as the garment comes out of dryer. The Clothes Hanger Rack 10 eliminates a need to make repeated trips to closets to find clothes hangers 12. Clean slacks, coats, and blouses ace immediately placed in their suspended positions with barely a pause. Constructed with high quality materials and components, the Clothes Hanger Rack 10 will withstand years of continued use.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clothes hanger rack for housing clothing hangers between uses, the clothes hanger rack comprising:

a first vertical support rod having a first end and a second end;

a second vertical support rod having a first end and a second end; and

a horizontal rod having a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end of the horizontal rod is secured to the second end of the first support vertical rod and the second end of the horizontal rod is secured to the second end of the second vertical support rod; and

wherein the clothes hanger rack provides a compact suspension configured to house clothing hangers, providing an easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing, eliminating clutter, and reducing time consuming searches for free clothing hangers.

2. The clothes hanger rack of claim 1 wherein the horizontal rod is perpendicular to the first vertical support rod and the second vertical support rod and the first vertical support rod is parallel to the second vertical support rod.

3. The clothes hanger rack of claim 1 and further comprising:

a first connector member having a first opening and a second opening; and

a second connector member having a first opening and a second opening;

wherein the first opening of the first connector member slidably receives the second end of the first vertical support rod;

wherein the second opening of the first connector member slidably receives the first end of the horizontal rod;

wherein the first opening of the second connector member slidably receives the second end of the second vertical support rod; and

wherein the second opening of the second connector member slidably receives the second end of the horizontal rod.

4. The clothes hanger rack of claim 3 wherein the first vertical support rod, the second vertical support rod, and the horizontal rod are held in position within the first and second connector members by friction.

5. The clothes hanger rack of claim 3 wherein the first connector member and the second connector member are selected from the group consisting of a pair of knobs and a pair of elbow connectors.

6. The clothes hanger rack of claim 3 wherein the first connector member and the second connector member have a diameter or thickness greater than a diameter or thickness of the horizontal rod.

7. The clothes hanger rack of claim 1 wherein the first vertical support rods, the second vertical support rods, and the horizontal rod are tubular rods constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, and PVC plastic.

8. The clothes hanger rack of claim 1 wherein the horizontal rod is a telescoping rod having at least two or more horizontal portions with each horizontal portion telescopingly receivable within an adjacent horizontal portion.

9. The clothes hanger rack of claim 1 and further comprising:

a first base secured to the first end of the first vertical support rod; and

a second base secured to the first end of the second vertical support rod.

10. The clothes hanger rack of claim 9 wherein the first vertical support rod and the second vertical support rod are secured to the first base and the second base, respectively, by means of screws.

11. The clothes hanger rack of claim 10 wherein the first base and the second base are constructed from a wood material.

12. A method for housing clothing hangers between uses, the method comprising:

providing a first vertical support rod having a first end and a second end;

providing a second vertical support rod having a first end and a second end;

providing a horizontal rod having a first end and a second end;

securing the first end of the horizontal rod to the second end of the first support vertical rod;

securing the second end of the horizontal rod to the second end of the second vertical support rod;

providing a compact suspension configured to house clothing hangers;

providing an easy accessibility to empty hangers for clean clothing;

eliminating clutter; and

reducing time consuming searches for free clothing hangers.

13. A clothes hanger rack for housing clothing hangers between uses, the clothes hanger rack comprising:

a first vertical support rod having a first end and a second end;

a second vertical support rod having a first end and a second end;

a telescoping horizontal rod having a first end and a second end;

a first connector member having a first opening and a second opening; and

a second connector member having a first opening and a second opening;

wherein the first opening of the second connector member slidably receives the second end of the second vertical support rod;

wherein the second opening of the second connector member slidably receives the second end of the horizontal rod; and

14. The clothes hanger rack of claim 13 wherein the horizontal rod is perpendicular to the first vertical support rod and the second vertical support rod and the first vertical support rod is parallel to the second vertical support rod.

15. The clothes hanger rack of claim 13 wherein the first vertical support rod, the second vertical support rod, and the horizontal rod are held in position within the first and second connector members by friction.

16. The clothes hanger rack of claim 13 wherein the first connector member and the second connector member are selected from the group consisting of a pair of knobs and a pair of elbow connectors.

17. The clothes hanger rack of claim 13 wherein the first connector member and the second connector member have a diameter or thickness greater than a diameter or thickness of the horizontal rod.

18. The clothes hanger rack of claim 13 wherein the first vertical support rods, the second vertical support rods, and the horizontal rod are tubular rods constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, and PVC plastic.

19. The clothes hanger rack of claim 13 and further comprising:

a first base secured to the first end of the first vertical support rod; and

a second base secured to the first end of the second vertical support rod.

20. The clothes hanger rack of claim 19 wherein the first vertical support rod and the second vertical support rod are secured to the first base and the second base, respectively, by means of screws.