US2124444A - Garment checking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1938. P. BOUMANS ET AL 2,124,444

GARMENT CHECKING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1958 3Sheets- Sheet l E g i 4 1 2 3 INVENTORS Btuljmmm M fiern z-dnck BY MW Mi m. ATTORNEY July 19, 1938.

P. BQUMANS ET AL GARMENT CHECKING \APPARA'TUS Filed March 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 \NVENTOR S 7214 Znumzg; a! rerun-Buick WIQJI Um; ATTORNEY July 19, 1938. P. BOUMANS ET AL GARMENT CHECKING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Raf-Poznan; uul m lllfj llk MM-M4 tie- ATTORNEY Patented July 19, 1938 V PATENT OFFICE GARMENTIGHEGKINGY APPARATUS Paul Boumana Arlington, N. J., and Werner 1 Brinck, New York, N; Y.

Application March 28, 1933, Serial No. 198,536

13 Claims.

Our invention relates to a device for handling articles of clothing and wearing apparel, and more particularly to a. garment checking appa: ratus. 5

Our apparatus is especially designed for the use in check and cloak rooms of theatres, concert halls, picture houses or the like, where at the .end of a performance people all; gather to receive their particular garments from the attendantof the check room. If the checkrooms are equipped with the hitherto used checking arrangements, the attendant first has to go'back to the checking place of the garment and. then-v has toreturn to the service window for every single garment called for. Therefore, theattendant can not-serve-the users of the check room immediately upon their arrival at the service window, so that a crowd is formed in front of the service window. Very often the users haveto-wait for a longtime, u ntil they obtain their garments, and this delay. is extremely inconvenient. Likewise, an undesired delay may occur during the rush shortly'before the beginning of a'performancer' One object of our inventionis to provide a garment checking apparatus, by means of whichthe attendant may readily deliver the garments, at the end of a performance without any inconvenient delay to thepeople. I V

Another object of our inventiondsto, providea garment checking apparatus, which; also at the beginning of a performance, prevents-any inconvenient delay, if the usersahandover their garments to the attendant in'a rush..

A further object of. our invention is, toprovide a garment checking apparatus of the-gravity system type having a remote control for a selective release of individual garment hangers, so that. the

apparatus delivers automatically the individual garment hangers to the service window, if the attendant actuates the remotecontrolfrom a point at the service window. I

Still another objectofour invention is to pro-- vide a garment checking apparatus, which 7 is equipped with means preventing a. jammingor possible derailing of released garment hangers, if the attendant releases several garment hangers through the remote control, which could disturb each other during their path to the service window.

In order to carry out our invention into-practice,-we provide a garment checking apparatus comp-rising: at least onemain rail, said main rail being inclined ina direction to thefront part of the apparatus,a plurality. of stationary side rails, said side rails being inclinedin a direction to said main rail and terminating at a point substantially above said main rail, a plurality of individual garment hangers adapted to be placed on, said plurality of side rails, each; of said garment hangers being provided with two sliding means, one of said sliding means being adapted to engage with one of said side rails, the other one being adapted to'engagewith said main rail, a plurality of in.- dividual locking means, said locking means being arranged to hold said individual garment hangers 10 in. a predetermined position on an elevated point of said inclined side rails, and a plurality of individual controlling means for a selective actuation of said individual locking means to release individual garment hangers therefrom for sliding. down on the inclined side rail and thence, on the inclined main rail. In a preferred embodiment of our invention, We arrange an inclined temporary-storage. rail, on which the attendant may place the garment 2O hangers'before the beginning of a performance, until he has time to remove the hangers from the storage rail and to bring'same to their. proper checking place on the side rails, so that any undesired delayisavoided,if the-users hand over .25 their garments to the attendant in a' rush before the-beginning of a performance. In, order to avoid a jammingor derailing of released garment hangers duringv the automatic delivery of. the hangers after the end of-a performance, we ar range, automatic stopping means, which are adapted to be actuated by agarment hanger sliding down on the main rail for stopping a predetermined. number of garment. hangers on side rails in front of said sliding down garment 5 hanger. i The above mentioned objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages will be more fully disclosed in the following specification reference being had to the accompanying 4 1) drawings forming a part of. this specification, in which: a

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatical: top plan view of a part of our garment checking apparatus, partly in section, V r

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken online 2-4 as shown in Fig. 1, I 1

Fig. 3 is a side 'elevational view of a portion-of a main rail with stopping or interrupting rods "arranged at the-side thereof, 7 Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the main rail and interrupting rods shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3, taken on line 5-5,jin

an enlarged scale, 7 5,5

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of the detail construction shown in Fig. 5, some parts being broken away, and

Fig. '7 is a diagram of a part of the wiring system for the remote control and stopping means.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, I indicates the service window of the check room, where the garment checking apparatus is located. The apparatus has a plurality of main rails IOI, I02, I03, I04, I05, I06, each of said main rails being inclined in a direction to said service window I00 or to the front of'the apparatus, as best shown in Fig. 2. Rods I07 or the like suspended from the ceiling of the check room hold the main rails in their position.

Furthermore, the apparatus is provided with a, plurality of stationary siderails I08 secured to a wall or walls of the check room. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the side rails I08 from the vertical plane through the, center of the main rail IOI, and the free end of the side rail is slightly rounded.

The side rails or hanger brackets I 08 form the checking places 1, 2, 3, 34, for the individual garment hangers generally indicated by IIO. Each of said, garment hangers is formed by a rod III of a flat metal strip. As shown in I Fig. the lower end of said rod has the form of a hook I I2 adapted to receive a hat or the like. A horizontal supporting bar II3 adapted to carry the garments is secured to the rod III near the lower end thereof. The rod III has an intermediate offset portion I I4, and its upper end I I5 has the form of a fork supporting an axle I I6. Said axle carries a roller III adapted to engage with one of the side rails I08. A shaft II8 carrying a wheel II9 adapted to engage with one of the main rails IOI-I06 is secured tothe intermediate offset portion II4 of the rod in a substantially vertical direction to said axle H6. The depth of the offset portion I I4 is of such a degree and the wheel H9 is arranged at such a place on the shaft I I8, that the wheel I I9 drops onto the main rail and engages same, if the roller II! has left the end I09 of the side rail I08. The shaft H8 is provided with an extension I20 for a purpose to be described later on.

In order tosecurely hold the individual garment hangers II 0 on a predetermined elevated point of the inclined side rails, a solenoid operated latch mechanism generally indicated by I2l is arranged above every side rail I08, as best shown in Fig. 5. Said latch mechanism comprises a latch I22, which is pivotally mounted in a bearing I23'fixed on the wall of the check room and may be engaged with the roller I I! of the hanger. The lower end of a connecting rod I24 is linked to an intermediate point of thelatch I22, and the upper end of said rod I24 is pivotally connected to the free end of the core I 25 of'a solenoid I26 attached to the wall. If the latch mechanism I2I is in the position shown in Fig. 5, the garment hanger H0 is securely held on an elevated point of'the side rail I08 by the latch I22. If, however, the solenoid is excited, the core I25 will be lifted and the latch I22 will be swung about the pivot of the bearing I23 in anti-clockwise direction, so

that the hanger H0 is released and slides down on the side rail I08 by gravity.

An electrical remote control comprising a push button control box I21 arranged at the service window I00 is used for the selective actuation of the individual solenoid operated latch mechanisms I2I. Said control box I21 has a number of push buttons equal to the number of checking places 1, 2, 3, 34, For example, if the attendant presses the push button 6, the solenoid of the latch mechanism pertaining tothe checking place 6 will be excited, so that the garment hanger held on said place it 6 will be released. Likewise, an actuation of the push button will cause a release of the garment hangeron checking place 10, and so forth.

It will be easily understood, that every released garment hanger II0 engaging the inclined side rail I08 with its roller I I1 slides down said inclined side rail to the end I09 thereof and thence drops onto the main rail associated with the side rail, whereupon its wheel H9 is in engagement with the main rail. Then, the garment hanger slides or rolls down the inclined main rail to the front of the apparatus near the service window I00. The end of the main rail is bent upwardly and forms a stop I28, which arrests the garment hanger sliding down on the main rail. The attendant may easily take off the garment hanger from the main rail without leaving the place at the service window I00.

The above mentioned remote control box I21 permits the attendant to press the individual push buttons for the release of the individual garment hangers called for immediately upon the arrival of the people at the service window. Thus, it

may happen, that the attendant has already released a garment hanger, which after leaving its side rail could fall on a garment hanger which has been released shortly before and is sliding down on the main rail, but has not yet passed the side rail of said garment hanger released afterwards, so that a jamming or even derailing of the garment hangers could occur. For example, as shown in'Fig.-1, the garment hanger #6 has been released and is sliding down on the main rail I 0|. Its position is'in'front of the side rail I08 of #5. Now, if the garment hanger #5 would be released, itcould fall on the garment hanger #6 at the moment, when the latter passes the side rail of #5. In order toeliminate such an incident, we provide automatic stopping means, which prevent a predetermined number of garment hangers, which, are on side rails in front of the garment hanger sliding down on the main rail, from sliding down on said side rails, until the garment hanger sliding down on the main rail, has passed said side rails. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the stopping means lock three to four garment, hangers in front of the sliding down garment hanger depending on the position of thelatter; These stopping means are best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and if the garment hanger #(i'is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the garmenthangers # 3, 4 and 5 are prevented from sliding down on their side rails, until the garment hanger #6 has passed same. The construction of the stopping means is as follows: A plurality of interrupting rods I29, I30, I3I is arranged at the side of every main rail slightly above same. The arrangement is the same for all main rails, so that it is sufficient to describe only the arrangement in connection with the main rail IOI. A bar I32 is secured to the suspenders I0! and carries" the interrupting switches 2112, 2'34,

1'56, 4;. .1 which are arrangedinithe "exciting circuits of the solenoids I 26 of; the, individual: latch mechanisms, as will be describedlaterioninl connection with Fig. '7, .For an easier -under standing of the operationof' the members it may be mentioned at this: part; of the .'-specification,, that, if said interrupting switches are in. open position, as isttrue of the switches 1 34 and'ita; in Fig. 3, the exciting circuits of the solenoidsconnected there,- tare interrupted, so that in the position of the hanger #6 illustrated by'Fig'. 3 thehangers; #3, 4,; andcannot be released; The contacti member I33 of each of saidinterrupting SWitCh8S, ji12-, 2'34, isformedby; an arm'ofj a bell icrank lever, which is pivotally connected to said bar; I32 at the point I34. The other arm I36, of such a bell crank lever is linked to one end, ofone of the interrupting, rods I29, I-,; I3I. The other end of each interrupting-rod ispivotally connected to the upper end of a link- I35, the lower; end of, which being pivotally connected to the bar I32; Thus, every interrupting rodmay bemoved from an elevated position as shown for the'rod I 3!- into a depressed position as shown for the rod I30; Tension springs I31 arranged between the stationary body of theintjerrupting switches and their movable contact member I33 forming a part of the bell crank lever, tend-to close the interrupting switches and to holdthe interrupt ing rods in their elevated position. Asmentioned in a previous paragraph, anextension I2Il ;-'is arranged 0n theshait N8 of everyga'rmenthanger. Saidactuating extension 120. engages with; the interrupting rods, if, the garment hanger slides down-on'the main rail, and depressestheinterr rupting rods 'from their elevated positioninto their-depressed position-against: the, action of: the

springs i3]; whereby the interrupting switches are opened. As soon as the garment hanger is dis.-

engaged from theinterrupting rod-s; the sp1rings return same into'their elevated position, so that the interrupting switches are closed: againafor a possible excitement of the; solenoidsconnected thereto. In the position: shown in Figs.3=arid: 4,

the extension 12a: of the hanger #6 depressesthe interrupting rods; I29 and, I30, so that. the inter.- rupting switches 34 and '55 main open position,

thus preventing arelease ofthehangers #3, 4,

and 5;. As soon as the hanger, #6,=is in. a position between the side rails #4 and 5 as indicatedi by clash lines'in Fig. 4,,the extension: [29 15 disengaged from the interrupting rod;:l,25'and"engages both the interrupting rod I35 and'the interrupting rod I3I, so that the switch its is; closed again and the switches in and 2'34 are in open position. 5

Now, the hanger #5 controlled by. the interruptingswitch its may be released, but the hangers #1-4 are locked.

Under certain circumstances depending. on the sequence as the users call. for their garments and on the intervals between, the pressing down of the push buttons at the control box, it could happen that due tothe above described automatic stopping means, a hanger, 'for example the hang,- er #5, can not be released for a longer'timega's it is locked by'several other hangers, 'for example the hangers # 7, 8, 9 and 10, which partly may have been released afterwards and are sliding down on the main rail. Thus it could happen, that the user of garment hanger #5 must wait for a longer time, although he arrived at the service window prior to the users of thehangers #8 and 9. In order to avoid. this possible inconvenience, we arrange a plurality of'main rails IIlI, I02, I03 as described above, and groupsv of 'The operation of-the apparatus the garments isfas follows: Assuming, that garside-rails, are associated with different main rails. For example thesiderails #1-6 are associated with, the main, rail IOI,the side rails #7-12 are associatedwiththemain rail =IIl2, theside rails 1348 are associatedwith the main rail I54 etc;

cated in the illustrated embodiment. Obviously,

the groups of side rails could comprise more than six side rails, if desired. Furthermore, only a single main rail could be used, if the checking capacity of the apparatus is comparatively. small, as the above mentioned delay of the release of a hanger will occur only occasionally.

In order to avoid any undesired delay during a rush before the beginning of a performance, we arrange atemporary storage rail I38, which is inclined to the-back of the apparatus and is supported: by uprights I35 fixed 0n the floor. The attendant may temporarily place the garment hangers on said temporary storage rail I38, on which they will, roll to the rear end, where they I are arrested by a stop I40. If, after the beginning Ofthe performance the attendant has plenty of time, she, removes the hangers from the temporary. storage rail I38 and places and latches same on, the. side rail corresponding to the hanger number.

for delivery of 'ment hanger #6, hasbeen called for as the first one. The, attendant presses the push button p6 (see Fig/.7.) against the action of a spring (not shown). Thus, the terminals MI and I42 are bridged by saidpush button 116, and the exciting circuit I43, I44, I42,'p6, I4I I45, I46, I41, I48 of theholding magnet I49 for station #6 is closed,

'so,that the latteris energized. This excitement of? the holdingjmagnet I49 moves its core I50 upwardly, so that a closing switch I5,I secured to said core bridges the terminals I52, I53 of the exciting circuit I54", I55, I56, 2'55, I51, I58, I59, I60, I53, I51, I52, I5I', I52 of the solenoid I26 and the latter is energized; This excitement of the solenoid IZILmoves its core I25 upwardly, so that the latch I22 connected thereto is raised and the garment hanger #G'is released. As soon as the attendantremoves her finger from the push button ps, the latter is returned into its original opening position by the spring (not shown), and the cores of the holding'magnet I49 as wellas of the solenoid I26return into their original lower position by gravity and/or by springs (not shown).

The released garment hanger #6 rolls down the inclined'sid'e rail, drops onto the inclined main I rail I0 I and rolls down the latter.

Assuming now, that the garment hanger #6 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, and that the garment hanger, #3 is calledfor. The attendant presses the push button 113 (see Fig. 7) so that.

the excitingcircuit I43, I44, I42, pa, I4I, I45, I46,

I41, I48 of the holdingmagnet I49 for station #3.

iscl'osed and the core I 550i said magnet is raised. Although the closing switch I5I secured to said core I50 bridges the terminals I52, I53, the solenoid I26" can notbe excited, as its exciting circuit is interrupted by the interrupting switch 234, which now is in'its open position shown in dash lines, as the extension I20 (Fig. 3) depresses the interrupting rod I30 as best shown in Fig. 3. Due to said interruption of the exciting circuit of the solenoid E26, the latch I22 of the station #3 remains in its lower position shown in full lines in Fig. 7, and the hanger #3 can not be released. In order to eliminate the necessity of a second pressing down of the spring loaded push button 113 for the release of the hanger #3 at a later time, when after delivery of the hanger #6 the interrupting switch 2'34 is again in its closed position as shown in full lines in Fig. 7, the following holding circuit is arranged. A holding switch I63 is secured to an intermediate point of the core I50 of the holding magnet I49 and bridges the terminals I64 and I65, if the core I50 is in its raised position caused by the pressing of the push button 103 Furthermore, a breaking switch I66 is secured to the core I25 of the solenoid I26 and bridges the terminals I61 and I68, if the core I25 is in its lower position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 7. Thus, the holding circuit I43, I69, I61, I66, I68, H0, 565, I63, I64, I46, I41, I48 is closed, and the holding magnet I49 remains in excited condition, if the spring (not shown) returns the push button 193 into its open position shown in dash lines, so that the core I50 and the closing switch I5I connected thereto remain in their upper position and the solenoid I26 will be automatically excited, as soon as the extension I20 is disengaged from the interrupting rod I30 and permits same to return into its upper position under the action of the springs I31, whereby the interrupting switch 1'34 comes again intoits closed position, as shown in full lines, thereby closing the exciting circuit I54, 555, I56, 2'34, I51, I58, I59, I60, I53, I5I, I52, I6I, I62. If the solenoid I26 is excited, the core I25 will be lifted and the breaking switch I 66 will be brought 'into its open position shown in dash lines thus breaking the holding circuit for the holding magnet I49. Therefore, the latch I22 will be swung into its open position shown in dash lines and the hanger #3 will be released automatically without a second pressing of the push button 173, and if the hanger #3 is released, the cores of the holding magnet I49 and of the solenoid I26 return into their normal lower position. The attendant may press the push buttons one after the other, as the garments are called for,

and the hangers are automatically delivered to the service window, as soon as theautomatic stopping means permit the automatic release of the hangers, if their paths are unobstructed.

In order to have a certain control of the push buttons, which have been pressed down and to avoid an unnecessary second pressing of a push button, control lamps I1I may be arranged in parallel to the holding magnet I49. Said lamps are illuminated as long as the holding magnets are excited, i. e. until the hangers are released.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, one interrupting switch 2'12, in is arranged in the exciting circuits of the solenoids I 26 of the two adjacent stations, but one interrupting switch could be arranged in the exciting circuits of the solenoids of three or more stations, or every exciting circuit of the solenoids could be provided with an interrupting switch, if desired.

The garment hangers may have various forms. If desired, any other sliding means than rollers or wheels could be used. For example, the roller II1 could be replaced by a simple hook.

We have described preferred embodiments of our invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing from the'spirit of our invention.

What we claim is:

1. A garment checking apparatus comprising: at least one main rail, said main rail being inclined in a direction to the front part of the apparatus, aplurality of stationary side rails, said side rails being inclined in a direction to said main rail and terminating at a point substantially above said main rail, a plurality of individual garment hangers adapted to be placed on said plurality of side rails, each of said garment hangers being provided with two sliding means, one of said sliding means being adapted to engage with one of said side rails, the other one being adapted to engage with said main rail, a plurality of individual locking means, said looking means being arranged to hold said individual garment hangers in a predetermined position on an elevated point of said inclined side rails, and a plurality of individual controlling means for a selective actuation of said individual locking means to release individual garment hangers therefrom for sliding down on the inclined side rail and thence on the inclined main rail.

2. A garment checking apparatus comprising: at least one main rail, said main rail being inclined in a direction to the front'part of the apparatus, a temporary storage rail, said temporary storage rail being inclined to the rear part of the apparatus, a plurality of stationary side rails, said side rails being inclined in a direction to said main rail and terminating at a point substantially above said main rail, a plurality of individual garment hangers adapted to be placed on said plurality of side rails, each of said garment hangers being provided with two sliding means, one of said sliding means being adapted to engage with one of said side rails, the other one being adapted to engage with said main rail, a plurality of individual locking means, said locking means being arranged to hold said individual garment hangers in a predetermined position on an elevated point of said inclined side rails, and a plurality of individual controlling means for a selective actuation of said individual locking means to release individual garment hangers therefrom for sliding down on the inclined side rail and thence on the inclined main rail.

3. Agarment checking apparatus comprising: at least one main rail, said mainrail being inclined in a direction to the front part of the apparatus, a plurality of stationary side rails, said side rails being inclined in a direction to said main rail and terminating at a point substantially above said main rail, a plurality of individual garment hangers adapted to be placed on said plurality of side rails, each of said garment hangers being provided with two sliding means, one of said sliding means being adapted to engage with one of said side rails, the other one being adapted to engage with said main rail, a plurality of individual locking means, said looking means being arranged to hold said individual garment hangers in a predetermined position on an elevated point of said inclined side rails,

a plurality of individual controlling means for a selective actuation of said individual locking means to release individual garment hangers therefrom for sliding down on the inclined side rail and thence on the inclined main rail, and automatic stopping means arranged on said main vrail, said automatic stopping means being adaptdow'n'on said main tor, bpinga pr detea minednumber of garment hangers on side rails in front of saidsliding down'g'arment hanger.

4. A garment checking apparatus, comprising: at least one main rail, 'saifdfrnain rail. being inclinedin a direction to the front part of the apparatus, a temporary storage rail, said ternporary storage rail being inclined to the rear part of the apparatus, a plurality of stationary side rails, said side rails being inclined. in a, direction to saidmain'rail' and terminating at a point substantially above 'saidmain rail, aplu rality of individual garment hanger'sfadaptedto a be placed on said plurality of side rails, each of said garment hangerslbeing provided with two sliding means, one of said'sliding meansbeing adapted to engage with one of said side rails, the other one being adapted to engage with said main rail, a plurality of individual locking means,

said locking means being arranged to hold said' individual garment hangers in a predetermined position on an elevated point of said inclined side rails, a pluralityof individual controlling means for a selective actuation of said individual locking means to release individual garment hangers therefrom for sliding down on the inclined side rails and thence on the inclined main rail, and automatic stopping means arranged on said main rail, said automaticstopping means being adapted to be actuated by a garment hanger sliding down on said main rail for stopping a predetermined number of garment hangers on side rails in front of said sliding down garment hanger.

5. A garment checking apparatus comprising: a plurality of main rails, each of said main rails being inclined in a direction to the front part of the apparatus, a temporary storage rail, said temporary storage rail being inclined to the rear part of the apparatus, a plurality of series of stationary side rails, said series of stationary side rails being associated with different main rails, the side rails of each series being 'inclined in a direction to the main rail associated therewith and terminating at a point substantially above said main rail, 'a plurality of individual garment hangers adapted to be placed on said plurality of side rails, each of said garment hangers being provided with twosliding means, one of said sliding means being adapted to engage with one of said side rails, the other one being adapted to engage with one of said main rails, a plurality of individual locking means, said locking means'being arranged to hold said individual garment hangers in a predetermined position on an elevated point of said inclined side rails, a plurality of individual controlling means for a selective actuation of said individual locking means to release individual garment hangers therefrom for sliding down on the inclined side rail thence on one of the inclined main rails, and automatic stopping means arranged on said main rails, said automatic stopping means being adapted to be actuated by a garment hanger sliding down on one of said main rails for stopping a predetermined number of garment hangers on side rails in front of said sliding down garment hanger.

6. A garment checking apparatus comprising: at least one main rail, said main rail being inclined in a direction to the front part of the apparatus, a temporary storage rail, said temporary storage rail being inclined to the rear part of the apparatus, a plurality of stationary side rails, said side rails being inclined in a direction to said main rail and terminating at a point substantially above said main rail, a plurality of individual garment hangers adapted to be placed on'said plurality of side rails, ,each of said garment hangers being provided with two sliding means, one of said sliding means being adapted to engage with one ofsaidsiderails, the other one being adapted to engage with said main rail, a plurality of individual solenoid operated latch mechanisms, said solenoid operated latch mechanisms beingarranged to hold said individual garment hangers in a predetermined position on an elevated point of said inclined side rails, an electrical remote control having a plurality of individual push buttons for a s'e-' le'c'tive actuation of said individual solenoid operated latch mechanisms to release said individual garment hangers therefrom forsliding down on the inclined side rail and thence on t the inclined main rail, and automatic stopping means arranged on said main rail, said automatic stopping means being adapted to be actuated by a garment hanger sliding down on said main rail for rendering inactive the solenoids of a predetermined number of said latch mechanisms in front of said sliding down garment hanger to prevent a release of the individual garment hangers held by said latch mechanisms.

7.-A garment checking apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which said garment hangers are provided with actuating means and said stopping means comprise a plurality of spring loaded movable interrupting rods, each of said interrupting rods being arranged at the side of said main rail in the path of said actuating means and, being connected to an interrupting switch arranged in the circuit for the solenoid of at least one latch mechanism, whereby upon an engagement of said actuating means with said interrupting rod the interrupting switch connected thereto is opened against the action of the spring and renders the solenoid inactive.

8. An electrical controlling system for a garment checking apparatus having at least one inclined main rail and a plurality of inclined side rails, on which individual garment hangers are held by solenoid operated latch mechanisms, comprising a plurality of push buttons, each of said push buttons being arranged in an exciting circuit of a holding magnet, said holding magnet carrying a holding switch and a closing switch, said holding switch being arranged in the holding circuit of said holding magnet and adapted to be closed by the excitement of said holding magnet, said closing switch being arranged in the exciting circuit of the solenoid of one of said latch mechanisms and adapted to be closed by the excitement of said holding magnet, an interrupting switch, said interrupting switch being arranged in said exciting circuit of said solenoid and being adapted to be brought automatically into an interrupting position by a garment hanger sliding down on said main rail, and a breaking switch, said breaking switch arranged in said holding circuit and being connected to said solenoid of said latch mechanism to be brought into interrupting position by the excitement of said solenoid.

9.'An electrical controlling system for a garment checking apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the interrupting switch is arranged in the exciting circuits of two solenoids of two adjacent latch mechanisms.

10. A garment hanger for a garment checking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

a rod, supporting means arranged at the lower end of said rod, a roller journalled at the upper end of said rod, said roller being adapted to engage with one of said side rails, and a wheel journalled at an intermediate point of said rod,

said wheel being adapted to engage with said main rail.

11. A garment hanger for a garment checking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a rod, said rod having an intermediate ofiset 1 portion, supporting means arranged at the lower end of said rod, a roller journalled at the upper end of said'rod, said roller being adapted to engage with one of said side rails, and a wheel journalled at said offset portion of said rod, said wheel being adapted to engage with said main cured to said intermediate point of said rod, said shaft being arranged in a substantially vertical direction to said axle and carrying a wheel adapted to engage with said main rail, and an actuating extension arranged on said shaft, said extension being adapted to actuate said stopping means. 7

13. A garment hanger for a garment checking apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising: a rod, said rod having an intermediate ofiset portion, a hook formed at the lower end of said rod, a supporting bar arranged near to the lower end of said rod, an axle arranged at the upper end of said rod, said axle carrying a roller adapted to engage one of said side rails, a shaft secured to said intermediate point of said rod, said shaft being arranged in a substantially vertical direction to said axle and carrying a wheel adapted to engage with said main rail, and an actuating extension arranged on said shaft, said extension being adapted to actuate said stopping means.

PAUL BOUMANS. WERNER BRINCK.

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