US2452346A - Garment hanger - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 26,v 1948.,l J. Ff. APPLEMAN 2,452,345'

GARMENv-HANGEH Filed Jan. 15, 1946 2 sheets-sheet '1V wril l I l Patented Oct. 26, 1948 discurren srA'rss ATENT oFFlCE 7, claims.

This invention relates to improvements in garment hangers, and more particularly, to the type of hanger described and claimed in mypending l application for Letters Patent, Serial No; 622,243,

led `October 15, 1945, which resulted in U. S.,v

Patent No. 2,426,292 issued August 26, 1947.

The invention has for its principal desiderata to provide a hanger for coats, skirts, trousers and devious other articles of wearing apparel which,

vby reason of itsrmeritorious and novel construevtion, will simultaneously support bifurcated or skirted apparel and other body garments, such as coats, clcaks, overcoats or the like in proper form,

and so, prevent wrinkling and/or mis-shaping of the same during their hanging; moreover, to pre-,l

vent undesirable relative shifting of the` hanger v`engaged and supported garments, as by reason of movement of the hanger upon, along -or from and to its supportingmedium.

It is a yfurther and equally important object f of the invention to provide a garment hanger of the indicated character whose over-all length may be selectively adjusted whereby to effect a I properly snug fitting and/or engagement of a cloak, coat or similar body garment therewith,

the length adjustment of the hanger being ac- Y'complished by thejoperation of a simple though Ypositive means provided to the shoulder engaging and receiving` portions of the hanger for automatically imparting longitudinal movement in t opposite directions thereto. without disturbing or otherwise detrimentally aliecting their proper and operative assembly,

Theinvention also aims to provide a garment ,hangen in which the relatively opposed comy,panionate sections of its assembly will be possessed of a maximum of stressresistance properties, i. e., resistance to stresses which may and will ybe applied there@ by garments engaged and supported upon it, as well .as those to which the device will be subjected during over-all handling y and use of the same.

The foregoing, as wellas other objects, advanform'of the invention presented herein is a precisei and what is now considered to be the best;

mode of embodying its principles, but that modifications and changes may be made in specific embodiments, without departing from its essential. features:

y In the drawings: l.

v -Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coat hanger constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2is a top plan View ofthe same, Figure 3 is Va fragmentary top plan view of the A'hanger with a portionof lthe same. broken away and shown in section to illustrate the means for and the manner in which longitudinal adjusting movement is impartedto the hanger shoulder engaging members.

- Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the improved hanger in which the means for transmitting movement to the hanger shoulder engagingmembers is 'shown with the pinion provided thereto andthe rack tooth provided portions of said members shown in dotted lines.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

Figure 6 is'a horizontal section taken through theY shoulder engaging member retaining sleeve illustrating the adjacent ends of said members in partially distended positions and valso illustrating, in dotted lines, the formation of the adjacent inner endsof` said members and the pinion for transmitting motion thereto.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary edge or side View of an inner end portion of one of the shoulder engaging members showing its formation and the manner in'which rack teeth are provided to the same, and i i Figure 8 is a fragmentary vdetail in plan of the l innerend portion of; one of the shoulder engaging members.

Referring iny detail tothe construction illusposed and aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members l and 2, `each of which is slopingly curved throughout its length and has a transversely convex outer surface and outer end ,portionA whereby to :render it more or less shape ,while being formed with transversely convex outer surfaces, as above described, are substantially straightand in parallel relationship to the outer or upper portions thereof, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Each thereof is formed with width reduced complemental 5 are arranged. The upper flange-like sides 6 of said reduced portions 3 and ll, that is, the nangelike sides above their respective longitudinal channels, are straight-edged and are adapted to be abuttingly engaged, as well shown in'Figure 5.- of

' the accompanying drawings. The lower flanged or flange-like sides of each of said portions 3 and 4,

andere lindicated for clarity by the numeral 1, aie straight edged but are of less Width than the upper anged sides 6. Thus, it will be seen that the resultant spacingof the sides .Lupen assemblyand juxtapositioning Vofthey portions 3 and ofthesupporting members I and 2, provides a longitudinal way between th innr and straight faces of said re- 'wili be hereinafter apparent.

l The outer and downwardly disposed Aends o the supporting members I and 2 are each'iormed 'with downwardly disposedgsides or-extensions `Il, 'whose outer surfaces are transverselyconvex to conform with the adjacent portions of the convex surfaces of said supporting members. Inwardly 'duced end portions 3 and 4, the purpose of which disposed extensions er1-arms 5 l and .Iii are integral .Witheach of the said sides^8- and have their'free portions longitudinally bifurcated, as indicated at II. These bifurcated portions of the extensions .USand'iiB, .as Ashown vin Figures' 1, 2 and-5 ofthe drawings, are juxtapositioned and are larranged l'in thesame plane; :moreoverfsaid extensions are disposed substantially parallel to thestraightedge *innerportions 3 .and d of the members .i and 2.

Tostrengthen or reinforce the bifurcated extensions@ and I0, `I rmay .and preferably:V do 'form v:bracing xwebs t2 integralwith. adjacent portions of the outer ends of the supporting members I -andf-Z, their respective-sides-or extensions 8', and -V`their respective inwardly .i disposed bifurcatedv ex- 'tensions 9 and 1G.

M'Because of the `formation-and relative disposition of the Width reduced bifurcated extensions or arms-45 andHl, it Will-be seen, upon reference to Fig. 1 of theaccompanying draWings,"-that Ysuch 'arms,Y With thekassemblingof. their respective supporting members I and 2,'Will .be arranged in 'relativelyl vlongitudinallyv opposed juxtaposition; -#'also, that because of-the-reduced Width of-said bifurcated extensions, they will be arranged-in more oriless' nested relationship. 'The respective `length 'lof lfea'oh lof: the-biurcated extensions or arms 9 and IIl, is such that spacing Will-be nor- "ill, -will-beffacilitatedy sAn inwardlyextending lug i3 is integral. with or otherwise .nxedly fmounted P upon thev inner. .side -of'each-ofthe bifurcatedarms'fQ-andIB, somewhat in proximityto therespective outerends thereof.

'Consequently, with opposed longitudinal move- A`mentr ofthe supporting members'l and 2-in-'direc tionsto increase the lover-all length of the imj'prov'ed hangerjsaidlugs will interengage, and so, limit `the extent of outward adjusting longitudinal jmovementv ofthe supportimg members.

Inorderthat longitudinal movement in opposite directionsmay beselectivelyimpartedto the supporting members I and 2, the device'is provided Awith ahandlefor-knob1I-4mountingthereona*shaft i5, :the vinner endofwhich--xedly carries a' gear I6 positioned between the rack 4teeth 5, hereinabove describedfpr'ovided onthe `inner straight sides ofthe "reduced eo'mplementaliportions 3 and 4 ofthemembers-I-and`-2,respectively. The'diameter 'of the gear-I Efisjsuchias to effect a positive meshing -of itsf'vteeth'withthe aforesaid rack'teeth on the opposite faces of-the reduced portions 3 and-4.

Aretaining'sleeve;madelofmetalor other suit- `able-material, and -hereinsindicated bythe numersides l,

al 'l, is snugly engaged transversely about the intermediate portion of the hanger construction or assembly, to wit, over and about the reduced com- ,.plemental portions 3.,.and y.4,hereinbefore described. '.'Ihe normally lower or under side of the sleeve is provided with an opening (see Figure 5) through which the stub shaft I5 passes into the way afforded by the relatively spaced flange-like At this point, it will be noted that the length of the stub shaft I5 is such that the knob or handle I4 will have its inner side directly adja- -cent'the corresponding portions of the outer face may be attached tof-and supported from a. suitable supporting means or object, as for example, a bar, rod, etc.

above inferred, the length and width of .the retaining.sleeve'l'lwis such that it effects a comparatively snug engagement about .and with the relatively straight reduced complemental portions 3 andi 4 of the supporting members 'I and* 2, also,

.its cross-sectional shape substantially corresponds y.with that of said complemental portions :Sand

t, as will be recognized upon reference tothe Figures l and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

In usage of .my 'improved hanger, a bodygarment. `suclfi'for examplepas a cloak,-coat,lovercoat vjust the over-all length of the'hanger assembly (the supporting members `I andZ) Wherebyfto properlyt or size the samevwithgrelation-to the 'body garment tofbe supportedtherefrom, the user of thedeviceengages .theknob orihandleld and "rotates it inA the '.requiredldirection. `Such lrotation will, of. course, eiect corresponding rotation of the gear i6 .whose teeth. areffenmeshed with-'the .teeth ofthe several rack portionss, aforesaid,

causingfthe fcomplementari-portions. 3 'and ..4 carry- `ingsuchiaclrs,to .beselectively movedfeither inwardly or outwardly inopposedfdirections. "The fmeshingengagement .between .the teeth .of the racks 5 vand the vgear .I6 is sufciently lfree vof play to insure retention of 'the' thus ylongitudinally length adjusted hanger .assembly in k.an adjusted position.

The hanger, .engaged with valbody. garment, as above, is adapted tobeengagedwith or supported from asuitable supporting medium-and', by reason of the ilange formation of the hook. I8, it-will be seen thatfpendulous orsWinging-.movement of the 'hanger ina directional'l right angles to ithelongitudinal Iaxis of the particularly vadjacent supporting medium will jbe prevented. Thereby, shifting -or-undesirablel displacement of the gar- -rnent hanger engaged-and supported garmentwill be Ireduced to a minimum, if notlprevented.

Excessive outward longitudinal'Amovement or adjustmentyof the supporting members land 2 vof the "hanger assembly will-'be positively pre- "its gear I6 vand handle 44, in 'that vparticular direction. `lLimitation of relatively inward `longitudinal movement of the supporting members I" and -2 of the hanger assembly will, of course, be effected when the inner end or shoulder portions of the racks 5 on the reduced complemental portions 3 and Il of said members I and 2 become engaged or contacted with adjacent portions of the gear I6 during its rotary movement.

To support skirts, trousers or other characters of articles of wearing apparel, i. e., bifurcated or skirted apparel, upon the improved hanger, appropriate portions of the same are slidably introduced into the reduced bifurcated portions of thearms 9 and I0, allowing the thus engaged garment to be hangingly supported therefrom with the bifurcated arm engaged portions of the same in a substantially horizontal plane, whereby to ensure their retention in a manner free of Wrinkles or similar undesirably distorted conditions.

While I have herein disclosed and described with some particular degree of particularity, my improved garment hanger as being provided with the relatively opposed and horizontally positioned reduced bifurcated arms 9 and I0, it is to be understood that these latter devices may, if desired, be eliminated from the construction, hence, providing a garment hanger including only the aforesaid supporting members I and 2. It is also equally apparent that, if desired, but a single bifurcated supporting arm 9 or I0 may be supplied to the hanger assembly construction. That is to say, if desired, only one of the outer ends of the supporting members I and 2 may be provided or equipped with the inwardly disposed and normally horizontally positioned reduced bifurcated arm 9 or lil, the length of which may be either increased or decreased from that shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, to such extent as conditions or preference may dictate.

In constructing the garment shoulder engaging supporting members I and 2. I am particularly desirous that the widths thereof shall be suiicient to effect a maxim of contact area with the particular garments to be engaged thereby. In this way, it will be obvious that the shoulder portions of the supported garment will be accorded supporting engagement or contact which is much of the same order or character as that which will be had by the same when engaged with and over the shoulders of a person or wearer. And because of this latter manner of increased area engagement and resultantly increased area support, it follows that the body garment supported upon the members I and 2 of my improved hanger will be maintained in natural and proper shape over a prolonged period of time, hence, materially improving their retention in or preservation in proper formation-free of wrinkles and other undesirable distortions. Moreover, because of the transverse convexing of the outer or upper sides of the supporting members I and 2 and their ends 8, the immediately :above indicated desirable results are more positively assured of attainment. Also, it is to be understood that because of the straight formation of the reduced inner end portions 3 and 4 of the shoulder engaging and supporting members I and 2, engagement of the retaining sleeve I'I over and about the same whereby to eiectually slidably receive and support them, will be effected, thus causparticularly, with relation to their straight complemental end portions 3 and 1I. Such retention' of the bifurcated arms 9 and I0 in the aforesaid horizontal positions or planes will ensure proper or perpendicular hanging of garments therefrom.

I claim:

1. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent end portions thereof reduced in width and arranged in juxtaposed lateral relation, retaining means engaged about and slidably supporting said reduced and juxtaposed end portions. and means positioned between the adjacent sides of said reduced and juxtaposed end portions 4operable from without the retaining means to transmit longitudinal motion in opposite directions to the same and to their respective aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members.

2. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent end portions thereof reduced in width and arranged in juxtaposed lateral relation, means engaged about and slidably retaining said reduced and juxtaposed end portions, and means carried by said retaining means engaged between and with the adjacent sides of ysaid reduced juxtaposed end portions operable to transmit longituclinal motion in opposite directions to the same and to their respective :aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members, v

3. A garment hanger, comprising `longitudinally opposed and aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent end portions thereof reduced in width and arranged in juxtaposed lateral relation, the adjacent sides of said reduced end portions having longitudinally disposed teeth thereon throughout vtheir respective lengths, retaining means engaged about said reduced and juxtaposed end portions slidably supporting the same, and toothed means engaged between and with the teeth on the adjacent sides of said reduced and juxtaposed end portions operable to transmit longitudinal motion in opposite directions to the same and to their respective aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members.

4. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent end portions of the same arranged in juxtaposed lateral relation, retaining means engaged about said juxtaposed end portions slidably receiving the same, means positioned between adjacent portions of said juxtaposed end portions operable to transmit longitudinal motion in opposite directions to the same and to their respective aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members, and relatively inwardly disposed horizontally positioned bifurcated arms xedly carried on the cuter portions of each of said members in substantially parallel relationship thereto. v

5. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and aligned garment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent end portions thereof arranged in juxtaposed lateral relation, retaining means engaged about said juxtaposed end portions slidably supporting the same, means positioned between adjacent portions of said juxtaposed end portions operable to transmit longitudinal motion in opposite directions to the same and to their respective aligned garment shoulder engaging and supportagee-,sae

ingsfinembesgnviaidlydisposedziandgisubstantially horizontally. .arranged bfuroated'. arms xedlycarried on theouter: portion-sauf.; each. of said. shoulder s engaging; andesuppmtting; members; said, arms being substantially relatively paralleland laterally. juxtaposed and having their'. free ends normally .spaced from the outer end of the opposite shoulder engaging .i and supportingmembers, theeombinecl Widths` of said arms. substantially correspondingl with Vthe width. of each of', said shoulder engaging. 'and .supportingI members ,and means on portions of 'said bifurcated arms-.interengagable at times whereby to limit outward longitudinal movement of said shoulder engaging and Ysupporting members'.

.li-garmenthanger, comprising longitudina-ll' opposed and aligned. kwgarmentshoulder engaging and supportingmembers havingy the adiaoent end portions thereof arranged in juxtaposed horizontal and laterally overlapping-relation, the adj'aoe'ntsides of said redueedl portions having l'orugitudinallyv disposed and relativelyl parallel channels formed therein., retalningmeansengagfe'doverandv aboutf'said reduced end portions s'liiablyfsupporting the same therein, and rotata bleV 'means positioned betweenfsaidadjacent sides of Ysaid reduced end portions engaged in the enannels-formed therein and 'with the inner walls of each-thereof'operable to transmit longitudinal motionfin oppositedirectionsto said opposed and aigned shoulder engagingV Aand supporting members.

7." A garment hanger,` comprising longitudi- 81 nally opposed? -andxaligned .garment shoulder en-4 gaging and supporting members having the adjaA cent inner end portions thereof arranged. in juxtaposedV horizontal Vand laterally overlapping relation, the. adjacent sides of said'inner end portions -lxaving. longitudinally disposed and relatively parallelk .channels formed therein, retaining meanslengaged'over and about said reducedend portionsgslidably. supporting the same therein, rackfteeth on and longitudinally of the inner wall. ofeaclrxof said chan-nels, andv atpinion' rotatably positioned. ibetween .said adjacent sides ofv said innerendportions engaged` in said channels. and with .the racky teetlrtherein, operable to transmit longitudinal motion in .opposite directions to said opposed.` and alignedshoulder engaging and supporting members.`

JOSEPH F. APPLEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The-'following references are of record inthe iefof this patent:

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