US2999619A

US2999619A - Garment creasing device

Info

Publication number: US2999619A
Application number: US785474A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thorne Harold
Original assignee: GORDON SAMUEL LEXTON
Current assignee: GORDON SAMUEL LEXTON
Priority date: 1959-01-07
Filing date: 1959-01-07
Publication date: 1961-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1978-09-12

Description

Sept. 12, 1961 H. THORNE 2,999,619

GARMENT CREASING DEVICE Filed Jan. 7, 1959 PRESS INVENTOR HAROLD T HORNE ATTORNEYS United States Patent OfiFice 2,999,619 GARMENT CREASING DEVICE Harold Thorne, Downingtown, Pa., assignor to Gordon Samuel Lexton, Downingtown, Pa. Filed Jan. 7, 1959, Ser. No. 785,474 4 Claims. (Cl. 223-74) The present invention relates to a garment creasing device that is adapted to maintain the garment in a neat and unwrinkled condition when the garment is packed in luggage, and which additionally serves as a hanger means for the garment when the garment is removed from the luggage. While the invention is illustrated and described in connection with a creasing device for mens trousers, it is, of course, to be understood that the invention is not thus restricted, and can be employed with equal facility with other types of garments.

To accomplish the salient object of the invention, the device broadly comprises a pair of similarly spaced components, each component being adapted to cooperate with a crease in the trousers, linkage means interconnected to each spaced component adapted to move such components toward and away from each other, and resilient means operably associated with the linkage means, normally maintaining the spaced components away from each other, yet permitting such components to be moved toward each other upon moving one of the ends of said components toward each other.

More specifically, each spaced component includes an elongated slot therein in proximity to one of the ends thereof, and the linkage means including a pair of crossed elements, each being pivotally connected at one end to the end of each spaced component remote from the elongated slot, the opposite end of each element having a connection mounted for longitudinal movement in the respective elongated slots, the cross-over point of each element including a lost-motion slot, and a connection movable in the lost-motion slot, and a pair of resilient bands secured to the elements on opposite sides of the cross-over point, with such bands normally holding the spaced components away from each other.

It is also possible, if desired, to lock the spaced components in their position in proximity to each other by means of an off-set slot merging with the elongated slot of one of the spaced components.

It is obvious that when used for trousers or the like, two devices are necessary, one for each leg.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from a study of the following description and the annexed drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a trouser creasing device embodying the present invention, with the device being shown in the extended position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the press in the retracted position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2, with the view looking in the direction of the arrows and being on a slightly enlarged scale;

FIGURE 4 is a view generally similar to FIGURE 1, showing the device in position in a trouser leg, and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmental elevational view of a modified form of the invention, showing the means for looking the device.

The trouser creasing device which is identified generally includes a pair of complementary,

elongated components

11 and 12, made of an inexpensive, flexible material, such as cardboard or other fibrous material, and each of the

components

11 and 12 is adapted in use to be positioned in the crease of the trouser leg. Pivotally connected to each of the

components

11 and 12 in proximity to one of the ends thereof is a link member 13 of similar material, and such pivot connection is indicated at 14. The link members are crossed over toward each other, the connectors 17 can slide from the upper ends of the

slots

18 and 19 to the lower ends, thereby bringing the

components

11 and 12 closer to each other. In order to normally maintain the

components

11 and 12 in the position shown in FIGURE 1, a pair of resilient means such as rubber bands 20 pass about the link members 13 on opposite sides of the cross-over point. These bands may be fitted in recesses 21, formed in the outer edges of the respective link members to prevent displacement of the bands 20. Obviously, when pressure is released from the ends of the

components

11 and 12 adjacent the pivot points 14, the bands will force the assembly to the extended position illustrated in FIGURE 1.

While the use of the device is believed readily apparent from the drawing and description, it may be briefly summarized as follows:

To insert the device in the trouser leg, the device is first closed by pressing the upper ends of the

components

11 and 12, that is, the ends adjacent the pivots 14, together, and thereafter inserting the thus closed device into the lower end of the trouser leg. After the device has been inserted, the device is released, whereupon the bands 20 will urge the

components

11 and 12 apart to exert a pressure at diametrically opposite points of the trouser leg. The trouser leg can then be adjusted, so that the

components

11 and 12 are in proper alignment with the creases, after which the device will maintain the trouser leg in the desired position.

In view of the fact that the

components

11 and 12 are of such length as not to extend a material distance above the cuif, the trousers can be easily folded for packing in luggage, with the device preventing wrinkling or the like of the trousers.

After the garment has been removed from the luggage, and to permit the device to also function as a hanger, it will be seen that a cord loop or the like 22a is attached to the link members 13, as indicated at 22, and by passing the loop over the hook of a conventional coat hanger, or door hanger, or the like, the trousers can be suspended.

To remove each device from the trouser leg, it is merely necessary to press the upper ends together, thereby allowing the trousers to be slid down the

spaced components

11 and 12.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to lock the device in the trouser-inserting position, and to accomplish this end, the lower end of the slot 18 is provided with a right-angled, off-set 24, in which the connector 17 enters when the components are moved toward each other. To release the lock, the component 11 is moved outwardly, thereby disengaging the connector 17 from the off-set 24, thereby enabling each connector 17 to slide upwardly in the elongated slots by virtue of the bands 20.

While the creasing device is preferably formed of inexpensive, fibrous material, it is, of course, to be understood that other materials such as metals or plastics may be employed, and spring means other than rubber bands can be used.

The device includes few essential working parts, is posi- Patented Sept. 12, 1961 3 tive and eflicient in operation, and can easily be manu factured.

The invention is not to be confined to any strict conformity with the showings in the drawings, but changes or modifications may be made therein, so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A garment creasing device, particularly a device for use with trousers, comprising a pair of spaced apart substantially rigid components adapted to be inserted into a trouser leg, a pair of link members arranged in crossed-over relationship with one end of each member being pivotally connected to one end of each of said components, the other end of each link member being mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between uppermost and lowermost positions in an elongated slot provided in each component in spaced relation to said pivot connections, a lost motion connection between said link members in proximity to their cross-over point, and resilient means operably connecting said link members between the cross-over point end each component normally urging said link members to their uppermost position in said elongated slots to hold the spaced components away from each other, yet upon pressing the components together adjacent said pivotal connections, the resilient means allow the other ends of said link members to move to the lowermost position in the elongated slots to move the spaced components toward each other thereby permitting the device to be inserted in the trouser leg, and

upon release of said components, the resilient means moves the link members towards the uppermost position in the slots so that the spaced components stretch the trousers.

2. A garment creasing device as claimed in claim 1, in which said resilient means are rubber bands with the bands being disposed in cut-out areas provided in the link members.

3. A garment creasing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least the lower end of one of said elongated slots is provided with a perpendicularly extending olf-set, and the other end of the link member having a connector adapted to be moved into such offset to hold the components in a position towards each other.

4. A garment creasing device as claimed in claim 1, further including a loop means connected to the link members in proximity to their pivotal connections to the spaced components for serving as a hanger means for the device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 379,118 McLaughlin Mar. 6, 1888 1,955,995 Wood Apr. 24, 1934 2,393,632 Hartz Jan. 29, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 291,490 Great Britain June 5, 1928 788,476 Great Britain J an. 2, 1958