US3061155A

US3061155A - Trousers and skirt hanger

Info

Publication number: US3061155A
Application number: US69225A
Authority: US
Inventors: Laurence W Van Dusen
Original assignee: MISSION IND
Current assignee: MISSION IND
Priority date: 1960-11-14
Filing date: 1960-11-14
Publication date: 1962-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 1979-10-30

Description

Oct. 30, 1962 w, VAN DUsEN 3,061,155

TROUSERS AND SKIRT HANGER Filed Nov. 14, 1960 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 4100967165 (V. W/VOUSEN Oct. 30, 1962 L. w. VAN DUSEN TROUSERS AND SKIRT HANGER INVENTOR. L4d/IQE/VC5 I44 I44/VDU5EA/ '5 ATTOP/VEVS l I/I I I,

O 6 m mm m. w 1 N ll/ r/ d IHEN\\\\\\\\ u #74714 f m 1 D w Wm mm I l l United States Patent O 3,061,155 TROUSERS AND SKIRT HANGER Laurence W. Van Dusen, Escondido, Calif., assignor to Mission Industries, Escondido, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 69,225 15 Claims. (Cl. 223-96) This invention relates to garment hangers and has particular reference to a new and improved hanger for trousers and skirts.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 703,599, filed December 18, 1957, now abandoned.

At the present time it is customary to hang trousers either by folding them transversely over the lower bar of a conventional coat hanger, or by suspending them upside down from the cuffs in any of several types of hangers specifically designed for this purpose. None of these methods and/or devices are entirely satisfactory, however. Folding the trousers will often cause the creases to be removed or other undesirable creases to be formed. The cuif-type hangers are extremely difficult to use in that great dexterity is required to install and remove the trousers on or from the hangers. One of the principal objects of this invention is, therefore, to provide a novel garment hanger which is not subject to the above and other disadvantages of those used heretofore.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cufftype trousers hanger which is extremely easy to use in attaching trousers or skirts to or removing them from the hanger.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a trousers hanger which is adapted to support a pair of trousers in any one of several ways, i.e., in the inverted position, either directly from the cuffs or from a point immediately above the cuffs; in the upright position, i.e., hanging from the waist; or in the more conventional folded position. I

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel trousers and skirt hanger which is highly effective in use, yet which is adapted to be manufactured economically on a quantity basis.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention, it is believed, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the device of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view, partly in section.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view, partly in section, illustrating the gripping legs in the open position.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially o the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-6 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view thereof partly in horizontal section.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, partial sectional view similar to FIGURE 8', but illustrating the gripping legs in the open position.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken substantially 0n the line Ill-14) of FIGURE 7. 1

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 7.

3,061,155 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 ice FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 7.

Referring now to the drawings, the hanger illustrated therein includes a pair of elongated gripping members or

legs

10 and 11 each provided with a

central bore

12, 13 extending from one end and terminating short of the, other end of each leg. The

legs

10 and 11, preferably of Wood or plastic material, are generally cylindrical in shape, but are provided with central reduced

portions

14 and 15 respectively so that in the normal, closed position the central portions of the legs are spaced apart to provide clearance for the trousers or skirt seams.

The

legs

10 and 11 are each rotatably carried on one of a pair of

straight portions

20 and 21 of a single. length of relatively heavy steel wire generally indicated 22. The

portions

20 and 21 extend into the

respective bores

12 and 13, disassembly of the legs from the wire portions being prevented by means of a pair of

pins

25 and 26, one inserted partly through each of the legs into one of a pair of

annular grooves

28 and 29 formed in eachof the

portions

20 and 21 adjacent the ends thereof.

The

wire portions

20 and 21 extend through a retainer block 3% which is provided with a bore 31 for the portion 21 and a transverse groove or slot 32 for the portion 20. The portion 20 is secured to the block by means of a pin 33. These

portions

20 and 21 then merge into upstanding OutWardIy

divergent wire portions

35 and 36, respectively, which latter portions merge into the angularly inclined,

convergent portions

38 and 39 at the

curved poitions

40 and 41. The hook member 45 is formed of a U-shaped portion of the wire 22, the two legs of the hook member merging into the

respective portions

38 and 39.

In use of the hanger, it is held in one hand with the trousers or skirt in the other. The

portions

35 and 36, and 38 and 39, are squeezed together, by grasping these portions in one hand, most conveniently with one of the

curved portions

40 and 41 placed centrally of the palm of the hand of the user. This squeezing action forces or spreads the

portions

20 and 21 and their associated legs 10 and 1-1 apart as shown in FIGURE 4, the block 30 acting as a fulcrum in the embodiment shown, whereupon the trousers or skirt are then easily placed therebetween in the desired position for hanging. Upon release of the squeezing pressure, the garment is securely gripped and supported by the

legs

10 and 11 due to the resiliency of the wire 22. A preferred method for hanging trousers is illustrated by the phantom lines of FIGURE 1, wherein the trousers are gripped just above the cuffs. After installation of the garment, the hanger and garment assembly is simply hooked on a closet pole from the book 45 in the customary manner.

From the above description it will be understood that the hanger is extremely easy to use, particularly inasmuch as the

portions

35, 36, 38 and 39 form a natural handle for the hand of the user, which handle is also the operating means for opening and closing of the

legs

10 and 11.

The hanger of the present invention is sufiiciently flexible in manner of use that it can support trousers in several ways, as well as supporting a skirt or skirts. Trousers may be supported as shown or directly from the cufis, as well as by merely inserting the knee portion of the trousers between the

leg members

10 and 11 and then folding the trouser legs over one or the other of the

leg members

10 and 11. Moreover, the trousers may be supported in the upright position by doubling them over at the waist and then inserting the doubled-over portion between the

leg members

10 and 11. Skirts are hung in the same manner, i.e., by folding or doubling over the waist portion. Two or more skirts or pairs of trousers may be supported on a single hanger if desired.

It will be observed that in the normal opening operation illustrated in FIGURE 4, the legs and 11 are spread apart primarily by a pivoting or hinging action of the portion 21 with respect to the block 30. It should be pointed out, however, that this action is supplemented by an outward bodily movement of the end of the portion within the block in the case of relatively thick garments, the portion 20 being free to so move in the slot 32.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIG- URES 7-11 and is generally similar to that described above, including a clamping portion comprising a pair of garment supporting members or legs 16a and 11a. In the form shown, the legs are molded of plastic and are virtually identical with the exception of the interlock structure described below. The legs are each provided with relatively flat opposed garment-contacting faces having mating serrated surfaces and 51. Each leg also has a reinforcing

rib

52, 53, the legs being slightly outwardly bowed to space apart the central portions thereof (see FIGURES 8 and 9), providing clearance for the trousers or skirt seams.

A handle portion is provided, formed by a pair of

extensions

56 and 57 integral with the respective legs 10a and 11a. The extension 56 is provided with a ribbed side surface 58 and a pair of spaced, central Webs 59. The extension 57 is also provided with a ribbed side surface 69, and has a single control web 61 which fits into the space between the webs S9 in a tongue and groove or interlock type of relationship.

Fulcrum means are provided adjacent one end of the clamping portion and as shown in the drawings, these means may include a transverse bead or rib 65 on the leg 11a and a mating slot 66 on the leg 10a, the rib and slot interlocking to provide a fulcrum for movement of the legs to the open position shown in FIGURE 9.

Spring means are provided to act upon the clamping portion about said fulcrum and as shown in the drawings, these means may include a single length of relatively heavy steel wire generally indicated 22a terminating in a pair of

straight portions

20a and 21a. The portions 28a and 21a merge into upstanding, inwardly converging

wire portions

35a and 36a, respectively, which latter portions merge into angularly inclined, converging

portions

36a and 39a. The hook member 45a is formed of a U-shaped portion of the wire 22a, the two legs of the hook member merging into the

respective portions

38a and 39a. The portion 20a and the lower part of the portion 350: are received in a slot 70 formed in the leg 1011 by means of a pair of spaced flange portions 71 and 72 and by an inclined plane or wall portion 73. The flange 71 terminates at 74, leaving an opening between the point 74 and the end of the slot 70 which is formed by a front wall portion 75 of the extension 56. A flange 76 extends outwardly from the wall portion 75 and terminates in an inwardlyturned shoulder 78 behind which is positioned the portion 35a. An identical slot 70a is provided in the leg 11a for the reception of the portion 21a and the lower part of the portion 36a.

Prior to assembly, the

portions

20a, 35a, 38a and the

portions

21a, 36a, 39a, each line in one of a pair of parallel planes. That is, the portion 20a is parallel to the portion 21a, the portion 35a is parallel at the portion 36a, and the portion 38a is parallel to the portion 39a. In assembly of the device, the two plastic legs and associated extensions are placed together in the position shown in FIGURE 8, and the

end portions

20a and 21a are spaced apart (causing them to assume a slight toed-in aspect with the free ends somewhat closer together than the points of connection with the

respective portions

35a and 36a) to permit them to straddle the legs. The end portions are then slipped into the slots 70 and 70a and the

portions

35a and 36a are inserted into the respective openings between the flanges 7i and the shoulders 78,

whereupon the

portions

35a and 36a are squeezed together to clear the shoulders 73 and the wire 22a is moved bodily toward the handle portion until the

portions

35a and 36a meet the wall portions 75. The

portions

35a and 36a are then released and they spring out to the first assembled position shown in the drawings. Preferably, although not essentially, the inclined plane portions 73 are provided with small protuberances 80 against which the ends 81 and 82 of the wire 22a seat.

In the assembled position the Wire 22a is under tension and acts as a. spring to continuously urge the legs into generally parallel clamping relationship. Thus, the ends 81 and 82 exert opposing inward forces upon the inclined planes 73 at points on one side of the fulcrum, and the

portions

35a and 36a exert opposing outward forces upon the flanges 76 on the other, or handle side of the fulcrum. It should be pointed out, however, that the contact points of the

portions

35a and 36a need not be on the handle side of the fulcrum, but can be on the same side as the contact points of the ends 81 and 82 if desired.

The hanger of FIGURES 7-12 is used in essentially the same manner as that of FIGURES l6, except that here the hanger is opened for insertion of the trousers or skirt by the application of squeezing force upon the handle or

extension

56 and 57. Here again, it will be understood that in use, the legs are free to move apart in general parallel relationship so that once the garment is clamped between the legs, the bead 78 separates from the groove '79, and the tension of the wire member is transmitted evenly through the points of contact between the wire and the legs so that the clamping force of the legs is applied over the entire lengths thereof.

In addition to possessing the advantages described above, the hanger of FEGURES 7-1-2 is of enhanced construction in that it comprises only three parts which are quickly and easily assembled without the use of tools or the necessity for skilled workmanship. The leg members are maintained in the proper parallel relationship by means of the wire 22a, assisted by the interlock structures of the fulcrum and the extensions. The hanger structure is simple yet highly effective and it is extremely compact in size, particularly in the lateral dimension so that it takes up little room in the closet.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clamp type garment hanger for pants, skirt and the like having a horizontally extending clamping portion, a handle portion, a hook portion, fulcrum means adjacent one end of the clamping portion and spring means acting on said clamping portion about said fulcrum means; said clamping portion comprising a pair of horizontally elongated garment-supporting members having longitudinally extending opposed faces normally in contact for at least a portion of their length; said handle portion including spaced elements connected to said members and having portions extending beyond the fulcrum point adjacent the fulcrum end, said members extending in cantilever fashion from one end of the handle portion and being connected together by said spring means at the handle end, said spring means continuously urging said members about said fulcrum means into generally parallel clamping relationship, and said members being movable with respect to each other at the fulcrum point to maintain general parallelism of said members when a garment is supported thereon; said hook portion extending from the handle portion end and forming a point of support above the approximate horizontal midpoint of said clamping portion, the spaced elements of said handle portion providing a squeezing means adapted to be grasped by the hand to open the garment-supporting members about said fulcrum means.

est- L 2. A garment hanger as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle portion, hook portion and spring means comprise a single length of bent wire.

3. A gar-ment hanger as defined in claim 1 wherein said fulcrum means comprises a block having a bore and a transverse slot therethrough, and said handle portion, hook portion and spring means comprise a single length of bent wire having a pair of end portions, one end portion of said wire extending through said block bore and connected to one of said garment-supporting members and the other end portion of said wire extending through said transverse slot and connected to the other of said garment-supporting members, said wire diverging from said end portions beyond the fulcrum block to form the spaced elements of said handle portion and then converging and bending to form said hook portion.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the end portions of said wire are inserted in longitudinal bores in the fulcrum ends of the respective garment-supporting members.

5. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said wire is bent upwardly and outwardly from the end portions to the rear of said fulcrum block to form the diverging portion, is bent inwardly over the fulcrum end of the garment-supporting members to form the converging portion and then terminates in a substantially U-shape at 7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein the. handle portion comprises :a pair of extensions of said garment supporting members.

8. The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein the fulcrum means comprises a pair of cooperating members, one on each of said garment-supporting members.

9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said 4 fulcrum means comprises a raised bead on one of said garment supporting members and a mating groove on the other garment supporting member.

10. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the fulcrum means comprises a pair of cooperating members, one on each of said garment-supporting members.

11. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein the end portions of said wire are normally parallel prior to assembly with said garment-supporting members, wherein the end portions merge into upstanding portions, and wherein the wire is under tension when assembled with said garment-supporting members, the ends of said end portions exerting opposing inward forces upon a wall of each slot, and the upstanding portions exerting outward, opposing forces upon a Wall of each slot.

12. The structure of claim 7 wherein cooperating tongue and groove members are provided on said exten- SlOIlS.

13. The structure as defined in claim 11 wherein the upstanding portions converge toward the upper portions thereof, and wherein said upstanding portions converge into angularly inclined portions which converge into said hook portion.

14. The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the end portions of said wire are normally parallel prior to assembly with said garment-supporting members, wherein the end portions merge into upstanding portions, and wherein the wire is under tens-ion when assembled with said garment-supporting members, the ends of said end portions exerting opposing inward forces upon a wall of each slot, and the upstanding portions exerting outward,

' opposing forces upon a wall of each slot.

15. The structure as defined in claim 14 wherein the upstanding portions converge toward the upper portions thereof, and wherein said upstanding portions converge into angularly inclined portions which converge into said hook portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 183,640 Van Dusen Sept. 30, 1958 588,560 Evans Aug. 24, 1897 2,210,184 Sitter Aug. 6, 1940 2,214,536 Nelson Sept. 10, 1940 2,413,798 Strassburgh Jan. 7, 1947