US3208651A - Garment hanger - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 28, 1965 P. H. SKLAROW 3,208,651

GARMENT HANGER Filed Jan. 14. 1964 2: Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

PERCY H. SKLAROW BY zWVM ATTORNEY Sept. 28, 1965 P. H. SKLAROW 3,208,651

GARMENT HANGER Filed Jan. 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 74 PERCY dy if w 9 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,208,651 GARMENT HANGER Percy H. Sklarow, 750 Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, Pa. Filed Jan. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 337,579 8 Claims. (01. 223-68) This invention relates to a garment hanger. More particularly, it relates to a hanger for womens and girls dresses which provides a shaping function.

The invention has particular applicability to the practices of commercial establishments such as dry-cleaning plants, in returning a cleaned or otherwise processed or repaired dress to the user on a hanger which also serves the function of a dress form so that the dress is held in a shaped condition. This is a highly desirable function. The applicability of the invention is not, of course, limited to dry-cleaners. It may be used, for example, by merchandisers of new dresses.

In this patent, it is understood that a reference to a womans dress includes all dresses and dress-like garments of women, misses and girls.

The practice of this invention permits the rapid, easy, and inexpensive construction of what is, in effect, a combined hanger and dress form which can be individually assembled or constructed and fitted for each garment in an economical manner.

An object of this invention is to provide a garment hanger.

An object of this invention is to provide a combined dress form and dress hanger.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dress hanger having form elements of sheet material.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a womans dress combined hanger and form in which shaping elements of cardboard are provided, to adjustably fit any dress.

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent in the following specification and claims.

The invention is best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the hanger, partially fragmented;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the hanger;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the second embodiment of the hanger, including a detail of one portion thereof;

FIGURE 4a is an enlarged view of part of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 4.

It is considered that this invention is a combined hanger and form, and reference is made throughout to elements which comprise part of the hanger and other elements which comprise part of the form, although it is understood that the functions of these two elements necessarily tend to overlap. Except for the hanger elements and for elements specifically described as being of tissue paper, the preferred material for the remaining elements of the invention (generally the form elements) is cardboard. While cardboard is highly preferred because of its satisfactory structural and handling qualities and its economic aspects, it is understood, of course, that other similar materials could be used within the spirit of the invention. Reference throughout is to cardboard.

The simpler embodiment is illustrated in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2, and the invention is initially described in connection with this embodiment. The hanger ele- 3,208,651 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 ice ment 12 is preferably and generally an ordinary so-called coat hanger, usually made of bent wire. It includes a hook of wire, said wire being extended to form the usual triangular shape of the hanger. The upper sides of the hanger are preferably covered with a protective shield 14 which may be spongy plastic as shown, or a cardboard strip. In the embodiment shown, a protective paper cover 18 is provided over the hanger. Such covers and shields are sometimes provided for use on metal hangers where high-quality garments are to be handled, since the protective shields and covers prevent any rust from the hanger proper reaching the garment.

A long cardboard strip is provided. The operator bends the strip upwards at two places so as to form two uprights or upright elements 24A and a base or base element 24B, thus, making a U-shaped body piece. The upper end of each upright 24A is clipped to the bottom of the hanger by means of metal clip 22, here illustrated as a metal ring. The structure 24A, 24B and the following structure comprise in general the form element of the combination.

The clips 22 may alternatively be safety pins. The proportioning in size of the upright and base, and also the following structure is adapted by the operator to suit the particular garment involved.

Another (second) elongated strip of cardboard is then bent and stapled to make the bust structure. Certain bends may be scored on the cardboard strip to facilitate bending. Typically, the formation of the bust structure is as follows, as best shown in FIGURE 2. The second cardboard strip is initially bent at four right-angles to make the box-like center support 30. As shown, the end of the strip is at the upper right-hand corner, and the bends are successively at the lower right, lower left, upper left and upper right corners, thus, defining a rectangle. After bending, several staples are inserted through the right-hand side to secure the center support. The strip is then continued to the right. A slit starting from the bottom edge of the strip and extending only partway through it is provided and serves as a divider between the inner bust portion 30A and the outer bust portion 30B. The operator slightly bows the inner bust portion, as shown in FIGURE 2, and bends the cardboard strip so that the lower edge of outer bust portion 303 partly overlaps the lower edge of inner bust portion 30A. This provides a corresponding bowing effect in the outer bust portion 30B also. Several staples 32, as shown in FIGURE 1, are inserted to hold the edges of the slit together. It is apparent that this operation provides a rather elementary garment bust structure in a garment form.

Outer bust portion 30B is continued to the right and is stapled against upright 24A, it is then brought around to the left in the back of the form, making a long arc or back bow 30C. Back bow 300 is then stapled to the inside of the left-hand upright 24A, and is extended to make a left bust member, comprising an outer bust portion 30B and an inner bust portion 30A. As has been described above in connection with the right bust member, a slit is provided extending from the lower edge of the strip partially through it, and the overlap and bowing effect is provided as has been described, and the edges of the slit are stapled together with staples 32. The inner bust portion 30A of the left bust member is then extended to the left side of the center support 30 and stapled to it.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, a separate piece of cardboard is then taken and stapled between the back bow 30C and the center support 30 to form a brace 34. This brace is preferred for reasons of stability, but is optional. Convenience and economy of assembly may 3 take precedence over stability and, thus, eliminate brace 34.

It is apparent that precut lengths of cardboard may be provided, with scores thereon to facilitate the bends required to make center support 30. The slits to make the left and right bust members may be provided, it being preferable to provide a plurality of closely adjacent slits for each side so that the proper one may be chosen. Al-

ternatively, the operator may be left free to make the slit with a scissors or other instrument at the point desired. Any excess length of cardboard strip may be trimmed off after the bust structure has been made, if desired.

As shown in FIGURE 1, it is preferable to complete the combined hanger and form, generally designated 10, by afiixing masses of tissue paper 16 over the upper portions of the hanger, and masses of tissue paper 26 to form a drape for the hips of the garment.

An alternate embodiment of the principle of this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 3-6. A front view of the completed combined hanger and form, generally des- H ignated A, is shown in FIGURE 3. In this showing, only a basic wire hanger 12 is provided, without the protective shields and covers, and also the tissue paper as shown in FIGURE 1 is eliminated. It is understood that more elaborate hangers I2 and the provision of tissue paper may be incorporated in this embodiment, but for ease in illustration, they are not shown in FIGURE 3.

In this embodiment, it is an aim to provide a set of pre-prepared cardboard elements which require a minimum of difficult handling by the operator, and attempt to eliminate as much as possible the necessity of stapling or otherwise affixing the elements. The U-shaped body piece which was made of parts 24A and 24B in the first described embodiment, is here made of two separate cardboard strips. A right-hand body piece element 50B is provided. This is an elongated cardboard strip. Near one end, a hanger-receiving hole 51A is provided, and access to this hole is provided by slit 51. Preferably, the upper corners are chamfered, as shown in FIGURE 4. A plurality of parallel scores 52 are provided across the width of the cardboard strip, closer to the end thereof remote from the end having the hanger receiving hole 51A. At the end thereof remote from the end having the hole 51A, a plurality of slits 58 are provided. As best shown in FIGURE 5, these slits 58 each have their major portion aligned parallel to the length of the cardboard strip and approximately centered therein.

Another cardboard strip is provided to make left-hand body piece element 50A. This left-hand element is substantially identical with the right-hand element except that at the bottom end thereof, instead of having a plurality of slits 58, the cardboard is cut or otherwise formed to make a tab 57, as best shown in FIGURE 5. The tab 57 is made by cutting away a portion of the cardboard near the end so that tab 57 may be described as a partially closed hook whose extended portion extends substantially perpendicular to the length of the cardboard strip.

In use, the elements 50A and 50B are each hung from hanger 12 by passing the lower bar of the hanger through slit 51 into the hanger receiving hole 51A. Each element is then bent inwardly at any of the chosen scores 52, to form a right-angle, the tab or hook 57 on left-hand element 50A is then inserted into the nearest matching slit 58 in the right-hand element, as best shown in FIGURE 5. It is apparent that the basic U-shaped body piece may thus be made, with a choice of lengths and widths, depending upon which score 52 is used as the bend, and which slit 58 is utilized to fasten the elements together. There is additional structure on each of elements 50A and 5013, which is described below in connection with its function.

A bust structure is provided in this embodiment also. As illustrated, this bust structure comprises two elements. The right bust member, as shown in FIGURE 5, is an elongated cardboard strip. At one end it is provided with a tab or hook 73 which has its extension generally extending toward one side of the cardboard strip, as has been generally described in connection with the body piece elements or strips. The nature of this tab 73 is best shown in FIGURE 3.

The right bust member may be considered as being of two sections, an outer bust portion 71B and an inner bust portion 72B. These portions are delineated by a slit extending part way across the right bust form.

Between the tab 73 and the slit B are provided a pair of parallel side slits A. These side slits are disposed parallel to the long axis of the cardboard strip. Each extend a distance somewhat longer than the width of the body form elements 50A and 50B. The disposition and structure of the side slits 75A are best shown in FIG- URE 4.

The left bust member is similar to the right bust member in that it is provided with a similar slit extending part way across the cardboard strip, dividing it into an inner bust portion 72A and an outer bust portion 71A. It is also similar to the right bust member in that it is pro- Vided with the pair of side slits 75A, as have been described above in connection with the right bust member. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the side slits serve to define between them a section of the cardboard which may be termed a bust member suspension strip. As best shown in FIGURE 5, in the right bust member, the part way across or transverse slit described above is as far from the corresponding suspension strip 75 as the corresponding slit and strip are in the left bust member.

The left bust member differs from the right bust member in that at the end nearest the suspension strip, the element or strip comprising the left bust member is provided with a plurality of slits 74, each having its major portion parallel to the long axis of the cardboard strip and approximately centered therein, and aligned in end-to-end relationship. These slits 74 are best shown in FIGURE 3, and have the shape therein drawn. The function of any one of the slits 74 is to receive and hold the tab 23. Thus, the locking means which holds the left bust form 70A and right bust form 70B is the same as the locking means 57, 58, which holds the right-hand and left-hand body piece portions together, as has been described.

The left bust member 70A is continued beyond the transverse slit somewhat further than is the corresponding part (inner bust portion 72B) of right bust member 70B. This additional extension is provided so that the strip may be folded to form the box-like center support 77. To facilitate this folding, transversed scores are impressed into the cardboard strip at the corners of box 77. In the same manner as has been described in connection with the box-like center support 30 in the embodiment of FIGURE 2, the operator may fold the end of left bust form 70A on the scores provided so as to form the boxlike center support 77, and then hold the box in permanent closed position by means of stapling or similar means. It is apparent also that it is completely equivalent to have the extension necessary for forming the box 77 on the right bust member 70B. It is also apparent that it is possible, through less desirable, to provide a separate preformed box 77 or a separate strip of cardboard for making it.

In the manner that has been described in connection with the embodiment of FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2, the operator makes the shaped bust members by overlapping and bowing the lower edges of the inner and outer bust portions and stapling them in that position, as best shown in FIGURE 5. The operator can then join the left-hand and right-hand bust members by manipulation of the locking means (tab 73, slit 74) as has been described. It is obvious that by selectively choosing one or another of the available slits 74, the dimensions of the bust structure can be varied to fit the garment. The bust structure may now he slipped over and onto the body piece elements 50A and 5013, the body piece elements being passed between the bust structure suspension strips 75 and the main portion of the bust structure.

The further parts on the right-hand and left-hand body piece elements 50A and 50B, referred to above, are now described in connection with its function. A plurality of selectively choosable upper support tabs 53 are provided in each of the body piece elements 50A and 50B. The shape of these tabs is preferably defined by a U- shaped slit 53A with the open ends of the U pointing upward, as best shown in FIGURE 4. As is best shown in FIGURE 3, the tab 53 selected is pushed inwardly so that it rests over the top of the bust member 70B.

A plurality of lower support tabs 54 are also provided on each of the body piece elements 50A and 5013 at edges thereof. As is best shown in the enlarged section of FIGURE 4, these lower support tabs are defined by a short transverse slit 54A and a score 54B leading from the inner edge of the slit 54A to the edge of the body piece element. As is best shown in FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 6, one of the lower support tabs 54 may be selectively chosen by folding it inwardly along its score 54B so that it passes under the bust member 70B. As is best shown in FIGURE 6, the upper support tab 53 and the lower support tab 54 together serve to hold the bust member firmly at a chosen point with relation to and on the body piece. It is apparent that it is desirable to have the spacing between the upper and lower support tabs such that a bust member will fit snugly between a chosen pair of upper and lower tabs.

The operator, having carried out the steps described above in connection with the body piece and the right and left bust members, now firmly positions the bust structure on the body piece, as described, and holds it there with the appropriate locking means (which, in this case, is the proper combination of upper and lower support tabs) at the place best suited to the garment. The entire bust structure and body piece may now be supported from the hanger 12 by passing the wire of hanger 12 through the slits 51 and into the hanger receiving hole 51A.

The function served by the two described embodiments is the same. The advantage of the second described embodiment is that a variety of sizes and proportions are available by simple manipulation without necessity of using safety pins, clips or rings. The necessity of the use of staples is reduced to a minimum. A set of four different prepunched, cut, and scored strips of cardboard are suitable to make the combined form. The term elongated strip is used herein to mean a structural member having a longitudinal dimension much greater than its transverse dimension, and having a relatively small thickness in comparison with either of the longitudinal or transverse dimensions, as illustrated in the drawings, and in accord with common usage.

The scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and not limited by the foregoing description and drawings which are illustrative.

I claim:

1. A combined garment hanger and form adapted for rapid assembly comprising (A) a rigid hanger having a hook and (B) a form substantially of elongated bendable sheet strips attached to said hanger and comprising 1. a U-shaped body piece having a pair of uprights and a base therebetween, said uprights being attached at each of the upper ends thereof to said hanger,

2. a bust structure positioned within said body piece and fastened to each of said uprights thereof, said bust structure comprising a. a right bust member and a left bust member each of said right bust member and left bust member having an inner bust portion and an outer bust portion,

b. a center support box between and connected to said inner bust portion of said right bust member and said inner bust portion of said left bust member,

c. a back bow section behind said center support box, extending between said uprights, and connecting said outer bust portion of said right bust member and said outer bust portion of said left bust member,

whereby a garment may be hung on said combined hanger and form and have its shape maintained.

2. A combined garment hanger and form as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body piece consists of a single elongated bendable strip, said bust structure consists of a single elongated bendable strip, and said strips are bent and provided with locking means and are held in position to make said body piece and said bust structure by said locking means.

3. A combined grament hanger and form as set forth in claim 2 wherein said locking means comprise staples.

4. A combined garment hanger and form as set forth in claim 3 wherein an additional strip is inserted between and affixed to said back bow section and said center box support as a brace.

5. A combined garment hanger and form as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body piece consists of two elongated bendable strips, each strip being bent to make one of said uprights and part of said base, each of said strips having selectively adjustable coacting locking means at one end thereof to lock said strips together in said base, and said bust structure consists of two elongated bendable strips, each of said strips having selectively adjustable coacting locking means at one end thereof to lock said strips together in said back bow.

6. A combined garment hanger and form as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said body piece strips has a hanger receiving hole at the end thereof remote from said locking means, a plurality of upper support tabs therein, a plurality of lower support tabs therein, and a plurality of transverse scores therein between said support tabs and said locking means.

7. A combined garment hanger and form as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said bust structure strips includes a transverse slit passing only part way across said strip, and a pair of side slits parallel to each other and to the long edge of said strip, said side slits defining a bust structure suspension strip between them, said side slits being spaced between said transverse slit and said locking means.

8. A combined garment hanger and form as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said uprights of said body piece is positioned through one of said pairs of side slits and under one of said bust structure suspension strips, and wherein each of said uprights has an upper support tab extending over said bust structure and a lower support tab extending under said bust structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,685,392 8/54 Williams 22368 2,702,148 2/55 Paasche 223-68 2,756,911 7/56 Kantor 22368 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

Claims (3)

1. A COMBINED GARMENT HANGER AND FORM ADAPTED FOR RAPID ASSEMBLY COMPRISING (A) A RIGID HANGER HAVING A HOOK AND (B) A FORM SUBSTANTIALLY OF ELONGATED BENDABLE SHEET STRIPS ATTACHED TO SAID HANGER AND COMPRISING

1. A U-SHAPED BODY PIECE HAVING A PAIR OF UPRIGHTS AND A BASE THEREBETWEEN, SAID UPRIGHTS BEING ATTACHED AT EACH OF THE UPPER ENDS THEREOF TO SAID HANGER,

2. A BUST STURCTURE POSITIONED WITHIN SAID BODY PIECE AND FASTENED TO EACH OF SAID UPRIGHTS THEROF, SAI BUST MEMBER AND A LEFT BUWST MEMA. A RIGHT BUST MEMBER AND A LEFT BUST MEMBER EACH OF SAID RIGHT BUST MEMBER AND LEFT BUST MEMBER HAVING AN INNER BUST PORTION AND AN OUTER BUST PORTION, B. A CENTER SUPPORT BOX BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO SAID INNER BUST PORTION OF SAID RIGHT BUST MEMBER ANS SAID INNER BUST PORTION OF SAID LEFT BUST MEMBR, C. A BACK BOW SECTION BEHIND SAID CENTER SUPPORT BOX, EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID UPRIGHTS TO SAID INNER BUST PORTION OF SAID RIGHT BUST SAID RIGHT BUST MEMBER AND SAID OUTER BUST PORTION OF SAID LEFT BUST MEMBER, WHEREBY A GARMENT MAY BE HUNG ON SAID COMBINED HANGER AND FORM AND HAVE ITS SHAPE MAINTAINED.

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