US3225978A

US3225978A - Garment hanger

Info

Publication number: US3225978A
Application number: US315037A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bohumil J Wach
Original assignee: NEO PRODUCTS CO
Current assignee: NEO PRODUCTS CO
Priority date: 1963-10-09
Filing date: 1963-10-09
Publication date: 1965-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-28

Description

Dec. 28, 1965 B. J. wAcH 3,225,978

GARMENT HANGER Filed Oct. 9, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR.

Bohumil J Wach BY 7 iii 2 azz' s Dec. 28, 1965 B. J. WACH 3,225,978

GARMENT HANGER Filed Oct. 9, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

United States Patent G 3,225,978 GARMENT HANGER Bohumil J. Wach, Western Springs, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Neo Products Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 315,037 8 Claims. (Cl. 223-91) My invention relates to garment hangers of the type having a pair of divergent arms for supporting a garment such as a coat, dress, etc., with a hook extending up from the mid-portion thereof for engagement with a rod or the like capable of supporting a plurality of such hangers.

A particular object of my invention is to provide a hanger of this general character which is especially designed for commercial use; more particularly, a hanger which can be mass produced at an extremely low cost and which is especially adaptable for supporting garments packed in quantity in shipping cartons or the like for mass transportation from the factory to a retail store or warehouse, without creasing incident to such transportation.

More especially, I have conceived of a hanger designed to be susceptible of production by molding, preferably utilizing a synthetic plastic resin which will be rigid and strong and at the same time very light in weight and of low bulk, with relatively thin walls, occupying a minimum of space. Such material should, in thin webs, have a degree of resilience; also, in short, tenuous sections, it should be easily frangible.

A further object of my invention is to provide a hanger of the type referred to which is especially adaptable for supporting ladies garmets of silk, artificial silk or like material which is slithery in character, normally tending to slide off a standard-type hanger.

My invention as herein disclosed and claimed may be considered in some respects an improvement over the invention described and claimed in my pending application Serial 262,760, filed March 4, 1963.

More particularly, I have conceived of a hanger of the character referred to having certain auxiliary members molded therewith and adapted to be readily detached therefrom by manual pressure, whereupon such members may be afiixed to the hanger for serving various purposes. In my aforesaid copending application are disclosed certain elements of this character, while in the instant application, I disclose certain other elements which may be detached and then attached to the hanger at various points for serving various functions, all as fully described herebelow. Thus, as described more fully herein and in said copending application, said auxiliary members may serve as intermediary means for a tandem hanger or as clamps, etc., for securing a garment against displacement.

A further object of my invention is to provide a hanger which is specially formed to serve as a support for a second hanger in tandem relation.

Still another object is to provide a hanger of the type referred to which will have integrally formed therewith a detachable connector element, with means provided on both the main hanger and the secondary hanger to engage said connector-element after it has been detached, whereby the two hangers will be positively joined in tandem relation so as to withstand the agitation of transport without accidental detachment.

A further object is to provide such a hanger with detachable elements formed therewith for engagement with the hanger proper and adapted to serve as means for securing a fragile garment on the hanger.

Various other objects and advantages will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings forming a part of this specification and illustrating certain preferred embodi ments of my invention,

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of hangers embodying my invention as employed in the support and shipment of garments, showing a main hanger and secondary hanger in tandem relation;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view further showing a portion of the main hanger of FIG. 1 as it comes from the mold;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detachable connector element constituting a feature of my invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of said connector element viewed from the side opposite that seen in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a secondary hanger for use either alone or in conjunction with a main hanger, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and

FIGS. 10-14 are sectional views taken substantially along lines 1010, 1111, 1212, 1313 and 14-14, respectively, of FIG. 9.

The hanger 10 seen in FIG. 1 is similar to that disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 262,760 in certain respects. Thus, the hanger is of generally standard shape, comprising a pair of

divergent arms

12, 12 with a hook portion 15 extending upwardly from the juncture point of the two arms, said hook 15 being of a configuration adapted to engage a rod or the like and to be readily disengageable therefrom.

Generally speaking, the hanger 10 is so designed as to be readily moldable of a synthetic plastic resin of suitable composition to provide maximum strength and rigidity along with a relatively thin cross-section dimension, as seen best in FIGS. 2 and 4. Plastic compositions having the desired physical attributes are well known to those skilled in the art, such as those of the polyurethanes, polyethylenes, etc.

In view of my objective of producing a garment hanger of minimum weight consistent with low bulk and high strength, I not only form the walls, such as the sections indicated at 18, of minimum thickness, but also skeletonize the hanger as much as possible, as indicated by voids 2t) separated by the web 22, the latter adding to the strength of the hanger at the mid-section thereof.

A peripheral rib 25 extends laterally or transversely from the principal plane of the hanger, passing around the top and bottom edges of the arms 12 and also around at least one edge of hook portion 15, while other ribs 25a and 25]) extend across the mid-section of the hanger joining arms 12, all for strengthening purposes.

Integrally molded with the hanger on each side of arms 12 is one or more clamping members 30, as fully described in my aforesaid pending application, and, cooperating with said clamps 30, are slideable locking blocks 40. As fully described in said pending application, the blocks 40 are preferably molded integrally with the hanger, as seen in FIG. 7 of said prior application, and, after said blocks have been manually detached from the hanger, they are affixed to the peripheral rib 25 so that they may be slid into locking engagement with said clamps.

As seen best in FIG. 3, a thin membrane 35 is molded within the neck portion of the hanger below hook 1 5,

said membrane having a deformation for supporting in tandem relation a second hanger. Said deformation in this instance is a T-shaped or key-hole slot 37 formed therein, with a rib 25a therebelow; below said rib is a more-or-less rectangular void 40 within which is molded a connecting member 43, the latter being initially attached to the walls of void 4%, as the hanger comes from the mold, by small frangible tabs or necks 45. Said tabs 45 are so small and frangible that member 43 may readily be pushed out of the void by slight manual pressure, whereupon said member may be secured in key-hole slot 37, as seen in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be seen that member 43 may be substantially rectangular and is generally symmetrical about its median plane, represented by the dotted line AA, so as to be reversible. Said member comprises a plate 59 having terminal projections which may be

transverse bars

52, 52 generally normal thereto. It will be noted that these bars extend farther from the plane of plate 56 on one side thereof, on which side they are connected by a longitudinal rib 55 for stiffening purposes (FIG. 7). On the opposite side of the plate from rib 55 a pair of longitudinal

parallel wall members

57, 57 project approximately normally from plate 50, these wall members 57 being spaced a slight distance from

end bars

52, 52 to provide slots 59 therebetween. Thus, the end bars function as hooks in the slots with which they interengage, as described below.

By reference to FIG. 2, it will be seen that connector member 43 may be inserted within key-hole slot 37 of hanger 10, said slot being so proportioned as readily to accommodate member 43. The latter should be inserted at a slight angle, with rib 55 uppermost and being received in the intermediate or short leg of slot 37 in the course of such insertion. Being symmetrical about its median plane AA, member 43 may be inserted in slot 37 from either end thereof, or from either side of hanger 10, so long as rib 55 is uppermost.

Member 43 will thus be seated in the position seen in FIG. 2 with end bar 52 bearing against membrane 35 above slot 37 on one side of the membrane, while plate 50 bears downwardly against said membrane below slot 37 on the other side of membrane 35. The bottom edges of longitudinal bars 57 also bear against web 25a therebelow. Thus, there is provided a true cantilever suspension of connecting member 43 from membrane 35.

Designed to cooperate with the main hanger in tandem relation thereto, with the help of connecting member 43, I provide a secondary hanger Na. (FIGS. 9*14.) This hanger may be molded of similar material and of generally similar construction to the main hanger 10 in that it has thin walls with marginal reinforcing ribs, as in hanger 1t). Hanger 19a will preferably be provided at some suitable point, as in the upper portion of hook portion a, with a deformation, in this instance a keyhole slot 37a which may be generally similar to slot 37 of the main hanger, designed to seat the opposite end of connecting member 43 in the same manner that the latter is seated in the main hanger 10, as described above.

Secondary hanger 10a may, of course, be of any suitable size and shape for supporting any desired type of garment. However, in the embodiment shown herein, secondary hanger 10a is especially designed to support a somewhat narrower garment than that for which the main hanger is designed. Thus, the secondary hanger may support a garment intended to go with that of the main hanger as part of a suit or other outfit intended to be sold as a unit. For example, the secondary hanger may support a pair of slacks or shorts or a skirt in conjunction with a jacket or blouse to be carried by the main hanger; if intended for undergarments, the main hanger may, for example, carry a pajama jacket while the pants part is carried by the secondary hanger.

In any event, the secondary hanger will have a main bar 60 of a desired width, having marginal reinforcing ribs 25a corresponding to ribs 25 of the main hanger, said bar carrying at the extremities thereof transverse clamping means indicated generally by numeral 63.

Clamps 63 each comprise a relatively stationary plate portion 65 normally depending from bar 60, likewise with marginal reinforcing ribs 64, and a tongue portion 68, the latter also having integral stiffening ribs. Tongue 68 is preferably of generally L-shaped configuration, the short leg 70 thereof being attached to a lateral extension of bar 6% and extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of attachment H, which serves as a hinge or pivot, while the long leg 71 extends downwardly therefrom, juncture 72 thereof serving also as a hinge, and inwardly toward the plane of plate 65 and carrying at the extremity thereof and generally normal to said longer leg a tooth portion 75. Adapted to cooperate with tooth 75 is a lip 75a integral with and projecting laterally from the marginal rib 64 directly below tooth 75. Thus, plate portion 65 may be said to frame tongue portion 68.

Inasmuch as the plastic material from which hanger 10a is molded will normally have a relatively high degree of resilience, tongue 68 may be urged about its point of support H, which serves as a hinge, while the extremity of a garment G is inserted between tongue 68 and plate 63. When tongue 68 is released, the garment will be secured by the clamp and firmly retained between tooth 75 and lip 75a, as seen in FIG. 11.

It will be seen that I have provided hangers adapted to cooperate with each other in tandem relation and having many important advantages. Provision of cantileversupported interlocking support member 43 having a positive connection with the main hanger and with the secondary hanger, respectively, provides a tandem arrangement which is especially adapted for such rough handling as may be incidental to transportation in bulk. Thus, when many of the tandem hangers are loaded with garments and arranged in bulk within a carton, they will remain properly assembled despite any jostling which may be encountered in transport.

Not only will the hangers remain properly assembled by reason of the cantilever interlocking means, but the garments disposed thereon will also be retained because of the clamping means provided in accordance with my invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that I also provide, in accordance with my invention, a plurality of auxiliary garment retainers indicated generally by numeral and preferably molded integrally with hanger 10 within the voids 20 and attached thereto by means of small frangible tabs or necks 81. Said retaining elements 80 may be in the form of split rings having a pair of outwardly and more or less radially disposed spaced fingers 83.

Retaining elements 80 are readily detached from tabs or necks 81 of the hanger by slight manual pressure, whereupon the members 80 may be employed in the following manner. After a more-or-less filmy garment such as a blouse or the like, formed of silk or artificial silk or the like and having an upstanding collar or neck portion, has been arranged on hanger 10, rings 80 may be snapped over marginal ribs 25 on the upper portion of the hanger so as to clamp the neck portion of the garment to the hanger and thus prevent its disarrangement. It will be seen that this arrangement adds greatly to the versatility of hangers embodying my invention.

While I have described my invention as preferably employing molding methods, other techniques, such as stamping, could be employed for fabrication of articles embodying my invention.

It may be superfluous to point out that the cantilever support of the secondary hanger from the main hanger insures that the garments carried by the two hangers will not be likely to be crushed together in bulk shipment.

It will also be apparent that the L-shaped configuration of clamp members 68 provides two points of flexing at H and 72, respectively, hence high flexibility.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodirnents shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

, 1. A garment hanger formed of thin-walled, lightweight, relatively stiif, resilient material, having (a) a pair of divergent arms, and

(b) means adjacent the juncture of said arms for detachable engagement with a relatively fixed support,

(0) said hanger having a deformation adjacent said juncture for attachment and support of a second hanger in tandem relation thereto,

((1) an auxiliary member molded integrally with said hanger,

(e) a frangible neck securing said auxiliary member to said hanger,

(f) said auxiliary member being manually detachable and then interengageable with the hanger in a different position to facilitate support of a garment.

2. A hanger as in claim 1,

(a) said auxiliary member having a pair of spaced fingers which, when said member is detached, may be sprung into sliding engagement with said hanger.

3. A hanger as in claim 1,

(a) said auxiliary member provided with means, when detached, for detachably interengaging with said deformation to serve as a support for a second hanger.

4. A combination as in claim 3, wherein (a) said auxiliary member is reversible, being provided with similar hook-like means adjacent each end for interengagement, respectively, with said hanger and with a second hanger, said deformation and said auxiliary member being, respectively, female and male in character.

5. A hanger as in claim 1,

(a) and interengaging slot and hook means on said hanger and auxiliary member, respectively, whereby, after detachment, the latter may be secured to the former.

6. A combination as in claim 5, wherein (a) a void is provided in the hanger and said auxiliary member is initially disposed therein, with (b) frangible necks between said member and the walls of said void.

7. A hanger as defined in claim 1, wherein (a) the auxiliary member is a generally ring-shaped clamp which, after detachment and subsequent interengagement with the hanger is adapted to secure a garment to the hanger.

8. A combination as in claim 1, wherein (a) the deformation in the hanger is a slot formed therein and (b) the auxiliary member is a connector having a platelike portion and a transverse terminal projection,

(c) said slot and connector being so proportioned that the terminal projection may be engaged in the slot to secure said member in cantilever relation to the hanger.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,898 2/1901 Yonteff 223 941,115 11/1909 Vanderford 22390 1,055,522 3/1913 Cumming 21187 X 1,462,067 7/1923 McKenna 22388 1,717,078 6/1929 Wheary 211-87 X 1,728,603 9/1929 Gates 211-87 1,768,005 6/1930 Schwartzman 22393 X 2,312,985 3/1943 Bales 248223 2,498,400 2/1950 Du Lude 223-88 2,522,595 9/1950 Bacica 22391 2,804,245 8/1957 Biondolillo et al. 22390 2,808,942 10/1957 Harrison et a1. 22388 X 2,822,967 2/1958 Spitz 211113 X 2,913,210 11/1959 Tichnor 248223 3,067,917 12/1962 Rellcr et a1 22393 X FOREIGN PATENTS 959,780 10/1949 France.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A GARMENT HANGER FORMED OF THIN-WALLED, LIGHTWEIGHT, RELATIVELY STIFF, RESILIENT MATERIAL, HAVING (A) A PAIR OF DIVERGENT ARMS, AND (B) MEANS ADJACENT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID ARMS FOR DETACHABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH A RELATIVELY FIXED SUPPORT, (C) SAID HANGER HAVING A DEFORMATION ADJACENT SAID JUNCTURE FOR ATTACHMENT AND SUPPORT OF A SECOND HANGER IN TANDEM RELATION THERETO, (D) AN AUXILIARY MEMBER MOLDED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID HANGER, (E) A FRANGIBLE NECK SECURING SAID AUXILIARY MEMBER TO SAID HANGER, (F) SAID AUXILIARY MEMBER BEING MANUALLY DETACHABLE AND THEN INTERENGAGEABLE WITH THE HANGER IN A DIFFERENT POSITION TO FACILITATE SUPPORT OF A GARMENT.