US3554418A

US3554418A - Carrier for garment hangers

Info

Publication number: US3554418A
Application number: US702716A
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman C Holmes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-02-02
Filing date: 1968-02-02
Publication date: 1971-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-12

Abstract

This application discloses a garment hanger carrier which, in one exemplar form, has a tubular collar section and a hook-shaped body section having a U-shaped cross section fixed to the upper edge of the collar section and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The hook-shaped body section accepts and supports the garment hanger hooks in its U-shaped cavity while the tubular collar section encircles the shanks of the hanger hooks and retains them together as a single unit for ease in transporting.

Description

United States Patent [72} Inventor Norman C. Holmes 351 Pasadena Place, Corpus Christi, Tex. 78411 21] Appl. No. 702,716 [22] Filed Feb. 2, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 12, 1971 [54] CARRIER FOR GARMENT HANGERS 6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 224/45 [51] Int. Cl A451 5/10 [50] Field of Search 294/15; 224/45,45.l4; 16/1 14, 110; 206/7M, 7H; 190/43 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 710,236 9/1902 Audley 224/1 2,769,587 11/1956 Threeton 224/45 2,967,071 1/1961 Deschene 224/45(14)X FOREIGN PATENTS 187,394 1 1/1936 Switzerland 206/711 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Attorneys-Arnold. Roylance, Kruger & Durkee, Torn Arnold, Donald C. Roylance, Walter Kruger, Bill Durkee and Frank S. Vade n,111

ABSTRACT: This application discloses a garment hanger carrier which, in one exemplar form, has a tubular collar section and a hook-shaped body section having a U-shaped cross section fixed to the upper edge of the collar section and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The hook-shaped body section accepts and supports the garment hanger hooks in its U-shaped cavity while the tubular collar section encircles the shanks of the hanger hooks and retains them together as a single unit for ease in transporting.

PATENIED JAM 2 ml 7 sum 1 [IF 2 NORM/4N C. HOLMES INVENIOR.

BY Axum 209W,

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BY A/wfif, lmgm & Uuniwz ATTORNEYS CARRIER FOR GARMEN HANGERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When traveling or delivering clothing, many people carry clothing on several wire garment or suit hangers such as the standard wire coat hanger used by most drycleaning establishmerits. When several hangers with clothing are being carried at the same time, transporting of the hangers is often very inconvenient and troublesome. Often, the hooks of the suit hangers tend to become tangled, making it difficult to transport the clothing and to separate the hangers when removing selected garments. Further, the number of garment or suit hangers that can be carried in this manner is limited because of the weight of the clothing which causes inconvenience and physical discomfort in handling a large group of loaded hangers.

The hooks of the suit hangers can adversely affect circulation in the fingers and hands, cause severe cramping of the muscles in the fingers and hands and can damage the skin by pinching. Such physical discomfort lowers the efficiency of laundry and drycleaning delivery men and adds to the overall fatigue of such delivery men and travelers who must carry a number of heavy garments on suit or garment hangers for long distances over extended periods of time. Often the traveler will carry several suits and other clothing in a garment bag onto commercial buses and airplanes. He will then have to carry the heavy garment bag by the uncomfortable wire hooks for long distances and long periods of time from the bus or airplane tO the terminal to pick up the remainder of his baggage and while he secures other transportation.

Accordingly, a novel means is provided for comfortably hand-transporting garments, such as clothing and similar articles, suspended from wire suit or garment hangers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION hook-shaped body section accepts and supports the garment hanger hooks within the cavity of its U-shaped cross section.

When carrying the garment hangers with the hanger carrier in place, the fingers grasp the outer surface of the hook-shaped body section rather than the individual garment or suit hangers.

Accordingly, it is the primary feature of the present invention to provide a garment hanger carrier that lessens hand and finger fatigue when several suit hangers are carried simultaneously.

Another feature of the present invention is that it is lightweight, durable and small in size so that it is easy to store when not in use.

Another feature of the present invention is the retaining of several garment hangers together as a single unit while the hangers are being transported.

Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a garment hanger carrier which will prevent the cutting and bruising of the hands and fingers by the hooks of the garment hangers.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a garment hanger carrier which will more evenly distribute the weight of the garments suspended from the hanger over a greater surface than the surface of the garment hangers themselves. thereby reducing hand and finger fatigue.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned features of thepresent invention will be apparent from the following detailed description wherein reference is made to FIGS. in the accompanying drawings, which drawings form a part of and are incorporated by reference as a part of the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a pictorial view showing an embodiment of the present invention supporting several. clothes hangers and prepared for carrying garments.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention showing several garment hangers being held together as a unit and supported by the hanger carrier.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 and taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of'the hanger carrier illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the present invention having a slotted entry way for admitting the garment hangers.

FIG. 6a is a pictorial view illustrating the first step of attaching the present invention to a group of garment hangers.

FIG. 6b is a pictorial view illustrating the final steps of attaching the present invention to a group of garment hangers.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation, partly in vertical cross section, of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along lines 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation, partly in vertical cross section, il lustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken along the lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. I is a pictorial view showing an embodiment of the garment hanger carrier supporting several garment hangers and prepared for transporting the loaded hangers. Carrier 2 has a tubular collar 6 and a hook-shapedbody section 8 for retaining and supporting the garment hangers 4, and is shown being grasped by the user in the usual carrying posture.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Carrier 2 has a collar section 6 and a hook-shaped body section 8 fixed to the upper edge of the collar 6 and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The juncture of collar 6 and body 8 form a straight shank portion 14 of the carrier which terminates in a lower surface 16 which is also the bottom surface of collar 6. As can be seen in FIG. 3, body section v8 has a generally U-shaped cross section, having a supporting floor portion 10 and extending sidewalls 12 to define a generally U- shaped cavity 20 in which the garment hangers 4 are retained and supported. With garment hangers 4 inserted into the carrier 2, as shown in FIG. 2, and being supported by the arched floor portion 10 of body section 8, the bottom edge 16 is positioned just above the horizontal bend'18 of the garment hangers 4 to prevent carrier 2 from moving downwardly and allowing the curved garment hanger hooks 4 to slip out of cavity 20 within body section 8. Ideally, surface 16 would be flush against the flared-out horizontal bend of the garment hangers 18 to prevent any vertical movement of the carrier handle 2 in relation to hangers 4. However, some space between surface l6 and the horizontal bend of the hangers 18 is necessary to facilitate the attachment of the carrier to the hangers 4 in the first instance, as will be hereinafter described. Further, the length of the collar 6, as indicated by dimension A, must conveniently be of such a length so as to facilitate the rotational insertion of the hooked end of a garment hanger 4 as will be hereinafter described.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational. view of the carrier shown in cross section in FIG. 2. Garment hangers 4 are seen supported by carrier 2 with their hooked ends supported by curved floor 10 and retained by sidewalls 12 of body section 8. Body section 8 joins collar 6 to form a straight shank portion 14 which terminates in a squared off lower edge 16, which as previously described, is spaced from and above the garment hanger horizontal bend 18.

Referring now to FIG. 5, anotherembodiment of the gar,- ihent hanger carrier is shown. Carrier 2 in this embodiment has a tubular collar section 26, a hook-shaped body portion fixed to and extending from the outwardly extending end of body section 28. Body section 28 may conveniently have a generally U-shaped cross section, as shown in FIG. 3 or any other suitably shaped cross section that is convenient and comfortable to grasp with the fingers. Body section 28 has an arched floor portion 30 and extending walls 32 similar to the construction of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 24. A retaining ring 42 is disposed around body section 28 and is of such a diameter that it will easily slide over the length of body 28 and yet will be retained by the larger maximum diameters of collar 26 and tip section 29. A larger ring 44 passing through retaining ring 42 provides a convenient hanger means for carrier 2. An optional slot 40 transversely through the longitudinal length of collar 26 provides a means of inserting the coat hangers into collar 26.

' It may be observed that a suitable legend 38 may be fixed to the top or side surfaces of closed tip section 29 or to sides of the extending wall portions 32 of body 28. This legend may conveniently take the form of an advertising slogan or the like. In this manner, drycleaners, laundries or other establishments may be provided with an inexpensive advertising means not available with a conventional wireiclothes hanger. Further, airlines, travel agenciesand hotels may also utilize the carriers as a means of inexpensive advertising for travelers. In other cases, the legend 38 may be utilized to identify the owner of the garments.

Referring now to FIG. 6, FIG. 6a is a pictorial view illustrating the first step of attaching carrier 2 to a group of garment hangers 4. Collar 26 is slippedover the tip 3 of hanger 4 and threaded over the shank portion 5 so that the lower surface 36 is oriented downwardly toward the horizontal bend 18 of hanger wire 4 and with tip section 29 facing in the opposite direction from hanger tip 3. Referring now to FIG. 6b, the next step is to rotate carrier 2 about the group of hanger shanks 5 to orient tip section 29 directly below hanger tip 3. Carrier handle 2 is now pulled upwardly, in the direction indicated by the arrow X, until the hook of hanger 4 is supported by body section 28. The carrier is now in position for use and will support the plurality of suit hangers as a single unit. Collar 26 encircles the grouped garment hangers and retains them together as a single unit, preventing one hanger from rotating and'disengaging from the group of hangers.

- Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, as hereinbefore mentioned, the dimension A of

collars

6 and 26, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, must conveniently be of such a length as to facilitate the rotational insertion of hanger tip 3 and the sliding of

collar

6 or 26 over the curved portion of the suit hanger 4 (see FIG. 6). It can be seen that if dimension A is too long, collar 6will bind across the curved portion of the hanger 4 and will be difficult to slide over a group of hangers. Further, when carrier 2 is rotated into the position shown at FIG. 6b, the interval indicated at C between the top edge of the extending walls of body 28 and the curved portion of hanger 4 should be a minimum distance consistent with allowing hanger tip 3 to clear carrier 2 when the carrier is-rotated from the position shown in FIG. 6a. This minimum interval, indicated at C in FIG. 6b, is desirable in order that lower edge 16 or 36 (see FIGS. 2 or 5) will be as close as possible to the horizontal bend 18 of the hanger in order to prevent excessive vertical slippage and free play in order to maintain the curved hooks of hangers Q within cavity (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and prevent the disengagement of the hangers 4 from

body section

18 or 28. As can be seen in FIG. 5, by sliding retaining ring 42 into central position over the arch of the curved body section 28, this problem is partially alleviated since retaining ring 42 will prevent the complete disengagement of garment hangers 4 from carrier 2 unless the retaining ring 42 slides downwardly to the extreme ends of body section 8.

With reference to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the carriier handle for garment hangers is shown. In this embodiment,

the carrier 2 is constructed to a molded synthetic plastic material that has a general shape similar to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, carrier 2, comprises a tubular collar section 56, a hook-shaped body section 58 fixed to and extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the collar section 56. As in the previous embodiments body section 58 has an'arched or curved floor 69 and extending walls 62. In addition, a flap 68, fixed to one edge of the extending wall 62 of body section 58, extends over the cavity between the walls of body section 58 and is fastened to a retaining stud 70 affixed to the outer external wall of the other extending wall 62 by means of insertion through a slit 72 in the tip of flap 68.

A movable collar member 66 having internal threads 65 mating with an externally threaded portion57 of collar 56 allows collar member 66 to be moved longitudinally with respect to collar 56. This longitudinal movement of collar member 66 with respect to collar 56 allows the alteration of the dimension indicated at A in FIGS. 2 and 5 for the reason hereinbefore explained. The movable collar 66 may be moved to its upper position making the dimension A short enough to alloweasy insertion of the garment hanger hooks. Once the garment hangers have been inserted into carrier 2 and are supported within body section 58, collar member 66 may be moved downwardly until it either contacts'the horizontal bend of the hangers (not shown) or until collar 66 reaches its maximum lower limit. Utilizing the movable collar 66, as shown in FIG. 7, the carrier 2 may be adapted for use with garment hangers having various shank lengths.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of carrier illustrated in FIG. 7 taken through the body section 58 at lines 8-8. Body section 58 with its lower supporting and retaining floor 60 and upwardly and inwardly extending walls 62 are shown. Flap 68 is shown extending across to close cavity and extends downwardly over the outside surface of the opposite extending wall 62 and is held in place by means of retaining stud 70 inserted through'slit 72. As may be seen in this F 10., the cross section of body section 58 is generally U-shaped however, the supporting floor 60 has a fairly flat supporting surface 74 as compared to the curved U-shaped configuration shown in FIG. 3. Such a cross-sectional configuration would allow a greater number of hangers to be placed in a side-by-side relationship without a tendency to slide toward the center and move evenly distribute their weight. This configuration is also very similar to the typical cross-sectional configuration of what are typically called luggage-type" handles often found on suitcases, briefcases and the like. Of course, any suitable cross-sectional configuration may be utilized that is convenient and comfortable to handle,

Referring now to FIG. 9, a fourth embodiment of the garment hanger carrier is shown. Carrier 2 is shown having a-tubular collar section 86, a hook-shaped body section 88 and a tubular closed tip section 89, similar to the embodiment hereinbefore described in FIG. 5. As may be seen in FIG. 10, body 88 has a generally U-shaped cross section having a lower supporting floor 90 and extending walls 92 defining a generally U-shaped cavity 104. A hook-shaped lid 98 is attached by means of hinge 99 to the top portion of the closed tip section 89 for allowing body section 88 of hook 2 to be closed once the garment hangers (not shown) have been in serted into cavity 194 (see FIG. 10). A latch member 100 de pends from the tip of the free end of lid 98 and engages the latch opening 102 within the interior wall surface of collar 86.

A movable collar member 96 slideably engages the outer surface of collar 86 to allow member 96 to be moved longitudinally in relation to collar 86. Collar 86 has a raised rounded ridge 87 disposed about its circumference and adjacent lower edge 97 of collar 86. Movable member 96 has a series of evenly spaced grooves disposed peripherally around its inner surface for engaging the raised ridge 87 and holding collar 96 in a desired longitudinal relationship with respect to collar 86. The advantages of the movable collar 96 are identical to those hereinbefore described in the previous embodiment of FIG. 7

relating to the ability to change the dimension indicated at A in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The carrying handle 2 illustrated in FIGS. 25 may conveniently be formed of any suitable material, such as a synthetic plastic material, i.e., polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or the like, or a suitable metal, such as alurninum, copper or stainless steel. In using metal or hard plastic as a material, a slot 40 as shown in FIG. 5 may be utilized to in sert the hangers into the carrier in lieu of the procedure illustrated in FIG. 6. Of course, if the carriers of FIGS. 2-5 were formed of a more flexible material, a single longitudinal slit through the wall of

collar

6 or 26 would allow the hanger shanks to be directly inserted into the collar of the carrier without threading the collar over the hooks.

The carrier shown in FIG. 7 may conveniently be formed of a suitable plastic or metal material as hereinabove described. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is, of course, of a flexible plastic material composition to accommodate the integrally formed cover flap. It may be seen, of course, that such a covering could take the form of a hinged cover with an appropriate latching mechanism if the carrier were constructed to metal.

The carrier described in FIGS. 9 and 10, is constructed of a suitable synthetic plastic material, since hinge 99 is shown as an integral strip of material attaching the upper edge of tip section 89 with one end of lid 98. Similarly, with the latch arrangement shown with latch member 100 depending from the inner edge of the free end of lid 98, latch 100 may be disengaged from latch opening 102 by merely pressing firmly against the outer edge of lid 98 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z. After latch 100 has been disengaged, the lid may be lifted to allow the insertion of the garment hangers and is shown in a raised position as indicated by the dotted lines of FIG. 9.

Of course, the carrier as shown in FIG. 9 may be constructed of other materials such as a hard plastic, metal or the like. Lid 98 could be hinged by any other suitable hinging means, and any suitable latching means could be used to hold lid 98 in its closed position. Similarly, movable member 96 may conveniently be formed of a flexible plastic material that will slideably and deformably engage the fixed collar section 86 so that one of the series of grooves 95 will engage raised ridge 87 for locking member 96 in a desired position. Moreover, it may be seen that either of the covers disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 9 may be utilized in combination with any of the collar and carrier configurations shown.

Numerous variations and modifications may obviously be made in the structure herein described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be fully understood that the forms of the invention described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A carrier for garment hangers,'comprising substantially rigid collar and hook-shaped body .sections of unitary onepiece construction: I

said collar section encircling the shanks of the garment hangers and closely spaced thereto for retaining the hangers as a unit, said collar beingof a diameter requiring the free ends of the hanger hooks to be rotationally inserted through the collar; and

said hook-shaped body section serving as a handle and extending from one end of said collar section and terminating in an unsupported end spaced from said collar section for accepting and supporting the hooks of the garment hangers, said body section having a generally U-shaped cross section for accommodating a plurality of the garment hangers. v

2. The carrier as described in claim 1, wherein said unsupported end of said body section includes a cup-shaped tip with a closed periphery in cross section for securing the ends of the hanger hooks.

3. A carrier for garment hangers, comprlsing substantially rigid collar and hookshaped body sections of a unitary onepiece construction:

said collar section at least substantially encircling the shanks of the garment hangers and closely spaced thereto for retaining the hangers as a unit; and said hook-shaped body section extending from one end of said collar section and terminating in an unsupported end spaced from said collar section for accepting and supporting the hooks of the garment hangers, said body section having a generally U-shaped cross section for accommodating a plurality of the garment hangers, said unsupported end of said body section having a cup-shaped tip with a closed periphery in cross section for securing the ends of the hanger hooks. 4. The carrier as described in claim 3, wherein said collar section has a selected cross-sectional dimension and said body section including said cup-shaped tip have a crosssectional dimension at least as great as said selected dimension of said collar section.

5. The carrier as described in claim 3, wherein said carrier is constructed of metal and said collar section has a longitudinal slot through its outer wall for allowing the insertion of the garment hangers.

6. The carrier as described in clam 3, wherein said carrier is constructed of a plastic material and said collar has a longitudinal slot through its outer wall for allowing the insertion of the garment hangers.

Claims

1. A carrier for garment hangers, comprising substantially rigid collar and hook-shaped body sections of unitary one-piece construction: said collar section encircling the shanks of the garment hangers and closely spaced thereto for retaining the hangers as a unit, said collar being of a diameter requiring the free ends of the hanger hooks to be rotationally inserted through the collar; and said hook-shaped body section serving as a handle and extending from one end of said collar section and terminating in an unsupported end spaced from said collar section for accepting and supporting the hooks of the garment hangers, said body section having a generally U-shaped cross section for accommodating a plurality of the garment hangers.

3. A carrier for garment hangers, comprising substantially rigid collar and hook-shaped body sections of a unitary one-piece construction: said collar section at least substantially encircling the shanks of the garment hangers and closely spaced thereto for retaining the hangers as a unit; and said hook-shaped body section extending from one end of said collar section and terminating in an unsupported end spaced from said collar section for accepting and supporting the hooks of the garment hangers, said body section having a generally U-shaped cross section for accommodating a plurality of the garment hangers, said unsupported end of said body section having a cup-shaped tip with a closed periphery in cross section for securing the ends of the hanger hooks.

4. The carrier as described in claim 3, wherein said collar section has a selected cross-sectional dimension and said body section including said cup-shaped tip have a cross-sectional dimension at least as great as said selected dimension of said collar section.