US3702166A

US3702166A - Garment hanger

Info

Publication number: US3702166A
Application number: US108357A
Authority: US
Inventors: Max L Jaffe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-21
Filing date: 1971-01-21
Publication date: 1972-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1989-11-07

Abstract

A GARMENT HANGER PROVIDED WITH A TOP HORIZONTAL PORTION AND A HANDLE WHICH IS MANUALLY ROTATABLE ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE TOP HORIZONTAL PORTION. SAID HANDLE SUPPORTS A LATCHING PLATE AND A LATCHING ARM WHEREBY THE HANGER MAY BE DETACHABLY SECURED TO A SUPPORT MEMBER IN A SUITCASE OR THE LIKE WHEN THE HANDLE IS ROTATED TO POSITION THE LATCHING PLATE AND LATCHING ARM ABOVE THE GARMENT HANGER. THE HANDLE MAY BE ROTATED ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE TOP HORIZONTAL PORTION OF THE GARMENT HANGER TO POSITION THE HANDLE ABOVE THE TOP OF THE GARMENT HANGER SO THAT IT MAY BE READILY CARRIED OR MAY BE SUPPORTED IN A GARMENT CARRYING BAG. THE HANDLE IS SHAPED TO PROVIDE A LARGE ARC OR A LARGE RADIUS SO THAT THE FOUR FINGERS OR A PERSON''S HAND CAN ENGAGE SAME AND BE CURLED AROUND IT TO PROVIDE A FIRM AND CONVENIENT HAND SUPPORT.

Description

Nov. 7, 1972 M. l.. JAFFE GARMENT HANGER Filed Jn; El. 197.1

United Stes Patent @ffice 3,702,166 Patented Nov. 7, 1972 U.S. Cl. 223-85 1 Claim ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A garment hanger provided with a top horizontal portion and a handle which is manually rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the top horizontal portion. Said handle supports a latching plate and a latching arm whereby the hanger may be detachably secured to a support member in a suitcase or the like when the handle is rota-ted to position the latching plate and latching arm above the garmenthanger. The handle may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the top horizontal portion of the garment hanger to position the handle above the top of the garment hanger so that i-t may be readily carried or may be supported in a garment carrying bag. The handle is shaped to provide a large arc or a large radius so that the four iingers of a persons hand can engage same and be curled around it to prov-ide a firm and convenient hand support.

BRIEF SUMMARY -OF THE INVENTION `One of the objects of this invention is to provide a garment hanger having a top horizontal portion and a handle which is adapted to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said horizontal portion, with said handle supporting latching means whereby the member may be positioned to lock said garment hanger to a support member or may be pivoted to a handle carrying position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a garment hanger which is economical to produce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION 'OF THE DRAWINGS VIn the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the garment hanger of this invention with the handle in a carrying position.

FIG. 2 is a view with the handle rotated 180 from that shown in FIG. 1 and with the latching means shown in latched position in dotted lines to support the hanger in a suitcase or the like.

FIG. 3 is a View taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of another type of support member usually found in a four-suiter case to which this invention may be attached.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the handle supported on a strap of the garment bag, and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the handle taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

The numeral 10 designates a conventional wire-shaped garment hanger which has a top horizontal central portion 12 with downwardly diverging sides 13 and a lower horizontal cross-member 14 integrally formed and shaped as described. The top horizontal portion 12 is circular in transverse section. The hanger is preferably made of ysubstantially rigid wire and the shape of same does not form a part of this invention as various shapes may be used with equal facility.

Supported on the horizontal central portion 12 of the garment hanger is a member generally indicated at 16 which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the horizontal portion 12. The member 16 which is integrally formed preferably of a single metal stamping and, as viewed in the carrying position shown in FIG. l, comprises an arcuate-shaped handle portion 18 which continues inwardly and downwardly at an inclined angle to forma continuing lower portion 20 which is spaced from the arcuate handle portion 18. The continuing lower portion 20 has a continuing downwardly extending portion 22 which is reversely bent to form

side walls

24 and 26, with the lower portion of wall 26 curved as at 28 so that it ts around the horizontal wire section 12. The side wall 24 of the extension 22 is substantially flat.

A flat latching plate, preferably made of metal, generally indicated at 30, is secured adjacent the ilat side wall 24 by means of a rivet 32 which passes through an opening in the latching plate 30 and also extends through suitable 'openings in the

side walls

24 and 26. The rivet 32 thus secures the lower end of the handle around the horizontal portion 12 of the hanger and secures the latching plate thereto. The lower end of the latching plate 30 has an elongated or rectangular-shaped cutout or slot 34 which communicates with a reduced central slot 36 opening outwardly of the plate.

A latching arm, also preferably made of metal and generally indicated at 38, is pivotally secured by a rivet 39 to the latching plate 30. Said latching arm 38 and latching plate 30 have suitable openings to accommodate the rivet 39. The latching arm 38 is shaped as best shown in full lines in FIG. 2 and is of a generally J-shaped configuration and comprises an inclined portion 40 which continues land forms a bottom portion 42 and terminates in an upwardly extending portion 43, providing a space between the portion 40 and the upwardly extending portion 43. The latching arm 38 is manually engaged by engaging the portion 40 and pivoting it to latching or unlatching positions.

When the latching arm 38 is pivoted so that the bottom portion 42 thereof extends across the reduced slot 36 of the latching plate 30, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, the latching plate will be latched to its support to hold the garment hanger to its support to prevent removal therefrom. When pivoted to unlatching position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 2, it may be removed from its support.

The handle 18 is stamped to provide a rib 44 for strengthening it. The handle 18 is shaped to form a large arc or a large radius of approximately two inches so that the four fingers of a persons hand can engage same and be curled around it to provide a iirm and convenient hand support when carrying same. A plastic sleeve 46 is positioned around the handle for added comfort when engaged by the hand.

The member 16, including the handle 1'8, is secured to the horizontal portion 12 of the garment hanger so that it may be rotated ou the longitudinal axis of the horizontal portion 12 of the garment holder, from the position shown in FIG. 1 where it is positioned in a hand carrying position above the top of the garment hanger, to the position shown in FIG. 2 where it is positioned below the top of the garment hanger and in a position to expose the latching plate 30 above the top of the hanger so that it can be secured and latched to the conventional hanger support found in suitcases or four-suiters. While the member 16 is manually rotatable as described, there is suicient friction between the parts to prevent a loose rotation and, hence, when member 16 is rotated it will stay in its rotated posit-ion until manually rotated again.

FIG. 2 shows in dotted lines a conventional wire frame 48 which iits into a suitcase and which supports a bracket 50 having a support post 52. When the handle is turned be'low the top of the garment hanger, as shown in FIG. 2, the latching plate 30 has its slots exposed if the latching arm 38 is pivoted as shown in full lines in FIG. 2. The latching plate 30 can then be inserted on the support post 52', after which the latching arm 38 is pivoted to the closing position shown in dotted lines` (FIG. 2) to lock the garment hanger to the support post to thus support the garment hanger with the clothes thereon. To release the Ilatching means from the support post 52 the latching arm 38 is pivoted to the full line position (FIG. 2), after which it may be readily removed from the support post.

FIG. 4 shows a conventional support lbracket 56 found in a four-suiter case. The U-shaped bracket arm 58 has a recessed portion 59 at the top thereof which permits the open latching plate 30 to be inserted on the top portion through said recessed portion 59 between the frontv of the bracket arm S8 and the bracket plate 57, after which the latching arm 38 is pivoted to the closed position to latch it to the bracket 56.

FIGn shows the invention in relation to a garment bag 60. As shown, the handle 18 would be positioned in a. hand carrying position upwardly of the top of the wire hanger. The handle engages a ilexible strap 62 which is supported on the flexible handle 64 of the garment bag to support same.

What is claimed is:

1. A garment hanger 'having a top horizontal portion, a handle member supported on said top portion and adapted to be rotated about the horizontal axis of said horizontal portion, latching means secured to said handle member to permit latching and unlatching of said latching means to a support, said handle member adapted to be rotated about the horizontal axis of said horizontal portion to position said handle above the horizontal portion so that the garment hanger may be carried andwbe positioned below the top horizontal portion so that the latching means is positioned above the top horizontal portion to permit latching to a support, said handle meniber having an arcuate-shaped handle portion with a radius of approximately two inches whereby the handle portion may extend fully across a 'human hand so that four fingers of a human hand may be curled around said arcuateshaped portion to provide a rrn and convenient hand support for carrying samesaid latching means includes a latching plate having a T-shaped opening which opens outwardly and a l-shaped latching arm pivotally secured to said latching plate, said latching arm adapted to be manua'lly pivoted with respect to said T-shaped opening to close the outward opening whereby said hanger is supported on a support by said latching plate when closed by said latching arm when said latching means is positioned above the top horizontal portion of the hanger.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,131,817 5/1964 Schenkler 2'23-85 2,170,319 8/1939 Cantwell 223--88 3,112,050 11/1963 Eason 223-98 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 211-