US3915305A

US3915305A - Combined garment hanger and container

Info

Publication number: US3915305A
Application number: US433808A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carol Guida
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-01-16
Filing date: 1974-01-16
Publication date: 1975-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-28

Abstract

A combined garment hanger and container which in preferred embodiment comprises a unit having a flat base, upstanding inwardly converging front and rear panels; a ''''shoulder'''' portion above said convergence; and a ''''head'''' portion above the shoulders. Garments may be hung about the shoulder portion and/or on the head; alternatively, hats may be placed on the head. In addition, boots, umbrellas, etc. may be placed within the unit.

Description

United States Patent [191 Guida Oct. 28, 1975 1 1 COMBINED GARMENT HANGER AND CONTAINER [76] Inventor: Carol Guida, 423 S. 13th St.,

Philadelphia, Pa. 19147 22 Filed: Jan. 16, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 433,808

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,090,142 4/1914 Fischer 248/174 1,810,826 6/1931 Gray 248/163 X 1,931,521 10/1933 Ziemmerman 248/174 X 1,947,746 2/1934 Thomson 248/174 X 2,016,421 10/1935 Eichner 211/1 X 2,135,604 11/1938 Schwartz 248/156 2,153,566 4/1939 Jewett et 21.... 206/44.11 UX 2,679,997 6/1954 Harris 248/174 3,126,237 3/1964 Kirk 223/85 X 3,305,960 2/1967 Huey'et a1. 248/174 X 3,502,295 4/1970 Sganga 248/174 X D49,328 7/1916 DeSantis D6/152 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 7,680 6/1927 Australia 211/1 1,233,147 5/1971 United Kingdom 211/1 1,178,740 1/1970 United Kingdom 211/1 269,473 9/1927 United Kingdom 1. 248/174 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant ExaminerThomas J. Holko Attorney, Agent, or FirmStuart S. Bowie [57] ABSTRACT A combined garment hanger and container which in preferred embodiment comprises a unit having a flat base, upstanding inwardly converging front and rear panels; a shoulder portion above said convergence; and a head portion above the shoulders. Garments may be hung about the shoulder portion and/or on the head; alternatively, hats may be placed on the head. In addition, boots, umbrellas, etc. may be placed within the unit.

1 Claim, 12 Drawing Figures US. Patent' Oct.28, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,915,305

FIG 4 US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,915,305

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,915,305

27 52 FIG 8 H 9 FIG I2 47 COMBINED GARMENT HANGER 'AND CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to coat racks and to garment containers, especially for young children.

In the past, a few attempts have been made to provide garment hangers in a shape and form which would be unusually attractive to young children. See, forexample, Brosk U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,614 which shows an essentially two-dimensional doll-like figure which is designed to function as a garment hanger.

A somewhat simpler device is shown in U.S.-Pat. No. D194,267, which appears to be a stand for receiving doll clothes.

Similarly, another two dimensional device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D84,535 which depicts one form of a childs dressing stand.

Of somewhat more remote interest is U.S. Pat. No. 1,096,018 which shows a hanger with a portion cut to depict an attractive female head and chest. Apparently, this device has been utilized by salesmen.

However, the prior art has not sufficiently provided a device which can function as an attractive means whereby a child can hang his or her garments on the device and place other associated articles such as boots, umbrellas, etc. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel device which functions both as a garment rack or hanger and a container for associated articles of the kind mentioned.

DRAWINGS,

FIG. I is'a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken from the rear of the said embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the said embodiment from the right side of FIG. 1-.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of said embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view taken from the left side of the said embodiment as viewed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken from the front of the said embodiment showing part of the left side.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the said embodiment taken from the front and showing part of the right side thereof.

FIG. 8 is a view of one of the component parts of said invention, showing the front panel.

FIG. 9 is a view of another component of the said 7 preferred embodiment, namely, the head and shoulder insert.

FIG. 10 is a view of another of the component parts of said invention showing the rear panel.

FIG. 11 is a view of another component part of the assembly.

FIG. 12 is a view of yet another component part of the assembly.

- DETAILED DESCRIPTION .As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the combined garment hanger and container of the present invention as represented by the present embodiment comprises a triangular unit generally designated 20. This unit has a front panel 21 and a rear panel 21. The panels 21 and 21' extend upwardly from a base generally designated 23 and converge along a horizontal line indicated by the dot and dash line 24. Above the line 24, the device is formed to provide

shoulders

25 and 26, a neck 27 and a head 28. If desired, as indicated in FIG. 1, the head may contain a depiction of a human face, a clown or other drawing as an attraction to the small children for whom the device is primarily designed.

As shown in FIGS. 812, the device illustrated is comprised of several component parts which are designed for easy assembly. Thus, the front main component shown in FIG. 8 includes the essentially rectangular front panel portion 21. The said component 60 shown in FIG. 8, which may be of strong cardboard, plastic or other suitable material, preferably also includes an integral pair of

shoulders

25, 26, a neck portion 27 and a head 28. The component 60 also includes a lower portion 34 with a'series of holes 35 therein. Upon assembly, the lower portion 34 is folded along the dot and dash line 36 and forms part of the bottom 23.

As shown in FIG. 10, the device includes a rear main component 61 which is a mirror image of the front component 60 (so that likeparts are indicated by prime numbers). Component 61 includes the front panel portion 21 and is fashioned with

shoulders

25, 26, a neck portion 27 and head portion 28.. The component 6] also includes a lower portion 34 which has holes therein 35'. The lower portion 34' is designed to be folded along the line 36 to form a part 34' ofthe base as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 6, for example.

When the device is assembled, the

said base portions

34 and 34 are folded and the front and rearsurfaces 21 and 21' are inclined toward each other. The base portions 34, 34' are held together by a rubber band or other suitable connecting means 37 and secured about the heads of brass connectors 57 which are inserted-in

holes

35, 35.

A side portion 38 is insertedas best shown in FIG. 6. The portion 38 is equipped with a'series of flaps 39-44. The

flaps

39, 40 and 41 are designed to pass through and be engaged by

slots

30, 31 and 32 respectively in the front panel 21. If desired, connectors 58 may be used to secure the flap to the portion 21.

Similarly, the side portion 38 has

flaps

42, 43 and 44 which are designed to pass through slots 30', 31' and 32' of the rear panel 21'. Thus, as shown best in FIG. 6, the side portion 38 almost completely encloses the left side of the triangular device.

As shown in FIG. 7 the device may also be provided with a right side portion 45 having

flaps

47 and 48 designed to fit engagingly within slots 33 and 33' respectively, formed in the

panels

21 and 21. The portion 45 has an integral extension base 46 which forms part of the base 23 of the device when the portion 45 is folded upwardly along the dot and dash line 50, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 7, for example.

As shown in FIG. 6, the interior of the device is an opening 55 which may be used for storage purposes.

The panels 21 and 21' of the device 20 are joined along line 24 and connected by glue or other suitable connector means. If desired, an insert 52 having shoulders, neck and head portions of the same size as those of the

components

60 and 61 may be placed between said component portions to provide additional strength and stability to the upper part of the structure. In either event, the device is formed with an upper portion having humanoid-

like shoulders

25, 26, neck and head.

From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that the combination garment hanger or rack and container of the present invention which I call a Clutter Hopperprovides a uniquely attractive garment rack and container for associated articles, particularly for small children. The various panels may be provided in bright colors and, as indicated, the head portion 28 may be printed, painted etc. in the form of a human face. All of this is quite attractive to small children.

The device encourages small children to neatly hang up their garments. For example, it has particular utility for elementary schools, especially during the colder months when children come to school clothed in hats, outer coats, boots and carrying gloves and umbrellas. On such occasions, the children can be readily taught to place the hat on the head 28; to place their coat about the

shoulders

25, 26; and to put their boots, umbrella and gloves inside the container in the open area 55. The articles in the space 55 are retained by the triangular side portion 38 and by the smaller side portion 45. Because the latter portion 45 extends only about a third of the way up the right side of the device, the remaining two-thirds are open so as to provide an opening wherein the boots and other various articles may be inserted.

The device of the present invention is a design solution to a number of problems which conventional coat racks present to young children.

For example, coat hangers, hooks and the like often have sharp edges, hard protrusions or points which present a safety hazard to young children. In addition, these conventional devices are often too difficult a challenge to the manual dexterity and patience of very young children.

As indicated, moreover, young children carry a number of articles, particularly in cold weather, which must be safely deposited when the child goes into school or returns to the home. These include scarves, mittens, leggings, boots, umbrellas, hats, books and other similar items. The present device provides a place for each child where such items may be kept.

Presently used devices are not designed to encourage young children to hang up their garments and other similar articles. Indeed, it is difficult to encourage a young child to hang up his coat and to otherwise keep track of his things. However, when presented with a Clutter Hopper according to the present invention, the child is given a device of substantial utilitarian function which is easy for him to learn to use. Because the device can be produced in attractive colors with a dolllike or humanoid head and face, the child is attracted to it and, ot a certain extent, will be encouraged to dress" the device by means of carefully removing his or her own garments and placing them upon the Clutter Hopper.

The present invention is preferably made from the five components shown in FIGS. 812 and can be made of corrugated, cardboard, plastic or other suitable material. Preferably, the material, like cardboard, is such that is can be conveniently folded. l have found that corrugated cardboard which can be folded into a 24 inch X 14 inch X 3 inch rectangle is particularly convenient for shipping and storage. In this manner, the device can be easi!y assembled by the consumer. The bottom can be quickly fastened together by means of a connector 37 which may be a rubber band. Brass paper fasteners 57 may be inserted through the holes 35. Similarly. such fasteners 57 may be used to secure the flaps 39-44 and 47 and 48.

The cardboard may be provided with a plastic coating in a variety of attractive colors which may also provide a degree of water resistance and to smooth rough edges.

Furthermore, the garment hanger-container of the present invention is light in weight and is devoid of any sharp protrusions which may present safety hazards.

The device can be made inexpensively with existing materials. It is a strong structure which can absorb the rough handling often associated with a small child. In addition, the device is easily disposable when it is finally worn out.

As indicated, the device also serves to function as a teaching tool. That is, the child dresses the Clutter Hopper when he hangs up his coat and hat and places his scarf around the neck. In doing these tasks he is reinforcing the manner in which he is being taught to dress himself.

The device is further advantageous in that it can be made in a size and scale which approximates that of the small child and which, therefore, the child can identify and relate to. In a sense, it is a colorful friend" who wears his coat and hat and holds his belongings when he is not using them. It is, in addition, a helper to the mother and teacher who no longer must spend a great deal of time looking for scattered belongings which must be picked up after the child has deposited them in a random fashion.

If desired, the device may be manufactured and sold without coloration or facial illustration. When this is done, the child may then take part in creating the face and the body by painting and coloring. The child may also put his name on the device. In this manner, it becomes part of the learning experience which the child helps to create. At the same time, as indicated, it is something which gives the child a sense of individual pride and self-esteem in the classroom setting and helps to build pride and ability in taking care of himself and his belongings wherever he is.

The invention has further advantages:

The device assists the child in learning parts of the body through recognition and drawing of eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, hair, etc.

The child is assisted in learning colors because he can decorate the device.

The garment hanger-container teaches the child manual dexterity and small motor skills.

The child is assisted in learning to take care of his possissions and not to lose or misplace them or throw them around carelessly.

The foregoing description illustrates preferred embodiments of my invention. However, the concepts employed may, based upon such description, be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the Following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly, as well as in the specific forms shown herein.

I claim:

1. A combination garment hanger and container for placement upon a floor or other flat surface comprising:

a. a flat base adapted to rest upon the said floor or other surface, said base having front and rear edges, and opposing side edges;

b. said base including an integral front panel portion extending from the front edge of said base upwardly and inwardly over the base, and terminating in an upper portion forming a shoulder, neck and head;

c. said base further including an integral rear panel portion extending from the rear edge of said base upwardly and inwardly over the base, and terminating in an upper portion forming a shoulder, neck and head;

d. said front and rear panel portions being substane. the front and rear panels having a series of slots;

f. a first side member of substantially triangular shape extending between said front and rear panels and substantially closing off one side of the triangular body unit;

g. a second side member extending between said front and rear panels, said second side member being spaced from said first side member and having a generally trapezoidal shape;

h. said side members including tab means for engaging said slots in said front and rear panels; and means securing said tab means to the panel having the slot through which is extends, whereby said side members are maintained in engaging relationship with said front and rear panels.

Claims

1. A combination garment hanger and container for placement upon a floor or other flat surface comprising: a. a flat base adapted to rest upon the said floor or other surface, said base having front and rear edges, and opposing side edges; b. said base including an integral front panel portion extending from the front edge of said base upwardly and inwardly over the base, and terminating in an upper portion forming a shoulder, neck and head; c. said base further including an integral rear panel portion extending from the rear edge of said base upwardly and inwardly over the base, and terminating in an upper portion forming a shoulder, neck and head; d. said front and rear panel portions being substantially identical to each other; the shoulder, neck and head portions of the panels being connected in facing relationship; so that said rear panel is in contact with said front panel at a location above the base, thereby forming a triangular body unit having a hollow interior; e. the front and rear panels having a series of slots; f. a first side member of substantially triangular shape extending between said front and rear panels and substantially closing off one side of the triangular body unit; g. a second side member extending between said front and rear panels, said second side member being spaced from said first side member and having a generally trapezoidal shape; h. said side members including tab means for engaging said slots in said front and rear panels; and means securing said tab means to the panel having the slot through which it extends, whereby said side members are maintained in engaging relationship with said front and rear panels.