WO2011141589A2

WO2011141589A2 - Improved folding clothes hanger

Info

Publication number: WO2011141589A2
Application number: PCT/ES2011/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Beneitez Perez
Original assignee: David Beneitez Perez
Priority date: 2010-05-13
Filing date: 2011-02-04
Publication date: 2011-11-17
Also published as: ES1072771U; ES1072771Y; WO2011141589A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved folding clothes hanger characterised in that: it comprises an arm A (1), an arm B (2), a hook (4), a locking part (5) and a cover (6); the arms rotate about different axes; arms A (1) and B (2) are interconnected by means of toothed segment A (1.2) and toothed segment B (2.2); in the folded position, arms A (1) and B (2) are coupled to one anther by means of stepped segments A (1.5) and B (2.5); by maintaining half-hooks A (4.1) and B (4.2) coupled to one another in order to form the full hook (4), cavities are formed therein for receiving arms A (1) and B (2) and the locking part (5) with the corresponding spring (5.2) and lugs (5.3), an unlocking button (5.1) extending through and beyond an unlocking button hole (4.2.2); and arms A (1) and B (2) remain locked in the normal working position of the hanger until they are unlocked by pressing the unlocking button (5.1).

Description

IMPROVED FOLDING HANGER FOR HANGING CLOTHING CLOTHING INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to a hanger normally used to hang clothing with the particularity that it is foldable, which represents a significant advantage by saving space for storage during periods when it is not necessary for the purposes specific for which it has been designed. The design presented in this document is an improvement over other inventions of the same author that have been protected according to U200701960 and U200802265 files of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office.

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE TO WHICH THE INVENTION REFERS

The invention presented affects the Sector of Current Needs of Life in relation to Articles of household use industrially influencing the development and manufacture of household accessories for hanging garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Taking into account the utility for which the hangers are intended, the large number of existing records on the subject is understood. Being an element of common and essential use in any home, department stores, shops of new, used clothing, hospitality agencies, etc., a multitude of models have been designed that, fulfilling the same basic function consisting of hanging clothing , they have special characteristics that present advantages in certain aspects of solidity, duration, ease of handling, occupied space, etc.

The invention that concerns us refers to folding hangers whose advantages are undeniable in the case of travel, storage, or even in the simple act of introducing the hanger in closed garments. When the garments are open, buttoned or zippered it is very easy to hang them around the arms of the hanger to adjust the garment on that. If the garments are closed, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to introduce the hanger through the neck opening unless the garment material is stretched with the danger of breakage or deformation important. In that case you have to introduce the hanger underneath and move it forward until it is taken to the right place.

Of course, the inconvenience of storing a significant number of hangers when they are not necessary or transporting that item in luggage during travel is well known.

Therefore, it is normal that many solutions of folding hangers have been developed, one of which has been conceived by the inventor author of the one now presented. It describes a hanger with two pivoting arms on a joint located approximately in the middle of the hanger. That arrangement in which the arms slide on very close adjacent planes allows the hanger to adopt two extreme positions. The first, with open arms up to a ceiling previously established by construction, is suitable for hanging clothing. In the second, the hanger has its arms superimposed which implies a minimum occupation of space.

In both positions there is a locking device that prevents unwanted opening or closing movements. It is necessary to press on an unlocking button to initiate the change of position, producing a new lock in the opposite position.

The hanger design presented in this document implies advantages over the aforementioned and with respect to other existing ones in the market having an improved mechanical behavior and an improved presentation as described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new type of folding hanger that contains several improvements over previous ones presented by the same author that correspond to the files with application numbers U200701960 and

U200802265 with publication dates February 1, 2008 and January 16,

2009, being its titles "Folding hanger perfected" and "Folding hanger to hang clothes" respectively

The flat-looking hanger has two arms with as many turning axes. That is, each arm has its independent axis of rotation, both axes being separated a small distance. Each arm also has a toothed sector that meshes with that of the other arm. The toothed sectors are the same size and have their axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the corresponding arm, so there is an axis of symmetry that is perpendicular to the line that joins the centers of rotation of the arms and is equidistant from these centers.

Although the constructive details can be seen in the different figures that accompany the document, we can anticipate that the gear sectors are a small part of virtual complete gearwheels. The small number of teeth that the toothed sector of each arm has corresponds to the essential teeth to provide the angle of rotation defined by the folding of the arms when they are open, or by the maximum opening if the arms were folded.

The hanger has a locking piece, conditioned by a spring, which immobilizes one arm with respect to the other in either of the two extreme positions, it being necessary to slightly press said piece, overcoming the spring's antagonistic force, if you want to get the release of the arms.

To facilitate the movements of opening and closing of the arms, one of them has a slight extension on which it is possible to act as a lever.

Finally there is a joint element consisting of two pieces, almost identical and mirror-like, that make up the hook of the hanger.

These pieces fit into each other because of the existence of small flexible tabs in one of the pieces that are inserted, with light pressure, into the opposite holes of the opposite piece. These pieces that make up the hook also have the function of covering the gear zone, supporting the locking device and beautifying both sides of the hanger, whose folded arms are mutually coupled by their stepped shape resulting in an excellent presentation assembly and finish.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Nine figures that define the shape and characteristics of the hanger are included.

Figure 1

It represents the hanger of the invention in its working position with the arms deployed. The following has been noted:

1.- Arm A

1.1.- Appendix

2.- Arm B

3.- Notches

4.- Hook

5.1.- Unlock button

6.- Closing cover

Figure 2

It represents the hanger of the invention in its folded position. The same elements of the previous figure have been indicated.

Figure 3

It represents the hanger of the invention in its two extreme positions. To the left in working position and to the right in folded position. In both cases, all the components of the hanger are displayed, except the closing cover, to easily understand its operation. In addition to the elements indicated in previous figures, the following are indicated:

1.2.- Toothed sector A

1.3.- Axis of rotation A

2.2.- Toothed sector B

2.3.- Spindle axis B

2.6.- Footprint for closing cover

5.- Lock piece

5.2.- Spring

Figure 4

It represents arm A with its plan view as well as two elevation views and two profile views to better appreciate its construction details. In addition to the above, the following has been indicated:

1.4.- Hole for blocking

1.5.- Step A

Figure 5 It represents the arm B with its plan view as well as two elevation views and two profile views to better appreciate its construction details. In addition to the above, the following has been indicated:

2.4. - Lock hole

2.5 - Step B

Figure 6

It represents one of the pieces that make up the hook that, as we have indicated previously, is composed of two. To distinguish them we will call them semi-wide. The plan view as well as two elevation views and two profile views have been included. The following has been noted:

4.1.- Semigancho A

4.1.1. - Hollow for unlocking piece

4.1.2. - Spring depression

4.1.3. - Flexible double tab

4.1.4. - Arm shaft

Figure 7

It represents the other piece that makes up the hook, that is, the other half-hook. The plan view as well as two elevation views and two profile views have also been included. The following has been noted:

4.2.- Semigancho B

4.2.1. - Hollow for unlocking piece

4.2.2. - Unlocking button hole

4.2.3. - Hole for flange housing

4.2.4. - Arm shaft hole

4.2.5. - Lock hole

Figure 8

It represents the locking part seen in plan as well as two views in elevation and two other in profile. The following has been noted:

5.- Lock piece

5.1. - Unlock button

5.2. - Spring

5.3. - Lock Teton

Figure 9 It represents the closing cover seen in plan as well as two views in elevation and two others in profile. The following has been noted:

6.- Closing cover

6.1.- Immobilizer

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Improved folding hanger for hanging garments (Figs. 1 to 9) consisting of a hanger with the usual shape of those normally used but with the particularity that it is foldable and that it presents certain improvements with respect to other folding hangers including another designed by the same author, who in a preferred embodiment is described as a hanger formed by the association of five basic elements that are: arm A

(1), arm B (2), hook (4), locking piece (5) and closing cover (6).

The association of these elements constitutes a symmetrical set both when the hanger is open and when it is folded, which provides advantages especially in the folded position since they all adopt the same shape, making it easier to orderly storage while minimizing space.

The arm A (1) (Fig. 4) of elongated and narrow shape, as usual, has a rectangular theoretical section with rounded edges with the particularity that in almost its entire length it presents the step A (1.5) that allows a Perfect assembly with step B (2.5) of arm B (2) (Fig. 5) when the hanger is folded.

The arm A (1) has two notches (3) semi-cylindrical, in the upper part when the hanger is open, whose mission is to serve as a support for garments with ribbons, suspenders, etc. having, in addition, a toothed sector A (1.2), a rotation axis (1.3), which being the physical axis of the arm A (1), coincides with the virtual geometric center of the toothed sector A (1.2). Finally, the arm that occupies us has a hole for blocking (1.4) and a slightly curved appendix (1.1) that allows a better handling of the hanger in the opening and closing operations.

Arm B (2) (Fig. 5) has step B (2.5), as already mentioned, two other notches (3) of the same shape and function as those of the other arm, a toothed sector B (2.2), a rotation axis (2.3), a hole for blocking (2.4), and a fingerprint for closing cover (2.6) that borders a window that allows to visualize the mechanical operation of the hanger. The hook (4) (Figs. 6 and 7), in the traditional way to hang the hanger, is formed by two pieces that have been called semigancho A (4.1) and semigancho B (4.2), mirror-like, with the particularity that semigancho A (4.1) has a series of flexible double tabs (4.1.3) and semigancho B (4.2) has a series of holes for housing tabs (4.2.3) that allow, by simple pressure, a Perfect coupling of the two semi-hooks, to form the hook (4).

On the other hand, the semigancho A (4.1) has a recess for unlocking part (4.1.1), two axes of arm (4.1.4) and a depression for spring (4.1.2) presenting semigancho B (4.2), another hole for unlocking part (4.2.1), one hole for unlocking button (4.2.2), two holes for arm shaft (4.2.4) and two locking holes (4.2.5).

With this design, when the semigancho A (4.1) has been coupled to the semigancho B (4.2), the hook (4), global, has a cavity derived from the existence of the holes (4.1.1) and (4.2.1) above mentioned where the release piece (5) (Fig. 8) will be adjusted with a slight clearance and also presents the two axes for arm (4.2.4) where the corresponding arms A (1) and B ( 2). Additionally, the semigancho B (4.2) presents, logically open and free, the two locking holes (4.2.5) and the opening for the unlocking button (4.2.2), which, as we will see below, are intended to relate to the workpiece. lock (5).

The blocking piece (5) (Fig. 8), is a basically flat piece of little thickness in the form of "T" whose upper stroke is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical. At the ends of said upper stroke are two locking lugs (5.3) of circular section whose diameter is slightly smaller than the locking holes (4.2.5) of the semi-wide B (4.2) and whose distance between centers is identical to the distance between centers of said locking holes (4.2.5). In the more or less central part of the vertical stroke of the "T" a helical spring (5.2) is coupled and almost at the end there is a cylindrical protrusion that we have called an unlocking button (5.1) whose diameter is slightly smaller than the hole for unlock button (4.2.2). The closing cover (6) (Fig. 9), in the form of an ellipsoid, is sized to fit perfectly on the footprint for the closing cover (2.6) (Fig. 3) and is retained by the immobilizers (6.1).

Having made this general description of the components of the hanger, it is easy to understand the process of their coupling, which is summarized below.

Firstly, the semi-wide A (4.1) is placed on the mounting table (Fig. 6); then the locking piece (5) (Fig. 8) is inserted into its hole (4.1.1) which, being asymmetrical, only admits one position with its locking lugs (5.3) and its unlocking button (5.1) up, then placing the spring (5.2) in the spring depression (4.1.2). Once this is done, arm A (1) (Fig. 4) is placed on the left side, matching its axis (1.3) on the arm axis (4.1.4) of the semi-wide A on the left side and the locking hole (1.4) in the corresponding pin (5.3) of the locking piece (5). Similarly, arm B (2) (Fig. 5) is placed on the right side, matching its axis (2.3) on the arm axis (4.1.4) of the semi-wide A on the right side and the locking hole (2.4 ) on the corresponding pin (5.3) of the locking piece (5). Under these conditions it can be seen that the perfect engagement of the toothed sector A (1.2) of the arm A (1) with the toothed sector B (2.2) of the arm B (2) occurs. Before making any movement and in order to ensure the initial positioning of all the components, the semi-wide B (4.2) (Fig. 7) is placed on the semi-wide A (4.1), matching the flexible double tabs (4.1.3 ) of the first, in the corresponding holes for housing tabs (4.2.3) of the second ending with a slight pressure so that the introduction of the tabs into the holes occurs. The overall hook (4) has been assembled and, finally, the closing cover (6) must be inserted on the fingerprint for the closing cover (2.6) that will be retained by the immobilizers (6.1).

The hanger has been mounted with all its components secured in position. Under these conditions, if the blocking device did not exist, when acting on one of the arms, turning it a certain angle, the other arm would rotate exactly the same angle in the opposite direction.

The operation of the locking system is easily understood by observing the figures. By pressing the unlock button (5.1), and as a consequence of the existence of the spring (5.2) (which acts as a support point for a first-degree lever), the bolts (5.3) exit from the locking holes (4.2.5), arms A (1) being released simultaneously and B (2) that can be carried without difficulty to the folded hanger position.

It is not considered necessary to make the content of this description more extensive so that a person skilled in the art can understand the scope and advantages derived from the invention, as well as develop and implement the object thereof. However, it should be understood that the invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment thereof, whereby it may be susceptible to modifications without affecting or implying any alteration of the basis of said invention. That is to say, the terms in which this preferred description of the invention has been exposed should always be taken in a broad and non-limiting manner.

Claims

1. - Improved folding hanger for hanging garments, with the utility that the same title indicates, being the usual ones that have two rotating arms and a hook and that can adopt the folded and unfolded positions, characterized by consisting of an arm A (1), an arm B (2), a hook (4), a locking piece (5) and a closing cover (6)

The arm A (1) having a step A (1.5), two notches (3), a toothed sector A (1.2), an axis of rotation (1.3), concentric with that of the toothed sector A (1.2) a hole for locking (1.4) and a slightly curved appendix (1.1).

The arm B (2) having a step B (2.5), two notches (3), a toothed sector B (2.2), a turning shaft (2.3), a hole for blocking (2.4), and a footprint for the cover of closure (2.6).

The hook (4) consisting of a semi-hook A (4.1) and a semi-hook B (4.2) having the first several flexible double tabs (4.1.3), a hole for unlocking part (4.1.1), two arm axes ( 4.1.4) and a depression for spring (4.1.2) and the second, several holes (4.2.3) [in identical number to flexible double tabs (4.1.3)], another opening for unlocking part (4.2. 1), one hole for unlocking button (4.2.2), two holes for arm axle (4.2.4) and two locking holes (4.2.5).

The locking part (5), in the form of an asymmetric "T", has two locking lugs (5.3), a spring (5.2), helical and an unlocking button (5.1).

With the closing cover (6), in the form of an ellipsoid, immobilizers (6.1).

2. - Improved folding hanger for hanging garments, according to claim one, characterized in that the arms rotate on different axes.

3.- Improved folding hanger for hanging garments, according to previous claims, characterized in that the arms A (1) and B (2) are related to each other by means of the toothed sector A (1.2) and the toothed sector B (2.2) .

4.- Improved folding hanger for hanging garments, according to previous claims, characterized in that the arms A (1) and B (2), in the folded position, are coupled to each other by the existence of the steps A (1.5) and B (2.5).

5. - Improved folding hanger for hanging garments, according to previous claims, characterized in that when the semi-hooks A (4.1) and B (4.2) are coupled to constitute the overall hook (4), hollows are formed inside where adjust the arms A (1) and B (2) and the locking piece (5) with the spring (5.2) and lugs (5.3), with the release button (5.1) protruding through the opening for the release button ( 4.2.2).

6. - Improved folding hanger for hanging garments, according to previous claims, characterized in that the arms A (1) and B (2) are locked in the normal working position of the hanger and can be unlocked by pressing on the unlock button ( 5.1).