WO2020122703A1

WO2020122703A1 - Collapsible garment hanger

Info

Publication number: WO2020122703A1
Application number: PCT/MY2019/000046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Boon Hock TEH
Original assignee: Teh Boon Hock
Priority date: 2018-12-11
Filing date: 2019-12-04
Publication date: 2020-06-18

Abstract

A collapsible garment hanger (1) comprising a hook (2) and a pair of first (3) and second arms (4) with each of the arms having a proximal end (31, 41). The first arm extend from one end of the hook, whereas the second arm is pivotably hinged to the first arm at the proximal ends of the arms. A pair of corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements are disposed on the hook (2) and the second arm (4), respectively, enabling the second arm to be detachably engaged with the hook when the hanger is in use.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT HANGER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a garment hanger for hanging different types of garments.

More particularly the invention relates to the construction of a collapsible garment hanger which enables it to be manipulatable in a single, one-handed action and able to withstand heavy garment when in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A conventional garment hanger includes a hook and a pair of shoulder-shaped static arms for hanging a garment. Such a conventional garment hanger may not be appropriate for garment with narrow collar opening such as polo shirt, round neck shirt, turtleneck top and others.

There are basically two ways to use such a conventional hanger for a garment with narrow collar opening. The first way is stretching the collar until its opening is broad enough for the arms of a hanger to be inserted through. It is difficult to do with one hand stretching the collar while the other hand inserting the hanger into the garment. Furthermore, doing so deforms the original shape of the garment, particularly the collar part.

The second way is inserting the hanger into the garment through its bottom opening which is broader and shifting the hanger all the way up until the hook of the hanger passes through the collar opening. The original shape of the garment is preserved. However, this way is impractical, slow and troublesome especially for long dresses with narrow collar opening.

To overcome the shortcomings of the conventional hanger, there are various types of collapsible garment hangers available in the market. The arms of such a collapsible garment hanger are folded and unfolded as desired for easy insertion through a collar opening into a garment.

International patent publication no. WO 2007/054749 A1 discloses a spring-loaded collapsible garment hanger comprises essentially of a hook, an outer arm, an inner arm, a female coupler and a male coupler. The proximal ends of the outer and inner arms are mutually hinged by the female and male couplers. A spring is loaded within the female coupler with its ends interacting with the outer and inner arms, respectively, such that the arms are biased in an open position. To use the hanger, a user applies continuous force to squeeze both of the arms downwardly and simultaneously to overcome the spring resistance thereby enabling the hanger into a closed position. At this point, the arms may be inserted through a garment collar opening. Once the arms are within the garment, upon releasing the squeezing force both of the arms will return to their open position due to the spring force. Eventually, the garment is suspended on the arms of the hanger. The hanger requires great and continuous force to ensure that the arms are squeezed to close throughout the entire operation until the garment is suspended. Therefore, it is not suitable for young, senior or weak users as they do not have the strength to operate the hanger in a single, one-handed action.

International patent publication no. WO 1991/003197 A1 discloses a collapsible clothes hanger comprises essentially of a hook, a first bendable link connecting the hook to an arm, a second bendable link connecting the first bendable link to the other arm, and a pair of fastening means provided to the inner end of the arms, respectively. Each of the fastening means includes a latch receptacle and a centrally located releasing button which is in turn operatively connected to a latch hook. The fastening means are configured symmetrically such that the latch hook disposed to an arm is received by the latch receptable of the other arm and vice versa. To use the hanger, a user squeezes the first and second bendable links so that the arms are swung outwardly and upwardly until the latch hooks engage the latch receptables and thereby retain the arms in the non-collapsed state where clothes may be suspended thereon. To release the arms, a user exerts force on the releasing button by pushing it inwardly. This results in disengagement of the latch hook from the latch receptable, thereby enabling the arm to collapse downwardly. Due to the structure of the bendable links, it is not easy to squeeze it in order for the arm to swing outwardly and upwardly. Furthermore, the hanger has numerous parts and a complex fastening means which inevitably increases the production cost.

US patent publication no. 2006/097017 A1 discloses a collapsible garment hanger comprising a hook with one of its ends extending into the hanger neck, right hanger shoulder and right hanger arm, and a quick-release lever arm that extends into the left hanger shoulder and left hanger arm. The right and left hanger arms are pivotally secured to each other by a rivet. There is provided an elevated bevel and a notch on the quick-release lever arm. To use the hanger, a user pulls the quick-release lever arm towards the hanger neck until the elevated bevel passes the hanger neck whereupon the notch engages the hanger neck and thereby retains the left hanger arm in the non-collapsed position where a garment is suspended thereon. To remove the garment, the elevated bevel is simply flipped away from the hanger neck, thereby causing the left hanger arm to collapse.

US patent no. 586,456 discloses a coat hanger constructed with a wire A and a wire B. The wire A is bent to form the following structures in sequence: a hook, a stem, a first loop, a left hanger arm and more loops adjacent the first loop, and one end of the wire B passes through the loops formed by wire A and is bent upward with a hook formed at uppermost end while the other end of the wire B forms the right hanger arm. The hanger works on the same principle as US patent publication no. 2006/097017 A1 where the hook braces around the stem and thereby retains the right hanger arm in an extended state where a garment is suspended thereon.

US patent no. 5,690,257 discloses a folding hanger which comprises essentially of a pair of symmetrical first wing and second wing which are foldable about a central pivot, a socket provided to the first wing, a latching means which includes a tongue and a protrusion provided to the second wing, and finger openings provided to the first and second wings, respectively. In use, a user grasps the finger openings pulling the first and second wings to pivot towards each other thereby enabling the protrusion of the tongue to engage the socket, and hence retain the first and second wings in an extended state where a garment is suspended thereon. To remove the garment, simply depress the tongue in order to disengage the protrusion from the socket, thereby causing the first wing to collapse. The above prior art provide collapsible hangers are still complicated in construction and difficult to operate. Importantly, a major defect persists, namely, the inability of the above collapsible hangers to withstand heavy garment, such as jeans, wet towel, bulky coat etc. Most of the above collapsible hangers if not all, adopt a male-to-female snap joint for retaining the position of the pivoting arm when the hanger is in use. A male-to- female snap joint consists a protruding part of one component, e.g., a hook, stud or tongue is deflected briefly during the joining operation and catches in a depression (undercut) in the mating component. This type of snap joint tends to place a lot of stress on the protruding part. Consequently, if excess force is loaded, the protruding part snaps and the pivoting arm collapses. This explain why the collapsible hanger is unable to suspend a heavy garment.

This invention thus aims to alleviate some or all of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible garment hanger comprising a hook, and a pair of first and second arms. Each of the arms has a proximal end. The first arm extends from one end of the hook whereas the second arm is pivotably hinged to the first arm at the proximal ends of the arms. The collapsible garment hanger further comprises a pair of corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements, disposed on the hook and the second arm, respectively, enabling the second arm to be detachably engaged with the hook when the hanger is in use.

The corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements comprise a first notch and a second notch.

The first notch may be disposed on the hook adjacent the first arm and the second notch may be disposed on the proximal end of the second arm.

The first and second notches may each comprise a U-shaped channel. The U-shaped channels may extend crisscross to one another in the extended state of the hanger. In an embodiment, the U-shaped channels may extend perpendicularly to one another in the extended state of the hanger.

In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the first notch may be half of the thickness of the hook, and the depth of the second notch may be equal to the depth of the first notch.

In another embodiment, the second arm may further comprise a grip portion such that the second arm is manipulatable to engage with and disengage from the hook.

The grip portion may be disposed adjacent the second notch.

According to an embodiment, the second arm may further comprise a stem disposed at the proximal end of the second arm, and the second notch may be disposed on the stem. The grip portion may be integrally provided to the apex of the stem.

In yet another embodiment, the hook may further comprise a shank for connecting the hook to the first arm.

The shank may have a length substantially equivalent to the length of the stem.

In the present invention, the second arm may be pivotably hinged to the first arm at their proximal ends by way of snap fit fastening, riveting, eyeleting or screwing.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problem of the prior art by providing a collapsible garment hanger with the ability to withstand a heavy garment. This is achieved by adopting female-to-female interlocking elements instead of male-to-male or male-to-female snap joints, which are feeble and prone to snap if excess force is loaded onto the hanger

Generally, a male-to-male snap joint includes a pair of protruding parts having a hook or a teeth at their apex that clasp each other, while a male-to-female joint includes a protruding part having a hook or a teeth at its apex of one component and a catch in a depression (undercut) in the mating component.

During the joining operation, the protruding part deflects briefly before it clasps with another protruding part or engages the catch. The hook or the teeth is required to be short for easy snap fitting. If the hook or teeth is too short, the engagement is not sufficiently secured. On the other hand, if the hook or teeth is long, the stress will be placed on the body of the protruding part leading to the protruding part snapping easily.

In one embodiment the present invention, the female-to female interlocking elements are structured to comprise a U-shaped channel. The U-shaped channels are disposed on the hook and the second arm, respectively, in an orientation where the channels extend crisscross to one another when the hanger is in an extended state (i.e. in use), thereby enabling the channels to interlock each other. The female-to-female interlocking elements are more rigid if compared to the male- to-male or male-to-female snap joints. This is because it has a larger contact /engagement surface. Once the elements are interlocked, it establishes a sufficiently strong engagement between the elements that can support a heavy garment suspended on the hanger. More force is required to disrupt the engagement. More importantly, the female-to-female interlocking elements do not flex during operation due to the dimension of the U-shaped channel. Hence, it does not snap easily when more force is loaded. Apart from the above advantage, the collapsible hanger of this invention also retains the advantages of the prior art, namely, it is still simple in construction and easy in operation, yet of lower cost in production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated, although not limited, by the following description of embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a collapsible garment hanger in an extended state.

Figure 2 shows a hook and a first arm of the collapsible garment hanger.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 2 showing one of the female-to-female interlocking elements disposed on the hook.

Figure 4 shows a second arm of the collapsible garment hanger.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 4 showing the other female-to-female interlocking element disposed on the second arm.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the collapsible garment hanger in a collapsed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a collapsible garment hanger 1 for use in hanging garments with narrow collar opening. Due to its structural integrity, the hanger is particularly suitable when those garments are wet and heavy.

The collapsible garment hanger 1 comprises a hook 2, a first arm 3 and a second arm 4. Each of the arms has a proximal end 31, 41. The first arm extends from one end of the hook whereas the second arm is pivotably hinged to the first arm at the proximal ends of the arms. The collapsible garment hanger further comprises a pair of corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements 32, 42, disposed on the hook and the second arm, respectively, enabling the second arm to be detachably engaged with the hook when the hanger is in use. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a collapsible garment hanger 1 according to the present invention. Any suitable plastic material may be used, preferably it is stiff, light and inexpensive. The garment hanger 1 may be in any desired sizes.

The hook 2 may be of any suitable shape, for example a C-shaped hook, for suspending the garment hanger on a rod. In an embodiment, the first arm 3 may extend from one end of the hook 2.

A shank 33 may be provided to the garment hanger 1 for connecting the hook to the first arm 3. As can be seen in Figure 2, the shank 33 is extending from one end of the hook 2 whereas the first arm 3 is extending from the other end of the shank 33.

A pair of the corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements 32, 42 is provided to the garment hanger 1. One of the interlocking elements 32 may be disposed on the hook 2 or the shank 33. Preferably, the interlocking element 32 is disposed at the hook 2, adjacent the point where the first arm or the shank is extended. In the present invention, the second arm 4 has a proximal end 41. The other corresponding female-to-female interlocking element 42 may be provided at the proximal end 41 of the second arm. According to an embodiment of Figure 4, a stem 43 may be provided at the proximal end 41 of the second arm. The stem may comprise a grip portion 45 at its apex and the other corresponding female-to-female interlocking element 42 may be disposed on the stem adjacent the grip portion. The grip portion 45 enables to second arm 4 to be manipulatable to engage with and disengage from the hook. The grip portion 45 may be of any suitable shape or configuration. For example, it may be a wedge.

The corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements 32, 42 comprise a first notch and a second notch. Each of the notches is primarily an extrude cut. The present invention works on the principle that two corresponding notches interlock with each and other to establish an engagement. Therefore, any suitable shape of notch that can establish an engagement may be employed. With reference to Figures 3 and 5, each of the first and second notches 32, 42 is a U- shaped channel. The U-shaped channels may extend in any configuration that allows both of the channels to interlock with each other in the extended state of the hanger (i.e. the hanger is in use). Preferably, the U-shaped channels extend perpendicularly to one another in the extended state of the hanger.

The notches 32, 42 may be of any desirable dimension, depending on the load to be carried by the garment hanger 1 and the thickness of the hook 2, the shank 33, the second arm 4 and/or the stem 43. However, the depth of the first notch 32 may be half of the thickness of the hook 2 or the shank 33, and the depth of the second notch 42 may be half of the thickness of the second arm 4 or the stem 43. In any one of the foregoing circumstances, the depth of the first notch 32 should be correspond to the depth of the second notch 42. The shank 33 and the stem 43 may be of any desired length, and the first notch 32 disposed on the shank 33 and the second notch 42 disposed on the stem 43 should be correspondingly positioned in order to allow interlocking. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the stem 43 is corresponding to the length of the shank 33 such that the second notch 42 disposed on the stem is able to interlock with the first notch 32 disposed on the hook.

The first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are pivotably hinged at the proximal ends 34, 44. Any hinging means that allows the second arm 4 to pivot about the first arm 3 may be employed. With reference to Figure 2, the proximal end 31 of the first arm 3 is provided with a disc 34 having a center aperture 36. Similarly, the proximal end 41 of the second arm 4 is provided with a corresponding disc 36 having a center aperture 46. Both of the discs are disposed parallelly and hinged together by way of snap fit fastening, riveting, eyeleting or screwing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the garment hanger 1 may be provided with a pair of strap hooks, disposed on the first arm 3 and the second arm 4, respectively.

When the garment hanger 1 is not in use, the first arm 3 and the second arm 4 are collapsed downwardly. In this collapsed state, the arms 3, 4 are basically in substantial parallel position. To use the garment hanger 1, a user holds the garment hanger 1 by its shank 33 and stem 43 in single hand, inserts the hanger into a garment through its collar opening, and pulls the shank 33 and the stem 43 towards each other until the second notch 42 interlocks with the first notch 32. The pulling action causing the second arm 4 to extend outwardly and upwardly. The interlocking of the first notch 32 and the second notch 42 retains the second arm in the extended state, thereby having the garment suspended thereon. To remove the garment from the hanger 1, slightly push the grip portion 45 away from the hook 2 which leads to a disruption of the interlocking between the first notch 32 and the second notch 42. Consequently, the second notch 42 is detached from the first notch 32, and the second arm 4 can no longer be retained in the extended state. Eventually, the second arm 4 collapsing by gravity, and the suspended garment can be removed easily.

All directional statements such as front/forward, back/rear, top, bottom, lateral, inward, outward, made herein are relative to the orientation of the device, in use.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its scope or essential characteristics. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A collapsible garment hanger (1) comprising:

a hook (2); and

a pair of first (3) and second arms (4), each of said arms having a proximal end (31, 41),

said first arm extends from one end of said hook,

said second arm is pivotably hinged to said first arm at the proximal ends of the arms,

characterised in that

a pair of corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements are disposed on the hook (2) and the second arm (4), respectively, enabling said second arm to be detachably engaged with said hook when the hanger is in use.

2. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 1, wherein said pair of corresponding female-to-female interlocking elements comprise a first notch (32) and a second notch (42).

3. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 2, wherein said first notch (32) is disposed on the hook (2) adjacent the first arm (3).

4. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 3, wherein said second notch (42) disposed on the proximal end (41) of the second arm (4).

5. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said first and second notches (32, 42) each comprise a U-shaped channel.

6. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 5, wherein said U- shaped channels extend crisscross to one another in the extended state of the hanger.

7. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 6, wherein said U- shaped channels extend perpendicularly to one another in the extended state of the hanger.

8. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the depth of said first notch (32) is half of the thickness of said hook (2).

9. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the depth of said second notch (42) equals to the depth of said first notch

(32).

10. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the second arm (4) further comprises a grip portion (45) such that said second arm is manipulatable to engage with and disengage from said hook (2).

11. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 10, wherein said grip portion (45) is disposed adjacent the second notch (42). 12. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said second arm (4) further comprises a stem (43) disposed at the proximal end (41) of said second arm and said second notch (42) is disposed on the stem.

13. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 12, wherein said grip portion (45) is integrally provided to the apex of said stem (43).

14. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said hook (2) further comprises a shank (33) for connecting said hook to the first arm (3). 15. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to claim 14, wherein said shank

(33) has a length substantially equivalent to the length of the stem (43).

16. The collapsible garment hanger (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first (3) and second arms (4) are pivotably hinged by way of snap fit fastening, riveting, eyeleting or screwing.