Patent ID: 6439526
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: A45C

Abstract:
A jointed clamp for a garment bag, said clamp comprising:an elongate U-shaped upper channel having a front end portion, a middle portion and a back end portion, and comprised of two longitudinally extending, substantially parallel walls spaced apart in a transverse direction and defining a vertical plane, an integral top portion that defines a transverse plane, and a bottom opening; a mounting Plate located on an outer side of said upper channel top portion; an elongate U-shaped lower channel having a middle portion and a back end portion, and comprised of two longitudinally extending, substantially parallel walls spaced apart in a transverse direction and defining a vertical plane, an integral bottom portion that defines a transverse plane, and a top opening; a laterally disposed hinge pin located in said back portions of said channels and pivotally connecting said upper and lower channels together, said upper and lower channels having the open bottom and top facing one another; an upper solid block of resilient material seated within said upper channel; a lower solid block of resilient material seated within said lower channel, said upper and lower materials protruding beyond the respective channel openings; a clasp pivotally mounted on said front end portion of said bottom channel walls of said lower channel that can fit around said front portion of said upper channel with the result that said upper and lower channels can be locked together in a closed position; a vertical member loosely mounted in and extending between said upper channel and said lower channel, said vertical member having a length such that a range of relative pivotal movement between said upper and lower channel from said closed position to an open position is limited to an angle in which a rear portion of said upper and lower resilient materials remain disposed adjacent said vertical member throughout the range of relative pivotal movement; a single upper transverse member that extends through a lower half of an upper section of said front end portion of said upper channel walls and extends through a forward upper half portion of said upper resilient material; and a single lower transverse member that extends through an upper half of a lower section of said front end portion of said bottom channel walls behind where said clasp is pivotally mounted thereto and extends through a forward lower half portion of said lower resilient material, with the result that said upper and lower resilient materials are positively, respectively retained in said upper and lower channels.