Abstract:
An outfit organizer that facilitates consolidating associated clothing and accessories is disclosed. The outfit organizer comprises a master hanger component designed to hold additional components of the outfit organizer. These additional components include at least one of a children-sized hanger, at least one of a clip hanger, an accessory basket and a laundry bag; each of these additional components is removable from the master hanger.

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
       [0001]    Applicant hereby claims priority under all rights to which they are entitled under 35 U.S.C. Section 120 based upon the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/901,588 for this patent application filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 14, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The technology described herein relates generally to hanger assemblies. More specifically, the technology described herein relates to a hanger assembly for organizing clothing and clothing related accessories. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Garment hangers are a commonly used household item. Normally such hangers are formed from a single piece of wire and comprise a substantially triangular portion having a hook securely attached to the triangular portion. Garments that are to be hung are positioned on the triangular portion of the hanger and the hook is positioned on a rod or other suitable hanging means. 
         [0004]    In some applications, these prior art hangers are not well suited for the intended use and the hangers are not easily or effectively modified. One such application is when parents are frustrated with their children having missing socks, accessories that are forgotten, because their child misplaced them, or threw them into a drawer; and the missing socks or accessories that coordinate with a particular outfit are not discovered until some time later, after the outfit has been outgrown by the child. 
         [0005]    Getting a child ready for school or a special occasion in a time-efficient manner can be very frustrating for a parent, especially if all elements for an outfit are not readily accessible. 
         [0006]    These and other problems exist. Previous attempts to solve these and other problems include the following. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,230, issued to Mattox on Jun. 27, 1995, discloses a Jewelry Holder and Organizer. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,303,678, issued to Bracken et al on Dec. 1, 1942, discloses a garment supporting and carrying device. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,557,627, issued to Baril on Jun. 19, 1951, discloses a plural garment hanger. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,645,357, issued to Taylor et al on Jul. 14, 1983, discloses a child&#39;s garment rack. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,998,903, issued to Day on Sep. 5, 1961, discloses a garment drying hanger. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,746, issued to Marchman on Jun. 15, 1971, discloses a multiple garment hanger. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,426, issued to Thomas on Oct. 5, 1971, discloses a child&#39;s garment supporting rod for hanging his clothes. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,222, issued to Singer on Nov. 15, 1977, discloses a multiple clothes hanging device. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,084, issued to Fink on Aug. 22, 1978, discloses a child&#39;s shelf and garment hanger rack. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,363, issued to Zuckerman et al on Feb. 3, 1981, discloses a garment hanger. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,496, issued to Bridgeman on Dec. 21, 1982, discloses a coat hanger. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,127, issued to Benedict on Apr. 29, 1986, discloses an extendable closet organizer. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,838, issued to Campbell on Dec. 1, 1987, discloses a multiple purpose hanger. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,665, issued to Benedict et al. on Feb. 9, 1988, discloses a telescoping closet garment organizer. 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,915, issued to Rosch on Nov. 19, 1991, discloses a hinged multiple garment hanger. 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. D340,149, issued to Granoff on Oct. 12, 1993, illustrates a children&#39;s clothes organizer. 
         [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. D557,907, issued to Thomson et al. on Dec. 25, 2007, illustrates a hanger. 
         [0024]    The foregoing patent and other information reflect the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and are tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the technology described herein. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor&#39;s claimed invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides an outfit organizer that facilitates consolidating associated clothing and accessories. The outfit organizer comprises a master hanger component designed to hold additional components of the outfit organizer. The outfit organizer is further comprised of at least one of a children-sized hanger, at least one of a clip hanger, an accessory basket and a laundry bag; each of these additional components is removable from the master hanger. 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment the master hanger component, the children sized hanger, the clip hanger and the accessory basket are made from plastic, the laundry bag is a draw-string mesh bag having end caps with spring metal closures to hold the draw-string, and the clips on the clip hanger utilize metal springs to provide holding tension for articles held by the clips. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, there are 6 children-sized hangers and 3 clip hangers, where 2 of the clip hangers are short clip hangers and 1 of the clip hangers is a long clip hanger. One short clip hanger is placed left of center of the master hanger; one short clip hanger is placed right of center of the master hanger; the long clip hanger is place centrally on the master hanger. 
         [0028]    The outfit organizer facilitates saving time, frustration and closet space by providing an assembly that keeps related outfit items in one easily accessible place. 
         [0029]    Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0030]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the technology in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
         [0031]    There are additional features of the technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the technology in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0032]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technology described herein. 
         [0033]    Further objects and advantages of the technology described herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like system components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the master hanger of an outfit organizer, according to an embodiment of the technology, illustrating, in particular hanger hooks, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the master hanger of  FIG. 1 , illustrating, in particular, basket supports and basket-bag supports, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a short clip hanger, illustrating, in particular, a top holding element, a neck, a base and clip assemblies, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a children-sized hanger, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a long clip hanger, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of an accessory basket, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a front planar view of a laundry basket, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of an outfit organizer, illustrating, in particular, the placement of a long clip hanger on the front of a master hanger and the accessory basket prior to insertion on the first and second basket supports, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of an outfit organizer, illustrating, in particular, the placement of the accessory basket on the rear of the master hanger and the placement of two short clip hangers and one long clip hanger on the front of the master hanger, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the outfit organizer of  FIG. 9 , illustrating, in particular, the placement of three children-sized hangers to the front of the master hanger, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the outfit organizer of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the outfit organizer of  FIG. 10 , illustrating, in particular, the placement of the laundry bag on the basket-bag support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
         [0048]    In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides an outfit organizer for organizing clothing and accessories. Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a master hanger  100  is shown. The master hanger  100  has a plurality of a hanger hook  110  formed at the bottom of the master hanger  100  structure and facing the front of master hanger  100 . The master hanger  100  has a plurality of a basket-bag support  120  formed above the bottom of the master hanger  100  structure and facing the rear of the master hanger  100  structure. The master hanger  100  has a plurality of a basket support  130  formed at the top of the master hanger  100  structure. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a short clip hanger  200  is shown. The short clip hanger  200  is comprised of a clip hanger top  210  configured for removable attachment to a hanger hook  110 . The short clip hanger  200  is further comprised of a neck  220  that connect the clip hanger top  210  to a clip hanger bottom  230 . A plurality of a clip assembly  240  is formed on the clip hanger bottom  230 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a children sized hanger  400  is shown. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a long clip hanger  300  is shown. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an accessory basket  500  is shown. The accessory basket  500  has a plurality of a basket support  510  formed at the top rear of the accessory basket  500  that is dimensioned for removable attachment to the basket support  130 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a laundry bag  600  is shown. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an outfit organizer is shown with master hanger having a long clip hanger removably attached and the accessory basket  500  positioned for removable attachment to the master hanger. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an outfit organizer is shown having a master hanger with an accessory basket, a long clip hanger and two of a short clip hanger removably attached to the master hanger  100 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , an outfit organizer is shown having a master hanger with an accessory basket, a long clip hanger, two of a short clip hanger removably attached to the master hanger and three of a children-sized hanger removably attached to the master hanger. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an outfit organizer is shown having a master hanger with an accessory basket, a long clip hanger, two of a short clip hanger removably attached to the master hanger, three of a children-sized hanger removably attached to the master hanger and a laundry bag removably attached to the master hanger. 
         [0059]    An embodiment of the technology described herein is also described by the following items: 
         [0000]    1. A garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories, the garment hanger assembly comprising:
       a master hanger body configured to hold a plurality of varied expansion components for the garment hanger assembly;   a top hook extending from a central region of the master hanger body and configured to engage a support rod or the like for suspending the garment hanger assembly;   a first plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of traditional hangers; and   a second plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of pinch-grip hangers.
 
2. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 1, further comprising:
   a label insert area located on the master hanger body, the label insert area configured to receive a label personalizing the garment hanger assembly and identifying a specific day of the week, a name, an age, a size, or the like.
 
3. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 1, further comprising:
   a removable accessory basket to hold a plurality of accessories in close proximity to the multiple outfits; and   a means to hold the removable accessory basket securely to the master hanger body.
 
4. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 3, where the removable accessory basket further comprises a plurality of slits configured to hold hair accessories, pins, and the like.
 
5. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 1, further comprising:
   a mesh bag configured to be hung on the master hanger body.
 
6. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 5, where the mesh bag further comprises a drawstring and a spring closure.
 
7. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 5, where the mesh bag is configured to hold socks, underwear, tights, or the like, providing easy transportability and maintainability of items between the garment hanger assembly and a laundry facility.
 
8. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 1, where each of the first plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of traditional hangers is configured to hold six traditional hangers.
 
9. The garment hanger assembly for holding multiple outfits and accessories of item 1, where each of the second plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of pinch-grip hangers is configured to hold three pinch-grip hangers.
 
10. An outfit organization system comprising:
   a master hanger body configured to hold a plurality of varied expansion components for a garment hanger assembly;   a top hook extending from a central region of the master hanger body and configured to engage a support rod or the like for suspending the garment hanger assembly;   a first plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of traditional hangers;   a second plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of pinch-grip hangers;   a plurality of traditional hangers; and   a plurality of pinch-grip hangers.
 
11. The outfit organization system of item 10, further comprising:
   a label insert area located on the master hanger body, the label insert area configured to receive a label personalizing the garment hanger assembly and identifying a specific day of the week, a name, an age, a size, or the like.
 
12. The outfit organization system of item 10, further comprising:
   a removable accessory basket to hold a plurality of accessories in close proximity to the multiple outfits; and   a means to hold the removable accessory basket securely to the master hanger body.
 
13. The outfit organization system of item 12, wherein the removable accessory basket further comprises a plurality of slits configured to hold hair accessories, pins, and the like.
 
14. The outfit organization system of item 10, further comprising:
   a mesh bag configured to be hung on the master hanger body.
 
15. The outfit organization system of item 14, where the mesh bag further comprises a drawstring and a spring closure.
 
16. The outfit organization system of item 14, where the mesh bag is configured to hold socks, underwear, tights, or the like, thereby providing easy transportability and maintainability of items between the garment hanger assembly and a laundry facility.
 
17. A method for organizing personal apparel items, the method comprising
   utilizing an outfit organization system comprising:
           a master hanger body configured to hold a plurality of varied expansion components for a garment hanger assembly;   a top hook extending from a central region of the master hanger body and configured to engage a support rod or the like for suspending the garment hanger assembly;   a first plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of traditional hangers;   a second plurality of hooks located on the master hanger body to hold a plurality of pinch-grip hangers;   a plurality of traditional hangers; and   a plurality of pinch-grip hangers; and   
           storing a plurality of outfits on the outfit organization system.
 
18. The method of organizing personal apparel items of item 17, further comprising:
   utilizing a label insert area located on the master hanger body, the label insert area configured to receive a label personalizing the garment hanger assembly and identifying a specific day of the week, a name, an age, a size, or the like; and   labeling the master hanger body to personalize the garment hanger assembly.
 
19. The method of organizing personal apparel items of item 17, further comprising:
   utilizing a removable accessory basket to hold a plurality of accessories in close proximity to the multiple outfits, wherein the removable accessory basket further comprises a plurality of slits configured to hold hair accessories, pins, and the like;   utilizing a means to hold the removable accessory basket securely to the master hanger body; and   placing accessory items into the basket for organization.
 
20. The method of organizing personal apparel items of item 17, further comprising:
   utilizing a mesh bag configured to be hung on the master hanger body, the mesh bag having a drawstring and a spring closure, and the mesh bag configured to hold socks, underwear, tights, or the like, thereby providing easy transportability and maintainability of items between the garment hanger assembly and a laundry facility; and   placing apparel items into the mesh bag to hang on the master hanger body for organization.   Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims