Abstract:
A protective dust covering for articles of clothing hanging in a closet. A flexible plastic or fabric sheet incorporating a stiffening spline is adapted to be mounted to the under side of a shelf, or to the closet bar and positioned to drape over the clothing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Field of the Invention  
     Prior Art  
       [0001]     The subject invention relates to protective coverings for clothing. More particularly, it pertains to coverings for clothing hanging from a rod or similar support in a conventional clothes closet.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The subject invention provides a protective covering for articles of clothing hanging from a bar in a closet. A flexible plastic or fabric sheet incorporating a stiffening member is adapted to be mounted to the under side of a closet shelf, or to the bar. The sheet is positioned above the bar and to drapes over the clothing.  
         [0003]     One object of the invention is to provide a protective covering that can be installed without removing or handling the hanging clothing.  
         [0004]     Another object is to provide a protective covering that allows an article of clothing to be removed from the closet rod and from the closet without disturbing or handling other articles hanging from the same bar.  
         [0005]     Still another object is to provide a single protective covering that can be used to protect one or a number of articles of clothing.  
         [0006]     Other objects, features, advantages, and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the construction and operation of what are presently considered to be its preferred embodiments.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     Throughout the description, reference is made to the accompanying Drawing, in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective cover of the subject invention mounted to the underside of a shelf in a typical closet;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the supporting clips employed in another preferred embodiment of the invention for mounting the protective cover to the closet bar;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the protective cover shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded fragmentary perspective view illustrating the use of hook and loop fastening tapes for mounting a protective cover to the under side of a shelf or similar structure in accordance with the subject invention; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing in detail one method for mounting the protective cover to a closet rod.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     The subject invention encompasses a method and means for protecting clothing hanging in a clothes closet in a typical residential or commercial building. As shown in  FIG. 1 , conventionally, such closets  11  include horizontal clothes poles such as closet rod  13  mounted to the closet walls  15 , or integrated supporting structures (not shown).  
         [0014]     Unlike traditional garment bags and garment covers, the cover  19  embodying the subject invention is not an enclosed bag, nor does it fit on the individual article of clothing or hanger. Rather, it is attached to the closet itself, that is, to a closet shelf  21  that is located above a closet rod as shown in  FIG. 1 , or to a closet rod  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The covering  19  is designed to cover and protect a selected section of clothing  23  hanging from the closet rod  13 . Available in panels, the cover  19  can be cut to fit any width of section, or the full width of the closet as seen in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0015]     A protective cover  19  in accordance with the subject invention is preferably a flexible sheet of natural or plastic, clear, translucent or opaque material. Virtually any material would serve the purpose, as long as the sheet drapes properly and the clothing beneath it is adequately protected from dust and the like. Clear or transparent plastic sheeting has the advantage of both allowing the clothing to be viewed and being easy to wipe clean.  
         [0016]     As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , running generally along the center of the cover sheet is a sleeve  27  into which a spline  29  is inserted, giving the cover  19  its tent-form and reinforced means of support. Preferably, the sleeve  27  serves as an attachment point for securing the cover  19  to the closet shelf  21  or rod  13 . For attachment to a shelf  21 , the most convenient method is to employ a hook and loop type fastener system such as the well known Velcro® tapes or self-adhering patches, one of which  31  runs along the length of the sleeve  27 , the other of which  33  is furnished to the consumer for attachment to the underside of the shelf  21 . Obviously, other conventional attachment means could serve this purpose.  
         [0017]     As an alternative to mounting the cover  19  to a shelf  21 , or when no shelving is available, a preferred method for supporting the cover  19  is to attach it to a closet rod  13 . This is conveniently accomplished by means of two specially designed clips  35  having a spring mechanism. As seen in  FIG. 2 , these clips are slipped over opposite ends of the rod  13 . In the embodiment of the invention shown, two prongs  37  project from each clip  35  and slip into the sleeve  27  between the spline  29  and the underlying floor of the sleeve  27 . The cover  19  is aligned with the closet rod  13  and preferably spaced above the articles of clothing depending from the rod  13  on hangers  39 .  
         [0018]     The utility and advantages afforded by the subject invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing specification. It should be understood, however, that although the invention has been disclosed in terms of the specific constructions shown in the drawing and described in the text, it is not to be construed as limited to those embodiments. They are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. This specification is intended to encompass any and all variations, alternative forms, and equivalents of the examples chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as it is defined by the following claims.