Abstract:
This invention is directed to garment hangers which are particularly adapted for use with clothes having small neck openings and wherein the hook includes a generally inwardly concave neck adjacent the midsection of the hanger.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to garment hangers, in general, and, more particularly, to hangers for garments having relatively small collar or neck openings. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Many garment hangers are known in the art. The known hangers have many shapes and configurations related to specific uses of the hangers. One such use is a hanger for use with a garment having a relatively small neck opening. 
     The most pertinent prior art known discloses a hanger structure wherein the hanger support structure (hook) and the hanger arms are specifically interrelated with a convex, angulated leg extension of the hanger support structure in order to effectively lengthen the perimeter distance along one hanger arm while still achieving a common interconnection location between upper ends of the two shoulder supports of the hanger and the lower end of the angular leg extension of the hook. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,164,420 to Petty discloses a wire clothes hanger for a garment having “a comparatively small neck.” However, the Petty hanger requires an integrally associated garment retaining means to hold the garment on the hanger. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,423 to Wagar et al discloses a wire hanger potentially usable for clothes having small neck openings. The lower end of one hanger shoulder support is joined by a continuous wire to the upper end of the other shoulder support. However the Wagar et. al. &#39;423 hanger has geometric restrictions and is relatively inconvenient and cumbersome to use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,727 to Joseph discloses a plastic hanger for garments having a small neck opening but requires a J-slot configuration of the hanger. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,653 to Joseph discloses a plastic hanger for garments having a small neck opening but requires an “angled knee” in the hook portion of the hanger. 
     There is a need for new and improved clothes hangers which are adapted for use with small-necked garments and which overcome and avoid such prior art problems. The present invention satisfies this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to an improved garment hanger particularly adapted for use with clothes having small neck openings. Several embodiments of the hanger are shown. 
     Each embodiment of the hanger includes two opposed support arms for supporting a garment. The support arms are joined together at a median point. In addition to an upper support surface (or leg), the support arms may also include a lower connecting leg or surface. The hanger also includes a hanger hook having an elongated connecting leg which extends between the hook, per se, and an interconnection location which is offset from the median (or Joinder) point of the upper ends of the support surface of the two opposed support arms of the hanger. The connecting leg of the hook is generally coplanar with the support arms. 
     Because the two hanger support arms have respective upper ends joined together at a median point and the lower end of the connecting leg of the hook is off-center relative to the hanger, one support arm of the hanger has, effectively, a greater unobstructed perimeter distance than the other support arm of the hanger. This greater effective perimeter distance of one arm permits the longer arm to be inserted through a garment neck whereby the garment can be advanced along the longer arm to a location where the shorter arm can be slipped through the neck and into the garment. (The procedure is reversed for removing a garment from the hanger.) This configuration of the hanger avoids and prevents damage to the garment neck region. 
     The preferred embodiments of the hanger are simple, rugged and economical to fabricate and manufacture and can be made with various materials and various production processes. 
     The objects and advantages of the several embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present specification taken with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a garment hanger of the instant invention showing a conventional closet support rod in dotted outline. 
     FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the hanger of FIG. 1 taken from the left end of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a garment hanger of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a garment hanger of the instant invention, showing a conventional closet support rod in dotted outline. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a garment hanger the instant invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a garment hanger of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the hanger embodiment shown in FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a side elevation view of garment hanger which represents one embodiment of the instant invention. Hanger  100  includes a support rod  101  which incorporates two elongated arms  121  and  122 , each of which is adapted for supporting a different shoulder of a garment. Preferably, arms  121  and  122  are about equal to each other in length in hanger  100 . The inner ends of arms  121  and  122  join together and form a continuous mid-region  129 . In the preferred embodiment, each arm  121  and  122  extends generally and downwardly relative to the other arm and relative to the mid-region  129 . Arms  121  and  122  have an outer end  124  and  126 , respectively, which, in a preferred embodiment is rounded for convenience in mounting a garment onto the hanger. 
     Optionally, but preferably, the outer ends  124  and  126  of hanger  100  are interconnected by an elongated lower cross member  137 . Such interconnections are, preferably, integrally formed and curved in order to avoid catching or snagging any contacting portion of a garment. 
     The hanger  100  incorporates a hook  131 , for supporting the hanger from a closet rod  132  or the like (shown in dashed outline in FIG.  1 ). When so hung, the relationship between the hook  131  and the arms  121  and  122  is such that the arms  121  and  122  are in a generally symmetrical, balanced relationship relative to one another and to the mid-region  129 . The hook has smoothly convex arcuate connecting leg  133  which terminates at, and joins to, the arm  122  at a joinder location  127  which is slightly offset from the center M of the mid region  129  and the middle of the overall hanger length. As a result, an unobstructed perimeter distance extends from the outer end  124  along arm  121  to a location that is substantially past the midpoint M of the hanger length. Thus, when the arm  121  is inserted into the neck region of a garment, the arm  121  is advanceable through the neck region, past the midpoint M until the neck of the garment is adjacent to the lower portion of hook leg  133 . A support fillet  135  may be provided, if desired. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an elevation view of hanger  100  taker from the left end thereof (i.e. end  124 ) in FIG.  1 . It is seen that in the preferred embodiment, the hanger  100 , including the combination of the arms  121  and  122 , the hook  131 , the leg  133 , and the cross member  133  have a generally flat or planar configuration although the hanger  100  is, typically, formed of a rod-shaped material 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side elevation of hanger  300  which is another embodiment of this invention. Hanger  300  is quite similar to hanger  100  and incorporates two elongated arms  321  and  322 , each of which is adapted for supporting a different opposed shoulder region of a garment as described supra. Arms  321  and  322  are about equal in length and have an outer, rounded, end  324  and  326 , respectively. The inner ends thereof meet and join at a mid region  329 , respectively. Each arm  321  and  322  extends generally oppositely and downwardly relative to the other and relative to a hanger mid-region  329 . 
     Optionally, but preferably, hanger  300 , the outer ends  324  and  326  are interconnected by an elongated lower cross member  337  as described relative to hanger  100   
     Hanger  300  includes a hook  331  and a smoothly arcuate elongated connecting leg  333 , the lower which terminates at, and joins to, arm  322  at a joinder location  327 . This configuration is substantially similar to the configuration of hanger  100  shown in FIG.  1 . The relationship between the hook  333  and the arms  321  and  323  is such that the hanger  300  is a generally symmetrical, balanced relationship relative to one another and to the mid-region  329 . 
     However, hanger  300  includes a relatively short, generally arcuate stub  375  which extends upwardly from the upper arm  321  thereof. The stub  375  has a generally convex arc and preferably, curves in the opposite direction to the connecting leg  333  of the hook  331 . Thus, the stub  375  and the lower end of the connecting leg  333  form complimentary arcuate regions for securing a garment on the hanger  300 . The stub  375  is located somewhat short of the mid-point M and about equidistant therefrom relative to the joinder location  327 . A support fillet  371  can be utilized, if desired. 
     Thus, when the arm  321  is inserted into the neck region of a garment in the manner discussed supra, the arm  321  is advanced through the neck region, over the stub  375 , past the mid-region M until the neck region is adjacent to the lower portion of leg  333  in the vicinity of joinder location  326 . The complementary stub  375  and leg  333  serve to preserve the shape of a garment placed on hanger  300 . 
     Again, preferably, hanger  300  has a flat or planar configuration when viewed in top plan or end elevation. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown hanger  400  which is another embodiment of a hanger of this invention. Hanger  400  is similar to the hangers  100  and  300  and incorporates two elongated arms  421  and  422 , each of which is adapted for supporting a different opposed shoulder region of a garment as described relative to FIGS. 1 and 3. Each arm has rounded outer ends  424  and  426 , respectively. The arms  421  and  422  extend, generally, oppositely and downwardly relative to each other and relative to the hanger mid-region  429 . Typically, the outer ends  424  and  426  are interconnected together by an elongated lower cross member  437  wherein the interconnections are preferably curved to avoid catching or snagging of a garment or the like. 
     The hanger  400  includes a hook  431 , and a smoothly arcuate, elongated connecting leg  433  the lower end of which terminates at, and joins to, the arm  422 . This configuration is substantially similar to the configuration of hanger  100  shown in FIG. 1, whereby the relationship between the hook  431  and the arms  421  and  422  is such that the hanger  400  is generally symmetrical and balanced. 
     However, hanger  400  includes a knee  475  which extends upwardly from the upper arm  421  thereof. The outer side of knee  475 , preferably, curves in the opposite direction to, i.e. is complementary to, the connecting leg  433  of the hook  431 . Thus, the outer side  475 A of the knee  475  and the lower end of the connecting leg  433  form complimentary arcuate regions for securing a garment on the hanger  400  similar to hanger  300  as described supra. 
     However, the inner side  475 B of the knee  475  is returned to the arm  421  at approximately the mid-point M of the hanger. The knee  475  is located somewhat short of the mid-region  429  and about equidistant therefrom relative to the joinder location. Once again, in the hanger  400 , the combination of the arms, the hook  431 , the leg  433 , the knee  475  and the cross member  437  have a flat or planar configuration when viewed in top plan or end elevation. 
     Thus, when the arm  421  is inserted into the neck region of a garment in the manner discussed supra, the arm  421  is advanced through the neck region past the knee  475  and mid-region M until the neck region is at least adjacent to the joinder location  427  of lower leg portion  433 . The outer side  475 A of knee  475  has an arcuate curvature similar to the stub  375  shown in FIG. 3 with the same advantage of garment positioning. In addition, the knee  475  has the further ad vantage of ease of removal of a garment from the hanger  400  because of the smooth inner side  475 B of the knee. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a side elevation view of hanger  500  which forms another embodiment of the instant invention. Hanger  500  is similar to hanger  400  described supra and incorporates two elongated arms  521  and  522 , each of which is adapted for supporting an opposed shoulder region of a garment. Arms  521  and  522  have outer ends  524  and  526 , respectively. Arms  521  and  522  extend generally oppositely and downwardly relative to the other and relative to a hanger mid-region  529 . Hanger  500 , includes an elongated cross member  537  which is preferred but not required in many cases. 
     The hanger  500  includes a hook  531 . The hook  531  includes an elongated connecting leg  533  which is bent inwardly (i.e. toward the center of the length of the hanger) at an obtuse angle. The lower end  564  of the hanger leg joins the arm  522  at joinder location  527  at an inside acute angle. When hung on a conventional support, hanger  500  assumes a generally symmetrical, balanced relationship. This configuration is somewhat similar to the configuration of hanger  400  shown in FIG.  4 . 
     In addition, hanger  500  includes a generally inverted, V-shaped knee  575  which extends upwardly from upper arm  521 . The knee is located somewhat short of the mid-point M and about equidistant therefrom relative to the joinder location  527 . The outer leg  575 A of the knee typically extends in the opposite direction to the lower leg  564  of the connecting leg  533  of the hook. The inner leg  575 B of the knee  575  generally parallels the lower leg  564  of the hook connecting leg  533 . Thus, the knee  575  and the lower end  564  of the connecting leg  533  form complimentary regions for securing a garment on the hanger  500 . The combination of the arms, the hook, the knee and the cross member have a flat or planar configuration when viewed in top plan or end elevation. 
     Thus, when the arm  521  is inserted into the neck region of a garment in the manner discussed supra, the arm  521  is advanced through the neck region, past the knee  575  and mid-region  529  until the neck region is at least adjacent to the lower leg portion  564 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown, in side elevation, hanger  600  which is another embodiment of a hanger of this invention. Hanger  600  is similar to the hanger shown in FIG.  4  and incorporates two elongated arms  621  and  622 , each of which is adapted for supporting a different opposed shoulder region of a garment as described relative to FIGS. 1 through 5. Each arm has rounded outer ends  624  and  626 , respectively. The arms  621  and  622  extend, generally, oppositely and downwardly relative to each other and relative to the hanger mid-region  629 . Typically, the outer ends  624  and  626  are interconnected together by an elongated lower cross member  637  wherein the interconnections are preferably curved to avoid catching or snagging of a garment or the like. 
     The hanger  600  includes a hook  631 , and a smoothly arcuate, elongated connecting leg  633  the lower end of which terminates at, and joins to, the arm  622 . As noted, this configuration is substantially similar to the configuration of hanger  400  shown in FIG. 4, whereby the relationship between the hook  631  and the arms  621  and  622  is such that the hanger  600  is generally symmetrical and balanced. 
     Again, hanger  600  includes a knee  675  which extends upwardly from the upper arm  621  thereof. The outer side of knee  675 , preferably, curves in the opposite direction to, i.e. is complementary to, the connecting leg  633  of the hook  631 . Thus, the outer side  675 A of the knee  675  and the lower end of the connecting leg  633  form complimentary arcuate regions for securing a garment on the hanger  600 . 
     Again, in this embodiment, the inner side  675 B of the knee  675  is returned to the arm  621  at approximately the mid-point M of the hanger. The knee  675  is located somewhat short of the mid-region  629  and about equidistant therefrom relative to the joinder location. Once again, in the hanger  600 , the combination of the arms, the hook  631 , the leg  633 , the knee  675  and the cross member  637  have a flat or planar configuration when viewed in top plan or end elevation. However, in this embodiment, the hanger  500  includes a support structure for providing additional strength thereto. 
     Referring concurrently to FIG. 7, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the structure of hanger  600  taken along the line  7 — 7  in FIG.  6 . Thus, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the structure of hanger  600  includes a generally cylindrical body  701  which is fairly conventional in plastic hanger construction. 
     In addition, the structure of hanger  600  includes a tapered, generally triangular shaped support portion  702  formed integrally with the cylinder  701 . The support portion or tail  702  can be on the bottom of the rod, as seen in arms  621  and  622  in FIG.  6 . Alternatively, the support tail  702  can be on the top of the rod as seen in leg  633  in FIG.  6 . The tail  702  is not required in all hangers but provides a unique structural strength as desired and may be utilized with any of the hanger embodiments described supra. 
     Thus, the structurally enhanced hanger  600  can be inserted into the neck region of a garment in the manner discussed supra relative to the other embodiments of the invention. 
     Each of the hanger embodiments described supra can be constructed of various conventional materials using various conventional construction methods. For example, the hanger can be comprised of molded or preformed plastic with a tubular or rod cross section with or without the support tail. Alternatively, a hanger can be comprised of a preformed metal wire which can be twisted, welded or the like at the joinder location. If so desired, the hanger can then be plated, anodized, painted, coated with an elastomeric plastic, or the like. 
     Hangers can be variously otherwise formed using, for example, preformed plastic rodding, plastic extrusions, plastic coated wire, plastic tubing, metal tubing, mixtures thereof or the like, as desired by a fabricator. Various conventional working and forming procedures can be used to fabricate a single hanger, such as compression or laser cutting and/or heat forming. 
     If desired “frictionizers” or non-slip strips can be added to hanger surfaces so as to provide a non-slipping or slip retarding feature to deter a garment from slipping off a hanger. 
     Thus, there is shown and described a unique design and concept of a garment hanger. While this description is directed to several embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations which fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. It is understood that the description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be limitative. Rather, the scope of the invention described herein is limited only by the claims appended hereto.