Abstract:
A functional device that is used for hanging and storing scarves and other similar accessories. This device consists of a number of elastic cords mounted on a hanger like device in which scarves can be hung.

Description:
[0001]     This continuation application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/210,371 filed on Aug. 24, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a device for hanging light clothing objects and, more particularly, to hanging scarves from a standard sized clothes rod.  
         [0003]     Lightweight scarves are attractive garments primarily worn by women. It is typically worn as a fashion accessory and is selected towards the end of the dressing process. It is not uncommon for a scarf wearer to want to browse through a number of scarves before putting them on.  
         [0004]     The hanging of scarves is the easiest, most convenient way to browse for scarves. This eliminates time associated with having to dig through a box or drawer filled with scarves and the problem of tangled scarves. The hanging of scarves also resolves the inherent problem that lightweight scarves cannot be easily folded.  
         [0005]     A traditional way to organize scarves is by using a series of pegs where one or more scarves are placed on pegs. These pegs may be fabricate from wood, plastic, or even nails. It is not uncommon for the pegs to be mounted directly into the wall or on a separate mounting board. Typical of this design is the Sugatsune America, Inc. Model MST-20 Tie Rack (see www.sugatsune.com) which incorporates a series of prefabricated pegs.  
         [0006]     The drawback of such peg designs is that they require a separate mounting and cannot be hung on a conventional clothes rod.  
         [0007]     Design Pat. D144, 871 (1945) issued to Read depicts a hanger with circular loops for hanging scarves consisting of circular loops. Although the loops are attractive, they do not have the flexibility of being expanded to accommodate larger scarves, nor do they apply pressure to smaller scarves.  
         [0008]     Utility U.S. Pat. No. 2,634,031 (1953) issued to Klein is for ties, but may be easily used for scarves. The tie rack lacks the utility of accommodating larger scarves or a pressure element to keep smaller scarves in place.  
         [0009]     Utility U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,784 (1979) issued to Knobel depicts a scarf hanger that consists of multiple loops. Despite its attractiveness, it suffers from the same drawbacks as the two aforementioned patents. Also, the device would suffer from high manufacturing costs due to its inherent design.  
         [0010]     Design Pat. D342, 834 (1994) issued to Lorenzana likewise reflects the conventional design for scarf hangers, which lack pressure elements for holding scarves in place.  
         [0011]     Design Pat. D301,522 (1989) issued to Kolton and assigned to B&amp;G Plastics, Inc. also reflects the conventional design for scarf hanging, that lacks the pressure element for holding scarves in place.  
         [0012]     Design Pat. D311,458 (1990) issued to La Croix depicts a scarf hanger that overcomes the pressure elements by having varying size holes to insert the scarves. This solution is impractical because it requires some scarves to be twisted before being inserted, which may damage the scarf.  
         [0013]     Design Pat. D407,564 and D 407,565 (1999) issued to Wilcox and assigned to the Allen-Edmonds Shoe Company reflects the conventional design of loops being used to hang scarves. They lack the necessary pressure elements to keep the scarves in place, instead relies on the person to place the scarf in the midpoint of the loop. In some cases the scarf, will fall off the loop if not positioned correctly.  
         [0014]     None of the aforementioned patents teach the use of a scarf hanging device that combine the practicability of securely and safely hanging and organizing scarves on a conventional closet rod.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The present invention discloses a scarf hanging device consisting of elastic strips for securing scarves and other related objects, such as ties. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a hanger assembly.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the scarf hanger.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the scarf hanger with a scarf attached to the scarf hanger. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     While describing the invention and its embodiments various terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all equivalents that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result.  
         [0020]     One embodiment of the scarf hanger is referenced in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the frontal view of device. The rear view of the device can be the mirror image of  FIG. 1 , comprising of all of the same elements of that view.  
         [0021]     The scarf hanger has a hanging loop  110 , made of either wire, plastic or similar material of an inner diameter suitable for hanging on a typical closet bar.  
         [0022]     The scarf hanger body  120 , is a solid member made of either reinforced cloth material, plastic, leather or suitable material for providing a non-deflecting plane for the scarves to rest against. In the preferred embodiment, the hanger body consists of two halves which are mirror images of each other. This allows scarves to be affixed on both sides. Alternate embodiments allow for scarves to be attached on a single side only.  
         [0023]     Secured to the hanger body  120  are the scarf hanging strips  130 . In  FIG. 1  two sets of these hanging strips  130  that run lengthwise and parallel to the bottom edge of hanger body  120 . Although a single strip is shown in  FIG. 1  many strips may be employed if required.  
         [0024]     In one embodiment these scarf hanging strips  130  are constructed of a half-inch wide pieces of elastic cloth spaced approximately one inch apart from each other. An anchoring device  140  serves to secure the scarf hanging strips  130  to the hanger body  120 , as well as to provide the proper spacing to accommodate variations in scarf sizes. These anchoring devices  140  are spaced three inches apart in a preferred embodiment.  
         [0025]     The hanger body  120  is mounted to the wire hanger  110  by flexible loops  150  which are attached to the hanger body  120 . These loops must have sufficient strength to support the hanger body  120 . The bottom of the hanger body  120  is mounted to the hanger via a piece of loop material  160 .  
         [0026]     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the scarf hanger. The wire hanger  110  supports the hanger body  120  by scarf hanging strips  130 .  
         [0027]     The operation of the scarf hander is straightforward. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a scarf is looped through a scarf hanging strip  130  such that one portion of the scarf is over the strip.  
         [0028]     The invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment. One skilled in the art will recognize that it would be possible to construct the elements of the present invention from a variety of means and to modify the placement of the components in a variety of ways, such as increasing or decreasing the number of hanging strips  130  and their location, or by varying the number and the placement of the anchoring devices  140 , just to give a few examples. While the embodiments of the invention have been described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawing, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.