Abstract:
A wardrobe hanging system. The present system is adapted to store clothes in a compact, yet easily accessible manner. Various embodiments of the present invention utilize a bi-directional sliding rail system, a unidirectional sliding rail system, pivotable arms, and a rotatable attachment mechanism. Furthermore, the present system includes various embodiments of hangers adapted to store multiple different types of articles of clothing in a compact manner are also provided herewith. The hangers include hooks of various configurations and lengths, indicators adapted to indicate if the hanger has available space for hanging articles of clothing thereon, and adjustable shoulder supports. The hangers are adapted to engage with the embodiments of the rail system in a secure, yet removable manner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to wardrobes and other such types of furniture designed for holding clothing. More specifically, the present invention relates to furniture that is adapted to store a large number of articles of clothing in a compact manner. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many people lack proper closet and storage space in which to place their clothing. Closets can quickly become full, particularly when a closet is shared by multiple people. However, people often wish to maintain their clothes in a neat and organized fashion so that their clothes are easily accessible and remain unwrinkled. Thus, a space saving device that can be used to store and organize a plurality of trousers, shirts, and other articles of clothing is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of wardrobes now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a wardrobe having a sliding rail design for holding hangers and hangers that are adapted to hold articles of clothing in an organized, compact manner, wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for storing articles of clothing. The present system comprises clothing hangers adapted to hold multiple articles of clothing in a compact manner and a closet-mounted holding mechanism adapted to hold the hangers. In some embodiments of the present invention, the hangers are slidably attached to the closet-mounted holding mechanism, allowing users to move the hangers between different positions within the closet or other article of furniture in an organized fashion. In other embodiments of the present invention, the closet-mounted holding mechanism comprises one or more arms that are slidably of pivotably attached to the closet, allowing users to deploy the arms and the hangers thereon as needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of bidirectional rail embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of a bidirectional rail embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention with a hanger sliding along the rails. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of a bidirectional rail embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention with a hanger being locked in place. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a hanger of the present invention in a closed position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a hanger of the present invention in an open position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a slidable and pivotable rail. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view an embodiment of the present invention comprising a slidable and pivotable rail. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5C  shows a schematic view an embodiment of the present invention comprising a slidable and pivotable rail. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6A  shows a perspective view of a dual-sided embodiment of the sliding mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6B  shows a perspective view of a dual-sided embodiment of the sliding mechanism of the present invention, wherein the panels are in a resting position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6C  shows a perspective view of a dual-sided embodiment of the sliding mechanism of the present invention, wherein the panels are in a pivoted position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a unidirectional embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention comprising pivotable arms. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising pivotable arms in an extended position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention comprising pivotable arms, wherein the panel is slidably attached to the wardrobe. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a scissor-type connection between the arms. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  B shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a scissor-type connection between the arms, wherein the arms are in an extended position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12A  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention in a first position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12B  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention in a second position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12C  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention along line  12 C- 12 C. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12D  shows a view of the support of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention in a first position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12E  shows a view of the support of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention being transitioned from a first position to a second position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12F  shows a view of the support of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention in a second position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the space-saving wardrobe hanging mechanism and hangers. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for maximizing the amount of available storage in a wardrobe for articles of clothing. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2B , there are shown perspective views of a bidirectional rail embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention. The depicted embodiment of the present invention utilizes a bidirectional rail design that allows users to pull clothes disposed on the hangers  30  forward and then lock the hangers  30  in place so that the clothing thereon can be conveniently removed therefrom. When the user is finished removing clothing from the hanger  30 , the hanger  30  can then be unlocked and returned to the back portion of the wardrobe  10  so that the clothing can be stored in a compact manner. 
         [0033]    The present invention comprises a panel  11  that is integrally attached or attachable to a wardrobe  10 . The panel  11  comprises a front longitudinal rail  12 , a back longitudinal rail  13 , and one or more lateral rails  14  extending therebetween. The rails  12 ,  13 ,  14  form a continuous track along which the hangers  30  can be slid in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. The panel  11  is a planar surface on which the plurality of rails  12 ,  13 ,  14  are mounted. In one embodiment of the present invention, the panel  11  is integral to the wardrobe  10 . In another embodiment, the panel  11  is affixed to the lower interior surface of the top portion of a wardrobe  10  via any type of fasteners known in the prior art. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the panel  11  is slidably attached to the lower surface of the top portion of the wardrobe  10  along rails or other such means known in the prior art. This provides users with additional adjustability for the convenience of accessing their articles of clothing. 
         [0034]    The panel  11  further comprises a plurality of receivers  16  slidably disposed on the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14 . The receivers  16  are rotatably attached to the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14 , in addition to being slidably attached thereto. The rotatable connection between the receivers  16  and the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14  allows users to alter the orientation of the hangers  30 , and the clothing stored thereon, as desired. For example, when the articles of clothing are being stored on the back rail  13 , the receivers  16  can be rotated so that the hangers  30  are perpendicular to the longitudinal to the axis of the panel  11 . This reduces the side profile of the articles of clothing and thereby allows users to maximize the space within the rear portion of the wardrobe  10  to which the present invention is mounted. When users pull the hangers  30  forward to the front rail  12  to access the articles of clothing thereon, users can rotate the receivers  16  on which the hangers  30  are mounted so that the hangers  30  are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panel  11 . This presents the hangers  30  such that the clothing stored thereon can be accessed in a convenient manner. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14  comprise channels having a rectangular cross-section and the receivers  16  comprise a ball bearing having a diameter less than or equal to the width of the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14 , which allows for the ball bearing to freely rotate therein without obstruction from the sidewalls of the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14 . In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the shaft of the receiver  16  is rotatably mounted to the bearing disposed within the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14 . However, no claim is made as to a specific mechanism by which the receivers  16  are rotatable. 
         [0035]    The panel  11  further comprises one or more pairs of slots  15 , wherein each of the pairs of slots  15  corresponds to one of the lateral rails  14 . Each of the slots  15  is positioned a distance from the corresponding lateral rail  14  equal to the distance from the center of the hanger  30  to the locking members  39  disposed on the hanger  30 . This ensures that the slots  15  on the panel  11  are positioned appropriately so that they are able to engage with the locking members  39  on the hangers  30  when the locking members  39  are extended therefrom. Each of the slots  15  has a complementary shape to the shape of the locking members  39  and is sized within a close tolerance of the locking members  39  such that when the locking members  39  engage with the slots  15 , the locking members  39  are held securely therein and fixedly hold the hangers  30  in place. Although the depicted embodiment of the present invention as shown and described herein comprises a pair of slots  15  for each lateral rail  14  and a complementary pair of locking members  39  disposed on each hanger  30 , embodiments of the present invention comprising a single slot  15  or more than two slots  15  are contemplated. 
         [0036]    Referring no to  FIGS. 3-4 , there are shown perspective views of a hanger of the present invention in an open and a closed position. The hangers  30  comprise a connector  31  extending from a frame  36 , one or more first members  32  and one or more second members  33  connected to the frame  36  via a hinge  38 , and one or more locking members  39  slidably attached to the frame  36 . The connector  31  disposed on the hanger  30  is adapted to removably engage with the receivers  16  disposed along the rails  12 ,  13 ,  14 . As such, a connector  31  can be hung from a rotatable receiver  16  disposed on the panel  11  of the present system, supporting the hanger  30  therefrom. The members  32 ,  33  can be transitioned between a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in which the articles of clothing draped over the members  32 ,  33  are held tightly together in a compact arrangement, and an open position, as shown in  FIG. 4 , in which the user can remove the articles of clothing therefrom. 
         [0037]    The present invention further comprises hooks  34  and/or clips  35  disposed on the hinged members  32 ,  33  for holding different types of articles of clothing. The hooks  34  are designed to hold items that are hung from another hanger, e.g. shirts. The clips  35 , which may be either removably attached to the members  32 ,  33  or integral therewith, are designed to secure items that are generally clipped over the members  32 ,  33  of a hanger  30 , e.g. pants. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the hooks  34  are disposed on the first members  32  and the clips  35  are disposed on the second members  33 ; however, the hooks  34  and clips  35  do not have to be completely segregated on the members  32 ,  33  as shown in the depicted embodiment and no claim is made as to a specific arrangement of the hooks  34  and clips  35  on the members  32 ,  33 . Furthermore, although some of the members are preferably designed for holding garments on hangers, i.e. the first members  32  having hooks  34  disposed thereon, and the other members are preferably designed for holding pants, i.e. the second members  33  having clips  35  disposed thereon, no claim is made as to the specific garment-gripping mechanisms utilized by the present invention. 
         [0038]    When articles of clothing are hung on the members  32 ,  33 , the members  32 ,  33  can be closed and locked in place via a locking mechanism  37 . The locking mechanism  37  holds the articles of clothing suspended on the members  32 ,  33  tightly against each other, minimizing the amount of space that the clothing occupies and therefore maximizing the amount of usable space within a wardrobe. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism  37  comprises a clip that engages with one or more tabs  40  extending from the distal edges of each of the members  32 ,  33 . The tabs  40  have a length equal to or greater than the distance to the successive complementary member disposed thereunder. The length of the tab  40  causes the lower members  32   b ,  33   b  to hold the upper members  32   a ,  33   a  against the frame of the hanger  30  when the lower members  32   b ,  33   b  are closed because the lower members  32   b ,  33   b  acts as a barrier to the tab  40  of the upper members  32   a ,  33   a . The tab  40  of the lowest members  32   c ,  33   c  engages with a clip  41  or another such re-closable connector disposed at the distal end of the lowest members  32   c ,  33   c . Because each successive member  32 ,  33  is held in place by the immediately adjacent member  32 ,  33 , all of the members  32 ,  33  can be held fixedly in place by securing the lower members  32   c ,  33   c  to the hanger  30  via the clip  41 . Although the depicted embodiment of the present invention comprises three of each of the first and the second sets of members  32 ,  33 , no claim is made as to the number of sets of members  32 ,  33  utilized by the present hangers  30 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , there are shown views of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a movable track. In this embodiment of the present invention, the front longitudinal rail  12  and the back longitudinal rail  13  are not connected by one or more lateral rails, thereby rendering the rails  12 ,  13  discontinuous. Rather, in this embodiment of the present invention, hangers  30  can be transferred from the back longitudinal rail  13  to the front longitudinal rail  12  via a movable rail  51 . The movably rail  51  is slidably disposed on the front longitudinal rail  12  via a slidable connector  53 . Furthermore, the movable rail  51  is pivotably attached to the slidable connector  53  with a full three hundred and sixty degree range of movement, thereby allowing users to adjust both the position and angle of the movable rail  51  relative to the longitudinal rails  12 ,  13 . 
         [0040]    Hangers  30  can be transferred from the back longitudinal rail  13  to the front longitudinal  12  rail by first rotating the movable rail  51  so that it is perpendicular to the back longitudinal rail  13 . The user then rotates the receiver  16  to which the hanger  30  that he or she wishes to transfer to the front is connected so that the receiver  16  is aligned with the perpendicularly-oriented movable rail  51 . The user can then slide the connector  31  of the hanger  30  from the receiver  16  aligned with the movable rail  51  onto the movable rail  51 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the receivers  16  are semi-tubular members that are adapted to slidably receive the cylindrical connectors  31  therein. The movable rail  51  therefore has a size and shape that is complementary to the receivers  16  slidably disposed on the back longitudinal rail  13  so that the movable rail  51  can receive the connectors  31 , just as with the receivers  16 . Once transferred from the receiver  16  disposed on the back longitudinal rail  13  to the movable rail  51 , the user can thereafter slide the hanger  30  therealong to bring it to the front so that the user can retrieve the clothes therefrom. 
         [0041]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the movable rail  51  further comprises an extensible rail  52  connected to and in line with the movable rail  51 . In this embodiment of the present invention, the extensible rail  52  comprises a telescopic attachment to the movable rail  51 , thereby allowing the user to extend the length of the movable rail  51  in order to improve access to the hangers  30  thereon. However, no claim is made as to the specific means by which the extensible rail  52  extends from the movable rail  51 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-7 , there are shown perspective views of unidirectional embodiments of the present invention.  FIGS. 6A-6C  show a unidirectional embodiment of the present invention comprising a dual-sided hanging device connected to a rail  75  via a slidable connection  72 , a pair of dividers  76  extending along the length if the hanging device, and a plurality of hooks  73  disposed on the lateral sides of the dividers  76 . The dividers  76  comprise rigid members adapted to prevent contact between articles of clothing hung on the hooks  73  disposed along the sides of the hanging device. Each pair of dividers  76  are connected by a pivotable connection  77 , which allows the dividers to transition between a first position in which the dividers  76  rest parallel to each other and a second position in which the dividers  76  are oriented at an angle with respect to each other. Articles of clothing can be hung from the hooks  73  and the dividers  76  prevent the articles of clothing hung on opposing sets of hooks  73  from making contact with each other. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a unidirectional embodiment of the present invention comprising a hanging enclosure  71  extendably disposed on a rail  75  via a telescoping member  72 . The hanging enclosure  71  comprises a pair of dividers  76  or sidewalls, which form a partially enclosed volume, and one or more hooks  73  disposed within the interior of the enclosed interior volume for hanging clothes on. In one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the dividers  76  is equal to the height of the wardrobe. This embodiment of the present invention provides users with a means to segregate clothing in order to make articles of clothing easier to access. In an alternative embodiment, the hanging system further comprises one or more compartments  74  disposed between the telescoping member  72  and the hanging compartment  71  for storing articles therein. 
         [0044]    In an alternative embodiment of the present hanging system, the enclosures  71  can be provided in a stacked arrangement, wherein the enclosures  71  are arranged such that two or more enclosures  71  are situated in each vertical space. The sets of stacked enclosures  71  are then arranged in a side-by-side manner, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Each of the enclosures  71  within the stacked sets are independently slidable via the same type of slidable connection as shown in  FIG. 7  or any other such type of slidable connection. Furthermore, in another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the compartments  74  are detachable from the system. 
         [0045]    In another alternative embodiment of the present hanging system, the one or more hooks  73  are replaced with one or more pivotable arms with hooks, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In yet another embodiment of the present hanging system, the compartments  74  are arranged in a plurality of rows and have different heights. In one embodiment, the heights of the compartments  74  are such that the compartments  74  substantially occupy the interior volume of the wardrobe. In another embodiment, the heights of the compartments  74  are such that the compartments  74  only partially occupy the interior volume of the wardrobe, as in the depicted embodiment of the present invention, which leaves room for hanging articles of clothing within the enclosures  71 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-9 , there are shown perspective views of an embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention comprising pivotable arms. An alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizes pivotable arms  81 , rather than rails as discussed hereabove, which has one or more hooks  82  disposed thereon. The pivotable arms  81  are connected to the panel  11  via a point of rotation, thereby allowing the pivotable arms  81  to transition between a compact, stowed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 8 , and an extended configuration, as shown in  FIG. 9 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the pivotable arms  81  are positioned so that when stowed, the arms  81  rests flush against one another, thereby minimizing the amount of space occupied by the arms  81  and the clothes stored thereon. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the panel is slidably attached to the wardrobe. In addition to the panel  11  being integral to the wardrobe or attached to the wardrobe via fasteners, adhesives, or other such means, the panel  11  can also be slidably attached to the wardrobe  10 . In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the panel  11  is slidably attached to the wardrobe  10  via rollers or slideable channels disposed along the edges of the panel  11  that are adapted to roll along rails disposed on the interior surface of the wardrobe  10 . The entire panel  11  being slidably attached to the wardrobe  10  provides users with an additional degree of adjustability for accessing hangers or clothes disposed on the hooks  82 . Although the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 10  is the embodiment comprising pivotable arms, any of the embodiments of the present invention depicted herein can comprise a panel  11  slidably attached to the wardrobe  10 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11A-11B , there are shown perspective views of a rotatable embodiment of the hanging mechanism of the present invention. This embodiment of the present hanging system comprises a plurality of arms  101  that are attached to the panel at rotation points  104  and attached to each other via a scissor connection  103 . Each of the arms  101  comprises one or more hooks  102  thereon. The scissor connection  103  allows users to grip one of the arms  101 , generally the outermost arm  101 , and then extend all of the arms  101  from the panel  11  via actuation of only a single arm. This embodiment of the present invention is convenient to use because the user can access all of his or her clothes stored in the wardrobe quickly and efficiently, without the need to individually pull out, access, or otherwise actuate the arms  101  and the clothes stored thereon individually. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12A-12B , there are shown perspective views of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention in a first position and a second position, respectively. For this alternative embodiment of the hanger  201  of the present invention, the hanger  201  comprises a pair of arm members  204 , a connector  206 , a transverse member  207  extending between the arm members  204 , and one or more supports  212  slidably disposed on the arm members  204 . The supports  212  are slidably and rotatably attached to the arm members  204  via a sheath  203 . The sheath  203  is slidably disposed on the arm members  204 , allowing for the supports  212  to transition between a first position, wherein the supports  212  are held in place at the distal end of the arm members  204  via the first stop  211 , and a second position, wherein the supports  212  are held in place at a point along the length of the arm members  204  via a second stop  213 . The connector  206  comprises a hook as shown in  FIG. 13 , a cylindrical member adapted to removably engage with a sleeve member as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an arcuate member that can be hung from a hook as shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , or any other such connector. 
         [0050]    The arm members  204  are hingedly connected  205  to the connector  206 , allowing the arm members  204  to transition between a first position, as shown in  FIG. 12A , and a second position, as shown in  FIG. 12B , wherein the arm members  204  are held in a wider configuration than with the first position. The transverse member  207  comprises a first portion and a second portion that are connected by a lockable, pivotable connection  208 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the pivotable connection  208  comprises a projection  210  disposed on the first portion that is adapted to slide along an L-shaped slot  209  disposed on the second portion. When the hanger  201 , is in its first position, the force from the articles of clothing hanging from the arm members  204  of the hanger  201  keeps the projection  210  and the distal end of the elongated portion of the slot  209  securely engaged together. The projection  210  preferably further comprises a head having a width larger than the width of the slot  209 , thereby preventing the projection  210  from being drawn therethrough. 
         [0051]    When the hanger  201  is transitioned to its second position, the arm members  204  are opened, which causes the projection  210  to slide along the length of the slot  209  of the lockable, slidable connection  208  and engage with the portion of the slot  209  projecting orthogonally from the elongated portion thereof. When the projection  210  is engaged with the orthogonal portion of the slot  209 , the two portions of the transverse member  207  are fixedly held in an angled relationship with respect to each other, which in turn fixedly holds the arm members  204  in a wider configuration than the first position. Although the depicted embodiment of the lockable, slidable connection  208  has been described in detail, no claim is made as to the specific means by which the two portions of the transverse member are connected and any type of lockable, slidable connection known in the prior art can be utilized. The first position of the hanger  201  is adapted for holding clothes having narrow shoulders and the second position of the hanger  201  is adapted for holding clothes having wider shoulders. 
         [0052]    The present embodiment of the hanger  201  hanger further comprises one or more supports  212  slidably attached to the arm members  204  via a sheath  203 . The supports  212  comprise a pair of flaps  202  that are hingedly connected to the sheath  203 . The flaps  202  are adapted to transition between an open position and a closed position suitable for hanging articles of clothing. When in the open position, the supports  212  provide an extended width suitable for supporting the shoulders of jackets and other such articles of clothing. The arm members  204  further comprise a first stop  211  disposed at the distal ends thereof that prevents the supports  212  from sliding off of the arm members  204 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 12C , there is shown a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention along line  12 C- 12 C. The first stop holds the supports  212  at the distal end of the arm members  204 , preventing the supports  212  from falling therefrom. The second stop  213  is adapted to both hold the supports  212  at a point along the length of the arm members  204 , while also allowing the supports  212  to be slid thereover to the distal end of the arm members  204  as needed. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 12C , the height of the second stop  213 , plus the diameter of the arm member  204 , is less than or equal to the diameter of the interior of the sheath  203 . Therefore, when the support  212  is resting against the arm member  204  above the second stop  213 , the second stop  213  prevents further movement of the support  212  relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm member  204  because it protrudes therefrom. However, when the user wishes to move the support  212  past the second stop  213  to the distal end of the arm member  204 , the user can lift the support  212  and slide it thereover, as shown in  FIG. 12C . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12D-12F , there are shown views of the support of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention being transitioned from a first position to a second position. The flaps  202  of the support  212  are hingedly connected together via the sheath  203 . Furthermore, as the interior diameter of the sheath  203  is greater than the diameter of the arm member  204 , then the support  212  can be both slid along the length of the arm member  204  and rotated relative to the arm member  204 . As shown in  FIG. 12E , the support  212  can be rotated ninety-degrees relative to its natural hanging position. As shown in  FIG. 12F , the flaps  202  of the support  212  can then be folded downwardly and the edges of the flaps  202  adjacent to the sheath  203  bear against each other, fixedly holding in the support  212  in a wider configuration (as compared to the configuration of the support  212  as shown in  FIG. 12D ) suitable for supporting the shoulders of jackets and other such articles of clothing that have shoulder portions requiring greater support. The positioning of the support  212  along the length of the arm member  204  can also be adjusted because the sheath  203  is slidably disposed thereon. This allows users to adjust both the width and the positioning of the support  212  depending upon the specific type of article of clothing that the user is seeking to hang from the present hanger. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention. For this alternative embodiment of a hanger  301  of the present invention, the hanger  301  comprises a hook  306 , a pair of upper members  305  extending from the hook  306 , and a lower member  304 , forming a generally triangular shape. The hanger  301  further comprises one or more first hooks  302  extending from the lower member  304  and one or more second hooks  303  extending from the upper members  305 . The plurality of hooks  302 ,  303  provides users with a single device from which other hangers can be hung from a support  901  in a compact manner. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, the hanger  401  further comprises an indicator  402  disposed on the frame  405  of the hanger  401 . In the depicted embodiment, the indicator  402  is attached to a base portion of the connector extending from the hanger frame  405 . The indicator  402  can be set by a user to indicate whether the hanger  401  is full or has additional space for articles of clothing thereon. In one embodiment, the indicator  402  comprises a rotatable sheath comprising a first side  403  with a first indicia, such as a first color, thereon and a second side  404  with a second indicia, such as a second color, thereon. The first color corresponds to the hanger  401  being full and the second color corresponds to the hanger  401  having available space thereon. As articles of clothing are added to or removed from the hanger  401 , individuals can rotate the indicator  402  so that the color or other indicia presented thereby corresponds to the state of the hanger  401 . The indicator allows individuals to visualize whether additional articles of clothing can be hung from a hanger  401  without the need to actually remove the hanger  401  from the closet or wardrobe and directly inspect it. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of a hanger of the present invention. In this alternative embodiment of the hanger  501 , the hooks  502  are of varying lengths. The hooks  502  can be arranged so that hooks  502  of corresponding lengths are disposed at corresponding positions on the frame of the hanger  501 . 
         [0058]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0059]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.