Garment hanger and garment hanger organization system

A hanger organization system is provided and includes a first set of hangers and a second set of hangers. Each hanger of the first set of hangers includes a cross bar with a first hook member extending upwardly from a top edge of the cross bar. The first hook member has a first height as measured from a top edge of the hook member to the top edge of the cross bar. The second hook member has a second height as measured from a top edge of the hook member to the top edge of the cross bar, wherein the first height is greater than the second height. The first set of hangers and second set of hangers are arranged in alternating manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to garment hangers and hanger organization systems and more particularly, relates to a garment hanger that has no-slips strap slots and/or an anti-slip pant bar and to a hanger organization system that comprises different neck sized hangers for placement in an alternating manner resulting in a closet space savings.

BACKGROUND

A clothes (garment) hanger is a product that is generally in the shape of human shoulders designed to facilitate the hanging of a coat, jacket, sweater, shirt, blouse or dress in a manner that prevents wrinkles and can include a lower bar for the hanging of trousers or skirts. The above-mentioned hangers are the most common type of hangers; however, there are other types of hangers including hangers for intimate apparel, etc.

Hangers can be formed of any number of different materials with the most common materials being metal wire, wood, and plastic materials.

Hangers are typically hung along a hanger rod in a closet or the like. Each hanger is suspended from the rod by a hook structure that protrudes above the body of the hanger. Unfortunately, hangers traditionally come with standard hook lengths and therefore when hanging multiple clothes items along the hanger rod, the bulky nature of the clothes along the hanger body proximate the necks causes the hangers to be spaced apart from one another, thereby increasing the space needed to hang the clothes.

There is therefore a need for an improved non-slip hanger that is constructed to have an improved grip on straps (primary or secondary straps) of a dress to promote a secure coupling of the dress to the hanger even during movement and adjustment of the hanger and/or an improved grip on folded pants that rest on a lower hanger bar.

In addition, there is also a need for an improved hanger organization system that is configured to provide a significant closet space savings, thereby allowing more clothes to be hung within a given space.

SUMMARY

A garment hanger includes a cross bar having a first end and an opposing second end. The cross bar is defined by a first end portion that terminates in the first end, a center portion, and a second end portion that terminates in the second end. Each of the first end portion and second end portion has a downwardly sloping top edge. The first end portion has a first no-slip slot formed therein so as to extend laterally within the first end portion and is open along the top edge thereof so as to form an entrance into the first no-slip slot. The second end portion has a second no-slip slot formed therein so as to extend laterally within the second end portion and is open along the top edge thereof so as to form an entrance into the second no-slip slot. A bottom surface of each of the first no-slip slot and the second no-slip slot comprises a ribbed surface. The hanger further includes a hook member attached to the center portion of the cross bar.

A garment hanger includes a cross bar having a first end and an opposing second end. The cross bar is defined by a first end portion that terminates in the first end, a center portion, and a second end portion that terminates in the second end. The cross bar further includes a pant bar that extends between the first end of the first end portion and the second end of the second end portion. The cross bar has a U shape or Y shape construction defined by a pair of spaced fingers with an open space there between. The upper edges of the spaced fingers provide contact areas for receiving and supporting a pair of pants. The garment hanger includes a hook member attached to the center portion of the cross bar.

A hanger organization system is provided and includes a first set of hangers and a second set of hangers. Each hanger of the first set of hangers includes a cross bar with a first hook member extending upwardly from a top edge of the cross bar. The first hook member has a first height as measured from a top edge of the hook member to the top edge of the cross bar. The second hook member has a second height as measured from a top edge of the hook member to the top edge of the cross bar, wherein the first height is greater than the second height. The first set of hangers and second set of hangers are arranged in alternating manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a side elevation view of a garment hanger100in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As described herein, the garment hanger100is particularly constructed to be used with articles of clothing that have a pair of straps, such as a dress, etc. The garment hanger100includes a hook member110that extends upwardly from a cross bar120to permit hanging of the garment hanger100and can. The garment hanger100can be formed of any number of different materials; however, one preferred material for constructing the hanger100a plastic material that is molded in shape.

The cross bar120is an elongated structure and includes a first end122and an opposing second end124. The cross bar120can be divided into a number of sections, including a central portion130and two end portions140,150on opposite sides of the central portion130. As shown, the central portion130has an increased height relative to the two end portions140,150. The central portion130is the portion from which the hook member110extends. The central portion130can have a hole that receives a bottom end of the hook member110for attaching the hook member110to the cross bar120. The bottom end of the hook member110can have a ridges (threaded) surface and after heating the hook member110, the hook member110is inserted into the smooth walled hole of the central portion130to securely attach the hook member110to the central portion130.

In accordance with the present invention, each of the end portions140,150is a continuously curved portion that terminates in the respective first end122or second end124. As shown, each of the first end portion140and the second end portion150is defined by an upper edge160that has a downward slope (downward curvature) from the central portion130to the respective first end122or the second end124. The upper edge160is preferably a smooth surface and the curvature thereof is selected so as to provide a profile that ensures that cloths that are hung will lay flat with no wrinkles or bunching. Each of the first end portion140and the second end portion150is also defined by a lower edge170. Unlike the upper edge160which has continuous curvature, the lower edge170is formed in three distinct section each of which has different characteristics from the other sections. In particular, the lower edge170has a first section172that defines the bottom edge of the center portion130and extends radially outward therefrom. In the first section172, the bottom edge has a first degree of curvature and continuously slopes downward to a second section174. The second section174is an area in which the cross bar has increased width to accommodate a no-slip slot200as described herein. The bottom edge, in the second section174, has a linear component. A third section176that extends from the second section174to one of the first end122or the second end124. In the third section176, the bottom edge has a second degree of curvature which is greater than the first degree of curvature and therefore, the third section176has a sharp downward curve. This shard downward curved section helps to prevent puckering at the shoulders of the garment fabric where the hanger terminates. It also helps to create a gradual/seamless drop off instead of a severe edge.

In accordance with the present invention, there are a pair of no-slip slots200with one no-slip slot200being formed in the first end portion140and the other no-slip slot200being formed in the second end portion150. The no-slip slot200is a substantially linear slot that is formed in the second section174and is open along the upper edge160. In other words, the entrance into the no-slip slot200is formed along the upper edge160and represents a lateral opening that is accessible only in a lateral direction.

In conventional hangers, each strap receiving slot is formed as a large break along an upper edge of the hanger body and therefore, when other types of garments like blouses or shirts and the like are hung on such hangers, the clothing naturally falls by gravity into these recessed portions, thereby causing creases and the like in the clothing. In contrast, the sloped nature of the upper edge160and the location of the entrance to the no-slip slot200prevents any clothing material from entering the no-slip slot200unless it is purposefully intended to be disposed within the no-slip slot200, as is the case of straps of a dress or the like.

The no-slip slot200is thus formed as a generally horizontal slot that is defined by an upper surface202and an opposing lower surface204. The space between the upper surface202and the lower surface204defines the space in which clothing is inserted (in a lateral direction as mentioned above) and retained. For example, in the case of a dress with straps, the left dress strap is inserted into one no-slip slot200and the right dress strap is inserted into the other no-slip slot200. The no-slip slot200has a width and a height that are selected to accommodate a large range of straps. In one exemplary embodiment, the no-slip slot200has the following approximate dimensions: length 35 mm, width 5 mm, and height 2.6 mm.

As best shown inFIG. 6B, the lower surface204of the no-slip slot200has a gripping texture and more specifically, the lower surface204can include a series of teeth210which can be rubber coated teeth210. As shown, each tooth210can have a rounded top. The teeth210are constructed to grip and hold the strap of the dress. The upper surface202is free of teeth210.

The hook member110of the hanger100is of a first size in that hook member110has a straight lower portion112and a curved upper portion114as shown inFIG. 2. The straight lower portion112has a first length (first height). In one exemplary embodiment, the length of the straight lower portion112is about 91 mm.

FIG. 2illustrates a hanger101that has the same cross bar construction as the hanger100in that the hanger101includes cross bar120. The only difference between hanger101and hanger100is that the hanger101includes a different hook member in that the hanger101has a hook member111. The hook member111preferable includes the same curved upper portion114but the straight lower portion112has a second length (second height) that is shorter than the first length (first height). The length of the straight lower portion112is about 51 mm in one exemplary embodiment.

As shown,FIG. 1can be considered to be a “long hook” variant of the garment hanger, whileFIG. 2shows the garment hanger in a “short hook” style. As described below, these two hanger variants form part of a hanger organization system that generates significant closet space savings.

FIG. 3illustrates a garment hanger300that is similar to hangers100,101and therefore like elements are numbered alike. The main different between the hanger300and the hangers100,101is that hanger300is configured to hang pants/trousers and the like. The hanger300includes a pants bar310that extends from first end122of the cross bar120to the second end124of the cross bar120. The bar310is thus a horizontal bar that connects between the first end portion140and the second end portion150to form a continuous hanger structure. The shape of the bar310is discussed below with respect toFIGS. 6C, 7B, and 7C.

The garment hanger300has the same hook construction as hanger101in that the garment hanger300includes the hook member110that is of the first size. Hook member110has the straight lower portion112and the curved upper portion114. The straight lower portion112has the first length (first height). The length of the straight lower portion112is about 51 mm in one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4illustrates another garment hanger350that is similar to garment hanger300; however, like hanger101compared to hanger100, the garment hanger350includes hook member111. As a result, like elements are numbered alike. As discussed above, the hook member111preferable includes the same curved upper portion114but the straight lower portion112has the second length (second height) that is greater than the first length (first height). The length of the straight lower portion112is about 91 mm in one exemplary embodiment.

Garment hanger350includes the pants bar310which is described above. The shape of the bar310is discussed below with respect toFIGS. 6C, 7B, and 7C.

Each of the no-slip slots200is defined by an entrance that has a sloped shape with a bottom portion of the first entrance being disposed laterally outward from a top portion of the entrance. As shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, a top wall of the no-slip slot200and the top edge160of the first end portion130or second end portion140converge to define a downwardly sloped pointed structure175that defines a top portion of the entrance.

As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the no-slip slots200are designed so that is essentially not possible for the dress to completely fall off the hanger, in this case hanger300, when it is titled.FIG. 5Ashows a dress10on hanger300with two straps12of the dress10being inserted into the two no-slip slots200that are formed laterally in the hanger300. It will be understood that the straps12are shown as being the primary straps of the dress10; however, as is known in the industry, dresses can also have one or more smaller secondary straps (which often are transparent) and these secondary straps can equally be inserted into the no-slip slots200with or without the primary straps since some dresses do not include one or both primary straps. InFIG. 5A, the hanger300is shown in its normal hung position in that the hanger300is horizontally oriented and both straps12are inserted into the two no-slip slots200. InFIG. 5B, the hanger300is shown in a titled orientation in which one of the straps12of the dress has become dislodged from the corresponding no-slip slot200, while the other strap12is securely grasped and held within the other no-slip slot200. In other words, when the hanger300is tilted, one strap12may fall out due to the hanger geometry; however, it is impossible for both straps12to fall off.

FIGS. 3, 4, 6A, 6C, andFIGS. 7A-7Cfurther illustrate the anti-slip pants bar construction. In particular, each of the hangers300,350has pants bar310. As best shown inFIGS. 6C, 7A, and7C, the pants bar310has a Y-shape or U-shape profile. In particular, the pants bar310has an upper edge312and an opposing bottom edge314. As shown, the pants bar310has a split fork construction in that the upper edge312is defined by a first finger315and a spaced second finger317with a hollow space319there between with a floor321extending between the first finger315and the second finger317. This construction causes the upper edge312to have the U or Y shape construction.

Applicant has discovered that the U or Y shape of the pants bar310holds the pants in place and provides a desired degree of resistance that results in the pants being gripped and maintained along the pants bar310even if the hanger is moved and manipulated, etc. By providing the first and second fingers315,317, the pants rest on two points of contact which provides the desired increased resistance and gripping force. This is unlike traditional pant bars that have a rounded surface and can include a velvet topping which unfortunately can be difficult to use in that pants tend to stick to such material and therefore, don't lay properly on the bar which can result in wrinkles, etc.

The pants bar310can be formed to have any number of different sizes. The height from the floor321to the bottom edge is about 10.2 mm, the thickness of each of the first finger315and the second finger317is about 0.6 or 0.7 mm. As shown inFIG. 7C, a bottom portion of each of the first finger315and the second finger317is angled (i.e., tapered outward), while the upper portion of each of the first finger315and the second finger317are parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the space between the parallel portions of the first finger315and the second finger317can be about 3.5 mm according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8is a side view of a hanger organization system400that is intended to utilize a combination of “short neck” and “long neck” hangers and more particularly, at least one short neck hanger101,300is combined with at least one long neck hanger101,350and are hung on a support50. The system400typically will include a plurality of short neck hangers and a plurality of long neck hangers that are arranged such that the short neck hangers are interspersed with the long neck hangers (i.e., one after another). In particular, there is one long neck hanger100,350then the adjacent hanger is one short neck hanger101,300and the pattern continues with one short neck hanger101,300alternating with one long neck hanger100350.

As shown inFIG. 8, by alternating the hangers in a long and short pattern, it allows the customer to take better advantage of the unused space beneath the hanger. Allowing thicker clothing items like collared shirts to fit together more snuggly. In other words, since the collar of the shirt or similar bulky area of a clothing garment is positioned at a higher location on the short neck type hanger compared to the same clothing article positioned on a long neck hanger which naturally positions the collar or bulky area lower due to the extended height of the hook. This results in drastic closet space savings for the customer. It will be understood that the short neck hanger is chosen from either the hanger without pant bar or the hanger with pant bar and similarly, the long neck hanger is chosen from either the hanger without pant bar or the hanger with pant bar.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate one aspect of the present invention and in particular, illustrate certain dimensions of hangers100,101that are relevant for expressing a relationship between the size of the long hook (FIG. 9A) compared to the short hook (FIG. 9B). InFIGS. 9A and 9B, dimension B=the height of the central portion130of the cross bar; dimension X=manufacturing hook length tolerance; dimension H1=assembled hook height of the short hook (FIG. 9B); and dimension H2=assembled hook height of the long hook (FIG. 9A). In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the following is true:
B+X=C
C+(H1−X)=T1
T1+C=T2
T2−B=H2.

Manufacturing tolerance is generally understood to be the permissible limit or limits of variation in: a physical dimension; a measured value or physical property of a material, manufactured object, system, or service; other measured values (such as temperature, humidity, etc.). In this case, the tolerance is with respect to the length of the hook.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.