Garment hanger having label indicator

A hanger for displaying garment-related information has a conventional hanger body and a hanger hook. The hanger body and hook are each provided with a prong extending therefrom and toward one another. A wedge-shaped or cylindrical information indicator is provided with holes in its ends for mating with the prongs of the hanger. The information indicator and hanger combine to form a hanger with a display element for easy viewing of information on the wedge when the hanger is positioned at a variety of different angles with respect to the eyes of the viewer. The information indicator can be used to display sizing information regarding the garment attached to the hanger, eliminating the need to look inside the garment for the garment's label. A child-proof information indicator is provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a device for facilitating improved display 
of a characteristic of a garment attached to a garment hanger, e.g. the 
size or price. More particularly, the invention relates to a garment 
hanger having an improved size or price indicator, in the preferred form 
of a detachable wedge or cylinder, for displaying a specific 
characteristic of the garment secured thereto. In an alternate embodiment, 
the garment characteristic indicator is child-proofed so that it cannot be 
easily removed from the hanger. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Garment hangers are well known devices for hanging clothes in a non-folded 
manner to be hung on a storage rock or in a consumer's closet or wardrobe. 
The hangers eliminate the need to fold and stack the garments and to 
thereby introduce wrinkles. As a result, hangers are popular in retail 
establishments and consumer's homes for holding and displaying garments in 
an upright position. For retailers, the hanger is a very space-efficient 
manner of visually displaying a large variety of sizes, colors and styles 
of garments. 
One of the problems with displaying/hanging garments in this manner, 
however, is that the size of the garment is generally indicated by a 
visual tag, often secured by thread or plastic or located by sewing inside 
the garment or on a portion of the hanging garment. The label is not 
always quickly visible. When the size is indicated on an exterior hang 
tag, the consumer must manually manipulate the tag to view the size. As a 
result, when a customer is looking for a garment of a particular 
style/size, the customer has to manipulate each garment on the hanger to 
either look at the inside label or fumble with the hang tag. A second 
problem with common label placement is that it results in consumers 
touching more garments than necessary to determine if a garment is 
available in a particular size. This increased "touching" leaves the 
garment in a more rumpled condition than the consumer/retailer desires for 
new clothing. 
Various devices have been provided in the prior art to address this 
problem. U.S. Pat. No. 4,115,940 to Phillips provides a garment hanger 
with a visible size indicator. The garment hanger has a standard hook 
member for selective engagement with a horizontal clothing rod. The hook 
is contiguous to the hanger body. A web is provided between the hook 
member and hanger body. The web has a tab holding or mounting member for 
securing an indicia carrying tab. The indicia carrying tab is removable 
and changeable for use with garments of different sizes or prices. A 
potential problem with the size indicator of the '940 patent is that a 
child can easily dislodge the tab. The could result in injury to the 
child, as for example, by swallowing. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,101 to Norman et al. discloses a garment hanger 
including a body having a hook member and a tab holder. The tab holder 
includes an enlarged region with an information tab including resilient 
fingers which are captured by the enlarged region to substantially prevent 
removal of the tab from the tab holder. This is substantially child proof. 
However, the tab is not easily viewable from a variety of viewing angles 
especially where many garments are stacked together on a horizontal rod. 
Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,238,159 and 5,199,608 to Zuckerman provide 
garment hangers with information tabs secured thereon. A tab holder is 
integrally formed as part of the hanger, with the tab mounting on an edge 
of the tab holder, adjacent a ridge formed on the tab holder. The ridge, 
together with two end members formed on the tab holder on either side of 
the tab, prevent a consumer from removing the tab prior to purchase. Thus, 
once the tab is mounted on the tab holder, it cannot be removed without 
the use of a tool. 
A problem with the devices of the prior art, however, is that they are 
often best suited for garments displayed "head-on", i.e. with the hanger 
body extending perpendicularly to the line of sight of the user. Thus, 
when a consumer is looking directly at the front of a garment, he or she 
can see the garment and the tab easily; however, if the consumer is 
looking at an angle to a plurality of closely arranged hanging garments, 
the information on the size indicators are more difficult to read. At the 
same time, when garments are viewed "head-on" each size indicator blocks 
the view of the size indicator located behind it. 
A further problem with the devices of the prior art is that the solid web 
member introduces an increase in the amount of plastic needed for each 
hanger. This results in increased material costs during the manufacturing 
process. Further, the shape and manner of affixing the prior art tabs to 
the hanger is time consuming and often difficult. A need exists, 
therefore, for an indicator which is easy to read from a variety of 
viewing angles, which is inexpensive to manufacture, can be easily picked 
up for manual assembly and easy installation and, yet, can also be 
child-proof. 
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved garment hanger having a 
garment characterization visual indicator, e.g., size indicator, which 
overcomes the problems present in the prior art. In addition, there is a 
need for a size indicator which is easily selectively removable and 
replaceable, while clearly and easily displaying size indicator 
information from many lines of sight. 
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
An object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improved garment 
hanger with a garment characterization indicator which can display the 
size, price or other characteristic (hereinafter for simplicity purposes, 
a size indicator) of garments attached thereto. 
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved garment hanger 
in which the size of the garment can be viewed from a variety of different 
viewing angles, edge-on, head-on or at many angles. 
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved garment hanger 
in which the size of the garment can be viewed regardless of the 
orientation of the garment hanger. 
A further object invention is to provide an improved garment hanger in 
which the size indicator is, on the other hand, child-proof, and, yet, 
selectively removable and replaceable by an adult with a simple tool. 
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved garment hanger 
where the size indicator is viewable even though the garment is one of a 
plurality of closely stacked garments on a horizontal garment rod. 
A further object of this invention is to provide a size indicator which can 
be easily, manually picked-up for ease of installation. 
Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become more 
apparent hereinafter. 
The present objects are accomplished by providing an improved garment 
hanger having a size indicator in the form of a wedge or cylinder for 
attachment between a pair of opposed prongs. The three-dimensioned solid, 
preferably a wedge, has two or more inclined sides and allows the size to 
be displayed from a variety of viewing angles. The wedge or cylinder shape 
is easier to manually handle than the flat size tabs of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As shown in FIG. 1, a cut-away front view of a hanger 5 is provided having 
a hook or rod-engaging portion 10 and a garment hanger body 20. Hanger 5 
is generally made of a plastic material, although other durable, 
moderately flexible materials are suitable as well. The material used for 
the hanger should have some flexibility provided between the hook portion 
10 and hanger body 20, allowing hook portion 10 and hanger body 20 to be 
slightly flexed away from each other for a purpose to be described 
hereinafter. A split 32 is preferably provided along body 20 to ease this 
flexing. The split 32 is provided in between hook 10 and a lower prong 40 
located on the base of hanger body 20. Hanger 5 is suitable for holding 
shirts, blouses, jackets and so forth. Similarly, hangers may be provided 
which are suitable for holding pants, skirts, shorts, etc. as is well 
known in the art. The generally horizontally extending arms of the hanger 
are not shown but easily understood to be part of the hanger by those of 
ordinary skill in the art. 
The hook portion 10 of hanger 5 is provided with an upper prong 30 and the 
hanger body 20 is provided with a lower prong 40. Prongs or posts 30 and 
40 are generally round, nub-like protuberances extending from the hook 
portion and body of the hanger; Upper prong 30 is attached to hook portion 
10 of the hanger and extends downwardly, while lower prong 40 is attached 
to hanger body 20 and extends upwardly. The prongs may be of the same size 
or one may be larger than the other. The prongs can easily be integrally 
molded with the plastic hanger while using a minimum of additional 
plastic. The longitudinal axis of prong 30 is aligned with the 
longitudinal axis of prong 40. 
As shown in FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of a size indicator is provided 
in the shape of a three-sided, wedge-shaped element 50. Other solid shapes 
can be used, for example, a cylinder, a parallelpiped, or a five or 
more-sided solid. The triangular-shaped ends (in the preferred embodiment) 
of size indicator or wedge 50 are provided with holes 60a and 60b--hole 
60a being formed on the top of the wedge (See FIG. 1), and hole 60b being 
a similar corresponding hole on the wedge's other end (See FIG. 2). In an 
alternate embodiment, a single bore is provided through the information 
indicator from end to end. The central axis of hole 60a and 60b are 
aligned. The wedge can be provided with two or more sides but always with 
two ends for holes 60a and 60b. In the preferred embodiment, each side of 
wedge 50 presents a rectangular face which is easily printed on or can 
accept pressure sensitive labels having the "size" printed thereon. Two 
sides 52 and 54 meet at center apex 56. Two other apexes are provided 
where the other faces intersect. Although it is intended that size 
information be printed on the wedge or cylinder, other desired information 
may alternatively, of course, be printed as well, for example, cost, 
color, fabric, style, manufacturer, etc. 
In use, size indicator 50 is attached to hanger 5 by inserting upper prong 
30 into hole 60a of one end and lower prong 40 into hole 60b of the other 
end of the size indicator. The neck 80 of hanger 5 is bent or flexed 
slightly to allow hook portion 10 and hanger body 20 to flex slightly away 
from each other, increasing the distance between prongs 30 and 40. The 
flexing is enhanced by split 32. The flexing allows the wedge to be 
inserted between the prongs. Releasing hook portion 10 and hanger body 20 
to allow them to resiliently revert to their original positions forces the 
prongs back toward each other and into holes 60a and 60b of size indicator 
or wedge 50. By mating holes 60a and 60b with prongs 30 and 40, 
respectively, a tight connection is formed between the hanger and the 
wedge. Clearly, the length of the wedge must be greater then the distance 
between the ends of the prongs, lest the wedge easily become dislodged. 
Just as clearly, the length of the wedge should be slightly less than the 
distance between the edge of the hook and body, when not subjected to 
flexing, so that the wedge can be easily placed onto and between the 
prongs. 
One prong may be larger in diameter than the other for proper orientation 
of the wedge, with the diameters of holes 60a and 60b corresponding 
appropriately to the size of their respective prongs such that the size 
indicator or wedge 50 can only fit onto the prongs with the writing on the 
size indicator being presented "right side up". In one embodiment, the 
relative position and sizing of the prongs, the holes and the length of 
the wedge are such that the size indicator is tightly held in place and 
cannot rotate about defined by the prongs. 
As shown in FIG. 2, wedge 50 is a three-sided, wedge-shaped element for 
displaying the size of garments affixed to the hanger. Size information 
for an attached garment can be printed on one, two, or all three of the 
sides of the wedge, for easy reading when the wedge is affixed to the 
hanger. Wedge-shaped size indicator element 50 may be made of any suitable 
material. Although plastic is contemplated, metal, or other common 
materials may be utilized as well. 
When attached to the hanger, wedge 50 can be presented in any one of 
numerous possible visual orientations. Size indicator or wedge 50 may be 
affixed with the apex 56 of the wedge approximately in the central plane 
defined by the hanger 5. In this position, a consumer can see the markings 
on the wedge from a perspective view of the hanger, or from a head or edge 
on view, as well. The wedge can be angled so that the apex is not aligned 
with the body and arms of the hanger. The information is easily viewable 
from perspective angles, even if the viewer is viewing a plurality of 
garments stacked together on the horizontal garment rod. Other angles of 
fixation of the wedge between the prongs are, of course, possible, and are 
contemplated within the scope of the invention. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 relate to an alternate embodiment of the invention. This 
version is substantially child-proof in that a small child cannot remove 
the wedge from the hanger. In this embodiment, one or more of the holes 
60a or 60b are associated with cross-directed holes 70 and 72. These holes 
70 and 72 extend from one face 52 of the wedge to holes 60b and 60a, 
respectively. FIG. 4 shows the modified hanger for use with the 
child-proof wedge of FIG. 3. Only one child-proof prong 74 is illustrated, 
as a replacement for upper prong 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Of 
course, lower prong 40 can be replaced with a child-proof prong, 
substantially the same as prong 74. Prong 74 has a first segment 76 which 
is quite like prong 30. Extending perpendicularly across the axis of 
segment 76 is cross-piece 78. The dimension from cross piece 78 to the 
back first segment 76 is slightly greater than the internal diameter of 
hole 60a of the wedge. The resiliency of prong 74, however, allows for it 
to be pushed inside hole 60a of the wedge and, when cross-piece 78 aligns 
with cross-hole 72, the cross-piece will flex back and snap to its 
perpendicular orientation with cross-piece 78 extending into hole 72. In 
this manner, it will be very difficult to remove the wedge from the 
hanger. To remove the wedge, a small tool, e.g., a pencil point or the tip 
of a paper clip can be pushed inside of hole 72 while simultaneously 
pulling the wedge off of the hanger. It should be appreciated that a 
child-proof size indicator is thus provided. Selective removal by adults 
is a feature, as well. 
Consequently, the present invention makes it advantageous and easy to view 
the size information on a garment from a variety of different positions 
and angles. Since the preferred embodiment is a wedge element which is 
three-sided with the three sides forming a complete 360.degree. angle or 
circle, its positioning in the prongs of the hanger allows size 
information to be easily viewed irrespective of the positioning of the 
garment with respect to the consumer. The retailer may, if desired, remove 
the wedge at the time of the purchase for inventory and purchase control. 
The design of the prongs and wedge makes the present invention inexpensive 
and easy to manufacture. 
Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it is 
to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since 
further variations or modifications may be apparent or may suggest 
themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present 
application cover such variations and modifications as fall within the 
scope of the appended claims.