Garment security hanger and display system

A garment security hanger and display comprising one or more hanger assemblies, one or more lock rod assemblies, and a base. Each hanger assembly comprises a hanger body with an integral locking device and indicator mechanism. The present invention provides for the placement of a garment on a hanger assembly before the hanger assembly is releasably attached to a lock rod assembly. The lock rod assembly is typically inserted through a sleeve of the garment before being inserted into a channel formed in the hanger assembly. When the lock rod assembly is fully inserted into the channel, the locking device is engaged and the indicator flags the locked status. The hanger assembly may be unlocked by a key inserted in the locking device, allowing the lock rod assembly to be extracted. The present invention possesses a simple, yet scalable, design for economical manufacture and widespread retail use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the display of garments and other products for sale and, more particularly, security devices intended prevent garment/product theft, and even more particularly, to a secure hanger and display system with a releasable lock for use with a variety of garment/product types.

2. Description of the Background

In retail stores, conventional sales techniques for garments and other products require that they be displayed on racks and hangers such that consumers may readily view them and, when appropriate, remove them from the rack/hanger for the purpose of trying them on. However, theft of such merchandise, particularly expensive garments, from such display racks/hangers is a serious problem. This is true not only in retail stores, but even in cloakrooms and restaurants. Efforts to overcome the problem of garment/product theft have resulted in variety of security devices and, therefore, the present inventor is not the first to address means for securely displaying items for sale. For example, devices geared toward a solution are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,371 to Korth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,758 to Ward, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,092 to DeSantis.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,371 to Korth discloses a security clothes-stand containing a number of holding rods which are retained in a supporting device, and on the top end of the device is mounted a clothes-hanger for receiving an article of clothing to be presented. The holding rods essentially consist of a base tube that is connected rigidly to the supporting device and on which a casing tube is rotatably mounted. The casing tube carries at its top end a lock attachment that contains a snap-in catch designed for the releasable retention of the clothes-hanger. A holding member of the clothes-hanger can be inserted into a receiving orifice in the snap-in catch and can be removed from the lock attachment only after the catch in the latter has been released. Unfortunately, the point at which the holding member is inserted in the lock attachment is often difficult to access, for the purpose of removing the article of clothing from the security clothes-stand, due to its position at an end of the hanger where it typically resides at the junction between the shoulder portion and sleeve section of a sleeved garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,758 to Ward discloses a security device for clothing wherein a strong flexible cable is fastened at one end to a lock, carried on a hanger, or to a bar on a clothing stand. The cable is passed through part of a garment such as a sleeve and the other end of the cable is detachably secured in the lock to releasably secure the garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,092 to DeSantis discloses a rack for securely displaying clothes while permitting the clothing to be tried on by a consumer. The rack includes a support stand and a hanger support bar mounted on the stand. The hanger support bar is hollow and has an elongated slot formed therein with a plurality of apertures along its length joined with the slot. Individual elongated flexible guard members having enlarged head portions at one end fit in any one of the apertures while preventing withdrawal through the slot. The guard members pass through a portion of a garment placed on a conventional hanger. Removal of the guards from the hanger support bar is prevented by a blocking device that can be moved between first and second positions to block the apertures. The end of the guard members which pass through the clothing are secured to a blocking device on the base of the display stand for preventing removal of a garment therefrom.

Unfortunately, the Ward and DeSantis devices, due to their use of flexible cables to secure clothing to a display stand, may be extremely tedious to utilize in a busy retail environment. Each time a consumer wants to try on a secured article of clothing, the flexible cable must be unlocked and removed from the sleeve of the garment by a salesperson and, if a sale is not made, the salesperson must place the cable back in position within the sleeve(s) of the garment before relocking the cable.

To the best of the knowledge of the present inventors, no prior design exists to address the problems outlined above. Consequently, it would be greatly advantageous to provide a garment security hanger and display apparatus that (1) possesses a readily accessible locking device, (2) possesses a rigid design that is easily removed from and returned to its working position within a garment, (3) possesses a simple, yet scalable, design fabricated of durable, lightweight materials, and (4) may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved garment security hanger and display apparatus possessing an improved design for preventing the theft of the item displayed for sale.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that possesses a readily accessible locking device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that possesses a rigid design that is easily removed from its working position within a garment. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that possesses a rigid design that is easily returned to its working position within a garment.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that possesses a simple and scalable design.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is fabricated of lightweight materials providing an appropriate degree of durability/longevity.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture and sell to provide for widespread use.

According to the present invention, the above-described and other objects are accomplished by a garment security hanger and display apparatus comprising one or more hanger assemblies, one or more lock rod assemblies, one or more support rod assemblies, and a base assembly. Each hanger assembly comprises a hanger body with an integral locking device and indicator mechanism. Each lock rod assembly comprises a lock rod and a ball end. Each support rod assembly comprises a support rod, a collar, a sleeve bearing, and a flange bearing. The base assembly is generally floor-mounted and comprises a base, a post, a post collar, and one or more multi-rod support bars.

The present invention provides for the placement of a garment on a hanger assembly before the hanger assembly is releasably attached to a lock rod assembly. To facilitate the attachment of the hanger assembly to the lock rod assembly, the lock rod assembly is typically inserted through a sleeve of the garment before being inserted into a channel formed in the hanger assembly. When the lock rod assembly is fully inserted into the channel, the locking device is engaged to maintain the attachment of the hanger assembly to the lock rod assembly. To facilitate the detachment of the hanger assembly from the lock rod assembly, the locking device, located proximate the center of the hanger assembly in a position that is typically unobstructed by any part of the garment, is unlocked allowing the lock rod assembly to be extracted from the channel.

The present invention is fabricated of strong, lightweight materials chosen to provide an appropriate degree of durability/longevity. The present invention possesses a simple, yet scalable, design that may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use. Alternative embodiments incorporate wall-mounted base assemblies in place of the floor-mounted variation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a garment security and display apparatus10according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The garment security and display apparatus10typically comprises one or more hanger assemblies20, a corresponding number of lock rod assemblies50, each lock rod lock rod assembly50being mounted on a support rod assembly60, and a base assembly80.

FIG. 2is a sequential illustration showing the manner of using the garment security and display apparatus10. In use, a hanger assembly20is inserted into the garment (such as a mink coat), and the sleeve of the garment is inserted over the lock rod assembly50and integral support rod assembly60as seen at ref. A. As shown at B, the lock rod assembly50and support rod assembly60is extended upward through the garment sleeve toward the hanger assembly20. Finally, as seen at C, the lock rod assembly50is inserted into a channel formed in the hanger assembly20and is releasably locked in place with a “click.”.

FIG. 3is a close-up sequential illustration showing how the lock rod assembly50is inserted into the channel formed in the hanger assembly20and is releasably locked in place. As shown at A, the lock rod assembly50nears the hanger assembly20at an angle generally corresponding to the angle of the arm of the hanger assembly20. As seen at B, the lock rod assembly50is inserted into a channel formed in the hanger assembly20. As seen at C, when the lock rod assembly50is fully inserted into the channel formed in the hanger assembly20an internal locking mechanism (to be described) engages and the lock rod assembly50is locked in place with a “click.”. The locking device is at the center of the hanger assembly and maintains the attachment of the hanger assembly20. The locking device is keyed at the front of the hanger assembly20and may be locked or unlocked thereby. The locking device includes an indicator mechanism22(to be described) includes an indicator flag23which shows the status of the locking mechanism. When the lock is unlocked the lock rod assembly50may be easily extracted so that the garment can be removed.

FIGS. 4–6are, respectively, front perspective, front cross-sectional, and exploded perspective views of the hanger assembly20ofFIGS. 1–3. The hanger assembly20generally comprises a two-piece hanger body30, an integral locking device21, and an indicator mechanism22. The hanger body30typically comprises a front housing31, a mating back housing32, a hooked neck33, a cross member34, and a plurality of commercially-available screws (as shown) for securing the front housing31and back housing32together. The locking device21generally comprises a keyed tubular, or barrel, lock with a rotatable latch19that is rotated by the insertion and turning of a key (not shown in the Figures) in a keyslot18. The indicator mechanism22typically comprises an indicator23that selectively protrudes upward through hanger body30upon engagement by a fully inserted lock rod50, and a bias spring29to keep the indicator23in a normally retracted position. The front and back housings31,32and the indicator23may be molded from commercially-available, hard plastic such as PVC. The neck33may be integrally molded as shown, and may be reinforced or may be a separate metallic strut27as shown, fabricated from commercially-available, 14-gauge wire. The cross member34is preferably round in cross-section and fabricated from wood or plastic, albeit other metal materials may be utilized. The locking device21is preferably fabricated of hardened steel, however, any material possessing-the durability to withstand the forces/pressures generated by the repeated locking and unlocking of the device21(see discussion below) may be utilized.

As seen inFIG. 6, the hanger assembly20is assembled generally by installing all components into the rear housing32, and then attaching the front housing31. With the rear housing32positioned open side (or inside surface) up and lying on a substantially flat, horizontal surface, a pivot pin45of the indicator24is inserted into a post43formed with a distal cavity in the rear housing32. One end of the extension spring29is then attached to the indicator23via a hole41(seeFIG. 6) proximate its narrow end. The other end of the extension spring24is anchored to the frame30, such as to a lateral peg47that is inserted into corresponding holes in both the front and rear housings31,33. The locking device21is inserted into a cavity26formed in the rear housing32. The neck reinforcing bracket27may then be placed in position within the rear housing32such that its curved end aligns with the neck33of the rear housing32. The cross member34is then be positioned with its ends residing in two cavities40formed in the rear housing32. The front housing31may then be placed on top of the rear housing32such that a corresponding series of cavities and posts are brung into alignment. Finally, while holding the front housing31and back housing32together, the hanger assembly30is turned over and screwed together to enclose the locking device21, indicator mechanism22, neck reinforcing bracket27, and the ends of the cross member34. The foregoing assembly process results in a pivoting, spring-biased connection between the front/back housings31,32and the indicator22, a fixed connection between the reinforcing bracket33and the front/back housings31,32, a fixed connection between the cross member34and the front/back housings31,32, and a pivotal suspension of the locking device21. The cooperating front housing31and back housing32also defines the internal channel90running on one side between an end of the hanger body30and the locking device21and indicator mechanism22.

FIG. 7is a side perspective view of a plurality of lock rod assemblies50with integral support bar assemblies60secured to a support bracket84according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each lock rod assembly50generally comprises a lock rod51with a ball end52, and a commercially-available dowel pin59by which it is inserted into the lock rod51. The lock rod51is preferably a hollow, tubular member open at both ends and formed with a 56 E included angle located at a point that divides its overall length along roughly a 1:3 ratio. The ball end52(see blow up at left) is preferably a hollow, tubular member with one open end and one closed end. The closed end may be formed in the shape of a hemispherical tip53. The ball end52is interrupted by an annular detent channel which leads to a tapering collar54formed proximate the midpoint of the ball end52. A through hole55is located proximate the open end of ball end52. Through hole55may be aligned with a corresponding through hole in the lock rod51and thereby provides the means for fixedly attaching the ball end52to the lock rod51via the installation (i.e. friction or press fit) of the dowel pin59once through holes are properly aligned. Proximate the midpoint of the longer section of the lock rod51may be a hole58that penetrates only one wall of the tubular rod51. The lock rod51is preferably fabricated from commercially-available, steel tubular stock possessing a circular cross-section. The ball end52is preferably fabricated from commercially-available, steel round stock. However, metal materials other than steel (e.g. aluminum), or plastics possessing sufficient structural rigidity and strength, may be utilized.

FIG. 8is a side, cross-sectional view of a support rod assembly60for securement to the support bracket84as shown inFIG. 6. The support rod assembly60generally comprises a support rod61, a collar62, a sleeve bearing63, a flange bearing64, and a commercially-available socket head cap screw65. The support rod61is preferably a cylindrical member with threaded holes66,67in each end, a turned-down section68at one end and a knurled finish69encircling the rod61proximate another end. The collar62, sleeve bearing63, and flange bearing64are preferably cylindrical members with through holes running along their central axes. The hole running through the collar62is larger in diameter at one end72than at the other end73(i.e. the larger diameter is sized to provide clearance for the head of the cap screw65, the smaller diameter is sized to provide clearance for the screw's threads). The collar62may be formed with a tapped hole77positioned perpendicular to its central axis and extending through only one wall. The bearing64is preferably formed with a flange71encircling one of its ends.

The support rod61is preferably fabricated from commercially-available, steel round stock. The collar62is preferably fabricated from commercially-available, aluminum round stock. The sleeve bearing63and flange bearing64are preferably fabricated from commercially-available, PVC round stock. However, plastic and metal materials other than PVC and steel or aluminum may be utilized.

The support rod assembly60is assembled as follows. The flange bearing64is positioned along the support rod61such that its flange71is directed toward tapped hole67and its length completely overlaps the knurled finish69. The sleeve bearing63may then be positioned over the turned-down section68of the rod61. Once installed over the turned-down section, the distal end76of the sleeve bearing63extends slightly beyond the end of the rod61in which the tapped hole66is located. The collar62may then be rotatably attached to the support rod61by inserting the cap screw65through the large diameter end72, extending the screw's threaded end75through the small diameter end73of the collar, and threading the cap screw65into the tapped hole66. The collar62is properly installed when a slight gap74, preferably 0.05″, remains between the distal end76of the sleeve bearing63and the collar62.

FIG. 9is a perspective exploded view of a support rod assembly60as it is attached to the support bracket84as inFIG. 7. Support bracket84is formed from tubular stock having a rectangular cross-section, and a plurality of equally-spaced holes95(obscured) are formed along the inner side-wall of the support bracket84to provide clearance for the ends (i.e. with tapped hole67) of one or more support rod assemblies60. Aligned holes94are formed along the outer side-wall of the support bracket84to provide clearance for the threaded ends of one or more of the assembly screws89. Reinforcing inserts87are steel troughs with notches corresponding to the holes94,95that are slidably inserted into the support bracket84to seat the support rod assemblies and to reinforce the junctions. As stated above, one or more support brackets84may be fixedly or detachably attached to a base such as the freestanding base assembly80ofFIG. 1, or a wall mount, or otherwise, to display the garments.

FIGS. 10–12are, respectively, a perspective, side and end view of a locking device21according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As stated above, the locking device21generally comprises a keyed tubular, or barrel, lock with retractable latch19that is rotated by the insertion and turning of a key (not shown in the Figures) in a keyslot18. The keyslot18is rotated 90 E between the locked and unlocked positions to cause the latch19to travel 0.150″. As the keyslot18is rotated, the external section of the locking device21is held stationary by an annular keyed rib17protruding from the rear of locking device21and which is anchored in the cavity26in the rear housing32(seeFIG. 6). The locking device21is further held in position within the hanger body30via the interaction of a keyed retaining collar13protruding toward the front of locking device21and which is anchored in the front housing31(seeFIG. 6). In the locked position, the latch19interacts with the ball end52of the lock rod assembly50to hold the assembly50within the channel90formed in the hanger body30. When unlocked, the ball end52/latch19interference is eliminated and the lock rod assembly50may be extracted from the channel90.

FIGS. 13–18are, respectively, a perspective rear, front, end, rear side, top and front view of the indicator23, which may be a molded or formed metal part. The indicator23is mounted via a reinforced hub53which carries the pin47ofFIG. 6. One end of the extension spring24is fixedly attached to a hook57that protrudes from the indicator23. The free end of the extension spring24is then be attached to a post formed in the rear housing32. The indicator23also includes a brightly colored flag portion59that rises above the frame30to signal an engaged ball end52of a lock rod assembly50. When the an ball end52of the lock rod assembly snaps into position (locked by the latch19as described above), the ball end52engages a reinforced abutment plate56and displaces the indicator23, causing it to pivot about hub53. This moves the flag portion59out of the frame30where it visibly indicates a locked lock rod assembly50.

The hanger assembly20ofFIGS. 1–2may be mounted on a free-standing floor assembly as shown inFIG. 1, or alternatively on a wall mount. The free-standing floor mount ofFIG. 1. includes a base assembly80. With reference toFIG. 1, the base assembly80generally comprises a base81with four castor-wheeled legs85joined to a mounting collar86, a post82, and an upper mounting bracket83having a post collar for mounting atop post82. One or more multi-rod support brackets84are anchored to the upper mounting bracket83by outwardly extending support arms89that conform to support brackets84for lateral support. The upper mounting bracket83typically comprises a hollow, tubular central core with outwardly extending arms89to which support brackets84may be fixedly (e.g. welded) or detachably (e.g. bolted) attached. The height of the overall apparatus10, and the garments displayed thereon, may be adjusted by adjusting the position at which the upper mounting bracket83is affixed to the post82along its length. Support brackets84that are detachable from the upper mounting bracket83facilitate the storage and configuration flexibility (e.g. display height for garments of different sizes/lengths, number of brackets84attached to the upper mounting bracket83in a given display configuration) of the present invention. Additionally, a support bracket84may be attached to a mounting bracket83such that the former is positioned parallel to the surface on which the apparatus10stands, or in an angled (e.g. 14 E) orientation to that surface. The base's legs85, are preferably fabricated from commercially-available, steel bar or plate stock. Post82is tubular stock, and mounting brackets86,83may be cast or formed metal. However, with each of the components mentioned in this paragraph, metal materials other than steel (e.g. aluminum), or plastics possessing sufficient structural rigidity and strength, may be utilized. For the support brackets84, tubular cross-sections other than rectangular (i.e. square) could be used.

With collective reference toFIGS. 1–18, the overall assembly of the garment security and display apparatus10of the present invention is completed as follows. First, a lock rod assembly50is pivotally attached to each of the support rod assemblies60. This is accomplished by sliding the open end of the longer section of the lock rod51over a substantial portion of the support rod assembly60(i.e. the collar62, the sleeve bearing63, the mid-section of the support rod61, and the small end of the flange bearing64) until it abuts the flange71of the bearing64. After rotating the rod51to align hole58with hole77, an assembly screw (not shown in the Figures) may then be inserted through the hole58in the lock rod51to engage the tapped hole77in the support rod assembly's collar62.

Next, the one or more pre-assembled combinations of lock rod assemblies50and support rod assemblies60are detachably attached to the multi-rod support brackets84. This is accomplished by inserting an end of a rod assembly60(i.e. the end possessing tapped hole67) through one of the holes94until it abuts the internal surface of the opposing wall97. An assembly screw89may then be inserted through the opposing hole95and threaded into the tapped hole67in the end of the rod assembly60. This process is repeated until the user-defined or -desired number of lock rod assemblies50and support rod assemblies60have been installed.

Finally, a hanger assembly20may be releasably attached to each of the lock rod assemblies50by inserting the ball end52and the shorter section of the lock rod51into the channel90formed in the hanger body30until the hemispherical tip53engages the locking device21and indicator mechanism22. The releasable engagement of the hanger assembly20with the lock rod assembly50pivots the indicator mechanism22such that its substantially circular end43, which protrudes slightly outside of the hanger body30just below the housing's curved section39when the locking device21is not engaged (seeFIG. 2) with a lock rod assembly50, disappears into the hanger body30.

The present invention provides for the placement of a garment on a hanger assembly20before the hanger assembly20is releasably attached to a lock rod assembly50. To facilitate the attachment of the hanger assembly20to the lock rod assembly50, the lock rod assembly50is typically inserted through a sleeve of the garment before being inserted into a channel90formed in the hanger body30. When the lock rod assembly50is fully inserted into the channel90, the locking device21is engaged to maintain the attachment of the hanger assembly20to the lock rod assembly50. An indicator mechanism22is also engaged to provide visual affirmation that the hanger assembly20and the lock rod assembly50are locked together. The pivoting attachment between a lock rod assembly50and a support rod assembly60facilitates browsing (i.e. the slight separation of one garment from another) by a consumer among the plurality of garments securely displayed on an apparatus10.

To facilitate the detachment of the hanger assembly20from the lock rod assembly20(i.e. when a consumer wants to try on, or purchase, the garment), the locking device21, located proximate the center of the hanger assembly20(i.e. lock access orifice44) in a position that is typically unobstructed by any part of the garment, is unlocked allowing the lock rod assembly50to be extracted from the channel90and the sleeve of the garment.

The present invention is fabricated of strong, lightweight materials chosen to provide an appropriate degree of durability/longevity. The present invention possesses a simple, yet scalable, design that may be economically manufactured and sold to provide for widespread use.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention include a wide variety of base assemblies80possessing any one of a wide variety of configurations. These include, but are not limited to, floor-mounted base assemblies with and without casters and wall-mounted variations designed to support one or more support rod assemblies60, one or more lock rod assemblies50, and one or more hanger assemblies20in a variety of display arrays.

For example,FIG. 19illustrates a wall-mounted configuration in which the support brackets84are held in wall-mounted yokes90having rectangular receptacles for support.