PATENT ABSTRACT
In a lightweight and environmentally friendly pinch grip hanger, the height of the hanger body is reduced to have the upper ends of the jaws of the pinch grip to extend beyond the upper flange of the hanger body. This configuration reduces the weight of the hanger and saves the raw material used to mold the hanger. The hanger is environmentally friendly. The hanger further has an elevated portion formed below a lower neck region of the hanger where the hook of the hanger mounted to the hanger body. The hanger body further has a raised rib extending throughout the entire length of the hanger body.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), this application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/149,688 filed Feb. 3, 2009, entitled “LIGHTWEIGHT PINCH GRIP HANGER”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to molded plastic garment hangers as are widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lightweight pinch grip hanger with improved hanger body and pinch grips, which consumes less material and less energy for processing the material as compared to the prior art pinch grip hangers, while enhancing the pinch grip strength of the hanger, and without compromising the structural integrity and mechanical performance of the hanger. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In the area of retail garment sales, so-called Garment-On-Hanger (GOH) programs have become preferred by retailers. In a GOH program, garments are delivered to retail merchants already suspended from hangers, where upon arrival at the retail location the garments are immediately placed on display for sale. Those hangers are normally plastic molded hangers as widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments. 
         [0006]    In particular, different retailers have specified particular hangers or hanger characteristics among their several suppliers in order to achieve uniformity on their sales floors. To this end, industry standards as to hanger size, shape, performance characteristics, etc., are maintained, for example, by organizations such as the Voluntary Inter-industry Commerce Standards Association (VICS). 
         [0007]    With the continuing consumption of the natural resources, it is popular and necessary in the manufacturing industry, especially for mass production, to optimize the product design to save materials and energy and concomitantly reduce the manufacturing and transportation costs, without compromising performance. The resultant product under such a material and energy saving concept is recognized as an environmentally friendly product, and is much more market competitive than its prior art counterpart. Specifically, in the plastic hanger molding industry, millions of plastic hangers are manufactured each year. Thus, a lightweight pinch grip hanger, which consumes less material and less energy for processing the material compared to the prior art pinch grip hangers, greatly reduces manufacturing and transportation costs of a large amount of the hangers. Accordingly, the lightweight pinch grip hanger is environmentally advantageous, and also provides a significant commercial advantage to the manufacturer, transporter and retailer in the industry. 
         [0008]    It is desirable, however, that when a large amount of improved hangers, such as lightweight hangers, are transported and handled by the existing mechanical systems, these hangers do not conflict or interfere with the existing mechanical systems to adversely impact operability. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for a novel pinch grip hanger that employs less material in manufacturing, reduces transportation costs and enhances the pinch grip strength of the hanger, while maintaining its structural integrity and mechanical performance to satisfy current industry standards, for example, the VICS standards. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, there is a need for a novel pinch grip hanger that is lightweight and easy to handle while enhancing the pinch grip strength and still maintaining the performance of the hanger. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, there is a need for a novel pinch grip hanger that effectively reduces manufacturing and transportation costs of the hanger, and uses less material to protect the environment. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, there is a need for a novel pinch grip hanger made from less material while enhancing the pinch grip strength and still maintaining performance and compatibility with the existing mechanical systems in the retailer facilities for transporting and handling hangers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Therefore, in order to overcome certain deficiencies of the prior art, provided according to the present invention is a lightweight pinch grip hanger. The pinch grip hanger includes a hook member and a body connected to the hook. The body includes a first arm extending from a centerline of the body to a first end of the body and a second arm extending from the centerline to a second end of the body. The hanger further includes a first pinch grip connected to the first end of the body, which includes a fixed jaw connected to the first end and a movable jaw mounted to the fixed jaw through a pivot shaft. The movable jaw includes an upper end which is moved toward an upper end of the fixed jaw when the movable jaw is actuated to open the pinch grip. The body further includes an upper flange, a lower flange and a connecting web between the upper flange and the lower flange. The first upper end of the movable jaw and the second upper end of the fixed jaw extend upwardly beyond the upper flange of the body. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the hanger body further includes an elevated portion formed substantially in the middle of the hanger body. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the pinch grip of the hanger is dimensioned to have a narrowed width relative to standard prior art pinch grip hangers. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the upper flange and lower flange of the hanger body are substantially horizontal and parallel to each other and the connecting web is substantially vertical to the upper and lower flanges. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the connecting web includes an upper straight portion, a lower straight portion, and a curved portion connecting the upper straight portion and the lower straight portion. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the first pinch grip includes a spring for applying a biasing force, against which the upper end of the moveable jaw and the upper end of the fixed jaw are moved toward each other to open the pinch grip. More preferably, the spring includes a cutout. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the hanger further includes a second pinch grip connected to the second end of the body. The second pinch grip includes a fixed jaw connected to the first end and a movable jaw mounted to the fixed jaw through a pivot shaft, the movable jaw comprising an upper end which is moved toward an upper end of the fixed jaw when the movable jaw is actuated to open the pinch grip. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the hanger further includes a supporting web integrally molded with the hanger body and the first pinch grip. More preferably, the hanger includes a first supporting web integrally molded with the hanger body and the first pinch grip and a second supporting web integrally molded with the hanger body and the second pinch grip. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the hanger body further includes a post extending upward from the body for receiving the hook member and a pair of reinforcing flanges disposed angularly between the post and the upper flange of the body. More preferably, the hanger further includes a size indicator operatively engaging the post and/or the reinforcing flanges to mount the indicator onto the hanger body, the size indicator capable of being actuated to release the engagement between the indicator and the hanger body. More preferably, the hanger further includes a size indicator operatively engaging the upper flange of the hanger body to mount the indicator onto the hanger body, the size indicator capable of being actuated to release the engagement between the indicator and the hanger body. 
         [0022]    Provided according to another aspect of the present invention is a pinch grip hanger. The hanger includes a hook member, a body connected to the hook, and an elevated portion arranged between the hook member and the body. The body includes a first arm extending to a first end of the body and a second arm extending oppositely to a second end of the body. The body further includes an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a middle web, the middle web including an upper straight portion, a lower straight portion and a curved portion between the upper straight portion and the lower straight portion. The hanger further includes a first pinch grip, having a first fixed jaw integrally molded to the first end of the body, a first movable jaw mounted to the first fixed jaw through a first pivot shaft, and a first biasing member against which the first movable jaw is actuated to selectively open the first pinch grip. The first fixed jaw includes an upper end positioned vertically above the upper flange of the body and the first moveable jaw includes an upper end positioned vertically above the upper flange of the body. The hanger further includes a second pinch grip, having a second fixed jaw integrally molded to the second end of the body, a second movable jaw mounted to the second fixed jaw through a second pivot shaft, and a second biasing member against which the second movable jaw is actuated to selectively open the second pinch grip. The second fixed jaw includes an upper end positioned vertically above the upper flange of the body and the second moveable jaw includes an upper end positioned vertically above the upper flange of the body. 
         [0023]    Provided according to another aspect of the present invention is a combination of hanger and size indicator. The combination includes a hanger and a size indicator. The hanger includes a hook member, a body connected to the hook, and a first pinch grip connected to the body. The body includes a first arm extending from a centerline of the body to a first end of the body and a second arm extending from the centerline to a second end of the body. The first pinch grip includes a fixed jaw connected to the first end and a movable jaw mounted to the fixed jaw through a pivot shaft. The movable jaw includes an upper end which is moved toward an upper end of the fixed jaw when the movable jaw is actuated to open the pinch grip. The body further includes an upper flange, a lower flange and a connecting web between the upper flange and the lower flange, and the upper end of the movable jaw and the upper end of the fixed jaw extend upwardly beyond the upper flange of the body. The body further includes a post extending upward from the body for receiving the hook member and a pair of reinforcing flanges disposed angularly between the post and the upper flange of the body. The size indicator operatively engages at least one of the post, the reinforcing flanges and the upper flange of the body, to mount the indicator onto the hanger body. The size indicator is capable of being actuated to release the engagement between the indicator and the hanger body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    These and other features, aspects and benefits of the present invention will be made apparent with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to like features across the several views, and wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a prior art pinch grip hanger; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a cross section view along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , showing M section configuration of the prior art pinch grip hanger; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the prior art pinch grip hanger taken along the phantom line in  FIG. 1 , showing the details of a pinch grip of the hanger; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a front view showing a pinch grip hanger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view along line A-A in  FIG. 4 , showing an I-beam section of the pinch grip hanger; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a front view showing a pinch grip hanger according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the hanger in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a front view showing a pinch grip hanger according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a front view showing a pinch grip hanger according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a cross section view along line B-B in  FIG. 8 , showing a curved beam of the pinch grip hanger. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a pinch grip hanger  100  as is known in the art. The hanger has a hook member  110  and a hanger body  120  connected to the hook member  110  substantially at the middle of the body  120 . The hanger body  120  is substantially symmetrical along a centerline CL of the body, as shown in the figure. 
         [0036]    The body  120  has an upper portion, which includes a centrally located boss  130 , to which the hook member  110  is rotatably mounted. The boss  130  is reinforced by a pair of flanges  132  and  134  on opposite sides thereof, which are integrally molded and joined to a the body  120 . Preferably, the pair of flanges  132  and  134  are substantially symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL of the hanger body  120 . 
         [0037]    The region of the hanger, where the boss  130  and the flanges  132  and  134  are disposed and where the hook member  110  joins the hanger body  120 , is normally identified as a lower neck region of the hanger. The lower neck region can be used to attach an indicator for displaying information indicia with respect to the size, color and so on of the garments. 
         [0038]    The hook member  110  is preferably fabricated from wire stock and is connected to the hanger by insertion into the boss  130 . The removal of the metal hook member is prevented by any conventional attachment such as a threaded connection or an anchor clip. 
         [0039]    The hanger body  120  includes a first arm  140  extending from the centerline CL of the body  120  to a first end  142  of the body and a second arm  150  extending from the centerline CL of the body  120  to a second end  152  of the body. The first arm  140  and the second arm  150  are geometrically symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL and are integrally molded to provide a single piece hanger beam. The hanger  100  further includes a first pinch grip  160  integrally molded to the first end  142  and a second pinch grip  180  integrally molded to the second end  152 . The pinch grips can be actuated by a user to switch from a closed configuration to an open configuration for selectively holding a portion of a garment, which will be described later with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is a cross section view of the body  120 . The body  120  includes an upper flange  144 , a lower flange  146  and a web  148  for connecting the upper flange  144  and the lower flange  146 . The upper flange  144  and the lower flange  146  are substantially horizontal and parallel to one another. The web  148  connects the upper flange  144  and the lower flange  146 , thus to provide an M section configuration of the body  120 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is an enlarged view of the hanger  100  in the phantom line of  FIG. 1 , showing the details of the pinch grip  160  and conjunction of the first pinch grip  160  with the hanger body  120 . 
         [0042]    The first pinch grip  160  includes a fixed jaw  162  integrally molded to the first end  142  of the hanger body  120 , a movable jaw  164  mounted to the fixed jaw  162  through a pivot shaft  166 . The movable jaw  164  includes an actuating portion  168  formed at the upper end  170  of the movable jaw  164 . The actuating portion  168  can be engaged by a user&#39;s finger to pivotally move the movable jaw  164  relative to the fixed jaw  162  around the pivot shaft  166 , against the biasing force applied by a spring  172  operatively mounted to the first pinch grip  160 . With the movement of the movable jaw  164 , the upper end  170  of the movable jaw  164  approaches the upper end  174  of the fixed jaw  162 , while the lower end  176  of the movable jaw  164  moves away from the lower end  178  of the fixed jaw  162 . Accordingly, the first pinch grip  160  switches from its closed configuration to its open configuration, to selectively hold a portion of a garment. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first pinch grip  160  has a first width W 1 , defined substantially from the left most point of the first pinch grip  160  to the right most point of the pinch grip  160 , and a first height H 1 , defined substantially from the upper most surface of the upper ends  170  and  174  to the lower most surface of the lower ends  176  and  178 . The hanger body  120  has a second height H 2 , defined substantially from the upper flange  144  to the lower flange  146  of the body  120 . 
         [0044]    Furthermore, the first pinch grip  160  is joined to the first end  142  of the hanger body  120  in such a manner that the upper end  170  of the movable jaw  164  and the upper end  174  of the fixed jaw  162  are in flush with the upper flange  144  of the hanger body  120 . In other words, the upper most surface of the upper end  170 , the upper most surface of the upper end  174 , and the surface of the upper flange  144  are substantially in a same horizontal plane. 
         [0045]    The configuration of the second pinch grip  180  is correspondingly similar. 
         [0046]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the height of the hanger, from the upper most point of the hook member  110  to the lower flange  146  of the hanger body  120 , is shown as H A . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is a lightweight pinch grip hanger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, identified by numeral  200 . The hanger  200  includes a hook  220  and a body  240  connected to the hook  220 . Preferably, the body  240  is substantially symmetrical to a vertical centerline CL 1  of the hanger. 
         [0048]    The hanger  200  further includes a post  250  extending upward from the body  240 , the intersection of the post  250  and the body  240  defining a lower neck region of the hanger, where a lower neck sizer may be attached. The hook  220  is mounted to the post  250  through any known implement, such as mating threads. An example of the lower neck sizer can be found at U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,400 under the title “Spring Top Lower Neck Hanger Sizing” or U.S. Pat. No. 7,516,875 under the title “Lower Neck Indicator for Wire Hook Hanger”, which are commonly owned by the applicant of the present application. The entire disclosures of the above patents are incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
         [0049]    The hanger  200  further includes a pair of flanges  270  and  272 , disposed angularly between the post  250  and the body  240 , for reinforcing the post  250 . The reinforcing flanges  270  and  272  are disposed on opposite sides of the post  250  and are integrally molded to the body  240  and the post  250 . Preferably, the pair of flanges  270  and  272  substantially symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 1  of the hanger body  240 . For example, the lower neck sizer operatively engages the post  250  and/or the flanges  270  and  272 , to mount the sizer onto the hanger. Alternatively, the lower neck sizer may engage an upper flange of the hanger body, which will be described later. Preferably, the indicator can be actuated to selectively release the engagement between the sizer and the hanger. 
         [0050]    The hanger body  240  includes a first arm  242  extending from the centerline CL 1  to a first end  244  of the hanger body  240  and a second arm  246  extending oppositely from the centerline CL 1  to a second end  248  of the hanger body  240 . 
         [0051]    Preferably, the first arm  242  and the second arm  246  are geometrically symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 1  to provide a unitary single-piece hanger beam. A first pinch grip  280  is integrally molded to the first end  244  and a second pinch grip  290  is integrally molded to the second end  248 . Preferably, the pinch grips  280  and  290  can be actuated by a user or a machine to switch from a closed configuration to an open configuration for selectively holding at least a portion of a garment. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the hanger body  240 . The body  240  includes an upper flange  241 , a lower flange  243 , and a connecting web  245  between the upper flange  241  and the lower flange  243 . Preferably, the upper flange  241  and the lower flange  243  are substantially horizontal and parallel to one another, and the connecting web  245  is substantially perpendicular to the upper flange  241  and the lower flange  243 . Accordingly, the hanger beam is substantially an I-beam. Alternatively, the web  245  can assume any other suitable shape, profile or position to provide an appropriate beam configuration for the hanger, such as a C-section beam. 
         [0053]    Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the first pinch grip  280  includes a fixed jaw  282  integrally molded to the first end  244  of the first arm  242 , a movable jaw  283  mounted to the fixed jaw  282  through a pivot shaft  284 . The movable jaw  283  includes an actuating portion  285  formed at the upper end  286  of the movable jaw  283 . The actuating portion  285  can be engaged by a user&#39;s finger to pivotally move the movable jaw  283  relative to the fixed jaw  282  around the pivot shaft  284 , against the biasing force applied by a spring  288  operatively mounted to the first pinch grip  280 . 
         [0054]    With the movement of the movable jaw  283 , the upper end  286  of the movable jaw approaches the upper end  287  of the fixed jaw  282 , while the lower end of the movable jaw  283  moves away from the lower end of the fixed jaw  282 . Accordingly, the first pinch grip  280  switches from its closed configuration to its open configuration, to selectively hold a portion of a garment. 
         [0055]    Preferably, the lower end of the movable jaw  283  and the lower end of the fixed jaw  282  are formed with a plurality of teeth for enhancing the pinching and gripping capacity of the grip. Other gripping configurations known in the art including a long jaw with a single elongated tooth or a padded surface are also contemplated. 
         [0056]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , the hanger body  240  has a third height H 3 , defined substantially from the top of the upper flange  241  to the bottom of the lower flange  243  of the hanger body  240 . The third height H 3  is smaller than the second height H 2  of the standard prior art hanger  100 . Consequently, the resin material used for molding the hanger body  240  is reduced, compared to the prior art hanger  100 . Preferably, the ratio of the third height H 3  to the second height H 2  is approximately in the range of 40-90%. Accordingly, 10-60% less resin material is used for molding the hanger body  240  as compared to the material used for molding the hanger body  120  of the prior art hanger  100 . 
         [0057]    The upper end  286  of the movable jaw  283  and the upper end  287  of the fixed jaw  282  extend upwardly beyond the upper flange  241  of the hanger body  240 . In other words, either the upper end  286  or the upper end  287  is positioned substantially in a horizontal plane vertically above the horizontal plane in which the upper flange  241  resides. 
         [0058]    Furthermore, the inventor of the present invention has discovered that in such a configuration wherein the upper end  286  of the movable jaw  283  and the upper end  287  of the fixed jaw  282  extend upwardly beyond the upper flange  241  of the hanger body  240 , the leverage offered by the pinch grip is greater as compared to the prior art hanger  100  wherein the upper ends of the jaws of the pinch grip are flush with the upper flange of the hanger body. Accordingly, it is much more convenient for a user to operate the pinch grips of the hanger. The second pinch grip  290  is preferably structurally symmetrical to the first pinch grip  280 . In this regard, the pinch grip hanger  200  consumes less material by having a narrowed hanger beam, as well as shows a better performance for a user to operate the pinch grips. 
         [0059]    In addition, the pinch grips  280  and  290 , according to the embodiment of the present invention, are narrowed, having a narrowed width compared to the pinch grips of the standard prior art hanger, in order to further enhance the gripping capacity of the pinch grips. In this way, the same biasing force applied by the same spring is distributed along a shorter distance at the lower ends of fixed jaw and the moveable jaw, compared to the known pinch grips having a greater width. Thus, the unit gripping force of the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw of the present invention is higher than that of the prior art hanger. Accordingly, a further advantage, that the garments are reliably gripped by the pinch grips, can be provided. 
         [0060]    Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4 , taking the first pinch grip  280  as an example, the first pinch grip  280  has a second width W 2 , defined substantially from the left most point of the first pinch grip to the right most point of the first pinch grip. The second width W 2  is considerably smaller than the first width W 1  of the prior art hanger. Therefore, further material savings can be achieved by the slimmed pinch clip  280 , without compromising the mechanical performance of the hanger, in fact, enhancing the gripping capacity of the pinch grip. 
         [0061]      FIG. 6  illustrates a pinch grip hanger  300  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The hanger  300  includes a hook  320  and a body  340  connected to the hook  320 . Preferably, the body  340  is substantially symmetrical to a vertical centerline CL 2  of the hanger. 
         [0062]    The hanger  300  further includes a post  350  extending upward from the body  340 , the intersection of the post  350  and the body  340  defining a lower neck region of the hanger, where a lower neck sizer may be attached. The hook  320  is mounted to the post  350  through any known implement, such as mating threads. 
         [0063]    The hanger  300  further includes a pair of flanges  370  and  372 , disposed angularly between the post  350  and the body  340 , for reinforcing the post  350 . The reinforcing flanges  370  and  372  are disposed on opposite sides of the post  350  and are integrally molded to the body  340  and the post  350 . Preferably, the pair of flanges  370  and  372  are substantially symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 2  of the hanger body  340 . 
         [0064]    The hanger body  340  includes a first arm  342  extending from the centerline CL 2  to a first end  344  of the hanger body  340  and a second arm  346  extending oppositely from the centerline CL 2  to a second end  348  of the hanger body  340 . Preferably, the first arm  342  and the second arm  346  are geometrically symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 2  to provide a unitary single-piece hanger beam. A first pinch grip  360  is integrally molded to the first end  344  and a second pinch grip  380  is integrally molded to the second end  348 . 
         [0065]    The body  340  includes an upper flange  341 , a lower flange  343 , and a connecting web  345  between the upper flange  341  and the lower flange  343 . Preferably, the upper flange  341  and the lower flange  343  are substantially horizontal and parallel to one another, and the connecting web  345  is substantially perpendicular to the upper flange  341  and the lower flange  343 . Accordingly, the hanger beam is substantially an I-beam. Alternatively, the web  345  can assume any other suitable shape, profile or position to provide an appropriate beam configuration for the hanger, such as a C-section beam. 
         [0066]    The first pinch grip  360  includes a fixed jaw  362  integrally molded to the first end  344  of the first arm  342 , a movable jaw  363  mounted to the fixed jaw  362  through a pivot shaft  364 . The movable jaw  363  includes an actuating portion  365  formed at the upper end  366  of the movable jaw  363 . The actuating portion  365  can be engaged by a user&#39;s finger to pivotally move the movable jaw  363  relative to the fixed jaw  362  around the pivot shaft  364 , against the biasing force applied by a spring  368  operatively mounted to the first pinch grip  360 . 
         [0067]    With the movement of the movable jaw  363 , the upper end  366  of the movable jaw approaches the upper end  367  of the fixed jaw  362 , while the lower end of the movable jaw  363  moves away from the lower end of the fixed jaw  362 . Accordingly, the first pinch grip  360  switches from its closed configuration to its open configuration, to selectively hold at least a portion of a garment. Similar to the hanger body  240  of the previous embodiment, the hanger body  340  has a same height H 3  defined from the upper flange of the hanger body to the lower flange of the hanger body. 
         [0068]    Similarly, the second pinch grip  380  includes a fixed jaw  382  integrally molded to the second end  348  of the second arm  346 , a movable jaw  383  mounted to the fixed jaw  382  through a pivot shaft  384 . The movable jaw  383  includes an actuating portion  385  formed at the upper end  386  of the movable jaw  383 . The actuating portion  385  can be engaged by a user&#39;s finger to pivotally move the movable jaw  383  relative to the fixed jaw  382  around the pivot shaft  384 , against the biasing force applied by a spring  388  operatively mounted to the first pinch grip  380 . 
         [0069]    The hanger  300  further includes an elevated portion  390  continuous to the hanger body  340 , under the post  350  and the support flanges  370  and  372 . The elevation portion  390  is formed to implement a seamless interchangeability between the hangers according to the present invention and the prior art hangers. Thus, for existing mechanical systems in the retailer&#39;s facility for transporting and handling garments and hangers, such as suspension bars, racks and conveyers, the prior art hangers can be replaced by the hangers of the present invention, without causing any problem regarding the compatibility of the hangers with the conventional mechanical systems. Specifically, the distance between the suspension bar and the hanger body can be maintained. 
         [0070]    The elevated portion  390  includes an upper flange  392  and a pair of side flanges  394  and  396 . The pair of side flanges  394  and  396  are integrally molded to the upper flange  391  to provide a substantially trapezoidal or plateau shape of the elevated portion  390  with a continuous contour. Furthermore, the side flanges  394  and  396  are molded continuously and integrally with the upper flange of the hanger body  340 , and the elevation portion  390  is integrally molded with the hanger body  340  through a single molding process. Preferably, the elevated portion  390  is substantially symmetrical relative to the centerline CL 2  of the hanger body  340 . In the shown embodiment, the elevated portion  390  is substantially trapezoidal. However, it should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the elevated portion  390  can be of any suitable profile and shape. 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , the elevated portion  390  has a fourth height H 4  defined substantially from the upper flange  392  of the elevated portion  390  to the upper flange of the hanger body  340 . Compared to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the elevation portion  390  of the hanger  300  vertically raises the hanger hook  310  and the post  350 . 
         [0072]    Thus, although the height H 3  of the hanger body  340  is smaller than the height H 2  of the hanger body  120  of the prior art hanger, the overall height H B  of the hanger  300 , defined from the hook  320  to the lower flange of the hanger body  340 , is maintained substantially the same as the height H A  of the prior art hanger  100 . 
         [0073]    Accordingly, the hangers of the present invention can be readily interchanged with the prior art hangers in a retailer&#39;s facility, to accommodate the existing garment/hanger conveying systems used in a Garment-On-Hanger system. 
         [0074]    Moreover, the height and the profile of the elevation portion  390  can be strategically adjusted, in association with the hook  310 , to further reduce the overall weight of the garment hanger  300 . 
         [0075]    For example, the height H 4  of the elevation portion  390  can be further extended, and the hook  310  can be shortened and minimized correspondingly. The extended height of elevation portion  390  compensates for the shortening of the hook  310 , which additionally reduces the overall weight of the hanger, while still maintaining the overall height of the hanger for the purpose of accommodating conventional hanger/garment conveying systems in the retailer&#39;s facility. 
         [0076]      FIG. 7  illustrates a pinch grip hanger  400  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The hanger  400  includes a hook  420  and a body  440  connected to the hook  420 . Preferably, the body  440  is substantially symmetrical to a vertical centerline CL 3  of the hanger. 
         [0077]    The hanger  400  further includes a post  450  extending upward from the body  440 , the intersection of the post  450  and the body  440  defining a lower neck region of the hanger, where a lower neck sizer may be attached. The hook  420  is mounted to the post  450  through any known implement, such as mating threads. 
         [0078]    The hanger  400  further includes a pair of flanges  470  and  472 , disposed angularly between the post  450  and the body  440 , for reinforcing the post  450 . The reinforcing flanges  470  and  472  are disposed on opposite sides of the post  450  and are integrally molded to the body  440  and the post  450 . Preferably, the pair of flanges  470  and  472  are substantially symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 3  of the hanger body  440 . 
         [0079]    The hanger body  440  includes a first arm  442  extending from the centerline CL 3  to a first end  444  of the hanger body  440  and a second arm  446  extending oppositely from the centerline CL 3  to a second end  448  of the hanger body  440 . Preferably, the first arm  442  and the second arm  446  are geometrically symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 3  to provide a unitary single-piece hanger beam. A first pinch grip  460  is integrally molded to the first end  444  and a second pinch grip  480  is integrally molded to the second end  448 . 
         [0080]    The body  440  includes an upper flange  441 , a lower flange  443 , and a connecting web  445  between the upper flange  441  and the lower flange  443 . Preferably, the upper flange  441  and the lower flange  443  are substantially horizontal and parallel to one another, and the connecting web  445  is substantially perpendicular to the upper flange  441  and the lower flange  443 . Accordingly, the hanger beam is substantially an I-beam. Alternatively, the web  445  can assume any other suitable shape, profile or position to provide an appropriate beam configuration for the hanger, such as a C-section beam. 
         [0081]    The first pinch grip  460  includes a fixed jaw  462  integrally molded to the first end  444  of the first arm  442 , a movable jaw  463  mounted to the fixed jaw  462  through a pivot shaft  464 . The movable jaw  463  includes an actuating portion  465  formed at the upper end  466  of the movable jaw  463 . The actuating portion  465  can be engaged by a user&#39;s finger to pivotally move the movable jaw  463  relative to the fixed jaw  462  around the pivot shaft  464 , against the biasing force applied by a spring  468  operatively mounted to the first pinch grip  460 . 
         [0082]    With the movement of the movable jaw  463 , the upper end  466  of the movable jaw approaches the upper end  467  of the fixed jaw  462 , while the lower end of the movable jaw  463  moves away from the lower end of the fixed jaw  462 . Accordingly, the first pinch grip  460  switches from its closed configuration to its open configuration, to selectively hold at least a portion of a garment. Similar to the hanger body  240  of the previous embodiment, the hanger body  440  has a same height H 3  defined from the upper flange of the hanger body to the lower flange of the hanger body. 
         [0083]    Similarly, the second pinch grip  480  includes a fixed jaw  482  integrally molded to the second end  448  of the second arm  446 , a movable jaw  483  mounted to the fixed jaw  482  through a pivot shaft  484 . The movable jaw  483  includes an actuating portion  485  formed at the upper end  486  of the movable jaw  483 . The actuating portion  485  can be engaged by a user&#39;s finger to pivotally move the movable jaw  483  relative to the fixed jaw  482  around the pivot shaft  484 , against the biasing force applied by a spring  488  operatively mounted to the first pinch grip  480 . 
         [0084]    In the embodiment, the hanger  400  further includes a pair of supporting webs  920  and  940 , positioned between the first end  444  and the fixed jaw  462  of the first pinch grip  460  and between the second end  448  and the fixed jaw  482  of the second pinch grip  480 , respectively. The supporting webs  920  and  940  structurally expand between the ends of the hanger body and the pinch grips. Specifically, the first supporting web  920  structurally connects the undersurface of the lower flange  443 , at the first end  444 , to the right lateral side of the fixed jaw  462 ; and the second supporting web  940  structurally connects the undersurface of the lower flange  443 , at the second end  448 , to the left lateral side of the fixed jaw  482 . Preferably, the supporting web  920  is integrally molded to the fixed jaw  462  of the first pinch grip  460  and the first end  444  of the hanger body  440 , and the supporting web  940  is integrally molded to the fixed jaw  482  of the second pinch grip  480  and the second end  448  of the hanger body  440 . 
         [0085]    The provision of the supporting webs effectively enhances the physical connection between the hanger beam and the pinch grips as well as the overall strength and integrity of the hanger body. Accordingly, the undesirable breaking off of the pinch grip is further prevented. 
         [0086]    In the shown embodiment, both supporting webs  920  and  940  are a thin layer of plastic material in the shape of substantial triangle with a curved underside. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that any other suitable shape and profile can be applied in place of or in addition to the shown structure. 
         [0087]    Furthermore, in the shown embodiment, the supporting webs  920  and  940  are both disposed under the lower flange  443  of the hanger body  440 , connecting the underside of the hanger body  440  with a lateral side of the fixed jaws of the pinch grips. Alternatively, the supporting webs  920  and  940  can be formed on the on the upper flange  441  of the hanger body  440 , connecting the upside of the hanger body  440  with a lateral side of the fixed jaws of the pinch grips. 
         [0088]    The hanger  400  further includes an elevated portion  490  continuous to the hanger body  440 , under the post  450  and the support flanges  470  and  472 . The elevation portion  490  is formed to implement a seamless interchangeability between the hangers according to the present invention and the prior art hangers. Thus, for existing mechanical systems in the retailer&#39;s facility for transporting and handling garments and hangers, such as suspension bars, racks and conveyers, the prior art hangers can be replaced by the hangers of the present invention, without causing any problem regarding the compatibility of the hangers with the conventional mechanical systems. Specifically, the distance between the suspension bar and the hanger body can be maintained. 
         [0089]      FIG. 8  illustrates a pinch grip hanger  500  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The hanger  500  includes a hook  520  and a body  540  connected to the hook  520 . Preferably, the body  540  is substantially symmetrical to a vertical centerline CL 4  of the hanger. 
         [0090]    The hanger  500  further includes a post  550  extending upward from the body  540 , the intersection of the post  550  and the body  540  defining a lower neck region of the hanger, where a lower neck sizer may be attached. The hook  520  is mounted to the post  550  through any known implement, such as mating threads. 
         [0091]    The hanger  500  further includes a pair of flanges  570  and  572 , disposed angularly between the post  550  and the body  540 , for reinforcing the post  550 . The reinforcing flanges  570  and  572  are disposed on opposite sides of the post  550  and are integrally molded to the body  540  and the post  550 . Preferably, the pair of flanges  570  and  572  substantially symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 4  of the hanger body  540 . 
         [0092]    The hanger body  540  includes a first arm  542  extending from the centerline CL 4  to a first end  544  of the hanger body  540  and a second arm  546  extending oppositely from the centerline CL 4  to a second end  548  of the hanger body  540 . Preferably, the first arm  542  and the second arm  546  are geometrically symmetrical to one another relative to the centerline CL 4  to provide a unitary single-piece hanger beam. 
         [0093]    The hanger  500  includes a first pinch grip  560  connected to the first end  544  and a second pinch grip  580  integrally molded to the second end  548 . The first pinch grip  560  includes a fixed jaw  562  integrally molded to the first end  544  of the first arm  542  and a movable jaw  563  mounted to the fixed jaw  562  through a pivot shaft  564 . The movable jaw  563  includes an actuating portion  565  formed at the upper end  566  of the movable jaw  563 . The actuating portion  565  can be engaged by a user&#39;s finger to pivotally move the movable jaw  563  relative to the fixed jaw  562  around the pivot shaft  564 , against the biasing force applied by a spring  568  operatively mounted to the first pinch grip  560 . 
         [0094]    With the movement of the movable jaw  563 , the upper end  566  of the movable jaw approaches the upper end  567  of the fixed jaw  562 , while the lower end of the movable jaw  563  moves away from the lower end of the fixed jaw  562 . Accordingly, the first pinch grip  560  switches from its closed configuration to its open configuration, to selectively hold at least a portion of a garment. The second pinch grip  580  has same or similar structures. 
         [0095]    The hanger  500  further includes an elevated portion  590  continuous to the hanger body  540 , under the post  550  and the support flanges  570  and  572 . The elevation portion  590  is similar to the elevation portion  390  of the hanger  300 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 9  is a cross section view of the hanger body  540 , along the sectional lines B-B in  FIG. 8 . The body  540  includes an upper flange  541 , a lower flange  543 , and a connecting web  545  between the upper flange  541  and the lower flange  543 . 
         [0097]    Preferably, the upper flange  541  and the lower flange  543  are substantially horizontal and parallel to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting web  545  includes an upper straight portion  546 , a lower straight portion  547  and a middle curved portion  548  between the upper straight portion  546  and the lower straight portion  547 . Accordingly, viewed from the side, the hanger beam has a raised membrane from the plane of the vertical part of the hanger beam, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The rippled configuration of the hanger beam significantly improves the rigidity of the hanger beam. Preferably, the curved portion  548  extends through the overall length of the hanger body  540 . 
         [0098]    Although only one curved portion  448  is shown in the figure, it should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that a plurality of curved portions can be formed, raising from either side of the hanger beam. 
         [0099]    Similar to the hanger body  240  and  340  of the previous embodiments, the hanger body  540  has a same height H 3  defined from the upper flange  541  of the hanger body  540  to the lower flange  543  of the hanger body  540 , such that the hanger  500  can readily replace a prior art hanger in a Garment-On-Hanger system, without causing any conflict or interference with the existing bars, racks and conveyers of the retailer&#39;s facility. 
         [0100]    The inventor of the present invention has conducted a comparison experiment for assessing the resin material saved by an example of the novel configuration of the pinch grip hanger according to the present invention. 
         [0101]    Following Table 1 presents the comparison of the parameters of the hanger according to the present invention vis-à-vis the parameters of a market-accessible prior art hanger (such as a “6012/12” pinch grip hanger according to VICS), both hangers meeting the requirements of the acknowledged industry standards, such as the VICS standards. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Prior Art 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Pinch Grip 
                 Pinch Grip Hanger of the 
               
               
                   
                 Hanger (having 
                 Present Invention (having 
               
               
                 Parameters 
                 an I beam) 
                 an I beam) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Height of I beam 
                 0.75″ 
                 0.50″ 
               
               
                 Width of I beam 
                 0.30″ 
                 0.30″ 
               
               
                 Height/width ratio of I beam 
                 2.5  
                 1.67  
               
             
          
           
               
                 Weight of metal hook 
                 8.0 
                 g 
                 8.0 
                 g 
               
               
                 Weight of metal springs 
                 5.0 
                 g 
                 5.0 
                 g 
               
               
                 Weight of K resin of hanger 
                 23.6 
                 g 
                 20.0 
                 g 
               
               
                 body 
               
               
                 Weight of K resin of clips 
                 7.5 
                 g 
                 6.2 
                 g 
               
               
                 Total weight of K resin of 
                 31.1 
                 g 
                 26.2 
                 g 
               
               
                 hanger 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Total weight of hanger 
                 44.1 
                 g 
                 39.2 
                 g 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0102]    It can be concluded from the Table 1 that, compared to the prior art hanger averagely consuming 31.1 g of K resin, the hanger according to the present invention consumes 26.2 g of K resin. In other words, 4.9 g of K resin are saved per hanger, which accounts for about 15.75% of the total resin material of the prior art hanger. With significantly less resin material consumed, the mechanical performances of the hanger according to the present invention are still maintained at a level same or even superior than that of the prior art hanger. 
         [0103]    Each year, about 750 million pinch grip hangers are manufactured in accordance with the VICS standards. Thus, the pinch grip hanger according to the present invention would reduce the K resin material by about 8.1 million pounds annually, which would eliminate about 24.0 million pounds of CO 2  emission for producing the same amount of K resin. Furthermore, the reduction of resin material leads to less consumption of energy and resources for storing, transporting and handling the hangers. Hence, the pinch grip hanger according to the present invention helps to preserve environment and resources, while still providing improved products to the consumers. 
         [0104]    The hanger of the present invention can be formed of one or more of polystyrene, SAN, ABS, PPO, nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene, PET, polycarbonates (PC), acrylics, K-resin, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) among others. 
         [0105]    From the foregoing illustrations it is readily apparent that the present invention is directed to a lightweight molded plastic garment hanger for high volume injection molding. According to the shown embodiments of the present invention, the resin material for molding the hanger body can be significantly reduced, and concomitantly the manufacturing cost and transportation cost of the hangers can be significantly reduced, while maintaining the strength, integrity and performance of the hanger. Consequently, the pinch grip hanger according to the present invention can offer the manufacturers, transporters and retailers of the hangers a market advantage, which cannot be offered by the traditional pinch grip hanger. 
         [0106]    The hangers of the present invention consume less material while still maintaining the mechanical performance under industry standards, for example, the VICS standards. Moreover, the production of such hangers is environmentally advantageous. 
         [0107]    The present invention has been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments. Certain alterations and/or modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the instant disclosure, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. These embodiments are offered as merely illustrative, and not limiting, on the scope of the invention, which is defined solely with reference to the following appended claims.