CLOTHING HANGER

Abstract: The clothing hanger (2) comprises a horizontally extending support bar (4) from which an oval-shaped label receiving portion (6) and a hook (8) upwardly extend. Two rigid support fingers (10) extend downwardly from respective ends of the bar (4) and two rigid support elements (12) extend downwardly from respective inward positions of the bar. Respective convoluted spring devices (14) extend between the support fingers (10) and support elements (12). Each convolution (16, 18, 20, 22) of the spring devices (14) effectively defines a respective downwardly extending support finger. In use, a pair of briefs is engaged with the hanger, with opposing ends of the waist band of the briefs being hooked over selected convolutions (16, 18, 20, 22, 24). When so disposed, the selected convolutions of the spring devices are placed under compression and thereby serve to relieve some of the tension in the waist band so that the waist band is not held in a taut state.

Description: CLOTHING HANGER This invention relates to a clothing hanger and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a clothing hanger for supporting an item of clothing which has an elasticated waist band, for example, a pair of briefs, a petticoat or a slip. A known hanger for a pair of briefs comprises a generally horizontally extending support bar, a hook arrangement which extends upwardly from the support bar and, extending downwardly from the support bar, a plurality of elongate substantially rigid support fingers. A pair of briefs is engaged with the hanger by laying the waist band of the briefs over a front face of the support fingers, extending opposing ends of the waist band around the outermost pair of support fingers so that the ends face a rear face of the support fingers and then hooking the ends onto suitably positioned support fingers. When so disposed, the elasticated waist band of the pair of briefs is under tension and it is this tension that retains the briefs in position on the hanger. However, it has been found that briefs made of soft fabrics, for example of satin or silk, may become bruised and/or permanently stretched when held under tension for a relatively short time and this may result in such briefs being rejected by customers. Furthermore, it has been noted that, when the known hanger is used to support a pair of briefs in which the front of the waist band is not straight, for example it may be slightly "V H -shaped or curved, this shape may be distorted when the briefs are supported on the hanger, due to the magnitude of the tension force holding the briefs in position. It is an object of the present invention to alleviate problems associated with known clothing hangers. According to the invention, there is provided a clothing hanger for supporting an item of clothing having a resilient waist area, the hanger being arranged to support the item of clothing such that the waist area is under tension and the hanger including resilient means arranged to relieve tension in the waist area of the item of clothing when supported by the hanger. By providing a hanger with a resilient means as described, the item of clothing may be supported on the hanger with its waist band under a lower tension force compared to a case wherein no such resilient means is provided. Consequently, the hanger may alleviate the above-described problems which are associated with known hangers. The clothing hanger is preferably for an item of intimate apparel which term includes briefs, slips and petticoats. The hanger is especially useful for supporting briefs. Said hanger preferably includes a rigid support means arranged to co-operate with the item of clothing. Preferably, the rigid support means is arranged so that the item of clothing can be engaged therewith, for example it may be arranged so that the item can be wrapped partially therearound. Said rigid support means preferably includes two spaced apart rigid support elements having respective support surfaces which the item of clothing may engage. Said respective support surfaces preferably face outwardly, but in opposite directions to one another. Said support surfaces preferably define respective peripheral edges of the hanger. Each said support surface may include friction means, for example in the form of one or a plurality of projections, for restricting sliding movement over the surface of part of the item of clothing. Said rigid support means preferably also includes a support bar which extends generally horizontally. A hook means suitably extends upwardly from said support bar. Said resilient means is preferably provided between said spaced apart rigid support elements, when provided. Said resilient means preferably comprises a resilient device. Said resilient device is preferably arranged to engage part of the item of clothing. Said resilient device is preferably movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when in said second configuration, tension in the waist area of the item of clothing may be relieved. When in said first configuration, tension in the waist area may be substantially unrelieved. Said resilient device is preferably resiliently movable between said first and second configurations. Said resilient device preferably includes a retaining means arranged to engage the item of clothing for retaining it in position. Said retaining means preferably comprises a holding element. More preferably, said retaining means includes a plurality of spaced apart holding elements. In this case, one of the holding elements may be selected in dependence upon the size of the waist area of the item of clothing. The or each holding element preferably includes a friction means for restricting movement of the item of clothing away from the holding element. Said resilient device is preferably in the form of a spring means. Said resilient device is preferably substantially planar. Said resilient device is preferably convoluted. Respective spaced apart convolutions of said resilient device preferably define said aforementioned spaced apart holding elements. Said convolutions are preferably generally "U"-shaped. Each convolution preferably includes first and second resiliently space apart limbs. Preferably, when said resilient device is engaged with an item of clothing, a first portion of the device is under tension and a second portion of the device is under compression. Said resilient device is preferably arranged to exert a resultant force on the item of clothing which force is directed outwardly. Opposing ends of said resilient device are preferably rigidly and/or immovably secured. Said resilient means preferably includes two resilient devices which may be independently as described in any statement herein. Said resilient devices are preferably spaced apart. Preferably, a gap is defined between said resilient devices. Said resilient devices are preferably arranged to exert respective resultant forces on the item of clothing which forces are directed in opposite directions. One of said resilient devices is preferably arranged to be engaged by a first part of the item of clothing. The other of said resilient devices is preferably arranged to - - be engaged by a second part of the item of clothing, the first and second parts suitably being opposed parts of the item of clothing. The invention extends to the use of a clothing hanger described above for supporting an item of clothing which has a resilient waist area. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clothing hanger; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the clothing hanger; Figure 3 is an underneath view of the hanger; Figure 4 is a cross-section along line IV-IV of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-section along line V-V of Figure l; Figure 6 is a front elevation of a pair of briefs supported on the hanger (the hook of the hanger being omitted) ; Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the arrangement of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is an underneath view of the arrangement of Figures 6 and 7 showing the position of the waist band of the briefs. The clothing hanger 2, shown in Figure 1, comprises a horizontally extending support bar 4 from which an oval- shaped label receiving portion 6 and a hook 8 upwardly extend. Two rigid support fingers 10 extend downwardly from respective ends of the bar 4 and two rigid support elements 12 extend downwardly from respective inward positions of the bar. Respective convoluted spring devices 14 extend between the support fingers 10 and support elements 12. Each convolution 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 of the spring devices 14 effectively defines a respective downwardly extending support finger. In use, a pair of briefs is engaged with the hanger in the same manner as for the known hanger described above, with opposing ends of the waist band of the briefs being hooked over selected convolutions 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24. When so disposed, the selected convolutions of the spring devices are placed under compression and thereby serve to relieve some of the tension in the waist band so that the waist band is not held in a taut state. Features of the clothing hanger 2 will now be described in greater detail. The support bar 4 is rigid and has an "I"-shaped cross-section (Figure 4) . The bar includes horizontally extending projections 11 at its free ends and it curves downwardly between these ends so that the spring devices are generally concealed when a pair of briefs is supported on the hanger. The oval-shaped label receiving portion 6 and the hook 8 may be of standard design. For example, the hook 8 may be made of metal or may be an integral part of the hanger when made of a plastics material. Each spring device 14 comprises a convoluted strip 27 having a generally rectangular cross-section as shown in Figure 5. The strips 27 define the aforementioned convolutions 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. Each of the convolutions 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 is generally "U"-shaped and comprises a first limb 30 and, inwardly thereof, a second limb 32, the two limbs being spaced apart by means of a curved joining part 34. Each second limb 32 carries a semi-circular projection 28 which faces inwardly. The first limb 30 of each outermost convolution 16 is fixed, at its upper end, to the bar 4, close to one of the two support fingers 10. The second limb 32 of each innermost convolution 26 is fixed to one of the two rigid support elements 12. The support fingers 10 include semi-circular projections 38 on their outwardly facing surfaces and bulbous free ends 39. The strip 27 is sufficiently resilient that the spacing between upper ends of first and second limbs of each respective convolution may be increased slightly, so that the convolutions may be placed under tension; or decreased slightly so that the convolutions may be placed under compression. A pair of briefs 40 may be engaged with the hanger as described below. The pair of briefs is firstly laid over the front face of the hanger with the waist band of the briefs slightly below the level of the support bar 4. Opposing ends 42, 44 of the waist band are then wrapped around the outside of the rigid support fingers 10 so that the uppermost edge of the waist band is situated between uppermost projections 38 on the support fingers 10 and the horizontally extending projections 11 on the support bar. The ends 42, 44 of the waist band are then hooked onto selected one's of the convolutions 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24. In Figures 7 and 8, the ends 42, 44 are shown to be hooked over convolutions 18. The ends 42, 44 are arranged so that the uppermost edge of the waist band is above the semi-circular projections 28 on the limbs 32. The provision of projections 28 on limbs 32 and projections 38 on support fingers 10 reduces any tendency for the briefs to slip off the hanger. When the briefs are arranged as shown in Figures 6 to 8, limbs 32 of the two convolutions 18 have been urged outwardly due to a tension force exerted on the limbs 32 by the elasticated waist band of the briefs. As the limbs 32 are urged outwardly, the parts 50 of the strip 27 situated between the limbs 32 of convolutions 18 and the support fingers 10 are compressed and, therefore, both convolutions 16 and 18 exert a co pressive force on the elasticated waist band of the briefs. Also, as the limbs 32 are urged outwardly, the parts 52 of the strip 27 between the limbs 32 of convolutions 18 and the support elements 12 are tensioned and, therefore, the convolutions 20, 24, and 26 exert a tension force on the elasticated waist band of the briefs. The compression and tension forces applied by the strip 27 balance the tension force exerted by the elasticated waist band of the briefs, so that an equilibrium position of the limbs 32 of convolutions 18 is reached. (It should be noted that in Figures 6 to 8, the compression of parts 50 and the tension of parts 52 has not been represented, in the interests of clarity) . It should be appreciated that, since some of the tension force exerted on the limbs 32, by the elasticated waist band of the briefs, is taken up and thereby relieved by the spring devices 14, the magnitude of the resultant tension in the waist band of the briefs will be reduced and, therefore, there is less likelihood that the material from which the briefs are made will be damaged or the briefs permanently stretched. Furthermore, the hanger 2 may be used to display briefs that have a "V"-shaped or curved waist band, without significant distortion of the shape of the waist band since, using the hanger 2, the briefs do not need to be held taut when in position. The hanger 2 is suitably made out of high impact polystyrene material by injection moulding. If the hanger 2 is to include a metal hook 8, then the main part of the hanger may be injection moulded and the hook secured by known means later. Alternatively, if the hanger 2 is to include a plastics hook, then the whole hanger may be produced as a single injection moulding. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A clothing hanger for supporting an item of clothing having a resilient waist area, the hanger being arranged to support the item of clothing such that the waist area is under tension and the hanger including resilient means arranged to relieve tension in the waist area of the item of clothing when supported by the hanger. 2. A hanger according to claim 1, for an item of intimate apparel. 3. A hanger according to claim 1 or claim , including rigid support means arranged to cooperate with the item of clothing. 4. A hanger according to claim 3, wherein the rigid support means is arranged so that the item of clothing can be engaged therewith. 5. A hanger according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said rigid support means includes two spaced apart rigid support elements having respective support surfaces which the item of clothing may engage. 6. A hanger according to claim 5, wherein said respective support surfaces face outwardly in opposite directions to one another. 7. A hanger according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said support surfaces define respective peripheral edges of the hanger. 8. A hanger according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein each said support surface may include friction means for restricting sliding movement over the surface of part of the item of clothing. 9. A hanger according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein said resilient means is provided between said spaced apart rigid support elements. 10. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said resilient means comprises a resilient device arranged to engage part of the item of clothing. 11. A hanger according to claim 10, wherein said resilient device is oveable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when in said second configuration, tension in the waist area of the item of clothing is relieved. 12. A hanger according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said resilient device includes a retaining means arranged to engage the item of clothing for retaining it in position. 13. A hanger according to claim 12, wherein said retaining means includes one or a plurality of spaced apart holding elements. 14. A hanger according to claim 13, wherein the or each holding element includes a friction means for restricting movement of the item of clothing away from the holding element. 15. A hanger according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein said resilient device is in the form of a spring means. 16. A hanger according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein said resilient device is convoluted. 17. A hanger according to claim 16, wherein respective spaced apart convolutions of said resilient device define spaced apart holding elements of the device. 18. A hanger according to any of claims 10 to 17, wherein, in use, with said resilient device engaged with an item of clothing, a first portion of the device is under tension and a second portion of the device is under compression. 19. A hanger according to any of claims 10 to 18, wherein said resilient device is arranged to exert a resultant force on the item of clothing, which force is directed outwardly. 20. A hanger according to any preceding claim, wherein said resilient means includes two resilient devices as described in any of claims 10 to 19. 21. A hanger according to any of claims 10 to 20, including two spaced apart resilient devices. 22. A hanger according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein said resilient devices are arranged to exert, in use, respective resultant forces on the item of clothing, which forces are directed in opposite directions. 23. Use of a clothing hanger according to any of claims 1 to 22 for supporting an item of clothing which has a resilient waist area.

Inventors: BEARD JOHN, SMITH GEOFFREY, BEARD, JOHN, SMITH, GEOFFREY
Applicants: BEARD JOHN, MORRIS PLASTICS LTD, SMITH GEOFFREY, BEARD, JOHN, MORRIS PLASTICS LIMITED, SMITH, GEOFFREY
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A47G25
IPC codes: A47G25