COAT HANGER FOR FASTENING TO THE HEADREST OF A VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract: Device (51) for hanging an item of clothing, in particular a coat or a jacket, from at least one rod-like headrest support of a seat of a vehicle, and in particular a car, at least comprising a coat-hanger component (52) with a supporting frame, which supporting frame comprises fastening means for releasably fastening the device to the one or more rod-like headrest supports, in which device the fastening means comprise a clamping assembly, which clamping assembly comprises at least one set of clamp halves (33, 34) which can be displaced with respect to one another, and actuating means, which actuating means are designed to displace the clamp halves (33, 34) with respect to one another into an open or closed position, in order to be able to clamp the rod-like headrest support between the clamp halves (33, 34) in the closed position of the clamp halves (33, 34).

Description: Short title: Coat hanger for fastening to the headrest of a vehicle seat This invention relates to a device for hanging an item of clothing, in particular a coat or a jacket, from at least one rod-like headrest support of a seat of a vehicle, and in particular a car, at least comprising a coat-hanger component with a supporting frame, which supporting frame comprises fastening means for releasably fastening the device to the one or more rod-like headrest supports. A device of this nature is known from O-A-93 25411. The said device can be fastened, by means of two hook-like components which are horizontally coupled to one another, to two rod-like headrest supports of a vehicle seat, each hook engaging on one of the two rod-like headrest supports. For good fastening to be achieved, the hooks have to be fastened to the headrest supports under stress, which makes the said device difficult to fit and remove. The object of the present invention is to improve a device of the abovementioned type, and to this end is characterized in that the fastening means comprise a clamping assembly with at least one set of clamp halves which can be displaced with respect to one another, and actuating means, which actuating means are designed to displace the clamp halves with respect to one another, in order to be able to clamp the rod-like headrest support between the clamp halves. Fastening means of this nature ensure that the device according to the invention can be easily and durably fitted to the rod-like headrest support of a vehicle seat. The clamp halves can be moved away from and towards one another, into an open and closed position, respectively, by the actuating means. In the open position, the clamp halves, at least in some areas, are at a certain distance apart, which distance is greater than or equal to the external dimension of the corresponding rod-like headrest support. In the open position of the clamp halves, the headrest support can be moved between the clamp halves. With the aid of the actuating means, the clamp halves can be moved into a closed position, in which they clamp the rod-like headrest support which is present between the clamp halves securely in place . To ensure that the clamp halves clamp securely together, the clamp halves can be pressed towards one another or held together by suitable means, such as spring means and/or coupling means, in which case one clamp half is provided, for example, with an eyelet and the other clamp half is provided, for example, with a hook, the hook being placed into the eyelet in order to hold the clamp halves clamped together. In this context, reference is also made to DE-U-297 00 423, which discloses a device for hanging an item of clothing, which device can be fastened to two headrest supports of a headrest. For this purpose, there are, for example, V-shaped clamping components on the device, which can be moved outwards between the two headrest supports and thus clamp the device securely in place. However, there is no reference to clamp halves which can be displaced with respect to one another with the aid of actuating means. This is therefore a passive clamping action. According to the invention, the actuating means are designed to move the clamp halves into the closed and/or open position. If desired, the device may incorporate separate locking means for maintaining the open and/or closed position of the clamp halves. The actuating means are advantageously designed in such a manner that they can be used to open and close the clamp halves manually, without the need for any tool. In this way, the device according to the invention can be fastened to the headrest support by means of a simple manual movement . Preferably, the clamp halves in the clamping assembly interact pivotably with one another. This ensures a simple, reproducible actuation. As a result of the two clamp halves being pivotably coupled to one another, the clamp halves, in the closed position, will readily adopt a stable position with respect to one another due to the presence of the pivot . However, the clamp halves may also be designed without the need for a pivot. Clamp halves which are not pivotably coupled to one another may, for example, be placed manually against one another in order to produce the closed position. The clamp halves may also comprise, for example, means for pushing the clamp halves along one another in order to produce the closed position. Furthermore, one clamp half may comprise openings which can interact with suitable guide pins on the other clamp half. Advantageously, there are spring means which interact with the clamp halves, which spring means, in the closed position of the clamp halves, are preloaded in the direction of opening of the clamp halves. The said preloading will allow the two clamp halves to be moved away from one another easily when the clamp halves are opened. It is also ensured that the clamp halves are open in the at-rest position, making them easier to fit. The said first spring means may, for example, be accommodated between the two clamp halves . In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the actuating means comprise an annular element which is able to interact with the outside of the clamp halves, in such a manner that, by displacing the annular element over the outside of the clamp halves, the clamp halves can be moved into the closed position or can be held in this position. As a result of the annular element being pushed over the clamp halves, the latter can be moved into and held in a closed position. To open the clamp halves, the annular element has to be pushed in the opposite direction. This measure is particularly advantageous if it is combined with the abovementioned first spring means which, between the two clamp halves, are preloaded in the direction of opening the clamp halves. In this way, the clamp halves will open automatically after the annular element has been pushed back. In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the actuating means also comprise second spring means, which interact with the annular element in such a manner that the clamp halves can be moved into the closed position by the annular element. In this embodiment, the abovementioned annular element is pressed over the elongate parts of the clamp halves by second spring means, so that the clamp halves are in the clamping, closed position. As a result of the annular element being moved away from the elongate parts, counter to the spring force of the second spring means , the clamp halves can be moved apart. Advantageously, the annular element comprises gripper means which are intended to allow the annular component to be pushed manually counter to the stress of the second spring means, in such a manner that the clamp halves can be moved into the open position. These gripper means may, for example, comprise a handle which is formed on the said element. Thus, the annular element can easily be pushed manually, without using any tool, in order, as described above, to move the clamp halves into the open position. In the closed position, the outside of the clamp halves is advantageously of tapered design. The tapered shape allows the annular element to be pushed with great ease over the clamp halves to the location where the inner circumference of the annular element corresponds to the outer circumference of the clamp halves which are bearing against one another. This location acts as a stop for the annular element, with the result that the clamp halves are held in the closed position. Advantageously, in that case too, the inner circumference of the closed annular element is of correspondingly tapered design. This measure provides an optimum fit of the annular element on to the outside of the clamp halves, thus securing the closed position of the clamp halves. This embodiment will be explained in more detail below in the description of the figures. The annular element is advantageously dimensioned in such a manner that its inner surface, in the closed position of the clamp halves, substantially completely interacts with the outer surface of the clamp halves, resulting in a very good clamping action. The support frame according to the invention advantageously comprises at least : a rod-like frame part with a first end, which is fastened to the underside of the coat-hanger component, and extends substantially in the vertical direction with respect to the latter, a second rod- like frame part which is connected at an angle to the first frame part, the second frame part extending, from the said angle, towards and beyond a plane of the front side of the coat-hanger component, to a second end, which second end comprises a clamping assembly. This embodiment will be explained in more detail in the following drawing. To provide an improved fastening of the device, the device may also comprise a plurality of clamping assemblies which can interact with the same rod-like headrest support . In particular, the device comprises, at the second end, two clamping assemblies which are arranged at a distance from one another, for fastening the device to two headrest supports of a headrest . Preferably, the gripper means of the annular elements of the clamping assemblies are coupled to one another. It is thus possible for the device to be fastened to two headrest supports using one hand, without having to perform difficult actions . Most vehicle seats are provided with a headrest which is connected to the seat by means of two rod-like headrest supports . The abovementioned embodiment of the device can be attached to both headrest supports, thus securing the position of the device on the vehicle seat . In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the supporting frame comprises: two rod-like frame parts, each with a first end, which at a distance from one another are fastened to the underside of the coat-hanger component and, from the latter, extend substantially in the vertical direction and substantially parallel to one another, each first frame part being connected at an angle to a second rod-like frame part, the second frame parts extending substantially parallel to one another in the direction of and beyond a plane of the front side of the coat-hanger component, each as far as a second end, which second ends each comprise a clamping assembly. The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows a cross section through an embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a cross section through another embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a cross section through yet another embodiment of a clamping assembly according to the invention; and Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention. In the cross section shown in Figure 1, part of the supporting frame of the device according to the invention is denoted by 2. A clamp half 3 is formed integrally on the frame 2 and, via a pivot 5, the pivot axis of which runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, is connected to a clamp half 4 which can move with respect to clamp half 3. The clamp halves 3 and 4 comprise respective elongate parts 6 and 7 which extend substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis. An annular element 8 is positioned around the two elongate parts which, in the case illustrated, bear against one another. The outer circumference of elongate parts 6 and 7, at the location of these parts, substantially corresponds to the inner circumference of the annular element 8. The annular element is pressed against the two clamp halves 3 and 4 by a spring 9, which bears against a stop 10 which is formed by a thickened section of frame part 2. In Figure 1, the clamp halves bear against one another, i.e. they are in the closed position. Together with the inner circumference 12 of clamp half 4, the inner circumference 11 of clamp half 3 defines a space 13 inside which a rod-like headrest support of a vehicle seat can be clamped. To achieve a securely clamped fastening, the diameter of the rod-like headrest support should substantially correspond to the common inner circumference 11 and 12 of clamp halves 3 and 4. To move the clamp halves apart, in order in this way to provide an opening for positioning and removing the device on or from the headrest support, annular component 8 is manually pushed away from the two clamp halves 3 and 4, counter to the force of spring 9, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of elongate parts 6 and 7, i.e. towards stop 10. As soon as the annular component 8 has been pushed beyond point 14 of the frame part 2, clamp half 4 can be rotated about pivot point 5 and can be moved away from the other clamp half 3. Thus, space 13 is available for attaching the device to a headrest support. The closed, clamping position of the clamp halves is reached by placing clamp half 4 back against clamp half 3 and allowing annular component 8 to spring back into the position illustrated. Figure 2 shows another embodiment in which an annular element 28 is placed around frame component 20, which annular element 28 is provided with an internal screw thread 29. On frame part 20 there is a clamp half 23 which, in a similar manner to the case illustrated in Figure 1, is connected to a clamp half 24 via a pivot 25. The clamp halves 23 and 24 comprise respective elongate parts 26 and 27. The outer circumference of the elongate parts 26 and 27 are provided with an external screw thread 21 and 22, respectively. In the case illustrated, the pair of clamp halves can be folded open by moving clamp half 24 away from clamp half 23. In order for the two clamp halves to be fastened to one another, annular element 28 is pushed onto the external screw threads 21 and 22 and is then screwed around the clamp halves 23 and 24. In a following embodiment, represented in Figure 3, two clamp halves 33 and 34 are shown in the closed position. Both clamp halves comprise elongate parts 36 and 37, respectively, with a tapered outer circumference. In the vicinity of that end of the two elongate parts 36 and 37 which is remote from the clamp halves, there is a recess 48, so as to form shoulders 41 and 42, respectively. The end of the supporting frame 30 comprises a concentrically narrowed section 45, and an end plate 46 which is formed substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of frame part 30. Shoulders 41 and 42 of clamp halves 33 and 34 grip around end plate 46. Around the elongate parts 36 and 37 there is an annular element 38 of tapered inner circumference, which is pressed against clamp halves 33 and 34 by spring 39, which acts on stop 47 of supporting-frame part 30. When the annular component 38 is moved away from the two clamp halves 33 and 34 towards stop 47, the two clamp halves 33 and 34 will be moved away from one another by the force exerted by spring 40. Shoulders 41 and 42 of clamp halves 33 and 34 pivot about narrowed section 45 and end plate 46 of supporting-frame component 30. In this embodiment, the clamp halves 33 and 34 are opened by simple linear movement of the annular element 38 counter to the pressure of spring 39. If the annular element 38 is released in the open position of the clamp halves 33 and 34, this element will be pressed back on to the two clamp halves 33 and 34 by the pressure of spring 39, so that a rod-like headrest support can be clamped securely in place. Figure 4 shows a view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention. The device, which is generally denoted by 51, comprises a coat-hanger component 52, which may be made from wood or plastic or, if desired, another material. A supporting frame 53 is fitted to the coat-hanger component 52, which supporting frame comprises two rod-like frame parts 54, the ends 55 of these frame parts 54 being fastened to the underside of the coat-hanger component. Frame parts 54 run substantially vertically away from the underside of the coat-hanger component 52 and run parallel to one another. If desired, the frame parts 54 may be positioned at an angle with respect to the underside of the coat-hanger component 52, for example in order to obtain a straight position of the coat- hanger component 52 when the device 51 is fastened to the appropriate vehicle seat. Each frame part 54 is connected at an angle, at the location of 57, to a second frame part 56. The two frame parts 56 extend substantially parallel to one another, in the direction of and beyond a plane of the front side of the coat-hanger component 52. Frame parts 56 are connected to one another by a transversely running rod 58. The ends of the two frame parts 56, which are denoted by 59, each interact with a clamping assembly comprising a set of clamp halves which pivot with respect to one another and in the case illustrated correspond to the embodiment as described with reference to Figure 3. The components illustrated are denoted by corresponding reference numerals. In this case, annular elements 45 are connected to one another by a rod-like connecting element 60. As a result of rod-like connecting element 60 being moved in the direction of transversely running rod 58, an action which can be carried out manually, the two clamp-half pairs 33, 34 will be opened, so that the device 51 can very easily be manually fastened to the rod-like headrest supports of a vehicle seat or can be removed from these supports. For fitting to only one rod-like headrest support, the device can be of corresponding design but with only one frame part 54, the end 55 of which is advantageously attached to the coat-hanger component 52 beneath the centre of gravity of this component. This embodiment may comprise one clamping assembly or, for example, two clamping assemblies one above the other, which are each connected to a separate frame part 56 on frame part 54. Although in the preceding text the dimensions of the components referred to appear to be fixed, this is not necessarily the case. It is preferable if the size or position of certain components of the device according to the invention can be varied, in such a manner that the device is suitable for attaching to various rod-like headrest supports of a seat of a vehicle. In other words, it may be preferable to design components in such a manner that they can be made longer or shorter, for example by pivoting, telescopically or with the aid of a screw thread, so that the device according to the invention is suitable for attaching to various types of headrest supports . Particularly in the case of two rod-like headrest supports, it is preferable if the position of the two sets of clamp halves can be adjusted with respect to one another. It is thus possible to supply one size of the device according to the invention which is suitable for fastening to various rod-like headrest supports, with a different distance between them. Furthermore, it is preferable for the device according to the invention to be used in such a manner that the clamp halves are able to interact with the rod-like headrest support with the intervention of plastics material, in order to be able to increase the clamping force. The said plastics material may be present on the inside of the clamp halves, but may also be in the form of a plastic ring which can be arranged around the headrest support before the device according to the invention is fastened to it . Finally, it should be noted that it is advantageous for the clamp halves to be designed in such a manner that, in the closed position, they substantially completely enclose the headrest suppor .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device (51) for hanging an item of clothing, in particular a coat or a jacket, from at least one rod-like headrest support of a seat of a vehicle, and in particular a car, at least comprising a coat-hanger component (52) with a supporting frame, which supporting frame comprises fastening means for releasably fastening the device to the one or more rod-like headrest supports, characterized in that the fastening means comprise a clamping assembly, which clamping assembly comprises at least one set of clamp halves (33, 34) which can be displaced with respect to one another, and actuating means, which actuating means are designed to displace the clamp halves (33, 34) with respect to one another into an open or closed position, in order to be able to clamp the rod-like headrest support between the clamp halves (33, 34) in the closed position of the clamp halves (33, 34). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamp halves (33, 34) interact pivotably with one another. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there are spring means (40) which interact with the clamp halves (33, 34), which spring means (40), in the closed position of the clamp halves (33, 34), are preloaded in the direction of opening of the clamp halves (33, 34) . 4. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means comprise an annular element (38) which is able to interact with the outside of the clamp halves (33, 34) in such a manner that, by displacing the annular element (38) over the outside of the clamp halves (33, 34), the clamp halves (33, 34) can be moved into the closed position. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating means also comprise second spring means (39) , which interact with the annular element (38) in such a manner that the clamp halves (33, 34) can be moved into the closed position by the annular element (38) . 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the annular element (38) comprises gripper means (60) which are intended to allow the annular element (38) to be pushed manually counter to the stress of the second spring means (39) , in such a manner that the clamp halves (33, 34) can be moved into the open position. 7. Device according to one of claims 4-6, characterized in that the outside of the clamp halves (33, 34) together, in the closed position, is of tapered design. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the inside of the annular element (38) is of correspondingly tapered design. 9. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting frame comprises at least : a rod-like frame part (54) with a first end (55) , which is fastened to the underside of the coat-hanger component (52) , and extends substantially in the vertical direction with respect to the latter, a second rod-like frame part (56) which is connected at an angle to the first frame part (54) , the second frame part (56) extending, from the said angle, towards and beyond a plane of the front side of the coat-hanger component, to a second end, which second end comprises a clamping assembly. 10. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises, at the second end, two - clamping assemblies which are arranged at a distance from one another, for fastening the device to two headrest supports of a headrest . 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the gripper means (60) of the annular elements (38) of the clamping assemblies are coupled to one another. 12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the supporting frame at least comprises: two rod-like frame parts (53, 54), each with a first end, which at a distance from one another are fastened to the underside of the coat-hanger component (52) and, from the latter, extend substantially in the vertical direction and substantially parallel to one another, each first frame part (53, 54) being connected at an angle to a second rod-like frame part (56) , the second frame parts (56) i extending substantially parallel to one another in the direction of and beyond a plane of the front side of the coat-hanger component (52) , each as far as a second end, which second ends each comprise a clamping assembly. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the gripper means (60) of the annular elements (38) of the clamping assemblies are coupled to one another.

Inventors: HOFSTEE CAMIEL PIETER MARIA, HOFSTEE, CAMIEL, PIETER, MARIA
Applicants: HOFSTEE CAMIEL PIETER MARIA, HOFSTEE, CAMIEL, PIETER, MARIA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60R7
IPC codes: B60R7