Abstract:
The hanger strap and shoulder covers relates in general to a system for efficiently storing garments on a hanger while allowing for said garments to properly rest upon said hanger such that they do not form bumps, creases, or other wrinkles in general. This is accomplished by securely attaching wide shoulder covers to the shoulder rails of a typical wire, plastic, or other similar hanger. A hanger strap may thereafter be attached to the neck of the hanger. The lower portion of this hanger strap is designed to receive the hook portion of another hanger. This additional hanger may also have wide shoulder forms attached to it. This system may effectively double the space of a typical closet while ensuring that garments retain their proper form.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The hanger strap and shoulder covers relate in general to a hanger, and more specifically to covers that are attached to a hanger that may be used to adequately support clothing such that it retains its proper form. They may also be used to save space. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A hanger is an excellent device for storing garments including shirts, pants, jackets, or any other type of garment made out of any particular material, be it natural or synthetic. If it can be worn, it can be hung. Hanging garments, however, presents a host of issues. 
         [0003]    Generally, hangers have a tendency to cause bumps and creases in clothing, making it look unnatural or improperly cared for. For example, after washing and drying a particular garment such as a shirt, one may hang it on a typical plastic hanger. These hangers are relatively thin and provide very little support. Even if a shirt is perfectly placed upon such a hanger, after time, gravity pulls downward while the hanger stubbornly resists, leaving a perceptible aberration upon the shirt. 
         [0004]    Various hangers have been developed to address these issues. Broad shouldered hangers, for example, provide much more support while eliminating the aberration problem. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,201,298 and 6,964,360 are examples of such hangers. The problem with these types of hangers, however, is that they tend to be relatively expensive to manufacture, assemble, and ship. They may also be heavy. Other hanger forms such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,446 are generally formed into a given length and may only be efficiently used with garments of specific sizes. These captive design hangers lack adjustability. 
         [0005]    A further limitation that is of particular note with broad shouldered hangers relates to the issue of efficiently using available closet space. These hangers require more horizontal space on the closet hanging rod, thus reducing the number of garments that may be hung. Moreover, in a poorly designed closet, one may be able to hang two dozen shirts in a row, but still be left with several inches of empty space below the shirts that cannot be realistically utilized. 
         [0006]    Yet another limitation with all of the hangers described above is that more new hangers lead to more unnecessary waste. Perfectly good old hangers will likely be discarded to make room for the newly purchased hangers. 
         [0007]    There is a need in the art for a hanger form that provides adequate support, that conserves valuable space, and that may be adapted to a wide variety of common hangers. It is to these ends that the hanger strap and shoulder covers have been developed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the hanger strap and shoulder covers describe a hanger accessory, comprising a first shoulder cover configured to extend longitudinally along an upper surface of a first shoulder rail of a hanger, and a second shoulder cover configured to extend longitudinally along an upper surface of a second shoulder rail of the hanger. The first shoulder cover is wider than the first shoulder rail of the hanger. The second shoulder cover is wider than the second shoulder rail of the hanger. 
         [0009]    The hanger accessory further comprises a first fastener configured to securely attach the first shoulder cover to the hanger. The first fastener is configured to fasten the first shoulder cover to a hook of the hanger. The first fastener comprises a first portion attached to or integrated with the first shoulder cover, and a second portion comprising an opening configured to receive a hook therethrough, or a linear array of openings, wherein each of the openings is configured to selectively receive a hook therethrough for adjusting the position of the first shoulder cover with respect to the hook along the longitudinal axis of the first shoulder cover. 
         [0010]    The hanger accessory further comprises a second fastener configured to securely attach the second shoulder cover to the hanger. The second fastener is configured to fasten the second shoulder cover to the hook of the hanger. The second fastener comprises a first portion attached to or integrated with the second shoulder cover, and a second portion comprising an opening configured to receive a hook therethrough, or a linear array of openings, wherein each of the openings is configured to selectively receive a hook therethrough for adjusting the position of the second shoulder cover with respect to the hook along the longitudinal axis of the second shoulder cover. 
         [0011]    The hanger accessory further comprises a first clamp, a first clamp fastener configured to attach to the first clamp, a second clamp, and a second clamp fastener configured to attach to the second clamp, all to secure the first and second shoulder covers to the first and second shoulder rails. 
         [0012]    The hanger accessory further comprises a first channel through which the first shoulder rail of the hanger extends, a second channel through which the second shoulder rail of the hanger extends, and a clip for holding the first and second fasteners together. 
         [0013]    The hanger accessory further comprises a hanger support member including a first portion configured to attach to a hanger, and a second portion configured to support a second hanger wherein the first portion comprises an aperture configured to be placed around a hook of the hanger and thereafter rest at the base of the hook, and the second portion comprises an aperture configured to support the second hanger by receiving a hook of the second hanger. The hanger support member also comprises an elongated section situated between the first and second portions of the additional hanger support member. 
         [0014]    It is an objective of the hanger strap and shoulder covers to provide adequate support to a garment. It is another objective of the hanger strap and shoulder covers to conserve space. It is yet another objective of the hanger strap and shoulder covers to be adaptable to a wide variety of common hangers. 
         [0015]    These and other advantages and features of the hanger strap and shoulder covers are described herein with specificity so as to make the hanger strap and shoulder covers understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Elements in the FIGS. have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the hanger strap and shoulder covers. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the hanger strap and shoulder covers. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a three dimensional cross section view primarily depicting a hanger equipped with two shoulder covers and a hanger strap holding another hanger. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a three dimensional view depicting a hanger equipped with a shoulder cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a three dimensional view depicting a hanger equipped with a shoulder cover in a modified position from that of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of an embodiment depicting a hanger, stability channel, and a clamp. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a three dimensional view depicting in further detail the components situated on the underside of the shoulder cover without a hanger. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a three dimensional view depicting in further detail the components situated on the underside of the shoulder cover with a hanger. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a three dimensional view depicting an alternative embodiment of a clamp fastener attached to a shoulder cover in an open position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a three dimensional view depicting an alternative embodiment of a clamp fastener attached to a shoulder cover and secured to a clamp. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  depicts an alternative embodiment of a shoulder cover attached to a differently shaped hanger. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  depicts an alternative embodiment of a shoulder cover attached to another differently shaped hanger. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a three dimensional view depicting a hanger strap employed by two hangers. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  depicts a front elevation view of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  depicts a side elevation view of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 10A  is a front elevation view of a hanger strap. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of the hanger strap depicted in  FIG. 10A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 10C  is a three dimensional view depicting a clip attached to the shoulder cover fasteners of the shoulder covers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the hanger strap and shoulder covers, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the hanger strap and shoulder covers may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the hanger strap and shoulder covers. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a three dimensional cross section view primarily depicting hanger  101  equipped with two shoulder covers  106  and hanger support strap  116 . Hanger  101 , however, is not to limit the wide array of other hangers that may be amenable to shoulder covers  106  and hanger support strap  116 . Other hangers may include wire hangers, various forms of plastic hangers, wood hangers, or other synthetically or naturally made hangers, or any hybrid of materials used in the creation of any such hangers. Shoulder covers  106  and hanger support strap  116  may also be employed on hangers that have yet to be designed. The designs of hanger support strap  116  and shoulder covers  106  are what allow for them to be adapted to such a wide array of hanger styles. 
         [0035]    Shoulder cover  106  has two features including shoulder cover fastener  108 , and stability channel  112  that may be fluidly connected during the manufacturing process of shoulder cover  106 . Shoulder cover  106  may be comprised of a plastic, plastic like material, or other compound. 
         [0036]    Shoulder cover  106 , when viewed from above, may be substantially wider than hanger  101  upon which it rests. Shoulder cover  106  may generally be arced in shape such that a line drawn from the center of one long edge of shoulder cover  106  to the center of the other long edge would be curved if viewed from a side elevation. Such curvature may allow for a garment to naturally rest upon shoulder cover  106  such that it does not crease, bend, or take on an unnatural shape. The proximal end of shoulder cover  106  may have a similar curvature and purpose as described above. 
         [0037]    Shoulder cover fastener  108  may be fluidly connected near the distal end of shoulder cover  106  and extend beyond the distal end of shoulder cover  106 . Shoulder cover fastener  108  may be positioned such that it would rest directly above hanger  101  when shoulder cover  106  is attached to hanger  101 . From the proximal end of shoulder cover fastener  108  to its distal end may be a series of arced voids  109 , openings  110 , and opening grooves  111 . Arced voids  109 , openings  110 , and opening grooves  111 , may give flexibility to the shoulder cover fastener  108  allowing for shoulder cover  106  to be adapted to a wide array of hangers that may have dramatically different shaped shoulder rails. Opening grooves  111  in particular may help to add flexibility as they provide a joint like function and may be located perpendicularly across from one another on any particular opening  110 . 
         [0038]    Openings  110  may be of wide nature, such that they allow for hook  102  of hanger  101  to be easily guided through any particular opening  110 . Moreover, shoulder cover fastener  108  may be comprised of several openings  110  that may be aligned single file, extending from near the center of shoulder cover fastener  108  to the distal end of shoulder cover fastener  108 . Such an array of openings may give the entirety of shoulder cover  106  its adjustable nature. For example, if there were to be three openings aligned in a row from the distal end of the shoulder cover fastener extending toward the proximal end of said shoulder cover fastener, placing the hook of a hanger through the opening on the extreme distal end of the shoulder cover fastener would allow the shoulder cover to extend to its greatest length. It would thereby be amenable to a larger shaped hanger and ultimately a larger garment. By contrast, if the hook of a hanger were placed in the opening closest to the proximal end of the shoulder cover fastener, this would only allow the shoulder cover to extend to a lesser distance. But this may be desirable for a hanger of smaller dimensions for a smaller garment. In either scenario, the opening may provide a level of stability such that the shoulder cover may stay positioned upon the hanger. 
         [0039]    Another feature of shoulder cover  106  that gives further overall stability is stability channel  112 . In  FIG. 1 , stability channel  112  is represented by the dotted lines found underneath the proximal end of shoulder cover  106 . Stability channel  112  may be fluidly connected to shoulder cover  106  during the manufacturing process. Stability channel  112  may be comprised generally of two walls that may be situated beneath and near the proximal end of shoulder cover  106  and extend in a direction toward the distal end of shoulder cover  106 . These walls may be aligned in a parallel fashion and have such a distance between the two as to accommodate hanger  101 , or any other typical hanger as described above. 
         [0040]    Another measure of stability that may be used to secure shoulder cover  106  to hanger  101  is clamp  113  and clamp fastener  114 . Clamp  113  may be manually connected to shoulder cover  106  and hanger  101  through a hole or series of holes in shoulder cover  106 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , these holes are between stability channel  112  and shoulder cover fastener  108 . However, they may be situated elsewhere, such as near the proximal end of a shoulder cover. In such an embodiment, the stability channel may be positioned nearer to the distal end of the shoulder cover to allow for the clamp and clamp fastener to be effectively utilized in this alternate position. 
         [0041]    Wherever these holes are situated, they may be of such a nature that they are able to house clamp  113  such that clamp  113  may not slip through shoulder cover  106 , but allow for the posts of clamp  113  to rest on the underside of shoulder cover  106 . For example, the two posts of clamp  113  may be guided through the two preexisting holes in shoulder cover  106  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0042]    Clamp  113  may generally consist of the same material as shoulder cover  106  as described above. Clamp  113  may also generally consist of a base and two posts situated parallel to one another and fluidly connected to said base in the manufacturing process. Said posts may be of such a length that when inserted into shoulder cover  106  they extend slightly beyond the plane of the arced edges of shoulder cover  106 . However, this length may be adjusted more or less depending upon the shape of hanger  101  to which clamp  113  may be attached. 
         [0043]    To further effectuate the function of clamp  113 , clamp fastener  114  may be manually connected and secured to clamp  113 . Clamp fastener  114  may be generally constructed of the same material as shoulder cover  106  as described above. Clamp fastener  114  may also be constructed so that it is compatible with clamp  113 . Clamp  113  and clamp fastener  114  may be generally regarded as a male/female pair. As such, clamp fastener  114  may have two holes situated at such a distance as to allow the dual posts of clamp  113  to be inserted with relative ease. 
         [0044]    Moreover, clamp fastener  114  may be of a dual nature. Clamp fastener  114  may generally consist of two parts including a base with two holes and an extension that may be fluidly connected during the manufacturing process. Said extension may be situated between said holes, and may have an indent on the distal end to allow for accommodation of a thin hanger. For example, a shoulder cover placed on a wire hanger would be amenable to the distal portion of the extension where the indent may be found and substantially house the wire hanger. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment, such as depicted in  FIG. 1  where a substantially larger hanger  101  is portrayed, clamp fastener  114  may be attached to the dual posts of clamp  113  such that its extension is facing away from shoulder rail  105  and the smooth portion of clamp fastener  114  is tightly secured to shoulder rail  105 . 
         [0046]    Once the requisite number of shoulder covers  106  has been appropriately attached to hanger  101 , hanger support strap  116  may also be attached to hanger  101 . However, hanger support strap  116  may be attached to hanger  101  before or after any shoulder cover  106  has been attached to hanger  101 . Hanger support strap  116  may generally be comprised of the same material as shoulder covers  106  as described above. 
         [0047]    Hanger support strap  116  may have two functional features at either end to effectuate its purpose. The proximal end of hanger support strap  116  may contain first aperture  117 . First aperture  117  may be used to attach hanger support strap  116  to hanger  101  such that first aperture  117  hangs around the base of neck  103  of said hanger  101 . The distal end of hanger support strap  116  may contain second aperture  118 . This second aperture  118  may be formed as depicted in  FIG. 1  by three tonglike features. The outer tongs may be formed such that they extend outward and then curve downward while the middle tong extends outward in the opposite direction and then curves downward to meet the outer tongs on a horizontal plane which may connect the three tongs. The curved nature of said tongs create second aperture  118  and may allow for hook  102  of another hanger  101  to be inserted. When an additional hanger  101  is inserted, this may allow for additional space to be utilized. In another embodiment, the second aperture may be in the shape of an enclosed hook, which would serve the same purpose of allowing a hook to securely rest within the second aperture. Furthermore, the second aperture may not be an aperture at all, but in the shape of an open hook while still serving the same purpose. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2A  is a three dimensional view depicting an embodiment comprising hanger  101  equipped with one shoulder cover  106 . This embodiment, combined with  FIG. 2B , depicts the adjustable nature of shoulder cover  106 . In  FIG. 2A , shoulder cover  106  is attached to hanger  101  via the last opening  110  on the most distal end of shoulder cover fastener  108 . This may allow for shoulder cover  106  to be fully extended to accommodate, for example, a garment of wide breadth. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 2B , shoulder cover  106  is attached to hanger  101  via the penultimate opening  110  on the most distal end of shoulder cover fastener  108 . This may allow for shoulder cover  106  to be extended to a lesser degree to accommodate, for example, a garment of a smaller breadth. The embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , however, are not to be limiting. A shoulder cover may be attached to a hanger via any opening to accommodate a concomitantly sized garment. Furthermore, additional openings may be fluidly connected during the manufacturing process, and/or the shoulder cover fastener may be lengthened or shortened to accommodate a wide array of garments. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of an embodiment depicting primarily hanger  101  and the various components of shoulder cover  106 . Stability channel  112  is fluidly connected underneath shoulder cover  106  and is partly visible. Also depicted is one post of clamp  113 , which may be manually inserted to shoulder cover  106 . This embodiment, however, should not be construed as limiting in scope. As discussed above, the various components of shoulder cover  106  may be larger, smaller, and/or placed in varying locations along the entirety of shoulder cover  106 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 4A  is a three dimensional view depicting in further detail the components situated on the underside of shoulder cover  106 . In this embodiment, shoulder cover  106  has two holes through which the ribbed posts of clamp  113  may penetrate. As noted above, clamp  113  may be composed of primarily three components fluidly connected during the manufacturing process, including a back and two ribbed posts. The back of clamp  113  may thus rest upon the structure of shoulder cover  106 , allowing for the ribbed posts to extend downward through said holes. 
         [0052]    Once the posts of clamp  113  have been properly inserted, clamp fastener  114  may be attached. Clamp fastener  114  may be pressed upon the ribbed posts of clamp  113 . The holes of clamp fastener  114  may be of such a diameter that one must apply a certain amount of pressure in order for clamp fastener  114  to be securely attached to clamp  113 . 
         [0053]    Once attached, clamp fastener  114  may be detached, for example, to remove shoulder cover  106  in order to apply it to another hanger. Clamp fastener  114  may also be detached and reversed, such that its extension (discussed above) is able to securely attach to, for example, a wire hanger.  FIG. 4A  depicts clamp fastener  114  with its attachment facing the underside of shoulder cover  106 . However, no hanger is depicted. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4B  is a similar depiction to  FIG. 4A , but with hanger  101  depicted. Because hanger  101  is of a wide nature, clamp fastener  114  may face toward the direction of horizontal rail  104  after being connected to clamp  113 . In another embodiment, however, clamp fastener  114  may face the other direction, even with hanger  101  which is of a wide nature.  FIG. 4B  also depicts how both clamp  113  and clamp fastener  114  work in tandem with stability channel  112  to secure shoulder cover  106  to shoulder rail  105  of hanger  101 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 5A  is a three dimensional view depicting an alternative embodiment of clamp fastener  114  attached to shoulder cover  106  in an open position.  FIG. 5B  is a three dimensional view depicting an alternative embodiment of clamp fastener  114  attached to shoulder cover  106  and secured to clamp  113 . In both  FIGS. 5A and 5B  clamp fastener  114  may be fluidly connected to shoulder cover  106  during the manufacturing process and be made of a material that is flexible. As such, the chances of losing clamp fastener  114  may be diminished. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6A  depicts an alternative embodiment with shoulder cover  106  attached to a differently shaped hanger  101 . In this embodiment, hanger  101  is mainly comprised of neck  103  and two shoulder rails  105 .  FIG. 6A  also depicts how shoulder cover  106  is adaptable to a differently shaped shoulder rail  105 . Shoulder cover fastener  108  may be directed upwards to an unspecified degree from the main body of shoulder cover  106  such that it is able to securely attach around neck  103  yet still provide support for a garment that may straddle shoulder cover  106 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 6B  depicts an alternative embodiment of shoulder cover  106  attached to yet another differently shaped hanger  101 . Similar to  FIG. 6A , shoulder rail  105  is uniquely and yet abruptly angled near neck  103 , but shoulder cover  106  may still be adapted even to this unique design. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  is a three dimensional view depicting hanger support strap  116  employed by two hangers  101 . For ease of reference, no shoulder covers  106  are depicted, however this should not be construed as limiting in scope, as hanger support strap  116  and shoulder covers  106  may be used in tandem with one another. In the embodiment depicted, first aperture  117  is placed around neck  103  of hanger  101 . Hanger support strap  116  is then positioned such that it falls behind horizontal rail  104  of said hanger  101 , and the top of the second aperture  118  rests near the back side of horizontal rail  104 . In another embodiment, however, the second aperture may rest on the front side of the horizontal rail. In either scenario, hook  102  of a second hanger  101  may be positioned such that it securely rests within the confines of second aperture  118 . As noted above, said second hanger  101  may or may not be equipped with shoulder covers. In other embodiments, differently sized and shaped hangers may also be employed, including a first hanger that is different from a second hanger. The hanger support strap may also be lengthened or shortened to accommodate hangers of varying proportions. 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  depicts a front elevation of  FIG. 7 . Of note is how first aperture  117  of hanger support strap  116  hangs from a first hanger  101 , while a second hanger  101  is secured within second aperture  118 . As noted above, this embodiment should not be construed in a limiting fashion, but only as a potential embodiment of how hanger support strap may be employed. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  depicts a side elevation of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Two hangers  101  are connected to hanger support strap  116  utilizing both first and second apertures  117  and  118 . It may be noted that this configuration may allow for one to double closet space. Again, this embodiment is not to be considered limiting in scope, but rather one possible embodiment of all that has been discussed thus far. 
         [0061]      FIG. 10A  is a front elevation view of hanger support strap  116 . This embodiment shows in further detail how both first and second apertures  117  and  118  may be fluidly connected on opposite ends during the manufacturing process to hanger support strap  116 . A series of grooves may be implemented near the base of the top of first aperture  117  to afford more flexibility to hanger support strap  116 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of hanger support strap  116 . As noted above hanger support strap  116 , and both first and second apertures  117  and  118  may be constructed of a similar materials as that of shoulder cover  106 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 10C  is a three dimensional view depicting clip  1001  attached to shoulder cover fasteners  108  of shoulder covers  106 . Once the requisite number of shoulder covers  106  has been appropriately attached to hanger  101 , clip  1001  may be attached to the overlapping shoulder cover fasteners  108  to prevent loose ends from going awry. Clip  1001  may also be constructed of similar material as the rest of the components discussed thus far. 
         [0064]    A hanger strap and shoulder covers have been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the hanger strap and shoulder covers have been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the hanger strap and shoulder covers not be limited by this detailed description.