Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to molded plastic garment hangers. Garment hangers of this type may be simply constructed as molded plastic structures incorporating a hook adapted to be suspended from a suitable support, such as a garment display rack or the like. The garment hanger has a plurality of elongated body members extending in opposite directions from the hook so as to facilitate a garment to be suspended therefrom. The opposite or distal ends of the elongated body members typically have vertical members attached thereto, and a first set of garment clips formed on the vertical members to enable the attachment of various kinds of garments thereto. The vertical members also have a second set of garment clips formed on the opposite side of the vertical member to permit the garment straps to be secured.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to molded plastic garment hangers as are widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments. More particularly, the present invention relates to a garment hanger including at least two vertical garment retaining clips for securely holding a garment. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    A wide variety of molded plastic garment hangers with garment clips are presently known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,423 discloses a garment hanger having plural garment retaining clips on the distal ends of the arm, with improvements to the design of the clip, which was previously described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,155. One of the improvements described in this patent is the addition of a second garment retaining clip which engages straps of a garment to be hung from the hanger. The second garment retaining clip is intended to prevent the strap of an undergarment or bathing suit from hanging down in an unsightly manner. 
         [0003]    Additionally, a number of other garment clip designs are known in the art for retaining undergarment straps. However, none provide a second vertical garment retaining clip disposed on an inner surface of a vertical member, wherein the vertical member is substantially perpendicular to the garment hanger arms, and wherein the second vertical garment retaining clip is vertically disposed. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a garment hanger with a plurality of vertical garment retaining clips is needed that can hold the straps of garments neatly and on an opposite side of a vertical member than a plurality of vertical garment retaining clips that hold the garments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the present invention, a garment hanger having an improved garment retaining clip configuration at opposite ends thereof is provided to securely retain a garment to prevent it from accidentally dislodging therefrom. Moreover, the improved garment retaining clip configuration is designed to avoid breakage of the clips, and to prevent straps of an undergarment or bathing suit from hanging down in an unsightly manner. The present invention solves this problem by providing an improved garment hanger having a vertical garment retaining clip that can hold the straps of a garment neatly and on the opposite side of a vertical member than a vertical garment retaining clip that holds the garment. 
         [0006]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a molded plastic garment hanger is provided. The hanger includes a hook member and a plurality of elongated body members. At lease one of the elongated body members is connected to the hook member. The hanger further includes a pair of generally parallel vertical members vertically disposed and integrally formed with each elongated body member. The pair of vertical members is substantially perpendicular to each elongated body member and connected with a first end and a second end of each elongated body member. The hanger further includes a plurality of first vertical garment retaining clips disposed outwardly from an outer surface of each vertical member. The plurality of first vertical garment retaining clips comprises a first support member connected to the vertical member and a first cantilever mount connecting the first support member to a second support member. The second support member extends from the first support member in a direction that is vertically opposed from the first cantilever mount. The first vertical garment retaining clip further comprises a first mouth defined by the second support member and the vertical member for guiding a garment into the first vertical garment retaining clip. With this arrangement, as a garment is inserted into the first garment retaining clip, the compound movement of the first and second support members results in the garment receiving channel of the clip first opening to allow the garment to enter, and then closing to securely retain the garment therein. 
         [0007]    The hanger further includes a second vertical garment retaining clip disposed outwardly from an inner surface of the vertical member. The second vertical garment retaining clip comprises an inner support member vertically extending from the vertical member. The second vertical garment retaining clip further comprises a second cantilever mount connecting the inner support member to the vertical member and a second mouth defined by the inner support member and the vertical member for guiding a garment strap into the second vertical garment retaining clip. 
         [0008]    Optionally, the present invention includes a plurality of stacked vertical garment retaining clips disposed outwardly from the inner surface and the outer surface of the vertical member for securing a series of garments, and is therefore not limited to only a first and second clip. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a garment hanger, including a vertically disposed hook member and a first elongated body member and a second elongated body member, is provided. The first and second elongated body members are horizontally disposed, with the first elongated body member being integrally molded to the hook member. The hanger also includes a pair of generally parallel vertical members vertically disposed and integrally molded to each elongated body member. Each vertical member is substantially perpendicular to each elongated body member and is connected with a first end and a second end of each elongated body member. Furthermore, a first vertical garment retaining clip is disposed outwardly from an outer surface of each vertical member. The first vertical garment retaining clip includes a first support member vertically extending from each vertical member and a first cantilever mount connecting the first support member to a second support member. The second support member extends from the first support member in a direction that is vertically opposed from the cantilever mount. According to this configuration, a first mouth is defined by the second support member and each vertical member for guiding a garment into the first vertical garment retaining clip. 
         [0010]    The hanger further includes a second vertical garment retaining clip integrally molded to each vertical member and disposed outwardly from an inner surface of each vertical member. The second vertical garment retaining clip includes an inner support member vertically extending from each vertical member and a second cantilever mount connecting the inner support member to each vertical member. According to this configuration, a second mouth is defined by the inner support member and each vertical member for guiding a garment strap into the second vertical garment retaining clip. 
         [0011]    Pursuant to the present invention, the garment receiving channels defined by the first and second vertical garment retaining clips proceed from a bottom opening of the garment receiving channel, upwardly and inwardly towards the hook member to a top garment retaining position. The radial difference between the bottom opening and the top garment retaining position is approximately 0.125 inches, such that as a garment is inserted fully into the garment retaining clip, the width of the garment shrinks approximately ⅛ inch at each end of the garment hanger. This also means that the width of the garment must be expanded or stretched ¼ inch, considering the expansion at both ends, to remove the garment from the garment retaining clip, which deters accidental dislodgement of the garment therefrom. 
         [0012]    In greater detail, the first vertical garment retaining clip includes a stiffening rib extending along the first and second support members to provide a relatively stiff and inflexible clip. Moreover, the second vertical garment retaining clip includes a stiffening rib extending along the inner support member to provide a relatively stiff and inflexible clip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    These and other features, advantages and benefits of the present application will be made apparent with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features across the several views, and wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a molded plastic garment hanger in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of one end of the molded plastic garment hanger of  FIG. 1 , illustrating further details of the novel features and construction thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view, taken along sectional arrows  1 - 1  in  FIG. 2 , and illustrates further details of construction of the elongated body members; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectional view, taken along sectional arrows  2 - 2  in  FIG. 2 , and illustrates further details of construction of the vertical member and the first vertical garment retaining clip; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view, taken along sectional arrows  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , and illustrates further details of construction of the vertical member and the second vertical garment retaining clip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring now in detail to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a front view of a molded plastic garment hanger (hereinafter, “hanger”)  10  having a hook member  12  and a pair of elongated body members  14  and  16 , at least one of which, such as elongate body members  16 , is connected to the hook member  12 . However, it should be understood that the hanger  10  may include three or more elongated body members depending on the application circumstances of the hanger. Each elongated body member  14 ,  16  is connected to and integrally molded with a pair of generally parallel vertical members  18 . As shown, the vertical members  18  are substantially perpendicular to each elongated body member  14 ,  16  and connected respectively at first ends  22 ,  24  and opposite second ends  23 ,  27  of each elongated body member  14 ,  16 . 
         [0020]    In the shown embodiment, a plurality of stacked vertical garment retaining clips  30  are disposed outwardly from an inner surface  48  and an outer surface  36  of the vertical members  18  for securing a series of garments. The particular illustrated shapes of the hook member  12  and the plurality of elongated body members  14 ,  16  are exemplary only, and may vary in number and shape. 
         [0021]    As depicted best in  FIG. 2 , the hanger  10  includes a first vertical garment retaining clip  35  disposed outwardly from the outer surface  36  of the vertical member  18 . The first vertical garment retaining clip  35  includes a first support member  38  extending substantially downwardly and vertically, and a first cantilever mount  40  connecting the first support member  38  to a second support member  42 . The second support member  42  substantially extends upwardly and inwardly from the first cantilever mount  40 . Also, the second support member  42  extends from the first support member  38  in a direction that is vertically opposed from the cantilever mount  40 . Accordingly, a first mouth  46  is defined by the second support member  42  and the vertical member  18 , which guides a garment (not shown) into the first vertical garment retaining clip  35 . The first vertical garment retaining clip  35  further includes a second cantilever mount  62  connecting the first support member  38  to the vertical member  18 . The second cantilever mount  62  has the same thickness as the vertical member  18  to permit some flexure between the second cantilever mount  62  and the vertical member  18 . 
         [0022]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , hanger  10  further includes a second vertical garment retaining clip  45  disposed outwardly from the inner surface  48  of the vertical member  18 . In the shown embodiment, the second vertical garment retaining clip  45  includes an inner support member  47  extending substantially downwardly and vertically, and a third cantilever mount  52  connecting the inner support member  47  to the vertical member  18 . Accordingly, a second mouth  55  is defined by the inner support member  47  and the vertical member  18 , which guides a garment strap (not shown) into the second vertical garment retaining clip  45 . 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1-2  also illustrate a first stiffening rib  50  disposed along the first and second support members  38 ,  42 . The first stiffening rib  50  stiffens the cantilever mounting, and resists movement of the first and second support members  38 ,  42  into and out of the plane of the hanger  10 . 
         [0024]    Similarly, a second stiffening rib  54  is disposed along the inner support member  47 . The second stiffening rib  54  stiffens the connection between the inner support member  47  and the vertical member  18 , and resists movement of the inner support member  47  into and out of the plane of the hanger  10 . 
         [0025]    The construction and design are such that as a garment or strap is initially inserted into the mouth  46  of the first garment receiving channel  60 , the combination of the first and second support members  38 ,  42  rotates about the second cantilever mount  62 . During initial insertion of the garment, the first support member  38  bends outwardly, with the outward motion most pronounced near the first cantilever mount  40 . As the garment slides past the first cantilever mount  40  and towards the free end  41  of the second member  42 , it causes an outward flexure of the free end  41  of the second member  42 . This results in an inward deflection of the first support member  38  near the first cantilever mount  40  and a closing of the bottom of the first vertical garment retaining clip  35  near the mouth  46 . 
         [0026]    As best shown in  FIG. 2 , hanger  10  further includes a first toothed section  66  disposed along the outer surface  36  of vertical member  18  and a second toothed section  68  disposed along an edge  70  of the second support member  42 . The first toothed section  66  and the second toothed section  68  oppose each other to form the first garment receiving channel  60  that grasps and retains the garment. Accordingly, as a garment is inserted into the first vertical garment retaining clip  35 , the compound movement of the first and second support members  38 ,  42  results in the mouth  46  of the clip first opening to allow the garment to enter, and then closing to securely retain the garment. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, as best shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the first and second vertical garment retaining clips  35 ,  45  are both constructed to have the same thickness as the elongated body members  14 ,  16  and the vertical members  18  in order to resist movement of the first and second vertical garment retaining clips  35 ,  45  into and out of the plane of the hanger body. To maximize strength while using the minimum amount of material, the elongated body members  14 ,  16  and the hook member  12  are constructed with a C-shaped cross section having a central web member  25  and a plurality of flange members  26 ,  28 , the flange members defining a top flange member  26  and bottom flange member  28  at opposing vertical ends. Furthermore, the flange members  26 ,  28  are horizontally disposed along the length of each elongated body member  14 ,  16 . However, in alternative embodiments the elongated body members  14 ,  16  may be constructed with a curved M-shaped cross-section, an E-shaped cross-section, an I-beam cross-section, or any suitable cross-section which may improve the strength to weight ratio for particular applications to resist flexing due to the weight of the garment hanging from the hanger  10  of the present invention and to assist in maintaining the hanger upright when in use. 
         [0028]    Specifically,  FIG. 4  shows an enlarged sectional view, taken along sectional arrows  2 - 2  in  FIG. 2 , and illustrates further details of construction of the vertical members  18  and the first vertical garment retaining clip  35 . As shown, the overall thickness (T) of the first vertical garment retaining clip  35  is the same as the vertical members  18  and each elongated body member  14 ,  16 . However, the first support member, the first toothed section  66  and the second toothed section  68  have a reduced thickness. Similarly,  FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view, taken along sectional arrows  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , and illustrates further details of construction of the vertical members  18  in connection with the second vertical garment retaining clip  45 . The overall thickness (T) of the second vertical garment retaining clip  45  is the same as the vertical members  18 , while the inner support member  48  and the tooth  49  of the inner support member  48  have a reduced thickness. 
         [0029]    With such hangers, garments are frequently inserted into the garment clips manually by a worker who inserts a great number of garments into corresponding garment clips. Prior art multiple garment hangers that include garment clips to conceal garment straps typically have two clips or a double clip located adjacent the outer surface of the vertical member. However, it is difficult for workers to quickly and accurately load the garment and garment straps into their respective clips with this prior art configuration. In contrast, with the hanger  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, a worker can easily insert the garment into the first garment receiving channel  60 , wrap the garment strap around the vertical member  18 , and secure the garment strap with the second vertical garment clip  45 . As such, the garment straps are concealed behind the securely fastened garment. 
         [0030]    The inventive plastic hanger can be formed of styrene which provides a clear, virtually transparent polystyrene hanger for maximum display of intimate apparel garments, such as bras and panties, to be suspended therefrom. Alternatively, the hanger can be molded from polypropylene, styrene polypropylene, polypropylene, polyvinychloride, ABS or other suitable thermoplastics and mixtures thereof. For additional reinforcement, K resin can be added to the plastic material. The preferred material, polystyrene, has a Flexural Modulus, MPa, of 3,170, taken from CONCISE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POLYMER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, p. 1117. 
         [0031]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first and second vertical garment retaining clips  35 ,  45  are integrally molded with the vertical member  18 . Furthermore, as shown, the second vertical retaining clip  45  is disposed closer to the hook member  12  than the first vertical retaining clip  35 . The first vertical garment retaining clip  35  is designed to mount a garment, while the second vertical garment retaining clip  45  is designed to secure the garment straps. The first vertical garment retaining clip includes a mouth  46  at the bottom of the garment receiving channel  60  that is relatively large, thus making it easier to mount panties on the hanger  10 . 
         [0032]    As discussed above, and as best shown in  FIG. 2 , the first vertical garment retaining clip  35  includes the first downwardly extending support member  38  mounted to the vertical member  18  and connected to the second support member  42  by the first cantilever mount  40 . The second support member  42  is positioned opposed to and spaced from the vertical member  18 . The second support member  42  defines a second toothed section  68  spaced and opposed to the first toothed section  66 , to form the garment receiving channel  60  therebetween to grasp and retain a garment therein. 
         [0033]    A further feature of the first vertical garment retaining clip  35  is the inward slant defined by the first garment receiving channel  60 . For example, as a garment waist band is inserted into the first vertical garment retaining clip  35  and is inserted from an initial bottom position to a fully inserted position near the second cantilever mount  62 , the garment waist band moves inwardly towards the center of the hanger  10  at a distance of approximately ⅛ inch. This means that after a garment waist band is inserted fully into the first vertical garment retaining clip  35 , the garment waist band shrinks approximately ⅛ inch at each end of the hanger  10 . This also means that the garment waist band must be expanded or stretched ¼ inch, ⅛ inch at each end of the hanger  10 , to remove the garment from the first vertical garment retaining clip  35 . This makes accidental removal or dislodgement of the garment from the first vertical garment retaining clip  35  unlikely. 
         [0034]    The second vertical garment retaining clip  45  includes the inner support member  48  mounted to the vertical member  18  by the third cantilever mount  52 . The inner support member  47  is positioned opposed to and spaced from the vertical member  18  to define a second garment receiving channel  61  therebetween. Inner support member  47  includes a tooth  49  on the free end  51  of inner support member  47 . Although only a single tooth  49  is shown in this embodiment, it can be appreciated that the number of teeth can vary without departing from the scope of the invention. The construction of the inner support member  47 , including the second stiffening rib  54 , provides a relatively inflexible mount for the strap of a garment. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 1 , depending on the placement of the elongated body members  14 ,  16 , the second vertical garment receiving clip  45  is integrally molded with the elongated body members  14 ,  16  and the pair of vertical members  18  at first ends  22 ,  24  and second ends  23 ,  27  of the elongated body members  14 ,  16 . However, as also shown, a number of vertical garment retaining clips are integrally molded with the vertical members  18  only. However, it can be appreciated that the number and placement of elongated body members  14 ,  16  can vary without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0036]    Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to various specific embodiments thereof it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the hanger illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.