Abstract:
A garment hanger includes a garment support structure having first and second arms arranged for supporting the opposed shoulders of a garment. These two arms are rigid and in a fixed relation to each other. A hook member is included and configured for suspending the hanger from a support structure, and a means or structure is provided for coupling the hook member to the garment support structure enabling both the first and second arms to rotate in substantially a same plane about a generally horizontal pivot axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 61/435,156, filed on Jan. 21, 2011, and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to garment hangers, and more particularly, to a garment hanger having arms that pivot about a pivot axis point on the hanger hook/neck. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Most common garment (or clothes) hangers are constructed of plastic material. The plastic material, as well as the process for manufacturing, is relatively inexpensive. However, the arms and hook/neck are rigid and usually rigidly affixed together. Other hangers are generally more expensive because of the material (e.g., wood, metal, etc.) used or because they include additional functionality (e.g., folding, foldable arms, use for special garments, collapsible, etc.). 
         [0004]    The common relatively inexpensive plastic hanger has at least one drawback—when a user pulls a garment from the hanger, the hanger can break. This is especially problematic for smaller hangers used mainly for children&#39;s garments, as they tend to be smaller and more prone to breaking. In addition, due to their height size and lack of experience with hangers, children and toddlers often pull downward (from below) on the garment while the hanger remains on the rod while attempting to remove the garment. Many times, due to the rigidity of the arms, as the garment is pulled (usually at one side) downward one arm of the hanger rotates downward and the other arm rotates upward. At the same time, the garment usually gets caught to the smaller neck area and the child tends to pull harder on garment. As a result of this force, the hanger arm(s) or neck may break. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is needed a relatively inexpensive (material and manufacture) garment hanger that resists such forces and reduces the likelihood of breakage. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a garment hanger including a garment support structure having first and second elongated arms arranged for supporting the opposed shoulders of a garment. The first and second arms are configured in a rigid and fixed relation to each other, and each of the first and second elongated arms having an outer end spaced apart relative to one another. The hanger includes a hook member configured for suspending the hanger from a support structure. The hanger further includes a structure for coupling the hook member to the garment support structure and for enabling both the first and second arms to rotate in substantially a same plane about a generally horizontal pivot axis. 
         [0007]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the concept and the specific embodiment(s) disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same or similar purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention in its broadest form. 
         [0008]    Before undertaking the Detailed Description below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior uses, as well as future uses, of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate front and side views of a garment hanger in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a more detailed and exploded view of one embodiment of a coupling means shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate two different positions of the hanger arms as they are rotated counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates one example of a pivot pin for coupling hanger arms to the hook/neck member; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6-12  illustrate different embodiments of the coupling mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIGS. 1-12  and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit its scope. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles described herein may be implemented with any type of suitably arranged device and/or devices. 
         [0016]    To simplify the drawings, reference numerals from previous drawings may sometimes not be repeated for structures that have already been identified. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown a front view and a side view, respectively, of garment hanger  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The hanger  100  includes a garment support structure  102  having two elongated arms  104 ,  106 . Each of the arms  104 ,  106  are adapted for supporting a different shoulder of a garment (e.g., shirt, T-shirt, dress, sweater, and the like). In one embodiment, the arms  104 ,  106  are about equal in length to each other in the hanger  100 , though they may be of different lengths. 
         [0018]    Each of the arms  104 ,  106  includes an outer end  114 ,  116 , respectively. In the embodiment illustrated, each of the arms  104 ,  106  extends generally downwardly relative to the other arm, and the outer ends  114 ,  116  are interconnected to by an elongated lower cross member  120 . Such interconnections are, preferably, integrally formed and curved in order to avoid catching or snagging any portion of a garment. In another embodiment (not shown), the cross member  120  may be omitted. 
         [0019]    The arm  104  and the arm  106  of the garment support structure  102  are structured or configured to be in a fixed relation with respect to each other. In other words, not only are the arms  104 ,  106  in a fixed relation, the outer end  114  and the outer end  116  are also in a fixed relation to each other. In other words, the arms  104  and  106  are adapted or structured such that they do not fold or move relative to each other. This may be accomplished by constructing the garment support structure  102  of a single unitary piece of material (e.g., plastic, wood, metal) or rigidly attaching or securing multiple structures together 
         [0020]    The hanger  100  includes a hook  130  for supporting the hanger  100  from a closet rod  132  or other similar structure (shown in dashed outline in  FIG. 1 ). The hanger  100  further includes a hanger neck  134  coupled to the hook  130 . The neck  134  is generally a smoothly arcuate structure which terminates at a coupling end  140 . A coupling means  140  provides a coupling mechanism (or function) that allows or enables the garment support structure  102  to pivot in relation to the hook  130  (and neck  134 ) and about a pivot axis  150 . The pivot axis  150  extends in the horizontal direction (into and out of the drawing page in  FIG. 1 ) as shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, the two arms  104 ,  106  rotate in a circular direction about the pivot axis  150 . As will be understood, the extent of rotation will generally be limited by the dimensions and configuration of the arms  104 ,  106  and the hook  130 /neck  134 . 
         [0021]    As will be described in more detail set forth below, the coupling means  140  may include a portion of the hook  130 /neck  134 , a portion of the garment support structure, one or more additional structures, or a combination of any of these. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  (and illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 3 ), the coupling means  140  includes a pivot pin  150  that secures an end portion  152  of the hook  130 /neck  134  to the garment support structure  102 . The end portion  152  (e.g., female portion) has a shape similar to a fork, and includes two spaced apart downwardly extending portions  154 , with each portion  154  including an aperture  156  (for receiving the pivot pin  150 ). A portion  158  (e.g. male portion) of the garment support structure  102  also includes an aperture  159  (for receiving the pivot pin  150 ). In this embodiment, the pivot pin  150  may have a structure similar to a rivet, axle, kotter pin or the like. 
         [0023]    In this particular embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes at least the pivot pin  150 , and may further be considered to include the two spaced apart downwardly extending portions  154  and the portion  158  of the structure  102 . Various other coupling mechanisms  140  may be utilized as desired, so long as each provides the desired function of allowing the ends  104 ,  106  to rotate relative to the hook  130 /neck  134  and about an axis point. It will be understood that persons of ordinary skill in the art can readily identify coupling mechanism  140  that may be utilized. 
         [0024]    Now turning to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there are shown front views illustrating rotational movement of the ends  104 ,  106  of garment support structure  102  of the hanger  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the pivot pin  150  may be a push-in pin or fastener, in which the pin  150  is squeezed for insertion through the apertures  156  and aperture  159 , and once inserted, the pin  150  expands to lock into place. This type of pin may be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic (e.g., nylon). Advantages of using this type of coupling mechanism include smaller packaging and shipping convenience, since the garment support structure  102  and the hook  130 /neck  134  structure can be packaged, shipped and/or purchased separately from each other. Using this type of pin or fastener, a user can easily assemble the two main hanger portions ( 102  and  130 / 134 ) into a fully assembled garment hanger  100 . 
         [0026]    Another embodiment of the coupling mechanism  140  is shown in  FIG. 6 . This is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , except the male/female portions are reversed—as shown. 
         [0027]    Turning to  FIG. 7 , there is shown an alternative embodiment of the coupling mechanism  140 . The forked configuration has been deleted and the two portions  102  and  130 / 134  are simply positioned adjacent to one another and interconnected about the pivot point, as shown. This may be accomplished using the pivot pin  150 , or some similar structure such as a snap pin or rivet. The ends of the hook member/neck  130 / 134  and the support structure  102  may be suitably structured or configured to enable a rotational pivot point, as described earlier. In this embodiment, the  102  structure is considered as the “female” portion. As will be appreciated, and though not shown, the embodiment in  FIG. 7  may be reversed, such that the structure  102  may be alternatively configured to be considered as the “male” portion. 
         [0028]    Now turning to  FIG. 8 , there is shown is shown another embodiment of the coupling mechanism  140 . Instead of having differently configured ends (i.e., male and female), each of the end portions have an aperture and a pivot pin (snap pin or rivet, etc.) is disposed therebetween to connect them. 
         [0029]    Now turning to  FIG. 9 , there is illustrated another embodiment of the coupling mechanism  140 . The portion  130 / 134  includes a ball-shaped portion  900  while the structure  102  is structured with a receiving portion  902  having an opening therein for receiving the portion  900 . The dimensions of the structures are sized to allow the portion  902  to “snap” into the opening of the portion  902 . One connected, the amount of force necessary to remove the portion  900  is substantial. In addition, and though not shown, the end receiving portion  902  may be configured or structured to deform or allow relatively easy insertion of the ball-shaped portion  900  into the receiving portion  902 . Shapes other than the shape of a round ball may be utilized, as appropriate. In addition, once inserted, the structure  102  may pivot (rotate and twist) about a pivot point in all directions. This may be beneficial in some applications. In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the coupling mechanism includes members  904  that restrict movement of the structure  102  relative to the hook/neck  130 / 134 . In one embodiment, the structure  102  is prevented from rotating about the hook/neck  130 / 134 . In another embodiment, the structure is restricted such that it is only allowed to move about the pivot axis in a single plane—that plane being illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Different structure(s) or member(s) may be utilized as part of the structure  102 , the hook/neck  130 / 134  or both, to provide this functionality. 
         [0030]    Now turning to  FIG. 10 , this embodiment is similar to the one described in  FIG. 9 , however the structure  120  includes the ball-shaped portion  900  (or similar structure) and the hook/neck  130 / 134  includes the receiving portion  902 . This embodiment may also include other structures or members such as  904 , etc. to restrict movement as described above. 
         [0031]    Now turning to  FIG. 11 , there is illustrated another embodiment (two views) of the coupling mechanism  140 . The portion  130 / 134  includes a receiving portion  1100  which receives a ball-shaped portion  1102 . The receiving portion  1110  is hook-shaped, as illustrated, and includes two prongs or forks (as shown). The dimensions of the structures are sized to allow the portion  1102  to rest within the “hook” of the portion  1102 . Shapes other than the shape of a round ball may be utilized, as appropriate. In addition, once inserted, the structure  102  might pivot (rotate and twist) about a pivot point in all directions. This may be beneficial in some applications. In another embodiment, the coupling mechanism includes additional structures or members  904  (not shown) that will restrict movement of the structure  102  relative to the hook/neck  130 / 134 . In one embodiment, the structure  102  will only be allowed to move about the pivot axis in a single plane—that plane being illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Different structure(s) or member(s) may be utilized as part of the structure  102 , the hook/neck  130 / 134  or both, to provide this functionality. 
         [0032]    Now turning to  FIG. 12 , there is illustrated another embodiment (two figures) of the coupling mechanism  140 . The portion  130 / 134  includes a receiving portion  1200  which receives a pin-shaped portion  1202 . The receiving portion  1200  includes two downwardly extending portions with inner surfaces. The inner surfaces include protrusions or ridges  1204  for contacting or mating with corresponding indentations or valleys  1206  in the pin-shaped portion  1202  of the structure  102 . The protrusions  1204  and indentations  1206  will be configured to “snap” together when the two portions are aligned and pushed together. Once snapped in place, a substantial force may be required for removal. Thus, the receiving portion  1200  will beneficially be configured or structured to deform to some degree with force is applied for insertion of the pin-shaped portion  1202 . Once inserted, removal will likely require a substantial amount of additional force. The shape of the protrusions  1204  and the indentions  1206  (and the portions  1200 ,  1202 ) will restrict movement of the structure  102  relative to the hook/neck  130 / 134 . In one embodiment, the structure  102  will only be allowed to move about the pivot point (becoming a pivot axis) in a single plane—that plane being illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Different structure(s) or member(s) may be utilized as part of the structure  102 , the hook/neck  130 / 134  or both, to provide this functionality. 
         [0033]    As will be appreciated with respect to the embodiment in  FIG. 12 , the protrusions  1204  and indentations  1206  may be switched—that is, the portion  1200  may include the indentions  1206  while the portion  1202  may include the protrusions  1204 . Similarly, the female/male configuration may be switched—that is, the portion  1200  may be the “male” (having the pin-shape) and the portion  1202  may be the “female” (having the receiving portion). 
         [0034]    In any of the foregoing embodiments, it may be desirable for the structure  102  (with the arms  104 ,  106 ) to be relatively stationary under ambient conditions. That is, at rest (without any force), the hanger  100  will be in the ambient condition as shown in  FIG. 1 . To prevent any unwanted pivoting movement due to a relative light force applied (i.e., moving the hanger with or without a garment, or a steady state with a garment), the surface(s) of the coupling mechanism  140  may include a coating or material that causes a low amount of friction which results in the structure  102  not pivoting under normal conditions (no substantial force applied to a garment thereon or to the structure  102 ). In addition, the dimensions of the members in the coupling mechanism  140  may be selected such that a low amount of friction is present under normal conditions. 
         [0035]    The hanger  100  is typically, formed of a rod-shaped material but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the two hanger portions are formed of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, and the same material or different material may be used for the two hanger portions. In one embodiment, the material is plastic material. 
         [0036]    Each of the hanger embodiments described herein can be constructed of various conventional materials using various conventional construction methods. For example, the hanger can be comprised of molded or preformed plastic with a tubular or rod cross section. The hanger  100  can be formed using, for example, preformed plastic rodding, plastic extrusions, plastic coated wire, plastic tubing, metal tubing, mixtures thereof or the like, as desired. 
         [0037]    While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.