Abstract:
An elliptical garment hanger simulates a garment wearer&#39;s shoulder and upper chest and back so as to prevent hanger bumps on garments. An elliptical base separates the front and rear of a garment to improve airflow for garment drying. An upper portion of the elliptical garment hanger includes a garment support surface positioned above the elliptical base. This garment support surface comprises an elliptical arc section that curves downwardly and smoothly simulates shoulders. The garment support surface is supported at its center such that the terminal ends thereof can flex to prevent formation of bumps, as can occur with ordinary clothes hangers. Clips on the inside of the hanger can hold straps and other items. A separable hook can be used to lower tooling cost and allow nesting storage of the hanger.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/340,194 filed Mar. 15, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes and specifically for the concept, structure and functions of a garment hanger having an elliptical base and elliptical support elements, which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Garments are often hung or draped from various objects for storage or for drying of the garment. In the past, garments have been hung to dry by draping them over a clothesline or attaching them to a clothesline using clothes pins. More recently, use of clotheslines has become less common due to increased use of electric clothes dryers, lack of adequate space for clotheslines, and a general consideration that clotheslines are unsightly. As such, garments are often hung to dry using flat clothes hangers or hooks. Similarly, garments are often stored on hooks or on flat clothes hangers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The embodiments disclosed herein are drawn to garment hangers comprising contact surfaces that are elliptical or have elliptical arc segments that simulate shoulders of a wearer. An elliptical base separates a front portion of a garment from a rear portion of a garment to improve airflow and drying. A garment support surface extends nearly as wide as the major axis of the elliptical base and comprises a major portion formed as an elliptical arc so as to smoothly simulate shoulders and support the garment without placing undue stress on any portions of the garment. 
         [0004]    In comparison to a clothesline, embodiments disclosed herein require less space and allow use of existing racks and closet rails used for clothes hangers. Various embodiments allow for increased airflow to reduce drying times, reduce or prevent garment stretching reduction in stress on the garment, and prevention of unsightly pucker or bump from drying. 
         [0005]    In advantageous embodiments, the elliptical garment hanger includes strap clips for engaging garment shoulder straps, and a plurality of support clips extending inwardly from a lower periphery of the hanger for holding other items such as neck ties, belts (including cummerbunds and suspenders), scarves, hosiery (e.g., socks, stockings, panty hose, leggings, etc.), underwear, and brassieres. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of an elliptical garment hanger; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of a separable hook for the elliptical garment hanger; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of remaining portions of an elliptical garment hanger with the hook separated therefrom; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the elliptical garment hanger portions of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the elliptical garment hanger portions of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates an end view of the elliptical garment hanger portions of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate various forms of central support elements usable with the elliptical garment hanger; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate aspects of alternate embodiments; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 9A-9B  illustrate aspects of yet another alternate embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Various embodiments of an elliptical garment hanger are disclosed. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of an elliptical garment hanger  10  has an elliptical base  20  in a first geometric plane, the elliptical base  20  forming an ellipse that has a major diameter and a minor diameter, and a major axis and a minor axis that intersect at a central point. Two support members  30 ,  31  extend from opposing sides of the elliptical base  20  to meet each other at a central location  35  above the central point. A central support element  50  extends upward from the central location and terminates with means  52  for engaging an external support, such as a hook dimensioned for engaging a closet rod. 
         [0017]    A garment support surface  40  intersects the central location  35  and is supported relative to the elliptical base  20  by the two support members  30 ,  31 . A major portion of this garment support surface  40  is an elliptical arc section curved downward toward the elliptical base  20 . The garment support surface  40  extends above the major axis for about 90% of the major diameter. The garment support surface is relatively wide in comparison to flat clothes hangers, and preferably has a width on the order of an inch (2.54 cm) to distribute garment weight so as to avoid creasing of garments. The outer facing surfaces of the garment support surface  40 , two support members  30 ,  31 , and the elliptical base  20  are preferably smooth and free of protuberances that might snag garment fibers. 
         [0018]    The garment support surface  40 , two support members  30 ,  31 , and the elliptical base  20  combine to simulate a shoulder and upper chest/back region so that a garment draped over the combination will approximate a position it will take when worn. In this manner, the formation of creases and bumps that are sometimes caused by standard flat hangars can be avoided during drying and/or storage of the garment. The elliptical portion of the garment support surface  40  acts to support the upper shoulder regions of a garment in a smooth manner that avoids sharp discontinuities that would place local stresses on the garment. The entire garment support surface  40  is positioned so that it is above the first geometric plane of the elliptical base  20 , and a width of the garment support surface  40  can optionally taper towards the terminal ends  41 ,  42 . Additionally, the downward curvature of the garment support surface  40  can optionally increase near the terminal ends  41 ,  42 . These terminal ends  41 ,  42  are unsupported and, if supporting garment weight that might ordinarily cause higher local stress in the garment, the terminal ends  41 ,  42  can flex downward under the weight and smoothly distribute some of the weight onto the elliptical base  20 . 
         [0019]    One function of the two support members  30 ,  31  is to support the garment support surface  40  in a position above the elliptical base  20 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the two support members  30 ,  31  comprise elliptical arc sections curved downward toward the elliptical base  20  so as to prove another function of simulating a portion of back or chest. However, other forms are also possible, such as straight sections, circular sections, parabolic sections, etc. The two support members  30 ,  31  may also be substantially co-planar with the minor axis in a second plane perpendicular to the first geometric plane containing the elliptical base  20 . Such a configuration reduces bending moments and allows use of less material. 
         [0020]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the elliptical base  20  comprises an elliptical hoop and further comprises a plurality of support clips  26  extending inwardly from, and substantially parallel to, the elliptical hoop. The support clips  26  are dimensioned for supporting garments and accessories such as neck ties, belts (including cummerbunds and suspenders), scarves, hosiery (e.g., socks, stockings, panty hose, leggings, etc.), underwear, and brassieres (not shown). Four support clips  26  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with one clip in each quadrant of the elliptical base  20 , but other numbers and arrangements are also possible. Placing equal numbers of support clips  26  on either side of the major or minor axis is advantageous because this arrangement assists in distributing weight and allowing a garment to maintain a proper vertical orientation when on the elliptical garment hanger  10 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  also illustrates structure that can be used to hang garments that have thin shoulder straps, such as dresses, slips, camisoles, etc., from the underside of garment support surface  40 . A pair of inward facing strap clips  44  are positioned on an underside of the garment support surface  40 , with each strap clip  44  on an opposing side of the central location  35  at a position equidistant from the central location  35 . In the disclosed embodiment, the strap clips  44  are formed by displacing material downward from the garment support surface  40  so as to reduce the amount of material used, but it is also possible to use added material in a manner similar to clips  26 . The open ends of strap clips  44  face slightly upward so that gravity will assist in retaining straps within the strap clips  44 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the central support element  50  can be formed integrally with or rigidly affixed to the other portions of the elliptical garment hanger  10 . If the means  52  for engaging an external support is a hook, it is preferable to align the hook along the major axis so as to conserve space along a closet rod. 
         [0023]    In yet another embodiment, the central support element  50  is separable from other portions  12  of the elliptical garment hanger. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , separable central support element  50  comprises an enlarged portion  54  at a bottom end. An upper end of the central support element  50  is configured to be passed through a corresponding hole  36  in the central section  35  from below. The central support element  50  is pulled through until the enlarged portion  54  engages the hole  36 , wherein the enlarged portion  54  is dimensioned so as to not pass through the hole  36 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the enlarged portion  54  has a circular shape that engages a corresponding countersunk/retention portion on a lower side of hole  36  so that the central support element  50  is rotatable relative to the other portions  12  of the elliptical garment hanger. 
         [0024]    An isometric view of the corresponding other portions  12  of the elliptical garment hanger is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , with like elements labeled in accordance with  FIG. 1 . With the central support element  50  removed, a plurality of the other portions  12  of the elliptical garment hanger can be stored in a nested arrangement so as to save on storage space. 
         [0025]    A top view of the corresponding other portions  12  of the elliptical garment hanger is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , with like elements labeled in accordance with  FIGS. 1 and 3 . As shown, the hole  36  includes a corresponding countersunk/retention portion (illustrated in phantom) for engaging the circular shape of the enlarged portion  54  of central support element  50 . The hole  36  is dimensioned to allow upper portions of the central support element  50  to pass through from below, but retain the enlarged portion  54  so as to attach the central support element to the central portion of the garment hanger. While it is preferable that the enlarged portion  54  of the central support element  50  be shaped and the hole  36  in the central portion be configured to allow the other portions  12  of the garment hanger to rotate relative to the central support element  50 , other shapes can be used that position the central support element  50  in a fixed manner relative to the other portions  12  of the elliptical garment hanger. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the elliptical base  20  has a minor diameter of approximately 4.5 inches (4.49 inches, 11.4 cm) in an advantageous embodiment and includes four support clips  26 . Each support clip  26  is attached at an outer end to the elliptical base  20 . An inner end of each support clip is free and includes a retention element to prevent items from sliding off. The support clips  26  are preferably formed with some flexibility so as to deflect in the manner of a leaf spring and supply retention force on items. Reinforcing ribs  32 ,  33  and  35  can optionally be formed on an underside of the two support members  30 ,  31  and the garment support surface  40 , respectively, to increase the strength of these parts. The two support members  30 ,  31  and the garment support surface  40  can also have flattened cross sections so as to expose additional surface area for supporting garments. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the two support members  30 ,  31  and the garment support surface  40  can be tapered along their lengths. 
         [0027]    In the side view of  FIG. 5 , the elliptical base  20  has a major diameter of approximately 15 inches (14.99 inches, 11.4 cm) in an advantageous embodiment. In this embodiment, the garment support surface extends approximately 6.9 to 7 inches (6.94 inches, 17.6 cm) out and approximately 1.8″ (4.57 cm) down from the central location  35 . These dimensions are illustrative only and are not meant as limitations. 
         [0028]    In the end view of  FIG. 6 , the two support elements  30 ,  31  form one half of an ellipse and meet the garment support surface  40  at central location  35  at a height of approximately 2.8 inches (2.81 inches, 7.14 cm) above the lower edge of elliptical base  20  in an advantageous embodiment. In this embodiment, the elliptical base  20  is approximately 0.3 inches (0.31 inches, 0.79 cm) tall and approximately 0.1 inches (0.11 inches, 0.28 cm) thick. 
         [0029]    In various embodiments, the central support element  50  and the other portions  12  of the garment hanger are made of polypropylene or other rigid material such as aluminum or other metal. The central support element  50  may also be made of metal. Advantageously, the elliptical hoop of the elliptical base  20 , the garment support  40 , and the two support members  30 ,  31  comprise flattened cross sections comprising increased surface areas on outward facing sides. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 7A-7D  disclose various examples of the means  52  for engaging an external support on the central support  50 .  FIG. 7A  discloses a central support  50  with the enlarged portion  54  at a bottom end formed as a circle or disk. The means  52  for engaging an external support comprises a hook configured for engaging a closet rod.  FIG. 7B  discloses a central support  50  with the enlarged portion  54  at a bottom end formed as a circle or disk. The means  52  for engaging an external support comprises a smaller hook configured for engaging a smaller rod. This form is sometimes used so as to make the hanger less attractive to steal since they will not fit ordinary closet rods.  FIG. 7C  discloses a central support  50  with the enlarged portion  54  at a bottom end formed as a circle or disk. The means  52  for engaging an external support comprises a lug (i.e., knob) configured for engaging a slot in a support device, such as used on the closet rods in many hotels.  FIG. 7D  discloses a central support  50  with the enlarged portion  54  at a bottom end formed as a circle or disk. The means  52  for engaging an external support comprises a hook configured for engaging a closet rod. However, in this embodiment, the opening in hook  54  is meant to engage a closet rod in a more secure manner by resiliently flexing in order to engage the rod (such as when formed of polypropylene) or is meant to engage a closet rod in a non-removable manner (such as when formed of metal). The opening in the hook  54  allows the central support to be installed and removed from other portions  12 , but is insufficiently large to be easily removed from a closet rod. 
         [0031]    While primarily disclosed as an elliptical hoop, it is also possible to use other forms such as a plate-like structure for the elliptical base  20 , as illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . In this embodiment, slots  60  can be provided in the plate-like structure for holding pants, ties, belts (including cummerbunds and suspenders), hosiery (e.g., socks, stockings, panty hose, leggings, etc.). The structure also forms a small shelf. In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the elliptical garment hanger  10  comprises a bar  70  positioned along the major diameter. Although only one bar is shown, embodiments could comprise a pair of parallel bars connecting opposite sides of the elliptical hoop and positioned parallel to the major axis. Pants and slacks can then be hung on these bars, which in an embodiment may be removable. 
         [0032]    For storage of a plurality of elliptical garment hangers, each of the central support elements  50  are separated from other portions  12  of the garment hangers, and the other portions  12  of the garment hangers are nested adjacent one another in a storage configuration. Additionally, forming the central support elements separately from the other portions  12  allows for simpler tooling and cheaper fabrication of the elliptical garment hanger. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a bar  70  for hanging pants or slacks that is incorporated into a removable assembly  80 . In the assembly  80 , the terminal ends of bar  70  comprise spanning members  84 . A central portion of spanning member  84  is attached or integrally formed with the terminal ends of bar  70 . Substantially U-shaped attachment members  82  are attached or integrally formed with the terminal ends of spanning members  84 . The U-shaped attachment members  82  are dimensioned to engage the cross-section of elliptical base  20  with a friction fit and are positioned at an angle matching (i.e., tangential to) the elliptical base  20 . In this manner, the assembly  80  can be attached to the elliptical base  20  so as to provide bar  70  upon which garments such as pants or slacks may be hung. In one embodiment, the bar  70  is approximately 0.25 inches thick polypropylene and spans more than 90% of the major axis. For storage of a plurality of elliptical garment hangers, each of the central support elements  50  and the removable assemblies  80  can separate from the garment hangers so that the other portions  12  of the garment hangers may be nested adjacent one another in a storage configuration, as discussed above. A view from below of the garment hanger  10  of  FIG. 9B  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0034]    In use, embodiments disclosed herein allow garments to be hung and dried with improved airflow. The design further distributes garment weight more evenly over a larger area so as to prevent hanger bumps from occurring on the shoulders of the garment, unlike a standard clothes hanger. As such, disclosed embodiments prevent dimples and unnatural stretching cause by flat hangers, clothespins or clotheslines. Using smoothly contoured polypropylene for construction of the elliptical garment hanger prevents clothing from getting snagged, which often happens when using flat hangers or clothespins. By properly separating front and rear portions of garments and preventing areas of high local stress on the fabric, embodiments of the elliptical garment hanger allow for proper air drying of the garments and lower drying times due to the increased airflow. The elliptical garment hanger mimics the shoulders and chest of a person when a garment is dried or stored, allowing the garment to substantially conform to the shape of a person&#39;s shoulders, making the garment more comfortable to wear. The garment support surface also prevents stretching of the neck of the garment during drying and storage. 
         [0035]    A basic embodiment of an elliptical garment hanger comprises an elliptical base in a first geometric plane, the elliptical base forming an ellipse that has a major diameter and a minor diameter, and a major axis and a minor axis that intersect at a central point. Two support members extend from opposing sides of the elliptical base to meet each other at a central location above the central point. A central support element extends upward from the central location and terminates with means for engaging an external support, such as a hook for engaging a rail or a lug for engaging a slot. A garment support surface intersects the central location and is supported by the two support members. A major portion of this garment support surface comprises an elliptical arc section curved downward toward the elliptical base. The garment support surface also extends above the major axis for about 90% of the major diameter, and the entire garment support surface is positioned so that it is above the first geometric plane of the elliptical base. In variations of the embodiment, the two support members comprise elliptical arc sections curved downward toward the elliptical base. The two support members may also be substantially co-planar with the minor axis in a second plane perpendicular to the first geometric plane. 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment, the elliptical base comprises an elliptical hoop and further comprises a plurality of support clips extending inwardly from and substantially parallel to the elliptical hoop and dimensioned for supporting garments selected from the group consisting of neck ties, belts, scarves, hosiery, underwear, and brassieres. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, an underside of the garment support surface further comprises a pair of inward facing strap clips positioned on opposing sides of the central location at a position equidistant from the central location. 
         [0038]    In yet another embodiment, the central support element is separable from other portions of the garment hanger and comprises an enlarged portion at a bottom end, and the central portion comprises a hole dimensioned to allow upper portions of the central support element to pass through from below, but retain the enlarged portion so as to attach the central support element to the central portion of the garment hanger. Preferably, the enlarged portion of the central support element is shaped and the hole in the central portion is configured to allow the other portions of the garment hanger to rotate relative to the central support element. 
         [0039]    In various embodiments, the central support element and the other portions of the garment hanger are made of polypropylene, the elliptical hoop, garment support, and two support members comprise flattened cross sections comprising increased surface areas on outward facing sides. Advantageously, the two support members and the garment support surface can comprise longitudinal stiffening ribs in order to strengthen the device. 
         [0040]    In other embodiments, the terminal ends of the garment support surface are curved and/or the terminal ends of the garment support surface comprise portions of increased downward curvature relative to the elliptical arc section. In an advantageous embodiment of the garment hanger, the major diameter is approximately 15″ (38 cm), the minor diameter is approximately 4.5″ (11.4 cm), the central portion is approximately 2.8″ (7.14 cm) above a bottom edge of the elliptical base, and terminal ends of the garment support surface extend approximately 6.9″ (17.6 cm) out and approximately 1.8″ (4.57 cm) down from the central location. 
         [0041]    In further embodiments, the garment hanger comprises a bar positioned along the major diameter, comprises a pair of parallel bars connecting opposite sides of the elliptical hoop and positioned parallel to the major axis, or comprises a removable assembly with frictional attachment means and a bar, wherein the frictional attachment means connect to opposite sides of the elliptical hoop and position the bar along the major axis. Pants and slacks can then be hung on these bars. 
         [0042]    For storage of a plurality of garment hangers, each of the central support elements are separated from other portions of the garment hangers, and the other portion of the garment hangers are nested adjacent one another in a storage configuration. 
         [0043]    An elliptical garment hanger has been described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and that the examples and embodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present invention will recognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein are also possible. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” or the is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.