Abstract:
A multi-purpose hanger includes a hook portion for supporting the hanger. The hanger has a pair of opposing shoulder portions extending outwardly from the hook portion. Each of the shoulder portions has a detachable end piece in communication therewith. Each of the end pieces can be attached to their respective shoulder portions such that the end is pointed either upwardly or downwardly as required.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/268,788, filed Feb. 14, 2001, and entitled “Combination BCD/Wetsuit Hanger.” 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to multi-purpose hangers, and more particularly, to multi-purpose hangers that are capable of retaining both equipment and heavy apparel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hangers and their configurations are well known for holding a variety of different items. Typical hangers have a hook portion for engaging a hanging rod and a hanging portion that extends generally outwardly in either direction from the hook portion. The hanging portion of these hangers is typically intended to reside within a garment and engage the inner shoulder portion to support the piece of apparel. These types of hangers take on a variety of configurations and are used in a multitude of industries. 
     Hangers of various types are also used in a variety of industries for different purposes. Many industries require multiple hangers for hanging different types of items. For example, in the dive industry, multiple hangers are especially utilized by scuba divers and the like, to hang their wetsuits and like apparel. Divers that typically own wetsuits also commonly own other dive gear, including buoyancy compensation devices and other dive equipment. The typical hangers that are used to hang wetsuits and other apparel have a hanging portion that is angled slightly downward in either direction from the hook portion. Alternatively, other typical hangers have a hanging portion that is disposed generally horizontal to the ground in either direction with end portions that are directed or curved downward. The configuration of these hangers is intended to match the contour of the shoulder portion of garments, such as wetsuits, jackets or other apparel. 
     However, these hangers with end portions associated with the hanging portion that are generally horizontal, angled slightly downward or that curve downward are not readily able to hang and support other dive equipment, including buoyancy compensation devices. Thus, a separate hanger must be purchased and utilized to hang this dive equipment. These hangers have end portions that extend upward from either shoulder portion. Therefore, one hanger is needed to hang a wetsuit and another separate hanger is needed to hang other dive equipment. The same applies equally to other industries that utilize both heavy apparel and equipment, including fire fighters, police, military, and EMS. 
     Obviously, the necessity of two separate hangers is undesirable as it increases the cost, in addition to increasing the required storage space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose hanger that is configurable to hold both apparel and associated gear of an individual 
     It is a related object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose hanger that is configurable to hold both dive apparel and associated dive gear. 
     It is a further related object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose hanger that is configurable to hold both a wetsuit and a buoyancy compensation device. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose hanger for heavy apparel with wider shoulders that minimizes creasing. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a heavy duty hanger that is applicable to heavy duty apparel and equipment for a wide variety of industries and applications. 
     In accordance with the above and the other objects of the present invention, a multi-purpose hanger is provided. The hanger includes a hook portion that is intended to communicate with another structure to support the hanger in a hanging position. The hook portion has a pair of opposing shoulder portions that extend outwardly therefrom. At least one of the pair of opposing shoulder portions has at least one removable end piece attached thereto. The at least one removable end piece can engage the shoulder portion in a first position where the end piece extends generally downwardly to allow the hanger to accommodate a piece of apparel. The at least one removable end piece can engage the shoulder portion in a second position where the end piece has a portion that extends generally upwardly to allow the hanger to retain at least one piece of equipment thereon. 
    
    
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a multi-purpose hanger in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a multi-purpose hanger configured for hanging apparel in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of a multi-purpose hanger configured for retaining equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a multi-purpose hanger in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the Figures which illustrate a multi-purpose hanger  10  in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the various components of the hanger  10  in accordance with the present invention. The disclosed hanger  10  is preferably for use in the dive industry, however, it is applicable to a wide variety of industries for a wide range of applications. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the hanger  10  is preferably for use as a hanger for wet suits, dry suits, heavy jackets, gloves, boots, hoses, belts, regulators, or other suitable apparel in other industries. The dive industry as broadly used herein includes scuba diving, snorkeling and a variety of other water sports where water apparel and equipment can be utilized. 
     When configured as shown in FIG. 3, the hanger  10  is preferably for use as a hanger for dive equipment, such as buoyancy compensation devices or other heavy or load bearing equipment in a variety of industries including technical equipment vests, load bearing equipment, bulletproof vests, fire fighters suspended trousers, safety vests, life vests, flight vests, parachutes, and backpacks. It will be appreciated that the disclosed hanger can have a variety of applications in a variety of different industries. It will also be understood that the disclosed hanger  10  can be utilized to hang or retain a wide variety of other apparel or equipment. 
     Moreover, it will be appreciated that because of the heavy duty nature of the hanger  10 , disclosed herein, it can be utilized for a variety of applications that require such robustness, including the military, police departments, fire departments, and EMS for many of the exemplary applications discussed above. Obviously, the disclosed hanger can be used with a wide variety of other equipment and apparel to provide support with deformation of the hanger  10 . 
     The hanger  10  is preferably constructed of a plastic material and is preferably formed through injection molding processes. However, the hanger  10  may be formed of other suitable materials and may be formed by a variety of other suitable methods or processes. The hanger  10  includes an upper portion  12  having a neck portion  14  and a hook portion  16 . The hook portion  16  is configured as a “hook-like” structure so as to engage a bar, hook or other retaining structure. The hanger  10  also includes a lower portion  18  having a pair of shoulder portions  20  that extend away from a junction  22  where the upper portion  12  and the lower portion  14  are joined. 
     Each of the pair of shoulder portions  20  has an outer end  24  disposed away from the junction  22 . Each of the outer ends  24  has a cavity  26  formed adjacent thereto in one side  30  thereof. The other side  32  of the hanger  10  preferably has a ridge  31  formed thereon, i.e., without any cavities. Each of the outer ends  24  has an opening  28  formed therein. Each of the pair of shoulder portions  20  is intended to engage a respective end piece  40 , with each of the end pieces  40  having an inner end portion  42  that abuts a respective one of the outer ends  24 . 
     Each of the end pieces  40  is a separate removable piece and includes a locking portion  44  that extends from the inner end portion  42  and a hooked outer member  46  located opposite the inner end portion  42 . Each of the locking portions  44  preferably includes a narrow neck portion  48  that extends between the locking portion  44  and the inner end portion  42 . To attach each of the end pieces  40  to a respective one of the shoulders  20 , the locking portions  44  are placed into a respective one of the cavities  26  with the narrow neck portion  48  extending through the associated opening  28 . Each of the locking portions  44  is larger than the associated opening  28  in the outer ends  24  in order to retain the end pieces  40  to the respective shoulder portions  20  against any pulling force. The end pieces  40  can be removed by sliding them out of their respective cavity  26 . 
     The end pieces  40  are reversible such that, as shown in FIG. 2, they can be attached to the shoulders  20  with the hooked outer ends  46  pointing or directed downwards. With this configuration, the hanger  10  can be utilized to hang a wetsuit, dry suit or outer suitable piece of apparel, as described above. Further, the hanger  10  is preferably sized such that each of the shoulder portions has a larger width, i.e., the distance between the first side  30  and the second side  32  of the hanger, in order to minimize wetsuit crease. The shoulders  20  preferably have an upper surface  50  that is generally planar and is thus wider than current hangers. The increased width provides necessary structural support for heavy duty apparel and garments. In one example, the width of the upper surface  50  is approximately 1⅛ inches, however, other suitable width may be utilized. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the end pieces  40  can be attached to the shoulders  20  with the hooked outer ends  46  pointed or directed upwards. With this configuration, the hanger  10  can be utilized to hang or retain buoyancy compensation devices or other equipment by containing the straps of those devices on the shoulders  20  of the hanger  10  with the hooked outer ends  46  preventing the straps from slipping off the hanger  10 . 
     The hanger  10  also includes a plurality of downwardly extending hooks  60 . The downwardly extending hooks  60  allow the hanger  10  to hold a variety of other accessories thereon, including boots, gloves, fins, snorkels, hoses, belts, and regulators. A variety of other accessories can be attached to the hooks. Additionally, a pair of clamps  62  are formed below the lower portion  18  and extend generally parallel to ground to provide additional attachments for further accessories. Further, the hanger  10  also includes a dim valve holder  64 . The dim valve holder  64  has a cap  66  that is attached thereto, such as by a threaded securing means to maintain the dim valve therein. 
     It is to be understood that the preceding description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous and other arrangements would be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.