Abstract:
An improved clothes hanging device and method therefor capable of holding an article of clothing in place using a minimum amount of material while maintaining an effective amount of strength and rigidity.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to hangers and, more specifically, to an improved clothes hanging device and method therefore capable of utilizing a reduced amount of material while maintaining or improving the integral strength of the device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The clothes hanger has been around in one form or another for more than a century. While there have been many changes in the shape and composition, it appears that none of the changes have been made with the intention of reducing the amount of material necessary to form the standard clothes hanger while maintaining or even improving structural integrity of the hanger. 
         [0003]    This invention addresses this problem by providing an improved clothes hanging device being comprised of less material than the standard clothes hanger while still being able to withstand the typical load of the standard clothes hanger. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An object of the present invention is to provide an improved clothes hanging device capable of being formed using a reduced amount of material when compared to that of a standard clothes hanger. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved clothes hanging device having greater strength than, and therefore being able to support a heavier load than, a standard clothes hanger. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0006]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an improved clothes hanging device is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a first flange having an outer surface and an inner surface and a first end and a second end, a second flange having an outer surface and an inner surface and a first end and a second end, a first web having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first end and a second end, the inner surface of the first flange coupled to the top surface of the first web, the inner surface of the second flange coupled to the bottom surface of the first web so that the first flange and the second flange and the first web forming a first portion defining a channel between the first flange and the second flange, the first portion being formed into one of a substantially triangular shape and a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially inverted V-shape having a wide base and an apex, a third flange including an outer surface and an inner surface and a first end and a second end, a fourth flange including an outer surface and an inner surface and a first end and a second end, and a second web having a top surface and a bottom surface and a first end and a second end, the inner surface of third first flange coupled to the top surface of the second web, the inner surface of the fourth flange coupled to the bottom surface of the second web so that the third flange and the fourth flange and the second web forming a second portion defining a channel between the third flange and the fourth flange, the second portion being formed into a substantially hook-like shape having a distal end and a proximate end, the proximate end of the substantially hook-like shaped second portion coupled proximate the apex of one of the substantially triangularly shaped first portion and the substantially trapezoidally shaped first portion and the substantially inverted V-shaped first portion, the first portion and the second portion forming a one-piece assembly. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another embodiment an improved clothes hanging device is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube having an inner surface and an outer surface and a first end and a second end, the substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube forming a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being formed into one of a substantially triangular shape having an apex and a wide base and a dual arm device having an apex and a wide base and a substantially trapezoidal shape having a wide base and an apex, the second portion forming a substantially hook-like shape proximate one of the apex of the substantially triangularly shaped first portion and the apex of the substantially trapezoidally shaped first portion and the apex of the substantially inverted V-shaped first portion. 
         [0008]    In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for forming an improved clothes hanging device is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a piece of material, rolling the material into a substantially I-shaped beam, bending a first portion of the I-shaped beam into one of a substantially triangular shape and a substantially trapezoidal shape and a substantially inverted V-shape having a wide base and an apex, bending a second portion of the substantially I-shaped beam into a substantially hook-like shape having a distal end and a proximate end, and strengthening a third portion of the substantially I-shaped beam, the third portion of the substantially I-shaped beam being disposed between the proximate end of the substantially hook-like shaped second portion and the apex of the first portion, the strengthening being one of twisting and welding and heating. 
         [0009]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the improved clothes hanging device of the present invention wherein a pair of flanges are coupled together by a web that defines a channel therebetween and forms a one-piece substantially trapezoidal shape having an apex coupled to a substantially hook-like shape; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an end cross-sectional view of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   a  is an end cross-sectional view of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2   a - 2   a;    
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the wide base of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the improved clothes hanging device of the present invention, showing a substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube that forms a one-piece substantially trapezoidal shape having an apex coupled to a substantially hook-like shape; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 4  wherein the substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube contains a filler material; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the improved clothes hanging device of the present invention wherein a pair of flanges are coupled together by a web that defines a channel therebetween and forms a one-piece substantially triangular shape having an apex coupled to a substantially hook-like shape; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of a corner of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the improved clothes hanging device of the present invention, showing a substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube that forms a one-piece substantially triangular shaped having an apex coupled to a substantially hook-like shape; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the improved clothes hanging device shown in  FIG. 9 , wherein the substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube contains a filler material; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the improved clothes hanging device of the present invention wherein a pair of flanges are coupled together by a web that defines a channel therebetween and forms a one-piece substantially inverted V-shape having an apex coupled to a substantially hook-like shape; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the improved clothes hanging device of the present invention, showing a substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube that forms a one-piece substantially inverted V-shape having an apex coupled to a substantially hook-like shape. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed descriptions to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , various embodiments of an improved clothes hanging device, referred to generically as an improved clothes hanging device  10 , are disclosed. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  7 ,  8 , and  12 , a preferred embodiment of an improved clothes hanging device  10 , referred to specifically as an improved clothes hanging device  10   a  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 ), is disclosed. The improved clothes hanging device  10   a  comprises a first flange  12  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ) having an outer surface  14  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ), an inner surface  16  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ), a first end  18  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ), and a second end  20  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ). The improved clothes hanging device  10   a  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 ) also comprises a second flange  22  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ) having an outer surface  24  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ), an inner surface  26  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ), a first end  28  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ), and a second end  30  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ). The improved clothes hanging device  10   a  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 ) also comprises a first web  32  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ) having a first end  39  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ) and a second end  41  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ) and a top surface  34  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) coupled to the inner surface  16  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ) of the first flange  12  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ), and a bottom surface  37  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) coupled to the inner surface  26  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ) of the second flange  22  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  8 ). Together, the first flange  12 , the second flange  22 , and the first web  32  form a first portion  36  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ) of the improved clothes hanging device  10   a.    
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 , in the preferred embodiment, the first portion  36  is formed into a substantially trapezoidal shape  38   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) having a wide base  40   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and an apex  42   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the first portion  36  is a substantially triangular shaped  38   b  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) having a wide base  40   b  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) and an apex  42   b  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) or a substantially inverted V-shape  38   c  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) having a wide base  40   c  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) and an apex  42   c  (shown in  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2   a , the improved clothes hanging device  10   a  also comprises a third flange  44  having an outer surface  46 , an inner surface  48 , a first end  50  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and a second end  52  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) The improved clothes hanging device further comprises a fourth flange  54  having an outer surface  56 , an inner surface  58 , a first end  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and a second end  62  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The improved clothes hanging device  10   a  also comprises a second web  64  having a top surface  66  coupled to the inner surface  48  of the third flange  44 , a bottom surface  68  coupled to the inner surface  58  of the fourth flange  54 , and a first end  70  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and a second end  72  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Together, the third flange  44 , the fourth flange  54  and the second web  64  for a second portion  74  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  12 ) of the improved clothes hanging device  10   a.    
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 , the second portion  74  forms a substantially hook-like shape  76  having a distal end  78  and a proximate end  80 . The proximate end  80  is coupled proximate to the apex  42   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the first portion  36 . In the preferred embodiment, the first portion  36  and the second portion  74  form a one-piece assembly that is a substantially I-shaped beam with the proximate end  80  of the second portion twisted to the apex  42 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 ,  7 ,  8 , and  12 , in the preferred embodiment, the proximate end  80  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 ) of the substantially hook-like shape  76  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 ) is coupled to apexes  42   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ),  42   b  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), and  42   c  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) with a coupling mechanism  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 ), which is preferably a twisting of the existing material which is made of metal, aluminum, steel, an alloy, or a composite material, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the coupling mechanism  100  consists of spot-welding, heating or in some other way strengthening or bonding the proximate end  80  of the substantially hook-like shape  76  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  12 ) to apex  42   a ,  42   b , or  42   c . In the preferred embodiment, the aforementioned wide bases  40   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ),  40   b  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), and  40   c  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) are between approximately 15 inches and 18 inches, and the apex  42   a  of the substantially trapezoidal shape  38   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is between approximately 5 inches and 8 inches, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the dimensions of the wide bases  40   a ,  40   b , and  40   c  and the apex  42   a  of the substantially trapezoidal shape  38   a  deviate, even substantially, from the preferred dimensions, in either direction. In the preferred embodiment, the outer surfaces  14  (shown in  FIG. 2 ),  24  (shown in  FIG. 2 ),  46  (shown in  FIG. 2   a ),  56  (shown in  FIG. 2   a ) of the various flanges  12  (shown in  FIG. 2 ),  22  (shown in  FIG. 2 ),  44  (shown in  FIG. 2   a ),  54  (shown in  FIG. 2   a ) are substantially rounded, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the outer surfaces  14 ,  24 ,  46 ,  56  of the various flanges  12 ,  22 ,  44 ,  54  are substantially flat or of an entirely different shape altogether. In the preferred embodiment, the various flanges  12 ,  22 ,  44 ,  54  and webs  32 ,  64  (shown in  FIG. 2   a ) are composed of aluminum, steel, or a composite material, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the various flanges  12 ,  22 ,  44 ,  54  and webs  32 ,  64  are composed of a different material. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 ,  9 - 11 , and  13 , a second embodiment of the improved clothes hanging device  10 , hereinafter referred to specifically as an improved clothes hanging device  10   b  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ), is disclosed. The improved clothes hanging device  10   b  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ) comprises a substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube  82  having an inner surface  84  (shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  10 , and  11 ), an outer surface  86 , a first end  88  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ), and a second end  90  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ). In the preferred embodiment, the substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube  82  forms a first portion  92  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ) and a second portion  102  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ). The first portion  92  is formed into a substantially trapezoidal shape  94   a  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) having a wide base  96   a  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and an apex  98   a  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the first portion  92  is a substantially triangular shape  94   b  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) having a wide base  96   b  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) and an apex  98   b  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) or a substantially inverted V-shape  94   c  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) having a wide base  96   c  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) and an apex  98   c  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). The second portion  94  forms a substantially hook-like shape  102  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ) proximate the aforementioned apexes  98  (shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 , and  13 ). In the preferred embodiment, the substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube  82  is comprised of aluminum, steel tube, fiber glass, carbon fiber, reinforced fiber glass resin, or plastic, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube  82  is comprised of some other material. In the preferred embodiment, the wide bases  96  are between approximately 15 inches and 18 inches, and the apex  98   a  of the substantially trapezoidal shape  94   a  is between approximately 5 inches and 8 inches, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the dimensions of the wide bases  96   a ,  96   b , and  96   c  and the apex  98   a  deviate, even substantially, from the preferred dimensions, in either direction. In the preferred embodiment, a filler material  104  (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 11 ) is disposed proximate the inner surface  84  of the substantially hollow cylindrically shaped tube  82 . The filler material  104  (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 11 ) is preferably made of string, rope, yarn, composite material, or stabilizing filler material, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the filler material  104  is comprised of some other material, or in which no filler material  104  is used at all.