Patent Publication Number: US-8984724-B2

Title: Garment clip system for hangers

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 61/690,230, filed Jun. 22, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most people have closets to hang their clothes and hangers are used to hang and organize the clothes. Thomas Jefferson is credited with invention the first wooden clothes hanger. Wire clothes hangers came next and are still used today. The most widely used clothes hangers are made of plastic and come in many sizes. Although hangers are used to hang clothes, some clothes items are difficult to get to stay on the hanger and fall to the floor to wrinkle and soil. There is a need for a hanger that securely holds all kinds of clothes without letting them fall off. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A garment clip system for hangers for adjustably holding various clothing has a cover that fits over a central portion of a hanger and has two clips moveably mounted along a portion of hanger that clips cloths to hold them to the hanger. An elastic cord connects each clip to the cover and keeps the clips in a selected place. A closure is disposed along the bottom that opens to allow a user to attach garment clip system for hangers to any hanger. A hook and loop connector is used to keep closure closed. In another embodiment, a retractor is mounted within cover to keep tension on a retractable cord that connects the clips. The retractor is biased using a spring to keep the desired tension on the cords. 
     Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a garment clip system for hangers according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the garment clip system for hangers shown in  FIG. 1  with a garment hung thereon. 
         FIG. 3  is a transparent side view of the garment clip system for hangers shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the garment clip system for hangers shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a garment clip system for hangers according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a garment clip system for hangers  100  is shown having a hanger  110  that has a hook portion to hang on a closet clothes rod (not shown). A pair of clips  115  fit over hanger  110  and are spring loaded using spring  145  as is known in the art. A retractable cord  120  connects clips  115  to a retractor  140  that is also spring loaded to keep clips  115  from changing position. Retractable cords  120  may be wound in an opposite direction from each other to provide for equal movement of clips  115  when retractor  140  is rotated in one direction. Additionally, retractor  140  may be stationary and cords  120  may be elastic to allow movement. A cover  125  is provided to cover retractor  140  and a hook and loop closure portion  130  is provided to secure cover  125  in place over the hook portion of hanger  110 . 
     Clips  115  are made of plastic and are rigid enough to hold clothes (not shown) in place on hanger  110 . Of course other materials may be used, such as but not limited to metal, wood or other suitable material. Hanger  110  may be made of wood, metal or plastic or any other suitable material. 
     It is expected that garment clip system for hangers  100  may be sold as part of the original hanger in manufacture. In an embodiment where it is installed as part of the manufacturing process, closure portion  130  may be eliminated. Additionally, closure portion may use other closing means, such as but not limited to snaps, zippers, hooks, etc. as long as retractor  140  is covered securely. Cover  140  is made of fabric and may be decorative to enhance the esthetic appeal. Also, cover  140  may be made of metal or other suitable material. 
     Clips  115  need to be able to change position up and down hanger  110  to fit different types of clothes. Some clothes have a little strap, some have shoulder pads, etc. so different types of clothes can be accommodated by simply moving the position of clips  115 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , a garment clip system for hangers  200  is shown having a hanger  112  with a slip cover  225 . Two clips  215  are provided to clip clothes on hanger  112 . An elastic cord  250  is used to elastically connect clips  215  to slip cover  225 . Elastic cords  250  may be stitched to cover  225  or may be attached by any other suitable method such as; but not limited to, glue, rivets or combination as long as they are securely attached. Additionally, although elastic cords  250  are shown attached horizontally, they may be attached at any suitable angle as this will not interfere with their operation. A hook and loop closure  230  is provided to secure slip cover  230  to hanger  112 . In this embodiment, clips  215  are adjusted by merely starching them to the desired location. Elastic cords  250  are made of a flexible material that can be braided or woven to further enhance durability as is known in the art. Additionally, other suitable stretchy materials such as rubber may be used as long as clips  215  may be moved to a selected position to hold clothes. 
     Again, as discussed above, if garment clip system for hangers  200  is provided as a part of the manufacturing process, closure  230  may be eliminated. Closure  230  is provided to allow a user to use garment clip system for hangers  200  with any suitable hanger; therefor, not requiring the user to purchase a specific hanger for use. 
     Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.