Patent Publication Number: US-2017356123-A1

Title: Sock hanger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/349,872, filed Jun. 14, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to drying socks on a clothes line and, more particularly, to a sock hanger for drying socks on a clothes line. 
     Humans have developed many specialized methods for laundering, ranging from early methods of pounding clothes against rocks in running streams, to the latest in electronic washing machines and dry cleaning. Hot water washing, chemical cleaning and ironing are all traditional methods of sterilizing fabrics for hygiene purposes. 
     A clothes line or washing line is any type of rope, cord, or twine that has been stretched between two points (e.g. two sticks), outside or indoors, above the level of the ground. Clothing that has recently been washed is hung along the line to dry, using clothes pegs or clothespins. Washing lines are attached either from a post or a wall, and are frequently located in back gardens, or on balconies. Longer washing lines often have props holding up sections in the middle due to the weight of the usually wet clothing. 
     A sock is an item of clothing worn on the feet and often covering the ankle and some part of the calf. Socks are typically hung on a clothes line to dry after they have been washed. Since each individual sock must be hung from the clothes line, socks take a long time to hang and take up a lot of space. Shorter socks are more prone to falling off of the clothes line. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a device that supports multiple socks on a clothes line. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a sock holder comprises: an elongated rod comprising a top end and a bottom end; a top hook secured to the top end of the elongated rod; at least one plate secured to the elongated rod and disposed in a substantially horizontal position; and at least one sock bracket secured to the at least one plate and extending from the plate in a substantially vertical position, wherein the at least one sock bracket is sized to be disposed within a sock and thereby support the sock in the substantially vertical position. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a sock holder comprises: an elongated rod comprising a top end and a bottom end; a top hook secured to the top end of the elongated rod; at least one plate secured to the elongated rod and comprising a circular shape having an outer edge, wherein the at least one plate is disposed in a substantially horizontal position; and a plurality of sock brackets each comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal ends are secured to the outer edge of the at least one plate, wherein each of the sock brackets extend from the at least one plate in a substantially vertical position, wherein each of the plurality of sock brackets is sized to be disposed within a sock and thereby support the sock in the substantially vertical position. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a compact configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in an expanded configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a section detail view of an embodiment of the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a section detail view of an embodiment of the present invention taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a section detail view of an embodiment of the present invention taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention includes a device that can hold around twenty-four socks (twelve pair) to dry on a clothesline. The present invention is perfect for drying items on the porch, in the bathroom or laundry room (if clotheslines are not allowed). The socks are placed on a circular “tree” which may include three rows of eight hangars on which individual socks are hung. In a few seconds, twelve pair of socks can be hung on the sock tree and then placed on the clothesline or shower rod indoors to dry, taking up minimal space and saving time. The present invention encourages users to save energy by using the drying rack as opposed to using a drying machine. The present invention further prevents socks from shrinking due to machine dryer heat. 
     The present invention may include a center rod, multiple plates and sock brackets. The plates may be made of a metal and the sock brackets and center rod may be made of high strength plastic. In certain embodiments, the sock brackets may be about 9 inches in length, the plates may have a diameter of about 6 inches and the center rod may include three twelve inch by ¾ inch interconnecting metal rods. A hook at the top of the center rod may be wide enough for a shower rod and may also include a small groove for hanging on a clothesline. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the present invention includes a sock holder. The sock holder includes an elongated rod  11  having a top end and a bottom end. A top hook  18  is secured to the top end of the elongated rod  11 . At least one plate  10  is secured to the elongated rod  11  and is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. At least one sock bracket  12  is secured to the at least one plate  10  and extends from the plate  10  in a substantially vertical position. The at least one sock bracket  12  is sized to be disposed within a sock  22  and thereby support the sock  22  in the substantially vertical position. 
     In certain embodiments, the at least one plate  10  includes a circular shape having an outer edge having a circumference. The at least one sock bracket  12  may include a plurality of sock brackets  12 . Each of the sock brackets  12  may include a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal ends are secured to the outer edge of the plate  10 . 
     The plurality of sock brackets  12  may be pivotally secured to the outer edge by a hinge  14 . The plurality of sock brackets  12  pivot about the hinges  14  towards the elongated rod  11  in a compact configuration and away from the elongated rod  11  in an expanded configuration. Each of the sock brackets  12  may include the shape of an elongated U. The terminal ends of the U shape may be the proximal end of the sock brackets  12 . The proximal ends may each include a stopper  16 . The stopper  16  abuts the outer edge of the plate  10  in the expanded position, preventing the sock brackets  12  from pivoting more than about 45 degrees relative to the elongated rod  10 . For example, the stopper  16  may prevent the sock brackets  12  from pivoting beyond about 30 degrees. 
     In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a plurality of plates  10 . The plates  10  may be releasably secured to the elongated rod  11 . In such embodiments, the plates  10  may be secured along different lengths of the elongated rod  11  so plates may be added and subtracted from the elongated rod  11 . As illustrated in the Figures, the present invention may include three plates  10  disposed about the length of the elongated rod  11 . Eight sock brackets  12  may be pivotally secured to each of the three plates  10 . Therefore, twenty-four socks  22  or twelve pairs of socks  22  may be secured to the sock holder. Other clothing items, such as gloves, hankies, ties, washable belts, mittens and scarfs may be secured to the sock brackets  12 . The inner surface of the top hook  18  may include a groove. The top hook  18  may be secured to clothes line  20  and the groove may prevent the hook  18  from coming off of the clothes line  20 . The bottom end of the elongated rod may include a bottom hook  18  to support the present invention in a reversed position to store the sock holder in the compact configuration. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.