Patent Publication Number: US-7708174-B1

Title: Top sizer for garment hanger

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/799,991 filed May 12, 2006. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to top sizers and, more particularly, to a top sizing system for a garment hanger. 
     Garment hangers featuring metal hooks are well known in the art. These hangers typically include a threaded boss located on the upper frame, the threaded boss receiving a threaded end of the metal hook. The body of the hanger is typically made of plastic. 
     Other known hangers, commonly referred to as plastic hook hangers, are entirely formed of plastic (i.e., both the hook and body of the hanger are formed of plastic). 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that size indicators, i.e., sizers, are typically used with hangers to display relevant information to the purchaser about the item hanging on such hanger. These sizers may be positioned at various locations on the hanger, including at the top of the hook which is commonly referred to as a top sizing system. Although various top sizing systems exist in the prior art, such systems are typically unsuitable for use with a metal hook hanger and/or do not provide a design which can be used on both metal and plastic hook hangers (thereby allowing one universal sizer to be used with either type of hanger). In particular, it has been difficult to secure a top sizing system to a metal hook hangers in an aesthetically-pleasing manner, and in a manner which will resist rotational and transitional movement of the sizing system. 
     There is therefore a need in the art for a top sizing system which can be used with both metal hook and plastic hook hangers thereby allowing one universal sizer to be used with either type of hanger. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, which addresses the needs of the prior art, relates to a top sizing system for a metal hook hanger. The system includes a hook-shaped wire having a threaded end. The system further includes a sizer seat secured to an upper portion of the hook. The seat includes a ledge and a tab extending substantially perpendicular therefrom. The tab includes at least one guide slot. The system further includes a sizer having an internal cavity configured to receive the tab therein. The sizer has at least one guide repositioned to engaged the guide slot where upon the sizer can be moved from a first unengaged position to a second engaged position. 
     The present invention further relates to a top sizing system for a garment hanger. The system includes a hook for hanging the garment hanger. The system further includes a sizer seat secured to an upper portion of the hook. The seat includes a ledge and a tab extending substantially perpendicular therefrom. The tab includes at least one guide slot. The system further includes a sizer having an internal cavity configured to receive the tab therein. The sizer has at least one guide rib positioned to engage the guide slot whereupon the sizer can be moved from a first unengaged position to a second engaged position. 
     As a result, the present invention provides a top sizing system suitable for both metal and plastic hook hangers thereby allowing one universal sizer to be used with either type of hanger. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of the metal hook of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the hook of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the hook and sizer of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the sizer of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the sizer of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front sectional view of the sizer of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the sizer of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , hook  10  includes a wire body  12  and a sizer seat  14 . Body  12  is preferably a continuous section of metal wire including a threaded end  16  for insertion into a conventional boss (not shown) of a hanger, a crimp  18  (about which seat  14  is formed) and a pinched end  20  (wherein the end of the wire is folded back against itself in conventional fashion). 
     In one preferred embodiment, sizer seat  14  is molded about wire body  12  and, more particularly, about crimp  18  formed in wire body  12 . In this regard, crimp  18  is configured to provide support for sizer seat  14 , e.g., resistance against both rotational and transitional motion. It is contemplated herein that the size and shape of crimp  18  can be varied depending on the size and shape of seat  14 . It is further contemplated herein that seat  14  can be independently formed and thereafter secured to body  12 , in which event body  12  may or may not include crimp  18 . 
     The sizing system of the present invention further includes a sizer  22  designed to cooperate with sizer seat  14 . In this regard, sizer seat  14  includes a tab  24  having a pair of opposing slots  26  formed therein (see  FIG. 3 ). As best shown in  FIG. 8 , sizer  22  includes a pair of opposing guide ribs  28  which engage slots  26  as sizer  22  is placed over tab  24 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , sizer  22  includes an internal cavity  30  for receipt of tab  24 . 
     In one preferred embodiment, guide slots  26  include a first portion extending substantially perpendicular to ledge  32  of seat  14 , and a second portion extending generally parallel to ledge  32  of seat  14 . In such a configuration, the sizer is placed over the tab such that ribs  28  engage the first portion of slots  26  whereby the sizer is moved substantially perpendicular to ledge  32 . The sizer is then moved substantially parallel to ledge  32  whereby the ribs are moved along the second portion of the slots. In one preferred embodiment, guide ribs  28  removably engage end portions  34  of slots  26  to “snap” the sizer thereon. In another embodiment, guide ribs  28  engage locking elements in end portions  34  to permanently engage sizer  22  to seat  14 . In one preferred embodiment, lower edge  36  of sizer  22  contacts ledge  32  at approximately the point where ribs  28  enter the second portion of the slots. The width of the ledge is preferably substantially equal to width of the sizer. 
     It is contemplated herein that the sizer arrangement of the present invention may also be used on a plastic hook hanger. In such an embodiment, seat  14  would preferably be molded in the same molding operation for forming the hanger, and be integrally formed therewith. The sizer seat formed on this plastic hook hanger would accordingly include a tab  24 , as described hereinabove, for cooperation with sizer  22 . As such, the same sizer, e.g., sizer  22 , could be used with sizer seats formed on metal hook hangers or sizer seats formed on plastic hangers. This of course provides additional flexibility to end user of such product. 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred or exemplary embodiments. The preferred or exemplary embodiments described herein may be modified, changed, added to or deviated from without departing from the intent, spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that all such additions, modifications, amendments and/or deviations be included in the scope of the following claims.