Patent Publication Number: US-2011057001-A1

Title: Lightweight sustainable hanger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/234,594 filed Aug. 17, 2009 entitled LIGHTWEIGHT SUSTAINABLE HANGER, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Filed of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a lightweight but strong hanger that reduces plastic use. The hanger is preferably approximately 20% lighter than similar competing hangers. 
     2. Related Art 
     Plastic hangers are a common sight in many retail settings since they to provide a durable and inexpensive way to display clothing in an attractive manner. While plastic hangers tend to be inexpensive and relatively durable, they are also not environmentally friendly since they use petroleum-based plastic. 
     Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a durable hanger that is more environmentally friendly. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight and durable hanger that reduces plastic use. 
     A hanger in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element. 
     A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element; and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element. The main body is tapered in width from a center to the first end and from the center to the second end. 
     A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element, a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element and a gripping element mounted on the top edge of the main body on at least one of the first end and the second end. 
     A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element, a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element and a clip extending downward from the bottom edge of the main body toward at least one of the first end and the second end. 
     A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end, including a top edge and a bottom edge and having a height of 13 mm, a hook mounted in the top edge of the main body, a first clip mounted on the first end of the main body and a second clip mounted on the second end of the main body. The first clip and the second clip having width of 24 mm and a height of 52 mm. 
     Other features and advantages of the present 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 an illustration of a lightweight hanger in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  is a more detailed view of an indicator positioned on the lightweight hanger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the lightweight hanger of  FIG. 1  with the indicator removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the lightweight hanger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a more detailed view of an end of a body of the lightweight hanger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a lightweight hanger in accordance with another embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 7  is a more detailed view of a clip included in the lightweight hanger of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a hanger  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present application. The hanger  10  preferably includes a body  12  with a hook  14  extending upward from a top of the body. The hook  14  is preferably rotatably attached to the body  12  and is generally used to suspend the hanger  10  from a hanging bar, or clothes rack. 
     More specifically, the body  12  includes a main body  12   a , which has an elongated shape between a first end and a second end. A top portion, or top element,  12   b  extends upward from a top edge of the main body  12   a  in a center thereof. The hook  14  preferably extends upward from the top portion  12   b . In order to both reduce weight and to minimize the amount of plastic used in the hanger  10  the top portion  12   b  is preferably connected to the main body  12   a  at only two points. An air gap is left between the main body  12   a  and the top portion  12   b  in between these two points. Thus, the total weight of the hanger  15  is reduced along with the amount of petroleum based plastic necessary to make the hanger  10 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, an indicator  16  slides over the hook  14  and rests on the top portion  12   b  of the body  12 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , the top portion  12   b  includes a hook boss  20  in which the hook  14  is received. As noted above, the hook  14  is preferably rotatable relative to the body  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the indicator  16  is held in place on the top portion  12   b  by a protrusion  22  extending outward from a top of the hook boss  20 . In this manner, the indicator  16  is held on the hanger  10 .  FIG. 3  illustrates hanger  10  with the indicator  16  removed such that the hook boss  20  is visible. 
     In addition, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , for example, if desired, a rubber coating  30 , or other gripping element, may be applied to the top edge of the main body  12   a  of the body  12  at the ends thereof to help grip clothing hanging thereon. Any other suitable high friction coating or element may be used, as desired. In addition, the main body  12   a  of the body  12  may include lower clips  12   c  extending downward from a bottom surface thereof. These clips  12   c  may be useful for holding straps of clothing articles, such as dresses, for example. 
     In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the body  12  is tapered in thickness, or width, from the middle to the sides to further reduce the amount of plastic needed for the hanger  10 . Specifically, the width of the main body  12   a  is at a maximum in the middle, substantially under the hook boss  20  and tapers to a minimum out toward either end. The maximum thickness is preferably from 8-10 mm while the minimum thickness is preferably about 3-5 mm. Further, the height of the main body  12   a  may also be tapered in a similar manner from a maximum height of 8-10 mm to a minimum height of 5-7 mm.  FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the hanger  10  with the indicator  16  removed and illustrates the tapered width of the main body  12   a.    
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a hanger  100  in accordance with the present application. The hanger  100  of  FIG. 6  includes two opposing clips  130  on opposite ends of main body  112 . The clips  130  preferably include a first arm  130   a  that is preferably fixedly attached to the body  112  of the hanger  100  and a second arm  130   b  pivotally attached to the first arm  130   a . The second arm  130   b  is preferably biased toward the first arm  130   a  and is separable therefrom be application of pressure at the top of the arm. In this manner, the arms  130   a ,  130   b  can be separated from each other such that an article of clothing can be placed between them. As indicated in  FIG. 7 , the clips  130  are preferably about 24 mm wide and have a height of approximately 62 mm. This provides sufficient gripping power to support even relatively heavy fabrics such as denim. The body  112  preferably has a height of approximately 13 mm, as indicated in  FIG. 7 . While these measurements are preferred, any other measurements may be used, as desired. The hanger  100  may include a hook  114  mounted rotatably mounted in a hook boss  120  formed on the main body  112 . 
     The hanger  10 ,  100  of the present application provides a lightweight alternative to the hangers presently available on the market. The weight of the hanger  10 ,  100  is minimized to provide sufficient stability while using the minimum amount of material. As a result, the hanger  10  of the present application weighs approximately 25 grams, which represents a weight reduction of about 22% when compared with conventional hangers of this style. The hanger  100  uses approximately 10-15% less plastic than similar conventional hangers. Indeed, over the course of 10 years, assuming an average of 100 million hangers made a year, hangers similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 5  will save  6000  metric tons of raw materials when compared with conventional designs. 
     Although the present 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.