Patent Publication Number: US-7717308-B2

Title: Indicator and garment hanger

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a garment hanger of the type which includes a locking information clip and more particularly, to a top sizer clip for use with a garment hanger and one which is adapted to fit on most hangers/hook members. 
   BACKGROUND 
   There are a number of different types of garment hangers that are used to hold a number of different articles of clothing or other types of articles, such as linens or other household fabrics. Typically, garment hangers are either formed of a plastic material or a metal material or a combination thereof. Not only do garment hangers come in a variety of different sizes but they also come in a number of different styles that have different types of construction to accommodate different articles which are carried by the hangers. 
   For example, one type of garment hanger construction is designed to secure knitwear, blouses, slips, strapped garments, including dresses and lingerie. Another type of garment hanger construction is designed to also secure blouses, dresses and other light garments, while another type of garment hanger is designed to secure heavier knitwear, blouses, pants and light weight pant suits. Yet another type of garment hanger is designed to secure coats, jackets and outerwear. The foregoing types of garment hangers can be generally classified as being top garment hangers, while another class of garment hangers is pant hangers, which are those hangers that are designed to secure pants, skirts, and other outfits together. Often times, pant hangers incorporate some type of clamp mechanism to securely grasp and hold the articles of clothing. One will appreciate that there are even more types of garment hangers (e.g., bra/panty hanger) that are intended for particular applications. 
   One accessory that is often used with a hanger is a size indicator that typically is a small plastic part that attaches to the body of the hanger and has indicia formed thereon that indicates the size or some other identifying mark of the article of clothing that is being held on the hanger. The size indicator can either take the form of a side sizer, where the clip (sizer) attached to the side of a hook member or a top sizer, where the clip attaches more to the top of the hook member. 
   Conventional top sizer clips are most times custom designed for a specific type or style of hanger (i.e., a matching hanger) and therefore, when they are used with other hangers, the clips tend not to be secured to the hanger but instead either are too small so that they can not be received on the base structure or they are too large and therefore, they wobble on the base structure and can easily become disengaged and fall off the hanger. By not having a secure attachment between the clip and the hanger, the size indicators do not perform their full intended function and instead can easily become misplaced and replacement thereof can result in the wrong size indicator being placed on the hanger which in turn can result in the wrong article of clothing being selected by a consumer or if no size indicator is present, the consumer may rummage through the clothing and leave an untidy display in order to find the proper size. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one aspect of the present invention, a top sizer is provided for use in combination with a garment hanger having a body and a hook member. The top sizer has a hollow body having an open bottom, a pair of side walls and a convex top wall that extends between the side walls and closes off a top of the top sizer and at least one locking member formed along an inner surface of one side wall. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a combination garment hanger and a top sizer is provided. The hanger has a body and a hook member and the top sizer includes a hollow body having an open bottom, a pair of side walls and a convex top wall that extends between the side walls and closes off a top of the top sizer and at least one first locking member formed along an inner surface of one side wall. The hook member has a top portion that includes a second locking member and a ledge section surrounding the locking member. In a locked position, the first locking member of the top sizer body interlockingly engages the second locking member and a bottom edge of the hollow body is disposed proximate the ledge. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings figures of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a garment hanger indicator according to one embodiment of the present invention and exploded from a garment hanger; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the indicator and garment hanger; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a hook portion of the hanger; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the hanger indicator; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the hanger indicator attached to the hanger; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a garment hanger indicator according to a second embodiment and hanger; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the indicator and garment hanger; and 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the hanger indicator attached to the hanger. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a garment hanger  100  that includes a body portion (cross bar) (not shown) having two opposing ends and a hook member  120  that is attached to the body portion  110 . As described below, the garment hanger  100  is configured to receive and be releasably coupled to a top sizer (indicator or crown sizer)  200 . 
   The hook member  120  has a top portion  130  including a support and locking component  140 . The top portion  130  is a generally curved portion defined by a convex outer surface  132 . The support and locking component  140  of the top portion  130  has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the other sections of the top portion  130  surrounding the support and locking component  140 . The reduced thickness results in a platform or ledge  150  being formed around the support and locking component  140 . The platform  150  is a generally planar platform that is generally rectangular in shape. 
   The platform  150  is formed so that it includes a pair of recessed sections  160 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the recessed sections  160  are centrally located and formed on opposite sides of the top portion  130 . The recessed sections  160  are in the form of concave sections (e.g., crescent or U-shaped) that are defined by an arcuate surface  162 . As a result of the central location of the arcuate surface  162 , the recessed section  160  partitions the planar platform  150  into two portions, with one end of the arcuate surface  162  transitioning to one platform section  150  and the other end of the arcuate surface  162  transitioning to the other platform section  150 . The recessed section  160  extends down toward the smooth lower surface  121  of the hook member  120 . 
   The support and locking component  140  includes a means  180  for releasably locking the indicator  200  to the hanger  100 . More specifically, each side of the support and locking component  140  of the hook member  120  includes a locking notch or channel  190  that is formed at one end along smooth outer surface  132  and is defined by a pair of spaced vertical walls  192 . The channel  190  is thus a vertical channel that is formed along each side of the hook member  120 . The channel  190  is oriented relative to the recessed section  160  so that the channel  190  is axially aligned with the recessed section  160  and in particular, it preferably is axially aligned with the middle of the recessed section  160 . The notch  190  can be rectangular or square shaped and it formed an entrance into the space (channel) formed between the two vertical walls  192 . 
   As shown in the figures, the two means  180  are axially aligned and formed in the same locations on opposite sides of the hook member  120 . This is shown in the top plan view of  FIG. 3 . 
   The hanger  100  and hook member  120  are typically formed of a plastic material. 
   The indicator (top sizer)  200  is a hollow body that is defined by a top wall  202  and opposing first and second side walls  204 ,  206  that define a hollow interior compartment or cavity  207 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top sizer  200  is generally arcuate shaped and in particular, the body can have a crescent shape. The body has an inner surface  208  that is formed within the interior compartment  207  and an outer surface  210 . 
   The top wall  202  extends between the first and second side walls  204 ,  206  to close off the top of the indicator body. Since the indicator  200  has a curved construction, the top wall  202  resembles a convex ramp-like structure that extends upwardly from each end of the indicator  200  to the middle potion of the indicator which represents the highest point of the indicator  200 . 
   The top wall  202  can be flat in construction; however, as shown, the top wall  202  can be a rounded wall that is formed between the first and second side walls  204 ,  206 . In other words, there are rounded edges between the top wall  202  and each of the first and second side walls  204 ,  206 . 
   Each of the side walls  204 ,  206  has a lower edge  220  that includes a pair of planar sections  222  that lie in one plane and a curved section  224  that lies below the planar sections  222 . The curved section  224  has a convex shape and it extends downwardly from the planar sections  222 . One end of the curved section  224  transitions into and is joined to one planar section  222  and the other end of the curved section  224  transitions into and is joined to the other planar section  224 . Once again, the curved section  224  is preferably centrally located along the respective side wall  204 ,  206 . The curved section  224  is thus a convex-shaped member that protrudes downwardly beyond the planar section  224  of the lower edge  220 . 
   The dimensions and shape of the curved sections  224  are complementary to the recessed sections  160  since, as described below, the curved sections  224  are received in the recessed sections  160  when the indicator  200  is securely fastened to the hanger hook  120 . Each side wall  204 ,  206  includes an area  205  for indicia to be placed and in the illustrated embodiment, the area  205  is a middle portion of the side wall  204 ,  206  and extends into the curved section  224 . The indicia typically includes sizing information (e.g., “M” symbol for medium size). 
   The indicator  200  also includes a locking or engagement means  230  for securely attaching and coupling the indicator  200  to the support and locking component  140  of the hook member  120 . The engagement means  230  is in the form of a pair of locking tabs  230  that engage and interlock with the channels  190  and in particular, the tabs  230  are vertically oriented within the inner cavity (compartment) of the indicator  200 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , each tab  230  has a first section  232  in the form of a ramp that acts as a cam surface. The first section  232  is closest to the bottom edge of the indicator body and is inclined inwardly toward the inner hollow cavity of the indicator  200  toward the other side wall. The ramp  232  terminates at a right angle edge  236  that represents the innermost portion of the tab  230 . Alternatively, the ramp  232  leads to a vertical land  234  that terminates at the right angle edge  236  that represents the innermost portion of the tab  230 . When the indicator  200  is in the locked upright position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the vertical lands are parallel with one another. 
   In order to lock the indicator  200  relative to the hanger  100 , the tabs  230  are first received into the notches  190  and then as the indicator  200  is moved down relative to the hanger  100 , the tabs  230  are received first into the notches  190  and then travel into the locking channels (vertical spaces) formed between the vertical walls  192 . More specifically, the inclined ramp  232  contacts the notch  190  of the support and locking component  140  of the hook member  120  and further downward movement of the indicator  200  causes the support and locking component  140  to ride along the ramp  232 , thereby causing the side walls  204 ,  206  of the indicator  200  to bow outwardly to permit accommodation of the indicator  200  on the support and locking component  140 . 
   The notch  190  is defined by an underside shoulder  193  that is located between the vertical walls  192 . This shoulder  193  is a right angle shoulder and as illustrated, can be perpendicular to the vertical walls  192 . The shoulder  193  can engage and lock relative to the right angle edge  236  of the tab  230  for securely holding the indicator  200  on the hanger  100  once the ramp  232  of the indicator tab  230  clear the shoulder  193 . 
   When the indicator  200  lockingly engages the support and locking component  140  of the hanger  100 , a clicking sound is heard to alert the user that the indicator  200  has been properly attached to the hanger  100 . In addition, as illustrated, in the locked position, the lower edge  220  of the indicator abuts against the two platform sections  150  and the curved section  224  of the indicator  200  is received within the recessed section  160  since the two are complementary to one another. 
   In order to disengage the indicator  200  from the hanger  100  once the indicator  200  is securely attached to the support and locking component  140 , the user simply inserts a finger nail under one side  204 ,  206  of the indicator  200  and applies an outward force causing the tab  230  to disengage wall  193 . 
   If the indicator  200  is not properly aligned relative to the locking means  190 , the tabs  230  will engage the wider curved (convex) surface  132  and will be prevented from moving further downward relative to the hook  120 . 
   The exemplary garment hanger is of the type that can include a clamp or grip assembly formed near or at each of the first and second ends. The grip assemblies are integrally formed with body portion at the first and second ends. The article of clothing can be placed within the grip assembly. It will be appreciated that the top sizer indicator  100  can be formed of either an opaque material or transparent material, etc. 
   The body portion of the hanger, including any grip assemblies, is preferably made as a single piece, molded in plastic using a plastic injection molding machine, as understood by those skilled in the art. Any appropriate plastic can be used, such as styrene, which provides a clear, virtually transparent hanger and alternatively, the hanger can be molded using polypropylene, such as H.I. styrene polypropylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, ABS or other suitable thermoplastics and/or mixtures thereof. As understood by those skilled in the art, the plastic mixture used to mold the hangers can include additional resins for added strength and reinforcement. 
   While the indicator (top sizer)  200  can be formed of any number of different materials, the indicator  200  is typically made from a plastic material using conventional techniques, such as molding techniques, e.g., injection molding. The indicator  200  can be either opaque in nature or semi-transparent or transparent and can be formed to have any number of different colors. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , an indicator/garment hanger combination according to another embodiment is illustrated. In particular, the hook member  120  of the hanger has a different support and locking component  300  than the previous embodiment; however, the component  300  shares some similarity to the component  140 . The hook member  120  is curved shape, with a top portion  310  thereof being modified and being thinner than a surrounding portion and therefore, a planar peripheral ledge  320  is formed around the top portion  310  that is constructed to lockingly engage the indicator  400 . More specifically, the top portion  310  includes an upright vertical wall  311  that has a first face  312  and an opposing second face  314 . 
   The peripheral ledge  320  extends around the vertical wall  311  and has a concave portion  330  that is located in a middle section of the ledge  320  in that the concave portion  330  partitions the ledge  320  into first and second planar portions  340 . 
   The vertical wall  311  is formed and positioned so that it is axially aligned with the concave portion  330 . The vertical wall  311  has a complementary shape compared to the indicator  400  and in the illustrated embodiment, the vertical wall  311  is arcuate in shape and in particular, has a crescent shape. 
   Each of the first face  312  and the second face  314  includes an interlocking member  360  that serves to releasably interlock the indicator  400  to the support and locking component  300 . In the illustrated embodiment, the interlocking member  360  is in the form of an inverted C- shaped or U-shaped protrusion or tab. The tab  360  is centrally located in that it is located in a middle portion of the vertical wall  311  and it is also located in a middle portion of the concave portion  330 . 
   Similar to the first embodiment, the indicator  400  can be similar or identical to the indicator of the first embodiment. The indicator  400  thus is a generally hollow member that has a body that is defined by two side walls  404 ,  406  and a convex, arcuate upper wall  408  that extends between the two side walls  404 ,  406 . A bottom edge  411  of each of the side walls  404 ,  406  is not a planar edge but instead, the bottom edge  411  includes a convex portion  413  that is centrally located along the bottom edge  411  such that is partitions the bottom edge  411  into two planar sections  415  on either side of the convex portion  413 . The bottom edge  411  of the indicator  400  thus has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the first and second planar portions  340  and concave portion  330 . 
   In order to lock the indicator  400  to the support and locking component  300 , the indicator  400  is inverted with the bottom edge  411  facing down and the locking tabs  230  are aligned with the interlocking member  360  (the inverted C- shaped or U-shaped protrusion or tab  370 ). The locking tabs  230  are formed within the interior compartment of the indicator  400  and in particular, the locking tabs  230  are formed along the inner surfaces of the side walls. Each tab  230  has a first section  232  in the form of a ramp that acts as a cam surface. The first section  232  is closest to the bottom edge of the indicator body and is inclined inwardly toward the inner hollow cavity of the indicator  200  toward the other side wall. The ramp  232  terminates at a right angle edge  236  that represents the innermost portion of the tab  230 . 
   As tabs  230  of the indicator  400  initially engage the locking tabs  370 , the ramps  232  of the tabs  230  initially contact center rails of the opposing tabs  370 . As the indicator  400  is continuously driven downward toward the hook member, the ramps  232  ride along the center rails until the edges  236  clear the center rails and enter the space formed between the two opposingly spaced end edges of the tab  370 .  FIG. 8  shows the indicator  400  mated with the hanger&#39;s locking component  300 . When the edges  236  clear the center rails, the indicator  400  snap-lockingly mates with the locking component  300  and an audible click can be heard. The planar surfaces of the bottom edge of the indicator  400  and the convex portion of the indicator  400  mate with the complementary planar surfaces of the ledge and the concave portion, respectively, when the indicator is in the locked position. 
   While exemplary drawings and specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Thus, the embodiments shall be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow, and equivalents thereof. In addition, the features of the different claims set forth below may be combined in various ways in further accordance with the present invention.