Patent Publication Number: US-9414703-B2

Title: Collapsible or stackable garment hanger

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a garment hanger capable of converting between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The retail garment market expends a large amount of money in the shipment and transportation of goods and proper display devices both around the United States and worldwide. In a typical retail store, many garments such as shirts, pants, dresses, etc. that may be worn by a customer are displayed for purchase upon hangers. These hangers provide a convenient means of exhibiting the garments that are for sale to potential buyers. A potential buyer is able to view and inspect the entire garment, feel the garment&#39;s material as it drapes on the hanger, and easily carry the garment to a dressing room to try it on or transport the garment to a cashier for purchase. Given the number of garments offered in even a single store location, the number of hangers needed and the costs associated with the manufacture, transport and storage of such hangers can quickly reach enormous numbers. 
     Stores incur these substantial expenses in both purchasing the garment hangers themselves and paying the transportation/storage fees of such hangers throughout the desired geographic regions. One major problem with conventional hangers is its large and awkward size or dimensions that make compact packing for transport or storage more difficult. In order to function in a desirable fashion for the display of garments to customers, a conventional hanger typically includes two extending arms making up a bottom end for draping or otherwise holding a garment in place upon the hanger. These extending arms are generally long and skinny compared to the rest of the hanger and substantially impact the overall width of the hanger. In addition to packing cost concerns, the awkward sizing or proportions of conventional hangers, in part due to the extending arms, makes maintaining proper placement within a shipping container (e.g., to prevent slippage or breakage) difficult. In light of these and other issues, an improved garment hanger capable of being more easily and/or less expensively packed, stored, and/or transported would be desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for a collapsible garment hanger. In one embodiment, a collapsible garment hanger may include a body portion, a hook portion coupled with the body portion, a first extendible portion coupled with the body portion via a first hinge, the first extendible portion configured to move via the first hinge between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, and a second extendible portion coupled with the body portion via a second hinge, the second extendible portion configured to move via the second hinge between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. 
     In another embodiment, a collapsible garment hanger may include a body portion having a first side and a second side, the first side of the body portion defining an edge extending upward from at least a portion of the first side, the second side of the body portion defining a indent disposed into at least a portion of the second side; the edge and the indent having corresponding dimensions to one another, a first extendible portion coupled with the body portion, and a second extendible portion coupled with the body portion, wherein the first extendible portion and the second extendible portion are configured to rotate with respect to the body portion between an extended orientation and a collapsed orientation. 
     In still another embodiment, a garment hanger system may include a first hanger having a body portion having a protruding area on a first side of the body portion and a recessed area on a second side of the body portion, a hook portion coupled with the body portion, a first extending portion coupled with the body portion, and a second extending portion coupled with the body portion. In addition, a second hanger may have a body portion having a protruding area on a first side of the body portion and a recessed area on a second side of the body portion, a hook portion coupled with the body portion of the second hanger, a first extending portion coupled with the body portion of the second hanger, and a second extending portion coupled with the body portion of the second hanger. The first hanger may be configured to engage with the second hanger via the protruding area of the body portion of the second hanger being received by the recessed area of the body portion of the first hanger. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a front view of a collapsible garment hanger in an extended configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a front view of the collapsible garment hanger of  FIG. 1A  in a collapsed configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of a collapsible garment hanger in a collapsed configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a zoomed-in front view of a collapsible garment hanger when not in an extended configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a zoomed-in rear view of the collapsible garment hanger of  FIG. 2A  when not in an extended configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a zoomed-in perspective view of the collapsible garment hanger of  FIG. 2A  when not in an extended configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of a portion of a collapsible garment hanger for placement of advertisements, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of a portion of a collapsible garment hanger for cut-out, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a perspective view of a shipping container for transporting garment hangers of extended configurations; and 
         FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view of a shipping container for transporting garment hangers of collapsed configurations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings and pictures, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. Moreover, any of the functions or steps may be outsourced to or performed by one or more third parties. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component may include a singular embodiment. 
     Retail or other commercial establishments can require large numbers of hangers for the draping of garments thereon. These hangers can be subject to a variety of specific requirements that must be satisfied in order for them to be appropriately used or desired in the commercial or retail marketplace. Some of these requirements may be color, material, weight, overall length, overall height, collar dimensions, web thickness, flange/beam thickness, arm angle slope, hook type (e.g., hook opening, hook hanging depth, hook strength, load capacity, color coded size sizer, etc.), and a variety of other performance requirements (e.g., no manufacturing defects such as burrs or rough edges or molding imperfections, impact resistance, bending resistance, heat resistance, cold cracking resistance, etc.). The garment hanger described herein can meet any of a variety of such requirements while being configured to stack and/or collapse for improved shipment or storage, as discussed in greater detail herein. 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1A , a front view  100  of a collapsible garment hanger  102  in an extended configuration is shown. The hanger  102  includes a body portion  110  and a hook portion  104  coupled with the body portion  110 . The hook portion  104  is formed so as to enable the hanger  102  to hang from an overhead component, such as a bar or rod. Alternative embodiments may utilize similar or different forms, shapes, or proportions for the hook portion  104  depending upon the desired overhead component from which the hanger  102  is to hang therefrom. A first extendible portion  108  is coupled with the body portion  110  at a first connection area  150 . A second extendible portion  106  is also coupled with the body portion  110  at a second connection area  160 . The first and second connection areas ( 150 ,  160 ) allow portions of the hanger  102  to move between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, as discussed in greater detail herein. The first extendible portion  108  defines an opening  130  therein and a slot  131  that permits all or a part of a garment to be placed therein to help maintain the garment upon the hanger  102 . Similarly, the second extendible portion  106  defines an opening  140  therein and a slot  141  that permits all or a part of a garment to be placed therein to help maintain the garment upon the hanger  102 . For example, a tie, a shoulder strap for a camisole or tank top, a strap connected with a dress, etc. may be inserted into one or both of the openings ( 130 ,  140 ) via the respective slots ( 131 ,  141 ). In one embodiment, the hanger  102  when in the extended configuration may be 12 inches wide by 6.75 inches high by 0.24 inches thick. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a front view  150  of the collapsible garment hanger  102  of  FIG. 1A , but in a collapsed configuration. As previously noted for  FIG. 1A , the collapsible garment hanger  102  includes a body portion  110  and a hook portion  104  coupled with the body portion  110 . While the first extendible portion  108  was shown in the extended configuration in  FIG. 1A  (e.g., pivoted downwards at the first connection area  150  away from the hook portion  140 ), in  FIG. 1B  the first extendible portion  108  is instead shown in the collapsed configuration (e.g., pivoted, rotated, or moved upwards at the first connection area  150  towards the hook portion  140 ). Similarly, while the second extendible portion  106  was shown in the extended configuration in  FIG. 1A  (e.g., pivoted downwards at the second connection area  160  away from the hook portion  140 ), in  FIG. 1B  the second extendible portion  106  is instead shown in the collapsed configuration (e.g., pivoted, rotated, or moved upwards at the second connection area  160  towards the hook portion  140 ). 
     In this fashion, the overall dimensions of the hanger  102  changes depending upon whether the hanger is in the extended configuration (i.e., the first extendible portion  108  and/or the second extendible portion  106  being pivoted, rotated, or moved downwards at the first and second connection areas ( 150 ,  160 ), respectively). When in the extended configuration, the hanger  102  has dimensions with a wider overall width due to the first extendible portion  108  and/or the second extendible portion  106  jutting further outwards from the body portion  110  than when in the collapsed configuration. Shipping and/or storing the hanger  102  or a plurality of the hangers  102  in the collapsed configuration may save space and, therefore, money. After shipment and/or storage, the hanger  102  or a plurality of the hangers  102  may be expanded to the extended configuration for use to display garments. 
     The hanger  102  in the extended and collapsed configurations illustrated by  FIGS. 1A and 1B , respectively, also includes an edge ( 105 ,  170 ) or otherwise raised portion extending around at least a portion of the perimeter of the hanger  102 . Correspondingly, adjacent to the edge ( 105 ,  170 ) or otherwise raised portion is an area that is lower in elevation than the edge ( 105 ,  170 ). This edge ( 105 ,  170 ) and corresponding lower elevation surface adjacent to the edge ( 105 ,  170 ) aids in facilitating stacking of a plurality of hangers  102  on top of one another, as discussed in greater detail below. In some embodiments, no edge ( 105 ,  170 ) and/or no raised portions, areas or lower or higher elevation may be included on a hanger  102  (e.g., a hanger may be substantially flat and/or flush, and not “interlock” or otherwise couple with an adjacent hanger that is pressed adjacent thereto). Although the embodiment disclosed shows an edge ( 105 ,  170 ) that is distinguished from its corresponding adjacent areas that travels substantially around an entire perimeter of the hanger  102 , in an alternative embodiment, raised or lowered portions on a front surface and a rear surface of a hanger that are configured to engage with one another when multiple hangers are stacked may be formed in a variety of different positions and/or dimensions. For example, in one embodiment, a single protrusion (e.g., a bump or bulbous head) may be disposed at a single location on a body portion of a hanger on a front surface while a single socket corresponding in shape to the single protrusion may be disposed at a single location on the body portion of a hanger on a rear surface such that the single protrusion of one hanger mates with the single socket of a second hanger when the first hanger and the second hanger are stacked front-to-back. 
       FIG. 1C  shows an additional embodiment of a perspective view  180  of a hanger  183  that may be collapsible and/or stackable. The hanger  183  may include features that are the same as or similar to those previously discussed. For example and as illustrated, the hanger  183  may include a body portion  187  coupled with a hook portion  181 . A first extendible portion  191  is coupled with the body portion  187  at a first connection area or segment  189 . Likewise, a second extendible portion  190  is coupled with the body portion  187  at a second connection area or segment  188 . The first and second extendible portions ( 191  and  190 , respectively) may include openings ( 195 ,  194 , respectively) therein and slots ( 193 ,  192 , respectively). The first and/or second extendible portions ( 191 ,  190 ) are configured to pivot or otherwise rotate via their respective connection areas or segments ( 189 ,  188 ). In certain embodiments, the first and/or second extendible portions ( 191 ,  190 ) may be configured to pivot or rotate only once before becoming permanently positioned. For example, the hanger  183  may initially be manufactured in a collapsed configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 1C , such as for shipping and/or storage, whereby once the first and/or second extendible portions ( 191 ,  190 ) are engaged or interlocked with the body portion  187  at the first and/or second connection areas or segments ( 189 ,  188 ), as discussed in greater detail herein, the hanger  187  is configured to permanently remain in such expanded configuration and the first and/or second extendible portions ( 191 ,  190 ) are no longer configured to be disengaged from the body portion  187  in order to return to the collapsed configuration. Similar to previous discussions, the hanger  187  may include an edge ( 184 ,  182 ,  199 ,  198 ) disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the hanger  187 . 
     A first downward segment  185  of the body portion  187  may include a depression  196  therein. Likewise a second downward segment  186  of the body portion  187  may include a depression  197  therein. The first and/or second downward segments ( 185 ,  186 ) may provide improved connection and/or rotation of the first and/or second extendible portions ( 191 ,  190 ). In addition or alternatively, such features may provide desired weight savings and/or manufacturing ease in certain embodiments. Various of these features and/or structural elements may be the same as or similar to those previously discussed. 
     Turning next to  FIG. 2A , a zoomed-in front view  200  of a portion of a collapsible garment hanger  202  that is not in an extended configuration is shown. Similarly,  FIG. 2B  shows a zoomed-in rear view  250  of the portion of the collapsible garment hanger  202  of  FIG. 2A . Likewise,  FIG. 2C  shows a zoomed-in perspective view of the portion of the collapsible garment hanger  202  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In each of  FIGS. 2A-C , the collapsible garment hanger  202  may include features that are the same as or similar to those previously discussed. 
     The hanger  202  includes a body portion  210  that connects with an extendible portion  206  via a hinge or other connection component, element, or mechanism  299 . The connection of the extendible portion  206  with the body portion  210  allows the hanger  202  to move between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, the same as or similar to previous discussions. As discussed in greater detail below, various elements and/or surfaces of the extendible portion  206  are configured to engage with corresponding elements and/or surfaces of the body portion  210  when the hanger  202  is in the extended configuration. This helps to aid in the stability of the hanger  202  and/or to help maintain the hanger  202  in the extended configuration until it is desired by user manipulation to move or change to the collapsed configuration. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the extendible portion  206  includes a first protrusion  282  that extends outwardly from between a first connecting surface  280  and a second connecting surface  284 . The first protrusion  282  may only extend partially from the front surface of the extendible portion  206  such that it is not the same overall thickness of the extendible portion  206  (e.g., see  FIG. 2C ). For example, it may only extend from a front surface of the extendible portion  206  (i.e., is flush with the front surface of the extendible portion  206 , but not flush with the rear surface of the extendible portion  206 ). A corresponding first socket  281  is disposed in the body portion  210  between a first connecting surface  290  of the body portion  210  and a second connecting surface  296  of the body portion  210 . Thus, when the extendible portion  206  is rotated, pivoted, or otherwise moved via hinge  299  to the extended configuration, the first protrusion  282  of the extendible portion  206  is received by the first socket  281  of the body portion  210 . 
     In similar fashion, a first protrusion  292  of the body portion  210  corresponds to a first socket  291  disposed in the extendible portion  206 , as shown. When the extendible portion  206  is rotated, pivoted, or otherwise moved via hinge  299  to the extended configuration, the first protrusion  292  of the body portion  210  is received by the first socket  291  of the extendible portion  206 . Once both protrusions are fully received by their respective sockets, the first and second connecting surfaces ( 280 ,  284 ) of the extendible portion  206  meet the first and second connection surfaces ( 290 ,  296 ) of the body portion  210 , respectively. The first and second connecting surfaces ( 280 ,  284 ) of the extendible portion  206  have a similar, but opposite or reverse shape when compared to the first and second connection surfaces ( 290 ,  296 ) of the body portion  210  so that a close fit between the extendible portion  206  and the body portion  210  is maintained. 
     The extendible portion  206  also includes a second protrusion  288  that extends outwardly from an adjacent third connecting surface  286 . The second protrusion  288  of the extendible portion  206  may only extend partially from the front surface of the extendible portion  206  such that it is not the same overall thickness of the extendible portion  206  (e.g., see  FIG. 2C ). For example, it may only extend from a rear surface of the extendible portion  206  (i.e., is flush with the rear surface of the extendible portion  206 , but not flush with the front surface of the extendible portion  206 ). A corresponding second socket  287  is disposed in the body portion  210  adjacent to a third connecting surface  294  of the body portion  210 . Thus, when the extendible portion  206  is rotated, pivoted, or otherwise moved via hinge  299  to the extended configuration, the second protrusion  288  of the extendible portion  206  is received by the second socket  287  of the body portion  210 . 
     In similar fashion, a second protrusion  298  of the body portion  210  corresponds to a second socket  297  disposed in the extendible portion  206 , as shown. When the extendible portion  206  is rotated, pivoted, or otherwise moved via hinge  299  to the extended configuration, the second protrusion  298  of the body portion  210  is received by the second socket  297  of the extendible portion  206 . Once both protrusions are fully received by their respective sockets, the third connecting surface  286  of the extendible portion  206  meets the third connecting surface  294  of the body portion  210 . The third connecting surface  286  of the extendible portion  206  has a similar, but opposite or reverse shape, when compared to the third connecting surface  294  of the body portion  210  so that a close fit between the extendible portion  206  and the body portion  210  is maintained. 
     The hanger  202  shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C  also facilitates improved stacking with a plurality of other hangers  202 . A front side of the hanger  202  (e.g.,  FIGS. 2A and 2C ) illustrates a raised edge  205  disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the hanger  202 . This raised edge is adjacent to a recessed area  273  that has a lower elevation or height than the edge  205 . The back side of the hanger  202  (e.g.,  FIG. 2B ) illustrates a raised area  272  that corresponds in position to the recessed area  273  on the front side of the hanger  202 . Thus, if one hanger  202  was stacked front-to-back with a second hanger  202 , the raised area  272  on a back side of the first hanger  202  would fit within and engage with the recessed area  273  on the front side of the second hanger  202 . Such stacking aids in preventing a plurality of hangers from shifting in position during storage and/or transit, making compacting multiple hangers together easier and less costly. In another embodiment, a hanger may not be configured to couple or engage with an adjacent hanger to facilitate stacking. For example, one embodiment may have two areas configured the same (e.g., two recessed areas  273 , two raised areas  272 , and/or two flush areas) located on either sides of a hanger, rather than recessed area  273  and a corresponding raised area  272  configured to mate together. Any of a variety of different positions, shapes, orientations, locations, and/or proportions for the stacking edges and/or areas may be used in an alternative embodiment. 
     Alternative embodiments utilizing different numbers of protrusions, sockets, and/or connecting surfaces are possible. In certain embodiments, no protrusions and/or sockets may be needed. In still other embodiments, protrusions and/or sockets may be shaped or oriented differently. For example, one embodiment may form one or more protrusions with a head portion that has a larger width or diameter than a connected neck portion such that the protrusion may “snap” into a receiving socket. In this fashion, the hanger may be held in the extended configuration until a user exhibits a predetermined amount of force in order to free the protrusion from the receiving socket. 
     In still other embodiments, protrusions and/or sockets may be disposed at differing locations of the hanger. For example, one or more protrusions and/or corresponding sockets may be disposed such that they can engage with one another when the hanger is in a collapsed configuration. In such an embodiment, the hanger may be held in the collapsed configuration until a user exhibits a predetermined amount of force in order to free the protrusion from the receiving socket. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front view  300  of a portion of a collapsible garment hanger  302  that may be used for placement of advertisements, logos, or any of a variety of other textual or graphical images or prints. The hanger  302  may include features that are the same as or similar to those previously discussed. The hanger  302  includes a body portion  310  and an area  320  on the body portion  310  for the placement of desired text or other images. The area  320  may take up substantially all of the surface area of the body portion  310  and thus configured to place text or graphics on substantially all of the body portion  310 . In an alternative embodiment, the area  320  may be smaller in size such that only a smaller portion of the surface area of the body portion  310  is configured to be covered by text or graphics. 
     The text or graphics may be permanently affixed to the body portion  310  of the hanger  302  in the area  320 . For example, the area  320  may be created out of a material conducive to permanent printing thereupon (e.g., certain metal, plastics, etc.) and such text or graphics may be printed with ink or otherwise branded within the area  320  such that it is not intended to be easily removable. In another embodiment, the text or graphics may be temporarily affixed to the body portion  310  of the hanger  302  in the area  320 . In one example, the text or graphics may be applied via a sticker or other adhesive. In another example, the area  320  may be created out of a material conducive to temporary printing thereupon (e.g., certain metals, plastics, etc.) and such text or graphics may be disposed within the area  320  such that the text or graphics can be eliminated (e.g., via a chemical solution, etc.). Such temporary printing allows new text or graphics to be displayed upon the hanger  302  if the manufacturer and/or retailer and/or other entity desires to update or modify the text or graphics without having to throw away the hanger  302 . For example, this may be desired in retail stores to promote current or upcoming sales, to promote current or upcoming goods offered to customers, etc. In another embodiment, the text and/or graphics may be applied via a tool insert during the manufacture of the body portion  310  of the hanger  302 . In this fashion, different inserts having different text and/or graphics may be used during manufacture in order to create the body portion  310  of the hanger  302  with the desired text and/or graphics manufactured as part of the body portion  310  such that a second pass or step (e.g., a stamping/printing pass) need not be performed upon the body portion  310  of the hanger  302  after manufacture. Although illustrated having particular dimensions, in an alternative embodiment, the area  320  may have any of a variety of shapes and/or configurations. 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view  400  of a portion of a collapsible garment hanger  402  for one or more cut-outs. The hanger  402  may include features that are the same as or similar to those previously discussed. The hanger  402  includes a body portion  410  that contains an area  420  thereupon for the printing, inserting, or placement of text or graphics (e.g., logos, advertisements, etc.). This area  420  may include features that are the same as or similar to those previously discussed for  FIG. 3 . The body portion  410  of the hanger  402  includes a first cut-out section  422  and a second cut-out section  424 . The first and/or second cut-out sections ( 422 ,  424 ) may help reduce the overall weight of the hanger  422  such that the hanger  402  may be less expensive to manufacture and/or transport. Although illustrated having particular dimensions, in an alternative embodiment, the first cut-out section  422  and/or the second cut-out section  424  may have any of a variety of shapes and/or configurations. Greater (e.g., 3+) or fewer (zero or one) cut-out section may be used in an alternative embodiment. 
     Turning next to  FIG. 5A , a perspective view  500  of a shipping container  510  is shown for transportation of garment hangers in extended configurations. Similarly,  FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view  550  of the shipping container  510  for transportation of garment hangers in collapsed and/or stacked configurations. As illustrated, the shipping container  510  has particular dimensions for length, width, and height such that only a particular number cases  520  of extended configuration hangers will fit in the shipping container  510 . For example, the shipping container  510  holding cases  520  may only be capable of transporting 720 cases  520  containing extended configuration hangers packed therein if a single case  520  had dimensions of 50 cm by 37 cm by 50 cm. Alternatively, since shipment of hangers that are in a collapsed and/or stacked configuration may allow for a greater number of hangers to be contained within the same volume as hangers in an extended configuration (e.g., see discussion above), cases  530  of collapsed and/or stacked configuration hangers allow for a greater number of hangers (e.g., 1080 cases  520  containing collapsed and/or stacked configuration hangers packed therein if a single case  530  had dimensions of 26 cm by 41 cm by 60 cm) to be contained within the same shipping container  510 . A given case (either case  520  or case  530 ) may contain the same number of hangers therein (e.g., 800 hangers), but since a greater number of cases  530  may fit within the same shipping container  510  when compared against cases  520 , time and/or money in transportation costs and other expenses in the shipment and/or storage of hangers for retail or other establishments may be achieved. 
     The previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosed methods and apparatus. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed method and apparatus. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosed apparatus and methods. The steps of the method or algorithm may also be performed in an alternate order from those provided in the examples.