Patent Publication Number: US-2007108237-A1

Title: Garment Hanger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/775,454 filed Feb. 10, 2004, which is expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
      Not applicable.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to garment hangers and, more particularly, to garment hangers having a low cost frame for reducing garment deformation, and a secondary garment contacting surface for engaging the frame, wherein the garment contacting surface is selected to reduce undesirable deformation of garments retained by the hanger.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Plastic garment hangers are widely used for the purpose of shipping and displaying garments. Particularly, in the garment manufacturing industry, such a hanger is often an inexpensive ship-on type, whereby the garment is shipped from the manufacturer or wholesaler to the retailer while suspended from the hanger. Generally, such garment hangers are single-piece or unitary plastic structures adapted to be either discarded at the time of sale, returned to the garment manufacturer, or provided to a customer free of charge in conjunction with the purchase of the suspended garment.  
      Alternatively, a metal wire is bent into a hanger shape having a hook; a pair of depending, diverging garment contacting arms; and a horizontal strut extending horizontally between terminal ends of the diverging arms. These metal hangers are also relatively inexpensive and are often single use devices. The performance of these metal hangers contributes to the single use of the hangers. For example, terminal ends of the arms of the metal hangers will create puckers or bumps in the shoulder/sleeve of a garment disposed on the hanger. This problem is especially acute with the garment is damp or moist when disposed on the hanger. Further, moist garments tend to enhance oxidation, or rust, of the metal hanger, thereby potentially staining the garment.  
      Therefore, the need exists for a relatively inexpensive garment hanger with increased performance. The need also exists for a garment hanger that can provide increased contact length with the garment to reduce distortion of the garment, including puckering. A need also exists for a garment hanger that can be formed in accordance with existing technologies, so as to be efficiently produced, wherein the hanger can be modified to significantly increase performance and perceived value. The need also exists for a hanger accessory that can be readily manufactured and engaged with a preexisting hanger to increase the capability of the hanger.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides an improved garment hanger, which can be economically manufactured to provide enhanced performance characteristics. The present invention also includes an accessory to an existing hanger, wherein the performance and capacity of the existing hanger is increased.  
      In one configuration, the garment hanger includes a frame formed to provide a hook; a pair of depending, diverging garment engaging arms; and an interconnecting strut, typically horizontally disposed to interconnect terminal ends of the garment engaging arms. The frame has substantially continuously curvilinear portions selected to reduce deformation or puckering of a garment hung from the frame. Preferably, at least the terminal ends of the garment engaging arms define a continuously curvilinear profile. However, it is understood the garment engaging arms form a curvilinear profile. The frame can thus define a continuous convex surface for contacting the garment. Further, the garment engaging arms are sized such that the terminal ends of the arms are at least approximately 21 inches apart. In addition, the curvilinear configuration of the frame can be effectively “oversized” with respect to industry standard hanger sizing. The garment hanger is constructed to dispose the garment engaging arms intermediate the strut and the hook.  
      In one configuration, a polymeric sheath is disposed along at least a portion of one of the garment engaging arms. The polymeric sheath can have any of the variety configurations including encapsulation, concentric mounting, and eccentric mounting as well as overmolding. The polymeric sheath can have a substantially constant cross section along its length. Alternatively, the polymeric sheath can be overmolded to provide a varying cross section along a longitudinal dimension of the polymeric sheath.  
      An alternative configuration, an overchannel, is constructed to cooperatively engage the existing hanger. The overchannel has a generally U-shaped cross section, a longitudinal axis, and an aperture sized to receive the hook. In one construction, the overchannel extends beyond terminal ends of the garment engaging arms of the frame and is sufficiently rigid to support the garment beyond the terminal ends of the arms. Further, the overchannel can define a substantially different contact length than the underlying arms of the hanger. It is further contemplated the curvilinear frame can be employed with either the polymeric sheath or the overchannel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a traditional garment hanger.  
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a frame of the present invention in comparison to an industry standard metal frame.  
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a traditional garment hanger including the present polymeric sheath.  
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the traditional garment hanger including an alternative construction of the polymeric sheath.  
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view showing an overchannel operably engaged with the traditional garment hanger.  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing the overchannel with the traditional garment hanger.  
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative construction of the overchannel with the traditional garment hanger.  
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational, partial cutaway view showing the overchannel with the present frame.  
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the further construction of the overchannel.  
       FIG. 11  is an end elevational view of the overchannel of  FIG. 10 .  
       FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the overchannel of  FIG. 10  separated from the hanger.  
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational, partial perspective view of another configuration of the overchannel.  
       FIG. 14  is an end view of the overchannel of  FIG. 13 .  
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of another configuration of the overchannel operably engaged with the hanger frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a traditional garment hanger  2  includes a frame  3  having a hook  4 , a pair of depending garment engaging arms  6 , and a transverse strut  8 . Typically, the entire garment hanger  2  is formed of a single piece of wire or metal. The wire is often shaped to define the hook  2 , the arms  6 , and the strut  8 , wherein one end of the wire forms a free end of the hook  2  and the remaining end of the wire is wrapped about the frame intermediate the hook and the junction of the arms  6 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , the present invention contemplates a curvilinear frame  60 . The curvilinear frame  60  includes a hook  62 , a pair of depending garment engaging arms  66 , and an interconnecting strut  68 . The frame  60  can be formed of any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to wire, plastic, or composites. However, it is believed that wire can provide a cost efficient material for forming the frame  60 .  
      The garment engaging arms  66  are constructed to define the width of the frame  60 . The garment engaging arms  66  include a continuously curvilinear profile and extend from the ends of the strut  68  to the hook  62 . The garment engaging arms  66  define the maximum width of the frame, wherein the strut  68  defines the lowest portion of the frame  60 . Preferably, at least the portions of the garment engaging arms  66  that define the maximum width of the hanger are continuously curvilinear. However, it is understood at least substantially that the entire length of the garment engaging arms can be curvilinear. The curvilinear profile of the garment engaging arms  66  is selected to minimize or preclude deformation or puckering of the garment, typically associated with the garment draping to locate the effective center of mass of the unsupported portions of the suspended garment beyond the terminal ends of the garment engaging arms. That is, the center of mass of the portion of a sleeve that does not contact the garment engaging arms  66  is beyond (or at) the terminal ends (maximum width) of the arms, rather than swinging to drape between the terminal ends of the arms. Thus, the garment engaging arms  66  are sized to locate the center of mass of any unsupported portion of the garment beyond the maximum width of the hanger, as defined by the garment engaging arms. Alternatively stated, the garment engaging arms  66  define a greater width than the strut  68 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the strut  68  defines the bottom portion of the hanger  60 , yet the horizontal dimension of the strut is less than the horizontal dimension of the garment engaging arms  66 . That is, the strut  68  is the portion of the frame  60  that is vertically spaced furthest from the hook  62 , and the strut  68  has a smaller horizontal dimension than the garment engaging arms  66 . The garment engaging arms  66  are thereby disposed intermediate the hook  62  and the strut  68 .  
      In a preferred configuration, the garment engaging arms  66  define a width of at least approximately 21 inches. In contrast, prior hangers have a width of approximately 16 inches. The strut  68  can have a length of approximately 16 inches. Thus, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the garment engaging arms  66  curve towards each other as the arms extend beyond the maximum width of approximately 21 inches. The distance from the lower end of the hook (where the garment engaging arms diverge) to the horizontal strut  68  is between approximately 9 and 10 inches. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the vertical distance from the strut  68  to the lower end of the hook is between approximately 9 and 10 inches.  
      In a preferred configuration, the garment engaging arms  66  of the frame  60  define a continuously convex (bowed) surface for engaging the garment. The radius of curvature of the garment engaging arms  66  can be constant or can vary along the length of the arms. The length of the garment engaging arms  66  and the radius of curvature of the convex surface defined by the garment engaging arms are selected to preclude deformation of the garment by the terminal ends of the garment engaging arms. Thus, the garment engages the frame  60  along a curvilinear surface, and the weight bearing length of the garment engaging arms  66  is curvilinear. Further, the curvature of the garment engaging arms  66  is sufficient to preclude the center of mass of the unsupported portion of the garment from draping within the terminal ends of the arms. Further, the radius of curvature of the garment engaging arms  66  decreases such that the arms converge at the joining with the strut  68 . Although the garment engaging arms  66  are described in terms of an approximately 21 inch width, it is understood that the desired curvature can be employed in a smaller width frame to accommodate smaller garments.  
      The frame  60  can be formed from any of a variety of materials, such as but not limited to metal, plastics, or elastomers. In one configuration, the frame  60  is formed of a metal wire having a diameter of 0.125 (⅛) inches.  
      The frame  60  can be employed in connection with a polymeric sheath  20  or an overchannel  40  (shown in  FIG. 6 ).  
      As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in a further configuration, the present invention provides a polymeric sheath  20  disposed along at least a portion of the frame  3 . The polymeric sheath  20  can be operably disposed about the frame  3  by any of a variety of mechanisms including overmolding and sleeve mounting. While the polymeric sleeve is described in terms of the traditional hanger  3 , it is understood the polymeric sheath can be employed with the present frame  60 .  
      In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 5 , the polymeric sheath  20  is preformed to have any given inner diameter of  22  and a given outer diameter  24 . Typically, the inner diameter  22  is selected to receive a cross section of the frame  3 . Although the inner diameter  22  can be a variety of sizes with respect to a given cross section of the frame, the inner diameter is preferably selected to receive the cross section of the frame while providing friction contact with the frame  3 . The sizing of the inner diameter  22  can be at least partially determined by the intended construction of the hanger  2 . That is, if the sheath  20  is to be slid onto a length of the frame  3 , the inner diameter  22  can be sized to allow the wire to slide along the inner diameter. Alternatively, if the polymeric sheath  20  is to be transversely slipped over the wire, then the inner diameter  22  can be smaller than the diameter of the frame. That is, the polymeric sheath  20  may not completely circumscribe the cross section of the wire, but rather extend a portion of the periphery, such as preferably at least 270°.  
      The outer diameter of the polymeric sheath  20  can be selected to provide any of a variety of contact surfaces for the garment. For example, the outer diameter  24  of the polymeric sheath  20  can be as much as 2 times to over 10 times the diameter of the encompassed frame. Thus, a wall thickness of the polymeric sheath  20  can be selected to provide any of a variety of performances for the sheath.  
      The polymeric sheath  20  is selected of a material to substantially preclude degradation, discoloration, or staining of the garment contacting the polymeric sheath. Further, the polymeric sheath  20  is selected to preclude degradation, discoloration, or staining of the garment independent of the moisture of the garment. In addition, an outer surface of the polymeric sheath  20  can be treated or formed to provide either increased or decreased coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction can be selected in response to the intended garments to be retained on the hanger.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the polymeric sheath  20  can be configured to encapsulate selected portions of the frame  3 , substantially the entire frame, or the entire length of the frame. For example, the polymeric sheath  20  can be sized to encapsulate only the arms. In this configuration, the polymeric sheath substantially defines the garment contacting surface. Referring to  FIG. 5 , it is contemplated the polymeric sheath  20  can be concentric with the frame  3 . Alternatively, the polymeric sheath  20  can be constructed to be eccentric with respect to the frame  3 .  
      The polymeric sheath  20  can be formed to have a substantially dense configuration, or a cellular configuration. In the cellular configuration, the polymeric sheath  20  can have any of the variety of resiliencies or hardnesses. For example, the polymeric material can be from approximately 25 Shore A to approximately 60 Shore D. The hardness of the polymeric sheath  20  can be selected in view of the anticipated loading or garment weight. Thus, in selected configurations, the polymeric sheath  20  is a different material than the frame  3 .  
      The polymeric sheath  20  can be separately formed as a tube or sleeve having a longitudinally extending cut through a wall of the sleeve. The cut can be a mere incision or, alternatively, a removal of sufficient material to permit passage of the cross section of the frame therethrough.  
      Alternatively, the polymeric sheath  20  can be formed by an overmolding on the frame  3 . The overmolding can be formed at selected locations, or alternatively along the entire length of the frame  3 . In the overmolding configuration, it is contemplated that the resulting cross section of the polymeric sheath  20  can be substantially different than the underlying frame  3  and thus provide a custom or configured garment contacting length, which is different than the garment contacting length defined by the underlying arms  6 .  
      It is also contemplated that the polymeric sheath  20  can have a varying density along the longitudinal dimension of the sheath. For example, sections of the sheath  20  can have a first density and second sections of the sheath can have a greater second density. Thus, portions of the sheath can be dense material and remaining portions can be a cellular material.  
      Each of the configurations of the polymeric sheath  20  can be employed with a presently described curvilinear (oversized) hanger, as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . It is also understood that the polymeric sheath  20  can be employed with traditional hangers, thereby increasing the utility and functionality of an existing traditional hanger.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the overchannel configuration, an overchannel  40  is selected to alter the garment contacting surface of the frame  3 . Preferably, the garment contacting surface area defined by the overchannel  40  is substantially larger than the garment contacting surface area defined by the frame  3 . The increased garment contacting surface area can be defined by the cross section of the overchannel  40 , as well as a longitudinal dimension of the overchannel with respect to the depending arms  6  of the frame  3 . That is, the overchannel  40  can be sized to extend beyond the terminal end of the garment contacting arms  6  of the frame  3 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the overchannel extends beyond the terminal end of the garment contacting arms  6  of the frame  3  by approximately 40% and in  FIG. 9  by approximately 36% of the length of the garment engaging arm. Thus, the overchannel  40  increases the effective size of the hanger, without requiring additional material in the underlying frame  3 .  
      The overchannel  40  can be configured to have a substantially U-shaped cross section defined by a closed end  42  and a pair of extending legs  44 ,  46 . The legs  44 ,  46  can be substantially parallel, converging, or diverging with respect to the closed end. As seen in  FIGS. 7, 8 ,  12 ,  14 , and  15 , the overchannel can have a variety of cross sections.  
      The overchannel  40  can be formed of a single integral piece of material. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the overchannel  40  can be defined by a first layer forming a first leg  44  and a second layer forming a second leg  46 , wherein the first layer and the second layer are bonded together to form the closed end  42 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the overchannel  40  can include an aperture or notch  49  for passing the hook therethrough.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7-10  and  14 , in one configuration, an inner surface of at least one of the legs  44 ,  46  includes a capture tab  48  sized to engage a portion of the frame  3 , such as the arm  6 , to locate the frame intermediate the capture tab and the closed end of the overchannel  40 . It is understood that both legs  44 ,  46  can include capture tabs  48 , wherein the capture tabs are opposed to each other or offset along the longitudinal dimension of the overchannel  40 .  
      The capture tabs  48  can be configured to allow removal of the overchannel  40  from the frame  3 . Alternatively, the capture tabs  48  can cooperatively engage so as to trap a portion of the frame  3  and substantially preclude nondestructive separation of the overchannel  40  from the frame.  
      In a further configuration, it is contemplated that the capture tabs  48  can be sized and located such that the longitudinal axis of the overchannel  40  is inclined with respect to the underlying arm  6  of the frame  3 . The overchannel  40  and the frame  3  are not coplanar, and the overchannel can provide enhanced support to the garment. Thus, the respective arms of the overchannel  40  can be disposed in intersecting planes.  
      The overchannel  40  can be configured to provide a substantially different garment contacting surface than the frame  3 . The garment contacting surface of the overchannel  40  can be curvilinear, linear, or multifaceted. For example, in one configuration, the overchannel  40  extends beyond a terminal end of the arms  6  of the frame  3 . In this configuration, the length of the garment contacting surface of the overchannel  40  is greater than the length of the garment contacting surface of the underlying arm  6  or frame  3 . The overchannel  40  is preferably formed of a material to be sufficiently self-supporting so as to maintain the extended length of the garment contacting surface under loading. The overchannel  40  is sufficiently rigid to maintain the garment contacting surface without requiring continuous support of the frame  3 . That is, the overchannel  40  does not substantially deform upon retaining a garment such as a winter coat or sweater.  
      The overchannel  40  can be formed from any of a variety of materials. For example, thermosets, thermoplastics, and thermoplastic elastomers can be employed. Alternatively, the overchannel  40  can be formed from biodegradable products, and paperboard, cardboard and corrugated materials. As in selection of material for the polymeric sheath, the material of the overchannel  40  is selected to be nondegrading and nonstaining to a retained garment. Preferably, the material of the overchannel  40  and the configuration of the overchannel, such as the thickness along the cross section, are selected to render the overchannel self-supporting as it overhangs the arms  6  of the frame  3 .  
      In selected configurations, the overchannel  40  is constructed to define a profile as provided by the garment engaging arms  66 . That is, the overchannel  40  defines a garment contacting surface that minimizes or precludes puckering or distortion of the garment.  
      In one configuration, the frame  3  has arms of a given length, wherein the overchannel  40  has a longitudinal dimension greater than the given length. The overhang or excess length of the overchannel  40  can be selected in part in response to the size of the underlying frame  3  and intended garments to be retained.  
      Alternatively, as seen in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the overchannel  40  can define a substantially curvilinear profile, wherein the curvilinear profile has substantially the same as the density frame. However, it is understood, the overchannel  40  can extend beyond the width of the frame.  
      It is also understood the overchannel  40  can be employed in conjunction with the polymeric sheath  20 . However, in view of market efficiencies, it is anticipated that only one of the overchannel  40  and the polymeric sheath  20  would be used in a given hanger.  
      It is further recognized the overchannel  40  can be used in connection with the curvilinear hanger. In addition, the overchannel  40  can be selected to cooperatively engage the traditional wire hanger, thereby increasing the functionality of an existing hanger.  
      While the invention has been described in connection with a presently preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, which accordingly is intended to be defined solely by the appended claims.