Patent Publication Number: US-6988643-B2

Title: Auxiliary bar for a hanger

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to hangers, and more particularly pertains to an auxiliary bar for a pinch grip hanger used for hanging pants and skirts for shipment to retailers and display of the same in a retail environment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Consumer taste and fashion have dictated a desire for mass-produced, but well-fitted garments, which are distributed and sold throughout the United States. Large national retailers of clothing generally contract with a plurality of clothing manufactured to produce uniform standardized clothing, which is essentially identical from batch to batch, even though manufacturers by different entities. These manufacturers in turn produce the clothing at their own plants, or in many cases, subcontract the production of the garments to manufacturers based in the Far East, for instance, in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea. 
   In the retail clothing industry clothing is typically suspended from hangers at the point of purchase. Such hangers are often inexpensive ship-on types and under prevailing garment-on-hanger programs, the garment is shipped from the manufacturer to the retailer while suspended from a hanger. Traditional garment-on-hanger pant and skirt hangers utilize spring clips that are manually pushed into a locking position to secure the pants or skirts to the hanger. In these hangers, referred to as “pinch grip hangers,” a steel-retaining clip is manually clamped over a clamshell garment grip to secure the garment. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,480 to Duester et al. discloses a pinch grip hanger having an auxiliary bar. A portion of the garment, which is suspended from the pinch grips, is draped over the auxiliary bar. The auxiliary bar is typically fabricated from a metal wire and is pivotally disposed in the body of the hanger. However, the auxiliary bar can also be integrally formed with the body of the hanger. The draping of the garment over the auxiliary bar reduces the vertical space required to display a single garment, thus making the display of the garment compact and allowing display of a greater number of garments in the same display space. 
   Although, the auxiliary bars of the prior art have their advantages, they require specially manufactured garment hangers to either pivotally retain them therein or to be integrally molded therein. Therefore, pinch grip type hangers must be manufactured in both a version without an auxiliary bar and in a version with an auxiliary bar or capable of supporting an auxiliary bar. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an auxiliary bar for use with a pinch grip type hanger which does not require the pinch grip type hanger to be specially manufactured to retain the auxiliary bar thereon. 
   Accordingly, an auxiliary bar for use with a hanger is provided. The auxiliary bar comprises: at least one clip portion having at least one clip for engaging a surface of the hanger; and a bottom rail supported from the at least one clip over which a portion of a garment supported from the hanger is draped. Preferably, the at least one clip portion comprises first and second clip portions, each of which having at least one clip engaging a surface of the hanger. 
   The auxiliary bar preferably further comprises first and second side rails each having a first end connected to the first and second clip portions, respectively, and a second end connected to the bottom rail. Preferably, each of the first and second side rails have a vertical portion and a tapered portion, the vertical portion corresponding to the first end and the tapered portion corresponding to the second end and connected to the bottom rail. Where the hanger is a pinch grip hanger having first and second pinch grips offset from each other by a length, the tapered portion of each of the first and second side rails preferably terminate at each of a first and second end of the bottom rail, wherein a distance between the first and second ends of the bottom rail is greater than the length between the first and second pinch grips of the hanger. Preferably, a junction between the tapered portion and the bottom rail is radiused and at least the vertical portion has a low-profile cross-section. Where the hanger is a pinch grip hanger having at least one pinch grip for retaining a garment therein, the vertical portion preferably corresponds to the at least one pinch grip of the hanger. The tapered portion has a cross section having at least one side stiffening rib. Preferably, the at least one side stiffening rib comprises first and second side stiffening ribs disposed on a first and second edge of the tapered portion. 
   The bottom rail preferably also has a cross section having at least one bottom stiffening rib. Preferably, the at least one bottom stiffening rib comprises first and second bottom stiffening ribs disposed on a first and second edge of the bottom rail. One of the first and second bottom stiffening ribs preferably has a concave surface over which the portion of the garment is draped. 
   Preferably, the at least one clip comprises a first member depending from the clip portion and a second member depending from the first member, the first and second members defining a latch for engaging the surface of the hanger. The at least one clip preferably further comprises a one-way engagement means for lockingly engaging the surface of the hanger. Preferably, the one-way engagement means comprises a barb disposed at an end of the second member for lockingly engaging an edge of the surface of the hanger. 
   In an alternative version, the at least one clip comprises first and second opposing clips, each of the first and second opposing clips having a first member depending from the clip portion and a second member depending from the first member, the first and second members defining a channel for engaging the surface of the hanger. Preferably, each of the first and second clips further has a one-way engagement means for lockingly engaging the surface of the hanger. The one-way engagement means preferably comprises first and second barbs, one of which is disposed at an end of each of the second members for lockingly engaging first and second edges, respectively, of the surface of the hanger. 
   Also provided is a hanger. The hanger comprising; a hook; a support bar suspended from the hook, the support bar having an engagement surface; means for suspending a garment from the support bar; and an auxiliary bar having at least one clip portion having at least one clip for engaging the engagement surface of the hanger and a bottom rail supported from the clip over which a portion of the garment is draped. 
   Preferably, the at least one clip portion comprises first and second clip portions, each of which having at least one clip engaging an engagement surface of the hanger. The pinch grip hanger preferably further comprises first and second side rails each having a first end connected to the first and second clip portions, respectively, and a second end connected to the bottom rail. Each of the first and second side rails preferably have a vertical portion and a tapered portion, the vertical portion corresponding to the first end and the tapered portion corresponding to the second end and connected to the bottom rail. 
   Where the means for supporting the garment comprises first and second pinch grips mounted on the support bar at first and second ends thereof for insertion or release of a garment therein and where the first and second pinch grips are offset from each other by a length, the tapered portion of each of the first and second side rails preferably terminate at each of a first and second ends of the bottom rail, wherein a distance between the first and second ends of the bottom rail is greater than the length between the first and second pinch grips. 
   Preferably, a junction between the tapered portion and the bottom rail is radiused and at least the vertical portion has a low-profile cross-section. Where the means for supporting the garment comprises at least one pinch grip mounted on the support bar for insertion or release of a garment therein, the vertical portion preferably corresponds to the at least one pinch grip and the vertical portion is disposed in a channel formed in at least a portion of the at least one pinch grip. 
   Preferably, the tapered portion has a cross section having at least one side stiffening rib. The at least one side stiffening rib preferably comprises first and second side stiffening ribs disposed on a first and second edge of the tapered portion. The bottom rail preferably has a cross section having at least one bottom stiffening rib. Preferably, the at least one bottom stiffening rib comprises first and second bottom stiffening ribs disposed on a first and second edge of the bottom rail. More preferably, one of the first and second bottom stiffening ribs has a concave surface over which the portion of the garment is draped. 
   The at least one clip preferably comprises a first member depending from the clip portion and a second member depending from the first member, the first and second members defining a latch for engaging the engagement surface. Preferably, the clip further comprises a one-way engagement means for lockingly engaging the engagement surface. The one-way engagement means preferably comprises a barb disposed at an end of the second member for lockingly engaging an edge of the engagement surface. 
   The at least one clip preferably comprises first and second opposing clips, each of the first and second opposing clips having a first member depending from the clip portion and a second member depending from the first member, the first and second members defining a channel for engaging the surface of the hanger. Preferably, each of the first and second clips further has a one-way engagement means for lockingly engaging the surface of the hanger. The one-way engagement means preferably comprises first and second barbs, one of which is disposed at an end of each of the second members for lockingly engaging first and second edges, respectively, of the surface of the hanger. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an auxiliary bar according to a preferred implementation of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate a sectional view of the tapered portion of the side rail and the bottom rail, respectively, of the auxiliary bar of  FIG. 1  as taken along lines  2   a — 2   a  and  2   b — 2   b , respectively. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of the clip portion of the auxiliary bar of  FIG. 1  as taken along line  3 — 3  therein. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of a pinch grip hanger having the auxiliary bar of  FIG. 1  disposed thereon. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view of the pinch grip hanger and auxiliary bar of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a partial vertical sectional view of the pinch grip of the hanger and auxiliary bar of  FIG. 4  as taken along line  6 — 6  therein. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a horizontal sectional view of the pinch grip of the hanger and auxiliary bar of  FIG. 4  as taken along line  7 — 7  therein. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of a grip hanger having an alternative version of an auxiliary bar disposed thereon. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a sectional view of the grip hanger and auxiliary bar of  FIG. 8  as taken along line  9 — 9  therein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   Although this invention is applicable to numerous and various types of hangers, it has been found particularly useful in the environment of grip and pinch grip type hangers. Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the invention to grip and pinch grip type hangers, the invention will be described in such environment. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an auxiliary bar for use with a hanger, the auxiliary bar being referred to generally by reference numeral  100 . The auxiliary bar has at least one clip portion  102 , and preferably two clip portions  102   a ,  102   b  offset from each other. Each clip portion  102   a ,  102   b  has a clip  104 , which as will be described below, engages a surface of a hanger to suspend the auxiliary bar  100  from the hanger. 
   The auxiliary bar  100  has a bottom rail  106  supported from the clips  104  over which a portion of a garment supported from the hanger is draped. First and second side rails  108 ,  110  depend from the clip portions  102  and each have a first end  108   a ,  110   a  connected to their respective clip portions  102   a ,  102   b  and a second end  108   b ,  110   b  connected to the bottom rail  106 . Preferably, each of the first and second side rails  108 ,  110  have a vertical portion  108   c ,  110   c  and a tapered portion  108   d ,  110   d . The vertical portions  108   c ,  110   c  correspond to the first end  108   a ,  110   a  and the tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  correspond to the second end  108   b ,  110   b.    
   Preferably, the tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  taper outwardly to connect to first and second ends  106   a ,  106   b  of the bottom rail  106  such that the length of the bottom rail  106  is greater than the distance between the clip portions  102   a ,  102   b . A junction  112   a ,  112   b  between each of the tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  and the first and second ends  106   a ,  106   b  of the bottom rail  106  is preferably radiused. 
   Preferably, for reasons that will be discussed below and apparent to those skilled in the art, at least the vertical portion  108   c ,  110   c  of the side rails  108 ,  110  have a low-profile cross-section. Preferably, the low profile cross-section of the vertical portion  108   c ,  110   c  is a flat rectangular shape, as seen more clearly in the sectional view of  FIG. 7 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2   a , the tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  of the side rails  108 ,  110  preferably have a cross section having at least one side stiffening rib. More preferably, the cross section of the tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  have first and second side stiffening ribs  114 ,  116  disposed on a first and second edge  118 ,  120  of the tapered portion  108   d . The stiffening ribs  114 ,  116  can be the same size, or as shown in  FIG. 2   a , the first stiffening rib  114 , which is positioned on the first or inner edge  118  of the tapered portion  108   d , is preferred to be larger to provide added rigidity without adding additional material and bulk. Although, only one of the tapered portions  108   d  is described as having the stiffening ribs  114 ,  116 , it will be appreciated by those in the art that each of the tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  is so configured. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2   b , the bottom rail  106  also preferably has a cross section having at least one bottom stiffening rib. Similarly to the tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  of the side rails  102   a ,  102   b , the bottom rail  106  preferably includes first and second bottom stiffening ribs  122 ,  124  disposed on a first and second edge  126 ,  128  of the bottom rail  106 . As discussed above with regard to the stiffening ribs  114 ,  116  of the tapered portion  108   d  of the side rail  102   a , it is preferred that one of the bottom stiffening ribs  122  be larger than the other stiffening rib  124 . Furthermore, it is more preferred that the inner of the stiffening ribs ( 122  in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2   b ) have a concave surface  130  over which the portion of the garment is draped. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3  in combination, the clip  104  comprises a hole  132  formed in the clip portion  102   a  and a first member  134  depending from the clip portion  102   a  and preferably from an edge of the hole  132 . A second member  136  depends from the first member  134 , preferably, in an orthogonal manner. The first and second members  134 ,  136  define a U-shaped cavity  140  for engaging a surface of the hanger. The clip further preferably comprises a one-way engagement means for lockingly engaging the clip  104  to a surface of the hanger. The one-way engagement means preferably comprises a barb  142  disposed at an end of the second member  136  for lockingly engaging an edge of a surface of the hanger. Those skilled it the art will appreciate that the clip is capable of elastic deformation in the direction of Arrow A, which as will be described below, facilitates the engagement of the clip  104  with a surface of a hanger and the locking of the clip  104  thereon. Although, only one of the clip portions  102   a  is described and illustrated in  FIG. 3 , it will be appreciated by those in the art that each of the clip portions  102   a ,  102   b  is so configured. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there is illustrated a pinch grip hanger  200  having the preferred implementation of the auxiliary bar  100  of the present invention disposed thereon.  FIG. 4  being a plan view of the front side of the hanger  200  and auxiliary bar  100  and  FIG. 5  being the reverse side. The pinch grip hanger  200  is molded of plastic with a support bar  202  and an upwardly extended hook member  204 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the hook member  204  is separately fabricated, typically from metal, and rotatably disposed in the support bar  202 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hook member  204  may also be formed of plastic and integrally molded with the support bar  202 . Although, not shown, the hanger  200  may also be fitted with a pivoting flange to receive a side sizer in the matter taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,745, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pinch grip hanger  200  includes a first  206  and second  208  pinch grip positioned on either end of the support bar  202 . Each of the pinch grips  206  and  208  include first and second pinch grip jaws  210 ,  212  (shown in cross-section in  FIG. 6 ) with the second jaw members  212  being integrally molded with the support bar  202 . The first jaw members  210  are pivotally secured to the second jaw members  212  at a pivot mounting  214 , by a spring member  216 , which is typically a metal clip which biases the first and second jaw members  210 ,  212  into a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). Each of the first and second jaws  210 ,  212  may be fitted with a molded non-slip pad (not shown) or maybe molded with teeth  218 , as more fully illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  in combination with  FIG. 5 , the clips  104  of the auxiliary bar  100  engage an engagement surface  220  of the hanger  200 . Specifically, the U-shaped cavity  140  is shaped and sized to accept the engagement surface  220  therein. The barb  142  lockingly engages an edge  222  of the engagement surface  220  to lock the clip  104  on the engagement surface  220 . When the clip  104  is pushed in the direction of Arrow B the barb  142  is forced outward in the direction of Arrow C. Since the auxiliary bar  100  is fabricated from a resilient material capable of plastic deformation, the first and/or second members  134 ,  136  plastically deform until the barb  142  passes the edge  222  at which point the barb  142  and the first and/or second members  134 ,  136  deform back to the shape illustrated in  FIG. 6 . To remove the clip  104  from the engagement surface  220 , the barb is pushed, preferably manually with a tool in the direction of Arrow C and the clip is removed in a direction opposite to the direction of Arrow B. Preferably, the material of the auxiliary bar  100  is such that it is capable of the plastic deformation discussed above yet have a low degree of brittleness to prevent stress fractures of the clip  104  due to repeated usage. Preferably, the material is a thermoplastic, such as polystyrene or blends thereof. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  in combination, the engagement surface  220  is preferably proximate each of the pinch grips  206 ,  208  with the vertical portion  108   c ,  110   c  disposed in a channel  224  formed in at least a portion of the pinch grips  206 ,  208 . Since, the vertical portion  108   c ,  110   c  of the side rails  108 ,  110  preferably has a low-profile cross section, as discussed above, the same can be disposed in a relatively shallow channel  224 . Therefore, the addition of the auxiliary bar  100  to the pinch grip hanger  200  results in no or no appreciable increase in thickness as compared to the pinch grip hanger  200  alone. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 4 , as also discussed above, the first and second pinch grips  206 ,  208  are offset from each other by a length l and due to the outwardly tapered portions  108   d ,  110   d  of each of the side rails  108 ,  110 , a distance d between the first and second ends  106   a ,  106   b  of the bottom rail  106  is greater than the length l between the first and second pinch grips  206 ,  208 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the greater length l facilitates easy draping of the garment over the bottom rail  106  without crimping and wrinkling of the garment. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there is shown an alternative version of the auxiliary bar of the present invention, shown by way of example disposed on a grip hanger. The auxiliary bar and grip hanger being referred to generally by reference numerals  300  and  400 , respectively. The auxiliary bar  300  is substantially similar to the auxiliary bar  100  described previously, with the exception of the clip portions, referred to by reference numerals  302   a  and  302   b.    
   Clip portions  302   a ,  302   b  each comprise first and second opposing clips  304   a ,  304   b  and a hole  306  formed in the clip portion  302   a . Each of the first and second clip portions  304   a ,  304   b  have a first member  308  depending from the clip portion  302   a  and preferably from an edge of the hole  306  and a second member  310  depending from the first member  308 , preferably, in an orthogonal manner and in an opposing manner such that the second members  310  extend towards each other. The first and second members  308 ,  310  define a channel  312  for engaging a surface of the hanger  400 . The first and second opposing clips  304   a ,  304   b  further preferably comprise a one-way engagement means for lockingly engaging the clips  304   a ,  304   b  to a surface of the hanger  400 . The one-way engagement means preferably comprises a barb  314  disposed at an end of each of the second members  310  for lockingly engaging a surface of the hanger  400 . Those skilled it the art will appreciate that the clip is capable of elastic deformation in the direction of Arrow A, which as will be described below, facilitates the engagement of the opposing clips  304   a ,  304   b  with the hanger  400  and the locking of the opposing clips  304   a ,  304   b  thereon. Although, only one of the clip portions  302   a  is described and illustrated in  FIG. 9 , it will be appreciated by those in the art that each of the clip portions  302   a ,  302   b  is so configured. 
   The hanger  400  has a horizontal bar  402  having first and second ribs  404 ,  406  disposed at first and second ends of a connecting member  407 . The horizontal bar  402  terminates at both ends with grips  408 ,  410 . The opposing clips  304   a ,  304   b  of the auxiliary bar  300  preferably engage the horizontal bar  402  of the hanger  200  inside the grips  408 ,  401 . Specifically, the channel  312  is shaped and sized to accept the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal bar  402  therein. Each barb  314  lockingly engages one of the first and second ribs  404 ,  406  of the horizontal bar  402  to lock the clips  304   a ,  304   b  on the horizontal bar  402 . The engagement of the clip portions  302   a ,  302   b  with the horizontal bar  402  is similar to that previously described with regard to  FIG. 6 . However, since two opposing clips  304   a ,  304   b  are utilized, one of the clips, preferably the first clip  304   a , is hooked on to the first rib  404  and the second clip  304  is rotated towards the second rib  406  in direction B. Since the auxiliary bar  300  is fabricated from a resilient material capable of plastic deformation, the first and/or second members  308 ,  310  plastically deform until the barb  314  passes the second rib  406  at which point the barb  314  and the first and/or second members  308 ,  310  deform back to the shape illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The clips  304   a ,  304   b  are removed by plastically deforming the first and/or second members  308 ,  310  until the barb  314  clears its corresponding rib  404 ,  406 . Preferably, the auxiliary bar  300  further has a support member  316 , which engages a surface of the connecting member  407  to provide an additional support against the horizontal bar  402 . Preferably, the support member is integrally formed with either or both of side members  318  that define a portion of the hole  306 . 
   Several embodiments and variations of the present invention for the auxiliary bar and pinch grip hanger for use therewith are described in detail herein. However, it should be apparent that the disclosure and teachings of the present invention will suggest many alternative designs to those skilled in the art. 
   While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.