Patent Publication Number: US-8523026-B2

Title: Garment hanger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/385,547, filed Sep. 22, 2010, entitled “Rotatable Garment Hanger for Easy Hang and Retrieval of Garments,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and methods for hanging garments, and particularly to a collapsible garment hanger. 
     Garment hangers or “hangers” can be used to hang garments from a rod, hook, handle, and/or the like. Typically, hangers include a hook and a pair of arms extending laterally from the base of the hook, such that a garment can hang from the arms. In such instances, the use of the hanger can be complicated by the necessary length of the arms. For example, when inserting the hanger into a garment one may place the first arm through the collar opening of the garment followed by the second arm. Often the neck of the garment is stretched over time due to insertion of the arms of the hanger through the collar opening. Fitting freshly laundered button up shirts, polo shirts, or any similar garments onto a rigid hanger in the conventional manner can be time consuming because one has to unbutton the shirt, place it on the hanger, and then re-button the shirt. Alternatively, one may choose to insert the hanger through the bottom opening of a garment (e.g., a shirt, dress, blouse, or the like) to avoid stretching the neck opening or unbuttoning. In this process, the hanger can become tangled in the body of the garment as one tries to bring the hook portion through the neck of the garment. 
     Thus, a need exists for a garment hanger that includes a rotatable joint between at least the first arm and the second arm, thereby allowing the arms to collapse. 
     SUMMARY 
     An apparatus and methods for hanging a garment are described herein. In some embodiments, a collapsible garment hanger includes a first arm having a first end portion and a second end portion and a second arm having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first arm includes a hook configured to be disposed over a closet rod to support the collapsible garment hanger. The second arm is coupled to the first arm for rotational movement relative to the first arm between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The first end portion of the second arm is configured to selectively engage the closet rod and hold the hanger in the expanded configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front view of a collapsible hanger in an expanded configuration according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 1A  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 1C  is an exploded view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 1A   
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of a collapsible hanger in an expanded configuration according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is a front view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 2A  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 2C  is an exploded view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a collapsible hanger in an expanded configuration according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 3A  in a partially collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 3A  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 3D  is an exploded view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3E  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3F  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 3A  taken along the line  3 F- 3 F in  FIG. 3D . 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a collapsible hanger in an expanded configuration according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 4A  in a partially collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 4A  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 4D  is an exploded view of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4E  is an enlarged front view of a portion of a locking mechanism of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4F  is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of a locking mechanism of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4G  is an enlarged front view of a portion of a locking mechanism of the collapsible hanger of  FIG. 4A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An apparatus and methods for hanging a garment are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for hanging garments includes a first arm having a first end portion and a second end portion and a second arm having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first arm includes a hook configured to be disposed over a closet rod. The second arm is coupled to the first arm for rotational movement relative to the first arm between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The first end portion of the second arm is configured to selectively engage the closet rod and hold the hanger in the expanded configuration. The first end portion of the second arm can also include a hook configured to be disposed over the closet rod, the hook, the hanger, and/or the like and hold the hanger in the expanded configuration. The apparatus can further include, for example, a locking mechanism to lock the hanger in the expanded configuration. The first arm can include a first housing segment and a second housing segment, and the first and second housing segments can collectively define a slot for receiving the second arm. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus for hanging garments includes a first arm having a first hook configured to be disposed over a closet rod and a second arm having a second hook configured to be disposed over a closet rod. The second arm is coupled to the first arm for rotational movement relative to the first arm between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The first hook and the second hook can be configured to hold the garment hanger in the expanded configuration without a separate locking mechanism. The apparatus can further include a locking mechanism to lock the garment hanger in the expanded configuration. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus for hanging garments includes a support hook, a first arm coupled to the support hook, and a second arm coupled to the first arm for rotational movement relative to the first arm between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The first arm can be separate from or unitarily formed with the support hook. At least a portion of the second arm is configured to selectively engage a closet rod and hold the garment hanger in the expanded configuration without a separate locking mechanism. The second arm can further include a second support hook configured to hold the garment hanger in the expanded configuration. The apparatus can further include a locking mechanism to lock the garment hanger in the expanded configuration. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus for hanging garments includes a first arm having a first hook configured to be disposed over a closet rod and a second arm having a second hook configured to be disposed over a closet rod. The second arm can include an aperture configured to receive a pivot pin included in the first arm. The second arm can be coupled to the first arm for rotational movement relative to the first arm between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The apparatus can further include a pivot mechanism independent of the first arm and can couple the second arm to the first for rotational movement relative to the first arm between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. 
     It is noted that, as used in this written description and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “an arm” is intended to mean a single arm or a combination of arms. Furthermore, the words “proximal” and “distal” refer to a direction closer to and away from, respectively, the center of rotation of the hanger (i.e., the pin). 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate a garment hanger  100  according to an embodiment. The garment hanger  100  (also referred to herein as a “hanger”) can be used to hang a garment from a closet rod, a hook, a handle, and/or the like. The hanger  100  includes a first arm  120  with a first end portion  121  and a second end portion  125 , and second arm  140  with a first end portion  141  and a second end portion  145 . 
     The first end portion  121  of the first arm  120  includes a hook  122  configured to be disposed over, for example, a closet rod. The hook  122  can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the hook  122  can have a large radius of curvature such that the hook  122  can fit around a large diameter closet rod. In other embodiments, the hook  122  can have a small radius of curvature such that the hook  122  can fit around a relatively small diameter of a hook, for example, a hook found in a vehicle. Additionally, the first end portion  121  can include a ring  123 . The ring  123  can be any suitable size, shape or configuration. In use, one can place a thumb or finger through the ring  123  for better control and grip of the hanger  100 . 
     The second end portion  125  of the first arm  120  includes a boom  126  extending away from the first end portion  121 . The boom  126  can be configured to extend away from the first end portion  121  in a downward fashion such that a distal end  128  of the second end portion  125  is below a proximal end  127  of the second end portion  125 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1A . Furthermore, the boom  126  extends away from the proximal end  127  in a substantially linear path and, at the distal end  128 , the boom  126  curves further downward with a given radius of curvature, so as to facilitate a smooth insertion of the distal end  128  into the collar opening of a garment. In some embodiments, the boom  126  can extend away from the first end portion  121  in a substantially arcuate and/or non-linear path. 
     The first end portion  141  of the second arm  140  includes an extension  142  configured to selectively engage, for example, a closet rod. Similar to the hook  122  of the first arm  120 , the extension  142  can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. The extension  142  is configured to engage at least a portion of a closet rod to hold the hanger in an expanded configuration when the hook  122  is disposed over the closet rod. The extension  142  can include a finger support  144 . The finger support  144  can be configured to help prevent one&#39;s fingers from sliding off the extension  142  while in use. The finger support  142  can be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the finger support  144  is a contour in the underside of the extension  142 . The finger support  144  can be an over mold of a material substantially different from the hanger  100 , such as, for example, rubber or low durometer plastic and can be configured to increase the friction between the extension  142  and the user&#39;s finger. 
     The second end portion  145  of the second arm  140  includes a boom  146  extending away from the first end portion  141 . Similar to the boom  126  of the first arm  120 , the boom  146  can extend away from the first end portion  141  in a downward path. In some embodiments, the boom  146  extends away from a proximal end  147  in a linear path and, at a distal end  148 , the boom  146  curves downward with a given radius of curvature, similar to the boom  126 . In other embodiments, the boom  146  extends away from the first end portion  141  in an arcuate and/or non-linear path. Furthermore, the boom  126  of the first arm  120  and the boom  146  of the second arm  140  are configured to follow a substantially mirrored path about a vertical plane A, as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     The hanger  100  is configured to collapse, fold, rotate, and/or otherwise move between the expanded configuration ( FIG. 1A ) and a collapsed configuration ( FIG. 1B ). The first portion  141  of the second arm  140  can be such that when the hanger  100  is no longer in contact with the closet rod, the extension  142  is configured to pivot away from the hook  122  of the first arm  120 . More specifically, the second arm  140  is configured to pivot about a pin  132  extending from the first arm  120 , described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 1C . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1C , the first arm  120  includes a first housing segment  130  with an inner surface  131  and a second housing segment  134  with an inner surface  135 . The first housing segment  130  includes protrusions  170  extending outward from the inner surface  131  that are configured to fit within a set of apertures (not shown) defined by the inner surface  135  of the second housing segment  134 . More specifically, the protrusions  170  create a friction fit with the set of apertures such that the first housing segment  130  and the second housing segment  134  can be coupled to each other. 
     The inner surface  131  of the first housing segment and the inner surface  135  of the second housing segment  134  collectively define a slot  133 . The second arm  140  is configured to be disposed within the slot  133  defined by the inner surface  131  of the first housing segment  130  and the inner surface  135  of the second housing segment  134 . As described above, the second arm  140  is rotatably coupled to the pin  132  extending from the inner surface  131 . More specifically, the second arm  140  includes an aperture  149  configured to receive at least a portion of the pin  132 . In this manner, the hanger  100  is configured to collapse, rotate, and/or otherwise move between the first expanded configuration ( FIG. 1A ) and the second collapse configuration ( FIG. 1B ). More specifically, when the extension  142  is not in contact with, for example, a closet rod, the pin  132 , being at least partially disposed within the aperture  149  defined by the second arm  140 , acts as a pivot point for the second arm  140  to rotate about toward the second collapsed configuration ( FIG. 1B ). This arrangement allows for the insertion of the hanger  100  through a garment with a small collar opening without the need for stretching the collar. Furthermore, when the hanger  100  and more specifically the extension  142  is again placed in contact with the closet rod, the hanger  100  can return to the first expanded configuration ( FIG. 1A ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2C , a garment hanger  200  can include a first arm  220 , having a first end portion  221  and a second end portion  225 , and a second arm  240 , having a first end portion  241  and a second end portion  225 . The first end portion  221  of the first arm  220  can include a hook  222  that can be substantially similar in form and function as the hook  122  described with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C . Similarly, the first end portion  241  of the second arm  240  can include an extension  242  that can be substantially similar to the extension  142  described with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C . Therefore, the similar portions of the first arm  220  and the second arm  240  are not described in detail herein. 
     While the first arm  120  described in reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C  includes a first housing segment  130  and a second housing segment  134 , the first arm  220  of the garment hanger  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  is unitarily formed. In this manner, the second arm  240  is rotatably coupled adjacent to the first arm  220 . The second arm  240  can, for example, rotate about a pin  232  between a first expanded configuration ( FIG. 2A ) and a second collapsed configuration ( FIG. 2B ). More specifically, the pin  232  can be configured to extend away from an inner surface  231 , as shown in  FIG. 2C . Additionally, the second arm  240  can include an inner surface  252  and can define an aperture  249  configured to receive the pin  232 . The inner surface  231  of the first arm  220  and the inner surface  252  of the second arm can be any suitable configuration. For example, inner surface  231  of the first arm  220  can be defined by an extrusion in the first arm  220 . Similarly stated, the inner surface  231  can define a first portion  227  of the first arm  220  that is substantially thinner than a second portion  225  of the first arm  220 . Similarly, the inner surface  252  of the second arm  240  can define a first portion  247  of the second arm  240  that is substantially thinner than a second portion  245  of the second arm  240 . In this manner, the first arm  220  and the second arm  240  can be substantially in line (i.e., coaxial) when coupled. 
     The pin  232  can be any suitable size, shape, or configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the pin  232  can include a ridge or protrusion along the outer edge. The ridge or protrusion can engage the second arm  240  when the pin  232  is inserted into the aperture  249 . In this manner, the ridge or protrusion can act to couple the second arm  240  to the first arm  220  while allowing for rotational motion of the second arm  240  about the pin  232 . In some embodiments, the pin  232  can be a separate component configured to be inserted through an aperture in the second arm  240 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate a collapsible garment hanger  300  according to another embodiment. The collapsible hanger  300  includes a first arm  320  with a first end portion  321  and a second end portion  325 , and second arm  340  with a first end portion  341  and a second end portion  345 . The first end portion  321  of the first arm  320  includes a first hook  322  configured to be disposed over, for example, a closet rod. The first hook  322  can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration. 
     The second portion  325  of the first arm  320  includes a boom  326  extending away from the first end portion  321 . The boom  326  can be configured to extend away from the first end portion  321  in a downward fashion such that a distal end  328  of the second portion  325  is below a proximal end  327  of the second portion, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3A . Furthermore, the boom  326  extends away from a proximal end  327  in a slightly arcuate path. The boom  326  can extend from the proximal end  327  toward the distal end  328  in any suitable path. For example, in some embodiments, the boom  326  extends in a substantially linear path. 
     The first end portion  341  of the second arm  340  includes a second hook  343  configured to selectively engage, for example, a closet rod. Similar to the first hook  322  of the first arm  320 , the second hook  343  can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration, and as such is configured to hold the hanger  100  in a first expanded configuration. The second end portion  345  of the second arm  340  includes a boom  346  extending away from the first end portion  341 . Similar to the boom  326  of the first arm  320 , the boom  346  can extend away from a proximal end  347  in a downward path toward a distal end  348 . Furthermore, the boom  326  of the first arm  320  and the boom  346  of the second arm  340  are configured to follow a substantially similar path in opposite directions. 
     The collapsible hanger  300  is configured to collapse, fold, rotate, and/or otherwise move between a first configuration and a second configuration. More specifically, in the expanded configuration ( FIG. 3A ), the second hook  343  of the second arm  340  is adjacent to the first hook  322  of the first arm  320 . In this manner, the first hook  322  and the second hook  343  contact the closet rod, hook, handle, or the like. The second hook  343  can hold the hanger  300  in the expanded configuration and, as such, the hanger  300  can be used to hang a garment. When the hanger  300  is removed from, for example, the closet rod, and the first hook  322  and the second hook  343  are released and the first arm  320  and second arm  340  can freely rotate with respect to each other as described in more detail herein. 
     When the second hook  343  is no longer in contact with the closet rod, the weight of the garment, the weight of the second arm  340 , and/or the user can cause the second arm  340  to rotate about the first arm  320 . The second arm  340  can rotate through a range of positions shown, for example, in  FIG. 3B . As the second arm  340  rotates through the range of positions, the distal end  348  of the second portion  345  moves toward the distal end  328  of the second portion  325  of the first arm  320 . Furthermore, the hook  343  rotates away from the hook  322 . 
     The hanger  300  can rotate through the range of positions to a collapsed configuration, as shown, for example in  FIG. 3C . In the collapsed configuration, the second portion  345  of the second arm  340  is adjacent to the second portion  325  of the first arm  340 . More specifically, the distal end  348  of the second portion  345  can contact the distal end  328  of the second portion  325  stopping the rotation of the second arm  340  in the second collapsed configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3D , the second arm  340  rotates within an aperture  329  defined by the first arm  320 . More specifically, the first arm  320  includes a first ring  330  with an inner surface  331  that defines the aperture  329 . The second arm  340  includes a second ring  350  with an outer surface  351  that extends outwardly from the second arm  340 , as shown in  FIG. 3E . The second ring  350  is configured to be inserted into the aperture  329  defined by the first ring  330  such that the outer surface  351  travels along the inner surface  331  when rotating between the first expanded configuration and the second collapsed configuration. 
     The outer surface  351  and the inner surface  331  can create a friction fit such as to resist the rotation of the second arm  340 . For example, in some embodiments, the outer surface  351  of the second ring  350  is inserted into the aperture  329  defined by the inner surface  331  of the first ring  330  and can create a friction fit. In such embodiments, the friction between the outer surface  351  and the inner surface  331  can be large enough to resist the rotation of the second arm  320  under the force of its own weight (i.e., gravity). Similarly stated, the friction between the outer surface  351  and the inner surface  331  can be large enough that the hanger  300  will not collapse without additional force (e.g., a hanging garment and/or a user). Additionally, the second ring  350  includes an inner surface  352  with a set of notches  353  ( FIG. 3E ) that can selectively engage a coupling insert  334  configured to rotatably couple the second arm  340  to the first arm  320 , as further described below. 
     The coupling insert  334  can include an outer surface  337  having a pair of tabs  339  and defining a split portion  338 , as shown in  FIG. 3F . The coupling insert  334  can be inserted into the second ring  350  such that as the tabs  339  are inserted past the outer edge of the inner surface  352 , a force can be applied that reduces the size (e.g., the distance between the opposing surfaces) of the split portion  338  of the coupling insert  334 . In this manner, the diameter of the coupling insert  334  decreases. When the tabs  339  engage the notches  353  defined by the inner surface  352  of the second ring  350  the force applied to the coupling insert  334  is removed and, therefore, the coupling insert  334  returns to the first diameter. When in use, the second ring  350  is inserted into the aperture  329  of the first ring  330  and the coupling insert  334  is inserted into the second ring  350 . A flat portion  359  of the coupling insert  334  contacts the outer side of the first arm  320  and thereby rotatably couples the second arm  340  to the first arm  320 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4G  a garment hanger  400  includes a first arm  420  and a second arm  440 . The first arm  420  includes a first end portion  421 , a second end portion  425 , and a portion of a locking mechanism  460 . The first end portion  421  of the first arm  420  includes a first hook  422  configured to be disposed over, for example, a closet rod. The first hook  422  can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration such as, for example, those described with respect to the hanger  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
     The second arm  440  also includes a first end portion  441 , a second end portion  425 , and a portion of a locking mechanism  460 . The first end portion  441  of the second arm  440  includes a second hook  443  configured to selectively engage, for example, a closet rod. Similar to the first hook  422  of the first arm  420 , the second hook  443  can be any suitable shape, size, or configuration, and as such is configured to hold the hanger in a first expanded configuration. 
     The second portion  425  of the first arm  420  includes a boom  426  extending away from the first end portion  421 . Similarly, the second end portion  445  of the second arm  440  includes a boom  446  extending away from the first end portion  441 . The structure and functionality of the second portion  425  of the first arm  420  and the second portion  445  of the second arm  440  is substantially similar to the structure and function of the second portion  325  and the  345 , respectively, and, therefore, is not described in detail herein. 
     The hanger  400  is configured to collapse, fold, rotate, and/or otherwise move from the expanded configuration ( FIG. 4A ), to a partially collapsed intermediate configuration, as shown, for example in  FIG. 4B , and to a collapsed configuration, as shown, for example in  FIG. 4C . More specifically, the first expanded configuration ( FIG. 4A ), is such that the second hook  443  of the second arm  440  is adjacent to the first hook  422  of the first arm  420 . In this manner, the first hook  422  and the second hook  443  contact the closet rod, the hook, the handle, and/or the like. The second hook  443  can hold the hanger  400  in the first expanded configuration and, as such, the hanger  400  can be used to hang a garment. When the hanger  400  is removed from, for example, the closet rod, the second hook  443  no longer holds the hanger in the first expanded configuration. The second arm  440  can rotate within an aperture  429  ( FIG. 4D ) defined by the first arm  420 , as described in more detail herein. 
     With the second hook  443  no longer in contact with the closet rod, the weight of the garment and/or the weight of the second arm  440  can cause the second arm  440  to rotate about the first arm  420 . The second arm  440  can rotate through a range of positions shown, for example, in  FIG. 4B . As the second arm  440  rotates through the range of positions, the distal end  448  of the second portion  445  moves toward the distal end  428  of the second portion  425  of the first arm  420 . Furthermore, the hook  443  rotates away from the hook  422 . In some embodiments, the locking mechanism  460  can be configured to hold the second arm  440  in any one of a range of positions. In other embodiments, the first arm  420  and the second arm  440  are coupled together such that sufficient frictional force exists to hold the second arm  440  in any one of a range of positions with respect to the first arm  420 . 
     The hanger  400  can rotate through the range of positions to the second collapsed configuration, as shown, for example in  FIG. 4C . In the collapsed configuration, the second portion  445  of the second arm  440  is adjacent to the second portion  425  of the first arm  440 . More specifically, the distal end  448  of the second portion  445  can contact the distal end  428  of the second portion  425  stopping the rotation of the second arm  440  in the second collapsed configuration. 
     As described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C , the second arm  440  rotates within the aperture  429  defined by the first arm  420 . More specifically, the first arm  420  includes a first ring  430  with an inner surface  431  that defines the aperture  429 , as shown in  FIG. 4D . The second arm  440  includes a second ring  450  with an outer surface  451  ( FIG. 4F ) that extends outwardly from the second arm  440 . The second ring  450  is configured to be inserted into the aperture  429  such that the outer surface  451  travels along the inner surface  431  of the first ring  430  when rotating between the first expanded configuration and the second collapsed configuration. A coupling insert  434  removably couples to the second ring  450  and includes a flat portion  459  that can contact the first arm  420 , thereby rotatably coupling the second arm  440  to the first arm  420 . The structure and functionality of the second ring  450  and the coupling insert  434  are substantially similar to the structure and functionality of the first ring  350  and the coupling insert  334 , and are therefore not described in detail. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4E-4G , the hanger  400  includes a locking mechanism  460  configured to hold the hanger  400  in the first expanded configuration. More specifically, the second arm  440  defines a relief cut  461  and includes a locking arm  462  and a pin  464  ( FIGS. 4E and 4F ). The first arm  420  defines a channel  463  and includes a securing protrusion  465  ( FIG. 4G ). The relief cut  461  can selectively allow the locking arm  462  to flex, rotate, bend, and/or otherwise move between a first undeformed configuration and a second deformed configuration. The inner surface of the locking arm  462  ( FIG. 4F ) includes the pin  464 . The pin  464  is configured to removably engage the securing protrusion  465  and thereby lock the hanger  400  in the first expanded configuration. 
     For example, a user can apply a force to the locking arm  462  in the direction of the first arm  420 . The configuration of the relief cut  461  can allow the locking arm  462  to deform, such that the pin  464  disengages (i.e., moves away from) the securing protrusion  465 . The pin  464  can travel in the channel  463 , and, as gravity, the weight of a garment, a force applied by the user, and/or any other suitable force causes the second arm  440  to rotate (as described above), the pin  464  disengages the portion of the locking mechanism  460  included in the first arm  420 . Alternatively, when returning to the first expanded configuration, the pin  464  can travel in the channel  463  in the direction of the first arm  420 . The user can remove the force applied to the locking arm  462 , in which case, the locking arm  462  returns to the undeformed configuration and can engage the securing protrusion  465 , thereby locking the hanger  400  in the first expanded configuration. 
     The garment hanger described herein can be formed of any suitable material or using any suitable method. Furthermore, various components can be of similar or different materials. Similarly, various components of the hanger can be unitarily formed or be comprised of multiple parts. For example, with respect to  FIG. 1A , the hanger  100  can be formed of a plastic. An over-mold can be used to apply a layer of rubber material over the plastic base layer of the hanger  100  at the position of the finger support  144  to modify the characteristic the finger support  144 , such as, for example, increase the ergonomics. 
     In some embodiments, the booms of the first arm and the second arm can include an indentation such as, for example, a recess, slot or notch. The indentations can be used, for example, to hang garments that include straps. The straps of the garment can engage the indentation and as such are less likely to slide off the hanger. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Where schematics and/or embodiments described above indicate certain components arranged in certain orientations and/or positions, the arrangement of components may be modified. Similarly, where methods and/or events described above indicate certain events and/or procedures occurring in certain order, the ordering of certain events and/or procedures may be modified. While the embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made.