Patent Publication Number: US-2013247434-A1

Title: Top sizer for garment hanger

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/614,049, filed Mar. 22, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a garment hanger of the type which includes a locking information clip and more particularly, to a top sizer clip for use with the garment hanger. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are a number of different types of garment hangers that are used to hold a number of different articles of clothing or other types of articles, such as linens or other household fabrics. Typically, garment hangers are either formed of a plastic material or a metal material or a combination thereof. Not only do garment hangers come in a variety of different sizes but they also come in a number of different styles that have different types of constructions to accommodate different articles that are carried by the hangers. 
     For example, one type of garment hanger construction is designed to secure knitwear, blouses, slips, strapped garments, including dresses and lingerie. Another type of garment hanger construction is designed to also secure blouses, dresses and other light garments, while another type of garment hanger is designed to secure heavier knitwear, blouses, pants and light weight pant suits. Yet another type of garment hanger is designed to secure coats, jackets and outerwear. The foregoing types of garment hangers can be generally classified as being top garment hangers, while another class of garment hangers is pant hangers, which are those hangers that are designed to secure pants, skirts, and other outfits together. Often times, pant hangers incorporate some type of clamp mechanism to securely grasp and hold the articles of clothing. One will appreciate that there are even more types of garment hangers (e.g., bra/panty hanger) that are intended for particular applications. 
     One accessory that is often used with a hanger is a size indicator that typically is a small plastic part that attaches to the body of the hanger and has indicia formed thereon that indicates the size or some other identifying mark of the article of clothing that is being held on the hanger. The size indicator can either take the form of a side sizer, where the clip (sizer) attached to the side of a hook member or a top sizer, where the clip attaches more to the top of the hook member. 
     Conventional top sizer clips are most times custom designed for a specific type or style of hanger (i.e., a matching hanger) and therefore, when they are used with other hangers, the clips tend not to be secured to the hanger but instead either are too small so that they cannot be received on the base structure or they are too large and therefore, they wobble on the base structure and can easily become disengaged and fall off the hanger. By not having a secure attachment between the clip and the hanger, the size indicators do not perform their full intended function and instead can easily become misplaced and replacement thereof can result in the wrong size indicator being placed on the hanger which in turn can result in the wrong article of clothing being selected by a consumer or if no size indicator is present, the consumer may rummage through the clothing and leave an untidy display in order to find the proper size. 
     SUMMARY 
     A top sizer clip according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a body having a pair of side walls joined at their ends and an open bottom for receiving a hook member of a garment hanger. Each side wall includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and an opening formed therethrough. Wherein along the inner surface a first inner portion is formed above the opening and extends toward a top of the body; a second inner portion is formed below the opening and extends to a bottom edge of the body; a first outer portion is formed along the outer surface above the opening and extends to the top and a second outer portion is formed along the outer surface below the opening and extends to the bottom edge. The second inner portion is recessed relative to the second inner portion and the first outer portion is recessed relative to the second outer portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that these and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be more fully comprehended, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a top sizer clip according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the top sizer clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the top sizer clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the top sizer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the top sizer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a first end view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a second view thereof; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a top sizer clip  100  according to the present embodiment. Similar to other top sizer clips, the top sizer clip  100  of the present invention is intended to be locked into place on a hook member of a garment hanger (not shown) in a conventional manner For example and as described below, the top sizer clip  100  can include a first locking means that mates with a second locking means of the garment hanger resulting in the top sizer clip  100  being locked in placed on the hook member of the garment hanger. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate the top sizer clip  100  of the present invention. The top sizer clip  100  is formed of a clip body  110  that is essentially hollow and is defined by a first side wall  112 , an opposing second side wall  114 , a first end wall section  116 , an opposing second end wall section  118 , a bottom edge  119  and a top wall  120 . The bottom of the top sizer clip  100  is open so as to permit the top sizer clip  100  to be inserted over the hook member of the hanger and then securely attached to the hanger as described below. It will be appreciated that the first side wall  112  can represent the front of the clip  100  and the second side wall  114  can represent the rear of the clip  100 . The bottom edge  119  is typically a planar edge in that the bottom edge  119  of the clip body  110  lies within the same plane. The top wall  120  can be a planar wall in which case it is parallel to the plane of the bottom edge  119  or the top wall  120  can have a non-planar structure (rounded wall). 
     While the top sizer clip  100  can be formed of any number of different materials, the clip  100  is typically made from a plastic material using conventional techniques, such as molding techniques, e.g., injection molding. The clip  100  can be either opaque in nature or semi-transparent or transparent and can be formed to have any number of different colors. 
     The end wall sections  116 ,  118  extend between the two side walls  112 ,  114  and are joined at their top edges  117  to the top wall  120 . The end walls  116 ,  118  can have any number of different shapes. For example, the end wall sections  116 ,  118  can have a planar outer surface/face or can have a rounded shape (as shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the end wall sections  116 ,  118  generally have a semi-circular shape. 
     In addition, the end wall sections  116 ,  118  can have different appearances (shapes) from the bottom to top edges thereof. In one embodiment, the end wall sections  116 ,  118  can be in the form of a planar, vertical wall that is perpendicular to both the bottom edge  119  and the top wall  120 . In other embodiment, as shown, the end wall sections  116 ,  118  can have a non-planar structure in that each of the end wall sections  116 ,  118  is not formed along a single vertical axis. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the end wall sections  116 ,  118  includes a bottom section  130  and a top section  140 . The top section  140  can be more in the form of a planar vertical wall section that is perpendicular to the top wall  120 . The bottom section  130  is angled relative to the top section  140 . The bottom section  130  thus represents a flared end wall section. As shown, the bottom section  130  is outwardly flared in the direction of the bottom edge  119  in that the bottom section  130  is angled outwardly relative to the top section  140 . 
     The degree of the bevel of the bottom section  130  can vary depending upon the application. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom section  130  has a degree of bevel of less than 45 degrees. As a result of the beveled nature of the end wall section  116 ,  118 , the length of the clip body  110  is greatest at the bottom edge  119  compared to the top wall  120 . 
     The end wall sections  116 ,  118  are preferably symmetric and mirror images of one another. The transition between the top wall  120  and the end wall sections  116 ,  118  can be defined as having more of a right angle appearance or can be defined by a smoother transition as in the case of rounded corners. In the illustrated embodiment, the clip body  110  has a pair of rounded upper corners defined between the top wall  120  and the end walls section  116 ,  118 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, the inner and outer faces (surfaces) of the first and second side walls  112 ,  114  are contoured and are not smooth surfaces. 
     More specifically, the clip body  110  includes an inner surface or face  200  that is defined by the inner surface of the first side wall  112  and the inner surface of the second side wall  114 . Each of the first and second side walls  112 ,  114  has an opening or hole  145  formed therein. The opening  145  passes completely through the side wall  112 ,  114  and can be contoured to have any number of different shapes. 
     The inner surface  200  of each of the first side wall  112  and the second side wall  114  includes a recessed section  210  formed therein. The recessed section  210  is in the form of a channel or notch that is formed in the inner surface  200  and is open along the bottom edge  119  of the clip body  110 . The recessed channel  210  has a linear shape and extends a distance upwardly from the bottom edge  119 . The recessed channel  210  has a closed top end that is spaced a distance from the bottom edge  119 . As illustrated, the recessed channel  210  terminates at the opening  145  (which thus defines the topmost aspect of the recessed channel  210 ). 
     The sections of the inner surface  200  surrounding and adjacent to recessed channel  210  are elevated relative to the recessed channel  210  and can generally lie in the same plane. 
     The recessed channel  210  is centrally located along the inner surface  200  in that it can be formed generally in the middle of the inner surface  200 . In addition, the recessed channels  210  are preferably formed in the same location of the first side wall  112  and second side wall  114  as shown in  FIG. 3  and therefore, they are directly across (opposite) from one another.  FIG. 3  shows the open bottoms of the two recessed channels  210  along the bottom edge  119  of the clip body  110 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  145  has a rectangular shape that is centrally located in the clip body  110 . The opening  145  as shown also includes a pair of extensions or wings  147  that extend outwardly from the opening  145 . Each extension  147  is generally square shaped and located opposite one another. As shown, one extension  147  extends upwardly from the opening  145  towards the top wall  120  (i.e., in the 12 o&#39;clock position) and the other extension  147  extends downwardly from the opening  145  towards the bottom edge  119  (i.e., in the 6 o&#39;clock position). The two extensions  147  are thus axially aligned with one another. 
     The opening  145  can thus be described as containing a top edge  151  that faces the top wall  120  and from which the top extension  147  extends outwardly therefrom and a bottom edge  153  from which the bottom extension  147  extends outwardly therefrom. The opening  145  is spaced from the bottom edge  119  in that the opening  145  is a completely bounded opening. The bottom edge  119  is thus below the opening  145 . 
     The opening  145  can be intended to serve as a means for locking the clip  100  to the hook member of the garment hanger. For example, a locking tab can be received within the opening  145  for interlockingly connecting the clip  100  to the garment hanger. Alternatively, the opening  145  is a feature that is needed for manufacturing the top sizer using molding techniques and in particular, assists in removal (ejection) from a mold. 
     Along the inner surface  200 , a first locking means  250  can be provided for securely attaching (locking) the clip body  110  to the hook member of the garment hanger. The first locking means  250  can be in the form of locking tabs  250  formed along the inner surface  200 . The locking tabs  250  can be in the form of rectangular shaped protrusions that extend inwardly into the interior. As shown in  FIG. 3 , there are four protrusions  250  arranged in two pairs that are located opposite one another. Thus, two protrusions  250  are located along one face of the inner surface  200  and the other two protrusions  250  are located along the opposite face of the inner surface  200 . 
     One recessed section  210  is located between two protrusions  250  in the illustrated embodiment. 
     The clip body  110  also includes an outer surface or face  300 . The outer surface  300  is defined by the outer surface of the first side wall  112  and the outer surface of the second side wall  114 . The outer surface  300  of each of the first side wall  112  and the second side wall  114  can be formed of a number of different regions having different structure/appearance. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer surface  300  can include a first region or section  310  that is located at one end of the body; a second region or section  320 ; and a third region or section  330 . In one embodiment, the first region  310  is a raised (relative to the other sections) section that includes indicia  312 , such as size information, etc. The third section  330  is recessed relative to the first section  310  and can include one or more ribs  332  which can add structural integrity. The second section  320  is a recessed section which is recessed relative to both the third section  330  and the first section  310  and lies therebetween. In other words, the second section  320  represents the most recessed area along the outer surface  300  and therefore is a low point of the outer surface  300 . 
     It will also be seen that the second section  320  includes the opening  145  and therefore, the second section  320  is specifically a region that is located above the opening  145  and extends from the opening  145  to the top of the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the second section  320  has a rectangular shape and is defined between a pair of structural ribs  332  that define the interface between the first section  310  and the second section  320  and the second section  320  and the third section  330 . The area  321  that is below the opening  145  can be an area that is not recessed to the same degree that the second section  320  is recessed above the opening  145 . As a result, this portion  321  below the opening  145  lies in a different plane relative to the second section  320 . Accordingly, if a thin object (e.g., elongated thin strip) is passed through the open bottom of the body  110  and is then fed into the bottom of the opening, the thin object can pass along the recessed second section  320  and beyond the top of the body without having to undergo or only slightly undergoing a bending action. 
     It will be appreciated that the third section  330  can have the same or similar construction as the section  310  in that the section  330  does not have to be recessed section but instead can be a section that has an outer surface that is at least substantially within the plane of the outer surface of the section  310 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of clip and illustrates the recessed section (notch)  210  in relationship to the opening  145  and more particularly, the registration between the notch  210  and opening  145  are shown. This registration allows the above mentioned object to pass up through the notch  210  into the opening  145 . 
     Thus, when the top sizer body is in a vertical (upright) position, the thin object also assumes a substantially vertical position. One will appreciate that if the second section  320  were not recessed, the thin object could not maintain as vertical an orientation and still pass through the opening  145  and along the second section  320 . Instead, the thin object would have to be significantly bent in order to be inserted into the opening  145  and then pass along the exterior of the second section  320  since the outer surface of the conventional top sizer lies in one plane. 
     The portion  321  is thus a plate surface that is higher than the plate surface of the second section  320 . In other words and with reference to  FIG. 1 , the second section  320  is located more inward than the portion  321  and thus lies in a different plane and this allows the thin object to more easily pass upwardly through the opening  145  as described herein without having to undergo a substantial bending action. A bottom lip or edge  323  can be formed and extend along the bottom of the body. This edge  323  can be elevated relative to the portion  321 . 
     The opening  145  can thus be thought of as not be formed in a planer wall that lies in one plane but instead, the opening  145  can be thought of as being formed in two different walls ( 320 ,  321 ) that lie in different planes as discussed herein. 
     The differences between the portion  321  and the second section  320  in terms of lying in different planes serves the easy ejection or removal of the sizer  100  from a mold surface immediately after each injection cycle. This shortens the time required for production of the sizer  100  and therefore adds to increased savings and increased time efficiency. Moreover, the design of the top sizer  100  also simplifies the ejection method and thus alignment of mold impression in the mold plate. This results in increased production numbers being achieved, while decreasing costs. In fact, the production time is 2 to 3 times faster than conventional times as a result of the design and construction of the top sizer  100  of the present invention. By contouring the outer surface  300  to lie in different planes (one recessed) at locations surrounding the opening  145 , production costs are greatly reduced. 
     It will also be appreciated that the recessed section  220  can be formed in a top sizer that has a different construction in that the top sizer body can have a boxier look in that the ends thereof can be flat (non-beveled) and likewise the top can be a flat edge. 
     It will be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention, the notch  210  can be eliminated (thus leaving a smooth inner surface), while the exterior surface includes recessed section  320 . However, in the illustrated embodiment as described herein, both the notch  210  and recessed section  320  are present since the notch  210  defines an recessed channel and similarly, the recessed section  320  defines a recessed channel and locations of the same can be thought of as defining a vertical channel that allows passage of a thin object from the open bottom of the top sizer to the top by initially running along the inner surface (notch  210 ) and then passing through opening  145  and within the recessed section  320 . As mentioned above, the presence of the notch  210  and recessed section  320  promote vertical passage of the thin object. 
     While each side wall includes the opening  145 , it will be understood that only one of the side walls can include opening  145 . 
     As will be appreciated by the top plan view of  FIG. 5  and the side views of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the side walls of the top sizer clip can have the same or similar construction but are not a mirror image as view along a longitudinal axis in that the section  310  on one side is backed by a section  330  on the other side as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific and defined nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing description of the specific embodiment is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the features, embodiments, and methods of making the embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the described methods, embodiments, features or combinations of features but include all the variation, methods, modifications, and combinations of features within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is limited only by the claims.