Patent Publication Number: US-11019951-B2

Title: Collapsible hanger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/650,806 filed Mar. 30, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to organizing and storing clothing and, more specifically, to a reconfigurable hanger device for accommodating articles of clothing having various sizes and shapes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Garments having small and/or inflexible neck holes or openings can present challenges when combined with traditional, static hangers. A small opening may lead to unintentional damage (i.e., stretching, stressing, or tearing) of a garment during the process of positioning the hanger within the garment for storage. Additionally, garments having buttons require that a user at least partially unbutton the garment to be able to remove it from or securely position it on a typical, rigid hanger. Therefore, there exists a need for an improved collapsible hanger device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     A collapsible hanger is provided in one embodiment, the collapsible hanger comprising: a suspendable support base further comprising a neck having a first end and a second end; and a support extending from the second end of the neck, the support having a first peg positioned at a first end of the support and a second peg positioned at a second end of the support. The collapsible hanger further comprises a frame positionable along a length of the neck; a first extension operatively coupled to the frame, the first extension defining a first channel positioned along at least a portion of a length of the first extension, the first channel configured to receive and guide the first peg; and a second extension operatively coupled to the frame, the second extension defining a second channel positioned along at least a portion of a length of the second extension, the second channel configured to receive and guide the second peg, wherein repositioning the frame along the length of the neck adjusts a separation distance between the first extension and the second extension and causes movement of the first peg along the at least a portion of the length of the first extension and movement of the second peg along the at least a portion of the length of the second extension. 
     In one particular embodiment, the neck of the suspendable support base further comprises a third channel configured to receive a protrusion of the frame, wherein the protrusion engages the third channel to at least partially retain and guide the frame along the third channel as the frame moves along the length of the neck. In another particular embodiment, the frame further comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably engage a deformable tab positioned on the neck of the suspendable support base, the locking mechanism engaging the deformable tab when the collapsible hanger is in an extended state. 
     In yet another particular embodiment, the first and second extensions are rotatably coupled to the frame at proximal ends of each of the first and second extensions. In yet another particular embodiment, repositioning the frame along the length of the neck adjusts a separation distance between distal ends of each of the first and second extensions, the separation distance between the distal ends being greater in an extended state than in a collapsed state. 
     In yet another particular embodiment, the suspendable support base further comprises a hooked attachment member extending from the first end of the neck. In yet another particular embodiment, each of the first extension and second extension forms a hook proximate a distal end of each of the first extension and the second extension. 
     A collapsible hanger is also provided in another embodiment, the collapsible hanger comprising a suspendable support base further comprising a neck with a first end and a second end; and a support arm extending from the second end of the neck. The collapsible hanger further comprises a frame positionable along a length of the neck; a first extension forming a first hinged attachment at a first end of the frame; and a second extension forming a second hinged attachment at a second end of the frame spaced apart from the first hinged attachment, wherein the first extension and the second extension are movably coupled to the support arm. 
     In one particular embodiment, repositioning the frame along the length of the neck repositions the first extension and the second extension between an extended state and a collapsed state. In another particular embodiment, in the extended state, a separation distance between distal ends of the first extension and the second extension is greater than in the collapsed state. 
     In yet another particular embodiment, the support arm has a first peg positioned at a first end of the support arm and a second peg positioned at a second end of the support arm, wherein the first extension defines a first channel positioned along a length of the first extension and the second extension defines a second channel positioned along a length of the second extension, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are configured to receive and guide the first peg and the second peg respectively. In yet another particular embodiment, repositioning the frame along the length of the neck causes movement of the first peg along the length of the first extension and movement of the second peg along the length of the second extension. 
     In yet another particular embodiment, the neck of the suspendable support base further comprises a channel configured to receive a protrusion of the frame, wherein the protrusion engages the channel to at least partially retain and guide the frame along the channel as the frame moves along the length of the neck. In yet another particular embodiment, the frame further comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably engage a deformable tab positioned on the neck of the suspendable support base, the locking mechanism engaging the deformable tab when the collapsible hanger is in an extended state. 
     In yet another particular embodiment, the suspendable support base further comprises a hooked attachment member extending from the first end of the neck. In yet another particular embodiment, each of the first extension and second extension forms a hook proximate a distal end of each of the first extension and the second extension. 
     A collapsible hanger is also provided in yet another embodiment, the collapsible hanger comprising a suspendable support base further comprising a neck with a first end and a second end; and a support arm extending from the second end of the neck. The collapsible hanger further comprises a frame positionable along a length of the neck; a first extension rotatably coupled to a first end of the frame; and a second extension rotatably coupled to a second end of the frame, wherein the first extension and the second extension are movably coupled to the support arm. In one particular embodiment, repositioning the frame long the length of the neck adjusts the separation distance between the first extension and the second extension. 
     In another particular embodiment, the neck further comprises a channel configured to receive a protrusion of the frame, wherein the protrusion engages the channel to at least partially retain and guide the frame along the channel as the frame moves along the length of the neck. In yet another particular embodiment, the frame further comprises a locking mechanism configured to releasably engage a deformable tab positioned on the neck, the locking mechanism engaging the deformable tab when the collapsible hanger is in an extended state. 
     The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present invention or may be combined with yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a collapsible hanger, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a collapsible hanger in an expanded state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of a frame, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a suspendable support base, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a hanger extension, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of a collapsible hanger in a collapsed state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a detailed side view of a collapsible hanger in a collapsed state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention now may be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure may satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Garments having small and/or inflexible neck holes or openings can present challenges when combined with traditional, static hangers. A small opening may lead to unintentional damage (i.e., stretching, stressing, or tearing) of a garment during the process of positioning the hanger within the garment for storage. Additionally, garments having buttons require that a user at least partially unbutton the garment to be able to remove it from or securely position it on a typical, rigid hanger. Although hangers capable of at least partially collapsing exist, they typically employ a scissor-like construction centered around and relying on a single hinge. Due to their reliance on a single point of action and materials typically used in hanger construction, existing collapsible hangers are prone to failure and breakage at the single hinge. Therefore, there exists a need for an improved collapsible hanger device that provides enhanced durability and versatility over existing products. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a collapsible hanger device having a design and novel features that overcome the challenges as discussed above and herein. 
     It should be understood that “operatively coupled,” as used herein, means that the components may be formed integrally with each other, or may be formed separately and coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” means that the components may be formed directly to each other, or to each other with one or more components located between the components that are operatively coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” may mean that the components are detachable from each other, or that they are permanently coupled together. Furthermore, operatively coupled components may mean that the components retain at least some freedom of movement in one or more directions or may be rotated about an axis (i.e., rotationally coupled, pivotally coupled). 
     Also, it will be understood that, where possible, any of the advantages, features, functions, devices, and/or operational aspects of any of the embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or vice versa. In addition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more.” 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate, respectively, a perspective view and a side view of a collapsible hanger  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As depicted in the figures, the collapsible hanger  100  comprises a support base  102 , a frame  104 , a first extension  106 , and a second extension  108 . The support base  102  is operatively coupled to the frame  104  and both the first and second extensions  106 ,  108 . The support base  102  not only provides a platform for which other components of the hanger  100  may be attached, but also provides support for the collapsible hanger  100  as a whole while in a suspended storage position, wherein the hanger  100  may be suspended or hung from a surface or object (e.g., a closet rod or hook) by the support base  102 , such as by an attachment member of the base  102 . 
     The collapsible hanger is moveable between an expanded or extended state ( FIG. 1 ) and a collapsed state ( FIG. 6 ) through manipulation or positioning of the frame  104  with respect to the support base  102  as discussed herein. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , which provides a bottom view of a frame  104 , the frame  104  includes an interior cavity  202  and aperture  204  for receiving a portion of the support base  102  which extends through the aperture  204  and the frame  104 . The frame  104  encircles a portion of the support base  102  and slides along at least a partial length of the support base  102  to transform the collapsible hanger  100  between the expanded and collapsed states. Furthermore, the frame  104  typically includes a button  110  for temporarily disengaging a portion of the frame  104  from the support base  102  to allow for the frame  104  to freely slide along the length of the of the support base  102 . 
     The interior cavity  202  of the frame  104  further receives portions of the first and second extensions  106 ,  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second extensions  106  and  108  are rotatably coupled within the interior cavity  202  of the frame  104  to enable movement of the extensions  106 ,  108  between the expanded and collapsed states of the collapsible hanger  100 . While the hanger  100  is in the expanded state, the first and second extensions  106  and  108  extend away from the support base  102  to provide arms or a platform for supporting a garment placed on the collapsible hanger  100 . While the hanger  100  is in the collapsed state, the first and second extensions  106  and  108  collapse toward one another to reduce an overall width of the collapsible hanger  100 . 
     The first and second extensions  106 , and  108  are rotatable about separate points or axes of rotation on the frame  104 ; however, movement of the extensions  106 ,  108  is linked through movement of the shared frame  104  relative to the support base  102  to which both extensions  106 ,  108  are coupled. In this way, movement of the two extensions  106 ,  108  may be coordinated and synchronized while simultaneously distributing an applied force required for transformation of the hanger  100  to more than one point, thereby improving durability of the device with repeated or prolonged use. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a suspendable support base  102 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted by  FIG. 4 , the support base  102  includes a neck  302  having a first end  318  and a second end  320 , the neck  302  extending in a longitudinal direction of the support base  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support base  102  further includes a hooked attachment member  304  extending from a first end  318  of the neck  302  for coupling the hanger  100  to a surface or object such as a closet rod or hook in a suspended storage position (i.e., hanging). In some embodiments, the attachment member  304  may be rotatably connected about a longitudinal axis  322  of the neck  302  allowing for the attachment member  304  to be repositionable so that the collapsible hanger  100  may be optionally suspended from a variety of directions. For example, a user of the hanger  100  may have already hung a garment on the hanger  100  to be placed in a closet only to discover that the garment is hung in an orientation opposite to a desired garment orientation. The user may be able to rotate the hooked attachment member  304  of the hanger  100  about the vertical axis  322  of the neck  302  (e.g., 180°) to achieve the desired garment orientation without the need to remove and reposition the garment on the hanger  100 . In another embodiment, the attachment member  304  may be rotatably connected to the first end  318  of the neck about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  322  of the neck  302  (e.g., on a hinge or pivotable about a point), wherein the attachment member  304  optionally rotates or collapses toward the neck  302  to produce a more compact form for storage of the hanger  100 . 
     In other embodiments, the collapsible hanger  100  may include an attachment member having a shape other than a hook, such as a closed shape (e.g., a circle). In yet other embodiments, the collapsible hanger  100  may include additional or alternative attachment means other than a hook (e.g., clamps, magnets, adhesives, etc.). 
     The support base  102  typically further includes a channel  306  positioned on a surface of the neck  302  of the support base  102 . In some embodiments, the channel  306  is configured to receive a protrusion  324  (as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) of the frame  104  to at least partially retain and guide the frame  104  along the channel  306  of the support base  102  as the frame  104  moves along the length of the neck  302 . In some embodiments, the support base  102  may include one or more channels on multiple surfaces of the neck  302  to retain and guide the frame  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the support base  102  also includes a tab  308  configured to releasably engage a portion of the frame  104 , such as the button  110 , while the hanger  100  is positioned in the expanded state. The tab  308  is recoverably deformable, wherein actuation of the button  110  on the frame  104  applies a pressure to the tab  308  causing the tab  308  to disengage the frame  104  and allow for movement of the frame  104  along the length of the neck  302  of the support base  102 . Through engagement of the tab  308  with the frame  104 , the collapsible hanger may be releasably locked in the expanded state to prevent the hanger  100  from collapsing under the weight of a hung garment. In one example, the releasable lock of the collapsible hanger  100  may allow for a heavy item (e.g., a coat) to be securely hung on the collapsible hanger  100 . In an alternative embodiment, the weight of the hung garment may be sufficient to retain the collapsible hanger  100  in the expanded state. 
     As further illustrated by  FIG. 4 , the support base  102  further includes a support  309  positioned proximate the second end  320  of the neck  302 . The support  309  further comprises one or more support arms  310 A and  310 B that are positioned on each side or face of the collapsible hanger  100  proximate the second end  320  of the neck  302 , wherein the support arms  310 A and  310 B extend out from the second end  320  of the neck  302 . Each end of each arm typically includes one or more pegs  314 . The pegs  314 A and  314 B of opposing arms  310 A and  310 B, respectively, are spaced apart from one another to create a gap  316  for receiving therein a portion of the extensions  106  and  108 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an exemplary hanger extension  400 , such as the first extension  106  or the second extension  108 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The extension  400  includes a proximal end  402  and a distal end  404 . The extension  400  includes an aperture  406  proximate the proximal end  402 , wherein the extension  400  is rotatably coupled to the frame  104  via the aperture  406 . Stated another way, the extension  400  is pivotally or rotatably coupled to the frame  104  to form a hinged attachment point. In the illustrated embodiment, the extension  400  is operatively coupled to the frame  104  via a boss  500  (as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) that passes through the aperture  406  of the extension  400 . The boss  500  is operatively coupled to the frame  104  and may partially protrude from at least one side of the frame  104 . In one embodiment, the boss  500  is operatively coupled to the frame  104  using staking techniques such as heat staking, cold forming, ultrasonic staking or the like, wherein the thermoplastic boss  500  is expanded to fit the aperture  406  while still allowing for rotation of the aperture  406  and extension  400  about the boss  500  within the frame  104 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the extension  400  further includes a protrusion  416  defining an interior slot  414  of the extension  400  proximate the distal end  404 . The protrusion  416  and interior slot  414  provide an additional hook and space for securely hanging, for example, garments having strapped shoulders (e.g., a dress). 
     The walls  408  and  410  of the extension  400  typically define a channel  412  on each face of the extension  400 . This channel  412  is typically configured to be positioned in the gap  316  created by a pair of pegs  314 A,  314 B of the support base  102 , wherein each of the pair of pegs  314 A,  314 B is, in turn, received by the channel  412  on each side of the extension  400 . Each peg  314 A,  314 B is sized to be able to travel along the channel  412  of the extension  400  during transformation of the collapsible hanger  100  between the expanded and collapsed states. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a side view of a collapsible hanger  100  in a collapsed state and further depict a peg  314  of the support base  102  positioned within the channel  412  of the first extension  106 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. During a transformation of the collapsible hanger  100  from the collapsed state to the expanded state, the frame  104  slides down the length of the neck  302  of the support base  102 . A lower surface  502  of the frame  104  is moved along the length of the neck  302  toward an upper surface  312  of the arms  310 . The walls  408 ,  410  of each extension  106 ,  108  operatively coupled to the frame  104  are forced against the pegs  314 A,  314 B received within the channels  412  of each extension. The pegs  314  slide within each respective channel  412  to allow for movement of the extensions  106 ,  108  caused by the repositioning of the frame  104  with respect to the support base  102 . Due to the downward force applied by the moving frame  104  and an opposing force applied by the static pegs  314 , extensions  106 ,  108  are forced to rotate about their coupling points to the frame  104  and extend outward, wherein the distal ends  404 A and  404 B of the first and second extensions  106  and  108 , respectively, move away from one another and increase the overall extension width of the collapsible hanger  100 . 
     The fully expanded state of the collapsible hanger  100  is typically achieved at the point of contact between the lower surface  502  of the frame  104  and the upper surface  312  of the arms  310 , wherein the upper surface  312  of the arms  310  receives and conforms to the shape of the lower surface  502  of the frame  104 . In the expanded state, the extensions  106 ,  108  are extended to increase separation distance of the distal ends  404 A and  404 B to be greater than in the collapsed state. In some embodiments, as previously discussed, when moved to the expanded state, the tab  308  engages the button  110  of the frame  104  to releasably lock the collapsible hanger  100  in the expanded state. 
     In some embodiments, collapsible hanger  100  may be spring-loaded, wherein a transformation of the collapsible hanger  100  to either of the collapsed or expanded states occurs automatically under influence of one or more springs or spring-like members. Additionally, the hanger  100  may be retained in the non-automatically-occurring state, in resistance to the action of the springs, by a releasable locking mechanism as previously described herein. 
     The collapsible hanger  100  and its components, such as the support base  102 , the frame  104 , and the first and second extensions  106 ,  108  may be constructed from plastic, metal, and/or wood. In one embodiment, the collapsible hanger  100  is constructed from a thermoplastic material. In another embodiment, the collapsible hanger  100  and its components are constructed from a combination of different materials. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and combinations of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.