Patent Publication Number: US-2011073624-A1

Title: Garment hanger having a removable hook

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/277,165 filed Sep. 21, 2009, entitled “HANGER WITH DETACHABLE HOOK AND SHOEBOX,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The invention relates in general to garment hangers, and more particularly, to a garment hanger having an removable coupling assembly which allows for the releasable joining of the hanger body with the hanger hook. In turn, upon use, the hanger can be disassembled so that a portion is reused and a portion is recycled. 
     2. Background Art 
     The use of garment hangers is known in the art. Typically garment hangers are utilized for garments of all types, including, upper torso garments, lower torso garments, and full body garments. Among other types of hangers, these can include uppers hangers, lowers hangers, children&#39;s hangers, intimate apparel hangers, among others. In addition, such items as shoes and the like can also be provided on hangers. 
     In many instances, garments are shipped in large containers (i.e., 20 foot, 40 foot and the like containers) from distant locations. In most instances, the garments are placed on hangers prior to shipment. Often the garment is separated from the item after purchase. As the garment purchase is often made thousands of miles from the garment&#39;s production, garment hangers have become difficult to handle logistically. 
     Garment hangers are often formed from materials which can be recycled. As such, once used, a garment hanger can be cut up and recycled into other products, or, into garment hangers again. Often the hook portion of the garment hanger, or the body portion of the garment hanger needs to be recycled, and quite often it is not necessary to recycle both of the hanger portions. In situations wherein a portion of the hanger is formed from a material other than plastic, the portion of the garment hanger can be reused indefinitely. 
     Thus, it would be advantageous if the reusable portion could be removed or separated from the recyclable portion or the discardable portion and shipped back to the garment manufacturer. The recyclable portion or the discardable portion could be discarded or recycled without having to be shipped long distances. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide for a garment hanger which has a removable hook assembly. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment hanger which can be separated into components for recycling. 
     These objects as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure is directed to a garment hanger. The garment hanger includes a hanger body, a hanger hook and a removable coupling assembly. The hanger body has a central region. A first side region extends from the central region in a first direction. A second side region extends from the central region in a second direction. The hanger hook has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end, in an assembled configuration, is proximate the central region of the hanger body. The distal end is configured to engage a hook or other outside structure. 
     The removable coupling assembly is structurally configured to removably couple the hanger body and the hanger hook. The removable coupling assembly further includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to one of the hanger body and the proximal end of the hanger hook. Additionally, the first portion includes a wall structure defining a slot. The slot has an upper end and a lower end. The second portion is coupled to the other of the hanger body and the proximal end of the hanger hook. Additionally, the second portion includes a body, a first opposing leg having a first hook outwardly disposed thereon and a second opposing leg having a second hook outwardly disposed thereon. The pair of opposing legs are insertable into the slot so that the first hook and second hook engage the lower end of the slot, to, in turn, couple the first portion to the second portion. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the hanger body comprises one of the group consisting of: an uppers hanger, a lowers hanger, an intimate apparel hanger and a children&#39;s hanger. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the hanger hook is rotatable relative to the second portion. 
     Preferably, the hanger hook comprises a shaped metal rod. 
     In another embodiment, the hanger hook and the second portion of the removable coupling assembly comprise a monolithic molded member. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the wall structure of the removable coupling includes a cross-sectional configuration which comprises one of the group consisting of: square, rectangular, circular, elliptical, and non-uniform. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, the wall structure of the removable coupling comprises a substantially rectangular configuration having opposing side walls and opposing end walls. 
     Preferably, the cross-sectional configuration of the wall structure at the upper end is larger than the cross-sectional configuration of the wall structure at the lower end. 
     In another embodiment, the end walls incline inwardly toward each other between the upper end and the lower end. 
     Preferably, at least a portion of the body of the second portion extends into the slot of the first portion. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the first and second arms each extend from opposing ends of the body of the second portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  of the drawings comprises a partial front elevational view of the garment hanger of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  of the drawings comprises a partial perspective view of the first portion of the removable coupling assembly of the garment hanger of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  of the drawings comprises a partial front elevational view of the garment hanger of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  of the drawings comprises a partial front elevational view of the hanger hook and second portion of the removable coupling assembly of the garment hanger of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  of the drawings comprises a partial perspective view of the first portion of the removable coupling assembly of the garment hanger of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment illustrated. 
     It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity. 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , the garment hanger with removable hook is shown generally at  10 . Garment hanger  10  of the present disclosure includes hanger body  12 , hanger hook  14  and removable coupling assembly  16 . While the hanger  10  is shown to be what is often termed as an uppers hanger, it will be understood that the principles of the present disclosure is equally suitable for use in association with a lowers hanger, an intimate apparel hanger, a children&#39;s hanger, amongst other hangers. Thus, the disclosure of the hanger to be an uppers hanger is for illustrative purposes only, and not to be deemed limiting. 
     The hanger body is shown in  FIG. 1  as comprising central region  20 , first side region  22  and second side region  24 . Specifically, the first side region  22  extends in a first direction away from the central region and the second side region  24  extends in a second direction away from the central region. The side regions extend generally outwardly (and in certain instances downwardly) away from the central region  20  in opposing direction. In other embodiments, specific features, such as recesses, channels, slots and the like may be disposed on the opposing side regions. Additionally, other features, such as gripper arms can be positioned on opposing side regions. In certain embodiments, the central region, and the side regions are integrally formed in a single molding process. Additional features, such as gripper arms, cushions and the like can be affixed or otherwise attached to the central region and/or the side regions. 
     Typically, hanger body  12  is formed from a polymer resin material such as, for example, styrene-butadiene. One such material is commonly referred to as K RESIN and is manufactured by Phillips petroleum. Another material manufactured by BASF is sold under the name SYROLUX. Of course, the material is not limited to the foregoing. 
     The hanger hook is shown in  FIG. 1  as comprising a generally hook shaped member which extends outwardly away from the hanger body at a proximal end  30  and terminates at distal end  32 . The distal end is configured to releasably retain an outside structure, such as, for example, a hook, a bar or another outside structure. Typically, the distal end comprises an upside down u-shaped configuration, although other configurations are contemplated. The hanger hook may comprise a substantially uniform metallic member, such as a substantially uniform metal rod of a predetermined diameter. Of course, other metal hooks are also contemplated, such as non-uniform rod members, as well as members that may be extruded or cast in a number of different configurations. 
     In other embodiments, the hanger hook may comprise a molded polymer member, which also may be extruded, cast or otherwise formed. Other materials are likewise contemplated for use, such as composites, wood, other natural materials, among others. A sizer can be coupled into the hook (or into the second portion of the removable coupling assembly). Inasmuch as the hanger hook is separate from the hanger body, the hanger hook can incorporate an integrated sizer if desired. 
     Removable coupling assembly  16  is shown in  FIG. 2  as comprising a first portion  40  which is coupled to the hanger body  12  and a second portion  42  which is coupled to the hanger hook  14 . The first portion  40  comprises a slot-like configuration formed from a wall structure. In the embodiment shown, the wall structure includes opposing side walls  50 ,  52  and opposing end walls  54 ,  56 . The opposing side walls and the opposing end walls cooperate to substantially define a slot. In the present embodiment, the opposing side walls extend longitudinally along the central region  20 , and, the opposing end walls  54 ,  56  extend transversely between the opposing side walls. The first portion is positioned preferably at an upper end of the central region of the hanger body, with the opening of the slot preferably extending primarily vertically. 
     The end walls and the side walls have an upper end at the entrance to the slot, and a lower end opposing the upper end. In the embodiment shown, the upper ends and the lower ends substantially correspond to each other, and the depth of the walls is substantially uniform. The lower end includes a structure which is configured to engage the respective hook, which, in certain embodiments, may comprise a nub, an edge or another structure. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the opposing side walls  50 ,  52  and the opposing end walls  54 ,  56  are oriented so that the side walls are substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to each other so that the side walls and the end walls are substantially perpendicular to each other with the opposing side walls being substantially longer relative to the opposing end walls. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the opposing side walls are substantially parallel to each other, but the opposing end walls are sloped inwardly between the upper end and the lower end, so as to define a reduced cross-sectional area of the slot  58  as the slot extends from the upper end to the lower end thereof. 
     The second portion  42  is shown in  FIG. 2  as comprising body  60 , first arm  62 , first hook  64 , second arm  66  and second hook  68 . The second portion, as noted above, is coupled to the hanger hook at the proximal end thereof. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the body extends into the slot  58  defined by the opposing side walls and end walls of the removable coupling assembly  16 . The body is configure to fill a portion of the space of the slot so as to provide stability of the hanger hook relative to the hanger body. 
     The second portion may be formed separate from the hook, or may be integrally formed with the hook. For example, the hook may comprise a metal member, whereas the second portion may comprise a plastic member. In turn, the two members are joined in any number of different ways (adhesive, melting, press-fit) so as to couple the two members together. It will be understood that in certain embodiments, the hook will be fixed to the second portion (wherein it may be of a monolithic molded configuration, or formed from multiple separate components). In other embodiments, the hook will be permitted to move relative to the second portion. For example, the hook may be able to rotate relative to the second portion of the removable coupling assembly. 
     The first and second arms  62  and  66 , respectively, extend so as to substantially abut opposing the end walls. The first hook  64  and the second hook  68  extend from the first and second arms  62 ,  66 , respectively, and are configured to interface with the lower ends of the end walls, so as to engage the same. The first hook and the second hook include an inclined upper surface, and the arms  62 ,  66  have a certain level of flexibility. As such, when inserted into the slot, the inclined surfaces of the first and second hooks are directed against the respective end walls. In turn, the arms  62 ,  66  are directed inwardly until the hooks extend beyond the lower end of the end walls. The arms  62 ,  66  then return toward the original configuration locking the first and second hooks against the lower end of the end walls. Inasmuch as the lower surface of the first hook and the second hook have a configuration (such as a substantially planar configuration), so as to preclude detachment of the hook and the respective lower end of the respective end walls. The lower end may comprise any one of the structures identified above, among others, configured to engage the hook. 
     In one embodiment, as is shown in  FIG. 1 , the body and the arms are separate structures. While the arms likewise provide some stability, the arms in the embodiment are separated from the body. In other embodiments, such as the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the body and the arms can be substantially continuous. 
     It will be understood that variations to the foregoing are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the embodiments shown, the first portion is on the hanger body and the second portion is on the hanger hook. It is likewise contemplated that the first portion may be positioned on the hanger hook and the second portion may be positioned on the hanger body. 
     Furthermore, the first portion is shown as having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configurations. It will be understood that other cross-sectional configurations are likewise contemplated, such as oval, round, multi-sided and non-uniform configurations. The depth of the slot can be varied so as to accommodate the different shapes. Indeed, the depth of the slot provides interaction between the first portion of the hanger body and the body of the second portion of the hanger body which, in turn, limits undesirable movement between the two portions. 
     To assemble the hanger of the present invention, the user first is provided with the hanger body. As set forth above, the hanger body may comprise any number of different hanger configurations, including but not limited to uppers hangers, lowers hangers, children&#39;s hangers, intimate apparel hangers, and the like. Some of such hangers are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,464,841; 7,506,785; 7,556,180; D569,631; D569,633 and D578,781, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
     The hanger body is equipped with first portion  40  of the removable coupling assembly  16 . In certain embodiments, the second portion can be a separate component that is coupled, adhered, or otherwise attached to the underlying hanger body, preferably about the central region  20  thereof. In other embodiments, the first portion is integrally molded with the underlying hanger body, again preferably about the central region thereof. 
     Next, a hanger hook is provided. The hanger hook may comprise any number of different hanger hooks, including metal hooks as well as plastic hooks. The first portion  40  of the removable coupling assembly  16  is coupled to the proximal end  30  of the hanger hook  14 . In certain embodiments, the first portion of the removable coupling assembly may comprise a separate component which is coupled, adhered or otherwise attached to the underlying hanger body. In other embodiments, the first portion of the removable coupling assembly is integrally formed with the hanger hook  14 . 
     Once the hanger body and the hanger hook are provided with the respective portions of the first portion  40  and the second portion  42 , the first portion  40  and the second portion  42  can be coupled together to complete the formation of the hanger  10 . Specifically, the second portion is inserted into the slot  58  of the first portion. 
     As the second portion is inserted into slot  58  of the first portion, the end walls  54 ,  56  press against the first and second hook  64 ,  68 , respectively, which bias the first and second arms  62 ,  66  inwardly toward each other. Further movement of the second portion in the within the slot of the first portion directs the body into the slot and the first and second hook members along the respective end walls. Depending on the embodiment, at some point during the engagement of the first and second portions, the body  60  of the second portion becomes positioned within the slot  58  of the first portion. Typically, the fit between the slot and the body is relatively tight so that there is little room for the body to move laterally within the slot. Thus, the body facilitates the strong feel of engagement between the hanger body  12  and the hanger hook  14 . 
     Further insertion of the second portion eventually directs the first and second hooks  64 ,  68  beyond the lower end of the respective opposing end walls  54 ,  56 . In turn, the first and second arms  62 ,  66  which were biased inward by the contact between the first and second hooks  64 ,  68  with the opposing end walls  54 ,  56 , return to their original configuration thereby forcing the first and second hooks outwardly so as to engage the lower end of the respective opposing end walls. Once the hooks engage the lower end of the respective end walls, the hanger hook is coupled to the hanger body. Due to the configuration of the hooks, it is rather difficult to separate the first portion from the second portion. In certain embodiments, it may be necessary to employ a special tool or a hand tool to de-couple the same. 
     After use, the hook can be separated from the hanger body with a special tool or with a hand tool. One of the components can be recycled while the other of the components can be reused. 
     The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.