Patent Abstract:
A collapsible clothes hanger particularly for use while traveling comprises upper and lower segments of a triangular-shaped hanger hingedly attached thereto each other with a hinge. This hinge allows the hanger to fold in half to a collapsed state. Because the hanger apparatus conveniently fits in a suitcase, it is ideal for travel. To unfold to a deployed state, the lower segment is opened and locked in place. An alternate embodiment is adapted to accept multiple articles of clothing.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a collapsible hanger assembly for hanging articles of apparel in an orderly fashion, particularly suited for those who travel frequently. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Over the past few years nearly 4 billon trips have been made, on average, in the United States. Of these trips, about 37% was travel for visiting friends/relatives, outdoor recreation, entertainment/sightseeing, or other pleasure/personal reasons. About 13% was travel for business; either general reasons (e.g., consulting, service) or to attend a convention/conference/seminar or for combined business and pleasure purposes. 
   Everyone is familiar with the hassles of travel. Itineraries must be developed, reservations must be made and contingencies must be planned. But perhaps the biggest source of frustration is that of packing. Not only must clothing be carefully chosen and folded, but upon arrival at your destination, everything must be removed from the suitcase and hung upon hangers. A hotel room will typically provide a small quantity of hangers in which guests can hang all of their clothing. Depending on the length of the stay and the number of individuals in the party, the clothes may be hung for an extended period of time and perhaps for more than one person. Obviously such a quantity is inadequate for any serious type of use. This forces the traveler to double-hang items, or perhaps leave some clothing articles in the suitcase where they will become creased and wrinkled. While a traveler can pack additional hangers in their suitcase before leaving for their destination, typical hangers are large, bulky and unwieldy. They take up an inordinate amount of space in the suitcase and thus limit what additional items the traveler can bring. 
   No traveler wants to spend time pressing clothes when they should be relaxing, taking in the sights or attending meetings. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which travelers can keep their clothing from becoming wrinkled during travel while being assured an adequate supply of hangers once they arrive at their destination without the disadvantages mentioned above. The development of the present invention for will serve to alleviate these concerns. 
   The present invention describes a device and method to conveniently hang clothing while traveling. Hotel rooms typically provide a small quantity of hangers, usually of an inadequate quantity for hanging clothing. This may cause the traveler to double hang items, or perhaps leave some clothing articles in the suitcase where they will become creased and wrinkled. Packing additional hangers in a suitcase is impractical due to the large size, bulkiness and unwieldy nature of the hangers. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which travelers can be provided with an adequate supply of hangers at temporary destinations without the disadvantages as mentioned above. The development of the invention herein described fulfills this need. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,795 issued to Wallick discloses a collapsible hanger for suspending clothes and other items. This patent does not appear to disclose a collapsible hanger that collapses in a manner similar to the described invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,538 issued to Autry and Autry discloses an adjustable clothes hanger. This patent does not appear to disclose a collapsible hanger for traveling. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,121 issued to Harvey discloses a collapsible garment hanger. This patent does not appear to disclose a hanger capable of carrying garments such as trousers, nor does it appear to be collapsible in a manner similar to the described invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,882 issued to Harvey discloses a collapsible garment hanger. This patent does not appear to disclose a hanger capable of carrying garments such as trousers, nor does it appear to be collapsible in a manner similar to the described invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,493 issued to Noiray discloses a foldable clothes hanger. This patent does not appear to disclose a collapsible hanger that collapses in a manner similar to the described invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,399 issued to Pryor discloses a hanger assembly. This patent does not appear to disclose a collapsible travel hanger capable of maintaining and holding garments. 
   The prior art appears to disclose travel hangers that collapse in a vertical manner and mainly hold shirts and similar garments. The prior art does not appear to disclose a collapsible travel hanger that collapses in a horizontal manner, that maintains multiple pieces of wearing apparel in a neat fashion. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need for a travel hanger that collapses easily and occupies a small portion of the limited space in travel bags. 
   The collapsible travel hanger provides a convenient device and method of storing clothing hangers when not in use. 
   The collapsible travel hanger possesses an overall triangular shape, a “J”-shaped hook on top, and upper and lower segments comprising integral pivoting hinges that permit the device to fold in half to a collapsed state. In this manner, the device is ideal for travel, as it can be easily stowed in a suitcase. 
   The pivot portions of the device provide molded-in appendages and detent features to secure a rotary position once the device is extended. 
   The collapsible travel hanger comprises a first hinge assembly, a second hinge assembly, a hook, a shaft, a first loop, and a second loop. A first and a second loop each provide a hinging attachment thereto one another at an upper and lower position via a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly, respectively. 
   The collapsible travel hanger provides a clothes support means similar to a conventional plastic clothes hanger comprising a generally triangular shape made up of the hook, the shaft and the loops. 
   The first hinge assembly further comprises a first pivot member and second pivot member integrally molded thereinto upper ends of the first and second loops. The first and second pivot members comprise a pair of torus-shaped features being stacked thereupon one another along a diametrical surface and aligned about a common vertical axis, the second pivot member being located at an upper position. 
   The first and second pivot members provide a latching means thereto one another via a first pivot appendage and a first pivot detent along a perimeter edge providing compact collapsible storage and locking deployment of the device. The first pivot appendage comprises a generally hemi-spherical protrusion projecting upward approximately one-quarter (¼) inch high and one-quarter (¼) inch in diameter. 
   The first pivot detent comprises a female feature which geometrically corresponds to the first pivot appendage fitting snugly therewithin when the device is in the deployed and extended state as shown here. 
   The shaft comprises a collapsing vertical rod-shaped member inserted slidingly therewithin a first pivot aperture integrally molded thereon the first pivot member at a top central location. The shaft extends from said first pivot member in an upward direction through the second pivot aperture forming a vertical axle, thereby providing a horizontal locating means to the second pivot member during use. 
   The shaft continues to extend in an upward direction forming an arcuate hook taking a form similar to that of common clothes hangers. 
   The second hinge assembly comprises a third pivot member and a forth pivot member being integrally molded thereto lower ends of the first and second loops, respectively. The third and fourth pivot members comprise similar design and function as the first and second pivot member portions of the first hinge assembly. 
   The third pivot member comprises an integrally molded pivot post which provides a vertical axle means to the forth pivot member via a third pivot aperture, thereby functioning in a similar manner as the shaft portion of the first hinge assembly and the second pivot aperture. 
   The collapsible travel hanger pivot post may provide a snapping feature at a top location providing a secure attachment of the fourth pivot member. The third and fourth pivot members comprise a second pivot appendage and interlocking second pivot detent, respectively, being of like design and function as the previously described first pivot appendage and first pivot detent. 
   The collapsible travel hanger permits the first loop and hook portions of the device to be rotated one hundred-eighty degrees (180°)until adjacent to the second loop as the corresponding second loop creating a flat configuration that permits convenient storage within a suitcase. 
   The collapsible travel hanger may be constructed of durable plastic material, such as but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
   The collapsible travel hanger shaft may be lowered or collapsed further providing a compact storage means. The shaft comprises an integrally molded shaft lock feature at a bottom end. The shaft lock feature comprises a cylindrical form providing a vertical and rotary positioning means to the shaft and hook when extended upward during use. The shaft lock feature is to fit snuggly within a corresponding female feature along a lower surface of the first pivot member. 
   The collapsible travel hanger, in an alternate embodiment, provides for a multiple clothes hanging capacity. In this embodiment, the device comprises a first multiple loop, a second multiple loop, a plurality of lower pivot members and a plurality of upper pivot members. 
   The multiple hanger embodiment is suited to hanging a plurality of personal clothing articles such as pants or the like thereupon in conjunction with a single jacket or shirt. 
   The multiple loops are similar to the aforementioned first and second loops comprising additional attachments thereto lower horizontal rung portions. The multiple hanger embodiment may be provided with any number rungs. Otherwise, the multiple hanger embodiment provides similar locking and folding functionality and is made using similar materials and processes as the preferred embodiment. 
   The collapsible travel hanger may be used by performing the following steps: assembling the device by inserting the hook portion in the second pivot aperture; inserting the pivot post therein the third pivot aperture; storing one (1) or more devices in a collapsed state within one&#39;s suitcase or other travel container until reaching one&#39;s destination; deploying the device by rotating the first and second loops into a planar relationship; engaging the first and second pivot appendages therein the first and second pivot detents, respectively, to secure the device in the deployed state; hanging personal clothing articles such as a shirt , jacket, or the like over the device; hanging additional clothing articles such as pants thereonto a lower portion of said loops; or in the alternate multiple hanging embodiment hanging as many articles as desired on the available first and second multiple loops; dispensing clothing articles in an expected manner as needed; collapsing the device for storage purposes by lifting the second loop to disengage the first and second pivot appendages therefrom the first and second pivot detents, respectively, and pivoting the first loop portion horizontally until in contact with said second loop; storing the device in a suitcase or other travel container until needed again; and, benefiting from the compact storage capability of the device, or multiple devices afforded a user while traveling. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a collapsible travel hanger  10  in a deployed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a collapsible travel hanger  10  in a collapsed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a collapsible travel hanger  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a collapsible travel hanger  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 collapsible travel hanger for shirts and pants 
               
               
                 20 
                 upper hinge assembly 
               
               
                 25 
                 lower hinge assembly 
               
               
                 27 
                 first pivot aperture 
               
               
                 30 
                 first pivot member 
               
               
                 31 
                 first pivot appendage 
               
               
                 35 
                 second pivot member 
               
               
                 36 
                 first pivot detent 
               
               
                 37 
                 second pivot aperture 
               
               
                 40 
                 third pivot member 
               
               
                 41 
                 second pivot appendage 
               
               
                 42 
                 pivot post 
               
               
                 45 
                 fourth pivot member 
               
               
                 46 
                 second pivot detent 
               
               
                 47 
                 third pivot aperture 
               
               
                 50 
                 hook 
               
               
                 51 
                 shaft 
               
               
                 52 
                 first loop 
               
               
                 53 
                 second loop 
               
               
                 54 
                 shaft lock feature 
               
               
                 60 
                 multiple hanger embodiment 
               
               
                 61 
                 first multiple loop 
               
               
                 62 
                 second multiple loop 
               
               
                 63 
                 lower pivot member 
               
               
                 64 
                 upper pivot member 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIG. 1 through 3 ; and in terms of an alternate embodiment in  FIG. 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
   The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
   The present invention describes a device and method for a collapsible travel hanger (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for a collapsible clothes hanger with an overall triangular shape, a “J”-shaped hook  50  on top, and upper and lower segments comprising integral pivoting hinges  20 ,  25  allowing the device  10  to fold in half to a collapsed state. In this manner, the invention  10  is ideal for travel, as it can be easily stowed in a suitcase. The pivot portions  20 ,  25  of the device  10  provide molded-in appendages  31 ,  41  and detent features  36 ,  46  to secure a rotary position once the device  10  is extended. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the device  10  in a deployed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a first hinge assembly  20 , a second hinge assembly  25 , a hook  50 , a shaft  51 , a first loop  52 , and a second loop  53 . The device  10  provides a clothes support means similar to a conventional plastic clothes hanger comprising a generally triangular shape made up of the hook  50 , the shaft  51  and the loops  52 ,  53  in an expected form. The first  52  and second  53  loops provide a hinging attachment thereto one another at an upper and lower position via a first hinge assembly  20  and a second hinge assembly  30 , respectively. 
   The first hinge assembly  20  further comprises a first pivot member  30  and second pivot member  35  being integrally molded thereinto upper ends of the first  52  and second  53  loops, respectively. The first  30  and second  35  pivot members comprise a pair of torus-shaped features being stacked thereupon one another along a diametrical surface and aligned about a common vertical axis, the second pivot member  35  being located at an upper position thereupon. The first  30  and second  35  pivot members also provide a latching means thereto one another via a first pivot appendage  31  and a first pivot detent  36  along a perimeter edge providing compact collapsible storage and locking deployment of the device  10 . The first pivot appendage  31  comprises a generally hemi-spherical protrusion projecting upward approximately one-quarter (¼) inch high and one-quarter (¼) inch in diameter. The first pivot detent  36  comprises a female feature which geometrically corresponds to the first pivot appendage  31  fitting snugly therewithin when the device  10  is in the deployed and extended state as shown here. The shaft  51  comprises a collapsing vertical rod-shaped member inserted slidingly therewithin a first pivot aperture  27  integrally molded thereon the first pivot member  30  at a top central location. The shaft  51  extends therefrom said first pivot member  30  in an upward direction therethrough the second pivot aperture  37  forming a vertical axel, thereby providing a horizontal locating means to the second pivot member  35  during use. The shaft  51  continues to extend in an upward direction forming an arcuate hook  50  taking a form similar to that of common clothes hangers. 
   The second hinge assembly  25  comprises a third pivot member  40  and a fourth pivot member  45  being integrally molded thereto lower ends of the first  52  and second  53  loops, respectively. The third  40  and fourth  45  pivot members comprise similar design and function as the first  30  and second  35  pivot member portions of the first hinge assembly  20 . The third pivot member  40  comprises an integrally molded pivot post  42  which provides a vertical axle means to the fourth pivot member  45  via a third pivot aperture  47 , thereby functioning in a similar manner as the shaft portion  51  of the first hinge assembly  20  and the second pivot aperture  37  as described above. It is further envisioned that the pivot post  42  may provide a snapping feature at a top location providing a secure attachment of the fourth pivot member  45  thereupon. In like manner, the third  40  and fourth  45  pivot members comprise a second pivot appendage  41  and interlocking second pivot detent  46 , respectively, being of like design and function as the previously described first pivot appendage  31  and first pivot detent  36 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the device  10  in a collapsed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is illustrated here with the first loop  52  and hook  50  portions of the device  10  having been rotated one hundred-eighty degrees (180°) until adjacent to the second loop  53  as the corresponding second loop  53  remains stationary providing a flat configuration thereto the device  10 , thereby allowing convenient storage within a suitcase or other travel container. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a removably attachable 3-piece assembly envisioned being made of a durable plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or the like and being manufactured in a plastic injection molding process common in the industry. The device  10  is illustrated here showing the shaft  51  in a lowered or collapsed position, thereby, providing a compact storage means. The shaft  51  further comprises an integrally molded shaft lock feature  54  at a bottom end thereof. The shaft lock feature  54  comprises a cylindrical form providing a vertical and rotary positioning means to the shaft  51  and hook  50  when extended upward during use. It is envisioned that the shaft lock feature  54  is to fit snuggly therewithin a corresponding female feature along a lower surface of the first pivot member  30 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a multiple hanger embodiment  60 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The multiple hanger embodiment  60  comprises a first multiple loop  61 , a second multiple loop  62 , a plurality of lower pivot members  63  and a plurality of upper pivot members  64 . The multiple hanger embodiment  60  is envisioned being particularly suited to hanging a plurality personal clothing articles such as pants or the like thereupon in conjunction with a single jacket or shirt. The first  61  and second  62  multiple loops are envisioned to be similar to the aforementioned first  52  and second  53  loops further comprising additional attachments thereto lower horizontal rung portions. The multiple hanger embodiment  60  shown here illustrates a five (5) rung configuration; however, the multiple hanger embodiment  60  may be provided with any number rungs without deviating from the basic concept and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. The multiple hanger embodiment  60  is envisioned to provide similar locking and folding functionality as the preferred embodiment  10 . The multiple hanger embodiment  60  is further envisioned being made using similar materials and processes as the preferred embodiment  10 . 
   It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
   The method of utilizing the preferred embodiment of the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: assembling the device  10 , if not previously assembled, by inserting the hook portion  50  therein the second pivot aperture  37 ; inserting the pivot post  42  therein the third pivot aperture  47 ; storing one (1) or more devices  10  in a collapsed state within one&#39;s suitcase or other travel container until reaching one&#39;s destination; deploying the device  10  by rotating the first  52  and second  53  loops into a planar relationship; engaging the first  31  and second  41  pivot appendages therein the first  36  and second  46  pivot detents, respectively, to secure the device  10  in the deployed state; hanging personal clothing articles such as a shirt , jacket, or the like over the device  10 ; hanging additional clothing articles such as pants thereonto a lower portion of said loops  52 ,  53 ; dispensing clothing articles in an expected manner as needed; collapsing the device  10  for storage purposes by lifting the second loop  53  to disengage the first  31  and second  41  pivot appendages therefrom the first  36  and second  46  pivot detents, respectively, and pivoting the first loop portion  52  horizontally until in contact with said second loop  53 ; storing the device  10  in a suitcase or other travel container until needed again; and, benefiting from the compact storage capability of the device  10 , or multiple devices  10 , afforded a user while traveling. 
   The method of utilizing the alternate multiple hanger embodiment  60  may be achieved by performing the following steps: assembling and deploying the alternate embodiment  60  in a similar manner as the preferred embodiment  10 ; hanging additional clothing articles upon the first  61  and second  62  multiple loops such as pants, or the like, as desired; collapsing and storing the alternate embodiment  60  as previously described. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0