Abstract:
A system for the display and support of apparel includes a support arm which is attached to an horizontal surface such as a clothing bar or shelf The support arm extends perpendicularly relative to the horizontal surface such that hanging apparel hung from the support arm is displayed with its front showing rather than from the side.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/618, 718 filed Mar. 31, 2012. Cross reference is also made to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/252,881 filed Oct. 4, 2011 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to supports for hanging articles, and more specifically to support frames designed for the consumer market which can be mounted on a clothing bar or shelf for the support of hanging clothing or other articles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Within the merchandising environment, various displays are used to hang articles such as clothing. The most common display means for hanging garments are clothing bars which are most typically straight or circular in order to display garments for sale. The clothing bars used in commercial environments typically have a rectangular profile while those available to the consumer market have a cylindrical profile. Certain commercial clothing bars may also employ support frames which are attached to the clothing bars in order to showcase or enable sorting garments by type. Although commercial bars have more structural variation than clothing bars manufactured for non-commercial use, because of proprietary design, parts associated with commercial assemblies such as support frames and other accessories are not interchangeable with systems from other makers or with clothing bars manufactured for the consumer market such as those often sold as part of a closet storage solution. 
         [0004]    While support apparatus are known that attach to vertically oriented poles, a support apparatus for hanging garments and other articles which is quickly attachable to a horizontally positioned cylindrical clothing bar without requiring additional tools or fasteners would be a valuable accessory to any consumer closet system. 
         [0005]    Moreover, a such a retrofittable support frame would be especially desirable if it were strong enough to support multiple articles without slipping, relocatable to any position along the bar and easily removable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a garment support for hanging articles that is reversibly attachable to horizontal supports such as clothing bars, shelves and the like. One embodiment according to the present invention is mounted to a typical clothing bar so as to project from the bar in order to display articles such as garments from the front rather than the sides. The garment support is especially useful for planning wardrobe changes, selecting items that need to be dry cleaned and many other wardrobe related tasks. 
         [0007]    Multiple garment supports can attach along a clothing bar or a length of shelving to provide additional hanging space. 
         [0008]    In one aspect according to the present invention, the garment support possesses a support frame which is firmly attachable to a horizontal cylindrical clothing bar as an attachment surface. 
         [0009]    In another aspect according to the present invention, the garment support possesses a support frame which is firmly attachable to an edge of a solid shelf as an attachment surface. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect according to the present invention, portions of the garment support are extendible. 
         [0011]    Inclusive to all the foregoing aspects, the support frame is easily re-positionable along the attachment surface of whatever kind 
         [0012]    The description as follows is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, combinations and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment according to the present invention for attachment to an edge of a shelf; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one exemplary pivot hinge; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention for attachment to a cylindrical clothing bar; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment shown in ( FIG. 2 ) for attachment to a cylindrical clothing bar; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment according to the present invention for attachment to a cylindrical clothing bar; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in ( FIG. 4 ) with attachable shoulder supports. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference listing: 
       [0019]      100 ′ garment support 
         [0020]      120  support frame 
         [0021]      122  attachment member 
         [0022]      122   a  pad 
         [0023]      122   b  collar 
         [0024]      124  pivot hinge 
         [0025]      126  tightening member 
         [0026]      128  stay 
         [0027]      130  bumper 
         [0028]      132  hook 
       Definitions 
       [0029]    Unless otherwise explained, any technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The term “comprises” means “includes.” All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In case of conflict, the present specification, including explanations of terms, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0030]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-5 , a garment support  100 ′ for displaying garments includes a rigid support arm  120  with a attachment member  122  in which the support arm is secured generally perpendicularly to a horizontal structure such as a clothing bar  136  or shelf  138 .  FIG. 1  depicts a support arm attached to a shelf edge with a pivot  124  which includes an aperture that a section of the support arm fits within to permit the arm to pivot away from a perpendicular orientation relative to the shelf edge. Clothing is hung on the arm and retained in place by stays  128  which can be any portion of the arm that prevents a hanger hook from sliding unimpeded along the frame. While in the particular embodiment shown, the stays are spherical members permanently affixed along the arm, it should be understood that other stays will suggest themselves top those having the skill in the art; for example, collars with a frictional fit that slide along a cylindrical or rod-shaped frame, or which are tightened at any point along the frame by set screws. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment according to the present invention with a semi-cylindrical attachment member that rests over a clothing bar installed in a closet. In a normal use, the end of the frame with stays  128  projects outwardly from the clothing bar, while the opposite end of the arm  120  possesses a rubber bumper  130  braced against the rear wall of the closet. The bracing effect permits the clothing bar to support the weight of several garments facing out to assist in garment selection.  FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial view of the embodiment shown in ( FIG. 2 ). The amount of arm projecting from either the front or back can be adjusted by adjusting tightening member  126  which is shown here as a set screw that when loosened permits the arm to slide back and forth through collar  122   b.  Preferably, the attachment member is lined with a material  122   a  of any suitably non-marring material such as a rubber or felt pad. In effect, the arm is supported superiorly to the closet rod and can be easily installed thereon and removed. Weight of the garments increases the inertia of the arm by forcing bumper  130  against a back wall or against the underside of a closet shelf 
         [0032]    Another preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , is hung from a clothing rod by hook  132 . An upper portion of a frame is fixed, while the lower arm portions  120  telescope by sliding back and forth through collar  122   b  similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . One arm segment is capped by bumper  130  which is for bracing against the back wall of a closet. Both arm segments can be rotated axially and extended/retracted by loosening thumbscrew  126 .  FIG. 5  shows a pair of attachable shoulder supports  140  for the shielding of garments from projecting portions of the frame. 
         [0033]    While the invention has been described by the particular embodiments given, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the particular forms set forth. For example, the attachment member can be combined with any one of the support frames shown. The attachment member can be a spring clip or other clamping means that will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Whatever the attachment means to the clothing bar, it is intended that the garment support resist side to side movement experienced by conventional closet hangers. Accordingly, the invention is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and shown in the disclosure.