Abstract:
A hanging system is disclosed. The hanging system is especially adapted to couple with travel bags of various sizes for holding garments and accessories in place when traveling or commuting. A second embodiment includes a hangar accessory which allows the hanging system to be mounted from a standard hanging rod.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to a system, method and apparatus for hanging clothing, as well as umbrellas and other garments and accessories. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a flexible hangar apparatus and system for hanging clothing, garments, and accessories wherein the apparatus and system can be mounted to hand bags, messenger bags, and other travel bags, as well as methods for use thereof. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Conventional clothing hangars typically comprise a rigid structure having a hook for attachment to a hanging rod. The rigid structure generally comprises a pair of downward angled upper members extending in opposite directions from base of the hook. In addition, many hangars have an additional transverse lower member extending between the upper members. The rigid structure and hook may be formed of a single wire or piece of molded plastic, or the rigid structure may be formed of plastic or wood with the hook mounted thereto. 
         [0003]    Generally, the shoulders of a garment, such as a shirt or jacket, can be draped over the upper members of the hangar to maintain the garment in an upright orientation without wrinkling or creasing the garment. When the lower transverse element is present, additional garments, such as pants or trousers may be draped over the lower transverse element to similarly reduce the risk of wrinkling or creasing the garment. 
         [0004]    However, typical hangars are inconvenient for use by travelers or commuters. In particular, travelers and commuters generally must use garment bags to maintain clothing in wrinkle free condition while traveling. However, space is at a premium when traveling or commuting, and carrying an additional garment bag is both inconvenient and potentially costly. Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and system for hanging garments and accessories that can be easily used with a handbag, messenger bag, or other small travel bag. 
       OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSED SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS 
       [0005]    Accordingly, it is an object of this disclosure to provide a system and apparatus for hanging garments and accessories that can be attached to a handbag, messenger bag, or other small travel bag. 
         [0006]    Another object of the disclosure is to provide a flexible system and apparatus for hanging garments and accessories that can be easily transferred from a travel bag to a hanging rod. 
         [0007]    Another object of the disclosure is to provide a method for the use of the flexible system and apparatus disclosed herein. 
         [0008]    Other advantages of this disclosure will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art. It should be understood, however, that a system or method could practice the disclosure while not achieving all of the enumerated advantages, and that the protected disclosure is defined by the claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0009]    A hanging apparatus and system for use by travelers and commuters is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the hanging system comprises a transverse element on which trousers, pants and slacks can be draped. The transverse element is coupled to a right clasping strap by a first right mounting ring. The right clasping strap is also coupled to a right spring loaded hook by a second right mounting ring. The transverse element is also coupled to a left clasping strap by a first left mounting ring. The left clasping strap is also coupled to a left spring loaded hook by a second left mounting ring. 
         [0010]    The hanging system further comprises a left and right mounting tab, each integrally formed to the transverse element. The mounting tabs can be used to hold a clothing strap in place using a pair of eyelets; one on each end of the clothing strap. 
         [0011]    In an additional embodiment the hanger system further comprises a hanging accessory, that includes right and left angular elements. The angular elements each include an additional mounting ring adapted to couple with the corresponding spring loaded hooks. In addition, a hook is disposed between the angular elements, so that the hanging system can be hung from a standard clothing rod. 
         [0012]    It should be noted that in an additional embodiment of the disclosure the right and left clasping straps can be adjustable, so that a variety of bags can be accommodated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Although the characteristic features of this disclosure will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the flexible hangar system and apparatus disclosed herein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts the disclosed flexible hangar system and apparatus holding garments and accessories while attached to a travel bag; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a close up view of a strap and hook mounting mechanism for use with the flexible hangar system and apparatus disclosed herein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts a close up view of a strap mounting mechanism for use with the flexible hangar system and apparatus disclosed herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts an additional embodiment of the flexible hangar system and apparatus disclosed herein including a clothing rod hanging mechanism; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 5  holding garments and accessories while hanging from a hanging rod; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 5  with a mounting mechanism coupled to the transverse element that could be used to, for example, hang an umbrella or other accessory. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Turning to the Figures and to  FIG. 1  in particular, an embodiment of the disclosed flexible hangar system and apparatus is illustrated. As illustrated, the flexible hangar system and apparatus comprises left and right clasping straps  102   a ,  102   b . The clasping straps  102   a , 102   b  can be made of, for example, ballistic nylon, although another material, such as vinyl, bamboo, or various metals, could be used. Each clasping strap  102   a,b  comprises a spring loaded hook  104   a,b , which allows the clasping strap  102  to be connected to a travel bag as discussed herein. Each clasping strap  102   a,b  further comprises a mounting ring  106   a,b , which mounts the spring loaded hook  104   a,b  to a strap  108   a,b . The mounting rings  106   a,b  could be made of any reasonable material, such as aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, etc. While the clasping straps  102   a,b  are drawn as being coupled to mounting rights using spring loaded hooks  104   a,b , a variety of other mechanisms could be used, such as, for example, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, simple ties, etc. 
         [0022]    Each strap  108   a,b  is mounted to a transverse element  112  by a mounting ring  110   a,b . Integrally formed to each end of the transverse element  112  is a mounting tab  114   a,b . As discussed herein, the mounting tab  114   a,b  can hold a clothing strap  116  in place, which can be used to, for example, hold a pair of trousers or pants in place. As depicted the clothing strap includes a right eyelet  117   b  and a left eyelet  117   a . The left and right clasping straps  102   a , 102   b  can be adjustable to accommodate a variety of bags. The surface of the transverse element  112  can also be covered with a non-slip surface such as, for example, matted rubber. 
         [0023]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , the hanging apparatus and system  100  of the present disclosure is illustrated. In particular, the hanging apparatus  100  is depicted with a jacket draped over the clasping straps  102   a,b , and a pair of slacks draped over the transverse element  112 . The clothing strap  116  holds the slacks and jacket in place, and supports them in a substantially wrinkle and crease free state. 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , a close up view of the strap and hook mounting mechanism utilized by the present disclosure is depicted. As depicted the strap and hook mounting mechanism comprises a spring loaded hook  104 , which is adapted to couple to various mounting rings on travel bags (not shown). The spring loaded hook  104  is coupled to a mounting ring  106 . As shown, the spring loaded hook  104  is depicted as coupled to the mounted tab  106  using a swivel screw  105 . The mounting ring  106  is coupled to a strap  108 . As depicted, the strap  108  is shown as made from ballistic nylon. However, this is strictly for demonstrative purposes, rather than for purposes of limitation. 
         [0025]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , a close up view of the strap  108  as coupled to the transverse element  112  is depicted. In particular, the transverse element  112  is coupled to the strap  108  using a mounting ring  110 . Also depicted is a mounting tab  114 , which as discussed herein, is used to hold a clothing strap  116  in place. 
         [0026]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment of the disclosed hanging embodiment and system is disclosed. This embodiment includes the entire embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In particular, as illustrated, the flexible hangar system and apparatus comprises left and right clasping straps  102   a ,  102   b . Each clasping strap  102   a,b  comprises a spring loaded hook  104   a,b , which is adapted to couple with the hanging accessory  118  as discussed below. Each clasping strap  102   a,b  further comprises a mounting ring  106   a,b , which mounts the spring loaded hook  104   a,b  to a strap  108   a,b . Each strap  108   a,b  is mounted to a transverse element  112  by a mounting ring  110   a,b . Integrally formed to each end of the transverse element  112  is a mounting tab  114   a,b . As discussed herein, the mounting ring  114   a,b  can hold a clothing strap  116  in place, which can be used to, for example, hold a pair of trousers or pants in place. 
         [0027]    The hanging accessory  118  comprises a right angular element  122   a  and a left angular element  122   b . Both of the angular elements  122   a,b  are coupled to mounting rings  120   a,b . The mounting rings are adapted to couple with the spring loaded hooks  104   a,b . In addition, a hanging hook  124  is coupled to the angular elements. The hanging hook  124  allows the flexible hangar apparatus and system to be hung from a hanging rod as depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  depicts the second embodiment of the flexible hangar apparatus and system hanging from a hanging rod, as is typically present in, for example, a hotel room, airport lounge, train lounge, or other travel destination. The flexible hangar apparatus and system is also depicted with a jacket draped over the angular elements  122   a,b , a pair of slacks draped over the transverse element  112 , with the clothing strap  116  holding the slacks in place, and an umbrella also hanging from one of the mounting tabs  114   b.    
         [0029]      FIG. 7  depicts an additional refinement of the hanging system. This embodiment is identical to that of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , but includes a pair of straps coupled to the transverse element that can be used by users to, for example, hang an umbrella or other accessory. 
         [0030]    The foregoing description of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the present teachings and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. In addition, although narrow claims may be presented below, it should be recognized that the scope of this invention is much broader than presented by the claim(s). It is intended that broader claims will be submitted in one or more applications that claim the benefit of priority from this application. Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claim or claims below, the additional inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.