Abstract:
A crown sizer for mounting to a post of hanger. The sizer includes a body having a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the body during installation of the body about the post of the hanger. The body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the body into a closed position following installation of the sizer about the post.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,483 Filed Aug. 31, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a crown sizer and, more particularly, to a crow%,n sizer with a locking mechanism for mounting about the post of a metal hook hanger. 
         [0003]    Various types of hangers are used in the retail industries. One such hanger is formed from a plastic body having a threaded post on its upper edge. A metal hook is threaded into this post to provide what is commonly referred to as a metal hook hanger. 
         [0004]    Although size indicators are commonly used with plastic hook hangers (i.e., a hanger having both a plastic body and plastic hook), the use of size indicators on metal hook hangers has proven more challenging. One such size indicator available for metal hook hangers is referred to as a crown sizer, and is disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2006/0006204 A1. The sizers disclosed in this publication are intended to be passed over the metal hook and “snapped” into position about the post of the hanger. These sizers, however, have several shortcomings. For example the ability of such crown sizers to remain engaged with the hanger varies from hanger to hanger due to differences in design and tolerances between the various manufacturers. Moreover, certain of these sizers are designed for easier installation, which tends to make the engagement less permanent and prone to unwanted disassembly. Finally, the more elaborate designs present manufacturing challenges, as well as issues with both the installation and retention of the sizer on the hanger. 
         [0005]    There is therefore a need in the art for a crown sizer which is more easily manufactured, which can be readily installed about the post of a metal hook hanger, and which will remain securely engaged to the hanger. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention, which addresses the needs of the prior art, relates to a sizer for mounting to a post of a hanger. The sizer includes a body configured to surround at least a portion of the post. The body is formed with a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the body during installation of the body about the post. The body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the boded into a closed position following installation about the post. 
         [0007]    In one preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism includes cooperating interfitting structure located on a sidewall of the sizer body. In a still further preferred embodiment, the cooperating interfitting structure includes a groove disposed on a first edge of the sidewall and a rib disposed on a second edge of the sidewall, wherein the rib is configured to engage the groove when the body is locked into the closed position. 
         [0008]    The present invention further relates to the combination of a hanger and a sizer. The hanger includes a hanger body, a hook-receiving post extending from the hanger body, and a pair of struts connected to the hanger body and located on opposing sides of the posts. The posts and struts define at least one engagement cavity. The sizer includes a sizer body configured to surround at least a portion of the post. The sizer body is Conned with a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the sizer body during installation of the sizer body about the post. The sizer body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the sizer body into a closed position following installation about the post. 
         [0009]    As a result, the present invention provides a sizer which can be easily and cost effectively manufactured, which can be readily installed about the post of a metal hook hanger without requiring excessive force, and which will remain securely engaged to the hanger during usage. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1   a  is a top view of a crown sizer formed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1   b  is a front perspective view of the sizer of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0012]      FIG. 1   c  is a bottom perspective view of the sizer of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a conventional hanger; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a  is an enlarged detail of the post portion of the hanger of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a view showing the sizer of  FIG. 1  positioned over the hook of the hanger; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a view showing the sizer of  FIG. 1  being installed about the post of the hanger; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a view showing the sizer of  FIG. 1  being loosely positioned about the post of the hanger; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative sizer formed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the sizer of  FIG. 5  loosely positioned about the post of the hanger; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the sizer of  FIG. 5  locked into the closed position about the post of the hanger; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view showing the sizer of  FIG. 5  locked into the closed position about the post of the hanger. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c , a crown sizer  10  formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. Sizer  10  includes a body  11 , and is sized and configured to mount about the post of a metal hook hanger, e.g., post  12  of hanger  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Post  12  extends from hanger body  15 , and is preferably formed integrally therewith. Hanger  14  further includes a metal hook  16  having a threaded end  11  which threadingly engages the interior of post  12 . In one preferred embodiment, hanger  14  is molded with a pair of opposing struts  20  as best seen in  FIG. 2   a . A cavity  22  is defined between each of the struts and post  12 . Of course, it is contemplated herein that the construction of post  12  and struts  20  can vary in size and configuration from that shown in  FIGS. 2-2   a.    
         [0023]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that a sizer must be both 1) easily securable to the hanger, and 2) capable of remaining secured to the hanger during normal usage (i.e., the sizer should remain on the hanger in a child proof manner). As discussed above, the prior art has been unable to provide a crown sizer for a metal hook which meets both of these criteria. In contrast, the sizers of the present invention are capable of being easily mounted about the post of a metal hook hanger and of remaining secured to the hanger during normal usage. 
         [0024]    The sizers of the present invention fulfill these dual goals through the unique configuration of such sizers. More particularly, the sizers of the present invention, e.g., sizer  10 , are formed with a split-wall construction which defines an opening  24  in one wall of the sizer. The split-wall construction configuration allows the sizer to be easily installed over hook  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) and to be positioned about post  20  (see  FIG. 3   a ). In this regard, sidewalls  26  are capable of being spread apart about end wall  28  because of the split-wall configuration of such sizer. The spreading apart of the sidewalls thus allows tabs  30  located on the interior of sidewalls  26  to pass over post  12  and struts  20  and engage cavities  22 . Once tabs  30  are positioned within cavities  22 , the expanding force applied to side walls  26  is removed. At this point, the sizer is loosely positioned about tile post and struts (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0025]    In addition, it has been discovered herein that the split-wall construction allows tabs  30  to be configured to more closely match and to more fully engage cavities  22 , which results in a more secure attachment between the sizer and the hanger. Moreover, the split-wall construction allows the wall thicknesses of the sizer to be increased for enhanced rigidity. In contrast, the prior art crown sizers which lack the novel split-wall construction of the present sizers must be forced over and into engagement with the post of the hanger. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this prior art design necessarily limits the extent to which the interior protrusions can engage the cavities formed aside the post, or any other such cavity formed on the post. It also limits the ability to increase the rigidity of the sizer. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c , sizer  10  includes a locking mechanism, i.e., cooperating mechanical structure on opposing sides of opening  24  for locking the sizer into a closed position once properly located on the hanger. In one preferred embodiment, one edge of opening  24  includes a rib  34 , while the other edge of opening  24  includes a groove  36  for lockably receiving rib  34 . Of course, it is contemplated herein that other cooperating structure can be used to lock the sizer into the closed position. Once closed, tabs  30  securely engage cavities  22  to lock the sizer onto the hanger. The cooperation of tabs  30  and cavities  22  prevents removal of the sizer from the hanger under normal conditions. In fact, removal of the sizer typically requires the disengagement of the cooperating mechanical structure positioned along end wall  32 . 
         [0027]    An alternative embodiment of the present sizer is shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . In particular, sizer  100  is ring-shaped. The height H of sizer  100  can be varied as desired. Like sizer  10 , sizer  100  includes a body  101  having an opening i.e., opening  102 , formed on one end to provide the sizer with a split-wall configuration. Sizer  100  further includes cooperating mechanical structure on opposing sides of opening  102  for locking the sizer into a closed position once properly located on the hanger. In one preferred embodiment, one edge of opening  102  includes a rib  134 , while the other edge of opening  102  includes a groove  136  for lockable receiving rib  134 . Of course, it is contemplated herein that other cooperating structures can be use to lock the sizer into the closed position. It is further contemplated herein that the shape of the sizer can vary from that shown in the two embodiments illustrated herein. 
         [0028]    Sizer  100  is shown positioned about post  112  of hanger  114  in  FIG. 6 . Tabs  130  are generally aligned with cavities  122  when sizer  100  is positioned about post  112 , but before the sizer is locked into the closed position. 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , sizer  100  is shown in the closed position, i.e., after the interfitting mechanical structure located along opening  102  has been lockingly-engaged. The locking of the sizer causes tabs  130  to push into and securely engage cavities  122 . Engagement of tabs  130  with cavities  122  prevents the removal of sizer  100  from hanger  114  under normal conditions. In fact, to remove sizer  100  from hanger  114  typically requires the disengagement of the cooperating mechanical structure. 
         [0030]    It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred or exemplary embodiments. The preferred or exemplary embodiments described herein may be modified, changed, added to or deviated from without departing from the intent, spirit and scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such additions, modifications, amendment and/or deviations be included within the scope of the followings claims.