Abstract:
A footwear hanger including a central stem having support arms for supporting footwear where the arms are attached to the stem and the hanger has a suspension means for attaching the hanger to a display. The stem has a V-shaped or Y-shaped cross-section along at least part of its length which allows the footwear hanger to be easily stacked one on top of the other when stored without footwear being attached.

Description:
This application incorporates U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/598,933 by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for displaying footwear and more s specifically to a footwear hanger. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Footwear hangers are well known and are used in many shops for displaying footwear. A number of different styles of footwear hanger are known. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 5,282,553 describes a shoe hanger for displaying shoes in shops having a central rod terminated by a hook and having two arms for supporting shoes which are each composed of an inverted U-shaped arm. In one embodiment, this shoe hanger has a planar cross-section. In another embodiment the hanger has a T-shaped cross section. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 5,931,314 describes a shoe hanger having a central body having two support elements, a hook for suspension and an area for displaying a price, trade mark etc. The cross-section of this shoe hanger is substantially U-shaped. 
     These shoe hangers have drawbacks. When the hangers described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,553 are not in use they may be stacked one on top of the other. It will be noted that the T-shaped cross-sections will not readily stack one on top of the other. Also, the hangers having a planar cross-section have no means to aid stacking when not in use. When the hangers described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,314 are not displaying shoes the hangers may be stacked to minimise the space needed. However, it is noted that these hangers do not easily stack one on top of the other. Both of these documents describe hangers having a rod or body which may dig in, rub against or otherwise damage the footwear being displayed which is another drawback. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome these problems by providing a footwear hanger which can be easily stacked one on top of the other when stored without footwear being attached. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a footwear hanger including 
     a central stem having support arms for supporting footwear attached to the stem and 
     a suspension means for attaching the hanger to a display wherein the stem has a V-shaped or Y-shaped cross-section along at least part of its length. 
     An advantage of a stem having a V-shaped cross-section is that the hangers, when not in use, can be stacked one on top of the other without taking up as much space as if they were planar, T-shaped or U-shaped. 
     The V-shape can be any shape which is substantially V-shaped, examples of which are shown in the figures. The V shape can be defined as: two downwardly extending, converging lines which look like a typed V; two downwardly extending, converging lines which have at least one change in trajectory along their path so that each of the lines forming the V form at least one obtuse angle before converging; two downwardly extending lines which converge towards one another but which are linked by a horizontally extending line; two downwardly extending, converging lines which have at least one change in trajectory along their path so that each of the lines forming the V form an obtuse angle which are linked to one another by a horizontal line. The linking horizontal line can be solid or have at least one recess. This embodiment is suited to supporting lightweight footwear. 
     The Y-shape can be any shape which is substantially Y-shaped, examples of which are shown in the figures. The Y shape can be defined as: two downwardly extending, converging lines with a downwardly extending line from the point where the two lines converge which looks like a typed Y; two downwardly extending, converging lines which have at least one change in trajectory along their path so that each of the lines forming the V portion of the Y form at least one obtuse angle before converging with a downwardly extending line from the point where the two lines converge; two downwardly extending lines which converge towards one another but which are linked by a horizontally extending line having a downwardly extending line halfway along the horizontal line; two downwardly extending, converging lines which have at least one change in trajectory along their path so that each of the lines forming the V portion of the Y form an obtuse angle which are linked to one another by a horizontal line and a downwardly depending line extending from halfway along the horizontal line; two downwardly extending lines which are linked to one another by a horizontally extending line and having a downwardly extending line halfway along the horizontally extending line. 
     A footwear hanger having a Y-shaped cross-section has improved strength by virtue of the depth of the Y over a shoe hanger having a T-shaped or U-shaped cross-section of the same height. Further, the stacked shoe hangers according to the present invention have a smaller stack height than hangers having a T-shaped cross-section of the same depth as the V or Y-shaped hangers of the invention. The Y shape also permits easy stacking of the hangers one on top of the other. Also, a hanger having a Y-shaped cross-section stem has the advantage that the footwear being displayed is not damaged by sharp edges, unlike in the prior art and that the hangers, when not in use, can be stacked one on top of the other. The Y-shape can be any shape which is substantially Y-shaped as is shown in the figures. The Y shape can also be inverted. 
     Both the V and Y-shaped cross-sections act as a guide for stacking hangers one on top of the other by virtue of the convergent part of the V. It is envisaged that the V and Y shaped cross-section of the stem can extend over a portion of the footwear hanger at, at least, the points where the hangers will engage with other hangers when stacked. The stem may have a V or Y-shaped cross section throughout its length. 
     In an embodiment of the invention the stem is in the same plane as the support arms. 
     By having the central stem and support arms in the same plane a simple mould can be made for manufacturing the hangers. This embodiment of the hanger would have a smaller stack height than a hanger having the support arms and stem in different planes, up to a certain level. 
     In another embodiment, the stem is in a different plane to the support arms. In this embodiment the support arms are in the substantially vertical plane for displaying the footwear. However, the stem can curve away from the plane in which the shoes are held. This is useful where the footwear to be displayed is delicate and where contact with the stem is undesirable. For example, slippers can be easily marked by a stem due to the softness of the material used to make them. Also, shoes having embellishment, such as sequins, are delicate and contact with the stem could lead to the embellishments being damaged. 
     In a further embodiment the stem has a kink, a swan-neck shape or a curve or any other shape which results in the stem not being in the same plane as the support arms. 
     In another embodiment, the hanger is composed of one piece. This simplifies the manufacture of the hanger and saves on assembly costs. Alternatively, the hanger can be composed of a modular system whereby any or both of the suspension means and support arms are attachable to the central stem. 
     In another embodiment, the hanger is made by injection moulding. Injection moulding is a common and efficient way of manufacturing items. It is preferred that the hanger is manufactured in one piece by injection moulding. This minimises costs by only using one mould to form the pieces. 
     In an embodiment, the hanger is constructed of a plastics material. This is advantageous as plastics materials are readily available and are usually easy to handle. Further, injection moulding of plastics is a well known process and is also inexpensive to perform once the tooling has been set up. A large number of hangers can be produced in batches which again drives down manufacturing costs. Many plastics materials can be used to make this footwear hanger but preferred materials are polystyrene and polypropylene. 
     In an embodiment the suspension means is a hook. The hanger can be suspended from a rail or pole by means of the hook. As rails and poles are commonplace in shops no further equipment is required to display the footwear on the hangers in the shops. 
     In an embodiment the support arms also have a V-shaped cross-section. The V-shaped cross section of the arms leads to more efficient stacking of the hangers when the cross-section of the stem is also a V as hangers stacked above and below a hanger will tessellate. This results in a reduction in the space required for storing the hangers when they are not supporting footwear. 
     In an embodiment the support arms have a protrusion from the V-shaped cross section to provide a Y shaped cross section. In this embodiment the arms have added strength by virtue of the Y-shape and are suited to hanging heavy footwear. Also, when the arms have a Y-shaped cross section and are joined to a stem with a Y-shaped cross section the hangers may be stacked efficiently in a smaller space than if the hangers had a planar cross-section of the same height of the V or Y shaped cross-section. 
     In an embodiment the hanger further comprises an extension on which information may be displayed. Information such as shoe sizes, price and/or brand can be affixed to this protrusion to readily display information which may be required by potential purchasers. 
     In an embodiment the extension on which information is displayed is located proximate to the suspension means. An advantage of locating the protrusion for displaying information close to the suspension means is that it is in a prominent position for the consumer to see. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1(   a ) is a perspective view of the front and side of a first embodiment of a footwear hanger according to the invention 
         FIG. 1(   b ) is a perspective view of the rear and side of a first embodiment of a footwear hanger. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross section through a stack of two hangers according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) along line A-A 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross section of the stems of the stacked hangers of an embodiment of the invention and those which are known in the prior art. 
         FIG. 4  shows possible shapes of the V and Y cross-sections. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross section of a stack of two hangers according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) along the line B-B 
         FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c  show a cross section through the footwear hanger and appended footwear taken along line C-C as shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) and through corresponding known T-shaped cross-section hangers and U-shaped cross-section hangers. 
         FIG. 7(   a ) shows a mould in cross-section for manufacturing the Y-shaped cross section footwear hanger according to one embodiment of the present invention alongside  FIG. 7(   b ) which shows a mould for making a known T-shaped cross-section footwear hanger. 
         FIG. 8(   a ) to ( d ) show side on views of hangers according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1(   a ), a footwear hanger  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The hanger comprises a central stem  12  having a Y-shaped cross-section. The hanger further comprises two arms  14  attached to the stem  12  at its one end. The arms are angled towards the stem  12  from their position of attachment to the stem  12  so that footwear can be supported on the arm close to or against the stem  12  and then diverge away from the stem in an arcuate manner to provide a portion  15  which is located inside a footwear item when in use. At the opposite end to where the arms connect with the stem is a suspension means  16  which is shown as a hook. There is an extension  18  near to the hook which is suitable for displaying information about the product. 
       FIG. 1(   b ) shows the rear side of the hanger in  FIG. 1(   a ). A protrusion  13  is shown which forms the downward shaft of the Y-shape. The support arms  14  are shown as being indented. It is possible for the support arms to be made solid to support heavy footwear, but this would increase the manufacturing costs of the hangers. 
     Alternatively, the Y-shaped cross-section can be inverted so that the protrusion  13  is located on the front of the hanger  10  when in use. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross section of two hangers according to an embodiment of the invention stacked in a cooperating manner. It can be seen that the protrusion  13  on the upper hanger fits in to the V-shaped part of the Y shaped stem in the lower hanger. The support arms are shown as having a U-shaped cross-section but the stacking of the hangers is achieved by virtue of the cross-section of the stem. 
       FIG. 3  shows how the stacking of a hanger with at least a stem  12  having a Y-shaped cross-section can be stacked in a smaller height than known hangers with a T-shaped cross-section. The dotted lines  101  and  102  shows the stack height of the hangers. The stack height of the hangers according to an embodiment of the invention are about the same as the known hangers with U-shaped cross-sections. However, the inner walls of the upper part of the Y  20 ,  22  act as a guide for the protrusion  13  of a hanger to be stacked on top by narrowing the space in which the incoming hanger can move. This narrowing can prevent side to side motion of the hanger when stacked which improves stability of the stack. 
       FIG. 4  shows some alternative shapes for the V and Y shaped cross-section which are suitable for this invention. However, it is to be understood that these are not the only possible shapes suited to carry out the invention. 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-section through hangers according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) along line B-B. This view more clearly shows the Y-shaped stem  12 . 
       FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c  show a cross section through the footwear hanger according to an embodiment of the invention taken along line C-C as shown in  FIG. 1(   a ) and appended footwear and through corresponding known T-shaped cross-section hangers and U-shaped cross-section hangers. An embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 6(   a ) with known footwear hangers shown in  FIG. 6(   b ) and (c). It can be seen from  FIG. 6(   b ) that the place where the horizontal bar of the T terminates  42  is proximal to the footwear. The termination points  42  can rub on the footwear which causes damage to the footwear which is obviously undesirable. In  FIG. 6(   c ) it can be seen that the free ends of the U shape  52  are proximate to the footwear and again can rub on the footwear which causes damage.  FIG. 6(   a ) shows the Y-shaped stem not having any points which may cause damage to the footwear as there are no corners in contact with the footwear. This is a further advantage of having a V or Y shaped cross-section as shown in this figure. 
       FIG. 7(   a ) shows a mould  80  in cross-section for manufacturing the Y-shaped cross section footwear hanger according to one embodiment of the present invention alongside  FIG. 7(   b ) which shows a mould  90  for making a known T-shaped cross-section footwear hanger. It can be seen that there is a thick section  92  at the base of the T shape having the same height as the Y shape. This is not present on the Y shape as only a short height requires draft. 
       FIG. 8  ( a ) shows a hanger  10  according to an embodiment of the invention where the support arms  14  and stem  12  are in the same plane as one another which is suitable for use with most types of footwear.  FIG. 8  ( b ) shows an alternative embodiment where the support arms  14  are parallel to the stem  12  but where the stem is curved.  FIG. 8  ( c ) shows another embodiment of a hanger  10  where the stem  12  is in a different plane to the support arms  14 . The stem curves away from the support arms where they are attached to the stem and then curves back toward the support arms and continues in a vertical direction.  FIG. 8  ( d ) shows yet another embodiment of a hanger  10  where the stem  12  and support arms  14  are in a different plane to one another but where the stem is more distant to the support arms than in  FIG. 8  ( c ). Both the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8  ( c ) and ( d ) are more suited to displaying footwear which is delicate and where contact with the stem is undesirable. For example, slippers can be easily marked by a stem due to the softness of the material used to make them. Also, shoes having embellishment, such as sequins, are delicate and contact with the stem could lead to the embellishments being damaged. 
     In a further embodiment the footwear hanger comprises more than two support arms, for instance four arms for displaying two pairs of shoes. 
     It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limiting sense and that modification are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Whilst the figures relate to a hanger having a stem with a Y-shaped cross-section, it is understood that a V shape can be used and made in the same way and also has the benefits of being stackable.