Abstract:
A garment transportation and storage device comprises a support rod at the bottom, a hook at the top, and a ball-shaped handle between the support rod and the hook for transporting garments supported on the support rod by hangers and for engaging the hook with a support structure. An article transportation and storage device comprises an inverted U-shaped frame, a support rod slidably engageable with the frame, and a hook mounted on the frame for pivotal movement between extended and retracted positions. A garment receiving and supporting hanger is provided with an inflatable garment protection device that prevents wrinkling of garments supported by the hanger. A garment transportation and support device comprises opposed garment engaging arms that pivot outwardly to securely support a garment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 11/368,873 filed Mar. 6, 2006, currently pending, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference; which claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/659,248 filed Mar. 7, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a clothes hanger comprising a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0003]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a clothes hanger comprising a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         [0004]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a clothes hanger comprising a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0005]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the clothes hanger of  FIG. 3 ; 
         [0006]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a portion of the clothes hanger of  FIG. 3 ; 
         [0007]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a garment transportation and storage device comprising a third embodiment of the invention; 
         [0008]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a garment transportation and storage device comprising an alternative version of the third embodiment; 
         [0009]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view further illustrating the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0010]      FIG. 9  is a front view illustrating a first orientation of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0011]      FIG. 10  is a front view similar to  FIG. 8  illustrating a second orientation of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0012]      FIG. 11  is a left side view of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0013]      FIG. 12  is a right side view of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0014]      FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic illustrating a first utilization of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0015]      FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second utilisation of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0016]      FIG. 15  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a third utilization of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 7 ; 
         [0017]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a clothes hanger comprising a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         [0018]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the clothes hanger of  FIG. 16 ; 
         [0019]      FIG. 18  is a front view of a garment transportation and storage device comprising a fifth embodiment of the invention in which the garment transportation and storage device is shown in its folded configuration; 
         [0020]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 18 ; 
         [0021]      FIG. 20  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a first utilization of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 18 ; 
         [0022]      FIG. 21  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second utilization of the garment transportation and storage device of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a clothes hanger  10  comprising a first embodiment of the invention. The clothes hanger  10  comprises a conventional clothes hanger  12  including a length of wire  14  comprising an upper hook portion  16  extending to a twisted portion  18  which in turn extends to a pair of downwardly and outwardly extending arms  20  terminating in support members  22 . A cardboard garment support tube  24  extends between the support members  22  and is supported thereby, 
         [0024]    As is well known, utilization of the hanger  10  and similar clothes hangers in the transportation and storage of garments incorporates inherent difficulties. First, the cardboard garment support tube  24  defines a relatively small diameter garment support surface which tends to form creases in garments supported thereon for even a short period of time. Second, the cardboard garment support tube  24  is frequently provided with a light adhesive coating which can damage delicate fabrics and can also damage more durable fabrics if supported on the clothes hanger  10  over an extended period of time. 
         [0025]    In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention a soft sponge rubber tube  26  is received on and supported by the cardboard tube  24 . The soft sponge rubber tube  26  substantially increases the effective diameter of the garment support surface of the hanger  10  thereby substantially decreasing the probability that garments supported thereon will be creased. Additionally, the soft sponge rubber tube  26  does not require a light adhesive coating as does the cardboard tube  24  thereby eliminating the possibility of damage to garments supported on the hanger  10  due to contact thereof with the light adhesive coating which is typically provided on the exterior surface on the cardboard tube  24 . 
         [0026]    For example, the cardboard garment support tube of a typical clothes hanger has an outside diameter of about ½ inch. The soft sponge rubber tube of the present invention has an outside diameter of about 1.25 inches. Thus, the effective diameter of the garment support surface of the hanger of the present invention is 2½ times as large as the effective diameter of the garment support surface of a conventional clothes hanger. 
         [0027]    The soft sponge rubber tube  26  is provided with a radial slit  28  which extends the entire length of the tube  26  thereby facilitating deployment of the tube  26  over the cardboard tube  24 . The opposite ends of the slit  28  comprising the tube  26  may be provided with, lengths of double sided adhesive tape  30  whereby the ends of the slit are secured against opening during utilization of the hanger  10 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a clothes hanger  40  comprising a variation of the clothes hanger  10  illustrated in the first sheet of drawings. Many of the component parts of the clothes hanger  40  are substantially identical in construction and function to component parts of the hanger  10 . Such identical component parts are designated on the second sheet of drawings with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the clothes hanger  10  but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation. 
         [0029]    The clothes hanger  40  differs from the clothes hanger  10  in that rather than being provided with a soft sponge rubber tube surrounding the cardboard tube  24 ′, the clothes hanger  40  is provided with a tube  42  comprising a roll of fabric secured in place by an adhesive layer  44 . The function of the tube  42  is to substantially increase the effective diameter of the clothing support surface of the hanger  40 . In this manner the likelihood that garments supported by the clothes hanger  40  will be creased during utilization thereof is substantially reduced. Additiona 1 ly, the tube  42  does not require use of a light adhesive coating as is frequently required in the use of the cardboard tube  24  thereby further diminishing the possibility of damage to garments supported by the clothes hanger  40 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  there is shown a clothes hanger  50  comprising a second embodiment of the invention. The clothes hanger  50  comprises a plastic frame  52  having a metal hook  54  extending upwardly therefrom. A metal support rod  56  extends between and is supported on the opposite ends of the plastic frame  52 . A pair of wings  58  are supported on the support rod  56  for longitudinal movement therealong. Each wing  58  is provided with a spring loaded clip  60  which functions to secure the wing at a predetermined location along the support rod  56  depending upon the requirements of particular applications of the invention. 
         [0031]    Because the wings  58  are movable inwardly and outwardly on the rod  56 , the hanger  50  is adapted for use with garments comprising a wide range of sizes, for example, from size 2 through and including size 20. The inward and outward movement of the wings  53  allows the hanger  50  to support garments thereon with no tension or stretching. 
         [0032]    In the utilisation of the hanger  50  the plastic wings  58  are moved outwardly until the end surfaces  62  thereof engage interior surfaces of a skirt, a pair of shorts, or other garment. In use, the wings  58  function to secure a garment on the hanger  50  during transportation and storage of the garment. More importantly, the wings  58  function to prevent damage to of the garment during transportation and support thereof on the hanger  50 . The use of the hanger  50  facilitates support and transportation of garments with no marking, no clip mark, or other damage as is sometimes experienced in the use of conventional clothes hangers. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a garment transportation and storage device  70  comprising a third embodiment of the invention. The device  70  comprises length of wire  72  which is formed into a support hook  74  at the upper end thereof. The length of wire  72  extends downwardly from the hook  74  through a central portion  76 . At the lower end of the device  70  a length of wire  77  is bent into a triangular configuration  78  thus providing a hanger support rod  80 . The hook  74  is rotatably connected to the support rod  80 . 
         [0034]    A ball-shaped handle  82  is secured around the central section  76  of the length of wire  72 , it being understood that other handle configurations can he utilised in the practice of the invention. The handle  82  may comprise a unitary construction formed from molded plastic or molded rubber. Alternatively, the handle  82  may comprise a two part construction which snaps together around the central portion  72  of the length of wire  72  as shown. 
         [0035]    In use, the garment transportation and storage device  70  is employed to receive garments from a laundry or dry cleaner. Garments supported on conventional hangers of the type utilized by laundries and dry cleaners are supported on the support rod  80  by engaging the nooks of the hangers therewith in the conventional manner. After the hangers which support all of the garments received from a particular laundry or dry cleaner are engaged with the support rod  80  the handle  82  is utilized to transport the device  70  and the garments supported thereby, for example, from the laundry or dry cleaners to a vehicle. At that point the hook  74  of the device  70  is utilized to support the device  70  and the garments supported thereby from the coat hanger of the vehicle. Another important use of the device  70  is the transportation of garments supported on hangers from a laundry or dry cleaners to a residence in crowded urban areas such as New York City. 
         [0036]    Upon arrival at a particular designation the device  70  is utilized to transport the garments supported by the support rod  80  to a storage location, for example, a closet. Once again the handle is utilized to facilitate lifting and carrying the garments supported on the support rod  80 . The hook  72  may be utilized to support the garments on a closet rod or the like while the garments are being individually disengaged from the support rod  80 . Thereafter the garments are preferably disengaged from the hangers utilized by the laundry or the dry cleaners to deliver garments to customers and are transferred to hangers comprising the present invention, for example, the hangers shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , inclusive, hereof. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 through 16 , inclusive, the present invention further comprises an alternative version of the garment transportation and storage device  70  illustrated in  FIG. 6  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Referring to  FIG. 7 , an article transportation and storage device  86  comprises an inverted U-shaped frame  88  comprising spaced apart downwardly extending legs and a handle extending between and connecting the legs. Aligned apertures  90  extend through the distal ends of the legs. An article support rod  92  is slidably received in the apertures  90  for support by the frame  88 . As is shown in  FIG. 8  the rod  92  is adapted for disengagement from the frame  88  to facilitate its engagement with or disengagement from articles transported by the article transportation and storage device  86 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 through 13 , inclusive, the frame  88  of the article transportation and storage device  86  has a slot  94  formed in the upper portion thereof. A hook  96  is pivotally supported on the frame  88  and extends into the slot  94 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 9  the hook  96  is adapted for pivotal movement relative to the frame  88  in the manner indicated by the arrow  88 .  FIG. 10  shows the hook  96  in its fully retracted orientation to facilitate use of the handle comprising the U-shaped frame  88  in the transportation of articles.  FIG. 8  illustrates the utilization of the hook  96  to support the article transportation and storage device  86  and articles supported thereby from a closet rod CR or similar structure. 
         [0039]      FIG. 13  illustrates the use of the article transportation and storage device  86  in the transportation of a plurality of hanger-borne clothes from a first location such as a retail store, a dry cleaner, a laundry, etc. to a second location such as a residence, an office, or other location selected by the owner and user of the article transportation and storage device  86 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 14  illustrates the use of the article storage and transportation device  86  in the transportation of articles other than clothing. In particular,  FIG. 14  illustrates the support and transportation of a pair of plastic bags which in turn support and transport a plurality of individual articles. The disengageability of the support rod  92  from the frame  88  of the article transportation and storage device  86  is particularly advantageous when engaging the device  86  with and disengaging the device  86  from articles such as those illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 15  illustrates the article transportation and storage device  86  utilized to support a plurality of hanger-borne articles from a closet rod CR or other structure. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate a clothes hanger  100  comprising a fourth embodiment of the invention. The upper portion of the clothes hanger  100  comprises a conventional plastic clothes hanger  102  which includes a plastic frame  104 , a metal hook  106  adapted to support the clothes hanger  100  on a closet rod and a metal clothing support rod  108  extending between the opposed legs comprising the plastic frame  104 . 
         [0042]    An inflatable garment protecting device  110  is supported on the rod  108  and is provided, with an inflation/deflation port  112  including a stopper  114  adapted to retain the garment protection device  110  in its inflated configuration. 
         [0043]    As is well known garments supported from a hanger, such as the hanger  102  illustrated in  16  and  17 , for an extended period of time become wrinkled and misshapened. In accordance with the present invention the garment protection  110  is inflated by disengaging the stopper  114  and blowing through the port  112  until the garment protection device  110  assumes the inflated the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 17 . Thereafter the stopper  114  is re-engaged with the port  112  to prevent deflation of the garment protection device  110 . 
         [0044]    When inflated the garment protection device  110  functions to expand garments supported by the hanger  102 . In this manner the garments are retained in an expanded condition which eliminates the problem of garments becoming wrinkled and misshapened when they are hung from a conventional hanger. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 18  though  21 , inclusive, illustrate a clothes hanger  120  comprising a fifth embodiment of the invention. The clothes hanger  120  comprises a pair of opposed arms  122  and  124  having proximal ends that are pivotally connected to one another at  126 . The distal ends of the arms  122  and  124  are provided with garment engaging teeth  128 . A metal support hook  130  extends to a connecting block  132 . A pair of control arms  134  and  136  are pivotally connected to the block  132  at  138  and are pivotally connected to the arms  122  and  124 , respectively, at  140  and  142 , respectively. 
         [0046]      FIG. 20  illustrates the garment transportation device  120  utilised to support and transport a garment G 1  which may comprise a skirt or pair of slacks. The teeth  128  of the garment transportation device  120  engage the interior surfaces comprising the waist band WB of the garment G 1 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the weight of the garment G 1  tends to pull the arms  122  at  124  downwardly. However, because the arms  122  and  124  are connected to the garment support member  130  by the block  132  and the arms  134  and  136  any downward movement of the arms  122  and  144  causes outward movement of the distal ends thereof thereby forcing the teeth  128  into firm griping engagement with the interior surface of the waistband WB of the garment G 1 . In this manner the garment G 1  is firmly secured on the garment transportation device  120  during both transportation and storage thereof. 
         [0047]      FIG. 21  illustrates the garment transportation device  120  utilized to transport and support a garment G 2  comprising a jacket or a dress. Once again, the weight of the G 2  tends to pull the arms  122  and  124  downwardly. However, because the arms  122  and  124  are secured to the garment support member  130  by the block  132  and the arms  134  and  136  any downward movement of the arms  122  and  124  caused by the weight of garment G 2  causes the arms  122  and  124  to pivot outwardly thereby securely retaining the garment G 2  on the garment transportation device  120 . 
         [0048]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.