Clothes hanger carrier

Abstract

A clothes hanger carrier includes an elongated main body of flexible material, including a handle portion dimensioned to wrap under the shoulder portion of any number of bundled clothes hangers, wherein the user can carry the clothes hangers by the handle portion. The carrier serves to allow someone to comfortably carry any number of clothes hangers even if the hangers are heavily laden with garments. The carrier also allows a plurality of hangers to be simultaneously hung on a vehicular hook member or other support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates clothes hangers, and, more particularly, to a clothes hanger carrier that interfaces with the hook and shoulder portions of clothes hangers.

2. Description of Prior Art

Clothes hangers are particularly well suited to carrying clothes, but the hook portion thereof can be bothersome to carry at times. For example, clothes-laden hangers constructed with metal wire hooks can bite into the palm or fingers of a user causing discomfort. This situation is exacerbated when multiple hangers are held and when each hanger is laden with relatively heavy garments.

Another problem that arises with clothes hangers is the difficulty in simultaneously attaching many clothes hangers to the vehicular hook member of an automotive passenger compartment. Devices are known which serve to aid the placement of multiple hangers on to a vehicular hook member, but these are generally costly and cumbersome.

Accordingly, what is needed is a simple, inexpensive clothes hanger carrier which serves to allow someone to carry a number of clothes hangers comfortably even if they support heavy clothes, and which allows a plurality of hangers to be simultaneously hung on a vehicular hook member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a simple, inexpensive and flexible clothes hanger carrier which serves to allow someone to carry a number of clothes hangers comfortably even if the hangers are heavily laden with garments. The device also allows a plurality of hangers to be simultaneously hung on a vehicular hook member or other support.

According to one inventive aspect, a clothes hanger carrier is provided for clothes hangers that have a hook portion and a shoulder portion extending from the hook portion. The clothes hanger carrier includes an elongated main body of flexible material, including a handle portion dimensioned to wrap under the shoulder portion of one or more abutting clothes hangers, wherein the user can carry the clothes hangers by the handle portion.

Another inventive aspect lies in a garment bag having an integrated clothes hanger carrier which includes an elongated main body of flexible material, including a handle portion dimensioned to wrap under the shoulder portion of one or more abutting clothes hangers, wherein the user can carry the clothes hangers by the handle portion.

According to yet another inventive aspect, a method is provided for securing a bundle of clothes hangers, each hanger having a hook portion and a shoulder portion extending from the hook portion, the method including the steps of: wrapping an elongated body of flexible material under the shoulder portion of the bundle of clothes hangers; and securing the elongated body to itself to secure the bundled hangers together, wherein a handle is formed in the elongated body for carrying the bundled hangers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an oblique perspective view of a clothes hanger carrier disposed on a plurality of bundled clothes hangers, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an oblique perspective view of a clothes hanger carrier disposed on a plurality of bundled clothes hangers, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an oblique perspective view of a clothes hanger carrier disposed on a plurality of bundled clothes hangers, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an oblique perspective view of a clothes hanger carrier integrated with a garment bag and disposed on a plurality of bundled clothes hangers, according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an oblique perspective view of a clothes hanger carrier disposed on a plurality of bundled clothes hangers, according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is an oblique perspective view of a clothes hanger carrier integrated with a garment bag and disposed on a plurality of bundled clothes hangers, according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention, in one embodiment, is a flexible clothes hanger carrier, which serves to allow someone to comfortably carry any number of clothes hangers, even if those hangers are heavy weighted with clothes or other articles. The invention further allows a plurality of hangers to be simultaneously hung on a vehicular hook member or other support.

Referring to FIG. 1, a clothes hanger carrier 10 according to a first embodiment includes an elongated flexible main body portion 12. The main body includes a handle portion 14 and a means 16 for detachably securing the main body to itself in a closed loop after wrapping the main body 12 around the bundled hangers 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the means for detachably securing the main body to itself is an engagement loop 16 provided at the opposite end of the main body from the handle portion 14. In lieu of an engagement loop 16, It will be appreciated that any detachable engagement means may be used for securing the main body of hanger carrier around the bundled hangers, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and buttons. The clothes hanger carrier 10 preferably is between about 14 and 18 inches in total length and between ½″ and 1½″ wide. It will be understood however, the size and proportions of the hanger carrier may be varied to suit particular needs. The hanger carrier may be formed of any suitably flexible material such as plastic, rubber, nylon, cloth, leather or any combination thereof.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the clothes hanger carrier 10 may be operatively disposed on the plurality of bundled hangers as follows. The engagement loop 16 of the carrier is wrapped underneath the shoulder portion 17 of the bundled hangers and up around the opposite side. The loop handle portion 14 is then passed through the engagement loop 16 and pulled taught, thereby securing the bundled hangers together. Alternatively, if a two part fastener is employed, e.g., a snap, button or hook and loop fastener, the complementary mating features are secured to one another after wrapping the handle portion 14 under the shoulder of the bundled hangers as previously described. Thus configured, a bundle of clothes laden hangers can be comfortably secured and carried by a user, for example, by slinging the hanger carrier over the shoulder. By securing the hangers at the hanger shoulder 17, rather than the hanger hook 15, the hanger hooks 15, when slung over the shoulder of a person, are oriented tangentially to the back and shoulder of the user, thus avoiding discomfort.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the clothes hanger carrier 100. The carrier 100 includes a hook loop 118 for hanging the clothes laden bundled hangers on, for example, a vehicular hook member. It will be appreciated that any number of hook loops 118 may be integrated in the hanger carrier 100 at various positions to provide alternative hanging heights. The hook loops 118 enable a plurality of bundled hangers to be simultaneously secured to a diminutive hook, such as a vehicular hook member typically provided in the interior compartment of an automobile. It is further contemplated that the hook loops (as well as other loops described herein) may be formed other durable materials, such as plastics or metals. In such case, the loops or rings would sewn to the flexible strap or attached by any other means known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the clothes hanger carrier 200. The carrier 200 is configured as a single loop which if threaded through the shoulder portion 217 of one or more clothes hangers and then passed back through itself and pulled taught to secure the bundled hangers together while forming a carrying handle 214.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in which the clothes hanger carrier 312 is integrated with a lightweight garment bag 322. One advantage of this configuration is that the entire load of the clothes laden hangers is carried by the hanger carrier 312. In other words, there is no load placed on the garment bag itself. Thus, the seam at which the hanger carrier is tethered to the garment bag should not tear or otherwise fail during through normal use. A detachable clasp 320 may also be provided to allow the handle portion 314 of the carrier 312 to be detachably secured to a support, such as, a clothes rod or the handle of a pull-along luggage cart.

Advantageously, a clothes hanger carrier in accordance with the invention can be inexpensively manufactured and easily disposed on any number of clothes hangers. The carrier may be formed of durable materials, such as leather, rubber, plastic, ballistic nylon or other woven fabrics for repeated use. Or, instead, the carrier may be formed of inexpensive, lightweight materials for disposable use, by for example, dry cleaners, launderers and the like.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the clothes hanger carrier 400. In this embodiment, a ring 416 is affixed to one end of the hanger carrier. The ring is slipped over the hook portion 415 of a number of bundled hangers, and the handle portion of the carrier 400 (after being wrapped under the shoulder portion 417 of the hangers) is passed though the ring and pulled taught. By placing the ring 416 or equivalent loop over the hook portion 415 of the hangers, the hanger carrier 400 remains centered on the hangers at all times. Thus configured, the hangers won't slide to one side or the other, which could otherwise cause the clothes placed thereon from dislodging and slipping off the hangers during transport.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, a clothes hanger carrier 500 is integrated with a garment bag 522. In this configuration, rather than wrapping the carrier body under the shoulder 517 of the hangers, the hook portion of the hangers 515 are slipped through a hook loop 505 located in the main body of the hanger carrier 512.

A clothes hanger carrier (10, 100, 200, 300) provided in accordance with any of the embodiments described herein, when used to securely transport a bundle of clothes laden hangers can be comfortably carrier by a person, and can be securely hung on a vehicular mounting hook for transport. The carrier loop handle may optionally be fitted with a detachable clasp to allow the loop handle 20 to be secured to a clothes rod or the handle of a pull-along luggage bag. The carrier may also be used in combination with a garment bag to provide a lightweight and inexpensive means for securely and comfortably transporting clothing and the like.

Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

Claims

1. A clothes hanger carrier for use with clothes hangers that have a hook portion and a shoulder portion extending from the hook portion, the carrier comprising:

an elongated main body of flexible material having a handle portion, the main body being dimension to wrap under the shoulder portion of the clothes hangers, wherein a user can carry the clothes hangers by the handle portion.

2. The clothes hanger carrier of claim 1 wherein the handle portion is securable to the main body after being wrapped under the shoulder portion of the clothes hangers.

3. The clothes hanger carrier of claim 2 further comprising a loop for securing the handle portion after being wrapped under the shoulder portion of the clothes hangers.

4. The clothes hanger carrier of claim 1 wherein the handle portion comprises a loop of material.

5. The clothes hanger carrier of claim 1 wherein the handle portion includes a detachable fastener.

6. A garment bag and integrated clothes hanger carrier for use with clothes hangers having a hook portion and a shoulder portion extending from the hook portion, the carrier comprising:

an elongated main body of flexible material having a handle portion, the main body being dimension to wrap under the shoulder portion of the clothes hangers and secure the clothes hangers, wherein a user can carry the secured clothes hangers by the handle portion.

7. A method for securing a bundle of clothes hangers, each hanger having a hook portion and a shoulder portion extending from the hook portion, the method comprising the steps of:

wrapping an elongated main body of flexible material under the shoulder portion of the clothes hangers;

securing the main body to itself to secure the bundled hangers together, wherein a handle is formed for in the elongated main body for carrying the bundled hangers.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of securing the main body to itself comprises passing a free end of the main body through a loop provided on the main body.

9. A method for securing a bundle of clothes hangers, each hanger having a hook portion and a shoulder portion extending from the hook portion, the method comprising the steps of:

wrapping an elongated main body of flexible material under the shoulder portion of the clothes hangers; and

slipping a loop provided on the main body over the hook portion of the clothes hangers, wherein the clothes hangers are secured and may be carried by a handle secured to the main body.