Luxury garment hangers
Method and apparatus are disclosed wherein, according to one example embodiment, there is provided a hanger having a rigid body and a hook connected to the body. The body is covered at least in part with a fabric having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface, such as cashmere wool or a cashmere wool blend. According to one example embodiment there is provided padding between the body and the fabric. The hanger may also provide that the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon. The hook portion may also include a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon. According to another example embodiment, there is provided an assembly attached to the body to hold a pair of pants or other garment on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.
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This inventive technology relates generally to the field of storage technology, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for storing or hanging clothing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe market for luxury and designer garments and accessories is strong worldwide. High end suits, shirts, dresses, sweaters, blouses, tops and other articles of clothing are sold by the millions each year. Many consumers who purchase luxury clothing items also wish to hang the items in their closets, and have a taste for other luxury goods. In addition, there is a strong market for baby clothing and accessories. Parents and friends of parents often have a desire to pamper their babies with soft and cuddly outfits. These consumers also contribute to the luxury clothing market demand.
In addition, many owners of fine clothing that needs to be hung in a closet can testify to the disappointment when a cherished or expensive item falls off a hanger unexpectedly due to slipping off the end.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE SUBJECT MATTERAccording to one example embodiment, there is provided method and apparatus for a garment hanger including a fabric cover having a loft sufficient to provide a soft, plush feel, and a fuzzy nap that provides a non-slip surface with a soft, luxurious feel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description. Note that in the description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that the feature being referred to is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Further, separate references to “one embodiment” in this description do no necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the present invention can include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. Moreover, in this description, the phrase “exemplary embodiment” means that the embodiment being referred to serves as an example or illustration.
Referring to
In one example embodiment, the member 112 is constructed of wood. Member 112 may, however, be constructed of wood, plastic, metal or any other material that can provide a rigid support for hanging clothes, such as may be provided in respective alternate embodiments. The support member 112 may be, in one example embodiment, a space-saving flat body, or a rounded body. The member 112 may be curved or straight. The hook 120 may be, in one example embodiment, a polished steel swivel hook. In one alternate embodiment, hook 120 includes a roller-ball assembly in the form of a ball bearing 122 mounted in a socket 124 allowing the ball bearing to rotate freely in the socket. Ball bearing 122 and socket 124 are shown in more detail in
In another example embodiment, the fabric 114 is Cashmere wool, as may be obtained from the Cashmere (Kashmir) or down goat, and in particular from the fine, soft undercoat or underlayer of hair. Cashmere fabric 114 has the properties of Cashmere wool, which is highly adaptable and easily constructed into fine or thick yarns, and light to heavy-weight fabrics. Further pertinent properties include that it is luxuriously soft, with high napability and loft. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric 114 is made of a pure virgin Cashmere fiber (i.e., fiber used for the first time) or from recycled fibers (e.g., fiber reclaimed from scraps or fabrics that were previously woven or felted and may or may not have been used by the consumer) or alternatively blended with non-Cashmere wool, such as lamb's wool, only. Other alternate embodiments include blends with nylon or tri-blends with wool and/or nylon in woven patterns with pure virgin or recycled fibers).
Accordingly in one example embodiment, the cashmere wool fabric or cashmere blend is formed with a nap that provides a soft and/or fuzzy surface. Further, in another alternate embodiment, the cashmere fabric or blend has a loft. This loft provides a cushion-like feel, and when combined with the fuzzy nap of the cashmere, provides a non-slip surface with a soft, cushiony, luxurious feel. Further, the loft and nap of the fabric 114 using cashmere or cashmere blends, or natural or man-made fabrics of equivalent feel and properties, provides for a soft, plush surface to support a garment when hanging from the hanger, lessening the chance the garment will fall off the hanger and also reducing the chance of wrinkling or deforming the portion of the garment in contact with the hanger.
Referring to
Referring to
According to one example embodiment, the hangers of
Thus, there has been described above various alternate embodiments of garment hangers featuring a cover having a loft sufficient to provide a soft, plush feel, and a fuzzy nap that provides a non-slip surface with a soft, luxurious feel.
Claims
1. A hanger comprising:
- a rigid body;
- a hook connected to the body;
- the body covered at least in part with a fabric having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.
2. A hanger according to claim 1 further including padding between the body and the fabric.
3. A hanger according to claim 1 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.
4. A hanger according to claim 1 further including a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.
5. A hanger according to claim 1 further including an assembly attached to the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.
6. A hanger comprising:
- a rigid body;
- a hook connected to the body;
- the body covered at least in part with a fabric including a sufficient quantity of cashmere wool to provide a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.
7. A hanger according to claim 6 further including padding between the body and the fabric.
8. A hanger according to claim 6 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.
9. A hanger according to claim 6 further including a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.
10. A hanger according to claim 6 further including an assembly attached to the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.
11. A method comprising:
- connecting a hook to a rigid body to form a hanger; and
- covering the body at least in part with a fabric having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.
12. A method according to claim 11 further including placing padding between the body and the fabric.
13. A method according to claim 11 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.
14. A method according to claim 11 further including mounting a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.
15. A method according to claim 11 further including supporting an assembly on the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.
16. A method comprising:
- connecting a hook to a rigid body to form a hanger; and
- covering the body at least in part with a fabric including a sufficient quantity of cashmere wool having a loft and nap sufficient to provide a soft feel and a fuzzy non-slip surface.
17. A method according to claim 16 further including placing padding between the body and the fabric.
18. A method according to claim 16 further wherein the fabric covers at least that part of the body that is in contact with a garment hung thereon.
19. A method according to claim 16 further including mounting a ball bearing on the hook wherein the ball bearing is supported in a socket that causes the ball bearing to engage with a clothes rod when the hanger is hung thereon.
20. A method according to claim 16 further including supporting an assembly on the body to hold a pair of pants on the underside of the hanger when it is hung on a clothing rod.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 10, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Marta Simpson (St. Louis Park, MN), Shelley Geenen (Wayzata, MN), Janna Pollard (Plymouth, MN)
Application Number: 11/052,656
International Classification: A41D 27/22 (20060101);