Information display cap for a hanger

Abstract

A system and apparatus for an information display cap are described. The apparatus may include an information display cap having a body with a continuous outer surface and inner surface. The body may have multiple hanger attachment members connected to the inner surface and arranged to attach the information display cap to a hanger. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Description

BACKGROUND

A hanger is typically used to hang an item, such as a garment or item of clothing. Some hangers may display certain information about the item. Examples of such information may include a size, a brand, an item identification number, and so forth. Since the item for a given hanger is unknown prior to using the hanger, such information is typically displayed using a separate attachment to the hanger. Attaching information to a hanger, however, may be difficult depending upon the particular configuration of the attachment. Consequently, there may be a need for improved techniques to display information by a hanger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial side view of a hanger in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an information display cap in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an interior side view of the information display cap of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 taken along line C-C in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 mounted on the hanger of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 mounted on the hanger of FIG. 1 taken along line D-D in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial side view of a hanger in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates a top portion of a hanger 100. Hanger 100 may be representative of any type of hanger, such as a top hanger, bottom hanger, intimate apparel hanger, outwear hanger, and so forth. Hanger 100 may be used to hang any number of different items, including clothing and non-clothing items. Hanger 100 may comprise multiple elements, including a hook 102, a hook boss 104, neck 112 (also referred to as a collar) and arms 114, 116 (also referred to as shoulders). In one embodiment, hook 102 may be connected to hook boss 104. Hook 102 may take any shape, such as the curved shape shown in FIG. 1, and others as well. Hook boss 104 may be connected to neck 112. Neck 112 may be connected to arms 114, 116. It may be appreciated that hanger 100 may comprise more or less elements as desired for a given implementation.

Hanger 100 may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, polystyrene, polypropylene, ABS, nylon, and so forth. In one embodiment, for example, hanger 100 may be constructed from plastic as a single integrated piece using conventional injection molding techniques. Other construction techniques may be used as well, such as constructing each element separately and attaching the elements together. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, hook boss 104 may comprise a hook boss cylinder 106. Hook boss cylinder 106 may take a hollow or solid cylindrical shape, although other shapes may be used as well. Hook boss cylinder 106 may have ends 106a, 106b, with end 106a connecting to hook 102 and end 106b connecting with neck 112. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, hook boss 104 may also comprise extending members 108, 110 to provide additional stability and rigidity to hanger 100. Extending members 108, 110 may each have ends 108a, 108b and ends 110a, 110b, respectively. End 108a of extending member 108 may connect proximate to end 106a of hook boss cylinder 106, while end 108b of extending member 108 may connect to neck 112 proximate to end 106b of hook boss cylinder 106. Similarly, end 106a of extending member 110 may connect proximate to end 106a of hook boss cylinder 106, while end 110b of extending member 110 may connect to neck 112 proximate to end 106b of hook boss cylinder 106.

In one embodiment, extending members 108, 110 may each comprise at least two portions. The first portion may be a raised or elevated portion in a first plane, while the second portion may be a lowered or depressed portion in a second plane different from the first plane. As a result, the first and second portions may create a raised ridge having a contact surface. In one embodiment, for example, extending member 108 may comprise a first raised portion 108a and a first flat portion 108b forming a first ridge 108c having a first contact surface 108d. Similarly, extending member 110 may comprise a second raised portion 110a and a second flat portion 110b forming a second ridge 110c having a second contact surface 110d. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, neck 112 may be connected to arms 114, 116. Arms 114, 116 may be used to hang, retain or attach a clothing or non-clothing item to hanger 100. Arms 114, 116 may accomplish this using any number of slots, grooves, clasps, clamps, fasteners, and other elements (not shown) to facilitate hanging, retaining or attaching the desired item. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an information display cap in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates an information display cap 200. Information display cap 200 may have a top portion 202 and a bottom portion 204. In one embodiment, for example, top portion 202 is smaller than bottom portion 204, thereby causing information display cap 200 to take a roughly triangular form. Information display cap 200 may also have sides 206, 208, 210 and 212. Sides 206, 208, 210 and 212 may be planar, curved or contoured surfaces sloping from top portion 202 to bottom portion 204. In one embodiment, sides 206, 208, 210 and 212 are continuous or contiguous without any substantial breaks, gaps or separations between individual sides, thereby forming a continuous outer surface for displaying information.

In one embodiment, each side may be capable of displaying information. For example, information display cap 200 may display any information desired for hanger 100 or any item attached to hanger 100. Examples of such information may include a size, a brand, an item identification number, and so forth. As shown in FIG. 2, side 206 of information display cap 200 may be used to display size information as indicated by the word “LARGE.” The information may be printed or disposed directly on the surface of side 206. Alternatively, the information may be printed or disposed on some other tangible medium, such as a label, and fastened to the surface of side 206 using some form of adhesive. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, information display cap 200 may be made of similar materials as that of hanger 100. For example, information display cap 200 may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, polystyrene, polypropylene, ABS, nylon, and so forth. In one embodiment, for example, information display cap 200 may be constructed from plastic as a single integrated piece using conventional injection molding techniques. Other construction techniques may be used as well, such as constructing two or more elements separately and attaching the elements together. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, information display cap 200 may be mounted on hanger 100. Information display cap 200 may be arranged to interface with hanger 100. More particularly, information display cap 200 may be arranged to interface with hook boss 104 of hanger 100 in a manner that quickly and securely attaches information display cap 200 to hanger 100. Information display cap 200 may have an interior geometry comprising multiple hanger attachment members located on an inner surface of information display cap 200. The hanger attachment members may act as hooks or clasps to engage voids or pocket areas of hook boss 104 (e.g., contact surfaces 108d, 110d) to secure information display cap 200 to hanger 100, and thereby prevent information display cap 200 from being easily removed or displaced from hanger 100. Information display cap 200 may be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3-7.

FIG. 3 illustrates an interior side view of the information display cap of FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates an interior side view of information display cap 200 having transparent sides. As shown in FIG. 3, information display cap 200 may have a substantially hollow or empty interior cavity 312, as well as a top aperture 302 and a bottom aperture 304. Interior cavity 312 may have an interior geometry comprising multiple hanger attachment members 310. Top aperture 302 and bottom aperture 304 may provide access to interior cavity 312. Together, top aperture 302, interior cavity 312, and bottom aperture 304 allows objects to pass completely through information display cap 200. The width of top aperture 302 may be smaller than the width of bottom aperture 304, although apertures 302, 304 may share the same depth.

As a result, information display cap 200 may have a shape appropriate to cover hook boss 104 of hanger 100 when in a mounted position. In one embodiment, for example, top aperture 302 may have a width of approximately 0.485 to 0.515 inch, while bottom aperture 304 may have a width of approximately 1.106 to 1.136 inches. In one embodiment, information display cap 200 may have a height of approximately 0.735 to 0.765 inch. It may be appreciated that these dimensions are given by way of example only, and the embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of information display cap 200. The top view allows another perspective of interior cavity 312. As previously mentioned, interior cavity 312 may have multiple hanger attachment members 310. In one embodiment, for example, interior cavity 312 includes four hanger attachment members 310a-d. In one embodiment, for example, each hanger attachment member 310 may have a width of approximately 0.040 to 0.050 inch, and those hanger attachment members 310 positioned on the same side of information display cap 200 may be spaced approximately 0.276 to 0.283 inch apart. In one embodiment, for example, information display cap 200 may have a depth of approximately 0.365 to 0.385 inch. The embodiments, however, are not limited to these example dimensions.

As shown in FIG. 4, hanger attachment members 310a, 310b are positioned on inner surface 402, and hanger attachment members 310c, 310d are positioned on inner surface 404. More particularly, hanger attachment members 310a, 310b extend substantially perpendicular to inner surface 402 in direction 406, while hanger attachment members 310c, 310b extend substantially perpendicular to inner surface 404 in direction 408. Although FIG. 4 illustrates four hanger attachment members 310a-d, it may be appreciated that any number of hanger attachment members above two may be appropriate as desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

221 As further shown in FIG. 4, hanger attachment members 310a-d are arranged in pairs to engage, clamp, clasp, hook, grab, clutch or otherwise retain extending members 108, 110 of hook boss 104. In one embodiment, for example, a first pair of hanger attachment members 310a, 310c is arranged such that hanger attachment members 310a, 310c are directly opposite of each other. Similarly, a second pair of hanger attachment members 31b, 310d is arranged such that hanger attachment members 31b, 310d are directly opposite of each other. The first and second pairs are positioned to correspond to cavities formed as part of extending members 108, 110.

Although FIG. 4 illustrates both first and second pairs as comprising hanger attachment members positioned directly opposite of each other, it may be appreciated that the first and second pairs may comprise hanger attachment members which are offset relative to each other, as long as the placement of the hanger attachment members provide sufficient attachment to extending members 108, 110 as desired for a given implementation. Furthermore, although FIG. 4 illustrates an even number of hanger attachment members 310, it may be appreciated that an odd number of hanger attachment members 310 may also be used as long as the placement of the odd number of hanger attachment members provide sufficient attachment to extending members 108, 110 as desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

During mounting operations, information display cap 200 may be placed over hook 102 through aperture 304 of end 204 of information display cap 200 in direction 308. Hook 102 may proceed through interior cavity 312, and exit through aperture 302 of end 202 of information display cap 200. Information display cap 200 may continue over hook 102 substantially unencumbered or without substantial resistance until hanger attachment members 310 reach hook boss 104. Once hanger attachment members 310 reach hook boss 104, resistance may be encountered when moving in direction 308. This resistance may be caused by hanger attachment members 310 making initial contact with extending members 108, 110 of hook boss 104. Once hanger attachment members 310 pass over hook boss 104, as described in more detail below, hanger attachment members 310 may engage or clasp extending members 108, 110 of hook boss 104 thereby completing mounting operations for information display cap 200. Once mounted, information display cap 200 may be loosely held to hook boss 104. Since sides 206, 208, 210 and 212 are continuous or contiguous, information display tab 200 may not be removed from hanger 100 in a lateral direction (e.g., perpendicular to hook boss cylinder 106) without breaking information display tab 200, thereby preventing information display tab 200 from being accidentally removed or falling off of hanger 100. Furthermore, the engagement of hanger attachment members 310 with extending members 108, 110 of hook boss 104 may prevent any substantial movement of information display cap 200 in a direction 306 to reverse the mounting operations once information display cap 200 has been properly mounted. As a result, information display cap 200 may be securely fixed to hanger 100 in a relatively quick and efficient manner. The interaction between hanger attachment members 310 and hook boss 104 to create the mounted position may be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

251 FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 taken along line C-C in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section view of information display cap 200. The cross-section view provides a side view of hanger attachment members 310a, 310c. In one embodiment, for example, hanger attachment members 31a-d may each have a height of approximately 0.135 to 0.155 inch, and a depth of approximately 0.150 to 0.160 inch. The embodiments, however, are not limited to these example dimensions.

As shown in FIG. 5, hanger attachment members 310a, 310c are positioned on inner surfaces 402, 404, respectively, of interior cavity 312. More particularly, hanger attachment members 310a, 310c extend substantially perpendicular to inner surfaces 402, 404, respectively, and are arranged directly opposite of each other. As shown in FIG. 4, hanger attachment members 310b, 310d are positioned on inner surfaces 402, 404, respectively, in a manner similar to hanger attachment members 310a, 310c.

As further shown in FIG. 5, hanger attachment member 310a may take a shape having a substantially flat surface 504, entry surface 506, and an angled surface 508. Similarly, hanger attachment member 310c may take a shape having a substantially flat surface 510, entry surface 512, and an angled surface 514. It may be appreciated that the description of hanger attachment members 310a, 310c may also apply to hanger attachment members 310b, 310d even though hanger attachment members 310b, 310d are not shown in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment, flat surfaces 504, 510 may form a retention side for hanger attachment members 310. When in the mounted position, the retention side may partially engage or make contact with the contact surfaces of extending members 108, 110, thereby preventing substantial movement of information display cap 200 in direction 306. Although not shown in FIG.5, hanger attachment members 310b, 310d may be also be arranged similar to the shapes of hanger attachment members 310a, 310c, respectively, thereby forming a retention side for hanger attachment members 310b, 310d.

In one embodiment, angled surfaces 508, 514 may form an attachment side for hanger attachment members 310. Angled surface 508 may form an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the bottom plane of information display cap 200 and flat surface 504 as illustrated by line 502. Angled surface 514 may also form an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the bottom plane of information display cap 200 and flat surface 510, although opposite to the angle formed by angled surface 508. Angled surfaces 508, 514 of hanger attachment members 310a, 310c may together form a receiving area 516. Although not shown in FIG. 5, hanger attachment members 310b, 310d may be also be arranged similar to the shapes of hanger attachment members 310a, 310c, respectively, thereby forming an attachment side for hanger attachment members 310b, 310d having a receiving area 518.

In one embodiment, entry sides 506, 512 may form an entry area 520. Similarly, the entry sides of hanger attachment members 310b, 310d may also form an entry area 522. The width of entry areas 520, 522 may be initially sized to a first width, with the first width being slightly smaller than the width of raised portions 108a, 110a, respectively, of hook boss 104.

In one embodiment, receiving areas 516, 518 and entry areas 520, 522 may be used to guide and facilitate entry of extending members 108, 110, respectively, into interior cavity 312 of information display cap 200, thereby allowing the first and second pairs of the hanger attachment members to clasp extending members 108, 110, respectively. Prior to making contact with extending members 108, 110 of hook boss 104, hanger attachment members 310a-d may be in a first position extending perpendicular to their respective interior walls. As extending members 108, 110 move towards receiving areas 516, 518, the angled surfaces of hanger attachment members 310 may assist in guiding the extending members 108, 110 into interior cavity 312. The width of the raised portions 108a, 110a of extending members 108, 110 may slightly exceed the first width of entry areas 520, 522. Consequently, as force is applied in direction 308 to mount information display cap 200 on hook boss 104 of hanger 100, hanger attachment members 310 may flex and expand to a second position thereby causing entry areas 520, 522 to have a second width that is sufficiently wide enough to accommodate the width of raised portions 108a, 110a. The needed flexibility may be provided by sides 206, 212, by hanger attachment members 310, or a combination of both. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Once raised portions 108a, 110a pass through entry areas 520, 522, hanger attachment members 310 may return to the first position, thereby causing entry areas 520, 522 to resume the first width. At this point the retention side of hanger attachment members 310 comprising flat surfaces 504, 510 may engage or make contact with contact surfaces 108d, 110d of extending members 108, 110, respectively. Since the first width of entry areas 520, 522 is smaller than the width of raised portions 108a, 110a of extending members 108, 110 of hook boss 104, hanger attachment members 310 prevents any substantial movement of information display tab 200 in direction 306 to remove information display tab 200 from hanger 100. Unlike the angled surfaces of hanger attachment members 310, the flat surfaces of hanger attachment members 310 partially engages or makes contact with the contact surfaces of extending members 108, 110, thereby preventing substantial movement in direction 306. The amount of surface contact between the flat surfaces of hanger attachment members 310 and contact surfaces of extending members 108, 110 may vary depending on several factors, such as the angle of extending members 108, 110 and of corresponding contact surfaces 108a, 110a, relative to the flat surfaces of hanger attachment members 310. The partial contact, however, should be sufficient to prevent substantial movement of information display cap 200 in a direction 306. It is worthy to note that the amount of force needed to remove or dislodge information display cap 200 from hook boss 104 of hanger 100 may vary in accordance with a number of factors, such as the type of materials selected for information display cap 200 and hanger 100, the specific dimensions for hanger attachment members 310 and extending members 108, 110, design tolerances, manufacturing tolerances, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 mounted on the hanger of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates information display cap as mounted on hanger 100. As shown, information display cap 200 fits over and covers hook boss 104 of hanger 100. This securely attaches information display cap 200 to hanger 100, and also provides a uniform and seamless appearance to hanger 100 after information display cap 200 has been mounted.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of the information display cap of FIG. 3 mounted on the hanger of FIG. 1 taken along line D-D in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of information display cap 200 as fully mounted on hanger 100. The cross-section view highlights that the first width of entry areas 520, 522 is typically smaller than the corresponding widths of raised portions 108a, 110a of extending members 108, 110, respectively, thereby preventing substantial movement in direction 526.

Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, structures and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

It is also worthy to note that any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “connected” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. In another example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

While certain features of the embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising an information display cap having a body with a continuous outer surface and inner surface, said body having multiple hanger attachment members connected to said inner surface and arranged to attach said information display cap to a hanger.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said outer surface having information disposed thereon.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, said hanger attachment members comprising a first pair of hanger attachment members positioned opposite of each other, and a second pair of hanger attachment members positioned opposite of each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members arranged to retain a hook boss for said hanger.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members arranged to form an attachment side to receive a first and second extending members of a hook boss, respectively.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to form a retention side to retain a first and second extending members of a hook boss, respectively.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to form entry areas to receive a first and second extending members, respectively, said entry areas having a first width that is smaller than a width for said first and second extending members.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to expand to a second width, said second width to allow said first and second extending members to pass through said entry areas to a retention side.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to contract to said first width after said first and second extending members have passed through said entry areas to said retention side.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, said retention side to engage a contact side for said first and second extending members to mount said information display cap on said hanger.

11. A system, comprising:

a hanger; and

an information display cap having a body with a continuous outer surface and inner surface, said body having multiple hanger attachment members connected to said inner surface and arranged to attach said information display cap to said hanger.

12. The system of claim 11, said body having an outer surface, said outer surface having information thereon.

13. The system of claim 11, said hanger having a hook boss comprising a first extending member and a second extending member.

14. The system of claim 13, said hanger attachment members comprising a first pair of hanger attachment members positioned opposite of each other, and a second pair of hanger attachment members positioned opposite of each other.

15. The system of claim 14, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members arranged to retain said hook boss for said hanger.

16. The system of claim 15, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members arranged to form an attachment side to receive said first and second extending members, respectively.

17. The system of claim 16, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to form a retention side to retain said first and second extending members, respectively.

18. The system of claim 17, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to form entry areas to receive said first and second extending members, respectively, said entry areas having a first width that is smaller than a width for said first and second extending members.

19. An information display cap, comprising:

a body with a contiguous outer surface and inner surface, said outer surface to display information, and said inner surface having multiple hanger attachment members arranged to attach said information display cap to a hook boss for a hanger.

20. The information display cap of claim 19, said hanger attachment members comprising a first pair of hanger attachment members positioned opposite of each other, a second pair of hanger attachment members positioned opposite of each other, with said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to retain said hook boss.

21. The information display cap of claim 20, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members arranged to form an attachment side to receive a first and second extending members of said hook boss, respectively, and a retention side to retain said first and second extending members, respectively.

22. The information display cap of claim 21, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to form entry areas to receive said first and second extending members, respectively, said entry areas having a first width that is smaller than a width for said first and second extending members.

23. The information display cap of claim 22, said first and second pair of hanger attachment members to expand to a second width, said second width to allow said first and second extending members to pass through said entry areas to a retention side, and contract to said first width after said first and second extending members have passed through said entry areas to said retention side.

24. The information display cap of claim 23, said retention side to engage a contact side for said first and second extending members to mount said information display cap on said hanger.