CROWN SIZER WITH LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A crown sizer for mounting to a post of hanger. The sizer includes a body having a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the body during installation of the body about the post of the hanger. The body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the body into a closed position following installation of the sizer about the post.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,483 Filed Aug. 31, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a crown sizer and, more particularly, to a crow%,n sizer with a locking mechanism for mounting about the post of a metal hook hanger.

Various types of hangers are used in the retail industries. One such hanger is formed from a plastic body having a threaded post on its upper edge. A metal hook is threaded into this post to provide what is commonly referred to as a metal hook hanger.

Although size indicators are commonly used with plastic hook hangers (i.e., a hanger having both a plastic body and plastic hook), the use of size indicators on metal hook hangers has proven more challenging. One such size indicator available for metal hook hangers is referred to as a crown sizer, and is disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2006/0006204 A1. The sizers disclosed in this publication are intended to be passed over the metal hook and “snapped” into position about the post of the hanger. These sizers, however, have several shortcomings. For example the ability of such crown sizers to remain engaged with the hanger varies from hanger to hanger due to differences in design and tolerances between the various manufacturers. Moreover, certain of these sizers are designed for easier installation, which tends to make the engagement less permanent and prone to unwanted disassembly. Finally, the more elaborate designs present manufacturing challenges, as well as issues with both the installation and retention of the sizer on the hanger.

There is therefore a need in the art for a crown sizer which is more easily manufactured, which can be readily installed about the post of a metal hook hanger, and which will remain securely engaged to the hanger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, which addresses the needs of the prior art, relates to a sizer for mounting to a post of a hanger. The sizer includes a body configured to surround at least a portion of the post. The body is formed with a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the body during installation of the body about the post. The body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the boded into a closed position following installation about the post.

In one preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism includes cooperating interfitting structure located on a sidewall of the sizer body. In a still further preferred embodiment, the cooperating interfitting structure includes a groove disposed on a first edge of the sidewall and a rib disposed on a second edge of the sidewall, wherein the rib is configured to engage the groove when the body is locked into the closed position.

The present invention further relates to the combination of a hanger and a sizer. The hanger includes a hanger body, a hook-receiving post extending from the hanger body, and a pair of struts connected to the hanger body and located on opposing sides of the posts. The posts and struts define at least one engagement cavity. The sizer includes a sizer body configured to surround at least a portion of the post. The sizer body is Conned with a split-wall construction to allow expansion of the sizer body during installation of the sizer body about the post. The sizer body further includes a locking mechanism for locking the sizer body into a closed position following installation about the post.

As a result, the present invention provides a sizer which can be easily and cost effectively manufactured, which can be readily installed about the post of a metal hook hanger without requiring excessive force, and which will remain securely engaged to the hanger during usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a top view of a crown sizer formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1b is a front perspective view of the sizer of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1c is a bottom perspective view of the sizer of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a conventional hanger;

FIG. 2a is an enlarged detail of the post portion of the hanger of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the sizer of FIG. 1 positioned over the hook of the hanger;

FIG. 3a is a view showing the sizer of FIG. 1 being installed about the post of the hanger;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the sizer of FIG. 1 being loosely positioned about the post of the hanger;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative sizer formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the sizer of FIG. 5 loosely positioned about the post of the hanger;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sizer of FIG. 5 locked into the closed position about the post of the hanger;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the sizer of FIG. 5 locked into the closed position about the post of the hanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1a-1c, a crown sizer 10 formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. Sizer 10 includes a body 11, and is sized and configured to mount about the post of a metal hook hanger, e.g., post 12 of hanger 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Post 12 extends from hanger body 15, and is preferably formed integrally therewith. Hanger 14 further includes a metal hook 16 having a threaded end 11 which threadingly engages the interior of post 12. In one preferred embodiment, hanger 14 is molded with a pair of opposing struts 20 as best seen in FIG. 2a. A cavity 22 is defined between each of the struts and post 12. Of course, it is contemplated herein that the construction of post 12 and struts 20 can vary in size and configuration from that shown in FIGS. 2-2a.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a sizer must be both 1) easily securable to the hanger, and 2) capable of remaining secured to the hanger during normal usage (i.e., the sizer should remain on the hanger in a child proof manner). As discussed above, the prior art has been unable to provide a crown sizer for a metal hook which meets both of these criteria. In contrast, the sizers of the present invention are capable of being easily mounted about the post of a metal hook hanger and of remaining secured to the hanger during normal usage.

The sizers of the present invention fulfill these dual goals through the unique configuration of such sizers. More particularly, the sizers of the present invention, e.g., sizer 10, are formed with a split-wall construction which defines an opening 24 in one wall of the sizer. The split-wall construction configuration allows the sizer to be easily installed over hook 16 (see FIG. 3) and to be positioned about post 20 (see FIG. 3a). In this regard, sidewalls 26 are capable of being spread apart about end wall 28 because of the split-wall configuration of such sizer. The spreading apart of the sidewalls thus allows tabs 30 located on the interior of sidewalls 26 to pass over post 12 and struts 20 and engage cavities 22. Once tabs 30 are positioned within cavities 22, the expanding force applied to side walls 26 is removed. At this point, the sizer is loosely positioned about tile post and struts (see FIG. 4).

In addition, it has been discovered herein that the split-wall construction allows tabs 30 to be configured to more closely match and to more fully engage cavities 22, which results in a more secure attachment between the sizer and the hanger. Moreover, the split-wall construction allows the wall thicknesses of the sizer to be increased for enhanced rigidity. In contrast, the prior art crown sizers which lack the novel split-wall construction of the present sizers must be forced over and into engagement with the post of the hanger. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this prior art design necessarily limits the extent to which the interior protrusions can engage the cavities formed aside the post, or any other such cavity formed on the post. It also limits the ability to increase the rigidity of the sizer.

As shown in FIGS. 1a-1c, sizer 10 includes a locking mechanism, i.e., cooperating mechanical structure on opposing sides of opening 24 for locking the sizer into a closed position once properly located on the hanger. In one preferred embodiment, one edge of opening 24 includes a rib 34, while the other edge of opening 24 includes a groove 36 for lockably receiving rib 34. Of course, it is contemplated herein that other cooperating structure can be used to lock the sizer into the closed position. Once closed, tabs 30 securely engage cavities 22 to lock the sizer onto the hanger. The cooperation of tabs 30 and cavities 22 prevents removal of the sizer from the hanger under normal conditions. In fact, removal of the sizer typically requires the disengagement of the cooperating mechanical structure positioned along end wall 32.

An alternative embodiment of the present sizer is shown in FIGS. 5-8. In particular, sizer 100 is ring-shaped. The height H of sizer 100 can be varied as desired. Like sizer 10, sizer 100 includes a body 101 having an opening i.e., opening 102, formed on one end to provide the sizer with a split-wall configuration. Sizer 100 further includes cooperating mechanical structure on opposing sides of opening 102 for locking the sizer into a closed position once properly located on the hanger. In one preferred embodiment, one edge of opening 102 includes a rib 134, while the other edge of opening 102 includes a groove 136 for lockable receiving rib 134. Of course, it is contemplated herein that other cooperating structures can be use to lock the sizer into the closed position. It is further contemplated herein that the shape of the sizer can vary from that shown in the two embodiments illustrated herein.

Sizer 100 is shown positioned about post 112 of hanger 114 in FIG. 6. Tabs 130 are generally aligned with cavities 122 when sizer 100 is positioned about post 112, but before the sizer is locked into the closed position.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, sizer 100 is shown in the closed position, i.e., after the interfitting mechanical structure located along opening 102 has been lockingly-engaged. The locking of the sizer causes tabs 130 to push into and securely engage cavities 122. Engagement of tabs 130 with cavities 122 prevents the removal of sizer 100 from hanger 114 under normal conditions. In fact, to remove sizer 100 from hanger 114 typically requires the disengagement of the cooperating mechanical structure.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred or exemplary embodiments. The preferred or exemplary embodiments described herein may be modified, changed, added to or deviated from without departing from the intent, spirit and scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such additions, modifications, amendment and/or deviations be included within the scope of the followings claims.

Claims

1. A sizer for mounting to a post of a hanger, comprising:

a body configured to surround at least a portion of said post, said body having a split-wall construction to allow expansion of said body during installation of said body about said post, said body further including a locking mechanism for locking said body into a closed position following installation about said post.

2. The sizer of claim 1, wherein said body comprises at least one sidewall containing said split-wall, said split-wall defining first and second opposing edges on said sidewall.

3. The sizer of claim 2, wherein said locking mechanism comprises cooperating interfitting structure located along said edges of said sidewall.

4. The sizer of claim 3, wherein said interfitting structure includes:

a groove disposed on said first edge of said sidewall; and

a rib disposed on said second edge of said sidewall, wherein said rib is configured to engage said groove when said body is locked into said closed position.

5. The sizer of claim 4, further comprising:

at least one tab disposed on the interior of said body for securing said body to said post.

6. The sizer of claim 5, further comprising at least two pairs of opposing tab disposed on the interior wall of said body, said tabs extending away from the interior wall and towards one another.

7. In combination:

a hanger, comprising: a hanger body; a hook-receiving post extending from said hanger body; a pair of struts connected to said hanger body and located on opposing sides of said post, said posts and struts defining at least one engagement cavity;

a sizer for mounting to a post of a hanger, comprising: a sizer body configured to surround at least a portion of a post, said sizer body having a split-wall construction to allow expansion of said sizer body during installation of said sizer body about said post, said sizer body further including a locking mechanism for locking said sizer body into a closed position following installation about said post.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said sizer body comprises at least one sidewall containing said split-wall, said split-wall defining first and second opposing edges on said sidewall.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said locking mechanism comprises cooperating interfitting structure located along said edges of said sidewall.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said interfitting structure includes:

a groove disposed on said first edge of said sidewalk and

a rib disposed on said second edge of said sidewall, wherein said rib is configured to engage said groove when said sizer body is locked into said closed position.

11. The combination of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one tab disposed on the interior of said sizer body for securing said body to said post.

12. The combination of claim 11, further comprising at least two pairs of opposing tab disposed on the interior wall of said sizer body, said tabs extending away from the interior wall and towards one another.

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein said tab is located to engage said cavity.

14. The combination or claim 13, wherein said body includes four sidewalls defining a substantially rectangular cross-section.

15. The combination of claim 13, wherein said sidewall is substantially continuous and defines a substantially oval cross-section.