Clothes Hanger Assembly

Abstract

A clothes hanger assembly is described with a hook, a support bar perpendicularly attached to the hook, a support bar with a first side and a second side, each side oppositely projecting downwardly, such that the downward projection of the first side and the second side form an arc-like projection, such that the arc-like projection has a gradual point of curvature where the first side and second side meet, the arc-like projection further having a significant point of curvature such that the end points of the first side and second side continue to rotate approximately ninety degrees from where the first side and second side meet; and a support bar having a diameter from 0.5″ to 3.0″.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Design patent application 29/317,365 by Richard Muller filed on Apr. 29, 2008 entitled “Tubular Clothes Hanger”. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/008,068 to Richard J. Muller filed on Dec. 17, 2007 entitled “‘D’-shaped clothes hanger . . . ”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present inventive subject matter relates to a device for holding clothing articles in general, and for clothes hangers in particular.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

It has long been recognized that clothes hangers are an extremely useful apparatus to not only organize, but to properly display clothes. The types of hangers that are recognized in the prior art are as varied as the clothing that are place on them.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,346 to Frankel depicts a shirt shoulder shaping system for distributing the weight of a shirt over a greater area to shape the shoulders of a shirt.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,729 to Machlica describes a garment hanger have a polymetric frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,297 to Balziuk describes a clothes hanging system with an enlarged weight bearing segment.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,706 to Socha, et. al describes a heavy duty hanging system configured as a standard hanger.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,014 to Ali, et. al also depicts a heavy duty clothes hanging system with multiple arms.

Despite the depth of prior art directed at the design and implementation of clothes hangers, none of these designs alleviate the problem of preventing creases and dimples from forming on delicate fabrics and also support heavy clothing. Certain types of clothing, such as heavy leather jackets, require not only sufficient mechanical support, but also a hanger width to keep the shoulder area of the clothing from becoming deformed.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments and domains described herein should not be construed as limitations in the potential application of the invention. Rather they are teachings for the purpose of illustrating the ramifications and variations of possible embodiments of this invention.

The inventive subject matter describes a clothes hanger assembly having a hook, a support bar perpendicularly attached to the hook, with the support bar further having a first side and a second side, the first side and second side downwardly projecting, such that the downward projection of the first side and the second side form an arc-like projection, the arc-like projection having a gradual point of curvature where the first side and second side meet, and the arc-like projection further having a significant point of curvature such that the end points of the first side and second side have rotated approximately ninety degrees from where the first side and second side meet; and the support bar having a diameter from 0.5″ to 3.0″. The clothes hanger assembly also has a support bar width having a diameter from 0.75″ to 1.25″. The clothes hanger assembly also has a support bar width with a diameter from 0.9″ to 1.1″. The clothes hanger assembly also has a support bar width with a diameter from 1.5″ to 3.0″. The clothes hanger as in claim 1 wherein the support bar is made from the materials that include aluminum, plastic, steel, and wood. The clothes hanger assembly also has a support bar with a textured strip adhered to the upper part of the support bar. The clothes hanger assembly also has a strip that are made from materials such as felt, rubber, plastic, or a texture may be impressed or embossed on the metal itself.

The inventive subject matter also describes a clothes hanger assembly that has a hook, a support bar perpendicularly attached to the hook, with the support bar also having a first side and a second side, the first side and second side downwardly projecting, such that the downward projection of the first side and the second side form an arc-like projection, with the arc-like projection having a gradual point of curvature from where the first side and second side meet, the arc-like projection further having a significant point of curvature such that the end points of the first side and second side rotate approximately ninety degrees from where the first side and second side meet, with the support bar further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 0.5″ to 3.0″ and with a cross bar, the cross bar having a first end and a second end, such that the first end and the second end attach to the end points of the first side and the second support bar. The clothes hanger assembly also having a support bar width with a diameter from 0.75″ to 1.25″. The clothes hanger assembly also having a support bar width with a diameter from 0.9″ to 1.1″. The clothes hanger assembly also having a support bar width with a diameter from 1.5″ to 3.0″. The clothes hanger assembly also having a cross bar with a interior cavity and voids, the interior cavity being proximately dimensioned to receive materials, and the voids located on the cross bar such that the voids allow communication between the interior cavity and the surface of the cross bar. The clothes hanger assembly also having the cross bar with a textured strip adhered to the upper part of the cross bar. The clothes hanger assembly also having a textured strip made from materials selected from a group consisting of felt, rubber, plastic, or a texture may be impressed or embossed on the metal itself.

The inventive subject matter also includes a method for making a clothes hanger assembly which includes selecting tubular support member with a diameter from 0.5 to 3.0″ in diameter, then bifurcating the selected tubular member, then bending the tubular support member on each side of the bifurcation to impart a gradual curvature point, then further bending the tubular support member so that the tubular member has rotated approximately ninety degrees. The assembly method also includes selecting the width of the tubular support member that have a diameter from 0.75″ to 1.25″. The assembly method further includes selecting a support bar width with a diameter from 0.9″ to 1.1″. The assembly method further includes the selection of a cross bar with a width of 0.5″ to 3.0″ in diameter. The assembly method further includes the boring of a cavity in the cross bar, the cavity being dimensioned to receive a substance, and the cross bar further comprising the creation of voids, the voids further communicating with exterior of the cross bar.

These and other embodiments are described in more detail in the following detailed descriptions and the figures.

The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of embodiments and features of the present inventive subject matter. Persons skilled in the art are capable of appreciating other embodiments and features from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the clothes hanger assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the clothes hanger assembly.

FIG. 3 shows an edge-on view of the clothes hanger assembly.

FIG. 4 shows the clothes hanger assembly with an article of clothing mounted on the hanger.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the clothes hanger assembly with an article of clothing mounted on the hanger.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the clothes hanger with the alternate embodiment with a detachable cross bar.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the clothes hanger with the detachable cross bar expanded away from the base.

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows an alternate embodiment of the hanger assembly with the textured strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While describing the invention and its embodiments various terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all equivalents that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result.

Now referring to FIG. 1 which depicts the front view of the clothes hanger assembly. The clothes hanger assembly 10 consists of a hook 20 attached to a support bar 30 with an attachment device 25, which is a nut and screw assembly. The support bar is configured in a “D”-like configuration 40 with two sides, such that on either side the support bar projects downward 50′, 50″ first in a gradual curvature manner followed by significant curvature to where the tip of the support bar has rotated approximately 90 degrees. The point in the support bar where a significant point of curvature 70′,70″ exists is defined by the tip axis 80 relative to the bar axis 85. The point of curvature 70′,70″ conforms to match the configuration of most clothing and/or garments. The length of each side of the support bar can range from 6″ to 18″, with optimal range being approximately 9.25″. For larger clothing, each side of the support bar is roughly 11.0″ to 13.0″.

Now referring to FIG. 2 which is a top view of the clothes hanger assembly 10. The top view shows the hook 20 attached to the support bar 30. The clothes hanger assembly 10 shows that the support bar width 110 is significantly wider than the prior art hangers which are fabricated from wire, wood, or plastic. The support bar width 110 of the support bar 30 has a diameter ranging in dimensions from 0.5″ to 4.0″, with preferred ranges of 0.75″ to 1.25″, and with optimal ranges from 0.9″ to 1.1″. For certain types of clothing, such as for jackets, the diameter ranges in dimensions from 0.5″ to 3.0″. The support bar 30 can be tubular or generally tubular in a configuration to achieve the support bar width 110. The support bar 30 can be either solid or hollow.

Now referring to FIG. 3 which is an edge view of the clothes hanger assembly 10. The edge view shows the hook 20 attached to the support bar 30. The support bar width 110 is also shown from the edge view.

Now referring to FIG. 4 which is a front view of the clothes hanger assembly 10 with the clothing 210 set on the support bar 30. As shown in FIG. 5 one part of the clothing 210 is the shoulder 220 which is kept from being deformed by the shoulder bar width 110.

Now referring to FIG. 5 which is a top view of the clothes hanger assembly 10 showing the hook 20, the support bar 30, the support bar width 110, the clothing 210 and the shoulder 220 of the clothing 210 resting in the support bar 30. The shoulder 220 of the clothing 210 is prevented from being deformed from the width and curvature of the hanger and hanger body.

Now referring to FIG. 6 which is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the clothes hanger assembly with the cross bar attachment. The cross bar 310 is dimensioned to be the width of the bar 320. The cross bar 310 is connected to ends 330′, 330″ of the support bar 30 using inserts 340′, 340″. These inserts 340′, 340″ are mechanically connected to the support bar 30 such that if other clothing articles are hung directly on the cross bar 310, the cross bar 310 will not become detached. The weight of the other clothing articles will typically range from 0.1 to 1 lbs, 1 to 2 lbs, 2 to 5 lbs, 5 to 10 lbs, and 10-20 lbs. The diameter of the cross bar can range from 0.5″ to 4.0″, with optimal ranges from 0.9″ to 1.1″.

Now referring to FIG. 7 which depicts the cross bar 310 being inserted 350 and detached 360 from the base of the clothes hanger assembly. This insertion 350 and detachment 360 is accomplished by the inserts 340′, 340″ configured in away to allow removing the connectors 370′, 370″.

The cross bar 310 may also be perforated to allow for the insertion of substances to either prevent the infestation of insects or to permeate the clothing with a scent. Such substances are, for example, cedar wood materials to prevent moths, naphthalene, or perfumes. The substances may be inserted using a slot located on the bar or by inserting in the tube at the end of the bar.

Now referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B which shows an alternate embodiment with a texture strip positioned to interface between the clothing placed on the support bar 30 or the cross bar 310. The texture strip increases the friction between the clothing and the hanger to prevent the clothing from slipping off the hanger. A material type used for the textured strip is typically felt or a similar cloth type material, but the material type may also be rubber, textured plastic, or other composite materials. Mechanical variants may be included in the textured strip, including but not limited to, grooves or bumps. The texture strips are adhered to the support bar using glues. FIG. 8A shows the texture strips as implemented as support bar strips 410 410″. FIG. 8B shows the texture strips as implemented as a cross bar strip 420.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the cross bar may be utilized to support many different types of clothing, including but not limited to, pants, folded shirts, socks, ties, and other clothing that can be draped over the cross bar. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the term “cross bar” is synonymous with the term “pant bar”.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive concept and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein.

All patent and non-patent literature cited herein is hereby incorporated by references in its entirety for all purposes.

Claims

1. A clothes hanger assembly comprising:

a hook,

a support bar perpendicularly attached to the hook,

the support bar further comprising a first side and a second side, the first side and second side downwardly projecting, such that the downward projection of the first side and the second side form an arc-like projection, the arc-like projection having a gradual point of curvature where the first side and second side meet, the arc-like projection further having a significant point of curvature such that the end points of the first side and second side have rotated approximately ninety degrees from where the first side and second side meet; and

the support bar having a diameter from 0.5″ to 3.0″.

2. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 1 further comprises a support bar width having a diameter from 0.75″ to 1.25″.

3. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 0.9″ to 1.1%.

4. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 1.5″ to 3.0″.

5. The clothes hanger as in claim 1 wherein the support bar in made from the materials selected from a group comprising aluminum, steel, plastic, and wood.

6. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 1 wherein the support bar further comprises a textured strip adhere to the upper part of the support bar.

7. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 6 wherein the textured strip is made from materials selected from a group consisting of felt, rubber, plastic, impressed metal, embossed metal, or composite materials.

8. A clothes hanger assembly comprising:

a hook,

a support bar perpendicularly attached to the hook,

the support bar further comprising a first side and a second side, the first side and second side downwardly projecting, such that the downward projection of the first side and the second side form an arc-like projection, the arc-like projection having a gradual point of curvature from where the first side and second side meet, the arc-like projection further having a significant point of curvature such that the end points of the first side and second side have rotated approximately ninety degrees from where the first side and second side meet;

the support bar further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 0.5″ to 3.0″; and

a cross bar, the cross bar having a first end and a second end, such that the first end and the second end attach to the end points of the first side and the second support bar, and

9. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 8 further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 0.75″ to 1.25″.

10. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 8 further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 0.9″ to 1.1″.

11. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 8 further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 1.5″ to 3.0″.

12. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 8 wherein the cross bar further comprises an interior cavity and voids, the interior cavity being proximately dimensioned to receive materials, and the voids located on the cross bar such that the voids allow communication between the interior cavity and the surface of the cross bar.

13. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 8 wherein the cross bar further comprises a textured strip adhere to the upper part of the cross bar.

14. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 13 wherein the textured strip is made from materials selected from a group consisting of felt, rubber, plastic, impressed metal, embossed metal, or composite materials.

15. A method making a clothes hanger assembly comprising:

selecting tubular support member with a diameter from 0.5 to 3.0″ in diameter;

bifurcating the selected tubular member bending the tubular support member on each side of the bifurcation to impart a gradual curvature point,

further bending the tubular support member so that the tubular member has rotated approximately ninety degrees.

16. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 15 wherein the width of the tubular support member with a diameter from 0.75″ to 1.25″.

17. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 15 further comprising a support bar width with a diameter from 0.9″ to 1.1″.

18. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 15 further comprising the selection of a cross bar, said cross bar being 0.5″ to 3.0″ in diameter.

19. The clothes hanger assembly as in claim 18 further comprising the boring of a cavity in the cross bar, the cavity being dimensioned to receive a substance, the cross bar further comprising the creation of voids, the voids further communicating with exterior of the cross bar.