LIGHTWEIGHT SUSTAINABLE HANGER

Abstract

A lightweight and sustainable hanger provides for minimum weight and material usage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/234,594 filed Aug. 17, 2009 entitled LIGHTWEIGHT SUSTAINABLE HANGER, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Filed of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a lightweight but strong hanger that reduces plastic use. The hanger is preferably approximately 20% lighter than similar competing hangers.

2. Related Art

Plastic hangers are a common sight in many retail settings since they to provide a durable and inexpensive way to display clothing in an attractive manner. While plastic hangers tend to be inexpensive and relatively durable, they are also not environmentally friendly since they use petroleum-based plastic.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a durable hanger that is more environmentally friendly.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight and durable hanger that reduces plastic use.

A hanger in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element.

A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element; and a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element. The main body is tapered in width from a center to the first end and from the center to the second end.

A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element, a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element and a gripping element mounted on the top edge of the main body on at least one of the first end and the second end.

A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge, a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element, a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element and a clip extending downward from the bottom edge of the main body toward at least one of the first end and the second end.

A hanger according to another embodiment of the present application includes a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end, including a top edge and a bottom edge and having a height of 13 mm, a hook mounted in the top edge of the main body, a first clip mounted on the first end of the main body and a second clip mounted on the second end of the main body. The first clip and the second clip having width of 24 mm and a height of 52 mm.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a lightweight hanger in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed view of an indicator positioned on the lightweight hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the lightweight hanger of FIG. 1 with the indicator removed.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the lightweight hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed view of an end of a body of the lightweight hanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a lightweight hanger in accordance with another embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a more detailed view of a clip included in the lightweight hanger of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a hanger 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present application. The hanger 10 preferably includes a body 12 with a hook 14 extending upward from a top of the body. The hook 14 is preferably rotatably attached to the body 12 and is generally used to suspend the hanger 10 from a hanging bar, or clothes rack.

More specifically, the body 12 includes a main body 12a, which has an elongated shape between a first end and a second end. A top portion, or top element, 12b extends upward from a top edge of the main body 12a in a center thereof. The hook 14 preferably extends upward from the top portion 12b. In order to both reduce weight and to minimize the amount of plastic used in the hanger 10 the top portion 12b is preferably connected to the main body 12a at only two points. An air gap is left between the main body 12a and the top portion 12b in between these two points. Thus, the total weight of the hanger 15 is reduced along with the amount of petroleum based plastic necessary to make the hanger 10.

In a preferred embodiment, an indicator 16 slides over the hook 14 and rests on the top portion 12b of the body 12. More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the top portion 12b includes a hook boss 20 in which the hook 14 is received. As noted above, the hook 14 is preferably rotatable relative to the body 12. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator 16 is held in place on the top portion 12b by a protrusion 22 extending outward from a top of the hook boss 20. In this manner, the indicator 16 is held on the hanger 10. FIG. 3 illustrates hanger 10 with the indicator 16 removed such that the hook boss 20 is visible.

In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 5, for example, if desired, a rubber coating 30, or other gripping element, may be applied to the top edge of the main body 12a of the body 12 at the ends thereof to help grip clothing hanging thereon. Any other suitable high friction coating or element may be used, as desired. In addition, the main body 12a of the body 12 may include lower clips 12c extending downward from a bottom surface thereof. These clips 12c may be useful for holding straps of clothing articles, such as dresses, for example.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the body 12 is tapered in thickness, or width, from the middle to the sides to further reduce the amount of plastic needed for the hanger 10. Specifically, the width of the main body 12a is at a maximum in the middle, substantially under the hook boss 20 and tapers to a minimum out toward either end. The maximum thickness is preferably from 8-10 mm while the minimum thickness is preferably about 3-5 mm. Further, the height of the main body 12a may also be tapered in a similar manner from a maximum height of 8-10 mm to a minimum height of 5-7 mm. FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the hanger 10 with the indicator 16 removed and illustrates the tapered width of the main body 12a.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a hanger 100 in accordance with the present application. The hanger 100 of FIG. 6 includes two opposing clips 130 on opposite ends of main body 112. The clips 130 preferably include a first arm 130a that is preferably fixedly attached to the body 112 of the hanger 100 and a second arm 130b pivotally attached to the first arm 130a. The second arm 130b is preferably biased toward the first arm 130a and is separable therefrom be application of pressure at the top of the arm. In this manner, the arms 130a, 130b can be separated from each other such that an article of clothing can be placed between them. As indicated in FIG. 7, the clips 130 are preferably about 24 mm wide and have a height of approximately 62 mm. This provides sufficient gripping power to support even relatively heavy fabrics such as denim. The body 112 preferably has a height of approximately 13 mm, as indicated in FIG. 7. While these measurements are preferred, any other measurements may be used, as desired. The hanger 100 may include a hook 114 mounted rotatably mounted in a hook boss 120 formed on the main body 112.

The hanger 10, 100 of the present application provides a lightweight alternative to the hangers presently available on the market. The weight of the hanger 10, 100 is minimized to provide sufficient stability while using the minimum amount of material. As a result, the hanger 10 of the present application weighs approximately 25 grams, which represents a weight reduction of about 22% when compared with conventional hangers of this style. The hanger 100 uses approximately 10-15% less plastic than similar conventional hangers. Indeed, over the course of 10 years, assuming an average of 100 million hangers made a year, hangers similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5 will save 6000 metric tons of raw materials when compared with conventional designs.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A hanger comprising:

a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge;

a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element; and

a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element.

2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the main body is tapered in width from a center to the first end and from the center to the second end.

3. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the main body is tapered in height from a center to the first end and from the center to the second end.

4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a gripping element mounted on the top edge of the main body positioned on at least one of the first end and the second end.

5. The hanger of claim 1, further comprising a clip extending downward from the bottom edge of the main body and positioned toward at least one of the first end and the second end.

6. The hanger of claim 1, further comprising a boss position on the top element and configured and operable to receive the hook such that the hook is rotatable in the boss.

7. A hanger comprising:

a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge;

a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element; and

a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element;

wherein the main body is tapered in width from a center to the first end and from the center to the second end.

8. The hanger of claim 7, wherein the main body is tapered in height from a center to the first end and from the center to the second end.

9. A hanger comprising:

a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge;

a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element;

a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the top element; and

a gripping element mounted on the top edge of the main body on at least one of the first end and the second end.

10. A hanger comprising:

a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end and including a top edge and a bottom edge;

a top element extending upward from the top edge of the main body in a center section thereof and including a second top edge and a second bottom edge such that an air gap is formed between the top edge of the main body and the second bottom edge of the top element;

a hook mounted in the top element and extending upward from the second top edge of the main body; and

a clip extending downward from the bottom edge of the main body and positioned toward at least one of the first end and the second end.

11. A hanger comprising:

a main body extending horizontally from a first end to a second end, including a top edge and a bottom edge and having a height of 13 mm;

a hook mounted in the top edge of the main body;

a first clip mounted on the first end of the main body;

a second clip mounted on the second end of the main body;

the first clip and the second clip having width of 24 mm and a height of 52 mm.