HANGER FOR BODY ARMOR

Abstract

A hanger for body armor includes a base with a pair of arms extending in opposite directions from one another. Each arm has a longitudinal channel along the length of the arm. In each arm is at least one retainer slidably moveable along the length of the arm along the longitudinal channel. The retainer is a resiliently flexible clip or clasp, such as a binder clip. An elastomeric strap is attached between the arms allowing at least one arm to be removably attached to the base. A hook is fixed relative to the base allowing the hanger to be hung from a structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed towards hangers. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a hanger specifically designed to hold body armor.

There are three basic types of clothes hangers. The first is the wire hanger, which has a simple loop of wire, most often steel, in a flattened triangle shape that continues into a hook at the top. The second is the wooden hanger, which consists of a flat piece of wood cut into a boomerang-like shape with the edges sanded down to prevent damage to the clothing, and a hook, usually of metal, protruding from the point. Some wooden hangers have a rounded bar from tip to tip, forming a flattened triangle. This bar is designed to hang the trousers belonging to the jacket. The third kind is the plastic coat hanger, which mostly mimics the shape of either a wire or wooden hanger. Plastic coat hangers are also produced in smaller sizes to accommodate the shapes of children's clothes.

Some hangers have clips along the bottom for suspending skirts. Dedicated skirt and trousers hangers may not use the triangular shape at all, instead using just a rod with clips. Specialized pant hanger racks may accommodate many pairs of trousers. Foldable clothes hangers that are designed to be inserted through the collar area for ease of use and the reduction of stretching are an old variation on traditional clothes hangers. In short, there have been an abundance of different hanger designs over the years, but few have been specifically designed for body armor.

Body armor, also called a flak jacket or a flak vest, is a very specialized garment intended to protect the wearer from penetration, such as from a bullet or a knife. One of the most common types of body armor is in the shape of a vest that includes a front and back protection surface connected with straps. The front and back protection surfaces are substantially heavier than a traditional garment, as they have special fabrics and materials designed to protect the wearer. Elastic straps connect over the shoulder and around the upper and lower torso to help secure the vest to the wearer's body.

A flak vest is heavy and thick, and accordingly can cause the wearer to perspire and sweat into the fabric. To compound this problem, a flak vest is typically worn underneath clothing, such as a uniform to help conceal its use. This means more heat and moisture can be trapped within the fabric of the flak vest. Therefore, when the flak vest is not in use it must be stored and dried in a timely manner for use at a later time. A short drying cycle is desired to minimize odors and chance of mildew and other problems associated with repeatedly moist fabrics. The means to facilitate drying must not damage or prematurely wear out the flak vest. In particular, the elastic straps should not be overstretched while in storage such that the memory of the elasticity is lost and a proper fit onto the wearer is impeded.

Utilizing traditional hangers for flak vests are problematic. First, a traditional hanger, such as a wire hanger, is not structurally strong enough to support the weight of a flak vest. The wire will distort and the flak vest will fall off. Alternatively, the inside surfaces of the flak vest come into contact thereby preventing proper ventilation and evaporation. Additionally, hanging a flack vest from a hanger puts a lot of stress on the elastic shoulder straps. Overtime the shoulder straps lose their elasticity and the vest must be prematurely replaced. Having an improperly fitting flak vest is important as it can increase the risk of an injury from an improper fit.

One attempt to solve this problem is the use of a vest rest hanger that is generally described as a wire formed box about the same size and shape of the wearer's torso. One would place the flak vest upon the vest rest hanger the same way one would attach the vest to their torso. In this manner, the inside surfaces of the vest are allowed to vent to the atmosphere to facilitate drying. However, the vest rest hanger is bulky and cannot be stored within a typical locker. In many locker rooms, such as a locker room in a police station, each officer has allocated a small locker or closet for storage of their uniforms and tools of their trade. The vest rest hanger is substantially too large to fit within such a locker. Furthermore, these vest rest hangers are expensive and can easily cost 90 dollars and upwards.

Another attempt to solve this problem is through the use of a flak rest hanger that is comprised of a hanger connected to two large flat surfaces with a support at the bottom for the vest to rest upon. The flak vest hanger is made of plastic and is about the same size as the vest itself. The two surfaces are hinged near the top such that the bottom portion can be opened and the hanger can be set upon the ground. A horizontal support is placed along the bottom of each surface such that the heavy part of the vest can rest against the support and relieve some stress upon the elastic straps. A plurality of holes disposed along each surface allows the flak vest to breath when it is placed within the hanger. However, this version works best when it can be set upon the ground with the bottom open to facilitate drying. Furthermore, this structure is quite large when not in use and is not optimally designed to facilitate drying while hanging because air cannot easily pass by the inside surface. Lastly, due to the sheer size of the hanger, it is also expensive costing 70 dollars and upward.

Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified hanger for body armor that allows for proper ventilation for consistent drying, prevents mildew build up on fabric and reduces general wear and tear while being smaller to ship and store. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hanger for body armor of the present invention includes a base with a pair of arms oppositely positioned from one another. Removably connected to the base is at least one arm extending in an opposite direction from the other arm. Each arm has a longitudinal channel along the length of the arm. In each arm is at least one retainer slidably moveable along the length of the arm along the longitudinal channel. The retainers are resiliently flexible clips or clasps, such as binder clips. The retainers are for grasping and holding a portion of the body armor and are slidably moveable to accommodate a variety of shapes and sizes of body armor. The longitudinal channel may be sufficiently long such that a plurality of retainers can be used along each arm for better weight distribution along the body armor. The longitudinal channel may also include an upper and lower portion where the distal end of the arm forms an open end such that a retainer can be assembled within.

An elastomeric strap is attached between the arms, or alternatively between the base and a removably attachable arm. The elastomeric strap creates a preload tension to keep the removably attachable arm within the base such that the hanger can support the body armor. When the hanger is not in use, the internal preload of the elastomeric strap can be overcome and the removably attachable arm removed from the base. The arms are foldable and pivotable about the base and allows for a smaller package and travel size of the hanger. One may attach a strap or a rubber band around the distal ends of the arms to keep it in the stored configuration.

A hook is fixed relative to the base allowing the hanger to be hung from a structure. The hook may be rotatably connected to the base to facilitate hanging from a variety of structures easily accessible. For example, the hanger may be hung within a locker on a hook, from an edge of an open door, along a rack or any other suitable attachment structure.

A flak vest is typically placed inside-out and upside-down within the receivers of the body armor hanger. This exposes the inner panels of the flak vest to help facilitate evaporation of sweat and moisture thereby reducing the drying cycle time. Also, the receivers grip and hold onto the heavier part of the flak vest and not the elastic straps. Wear and overstretching of the elastic straps during drying and storage is eliminated thereby increasing the useful life of the flak vest. This is important as the elastic straps hold the flak vest to the wearer and a having a good fit is crucial for the vest to properly function if it is ever needed.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary hanger embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 without the vest;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hanger of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the movement of the retainer along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the retainer opened;

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4 showing the arms secured within the base;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the arms removed from the base;

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view showing how the arms can be folded downward; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the hanger of FIG. 2 in a stored configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a body armor hanger is referred to generally by the reference number 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hanger 10 holding a flak vest 12 upside-down and preferably inside-out. The outline of the vest 12 is shown by the dotted lines and is held by retainers 14 which are shown being slidably captured within the arms 16. The retainers 14 face downwardly such that the bottom of the vest 12 can be held in an upside-down position. Holding the vest 12 upside-down allows the bulky part of the vest 12 to be held and thereby relieves stress being imparted along the elastic straps during storage. The vest 12 is preferably turned inside-out such that the inside surface can be better exposed to the surrounding air to facilitate the evaporation of any residual moisture imparted during use of the vest 12. The retainers 14 are resiliently flexible clips or clasps for releasably securing the body armor to the hanger. As shown in FIG. 1, the retainers 14 are shaped to perfectly fit the arms 16. Alternatively, the clips may be the same as binder clips which are commonly used to hold large stacks of paper together. Allowing the use of the commonly known and easily available binder clips helps facilitate the ease of understanding of the product and helps facilitate its adopted use while reducing costs.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view similar to FIG. 1 with the vest removed and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2. Hanger 10 has a hook 18 connected to a base 20. The hook 18 is a standard hook shape that all hangers traditionally have, allowing it to be hung over a rod, post, or hook in a closet or locker. The hook 18 may be pivotally or rotatably attached to the base 20 such that it allows the hanger 10 to be hung from a variety of structures, such as the edge of an open locker door or the like by allowing the hook 18 to pivot relative to the base 20. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the base 20 could comprise two adjacently opposed arm receivers that would receive two arms 16. As shown here in FIGS. 2 and 3, one arm 16 is molded to the base 20 while a second arm 16 is attachable. Each arm 16 has a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26. The proximal end 24 of the arms 16 attach to the base 20, whether already formed therein or later attached. An elastomeric strap 28 helps hold the arms 16 within the base 20. The elastomeric strap 28 is attached to the base 20 and the proximal end 24 of the non-molded arm 16. The elastomeric strap 28 may be any sufficient bias or preload that imparts a force between the arms 16. The elastomeric strap 28 may be an elastomer, bungee cord, spring, rubber band or any other suitable material or design.

The retainer 14 is illustrated as being captured along a channel 30 that runs along the longitudinal length of the arm 16. The retainer 14 is allowed to slide along the longitudinal channel 30 such that it can be properly positioned to hold different sizes and shapes of body armor. This means that one size of hanger 10 can be used to hold all sizes of flak vests regardless of differences in vest sizes or shapes. Also, a plurality of retainers 14 may be used along each channel 30 to help distribute the load or to provide for a stronger grip.

The channel 30 may be in the form of a slot 32. The slot 32 is comprised of a top portion 34 and a bottom portion 36. In an alternative embodiment not shown, one of the portions (34 or 36) may be removably attached such that the retainer 14 may be slidably captured along the arm 16. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slot 32 is molded into the arms 16 and forms an open end 37 at the distal end 26 such that the retainers 14 can be slidably attached. A pair of caps 40 are attached to the distal ends 26 of the arms 16 to permanently capture the retainers 14. Screws or pins 38 are inserted into the base 20 and the proximal end 24 of the non-molded arm 16 to capture the elastomeric strap 28. The elastomeric strap 28 holds the non-molded arm 16 to the base 20.

The base 20 is designed to receive the non-molded arm 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the base 20 has a female-side receiver 39 formed therein which accepts the male-side plug 41 formed as part of the non-molded arm 16. A protrusion 43 on the non-molded arm 16 corresponds to a notch 45 on the base 20. When the base 20 and the non-molded arm 16 are attached, the protrusion 43 and the notch 45 prevent one arm 16 rotating with respect to the other arm 16 such that the hanger 10 acts as one rigid structure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side views of the hanger 10 of FIG. 2 showing how the retainer 14 can be slid within the channel 30.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show how the retainer 14 can be opened and closed while being captured within the hanger 10. The width of the channel 30 is smaller than the inside width of the retainer 14 such that it fits within the channel 30. The retainer legs 42 can be pressed together overcoming the internal resistance of the body 44 of the retainer 14 to open it as shown in FIG. 7. When the legs 42 are relaxed the internal resistance of the body 44 forces the retainer 14 shut, as shown in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional side views showing one embodiment of how the base 20 and the non-molded arm 16 cooperate to form one solid structure. The elastomeric strap 28 is connected between the base 20 and the proximal end 24 of the non-molded arm 16 by being captured with the screw or pin 38. The elastomeric strap 28 holds the arms 16 together so that they are rigid in relation to each other and the base 20. It can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9 that the male-side plug 41 fits within and secures to the female-side receiver 39. Furthermore, the notch 45 and protrusion 43 prevent rotation of one arm 16 relative to the other. This geometry allows the arms 16 to support the weight of the vest 12. A multitude of elastomeric strap designs and arm receivers can be practiced by one skilled in the art after understanding this teaching and accordingly this disclosure is not intended to limit it to any one specific version or just the version described herein. For instance in another exemplary embodiment not shown, the base 20 could form the male-side plug 41 while the non-molded arm 16 could form the female-side receiver 39.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show how the arms 16 of the hanger 10 can be folded downward into a stored configuration. The arms 16 can be pulled apart to overcome the resistance of the elastomeric strap 28. This allows the proximal end 24 of the non-molded arm 16 to be removed from the base 20. Then the arms 16 can be folded downward as shown in FIG. 10 and secured in a folded configuration with the use of a rubber band 48 or other fastening means, about the distal ends 26 as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 10, the hook 18 can remain outward such that the hanger 10 can still be hung from a support. Alternatively, the hook 18 can be secured within the folded elastomeric strap 28 as shown in FIG. 11 for compact storing within a bag or the like.

One advantage of the hanger 10 over the related art is that it has a lower production cost. The parts of the hanger 10 can be manufactured from steel, aluminum, composites, plastics or the like. The hanger is light weight, and can be packaged in a small enclosure for shipping and takes up little space in a locker or closet. Also, the hanger 10 can utilize the commonly known binder clips that are well known and easily understood. The hanger 10 allows the vest 12 to be hung inside-out to facilitate evaporation of residual moisture while still be stored within a locker or hung from a structure. This unique positioning of the flak vest 12 reduces the drying cycle time and is easy and convenient to utilize. Furthermore, the retainers 14 allow the vast majority of the weight of the vest 12 to be carried through the front and back protection surfaces and not through the elastic straps. This extends the life of flak vests and prevents premature stretching and wear.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hanger for body armor, comprising:

a base;

at least one arm extending from the base; and

at least one retainer slidably moveable along a length of the arm for grasping and holding a portion of the body armor.

2. The hanger of claim 1, including a hook fixed relative to the base for hanging the hanger from a support.

3. The hanger of claim 2, wherein the hook is pivotally or rotatably attached to the base.

4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the at least one retainer comprises a resiliently flexible clip or clasp for releasably securing the body armor to the hanger.

5. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the at least one arm comprises a pair of arms extending from the base in opposite directions from one another.

6. The hanger of claim 5, wherein at least one of the pair of arms is removably attachable to the base.

7. The hanger of claim 6, comprising an elastomeric strap attached between the removably attachable arm and the base.

8. The hanger of claim 5, wherein the at least one retainer comprises a resiliently flexible clasp or clip associated with each arm.

9. The hanger of claim 8, wherein each arm includes a longitudinal channel in which the respective clasp or clip is at least partially disposed.

10. The hanger of claim 9, wherein the base comprises an arm receiver for receiving the removably attachable arm.

11. The hanger of claim 10, wherein each arm comprises a distal and a proximal end wherein the removably attachable arm's proximal end is removably attachable to the base.

12. The hanger of claim 11, wherein an elastomeric strap is attached between the base and the proximal end of the removably attachable arm.

13. The hanger of claim 12, wherein the resiliently flexible clasp or clip is a binder clip.

14. The hanger of claim 13, wherein the longitudinal channel comprises an upper and lower portion with an open end at the distal end of the arm.

15. A hanger for body armor, comprising:

a base;

a pair of arms extending from the base in opposite directions from one another;

at least one retainer slidably moveable along a length of each arm for grasping and holding a portion of the body armor;

a hook fixed relative to the base for hanging the hanger from a support; and

an elastomeric strap attached between the base and one of the arms.

16. The hanger of claim 15, wherein the at least one retainer comprises a resiliently flexible clasp or clip associated with each arm.

17. The hanger of claim 16, wherein each arm includes a longitudinal channel in which the retainer is at least partially disposed, wherein the longitudinal channel comprises an upper and lower portion forming an open end at the distal end of each arm.

18. The hanger of claim 17, wherein at least one arm is removably attachable to the base.

19. A hanger for body armor, comprising:

a base comprising an arm receiver;

a hook pivotally or rotatably attached to the base;

a pair of arms extending from the base in opposite directions from one another wherein at least one of the arms is removably attachable to the arm receiver;

a longitudinal channel along each arm;

at least one retainer slidably moveable along each longitudinal channel wherein the retainer comprises a resiliently flexible clasp or clip for releasably securing the body armor to the hanger; and

an elastomeric strap attached between the base and the removably attachable arm.

20. The hanger of claim 19, wherein the resiliently flexible clasp or clip is a binder clip and wherein the longitudinal channel comprises an upper and lower portion forming an open end at the distal end of each arm, such that the binder clip can be partially disposed within the longitudinal channel.