Slip Resistant Hanger Clip

Abstract

Disclosed is a slip resistant hanger clip for clothes hangers. The purpose of the present invention is to prevent articles of clothing from slipping off of the hanger. The device includes a tubular or cylindrical body with a defined hollow middle portion and a lateral opening that provides access to the hollow middle portion. The lateral opening is adapted to receive a portion of the hanger so that the hanger is retained in the hollow middle portion. The cylindrical body further includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. The exterior surface includes a layer of slip resistant material, such as velvet or other high friction material. The interior surface of the cylindrical body may additionally include a layer of adhesive with a removable backing to increase securement to the hanger.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/847,406 filed on Jul. 17, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a slip resistant hanger clip. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved slip resistant hanger clip for clothes hangers. The hanger clip of the present invention can be removably attached to any part of a clothes hanger to provide a slip resistant surface to prevent articles of clothing from slipping off of the hanger.

Many garments look their best when hung on hangers in closets that are not overcrowded. Particularly, shirts and blouses made of linen, rayon, or cotton will stay virtually wrinkle-free when hung upon hangers. Many types of garments, including silk blouses and jersey dresses, however, easily slip off of hangers and fall onto the closet floor where they then become dirty and wrinkled. Fallen garments are often not discovered until an individual searches through the closet for the fallen garment. Additionally, when the individual puts the garment back on the hanger, the garment may not stay on the hanger due to the weight of the garment and the slipperiness of the hanger. Thus, repeatedly hanging fallen garments can become tedious and can cause annoyance.

To prevent clothing from falling off of hangers, some individuals purchase new hangers that help retain the garment on the hanger. Replacing existing hangers with new hangers, however, can be costly and wasteful. Alternatively, other individuals fold clothing and keep them in drawers. Folding delicate fabrics such as velvet, raw silk, chiffon, and taffeta, however, can cause the fabric to crease and become unwearable over time. Additionally, organizing clothes in drawers can be more difficult than organizing clothes in a closet, which can prevent individuals from easily locating a desired garment. Thus, a device that prevents clothing from falling off of clothes hangers to enable individuals to maintain a neat and organized closet is desired.

The present invention is a clip attachment for a clothes hanger. The clip is substantially tubular or cylindrical in shape, and comprises a lateral opening, a hollow interior, and an exterior surface that is composed of a material having a high coefficient of friction. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior surface of the clip comprises velvet fabric. The clip is configured to wrap around a portion of the hanger without requiring additional fastening means. In some embodiments, however, the clip may optionally comprise an adhesive along its interior surface so that the clip is prevented from shifting or sliding along the length of the hanger. The present invention is suitable for use with new and existing hangers, and can accommodate hangers of various shapes and sizes. In this way, the present invention increases versatility to the user by providing a device for retaining garment on a clothes hanger that can be repeatedly used with multiple types of new and existing clothes hangers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to non-slip hanger attachments. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these devices disclose a non-slip strip with an adhesive that can be attached to an existing hanger. Other devices disclose non-slip strips that are affixed to the outer edges of a hanger. These devices, however, do not disclose a plastic clip that is secured to an existing hanger. The foregoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,867 to Berkovits discloses non-slip strips that attach to the shoulders of garment hangers. The strips comprise an adhesive backing and are configured to attach to the shoulders of garment hangers. In a preferred embodiment, the strips are composed of sponge rubber. Similarly, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2005/0139625 to Gouldson discloses a knitwear hanger comprising a hanger with non-slip plastic inserts thereon. The non-slip plastic inserts comprise a plurality of locking cells and garment supporting surfaces thereon. The non-slip plastic inserts are disposed along the shoulder portions of the hanger so that the straps of the garment are prevented from slipping off of the shoulders of the hanger. The inserts may be embedded within the shoulder portions or be formed on top of the shoulders. As such, the non-slip plastic inserts are permanently affixed to the hanger.

The foregoing Berkovits and Gouldson devices are directed toward hangers with slip resistant material permanently affixed thereto. These devices differ from the present invention in that these devices do not disclose a strip of slip resistant lining that is attached to a clip. The clip of the present invention is adapted to removably secure to an existing hanger at the shoulders, bar, or other parts of the hanger where garment is hung. In this way, the present invention increases versatility to the user by providing a slip resistant clip that can be reused and positioned anywhere along the hanger.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,786 to Mikhail provides a non-slip attachment for use on a standard wire hanger. The attachment is shaped or molded with a non-uniform diameter of a resilient rubber or foam rubber. In one embodiment, the attachment comprises conical or spherical enlargements having a narrow portions therebetween. In use, straps of a garment are adapted to rest on the narrow portions so that the conical or spherical enlargements prevent the straps from falling off of the hanger. While the device of Mikhail prevent garments from slipping off of the shoulders of a hanger, the device of Mikhail is limited in the fact that the attachments are best suited for use with garments having straps. The present invention provides clips having a slip resistant surface, wherein the slip resistant surface is suitable to prevent any type of garment from falling off of hangers.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,687 to Mabel and U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,423 to Gates disclose sleeve-like devices that can be removably attached to dress hangers. The device of Mabel includes sleeves that are configured to fit onto the shoulders of the hanger and comprise a defined interior volume so as to enclose a portion of the hanger therein. The sleeves are preferably composed of high friction material so that straps or shoulders of the garments are prevented from slipping when placed over the sleeves. Gates discloses a shoulder pad that is substantially semi-oval shaped. The pads are adapted to receive an end of a hanger. In an exemplary embodiment, the pad is composed of foam or other similar material.

Unlike the present invention, the foregoing sleeve-like devices are not adapted snap onto various parts of the hanger. The present invention provides a clip that is configured to fit snugly on the hanger. In contrast, Mabel and Gates disclose sleeves that are loosely attached to the hanger, and are not particularly suitable for long term use. In this way, these devices are disadvantageous in that the garment may shift or move, which can cause the garment to fall off of the hanger.

The devices disclosed herein in the prior art have several known drawbacks. Prior art non-slip hanger attachments generally comprise a high friction strip of material or a sleeve that can attach to shoulder portions of a hanger. Although these attachments may be able to prevent clothes from slipping off of hangers, these devices are configured to only attach to shoulder portions of a hanger. Additionally, some of these devices cannot be reusable because they are permanently affixed to the hanger or built integral to the hanger. The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing clips with a high friction exterior surface, wherein the clips can removably attach to various parts of a hanger.

It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing non-slip hanger attachments. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of non-slip hanger attachments now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved slip resistant hanger clip wherein the same can be utilized for preventing articles of clothing from slipping off of hangers.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved slip resistant hanger clip that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved slip resistant hanger clip that can be removably attached to various parts of conventional clothes hangers.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved slip resistant hanger clip having a slip resistant exterior surface that is composed of velvet, rubber, silicone, or other high friction material.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved slip resistant hanger clip that is configured to snugly wrap around a portion of a clothes hanger.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved slip resistant hanger clip that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the hanger clip of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the hanger clip of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a view of hanger clips of the present invention as attached to a clothes hanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the slip resistant hanger clip. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to prevent articles of clothing from slipping off of hangers. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective and cross sectional views of the present invention, respectively. The present invention comprises a clip 21 that is adapted to be disposed on a clothes hanger. The clip 21 comprises a substantially tubular or cylindrical body 23 having a first end 24 opposite a second end 25, defining a hollow middle portion. The cross section of the tubular or cylindrical body 23 resembles a C-shape. The illustrated embodiment of the clip 21 is suitable for use with clothes hangers having a round cross section. In this way, each of the cylindrical body 23 and the hollow middle portion comprise a circular cross section with a diameter that is uniform over the length of the cylindrical body 23. In other embodiments, however, the clip 21 may comprise other shapes to accommodate to the shapes of clothes hangers.

Additionally, the cylindrical body 23 comprises a first edge 26 opposite a second edge 27. The first edge 26 and the second edge 27 are separated by a space, so that the edges 26, 27 define a lateral opening, permitting ingress into the hollow middle portion. The lateral opening extends along the length of the cylindrical body 23 from the first end 24 to the second end 25. The lateral opening preferably has a width less than the diameter of a bar or arm of the clothes hanger intended to be held therein so that the hanger does not fall through the opening thereof. The cylindrical body 23 is composed of plastic, metal, or other suitable material that is resilient, durable, and flexible, while maintaining the ability to hold the hanger within the cylindrical body 23.

The cylindrical body 23 comprises an exterior surface having a slip resistant member 22 thereon. The slip resistant member 22 has a greater coefficient of friction compared to the surface of a conventional clothes hanger that is composed of wood, plastic, or metal, among others. In a preferred embodiment, the slip resistant member 22 comprises a strip of velvet fabric. In other embodiments, however, it is contemplated that other high friction materials such as rubber, silicone, suede, among others, may be used. The slip resistant member 22 may be affixed to the exterior surface of the cylindrical body 23 by means of strong adhesive or the like. The slip resistant member 22 spans the entire exterior surface of the cylindrical body 23 so that it is substantially coextensive with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body 23.

The interior surface of the cylindrical body 23 is adapted to directly contact a portion of a clothes hanger on which the cylindrical body 23 is removably attached. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the cylindrical body 23 may comprise a layer of adhesive 28 so that the clip 21 may be prevented from moving or sliding along the length of the clothes when attached thereto. Additionally, the clip 21 may comprise a layer of removable backing 29 over the layer of adhesive 28 so that the adhesive 28 is protected before it is ready to be used.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of the present invention as attached to a clothes hanger 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the clips 21 are attached to the upper portion 30 of the clothes hanger 32. It is contemplated, however, that the clips 21 are also configured to attach to the lower portion 31 of the hanger 32. This allows a user to hang a pair of pants or similar garment on the lower portion 31 of the clothes hanger and the pair of pants or similar garment will be prevented from slipping off of the hanger 32. In this way, the same clip 21 can be attached to various parts of the hanger 32. The clip 21 can be flexed so that the lateral opening disposed between the first edge and the second edge of the cylindrical body can be widened to receive the hanger 32 therein. Due to the natural resiliency of the clip 21, the first edge and the second edge returns back to its original position after the hanger 32 is inserted into the lateral opening. As such, the clip 21 tightly hugs or snugly fits around the hanger 32. Additionally, the width of the lateral opening is less than the diameter of the cross section of the hanger 32 when the clip 21 is in place, thereby retaining the hanger 32 therein without requiring additional fasteners.

Preferably, the cross section of the hollow middle portion of the cylindrical body is shaped similarly to the cross section of the hanger so that the clip 21 lies flush against the hanger 32, and the clip 21 does not detract from the appearance of the hanger 32. The first end 24 and the second end 25 of the clip 21 span a portion of the length of the hanger 32 where articles of clothing typically contact the hanger 32, namely the upper portion 30 and the lower portion 31. As such, straps, sleeves, and other parts of the clothing can rest on the slip resistant member 22 of the clip 21 instead of directly on the smooth surface of the hanger 32. Because the slip resistant member 22 comprises a higher friction surface than the surface of the hanger 32, the slip resistant member 22 retains the clothes on the hanger. Thus, the present invention eliminates the necessity to use materials that are tacky or semi-adhesive, as well as the necessity for piercing or clamping articles of clothing to assure their retention on hangers, which can damage clothing.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A slip resistant hanger clip, comprising:

a cylindrical body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first end opposite a second end, defining a hollow middle portion, a lateral opening;

said lateral opening extending along a length of said cylindrical body from said first end to said second end adapted to permit access to said hollow middle portion;

said hollow middle portion adapted to hold a portion of a clothes hanger therein;

a slip resistant member attached to said exterior surface of said cylindrical body.

2) The slip resistant hanger clip of claim 1, wherein said slip resistant member is composed of velvet fabric.

3) The slip resistant hanger clip of claim 1, wherein said slip resistant member is coextensive with said exterior surface of said cylindrical body.

4) The slip resistant hanger clip of claim 1, wherein said interior surface comprises a layer of adhesive.

5) The slip resistant hanger clip of claim 4, further comprising a layer of removable backing atop said layer of adhesive.

6) The slip resistant hanger of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body is flexible.

7) The slip resistant hanger of claim 1, wherein said lateral opening has a width less than a diameter of said clothes hanger;