HANGER CARRYING DEVICE

Abstract

A hanger carrying device comprises a handle attached to a hanger securing mechanism by a connecting mechanism wherein the handle is configured to have a four-finger conforming configuration. The hanger securing mechanism includes two hinged bar members with a locking mechanism and is configured to lock each hanger in a relative fixed position. A hanger carrying device comprises a handle attached to a hanger hub. The hanger hub includes a first part having a bar member for supporting a plurality of hangers and a second part having an inner lip. The inner lip is configured to engage the bar member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/115,212, titled “Hanger Carrying Device,” filed on Feb. 12, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a hanger carrying device.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

Garments on hangers sometime need to be carried from one location to another. For example, a customer needs to carry cleaned shirts, suits, or dresses from a cleaner to his or her car. In cities, a customer often carries cleaned clothes from a cleaner to his or her apartment. Even when flying from one city to another, a traveler still needs to carry clothes before boarding and during ground transportation. Using fingers to carry clothes on hangers, even for several minutes, can be a quite uncomfortable task, especially when heavy clothes are on the hangers or when the hook of the hangers is very thin. In general, the hook of a hanger, which is typically wire-shaped, exerts high pressure to a small area of fingers, thus creating discomfort and forcing a carrier to switch holding positions from time to time.

SUMMARY

This application generally relates to an adapter device to which hangers of clothes can be attached, allowing easy transport. The adapter device includes a securing mechanism at one side and a contoured handle grip on the other. The adapter device is configured to place one or more hangers into the securing mechanism. The handle grip may be adjustable and have a variable position relative to the securing mechanism, thus allowing the user to hold the clothes in multiple positions, such as vertically, horizontally, or in an over-the-shoulder position.

According to an aspect, the present application is directed to a hanger carrying device comprising a handle attached to a hanger securing mechanism by a connecting mechanism. The handle is configured to have a four-finger conforming configuration. The hanger securing mechanism includes two hinged bar members with a locking mechanism and is configured to lock each hanger in a relative fixed position.

According to an embodiment, each bar member includes an anti-slip layer.

According to another embodiment, the locking mechanism is a U-shaped latch.

According to yet another embodiment, the connecting mechanism includes a rope and a protective layer that surrounds the rope.

According an aspect, the present application is directed to a hanger carrying device comprising a handle attached to a hanger hub. The hanger hub includes a first part having a bar member for supporting a plurality of hangers and a second part having an inner lip. The inner lip is configured to engage the bar member.

According to an embodiment, the hanger hub has a substantially circular configuration.

According to another embodiment, the first part of the hanger hub has a circular angle between 210 and 300 degrees.

According to yet another embodiment, the first part and the second part are connected by a hinge.

According to yet another embodiment, the hanger carrying device further comprises a plurality of hangers having a fully looped part that is supported by the bar member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative embodiments of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages, embodiments and novel features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings. The following description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hanger carrying device 100 carrying a plurality of hangers according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the hanger carrying device 100 in an open position according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3(a) shows a side view of the hanger carrying device 100 where the locking mechanism (C) is in an open position according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3(b) shows a side view of the hanger carrying device 100 where a locking mechanism (C) is in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4(a) shows a perspective view of a hanger carrying device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4(b) shows a side view of the hanger carrying device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4(c) shows a top view of the hanger carrying device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that in this disclosure, terms such as “comprises,” “comprised,” “comprising,” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. patent law; that is, they can mean “includes,” “included,” “including,” “including, but not limited to” and the like, and allow for elements not explicitly recited. Terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law; that is, they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. Embodiments of the present invention are disclosed or are apparent from and encompassed by, the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hanger carrying device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The hanger carrying device 100 comprises a securing mechanism 104 for securing a plurality of hangers 102 to be carried, a handle 106, and a connecting mechanism 108 connecting the handle 106 with the securing mechanism 104.

The securing mechanism 104 is configured to secure the plurality of hangers 102. According to an embodiment, the securing mechanism 104 has a clamp-like configuration that is formed by two members (A) attached with each other via a hinge (H) at a first end. At the other end, a locking mechanism (C) is used to keep the clamp configuration in a closed position. When a plurality of hangers 102 need to be placed inside the securing mechanism 104, the locking mechanism (C) disengages one member (A) so that two members (A) are allowed to pivot around the hinge (H) to form an opening between the two members (A), as shown in FIG. 2. After the plurality of hangers are placed inside the securing mechanism 104, the locking mechanism (C) engages with both members (A), causing the securing mechanism 104 to close.

According to an embodiment, the securing mechanism 104 is preferred to have adequate strength such that the securing mechanism 104 is capable of carrying several garments. For example, two bar members that are made of plastic or wood and are approximately 4 inches long, ½ inch wide, and ½ inch high may be used to form the securing mechanism 104. To prevent the hangers 102 from moving around after they are placed inside the securing mechanism 104, the hanger carrying device 100 further includes anti-friction means in the securing mechanism 104. According to an embodiment, soft or moldable layers (R), such as foam or rubber pads, are attached to the two members (A). The two layers (R) face each other and contact each other when the securing mechanism 104 is in a closed position. These additional layers (R) not only prevent hangers from slipping along the gaps between two members (A), but also protect hooks of the hangers from being accidentally snapped. According to an embodiment, the thickness of either layer is between 0 inch to the diameter of the wire that makes the hook portion of a hanger or is between one fourth to three fourths of that diameter or is about half of that diameter.

According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism (C) represents a latch, which has a U shaped body and pivots around the hinge (E). Any other mechanisms may be used as the locking mechanism in the device 100 as long as they are capable of securing the members (A) in a closed position.

The handle 106 is configured to provide a comfortable grip for the hand of a carrier. According to an embodiment, the handle 106 is contoured internally to a four finger configuration, which makes it easy to hold. The handle 106 and the securing mechanism 104 are connected with each other via a connecting mechanism 108. The connecting mechanism 108 is preferably flexible or semi-rigid so that it is capable of conforming to a body contour of a carrier. Ropes, belts, and chains may be used as the connecting mechanism 108. According to an embodiment, the connecting mechanism 108 is formed by a rope with a protective surrounding tube. For example, like a jump rope, the connecting mechanism 108 may have a cord (S) housed inside a plurality of cylindrical drums (D) that provide greater contact areas with the body of a carrier. The securing mechanism 104 may provide a plurality of attachment positions 110 to the connecting mechanism 108. The plurality of attachment positions 110 may be in the form of a plurality of perforations in the bar member (A) in the bar member (A).

FIG. 2 shows the hanger carrying device 100 in an open position according to an embodiment of the present application. In the open position, the locking mechanism (C) is disengaged from the upper member of the securing mechanism, thus allowing hangers to be removed from the securing mechanism 104. A side view of the hanger carrying device 100 in an open position is shown in FIG. 3(a). A side view of the hander carrying device 100 in a closed position is shown in FIG. 3(b).

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a hanger carrying device. The hanger carrying device 400 includes a handle 402 connected to a hanger hub 404. The hanger hub 404 has a general disk-like appearance that is configured to support a plurality of hangers 416 on a bar member 412 provided at the lower portion of the hanger hub 404. The overall configuration of the hanger hub 404 may be any shape that is lack of sharp edges. According to an embodiment, the hanger hub 404 has a substantial circular configuration when viewed from the top. According to another embodiment, the hanger hub 404 has a substantial elliptical configuration when viewed from the top.

The hanger hub 404 has a first part 406 attached to a second part 408 via a hinge 410. The second part 408 is capable of pivoting around the hinge 410, thus opening or closing the hanger hub 404. When in an open position as shown in FIG. 4(c), hangers are allowed to be put onto the bar members 412. When in a close position as shown in FIG. 4(a), the first part 406 and the second part 408 are in contact with each other, thus preventing hangers from falling off the bar members 412. The handle 402 is attached to the top surface of the first part 406. Each of the first part 406 and the second part 408 represents a predetermined portion of the overall circular or elliptical configuration of the hanger hub 404. The first part 406 which connects with the handle 402 is preferably to be larger than the second part 408. According to an embodiment, the first part 406 and the second part 408 may be viewed to be separated by a predetermined line between the hinge 410 and a separation point 424. The size of the first part 406 may be characterized by an angle 420 that is between a first line linking the hinge 410 and the center 422 and a second line linking the center 422 and the separation point 424. According to an embodiment, the angle 420 is at least 180°, preferably between 210° and 330°, or preferably between 240° and 300° or around 270°.

The first part 406 is provided with a bar member 412 for supporting the hangers 416. According to an embodiment, the bar member 412 may be an integral part of the first part 406 without any additional attachment mechanism. For example, when the first part 406 is made by plastic molding, the bar member 412 and the first part 406 are formed together during the molding process. According to an embodiment, the bar member 412 is a separate part that is attached to the first part 406. For example, the bar member may be made of alloy or wood to have higher mechanical integrity and is attached to the first part 406 by any suitable attachment means including glues and screws.

The second part 408 also includes an inner lip 414 configured to engage one end of the bar member 412 that is provided in the first part 406, thus providing additional mechanical strength to the bar member 412. Without the inner lip 414, the bar member 412 represents a cantilever beam that has one end attached to the second part 406 and has the other end unsupported. With the use of the inner lip 414, both ends of the bar member 412 are supported. The inner lip 414 also prevents hangers 416 from falling out of the hanger hub 404. According to an embodiment, the inner lip 414 has a locking mechanism that mates a counter part on the bar member 412 to keep the second part 408 in a closed position. According to an embodiment, both the first part 406 and the second part 408 have a magnetic portion or layer at where they contact with each other so that the first part 406 and the second part 408 are held together by the magnetic force in a closed position. The magnetic portion may be disposed in the inner lip 414 and the bar member 412 or may be disposed in a separate location. According to another embodiment, the first part 406 and the second part 408 are secured to each other by a hook and loop mechanism such as Velcro.

According to an embodiment, the hanger carrying device 400 may be used with regular hangers that use hooks to hang on the bar member 412. According to an embodiment, the hanger carrying device 400 may use specifically designed hangers, forming a 2-in-1 hanger combination. For example, both the specific designed hangers and the hanger carrying device 400 are provided to customers as one product. According to an embodiment, hangers 416, which have a fully closed “loop” portion 418 that can be wrapped around the bar member 412 within the hanger carrying device 400, may be used. An advantage of this type of system is that the hanger is more secure. This can be done with a fixed configuration (i.e. one hanger for a suit for example) or with a swinging door with a hinge to allow the user to add multiple hangers.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the paragraphs below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A hanger carrying device comprising:

a handle attached to a hanger securing mechanism by a connecting mechanism;

wherein the connecting mechanism is adjustable such that the handle can have a variable position relative to the securing mechanism.

2. A hanger carrying device comprising:

a handle attached to a hanger securing mechanism by a connecting mechanism;

wherein the handle is configured to have a four-finger conforming configuration, and

wherein the hanger securing mechanism includes two hinged bar members with a locking mechanism, and

wherein the hanger securing mechanism is configured to lock each hanger in a relative fixed position.

3. The hanger carrying device of claim 2, wherein each bar member includes an anti-slip layer.

4. The hanger carrying device of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism is a U-shaped latch.

5. The hanger carrying device of claim 2, wherein the connecting mechanism includes a rope and a protective layer that surrounds the rope.

6. A hanger carrying device comprising:

a handle attached to a hanger hub,

wherein the hanger hub includes a first part having a bar member for supporting a plurality of hangers and a second part having an inner lip, and

wherein the inner lip is configured to engage the bar member.

7. The hanger carrying device of claim 6, wherein the hanger hub has a substantially circular configuration.

8. The hanger carrying device of claim 6, wherein the first part of the hanger hub has a circular angle between 210 and 330 degrees.

9. The hanger carrying device of claim 6, wherein the first part and the second part are connected by a hinge.

10. The hanger carrying device of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of hangers having a fully looped part that is supported by the bar member.