THEMED HANGERS
A themed hanger comprises a hook portion and a body in which the hook portion displays an outlined image or silhouette of a theme such as superheroes, blockbuster movies, animals, or letters. The themed hanger can interact with the user using motion technology. The themed hanger is attractive, educational, and useful.
The exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention generally relates to hangers. More specifically, the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention relates to themed hangers.
2. BackgroundThroughout history, hangers have been used mainly for its utilitarian purpose of hanging clothes. The aesthetics of the hanger has not changed much and they continue to look dull and ordinary. There have been minor changes to the appearance of the hanger. For example, some hangers have alluring velvet wrapped around the body of the hanger. Other modifications have been changing the hanger's material to wood, plastic, and other types of metals, adding cardboard tubes to the body of the hanger to prevent wrinkles in clothes, and thinning and curving the body of the hanger.
Currently, there exists decorative hangers that have prints such as flowers and butterflies; however the design elements are located on the body of the hanger and not on the hook portion. The design elements are usually affixed to the hanger rather than sculpting the hanger to form the design element. The hook portion of the hanger has been overlooked as a portion to be designed because it has been engrained in our minds to simply connect the hanger body to the closet bar.
Children and adults use hangers multiple times on a daily basis and overlook the concept of using hangers as an interactive tool. For example, hangers can be used to teach children the alphabet, shapes, colors, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, or seasons. The hangers can be decorated with different themes, such as animal, characters from popular shows, geography, or world culture.
Accordingly, there is a need to create themed hangers having an outlined image on the hook portion that can educate and interact with the user.
SUMMARYAccording to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an apparatus configured to interact with a user by displaying an outline on a hook portion. The apparatus comprises a length, a height, a width, and the hook portion is located at a top of the apparatus. There is a hook opening located on an edge of the hook portion. There is a body extending from below the hook portion configured to hang an article. The outline comprises an image along an edge of the hook portion which extends substantially throughout the height and length of the hook portion. The length of the hook portion is less than the length of the body and the width is substantially uniform throughout the apparatus.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a themed hanger for interacting with a user by displaying a silhouette of an image. The hanger comprises a body configured to hang an article. There is a hook portion extending to a height from an upperside of the body and the hook portion having a hook opening side. There is a perimeter of the hook portion which forms the silhouette of the image extending substantially throughout the height of the hook portion inclusive of the perimeter of the hook portion which begins from the upperside of the body.
In further embodiments of the present invention, there is a themed hanger for interacting with a user by displaying a silhouette of an image. The hanger comprises a body configured to hang an article and a hook portion extending to a height from an upperside of the body. The hook portion having a hook opening side. There is a perimeter of the hook portion which forms the silhouette of the image extending substantially throughout the height of the hook portion inclusive of the perimeter of the hook portion which begins from the upperside of the body.
These features, advantages and other embodiments of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative.
The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments of the present invention. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only.
Various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Rather, the dimensions of the various features may be expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or method. Unless the meaning is clearly to the contrary, all ranges set forth herein are deemed to be inclusive of the endpoints.
This description provides for a themed hanger 12 used for hanging clothes and interacting with its user. Since kids can use a themed hanger 12, precautions have been taken in the design process to ensure the risk of harm is minimal. A themed hanger 12 can be made in different sizes and are also easily portable for anyone to use in any room and space. A themed hanger 12 can be small to hang pet related clothes, newborn, children, kids' clothes; as well as teenagers and adult clothes. The range of the length, width, and height of the themed hanger 12 allows the silhouette of the theme character to be featured while maintaining a sleek appearance. Hangers are objects that we interact with multiple times on a daily basis; therefore, it can be used as a teaching tool and something to liven up our closet. Providing themed hangers 12 for children can start conversations between the child and parent/guardian. Themed hangers 12 can brighten up the user's closet by displaying characters from a television show or movie, such as superheroes, on the hook portion. The movie can be an ordinary movie or a blockbuster movie. The themed hangers 12 can encourage the child to do more laundry/clean up their room. The themed hangers 12 can also teach or encourage the user by integrating color, alphabets, shapes, patterns, animals, names, or initial of the user, etc. to the hook portion 2 of the hanger 12.
As shown in
The right side and left side of the hook portion 2 can also extend from the center to form an outline image of the themed character's body. For example, in
Elements of the themed character can also be created on the front surface 14 and back surface 16 of the hook portion 2. Whiskers and eyes of the bunny can be created on the front surface 14 and back surface 16 of the hook portion 2 as illustrated in
As shown in the top view of the various embodiments of the themed hanger 12, the length of the hook portion 2 varies depending on the themed character being portrayed. Similarly, the length of the body 8 between the hook portion 2 and notch 10 varies depending on the themed character; however, the total length of the body 8 remains substantially the same between the different themed characters. The body 8 of the themed hanger 12 has an upperside 18 and a lowerside 20. The length, height, width of the notch 10 and the location of the notch 10 located along the length of the body 8 is substantially the same between the different themed hangers 12.
As disclosed in the left side view and right side view of the embodiments of the present invention, each segment designating the hook portion 2, hook opening 4, body 8, notch 10 comprises a different distance depending on what outlined image needs to be displayed on the hook portion 2.
As disclosed in
In embodiments of the themed hanger 12, the body 8 can comprise a horizontal bar for hanging pants and the like, similar to one found in a typical hanger. For example, the horizontal bar can form the bottom of the body 8 such as in a typical hanger. In other embodiments, the horizontal bar can attach to the lowerside 20 of the body 8 and have a “U” shape configuration. In addition, there can be at least one clip that is used to attach objects to the horizontal bar or body 8. In some embodiments, at least one clip can be located on the upperside 18 of the body 8. The clip can be made of different materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. The clip can be removable or non-removable from the bar or body 8. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The material of the themed hanger 12 is durable, sturdy and long-lasting. The material can be plastic, recycled plastic, acrylic, wood, and metal. However, other materials can be contemplated. Depending on the material used for the themed hanger 12, the method of making the themed hanger 12 changes. For example, when plastic is used, injection molding can be the method for making the themed hangers 12. For example, when the themed hanger 12 is made of acrylic, laser cutting can be used to create the themed design on the hanger 12. Acrylic themed hangers can have different colors and is less work post production. When wood is used for the themed hanger 12, a computer numerical control (CNC) machine cuts the theme on the hanger 12. Sanding and a clear finish may be required post production. When metal is used, metal bending can be used to create the theme on the hanger 12. Metal bending is done with a machine and then a power coat with color is applied. When the themed hanger 12 is manufactured out of metal, the body 8 includes a horizontal bar, connecting the ends of the body 8.
There can be a variety of colors for the themed hangers 12. The height of the hook opening 4 is tall enough to easily clear the closet rod. The width of the themed hanger 12 is narrow enough to easily hang themed hangers 12 side by side to save space but wide enough to not damage the clothes. The height of the hook portion 2 is designed for any overhead shelves and closets. The hook portion 2 comprises a hook opening 4 for hanging the hanger 12 while also showcasing a theme. The body of the themed hangers can comprise cutout features of the theme.
The themed hanger 12 can comprise motion technology, which allows a sensor embedded in the themed hanger 12 to detect motion of the hanger, sound or light in the environment. For example, the sensor can detect personal movement of the themed hanger 12, i.e., when the hanger 12 is picked up/moved around. The sensor can be located on the front surface 14, back surface 16, left side, or right side of the hanger 12; however, the sensor's location is in an area that does not cause the hanger 12 to be unbalanced. The themed hanger 12 can also comprise light bulbs or speakers that light or sound respectively. For example, the themed hanger 12 can emit sound when the sensor detects movement of the hanger in which it is embedded. Example of sounds can be animal noise or a superhero/character catchphrase. The light bulbs and speakers can be located on the front surface 14, back surface 16, left side, or right side of the themed hanger 12 so long as it does not cause the hanger 12 to be unbalanced.
One of the applications that can be added to the themed hanger 12 is the ability of the user to program a software application so when the user needs to find, for example, khaki pants, the user simply enters the words “khaki pants” into their electronic device and all the themed hangers 12 designated for hanging khaki pants will light up. Alternatively, the user can say, “khaki pants” and the themed hangers 12 designated as hanging khaki pants will light up. The communication between the electronic device and the hanger 12 can be based on wireless technology such as Bluetooth.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those of skills in the art that based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention.
Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments of the present invention are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments of the present invention without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments of the present invention or alternatives of the foregoing description.
Claims
1. An apparatus configured to interact with a user by displaying an outline on a hook portion, the apparatus comprising wherein the outline comprises:
- a length, a height, and a width, wherein the width is substantially uniform throughout the apparatus;
- the hook portion located at a top of the apparatus, the hook portion having a hook portion height and a hook portion length;
- a hook opening located on an edge of the hook portion;
- a body extending from below the hook portion configured to hang an article, the body having a body length and a body height;
- an image along the edge of the hook portion which extends substantially throughout the hook portion height and hook portion length; and the hook portion length is less than the body length.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a design element on a surface of the hook portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a design element on a surface of the body.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an upperside of the body further comprises at least one notch.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a horizontal bar attached to a lowerside of the body.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises at least one clip.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the horizontal bar further comprises at least one clip.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an opening along the body length and the body height for hanging the article through the opening.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising motion technology for interacting with the user.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the motion technology detects movement of the apparatus.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the motion technology detects sound in an environment.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the motion technology detects light in an environment.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a material of the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of plastic, acrylic, wood, and metal.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a method of making the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of computer numerical control, metal bending, laser cutting, and injection molding.
15. A themed hanger for interacting with a user by displaying a silhouette of an image, the hanger comprising:
- a body configured to hang an article; and
- a hook portion extending to a height from an upperside of the body, the hook portion having a hook opening side;
- wherein a perimeter of the hook portion forms the silhouette of the image, extending substantially throughout the height of the hook portion inclusive of the perimeter of the hook portion which begins from the upperside of the body.
16. The themed hanger of claim 15, wherein surfaces on the body beneath the upperside of the body comprise design features consistent with and completing the silhouette of the image on the hook portion.
17. The themed hanger of claim 15, wherein the image is an animal.
18. The themed hanger of claim 15, wherein the image is a character from a television show or movie.
19. The themed hanger of claim 15, wherein the image is a shape.
20. The themed hanger of claim 15, wherein the image is a letter.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2019
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2021
Inventor: Jingyi Tang (Sunnyvale, CA)
Application Number: 16/546,197