EP2262400A2

EP2262400A2 - A garment hanger

Info

Publication number: EP2262400A2
Application number: EP09727502A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Jevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-02
Filing date: 2009-04-02
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Also published as: IES20080255A2; WO2009121601A2; GB0905726D0; GB2458811A; WO2009121601A3; GB2458811B

Abstract

A garment hanger (1 ) having a built-in garment size indicator (23), which can be adjusted to display the necessary size according to the size of the garment being arranged on the hanger (1 ), or other information peculiar to the garment.

Description

A GARMENT HANGER

The present invention relates to a garment hanger and in particular to a garment hanger having a size identification arrangement for variably displaying garment information such as sizes, style or measurement.

At present, sticker labels, threadable cubes or clip-on plates are used by retailers to display garment size on garment hangers. Sticker labels are typically applied to a central region of the hanger body, adjacent the place of attachment of the hook to the hanger body. Cubes are mounted onto the hook via a channel formed in the cube body until the cube abuts the body of the hanger at the place of attachment of the hook to the body of the hanger.

The sticker or the cube only has one garment size printed on it. Therefore, after the garment of that size has been removed from the hanger, the hanger can be used subsequently with another garment having the same size. Alternatively, the sticker or the cube can be replaced with a sticker or cube showing a different size, so that the hanger can be used with a garment having that size. Both these ways are inconvenient and time consuming, taking into account that in large retail stores the turnover of hangers can amount to thousands in short periods of time.

Furthermore, not all hooks are suitable for mounting a cube thereon.

US 6,409,057 B1 describes a garment hanger which comprises a through window formed in the body of the hanger directly underneath the hook. In the window, a size indicator in the form of a prism having garment sizes printed on its sides is rotatably mounted to display a particular size in the window opening. The indicator is mounted on a portion of the hook which extends across the window. A spring arrangement is provided to keep the indicator in a fixed position when displaying a certain size. Thus it is possible to vary the size displayed by the hanger by rotating the size indicator in the window. However, the arrangement of the size indicator with respect to the window is too complex and therefore expensive.

In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to overcome the above problems and to provide a hanger having a size indicator for variably displaying garment sizes which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and at the same time both reliable and requiring low-maintenance.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a garment hanger comprising

a body for arranging a garment thereon and a hook body extending from the body for suspending the body;

at least one window formed in the hanger body;

at least one shaft member provided on the hanger body adjacent the or each window;

at least one information indicator comprising a body rotatably mounted on the shaft member for variably displaying garment information in an opening of the or each window;

the shaft, the indicator body and the window being mutually configured so that a portion of the indicator body is visible through the window opening;

the indicator body having at least one internal channel formed therein, the channel having a longitudinal axis and the channel being sized and shaped for rotatably engaging with the shaft member; and

the shaft and the indicator body each comprising first and second locating means, respectively, configured for cooperation with each other so as to enable the engagement of the channel of the indicator body with the shaft and the disengagement of the channel of the indicator body from the shaft without changing the position of the shaft with respect to the hanger body; and a retaining means provided on the shaft or the indicator body for preventing the indicator body from disengaging from the shaft.

Thus, due to the provision of the specifically co-operatively configured first and second locating means, the shaft remains stationary with respect to the hanger body during the engagement with and disengagement from the indicator body. The advantage of such an arrangement is that it eliminates the need to move the shaft from its normal position on the hanger body in order to place or remove the indicator body, and then re-position the shaft when the indicator has been placed or removed. Advantageously, the shaft is mounted on the hanger body remote from the hook body and is independent from the hook body.

Ideally, one of the first and second locating means is suitably sized and shaped with respect to the shaft or the indicator body and is resiliently deformable so as to deform under the influence of a force acting between the shaft and the indicator body during the positioning of the indicator body on the shaft so as enable the engagement of the shaft with the channel and so as to return into its original un-deformed state upon withdrawal of the force and upon location of the shaft within the channel so as to prevent the indicator body from disengaging from the shaft, thereby also serving as the retaining means.

Ideally, the resilience of the locating means is selected such that the pressure necessary for engagement of the indicator body with the shaft as and when desired by a user is sufficiently greater than forces acting between the shaft and the indicator body during normal use of the hanger such that the indicator body is retained in engagement with the shaft during the normal use.

In one embodiment, the first locating means comprises a slit formed in the indicator body and extending between the exterior of the indicator body and the interior of the channel along the longitudinal axis of the channel, the slit being configured so as to enable the shaft to be inserted into the channel transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel through the slit for rotatable engagement with the channel; and wherein the shaft serves as the second locating means.

In another embodiment, the shaft has a free end and the first locating means is provided at the free end of the shaft, so that the shaft can be inserted into the channel longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel; and wherein an open end of the channel serves as the second locating means. In one variation, the first locating means comprises a resiliently deformable expansion at the free end of the shaft, the expansion being deformable on compression so as to enter the channel and enable the shaft to be located in the channel via the channel open end; and the expansion being expandable upon withdrawal of the compression force in a cavity provided in the channel or outside the opposite end on the channel so as to prevent the disengagement of the indicator body from the shaft. Such an arrangement is particularly useful in a hanger in which it is not practical to engage the indicator and the shaft transversely. For example, in a hanger comprising a hollow body, such as a body defined by a bent wall, such as a generally Li- shaped wall, such as in a plastic coat or jacket hanger, the presence of a pair of internal opposing surfaces makes it awkward to mount the indicator body transversely on the shaft. This embodiment of the invention provides for quick and easy assembly of the indicator arrangement of the invention in a hanger of the above described types.

Thus, by rotating the indicator body on the shaft, the indicator body can be positioned with respect to the window such that a required garment information is displayed through the window opening.

Preferably, the garment information is arranged on the exterior of the indicator body around the axis of rotation of the indicator body with respect to the shaft. The garment information such as garment sizes can be applied to the body in various ways. For example, the garment sizes can be embossed or engraved on the indicator body, or printed directly on the body. In one arrangement, the garment sizes are printed on a separate sticker label strip which can be applied to the indicator body at any stage.

Advantageously, two or more information indicators are provided on the hanger, so that different information may be displayed regarding a particular garment.

Preferably, the slit defines a pair of flaps which can be spread apart by aligning the shaft with the slit and pressing the shaft and the indicator body against each other so that the shaft enters the slit and passes therethrough into the channel for rotatable engagement with the channel. When the shaft is received in the channel, the flaps move back together due the natural resilience of the indicator body and thereby retain the shaft inside the channel.

In a preferred embodiment the channel is a through channel.

In one arrangement, at least one lug projects proud from the hanger body at one of the opposing sides of the window opening and the shaft is attached to the lug at one end of the shaft. In a preferred arrangement, a pair of such lugs is provided, one at each opposing sides of the window opening and the shaft extends between and is attached to both lugs. In another arrangement, the shaft may comprise two parts, a first part being attached to a first lug and the second part being attached to the second lug, the length of each shaft part being such that a space is defined between the free ends of the shaft parts that face each other when the shaft parts are attached to the lugs.

The shaft can be attached to the hanger body, for example, to an external surface of the hanger body or a surface of the hanger body defining the opening of the window. If the hanger body is a hollow body, the shaft can be attached to an internal surface of the hanger body.

In one modification, the shaft extends substantially parallel the plane of the window opening. In some modifications the shaft extends across the or each window opening.

In another modification, the shaft extends substantially perpendicular the window opening.

Preferably, the indicator body is in the form of a cylinder, or a prism having a plurality of facets.

In one embodiment, the indicator body is in the form of a disk having a pair of opposing end surfaces and a rotational axis substantially perpendicular the end surfaces. Conveniently, the disk is confined within the hanger body with the rotational axis of the disk being substantially perpendicular the plane of the window opening. Ideally, the garment information is displayed on at least one of the end surfaces of the disk. In this arrangement, the disk is confined within the body of the hanger, so that the disk is prevented from interfering with external objects, e.g. with a garment arranged on the hanger.

In a preferred arrangement, the position of the shaft with respect to the window, the size and shape of the indicator body and the size of the window are selected such that such that when the indicator body is mounted on the shaft one garment size is displayed in the window.

Ideally, means for locating and retaining the indicator body in a position for displaying a certain garment size is provided. Preferably, the locating and retaining means comprises an arrangement of resilient male and female members between the indicator body and the shaft or between the indicator body and the hanger body, such that when the indicator body is turned into the required position, the protrusion snap-fits into the recess. When the indicator body is turned again to change the displayed garment size, the protrusion deforms and disengages from the recess and remains deformed until the protrusion aligns with and snap-fits into a next recess. For example only, a resilient protrusion can be formed on the shaft and a plurality of corresponding recesses for receiving the protrusion may be provided on a wall defining the channel in the indicator body at locations which correspond to the position of the indicator body with respect to the window opening when displaying a certain garment size. Likewise, a plurality of resilient protrusions can be formed on the shaft and a recess may be formed in the wall of the channel. With the same effect, a resilient protrusion can be formed on the hanger body and a plurality of corresponding recesses for receiving the protrusion may be provided on an external surface of the indicator body at locations which correspond to the position of the indicator body with respect to the window opening when displaying a certain garment size. The locating and retaining means may be in the form of co-operating key and slots formed on the shaft and in the channel. Furthermore, the indicator body may be pressure-fit on the shaft.

Preferably, the window is formed in a central region of the hanger body which remains visible when a garment is arranged on the hanger.

The window can be a through window or a blind window. Optionally, the window may be covered with a see-through cover.

Preferably, the hanger body is made of a plastics material.

In a preferred arrangement, the shaft is permanently attached to the body.

Ideally, the shaft is integrally moulded with a plastics body of the hanger.

Preferably, the indicator body is also made of plastics material.

In another aspect, the invention provides an indicator assembly for a garment hanger, the indicator assembly comprising an insert member, wherein the window is formed in a body of the insert member, the shaft is provided on the body of the insert member and the indicator body is mounted on the shaft, the body of the insert member comprising means for fitting it into the body of a hanger. In one variation, the insert body is configured to be received in a correspondingly shaped opening formed in the body of a hanger, such as, for example, a wooden hanger.

The slit in the indicator body is preferably formed such that the flaps are normally spaced apart from each other so that the shaft can partially enter the slit without initially applying any or too much pressure, thereby guiding the shaft into alignment with the slit prior to pressing the shaft and the indicator body together and further spreading the flaps to enable the transverse access of the shaft into the channel.

It will be appreciated that the garment hanger is not limited to any particular type of a garment hanger. For example only, the garment hanger may be a jacket hanger, a trouser hanger, a suit hanger, or a multi pack garment hanger.

The preferred material for the hanger body is plastics material, but it will be appreciated that any suitable materials can be used, such as for example wood, metal, composite materials, etc., or a combination such suitable materials.

The invention thus provides a garment hanger comprising a size indicator arrangement for variably displaying garment sizes, which is easy and inexpensive in manufacturing, and which is easy in assembling, re-assembling and in use.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, one embodiment of a garment hanger in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a garment hanger in accordance with the invention;

Figure 1a is a perspective rear view of another garment hanger in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective front view of the garment hanger of Figure 1 ; Figure 2a is a front view of the garment hanger of Figure 1a;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective bottom view showing a size indicator arrangement of the garment hanger of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective top view showing the size indicator arrangement of the garment hanger of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective rear view showing a body of the garment hanger of the invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective rear view showing a central portion of the body of the garment hanger of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective front view showing the central portion of the body of the garment hanger of Figure 5;

Figures 8 and 8b are perspective views showing a wheel of the size indicator arrangement of the garment hanger of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8a is a bottom view of the wheel of Figure 8;

Figure 9 is a bottom view of a modification of a wheel of the size indicator arrangement of the garment hanger of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of another modification of a wheel of the size indicator arrangement of the garment hanger of Figure 1 ;

Figures 11 , 12 and 13 show variations of the ways of arranging the indicator on the hanger body;

Figure 14 is a front view of a further variation of the indicator;

Figure 15 is a front view of a still further variation of a hanger in accordance with the invention; and Figure 16 is a bottom view of the hanger of Figure 15.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 1a, the garment hanger 1 of the invention comprises a hanger body 10 comprising a central portion 10a and a pair of arms 10b laterally extending from the central portion 10a in opposing directions for arranging a garment thereon. The garment hanger 1 further comprises a hook 12 (shown in Figure 1a) attached to the central portion 10a for suspending the garment hanger 1.

The garment hanger 1 comprises a size indicator arrangement generally designated 20 for variably displaying garment sizes in accordance with the size of the garment displayed on the garment hanger 1.

As shown in Figures 2 to 7, the size indicator arrangement 20 comprises a through window 21 formed in the central portion 10a of hanger body 10. A shaft member 22 is integrally formed with the hanger body 10 and extends across the opening of the window

21 at a first side of the central portion 10a of the hanger body 10. The shaft 22 extends between a pair of lugs 22a which project proud from the outer surface of the central portion 10a of the hanger body 10 so that the shaft 22 is spaced apart from and extends substantially parallel to the outer surface of the central portion 10a of the hanger body 10.

An indicator body in the form of a wheel 23 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 22. The wheel 23 has garment sizes generally designated by reference numeral 24 printed or otherwise applied on the circumferential outer surface 23a of the wheel 23. The shaft 22, the wheel 23 and the window 21 are mutually configured such that when the wheel 23 is rotatably mounted on the shaft, a portion 26 (Figure 2) showing one garment size is visible through a window opening 21 on a second side of the central portion 10a of the hanger body 10 opposite the first side at which the shaft 22 is mounted.

Thus, by rotating the wheel 23 on the shaft 22, the wheel 23 can be positioned with respect to the window 21 such that a required garment size 24 is displayed through the window opening. As shown in Figure 8, the wheel 23 comprises an open ended internal channel 26 extending between end faces 23b of the wheel 23. The channel 26 is sized and shaped for engaging with the shaft 22 so that the wheel 23 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 23.

A slit 27 is formed in the wheel body extending between the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23 and the interior of the channel 26 so that the shaft 22 can be received in the channel 26 transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel 26 through the slit 27 for rotatable engagement with the channel 26.

The slit 27 defines a pair of flaps 27a which can be spread apart by aligning the shaft 22 with the slit 27 and pressing the shaft 22 and the wheel 23 against each other so that the shaft 22 enters the slit 27 and passes therethrough into the channel 26 for rotatable engagement with the channel. The flaps 27a are normally spaced apart from each other so that the shaft 22 can partially enter the slit 27 without initially applying any or too much pressure, thereby guiding the shaft 22 into alignment with the slit 27. The shaft 22 and the wheel 23 are then pressed together so that the shaft 22 advances in the slit 27 towards the channel 26 and further spreads the flaps 27a to enable the transverse access of the shaft 22 into the channel 26. When the shaft 22 is received in the channel 26, the flaps 27a move back together due the natural resilience of the wheel body and thereby retain the shaft 22 inside the channel 26. To disengage the wheel 23 from the shaft 22 the wheel 23 can be pulled transversely with respect to the shaft 22 so that the shaft 22 can pass through the slit 27 and disengage from the channel 26. This arrangement provides for easy assembly and disassembly of the size indicator arrangement 20. The resilience of the flaps 27 is selected such that the pressure necessary for engagement of the wheel 23 with the shaft 22 as and when desired by a user is sufficiently greater than forces acting between the shaft 22 and the wheel 23 during normal use of the hanger 1 such that the wheel 23 is retained in engagement with the shaft 22 during its normal use.

Garment sizes can be applied to the wheel 23 in various ways. For example, as shown is Figure 8, the garment sizes can be engraved in the outer circumferential surface 23a of the wheel 23. Alternatively, a sticker label strip (not shown) may be applied to the outer circumferential surface 23a at any time prior to the use of the garment hanger 1.

Figures 8 to 10 illustrate various retaining means for locating and retaining the wheel in the desired position. The locating and retaining arrangements comprise resilient protrusions and recesses provided between the wheel 23 and the shaft 22 or between the wheel 22 and the hanger body 10, such that when the wheel 22 is turned into the required position displaying the relevant garment size, the relevant protrusion snap-fits into the recess. When the wheel 22 is turned again to change the displayed garment size, the protrusion deforms and disengages from the recess and remains deformed until the protrusion aligns with and snap-fits into a next recess. The wheel 23 of Figures 8 and 8a comprises a plurality of knobs 50 formed on one of the end faces 23b of the wheel body. Accordingly, a corresponding recess (not shown) is provided on the hanger body 10 to receive a knob 50. The knobs 50 of wheel 23 of Figure 9 are formed on the wall of the channel 26. Corresponding recesses (not shown) are formed on the outer surface of the shaft 22. In Figure 10, a plurality of recesses is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the wheel 23. Corresponding protrusions (not shown) are thus formed on the hanger body 10. The locating and retaining means may be in the form of co-operating key and slots formed on the shaft 22 and in the channel 26.

In the present embodiment, the hanger body 10 and the wheel 23 are made of plastics material. It will be appreciated that other suitable material can be utilised, such as e.g. but not limited thereto, wood, metal, composite materials, etc.

Figures 11 to 13 illustrate variations of the manner of arranging the indicator of the hanger body and the possibility of providing the hanger with more than one indicator.

As shown in Figure 14, in another variation, the indicator body is in the form of a disk 28 having a pair of opposing end surfaces (not indicated by a numeral) and a rotational axis (not indicated by a numeral) substantially perpendicular the end surfaces. The disk 28 is confined within the hanger body with the rotational axis of the disk being substantially perpendicular the plane of the window opening. The garment information is displayed on one of the end surfaces of the disk 28 so that a portion of that end surface is visible through the window. Due to such an arrangement, the disk 28 is completely confined within the body of the hanger 1 , so that the disk is prevented from interfering with external objects, e.g. with a garment arranged on the hanger. The shaft 22 in this modification extends substantially perpendicular the window opening.

Figures 15 and 16 shown another type of hanger generally indicated 100, suitable for arranging thereon relatively heavier garments, such as coats, jackets etc. The hanger body comprises a wall 101 which is generally U-shaped in the cross-section along the lines B-B of Figure 15. The wall 101 defines a hollow interior of the hanger 100. A shaft 220 is attached to the inner side of the wall 101 at one end and has a second free end 221. A resiliency deformable expansion 221 is formed on the free end of the shaft 220. An indicator wheel 230 is similar to the above-described wheel 23 but does not have a longitudinal slit. In order to engage the wheel 230 with the shaft 220, the expansion 221 is aligned with an open end of the channel (not indicated by a numeral) of the wheel 230 and the wheel 230 and the shaft 220 are pressed together so that the expansion 221 deforms and passes into the channel. When the wheel 230 is fully located on the shaft 220 and the expansion 221 exits the channel at its opposite open end, the expansion returns into its original un-deformed state so that the wheel 230 is retained in the engagement with the shaft 220.

Although not shown in the drawings it is possible to have two or more wheels which are visible through the same or separate windows. Each wheel can carry different input such as size, styling, type of fit, etc.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific details herein described which are given by way of example only, and that various alternations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A garment hanger comprising

at least one window formed in the hanger body;

at least one shaft member provided on the hanger body adjacent the or each window

the indicator body having at least one internal channel formed therein, the channel having a longitudinal axis and the channel being sized and shaped for rotatably engaging with the shaft member;

the shaft and the indicator body each comprising first and second locating means, respectively, configured for cooperation with each other so as to enable the engagement of the channel of the indicator body with the shaft and the disengagement of the channel of the indicator body from the shaft without changing the position of the shaft with respect to the hanger body; and a retaining means provided on shaft or the indicator body for preventing the indicator body from disengaging from the shaft;

whereby on rotation the indicator body on the shaft, the indicator body positions with respect to the window so that a required garment information is displayed through the window opening.

2. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second locating means is suitably sized and shaped with respect to the shaft or the indicator body and is resiliently deformable so as to deform under the influence of a force acting between the shaft and the indicator body during the positioning of the indicator body on the shaft so as enable the engagement of the shaft with the channel and so as to return into its original un-deformed state upon withdrawal of the force and upon location of the shaft within the channel so as to prevent the indicator body from disengaging from the shaft, thereby also serving as the retaining means.

3. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the resilience of the locating means is selected such that the pressure necessary for engagement of the indicator body with the shaft as and when desired by a user is sufficiently greater than forces acting between the shaft and the indicator body during normal use of the hanger such that the indicator body is retained in engagement with the shaft during the normal use.

4. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the first locating means comprises a slit formed in the indicator body and extending between the exterior of the indicator body and the interior of the channel along the longitudinal axis of the channel, the slit being configures so as to enable the shaft to be inserted into the channel transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel through the slit for rotatable engagement with the channel; and wherein the shaft serves as the second locating means.

5. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the slit defines a pair of flaps which can be spread apart by aligning the shaft with the slit and pressing the shaft and the indicator body against each other so that the shaft enters the slit and passes therethrough into the channel for rotatable engagement with the channel, the flaps being naturally resilient so that when the shaft is received in the channel, the flaps move back together due the natural resilience of the indicator body and thereby retain the shaft inside the channel.

6. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the slit is formed in the indicator body such that the flaps are normally spaced apart from each other so that the shaft can partially enter the slit without initially applying any or too much pressure, thereby guiding the shaft into alignment with the slit prior to pressing the shaft and the indicator body together and further spreading the flaps to enable the transverse access of the shaft into the channel.

7. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the shaft has a free end and the first locating means is provided at the free end of the shaft, so that the shaft can be inserted into the channel longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel; and wherein an open end of the channel serves as the second locating means.

8. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the first locating means comprises a resiliently deformable expansion at the free end of the shaft, the expansion being deformable on compression so as to enter the channel and enable the shaft to be located in the channel via the channel open end; and the expansion being expandable upon withdrawal of the compression force in a cavity provided in the channel or outside the opposite end on the channel so as to prevent the disengagement of the indicator body from the shaft.

9. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the hanger comprises a hollow body defined by a bent wall having a pair of internal opposing surfaces.

10. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two or more information indicators are provided on the hanger, so that different information may be displayed regarding a particular garment.

11. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one lug projects proud from the hanger body at one of the opposing sides of the window opening and the shaft is attached to the lug at one end of the shaft.

12. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the indicator body is in the form of a cylinder.

13. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the indicator body is in the form of a prism having a plurality of facets.

14. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the material for the hanger body is selected from plastics, wood, metal, composite materials, or a combination or a combination of such suitable materials.

15. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft is attached to an external surface of the hanger body.

16. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft is attached to a surface of the hanger body defining the opening of the window.

17. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hanger body is hollow and shaft is attached to an internal surface of the hanger body.

18. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the window is formed in a central region of the hanger body which remains visible when a garment is arranged on the hanger.

19. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the window is a through window.

20. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the window is a blind window.

21. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the window is covered with a see-through cover.

22. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft is permanently attached to the body.

23. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft is integrally formed with the body of the hanger.

24. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft extends across the or each window.

25. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pair of lugs is provided, one at each opposing sides of the window opening and the shaft extends between and is attached to both lugs.

26. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the shaft comprises two parts, a first part being attached to a first lug and the second part being attached to the second lug, the length of each shaft part being such that a space is defined between the free ends of the shaft parts that face each other when the shaft parts are attached to the lugs.

27. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means for locating and retaining the indicator body in a position for displaying a certain garment size is provided.

28. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the locating and retaining means comprises an arrangement of resilient male and female members between the indicator body and the shaft or between the indicator body and the hanger body, such that when the indicator body is turned into the required position, the protrusion snap-fits into the recess and when the indicator body is turned again to change the displayed garment size, the protrusion deforms and disengages from the recess and remains deformed until the protrusion aligns with and snap-fits into a next recess.

29. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 28, wherein a resilient protrusion is formed on the shaft and a plurality of corresponding recesses for receiving the protrusion is provided on a wall defining the channel in the indicator body at locations which correspond to the position of the indicator body with respect to the window opening when displaying a certain garment size.

30. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 28, wherein a plurality of resilient protrusions is formed on the shaft and a recess is formed in the wall of the channel.

31. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 28, wherein a resilient protrusion is formed on the hanger body and a plurality of corresponding recesses for receiving the protrusion is provided on an external surface of the indicator body at locations which correspond to the position of the indicator body with respect to the window opening when displaying a certain garment size.

32. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to Claim 31 , wherein the protrusion comprises a key and the recess comprises a slot.

33. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft extends substantially parallel the plane of the window opening.

34. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 32, wherein the shaft extends substantially perpendicular the window opening.

35. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 and Claims 14 to 34, wherein the indicator body is in the form of a disk having a pair of opposing end surfaces and a rotational axis substantially perpendicular the end surfaces.

36. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 35, wherein the disk is confined within the hanger body with the rotational axis of the disk being substantially perpendicular the plane of the window opening.

37. A garment hanger as claimed in Claim 35 or Claim 36, wherein the garment information is displayed on at least one of the end surfaces of the disk.

38. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the garment information is arranged on the exterior of the indicator body around the axis of rotation of the indicator body with respect to the shaft.

39. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding, wherein the garment sizes are embossed or engraved on the indicator body.

40. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 38, wherein the garment sizes are printed directly on the indicator body.

41. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 38 .wherein the garment sizes are printed on a separate sticker label strip which can be applied to the indicator body at any stage.

42. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the position of the shaft with respect to the window, the size and shape of the indicator body and the size of the window are selected such that such that when the indicator body is mounted on the shaft, one garment size is displayed in the window.

43. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the channel is a through channel.

44. A garment hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft is mounted on the hanger body remote from the hook body and is independent from the hook body.

45. An indicator assembly for a garment hanger, the indicator assembly comprising an insert member, comprising a window, a shaft and an indicator body as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 44, wherein the window is formed in a body of the insert member and the shaft is provided on the body of the insert member, the body of the insert member comprising means for fitting the insert member into the body of a hanger.

46. An indicator assembly for a garment hanger as claimed in Claim 45, wherein the insert body is configured to be received in a correspondingly shaped opening formed in a body of a hanger.

47. A garment hanger substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

48. An indicator assembly for a garment hanger substantially as herein described.