US2403639A - Garment hanger - Google Patents

Description

Patented July 9, 1946 YUNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE GARMENT HANGER Samuel Cohen, Newton, Mass. Application November 26, 1943, Serial No. 511,825

4 claims.4 l(c1. 22a-91) This invention relates to the art of garment supporting devices. More particularlyV it pertains to hangers adapted to provide a positive gripping function. ments, the invention is directed to garment hangers which are especially effective for supporting skirts, trousers and the like in vertical position in order to minimize any tendency to wrinkling or form distortion. A

Hanger devices in substantially universa1 usage at the present time for vertically suspending skirts, trousers and similar apparel are in 'considerable measure dependent upon metal'stock, principally wire, for fabrication, especially since their intrinsic structural designhas relied'upon the inherent resiliency characteristics of .metal for attaining the desired'iunction.

While these hangers lhave. afforded generally satisfactory service,Y they have beenlargely deL void of esthetic significance, and the types preponderantly used have not been free from functional objections. For. example, the simpler hanger structures, which are by farin greatest demand, have been limited in their gripping function to two restricted points or comparatively narrow zones, and have not afforded anyl means for variation of these gripping'poin'ts commensurate with the dimension ofthe'garment,` such as the cuffs of the trousers or the waist band of a, skirt. Attempts to obviate this limitation have resulted in unduly involved structures as opposed to the desired simplicity and attendant sturdiness.

In its preferred embodi- Moreover the dependency of the clamping type of h'anger upon metal stock for manufacture has per se 'been a source of substantial difficulty, since it is well recognized that circumstances frequently prevail whichv result in a scarcity of metal supplies, and this has accentuated the desirability of an effective supportingdevice that is free from metal requirements in its details of construction. Despite the desirability for non-metal clamping hangers, the difculties embodied in their manufacture have resulted in few, if any, ecient devices of this type.

It isy an object of this invention to obviate such difficulties and uncertainties as hereinabove indi-`v cated. l

Another object is to provide a device for supporting garments which will manifest a. gripping or clamping function commensurate with the dimension of the garment at the Zone ofsupport. I

` An additional object of the inventionis .to-attain a garment hanger particularly effective for suspending skirts, trousers, et cetera by uniform bers;

, '2 grippingn function, variable in accordance -vvith the dimension of the garment along the line or zone of support, exemplified by a skirt Waist band ror trouser cuffs.

lAn important object is to produce a clamping type skirt or trousersI hanger which is free from metal in its fabrication.V Y

A further object is to obtain a non-metal skirt or trousers hanger which aifords a substantial Zone of gripping function, the Zone being susceptible to variation commensurate with the d'imension of the garment at the zone of support.

An added object is to devise a non-metal garment supporting device which is comparatively f (invention will become apparent from the following description read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which similar elementsu are designated by like numerals: I

Fig; l is a side elevation of garment hanger constructed in accordance withthe present invention, and shown gripping the waist band ofa skirt, indicated in fragmentary portion;

Fig. 2 relates to a cross sectional View taken along the line 2-.-2 of Fig. 1,; Y

Fig. 3 presents a bottom plan view of the garment hanger shown in Fig. 1, revealing the coordination of the clamping members;

Fig. 4 provides a fragmentary elevation of a desirable end structure for the clamping mem- Fig. 5 represents a cross section viewed along line 5-5 of Fig. 3, embodying one modification of the end structure for the clamping means;

Fig. 6 indicates a cross sectional detail of a locking or vclamping button taken on the line 6 6 o-f Fig. 1; k

Fig. 7 sets forth in fragmentary side elevation,

y a modified hanger structure with seats provided in the slot for locking engagement with the clamping button;

` vinvention embodied inthe modifications shown bythe various figures of the drawing, the hanger device of Fig. 1, generally designated as I0, is

illustrative of a desirable embodiment of the invention. It comprises a body portion I I, I I', desirably arcuate in form, provided with slots l2, I2' which follow the contour of the body portion and are preferably positioned approximately midway between the edges I3, I3 of the body portion. As shown, two 'slots I2, I2 are provided, one on each of the respective sides of body portion I I, I I', with the suspension hook portion of the hanger positioned between the slots, 'I'here is however no lintent to be :restricted 'to these details of construction, since they are intended to be primarily by way of exemplification and not restriction.

Thus slots I2, I2 may in fact be combined toa single slot by omitting the structural A.material between them shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, alternative Idetails of design may result in more than the two slots I2, I2 shown.

The function of slots I2, I2' is in effect that of guide means for clamping buttons III, I4' which facilitate the gripping action of clamping imembers '21, 22 on :garment Il', as'will be further ap parent from the additional consideration hereinbelow. An effective length for 'slots I2, f2" may be approximately defined as that extending between either designating line I3 or I9" Yand end portions I8, I8 respectively of the hanger. It will be noted that .the hanger 'body area I6 between designating lines I9, I8 broadly determines the 'base portion of the suspending hook'20, and that the end portions I8, I8 embrace portions of the hanger spaced Ifrom the somewhat downwardly directed extremities I5, I5. However, .as previously suggested, the length of the slots is subject to variation `pursuant to predetermined ydesign or contemplation.

The suspension hook is ,appropriately .positioned relative to the center of gravity of the garment hanger asa whole in a manner to `maintain a state of balanced equilibrium especially when the hanger is carrying .its .garment load.

In accordance with a desirable lembodiment of hanger construction, i-t may be manufactured from two complete, integral sections A, B which are appropriately laminated together, as will be apparent from Figs. .2 tand A3. Thus these sections should be symmetrical in every ldetail in order to permit precise overlapping of .all of their respecn tive parts including suspending hooi: 2l) and the arcuate body portions II, II embracing slots I2, I2', clamping members 21., 22, end portions I8, I8 and .edges I3, I3". The actual .zon-e of attachment of A to B, designated as 23 desirably embraces the complete 'suspending hook portions 20, including the area I5 which coincides with .the body portion of the hanger between designating lines I9, I9'.

The manner of attachment between sections A and B may .be through appropriate adhesive composition cr by resort to any mechanical expedient, including a nailing together of the specified parts or by Yinterlocking or interfitting them. Accordingly the body portions of A .and B extending from either` designating line I9 or I8' to the extremities I5, I5 respectively are essentially unattached, and .determine .the clamping members 2I, 22 between which the garment is sustained. Differently stated, while the Aarea between designating lines I9, I9', embracing body portion I6 and the complete suspending hook 26, are securely attached to each other in any predetermined manner, the gripping portion of the hanger embracing clamping members 2|, 22, including the arcuate portions determining slots I2, I2 are not permanently aixed to each other, although they are substantially contiguously positioned. By this structure the clamping members 2I, 22 manifest a spring-like ccaction relan tive to each other, with the supported article, such as the skirt, gripped in the space between them.

In the structural modification embraced by Figs. 3-5, the end portions It, I8' of clamping members 2l, 2,2 may be pro-vided with a wedge segment ,24 which is attached by an adhesive or in any desired manner. The function of this wedge means, if utilized, is primarily to accentuate the clamping action in this area. However 'an-effective gripping function is attainable lw' h- :out resort to any auxiliary erredient's such as wedge segments 24, since the thickness of the garment being supported is sufficient to utilize the inherent spring coaction between the clamping members for effective gripping function. In Fig. 9, there isshown a bottom plan view .of a hanger structure which Ahas proven quite satis:- factory without the inclusion of any wedge means such as that shown in Fig. 3.

A desirable 'expedient `for attaining efficient gripping action on the garment, quite irrespective of the details of structure at the end portions I8, I8 of clamping members 2I, 22, is the provision of surface grooves 25, as indicated in Fig. 4. It will be seen that as the garment is clamped between members 2I, 22 provided with grooves will be at least superficially wedged in these grooves, lwith the result that an enhanced gripping action is attained.

The extent of grooves 25, both Vwith respect to their inherent dimensions and to the proportion of clamping member surface which they embrace, is subject to variation within .the dictates of predetermined design rand discretion. Similar to the showing of Fig. 4, it is within the contemplation of the disclosure to provide clamping members 35,

36 .of Fig. V9 with gripping grooves c'f expedient extent and dimension, if so desired.

A desirable modification of locking means is presented Ain Fig.V 6 wherein 'the clamping button is provided with an integral pin of varied dimension comprising cylindrical ends Y26 and an enlarged intermediate section 21, which may be of substantially ovate form, thereby minimizing the tendency of the pin to rotate in slots I2, I2'. There is no intent however to be limited to any specic form of pin design, and an equivalent inhibitory effect upon rotation may be attained through resort toa substantially rectangular pin section in lieu of the ovate Yform of section 21. The heads or .caps-of clamping buttons 'I4 maybe aixed to the cylindrical ends .25 of the pin .in .any expedient manner, such as by utilizing an adhesive or by mechanical means, exemplified by wedging the .head on the pin, or by vresort to nails or screws. ln assembling the clamping button in its slot I2, I2 the pin will desirably be positioned in the slot prior to affixing at least one of the caps to the cylindrical end thereof.

The clamping button .28, shown in Figs. 7 and 8, represents a simplified form of ylocking means, the pin 29 being of uniform cylindrical shape. The .manner in which `the head -or cap of clamping button 28 may be seated on pin 29, as well as the details of assembly rrelative to the guide slot 34, of the khanger body 33, within which the clamping button is seated or positioned for sliding movement to facilitate the gripping function of clamping members 3|, 32, may be attained in any eX- 25, incremental portions of the garment pedient'manner such as that suggested hereinabove inthe consideration of the clamping member of Fig.6.

Fig. 7 comprises a modification of the hanger structure presented in Fig. 1, to the extent that positive locking features betweenthe clamping member and its guide slot are contemplated. Thus the fragmentary body portion 33 embraces guidev slot 34, the lower edge of which is supplied with a plurality of notches 30 within which the locking button 28 maybe positioned at predetermined intervals. The form in which notches 30 occur may be subject to variation, it being merely desirable that rthey correspond with the i shape of the clamping button pin in order to result in a seated engagement. By way of illustration, the notches 30 of Fig. 7 areexpediently semi-spherical in order to appropriately accommodate cylindrical pins 29 of clamping buttons 28.k

As previously described, Fig. 9 is drawn to a fragmentary elevation ofy a simplified clamping member structure which has performed quite satisfactorily. Clamping members 35, 36 .provide uniform internal gripping surfaces 31, 38 that are free from Iwedge segments oranalogouselements, such as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5.V Desirably surfaces 31, 38 mayhave grooves similar to those presentedon Fig. 4, to thereby facilitate the gripping function ofthe clamping members under the inuence of clamping'buttons 39.

While the construction of an optimum embodiment of garment hanger from symmetrical, laminated'sections is quite expedient, there is nointent to be limited to this manner of article production. suggestive of an alternative manufacture, the garment hangerv may be attained by appropriately cutting a unitary Vpiece of stock material having sufficient dimensions in accordance vwith the v.predetermined pattern, to satisfy the body portion of the hanger and the guide slot. The supporting hook may likewise be cut from the same piece of unitary stock, if it is suiiicient to provide this member as a part of the integral structure; on the other hand, the hook portion of the hanger may comprise a separate member,

fabricated from the same or differentstock relative to the body portion, andris attached to the said 'body portion in any feasible manner. 'I'he hook member may be of metal, wood, synthetic resin or plastic composition, or other material and designedV for attachment to the hanger body, as by resort to screw threads or other means.

In any event, the body-portion obtained from la single piece of material is slit either completely or partially, along a line substantially bisecting the width of the hanger body, designated as C' in Figs. 3 and 9. The depthV to which the slit extends may desirably be through the complete thickness D of the body portion, although an operative device may be obtainable by slitting the body portion less than its thickness, but suicient to provide the requisite clamping members. As for the longitudinal extent of the slit along the hanger body, it may `desirably embrace the length between the hanger body extremities, such as I5, I5 and the designating lines I9, I9 as shown by Fig. 3. This termination of the longitudinal extent of the slit is .particularly desirable in the modification where the slit projects through the entire thickness D of the hanger body.

Where the stock utilized is susceptible of molding, as in the case of synthetic resins or plastic compositions, the structural features of the invention may be substantially directly attained by molding the material as a unitary structure.

The arcuate form of body portion with the a` horizontal plane, thereby downwardly directed ends, as in the vcase of Fig.

portions; under some conditions, this modification would afford an enlarged zone of gripping contact between the clamping members and the garment. By way of further illustrative modiiication, the body portion may extend entirely in differentiating from the arcuate type of Fig. 1.

Concerning the material stock from which the hanger may be made, this is not to be treated as of critical significance, although certain materials result in a more ,effectively functioning devicethan others. The features of construction'embraced by the invention lend themselves particularly Ato the manufacture of- .garment hangers from non-metal materials, including wood, cardboard, and plastics, especially of the synthetic resin typefbut this is not to be taken as precluding the construction of desirable hangers by utilizing metal stock. An optimum embodiment has been considered to be the wooden hanger of laminated construction in accordance with the description hereinabove in view of its facility of manufacture and effectiveness of performance.

A 'quite effectual device is also obtainable by laminating together, kas described hereinabove, symmetrical hanger sections molded from synthetie resin to provide an integral structure. Any desirable manner may be resorted to for attaching the sections to each other in the appropriate areas; where the resins manifest any thermoplastic characteristics, heating may be utilized to attain the requisite attachment.V As previously indicated, a one piece or unitary structure of resin or plastic composition fabrication embodying the skirt hanger features shown is within the contemplation of the disclosure; this may be f made by cutting a unitary piece of stock material device, it will be noted that in accordance with the preferred structural embodiment as shown by Figs. 1-3, the clamping members 2|, 22, manifest a spring-like function relative to 'each other between the extremities of the hanger and the designating lines I9, I9', the zone I6 involving the permanent attachment of the laminations to each other, functioning as the pivotal area for the said spring-like characteristics of the clamping members. As shown in Figs. 3 and 9, there is a slight tendency for the clamping members to .be somewhat spaced apart in the direction proceeding from designating lines I9, I9 respectively, to the hanger extremities I5, I5', thereby facilitating the introduction between the clamping members of the garment to be clasped.

With the clamping buttons in a position proximate the respective designating lines I 9, I9' and desirably at the end of the guide slots I2, I2 the trouser cuffs or waist band of the skirt may be inserted between clamping'members 2| .22, and the buttons I4 are then slid in their guide passages I2, I2' toward the extremities I5, I5 respectively of the hanger. This movement of the clamping buttons I4 serves to lock the garment between the clamping members, the garment being wedged in the internal grooved surfaces of the clamping members to attain maximum gripping function.

In the modicatlon of Fig. 7, the clamping buttons 28 assume a locking engagement with the appropriate notch 34 'into which they are forced tofseat for coordinating theV gripping action of vclamping members 3|, 32; otherwise this modiiication functions in essentially the same manner as Ythe hanger of Figs. 1-3. Similarly the modification of Fig. 9 functions in a manner analogous 'to the device of Figs. 1-3.

In `View of the lpotential gripping zone extending 4substantially from the respective designating lines 19, I9' tothe hanger extremities, it will be seen that the garment hanger of the invention lends itself to the support of the garments of varying dimension, while at the same time aiiording a substantial area of actual clamping contact. Diierently stated., the gripping zone is susceptible 'to variation commensurate with the dimension of the garment at the zone of support.

While the various gures of the drawing are directed to features of skirt hanger structure comprising optimum adaptations of the invention, it will be understood that these showings are primarily illustrative in scope and are not to be taken by way of restriction or limitation.

Pursuant to the invention, a novel, compact, esthetic garment hanger is attained which is simple but sturdy in details of construction and effective in its performance. Although these devices are particularly adapted for use as skirt or trousers supporting means, they are applicable to sustaining of other types of articles.

While I have described my invention in accordance with desirable embodiments, it is obvious that many changes and modications may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim-2 l. A garment hangerv comprising 'abody portion determining a pair of complementary clamping members, a supporting hook extending upwardlyv from said body portion, and means vfor providing a gripping function between said clamping-members, said latter means'being movable along aguide slot extending lengthwise within said body portion. I

2. A garment hanger comprising complementary clamping members integrally attached to each other at portions intermediate their ends, a supporting hook extending upwardly from said integrally attached portions` and means adapted for movement and positioning lengthwise of said clamping members for forcing said clamping members into a clamping association.

3. A garment hanger comprising complementary clamping members integrally attached to each other at portions intermediate their ends, a supporting hook extending upwardly from said integrally attached portions, guide slots intermediate the edges and extending longitudinally of said clamping members, and means for forcing said clamping members into a clamping association, said latter means being movable along said guide slots.

4. A garment hanger comprising complementary clamping members integrally attached to each other at portions intermediate their ends, a supporting hook extending upwardly from said integrally attached intermediate portions, guide slots extending lengthwise of said clamping members between said integral intermediate attached portions and the end portions of said vcomplementary clamping members, and means movable in said slots for coordinating said clamping members to provide a clamping function.

SAMUEL I. COHEN.

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