The invention relates to a clothes hanger. Clothes hangers known in practice comprise a hook on the upper side for suspending the clothes hanger from a bar in for instance a wardrobe. An orderly whole is created by hanging clothing on such hangers, wherein a determined garment can be picked out by sliding the hangers over the bar.

A drawback of conventional clothes hangers is that clothing hung thereon takes up a relatively large amount of space, for instance compared to folded clothing. A cabinet for hanging clothing therein on a clothes hanger therefore always requires a certain depth, whereby the cabinet usually takes up a relatively large amount of space in a room.

An object of the invention is to obviate this drawback and to provide a clothes hanger with which clothing can be hung up in orderly manner, while relatively little cabinet depth is required.

This object is achieved with the clothes hanger

according to the invention, comprising:

a hanger part for hanging clothes thereon; and

a hook part connected to the hanger part for suspending the clothes hanger from a bar,

wherein the hook part lies at a fixed angle relative to the hanger part, and wherein hook part is provided with a width such that the hook part can be supported during use at several points and/or over a certain distance on the bar as seen in longitudinal direction thereof.

Because the hook part lies at a fixed angle relative to the hanger part, the hanger part is situated during use at an angle relative to the bar or tube from which the clothes hanger is suspended. In the context of the present invention "at an angle" is understood to mean that the angle differs from 180 degrees. The angle according to the invention is such that the depth dimension of a bar with one or more clothes hangers according to the invention is hereby smaller than when conventional clothes hangers are used. A wardrobe can for instance hereby take a less deep form, thereby saving space in the room where the wardrobe is placed.

An additional advantage is that the invention enables placing of a clothing rack in relatively narrow spaces, since a bar or tube with clothes hangers according to the invention occupies only a small depth. For instance in a shop where clothing racks with clothes hangers are placed some distance from each other, the passageway between the clothing racks is enlarged by applying the clothes hanger according to the invention.

A further additional advantage of the clothes hanger according to the invention is that the clothing hung on the clothes hanger is more readily visible. In the case of conventional clothes hangers the clothing is seen from the side, whereby the front or rear of the garment cannot be seen, or hardly so. With the clothes hanger according to the invention the fixed angle between the hook part and the hanger part ensures that a part of the front or rear of the garment is always visible. This enhances clear arrangement of a wardrobe in which multiple garments are hung; a specific garment can be found more quickly among other garments. The clothes hanger according to the invention moreover makes possible a clearer and aesthetic presentation of garments. In addition, the garments become more easily noticeable by means of the clothes hangers according to the invention when compared to conventional clothes hangers, if only because of the fact that the clothes hanger according to the invention differs from the usual clothes hanger. By providing the hook part with a certain width in the direction transversely of the cross-section, in other words the hook part supports at several points and/or over a certain distance as seen in longitudinal direction of the bar, a better support on the bar is realized.

Because the hook part supports at several points and/or over a certain width on the bar during use, swinging of the clothes hanger is prevented or at least reduced. This in contrast to conventional clothes hangers which are supported at only one narrow point. It has been found particularly that the distance between the support points, or the certain distance of the hook part, i.e. the width of the hook part which supports on the bar during use, preferably lies in the range of 0.5 to 10 cm, more preferably in the range of 1 to 5 cm and most preferably in the range of 1 to 2 cm. A stable support is realized using said width, wherein a width of about 1 cm has been found particularly advantageous in respect of both application and production.

An additional advantage is that an orderly presentation is obtained. In addition, the clothes hanger with the hook part according to the invention has the further advantage that the clothes hanger, with or without clothing, is slidable relatively easily over the bar by a user.

Owing to its width and/or its shape, the hook part furthermore achieves that a number of clothes hangers placed adjacently of each other on a bar remain a certain distance from each other. This prevents a number of hook parts becoming entangled. A frequently occurring problem with conventional clothes hangers is that, when one garment is picked out from a rack on which a number of hangers are provided, a number of hangers fall to the ground because they are entangled and/or because they can swing around their point of suspension. It is noted that the clothes hanger can also be

suspended from an element other than a bar, for instance a tube or tube part, a wire or a flat strip. The bar or other similar element is for instance part of a cabinet, rack, hat rack or wardrobe.

A fixed angle is understood to mean that this angle does not change during use, or in any case hardly so. This prevents the hanger part rotating relative to the hook part in use, thereby nullifying the advantages of the invention.

The angle of the hook part relative to the hanger part is optionally adjustable by means of a lockable adjusting mechanism. The angle can hereby be adjusted, after which this angle is locked, so that the angle is fixed during use. The angle is however preferably fixed relative to the hanger part.

The angle is preferably about 45 degrees. Other angles are also possible.

An additional advantage of the clothes hanger according to the invention is that a cabinet running along a corner can be used efficiently. With conventional clothes hangers there is the problem, particularly in cabinets running along a corner, that the clothes hangers situated in a corner of the cabinet cannot be reached. This is because these clothes hangers are situated behind other clothes hangers. When clothes hangers according to the invention are used in such a cabinet, clothes hangers in the corner are in contrast easy to reach.

In an advantageous embodiment of the clothes hanger according to the invention the hanger part and the hook part are embodied as an integrated element.

This has the advantage that simple production is

possible since separate components need not be manufactured. In addition, a firm connection is obtained between the hanger part and the hook part. The hanger part and the hook part are for instance formed as one element by means of injection moulding.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the hook part has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Owing to the U-shape, optionally with rounded portions therein, the hook part supports on the bar over a certain width in the longitudinal direction of the bar.

In an embodiment according to the invention the hook part comprises an elongate element. The elongate element has for instance a kind of tunnel shape. During use the elongate element extends in longitudinal direction of the bar and is for instance a tube with a round, rectangular or other profile form.

In a further embodiment according to the invention the elongate element comprises a recess or opening for

suspending the clothes hanger from a hook.

In addition to being suspended from a bar, the recess or opening also enables the clothes hanger according to the invention to be suspended from a hook, such as a hook on a wall as is usual in fitting cubicles.

In an embodiment according to the invention the hook part comprises at least two hooks placed at a distance from each other.

A number of hooks, for instance hooks such as of a conventional clothes hanger, are placed at some distance from each other, whereby during use the clothes hanger supports at several points on the bar. An exceptionally simple embodiment is hereby realized. In addition, this embodiment also has the advantage that it can be used to hang the clothes hanger on a hook.

In a further embodiment according to the invention an outer end of the first hook is connected to an outer end of the second hook, and the hooks are formed as one integrated element .

This has the advantage that the hook can be manufactured as one whole, so achieving simple production. The hook part is for instance formed by two hooks which are connected to the hanger part and the free outer ends of which are mutually connected. The hook part is for instance formed from a wire.

In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention the hook part comprises a mounting for a label.

Because a label can be fastened to the hook part, information such as size or a logo or brand-name can be shown. This information is readily visible during use since the label, being fastened to the hook part, is not covered by clothing. The mounting is preferably a releasable coupling means, whereby a label can be exchanged. The mounting comprises for instance a border open on the upper side so that a label can be inserted therein.

The clothes hanger according to the invention hereby realizes an improved presentation of the clothes themselves as well as an improved communication of the brand and/or other information.

This measure is preferably combined with a clothes hanger according to the invention in which the hook part has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and has a certain width in a direction transversely of the sectional plane. Because the hook part has a certain width, space is

available for fastening of the label.

In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention the clothes hanger comprises two hook parts which are mirrored relative to each other. It is hereby possible to provide one clothes hanger with a hook part lying at a first angle to the hanger part and a hook part lying at a second angle to the hanger part.

The invention further relates to a cabinet with a bar for suspending thereon a clothes hanger as described above, wherein the cabinet has a depth substantially corresponding to the dimension of the clothes hanger in a position of use as measured in the direction perpendicularly of the bar.

Because the hanger part of the clothes hanger according to the invention lies at an angle relative to the hook part, it is possible to provide a cabinet of lesser depth. Space is saved by such a cabinet. This has the additional

advantage that the cabinet according to the invention can be applied in spaces where depth is a problem.

In a preferred embodiment the cabinet according to the invention comprises a wall placed at the same angle relative to the bar as the hook part relative to the hanger part.

A wall is understood to mean a side wall as well as a partition. By placing the wall at the same angle as the hook part is placed relative to the hanger part, the wall fits in with the clothes hangers according to the invention

suspended in the cabinet.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for hanging up clothes, comprising of using a clothes hanger as

described above and/or the cabinet as described above.

The cabinet and the method have the same advantages and effects as described above with reference to the clothes hanger according to the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the

invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred

embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying figures, in which: figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the clothes hanger according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the clothes hanger according to the invention;

- figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the clothes hanger according to the invention;

figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the clothes hanger according to the invention;

figure 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the clothes hanger according to the invention; and

figure 6 shows a cabinet according to the invention in which clothes hangers according to the invention are suspended .

Similar components are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals.

Clothes hanger 2 (figure 1) comprises a hanger part 4 and a hook part 6. Hook part 6 is formed from a metal strip comprising a twist 8 and having a width 10.

Hook part 6 of clothes hanger 11 (figure 2) is provided with two openings 12, 14 for fastening a label 16. Label 16 is located well above hanger part 4, whereby it is readily visible during use.

Clothes hanger 17 (figure 3) is formed from an elongate metal or plastic strip 18. The hook part and the hanger part are therefore integrated as one element in clothes hanger 17. A recess 20 is optionally provided for hanging clothes hanger 17 on a hook. In the shown embodiment recess 20 is provided on a vertical elongate part of the hook part transversely of the bar during use.

Clothes hanger 22 (figure 4) comprises a rod 24 for hanging clothing such as trousers thereover. The hook part is formed in this case by a bent metal wire or rod 26 having two hooking eyes 28, 30. Both hooking eyes are suspended from a bar during use. One of the two hooking eyes 28, 30 can moreover be suspended from a hook.

Clothes hanger 32 (figure 5) comprises two hooks 34, 36 together forming the hook part.

Cabinet 38 (figure 6) comprises bars 40, 42 from which clothes hangers 44, 46 according to the invention are suspended. The angle of the hook part relative to the hanger part of clothes hangers 44 differs from the corresponding angle of clothes hangers 46. The cabinet space in the corner of the cabinet can be used efficiently by means of such

"left and right-hand hangers".

Cabinet 38 moreover comprises an intermediate wall 48 for the purpose of separating the clothing in the one part of cabinet 38 and the other part of cabinet 38. Cabinet 38 is furthermore provided with shelves 50 comprising a side wall which fits in with clothes hangers 46.

In order to use cabinet 38 "right-handed" clothes hangers 46 are suspended from bar 42 and "left-handed" clothes hangers 44 from bar 40. Clothes hangers 44, 46 can slide into the corner of cupboard 38, thereby using this space efficiently. Shelf 50 is used to store for instance shoes, socks or hats.

The invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.