Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a detachable garment hanger for converting a luggage handle into a garment hanger, to a method of converting a luggage handle to a garment hanger and to use of the garment hanger to convert luggage and to hang a garment.

Background to the Invention

Luggage with telescopic handles and wheels is well known and widely used, particularly as carry-on luggage and for business travel.

It is common for travellers to remove items of outerwear (coats, jackets, blazers and the like) and suit jackets when indoors, for example in an airport terminal concourse. It is also common to then either carry this outerwear draped over the arm or to hang it on the extended telescopic luggage handle. Both of which result in the garment becoming creased.

A luggage handle that can be retrofitted to luggage, either in place of or fitting over the top of the existing handle is known in the art (WO2017/129961). This handle comprises a body and fold out arms which hinge from a closed to an open position. This device is intended to remain in situ on the luggage and therefore is not easy to move from one piece of luggage to another. It is noted that this handle may not be interchangeable between luggage which has a "two-pole telescopic handle" and luggage with a "one- pole telescopic handle). The known hanger handle is also limited insofar as the arms must be at least substantially the same length as the luggage handle body, thus the hanger may be too wide to, for example, properly hang a lady's jacket. Furthermore, the prior art handle is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture.

It is desired to provide a simplified alternative to the one-piece fold out handle of the prior art which is easy to attach and remove from any luggage to another, that is lightweight, simple to manufacture and easy to store when not in use. The present disclosure aims to provide a solution to these problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided a detachable garment hanger for attachment to a luggage handle comprising a first angled arm and a second angled arm, each of the first and second angled arms being an elongate member with a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end and each of the first and second angled arms comprising a handle portion at the proximal end and a hanger portion, wherein the handle portion comprises attachment means and the hanger portion is angled downward relative to the handle portion, in use.

Advantageously, in use, the handle portion is attached to the luggage handle and the hanger portion extends away from the handle towards the sides of the luggage and downwards from the handle towards the main body of the luggage. By attaching the first and second angled arms to the luggage handle (one at each end of the handle) the arms and the handle together form a typical garment hanger shape (that is, a broad arcuate shape) on which a jacket or coat may be hung. In a second aspect there is provided a method of adapting a luggage handle into a garment hanger suitable for holding a suit jacket comprising the steps: a. extending the luggage handle where the luggage handle is a retractable luggage handle; b. attaching a first angled arm according to the present invention to a first end of the luggage handle; and

c. attaching a second angled arm according to the present invention to a second end of the luggage handle.

The conversion process is beneficially simple and quick, thereby making the device of the present invention easy to use for temporary conversion of a luggage handle during transit.

In a third aspect there is provided use of a detachable garment hanger according to the present invention for converting a luggage handle into a garment hanger.

By being readily detachable, the garment hanger can be easily attached and detached for storage. In some embodiments, the two arms can sit one within the other to minimise storage space needed when not in use.

Typically, the handle portion of the angled arms is attached to the luggage handle such that it lies substantially flush thereto. Beneficially, this creates a smooth transition between the handle and the garment hanger therefore is less likely to crease the garment hung thereon and makes the handle easier to hold.

In a fourth aspect there is provided use of a detachable garment hanger according to the present invention for hanging a garment.

Advantageously the garment hanger and handle permits the traveller to hang clothing on the luggage whilst still being able to use the handle when needed. Further advantageously, the garment hanger and handle permits garments to be hung in such a way as to minimise creasing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure la shows a typical luggage handle with first and second angled arms attached. Shown is the handle portion lying flush on the handle and the hanger portion being angled downwards therefrom.

Figure lb shows a first or second angled arm wherein the hanger portion is planar, not curved. The embodiment shown is open along the length to form an arched structure in cross section. The attachment means shown is a pin that can be opened to permit the handle portion to be positioned over a luggage handle and then closed to hold the arm in place.

Figure 2a shows first and second angled arms attached to a typical luggage handle. The embodiment shown comprises elasticated attachment means that connect the first and second angled arms to each other. Figure 2b shows a first or second angled arm wherein the attachment means is an elasticated attachment means arranged to attach the first and second angled arms to each other. Three elasticated attachments are shown.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of figure 1 in situ on a typical suitcase.

Figure 4 shows the embodiment of figure 2 in situ on a typical suitcase.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

The detachable garment hanger comprises a first angled arm (10, 110) and a second angled arm (110) which are each an elongate member having a length extending from a proximal end (12, 112) to a distal end (14, 114). The angled arms comprise a handle portion (20, 120) and a hanger portion (30, 130). In use the handle portion attaches to a luggage handle by an attachment means (50, 150) which may be, for example, a pin (50) or elasticated means (150). The hanger portion is angled downward at an elbow (40, 140). In some embodiments the distal end is a rounded end (60, 160). In some embodiment the angled arms are hollow (70, 170).

Detachable garment hanger as employed herein refers to a device which may be attached to a luggage handle to form a garment hanger suitable for hanging a coat or jacket therefrom.

As employed herein handle means the part of the luggage with which the hand comes into contact in use. That is, the part used to pull the bag along. Typically, the handle does not include the telescopic poles used to extend the handle away from the main body of the luggage.

As employed herein luggage means a bag, suitcase or box, generally with wheels and a telescopic handle which retracts to be stored within the main body of the luggage and extends to bring the handle into a more ergonomic position during use. The luggage may be soft or rigid construction and typically comprises wheels to improve manoeuvrability. The luggage may be intended for check-in, that is, too large to be considered carry-on by an airline (e.g. larger than approximately 56 x 45 x 25cm), or for carry on. Typically, any wheeled bag or box intended to be pulled or pushed along by means of the handle is envisioned. For example, suitcases, carry-on luggage, golf bags and the like.

Angled arm as employed herein mean that the arms that form the detachable garment hanger comprise two parts that are angled relative to each other. As disclosed herein, the parts are known as the handle portion and the hanger portion.

Typically, the hanger portion is angled approximately 20 to 40 degrees relative to the handle portion. The hanger portion of the angled arms are angled downwards (in use) to create an overall angle of approximately 20 to 40 degrees, such as 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 or 39 degrees, for example approximately 30 degrees relative to the handle portion, to ensure that the garment sits correctly when place upon the hanger.

Elongate member as employed herein refers to the fact that the angled arms are proportionately long and thin, having a length that is considerably greater than their width or depth (or diameter where the arms are substantially cylindrical).

In one embodiment the length is approximately 12 to 40 cm, for example approximately 13, 14, 15, 16, 1,

18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 2,6 2,7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,

46, 47, 48 or 49 cm.

The length is measured from the proximal end, that is, the end that is closest to the luggage handle in use to the distal end, that is, the end that is further from the luggage handle in use.

The length is made up of the handle portion and the hanger portion.

As employed herein, the handle portion is the part of the angled arm that is in contact with, or at least in the same orientation or plane as, the luggage handle in use up to the elbow. The elbow being the part of the arm that forms the angle.

As employed herein, the hanger portion is the part of the angled arm that is not in contact with the luggage handle in use. The hanger portion forms the overhang from the handle, being angled downwards towards the luggage.

Typically, the handle portion is approximately 2 to 10 cm long. For example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 cm long. The length being measured from the proximal end to the elbow.

Typically, the hanger portion is approximately 10 to 30 cm long. For example, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29 cm long. The length being measured from the elbow to the distal end.

In some embodiments the hanger portion may be telescopic, that it, sections extend from within other sections to make a smaller device for storage. Where telescopic hanger portions are used, the length refers to the extended length.

As employed herein angled downwards means the distal ends of the arms are closer to the main body of the luggage, in use, than the proximal ends are and that they are increasingly closer to the main body, the further away from the handle portion you progress along the length of the arm.

In one embodiment the handle portion comprises a flexible or semi-flexible material. The flexible material may be plastics or rubber material, for example. The flexible material permits the handle portion to conform the luggage handle to some degree.

Attachment means as employed herein refers to any suitable means of attaching the angled arm to the luggage handle in a reversible manner. That is, the arms can be attached and detached repeatedly.

In one embodiment the attachment means is selected from the group consisting: a clip, a screw, a releasable pin, a ratchet and a band. In one embodiment the attachment means comprises a releasable pin which is moveable from an open position, to permit fitting over the luggage handle, to a closed, locked position. In some embodiments the pin swings open to permit the handle portion to be mounted on the luggage handle, then swings back to a closed position and is locked in place, for example, by means of a recess. In other embodiments, the pin slides out of the handle portion such that, in the open position, the pin is located on the outside of the handle portion and slides back inside the handle portion once it has been placed over the luggage handle. In either of the above embodiments the pin may be a sprung pin that springs back into the closed position.

In one embodiment the releasable pin abuts an underside of the luggage handle in use. Advantageously, this helps retain the handle portion of the arm in close contact with the luggage handle, providing strength to the angled arms to enable them to support the weight of a garment hung thereon.

Typically, the hanger portion has a wall that is intended to sit against the end of the luggage handle in use. This wall is located at the elbow of the angled arm and positioned on the underside of the arm (in use). This wall, which may be the end of the hanger portion wherein the hanger portion is solid, provides strength and support for the angled arms in use, limiting the movement of the angled arms.

In one embodiment the handle portion of the first and second angled arms are each a hollow tube. That is, they are a pipe-like structure which may or may not be cylindrical in shape. Typically, the hollow tubes have a D-shaped cross section wherein the flat (i.e. non-arched) side faces downward/toward the body of the luggage) in use. The arms may comprise strengthening webbing internally, typically only within the hanger portion.

In one embodiment the first and second angled arms are each open along the length such that the arms have an arched structure in cross section. That is, they are essentially similar to the D-shaped arms described above, but the flat side is at least partially absent. This configuration may extend along the entire length of the arms or only in the hanger portions.

In one embodiment the hanger portions of first and second angled arms are each solid, which may or may not be cylindrical in shape. Typically, the solid hanger portions have a D-shaped cross section wherein the flat (i.e. non-arched) side faces downward/toward the body of the luggage) in use.

In one embodiment the first and second angled arms are each substantially planar. That is, they extend from the luggage in essentially the same plane as the luggage handle such that they have a flat profile when viewed from the side of the luggage.

In an alternative embodiment the first and second angled arms are each curved away from the plane of the luggage handle. That is, they curve in opposite directions to each other such that they cannot be stored within each other. When attached to the luggage handle they curve in the same direction, for example, towards the front or the back of the luggage. In some embodiments the arms may be curved so as to form a gentle curvature when attached to the luggage handle.

In one embodiment, wherein the hanger portions are hollow, the first angled arm has a girth that is slightly larger or slightly smaller than the second angled arm such that the arms can be stacked one within the other for storage. In one embodiment the first and second angled arms are tapered to have a larger girth at the proximal end and a smaller girth at the distal end.

In one embodiment the distal end is rounded. Advantageously, this provides a smoother surface for preventing fabric snagging and for better and easier hanging of garments.

In one embodiment the angled arms further comprise compressible material lining at least part of the handle portion. This compressible material acts to both grip the luggage handle and provide a degree of variability in the size of handle accommodated in the handle portion. The compressible material may be any suitable material, for example, foam, rubber or silicone.

In one embodiment the first and second arms are attached to each other by means of a plurality of elasticated members. That is, the arms are linked such that the first angled arm is placed over the luggage handle, then the elasticated members are stretched while the second angled arm is positions over the luggage handle. Once in position, the elasticated members snap back and hold the angled arms in place. Thus, the elasticated members are deemed to be the attachment means. It will be appreciated that additional attachment means may also be employed. Advantageously, where the arms are attached in this manner, or by a similar manner (for example by a ratchet system) the ability to misplace on of the arms is significantly reduced.

It will be appreciated that the garment hanger or the present disclosure may be manufactured from any suitable material. Examples include, plastic, metal, ceramic, carbon fibre, composite materials, wood, cardboard or the like. Typically, the garment hanger is manufactured from plastics material.

During travel, outerwear garments such as coats are often removed as a user passes through indoor environments such as airports, which means the user is left with extra items to carry or force into their luggage. Using the present disclosure such items are able to be conveniently carried, whilst remaining readily accessible.

In some embodiment the angled arms further comprise radiused or rounded edge profiles to limit creasing and angular interaction with the garment.

As employed herein retractable extension pole refers to the part of the luggage that permits the handle to be stowed in the main body of the luggage when not in use and to be pulled out of, and extended away from, the luggage for ease of moving the bag when in transit.

As employed herein approximately is intended to mean within a tolerance of ±10%.

In the context of this specification "comprising" is to be interpreted as "including".

Aspects of the invention comprising certain elements are also intended to extend to alternative embodiments "consisting" or "consisting essentially" of the relevant elements.

Where technically appropriate, embodiments of the invention may be combined.

Embodiments are described herein as comprising certain features/elements. The disclosure also extends to separate embodiments consisting or consisting essentially of said features/elements. Technical references such as patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Any embodiments specifically and explicitly recited herein may form the basis of a disclaimer either alone or in combination with one or more further embodiments.