DETACHABLE SHOULDER SUPPORTS

Background of the Invention

Conventional hangers typically have a fixed frame which is not always suitable for use with clothing of different sizes. Adjustable clothing hangers exist, but many tend to be expensive and clumsy in operation. Accordingly, there exists a long felt need for an improved device, system and method that provides the user with an adjustable clothing hanger without the problems typically associated with such hangers.

In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides for a device, system and method which may be employed with many of the clothing hangers commonly sold in stores. Accordingly, at least one advantage of the present invention in certain preferred embodiments is the ability to convert an ordinary clothing hanger into an adjustable hanger with minimal cost and effort.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Summary

The present invention in one preferred aspect provides for a shoulder support for use with a clothing hanger having at least one arm, the support including a body with an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end and a length from the first end to the second end, the lower surface including a means for engaging the body to the arm of the clothing hanger.

In another preferred aspect, the present invention provides a system for accommodating articles of clothing of different sizes and/or shapes, the system including a hanger having at least one arm; and a shoulder support configured to detachably engage the arm.

In a further preferred aspect, the invention provides for a kit for converting a fix- framed clothing hanger having an arm into a hanger capable of accommodating articles of clothing of different sizes and/or shapes, the kit including a shoulder support having a lower surface; and a material adapted to be attached to the arm of the clothing hanger, the material configured to detachably engage the lower surface of the support.

In a further preferred aspect, the invention provides for a method for accommodating articles of clothing of different sizes and/or shapes on an arm of a clothing hanger, the method including determining the length needed along the arm to accommodate a selected article of clothing; and engaging a shoulder support along at least a portion of the length of the hanger to accommodate the selected article of clothing.

In another preferred aspect, the invention provides for a shoulder support for use with a mannequin, the support including a body with an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end and a length from the first end to the second end, the lower surface including a means for engaging the body to the shoulder portion of the mannequin.

Brief Description of the Figures

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the shoulder support of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the shoulder support of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a lower perspective view of the shoulder support of Fig. 1 engaged with a clothing hanger.

Fig. 5 is a lower perspective view of the shoulder support and clothing hanger of Fig. 4 disengaged from one another.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of the shoulder support of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the shoulder support of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a lower perspective view of the shoulder support of Fig. 6 engaged with a clothing hanger.

Fig. 10 is a lower perspective view of the shoulder support and clothing hanger of Fig. 9 disengaged from one another.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a channel lined with an attachment material in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a channel with an attachment material in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a channel insert in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a channel with an attachment material in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a plurality of clips in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a plurality of clips in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a rubber-lined, detachable channel in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support having a plurality of suction cups in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the lower surface of a detachable shoulder support with a lower surface covered with an attachment material and an adhesive strip of complementary attachment material for use therewith in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow. Wherever possible, like numbers will refer to like parts.

Figs. 1 to 5 show a preferred embodiment of a shoulder support 100 for use with a clothing hanger 50. The preferred elements of and their interrelationship are described below.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, support 100 has a body 101 with an upper surface 102, a lower surface 104, a first end 106, a second end 108 and a length from first end 106 to second end 108. Support 100 preferably includes a means for engaging one of arms 52, 54 of hanger 50. In one preferred form, support 100 has a means 110 for engaging the arm of the hanger. Engagement means 110 prefereably includes an elongated channel 112 having opposed side walls 114, 116 and a base 118 therebetween that preferably extends along a majority of the length of body 101. The extended length of channel 112 advantageously provides greater lateral stabilisation of support 100 relative to the arm of the hanger. Engagement means 110 further preferably includes a second channel 120 having opposed side walls 122, 124 and a base 126. Second channel 120 is preferably along the same longitudinal axis as channel 112. At least one of the walls of second channel 120 preferably includes an opening 128 adapted to receive a securing or locking element such as a turn screw 130. Turn screw 130 includes a finger engagement end 132 and a contact end 134 and is preferably oriented so as to lock an arm of the hanger against support 100 from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of support 100.

Having described the preferred components of the shoulder support, a preferred method of use will now be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. A user selects an article of clothing to . display on the hanger. An arm length is determined so that the selected article of clothing will be suspended from the hanger with little risk that the clothing will fall off the hanger, be stretched out of shape or damaged in this hanging procedure. The user engages support 100 to arm 52 of hanger 50 by aligning arm 52 with channels 112 and 120. The user then preferably rotates turn screw 130 until contact end 134 is tightened against arm 52 of hanger 50 to lock the support to the hanger. The user may disengage support 100 from hanger 50 to adjust support 100 along the length of the arm or

use support 100 with a different hanger. It will be appreciated that the steps described above may be performed in a different order, varied, or omitted entirely without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The support may be configured in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, referring now to Figs. 6 to 10, a support 200 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 200 is similar to support 100 except that engagement means 210 includes a single channel 220 similar to second channel 120 except that channel 220 has an open end facing in the lateral and opening 228 has a central longitudinal axis oriented so that turn screw 230 is able to engage arm 52 of hanger 50 from underneath support 200.

The method of engaging support 200 to hanger 50 is similar to that described in relation to support 100, except that support 200 is engaged laterally with arm 52 and then tightened to arm 52 via turn screw 230 from underneath support 200.

Referring now to Fig. 11 , a support 300 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 300 is similar to support 100 except that engagement means 310 includes a strip of fastening material 336 along at least a portion of base 318 of channel 312. In a preferred form, material 336 is configured for hook and fastener engagement. One preferred example of a suitable material is Velcro. Preferably the fastening material extends along a majority of the length, more preferably the entire length of channel 312.

In use, the arm of the hanger will include a complementary strip of fastening material so that support 300 may be engaged along a selected portion of the length of the arm.

Referring now to Fig. 12, a support 400 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 400 is similar to support 300 except that engagement means 410 preferably includes fastening material

436 along at least a portion, more preferably along a majority of the length of the interior of side walls 414, 416. Support 400 further preferably includes an area of fastening material outside of channel 412 proximate one end of body 401 and an area of a soft material 438 such as felt outside channel 412 proximate the other end of body 401. The inclusion of fastening material 436 on walls 414, 416 and base 418 provides enhanced resistance to the movement of support 400 relative to the arm of the hanger.

Referring now to Fig. 13, a support 500 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 500 is similar to support 300 except that instead of including a hook and fastener material along the base of channel 512, engagement means 510 preferably includes an insert 540 configured for insertion into a portion of channel 512. Insert 540 is preferably constructed from a flexible material such as plastic and preferably includes a plurality of flexible finger projections 542 that are adapted to provide more resistance in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the arm of the hanger into the insert. Insert 540 is preferably shaped to have a generally trapezoidal cross section so that the length of each flexible projection 542 decreases in size towards the base or closed end of insert 540. Thus as insert 540 is engaged with arm 52 of hanger 50, greater resistance is encountered as arm 52 is more deeply inserted into insert 540.

In use, insert 540 may be placed onto arm 52 for interaction with the channels of differently sized supports. Alternatively, insert may be placed within channel 512 and then placed over arm 52 of hanger 50.

Referring now to Fig. 14, a support 600 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 600 is similar to support 400 except that fastening material 644 includes a greater number of hook projections per a unit area than fastening material 436. For example, material 644 may be a Velcro with a higher concentration of hook projections.

Referring now to Fig. 15, a support 700 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Body 701 of support 700 has a lower surface 704 preferably covered with felt material 738. Support 700 includes an engagement means 710 preferably formed as a plurality of clips 746. Clips 746 are preferably generally "C" shaped and made of a flexible plastic material. Clips 746 are well suited for hangers having an arm made of a plastic or metal material with a generally uniform diameter or shape, though it will be appreciated that the clips may be used with arms of other types of materials and shapes

In use, support 700 is engaged with hanger 50 by clipping support 700 to arm 52 and then sliding support 700 along arm 52 until a desired length is attained to accommodate a selected article of clothing.

Referring now to Fig. 16, a support 800 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 800 is similar to support 700 except that instead of "C" shaped clips, support 800 includes a plurality of clips 848 having a complete perimeter. Clips 848 are well suited to fit with wooden hangers or hangers having a thicker arm diameter or shape, though it will be appreciated that the clips may be used with arms of other types of materials and shapes. Support 800 further preferably includes areas of rubber material 850 to help resist movement of support laterally around the arm of the hanger.

Referring now to Fig. 17, a support 900 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 900 is similar to support 300 except that lower surface 904 includes felt fastening material 938 and engagement means 910 includes a detachable channel 912. Channel 912 preferably includes fastening material 944 along at least a portion of its exterior surface, more preferably along the entire outer surface of walls 914, 916 and base 918. The interior of channel 912 preferably includes two longitudinal strips of rubber material 950, one on the interior of each of walls 914, 916. Rubber material 950 preferably provides a friction fit so that support 900 may be adjustably moved along the length of arm 52 of hanger 50.

In use, support 900 may be engaged with arm 52 of hanger 50 with channel 912 attached to lower surface 904. Alternatively, channel 912 may be engaged with arm 52. The user may then select a desired body configuration for engagement with channel 912 and then attach body 901 to channel 912. Further, channel 912 may be engaged with a selected body and then engaged with arm 52.

Referring now to Fig. 18, a support 1000 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Support 1000 preferably includes at least one, more preferably a plurality of suction cups 1052 which are beneficial for permitting the support to engage a surface with a lesser radius of curvature, such as the shoulder area of a mannequin. Support 1000 further preferably includes an area of felt material 1038 to assist in vertical stabilisation. It will be appreciated that suction cups 1052 may be varied in number and placement about the lower surface of body 1001.

For use with a mannequin, a user places suction cups 1052 against a bare surface of the mannequin after determining a desired length needed to accommodate an article of clothing. The configuration of support 1000 advantageously permits the same mannequin to be used for a variety of shapes and sizes of clothing.

Referring now to Fig. 19, a support 1100 is shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Lower surface 1104 of body 1101 preferably includes an area of fastening material 1136 configured to interact with a complementary area of fastening material arranged on the arm of the hanger. More preferably, the entire lower surface of support 1100 is covered with fastening material 1136. It will be understood that less than the entire lower surface may be covered with fastening material 1136.

Support 1100 may be sold as a kit with one or more strips 1154 of fastening material. Strip 1154 preferably includes a layer of fastening material or felt

material 1156 complementary to fastening material 1136 with an adhesive coating and a peelable backing 1158.

In use, the user takes strip 1154, peels backing 1158 away to expose the adhesive coating, and attaches strip 1154 to an arm of the hanger, or any other surface where it is desired to change the surface area to accommodate an article of clothing. The user may then engage support 1100 relative to strip 1154 to achieve a desired length to accommodate a selected article of clothing.

The kit may include supports of various configurations and sizes as well as attachment strips of various configurations and sizes. The kit preferably permits a user to convert a fixed frame hanger into essentially an adjustable hanger capable of accommodating a variety of shapes and sizes of clothing.

The size and configuration of the supports may be varied. Preferred dimensions are set forth below, although it will be appreciated that the dimensions may be varied as suitable for the intended application. For example, the support may include a length ranging from approximately 12.5 cm to 24 cm and a width ranging from approximately 0.5 cm at one end to approximately 8 cm at the opposite end. The ranges described above may include a subset of ranges therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferably the supports are formed to have a curved lateral cross section so that the upper surface is convex. When viewed from the top, the supports preferably have a tear drop shape.

The support may be used with a hanger to form a system for accommodating articles of clothing of different sizes and/or shapes. Suitable hangers may include, but are not limited to plastic, wood, metal, cloth and composite materials. The hanger frame may be fixed or adjustable. The arm(s) of the hanger may have a generally uniform diameter or may have a variable or non-circular cross section. The hanger may be manufactured with a complementary attachment

material along a portion of its arm, or such may be applied by the end user as appropriate.

The support is not limited to use with hangers. For example, the support may be used with other objects for displaying articles of clothing, such as a mannequin. The support may also be used personally, for example, when a person's size needs to fit a jacket or other articles of clothing correctly. The shape of the support may be adapted to fit on a person's shoulder. Further, engagement means may be located on the upper surface of the support to engage with an article of clothing.

The embodiments described above are only preferred exemplary forms which the present invention may take. The engagement means may be formed in a variety of ways. For example only, the engagement means may include one or more channels that are fixed or detachable. Such channels may include material such as rubber or felt therein that can vary the inner width according to the width of an arm of a hanger. Fastening material such as Velcro may be used in the interior and/or exterior of the channel. The fastening material may also be used on the lower surface of the body and arranged as desired. The support may be made from a variety of materials such as, but not limited to plastic, metal, wood, ceramic and a composite material, such as a carbon fibre composite, or any combination thereof as appropriate.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example only, where the engagement means includes a channel, one or both of the walls of the channel may be adjustably moveable. The channel may be integrally formed with the body of the support, or may be fixedly attached after the body is formed. The walls of the channel may be perforated or solid. The channel may comprise a plurality of flexible fingers arrayed along two or more parallel rows.

The engagement of the support to the hanger may be by way of an adhesive attachment. Other ways to engage the support to the hanger include, but are not limited to one or more turn screws, ratchets, spring locks and insertion pins, or any combination thereof.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention in a preferred form provides the advantages of permitting hangers or other items for displaying articles of clothing to accommodate a wider variety of sizes and/or shapes of clothing without the need to buy multiple hangers or hangers of different configurations.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.