Background Art In general, a garment hanger for keeping garments in order while maintaining garments shapes is mainly constituted with a rotating hook to be hung on a suspending bar of a garment hanger and the like and supporting bars for supporting garments, so the rotating hook is hung on the suspending bar of a chest of drawers, a hanger, and so on, while the garment hanger is enclosed with garments such as coats and so on, and the left and right shoulder portions of the garments are supported by the supporting bars.

However, in the garment hanger as stated above, the entire volume of the garment hanger becomes large since the supporting bars are spaced apart to form a certain angle therebetween according to the function of the garment hanger so that the garment hanger forms a triangle drawn from the both ends of the supporting bars to the rotating hook.

Accordingly, since keeping the garment hanger not

in use requires much space, there exists a problem in that inconvenience is caused in keeping and transporting them as well as limited space can not be properly utilized.

In order to solve the problem, a foldable garment hanger is disclosed in Korean patent Laid-Open publication No. 95-5250, which has a problem in that long time is taken for folding operations so it is difficult to achieve rapid folding since a structure of the garment hanger requires the continuous rotations of the garment hanger hook up to a certain range through manual operations in order to fold the garment hanger, and in that the garment hanger is inappropriate in keeping relatively heavy coats for winter season and the like since the garment hanger has not a firm fixing unit.

Disclosure of the Invention In order to solve the problems as stated above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable garment hanger which can be easily kept and transported when not in use, reduce a space occupation rate, provide a simple and rapid folding function, and fit into the keeping of relatively heavy garments.

In order to achieve the object, in a garment hanger constituted with a body having a recess in a lower portion thereof, a rotating hook mounted on an upper portion of the body to be fixed on a suspending bar,

first and second supporting bars having gear portions formed on ends thereof which are meshed with each other for a smooth rotation and foldably connected to the body, and a fixing unit for the first and second supporting bars, the fixing unit comprises first and second rods rotatably connected through a first hinge connecting part and a second hinge connecting part placed one on another and corresponding to a hinge positioned on an inner center portion of the first and second supporting bars, and for maintaining and supporting a unfolded state of the first and second supporting bars; stoppers formed on an upper side of the second hinge connecting part of the first and second supporting bars, and for restraining excessive rotations of the first and second rods; and a hinge pin and a clamping cap for fixing the first hinge connectina part in a completely unfolded state of the first and second rods.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiment thereof in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view for showing a garment hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectioned view taken along line A-A of FIG. ;1 FIG. 3 is a plain view for showing the state of folding operations of the garment hanger of FIG. ;1 FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are views for showing a second embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG.

;1 FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b are views for showing a third embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG.

;1 FIG. 6 is a view for showing a fourth embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 7 is a view for showing a fifth embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG. 1.

Best Mode for Carry-na Out the Invention Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. l ils a perspective view for showing a garment hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectioned view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plain view for showing the state of folding operations of the garment hanger of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. l to FIG. 3, a garment hanger 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is

constructed with a body 10 having a recess in the lower portion thereof ; first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 having openings on the sides opposite to each other, mounted on the left and right sides of the body 10, and rotatably and foldabiy connected to hinges 21 and 31 by end portions thereof; a rotating hook 2 rotatably inserted into the body 10 with no load and hung on a suspending bar (not shown) of chest of drawers, hangers, and so on; and a link 40 for guiding the folding of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30.

The link 40 is constituted with first and second rods 42 and 43 connected by means of a hinge pin 41.

Formed on both ends of the first and second rods 42 and 43 are first and second hinge connecting portions 42a, 43a, 42b, and 43b. The hinge pin 41 is engaged with the first hinge connecting portions 42a and 43a placed one upon another, and the second hinge connecting portions 42b and 43b formed on the opposite ends of the first hinge connection portions 42a and 43b respectively is rotatably connected to hinges 22 and 32 formed in the inner sides of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30. Further, A clamping cap 44 is screwed on the other side of the hinge pin 41 to maintain a fixing state of the link 40, and rubber rings 45 and 46 are inserted among the body 10, hinge pin 41, and clamping cap 44.

The first hinge connecting portions 42a and 43a are

formed to have two times or more diameters (r) in length than the widths of the first and second rods 42 and 43, and the second hinge connecting portions 42b and 43b of the other sides have openings to be connected to the hinges 22 and 32 in an inserting way.

Gear portions 23 and 33 meshed with each other are formed in body on the ends of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30, respectively, to rotatably combined with no load with the hinges 21 and 31, so as to smoothly guide the rotations of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30.

Further, plural reinforcing ribs 24 and 34 are formed on the inner sides of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 to reinforce the strength of the supporting bars 20 and 30, and reinforcing ribs 11 are formed on the inner side of the body 10.

Formed on certain portions of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 positioned on a rotation locus of the first and second rod 42 and 43 are stoppers 25 and 35 for restricting the rotations of the first and second rods 42 and 43. The stoppers 25 and 35 are preferably formed on the positions at which the first and second rods 42 and 43 are arranged in a straight line.

Further, magnets 20a and 30a having different poles to each other are attached on the ends of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30, in order for a folding

state of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 to be maintained. with the operation of the attraction. A magnet may be attached on either of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30, and a metal member may be attached on the other side opposite to the magnet.

Operations of the garment hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail as below.

For the usage state of the garment hanger 1 according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and virtual lines of FIG. 3, the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 are unfolded in order for a garment to be hung thereon. Since the clamping cap 44 is screwed to the hinge pin 41, the first and second rods 42 and 43 maintain the unfolded state of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 to support the garment hung thereon.

In the meantime, in case that the garment hanger 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not used, the engagement force of the clamping cap 44 is released to an extent that the hinge pin 41 is not slipped out. To do so, the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 are in free movements.

Next, if the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 are forcibly folded, the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 are rotated through the guidance of the hinges 21 and 31. At this time, the

respective gear portions 23 and 33 are rotated in a meshed manner in order for the supporting bars 20 and 30 to be gradually folded with the same angle.

At the same time, the first and second rods 42 and 43 are rotated to be folded through the guidance of the hinges 41,22, and 32 of the center and end portions thereof.

The first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 are attached by a magnetic force at a point at which the attractive force of the respective magnets 20a and 30a are applied while the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 are being folded.

The garment hanger 1 is, as stated above, folded in a straight shape to be kept in a receptacle or the like.

Reversely, if the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 in the folded state are pulled out by both hands to hang a garment on the garment hanger 1, the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 get unfolded since the force applied to the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 is stronger than the attractive force of the magnets 20a and 30a.

The respective gear portions 23 and 33 are rotated in the reverse direction with respect to the folding direction to gradually guide the unfolding of the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30, so that the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 are being unfolded.

At the same time, the first and second rods 42 and

43 get unfolded with the guidance of the hinges 41, 22, and 32 of the center, left, and right end portions. If a user unfolds the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30 by a desired angle in the manner as stated above and then fastens the clamping cap 44, the first and second rods 42 and 43 are firmly engaged to the hinge pin 41, placing the rubber rings 45 and 46 therebetween, so that the first and second rods 42 and 43 are fixed to support the first and second supporting bars 20 and 30.

In the meantime, during the continuous unfolding of the supporting bars 20 and 30, if the first and second rods 42 and 43 are arranged in a straight line, the rotation of the first and second rods 42 and 43 is stopped by the stoppers 25 and 35, and the supporting bars 20 and 30 are supported on the lower sides of the body 10, so that the rotations of the supporting bars 20 and 30 are restricted.

After unfolding the garment hanger 1 as stated above, the rotating hook 2 is hung on a suspending bar of a chest of drawers, a hanger, and so on in order to put garments in order in the state that the shoulder portions of a garment are hung on the supporting bars 20 and 30. A load transmitted from the garment can be overcome by the reinforcing ribs 24 and 34 formed in the inner sides of the supporting bars 20 and 30.

Hereinafter, different embodiments of the fixing unit applied according to the above embodiment will be

described.

FIG. 4a and. FIG. 4b are views for showing a second embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG.

1.

As shown in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, the second embodiment of a fixing unit is constituted with fixing pins 50 of an elliptical shape mounted on the body 10 to be freely rotated, knobs 51 screwed on the upper portions of the fixing pins 50, insertion portions 26 and 36 formed in the supporting bars 20 and 30 corresponding to the fixing pins 50 and opened to insert the fixing pins 50, and fixing grooves 26a and 36a of a circular shape extended from ends of the insertion portions 26 and 36 to be engaged with the fixing pins 50.

Here, the long diameter of each of the fixing pins 50 is smaller than the diameter of each of the fixing grooves 26a and 36a and larger than the width of each of the insertion portions 26, and, at the same time, the short diameter of each of the fixing pins 50 is formed to be smaller than each of the insertion portions 26 and 36. Accordingly, if the long diameters of the fixing pins 50 are arranged in a row with the insertion portions 26 and 36, the supporting bars 20 and 30 are in states of free movements, and, if arranged in the right angle, the movements of the supporting bars 20 alnd 30 are restrained by the fixing pins 50.

Describing the operation states of the second

embodiment, in the initial state of the garment 1, that is, in the state for hanging a garment on the garment hanger 1, the long diameter portions of the fixing pins 50 are arranged to be stuck on the insertion portions 26 and 36 in order for the supporting bars 20 and 30 to be unfolded from the body 10, so that a garment can be supported.

In the meantime, the supporting bars 20 and 30 are folded, in order to keep a garment hanger 1, after arranging the long diameter portions in a row with the insertion portions 26 and 36 by rotating the fixing pins 50, which causes the fixing pins 50 to pass through the insertion portions 26 and 36 of the supporting bars 20 and 30 so that the supporting bars 20 and 30 are folded with the guidance of the hinges 21 and 31.

Further, FIG. Sa and FIG. 5b are views for showing a third embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, the third embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG. 1 is constituted with a fixing piece 27 having an insertion hole 27a which is vertically penetrated, and connected to the supporting bar 20; a fixing pin 60 penetrating the body 10 and inserted into the insertion hole 27a of the fixing piece 27; protrusions 27b extended from the lower portion of the insertion hole 27a of the fixing piece 27; a key grooves 27c formed on both sides of the insertion hole 27a; and key

protrusions 61 formed on both sides of the lower side of the fixing pin 60 to be inserted into the key grooves 27c.

Further, if the key protrusions 61 of the fixing pin 60 is fitted in the key grooves 27c and turned to the left or to the right, the key protrusions 61 are trapped by the protrusions 27b of the fixing piece 27 to be fixed.

Furthermore, a spring pressure part 62 is formed on the outer periphery of the center portion of the fixing pin 60, a coil spring 63 is inserted between the spring pressure part 62 and a supporting protrusion 10a of the body 10 to elastically support the fixing pin 60 in a releasing direction, that is, upwards. A cover 10b is engaged with the insertion portion of the fixing pin 60, and a knob 64 is screwed on the upper portion of the fixing pin 60.

The above stated structure is applied to the supporting bar 30, so that a description of a structure for the supporting bar 30 will be omitted.

According to the third embodiment, if the key protrusions 61 of the fixing pin 60 are fitted into the key grooves 27c of the insertion hole 27a and then rotated, the key protrusions 61 are caught and fixed by the protrusions 27b, so that the supporting bar 20 can be maintained in the state unfolded from the body 10.

Reversely, in order to fold the supporting bar 20,

the fixing pin 60 is rotated for the key protrusions 61 to correspond with the key grooves 27c of the insertion hole 27a. Accordingly, the fixing pin 60 is released from the protrusions 27b by the elastic force of the coil spring 63, so that the fixing of the supporting bar 20 is not retained. The operations hereinafter are carried out in the same manner as stated above.

Further, FIG. 6 is a view for showing a fourth embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG.

1. As shown in FIG. 6, guiding rods 70 and 80 having gear portions 71 and 81 are disposed in both sides of the body 10 and connected with the hinges 21 and 31. The supporting bars 20 and 30 are slidably engaged with the guiding rods 70 and 80, fixing grooves 12 and 12a are formed in the body 10, and fixing protrusions 28 and 38 are formed to be fixed in the fixing grooves 12 and 12a in the supporting bars 20 and 30. Further, magnets 72, 73,82, and 83 are attached for the fixture of the supporting bars 20 and 30 on the contact portions on which the supporting bars 20 and 30 are in contact with the guiding rods 70 and 80.

Further, describing the initial state that the supporting bars 20 and 30 are unfolded, the fixing protrusions 28 and 38 of the supporting bars 20 and 30 are inserted into the fixing grooves 12 and 12a of the body 10, so that the supporting bars 20 and 30 maintain the unfolded state. When the supporting bars 20 and 30

are pushed toward the center portion in order to keep the garment hanger 1, the supporting bars 20 and 30 slide according to the guiding rods 70 and 80 so that the fixing protrusions 28 and 38 are separated from the fixing grooves 12 and 12a and then the restriction of the supporting bars 20 and 30 are released. When the supporting bars 20 and 30 can come together, the supporting bars 20 and 30 and the guiding rods 70 and 80 are attached by the attractive force of the magnets 72, 73, 82, and 83. In the above state, if the supporting bars 20 and 30 are rotated, the supporting bars 20 and 30 get folded with rotations by the guidance of the hinges 21 and 31.

Lastly, FIG. 7 is a view for showing a fifth embodiment of a fixing unit of the garment hanger of FIG.

1. As shown in FIG. 7, fixing pins 90 having slanted portions 91 are mounted to be drawn out in the guiding rods 70 and 80. Coil springs 92 are mounted in the inner side of the fixing pins 90 to elastically mount the fixing pins 90 in a drawn-out direction, and fixing grooves 13 are formed in the body 10. The fixing pins 90 are penetrated through the supporting bars 20 and 30 to be inserted into the fixing grooves 13. Slanted surfaces 29 are formed on certain positions of the supporting bars 20 and 30 to smoothly insert the fixing pins 90.

According to the present invention having the above stated structure, when the fixing pins 90 are inserted

into the fixing grooves 13 of the body 10 while penetrating the supporting bars 20 and 30, the supporting bars 20 and 30 are fixed to the body 10 in the unfolded state, so a garment can be hung on the supporting bars 20 and 30.

In the meantime, when the supporting bars 20 and 30 are pushed toward the body 10 in order to keep the garment hanger 1, the fixing pins 90 overcome the elastic forces of the coil springs 92 by the slanted surfaces and portions 29 and 91 of the supporting bars 20 and 30 and the fixing pins 90, and the fixing pins 90 are inserted into the guiding rods 70 and 80, so that the supporting bars 20 and 30 get released from the fixing grooves 13. That is, the restrictions of the supporting bars 20 and 30 are removed to be in the states of free movements. During the folding of the supporting bars 20 and 30, the supporting bars 20 and 30 are rotated to be folded together with the guiding rods 70 and 80 which are rotated with the guidance of the hinges 21 and 31.

In the meantime, when the supporting bars 20 and 30 are unfolded, in order to hang a garment, and pulled out, the fixing pins 90 are popped out by the elastic forces of the coil springs 92 as soon as the fixing pins 90 are matched with the fixing grooves 13, so that the fixing pins 90 penetrate the supporting bars 20 and 30.

Accordingly, the fixing pins 90 are inserted into the

fixing grooves 13 so that the supporting bars 20 and 30 are fixed in the state unfolded from the body 10.

Therefore, while the conventional garment hanger is formed in a triangle shape in the entire aspect, the garment hanger 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention occupies much less space in keeping since the volume gets smaller than a conventional garment hanger with both end points of the rotating hook 2 and the supporting bars 20 and 30 of the garment hanger 1 arranged in a straight line by folding the supporting bars 20 and 30.

Further, since the supporting bars 20 and 30 are rotated with the guidance of the gear portions 23 and 33 during the folding of the supporting bars 20 and 30, the supporting bars 20 and 30 are folded and unfolded by the same angle, so that the supporting bars 20 and 30 are folded in a more stable manner with one operation.

Industrial Applicability As stated above, according to the garment hanger of the present invention, the efficiency and consumers' satisfaction degree regarding the products can be enhanced since the convenience of keeping and transporting jobs caused by a smaller volume are heightened.

Further, the reliability of products can be enhanced since the narrow interior space as in a car can

be utilized to the utmost.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described preferred embodiments, but various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined b the appended claims.