FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a garment hanger with a detachable display panel and a method of exhibiting a plurality of garments using an embodiment of the garment hanger of the invention.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many garments are displayed for sale by placing the garment on a hanger that is hung on a hook or on a rod or rail. In addition, many garments placed on hangers for sale are hung side-by-side with several other garments of the same or different style. The first impression made by a garment on a hanger is usually derived by the garment itself, or the location of the garment in the store, and not by the hanger that supports the garment. Similarly, information concerning a garment, such as size, brand, price, and the like, is usually provided by a hang tag, sticker, label or the like, and not by the hanger itself.

[0003] When shopping for a garment, a potential buyer often needs to push aside several garments that are hung on hangers in order to examine a specific garment. In most of these cases, the hangers themselves serve little or no useful role in attracting the attention of potential buyers. There is a need, therefore, for a garment hanger that is functional and that can attract the attention of potential buyers.

[0004] A unique method of displaying and hanging garments is presented that employs a hanger incorporating a detachable display panel that is both attractive and aesthetically pleasing to the eye of a prospective customer. In one embodiment, the display panel is initially connected to a garment-hanging panel that is used to support a garment or the like, while the display panel is intended to attract customers to the supported on the garment-hanging panel. Removal of the display panel leaves the garment-hanging panel and does not impair the support function or the structural integrity of the garment-hanging panel. Other aspects of the present invention include a system of hangers and a creative method for displaying a plurality of garments using the display panel and hangers described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the hanger of Figure 1.

[0007] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the hanger of Figure 1.

[0008] Figure 4 is a rear elevation view of the hanger of Figure 1.

[0009] Figure 5 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the hanger of Figure 5.

[0011] Figure 7 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 8 illustrates the hanger of Figure 7 with the hook in a different position.

[0013] Figure 9 is a rear elevation of the hanger of Figure 8.

[0014] Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the hanger of Figure 8.

[0015] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the hanger of Figure 8.

[0016] Figure 12 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the hanger of Figure 12.

[0018] Figure 14 is a rear perspective view of the hanger of Figure 12.

[0019] Figure 15 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a garment hanger of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 16 is a front perspective view of the hanger of Figure 15.

[0021] Figure 17 is a rear perspective view of the hanger of Figure 15.

[0022] Figures 18 and 19 illustrate one embodiment of a system of hangers and a method for displaying a plurality of garments. [0023] Figure 20 illustrates one embodiment of a garment hanger supporting a garment on a rod or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as currently contemplated. This description is not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an example of making and using the invention solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a garment hanger 100, comprising a first panel 110 that includes identifying indicia 123a, a second panel 120 that includes identifying indicia 123b for supporting a garment 105 (see Figure 18), and a hook 130 attached to the second panel 120 by a grommet 131 or the like for supporting the second panel 120 as will be described below. In the embodiments described herein, the identifying indicia are generally optional and may include, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of a brand or logo, a tagline, a size or style, attractive colors, shapes or figures, a certificate of purchase, a discount coupon for a future purchase, etc. to attract the attention of a prospective buyer of the garment. While the figures illustrate the term "LOGO," it will be appreciated that other forms of indicia including those mentioned above and others are possible. In addition, the identifying indicia 123a and 123b may be the same or different between the first and second panels 110 and 120, and the use of such indicia is optional.

[0026] The second panel 120 is connected to the first panel 110 and generally comprises a first support 121 and a second support 122 for hanging a garment 105 (see Figure 18). As shown in Figure 18, for example, a significant portion of the second panel 120 may be covered by the garment 105 while the garment 105 is supported on the supports 121 and 122. While the first and second supports 121 and 122 have a particular shape and configuration, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible.

[0027] The first and second panels 110 and 120 may be formed from any material of any size, cross-section, thickness, color, style, appearance, and the like. In the embodiments described herein, the shape of the first panel 110 is preferably any shape that is attractive and aesthetically pleasing to a prospective buyer. For example, the first panel 110 may be semi-circular, as shown in Figures 1 and 18, and may have a periphery that resembles the silhouette of a girl's head and hairstyle, such that when a garment 105 is supported on the second panel 120 as shown in Figure 18, the first panel 110 creates the visual effect of a girl that is wearing the garment 105. In addition, although not mandatory, it is preferred that an outermost radius of the first panel 110 extends beyond an outermost radius of the second panel 120 as illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 1, for example, by the first and second supports 121 and 122. This size relationship enables the first panel 110 to be substantially exposed relative to a garment 105 that is hung from the second panel 120, as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, thereby creating a conspicuous display panel 110 for further attracting a prospective buyer to a garment 105 hung on the second panel 120.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a means for suspending the garment hanger 100, and in particular the first panel 110, using an opening 111 for receiving a suspension element, such as a wire 150 as illustrated, for example, in Figure 18. Additional non-limiting examples of a suspension element include a display rod in a retail store (not shown) or a clip (not shown) for attachment of the first panel 110 to another object such as another garment. The opening 111 is preferably situated in the current embodiment near the top of the first panel 110 in order to maximize the extent of the first panel 110 that is visible and displayed while the garment hanger 100 is hung or otherwise suspended. The opening 111 is also preferably situated above the hook 130 that is attached to the second panel 120 in the embodiment of Figure 1. As will be described below, the hook 130 is used to suspend the second panel 120 after it is separated from the first panel 110. In one embodiment, the hook 130 is rotated relative to the second panel 120 so that the hook 130 does not impair the visibility of the first panel 110 when the first panel 110 is connected to the second panel 120 as shown in Figure 18 (see also Figure 7 described below). In other words, when a garment 105 (Figures 18 and 19) is displayed, where the first panel 110 is located above the second panel 120 and the garment 105 is suspended downward from the second panel 120 relative to the first panel 110, the hook 130 is oriented in a downward direction and may be tucked under the garment 105 as shown in Figures 18 and 19. As such, it is possible that the hook 130 may not be visible to the consumer and serves no apparent function for hanging the garment 105 while the garment 105 is being advertised and displayed for sale and while the first panel 110 is connected to the second panel 120. In another embodiment, the hook 130 is visible to the consumer while the first panel 110 is present (see Figure 1, for example) to communicate the function of the hook 130 as a hanger upon removal of the first panel 110.

[0029] The function of the hook 130 is apparent to a consumer while the garment 105 is on display on hanger 100 or after garment 105 is purchased and the first panel 110 is separated from the second panel 120. In Figure 1, a visible separation facilitator 115 is located between the first panel 110 and second panel 120 for facilitating the separation of the first panel 110 from the second panel 120. An example of the visible separation facilitator 115 includes separation indicia for guiding the separation of the first panel 110 from the second panel 120. A non- limiting example of such separation indicia includes a score line or a drawn line between the first panel 110 and second panel 120 and/or an image of a pair of scissors that indicate precisely where the first panel 110 should be separated from the second panel 120 by a cutting means such as, for example, an actual pair of scissors (not shown).

[0030] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of garment hanger 100, where a separation facilitator further comprises perforations 116 for hand separating the first panel 110 from the second panel 120. Other methods of hand separation are possible. The perforations 116 in the illustrated embodiment enable the first panel 110 to be easily separated from the second panel 120 while relieving a consumer of the burden of locating a pair of scissors or other suitable cutting means. Furthermore, if the consumer happens to be a small child, and if the garment hanger 100 is used to vend a garment for a child's doll or the like, the perforations 116 may be the preferred form of separation facilitator, as the parent or guardian may not want the small child to use a sharp cutting means to separate the first panel 110 from the second panel 120. [0031] After a garment 105 (Figures 18 and 19) is purchased by a consumer (not shown), the consumer may separate the first panel 110 from the second panel 120 in preparation for hanging the second panel 120 using the hook 130 as shown in Figures 1214, which illustrate one embodiment of a hanger 140 including a second panel 120 and a hook 130. The consumer may, for example, save the first panel 110, commemorate the first panel 110 by framing it and hanging it on a wall, redeem it for a coupon or rebate if desired by the manufacturer, or simply discard it. Other uses of the first panel 110 are possible. The hook 130, which may be oriented in a downward position (Figures 18-19) relative to the first panel 110 while a garment 105 is supported on the second panel 120 and while the first panel 110 is connected to the second panel 120, is rotated upward after the first panel 110 is separated from the second panel 120 such that the hook 130 becomes the primary form of hanging a garment 105 suspended from the second panel 120 as shown, for example, in Figures 12-14.

[0032] In the embodiments of Figures 1-6, for example, an outermost radius of the hook 130 is less than an outermost radius of the first panel 110 such that the first panel 110 prevents use of the hook 130 while the first panel 110 is connected to and located above the second panel 120 and a garment 105 is suspended downward from the second panel 120 relative to the first panel 110. This prevents the hook 130 from interfering with the advertising or marketing function of the first panel 110 while the first panel 110 is connected to the second panel 120 as shown, for example in Figures 1, 3 and 5. It is preferred that the hook 130 is initially pivoted away from the first panel 110 as shown, for example, in Figures 18 and 19, to maximize the visibility of the first panel 110.

[0033] Figures 7-11 illustrate alternative embodiments of a garment hanger 200 comprising a first panel 210 having an opening 211 and identifying indicia 223a, a second panel 220 having identifying indicia 223b and connected to the first panel 210, and a hook 230, that are in the current embodiment each similar to the first panel 110, second panel 120 and hook 130 of Figures 1-6. In addition, a third panel 240 having identifying indicia 223c is connected to the second panel 220 and includes a third support 241 and a fourth support 242 for hanging a garment (not shown). The third support 241 and fourth support 242 may have a different configuration than the first support 221 and second support 222 of the second panel 220. For example, the third support 241 and fourth support 242 may be substantially hook shaped for supporting a dress that contains thin shoulder straps or the like and that might otherwise slide off the first and second supports 221 and 222 of the second panel 220 if such a dress were supported on the second panel 220. Similar to the use of a separation facilitator 215 that may be provided between the first panel 210 and the second panel 220, a separation facilitator 225 may be provided between the second panel 220 and third panel 240 for facilitating the separation of the second panel 220 and third panel 240 if desired. The separation facilitator 225 may include separation indicia for guiding the separation of the second panel 220 from the third panel 240, which may be, for example, a score line, a drawn line with an icon of scissors, perforations for hand separating, or the like.

[0034] Figures 15-17 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a garment hanger 300 without a first panel and only having a second panel 320, a third panel 340 and a hook 330, which is similar to the hanger 200 of Figures 7-11 with the first panel 210 removed therefrom. Such a configuration allows a consumer to use the second panel 320 to hang a garment of one type, such as a shirt, and/or to use the third panel 340 to hang a garment of another type, such as a dress that contains thin shoulder straps, for example.

[0035] Figure 18 illustrates one embodiment of a unique system of hangers 400 including a first garment hanger 100 (see Figures 1-6) and a second garment hanger 500, which may be directed to attract consumers who are interested in garments that may be different in size but are otherwise similar or matching in design. For example, a little girl may be interested in purchasing a garment 205 for her body and a matching garment 105 for her toy doll (not shown). In the system of hangers 400, the first garment hanger 100, as discussed in connection with Figures 1-6, for example, includes a first panel 110 that is conspicuously displayed and a second panel 120 that is substantially hidden by the garment 105 supported by the second panel 120. The hook 130 is attached to the second panel 120 and is preferably pivoted downward so that it doesn't block the first panel 110 from displaying the indicia 123a and/or functioning as an advertising panel or the like. A connector 150 is looped through the opening 111 in the first panel 110 of the first hanger 100 for attaching the first hanger 100 to the second hanger 500 as shown in Figure 19. Non-limiting examples of the connector 150 may be a metal or plastic wire or a string.

Alternatively, if the hook 130 is pivoted upward, the connector may extend between the bight portion of the hook 130 and the second hanger 500. The purpose of the connector 150 is to help ensure that the garments 105 and 205 are vended together, thereby making it easier for a consumer to purchase garments with matching designs.

[0036] Figure 19 illustrates one embodiment of a method for displaying a plurality of garments 105 and 205 shown separately in Figure 18. As described above, a consumer may be interested in purchasing a set of garments that are of different sizes but otherwise similar or matching in design or common theme. For example, the combination of the larger second garment 205 with the smaller first garment 105 may be suited for a mother/daughter, father/son, or little girl/toy doll combination, respectively. Such a method for displaying a plurality of garments comprises hanging a first garment 105 on a first hanger 100, hanging a second garment 205 on a second hanger 500, and connecting or otherwise associating the first hanger 100 with the second hanger 500 using a connector 150 or the like, wherein the first panel 110 on the first hanger 100 is substantially exposed while the first garment 105 is hung from the second panel 120. This method for displaying a plurality of garments may be aesthetically pleasing to the consumer and in addition may relieve the consumer of the burden of having to locate a matching set of garments. Furthermore, the method 300 takes advantage of the embodiments of the garment hanger 100, including the aesthetically pleasing and attractive first panel 110 and the functional benefit of being able to separate the first panel 110 from the second panel 120 and use the hook 130 to hang the second panel 120 with garment 105 on a closet rod 600 or the like after the first panel 110 is separated from the second panel 120 as shown in Figure 20.

[0037] While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.