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Title:
HANGER ADAPTED TO BE SECURED ONTO A SUPPORT ROPE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2004/091349
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The hanger comprises a main body (5), a first component (7), a second component (9), and an actuating lever (11). The main body is devised for receiving an article to be hung thereon. The first component is operatively mounted onto the main body and has at least one hook (13) being shaped and sized for hooking said main body via the hook onto an upper edge of the support rope (3). The second component is also operatively mounted onto the main body and is pivotally movable with respect to the first component, the second component having a clamping portion (15) operable between a release configuration where the clamping portion is drawn away from the support rope, and a securement configuration where the clamping portion of the second component is positioned to press against a lower edge of the support rope, substantially opposite to the upper edge thereof, thereby clamping the support rope and thus securing the hanger along the same. The actuating lever is operatively connected to the second component for operating the same between the release and securement configurations.

More Like This:
JP5167376Hanger device
JP3230559clothes hanger
Inventors:
BOULET MICHELE (CA)
CHARBONNEAU PAUL (CA)
Application Number:
PCT/CA2004/000583
Publication Date:
October 28, 2004
Filing Date:
April 15, 2004
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
BOULET MICHELE (CA)
CHARBONNEAU PAUL (CA)
International Classes:
A47G25/32; (IPC1-7): A47G25/14; A47G25/32
Foreign References:
US2701082A1955-02-01
US2362756A1944-11-14
GB1380519A1975-01-15
US1690614A1928-11-06
US3240462A1966-03-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Robic (CDP Capital Center 1001, Victoria Square, Bloc E - 8th Floo, Montreal Quebec H2Z 2B7, CA)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS:
1. A hanger adapted to be secured onto a support rope, the hanger comprising : a main body devised for receiving an article to be hung thereon ; a first component operatively mounted onto the main body and having at least one hook being shaped and sized for hooking said main body via the hook onto an upper edge of the support rope ; a second component also operatively mounted onto the main body and being pivotally movable with respect to the first component, the second component having a clamping portion operable between a release configuration where the clamping portion is drawn away from the support rope, and a securement configuration where the clamping portion of the second component is positioned to press against a lower edge of the support rope, substantially opposite to the upper edge thereof, thereby clamping the support rope and thus securing the hanger along the same; and an actuating lever operatively connected to the second component for operating the same between the release and securement configurations.
2. A hanger according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hook of the first component comprises first and second hooks.
3. A hanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first component comprises a mounting rod about which the second component is pivotally mounted.
4. A hanger according to any one of claims 13, wherein the first component comprises a support rod for supporting the first component, said support rod being inserted into a corresponding socket of the main body.
5. A hanger according to claim 4, wherein the support rod is rotatable within the socket of the main body.
6. A hanger according to any one of claims 15, wherein the support rod, the mounting rod and each hook of the first component are made of a single wire being shaped accordingly.
7. A hanger according to any one of claims 16, wherein the clamping portion of the second component is substantially Lshaped.
8. A hanger according to any one of claims 17, wherein the clamping portion of the second component is a resilient clamping portion.
9. A hanger according to any one of claims 18, wherein the clamping portion of the second component comprises a bend for receiving the lower edge of the support rope when in the securement configuration.
10. A hanger according to any one of claims 29, wherein the clamping portion, when in the securement configuration, is positioned between the first and second hooks of the first component.
11. A hanger according to any one of claims 110, wherein the clamping portion of the second component and the actuating lever for operating the same are made of a single wire being shaped accordingly.
12. A hanger according to any one of claims 311, wherein the clamping portion of the second component and the actuating lever for operating the same are made of a single wire being shaped accordingly, said wire having at least one segment wound about the mounting rod of the first component so that the second component may be pivotally movable with respect to the first component.
13. A hanger according to any one of claims 112, wherein wires of the hanger are metallic wires.
14. A hanger according to any one of claims 113, wherein the hanger is a garment hanger.
15. A hanger according to daim 13, wherein the actuating iever of the hanger is provided with a hook for hooking the garment hanger onto another support.
16. A method of securing a hanger onto a support rope, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a hanger according to any one of claims 1 to 14; b) operating the clamping portion of the second component in the release configuration; c) mounting at one hook of the first component onto an upper edge of the support rope; and d) using the actuating lever to position the clamping portion adjacent to an lower edge of the support rope, substantially opposite to the upper edge thereof, and to press said clamping portion against the lower edge by operating the clamping portion into the securement configuration so as to clamp the support rope and thus secure the hanger along the same.
Description:
HANGER ADAPTED TO BE SECURED ONTO A SUPPORT ROPE Field of the invention : The present invention relates to hanger adapted to be secured onto a support rope. More particularly, in its preferred intended use, the present invention relates to a garment hanger which can act as a conventional hanger, and which is also devised to be secured onto a clothesline, or any other suitable corresponding rope-like structure, such as a wired rack for example, and the like.

Background of the invention: Garment hangers are very well known in the art. Indeed, a typical garment hanger usually comprises a main body devised to receive a garment to be hung thereon, and a hooking member operatively connected to the body for hooking the garment hanger onto a support structure, such as a pole in a closet, for example.

Clotheslines are also very well known in the art. Indeed, they generally consist of a cord, rope, or wire on which clothes may be hung to dry and/or air out by means of suitable accessories, such as clothespins for example.

Known to the Applicant are the following US patents which describe various devices for use with garment hangers and/or clotheslines : 1,690, 614; 2,505, 306; 2,921, 728; 3,202, 329; 3,240, 462; 3,253, 813 ; 4,034, 902; 4,139, 174; 4,553, 294; 4,823, 444; 4,833, 759; 5,083, 690; 6,196, 399 B1 ; 6,487, 760 B1 ; and 6,506, 108 B1.

Also known to the Applicant is Japanese document No. 2001-224897.

However, a substantial problem associated with these types of devices is that they are not intended to retain a garment in a very simple and efficient

manner (i. e. used as a conventional garment hanger), while at the same time being capable of being securely mounted in place onto a clothesline for example, without being displaced according to the effect of winds and without leaving behind on the garments with which they cooperate any disgraciai foids caused by conventional accessories, such as clothespins for example.

Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved device which would be able to overcome some of the aforementioned prior art problems.

Summary of the invention: The objects of the present invention is to provide a garment hanger which, by virtue of its design and components, satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement over other related devices known in the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as will be easily understood from the present description, with a hanger adapted to be secured onto a support rope, the hanger comprising: a main body devised for receiving an article to be hung thereon; a first component operatively mounted onto the main body and having at least one hook being shaped and sized for hooking said main body via the hook onto an upper edge of the support rope; a second component also operatively mounted onto the main body and being pivotally movable with respect to the first component, the second component having a clamping portion operable between a release configuration where the clamping portion is drawn away from the support rope, and a securement configuration where the clamping portion of the second component is positioned to press against a lower edge of the support rope, substantially opposite to the upper edge thereof, thereby clamping the support rope and thus securing the hanger along the same; and

an actuating lever operatively connected to the second component for operating the same between the release and securement configurations.

Preferably, the hanger is a garment hanger, and the actuating lever of the hanger is provided with a hook for hooking the garment hanger onto another support.

The objects, advantages, and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings : Figure 1 is a front plan view of a hanger according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said hanger being shown secured onto a support rope.

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the hanger shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is enlarged partial elevational view of what is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of what is shown in Figure 3, the clamping portion being shown in a securement configuration.

Figure 5 is another view of what is shown in Figure 4, the clamping portion being now shown in a release configuration.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention: In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments shown in the figures are preferred.

Moreover, although'the present invention was primarily designed for use with garments and/or clotheslines, it may be used with other objects and/or other hanging supports, such as wired racks for example, and the like, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as"garment", "clothesline", etc. , used herein should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention and includes all other kinds of objects and/or applications with which the present invention could be used and may be useful. As will also be easily understood, the cross-sectional area of the support rope ("clothesline") according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to a circular configuration, and may take on other suitable geometrical configurations, such as square, rectangular, triangular, etc. , as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions"device" and"hanger", as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may be used interchangeably. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as"rope","support"and"clothesline"for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises various components such as articulated wired components, etc. , and although the preferred embodiments of the hanger 1 and corresponding parts as shown consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i. e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well

as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the hanger 1 and corresponding parts according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Broadly described, the hanger 1 according to the present invention, is a hanger 1 adapted to be secured onto a support rope 3, or any other suitable rope-like structure, as will be easily understood from the present description by a person skilled in the art. The hanger 1 comprises a main body 5, a first component 7, a second component 9, and an actuating lever 11, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The main body 5 is devised for receiving an article (not shown) to be hung thereon. The first component 7 is operatively mounted onto the main body 5 and has at least one hook 13 being shaped and sized for hooking said main body 5 via the hook 13 onto an upper edge of the support rope 3, as can be easily understood from Figure 2. The second component 9 is also operatively mounted onto the main body 5 and is pivotally movable with respect to the first component 7, the second component 9 having a clamping portion 15 operable between a release configuration where the clamping portion 15 is drawn away from the support rope 3, as better shown in Figure 5, and a securement configuration where the clamping portion 15 of the second component 9 is positioned to press against a lower edge of the support rope 3, substantially opposite to the upper edge thereof, thereby clamping the support rope 3 and thus securing the hanger 1 along the same, as better shown in Figure 4. The actuating lever 11 is operatively connected to the second component 9 for operating the same between the release and securement configurations, as also can be easily understood from Figure 5. It is worth mentioning, as can be easily understood, that according to the present invention, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the at least one hook 13 of the first component 7 and the clamping portion 15 of the second component 9 need not necessarily be diametrically opposite to one another so as to properly clamp the support rope 3, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the at least one hook 13 of the first component 7 comprises first and second hooks 13, as better shown in Figures 2 and 3. As also shown, the first component 7 preferably comprises a mounting rod 17 about which the second component 9 is pivotally mounted. Preferably also, the first component 7 comprises a support rod 19 for supporting the first component 7, said support rod 19 being inserted into a corresponding socket of the main body 5, as better shown in Figure 2. Preferably, the support rod 19 is rotatable within the socket of the main body 5, as can be easily understood from Figures 2-5.

Preferably, the support rod 19, the mounting rod 17 and each hook 13 of the first component 7 are made of a single wire being shaped accordingly, as better shown in Figure 2.

Preferably also, the clamping portion 15 of the second component 9 is substantially L-shaped, as better shown in Figures 2 and 5. The clamping portion 15 is preferably a resilient clamping portion, for reasons and advantages that will be explained in greater detail below. Preferably also, the clamping portion 15 of the second component 9 comprises a bend for receiving the lower edge of the support rope when in the securement configuration, as better shown in Figures 4 and 5. The clamping portion 15, when in the securement configuration, is preferably positioned between the first and second hooks 13 of the first component 7, as better shown in Figure 2. Preferably also, the clamping portion 15 and the actuating lever 11 for operating the same are made of a single wire being shaped accordingly, as also better shown in Figure 2. As shown in this figure, the wire preferably has at least one segment, but preferably two segments, wound about the mounting rod 17 of the first component 7 so that the second component 9 may be pivotally movable with respect to the first component, as can be easily understood from Figures 4 and 5.

Preferably, the wires of the hanger 1 are metallic wires, but may be made of other suitable materials, as will be explained briefly below, and as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of securing a hanger 1 onto a support rope, the method comprising the steps of : a) providing a hanger 1 according to the present invention, such as the one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the accompanying drawings ; b) operating the clamping portion 15 of the second component 9 in the release configuration ; c) mounting at one hook 13 of the first component 7 onto an upper edge of the support rope 3; and d) using the actuating lever 11 to position the clamping portion 15 adjacent to an lower edge of the support rope 3, substantially opposite to the upper edge thereof, and to press said clamping portion 15 against the lower edge by operating the clamping portion 15 into the securement configuration so as to clamp the support rope 3 and thus secure the hanger 1 along the same.

Preferably, the hanger 1 is a garment hanger 1, and thus, the actuating lever of the hanger 1 is preferably provided with a hooking member 21 (or simply "hook"23) for hooking the garment hanger 1 onto another support, such as a pole and the like.

Indeed, in its preferred intended use, the hanger 1 according to the present invention, as exemplified in the accompanying drawings, is a garment hanger 1 which comprises a main body 5 devised to receive a garment (not shown) to be hung thereon, and a hooking member 21 for hooking the garment hanger 1. The hooking member 21 preferably comprises a hook 23 for hooking the garment hanger 1 onto a first support, such as a pole or a rack of a closet for example, as is possible with conventional garment hangers. The garment hanger 1 according to the present invention preferably further comprises clamping means having first and second components 7,9, devised to cooperate with one another so as to clamp thereinbetween a segment of another support, such as a clothesline 3 for example, so as to be able to securely mount the garment hanger 1 onto said second support. As shown in Figures 1-5, the first and second

components 7,9, of the garment hanger 1 are preferably integrated into the hooking member 21 of the hanger 1 and preferably comprise wire articulations. indeed, as better shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first component 7 preferably comprises a support rod 19 operatively connected to the main body 5 of the garment hanger 1, via a suitable socket, the support rod 19 being preferably rotatable with respect to said body 5 so that a garment hung onto the body 5 may be positioned in parallel, transversely, or at an angle, with respect to the support onto which the garment hanger 1 may be secured. Furthermore, as better shown in Figures 2,4 and 5, the second component 9 is preferably hingedly connected to an upper portion of the first component 7 and is operable between at least a release configuration, where the garment hanger 1 may be removed to and from the second support, i. e. the support rope 3, and a securement configuration where the components 7,9, have portions which preferably pass respectively over and under the second support (e. g. a, clothesline 3) in order to ensure a secure clamping of the garment hanger 1 onto the clothesline 3 for example, as better shown in Figure 2.

The hook 23 and the second component 9 of the hooking member 21 are preferably operatively connected to each other, so that said hook 23 may act as an actuating lever 11 for operating the second component 9 of the hooking member 21 into its release configuration, securement configuration, and intermediate positions, as can be easily understood when referring to Figures 4 and 5.

Preferably also, the components of the hooking member 21, including the hook 23 thereof, are preferably made of a suitable metallic material, such as stainless steel for example, so as to sustain the entire weight of the garment hanger 1 and possible garment (s) hung thereon. Preferably also, the body 5 of the garment hanger 1, and the covering of the hook 23, are made of a suitable lighter and softer material, such as a polymer, or composite material, and the like, as apparent to a person skilled in the art, so as to properly sustain the weight of

possible garment (s) hung thereon. It is worth mentioning though that the hooking member 21 and body 5 of the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may be made of other suitable materials depending on the applications for which the garment hanger 1 is intended, as apparent to a person ski ! ! ed in the art. For example, if the garment hanger 1 is intended to be used in very humid environment, then its parts are preferably made of materials which would be corrosion resistant, so as to prevent adverse interaction, such as stains for example, with the garments used therewith.

Preferably also, the components (e. g. the clamping portion 15) of the garment hanger 1 are preferably devised so as to have a sufficient amount of resiliency in order to adapt themselves and suitably clamp thereinbetween different diameters and types of clotheslines 3 sold in the market, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

As aforementioned, the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may act as a conventional garment hanger and has first and second components 7,9, preferably comprising a rod clamping mechanism integrated to the hooking member 21, said rod clamping mechanism being devised so as to carry out a clamping of a second support, such as a clothesline 3 for example, and maintain the garment hanger 1 onto which the mechanism is integrated securely mounted onto said second support. As can be easily understood from the present description, the garment hanger 1 may be used with other hanging devices intended to be used with clotheslines and/or conventional closets.

According to the present invention, the garment hanger 1 and corresponding parts may be shaped and sized so as to accommodate different formats of garments, ranging from junior size to senior size, and may be provided with additional components and features depending on the applications for which the garment hanger 1 is intended, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example, the body of the garment hanger 1 may be provided with wider support areas for heavier coats and garments, or may be provided with elastometer

fixtures so as to prevent skidding of the garment with respect to the body 5, as well as with suitable bands, and the like. Moreover, the garment hanger 1 according to the present invention may be provided with suitable means devised to receive other accessories, such as those intended to hang and/or dry several pairs of socks, pants, skirts, and the like. Thus, it could be easily understood that several components and features may be added or modified to the body 5 and corresponding hooking member 21 of the garment hanger 1 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Indeed, for example, the first and second components 7,9, of the garment hanger 1 need not be integrated into the hooking member 21. Indeed, for example, the first and second components 7,9 may be respectively disposed in the body 5 and hooking member 21 of the garment hanger 1 for example, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Indeed, an important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the garment hanger 1 may not only be used as a conventional garment hanger, but comprises additional clamping or securing means, which may come in various forms, as apparent to a person skilled in the art, for securely mounting the garment hanger 1 onto another support, such as a clothesline 3 for example, in the manner described herein.

It can be easily understood that according to the present invention, one may easily increase the amount of garments which can be dried at the same time on a clothesline. Indeed, the garments, while remaining on their corresponding hanger 1, may be installed transversely, in parallel, and/or at an angle, with respect to a clothesline 3, and thus dried, without the creation of folds resulting from accessories such as clothespins for example, which are not required with the present invention. Upon suitable drying and/or airing of the garments, these may be returned for storing in a conventional closet for example, using the hook of the hooking member.

As may now be appreciated, the present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by virtue of its design and components, the garment hanger 1 enables to easily multiply the amount of garments which may

be dried at the same time on a given clothesline 3, as aforementioned. Indeed, the present garment hanger 1 occupies a minimal space, and is devised to be positioned transversely with respect to the clothesline 3.

Moreover, the present invention is also advantageous with respect to the prior art in that the garment hanger 1 is intended to be hooked on to two different support structures, such as a conventional closet and a clothesline 3 for example.

Moreover, by virtue of its design and components, the garment hanger 1 is also advantageous in that it prevents the formation of wrinkles on the clothes when mounted onto a clothesline 3 because there is no longer the need for the use of clothespins. Moreover, the present invention is also a substantial over the prior art in that it provides substantial advantages without any substantial increase in manufacturing costs. Indeed, the first and second sections, of the garment hanger 1 may be easily integrated into the hooking member 21, by very simple means and manufacturing processes, such as wire articulations illustrated herein for example. Furthermore, the present invention is also advantageous in that, as may now be better appreciated, the use of. the present garment hanger 1 reduces the need for ironing, tumble-drying, and/or dry-cleaning, thereby substantially reducing consumption of energy and the production of waste, which is very beneficial from an environmental point of view, as well as from an economic point of view. Moreover, the use of the present garment hanger 1 may incite the users thereof to become more environmentally conscientious.

Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.