Single-handed Garment Hanger

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/659,321 filed Jun. 12, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The field of disclosure is related to the field of garment hanging apparatuses, focusing on innovations in mechanisms and structures for securely and efficiently hanging garments.

The storage of garments has long been a challenge faced by individuals and industries alike. The use of hangers presents a relatively low footprint mode of storage, providing an alternative to folding and stacking garments. However, the use of conventional garment hangers presents a myriad of issues that have yet to be adequately addressed.

One of the primary issues with conventional garment hangers is the difficulty in their use. These hangers are designed to be hung from a closet rod, a design that is not conducive to the hanging of many types of garments. This design flaw often results in the stretching and deformation of garments, particularly those made from delicate materials. This issue is further exacerbated when the garment is removed from the hanger, as the typical method of removal involves pulling on the bottom of the garment, which can lead to further damage.

Another significant issue with conventional hangers is their lack of portability. These hangers, typically made from rigid materials such as plastic or wood, do not travel well and are not easily packed into luggage such as a carry-on bag. This lack of portability presents a significant inconvenience for individuals who travel frequently and need to transport their garments in a manner that prevents wrinkling and other forms of damage.

Attempts to address these issues have largely been unsuccessful. Many hanger designs are primarily focused on cost, resulting in a fixed plastic or wood piece that does not adequately address the issues of garment deformation, ease of use, or portability. Some designs have attempted to incorporate foldable elements to improve portability, but these designs have proven to be less efficient and more time-consuming to use than conventional hangers.

Furthermore, these attempts at improved hanger designs have failed to consider the aesthetic appeal of the hanger. Many individuals and businesses prefer hangers that are not only functional but also decorative, adding to the overall aesthetic of the closet or retail space. Current hanger designs have not successfully balanced functionality and aesthetics, often sacrificing one for the other.

In summary, there is a clear and pressing need for a garment hanger that addresses the issues of garment deformation, ease of use, portability, and aesthetics. The current solutions in the market have failed to adequately address these issues, resulting in a significant gap in the garment storage industry.

The present invention provides an innovative solution to the challenges associated with conventional garment hangers. The invention is an improved garment hanger, designed for easy and efficient hanging and unhanging of clothes, e.g. with one hand only. The hanger's unique design allows the user to slide the hanger into the garment's neck hole from underneath, without needing to unhook it from the closet rod. Once the garment is positioned, the user can release the hanger so that its arms swing up into an extended position, supporting the shoulder line of the garment.

The invention is equipped with a spring actuated catch and release mechanism that allows the hanger's arms to be compressed and locked, and then easily released. This feature, along with the overall design of the hanger, allows for one-handed use, making the process of hanging and unhanging garments significantly easier and more efficient.

One of the key benefits of this invention is its gentleness on garments. The hanger is designed to minimize stretching and deformation, particularly around the neck hole of the garment. This feature ensures that garments maintain their shape and quality even after being hung for extended periods.

Additionally, the hanger's foldable design makes it highly portable. The hanger can be compressed and packed away easily, making it ideal for travel. It can fit into carry-on luggage and other small spaces, providing a convenient solution for garment storage on the go.

The invention comprises several key elements, including a hook, arms, a spring, and a catch/release mechanism. Additional minor components may include a spring dampener, a ratchet pawl system, and padding on the arms to further protect garments from damage.

In conclusion, this invention provides a comprehensive solution to the challenges of garment storage. It combines ease of use, garment protection, and portability into a single, efficient design, offering significant improvements over conventional hanger designs.

The present invention is for a single-handed garment hanger that features a spring mechanism enabling easy compression and release for hanging garments. The invention is described by reference to various elements herein. It should be noted, however, that although the various elements of the inventive apparatus are described separately below, the elements need not necessarily be separate. The various embodiments may be interconnected and may be cut out of a singular block or mold. The variety of different ways of forming an inventive apparatus, in accordance with the disclosure herein, may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Generally, one or more different embodiments may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the embodiments described herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the embodiments contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the embodiments, and it should be appreciated that other arrangements may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Particular features of one or more of the embodiments described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all arrangements of one or more of the embodiments nor a listing of features of one or more of the embodiments that must be present in all arrangements.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices and parts that are connected to each other need not be in continuous connection with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices and parts that are connected with each other may be connected directly or indirectly through one or more connection means or intermediaries.

A description of an aspect with several components in connection with each other does not imply that all such components are required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments and in order to more fully illustrate one or more embodiments. Similarly, although process steps, method steps, or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes and methods may generally be configured to work in alternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in this patent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of described processes may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one or more of the embodiments, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once per aspect, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they may only occur once each time a process, or method is carried out or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or some occurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a given aspect or occurrence.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.

The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the device itself.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of various embodiments in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The apparatus of the present invention is comprised of the following elements illustrated below. The elements individually or in combination provide the benefits described above.

The present invention is for an improved garment hanger that incorporates various components to enhance its functionality. Referring tothese components include: a hookfor suspension from a support member like a closet rod, first and second elongate support membersL andR, respectively (collectively) that can swing between a downward position and an extended position to hang garments, a basefor anchoring the components; a latching mechanism operable for toggling the hanger between a static and a dynamic state. Referring to, in embodiments the garment hanger may further comprise a spring mechanismfor biasing elongate support membersthereby extending them into an “open” position and absorbing torque. In further exemplary embodiments, the latching mechanism includes a spring biased actuator operable to incrementally control rotation of elongate support membersand release the hanger to its open extended state. Additionally, minor components such as a spring dampener, a ratchet pawl system for added control, and padding on the elongate support members for preventing slippage and garment protection, contribute to the overall effectiveness and usability of the invention. The improved garment hanger interacts with its environment and other products through a straightforward user-driven process. Returning to, users can manually apply torque to the elongate support membersto transform the single-handed garment hanger from its open position shown into its closed position shown in, enabling the user to slide the “closed” hanger into the neck hole of a garment. Once positioned, the user can operate the spring-biased actuatorto transform the hanger to the open position, thus supporting the garment on the hanger. This interaction does not require any complex external components or specialized equipment, relying solely on manual manipulation by the user to facilitate the hanging and display of clothing items effectively.

The hook, as described, serves as a solid member designed for hanging the hanger from a support member, like a closet rod or elevated hook (e.g. such as those found in car cabins). This coupling allows the hanger to rest in a suspended state, facilitating the hanging of clothes. In exemplary embodiments the hookis not a part of either elongate support memberof the hanger, but is a separate component that is free to move both clockwise and counterclockwise, and also free to rotate axially. This freedom of movement allows for easy adjustment and positioning of the hanger, as well as facilitating the smooth transition of the hanger's elongate support members from a downward position (e.g.) to an extended position (e.g.). In exemplary embodiments the hookmay be mechanically coupled to a base. In alternative embodiments the hookmay be removably coupled to base.

In terms of alternatives, the hookcan be designed as a two-component male/female system, such as a ball socket type. In this configuration, the male component (the ball) would be attached to the hanger, while the female component (the socket) would be attached to the closet rod or other elevated hook. This design allows for easy attachment and detachment of the hanger, as well as providing a secure connection that can withstand the weight of the hanger and the garment. Other alternatives can include hooks of varying shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of support members, or hooks made from different materials to provide different levels of strength and durability. In exemplary embodiments, hookis an S-hook. In further exemplary embodiments, hookis a flat S-hook.

The elongate support members,L andR, respectively (collectively) of the hanger are designed to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in synchronization with each other, with a maximum range of rotation of approximately 90 degrees. This rotation allows the elongate support membersto transition from a downward position, suitable for sliding the hanger into a garment's neck hole, to an extended position, where the garment hangs from them. In terms of orientation, elongate support membersare disposed in opposed orientation relative to one another, substantially 180 degrees apart about an axis, coupled axially to the base.

For added functionality, the elongate support members may feature cutouts designed for hooking garment straps, providing a secure hold for garments with straps. Additionally, the elongate support members may be equipped with padding to offer extra protection for the garment, preventing potential damage and slippage.

An alternative design for the elongate support members could involve a configuration where only one arm member (e.g.L) moves relative to the second arm member (e.g.R), with a larger range of rotation of approximately 180 degrees. This design could provide a wider range of motion for hanging different types of garments. Another alternative could involve integrating the hookinto one of the elongate support members, rather than disposing it as an independent component. This could simplify the structure of the hanger while still providing the necessary functionality. Still another alternative is adapting the elongate support membersfor hanging other hangers from its arms with additional cutouts, holes, slots or the like. The hanger disclosed herein is well-suited to this purpose in view of its durability and shock absorption capabilities.

In alternative embodiments, elongate support membersmay not be stacked layers as shown in. Similarly, in alternative embodiments the hook may not be coupled to a component in it's own layer. In embodiments, the elongate support membersand the baseare planar and hookis mechanically coupled to the base.

shows cross-sectional views of exemplary embodiments:shows an exploded view of exemplary embodiments.

The spring mechanism plays a crucial role in the functionality of the hanger, enabling it to fold into a closed position, as shown in, for insertion into the neck hole of a garment, and then revert to an open position, as shown into support the garment. In exemplary embodiments shown in, a spring mechanismis immovably coupled to elongate support membersdisposed between them such that spring mechanismbiases rotation of the elongate support membersfrom the open position to the closed position. In exemplary embodiments, a user may apply torque to the elongate support membersand transform the hanger from a first open extended position to a second closed position. The user may position the closed position hanger in the neck hole of a garment and trigger the release of torque stored in spring mechanismto revert the hanger to its open position. The spring mechanismabsorbs and stores mechanical force during transition of the elongate support membersbetween extended and closed positions. The spring mechanism can comprise any suitable spring type including torsion, compression, leaf, or spiral springs.

In exemplary embodiments, spring mechanismis a torsion spring that absorbs and stores torque to facilitate compression of the hanger elongate support members.

In exemplary embodiments, as shown in, the apparatus is anchored by a base. In exemplary embodiments, a basecomprises a spoke for axially coupling elongate support membersthereto. In exemplary embodiments, base is adapted to limit the rotation of elongate support membersthrough approximately a 90 degree range. In exemplary embodiments, baseserves as a housing or enclosure for a spring-biased actuator operable to toggle the hanger from a static to a dynamic state. In exemplary embodiments, the base is designed to accommodate a ball socket type coupling with the hook, allowing for easy attachment and detachment.

In exemplary embodiments as shown in, a housingis the interface for a spring-biased actuator. In exemplary embodiments, as shown in, the spring-biased actuator is integrated with base: baseencloses a plurality of springs that in their free unloaded state render the elongate support membersstatic, and in the loaded state allow the elongate support membersto rotate.

In exemplary embodiments, as shown in, the single-handed garment hanger reverts to the open position automatically when a user interfaces with housingand operates the spring-biased actuator.

In exemplary embodiments a spring-biased actuator includes springs of various types, such as a compression spring or a torsion spring. This function could be served by any number of springs, and the spring is ideally enclosed to preserve the kinematic integrity of the mechanism and protect the user from potential harm.

As an alternative, the spring could be any type that can absorb and release compression. In exemplary embodiments, a spring-biased actuator is a button. There are several alternatives for the latching mechanism. This flexibility in the type of spring used could accommodate different user preferences and garment types, enhancing the overall utility of the hanger.

In exemplary embodiments, as shown in, a latching mechanism is incorporated and operable for toggling the single-handed garment hanger between static and dynamic states.

In exemplary embodiments, the latching mechanism is integrated with the elongate support members, which are adapted to engage and become static and disengage to become dynamic. In exemplary embodiments, as shown in, the first elongate support memberL may be adapted with a pin disposed about the circumference of the through hole where elongate support memberL couples axially to base. Second elongate memberR may be similarly be fitted with at least a first complementary blind hole disposed about the circumference of the second elongate memberR through hole that couples axially to the base. In its free state the spring-biased actuator engages the first elongate support memberL and second elongate support memberR at the pin and the hanger is in a static state. In sum, the latching mechanism is designed to lock the hanger in a static position without the user needing to actively apply torque to the apparatus. The spring-biased actuator, when loaded, disengages the first elongate support memberL pin and second elongate support memberR complementary blind hole so they may rotate.

In exemplary embodiments, second elongate support memberR includes a plurality of blind holes arranged in a pattern about the circumference of the through hole. This design allows for incremental compression of spring mechanism, thus providing the user with the ability to adjust the tension in the spring to suit the specific needs of the garment being hung, offering a more tailored hanging experience.

In alternative embodiments, the pin and complementary blind hole or holes may be disposed on either of the first and second elongate support members.

The minor components of the invention contribute to its functionality and user experience. A spring dampener may be included to modulate the release of the spring, providing a smoother transition as the hanger elongate support members move from a downward to an extended position. This can enhance the user's control over the hanging process and prevent sudden movements that could potentially damage the garment.

The elongate support members of the hanger may include padding and/or notches for straps. The padding can provide additional protection for the garment, preventing slippage and reducing the risk of damage. The notches can offer a secure place for garment straps to rest, ensuring that the garment remains properly positioned on the hanger.

In terms of aesthetics, the hanger can incorporate various colors and artistic designs. This can enhance the visual appeal of the hanger, making it not just a functional tool but also a stylish addition to any closet. The color and design can be customized to suit the user's personal style or to match the decor of the space in which the hanger is used.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and Bis false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and Bis true (or present), and both A and Bare true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for a system and a process for creating an interactive message through the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various apparent modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.