Garment holding device

Abstract

A garment holding device for washing or drying garments in an organized manner so as to prevent pairs of garment from becoming separated. The garment holding device includes an elongated cable disposed in a loop configuration, wherein the cable includes a first end removably secured to a second end. A plurality of clips are removably secured to the cable, wherein each clip can hold a pair of socks, gloves, or other paired garments for the purpose of keeping the garments together while being washed or dried. Each clip includes an aperture that is able to receive the elongated cable therethrough and a plurality of teeth that prevent the paired garments from becoming removed therefrom while in the washer or dryer. A clip, along with a clean pair of garments thereon, can be removed from the elongated cable in order to store the pair of garments together in a drawer.

Claims

1. A garment holding device, comprising: an elongated cable disposed in a loop configuration, wherein said elongated cable comprises a first end removably secured to a second end; a plurality of clips disposed on said elongated cable and adapted to hold one or more garments thereon; wherein each of said plurality of clips comprise an aperture disposed on a side thereof, such that said elongated cable is disposed through said aperture; wherein said first end comprises an L-shaped configuration and said second end comprises a hook thereon, such that said first end is adapted to be positioned through said hook disposed on said second end of said elongated cable.

2. The garment holding device of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of clips comprise a first side pivotally secured to a second side, wherein a lower end of said first side and said second side each comprise a plurality of teeth adapted to removably secure said one or more garments therebetween.

3. The garment holding device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of clips are alligator clips.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the garment holding device wherein clips are holding garments thereon.

(3) FIG. 2A shows a close-up view of a clip of the garment holding device wherein the clip is in a closed configuration.

(4) FIG. 2B shows a close-up view of the clip of the garment holding device wherein the clip is in an open configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the garment holding device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for washing and drying pairs of garments, such as socks and gloves. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

(6) Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the garment holding device wherein clips are holding garments thereon. The garment holding device 11 is adapted to keep pairs of garments together while being washed or dried, such as socks or gloves. The garment holding device 11 comprises an elongated cable 12 and a plurality of clips 13 disposed thereon. The elongated cable 12 is flexible and disposed in a loop configuration, wherein the cable 12 includes a first end 14 removably secured to a second end 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 14 comprises an L-shaped configuration and the second end 15 comprises a hook shaped fastener. The first end 14 is adapted to be positioned through the hook shaped fastener on the second end 15. Thus, the first and second ends 14, 15 are removably securable to one another in order to allow the clips 13 to be removed from the elongated cable 12. In alternate embodiments, the garment holding device 11 can comprise any suitable fastener that allows the first end 14 to removably secure to the second end 15, such as a tie, hook and loop material, a snap, or a clasp disposed on the first end 14 and ring disposed on the second end 15. The cable 12 can be composed of any suitable material, including a durable and flexible metal or plastic material that will not corrode or weaken when exposed to warm water and detergent. In some embodiments, the elongated cable 12 comprises a strap, rope, wire, or the like, so as to allow the elongated cable to form a loop configuration. In other embodiments, the elongated cable 12 can be disposed in other configurations, such as U-shaped, straight, and the like, as long as the first end 14 and second end 15 provide an obstacle, such as a stopper, to prevent the clips 13 from becoming removed therefrom.

(7) Each clip 13 is adapted to hold a pair of socks, gloves, or other paired garments thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, alligator clips are used to hold the garments therebetween. However, in other embodiments, any type of suitable clip 13 may be used. The clips 13 are preferably spaced around the elongated cable 12 to separate the pairs of socks from one another. In some embodiments, additional clips 13 can be removably secured to the elongated cable 12 in order to accommodate additional garments.

(8) Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown a close-up view of a clip of the garment holding device wherein the clip is in a closed configuration and a close-up view of the clip of the garment holding device wherein the clip is in an open configuration. Each clip 13 comprises a first side 19 pivotally connected to a second side 20, wherein the clip 13 is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In a closed orientation, the lower end 21 of each side 19, 20 of the clip 13 is pressed against one another or pressed against a garment if a garment is disposed therebetween. In an open configuration, the lower end 21 of the sides 19, 20 are separated in order to receive a garment therebetween. The sides 19, 20 of the clip are secured to one another by a spring biased hinge 17. The hinge 17 allows the clip 13 to remain in a closed orientation unless a user applies force to the upper ends of both sides 19, 20 thereof.

(9) Each clip 13 further comprises an aperture 16 disposed on the upper end of at least one side 19, 20. The aperture 16 is adapted to receive the elongated cable therethrough and allows the clip 13 to move along the cable. In operation, a user can thread the elongated support through the apertures 16 of one or more clips 13 so that the clips 13 are removably secured to the elongated support along the length thereof. The user can then secure the first and second ends of the elongated support to form a loop, wherein the clips 13 are prevented from escaping or being removed from the elongated support. The aperture 16 further permits the clip 13 to be removed from the elongated cable. Thus, if a user desires to maintain the organization of his or her socks after the laundry has been completed, the clip 13 can be removed from the elongated cable and stored in a drawer until needed. The clips 13 are preferably composed of a durable material that can withstand warm water and laundry detergent.

(10) The lower end 21 of each side 19, 20 of the clip 13 comprises securement mechanism in order to allow the garments to remain securely thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the secure mechanism comprises a plurality of teeth 18 adapted to allow the garments to maintain their position within the clip 13 during the turbulence experienced during wash cycle or dryer cycle. In alternate embodiments, lower end 21 of the clip 13 comprises any suitable securement mechanism, such as a high friction pad disposed on both sides 19, 20 of the clip 13. In operation, a user places a pair of garments between the teeth 18 of the clip 13 and places the garment holding device in the washer or dryer. Once the washing or drying process is complete, the user may remove the socks from the clip 13 or remove the clip 13 from the elongated cable by unhooking the first end of the elongated cable from the second end thereof.

(11) It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(12) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.