A HANGER ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A garment hanger (10) comprising a rail engaging portion (16) and garment supporting means in the form of a deformable elongate member (20). The end of the elongate member distal from the rail engaging portion comprises a first part (22) of a connection mechanism such that the elongate member (22) can be deformed back upon itself and connected to a second part (24) of the connection mechanism of the hanger to form a closed loop. The elongate member (20) comprises a side flange (32) along its length.

Claims

1. A garment hanger comprising a rail engaging portion and garment supporting means in the form of a deformable elongate member, the end of the elongate member distal from the rail engaging portion comprising a first part of a connection mechanism such that the elongate member can be deformed back upon itself and connected to a second part of the connection mechanism of the hanger to form a closed loop, wherein the elongate member comprises a side flange along its length.

2. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the side flange is at or adjacent the end of the elongate member distal from the rail engaging portion.

3. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a click-fit fastening.

4. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the side flange comprises a debossed or embossed section.

5. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the deformable elongate member comprises a least one aperture therein.

6. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the side flange is less than half of the width of the elongate member.

7. A garment hanger according to claim 6, wherein the side flange is less than a quarter of the width of the elongate member.

8. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the side flange extends in a direction non-parallel with the length of the elongate member.

9. A method of hanging a garment comprising the steps of: providing a garment hanger according to claim 1; threading the elongate member through at least one loop of material on a garment; and closing the elongate member by connecting the respective parts of the connection mechanism of the garment hanger.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the garment hanger is threaded through a plurality of loops of material on the garment.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein a tie is provided through a retaining aperture in the elongate member and the tie engages one loop of material on the garment to connect the garment hanger to the garment independently from the elongate member engaging at least one loop of material of the garment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a garment hanger in accordance with the present invention;

[0034] FIGS. 2 shows a front view of the garment hanger of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the garment hanger of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows the lower part of the garment hanger of FIG. 1 in a closed position; and

[0037] FIGS. 5 to 8 shows further detail on an information element channel of the garment hanger of FIG. 1 and an information element for reception therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0038] FIGS. 1 to 8 show a garment hanger arrangement 10 comprising a garment hanger 12, an information element in the form of a sizer 14 that is slidably engageable with, or connectable to, the garment hanger 12.

[0039] The garment hanger 12 comprises a support-engaging portion in the form of a hook 16, a body section 18 and a deformable elongate member 20, the elongate member 20 comprising a first part of a connection mechanism 22 and the hanger having a second part of a connection mechanism 24 positioned away from the first part of the connection mechanism 22, such that the elongate member 20 can be deformed back upon itself and connected to the hanger 12 to form a loop. The end of the elongate member 20 distal from the support-engaging portion 16 is narrower than the span of the support engaging portion 16.

[0040] The first part of the connection mechanism 22 is in the form of an aperture arranged at the end of the elongate member 20 that is distal from the support-engaging hook 16. The second part of the connection mechanism 24 is in the form of a nipple arranged at the end of the elongate member 20 that is proximal to the support-engaging hook 16, or on the body section 18. The aperture 22 is sized to fit over the nipple 24 so that the parts releasably engage but can be readily released. It will be appreciated that the parts may be reversed so that the nipple and aperture are in reverse positions. Alternatively, other connection or fastening mechanisms may be employed, such as hook-and-eye, poppers or other arrangements that retain the hanger in a closed position.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, although it may be optional, the elongate member 22 comprises two pre-determined weakened regions 26 and may include a third predetermined weakened region 28. The predetermined weakened regions 26 and 28 allow the elongate member 20, when it is in its deformed state to form a triangular loop that may have a substantially flat spacer 30 at the intended lower end of the triangular loop so that an item rests upon the substantially flat spacer 30, when in use.

[0042] Extending laterally from the end of the elongate member 20 is a side flange 32, which is provided with embossed grips 33. The side flange 32 is sized to allow a user to provide a force against the distal end of the elongate member 20 to either open or close the connection mechanism. This assists with providing sufficient force for the first part of the connection mechanism, aperture 22 to engage the second part of the connection mechanism, nipple 24 or to release the same.

[0043] The hook 16 is provided with a channel 34, which is shown more clearly in FIG. 5. The channel 34 has a pair of parallel depressions 36 either side of a central ridge 38 and comprises a first section 40 and a second section 42, divided by a lateral ridge 44. The channel 34 is closed at one end 46 and open at the other end 48, so that a sizer element 14 can slidably engage the channel 34 through the open end 48 and abut the closed end 46. Whilst the channel 34 may be provided on just one side of the hanger, it is provided on both sides of the hanger 12 in the embodiment shown in the Figures.

[0044] The sizer 14 is cuboid shaped, although other shapes may be employed, and has a U-shaped recess 50 along on edge. The U-shaped recess 50 has a first pair of inwardly projecting protrusions 52 along its internal surface and a second pair of inwardly projecting protrusions 54 adjacent the open end of the U-shaped recess 50. The sizer 14 comprises a resiliently yieldable material to allow it to elastically deform.

[0045] To apply the sizer 14 to the hanger, the sizer 14 is slid into the channel 34 of the garment hanger 12 from a direction that is substantially parallel with the length of the recess 34 so that the U-shaped recess 50 of the sizer 14 is arranged adjacent the edge of the garment hanger 12 and substantially parallel with the length of the channel 34.

[0046] To remove the sizer 14 from the hanger 12, the reverse steps are undertaken and the sizer 14 is disengaged from the channel 34 of the garment hanger 12.

[0047] The use of a spacer section may be advantageous; however, the device elongate member may flex and so make a loop, without a spacer section present.

[0048] A “garment” is generally considered to be an item of clothing that may be worn by a person. Therefore, it may include, but is not limited to, trousers, shorts, jeans, skirts, jackets, jumpers or shirts. Accessories, such as hats, sunglasses, bags and belts are not considered to be garments.