Abstract
A hanging device for hanging a piece of clothing or a towel on a coat hook. The hanging device comprises a receiving portion configured to receive and hold the piece of clothing or towel. The hanging device is formed as an open ring having an overlapping portion comprising two overlapping structures that are spaced apart from each other and/or flexibly mounted with respect to each other in such a manner that the overlapping structures allow for insertion of the piece of clothing or towel into the receiving portion without manually pulling the overlapping structures away from each other. The open ring comprises a structure configured to be hung on the coat hook.
Claims
1. A hanging device for hanging a piece of clothing or a towel on a coat hook, the hanging device comprising a receiving portion configured to receive and hold the piece of clothing or towel, wherein the hanging device is formed as an open ring having an overlapping portion comprising two overlapping structures that are: a) spaced apart from each other; and/or b) flexibly mounted with respect to each other such that the overlapping structures allow for insertion of the piece of clothing or towel into the receiving portion without manually moving the overlapping structures away from each other, wherein the open ring comprises a section configured to be hung on the coat hook, wherein the open ring is provided with a first end portion and/or a second end portion formed as a portion of a structure having an essentially oval or round cross-section, wherein the first end portion is in contact with the open ring and/or the second end portion is in contact with the open ring.
2. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the overlapping structures comprises or is formed as an elastic portion.
3. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the open ring is formed as a one-piece body.
4. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the overlapping portion comprises parallel structures.
5. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the open ring is circular or oval.
6. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion is arranged a distance (D.sub.1) from a distal end of the open ring that is attached to the second end portion.
7. The hanging device according to claim 6, wherein the second end portion is arranged the distance (D.sub.1) from a distal end of the open ring that is attached to the first end portion.
8. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion and/or the second end portion is/are moveably attached to the open ring.
9. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein an outside portion of the first end portion and/or the second end portion is made of a resilient material.
10. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of the first end portion and/or the second end portion is made of a resilient material.
11. The hanging device according to claim 10, wherein the first end portion and/or the second end portion is attached to the proximal portion of the open ring by a connection structure made of a resilient material.
12. The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the overlapping portion extends at least 20 degrees.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present hanging devices. In the accompanying drawings:
[0055] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a close-up, side view of a portion of the hanging device shown in FIG. 1;
[0057] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a portion of a hanging device according an embodiment;
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a portion of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0059] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a portion of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0060] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a portion of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 7 shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0062] FIG. 8A shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0063] FIG. 8B shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0064] FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0065] FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0066] FIG. 10 shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0067] FIG. 11 shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0068] FIG. 12 shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0069] FIG. 13 shows a schematic front view of a hanging device according to an embodiment;
[0070] FIG. 14A shows a towel having an intact loop;
[0071] FIG. 14B shows the towel shown in FIG. 14B in a configuration in which the loop has been destroyed;
[0072] FIG. 14C shows how a hanging device according to the present disclosure can be attached to a towel (like the one shown in FIG. 14B) in order to successfully hang the towel on a coat hook;
[0073] FIG. 15 shows a hanging device according to the present disclosure hanging on a coat hook, while the hanging device is attached to a towel;
[0074] FIG. 16 shows how a plurality of hanging devices according to the present disclosure can hang on a single coat hook, so that several coats are hanging on the same coat hook at the same time; and
[0075] FIG. 17 shows a hanging device according to the present disclosure hanging on a coat hook, while the hanging device is attached to a towel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0076] Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating embodiments, a hanging device 2 is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up, side view of a portion of the hanging device 2 shown in FIG. 1.
[0077] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device is designed for hanging a piece of clothing or a towel on a coat hook 10 like the exemplary one illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0078] The hanging device 2 comprises a receiving portion 14 configured to receive and hold the piece of clothing or towel. The hanging device 2 is formed as an open ring 4 having an overlapping portion 12 that comprises two overlapping structures 22, 24.
[0079] The overlapping structures 22, 24 are spaced apart from each other and are designed to allow for insertion of a piece of clothing or a towel into the receiving portion 14 without manually moving (e.g. pulling) the overlapping structures 22, 24 away from each other. The open ring comprises a structure (the inner portion of the open ring) configured to be hung on the coat hook 10.
[0080] The overlapping portion 12 extends over approximately 15 degrees. However, it would be possible to have a wider or narrower overlapping portion 12. In an embodiment, the overlapping portion 12 extends over approximately 10 degrees. In an embodiment, the overlapping portion 12 extends over approximately 40 degrees.
[0081] The open ring 4 is circular and provided with a first end portion 6 and a second end portion 8. The end portions 6, 8 are spherical (more or less round, in three dimensions). Accordingly, the first end portion 6 and the second end portion 8 prevent the end portions 6, 8 from perforating the piece of clothing or towel during insertion into the receiving portion 14.
[0082] The first end portion 6 and the second end portion 8 press towards each other when being pulled away from each other. This is indicated by the arrow F illustrating the direction of the compressive force that will be provided when the end portions 6, 8 are being pulled away from each other. Hereby, the first end portion 6 and the second end portion 8 provide a firm grip on the piece of clothing or towel that has been inserted into the receiving portion 14.
[0083] The overlapping portion 12 comprises a first overlapping structure 22 extending parallel to a second overlapping structure 24. The overlapping structures 22, 24 constitute the distal end portions of the ring 4.
[0084] The hanging device 2 may be produced of any suitable material including, metal, wood, plastic and rubber.
[0085] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a portion of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 comprises an overlapping portion having two parallel overlapping structures 22, 24 that constitute the distal end portions of the ring 4. The first overlapping structure 22 comprises a first end portion 6 that is made of a resilient or flexible material such as rubber. The second overlapping structure 24 comprises a second end portion 8 that is made of a resilient or flexible material such as rubber. Hereby, the end portions 6, 8 will be compressed and/or bent when a piece of clothing or towel is being inserted into the receiving portion of the hanging device 2.
[0086] Accordingly, the overlapping structures 22, 24 are flexibly mounted with respect to each other in such a manner that the overlapping structures 22, 24 make it possible to insert a piece of clothing or towel into the receiving portion without manually pulling the overlapping structures 22, 24 away from each other.
[0087] In an embodiment, the ring 4 is made of a first material such as metal, plastic or wood while the end portions 6, 8 are made of a more resilient or flexible material such as rubber. In an embodiment, the end portions 6, 8 surround a portion of the ring 4.
[0088] Each of the end portions 6, 8 is provided with a rounded distal end. This will prevent damage to the piece of clothing or towel while being inserted into the receiving portion.
[0089] In an embodiment, the end portions 6, 8 are spaced apart more than shown in FIG. 3. Hereby, it is possible to provide an air gap between the ring 4 and the end portions 6, 8.
[0090] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a portion of another hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 comprises an overlapping portion having two parallel overlapping structures 22, 24 constituting the distal end portions of the ring 4 of the hanging device 2. The first overlapping structure 22 comprises a first end portion 6 that is made of the same material as the ring 4. The second overlapping structure 24 comprises a second end portion 8 that is made of the same material as the ring 4.
[0091] Due to the flexibility of the overall structure of the ring 4, the ring 4 itself will bend when a piece of clothing or towel is being inserted into the receiving portion of the hanging device 2.
[0092] Accordingly, the overlapping structures 22, 24 are flexibly mounted with respect to each other in such a manner that the overlapping structures 22, 24 make it possible to insert a piece of clothing or towel into the receiving portion without manually pulling the overlapping structures 22, 24 away from each other.
[0093] In an embodiment, the ring 4 is made of a first material such as metal, plastic or wood.
[0094] The end portions 6, 8 are spherical. This will prevent damage to the piece of clothing or towel being inserted into the receiving portion.
[0095] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a portion of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 comprises an overlapping portion having two parallel overlapping structures 22, 24 that constitute the distal end portions of the ring 4 of the hanging device 2. The first overlapping structure 22 comprises a first end portion 6 that is made of a more resilient and flexible material than the ring 4. The second overlapping structure 24 comprises a second end portion 8 that is made of a more resilient and flexible material than the ring 4.
[0096] Due to the flexibility of the overall structure of the ring 4 and the end portions 6, 8, the ring 4 itself and the end portions 6, 8 will bend or be deformed when a piece of clothing or towel is being inserted into the receiving portion of the hanging device 2.
[0097] Accordingly, the overlapping structures 22, 24 are flexibly mounted with respect to each other in such a manner that the overlapping structures 22, 24 make it possible to insert a piece of clothing or towel into the receiving portion without manually pulling the overlapping structures 22, 24 away from each other.
[0098] In an alternative embodiment, the hanging device 2 comprises an overlapping portion having two parallel overlapping structures 22, 24 that constitute the distal end portions of the ring 4 of the hanging device 2, wherein the first overlapping structure 22 comprises a first end portion 6 that is made of a more resilient and flexible material than the ring 4, wherein the second overlapping structure 24 comprises a second end portion 8 that is made of the same material as the ring 4.
[0099] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a portion of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 comprises an overlapping portion having two parallel overlapping structures that constitute the distal end portions of the ring 4. The first overlapping structure comprises a first end portion is made of a resilient or flexible material such as rubber. The second overlapping structure comprises a second end portion that is made of a resilient or flexible material such as rubber. Hereby, the end portions 6, 8 will be compressed and/or bent when a piece of clothing or towel is being inserted into the receiving portion of the hanging device 2.
[0100] Accordingly, the overlapping structures are flexibly mounted with respect to each other in such a manner that the overlapping structures make it possible to insert a piece of clothing or towel into the receiving portion without manually pulling the overlapping structures away from each other.
[0101] In an embodiment, the ring 4 is made of a first material such as metal, plastic or wood while the end portions are made of a more resilient or flexible material such as rubber. In an embodiment, the end portions 6, 8 surround a portion of the ring 4.
[0102] The end portions 6, 8 are provided with a distal end that does not comprise any pointed structure. This will prevent damage to the piece of clothing or towel being inserted into the receiving portion.
[0103] The parts of the end portions 6, 8 that face towards the opposite end of the ring 4 comprises a first inclined portion 26 that is angled with a first angle ? relative to the ring 4. In an embodiment, the first angle ? is in the range 20-40 degrees.
[0104] Likewise, the parts of the end portions 6, 8 that face towards the opposite end of the ring 4 comprise a second inclined portion 28 that is angled with a second angle ? relative to the ring 4. In an embodiment, the second angle ? is in the range 20-40 degrees.
[0105] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 basically corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 1. The ring 4 can be made of metal, plastic or wood, by way of example. The hanging device 2 comprises two end portions 6, 8 made of rubber. The end portions 6, 8 are attached to the distal end of the ring 4. The attachment may be established by an adhesive, by a heating process or by using mechanical attachment structures (e.g. a screw or clamp).
[0106] FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 comprises an open ring 4 that has a basically triangular geometry with arched corner portions.
[0107] The ring 4 is provided with a first end portion 6 and a second end portion 8. The end portions 6, 8 are spherical (more or less round, in three dimensions). Accordingly, the first end portion 6 and the second end portion 8 prevent the end portions 6, 8 from perforating a piece of clothing or towel during insertion into the receiving portion of the hanging device 2. The end portions 6, 8 are made of the same material as the remaining portion of the ring 4.
[0108] FIG. 8B illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 basically corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 8A. The end portions 6, 8 are, however, made of a material that is more resilient and flexible than the remaining portion of the ring 4. The end portions 6, 8 may be attached to the distal portions of the ring 4 by an adhesive, by a heating process or by using mechanical attachment structures (e.g. a screw or clamp).
[0109] FIG. 9A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a hanging device according to an embodiment. The hanging device comprises an open ring 4 made of a structure having uniform thickness D.sub.2. The thickness D.sub.2 of the ring 4 is illustrated. The ring 4 is provided with a first end portion 6 and a second end portion 8. It can be seen that the end portions 6, 8 are shaped as a portion of a sphere. The ring 4, however, extends through these spheres. In an embodiment, the end portions 6, 8 are made of rubber. In this case it is possible to attach the end portions 6, 8 to the ring 4 simply by making the hole in each end portion 6, 8, wherein the diameter of the hole is smaller than the thickness D.sub.2 of the ring 4. It can be seen that the thickness D.sub.3 (diameter) is larger than the thickness D.sub.2 of the ring 4. Each end portion 6, 8 abuts the ring 4 of the opposite overlapping structure.
[0110] FIG. 9B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a hanging device. The hanging device corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 9A. There is, however, a non-zero distance D.sub.1 between each end portion 6, 8 and the ring 4 of the opposite overlapping structure. This non-zero distance D.sub.1 can be provided by forcing the end portions 6, 8 away from each other manually or during use of the hanging device (a piece of clothing or a towel will force the end portions 6, 8 away from each other during use).
[0111] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment. The hanging device 2 comprises an open ring 4 that is hexagonal and is hanging on a coat hook 10. The hanging device 2 comprises arched end portions 6, 8. The end portions 6, 8 may be made of the same material as the ring 4 so that the ring 4 and the end portions 6, 8 constitute a one-piece body. Alternatively, the end portions 6, 8 may be made of another, for example, more flexible and resilient material (such as rubber or another elastomer).
[0112] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment hanging on a coat hook 10. The hanging device 2 comprises arched end portions 6, 8 corresponding to the ones shown in FIG. 10. The upper portion of the ring 4 comprises a tapered part designed to engage with the coat hook 10.
[0113] FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment hanging on a coat hook 10. The hanging device 2 comprises arched end portions 6, 8 corresponding to the ones shown in FIG. 10. The upper portion of the ring 4 is shaped as a portion of a circle and is designed to engage with the coat hook 10.
[0114] FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic front view of a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment hanging on a coat hook 10. The hanging device 2 comprises arched end portions 6, 8 corresponding to the ones shown in FIG. 10. The upper portion of the ring 4 is triangular and comprises a tapered upper portion designed to engage with the coat hook 10.
[0115] FIG. 14A illustrates a towel 18 provided with an intact loop 20 that is attached to the upper end of the towel 18. The loop 20 is designed be hung on a coat hook.
[0116] FIG. 14B illustrates shows the towel 18 shown in FIG. 14A in a configuration in which the loop 20 has been destroyed. Accordingly, the loop 20 cannot be used to hang the towel 18 on a coat hook.
[0117] FIG. 14C illustrates how a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment can be attached to a towel 18 (like the one shown in FIG. 14B) in order to successfully hang the towel 18 on a coat hook even when the loop 20 has been destroyed. The hanging device 2 comprises an open circular ring 4 that is provided with a first end portion 6 and a second end portion 8. The end portions 6, 8 are spherical. The first end portion 6 is hidden behind the towel 18. The first end portion is, however, indicated with a dotted line for illustrative purposes. The towel 18 is firmly attached to the hanging device 2. Accordingly, the towel 18 can be hung on a coat hook 10 even when the loop 20 is destroyed.
[0118] FIG. 15 illustrates a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment hanging on a coat hook 10, while the hanging device 2 is attached to a towel 18. The second end portion 8 is visible, whereas the first end portion is hidden behind the towel 18. The spherical geometry of the end portion 8 prevents damage to the towel 18 during use of the hanging device 2.
[0119] FIG. 16 illustrates how a plurality of hanging devices 2, 2, 2 can hang on a single coat hook 10 at the same time. Hereby, several coats 16, 16, 16 are hanging on the same coat hook 10 at the same time. The first and innermost coat 16 is hanging on a first hanging device 2 that is hanging on the coat hook 10. The second intermediate coat 16 is hanging on a second hanging device 2 that is hanging on the coat hook 10. The third and outermost coat 16 is hanging on a third hanging device 2 that is hanging on the coat hook 10. It can be seen that a larger number of coats can hang on the coat hook 10 at the same time because each hanging device 2, 2, 2 only takes up a limited space (less than is required if the coats 16, 16, 16 are hanging directly on the coat hook 10). The coat hook 10 is attached to a wall 20.
[0120] FIG. 17 illustrates a hanging device 2 according to an embodiment hanging on a coat hook 10, while the hanging device 2 is attached to a towel 18. The hanging device 2 basically corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 15. The hanging device 2, however, comprises a hanging hook 32 that is attached to the ring 4. The hanging hook 32 is designed to engage with a coat hook 10. The hanging hook 32 comprises an opening 34 allowing the hanging device 2 to be attached to a rod or to a coat hook 10 without initially removing any of the other things hanging on the coat hook 10. The hanging hook 32 is formed as a section of a circle. The hanging hook 32 may, however, have another geometry such as a portion of a triangle, by way of example. In an embodiment, the hanging hook 32 is made of the same material as the ring 4.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0121] 2 Hanging device [0122] 4 Ring [0123] 6 First end portion [0124] 8 Second end portion [0125] 10 Coat hook [0126] 12 Overlapping portion [0127] 14 Receiving portion [0128] 16, 16, 16 Piece of clothing [0129] 18 Towel [0130] 20 Loop [0131] 22 First overlapping structure [0132] 24 Second overlapping structure [0133] 26, 28 Inclined portion [0134] 30 Proximal portion [0135] 32 Hanging hook [0136] 34 Opening [0137] D.sub.1 Distance [0138] D.sub.2, D.sub.3 Width [0139] F Force [0140] ?, ? Angle
