Vertically Adjustable Garment Hanger

Abstract

A vertically adjustable garment hanger. The vertically adjustable garment hanger includes a supporting hook having a curved upper end and a lower end. The first end of a vertical suspending member is connected to the lower end of the supporting hook. An end stop is disposed on the second end of the vertical suspending member. A garment retaining body supports clothing thereon and includes an aperture. The vertical suspending member is inserted through the aperture in sliding engagement therewith. An adjustable support member is slidably disposed on the vertical suspending member. The adjustable support member allows the distance between the supporting hook and garment retaining to be changed so that users can hang clothing from a horizontal supporting rod at a desired height.

Claims

1) A vertically adjustable garment hanger comprising: a supporting hook having a curved upper end and a lower end; a vertical suspending member having an first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the lower end of the supporting hook; an end stop disposed on the second end of the vertical suspending member; a garment retaining body having an upper angled end with an aperture thereon, wherein the vertical suspending member is inserted through the aperture in sliding engagement therewith; and an adjustable support member slidably disposed on the vertical suspending member between the end stop and the aperture, wherein the adjustable support member is sized so as to be unable to pass through the aperture.

2) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the garment retaining body further comprises a notched portion disposed above the aperture, wherein the notched portion is sized to receive the lower end of the supporting hook therein.

3) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 2, further comprising a flange on the lower end of the supporting hook, wherein the flange contacts the garment retaining body when the vertically adjustable garment hanger is in a fully retracted position.

4) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 2, wherein the flange contacts the garment retaining body when the lower end of the supporting hook is received by the notched portion.

5) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the vertical suspending member is flexible.

6) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the vertical suspending member is rigid.

7) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the garment retaining body is triangular.

8) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the supporting hook is configured to rotate 360 degrees with respect to the garment retaining body.

9) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support member comprises a spring biased button configured to prevent sliding movement of the adjustable support member along the vertical suspending member when the spring biased button is in a non-depressed position.

10) The vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein the spring biased button is configured to permit sliding movement of the adjustable support member along the vertical suspending member when the spring biased button is in a depressed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] 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.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2A shows an alternate side view of vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention in a fully extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the vertically adjustable garment hanger. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for hanging garments along a horizontal supporting rod, such as those typically found in a closet. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of a vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention. The vertically adjustable garment hanger 11 generally comprises a supporting hook 12 having a lower end 14 and a curved upper end 13. The curved upper end 13 is configured to rest on a horizontal supporting rod, such as those typically found in a closet or other clothing storage space, in order to support the vertically adjustable garment hanger 11 in a raised position within the storage space. [0021.] The adjustable garment hanger 11 further comprises a vertical suspending member 16 having a first end 17 and a second end 18. The first end 17 of the vertical suspending member 16 is connected to the lower end 14 of the supporting hook 12. An end stop 19 is disposed on the second end 18 of the vertical suspending member 16. A garment retaining body 20 is slidably disposed along the vertical suspending member 16. The garment retaining body 20 is preferably triangular in shape, having a lower horizontal member and a pair of opposing angled members that connect to form an upper portion 21. The garment retaining body 20 is configured to support a variety of clothing types thereon, such as shirts, pants, jackets, and the like.

[0021] An adjustable support member 22 is slidably disposed along the vertical suspending member 16 between the upper portion 21 of the garment retaining body 20 and the end stop 19. The adjustable support member 22 is configured to support the garment retaining body 20 at a selective distance from the supporting hook 12. The end stop 19 prevents the adjustable support member 22 from being detached from the vertical suspending member 16.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown an alternate side view and a cross-sectional view of a vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention, respectively. The garment retaining body 20 comprises an aperture 25 disposed on the upper portion thereof, through which the vertical suspending member 16 is inserted. The upper portion of the garment retaining body 20 comprises a notch 23 thereon. The notch 23 is sized to receive the lower end 14 of the supporting hook 12.

[0023] A flange 15 is disposed on the lower end 14 of the supporting hook 12. When in a fully retracted position as shown, the flange 15 contacts the garment retaining body 20 on either side of the notched portion 23. The supporting hook 12 is able to freely swivel 360 degrees with respect to the garment retaining body 20. In this way, the vertically adjustable garment hanger 11 is also capable of functioning as a typical swivel hanger if the user so desires. The swiveling function allows the vertically adjustable garment hanger 11 to be supported on irregular surfaces such as, for example, the back of a chair or the top of a door.

[0024] The adjustable support member 22 is shown supporting the garment retaining body 20. The adjustable support member 22 may vary in size, but is at least large enough so as to be unable to pass through the aperture 25 of the garment retaining body 20. In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustable support member 22 comprises a spring biased button 24 that permits movement of the adjustable support member 22 when depressed by the user. When not depressed, the spring biased button 24 prevents movement of the adjustable support member 22 along the vertical suspending member 16 and supports the garment retaining body 20 thereon.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view of a vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention in a fully extended position, with the maximum distance between the supporting hook 12 and the garment retaining body 20. When fully extended, the vertically adjustable garment hanger 11 allows users to store clothes at a height at which the clothing is easily accessible, in this position, the adjustable support member 22 is supported by the end stop 19.

[0026] The materials from which the vertically adjustable garment hanger 11 is formed may include, but are not limited to, plastic, wood, metal, or any combinations thereof. Additionally, the vertical suspending member 16 may be a flexible cord in one embodiment of the invention, or may be a rigid rod in an alternate embodiment of the invention. The exact size and material properties of the vertically suspending garment hanger may vary during manufacturing.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.