Space Saving Stackable Tangle Free Clothes Hanger System

Abstract

A space saving stackable tangle free clothes hanging system wherein a clothes hanger has a non-protruding hook in lieu of a protruding hook. A hanger designed to stack on top of each other to improve organization. A hanger that prevents tangling, and overlapping, designed to save time while inserting or removing the hanger. A hanger designed to eliminate stretched out collars. A screw free installation hanger system, which can be easily moved from one room to another to assist for faster times and easier laundry. A hanger designed to maximize the contour of the hanger with a non-tilting feature.

Claims

1. A clothes hanger comprising: a miniature hook located inside the head (top) of the hanger, wherein said hook has a flat underside to line up the hangers, and is designed to prevent the hanger from becoming tangled with any other part of other hangers.

2. The clothes hanger of claim 1 wherein the body of the hanger is generally triangular shaped.

3. The clothes hanger of claim 1 wherein the body of the hanger is generally an open end pant hanger shape.

4. The clothes hanger of claim 1 wherein the body of the hanger is generally a contoured hanger shape.

5. The clothes hanger of claim 1 wherein the body of the hanger is generally rectangular hanger shaped.

6. The clothes hanger of claim 1 wherein the body is a tie holder.

7. The clothes hanger of claim 1 wherein the body is a belt holder.

8. A clothes hanger comprising: a stackable function with a concave shape on one side, and a convex shape on the opposite side which can be any form, including, markings, grooves, knobs, holes, and magnets.

9. The clothes hanger of claim 8 wherein the body of the hanger is generally triangular shaped.

10. The clothes hanger of claim 8 wherein the body of the hanger is generally an open end pant hanger shape.

11. The clothes hanger of claim 8 wherein the body of the hanger is generally a contoured hanger shape.

12. The clothes hanger of claim 8 wherein the body of the hanger is generally rectangular hanger shaped.

13. The clothes hanger of claim 8 wherein the body is a tie holder.

14. The clothes hanger of claim 8 wherein the body is a belt holder.

15. A clothes hanger comprising: a hand grip built into the underside of the head of the hanger can be located centered or off center to maximize the functionality of the hand grip.

16. The clothes hanger of claim 15 wherein the body of the hanger is generally triangular shaped.

17. The clothes hanger of claim 15 wherein the body of the hanger is generally an open end pant hanger shape.

18. The clothes hanger of claim 15 wherein the body of the hanger is generally a contoured hanger shape.

19. The clothes hanger of claim 15 wherein the body of the hanger is generally rectangular hanger shaped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The drawings contained herein represent preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates the rear view of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates the front view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates the rear view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates the front view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a close up perspective view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a front, rear, top, or bottom view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a front, rear, top, or bottom view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0048] FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0049] FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0050] FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of an embodiment in accordance with the disclosed invention.

[0051] FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of a closet using the preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention.

[0052] FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of an embodiment with a boomerang flying design, in accordance with the disclosed invention.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

[0053] Certain terms are used throughout the following description to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, design and manufacturing companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.

[0054] In the following discussion, the terms including and comprising are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean including, but not limited to . . . Moreover, the term system means one or more components combined together. Thus, a system can comprise an entire system or subsystems within the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] For a detailed description of various embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrative drawings:

[0056] FIG. 1 is the front view of a clothes hanger 10, with the body having a more shoulder shaped/slope space saving design, similar to a traditional triangular shape and presumably constructed of plastic, metal, wood, resin, composite, or a recyclable material. The clothes hanger 10 does not have a protruding hook and instead has a small hook 12 located in the head of the hanger, in the vicinity of where the base of a traditional hook would sit. FIG. 1 further illustrates two side arms 14 projecting down from opposite sides near where the upper portion of the hanger 10 is located and upon which a garment would be draped. FIG. 1 further depicts a bottom/pant bar 16 (which is optional) with a first and a second end, each end being adhered to the lower end of the side arms 14 and over which a garment such as pants, slacks, or skirts would traditionally be draped. In the triangular hanger 10 shown here, the two side arms 14 come together in the upper portion of the hanger 10 to form the upper point of the triangle body where the protruding hook would traditionally be housed. In lieu of the traditional hook, in a preferred embodiment, the hook 12 is located, such that the body of the hook 12 is in the top of the hanger 10. There is an opening near the top of one side of the hanger 10 to allow hanging on the miniature closet rod 40.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment the hook 12 can be slightly flexible to allow the hanger 10 to clip onto the miniature rod 40 to prevent the hanger 10 from falling off when in use in vehicles, boats, airplanes, etc.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment the concave grooves 20 on one side of the hanger 10 will line up with the convex grooves 26 on the opposite side of another hanger 10. The concave grooves 20 and convex grooves 26 can also be assisted by neodymium magnets 28, or a similar device, or replaced by magnets 28 located anywhere on the hanger 10. There can one or more magnets 28 imbedded in the hanger 10, and they can be all facing the same direction through the hanger 10 to allow multiple hangers 10 to connect together. Multiple hangers 10 can stack up on the side of a metal surface, such as a washer or dryer. This allows the hangers 10 to stack up neatly, one on top of the other, preventing a pile of unorganized hangers 10.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment the hand grip 18 assists with holding and inserting the hanger 10 vertically through the collar. The hand grip 18 assists with the ease of use for inserting and removing the hanger 10 from clothing.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment the texture 24 can be built in to the hanger 10, applied to all or part of the hanger 10, or an alternate method which achieves the same goal can be added. Texture 24 helps prevent clothing from slipping off of the hanger 10, and prevents nipples from forming on the shoulders of the clothing.

[0061] FIG. 2 is the rear view of the hanger 10. As in FIG. 1, the hook 12 is located in the center upper portion of the hanger 10 and the right and left side arms 14 and bottom/pant bar 16 are visible.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment the convex grooves 26 will line up with the concave grooves 20 on the opposite side of another hanger 10 which allows the hangers 10 to be stackable to organize them and to prevent a pile of tangled clothes hangers 10. Magnets 28 can also be used to assist with the stackable function.

[0063] FIG. 3 is the front view of a pant hanger 22 with the body having a shape that is similar to a traditional open-end pant hanger 22 and presumably constructed of plastic, metal, or wood, resin, composite, or a recyclable material.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment the pant hanger 22 has a bottom bar 16 with an open end design for ease of use hanging up garments such as pants, slacks, or skirts.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment the pant hanger 22 has concave grooves 20 on one side of the pant hanger 22 that line up with the convex grooves 26 on the opposite side of another pant hanger 22. Magnets 28 can also be used to assist with the stackable function. This allows the pant hangers 22 to stack up neatly, one on top of the other, preventing tangling.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment the hand grip 18 assists with the ease of use for holding onto the pant hanger 22.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment the pant hanger 22 can be equipped with a roller 30 that is seen on the hanger 10 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0068] FIG. 4 is the rear view of the pant hanger 22. In the preferred embodiment, the pant hanger 22 has convex grooves 26 on one side of the pant hanger 22 that line up with the concave grooves 20 on the opposite side of another pant hanger 22. Magnets 28 can also be used to assist with the stackable function. This allows the pant hangers 22 to stack up neatly, one on top of the other, preventing tangling.

[0069] FIG. 5 is the front view of the hanger 10 with a roller 30, wheel, sleeve, bearing or any other embodiment that achieves the desired purpose of allowing the hanger 10 to roll. In the preferred embodiment the roller 30 will be where the hook 12 is located to allow the hanger 10 to roll on the closet rod 40. The roller 30 will assist the hanger 10 to roll back and forth with ease, assisting the user as they look through their clothing.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a close up perspective view of the thicker contoured 84 hanger 80. The contoured 84 hanger 80 is used frequently for suits, coats, and dresses.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment the convex grooves 26 will line up with the concave grooves 20 on the opposite side of another hanger 80. Magnets 28 can also be used to assist with the stackable function. This allows the hangers 80 to stack to up neatly, one on top of the other, preventing tangling.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment the design of the contoured 84 hanger 80 functions by having have a close tolerance between the contoured 84 hanger 80, the hook 12, and the miniature closet rod 40. The front side of the hanger 80 underneath the hook 12 touches the top of the miniature closet rod 40. The rear side of the hanger 80 underneath the miniature closet rod 40 touches the bottom of the miniature closet rod 40, which prevents the hanger 80 from tilting forward. This maximizes the use of the contour 84 and shapes the clothing perfect. The thickness 82 of the hanger 80 assists with this function.

[0073] FIG. 7 is a front, rear, top, or bottom view of the miniature closet rod 40. In a preferred embodiment the miniature closet rod 40 can be shipped in the same box as the hangers 10, eliminating expensive shipping costs which are associated with shipping standard length closet rods. The length can vary and can easily be connected together by a coupling or mounting bracket that the rod is pressed or snapped into. This would be beneficial to be able to move an entire rod from the laundry room to the closet, or from a doorway, back and forth with ease. A connection pin 44 would also work, which inserts into the female ends 42 of the closet rods 40, creating a long closet rod with a smooth finish the entire length. The rod 40 can be cut to length by the user. The rod 40 and the connecting pin 44 can be made of, but not limited to, metal, plastic, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. The rod 40 has a diameter of approximately , although a wide variety of dimensions will work, depending on the strength of the material. Sleeve inserts and or caps can also be added into or on the ends of the rod 40. The rod 40 can be mounted by screw in clips 50, miniature closet rod wall mount holders 58, shelf clips 60, brackets, or any other method familiar with mounting. Drilling a hole in either side of a vertical surface for the rod to fit in will work also.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment the rod 40 can be in an L bracket form mountable to a vertical surface to create a closet anywhere one chooses.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a front, rear, top, or bottom view of the miniature closet rod 40. In a preferred embodiment the miniature closet rod 40 could have a male 46 and female 42 end on opposite sides which connect together. Sleeve inserts and or caps can also be added into or on the ends of the rod 40.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a side view of a screw mounted clip 50 which is in the open position. The clip 50 can be mounted underneath a horizontal surface 66 by a screw through the mounting hole 54. The clip ends 52 are flexible and press together to clamp around the rod 40.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a side view of a screw mounted clip 50 which is in the closed position. The clip 50 can be mounted underneath a horizontal surface 66 by a screw through the mounting hole 54. The clip ends 52 are flexible and press together to clamp around the rod 40.

[0078] FIG. 11 is a top view of a screw mounted clip 50. The clip 50 can be mounted underneath a horizontal surface 66 by a screw through the mounting hole 54.

[0079] FIG. 12 is a front view of a wall mounted miniature closet rod support 58. The support 58 can be mounted on a vertical surface by a screw through the mounting hole 54. The rod 40 is held in position by the inside of the support 56.

[0080] FIG. 13 is the side view of a shelf clip 60 which slides onto a horizontal surface 66. The top of the shelf clip 62 is angled down to create tension between the clip 60 and the surface 66. This allows for an easy, screw less install. The rod 40 snaps/sets into the rod mount 64 for easy installation.

[0081] FIG. 14 is a front view of the interior of a closet, showing the garment 70 on the hanger 10 which is attached to the rod 40 which is held in place by a screw mounted clip 50 and a wall mounted closet rod support 58. The screw mounted clip 50 is connected to a horizontal surface 66. The distance between the horizontal surface 66 and the top of the rod 40 is approximately , but this dimension can vary, depending on the size of the rod 40 and the clips 50 or supports 58.

[0082] FIG. 15 is a top view of the hanger 10 with a shape similar, but not limited to, that of a aerodynamic clothes hanger 10. The aerodynamic curves 90 located preferably on the bottom side, but not limited to, of the hanger 10, can be used for flight, similar to that of a boomerang, although this type of use would void the warranty. The hand grip 18 can be located on the arm 14 of the hanger 10 and used to assist with throwing the hanger 10 in a manner to allow it to fly.

[0083] One intended use of the disclosed invention is as an anti-theft device for commercial establishments such as hotels and clothing retailers. Few end users would wish to steal a hanger that could only be used with a miniature closet rod. In a hotel, as an example, the miniature closet rod could be installed as part of a rod system in the closet. In such an embodiment the hook could have a wheel such that it easily rolls along the accompanying rod system. Additionally, decorative and aesthetic accoutrements could be added to the rod system including lighting inside, above, or on the side of the rod. The hanger can be constructed of plastic, metal, wood, resin, composite, or a recyclable material, or just the top portion may be metal, or wrapped in metal or a durable material. The elimination of the protruding hook, and the addition of the stackable system, solves the problems identified in the prior art and offers a neat, contemporary look to clothes hanging.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the stackable feature with concave and convex grooves can be knobs, holes, magnets, or any other method that can be used to assist with stacking the hangers to prevent a tangled mess.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, the user will remove the existing traditional closet rod in the closet and affix the miniature closet rod to the underside of the closet shelving that is typically in place above the traditional closet rod. The miniature closet rod can be of varying sizes although to diameter is sufficient to allow the hanger to connect smoothly, while maximizing the vertical space saved and minimizing the visual of the miniature rod. The user will save approximately 6 of vertical closet space (approximately of a cubic foot per linear foot) by using this system rather than a traditional clothes hanger and closet rod. In addition, the user may elect to affix additional short, wall mount miniature closet rods to hang the clothing parallel, instead of perpendicular, on the wall behind the clothing for additional hanging. These articles of clothing could lie against the back wall and the miniature closet rods would thereby provide additional hanging storage, for articles that are used less frequently.

[0086] The same system may be used under laundry room cabinets, in small spaces, under doorways or anywhere that a user desires to hang clothing but does not wish to mount a bulky and unsightly traditional clothes rod, especially if ones uses the metal L bracket to enable even more potential hanging spaces.

[0087] Yet another embodiment for the system is for it to be applied to tie or belt holders in the same fashion it is used in place of the traditional hook on hangers.

[0088] The versatility of this system is that the hangers guide themselves to hang up and are just as easily removed, providing another benefit in speed of hanging up and removing clothes. Yet another benefit is when in use in vehicles, RV's for example, if the hanger sways the arm of the hanger will hit the shelving above it to prevent the hanger from falling off.

[0089] The miniature closet rod may be any color to blend in with its surroundings. In an embodiment, a diameter rod could be mounted to the top of a doorway. If the doorway were white, the rod could be white. The rod would be minimally visible verses a traditional closet rod, yet the user could quickly and easily hang clothing in the doorway. This could be of value in a laundry room or even in a living or bedroom. Many people enjoy folding their laundry while watching TV in a living room or den. With this embodiment they can hang their clothes without making multiple trips to the bedroom closet. The closet rod can be removable for ease of moving from one room to another.

[0090] The color of the rods and the hangers can be virtually any color, depending on the user's preference.

[0091] Although preferred embodiments are illustrated with regard to types and sizes of the miniature closet rod and the opening of the mini hook, there are many types of possible embodiments that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Movable sections of rods can be beneficial when moving from one room to another.

[0092] While the figures depict a shape similar to the traditional triangular shape of hangers, other shapes and embodiments can be used. The term hanger used herein can refer to any clothes hanger that has a body capable of supporting an article of clothing. As an example, some clothes hangers are in a rectangular, rather than triangular shape, and may have clips to hold pants or other garments. The type of hanger body or material of which it is constructed is not an obstacle to the use of the miniature hook method. Tie and belt holders are another example.

[0093] The hanger shape can be that with an aerodynamic shape, it can be similar to the shape of a boomerang, but not limited to, allowing the hanger to be thrown for flight. The hand grip can assist with the use of the aerodynamic hanger and can be placed anywhere on the hanger to assist with the throwing of the hanger.

[0094] While the disclosed invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof, many changes, modifications, alterations and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention should therefore not be limited to the particular preferred embodiment disclosed but should include all embodiments that could fall within the scope of the claims.

[0095] Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and described in detail above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set forth below.