Dual Position, Vertically Adjustable Garment Hanger

Abstract

A vertically adjustable garment hanger is supported by the curved upper end (111) of the supporting hook (110). The elongated lower end (112) of the supporting hook (110) is inserted through the hanger body (114) as a guide for the attached slider, and terminates in the member of a two-part locking mechanism (115). The additional member of a two-part locking mechanism (116) is located near the bottom of the slider (113). When retracted and secured in a storage position, the engaged side release buckle is within convenient reach of the user. The hanger body (114) can be lowered for easy access when the user disengages the side release buckle from below. When the user has finished accessing their fashion item, the hanger body (114) can be pushed back up towards the horizontal supporting rod, and the side release buckle re-engaged for storage.

Claims

1. A dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger comprising: a supporting hook having a curved upper end and a lower end that extends a predetermined length as a guide for a slider; said lower end of the supporting hook is in sliding engagement with a hanger body; said hanger body is attached to said slider, which is in sliding engagement with a member of a two-part locking mechanism positioned near the tip of said lower end of said supporting hook; an additional member of a two-part locking mechanism is attached to the approximate end of said slider farthest from said hanger body.

2. The dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein said hanger body is shaped to support specialty items.

3. The dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein said supporting hook is configured to rotate 360 degrees with respect to the hanger body.

4. The dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein said member of a two-part locking mechanism and said additional member of a two-part locking mechanism form a side release buckle.

5. The dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger of claim 1, wherein said curved upper end, and said lower end of said supporting hook are separate pieces that have been connected.

Description

DRAWINGS

Figures

[0017] The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention in a fully extended position for easy apparel or accessory access by user.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger according to the present invention with the two-part locking mechanism engaged for compact storage of an apparel or accessory item.

DRAWINGS

Reference Numerals

[0020] 109 dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger [0021] 110 supporting hook [0022] 111 curved upper end [0023] 112 lower end [0024] 113 slider [0025] 114 hanger body [0026] 115 member of a two-part locking mechanism [0027] 116 additional member of a two-part locking mechanism

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2

Preferred Embodiment

[0028] References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger. For the purposes of representing a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as hung on a horizontal supporting rod in a closet. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0029] Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a side view of a dual position, vertically adjustable garment hanger (109) which comprises a hanger body (114) pictured as a simplified hanger shape, while it is understood that other forms and methods of clothing/accessory attachment may be used. Additionally pictured is a curved upper end (111) and a lower end (112) that terminates at a member of a two-part locking mechanism (115). The curved upper end (111) of a supporting hook (110) is pictured as a hook shape that is uncommon to garment hangers, and it is understood that other contours may be used. The lower end (112) of the supporting hook (110) is pictured attached to the member of a two-part locking mechanism (115). The method of attachment will determine if the curved upper end (111) of the supporting hook (110) is held rigid or allowed to rotate freely. The lower end (112) of the supporting hook (110) functions as a guide inside a slider (113) where the slider (113) can be of any functioning length. An additional member of a two-part locking mechanism (116) is attached to the approximate end of the slider (113) farthest from the hanger body (114).

[0030] The member of a two-part locking mechanism (115) and the additional member of a two-part locking mechanism (116) form the locking mechanism in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is an exemplar of a two-part locking mechanism that allows for easy single-handed use. Other embodiments may use another type of two-part locking mechanism to hold the hanger body (114) securely in a retracted position.

OPERATION OF INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2

[0031] FIG. 1: When the member of a two-part locking mechanism (115) is disengaged with the additional member of a two-part locking mechanism (116), the hanger body (114) is extended a distance below the horizontal supporting rod for easy user access from below.

[0032] FIG. 2: When the member of a two-part locking mechanism (115) is engaged with the additional member of a two-part locking mechanism (116), the hanger body (114) is raised and held in proximity below the horizontal supporting rod for out-of-the-way storage.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

[0033] Thus the reader will see that the present invention provides a convenient solution for hard-to-reach apparel or fashion accessory storage. When the garment hanger is retracted and the hanger body is locked in a storage position, the locking mechanism is easily reachable from the bottom of the slider, below the hanger body, and can be raised and lowered with one hand. Expanding or retracting the garment hanger also conveniently requires no complicated change to the structure of the hanger.

[0034] While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the slider can be of different lengths for various uses and the shape of the hanger body can be customized for many different types of apparel or fashion accessories. Also, as pictured the curved upper end of the supporting hook is shaped to aid in the ease of pushing the hanger body up for storage, but many other shapes can provide the same benefit. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0035] It is therefore submitted that this 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.

[0036] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only on 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.