Hanger

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for hanging clothes, comprising an engaging portion and a deformable elongate member, the elongate member comprising a connection mechanism such that the elongate member can be deformed back upon itself and connected to itself to form a loop.

Claims

1. A method of hanging jeans, trousers or shorts using a hanger that includes a support-engaging upper hook forming section having a downwardly opening internal bight, and a lower body section, the lower body section having an upper portion and an elongate portion depending from the upper portion, the elongate portion having a uniform width defined by straight edges of the elongate portion, which width is less than the widest portion of the downwardly opening internal bight of the upper hook section and being deformable back upon itself to form a loop, the elongate portion having a first connection device at its distal end for connecting with a second connection device at the proximal end of the elongate portion or at the upper portion to hold the elongate portion in the form of a loop, and wherein the first connection device is provided on a distal end section of the elongate portion that is joined to an adjacent distal portion of the elongate portion by a weakened region that allows the distal end section to be brought into parallel relationship with the proximal end of the elongate portion or the upper portion thereby to reduce bending forces from otherwise acting on the connection devices; the method comprising the steps of: threading the elongate portion of the hanger through a belt loop of flexible material connected to the jeans, trousers or shorts; deforming the elongate portion back upon itself to form a loop; releasably attaching the first connection device to the second connection device; and using the support-engaging upper hook forming section to hang the garment.

2. A hanger for hanging an item, comprising a support-engaging portion and a deformable elongate member of uniform width defined by straight edges of the elongate portion, the support-engaging portion defining at least an aperture for receiving a support for hanging the device, and the elongate member extending from the support-engaging portion to a distal end of the elongate member, the elongate member comprising a connection mechanism such that the elongate member can be deformed back upon itself and connected to at least one of the support-engaging portion or the elongate member to form a loop, and wherein the elongate member is provided with three transversely extending weakened regions that are longitudinally spaced apart along the length of the elongate member such that when the elongate member is folded at the weakened regions, the elongate member can be formed into the shape of a triangle with a distal side of the triangle extending perpendicularly to a planar extent of the support engaging portion, each weakened region being defined by a groove that extends the entire width of the elongated member at the groove.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a side of the triangular shape loop other than the distal side is coplanar with the support engaging portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front view of a hanger according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a back view of the hanger of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the hanger of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the hanger of FIG. 1, when in use;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIGS. 1 to 6 show a hanger 10 having a hook portion 12 connected to an intended upper end of a body portion 14, and an elongate member 16 connected to an intended lower end of the body portion 14. The length of the elongate member 16 is approximately the same as the length of the combined body portion 14 and hook portion 12. The elongate member 16 has a male part of a one-way “snap-fit” connector 18 at the end 20, nearest the body portion 14. The end 22 farthest from the body 10 of the elongate member 16 has an aperture 24, which is designed to cooperate with the “one-way” snap-fit connector 18. The elongate member 16 is weakened in a transverse direction in three positions 26a, 26b and 26c. The hanger 10 further comprises a region 28 on the body portion 14 on which a logo or identifying means can be printed or written. The hanger 10 is beveled at both the end of the hook portion 12 and the end of the elongate member 16. The hanger 10 is constructed from a plastics material.

(9) When in use, the elongate member 16 of the hanger 10 is threaded through a belt-loop of a pair of jeans (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the elongate member 16 is then folded inwardly at weakened positions 26a and 26b and outwardly at 26c, so that the aperture 24 is in line with the connector 18. The Section between weakened positions 26a and 26b defines a flat spacer 27. The aperture 24 is pushed onto and engages the male snap-fit connector 18. The male snap-fit connector 18 yields while the aperture 24 is pushed onto it due to the split in the top of the snap-fit connector 18. Once the aperture 24 has passed over the snap-fit connector, the plastics material returns to its original position and the aperture 24 is prevented from passing back over the snap fit connector 18. Therefore, the aperture 24 and the snap-fit connector 18 make a non-releasable connection such that the jeans are held securely on the hanger 10 and the “loop” formed by the elongate member 16 hanger cannot be readily uncoupled. The hook portion 12 of the hanger 10 can then engage a hanging rail (not shown), with the item to be hung resting upon the spacer 27.

(10) To remove the item from the hanger 10, the elongate member 16 must be cut, preferably along one of the weakened regions 26A 26b 26c.

(11) FIG. 5 shows a hanger 10 having the features shown in the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 4, with the additional feature of a recessed area 30 of the body 14 opposite the arc of the hook portion 12. When in use, the hook portion 12 engages a rail and the recessed area 30 reduces the risk of inadvertent disengagement of the hanger 10. When the hanger 10 is raised in order to be disengaged from the rail (not show), the user must draw the hanger 10 away from the rail in order to effect disengagement. If the user does not draw the hanger 10 away from the rail and continues raising the hanger 10, the recessed area 30 will engage the rail and make it more difficult to remove the hanger 10 from the rail. Therefore, if the hanger 10 is unintentionally raised with respect to the rail, recessed area 30 will reduce the risk of disengagement of the hanger 10.

(12) FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein a split snap-fit connector 18 is positioned on the body portion 14 of the hanger 10. In this embodiment, a loop of metallic wire 32 is provided within the hanger 10 to reduce the likelihood of the hanger being easily removed from the item to which it is attached.

(13) In order to remove the hanger 10 from the item to which it is attached, a removal device (not shown), such as a guillotine, is used to cut the plastics material, preferably at 26a or 26b, allowing the hanger 10 to be removed from the item. Alternatively, the removal device may melt the plastics material of the hanger 10 and any reinforcement material so that the hanger 10 can be removed from the item. The removal device may be mounted to a surface near a cashier's desk so that once an item has been paid for, the hanger 10 and integral security device can be removed prior to the customer leaving the store. By using a surface mounted device for the removal of the hanger, the likelihood of a thief removing the hanger in-store is reduced.

(14) As shown in FIG. 6, a security tag 34 is moulded into the hanger during manufacture and is wholly embedded within the body portion, thereby sealing it within the hanger.

(15) The connector 18 shown in the Figures may be releasable, or “two-way”, rather than unreleasable. The hanger can then be reused and is suitable for use domestically. Where the connector 18 is a releasable connector, the item is removed from the hanger by releasing the connection and removing the elongate member 16 from the item.

(16) Variations and modifications to the illustrated construction may occur to the reader familiar with the art without taking the device outside the scope of the present invention.

(17) The hook portion 12 may be replaced with a closed aperture so that the hanger can be threaded onto a rail and retained on the rail. Such a construction may be useful in a hotel, where clothes hangers are often retained on a hanging rail to prevent theft of the hangers.

(18) The body portion 14 may comprise a magnetic portion, either in addition to or in place of the region 28, so that a metal plate can be attached to the hanger 10. The magnetic plate may contain a name, address, or an identifying number. Such a construction may be useful for identifying garments, for example coats in a cloakroom or garments in a dry cleaner. Alternatively, a magnetic plate may be used on a metal hanger. This allows items to be identified quickly and easily from a rail and is more easily read than a label attached to the hanger either by sticky tape or string.

(19) Other connection members may be used in place of a snap-fit connector, for example, a hook and eye fastener, a “popper”, a button and hole, etc.

(20) The wire in FIG. 6 of may be a length that passes from the snap-fit connection member 18 to the aperture 24, rather than a loop. This maintains the resistance of the elongate member against being cut, but requires a shorter length of wire.

(21) “Loop” is intended to mean a closed circuit but not necessarily a circle.

(22) “Electronic article surveillance” (EAS) is terminology used in the art of security devices. EAS is a technological method for preventing shoplifting from retail stores or other establishments whereby tags are fixed to merchandise and/or objects. The tags are removed or deactivated by the staff upon the item being properly bought or checked out. At the exits of the establishment, a detection system sounds an alarm or otherwise alerts a member of staff when active tags pass through.