MXPA99009347A - Secure pinch-grip hanger - Google Patents

Abstract

A pinch-grip hanger includes an attachment portion (14) for securing the hanger to a support and at least one pinch-grip for receiving an article for hanging. The pinch-grip includes a pair of components (22, 24) secured to each other, each component including an endfor receiving the article therebetween. The pinch-grip also includes a biasing element for biasing the ends together and for permitting separation of the ends towards a fully extended open position by movement of at least one of the components. One of the components includes at least one projection (50a, 50b) extending towards the other component to inhibit some accidental movement of the pinch-grip towards the fully extended open position while permitting intentional movement of the pinch-grip towards the fully extended open position.

Description

HANGING WITH TIGHTENING CLAMP, SAFE REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation in part of copending application No. 09 / 024,213, filed on February 13, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hanger with a clamping jaw, and more particularly, to a hanger or hook with a constraining jaw or tightening adapted for use in the transportation of articles such as clothes. Hangers with clamping jaws are well known. A hanger body includes a joining portion for securing the hanger body to a support (e.g., a hook for securing the hanger body to a raised rod extending in the transverse direction). A clamping jaw is attached to the body of the hanger. Optionally, the hanger body also includes a transverse portion defining a pair of free ends (eg, a pair of wings extending outwardly to support the shoulders of a jacket), and optionally a clamping jaw is attached. next to each of the free ends of the transverse portion. Each clamping jaw includes a pair of vertically extending components, means for pivotally securing the components together, and means for pushing the lower ends of the components together. Typically, each component has an upper end, a lower end and a portion of the central or connecting component between the ends. The lower ends are configured and sized to cooperatively receive and maintain an article therebetween under the influence of the thrust means. Preferably, the securing means secures a portion of the connector component to another portion of the connector component in the form of a pivot. To insert or separate an article from the hanger, the upper ends of the components are pressed together so that the components rotate relatively and the lower ends thereof is separated. In this "open" or "release" orientation, the article can be separated from or secured to the hanger Finally, when the upper ends of the components are released, the pushing means causes the components to rotate relatively and return more or less to its original orientation with the upper ends separated and the lower ends inclined to one another In this "closed" or tightening orientation, an article may be suspended by and between the lower ends of the component .If there is no article between them, the lower ends of the component can actually be touched and spliced, thereby forming a "butt-contact" orientation.These clips with clamping jaws are often used in retail stores to display clothes suspended from the clamping jaws, as they can be. be pants, skirts or similar In the best arrangements to detail, clothes hangers (and clothes in them) they are sufficiently separated from each other along a rod or other horizontally extending raised support so that the components of the clamping jaw are not very likely to undergo a reorientation from one another relative to the other as a result of the pressure being applied. exerts on them by an adjacent hanger or clothing on it. However, in fact, clothes hangers (and clothes in them) are usually tightly pressed, one against the other to place the maximum number of clothes on the display to potential customers. In this situation, the clamping jaws may be opened as a result of the pressure exerted thereon by an adjacent hanger or by clothing therein. As a result, the clothes supported by the clamping jaw will fall to the floor. Even where the hangers (and the clothes in them) are not too close together along a rod or similar support when they are shown, these are usually stacked during handling. In particular, hangers with clamping jaws are not very suitable for use in the transport (shipping) of clothes suspended from or attached to the clamping jaws. During this transport, for economic reasons, usually as many hangers (and clothes in them) are stacked as possible (that is, they are accumulated) on a rod or similar support (such as the loops of a linked rope, known as a "rope in a banana" or in a box Even if the tightness of the hangers (in a rod or loop or in a box) is insufficient to cause the opening of a clamping jaw, the added forces transported to the clamp When the clothes are transported by several vehicles, the sudden starts and stops, turns or the like can result in a hanger with a clamping jaw losing the clothes. It is evident that this is highly undesirable as clothes falling completely or partially on a floor can be ruined or can at least require ironing before it is ready to be shown for sale. More importantly, the labor costs incurred in picking up the clothes that have fallen during transport and reinserting them in the hangers with clamping jaws. As a result of these problems, hangers with clamping jaws are usually not used during transport, although they are preferred by retail stores. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a clip with a clamping jaw, suitable for suspending clothes during transport, handling and presentation. Another objective is to provide this hanger that is simple in its manufacture, use and maintenance and that is comparable in cost to a conventional hanger of the same type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the above and related objectives of the present invention are obtained in a hanger with a secure clamping jaw. The hanger with clamping jaws, suitable for transporting clothes includes a connection portion to secure the hanger to a support and at least one clamping jaw. Each clamping jaw includes a pair of components secured to each other and each component includes a lower end for receiving an article for hanging therebetween. The clamping jaw also includes the means for pushing the lower ends together and to allow separation of the lower ends to a fully extended open position. In a second embodiment, one of the pair of upper ends includes a projection extending through the other of the pair of the upper ends, and the other of the pair of the upper ends defines an opening for passing the projection therethrough. that the projection extends towards the other of the pair of the upper ends to protect the other upper end against relative accidental movement thereof towards (in the direction of) the fully extended open position while still allowing the relative intentional movement of the other pair of the upper ends towards (in the direction of) the fully extended open position. Preferably, the projection has an upper wall, a lower wall and a pair of side walls connecting the upper and lower walls, the projection being smaller in cross section than the opening, which extends completely around the projection throughout. moment . Typically, one of the upper ends is stationary and the other upper end is pivotable relative to the stationary upper end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view, • fragmented of a first embodiment of a hanger with clamping jaw, secure, according to the present invention; FIGURES 2A, 2B and 2C are transverse views thereof in the splice, tighten and release orientations, respectively, taken along line 2-2 of the • FIGURE 1; 10 FIGURE 2D is a view similar to FIGURE 2A but showing an alternative splice orientation; FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same, taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1; FIGURES 4 and 5 are fragmentary section views of the same, taken along line 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 6 is an exploded isometric view of the components of the clamping jaws; FIGURES 7 and 8 are views similar to FIGURE 1 of 20 the second and third modalities, respectively; FIGURE 9 is a front elevation view of a fourth embodiment thereof; FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view, on an amplified scale, of the clamping jaw thereof; FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIGURE 10, with the clamping jaw shown in the solid line splice orientation and in the discontinuous line release orientation; FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of the same with the clamping jaw shown in the solid line splice orientation and in the clamping orientation (with the lower ends separated by an article) in dotted line; FIGURE 13 is an elevation, fragmented view of the clamping jaw; FIGURE 14 is a top plan view, fragmented of the clamping jaw; and FIGURE 15 is a bottom plan view of the clamping jaw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Now with reference to the drawing, and in particular to FIGURE 1 thereof, it illustrates a hanger with clamping jaw, secure in accordance with the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10 In its conventional aspects, the hanger 10 consists of a hanger body 12 that includes a joining portion 14 for securing the body 12 to a support (not shown) and optionally, as illustrated, a transverse portion 16 defining a pair of free outer ends. Although the connecting portion 14 is illustrated as a hook, it is evident that it is possible to use other means for joining the body of the hanger 12 to a support (such as a raised rod extending in the transverse direction, not shown). The body of the hanger 12 (including the attachment portion 14 and the optional transverse portion 16 is conveniently formed by injection molded plastic.) The hanger 10 further includes at least one clamping jaw, generally designated 20. Each clamping jaw 20 includes a pair of substantially rigid components, which extend in the vertical direction 22, 24. Each of the components extending in the vertical direction 22, 24 defines an upper end 26, a lower end 30 and a connector portion of the component 32 between the ends 26, 30. Preferably, a clamping jaw 20 is positioned adjacent each free end 18 of the transverse portion 16 (as illustrated), although otherwise the hanger 10 may include a single clamping jaw 20. placed at the center (ie, intermediate to the free ends 18) The means 40 are provided to pivotally secure the components 22, 24 to each other so that, c When the upper ends 26 of the components 22, 24 come together as close as possible, the lower ends 30 are separated from each other as much as possible (the "fully extended open position"). During use, when the upper ends 26 move toward the fully extended open position, as illustrated in FIGURE 2C, the lower ends thereof are separated to allow insertion or separation of an article or garment therebetween ("the release orientation "). Preferably, the securing means 40 pivotally secures a connector portion of the component 32 of a component 22, 24 to the connector portion of the component 32 of the other component 24, 22. The pivotable securing means 40 may be a latent hinge. (not shown) when the components extending in the vertical direction 22, 24 are formed of plastic, although it is possible to use instead a variety of different securing mechanisms. Preferably, one component 24 is pivotable, and the other component 22 is stationary relative to the body of the hanger. The means 42 are provided for pushing the lower ends 30 of the two components 22, 24 together to define the "closed" or tightening orientation wherein the upper ends 26 of the two components 22, 24 are separated. In this orientation, the lower ends 30 are configured and sized to cooperatively receive and hold an article, such as a garment G (shown in broken line) between them, as illustrated in FIGURE 2B, to suspend by this means the garment on a rod or similar support. In the absence of any garment between the lower ends 30 and the two components 22, 24, the pushing means 42 pushes these lower ends 30 together to define the "splice" orientation where the lower ends 30 touch, as illustrated in FIGURE 2A and 2D. The pushing means 42 can be separate and be different from the securing means 40, or the two means 40, 42 can be combined into a single element, such as a latent, strongly resilient hinge (not shown). The components of the clamping jaw 22, 24 are conveniently formed of plastic with each component 22, 24 usually being injection molded separately, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, or the two components 22, 24 injection molded together with a latent connection hinge (not shown). The present invention provides that the upper end 26 of a component 22 is configured and sized to define a sack, collar or raised recess 50 facing the upper end 26 of the other component 24 and with recessed side surfaces 52. The upper end 26 of the other component 24 is configured and sized to define a head 54 which, in the closed orientation, is total or partially received in the bag, collar or recess 50 so that the recess 50 projects further forward (to the left in FIGURES 2B and 2C) than the head 54 to provide some protection to the head from forces accidentally imposed on the same In the embodiment 10 illustrated in FIGURES 1-6, the recess 50 is defined by the projections 50a only on the lateral sides of the head 54 and in the embodiment 10"illustrated in FIGURE 8, the recess 50" is defined by a projection 50b only on the head 54. In the mode 10 'that is illustrated in FIGURE 7, the head 54 on the upper end 26 of a component 24 fits completely within a recess 50 defined by the lateral and upper projections 50a, 50b of the other component 22. In this form, the upper end 26 of the component 22 provides protection to the upper part and both sides of the upper end 26 of the other component 24 against relative accidental movement thereof. The function of the recess 50, 50 ', 50"is only to provide protection to the head 50 against pressures exerted therein in a direction mainly transverse to the hanger 10. In the first embodiment 10 that is illustrated in FIGURE 1, the recess 50 is defined by two raised portions or projections 50a, one on each side of the head 54, which protects the head by acting as a collar or partial sac when the head 54 is received therein. In the second embodiment 10 'illustrated in FIG. FIGURE 7, the raised portion or projection 50b also extends horizontally, placed over the other of the raised portions or projections 50a (as shown) or connecting the same, so that the head 54 is fully received within the recess 50 ' As illustrated, the sides and top of the head 54 are fully fitted within the sides and the upper part of the recess 50 'formed by the three elevated portions or projections 50a, 50b. "which is illustrated in FIGURE 8, recess 50" is defined only by a horizontal elevated portion or projection 50b. The recess in the upper end 26 of the stationary component 22 can be formed in a variety of different ways. The upper end 26 can be molded so that its portion (s) or raised projection (s) follow the contour of the head 54 at the upper end 26 of the pivotable component 24, to thereby form the side walls 50a, an upper one 50b or an upper part and side walls 50a, 50b for receiving the head 54. Otherwise, the recess may be simply defined by one or more projections (not shown) extending forward from the upper end 26 of the stationary component 22 and defining a functional recess to receive the full thickness of the head 54 of the component 24, regardless of whether the components are in the release or tightening orientations. In any case, a user's finger, pressing back on a front surface of the head 54 can move the head 54 of the splice orientation or tighten to the release orientation (i.e., of FIGURE 2A or 2B to the FIGURE 2C). The recess of the upper end 26 of the stationary component 22 must be deep enough to receive the head 54 of the upper end 15 of the pivotable component 24 so that the recess can cover and protect the received head 54 from pressures exerted by the closely adjacent hangers or articles therein, when the fastener is in the tightening orientation and the lower ends 30 of the components 22, 24 are supporting an article, such as a garment G, between them as shown in the dashed line of FIGURE 2B . further, the recess of the upper end 26 of the stationary component 22 must be deep enough to receive the head 54 at the upper end 26 of the pivotable component 24, so that the user can intentionally move the upper ends 26 close together to obtain the orientation of release, wherein the lower ends 30 of the components 22, 24 allow the passage of an article or garment therebetween, for example, by backward pressure of a finger placed on the intermediate head 54 to the lateral surfaces of the recess 52. In this manner, the recess 50 must be deep enough to extend forward beyond the head at a distance sufficient to provide protection to the head against relative accidental movement thereof from a squeezing orientation.

(FIGURE 2B) toward a release orientation (FIGURE 2C) while at the same time allowing the relative intentional movement of the head and the recess of the tightening orientation (FIGURE 2B) toward the release orientation (FIGURE 2C). During use, the clamping jaw of the hanger of the present invention is protected against accidental opening due to pressures exerted by hangers or adjacent articles during display, handling and transportation, the hanger is especially suitable for use in the transport of clothes. . On the other hand, the clamping jaw can be easily opened by intentionally pressing together the upper ends of the two components. It is not necessary that the recess 50 be deep enough to extend forward past the head 54 at a distance sufficient to protect the head and recess against the relative accidental movement thereof of a splice orientation (see FIGURE 2A) wherein the lower ends 30 of the two components 22, 24 are in abutting contact (i.e., there is no article suspended therebetween) to the tightening or releasing orientation (see FIGURES 2B and 2C). In this splice orientation there is no suspended article that can be accidentally released from the hanger if the upper ends 26 of the two components 22, 24 are accidentally pressed together, for example by adjacent articles or hangers. Actually, it is preferred (but not necessary) that the upper end 26 of the pivot component 24 extends slightly forward of the recess 50 when the components 22, 24 are in the splice orientation, as illustrated in FIGURES 2A, for hereby facilitating the fastening of the pivot component 24 by a user to suspend an article of the clamping jaw 20. However, otherwise, the upper end 26 of the pivot component 24 may not extend further from the recess 50 when the components they are in the splice orientation, as illustrated in FIGURE 2D. Optionally, the lower ends 30 of the components 22, 24 can be provided with special tightening pads 60 so that the lower ends 30 can more securely tighten therebetween an article, such as a garment G (see FIGURE 2B) , when the components 22, 24 are in the tightening orientation. The illustrated clamping pads 60 are preferably formed separately from the components 22, 24 and are inserted therein by a beard-like securing means 60A which are received within the lower ends of the component 30 (see FIGURES 2A, FIG. 2B and 2C). In the preferred embodiment illustrated, there is a pivot means or shaft 40 on each side of the central portion 32 of the movable component 24. These pivoting means 40 are received in the pivot seats 62 in the central portion 32 of the stationary component. 22 (pivot seat 62 is best illustrated in FIGURE 6). However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, it is possible to use a variety of conventional means instead of pivotally securing the central portions 32 of the components 22, 24, preferably adjacent to the upper portions 26. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a "U" shaped inverted spring 42 includes a pair of extended spring legs 42A that are received in the recesses or slits 68 of each component 22, 24 (recesses or slits 68 are illustrated better in FIGURE 6). Each recess or slit 68 of a component 22, 24 preferably ends at its lower end adjacent to the top of the clamping pad 60 and at its upper end adjacent to a ramp 66 projecting towards the other component 24, 22. ramps 66 carry the spring 42 adjacent its breast to hold the lower ends of the legs of the spring 42A in close proximity to the lower ends of the component 30. The recess or slit 68 of each component 22, 24 can rotate inwardly to define a recess or bevelled or partially covered slot 68 in which a spring leg 42A can enter from above and then immobilizes the spring leg 42A thereto for horizontal movement as a unit. Otherwise, each leg of the spring 42A may extend downwardly from the recess 68 and then outwardly to the outer surface of the component 22, 24 and then down again along the connector portion of the component 32 and possibly to the extreme lower 30. In general, in both cases the same effect is obtained as the action of the spring 42 is to push the clamping jaw 20 to the closed or clamping splice orientations. The spring 42 pushes the components 22, 24 to the closed or clamping orientation, to thereby allow the tightening of an article portion by means of the clamping pads 60, or to the splice orientation if no portion of any article it is placed between the tightening pads 60. On the other hand, when the head 54 is manually pushed deeper into the recess 50, against the influence of the spring 42, the lower ends of the component 30 (and the lower ends of the spring legs) 42A) are further separated and the components 22, 24 are moved to the open orientation or deliberation, to thereby allow the passage of a portion of article between the tightening pads 60. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is possible to using other pushing mechanisms as the pushing means 42 and that some different structures of the components 22, 24 can interact with it. Although the recess 50 (usually in the stationary component 22) and the head 54 (usually in the pivotable component 24) provide a high level of protection against accidental opening of the clamping jaws, it is common to use a simpler construction to obtain the same desirable results. In this way, now with reference to FIGS. 9-15, a fourth embodiment of the clamp clip with secure clamping jaw according to the present invention, generally designated 100, is illustrated in these. The components of the similar hanger 100 as a function of the components of the hanger 10 are indicated by the corresponding numbers in the series 100. Instead of the distribution of recess 50 and head 54 mentioned above in the above-described embodiment 10, a stationary end 122 of the pair of upper ends "is configured and sized to define a projection, generally designated 172, extending generally forwardly through a pivotable end 124 of the pair of upper ends The pivotable end 124 of the pair of upper ends defines an opening 174 therethrough. to FIGURES 11 and 12, in particular, the projection 172 is configured and dimensioned to extend forward (i.e. toward and through the opening 174 of the pivotable upper end 124) beyond the pivotable upper end 124 at a distance sufficient to protect the pivotable upper end 124 against some relative accidental movement thereof from a tightening orientation to a release orientation, while still allows the relative intentional movement of the pivotable upper end 124, from the clamping orientation to the release orientation. For this purpose, the projection 172 has an upper wall 180, a lower wall 182 and a pair of side walls 184 connecting the upper and lower walls 180, 182. The axis 186 of the projection 174, intermediate to the ends thereof is more small in its cross section than the opening 174, so as not to interfere with the pivoting movement of the pivotable upper end 124 over its normal range of motion. The opening 174 extends completely in the cross section of the axis 186 of the projection 172 at all times, and preferably loosely adjusts to the axis 186 of the projection 172 to accommodate movement of the axis 186 of the projection 172 within the aperture 174 as the upper ends 122, 124 move intentionally between the splice orientations or Tighten and release orientation. The extension of the projection 172 in the horizontal forward direction beyond the pivotable upper end 124 protects the pivotable upper end 124 from being accidentally displaced towards the rear (towards the stationary upper end 122), but allows the intentional movement of the pivotable upper end towards the rear (towards the stationary upper end 122) when the two upper ends 122, 124 are clamped on the level of the projection 172 and tightened between yes. The projection 172 may be formed of the same plastic as the rest of the hanger (or at least the pivotable upper ends thereof) with the appropriate rib and structure being provided to ensure that a horizontal backward force exerted on the free end of the projection 172 does not seriously decrease its length or unduly flex it. The projection 172 can preferably flex in a resilient manner so that a smaller vertical displacement of the projection 172 is possible under the influence of the opening 174 and the aforementioned clamping force. Otherwise, the rigid projection 172 (and as an optimum the axis 186 thereof) is slightly curved to provide a radius of curvature generally similar to the radius of curvature of the movement path of the aperture 174. Preferably, the end free of the projection 172 is enlarged relative to the axis thereof after the free end has been passed through the aperture 174, to thereby prevent the accidental separation of the full projection 172 from the aperture 174. Again, it is not necessary for the free end of the projection 172 to extend forwardly from the stationary upper end 122 beyond the pivotable upper end 124 beyond that required to hold the components against some relative accidental movement of a tightening orientation toward an orientation of release. For example, the projection 172 need not avoid relative accidental movement of the pivotable upper end 124 relative to the stationary upper end 122 when the lower ends 130 of the components are in splice orientation (i.e. without an article placed therebetween). since then there is no suspended item that can be accidentally released. Although the projection 172 has been described in the foregoing as a portion of the stationary upper end 122, it is evident that this could otherwise be a pivotable upper end part 124 and extend through an opening in the stationary upper end 122. In In reality, the projection 172 may be formed as part of the spring 142 and extend through an opening in the pivotable or stationary top end. It will be appreciated that the projections 50a, 50b and 172 all perform the same function of preventing some relative accidental movement of the components of the clamping jaw from the clamping orientation to the release orientation. In the tightening orientation, the projections 50a and 50b of one component (preferably the stationary one) extend at least partially over the head of the other component (preferably the pivotable one), while the projection 172 of one component (preferably the stationary one) ) extends through an opening in the head of the other component (preferably the pivotable one).

In summary, the present invention provides a hanger with secure clamping jaw, suitable for suspending articles during transport, display and handling, the hanger being simpler in its manufacture, use and maintenance and comparable in cost to a conventional hanger thereof. kind. Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereto will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be considered in a broad sense and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the aforementioned specification.

Claims (26)

1. A hanger consisting of: (A) a joining portion to secure the hanger to a support; and (B) at least one clamping jaw for receiving an article for hanging, this clamping jaw includes: (i) a pair of components secured to each other, each of the components includes an end for receiving the article therebetween (ii) ) the means for pushing the ends together and to allow separation of the ends to a fully extended open position by the movement of at least one of the components; one of the components includes at least one projection extending towards the other of the components to prevent some accidental movement of the clamping jaw towards the fully extended open position while allowing intentional movement of the clamping jaw towards the fully extended open position. .

2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the projection on one of the components does not extend beyond the other of the components when the pair of the ends of the components are spliced without article between them.

The headstand of claim 1, wherein the projection on one of the components extends beyond the other of the components when the pair of ends of the components are spliced without article between them.

4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the projection on one of the components extends through an opening defined by the other of the components.

5. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the projection on one of the components extends at least partially on one periphery of the other of the components.

The hanger of claim 1, wherein the pushing means includes the means for securing the components together.

7. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the pushing means includes the means for pivotally securing the components together.

8. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the component including the projection is stationary relative to the other component.

9. A hanger consisting of: (A) a joining portion to secure the hanger to a support; and (B) at least one clamping jaw for receiving an article for hanging, the clamping jaw includes: (i) a pair of components extending in the vertical direction secured to each other, each of the components defining an upper end and a lower end; - (ii) the means for pushing the lower ends together and to allow separation of the lower ends to an open position fully extended by the movement of at least one of the upper ends; one of the pair of upper ends includes at least one projection extending towards the other upper end to prevent some accidental movement of the other upper end towards the fully extended open position while allowing intentional movement of the other upper end towards the fully extended open position.

The hanger of claim 9, wherein the projection on one of the upper ends does not extend beyond the other of the upper ends when the pair of the lower ends of the components are spliced without article between them.

The hanger of claim 9, wherein the projection at one of the upper ends extends beyond the other of the upper ends when the pair of ends of the components are spliced without any article therebetween.

12. The hanger of claim 9, wherein the projection at one of the upper ends extends through an opening defined by the other of the upper ends.

13. The hanger of claim 9, wherein the projection on one of the upper ends extends at least partially around one periphery of the other of the upper ends.

14. The hanger of claim 9, wherein the pushing means includes the means for securing - the components together.

15. The hanger of claim 9, wherein the pushing means includes the means for pivotally securing the components together.

16. The hanger of claim 9, wherein the component including the projection is stationary relative to the other component.

17. A hanger consisting of: (A) a joint portion to secure the hanger to a support; and (B) at least one clamping jaw for receiving an article for hanging, the clamping jaw includes: (i) a -par of vertically extending components, each component defining an upper end and a lower end; (ii) the means for pivotally securing the components to each other; and (iii) the means for pushing the lower ends together and to allow the separation of the lower ends to a fully extended open position by the movement of at least one of the upper ends; one of the pair of the upper ends includes at least one projection defining a recess in front of the other upper end, and the other upper end defines a head that can be received in the recess, the recess extending towards the head to prevent some movement the other upper end to the open position, fully extended, while allowing the intentional movement of the other upper end to the fully extended open position.

18. The hanger of claim 17, wherein the recess is positioned on at least one side of the head.

19. The hanger of claim 17, wherein the recess is positioned on both sides of the head.

20. The hanger of claim 17, wherein the recess is positioned on both sides of the head and on the top of the head.

21. The hanger of claim 17, wherein the recess is placed on the head.

22. A hanger consisting of: (A) a joint portion for securing the hanger to a support; and (B) at least one clamping jaw for receiving an article for hanging, the clamping jaw includes: (i) a pair of components extending in the vertical direction, each component defining an upper end and a lower end; (ii) the means for pivotally securing the components to each other; and (iii) the means for pushing the lower ends together and to allow the separation of the lower ends to a fully open position. extended by the movement of at least one of the upper ends; one of the pair of the upper ends includes a projection extending through the other upper end, and the other upper end defines an opening for the projection to pass through it so that the projection prevents some accidental movement of the other end upper towards the fully extended open position while still allowing intentional movement of the other upper end towards the fully extended open position.

23. The hanger of claim 22, wherein the projection has an upper wall, a lower wall and a pair of side walls connecting the upper and lower walls, the projection is smaller in cross section than the opening.

24. The hanger of claim 22, wherein the opening extends completely around the projection at all times.

25. The hanger of claim 22, wherein one upper end is stationary and the other upper end is pivotable relative to the stationary upper end.

26. The hanger of claim 22, wherein the securing means and the pushing means are the same.