US20240237841A1

US20240237841A1 - Hanger Device

Info

Publication number: US20240237841A1
Application number: US18/464,803
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth Wagoner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-01-12
Filing date: 2023-09-11
Publication date: 2024-07-18

Abstract

An improved clothing hanger is disclosed for storing any type of clothing garment on a clothing hook. Instead of a traditional hook design, the hanger device comprises an eyelet or through-hole at the top of the device to easily slip over clothing hooks, especially those located inside vehicles or gym lockers. Users can simply slip the eyelet over the clothing hook to better support clothing rather than fumbling with a traditional clothes hanger hook.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/438,592, which was filed on Jan. 12, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hanger devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alternative clothing hanger equipped with different types of eyelets on the top side rather than a traditional hanger hook. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in hanger devices. Generally, hangers are useful for supporting clothing in a hanging position to prevent wrinkles and to save storage space in drawers. However, some clothing can slip off the hanger and end up on the floor. Further, vehicles and gym lockers typically only feature a small hook to store clothes, and these hooks cannot accommodate a standard hanger. Additionally, clothing may hang too low and reach the floor or a vehicle seat and become dirty.
Furthermore, multiple disadvantages exist with the traditional clothes hanger design. The hooks in the traditional design cause hangers to quickly become tangled if stored in a pile. The necessity of a pole to hang the hook on requires excess space, both vertically and horizontally, and limits clothing storage in certain small areas. The hook feature found on traditional hangers can easily stretch out the collar or neckline of garments as the user attempts to insert the hanger into the article of clothing. In order to avoid stretching out the neck, the user must insert the hanger from the bottom of the shirt, pulling it up through the inside of the shirt and grasping it from the top of the shirt. This method is cumbersome and tedious.
Accordingly, a need remains for an improved hanger that ensures the hanger and clothes are secure and will not fall to the ground. Further, a hanger device is necessary to be able to hang clothes in a vehicle, gym locker, or anywhere else with a small clothing hook.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that provides users with an alternative clothing hanger equipped with different types of eyelets on the top side rather than a traditional hanger hook. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that allows users to store clothing as they would on a normal hanger but instead, utilize the eyelet to properly support the hanger in a vehicle, a gym locker, or anywhere else with a clothing hook. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that ensures the hanger and its supported clothing remain secure on the hook rather than the owner worrying about it falling on the ground. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents unnecessary fumbling with hanger hooks, saving considerable time and effort while traveling. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that is constructed using lightweight plastic or aluminum. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that can be utilized with a C-shaped component for supporting multiple hanger devices.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a hanger device. The device is an improved clothing hanger for storing any type of clothing garment on a clothing hook. Instead of a traditional hook design, the hanger device comprises an eyelet or through-hole at the top of the device to easily slip over clothing hooks, especially those located inside vehicles or gym lockers. Users can simply slip the eyelet over the clothing hook to better support clothing rather than fumbling with a traditional clothes hanger hook. The hanger device can be constructed using lightweight plastic or aluminum that can easily support jackets, shirts, pants, skirts, etc. In another embodiment, a C-shaped component is disclosed which can store several hanger devices simultaneously. The C-shaped component can be applied to a closet rod or a hook and then utilized for supporting multiple hanger devices and/or standard clothing hangers.
In this manner, the hanger device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that ensures that a hanger and clothing remain secure on a clothing hook. The device is a clothing hanger with an eyelet at the top instead of a hook. The device can be manufactured of a lightweight plastic or aluminum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a hanger device. The device is an improved clothing hanger for storing any type of clothing garment on a clothing hook. Instead of a traditional hook design, the hanger device comprises an eyelet or through-hole at the top of the device to easily slip over clothing hooks, especially those located inside vehicles or gym lockers. Users can simply slip the eyelet over the clothing hook to better support clothing, rather than fumbling with a traditional clothes hanger hook.
In one embodiment, the hanger device comprises a body component having a traditional triangular shape and presumably constructed of plastic, metal, or wood. The body component has no standard hook and instead, has a small eyelet or through-hole in the vicinity of where the base of a traditional hook would sit. The body component further comprises two side arms of equal length, each one projecting down from opposite sides of where the eyelet is seated and upon which a garment would be draped. Further, a bottom bar with a first and a second end, with each end being adhered to the lower end of the side arms and over which a garment such as pants or a sweater, would traditionally be draped. In the traditional triangular hanger, the two side arms come together to form the upper point of the triangular body where the hook would traditionally be housed. In lieu of the hook, in a preferred embodiment, the eyelet is seated such that the eyelet extends up from the top of the hanger to allow coupling with a surface. Specifically, the eyelet allows the device to be placed securely over a clothing hook.
In one embodiment, the eyelet is a through-hole of various diameters. Generally, the eyelet is shaped and sized to fit securely over a clothing hook. The eyelet allows the device to secure on the clothing hook without worry of falling on the ground.
In another embodiment, the eyelet is positioned underneath or below the upper point of the triangular body. The eyelet is in this position, such that the eyelet can be placed on the clothing hook and clothes hanging on the device do not hang down as far, as with a standard hanger.
In another embodiment, the eyelet is positioned below the upper point of the triangular body and a small hook is positioned above the upper point of the triangular body extending upward. This small hook can be used to hang the device from a closet rod or other hanging rod. Additionally, the small hook can be secured around the neck of a standard hanger or around the neck of a hanger device that is hanging on a clothing hook or a hanging rod.
In one embodiment, the eyelet is injection molded into the top of a plastic body component. The eyelet can be permanently affixed to the top of the body component by injection molding, by applying adhesive, by screws, by pins, or any other suitable securing method as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the eyelet can be of any shape, including circular, rectangular, square, oval, rectangular, etc., or any other shape or size as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the hanger device comprises a C-shaped component that can be positioned over a closet rod or other hanging rod. The C-shaped component, once hanging on a hanging rod, allows multiple hanger devices to be hung from the bottom of the C. Further, multiple hanger devices and/or standard hangers can be hung from (or supported by) the C-shaped component simultaneously.
While the figures depict 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 device.
In one embodiment, the hanger device can be constructed using lightweight plastic or aluminum that can easily support jackets, shirts, pants, skirts, etc. Specifically, the body component of the hanger device can be manufactured from wood, metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic, such as “PVC” polyvinyl carbonate, “ABS” acetyl butyl styrene, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyolefins, polyamides, polycarbonate, etc., and any other suitable materials.
In yet another embodiment, the hanger device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of securely hanging clothes on a clothing hook is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a hanger device comprising a body component with an eyelet secured to the top. The method also comprises positioning clothing on the hanger device. Further, the method comprises placing the hanger device securely on a clothing hook located inside a vehicle or gym locker, etc. Finally, the method comprises utilizing a C-shaped component to support multiple hanger devices simultaneously.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the hanger device of the present invention showing multiple embodiments of the device in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the hanger device of the present invention showing the device in use on a small clothing hook in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the hanger device of the present invention showing the device in use on a vehicle clothing hook in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the hanger device of the present invention showing the C-shaped component in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the hanger device of the present invention showing the C-shaped component supporting multiple hanger devices in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of securely hanging clothes on a clothing hook in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that provides users with an alternative clothing hanger equipped with different types of eyelets on the top side rather than a traditional hanger hook. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that allows users to store clothing as they would on a normal hanger but instead, utilize the eyelet to properly support the hanger in a vehicle, a gym locker, or anywhere else with a clothing hook. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that ensures the hanger and its supported clothing remain secure on the hook rather than the owner worrying about it falling on the ground. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents unnecessary fumbling with hanger hooks, saving considerable time and effort while traveling. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that is constructed using lightweight plastic or aluminum. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a hanger device that can be utilized with a C-shaped component for supporting multiple hanger devices.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel hanger device. The device is an improved clothing hanger for storing any type of clothing garment on a clothing hook. Instead of a traditional hook design, the hanger device comprises an eyelet or through-hole at the top of the device to easily slip over clothing hooks, especially those located inside vehicles or gym lockers. Users can simply slip the eyelet over the clothing hook to better support clothing rather than fumbling with a traditional clothes hanger hook. The present invention also includes a novel method of securely hanging clothes on a clothing hook. The method includes the steps of providing a hanger device comprising a body component with an eyelet secured to the top. The method also comprises positioning clothing on the hanger device. Further, the method comprises placing the hanger device securely on a clothing hook located inside a vehicle, gym locker, etc. Finally, the method comprises utilizing a C-shaped component to support multiple hanger devices simultaneously.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the hanger device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the hanger device 100 is an improved hanger device 100 that ensures that the hanger device 100 and its supported clothing 106 remain secure on a clothing hook 108. Instead of a traditional hook design, the hanger device 100 comprises a body component 102 with an eyelet 104 or through-hole at the top 110 of the device 100 to easily slip over clothing hooks 108, especially those located inside vehicles or gym lockers (see FIGS. 2-3 ). Users can simply slip the eyelet 104 over the clothing hook 108 to better support clothing 106 rather than fumbling with a traditional clothes hanger hook.
Generally, the hanger device 100 comprises a body component 102 having a traditional triangular shape and presumably constructed of plastic, metal, wood, or any other suitable materials as is known in the art. The body component 102 has no standard hook and instead, has a small eyelet 104 or through-hole in the vicinity of where the base of a traditional hook would sit. The body component 102 further comprises two side arms 112 of equal length, each one projecting down from opposite sides of where the eyelet 104 is seated and upon which a garment, 106 would be draped. Further, a bottom bar 114 with a first 116 and a second 118 end, with each end 116 and 118 being adhered to the lower end 120 of the side arms 112 and over which a garment 106 such as pants or a sweater, would traditionally be draped. In the traditional triangular hanger, the two side arms 112 come together to form the upper point or top 110 of the triangular body component 102 where the hook would traditionally be housed. In lieu of the hook, in a preferred embodiment, the eyelet 104 is seated, such that the eyelet 104 extends up from the top 110 of the hanger to allow coupling with a surface, a hook 108, or any other suitable area as is known in the art. Specifically, the eyelet 104 allows the device 100 to be placed securely over a clothing hook 108 or other suitable hook as is known in the art.
As shown in FIGS. 2-3 , the eyelet 104 is a through-hole of various diameters. Generally, the eyelet 104 is shaped and sized to fit securely over a clothing hook 108. The eyelet 104 allows the device 100 to secure on the clothing hook 108 without worry of falling on the ground. Furthermore, the eyelet 104 can be of any shape and size as is known in the art, including circular, rectangular, square, oval, oblong, etc., or any other shape or size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.
Generally, the eyelet 104 is injection molded into the top 110 of a plastic body component 102. The eyelet 104 can be permanently affixed to the top 110 of the body component 102 by injection molding, by applying adhesive, by screws, by pins, or any other suitable securing method as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.
In another embodiment, the eyelet 104 is positioned not above, but underneath or below the upper point 110 of the triangular body 102. The eyelet 104 is in this position, such that the eyelet 104 can be placed on the clothing hook 108 and clothes 106 hanging on the device 100 do not hang down as far, as with a standard hanger. Thus, if the hanger device 100 is hanging in a vehicle 200 on a clothing hook 108, a user need not worry that the clothing 106 hanging on the device 100 will hang down and contact the vehicle seats and/or the vehicle floor and become dirty.
In another embodiment, the eyelet 104 is positioned below the upper point 110 of the triangular body 102 and a small hook 202 is positioned above the upper point 110 of the triangular body 102 extending upward. This small hook 202 can be used to hang the device 100 from a closet rod 204 or other hanging rod. Additionally, the small hook 202 can be secured around the neck of a standard hanger or around the neck 206 of a hanger device 100 that is hanging on a clothing hook 108 or a hanging rod 204.
As shown in FIGS. 4-5 , the hanger device 100 comprises a C-shaped component 400 that can be positioned over a closet rod or other hanging rod 204. The C-shaped component 400, once hanging on a hanging rod 204, allows multiple hanger devices 100 to be hung from the bottom 402 of the C-shaped component 400. Further, multiple hanger devices 100 and/or standard hangers can be hung from (and/or supported by) the C-shaped component 400 simultaneously. Generally, the C-shaped component 400 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the top 404 of the C-shaped component 400 is shaped and sized to be positioned over a hanging rod 204 while simultaneously retaining multiple hanger devices 100 on the bottom 402 of the C-shaped component 400.
In another embodiment, the hanger device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 406. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, trademark, other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 406 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 406 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be hanger, storage, or brand related.
While the figures depict 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 device 100.
Furthermore, the hanger device 100 can be constructed using lightweight plastic or aluminum that can easily support jackets, shirts, pants, skirts, etc. Specifically, the body component 102 of the hanger device 100 can be manufactured from wood, such as bamboo, cedar, beech, walnut, etc.; metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or rubber-coated steel, etc.; or plastic, such as “PVC” polyvinyl carbonate, “ABS” acetyl butyl styrene, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyolefins, polyamides, polycarbonate, etc.; and any other suitable materials as is known in the art.
FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method securely hanging clothes on a clothing hook. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a hanger device comprising a body component with an eyelet secured to the top. The method also comprises at 602, positioning clothing on the hanger device. Further, the method comprises at 604, placing the hanger device securely on a clothing hook located inside a vehicle or gym locker, etc. Finally, the method comprises at 606, utilizing a C-shaped component to support multiple hanger devices simultaneously.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “hanger device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the hanger device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the hanger device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above- stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hanger device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the hanger device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the hanger device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the hanger device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hanger device that ensures that the hanger device and its supported clothing remain secure on a clothing hook, the hanger device comprising:

a body component; and

at least one eyelet;

wherein the at least one eyelet is positioned at a top of the body component; and

further wherein the at least one eyelet allows the hanger device to be secured over a clothing hook.

2. The hanger device of claim 1, wherein the body component has a triangular shape with no standard hook and instead the at least one eyelet is positioned at the top of the body component, where the standard hook would sit.

3. The hanger device of claim 2, wherein the body component comprises two side arms of equal length, each one projecting down from opposite sides of where the at least one eyelet is seated and upon which a garment would be draped.

4. The hanger device of claim 3, wherein the body component also comprises a bottom bar with a first and a second end adhered to lower ends of the two side arms.

5. The hanger device of claim 4, wherein the at least one eyelet is circular in shape.

6. The hanger device of claim 5, wherein the at least one eyelet is positioned below the top of the body component.

7. The hanger device of claim 6, wherein the at least one eyelet is positioned below the top of the body component and a small hook is positioned above the top of the body component.

8. The hanger device of claim 7, wherein the small hook can be used to hang the hanger device from a hanging rod or from a neck of the hanger device or standard hanger.

9. The hanger device of claim 8, wherein the hanger device further comprises a C-shaped component that can be positioned over a hanging rod.

10. The hanger device of claim 9, wherein the C-shaped component allows multiple hanger devices to be hung from a bottom of the C-shaped component.

11. The hanger device of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

12. The hanger device of claim 11, wherein the hanger device can be constructed using plastic, metal, or wood.

13. A hanger device that ensures that the hanger device and its supported clothing remain secure on a clothing hook, the hanger device comprising:

a body component that is triangular in shape; and

at least one eyelet circular in shape;

wherein the at least one eyelet is positioned at a top of the body component;

wherein the body component comprises two side arms of equal length, each one projecting down from opposite sides of where the at least one eyelet is seated and upon which a garment would be draped;

wherein the body component also comprises a bottom bar with a first and a second end adhered to lower ends of the two side arms; and

further wherein the at least one eyelet allows the hanger device to be secured over a clothing hook without worry of the hanger device falling off the clothing hook and onto ground.

14. The hanger device of claim 13, wherein the at least one eyelet is positioned below the top of the body component.

15. The hanger device of claim 14, wherein the at least one eyelet is positioned below the top of the body component and a small hook is positioned above the top of the body component.

16. The hanger device of claim 15, wherein the small hook can be used to hang the hanger device from a hanging rod or from a neck of the hanger device or standard hanger.

17. The hanger device of claim 13, wherein the hanger device further comprises a C-shaped component that can be positioned over a hanging rod.

18. The hanger device of claim 17, wherein the C-shaped component allows multiple hanger devices to be hung from a bottom of the C-shaped component.

19. The hanger device of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

20. A method of securely hanging clothes on a clothing hook, the method comprising the following steps:

providing a hanger device comprising a body component with an eyelet secured to the top;

positioning clothing on the hanger device;

placing the hanger device securely on a clothing hook located inside a vehicle or gym locker; and

utilizing a C-shaped component to support multiple hanger devices simultaneously.