GB2136682A

GB2136682A - Clip for a garment hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2136682A
Application number: GB08236473A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Lipsos
Original assignee: COMFORT BEST Ltd
Current assignee: COMFORT BEST Ltd
Priority date: 1982-12-22
Filing date: 1982-12-22
Publication date: 1984-09-26

Abstract

A clip 6 for a garment hanger comprises a body 7, legs 9 having inturned flanges 10 depending from the body for gripping flanges 11 of an arm 5 of the hanger 1, and a tongue 8 extending from the body and biassed against the flanges 11 to retain a garment therebetween. The clip 6 is integrally formed of plastics material. A lip 12 at an end of the tongue 8 facilitates easing of the tongue 8 away from the hanger arm 5 to insert a garment portion therebetween. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clip The present invention relates to a clip.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a clip for retaining a garment on a garment hanger, comprising gripping means for gripping a said hanger and retaining means biassed against the hanger to retain a portion of a garment between the retaining means and the hanger. Preferably the retaining means comprises a resilient tongue adapted, in use, to be biassed against a bearing surface of a hanger.

Preferably the tongue is provided with a lip at one end thereof directed away from the hanger. The lip facilitates easing the tongue away from the hanger to insert a portion of a garment between the tongue and hanger.

The clip of the invention is particularly suitable for use with hangers having a thin arm provided with a flange at an upper edge of the arm to form a bearing surface for a garment. The clip is preferably adapted to sit on the bearing surface, with the gripping means gripping an edge of the flange and the tongue being biassed against the bearing surface.

Preferably the clip is formed of plastics material more preferably polypropylene. Preferably the surface of the tongue adjacent the hanger has a rough surface to enhance friction between the tongue and a garment.

Another aspect of the invention provides a garment hanger having a clip on an arm thereof, wherein the clip comprises gripping means which grip the hanger and a tongue biassed against the hanger, the arrangement being such that a portion of a garment can be retained between the tongue and the hanger.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a garment hanger and clip accord ing to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-section along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of a clip according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the clip of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a cross-section along the line B-B of Figure 3.

In Figure 1, a garment hanger 1 comprises a hook 2 and a cross-piece 3 formed of a neck 4 and arms 5.

Preferably the cross-piece is integrally formed of plastics material. Hook 2 may be of metal or also formed of plastics material. A clip 6 is located on each arm 5. Each clip 6 comprises a body 7 having a tongue 8 extending therefrom. The clips are preferably oriented with tongues 8 directed away from the neck 4.

As best seen in Figure 2, body 7 has downwardly extending legs 9 having reentrant flanges 10 at the lower ends thereof. Legs 9 and flanges 10 cooperate with the body 7 to grip flanges 11 of hanger arms 5.

As seen in Figure 1, tongue 8 presses against flanges 11, which form a bearing surface for a garment.

Clip 6 is preferably formed by moulding from plastics material, preferably polypropylene, but a metal may be used. Tongue 8 is angled to the body 7 so that when the clip is affixed to a hanger, the tongue 8 is urged away from its rest position. The resilience of the tongue biasses the end of the tongue 8 against the hanger bearing surface 11.

Tongue 8 is provided with a lip 12 which projects away from bearing surface 11. Lip 12 enables the tongue to be lifted away from the bearing surface 11, for example using a fingernail, to slide a portion of a garment between the tongue and the bearing surface 11; alternatively, a thin garment material may be slid between the tongue 8 and bearing surface 11, the lip riding up over the material.

The underside 13 of tongue 8 is provided with a rough or martinexfinish to improve friction between the tongue and a garment.

Legs 9 and reentrant flanges 10 may be dimensionsed and of sufficient resilience to allow clip 6 to be attached to arm 5 by clipping over the flanges 11.

Alternatively, hanger 1 is preferably provided with flanges 11 of tapering width, so that clip 6 may slide over the flanges. Preferably the flanges taper towards the outer ends of the arms 5, or a taper is formed at hook 16.

Hanger 1, formed of plastics material, has arms of characteristics 'I' cross-section. Upright 14 has flanges 11,15 at the upper and lower edges. It can be seen that a clip may also be adapted to be located on the underside of the arms 5, preferably with the tongues directed inwards, towards neck 4, for example to take the place of hooks 16 provided at the arms ends.

Flanges 11 and 15 provide arms 5 with additional strength and resistance to flexing. The clip may be adapted to be used with a hanger having only one flange, or no flanges. One or both legs 9 preferably being biassed against upright 14. Flanges 10 may be located under the underside of the upright.

The clip 6 may be located at any desired position along the arm 5, enabling dresses, cardigans etc. of varying neckline to be held on the hanger without having to distort the neckline.

It is a preferred feature of the invention that the clip be slidable along a hanger arm.

However, it is envisaged that the clip 6 and tongue 8 may be formed integral with the arms 5 for particular applications.

Rear tab 17 enhances the appearance of the clip.

Tab 17 may also be used to assist in locating the clip on the hanger arm 5.

CLAIMS (Filed on 18. Now.83.) 1. A clip for retaining a garment on a hanger, comprising gripping means for gripping a said hanger, and retaining means biassed against the hangerto retain a portion of a garmenttherebetween.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining means comprises a resilient tongue.

3. A clip as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tongue is provided with a lip at an end thereof for easing the tongue away from a hanger.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clip The present invention relates to a clip. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a clip for retaining a garment on a garment hanger, comprising gripping means for gripping a said hanger and retaining means biassed against the hanger to retain a portion of a garment between the retaining means and the hanger. Preferably the retaining means comprises a resilient tongue adapted, in use, to be biassed against a bearing surface of a hanger. Preferably the tongue is provided with a lip at one end thereof directed away from the hanger. The lip facilitates easing the tongue away from the hanger to insert a portion of a garment between the tongue and hanger. The clip of the invention is particularly suitable for use with hangers having a thin arm provided with a flange at an upper edge of the arm to form a bearing surface for a garment. The clip is preferably adapted to sit on the bearing surface, with the gripping means gripping an edge of the flange and the tongue being biassed against the bearing surface. Preferably the clip is formed of plastics material more preferably polypropylene. Preferably the surface of the tongue adjacent the hanger has a rough surface to enhance friction between the tongue and a garment. Another aspect of the invention provides a garment hanger having a clip on an arm thereof, wherein the clip comprises gripping means which grip the hanger and a tongue biassed against the hanger, the arrangement being such that a portion of a garment can be retained between the tongue and the hanger. The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a garment hanger and clip accord ing to the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-section along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of a clip according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the clip of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a cross-section along the line B-B of Figure 3. In Figure 1, a garment hanger 1 comprises a hook 2 and a cross-piece 3 formed of a neck 4 and arms 5. Preferably the cross-piece is integrally formed of plastics material. Hook 2 may be of metal or also formed of plastics material. A clip 6 is located on each arm 5. Each clip 6 comprises a body 7 having a tongue 8 extending therefrom. The clips are preferably oriented with tongues 8 directed away from the neck 4. As best seen in Figure 2, body 7 has downwardly extending legs 9 having reentrant flanges 10 at the lower ends thereof. Legs 9 and flanges 10 cooperate with the body 7 to grip flanges 11 of hanger arms 5. As seen in Figure 1, tongue 8 presses against flanges 11, which form a bearing surface for a garment. Clip 6 is preferably formed by moulding from plastics material, preferably polypropylene, but a metal may be used. Tongue 8 is angled to the body 7 so that when the clip is affixed to a hanger, the tongue 8 is urged away from its rest position. The resilience of the tongue biasses the end of the tongue 8 against the hanger bearing surface 11. Tongue 8 is provided with a lip 12 which projects away from bearing surface 11. Lip 12 enables the tongue to be lifted away from the bearing surface 11, for example using a fingernail, to slide a portion of a garment between the tongue and the bearing surface 11; alternatively, a thin garment material may be slid between the tongue 8 and bearing surface 11, the lip riding up over the material. The underside 13 of tongue 8 is provided with a rough or martinexfinish to improve friction between the tongue and a garment. Legs 9 and reentrant flanges 10 may be dimensionsed and of sufficient resilience to allow clip 6 to be attached to arm 5 by clipping over the flanges 11. Alternatively, hanger 1 is preferably provided with flanges 11 of tapering width, so that clip 6 may slide over the flanges. Preferably the flanges taper towards the outer ends of the arms 5, or a taper is formed at hook 16. Hanger 1, formed of plastics material, has arms of characteristics 'I' cross-section. Upright 14 has flanges 11,15 at the upper and lower edges. It can be seen that a clip may also be adapted to be located on the underside of the arms 5, preferably with the tongues directed inwards, towards neck 4, for example to take the place of hooks 16 provided at the arms ends. Flanges 11 and 15 provide arms 5 with additional strength and resistance to flexing. The clip may be adapted to be used with a hanger having only one flange, or no flanges. One or both legs 9 preferably being biassed against upright 14. Flanges 10 may be located under the underside of the upright. The clip 6 may be located at any desired position along the arm 5, enabling dresses, cardigans etc. of varying neckline to be held on the hanger without having to distort the neckline. It is a preferred feature of the invention that the clip be slidable along a hanger arm. However, it is envisaged that the clip 6 and tongue 8 may be formed integral with the arms 5 for particular applications. Rear tab 17 enhances the appearance of the clip. Tab 17 may also be used to assist in locating the clip on the hanger arm 5. CLAIMS (Filed on 18. Now.83.)

1. A clip for retaining a garment on a hanger, comprising gripping means for gripping a said hanger, and retaining means biassed against the hangerto retain a portion of a garmenttherebetween.

4. A clip as claimed in claim 1, integrally formed from resilient material and comprising a body, legs extending from the body for gripping a hanger, and a tongue arranged, in use, to bear against a said hanger.

5. A garment hanger having a clip on an arm thereof, wherein the clip comprises gripping means for gripping the hanger and a tongue biassed against the hanger to retain a portion of a garment therebetween.

6. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tongue has a lip at an end thereof distal of the gripping means for use in easing the tongue away from the hanger to insert a garment portion between the tongue and hanger.

7. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the arm comprises a web having a flange at an upper edge thereof forming a bearing surface for a garment, said gripping means is adapted to grip the flange and the tongue bears against the garment bearing surface.

8. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 6, wherein the gripping means comprises a clip body resting on the bearing surface of the flange, a leg depending from the body and having a reentrant nib at an end thereof distal of the body, the leg and body cooperating to grip an edge of the flange to retain the body thereupon, and the tongue extends from the body.

9. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the clip is integrally formed from resilient material.

10. A garment hanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clip is formed from plastics material.

11. A garment hanger as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the surface of the tongue facing the hanger is rough.

12. A clip for a garment hanger, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A garment hanger and clip, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.