US3606967A - Hanger handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A HANGER HANDLE TO CARRY A PLURALITY OF CLOTHES-HANGERS IN AN OVER-THE-SHOULDER MANNER WHEREIN THE AGEMENTS ARE ORIENTED TO OPTIMALLY DISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT THEREOF, AND WHEREIN THE HANGER HANDLE IS CONSTRUCTED TO PERMIT THE INDIVIDUAL USING THE DEVICE TO HAVE HIS ARM AND HAND IN THE MAXIMUM COMFORT AND STRENGTH POSITION.

Description

'I'- V. ROBERTS HANGER HANDLE Sept. 21., 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed March 28, 1969 INVENTOR. fay/man 1/ Faber rs p 1971 1'. v. ROBERTS 3,606,967

HANGER HANDLE Filed March 28, 1969 2 sh t t g INVENTOR.

2 700/0700 1/ Qaber/s ATTORNEY United States Patent 01 fice 3,606,967 Patented Sept. 21, 1971 3,606,967 HANGER HANDLE Toulman V. Roberts, 8909 Lakehurst, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73120 Filed Mar. 28, 1969, Ser. No. 811,373 Int. Cl. A47g 25/06 U.S. Cl. 224-45T Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This invention relates generally to improvements in devices to carry a plurality of clothes-hangers, and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a device to carry a plurality of clothes-hangers in an over-theshoulder manner.

(2.) Description of the prior art There are many circumstances where it is necessary for an individual to carry a number of garments supported on clothes-hangers. The conventional approach to this circumstance has been for a person to merely secure his index and forefinger through the hook portion of the clothes-hangers, and then try to carry them in an over-theshoulder manner. Although useful for carrying one and perhaps two garments, this approach becomes a quite painful process as the number of garments or their weight increases. It should be noted that the garments when carried in this manner become extremely unmanageable.

There have been various attempts in the past to provide a device for conveniently carrying a number of garments supported on clothes-hangers. One such device, consisted of a rectangular ring-shaped handle having rounded ends thereon. A ring was pivotally secured to a portion of the handle. The hooks of the clothes-hangers were supported around the periphery of the ring. Although this device was adequate in some situations, it did have the disadvantages of not securely fixing the position of the clothes-hangers with respect to the handle, and of having the garments positioned at various angles with respect to the ring. Therefore, when an individual attempted to carry a number of garments in an over-theshoulder manner using this device, the garments were positioned at various angles with respect to the individuals back. The result of having the garments positioned at various angles and not securely positioned was that the garments tended to cause a twisting force on the carrying device and on the individuals hands and arm. It should also be noted that in devices of this type the clotheshangers tended to become removed from the ring portion of the particular device. Since the device was constructed of at least two separate pieces, the cost of manufacturing and assembling the device was also relatively high.

Another device used in the past basically consisted of a rectangular shaped handle having a plurality of apertures on one side thereof. This type of device had the disadvantage of positioning the garments generally perpendicular to the individuals back when used to carry garments in an over-the-shoulder manner. When used in this manner, the individual would grip the side of the handle opposite the side having the apertures therein. Since the device was gripped by the individual at a portion adjacent the hanger hooks, it is apparent that the individual would either have to extend the garments a distance over his shoulder toward the front portion of his body, or raise his arm in an extreme elevated position, extending his fist over his shoulder, which was quite uncomfortable.

One solution to some of these problems was to provide a device wherein the handle or carrying means extended from a base. The handle was a very flexible strap-type device. A block, having a plurality of straps secured thereto, was extended perpendicular to the base, and secured thereto. The hooks of the clothes-hangers were then extended through the straps. The individual would grasp the flexible strap when using the device to carry the garments in an over-the-shoulder manner. This device did permit the hanger carrying portion to be extended over the shoulder; however, the force exerted by the garments was concentrated on one portion of the individuals hand. It should also be noted that it was difficult to control the position of the garments by simply holding onto a flexiblestrap. In other words, the lateral movement of the garments with respect to the individual was not controllable when using this type of device. It is also apparent from the foregoing that devices of this type consisted of a large number of separate parts, which made the construction and assembly of these devices relatively diflicult and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a hanger handle which is used to carry garments supported on a plurality of clothes-hangers in an over-the-shoulder manner. The hanger handle basically comprises a handle means having an aperture therethrough to provide a gripping area. A hanger support flange, having opposite ends, is secured on one end thereof to the hanger handle. The hanger support flange extends generally perpendicularly to the handle. An aperture extends through the hanger support flange and is sized to accommodate a plurality of clothes-hangers such that the supported garments extend generally perpendicularly to the handle and generally parallel to th individual carrying the hanger handle.

An object of the invention is to provide a hanger handle which is particularly useful for carrying garments supported on clothes-hangers in an over-the-shoulder manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hanger handle wherein the Weight of the garments is optimally distributed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hanger handle which is constructed such that the individuals hand and arm is in a maximum strength and comfort position while using the device to carry the garments in an over-the-shoulder manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hanger handle wherein the position of the garments with respect to the individuals back is such that the garments will not tend to twist the hanger handle or the individuals hand when using the device to carry garments in an overthe-shoulder manner. T

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hanger handle which is economical in construction and operation.

Other objects'and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the various embodiments of the invention.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION .OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hanger handle constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the hanger handle of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of clothes-hangers supported thereon.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a modified hanger handle.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating another modified hanger handle.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating still another modified hanger handle.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating yet another modified hanger handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in detail and to FIG. 1 in particular, shown therein and designated by the general reference character 10 is a hanger handle constructed in accordance with the invention. The hanger handle 10 basically comprises a handle 12 and a hanger support flange 14.

The handle 12 is basically rectangular in shape having side portions 16 and 18 and end portions 20 and 22. In a preferred form, as shown in FIG. 1, the corners 24 of the handle 12 are rounded to eliminate the safety hazard which would be inherent with sharp edges.

An elongated, rectangularly shaped aperture 26 extends through the handle 12, and it is disposed between the side portions 16 and 18 and the end portions 20 and 22. The aperture 26 is provided to accommodate a portion of the individuals hand during the operation of the hanger handle 10, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The exact size of aperture 26 is not critical, but should be such that it is consistent with the intended purpose as described hereinabove and hereinafter. The corners 28 formed by the aperture 26 are also rounded to eliminate the existence of sharp edges. This is particularly important in this area of the hanger handle 10 since the individuals hand will be in contact with the walls formed by the aperture 26. The hanger support flange 14 extends perpendicularly to the handle 12 and, as shown in FIG. 1, is secured on one end thereto. In a preferred form, the handle 12 and the hanger support flange 14 are constructed as an integral unit and are of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic-like material, for the purpose of economy of manufacture. More particularly, such construction provides a stable and proper alignment of the garments, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The end 30 of the hanger support flange 14 is rounded, and an aperture 32 extends through the hanger support flange 14 near the end 30 thereof. The specific purpose of the aperture 32 will be described in more detail hereinafter.

An elongated aperture 34 extends through the hanger support flange 14, and extends between the end 30 and the end portion of the hanger support flange 14 which is connected to the handle 12. The elongated aperture 34 is provided to accommodate a portion of the hooks of the clothes hangers; therefore, the width 36 of the aperture 34 is sized to be slightly larger than the diameter of each hook portion. In one form, the width 36 may be sized to be slightly less than the diameter of the hook portion of the clothes-hanger so that an interference fit is established between the hook portion of the clothes-hanger and the aperture 34.

The length of the hanger support flange 14 will of course depend on a particular size of hanger handle being constructed, however, the portion 38 between one end of the aperture 34 and the handle 12 should be a suflicient length to allow the garments to be extended over an individuals shoulder while permitting the individuals arm and hand to be extended in a comfortable position while gripping the handle 12. In one form, a recess may be provided in the portion 38 of the hanger support flange 14 to accommodate identification information, and an advertising impression may be included on the portion 38 on the side of the hanger support flange 14 opposite the side on which the identification recess is impressed.

OPERATION OF FIGS. 1 AND 2 In a preferred form, the hanger handle 10 is used to carry garments which are supported on clothes-hangers 1n an over-the-shoulder manner. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the hook portions 40 of the clothes-hangers 42 are threaded through the apertures 34 of the hanger support flange 14. In this position, the clothes-hangers 42 and therefore the garments will extend generally perpendicular to the hanger support flange 14.

The particular number of clothes-hangers which can be carried by the hanger handle 10 will of course depend on a particular size of the hanger handle. However, with a given size or length of the aperture 34 in the hanger support flange 14, the number of garments which may be carried by the hanger handle 10 will vary depending on the type of garment being carried. For example, if an individual were carrying bulky fur coats, a particular hanger handle would carry less total garments than if he were carrying a number of shirts which can be tightly packed together. The hook portion 40 of each of the clothes-hangers 42 will assume its respective position within the aperture 34 to compensate for the varying thickness of the individual garments. The elongated aperture 34 therefore permits a wider flexibility in the use of a given hanger handle.

After the hook portions 40 have been threaded through the aperture 34, the individual would grip the handle 12 by extending his fingers through the aperture 26 and generally around the side portion 16 of the handle 12. The garments are then extended over the individuals back. In this carrying position, the portion 38 of the hanger support flange 14 will rest upon the shoulder of the individual, the hanger support flange 14 will extend over his shoulder beyond his back, and the handle 12 will extend over his shouder to a position generally in front of his chest.

In the carrying position described hereinabove, the garments are extended parallel and generally adjacent the individuals back. The individuals arm is extended generally upwardly to a position wherein his hand is in approximately the same horizontal plane 'as the upper portion of his shoulder. The natural tendency of the arm when in this position is to drop to a relaxed position, parallel and adjacent the individuals side. This natural tendency or natural force exerted by the individual arm pulls the portion 38 of the hanger handle 10 into contact with the upper portion of his shoulder, and pulls the hanger handle 10 in a generally forward direction moving the garments into a more snug, adjacent position with respect to his back.

Since the handle 12 and the hanger support flange 14 are secured together, the garments will exert a force in a downward direction parallel to the individuals back, thereby eliminating the twisting force normally exerted by garments on carrying devices where the handle portion and the hanger flange portion are not rigidly secured together, or where one is of a rigid construction and the other is of a flexible construction.

The elongated apertures 34 maintains the resultant force exerted by the garments in substantially the same vertical plane. Since the handle 12 is rigidly secured to the hanger support flange 14, and both are of a rigid or semi-rigid construction, the resultant force exerted by the garments is in substantially the same vertical plane as the resultant force exerted by the individuals arm, thereby allowing the individual to support the weight of the garments with a minimum exertion of strength, and yet maintain his arm in the maximum strength and comfort position.

The aperture 32 in the hanger support flange 14 is provided to facilitate the storage of the hanger handle without the necessity of removing the clothes-hanger and garments from the hanger handle 10. A single hook which is normally found in most clothes-closets and in most hotel rooms is used to support the hanger handle 10 and the garments in this non-operative position. The hook is simply inserted through the aperture 32. The relative position of the garments is not shifted when the hanger handle 10 is supported in this manner, therefore the individual can quickly and easily grip the handle 12; lift the hanger handle 10 from the hook, and place the hanger handle 10 in the carrying position with the minimum effort and the maximum convenience.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 3

The hanger handle 10a shown in FIG. 3 is a slight modification of the hanger handle 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and, in fact, the hanger handle 10a is constructed exactly like the hanger handle 10 except as hereinafter described.

The handle 12a of the hanger handle 10a comprises an elongated bar 46. The bar 46 extends perpendicular to the hanger support flange 14, and a portion thereof is secured or formed integral with the hanger support flange 14. In a preferred form, the bar 46 has a generally circular cross section, and a portion of the outer periphery thereof is knurled to provide a gripping surface. It should be noted that in another form, the bar 46 could have a rectangular cross-section with a knurled outer periphery.

The bar 46 has opposite ends 48 and 50 which extend in opposite directions from the hanger support flange 14. The length of the bar 46 between the ends 48 and 50 thereof is not critical, but should be constructed consistent with the purpose of the handle 12a, i.e. to provide a gripping area for the individuals hand.

OPERATION OF FIG. 3

The hanger handle 10a, shown in FIG. 3, will operate exactly like the hanger handle 10, shown in FIG. 1 and 2, except that the hanger handle 10a is gripped by the individual in a slightly dilferent manner.

In a preferred form, the individual will grip the bar 46, and extend his fingers generally around the bar 46 in such a manner that two of the fingers are disposed on one side of the hanger support flange 14, and the other two fingers are disposed on the opposite side of the hanger support flange 14. In this position, the hanger handle 10a is used to carry a plurality of garments in an over-theshoulder manner similar to that described with respect to the hanger handle 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It is apparent that the hanger handle 10a retains all of the advantages described hereinbefore with respect to the hanger handle 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and yet provides a handle construction which in some instances may be less expensive to manufacture, and which requires less material to construct.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 4

Another modification of a hanger handle constructed in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 4 and designated generally by the reference character 10b. The hanger handle 10b is constructed exactly like the hanger handle 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the handle 12a is circular in shape, and a circular-shaped aperture 52 is provided therethrough to accommodate the individuals hand. In a preferred form, the handle 12b has a generally circular cross-section and it may be provided with a knurled outer periphey to provide a gripping surface.

OPERATION OF FIG. 4

The hanger handle 10=b will operate exactly like the hanger handle 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the hanger handle 10b retains all of the advantages described hereinbefore with respect to the hanger handle 10.

6 EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 5

The hanger handle 100, shown in FIG. 5, is constructed exactly like the hanger handle 10", shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except the elongated aperture 340 in the hanger support flange has a plurality of serrations 54 along each side of the aperture 340.

In a preferred form, the width 55 of each serration 54 is sized to be slightly in excess of the diameter of the hook portion of a clothes-hanger. In another form, the width 55 of each serration is sized to be slightly less than the diameter of the hook portion of a clothes hanger, thereby providing an interference fit between the serra tions 54 and each of the clothes hangers.

OPERATION OF FIG. 5

The significant difierence between the operation of the hanger handle 100, shown in FIG. 5, and the hanger handle 10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is that the serrations 54 are provided in the hanger handle 10c to accommodate each hook portion of each of the clothes-hangers. The spacing of each of the clothes-hangers in the hanger handle 10c is thus set by the particular position of each of the serrations 54. Therefore, the hanger handle 10c provides a more positive location of each of the clotheshangers.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 6

The hanger handle 10d shown in FIG. 6 is constructed exactly like the hanger handle 10', shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the handle 12d does not lie in the same plane as the hanger support flange 14. The handle 12d is turned with respect to the hanger support flange 14 such that the plane in which the handle 12d lies makes an angle 56 with respect to the plane in which the hanger support flange 14 lies. In a preferred form the angle 56 is approximately 45 degrees.

OPERATION OF FIG. 6

The hanger handle 10d will operate in substantially the same manner as the hanger handle 10', shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except when the hanger handle 10d is in the carrying position, the individual is able to orient his hand angularly with respect the upper portion of his shoulder. The hanger 10d will of course retain all of the advantages of the hanger handle 10, and yet allow the individual to angularly orient his hand to a position which may be more comfortable, this depending upon the individual.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the various embodiments of the hanger handle described herein provide a device for carrying a plurality of garments supported upon clothes-hangers. The device is convenient to use, easily stored, requires only minimum effort of an individual, and may be economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts or elements of the various embodiments as disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein.

What is claimed is:

1. A hanger handle of a semi-rigid material for carrying garments supported on a plurality of clothes-hangers over the shoulders of an individual, comprising:

a handle having a portion thereof shaped to provide a gripping surface; and

an elongated hanger support flange having opposite ends, the hanger support flange extending generally perpendicular to the handle, one end of the hanger support flange rigidly connected to a portion of the handle, the hanger support flange having an elongated aperture extending between said opposite ends perpendicular with respect to the handle and being sized to accommodate a plurality of clothes-hangers such that the garments supported thereon extend generally perpendicular to the hanger support flange and parallel to the individuals back when the hanger is extended over the individuals shoulder in the carrying position thereof with the gripping surface of the handle in a substantially horizontal plane and the hanger support flange in a substantially horizontal plane extending generally perpendicularly to the individuals back.

2. The hanger handle of claim 1 wherein the handle means and the hanger support flange lie in substantially the same plane.

3. The hanger handle of claim 1 wherein the handle means and the hanger support flange lie in separate planes which are angularly disposed with respect to each other.

4. The hanger handle of claim 1 wherein the handle means is defined further to include a generally rectangular shaped portion having a substantially rectangular shaped aperture extending therethrough, said aperture being sized to accommodate some of the individuals fingers which extend therethrough.

5. The hanger handle of claim 1 wherein the handle means is defined further to include a bar extending in opposite directions from the hanger support flange to provide a gripping area.

6. The hanger handle of claim 1 wherein the handle means is defined further to include a generally circular shaped portion, having a substantially circular shaped aperture extending therethrough, said aperture being sized to accommodate some of the individuals fingers to provide a gripping area.

7. The hanger handle of claim 1 wherein the aperture means in the hanger support flange is an elongated aperture extending between the opposite ends of the hanger support flange.

8. The hanger handle of claim 7 wherein the elongated aperture includes a plurality of serrations along each side of the aperture.

9. A hanger handle for carrying garments supported on a plurality of clothes-hangers over the shoulder of an individual in a carrying position thereof and adapted to be supported by a hook means in a non-operative position thereof, comprising:

a handle means shaped to provide a gripping area;

and

a hanger support flange, having opposite ends, which extends generally perpendicular to the handle means and being secured on one end thereof to the handle means, an aperture being formed in one end portion thereof opposite the end portion secured to the handle means, the aperture being sized to accommodate a hook means such that the hanger handle and the garments thereon can be supported in a nonoperative position, the hanger support flange having an aperture means sized to accommodate a plurality of clothes hangers such that the garments supported thereon extend generally perpendicular to said hanger support flange.

10. A hanger handle for carrying garments supported on a plurality of clothes-hangers over the shoulder of an individual, comprising:

a handle means to provide a gripping area; and

a hanger support flange, having opposite ends, which extend generally perpendicular to the handle means and is secured on one end thereof to the handle means, the hanger support flange having an elongated aperture therethrough extending between the opposite ends of the hanger support flange, a plurality of serrations formed along each side of the elongated aperture, the elongated aperture sized to accommodate a plurality of clothes-hangers, such that the garments supported thereon extend generally perpendicular to the hanger support flange.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,55 9,064 7/ 19'51 Cunningham 224-X 2,598,643 5/1952 Kaplan et a1. 224--45X 2,629,529 2/1953 Threeton 22445.14 2,769,5 87 11/ 1956 Threeton 22445. 14 3,313,460 4/1967 Hooker 22445.14 3,317,055 5/1967 Roscicki 224'45.14X 3,362,599 1/ 1968 Galazin 224-45.14

GERALD M. *FORLENZA, Primary \Examiner F. E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner

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