United States Patent: 3552609

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( 35913 of 35913 )

United States Patent	3,552,609
Alpert	January 5, 1971

GARMENT HANGER

Abstract

A soft goods garment support device, wherein a frame is formed of substantially the same configuration as the garment to be displayed thereon, the said frame having a resilient member disposed along at least one upstanding edge thereof for the support of the garment when said garment is positioned therearound, with the excess material in said garment being disposed between said resilient member and the frame so as to provide a neat, aesthetic and ornamental display of the garment.

Inventors:	Alpert; Abraham (Detroit, MI)
Appl. No.:	04/716,394
Filed:	March 27, 1968

Current U.S. Class: 223/93 ; D6/328

Current International Class: A47F 7/19 (20060101); A47G 25/00 (20060101); A47G 25/20 (20060101); A47f 007/19 ()

Field of Search: 223/69,85,86,87,88,90,93,96,71,66,68,91

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


2170126	August 1939	Cleophas
2765967	October 1956	Boyagain
877598	January 1908	Rountree
2428820	October 1947	Therrien
2527869	October 1950	Wintergreen
2998173	August 1961	Lutz
3023912	March 1962	Sebastian

Primary Examiner: Franklin; Jordan
Assistant Examiner: Krizmanich; George H.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a merchandise display and garment support device, the combination of:

a frame of substantially the same configuration as the garment to be displayed and having an open framework and garment suspending means;

said open framework including spaced, generally vertical support members;

resilient means closely spaced from and between the inner surfaces of said support members; and

said resilient means adapted to position and secure portions of a garment therebetween, thereby eliminating any distortion or said garment supported thereby due to its inherent weight.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the frame is made of wire of sufficient strength to support said garment.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the frame is made of hollow plastic members which are perforated and adapted to have moth repellent located therein.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein legs are provided on said frame to position said frame on a substantially flat surface after a garment has been fitted therearound.

5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said legs are adjustable and provide a three point surface contact.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said resilient member is in the form of an elastic band positioned between the inner upper and lower surfaces of the frame.

Description

GARMENT HANGER DISPLAY DEVICE

A primary object of this invention is for the display of soft goods in a place of business, wherein the items to be shown are secured to the device in such a manner as to substantially reduce the stretch characteristically encountered in a garment as a result of its inherent weight.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a garment hanger and merchandise display device which is not only light weight and durable, but of substantially less cost than any item which is now available in the market place.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a display device wherein the prospective customer will have a better opportunity to scrutinize that which he anticipates the purchase.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a merchandise display device which can be suspended, as well as floor mounted.

Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision of a garment hanger wherein the configuration thereof can be modified to accommodate a wide variety of merchandise, particularly in the field of knits and other loosely woven materials.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a merchandise display device wherein the device can be readily stored in a small space when not in use and will occupy a minimum of space when it is in use.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention can be accomplished by the provision of a garment hanger and merchandise display device wherein the configuration of the said display device is substantially the same as the merchandise which is to be displayed thereon, while resilient members are positioned in spaced relationship with the edges thereof for the support of said merchandise without allowing the suspended weight of said merchandise to stretch the fabric from which it is made, with means being provided for the suspension of said display device or the floor mounting of same.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a garment support frame and display device which embodies the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a modified form of the present invention wherein the garment clamping support has been modified.

FIG. 3 is a typical garment support frame and display device which is adapted for the support of merchandise having a different configuration from that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but employing substantially the same type frame structure.

FIG. 4 of the drawings shows a structure similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, inverted and employing a modified garment clamping means.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through one of the support members.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation.

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it will be observed that the garment frame assembly 10 is of substantially regular and symmetrical configuration and can be used for the display of a sweater or knitted blouse etc. The top portion 12 and bottom portion 14 are substantially parallel, while the intermediate sections thereof are disposed in angular relationship thereto. In generally perpendicular relationship to the top portion 12 are two downturned sections 16 and 18 from which depend in angular relationship and in opposite directions, two members 22 and 24. Disposed between the ends of members 22 and 24 are two downturned members 26 and 28 which intersect the ends of the bottom portion 14 in angular relationship to form an enclosed frame. For purposes of illustration, loops 36 are secured to members 22 and 24 respectively, while loops 38 are secured to the bottom portion 14. The loops 36 and 38 or whatever are secured by any suitable means such as welding or the the like and need not be closed at both ends as illustrated, since they could be in the form of hooks, without departing from the spirit of the invention. An elastic band 32 is disposed between members 36 and 38 respectively on each side thereof and in generally parallel spaced relationship with members 26 and 28. Thus, it is readily apparent that if a blouse or sweater is disposed over or around said frame assembly 10 and excess portions thereof are disposed between the frame members 26 and 28 and the elastic bands 32, the blouse or sweater will be effectively held so that the garment can be effectively displayed. If the device is suspended for display, then a hook is secured to the top portion 12, while if the device is floor mounted, legs as shown in dotted line are employed. Two legs could be secured to the bottom portion 14 as identified by numerals 42, while a pivotal leg could be secured to the top portion 12, and it is identified by the numeral 44.

In FIG. 2 of the drawings, a second unitary frame assembly 10A is illustrated. A hook 45 is secured to the top portion 12A from which depend sections 16A and 18A respectively. Integral therewith and extending therefrom in angular relationship and in opposite directions are members 22A and 24A, which are further downturned to form members 26A and 28A the ends of which are formed in generally parallel relationship to the top portion 12A and joined to form the bottom portion 14A. Thus, the configuration is substantially the same as that of FIG. 1, with the exception of the resilient clamping means, which in FIG. 1 was in the form of two elastic bands 32, while in the present instance, two resilient serpentine members 48 are disposed between 22A and the bottom portion 14A and member 24A and the bottom portion 14 respectively. In operation, the device functions in the same manner as does the structure of FIG. 1. In each instance, the garment is held or otherwise clamped between resilient members and the frame proper.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a modified hollow support member 280 similar to support member 28A in FIG. 2. Openings 282 are provided for exit of moth-proofing vapor.

In FIG. 3 of the drawings, another modified form of the invention is illustrated and is adapted for use with a knitted dress or the like. The top 12B and the bottom portion 14B are substantially parallel, while the intermediate portions thereof are disposed in angular relationship thereto. Secured to the top portion 12B is a hook 45B, while depending from the top portion 12B are two downturned sections 16B and 18B from which depend in opposite directions and in angular relationship two members 22B and 24B. At the ends of members 22B and 24B are two downturned sections 26B and 28B, each of which intersect the ends of the bottom portion 14B. Intermediate the intersection points thereof are two reverse angle bends, each of which has a bifurcated guide member 52 attached thereto. As previously discussed and for purposes of illustration, loops 36B are secured to members 22B and 24B respectively, while loops 38B are secured ti the bottom portion 14B. The loops 36B and 38B or whatever are secured by any suitable means, such as welding and need not be closed at both ends as illustrated, since they could be in the form of hooks threaded onto each of the respective members without departing from the spirit of the invention. A resilient band is disposed between the loop members 36B and 38B respectively and between the tines of the bifurcated members 52. The positioning of the loops or hooks 36B and 38B and the bifurcated members 52 maintain the resilient band 32B in substantially parallel spaced relationship with members 26B and 28B.

The garment applied thereover or around is positioned and clamped on the frame 10 as previously discussed and is effectively held in such a manner as to prevent the characteristic distortion of garment as a result of its inherent weight when it is hung or otherwise suspended. Because of the size of the display device shown in FIG. 3, a crisscross support 54 is disposed intermediate the downturned portions 16B and 18B and the bottom portion 14B. As described in connection with FIG. 1, and illustrated in dotted line in both FIGS. 1 and 3, leg members 42B can be secured to the bottom portion 14, while a pivotal leg 44 can be attached to the crisscross members 54.

FIG. 4 of the drawings is similar to the previously described structures, however, this structure is adapted for use with ladies skirts and the like. In this instance, the frame 60 of generally symmetrical trapezoidal configuration, with parallel top and bottom portions identified by the numerals 12C and 14C respectively. The side members 26C and 28C are tapered and the ends thereof intersect the top and bottom portions 12C and 14C as an integral assembly. Positioned in substantially parallel relationship with the side members 26C and 28C are two resilient clamp bars 56 and 58, held together by a pair of spring load pivotal members 62 and 64 about pivots 66 and 68 respectively. The clamp members 56 and 58 are bifurcated at each end and are guided by the parallel top and bottom portions 12C and 14C of the frame 60. It will then be readily apparent that when the pivotal members 62 and 64 are displaced, the resilient clamping members 56 and 58 will be operated to clamp the garment positioned therearound between said frame and said clamping members.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the invention is simple, durable and inexpensive to manufacture. It is small in size and a giant in function and can be used efficiently in the modern economy.

* * * * *

Current U.S. Class:	223/93 ; D6/328
Current International Class:	A47F 7/19 (20060101); A47G 25/00 (20060101); A47G 25/20 (20060101); A47f 007/19 ()
Field of Search:	223/69,85,86,87,88,90,93,96,71,66,68,91