Hookless paper hanger and attachable plastic hook

Abstract

A hangerless garment hanger adapted to have plastic hooks secured thereto, and a method of assembling the hangerless garment hanger. The hangerless garment hanger allows for display of garments on a flat table, while the garment hanger / plastic hook combination allows for display of the same items on a hanging stand.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to hookless paper hangers, and more particularly, to a hookless paper hanger adapted and configured for attaching plastic hooks thereto. Background Technology

[0002] Clothing sold in retail stores is typically displayed on hangers. Plastic garment hangers with plastic hooks are well known in the art. These hangers are typically formed as a single unit using an injection molding process. Plastic garment hangers with metal hooks are also well known in the art. However, there is increasing focus today on finding ways to reduce the amount of plastic used in the clothing industry.

[0003] One such solution is known as a paper hanger. In a first application of the paper hanger disclosed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. 17 / 380,179, filed July 20, 2021 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference), the body of the paper hanger is formed of cardboard or similar paper-based material with sufficient strength to support the weight of garments, and novel plastic hooks are attached to the body along with size clips to allow the paper hanger to be hung and garments supported on it. In a second application of the paper hanger, certain retail stores (e.g., membership stores) display their garments on tables. In this second application, garments can be supplied to retailers on hookless paper hangers.

[0004] As technicians in the industry understand, sometimes (due to excess inventory or order cancellations) a batch of clothing intended for sale in a membership store (and served on hookless paper hangers) must be sold through another store. In the past, this typically required disassembling each item and then re-hanging it on a hooked hanger (whether plastic or paper). This process was both labor-intensive and expensive.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a hookless paper hanger that is adapted to conveniently attach plastic hooks to, thereby allowing the hookless hanger to be cost-effectively converted into a hooked hanger when a batch of garments intended to be displayed on a flat table needs to be displayed in a conventional hanging manner. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention addresses the needs of the prior art by providing a hookless paper hanger. The hookless paper hanger includes a hanger body. The hanger body includes a centrally located portion defining a top edge. The centrally located portion includes a first orientation member. The centrally located portion further includes a plurality of perforations defining a geometric boundary. The hanger body further includes a first pair of opposing arms for supporting a first garment thereon. The arms extend from opposite sides of the centrally located portion. In a preferred embodiment, the geometric boundary defines a rectangle. In another preferred embodiment, the first orientation member is a positioning notch formed in the top edge. In yet another preferred embodiment, the positioning notch is U-shaped.

[0007] The present invention further provides a garment hanger. The garment hanger includes a paper hanger body. The paper hanger body includes a centrally positioned main stem defining a top edge. The centrally positioned main stem includes a first orientation member. The centrally positioned main stem includes an attachment opening extending therethrough. The paper hanger body further includes a first pair of opposing arms for supporting a first garment thereon and a second pair of opposing arms for supporting a second garment thereon. The first pair of opposing arms and the second pair of opposing arms extend from opposite sides of the centrally positioned main stem. The garment hanger further includes a plastic hook, the plastic hook including a hook body and a locking member. The hook body includes a suspension arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the suspension arm is dimensioned to engage a support. The hook body further includes an attachment base. The attachment base includes opposing first and second planar surfaces. The attachment base further includes a flange positioned along one edge of the attachment base and extending in a direction X perpendicular to the first planar surface. The second end of the suspension arm is attached to the flange. The attachment base further includes a collar extending from the first planar surface in the direction X. The collar is sized to extend through an attachment opening in the paper hanger body. The attachment base further includes a second orientation member sized to engage the first orientation member when the hook body is correctly oriented relative to the paper hanger body. The locking member includes a size clip body portion and a tongue extending from the size clip body portion. The size clip body portion defines an internal opening sized and configured to allow a suspension arm to pass through it. The tongue is sized and configured to engage the collar, thereby securing the plastic hook to the paper hanger body.

[0008] Finally, the present invention provides a method for assembling a plastic hook to a hookless paper hanger body. The method includes the step of providing a paper hanger body. The paper hanger body includes a centrally located portion defining a top edge. The centrally located portion includes a first orientation member. The centrally located portion includes a plurality of perforations defining geometric boundaries. The paper hanger body further includes a first pair of opposing arms for supporting a first garment thereon. The arms extend from opposite sides of the centrally located portion. The method includes another step of providing a plastic hook including a hook body and a locking member. The hook body includes a suspension arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the suspension arm is dimensioned to engage a bracket. The hook body further includes an attachment base. The attachment base includes opposing first and second planar surfaces. The attachment base further includes a flange positioned along one edge of the attachment base and extending in a direction X perpendicular to the first planar surface. The second end of the suspension arm is attached to the flange. The attachment base further includes a collar extending from the first planar surface in the direction X. The collar is dimensioned to substantially correspond to the geometric boundaries in the paper hanger body. The attachment base further includes a second orientation member, sized to engage the first orientation member when the hook body is correctly oriented relative to the hanger body. The locking member includes a size clip body portion and a tongue extending from the size clip body portion. The size clip body portion defines an internal opening, sized and configured to allow a suspension arm to pass through it. The tongue is sized and configured to engage a collar. The method includes the further step of positioning a first planar surface of the attachment base of the hook body against the hanger body such that the collar is substantially aligned with a geometric boundary. The method includes the further step of pushing the collar through the hanger body to define an attachment opening, whereby the collar extends through the attachment opening and a flange engages an edge of the hanger body such that the second orientation member on the attachment base engages the first orientation member on the centrally positioned portion, thereby correctly oriented the hook body relative to the hanger body. The method includes the further step of mounting the locking member by sliding the suspension arm through the internal opening of the size clip body portion toward a second end of the suspension arm. Finally, the method includes the following steps: engaging the tongue with the collar to secure the plastic hook to the paper hanger body.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides a hookless paper hanger adapted to conveniently attach plastic hooks to the hookless paper hanger, thereby allowing the hookless hanger to be cost-effectively converted into a hooked hanger when a batch of garments intended to be displayed on a flat table needs to be displayed in a conventional hanging manner. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a front view of a paper clothes hanger without hooks;

[0011] Figure 2.1 It is taken from Figure 1Magnified details;

[0012] Figure 2.2 It is along Figure 2.1 An enlarged cross-sectional view of line BB;

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A 3D diagram of a hookless paper clothes hanger;

[0014] Figure 4 It is similar to Figure 3 The three-dimensional view shows the paper material with the defined attachment opening removed from the hanger body;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a rear view of the plastic hook;

[0016] Figure 6.1 This is a rear perspective view showing a plastic hook positioned for attachment to a hookless paper hanger;

[0017] Figure 6.2 This is an enlarged detail showing the protrusion on the attachment base of the positioning notch on the top edge of the garment hanger body;

[0018] Figure 7 This is a front perspective view showing a plastic hook attached to a hookless paper hanger; and

[0019] Figure 8 This is a rear perspective view showing a plastic hook fixed to a hookless paper hanger. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figures 1 to 4 The image shows a hookless paper hanger 10. The hanger 10 includes a hanger body 12, which is preferably formed from cardboard or a similar paper material. The hanger body 12 includes a centrally located main stem 14 defining a top edge 16. The hanger body 12 further includes a first pair of opposing arms 18a, 18b for supporting a first garment (not shown) thereon and a second pair of opposing arms 20a, 20b for supporting a second garment (not shown) thereon. Arms 18a, 18b extend from the upper portion of the main stem 14, and arms 20a, 20b extend from the lower portion of the main stem 14.

[0021] As those skilled in the art will recognize, some retail stores (e.g., membership stores) use hookless paper hangers 10 to display their clothing on flat surfaces such as tables. These garments are supplied to the retailer on hookless paper hangers, ready to be displayed on the table. Sometimes (due to excess inventory or order cancellations), a batch of clothing intended for sale in the membership store (and supplied on hookless paper hangers) must be sold through another store. In the past, this typically required disassembling each item and then re-hanging it on a hooked hanger (whether plastic or paper). This process was both labor-intensive and expensive.

[0022] This paper has discovered that hookless paper hangers can be adapted to conveniently attach plastic hooks, thereby allowing for the cost-effective conversion of hookless hangers into hooked hangers when a batch of garments intended for display on a flat table requires conventional hanging. In this regard, the hanger body 12 of the novel hookless paper hanger of the present invention includes a plurality of perforations 22 defining geometric boundaries (e.g., rectangle 24). It is conceivable that the geometric boundaries can be any number of various shapes, such as circles, triangles, squares, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the rectangle 24 is positioned about an axis of symmetry Y extending through the hanger body 12. The perforations allow for easy removal of the portion of material defined by the boundary from the hanger body 12 by applying pressure to the material within the geometric boundary. Figure 4 The image shows a rectangular block 26 separated from the hanger body 12. The removal of block 26 provides a rectangular attachment opening 28 in the hanger body 12. The perforation defining the geometric boundaries is preferably formed during the stamping process.

[0023] The novel hookless paper hanger of the present invention further includes a first orientation member, such as a positioning notch 30, positioned on the top edge 16. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning notch 30 is positioned at a distance L from the axis Y, thereby positioning the notch 30 at an off-center position along the top edge 16. In another preferred embodiment, the positioning notch 30 is formed in a "U" shape. It is conceivable that the first orientation member may also be formed as an opening in the face of the hanger body 12 or as a protrusion extending from the face of the hanger body 12.

[0024] Now for reference Figures 5 to 8The novel hookless paper hanger of the present invention is adapted to conveniently attach a plastic hook 32 to the hookless paper hanger. The plastic hook 32 further includes a hook body 34 and a locking member 36. The hook body 34 includes a suspension arm 38 having a first end 40 and a second end 42. Preferably, the first end 40 is sized and configured to engage a support, thereby allowing clothing to be hung for display. The hook body 34 further includes an attachment base 44 having a first planar surface 46 and an opposing second planar surface 48. The attachment base 44 further includes a flange 50 positioned along an edge 52 and extending in a direction X perpendicular to the first planar surface 46. The second end 42 of the suspension arm 38 is connected to the flange 50. In a preferred embodiment, the hook body 34 is formed as a single integral component. The attachment base 44 further includes a collar 54 extending outward from the first planar surface 46 in the direction X. In a preferred embodiment, the collar 54 defines a substantially rectangular profile whose dimensions are designed to correspond to a rectangle 24.

[0025] The attachment base 44 further includes a second orientation member, such as a protrusion 56, which is sized to engage the positioning notch 30 when the hook body 34 is correctly oriented relative to the hanger body 12. Specifically, industry practice aligns the hook so that the opening of the hook faces left when viewed from the front of the garment. The positioning notch 30 is positioned off-center along the top edge 16 to ensure that the hook body 34 can only be installed in the correct orientation.

[0026] The locking member 36 includes a clip body portion 58 and a tongue 60 extending from the clip body portion. The clip body portion 58 is preferably formed by four connected walls defining a rectangular cross-section and an internal opening 62, the internal opening being sized and configured to allow a suspension arm 38 to pass through it, such that the clip body portion 58 substantially surrounds a second end 42 of the suspension arm 38, and the tongue 60 engages a collar 54. However, it is conceivable that the clip body portion 58 may also be formed by three connected walls (e.g., by eliminating one of the shorter end walls), or by a substantially continuous curved wall, whereby the clip body portion substantially / completely surrounds the internal opening 62. In a preferred embodiment, the tongue 60 includes an opening, and the attachment base 44 includes a lug positioned and biased to engage the opening when the tongue is inserted into the collar 54.

[0027] When it is necessary / desirable to convert the hookless hanger 10 into a hooked hanger, the retailer positions the plastic hook 32 close to the hookless hanger 10 such that the loop 54 engages the rectangle 24. The hook is pressed against the hanger body 12 until the rectangular block 26 is expelled from the hanger body 12, thereby defining the attachment opening 28. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the loop 54 is sized to maintain frictional engagement with the attachment opening 28 when installed through it. The plastic hook 32 is then assembled to the hanger body 12. In this respect, the hook body 34 is oriented relative to the hanger body such that the loop on the hook body extends through the attachment opening in the hanger body, and the protrusion 56 on the attachment base 44 engages the positioning notch 30, thereby ensuring the correct orientation of the plastic hook 32. The locking member is then installed by inserting the suspension arm through the internal opening of the size clip body portion of the locking member and sliding the locking member toward the second end of the suspension arm. The locking member is oriented such that the tongue is positioned to engage the loop. Finally, insert the tongue into the loop to secure the plastic hook to the paper hanger body.

[0028] It should be understood that the present invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred or exemplary embodiments. Modifications, alterations, additions, or deviations from the preferred or exemplary embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the intent, spirit, and scope of the invention, and all such additions, modifications, corrections, and / or deviations are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A clothing hanger, comprising: A paper hanger body, the paper hanger body including a centrally located main body defining a top edge, the centrally located main body including a first orientation member, the centrally located main body including an attachment opening extending through the centrally located main body, the paper hanger body further including: a first pair of opposing arms for supporting a first garment on the first pair of opposing arms; and a second pair of opposing arms for supporting a second garment on the second pair of opposing arms, the first pair of opposing arms and the second pair of opposing arms extending from opposite sides of the centrally located main body; and A plastic hook includes a hook body and a locking member. The hook body includes a suspension arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the suspension arm is sized to engage a bracket. The hook body further includes an attachment base, which includes opposing first and second planar surfaces. The attachment base further includes a flange positioned along one edge of the attachment base and extending in a direction X perpendicular to the first planar surface. The second end of the suspension arm is attached to the flange. The attachment base further includes a collar extending from the first planar surface in the direction X. The ring is sized to extend through the attachment opening in the paper hanger body, the attachment base further including a second orientation member sized to engage the first orientation member when the hook body is correctly oriented relative to the paper hanger body, the locking member including a size clip body portion and a tongue extending from the size clip body portion, the size clip body portion defining an internal opening sized and configured to allow the suspension arm to pass through the internal opening, the tongue being sized and configured to engage the loop, thereby securing the plastic hook to the paper hanger body.

2. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein, The first orientation member is a positioning notch formed in the top edge.

3. The garment hanger according to claim 2, wherein, The positioning notch is U-shaped.

4. The garment hanger according to claim 3, wherein, The positioning notch is spaced apart by a distance X from the centerline extending through the main trunk, thereby making the positioning notch eccentric relative to the main trunk.

5. A method for assembling a plastic hook onto a hookless paper hanger body, the method comprising: A paper hanger body is provided, the paper hanger body including a centrally located portion defining a top edge, the centrally located portion including a first orientation member, the centrally located portion including a plurality of perforations defining a geometric boundary, the paper hanger body further including a first pair of opposing arms for supporting a first garment on the first pair of opposing arms, the arms extending from opposite sides of the centrally located portion; A plastic hook is provided, the plastic hook comprising a hook body and a locking member; The hook body includes a suspension arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the suspension arm being sized to engage a bracket. The hook body further includes an attachment base having opposing first and second planar surfaces. The attachment base further includes a flange positioned along one edge of the attachment base and extending in a direction X perpendicular to the first planar surface. The second end of the suspension arm is attached to the flange. The attachment base further includes a collar extending from the first planar surface in the direction X, the collar being sized to substantially correspond to the geometric boundary in the paper hanger body. The attachment base further includes a second orientation member sized to engage the first orientation member when the hook body is correctly oriented relative to the paper hanger body. The locking member includes a size clip body portion and a tongue extending from the size clip body portion, the size clip body portion defining an internal opening sized and configured to allow the suspension arm to pass through the internal opening, and the tongue being sized and configured to engage the collar. Position the first planar surface of the attachment base of the hook body against the paper hanger body, such that the collar is substantially aligned with the geometric boundary; Push the collar through the paper hanger body to define an attachment opening, whereby the collar extends through the attachment opening and the flange engages the edge of the paper hanger body, such that the second orientation member on the attachment base engages the first orientation member on the centered portion, thereby correctly oriented the hook body relative to the paper hanger body. The locking member is installed by allowing the suspension arm to pass through the internal opening of the size clip body portion and slide toward the second end of the suspension arm; as well as Engage the tongue with the collar to secure the plastic hook to the paper hanger body.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The first orientation member is a positioning notch formed in the top edge.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The positioning notch is U-shaped.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The second orientation member is a protrusion located on the attachment base.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The tongue includes a lug for engaging the collar.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The tongue includes an opening and further includes a lug positioned on the first planar surface of the attachment base for engaging the opening in the tongue.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The attachment opening in the paper hanger body is rectangular, and wherein the collar defines a rectangular boundary that substantially corresponds in size and shape to the rectangular attachment opening, the collar being sized to maintain frictional engagement with the attachment opening as the collar extends through the attachment opening.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, When the locking member is in the first position, at least the edge of the size clip body portion contacts the flange.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, When the locking member is in the first position, the tongue engages the collar.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The size clip body portion is sized and configured to allow the locking member to slide along the flange from a first position to a second position, in which the tongue engages the collar.

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