Clothes rack equipped with a hanging device

Abstract

The hanging device (5) comprises a connecting element (15) configured to be assembled with a complementary connecting element (10) of a mounting bracket (4), a reinforcing hook (16) configured to engage with the mounting bracket (4), and a main body (12) having a first portion (13) carrying the connecting element (15) and the reinforcing hook (16), and a second portion (14) attached to the first portion (13), the first portion (13) and the second portion (14) being configured to separate from each other when a force tending to separate the second portion (14) from the first portion (13) exceeds a predetermined threshold, said garment rack (2) being fixed to the second portion. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 5

Description

Title of the invention: Clothes rack equipped with a hanging device. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to the fixing of a clothes rack to a support, particularly in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a clothes rack equipped with a hanging device intended to cooperate with a mounting support, the hanging device and the mounting support forming a fastening system for the clothes rack. Previous techniques

[0003] Numerous systems for securing objects or items in the passenger compartment or trunk of a motor vehicle are known. These fastening systems allow, for example, cup holders, bottle holders, phone holders, or any other object to be attached to visible interior walls of the vehicle. These fastening systems can thus allow for the storage of such objects while making them easily accessible to a user.

[0004] Document FR 3 143 692 describes in particular a system for attaching an accessory to an element of a vehicle, the system being formed by two parts assembled by removable fastening means, one being connected to the element of the vehicle, and the other being connected to the accessory.

[0005] However, such a system is not suitable for garment racks, such as a hanger, for which the weight supported during use is often greater than that of the aforementioned objects. Given the multiplied forces caused by the cantilever and lever arms generated by a hanger or other garment rack and its handling by the user, existing fastening systems are not sufficiently robust. Furthermore, these systems are not designed to handle overload situations that could damage them.

[0006] An object of the invention is also to have a disengageable system that is easily reassembled by the user. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks and to offer a solution for hanging clothes racks, such as a hanger, particularly in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0008] The invention proposes for this purpose a clothes rack equipped with a hanging device intended to cooperate by removable attachment with a mounting support, characterized in that the hanging device comprises a main body having a first part provided with a connecting element and a reinforcing hook, the connecting element being configured to be assembled with a complementary connecting element of the mounting support, the reinforcing hook being configured to engage with the mounting support, the main body further comprising a second part fixed to the first part reversibly, the second part and the first part being configured to separate from each other when a force tending to separate the second part from the first part exceeds a predetermined threshold, said garment rack being integral with the second part.

[0009] Thus, when the force exerted on the clothes rack exceeds the predetermined threshold, the second part separates from the first part and the clothes rack is no longer supported, thus preserving its integrity as well as that of the mounting support.

[0010] It is therefore possible to manufacture a clothes rack without having to particularly reinforce its structure, which is economical. The clothes rack can thus be, for example, a wire, plastic, or metal hanger.

[0011] According to another feature, the first part and the second part are fixed to each other by a reversible snap-fit.

[0012] According to yet another feature, the fastening device further comprises a pivot hinge articulating the first part and the second part, the hinge being located on the main body substantially opposite the reinforcing hook.

[0013] According to yet another feature, the clothes rack has at least one angled portion having a first branch oriented transversely to a pivot axis of the hinge and a second branch oriented substantially like the pivot axis of the hinge, the first branch being at least partially received between the first part and the second part.

[0014] According to yet another feature, the main body is a casing whose first part and second part each form a half-shell, the main body having internal ribs projecting from the second part into the internal space of the casing, the garment holder having a fastening portion received between the first part and the second part and positioned against the internal ribs.

[0015] Advantageously, said internal ribs have at their end opposite the second part recesses configured to receive said portion of attachment.

[0016] Advantageously still, the fixing portion is against the internal ribs in the vicinity of the reinforcing hook.

[0017] According to another feature, the clothes rack comprises a flat frame made of formed metal wire.

[0018] According to yet another feature, the garment rack is a hanger having an arched portion configured to mimic the general shape of a body's shoulders human, and a crossbar extending from a first end of the arch to a second end of the arch opposite its first end, the crossbar being fixed to the second part.

[0019] According to yet another characteristic, the predetermined threshold is approximately 8 daN.

[0020] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a clothes rack as defined above, and a mounting support intended to cooperate by removable attachment with a hanging device for the clothes rack. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Other purposes, advantages and features will become apparent from the following description, given for illustrative purposes only and with reference to the accompanying drawings on which:

[0022] Fig. 1 represents a side view of a clothes rack, here a hanger, equipped with a hanging device according to the invention, being assembled with a mounting support fitted to a headrest of a motor vehicle;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a view similar to [Fig.1], the hanging device being assembled to the mounting support;

[0024] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the mounting bracket alone;

[0025] [Fig. 4] is a perspective view of the hanging device alone, showing its face Before ;

[0026] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the hanger equipped with the hanging device, the latter having a front part and a rear part separated from each other;

[0027] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the rear part of the hanging device, with the hanger attached to it;

[0028] [Fig.7] is a view similar to [Fig.5], the hanger having been detached;

[0029] [Fig. 8] is a perspective view of the front part of the attachment device; and

[0030] [Fig. 9] is a cross-sectional view of the attachment device, the front part and the part rear being assembled.

[0031] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "horizontal", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "lower", "upper", "under", "on", "above" and "below" are understood to refer to the usual orthogonal coordinate system for motor vehicles, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, and comprising:

[0032] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and directed from the front to the rear of the vehicle;

[0033] - a horizontal transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the X axis and directed from the left to the right side of the vehicle moving forward;

[0034] - a Z axis, orthogonal to the X and Y axes and vertical, directed from bottom to top. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a fastening system 1 for attaching a clothes rack, here a hanger 2, in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, to the back of a seat headrest 3.

[0036] The fastening system 1 comprises a mounting bracket 4 and a hooking device 5 intended to cooperate with the mounting bracket 4 by removable fastening, the hanger 2 being fixed to the hooking device 5.

[0037] The mounting bracket 4 includes a body 6 and means for fixing, preferably removable, the mounting bracket 4 to the headrest 3.

[0038] In the illustrated example, the body 6 can be elongated, extending along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle, in the form of a band, between a left lateral side 3a and a right lateral side 3b of the headrest 3. When the mounting bracket 4 is attached to the headrest 3, a first portion 6a of the body 6 is configured to extend at least partially against a rear face 3c of the headrest 3, and a second portion 6b of the body 6, extending from the first portion 6a, is configured to extend at least partially over a lower face 3d of the headrest 3.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the means for attaching the mounting bracket 4 to the headrest 3 comprise two jaws 7 positioned respectively around the left mounting rod 8 and around the right mounting rod 9 of the headrest 3. The jaws 7 are assembled to the body 6, according to one embodiment, by means of screws. The jaws 7 and the body 6 of the mounting bracket 4 are clamped around the left mounting rods 8 and 9 of the headrest 3 by means of the screws so as to hold the mounting bracket 4 in place.

[0040] The mounting support 4 further includes a connecting element, here a male element 10, fixed to the center of the body 6, and a notch 11, positioned above the male element 10.

[0041] The hanging device 5 is arranged along a plane of symmetry. This plane of symmetry is substantially parallel to that defined by the X and Z axes when the hanging device 5 is assembled to the mounting support 4. Furthermore, this plane of symmetry is the same as that along which the hanger 2 is arranged.

[0042] The attachment device 5 comprises a main body 12 having a front part 13, or first part, and a rear part 14, or second part, fixed to each other. The front part 13 and the rear part 14 are here two half-shells forming together a hollow housing.

[0043] The main body 12 includes a complementary connection element, here a female element 15, provided in its front part 13 and configured to be assembled by complementarity with the male element 10 of the mounting support 4, in order to removably fix the hanging device 5 to the mounting support 4.

[0044] It should be noted that, alternatively, the male element 10 can be carried by the main body 12 and the female element by the mounting support 4.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the female element 15 is configured to be assembled with the male element 10 of the mounting support 4 by translational movement, here along the Z axis and in a direction from top to bottom, of the hooking device 5 relative to the mounting support 4.

[0046] In this regard, the female element 15 is in the form of a recess in which two ribs 15a, 15b protrude, arranged opposite each other and intended to slide into two grooves provided on either side of the male element 10 of the mounting support 4.

[0047] In the illustrated example, the two grooves join to form a single groove 10a extending all around the male element 10.

[0048] In the illustrated example, the male element 10 is formed by a first part 19 and a second part 20 assembled by removable fastening means. The first part 19 is connected, preferably by removable fastening means, to the body 6 of the mounting support 4, and the second part 20 is connected to the attachment device 5. The groove 10a into which the ribs 15a, 15b of the female element 15 of the attachment device 5 are inserted is formed between the first part 19 and the second part 20 of the male element 10.

[0049] The attachment device 5 further includes a reinforcing hook 16 configured to engage with the mounting support 4, here by inserting into the notch 11 of the mounting support 4.

[0050] The reinforcing hook 16 extends from the front part 13 of the main body 12. The reinforcing hook 16 has a first portion 16a extending from the front part 13, substantially perpendicular to the front part 13, and a second portion 16b extending from the first portion 16a, substantially perpendicular to the first portion 16a, towards the female element 15. The second portion 16 extends opposite the front part 13.

[0051] The reinforcing hook 16, and in particular the portion 16b, is inserted into the notch 11 during the translational movement by which the male element 10 assembles with the female element 15. In other words, the assembly of the hooking device 5 and the mounting support 4 as well as the insertion of the reinforcing hook 16 into the notch 11 are done by a single translational movement of the hooking device 5.

[0052] When the hanging device 5 is assembled to the mounting support 4, the part of the hanger 2 intended to support a garment is higher than the hanging device 5 and the mounting support 4.

[0053] The reinforcing hook 16 constitutes a second anchor point between the hanging device 5 and the mounting support 4, in addition to the anchor point constituted by the female element 15 with the male element 10, which is favorable to the stability as well as the strength of the fixing system 1, especially when the garment supported by the hanger 2 is heavy and / or when the weight of the garment is not uniformly distributed along the Y axis.

[0054] It should be noted that the presence of the reinforcing hook 16 restricts the use of the hooking device 5 to a single position on the mounting support 4 and thus serves as a keying element.

[0055] Alternatively, the clothes rack may be different from a hanger 2 and may be, for example, a coat hook.

[0056] Advantageously, the main body 12 includes two anti-vibration pads 17 and 18 positioned on the front part 13 on either side of the female element 15.

[0057] The anti-vibration pads 17 and 18 are configured to bear against the mounting bracket 4 when the hooking device 5 and the mounting bracket 4 are assembled.

[0058] The anti-vibration pads 17 and 18 help to stabilize the attachment device 5 when the vehicle is in motion, and limit the transmission of vibrations to the hanger 2.

[0059] With reference to figures 5 to 9, we will now describe in more detail the hanger 2 and the connection device 5, as well as an automatic disengagement function with which the hooking device 5 is provided in order to preserve the integrity of the hanger 2 when the stresses applied to it exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0060] The hanger 2 comprises a flat frame 21 having an arched portion 23, configured to mimic the general shape of the shoulders of a human body, and a cross member 24 extending from a first end 23a of the arch 23 to a second end 23b of the arch 23 opposite its first end 23a. The cross member 24 extends opposite the arch 23, the concave side of the arch 23 being turned towards the cross member 24.

[0061] The frame 21 is secured to the hanging device 5 by its cross member 24, the latter having a fixing portion 50 fixed to the body 12 of the hanging device 5, and more specifically to its second part 14. The fixing portion 50 is received here in the housing which constitutes the body 12.

[0062] The frame 21 is here formed by a single shaped metal wire 22. Alternatively, the wire is not metallic, for example, made of a plastic polymer. Alternatively, the frame 21 is formed by several wire sections placed end to end and attached in pairs, rather than by a single wire.

[0063] The wire 22 extends, here continuously, between a first end 22a and a second end 22b opposite the first end 22a.

[0064] More specifically, the wire 22 has a first bent portion 40 and a second bent portion 41 together forming the crossbar 24. The bent portions 40 and 41 are arranged in mirror image of each other.

[0065] The angled portion 40 comprises a first branch 40a extending from the first end 22a of the wire 22, and a second branch 40b extending from the first branch 40a, transversely to the latter, to the first end 23a of the arch 23.

[0066] The angled portion 41 comprises a first branch 41a extending from the second end 22b of the wire 22, and a second branch 41b extending from the first branch 41a, transversely to the latter, to the second end 23b of the arch 23.

[0067] The first branches 40a and 41a are each received, here entirely, between the front part 13 and the rear part 14 of the body 12.

[0068] The second branches 40b and 41b are each partially received between the first part 13 and the second part 14 of the body 21.

[0069] The junction between the first branch 40a and the second branch 40b, and the junction between the first branch 41a and the second branch 41b are here each received between the first part 13 and the second part 14 of the body 21.

[0070] The hanger 2 is configured here to support a garment weighing less than approximately 5 kg, regardless of the riding conditions.

[0071] We will now describe the main body 12 in more detail.

[0072] As previously stated, the front part 13 and the rear part 14 are each a half-shell forming together a hollow housing.

[0073] The front part 13 ([Fig.8]) has a bottom wall 32 and a peripheral wall 33 extending from the bottom wall 32, transversely to the latter, to a transverse edge 28.

[0074] The rear part 14 has a bottom wall 34 and a peripheral wall 35 extending from the bottom wall 34, transversely to the latter, to a transverse edge 29.

[0075] When the front part 13 and the rear part 14 are assembled, the transverse edge 28 and the transverse edge 29 are against each other.

[0076] Ribs 30 (Figures 6 and 7) formed on the transverse edge 29 are configured to engage in grooves 31 ([Fig.8]) formed in the transverse edge 28.

[0077] The rear portion 14 is provided with a plurality of attachment members, each formed here by a tab 27 formed on the peripheral wall 35 and projecting beyond the transverse edge 29. The front portion 13 is provided with a plurality of complementary attachment members, each formed here by a recess 26 (Figures 8 and 9) formed in the peripheral wall 33 and configured to receive a distal end of a corresponding tab 27. The recesses 26 and tabs 27 cooperate by snapping.

[0078] The complementary tabs 27 and recesses 26 are configured to fix the front part 13 and the rear part 14 to each other in a reversible manner.

[0079] The complementary tabs 27 and recesses 26 are configured to disengage when a force tending to separate the rear part 14 from the front part 13 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This threshold is approximately 8 daN.

[0080] The tabs 27 are here made of material with the rear part 14.

[0081] The main body 12 here comprises four pairs each formed by a tab 27 and a corresponding recess 26, these pairs being arranged symmetrically on the main body 12, with respect to the plane of symmetry of the attachment device 5.

[0082] It should be noted that two of these frames 39 are positioned near the reinforcing hook 16 and on either side of it, when the front part 13 and the rear part 14 are assembled. It should also be noted that two other frames 40 are positioned approximately at the equator of the main body 12, with respect to the pole formed by the reinforcing hook 16.

[0083] Alternatively, the recesses 26 and tabs 27 forming the attachment members and complementary attachment members could be replaced, for example, by magnets.

[0084] The attachment device 5 further includes a hinge 25 pivotally articulating the front part 13 and the rear part 14.

[0085] It should be noted that this hinge 25 is only illustrated in the figures

[0086] 5 to 9. It should also be noted that, alternatively, the attachment device 5 can be lacking such a hinge.

[0087] The hinge 25 has eyes 36 provided on the peripheral wall 33 of the front part 13, eyes 37 provided on the peripheral wall 35 of the rear part 14, and an axle 38 engaged in the eyes 36 and 37.

[0088] The hinge 25 is located on the main body 12 substantially opposite the reinforcing hook 16 (Figures 5 and 8). In other words, the hinge 25 is located at a pole of the body 12 opposite the pole formed by the reinforcing hook 16.

[0089] The hinge 25 retains the rear part 14 to the front part 13 and guides the movement of the rear part 14 towards the front part 13 during reassembly after they have been separated. This guidance facilitates, in particular, the re-engagement of the tabs 27 with the recesses 26.

[0090] The axis 38 of the hinge 25 is oriented transversely to the first branches 40a and 41a of the angled portions 40 and 41, and is oriented substantially like the second branches 40b and 41b of the angled portions 40 and 4L

[0091] Thus, when the rear part 14 detaches from the front part 13 under the weight of a garment, the user can easily and intuitively, after removing the overly heavy garment, reattach the rear part 14 to the front part 13 using the reversible snap-on means. Furthermore, the presence of the hinge 25 prevents the part 14 from falling and being lost on the vehicle floor.

[0092] The main body 12 further comprises a network of internal ribs 42 formed on the rear part 14 and extending into the internal space delimited by the bottom wall 34 and the peripheral wall 35.

[0093] The ribs 42 project from the bottom wall 34 in the same direction as the peripheral wall 35, to a distal end. The ribs 42 are interlaced. The ribs 42 are reinforcing ribs. The network includes support ribs 42a projecting from the peripheral wall 35 and joining another rib 42 of the network.

[0094] Ribs 42 have at their distal end recesses 43a, 43b, here semi-circular, each configured to receive a portion of the wire 22. The recesses 43a are configured to receive the first branches 40a and 41a of the angled portions 40 and 4L. The recesses 43b are configured to receive the second branches 40b and 41b of the angled portions 40 and 4L.

[0095] The main body 12 further comprises internal ribs 44, similar to the ribs 43, formed on the front part 13 and extending into the internal space delimited by the bottom wall 32 and the peripheral wall 33.

[0096] The ribs 44 project from the bottom wall 32 in the same direction as the peripheral wall 33, up to a distal end. The ribs 44 also connect each to the peripheral wall 33.

[0097] The ribs 44 have at their distal end recesses 44b, similar to the recesses 43b, each configured to receive a portion of the second branches 40b and 41b of the angled portions 40 and 41 of the wire 22.

[0098] The attachment device 5 further includes attachment elements for the attachment portion 50 of the cross member 24 on the rear part 14.

[0099] The fastening members include barrels 45 formed on the rear part 14 and configured to receive self-tapping screws 46, as well as a bar 47. The barrels 45 project from the bottom wall 34 in the same direction as the peripheral wall 35. The barrels 45 are integrated into the rib network 42.

[0100] The fixing portion 50 is received in the body 12 so that the first branches 40a and 41a and the second branches 40b and 41b are against the ribs 42, in the recesses 43a, 43b respectively.

[0101] The first branches 40a and 41a are sandwiched between the ribs 42 and the bar 47, the latter being tightened against the branches 40a and 41a by the threaded screws 46 screwed into the barrels 45.

[0102] As can be clearly seen in [Fig.9], the fixing portion 50 is located approximately at the junction between the front part 13 and the rear part 14, where the hinge 25 is located.

[0103] When the hanging device 5 is assembled to the mounting support 4, the first arms 40a and 41a are generally oriented vertically while the second arms 40b and 41b are generally oriented horizontally.

[0104] When a garment is hung on the hanger 2, the generated torque is transmitted by the second branches 40b and 41b to the first branches 40a and 41a.

[0105] It should be noted that in practice, a garment such as a jacket will be attached to the hanger 2 from the side opposite the mounting support 4, i.e. here from the rear, so that the greater part of the garment will be located on the rear side of the hanging device 5. The torque exerted by the hanger 2 on the first arms 40a and 41a will therefore tend to separate the rear part 14 from the front part 13.

[0106] It will be noted that one of the ribs 42 against which the first branches 40a and 41a are is in the immediate vicinity of their ends 22a and 22b, which are themselves located in the vicinity of the reinforcing hook 16 as well as the pairs 39 of attachment members which are also in the vicinity of the reinforcing hook 16. This is favorable to the good transmission of the torque between the hanger 2 and the pairs of tabs 27 and recesses 26.

[0107] If the force tending to separate the rear part 14 from the front part 13 exceeds the predetermined threshold, the tabs 27 and the recesses 26 uncouple and the rear part 14 separates from the front part 13.

[0108] The hanger 2 is then no longer supported, thus preserving its integrity and that of the mounting support 4.

[0109] The main body 12 is here made of a thermoplastic polymer. This polymer is here a polyamide. This polymer is further reinforced here with 30% glass fiber.

Claims

Demands

1. A garment rack (2) equipped with a hanging device (5) designed to cooperate by removable attachment with a mounting bracket (4), characterized in that the hanging device (5) comprises a main body (12) having a first portion (13) provided with a connecting element (15) and a reinforcing hook (16), the connecting element (15) being configured to be assembled with a complementary connecting element (10) of the mounting bracket (4), the reinforcing hook (16) being configured to engage with the mounting bracket (4), the main body (12) further comprising a second portion (14) reversibly attached to the first portion (13), the second portion (14) and the first portion (13) being configured to separate from each other when a force tending to separate the second portion (14) from the first portion (13) exceeds a predetermined threshold, said garment rack (2) being integral with the second portion (14).

2. Clothes rack according to claim 1, wherein the first part (13) and the second part (14) are fixed to each other by a reversible snap-fit.

3. Clothes rack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hanging device (5) further comprises a hinge (25) pivotally articulating the first part (13) and the second part (14), the hinge (25) being located on the main body (12) substantially opposite the reinforcing hook (16).

4. Clothes rack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having at least one angled portion (40, 41) having a first arm (40a, 41a) oriented transversely to an axis (38) of pivot of the hinge (25) and a second arm (40b, 41b) oriented substantially like the axis (38) of pivot of the hinge (25), the first arm (40a, 41a) being at least partially received between the first part (13) and the second part (14).

5. Garment carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body (12) is a housing of which the first part (13) and the second part (14) each form a half-shell, the main body (12) having internal ribs (42) projecting from the second part (14) into the space internal to the housing, the garment carrier (2) having a fastening portion (50) received between the first part (13) and second part (14) and positioned against the internal ribs (42).

6. Garment carrier according to claim 5, wherein said internal ribs (42) have at their end opposite the second part (14) recesses (43a, 43b) configured to receive said fastening portion (50).

7. Garment rack according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the fastening portion (50) is against the internal ribs (42) in the vicinity of the reinforcing hook (16).

8. Clothes rack according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a flat frame (21) made of formed metal wire (22).

9. Clothes rack according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the clothes rack is a hanger (2) having an arched portion (23) configured to mimic the general shape of the shoulders of a human body, and a crossbar (24) extending from a first end (23a) of the arch (23) to a second end (23b) of the arch (23) opposite its first end (23a), the crossbar (24) being fixed to the second part (14).

10. Clothes rack according to any one of claims there 9, wherein the predetermined threshold is about 8 daN.

11. Assembly comprising a clothes rack (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a mounting support (4) intended to cooperate by removable attachment with a hanging device (5) of the clothes rack (2).

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