Informational indicator for clothing hangers
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2025/084585
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images

Figure CN2025084585_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
INFORMATIONAL INDICATOR FOR CLOTHING HANGERSBACKGROUND
[0001] A clothing hanger is a hanging device usually configured in the general shape of human shoulders in order to facilitate the hanging of upper body garments such as coats, shirts, or dresses. Some clothing hangers may include clamps to facilitate the hanging of lower body garments such as trousers, shorts, or skirts. BRIEF SUMMARY
[0002] Many entities (e.g., clothing designers, distributors, retailers, or the like) utilize clothing hangers for storing, displaying, and / or transporting articles of clothing. For example, many retailers (e.g., department stores, fashion boutiques, etc. ) utilize clothing hangers to store and display their clothing inventory on showroom racks in order to increase visibility, prevent wrinkling, and / or provide easier access for customers and employees. Many retailers also utilize hangers with indicators (or sizers) for displaying information about a garment (e.g., size, fit, gender, etc. ) in order to identify the garment more quickly and conveniently to customers and employees. For example, a customer (or employee) may more quickly and easily identify a particular size (e.g., small, medium, large, or the like) and fit (e.g., standard, slim, relaxed, athletic, etc. ) of a garment from a hanger indicator (or hanger sizer) than from individually checking each garment’s product tag (s) and / or sewn-in label (s) .
[0003] Due to the differences in various garments (e.g., size, shape, weight, country of manufacture, etc. ) , retailers (or other entities) may be required to source hangers from various different hanger manufacturers in order to properly stock their retail stores. For example, smaller sized hangers may be necessary for children’s outfits and warm weather attire such as swimsuits or skirts and larger sized hangers may be required to support heavier and / or bulkier clothes such as men’s winter coats. Additionally, or alternatively, smaller scale hanger manufacturers may not be able to keep up with the demand of larger retailers (or other large scale entities) and, thus, larger retailers may have to work with various different hanger manufacturers. In addition, each hanger manufacturer may utilize a distinct hanger design that may only accept a particular indicator (or sizer) design.
[0004] Traditionally, it has been difficult for retailers (and other entities) to standardize clothing hanger indicators (or sizers) because each hanger design may require a specific indicator design that may not interface with other hangers. For example, a batch of hangers from a first manufacturer may utilize a slot (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7A) to hold a first type of indicator in place and a second batch of hangers from another manufacturer may utilize a flange (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B) to hold a second type of indicator in place. This problem may be exacerbated by the fact that hanger manufacturers may be incentivized to use their own proprietary hanger and indicator designs in order to: (i) increase the likelihood that a customer (e.g., a retailer, etc. ) will continue to purchase their particular combination of hangers and indicators (e.g., for consistency, branding, etc. ) , and / or (ii) avoid additional fees associated with using another manufacturer’s design (s) (e.g., licensing fees, retooling costs, etc. ) . Some hanger manufacturers may utilize some similar retention features (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A) on their respective hangers; however, each manufacturer may vary the retention feature (s) slightly (e.g., due to a lack of standardization, to ensure competitors’ indicators cannot be attached, to avoid additional fees, etc. ) .
[0005] In contrast to traditional hanger indicator designs, example embodiments described herein provide more universal indicator designs that can attach to a wider range of hangers equipped with various retention features (e.g., slots, notches, holes, extrusions, tabs, flanges, and / or the like) . The present disclosure sets forth indicator designs that, among other things, provide improved midsection (or body) configurations and / or retention structures for attaching to a wide range of different hanger designs. There are many advantages of these, and other examples described herein over traditional indicators, such as those traditional systems described above.
[0006] One advantage is that example embodiments present a solution for standardizing hanger indicators across a wider range of hanger designs, thereby eliminating the need to utilize a single hanger design and / or a single hanger manufacturer. For example, larger retailers (e.g., department store chains, etc. ) can source hangers of various configurations from various sources to meet their needs and utilize a single indicator (or sizer) to work with all of their various hangers. It should be appreciated that being able to utilize a single indicator design across a range of various hangers may allow entities (e.g., retailers, etc. ) to standardize their indicator style. In addition, using a standardized indicator style may help improve the appearance of retailers’s howrooms and / or branding by presenting a more uniform and consistent look (e.g., as opposed to using various piecemeal indicator styles) .
[0007] Another advantage to example embodiments described herein is that entities (e.g., retailers, etc. ) can recycle, refurbish, and / or reuse their existing stock of hangers by outfitting their existing hangers with new indicators. It should be appreciated that recycling, refurbishing, and / or reusing existing hangers with new indicators can reduce costs associated with purchasing new hangers and indicators. In addition, recycling, refurbishing, and / or reusing existing hangers can reduce the environmental impact from discarding existing hangers with older and / or incompatible retention feature designs. Additionally, or alternatively, more universal indicators (as described herein) can be purchased in larger bulk orders (e.g., instead of with individual batches of hangers) to further reduce shipping and / or manufacturing costs.
[0008] Another advantage to example embodiments described herein is that more universal indicators can provide more flexibility with fewer available hangers. For example, if a retail store sells the majority of its stock for medium sized shirts (or other garments) , then employees can reuse the available hangers for other garment sizes by replacing the indicators marked as medium with different indicators (e.g., indicators marked as small, large, extra-large, etc. ) . It should be appreciated that retailers (or the like) may be able to respond more easily to dynamically changing inventory conditions with more universal indicators (as described herein) than with traditional indicators (such as described above) .
[0009] Moreover, it should be appreciated that such example embodiments as set forth herein solve particular technical problems, such as those identified and described above for traditional clothing hanger indicators. The foregoing brief summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments described herein. Because the above-described embodiments are merely examples, they should not be construed to narrow the scope of this disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those summarized above, some of which will be described in further detail below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3A illustrates a right side view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3B illustrates a right side view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger section, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger assembly, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger section, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger assembly, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Some example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which some, but not necessarily all, embodiments are shown. Because inventions described herein may be embodied in many different forms, the invention should not be limited solely to the examples as set forth herein. These example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. It will be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. In addition, mechanical, material, compositional, and / or structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0023] Now that some advantages associated with various example indicators described herein have been described above in contrast with traditional indicators, structural elements and configurations of example indicators will now be described below with references to the accompanying figures.
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown, the indicator 100A may comprise a midsection 102, a retention portion 104, and a lower portion 106. In some examples, the indicator 100A may comprise some aspects of the indicator 100B as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 1B and 3B. In some examples, the indicator 100A may be, at least temporarily, coupled to a hanger. For instance, the indicator 100A may be coupled to the hanger 700 (as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 7A-7B) , the hanger 800 (as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 8A-8B) , and / or any other hangers as described herein. In some examples, the indicator 100A may comprise one or more materials such as plastic (or polymer) , metal, wood, glass, ceramic, and / or the like as described herein. For example, the indicator 100A, as shown, may comprise a polymer (e.g., polypropylene (PP) , polyethylene (PE) , etc. ) material formed through one or more injection molding processes. In some examples, the indicator 100A, as shown, may be formed through one or more milling processes, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing, etc. ) processes, and / or the like.
[0025] The midsection 102, as shown, may comprise one or more walls (e.g., a longitudinal wall, a lateral wall, and / or the like as described herein) defining (or forming) a body that is configured to receive a portion (e.g., a neck, post, etc. ) of a clothing hanger. In some examples, the one or more walls may define a boundary separating an interior cavity (or space) of the indicator 100A from an external environment. In some such examples, the interior cavity (or space) may be configured to accommodate, at least in part, a hanger. As shown, the midsection 102 may comprise a plurality of walls including a plurality of longitudinal walls. As shown, the plurality of longitudinal walls may comprise a first longitudinal wall 108A and a second longitudinal wall 108B. The location and orientation of the first longitudinal wall 108A relative to the second longitudinal wall 108B (and other features of the indicator 100A) is further illustrated in FIG. 4. In the depicted example of FIG. 1A, the first longitudinal wall 108A may define a first plane and the second longitudinal wall 108B may define a second plane. In some examples, the first plane defined by the first longitudinal wall 108A may be approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) parallel to the second plane defined by the second longitudinal wall 108B. For instance, as shown, the first longitudinal wall 108A may be approximately parallel to the second longitudinal wall 108B. In some examples, the first plane defined by the first longitudinal wall 108A may intersect the second plane defined by the second longitudinal wall 108B. For example, the first longitudinal wall 108A and the second longitudinal wall 108B may be nonparallel walls (e.g., or nonparallel sides of the midsection 102) .
[0026] As shown, in some examples, the plurality of walls of the midsection 102 may further comprise a plurality of lateral walls. As shown, the plurality of lateral walls may comprise a first lateral wall 110A and a second lateral wall 110B. The location and orientation of the first lateral wall 110A relative to the second lateral wall 110B (and other features of the indicator 100A) are further illustrated in FIG. 4. In the depicted example of FIG. 1A, the first lateral wall 110A may define a third plane that is approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) perpendicular to the first plane defined by the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the second plane defined by the second longitudinal wall 108B. In some examples, the third plane defined by the first lateral wall 110A may intersect the first plane defined by the first longitudinal wall 108A at an acute angle (i.e., less than 90°) or an obtuse angle (i.e., greater than 90° and less than 180°) . In some examples, the third plane defined by the first lateral wall 110A may intersect the second plane defined by the second longitudinal wall 108B at an acute angle (i.e., less than 90°) or an obtuse angle (i.e., greater than 90° and less than 180°) .
[0027] In the depicted example, the second lateral wall 110B may define a fourth plane that is approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) perpendicular to the first plane defined by the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the second plane defined by the second longitudinal wall 108B. In some examples, the fourth plane defined by the second lateral wall 110B may intersect the first plane defined by the first longitudinal wall 108A at an acute angle (i.e., less than 90°) or an obtuse angle (i.e., greater than 90° and less than 180°) . In some examples, the fourth plane defined by the second lateral wall 110B may intersect the second plane defined by the second longitudinal wall 108B at an acute angle (i.e., less than 90°) or an obtuse angle (i.e., greater than 90° and less than 180°) . In the depicted example, the third plane defined by the first lateral wall 110A and the fourth plane defined by the second lateral wall 110B may intersect. For example, the first lateral wall 110A and the second lateral wall 110B, as shown, may be nonparallel walls (e.g., or nonparallel sides of the midsection 102) . In some examples, the third plane defined by the first lateral wall 110A may be approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) parallel to the fourth plane defined by the second lateral wall 110B. For instance, in some examples, the first lateral wall 110A may be approximately parallel to the second lateral wall 110B.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1A, the first longitudinal wall 108A may be coupled (or attached) to the first lateral wall 110A along a first edge 118A of a plurality of side edges of the midsection 102. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the second longitudinal wall 108B may be coupled (or attached) to the first lateral wall 110A along a second edge 118B of the plurality of side edges of the midsection 102. In the depicted example, the second longitudinal wall 108B may be coupled (or attached) to the second lateral wall 110B along a third edge 118C of the plurality of side edges of the midsection 102. In the depicted example, the first longitudinal wall 108A may be coupled (or attached) to the second lateral wall 110B along a fourth edge 118D of the plurality of side edges of the midsection 102. As shown, each of the plurality of side edges may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a radius (e.g., a corner radius) . In some examples, one or more edges of the plurality of side edges may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) one or more of a radius, a chamfer, a fillet, a bevel, an angle (e.g., 90°, 45°, or any other number to within a ±10%tolerance) , and / or the like as described herein. It will be understood that each of the plurality of side edges (e.g., edges 118A-118D) , as shown, may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) an exterior facing surface (e.g., facing outward or away from the interior cavity and / or the central axis 102A) and an interior facing surface (e.g., facing inward or towards the interior cavity and / or the central axis 102A) .
[0029] The midsection 102, as shown, comprises the first longitudinal wall 108A disposed opposite the second longitudinal wall 108B and the first lateral wall 110A disposed opposite the second lateral wall 110B. In addition, the plurality of walls of the midsection 102 are coupled together forming (and / or defining) a trapezoid shape (as illustrated) by the plurality of side edges (as described above) . In some examples, the plurality of walls of the midsection 102 are coupled together forming (and / or defining) one or more of a circular (or oval) shape, a semi-circular (or horseshoe) shape, a rectangular (or square) shape, and / or any other shape that may be configured to couple to one or more hangers (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, or the like) . In the depicted example, the plurality of walls of the midsection 102 define a boundary around an interior cavity configured to accommodate, at least in part, a hanger (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, or the like) . For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the interior cavity of the indicator 100A (or the indicator 100B as described herein) may be configured to receive, at least in part, the hanger 700. Additionally, or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8B, the interior cavity of the indicator 100A (or the indicator 100B as described herein) may be configured to receive, at least in part, the hanger 800.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1A, the indicator 100A comprises (or defines) a central axis 102A that may extend, at least in part, through the interior cavity defined by the midsection 102. In addition, the plurality of walls of the midsection 102 may define a first opening (e.g., into the interior cavity) at a first end (e.g., along the lower portion 106 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bottom end, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) and the retention portion 104 may define, at least in part, a second opening (e.g., into the interior cavity) at a second end (e.g., a top end as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 4, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower portion 106 may define, at least in part, an opening in a bottom plane of the indicator 100A (or the like) that is defined (or formed) by the open space between any or all bottom surfaces (e.g., a bottom edge, the surface 126, and / or the like) of the plurality of walls of the midsection 102. As shown in FIG. 4, the retention portion 104 may define, at least in part, an opening in a top plane of the indicator 100A (or the like) that is defined (or formed) by the open space between any or all tabs of the retention portion. In the depicted example, the central axis 102A may extend through the first opening of the first end (as described above) , the interior cavity (as described above) , and the second opening of the second end (as described above) .
[0031] The retention portion 104, as shown, may comprise one or more tabs configured to couple, retain, and / or secure the indicator 100A (or the like as described herein) on to a hanger (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, and / or the like) . In some examples, the retention portion 104 may comprise a plurality of tabs (e.g., each comprising a cantilever arm) . In some examples, each respective tab of the retention portion 104 may extend from an edge of a respective wall of the midsection 102 (as described in further detail below) . In some examples, such as shown, each respective tab of the retention portion 104 may comprise a respective cantilever arm extending toward the central axis 102A. In such examples, a respective cantilever arm may comprise a fixed end (or secured end) that is coupled, at least in part, to a respective wall (or edge) as described herein. In addition, a respective cantilever arm may comprise a distal end (or free end) that overhangs (and / or extends inward toward) the interior cavity of the indicator 100A (or the like) as described herein. In the depicted example, the retention portion 104 comprises (or defines) an upper end (or top end) of the indicator 100A (or the like) as described herein. In some examples, the retention portion 104 may comprise one or more of a lateral tab, a longitudinal tab, and / or an oblique tab. In some examples, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the retention portion 104 may comprise one or more transition regions (e.g., a first transition region 104A, a second transition region 104B, and / or the like as described herein) that comprises a curved region (or shoulder) where one or more of an edge and / or a wall couple to the retention portion 104. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first lateral wall 110A, the first edge 118A, and the second edge 118B may couple to the retention portion 104 along the first transition region 104A. In addition, the second lateral wall 110B, the third edge 118C, and the fourth edge 118D may couple to the retention portion 104 along the second transition region 104B. In some examples, the first transition region 104A and / or the second transition region 104B may comprise one or more of an angled corner, a chamfer, and / or the like as described herein (e.g., to facilitate coupling of a respective wall of the midsection 102 to the retention portion 104) .
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1A, the retention portion 104 may comprise a plurality of lateral tabs (e.g., each comprising a cantilever arm) . The plurality of lateral tabs, as shown, may comprise a first lateral tab 114A and a second lateral tab 114B. As shown, the first lateral tab 114A may extend from the first longitudinal wall 108A. For example, as shown, the first lateral tab 114A extends upward from the edge 103A of the first longitudinal wall 108A and the distal end (or free end) of the first lateral tab 114A curves inward (e.g., at a 90° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the second lateral tab 114B. The second lateral tab 114B may extend, at least in part, from the second longitudinal wall 108B. For example, as shown, the second lateral tab 114B extends upward from the edge 103B of the second longitudinal wall 108B and the distal end (or free end) of the second lateral tab 114B curves inward (e.g., at a 90° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the first lateral tab 114A. In some examples, the first lateral tab 114A and / or the second lateral tab 114B may be offset (e.g., shifted left or right along a respective edge of a respective longitudinal wall) . For instance, in some examples, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B may not align with each other and / or the central axis 102A. In the depicted example, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B may align (or oppose) each other (e.g., be disposed opposite each other) . In some examples, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B may be unaligned (or nonaligned) with the central axis 102A. In some examples, the plurality of lateral tabs may comprise one or more additional lateral tabs. For example, the first lateral tab 114A may comprise two or more separate lateral tabs extending from the edge 103A of the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the second lateral tab 114B may comprise two or more separate lateral tabs extending from the edge 103B of the second longitudinal wall 108B. In the depicted example, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a thickness that is approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) equal to the thickness of a respective edge (e.g., edge 103A or edge 103B) of a respective wall (e.g., first longitudinal wall 108A or second longitudinal wall 108B) . In some examples, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a thickness that is less than (or greater than) the thickness of a respective edge (e.g., edge 103A or edge 103B) of a respective wall (e.g., first longitudinal wall 108A or second longitudinal wall 108B) . As shown in FIG. 4, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B may be configured (or disposed) opposite each other. In some examples, the first lateral tab 114A and / or the second lateral tab 114B may extend from (or be disposed on or along) a respective corner of a respective edge and / or wall. In some examples, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B are disposed, at least in part, approximately (e.g., to with a ±10%tolerance) parallel with the first lateral wall 110A and / or the second lateral wall 110B. In some examples, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B are disposed, at least in part, approximately perpendicular with the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the second longitudinal wall 108B.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1A, the retention portion 104 may comprise a plurality of longitudinal tabs (e.g., each comprising a cantilever arm) . The plurality of longitudinal tabs, as shown, may comprise a first longitudinal tab 116A and a second longitudinal tab 116B. As shown, the first longitudinal tab 116A may extend from the first lateral wall 110A. For example, as shown, the first longitudinal tab 116A extends, at least in part, upward (or away) from the first transition region 104A of the first lateral wall 110A and the distal end (or free end) of the first longitudinal tab 116A curves inward (e.g., at a 30° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the second longitudinal tab 116B. The second longitudinal tab 116B may extend, at least in part, from the second lateral wall 110B. For example, as shown, the second longitudinal tab 116B may extend upward (or away) from the second transition region 104B (as shown in FIG. 4) of the second lateral wall 110B and the distal end (or free end) of the second longitudinal tab 116B curves inward (e.g., at a 30° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the first longitudinal tab 116A. In some examples, the first longitudinal tab 116A and / or the second longitudinal tab 116B may be offset (e.g., shifted left or right along a respective edge of a respective lateral wall and / or transition region) . For instance, in some examples, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B may not align with each other and / or the central axis 102A. In the depicted example, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B may align (or oppose) each other (e.g., be disposed opposite each other) . In some examples, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B may be unaligned (or nonaligned) with the central axis 102A. In some examples, the plurality of longitudinal tabs may comprise one or more additional longitudinal tabs. For example, the first longitudinal tab 116A may comprise two or more separate longitudinal tabs extending from the first transition region 104A of the first lateral wall 110A and / or the second longitudinal tab 116B may comprise two or more separate lateral tabs extending from the second transition region 104B (as shown in FIG. 4) of the second lateral wall 110B. In the depicted example, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a thickness that is approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) equal to the thickness of a respective edge (or transition region) of a respective wall (e.g., first lateral wall 110A or second lateral wall 110B) . In some examples, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a thickness that is less than (or greater than) the thickness of a respective edge (or transition region) of a respective wall (e.g., first lateral wall 110A or second lateral wall 110B) . As shown in FIG. 4, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B may be configured (or disposed) opposite each other. In some examples, the first longitudinal tab 116A and / or the second longitudinal tab 116B may extend from (or be disposed on or along) a respective corner of a respective edge and / or wall. In some examples, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B are disposed, at least in part, approximately parallel with the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the second longitudinal wall 108B. In some examples, the first longitudinal tab 116A and the second longitudinal tab 116B are disposed, at least in part, approximately perpendicular with the first lateral wall 110A and / or the second lateral wall 110B.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1A, the retention portion 104 may comprise a plurality of oblique tabs (e.g., each comprising a cantilever arm) . The plurality of oblique tabs, as shown, may comprise a first oblique tab 112A, a second oblique tab 112B, a third oblique tab 112C, and a fourth oblique tab 112D. In other examples, the retention portion 104 may comprise fewer (or additional) oblique tabs. As shown, the first oblique tab 112A may extend, at least in part, from the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the first transition region 104A. For example, as shown, the first oblique tab 112A extends upward, at least in part, from the edge 103A of the first longitudinal wall 108A and the distal end (or free end) of the first oblique tab 112A curves inward (e.g., at a 90° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the third oblique tab 112C. In some examples, the first oblique tab 112A may extend, at least in part, from the first lateral wall 110A and / or a first edge 118A (e.g., that couples the first longitudinal wall 108A to the first lateral wall 110A) of the plurality of side edges. In some examples, the first oblique tab 112A may be offset (e.g., shifted left or right along a respective edge of a respective wall) from the position illustrated. For instance, in some examples, the first oblique tab 112A may not align with the central axis 102A and / or the third oblique tab 112C. In the depicted example, the first oblique tab 112A and the third oblique tab 112C may align (or oppose) each other (e.g., be disposed opposite each other, such as diagonally across the interior cavity and / or the opening of a top end of the indicator 100A or the like) . In some examples, the first oblique tab 112A and the third oblique tab 112C may be aligned with each other and unaligned (or nonaligned) with the central axis 102A.
[0035] As shown, the second oblique tab 112B may extend, at least in part, from the second longitudinal wall 108B and / or the first transition region 104A. For example, as shown, the second oblique tab 112B extends upward, at least in part, from the edge 103B of the second longitudinal wall 108B and the distal end (or free end) of the second oblique tab 112B curves inward (e.g., at a 90° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the fourth oblique tab 112D. In some examples, the second oblique tab 112B may extend, at least in part, from the first lateral wall 110A and / or a second edge 118B (e.g., that couples the second longitudinal wall 108B to the first lateral wall 110A) of the plurality of side edges. In some examples, the second oblique tab 112B may be offset (e.g., shifted left or right along a respective edge of a respective wall) . For instance, in some examples, the second oblique tab 112B may not align with the central axis 102A and / or the fourth oblique tab 112D. In the depicted example, the second oblique tab 112B and the fourth oblique tab 112D may align (or oppose) each other (e.g., be disposed opposite each other, such as diagonally across the interior cavity and / or the opening of a top end of the indicator 100A or the like) . In some examples, the second oblique tab 112B and the fourth oblique tab 112D may be aligned with each other and unaligned (or nonaligned) with the central axis 102A.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the third oblique tab 112C may extend, at least in part, from the second longitudinal wall 108B and / or the second transition region 104B. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the third oblique tab 112C extends upward, at least in part, from the edge 103B of the second longitudinal wall 108B and the distal end (or free end) of the third oblique tab 112C curves inward (e.g., at a 90° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the first oblique tab 112A. In some examples, such as shown in FIG. 4, the third oblique tab 112C may extend, at least in part, from the second lateral wall 110B and / or a third edge 118C (e.g., that couples the second longitudinal wall 108B to the second lateral wall 110B) of the plurality of side edges. In some examples, the third oblique tab 112C may be offset (e.g., shifted left or right along a respective edge of a respective wall) . For instance, in some examples, the third oblique tab 112C may not align with the central axis 102A and / or the first oblique tab 112A. In the depicted example, the third oblique tab 112C and the first oblique tab 112A may align (or oppose) each other (e.g., be disposed opposite each other, such as diagonally across the interior cavity and / or the opening of a top end of the indicator 100A or the like) . In some examples, the third oblique tab 112C and the first oblique tab 112A may be aligned with each other and unaligned (or nonaligned) with the central axis 102A.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the fourth oblique tab 112D may extend, at least in part, from the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the second transition region 104B. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the fourth oblique tab 112D extends upward, at least in part, from the edge 103A of the first longitudinal wall 108A and the distal end (or free end) of the fourth oblique tab 112D curves inward (e.g., at a 90° angle, to within a ±10%tolerance, or any other number) toward the central axis 102A and / or the second oblique tab 112B. In some examples, such as shown in FIG. 4, the fourth oblique tab 112D may extend, at least in part, from the second lateral wall 110B and / or a fourth edge 118D (e.g., that couples the first longitudinal wall 108A to the second lateral wall 110B) of the plurality of side edges. In some examples, the third oblique tab 112C may be offset (e.g., shifted left or right along a respective edge of a respective wall) . For instance, in some examples, the fourth oblique tab 112D may not align with the central axis 102A and / or the second oblique tab 112B. In the depicted example, the fourth oblique tab 112D and the second oblique tab 112B may align (or oppose) each other (e.g., be disposed opposite each other, such as diagonally across the interior cavity and / or the opening of a top end of the indicator 100A or the like) . In some examples, the fourth oblique tab 112D and the second oblique tab 112B may be aligned with each other and unaligned (or nonaligned) with the central axis 102A.
[0038] In some examples, the plurality of oblique tabs may comprise one or more additional oblique tabs. For example, the first oblique tab 112A (or the like as described above) may comprise two or more distinct oblique tabs configured to couple to (or retain) a hanger as described herein. In the depicted example, each oblique tab of the plurality of oblique tabs (as described above) comprises (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a thickness that is approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) equal to the thickness of a respective edge (e.g., edge 103A or edge 103B) of a respective wall (e.g., first longitudinal wall 108A or second longitudinal wall 108B) . In some examples, the each oblique tab of the plurality of oblique tabs (as described above) may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a thickness that is less than (or greater than) the thickness of a respective edge (e.g., edge 103A or edge 103B) of a respective wall (e.g., first longitudinal wall 108A or second longitudinal wall 108B) . As shown in FIG. 4, the first oblique tab 112A extends vertically (as shown from the top-down perspective of FIG. 4) at an approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) 45° angle away from the first longitudinal wall 108A. In addition, the fourth oblique tab 112D extends vertically (as shown from the top-down perspective of FIG. 4) at an approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) 45° angle away from the first longitudinal wall 108A (e.g., in the opposite direction of the first oblique tab 112A) . As shown in FIG. 4, the second oblique tab 112B extends vertically (as shown from the top-down perspective of FIG. 4) at an approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) 45° angle away from the second longitudinal wall 108B. In addition, the third oblique tab 112C extends vertically (as shown from the top-down perspective of FIG. 4) at an approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) 45° angle away from the second longitudinal wall 108B (e.g., in the opposite direction of the second oblique tab 112B) .
[0039] Now that some structural elements and configurations of example indicators have been described above, some additional and / or alternative structural elements and configurations of example indicators will now be described below with reference to FIG. 1B and 3B.
[0040] FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown, the indicator 100B may comprise the midsection 102, the retention portion 104, and the lower portion 106, each of which may be configured to be similar to the similarly named components described above in connection with FIG. 1A. In some examples, the indicator 100B may comprise, at least in part, some aspects of the indicator 100A as described herein. In some examples, the indicator 100B may be, at least temporarily, coupled to a hanger. For instance, the indicator 100B may be coupled to the hanger 700 (as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 7A-7B) , the hanger 800 (as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIGS. 8A-8B) , and / or any other hangers as described herein. In some examples, the indicator 100B may comprise one or more materials such as plastic (or polymer) , metal, wood, glass, ceramic, and / or the like as described herein. For example, the indicator 100B, as shown, may comprise a polymer (e.g., polypropylene (PP) , polyethylene (PE) , etc. ) material formed through one or more injection molding processes. In some examples, the indicator 100B, as shown, may be formed through one or more milling processes, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing, etc. ) processes, and / or the like.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 1B, the indicator 100B may comprise one or more information markers (e.g., the information marker 120A and / or the secondary information marker 120B) configured to provide a user (e.g., a customer, employee, etc. ) with information (e.g., size, fit, color, gender, etc. ) related to a garment associated with (or stored on) a clothing hanger equipped with the indicator 100B. For example, as shown, the indicator 100B may comprise an information marker 120A indicating that a garment associated with (or stored on) a clothing hanger is an extra-large or “XL” size. As shown, the information marker 120A may be a sticker, paint (or ink) marking, and / or the like coupled to the first longitudinal wall 108A. In some example, such as illustrated in FIG. 1B and 3B, the indicator 100B may comprise a secondary information marker 120B indicating that a garment associated with (or stored on) a clothing hanger is an extra-large or “XL” size. As shown, the secondary information marker 120B may be a sticker, paint (or ink) marking, and / or the like coupled to the first longitudinal wall 108A. In some examples, an information marker (or the like as described herein) may indicate one or more characteristics including one or more of a size, a fit, a color, a gender, a style, a brand, a designer, and / or any other information associated with a garment as described herein. Example sizes may include, without limitation, extra-small, small, medium, larger, extra-large, double extra-large, and / or the like. Example fits may include, without limitation, regular, relaxed, slim, athletic, and / or the like.
[0042] In some examples, the indicator 100B (or the like as described herein) may comprise a colored (e.g., red, white, green, yellow, etc. ) material (e.g., plastic, polypropylene (PP) , etc. ) to emphasize or indicate one or more characteristics associated with a garment. For example, one or more information markers (e.g., the information marker 120A, the secondary information marker 120B, and / or the like) may be applied to green colored indicators (or any other color) to indicate an extra-large sized garment (e.g., with black and / or white print comprising the letters “XL” and / or a numerical size) . In some examples, one or more information markers (e.g., with black and / or white print comprising the letter “L” and / or a numerical size) may be applied to red colored indicators (or any other color) to indicate a large sized garment. In some examples, one or more information markers (e.g., with black and / or white print comprising the letter “M” and / or a numerical size) may be applied to yellow colored indicators (or any other color) to indicate a medium sized garment. In some examples, a retailer may utilize black indicators (e.g., indicator 100B or the like as described herein) and white print (or any other color) . Additionally, or alternatively, some retailers may print their brand logo and / or name on the indicator. In some examples, indicators associated with certain types of garments may include secondary sizing information or other information. For example, indicators intended for use with a brassiere (or bra) type garment may comprise secondary sizing information (e.g., a secondary information marker 120B) indicating, for instance, 32A, 36D, or any similar size. In other examples, an indicator may be printed (or the like as described herein) with information to indicate a universal fit. For example, an indicator may be screen printed (or the like) with the words “One Size Fits All” or “Universal Fit” for certain garment types (e.g., a scarf, an adjustable visor or hat, etc. ) . In some examples, one or more information markers may be integrated (e.g., engraved, etched, molded, etc. ) into the midsection 102 (e.g., during, and / or after, an injection molding process or the like) . For example, the letters “XL” (as shown) may comprise material extruded outward from (or pressed inward into) a wall of the midsection 102. In some examples, one or more information markers may be engraved, or etched, into the midsection 102 (e.g., using a laser engraver or the like) .
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, at least one wall of the midsection 102 may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a cutout configured to receive an indicator removal tool (e.g., needle nose pliers, snap ring pliers, pick and / or hook tool, etc. ) that may be configured to remove (e.g., pry, pull, etc. ) the indicator 100B (or the like) off of a hanger (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, etc. ) . In the depicted example, at least the first lateral wall 110A comprises (or defines) a cutout 111. As shown in FIG. 3B, in some examples, a cutout (e.g., cutout 111 and / or the like) may be disposed lengthwise through the midsection 102 (e.g., the indicator 100B, or the like, may comprise a cutout 111 in the first lateral wall 110A and another cutout in the second lateral wall 110B) . In some examples, a cutout (e.g., cutout 111 or the like) may be disposed in a longitudinal wall (e.g., a first longitudinal wall 108A, a second longitudinal wall 108B, etc. ) , an edge (e.g., a first edge 118A, a second edge 118B, etc. ) and / or the any other portion of the indicator 100B. As shown, the cutout 111 may be a hole (or slot) extending from the lower portion 106 upward through the midsection 102 (e.g., the first lateral wall 110A) . In some examples, the cutout 111 (or the like, such as a circular hole) may be disposed through the midsection 102. For example, a square, circular, or triangular hole may be disposed approximately along the center point of the first lateral wall 110A (or any other portion of the midsection 102, such as one or more longitudinal walls as described herein) . Example cutouts as described herein may include, without limitation, at least one of a circular shape, a semicircular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, or a trapezoid shape. For example, as shown, in FIGS. 1B and 3B the cutout 111 may include a triangular shape with a semicircular shaped upper apex (or point) . In some examples, an indicator removal tool may be inserted into the cutout 111 (or the like) (e.g., between the indicator 100B, or the like, and a hanger) to pry the indicator 100B off of a hanger. For example, a store employee (or the like) may remove a first indicator from a hanger (e.g., in order to replace the first indicator with a second indicator, to remove a functional indicator from a broken hanger, etc. ) . It will be understood that an employee of an entity may remove an indicator (e.g., using a removal tool and / or cutout as described herein) for various reasons including, without limitation, to remove a damaged (e.g., cracked, chipped, etc. ) indicator, to remove an indicator with worn (or unclear) information marker (s) , to remove a functional indicator from a broken hanger, to replace an indicator with an alternative indicator (e.g., indicating different information, etc. ) .
[0044] Now that various structural elements and configurations of example indicators have been described above, various different views illustrating the example indicators described above will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A-3B, and 4-6.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that, in some examples, a front view may be the same as, or similar to, a back view of an example indicator. As shown, the indicator 100A may comprise the midsection 102, the retention portion 104, and the lower portion 106, each of which may be configured as described herein. In the depicted example, the first longitudinal wall 108A is coupled to the first edge 118A and the fourth edge 118D along respective sides. In addition, the first longitudinal wall 108A and the first edge 118A are coupled to the first transition region 104A of the retention portion 104. In addition, the first longitudinal wall 108A and the fourth edge 118D are coupled to the second transition region 104B of the retention portion 104. Along the lower portion 106, as shown, the first longitudinal wall 108A comprises (or defines) a transition edge 124. It will be understood that the lower portion 106 may comprise, at least in part, a lower portion (e.g., a bottommost edge, corner, surface, and / or the like) of one or more walls of the indicator (e.g., indicator 100A, indicator 100B, and / or the like) . In some examples, the transition edge 124 may comprise one or more of a round, a chamfer, a fillet, a bevel, an angled corner, and / or the like as described herein. As shown, the first lateral tab 114A extends upward from the edge 103A of the first longitudinal wall 108A (as described above in connection with FIG. 1A) . As shown, the first oblique tab 112A extends, at least in part, from the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the first transition region 104A (as described above in connection with FIG. 1A) . In addition, the fourth oblique tab 112D extends, at least in part, from the first longitudinal wall 108A and / or the second transition region 104B (as described above in connection with FIG. 1A) .
[0046] FIG. 3A illustrates a right side view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that, in some examples, a right side view may be the same as, or similar to, a left side view of an example indicator. As shown, the indicator 100A may comprise the midsection 102, the retention portion 104, and the lower portion 106, each of which may be configured as described herein. In the depicted example, the first lateral wall 110A is coupled to the first edge 118A and the second edge 118B along respective sides. In addition, the first lateral wall 110A, the first edge 118A, and / or the second edge 118B are coupled to the first transition region 104A of the retention portion 104. Along the lower portion 106, as shown, the first lateral wall 110A is coupled to the transition edge 124 (described above) . As shown, the first longitudinal tab 116A, the first oblique tab 112A, and the second oblique tab 112B extend, at least in part, from the first lateral wall 110A and / or the first transition region 104A (as described above in connection with FIG. 1A) .
[0047] FIG. 3B illustrates a right side view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that, in some examples, a right side view may be the same as, or similar to, a left side view of an example indicator. As shown, the indicator 100B may comprise the midsection 102, the retention portion 104, and the lower portion 106, each of which may be configured as described herein. In the depicted example, the first lateral wall 110A is coupled to the first edge 118A and the second edge 118B along respective sides. In addition, the first lateral wall 110A, the first edge 118A, and / or the second edge 118B are coupled to the first transition region 104A of the retention portion 104. Along the lower portion 106, as shown, the first lateral wall 110A is coupled to the transition edge 124 (described above) . As shown, the first longitudinal tab 116A, the first oblique tab 112A, and the second oblique tab 112B extend, at least in part, from the first lateral wall 110A and / or the first transition region 104A (as described above in connection with FIG. 1A) . In the depicted example, at least the first lateral wall 110A may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a cutout 111.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown, the indicator 100A may comprise the midsection 102, the retention portion 104, and the lower portion 106, each of which may be configured as described herein. In the depicted example, the first longitudinal wall 108A is coupled to the first edge 118A and the fourth edge 118D along respective sides. In addition, the first lateral wall 110A is coupled to the first edge 118A and the second edge 118B along respective sides. As shown, the first lateral tab 114A is coupled at a fixed end (or secured end) to the edge 103A of the first longitudinal wall 108A and the distal end (or free end) of the first lateral tab 114A extends inward toward the second lateral tab 114B. In the depicted example, the second longitudinal wall 108B is coupled to the second edge 118B and the third edge 118C along respective sides. In addition, the second lateral wall 110B is coupled to the third edge 118C and the fourth edge 118D along respective sides. As shown, the second lateral tab 114B is coupled at a fixed end (or secured end) to the edge 103B of the second longitudinal wall 108B and the distal end (or free end) of the second lateral tab 114B extends inward toward the first lateral tab 114A.
[0049] The first transition region 104A of the retention portion 104, as shown, may be coupled, at least in part, to one or more of the first longitudinal wall 108A, the second longitudinal wall 108B, the first lateral wall 110A, the first edge 118A, and / or the second edge 118B. In some examples, one or more tabs may extend, at least in part, from the first transition region 104A. For example, as shown, the first oblique tab 112A, the second oblique tab 112B, and the first longitudinal tab 116A may be configured to extend, at least in part, from the first transition region 104A. In some examples, the first oblique tab 112A, the second oblique tab 112B, and the first longitudinal tab 116A may be configured to extend, at least in part, from one or more of the first longitudinal wall 108A, the second longitudinal wall 108B, and / or the first lateral wall 110A.
[0050] The second transition region 104B of the retention portion 104, as shown, may be coupled, at least in part, to one or more of the first longitudinal wall 108A, the second longitudinal wall 108B, the second lateral wall 110B, the third edge 118C, and / or the fourth edge 118D. In some examples, one or more tabs may extend, at least in part, from the first transition region 104A. For example, as shown, the third oblique tab 112C, the fourth oblique tab 112D, and the second longitudinal tab 116B may be configured to extend, at least in part, from the second transition region 104B. In some examples, the third oblique tab 112C, the fourth oblique tab 112D, and the second longitudinal tab 116B may be configured to extend, at least in part, from one or more of the first longitudinal wall 108A, the second longitudinal wall 108B, and / or the second lateral wall 110B. It should be appreciated that the depicted example shows the top surfaces (or uppermost surfaces) of the plurality of tabs of the retention portion 104. In addition, it should be appreciated that, in some examples, the top surfaces (or uppermost surfaces) of the plurality of tabs of the retention portion 104 may be configured to interface with (or abut) one or more retention feature surfaces (e.g., the underside surface of a flange, etc. ) to couple (or retain) an indicator on a hanger (e.g., as described below in connection with FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8B) .
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown, the indicator 100A may comprise the midsection 102, the retention portion 104, and the lower portion 106, each of which may be configured as described herein. In the depicted example, the first longitudinal wall 108A is coupled to the first edge 118A and the fourth edge 118D along respective sides. In addition, the first lateral wall 110A is coupled to the first edge 118A and the second edge 118B along respective sides. In the depicted example, the second longitudinal wall 108B is coupled to the second edge 118B and the third edge 118C along respective sides. In addition, the second lateral wall 110B is coupled to the third edge 118C and the fourth edge 118D along respective sides.
[0052] The lower portion 106 of the indicator 100A, as shown, may comprise a surface 126. As shown, the lower edges (or bottommost surfaces) of the plurality of walls of the midsection 102 may define the surface 126 along the lower portion 106 of the indicator 100A. In addition, the surface 126 may define (or be formed to define) a first opening (e.g., into the interior cavity as described above in connection with FIG. 1A) at (or along) a first end (e.g., the lower portion 106 as shown) of the indicator 100A (or the like) . In some examples, the surface 126 may be configured to rest on top of (or abut against) an upper surface of a hanger (e.g., a shoulder 706 of the hanger 700 as will be described below in connection with FIGS. 7A and 7B, a shoulder 806 of the hanger 800 as will be described below in connection with FIGS. 8A and 8B, and / or the like) . In some examples, the lower portion 106, as shown, may comprise (or define) the transition edge 124 (as described above) . In some examples, the transition edge 124, as shown, may define a transition region between the midsection 102 and the lower portion 106. In some examples, the transition edge 124 may be configured along one or both sides of the surface 126. For example, the transition edge 124 may comprise a rounded corner (or the like) along an exterior facing side of the surface 126 (as illustrated) and / or the transition edge 124 may comprise a rounded corner (or the like) along an interior facing side of the surface 126 (e.g., facing inward toward the interior cavity) .
[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of an example indicator, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that, in some examples, a bottom side view may be the same as, or similar to, an interior view of an example indicator (e.g., a view of the interior cavity and / or of interior, lower, or underside surfaces) . As shown, the indicator 100A may comprise the midsection 102, the retention portion 104, and the lower portion 106, each of which may be configured as described herein.
[0054] As shown in the depicted example, an interior surface of the first longitudinal wall 108A is coupled to an interior surface of the first edge 118A and an interior surface of the fourth edge 118D along respective sides. As shown, an underside surface of the first lateral tab 114A is coupled at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the first longitudinal wall 108A and the distal end (or free end) of the first lateral tab 114A extends inward toward the second lateral tab 114B. As shown, an underside surface of the first oblique tab 112A is coupled, at least in part, at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the first longitudinal wall 108A and the distal end (or free end) of the first oblique tab 112A extends inward toward the third oblique tab 112C. As shown, an underside surface of the fourth oblique tab 112D is coupled, at least in part, at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the first longitudinal wall 108A and the distal end (or free end) of the fourth oblique tab 112D extends inward toward the second oblique tab 112B.
[0055] As shown, an interior surface of the first lateral wall 110A is coupled to an interior surface of the first edge 118A and an interior surface of the second edge 118B along respective sides. As shown, an underside surface of the first longitudinal tab 116A is coupled, at least in part, at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the first lateral wall 110A (and / or the first transition region 104A) and the distal end (or free end) of the first longitudinal tab 116A extends inward toward the second longitudinal tab 116B.
[0056] As shown in the depicted example, an interior surface of the second longitudinal wall 108B is coupled to an interior surface of the second edge 118B and an interior surface of the third edge 118C along respective sides. As shown, an underside surface of the second lateral tab 114B is coupled at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the second longitudinal wall 108B and the distal end (or free end) of the second lateral tab 114B extends inward toward the first lateral tab 114A. As shown, an underside surface of the second oblique tab 112B is coupled, at least in part, at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the second longitudinal wall 108B and the distal end (or free end) of the second oblique tab 112B extends inward toward the fourth oblique tab 112D. As shown, an underside surface of the third oblique tab 112C is coupled, at least in part, at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the second longitudinal wall 108B and the distal end (or free end) of the third oblique tab 112C extends inward toward the first oblique tab 112A.
[0057] As shown, an interior surface of the second lateral wall 110B is coupled to an interior surface of the third edge 118C and an interior surface of the fourth edge 118D along respective sides. As shown, an underside surface of the second longitudinal tab 116B is coupled, at least in part, at a fixed end (or secured end) to an interior surface of the second lateral wall 110B (and / or the second transition region 104B) and the distal end (or free end) of the second longitudinal tab 116B extends inward toward the first longitudinal tab 116A.
[0058] Now that various different views illustrating the example indicators have been described above, some example hangers and example hanger assemblies will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8B.
[0059] FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger section, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown, the hanger 700 may comprise a post 702, a slot 704, a shoulder 706, a body 708, a well 710, and / or any other hanger features as described herein for a hanger. The hanger 700 may be any hanger as described herein that is configured to receive an indicator (e.g., indicator 100A, indicator 100B, and / or the like as described herein) . In addition, the hanger 700 may be configured to receive and hold a garment, such as a shirt, a blouse, a skirt, trousers, and / or any other garment as described herein. In some examples, the hanger 700 may include, without limitation, one or more additional hanger features. For example, the hanger 700 may comprise one or more arms or shoulder extensions (e.g., extending outward from the body 708 and / or the shoulder 706) that are configured to hold (or retain) the shoulder straps and / or sleeves of an upper body garment (e.g., shirt, jacket, etc. ) . In some examples, the hanger 700 may comprise one or more clamps and / or rods (e.g., extending outward from the body 708 and / or the shoulder 706) that are configured to hold (or retain) a lower body garment (e.g., skirt, trousers, etc. ) . In some examples, the hanger 700 may comprise a hook (e.g., a fixed hook, a rotatable hook, a metal hook, a plastic hook, etc. ) configured to hang the hanger 700 from a clothing rack or the like. In some examples, the hanger 700 may comprise a secondary hanger loop configured to receive the hook of a second hanger in order to hang the second hanger from the hanger 700. For example, the hanger 700 may comprise one or more secondary hanger loops extending from (and / or molded into) a bottom surface of the body 708 that may receive and retain a second hanger. It should be appreciated that an outfit including multiple garments (e.g., shirt and trousers) may be hung together using multiple hangers coupled together by one or more secondary hanger loops. In some examples, the hanger 700 may comprise one or more materials such as plastic (or polymer) , metal, wood, and / or the like as described herein. For example, the hanger 700, as shown, may comprise a polymer (e.g., polypropylene (PP) , polyethylene (PE) , etc. ) material formed through one or more injection molding processes. In some examples, the hanger 700 may comprise, at least in part, the hanger 800 as described below in connection with FIGS. 8A and 8B.
[0060] The post 702, as shown, may comprise any extrusion extending upward from the shoulder 706 and / or the body 708 that is configured to couple one or more of a hook, an indicator, and / or the like as described herein to the hanger 700. The post 702 may comprise (or define) the well 710. As shown, the well 710 may be configured to extend inward from an upward facing surface of the post 702 through at least a portion of the post 702. The well 710, as shown, may be a circular (or any other shaped) hole in the post 702 and the well 710, in some examples, may be configured to receive a hook. For example, a metal hook may be pressed into a plastic hanger post (e.g., the post 702) during assembly (or manufacture) of the hanger 700. In some examples, the hanger 700 (e.g., at least a portion of the post 702) may be molded around a metal hanger during an injection molding process that forms the hanger 700. In some examples, the hook may be configured to rotate (e.g., radially) within the well 710 while supporting the weight of the hanger assembly and garment (s) . In some examples, the well 710 may be omitted from the hanger 700 (or the like) . In some examples, a hanger (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, or the like) may comprise the post 702 and the post 702 may be offset from a hook (e.g., the post 702 may be shifted along the shoulder 706 to the right or left of the hook) . In some such examples, the hook may be attached to the shoulder 706 (e.g., via a well in the shoulder 706, via a second post similar to the post 702, etc. ) . In such examples, the post 702 that is offset from the hook may be configured to support (or retain) an indicator as described herein. In some examples, the hook may be, at least in part, molded into (or extending from) the shoulder 706 and / or the body 708.
[0061] The slot 704, as shown, may comprise one or more retention features as described herein. Example retention features may include, without limitation, one or more of a slot, a groove, an extrusion, a flange (e.g., flange 804) and / or any other feature formed into a hanger configured to retain, at least in part, an indicator. As shown, the slot 704 may be any rectangular (or any other shaped) recess (es) formed in one or more side surfaces of the post 702. The slot 704 (and / or any other retention features described herein) may be configured to interface with the retention portion 104 of an indicator (e.g., indicator 100A, indicator 100B, and / or the like) as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIG. 7B. The shoulder 706, as shown, may comprise any upward facing surface (s) extending outward from the base of the post 702 that is configured to interface, retain, or hold a garment. For example, the shoulder 706, as shown, may comprise an elongated (e.g., plastic) beam configured in the general shape of human shoulders. In some examples, the shoulder 706 may comprise a rubberized surface configured to better grip the shoulders and / or the interior of garments. In some examples, the shoulder 706 may comprise a groove (or cutout) configured to retain a shoulder strap of a garment. The body 708, as shown, may comprise any or all portions of the hanger 700 (or the like) disposed below the shoulder 706. In some examples, the body 708 (alone or in combination with the shoulder 706) may be configured to provide an at least semi-rigid structure for supporting at least the weight of a garment held by the hanger 700.
[0062] FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger assembly, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the indicator 100A (or the like) is placed (e.g., pressed) onto the post 702 then the first lateral tab 114A may bend (and / or flex) over (and / or around) the top of the post 702 and snap (and / or slide) into the slot 704. In some examples, the midsection 102 may be configured to define a boundary around the interior cavity and the interior cavity may be configured to accommodate, at least in part, the hanger 700 (e.g., a portion of the hanger 700, such as the post 702) . In the depicted example, the post 702 may be inserted into the interior cavity of the indicator 100A (or the like) through a first opening along a first end (e.g., the lower portion 106 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bottom end, etc. ) of the indicator 100A. In addition, in some examples, at least a portion of the post 702 may extend out of the interior cavity of the indicator 100A through a second opening along the retention portion 104 at the second end (e.g., a top end as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 4, etc. ) of the indicator 100A. Once the first lateral tab 114A is inserted into the slot 704, the upper surface of the first lateral tab 114A may abut (or adjoin) an interior overhang surface of the slot 704 which may prevent the indicator 100A from sliding off of the hanger 700. In some examples, the first lateral tab 114A may bend (and / or flex) around the interior overhang surface of the slot 704.
[0063] In some examples, the slot 704 may comprise two or more slots in the post 702. For example, it should be understood that in the depicted example, the second lateral tab 114B may interface (or engage) with a second slot (or groove) along the anterior (or back) side of the hanger 700 in the same manner as described above for the first lateral tab 114A and the slot 704. In the depicted example, as shown in FIG. 7B, a distal end (or free end) of one or more of the longitudinal tabs and / or the oblique tabs may, at least temporarily, abut (or adjoin) a vertical surface of the post 702 (e.g., to limit the side-to-side movement of the indicator 100A) . It should be appreciated that once one or more of the first lateral tab 114A and / or the second lateral tab 114B are inserted into the slot 704 (or the like) then the side surface (s) of the first lateral tab 114A and / or the side surface (s) of the second lateral tab 114B may abut (or adjoin) one or more interior the side surfaces of the slot 704 (or the like) which may prevent the indicator 100A from rotating around the post 702. In some examples, one or more of the longitudinal tabs and / or the oblique tabs may interface with a respective slot (e.g., similar to the slot 704 as shown and described above) in order to retain and / or limit (or prevent) movement (e.g., lateral, rotational, front-to-back, side-to-side, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) on the hanger 700. In some examples, the first longitudinal wall 108A and the second longitudinal wall 108B may abut (or adjoin) (and / or apply a compressive force inward on) the post 702 in order to limit (or prevent) movement (e.g., lateral, rotational, front-to-back, side-to-side, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) on the hanger 700. In some examples, the surface 126 (as shown in at least FIGS. 5 and 6 and described above) may abut (or adjoin, reset on, etc. ) the shoulder 706 in order to limit (or prevent) movement (e.g., lateral, rotational, front-to-back, side-to-side, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) on the hanger 700. In some examples, the indicator 100A (or the indicator 100B) may be removed from the hanger 700 when approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) 15lbs (or 67N) of force, or any other number, is applied to the indicator 100A. In some examples, an indicator may be configured (or designed) to meet (or require) a minimum removal force (e.g., 15lbs, 67N, or any other number) in order to separate the indicator from a hanger. In some examples, a user may squeeze (e.g., by hand, using a tool, etc. ) the sides of the indicator 100A (or the like) to bend (and / or flex) the first lateral tab 114A around the interior overhang surface of the slot 704 and pull the indicator 100A off of the hanger. Additionally, or alternatively, a user may apply a twisting force (or torque) to the indicator 100A in order to remove the indicator 100A from the hanger 700 (or the like) . As described above in connection with FIGS. 1B and 3B, in some examples, the midsection 102 may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a cutout (e.g., the cutout 111 or the like) . In some such examples, the cutout may be configured to receive an indicator removal tool (e.g., needle nose pliers, snap ring pliers, pick and / or hook tool, a specialty tool, etc. ) that may be configured to remove (e.g., pry, pull, twist, etc. ) the indicator 100B (or the like) off of a hanger (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, etc. ) .
[0064] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger section, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown, the hanger 800 may comprise a post 802, a flange 804, a body 808, a shoulder 806, a well 810, supports 812, and / or any other hanger features as described herein for a hanger. The hanger 800 may be any hanger as described herein that is configured to receive an indicator (e.g., indicator 100A, indicator 100B, and / or the like as described herein) . In addition, the hanger 800 may be configured to receive and hold a garment, such as a shirt, a blouse, a skirt, trousers, and / or any other garment as described herein. In some examples, the hanger 800 may include, without limitation, one or more additional hanger features. For example, the hanger 800 may comprise one or more arms or shoulder extensions (e.g., extending outward from the body 808 and / or the shoulder 806) that are configured to hold (or retain) the shoulder straps and / or sleeves of an upper body garment (e.g., shirt, jacket, etc. ) . In some examples, the hanger 800 may comprise one or more clamps and / or rods (e.g., extending outward from the body 808 and / or the shoulder 806) that are configured to hold (or retain) a lower body garment (e.g., skirt, trousers, etc. ) . In some examples, the hanger 800 may comprise a hook (e.g., a fixed hook, a rotatable hook, a metal hook, a plastic hook, etc. ) configured to hang the hanger 800 from a clothing rack or the like. In some examples, the hanger 800 may comprise a secondary hanger loop configured to receive the hook of a second hanger in order to hang the second hanger from the hanger 800. For example, the hanger 800 may comprise one or more secondary hanger loops extending from (and / or molded into) a bottom surface of the body 808 that may receive and retain a second hanger. It should be appreciated that an outfit including multiple garments (e.g., shirt and trousers) may be hung together using multiple hangers coupled together by one or more secondary hanger loops. In some examples, the hanger 800 may comprise one or more materials such as plastic (or polymer) , metal, wood, and / or the like as described herein. For example, the hanger 800, as shown, may comprise a polymer (e.g., polypropylene (PP) , polyethylene (PE) , etc. ) material formed through one or more injection molding processes. In some examples, the hanger 800 may comprise, at least in part, the hanger 700 as described above in connection with FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0065] The post 802, as shown, may comprise any extrusion extending upward from the shoulder 806 and / or the body 808 that is configured to couple one or more of a hook, an indicator, and / or the like as described herein to the hanger 800. In some examples, the post 802 may comprise one or more features (or aspects) of the post 702 as described above. The post 802 may comprise (or define) the well 810. As shown, the well 810 may be configured to extend inward from an upward facing surface of the post 802 through at least a portion of the post 802. The well 810, as shown, may be a circular (or any other shaped) hole in the post 802 and the well 810, in some examples, may be configured to receive a hook. For example, a metal hook may be pressed into a plastic hanger post (e.g., the post 802) during assembly (or manufacture) of the hanger 800. In some examples, the hanger 800 (e.g., at least a portion of the post 802) may be molded around a metal hanger during an injection molding process that forms the hanger 800. In some examples, the hook may be configured to rotate (e.g., radially) within the well 810 while supporting the weight of the hanger assembly and garment (s) . In some examples, the well 810 may be omitted from the hanger 800 (or the like) . In some examples, a hanger (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, or the like) may comprise the post 802 and the post 802 may be offset from a hook (e.g., the post 802 may be shifted along the shoulder 806 to the right or left of the hook) . In some such examples, the hook may be attached to the shoulder 806 (e.g., via a well in the shoulder 806, via a second post similar to the post 802, etc. ) . In such examples, the post 802 that is offset from the hook may be configured to support (or retain) an indicator as described herein. In some examples, the hook may be, at least in part, molded into (or extending from) the shoulder 806 and / or the body 808. In some examples, the well 810 may comprise one or more features (or aspects) of the well 710 as described above.
[0066] The flange 804, as shown, may comprise one or more retention features as described herein. Example retention features may include, without limitation, one or more of a slot, a groove, an extrusion, a flange (e.g., comprising a circular, an oval, rectangular, and / or any other shape) , and / or any other feature formed into a hanger configured to retain, at least in part, an indicator. As shown, the flange 804 may be any extrusion (s) radially formed along one or more side surfaces of the post 802. The flange 804 (and / or any other retention features described herein) may be configured to interface with the retention portion 104 of an indicator (e.g., indicator 100A, indicator 100B, and / or the like) as will be described in further detail below in connection with FIG. 8B. In some examples, the hanger 800 (or the like) may be configured with one or more of the flange 804, the slot 704, a tab (e.g., a protrusion or extrusion configured to interface with one or more tabs of the retention portion 104) , and / or any other retention features described herein. The shoulder 806, as shown, may comprise any upward facing surface (s) extending outward from the base of the post 802 that is configured to interface, retain, or hold a garment. For example, the shoulder 806, as shown, may comprise an elongated (e.g., plastic) beam configured in the general shape of human shoulders. In some examples, the shoulder 806 may comprise a rubberized surface configured to better grip the shoulders and / or the interior of garments. In some examples, the shoulder 806 may comprise a groove (or cutout) configured to retain a shoulder strap of a garment. In some examples, the shoulder 806 may comprise one or more features (or aspects) of the shoulder 706 as described above. The body 808, as shown, may comprise any or all portions of the hanger 800 (or the like) disposed below the shoulder 806. In some examples, the body 808 (alone or in combination with the shoulder 806) may be configured to provide an at least semi-rigid structure for supporting at least the weight of a garment held by the hanger 800. In some examples, the body 808 may comprise one or more features (or aspects) of the body 708 as described above.
[0067] As shown, the hanger 800 may comprise the supports 812 which are configured to support (or reinforce the post 802) . For example, the supports 812 may provide additional material and / or surface area coupling the post 802 to the shoulder 806 and / or the body 808. In the depicted example, the supports 812 are disposed to lengthwise from the sides of the post 802 along the shoulder 806 of the hanger 800. The supports 812, as shown, may be configured to extend upward from the shoulder 806 at an approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) 45°angle (or any other number) . In some examples, such as shown, the gussets 812A may be disposed between the supports 812, the post 802, and the shoulder 806. In some examples, the gussets 812A may be configured to support the post 802 without the supports 812. In some examples, the supports 812 may be configured to support the post 802 without the gussets 812A. In the depicted example, the base of each of the supports 812 are reinforced with respective support blocks (e.g., the support blocks 812B) . In some examples, the supports 812, the gussets 812A, and / or the support blocks 812B may be configured on the hanger 700 (as described above and illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B) to, at least in part, support the post 702.
[0068] FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of an example hanger assembly, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the indicator 100A (or the like) is placed (e.g., pressed) onto the post 802 then any or all of the plurality of tabs of the retention portion 104 (e.g., the first lateral tab 114A, the first longitudinal tab 116A, the first oblique tab 112A, and / or the like) may bend (and / or flex) over (and / or around) the top of the post 802 and / or the flange 804. In addition, any or all of the plurality of tabs of the retention portion 104 may snap (and / or slide) into place below the flange 804. In some examples, the midsection 102 may be configured to define a boundary around the interior cavity and the interior cavity may be configured to accommodate, at least in part, the hanger 800 (e.g., a portion of the hanger 800, such as the post 802) . In the depicted example, the post 802 may be inserted into the interior cavity of the indicator 100A (or the like) through a first opening along a first end (e.g., the lower portion 106 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bottom end, etc. ) of the indicator 100A. In addition, in some examples, at least a portion of the post 802 (and / or the flange 804) may extend out of the interior cavity of the indicator 100A through a second opening along the retention portion 104 at the second end (e.g., a top end as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 4, etc. ) of the indicator 100A. Once the retention portion 104 bends (and / or flexes) over (and / or around) the top of the post 802 and / or the flange 804, the upper surface (s) of any or all of the plurality of tabs (e.g., the first lateral tab 114A, the first longitudinal tab 116A, the first oblique tab 112A, and / or the like) may abut (or adjoin) one or more underside (and / or overhang) surfaces of the flange 804 which may prevent the indicator 100A from sliding off of the hanger 800. In some examples, the retention portion 104 may bend (and / or flex) (e.g., back) around the one or more underside (and / or overhang) surfaces of the flange 804.
[0069] In some examples, the flange 804 may comprise one or more flanges (and / or extrusions or protrusions) disposed radially around the post 802 (e.g., extending radially outward from the post 802) . For example, it should be understood that in some examples, the flange 804 may comprise two or more flanges (or the like) extending lengthwise from the post 802. In such examples, the first lateral tab 114A and the second lateral tab 114B may not interface (or engage) with one or more underside (and / or overhang) surfaces of two or more flanges. In the depicted example, as shown in FIG. 8B, a distal end (or free end) of one or more of the longitudinal tabs and / or the oblique tabs may, at least temporarily, abut (or adjoin) a vertical surface of the post 802 (e.g., to limit the side-to-side movement of the indicator 100A) . In some examples, the first longitudinal wall 108A and the second longitudinal wall 108B may abut (or adjoin) (and / or apply a compressive force inward on) the post 802, the supports 812, the gussets 812A, and / or the support blocks 812B in order to limit (or prevent) movement (e.g., lateral, rotational, front-to-back, side-to-side, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) on the hanger 800. For example, the first longitudinal wall 108A and the second longitudinal wall 108B may abut (or adjoin) the sides of the supports 812 and limit (or prevent) rotation of the indicator 100A (e.g., radially) around the post 802. In some examples, the first lateral wall 110A and the second lateral wall 110B may abut (or adjoin) (and / or apply a compressive force inward on) the post 802, the supports 812, the gussets 812A, and / or the support blocks 812B in order to limit (or prevent) movement (e.g., lateral, rotational, front-to-back, side-to-side, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) on the hanger 800. For example, the first lateral wall 110A and the second lateral wall 110B may abut (or adjoin) the sides of the support blocks 812B and limit (or prevent) rocking (or shifting) of the indicator 100A along the shoulder 806. In some examples, the surface 126 (as shown in at least FIGS. 5 and 6 and described above) may abut (or adjoin, reset on, etc. ) the shoulder 806 in order to limit (or prevent) movement (e.g., lateral, rotational, front-to-back, side-to-side, etc. ) of the indicator 100A (or the like) on the hanger 800. In some examples, the indicator 100A (or the indicator 100B) may be removed from the hanger 800 when approximately (e.g., to within a ±10%tolerance) 15lbs (or 67N) of force, or any other number, is applied to the indicator 100A. In some examples, an indicator may be configured (or designed) to meet (or require) a minimum removal force (e.g., 15lbs, 67N, or any other number) in order to separate the indicator from a hanger. In some examples, a user may squeeze (e.g., by hand, using a tool, etc. ) the sides of the indicator 100A (or the like) to bend (and / or flex) the first lateral tab 114A around one or more underside (and / or overhang) surfaces of the flange 804 (or the like) and pull the indicator 100A off of the hanger. Additionally, or alternatively, a user may apply a twisting force (or torque) to the indicator 100A in order to remove the indicator 100A from the hanger 800 (or the like) . As described above in connection with FIGS. 1B and 3B, in some examples, the midsection 102 may comprise (e.g., define and / or be formed to define) a cutout (e.g., the cutout 111 or the like) . In some such examples, the cutout may be configured to receive an indicator removal tool (e.g., needle nose pliers, snap ring pliers, pick and / or hook tool, a specialty tool, etc. ) that may be configured to remove (e.g., pry, pull, twist, etc. ) the indicator 100B (or the like) off of a hanger (e.g., hanger 700, hanger 800, etc. ) . CONCLUSION
[0070] As these examples all illustrate, example embodiments contemplated herein provide technical solutions that solve real-world problems faced when entities (e.g., clothing designers, distributors, retailers, or the like) attempt to source and standardize clothing hangers and / or indicators. Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Claims
1.An indicator for clothing hangers comprising:a midsection comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, wherein the first wall is disposed opposite the second wall and the third wall is disposed opposite the fourth wall, wherein the midsection defines a boundary around an interior cavity configured to accommodate a portion of a hanger; anda retention portion comprising a plurality of tabs, wherein at least one tab of the plurality of tabs is configured to retain the indicator on the hanger, wherein the plurality of tabs comprise a first lateral tab, a second lateral tab, a first longitudinal tab, and a second longitudinal tab, wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs extends from an edge of a respective wall of the midsection.2.The indicator of claim 1, wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs comprises a respective cantilever arm extending toward a central axis of the indicator.3.The indicator of claim 2, wherein the midsection defines a first opening at a first end of the indicator, wherein the retention portion defines, at least in part, a second opening at a second end of the indicator.4.The indicator of claim 3, wherein the central axis of the indicator extends through the first opening, the interior cavity, and the second opening.5.The indicator of claim 1, wherein the first lateral tab extends from the first wall and the second lateral tab extends from the second wall.6.The indicator of claim 1, wherein the first lateral tab and the second lateral tab are disposed opposite each other.7.The indicator of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal tab extends from the third wall and the second longitudinal tab extends from the fourth wall.8.The indicator of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal tab and the second longitudinal tab are disposed opposite each other.9.The indicator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tabs further comprises a first oblique tab and a second oblique tab, wherein the first oblique tab extends from the first wall and the second oblique tab extends from the second wall.10.The indicator of claim 9, wherein the first oblique tab and the second oblique tab are disposed opposite each other.11.The indicator of claim 9, wherein the plurality of tabs further comprises a third oblique tab and a fourth oblique tab, wherein the third oblique tab extends from the first wall and the fourth oblique tab extends from the second wall.12.The indicator of claim 11, wherein the third oblique tab and the fourth oblique tab are disposed opposite each other.13.The indicator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the third wall or the fourth wall intersect the first wall and the second wall, wherein at least one of the third wall or the fourth wall couple the first wall to the second wall.14.The indicator of claim 1, wherein at least one wall of the midsection defines a cutout, wherein the cutout comprises at least one of a circular shape, a semicircular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, or a trapezoid shape.15.A hanger assembly comprising:a hanger comprising:a retention feature, anda body; andan indicator comprising:a midsection comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall wherein the first wall is disposed opposite the second wall and the third wall is disposed opposite the fourth wall, wherein the midsection defines a boundary around an interior cavity configured to accommodate a portion of a hanger; anda retention portion comprising a plurality of tabs, wherein at least one tab of the plurality of tabs is configured to retain the indicator on the hanger, wherein the plurality of tabs comprise a first lateral tab, a second lateral tab, a first longitudinal tab, and a second longitudinal tab, wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs extends from an edge of a respective wall of the midsection.16.The hanger assembly of claim 15, wherein the retention portion of the indicator is configured to interface with the retention feature of the hanger to couple the indicator to the hanger.17.The hanger assembly of claim 16, wherein the retention feature comprises:a post extending from the body of the hanger, wherein the post comprises an extrusion extending, at least in part, outward from the post,wherein at least one tab of the plurality of tabs is configured to interface with the extrusion to retain the indicator, at least in part, around the post between the body of the hanger and the extrusion.18.The hanger assembly of claim 17, wherein the extrusion is a flange extending, at least in part, radially outward from the post.19.The hanger assembly of claim 17, wherein the extrusion is a tab extending, at least in part, perpendicularly outward from the post.20.The hanger assembly of claim 16, wherein the retention feature comprises:a post extending from the body of the hanger, wherein the post defines a slot,wherein at least one tab of the plurality of tabs is configured to interface with the slot to retain the indicator, at least in part, around the post between the body of the hanger and a distal surface of the post.