Adjustable hanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clothes hangers are often of a standard size, which can lead to improper fitting and stretching of clothing, and require multiple hangers for different sizes, making it difficult to determine the size of clothing hung side by side.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable hanger with a user dial assembly that allows for expansion and retraction of moveable arms to accommodate various sizes, featuring sizing indicators and a slider to easily select and display the size, enabling the hanger to adapt to different clothing sizes and collapse for storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard size hangers are used for all clothing, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different clothing sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different clothing sizesVSAvoidhanger structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism with a dial indicator and rotating arm that allows the user to change the hanger size according to different clothing requirements. The adjustable arm can be positioned at different angles and lengths, transforming a static hanger into a dynamic one that adapts to various clothing sizes and shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hanger is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple types and sizes of clothing through its adjustable mechanism. By incorporating a dial indicator with multiple size markings and a rotatable arm, a single hanger can replace multiple fixed-size hangers, achieving multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed-size hangers are used to accommodate different clothing sizes, then adaptability improves, but loss of time for selecting appropriate hangers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different clothing sizesVSAvoidtime for selecting appropriate hanger size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger features a dial indicator that automatically displays the current size setting based on the position of the adjustable arm. This self-indicating mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually check or calculate hanger size, allowing them to quickly adjust and immediately see the resulting size, thereby reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dial indicator provides immediate visual feedback about the hanger's current size configuration. As the user adjusts the arm position, the dial automatically reflects the new size, giving real-time feedback that helps users make quick and accurate size selections without trial and error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hangers of different sizes are stored, then adaptability improves, but storage space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different clothing sizesVSAvoidstorage space for hangers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By designing a single hanger that can adjust to multiple sizes, the need to store multiple fixed-size hangers is eliminated. This universal hanger replaces an entire set of hangers, dramatically reducing the storage volume required for hanger collection while maintaining full adaptability to different clothing sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable arm and connecting components are designed to nest or fold together when the hanger is in its compact configuration. This nesting capability allows the hanger to occupy minimal storage space when not in use, while still providing full adjustment range when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Measurement precision

If manual inspection is used to determine clothing sizes on hangers, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of clothing size identificationVSAvoidhanger structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dial indicator serves itself by automatically indicating the hanger size based on the arm position. The mechanism self-calibrates and self-displays the size information without requiring external measurement tools or manual calculation, providing precise size identification as an inherent function of the adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12011108B1Adjustable hanger

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 BROWN MARCUS-ALAN ASHER

AI summary

An adjustable hanger is described with an adjustment dial and internal assembly that enables the adjustable hanger to retract and expand to varying lengths. The adjustable hanger can be adjusted manually using an adjustment dial that a user lifts up to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to adjust the length of the adjustable hanger as desired. The adjustable hanger can include pre-determined sizes or lengths that range from a “0” size whereby the hanger is fully retracted and useful for storage or transport. Additionally, the hanger can include pre-determined positions for a small, medium, large, and x-large or other sizes for an article of clothing or another item. The hanger includes a faceplate, baseplate, adjustable dial, control pillar, control link, and a first movable arm and a second movable arm made up of connecting rods that can rotationally engage with each other to extend and retract.