Clamp-Type Clothes Hanger With One-Handed Arm Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clip-type hangers for clothing are difficult to use, requiring simultaneous operations that are challenging with two hands and pose a risk of finger trapping, especially due to the significant force required to spread and lock the arms.
Innovation Solution
A hanger design featuring two movable arms with elastic return means and control mechanisms that allow for easy operation with one hand, enabling the user to spread the arms to insert clothing and automatically return to a pinching position for secure holding, with a reduced force requirement for separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clip-type hangers use a metal hook as lever to spread and lock arms, then the arms can be securely locked together, but the device becomes difficult to use and requires simultaneous operations with multiple hands
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger is divided into a fixed arm and a movable arm that can be independently controlled. The movable arm is separated from the fixed arm through a pivot connection, allowing it to be spread independently using a control means located on the fixed arm. This segmentation enables one-handed operation while maintaining secure locking through the pivot connection and elastic return means.
Solution Approach 2:
A control means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's hand and the movable arm. This control means includes a shaft that transmits rotational movement from the user's thumb to the movable arm, enabling easy spreading and locking operations without requiring direct manipulation of the arm itself or simultaneous use of multiple hands.
2Reliability
If the hanger design requires significant force to spread and lock the arms, then the garment can be securely held, but the risk of finger trapping increases and user safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control means with its shaft and extension acts as a safe intermediary that transmits force from the user's thumb to the movable arm. This intermediary mechanism provides mechanical advantage and controlled force transmission, preventing direct finger placement between the arms during operation and eliminating the risk of finger trapping while still achieving secure garment holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic return means provides automatic force to spread the arms apart when the control means is released. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for the user to manually apply significant force to maintain arm separation, reducing the risk of finger trapping during the spreading operation while ensuring the arms can be securely locked when needed.
3Reliability
If the hanger requires simultaneous operations to hold, spread, and position the garment, then the arms can be securely locked, but the complexity of operation increases and ease of use decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger operation is segmented into independent steps: first spread the movable arm using the control means, then position the garment, and finally release the control means to automatically lock the arm. This segmentation of operations eliminates the need for simultaneous actions and simplifies the user workflow while maintaining secure locking through the pivot connection and elastic return means.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means is designed to be actuated in advance to spread the movable arm before the garment needs to be positioned. This preliminary action prepares the hanger for garment insertion without requiring the user to coordinate multiple operations simultaneously. After positioning, simply releasing the control means triggers the automatic locking action through the elastic return means.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly simplifies the use of clip hangers, allowing for easy handling and secure garment retention with reduced risk of injury, as the user can operate the hanger with one hand while inserting the garment with the other, and the elastic return ensures the garment is held firmly without needing excessive force.
Implementation Method 1
elastic return means for returning the arms to the pinching position, with a pinching force between the pinching branches, capable of ensuring maintenance by pinching a piece of clothing
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a clothes hanger (1) comprising arms which can be moved apart or moved towards each other and spring means (7) designed, at least partly, to press the arms against each other in order to clamp and hold a garment. It also comprises control means (8) for moving the arms apart, comprising an operating member (10) located on one of the arms and having at least one degree of freedom with respect to this arm so that it can be operated by the hand of the user holding the hanger (1). The invention is applicable to the hanging of garments such as trousers and skirts by clamp action.