Flexible Hanger Sizer Jaws for Secure Reuse Without Hook Bosses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment hangers lacking hook bosses do not have a secure sizer system to prevent unintended or malicious removal, leading to increased time and costs in inventory management and potential sizer breakage during reuse.
Innovation Solution
A sizer design featuring a pair of longitudinal walls with jaws that flex apart to securely attach and detach from hangers without hook bosses, using a gap dimension equal to or greater than the hanger's web thickness and curved edges to prevent removal, allowing for secure mounting and dismounting without interfering with intended reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sizer is used on hangers without hook bosses, then sizing information can be displayed, but the sizer can be unintentionally or maliciously removed during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The sizer incorporates flexible jaws that can dynamically adjust their position and shape. The jaws flex apart when passing over the hanger flange during installation, then return to a secured position to prevent removal. This dynamic flexibility allows the sizer to adapt to hangers without hook bosses while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sizer utilizes flexible jaw components that can bend and deform elastically. These flexible jaws are designed to flex during the mounting process to clear the hanger flange, then maintain a engaged position that prevents unintended or malicious removal, solving the retention problem without requiring hook bosses.
2Reliability
If a securing feature is added to prevent sizer removal, then sizer retention improves, but the sizer cannot be removed for reuse on different hangers
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible jaws provide a dynamic securing mechanism that balances retention and removability. During normal handling, the jaws maintain a secured position preventing removal. When intentional removal is needed, sufficient force can be applied to flex the jaws apart and disengage them from the hanger flange, allowing reuse on different hangers.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible jaw design creates a preliminary securing action that prevents unintended removal during normal operations. The jaws are pre-configured to flex and lock onto the hanger flange, providing automatic retention without requiring additional securing steps, while still allowing intentional removal when needed.
3Reliability
If the sizer is made secure to prevent malicious removal, then sizer protection improves, but the sizer may break during forced removal attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible jaw components are designed to deform elastically under load rather than fracture. When malicious removal attempts apply excessive force, the flexible jaws can bend and flex, absorbing the energy and preventing catastrophic breakage of the sizer body, while still maintaining protection against casual or unintended removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The sizer design incorporates parameters such as jaw flexibility and material properties that allow it to change its mechanical response based on the applied force. Under normal handling conditions, the jaws maintain a secure locked position. Under excessive force, the jaws can flex or deform, preventing breakage while maintaining protection against unauthorized removal.
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 sizer effectively prevents unintended and malicious removals, reducing inventory management costs and enabling secure reuse of the sizer on various hangers without damaging it.
Implementation Method 1
The pair of longitudinal walls flexes apart when the jaw passes over a flange of the hanger
Data Source
AI summary
A sizer for a hanger lacking a hook boss includes a pair of longitudinal walls spaced apart from each other by a pair of end sections. The sizer may include a pair of protrusion, wherein a first is disposed on a first wall of the pair of longitudinal walls and directed toward a second wall of the pair of longitudinal walls. A first jaw is disposed on one of the pair of end section. The pair of longitudinal walls flexes apart when the jaw passes over a flange of the hanger. The first jaw includes a lower portion having a curved edge. The first jaw further includes an upper portion. The lower portion and upper portion meet at an abrupt jaw point.