Garment Hanger Stand With Adjustable Clamp for Stable Steaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment steamers with hooks are unstable, causing garment hangers to move and potentially detach during steaming, and fixed hangers are inconvenient for different garment types and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A stand with a clamp that securely holds garment hangers in a fixed orientation, allowing adjustable clamping surfaces to accommodate various hanger sizes and shapes, using a combination of threaded protrusions, sliding connections, and magnetic forces for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a garment hanger is supported on a hook, then the garment can be held during steaming, but the position of the garment hanger and garment is not stable and may become detached
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism allows dynamic adjustment between clamped and unclamped states. During steaming, the clamp holds the hanger firmly in place. When not in use, the clamp can be opened to allow easy hanging and removal of hangers. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between stability during operation and ease of setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp's clamping force parameter can be adjusted by the user. When clamping, the force is high to secure the hanger. When releasing, the force drops to zero, allowing easy removal. This parameter change enables the system to satisfy both stability requirements during steaming and ease of operation during hanger changes.
2Reliability
If a fixed hanger is provided on the stand, then garments have more support during steaming, but it is inconvenient to hang and remove garments and the hanger may not be suitable for all garment types
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism provides universal support for different types of hangers (shirt hangers, trouser hangers, skirt hangers, etc.). Instead of providing multiple fixed hangers, the single clamp can accommodate any hanger type that fits between its clamping surfaces, making the system versatile while maintaining stable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp transitions from a static fixed hanger to a dynamic clamping mechanism that can be opened and closed. This allows users to easily hang different types of hangers and remove them after steaming, providing both stability during use and versatility for different garment types.
3Reliability
If the clamp provides firm support, then the garment hanger remains stable during steaming, but the clamp structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed to be self-operating through a simple cam or lever mechanism. Once the user applies force to close the clamp, the mechanical advantage built into the mechanism maintains the clamping force without requiring continuous input. The clamp essentially serves itself by using the user's initial input force to maintain firm support throughout the steaming process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex motorized or electronically controlled clamping system, the invention uses a simple mechanical cam or lever mechanism to provide firm support. This mechanical substitution achieves reliable stability while minimizing structural complexity and avoiding the need for power sources or control systems.
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 stand stabilizes garment hangers during steaming, allowing for easier wrinkle removal without detachment, and accommodates different garment types without the need for multiple hangers.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp may comprise a threaded protrusion that engages with a threaded hole such that the first and second clamping surfaces are moveable by rotation of the threaded shaft relative to the threaded hole.
Implementation Method 2
The elastic element acts to push the clamp towards an open position so that the clamp opens itself once the cam element has been released.
Implementation Method 3
a cam element disposed on an end of the shaft; wherein the cam element comprises a cam surface configured to push the plate towards the body upon rotation of the cam element.
Implementation Method 4
The body may further comprise a magnet and the shaft may comprise a magnetic material such that the plate is biased towards a closed position by a magnetic force.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a stand for supporting a garment hanger. The stand comprises a supporting element (14,22,32) on which a garment hanger is hung, and a clamp (8) operable to releasably support the garment hanger in a fixed orientation after the garment hanger has been hung on said supporting element (14,22,32).