Hinged-Arm Garment Hanger With Retractable Hook for Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Garments such as shirts and suits often become wrinkled, creased, and lose their shape when stored, leading to unsightly and potentially unwearable conditions due to degradation of the collar and shoulder areas.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible garment hanger with hinged arms and a detent mechanism allows for easy transition between expanded and collapsed states, featuring a hook that can be retracted into a slot for compact storage, along with magnetic attraction and rubber strips to prevent slipping and maintain shape support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a traditional rigid hanger is used to maintain garment structure, then the garment structure is supported, but the hanger occupies excessive storage space and cannot be compacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space occupationVSAvoidcompactability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger is divided into multiple segments including a head portion, shoulder portion, and body portion that can move relative to each other. The shoulder portion can be collapsed toward the head portion, and the body portion can be collapsed toward the shoulder portion, enabling compact storage while maintaining full functionality when expanded

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hanger transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic collapsible structure. The movable connections between head, shoulder, and body portions allow the hanger to change its configuration between expanded (for garment support) and collapsed (for compact storage) states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the hanger arms are collapsed to reduce storage space, then storage convenience is improved, but the garment may slip or lose support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehanger volumeVSAvoidgarment support stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before collapsing the hanger for storage, the collar support member is positioned to secure the garment collar in place. This preliminary action ensures the garment is firmly held before the arms collapse, preventing slippage and maintaining support stability throughout the transition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the hanger have specialized functions: the collar support member provides localized support at the collar area, while the shoulder portions support the garment shoulders. This localized quality distribution ensures that even when collapsed, critical support points remain effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the hanger is designed with collapsible arms for compact storage, then storage space is reduced, but the complexity of the hanger mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidhanger mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger is divided into modular segments (head, shoulder, body portions) connected by simple movable joints. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while the combination provides collapsible functionality, reducing overall complexity compared to a non-segmented collapsible design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hanger uses simple dynamic connections between segments that allow collapse without requiring complex locking mechanisms or multiple moving parts. The dynamic design achieves compactness through straightforward relative motion between segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 hanger effectively maintains garments in a wrinkle-free and crease-free condition, preventing structural degradation and allowing for convenient storage without damaging the garment material.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic attraction and rubber strips to prevent slipping and maintain shape support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

magnetic attraction and rubber strips to prevent slipping and maintain shape support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9801485B2Collapsible hanger for use in-garment to reduce creasing, crushing, and wrinkling, while maintaining support and structure, of upper garment during storage and transportation

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 SNOW BRAD ALAN

AI summary

A collapsible hanger includes a left arm, a right arm, and a hook. A hinge rotatably holds the left and right arms together. When in expanded state, the left and right arms extend opposite each other. When in collapsed state, the arms are rotated adjacent to each other. The hook is rotatably coupled to one of the arms in a ball and socket arrangement, and rotatable around the ball and socket arrangement between first and second positions. In the first position, the hook curved end is located above a top side of the respective arm. In the second position, the hook curved end is rotated into an opening and recess in the respective arm. A pin holding the hinge together includes a curved end portion overhanging an outer surface of the hinge to form a clasp to hold a collar of a garment.