Life Vest Hanger Geometry for Stable, Non-Slip Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional garment hangers, such as those designed for life vests and ski vests, often fail to securely hold these items due to uneven weight distribution and sliding issues, leading to frequent falling or tipping.
Innovation Solution
A hanger design featuring a central portion with sloping legs meeting at an apex, combined with a curved hook and cable attachment system, allowing for secure hanging on cylindrical or non-cylindrical objects, ensuring balanced weight distribution and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long, flat main frame with an arm extending from it is used (HANGPRO design), then it is easy to place life vests on the hanger, but the hanger is very prone to tipping due to uneven weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger employs an asymmetric A-frame structure where the left and right legs have different lengths and angles. The shorter leg extends at a steeper angle while the longer leg extends at a shallower angle, creating natural weight distribution that prevents tipping while maintaining ease of garment placement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the main frame is made relatively long with ends curving upward a short distance (Underwater Kinetics design), then the hanger can accommodate marine equipment, but life vests are prone to sliding off and the hanger becomes very heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger optimizes the curvature parameters of its ends, extending them upward at specific angles (30-50 degrees for shorter leg, 130-150 degrees for longer leg) rather than using minimal curvature. This parameter optimization provides adequate garment accommodation while minimizing material usage and overall weight.
3Device complexity
If the main frame is made relatively long with ends curving upward a very short distance (Underwater Kinetics design), then the hanger structure is simplified, but life vests are prone to sliding off due to insufficient end curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric A-frame configuration with differently angled legs creates optimal geometry for vest retention. The shorter leg's steeper angle (30-50 degrees) and longer leg's shallower angle (130-150 degrees) work together to prevent garment sliding while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a garment hanger that is especially suited for life vests. The hanger may include a hanger body having a central portion with angled left and right legs that meet at an apex, generally flat left and right shoulders, and left and right ends that extend from the left and right shoulders, respectively, toward the apex. The hanger may also include a hook located adjacent to the apex of the hanger body. Hangers with an aperture at the top of the hanger and a cable to secure the hanger to an object are also described.