Multi-Element Clamping Hanger for Fast Hanging of Small Clothing Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hanging small clothing items like socks, panties, and dish towels on a clothes line is time-consuming, especially when dealing with large quantities, as existing methods lack an efficient and easy-to-use system.
Innovation Solution
A hanger with a rigid support member and a hanging portion featuring resilient clamping elements in a concertina arrangement, which are biased to a closed position to securely hold clothing items, and can be integrated or assembled with an attachment member for secure mounting to various support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard pegs are used to hang small clothing items on a clothes line, then the items can be hung, but the process becomes time-consuming when dealing with large quantities
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clamping elements are combined into a single hanger body, allowing multiple clothing items to be hung simultaneously on one hanger rather than using separate pegs for each item. This merging of functions enables users to hang several socks, panties, or small garments in one action, dramatically improving productivity and reducing the time required to dry large quantities of small clothing items.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger body is segmented into multiple independent clamping elements arranged in a line, where each clamping element can independently grasp a separate clothing item. This segmentation allows the single hanger to handle multiple items simultaneously while maintaining individual control over each clamping action, resolving the contradiction between handling multiple items efficiently and maintaining ease of operation.
2Force
If clamping elements are made resilient and biased to closed position, then clamping force is increased to securely hold items, but the complexity of the hanger structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping elements are constructed as resilient components that can be made from flexible materials such as elastomeric compounds or spring steel. These flexible clamping elements inherently provide the necessary clamping force through their elastic properties when biased to a closed position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical spring systems or additional forcing mechanisms. The flexibility of the material itself provides the required force while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping elements feature curved or arc-shaped geometries that naturally concentrate force onto the clothing items. The curved configuration of the clamping surfaces and the arcuate arrangement of multiple clamping elements along the hanger body allow for efficient force distribution and application, achieving secure holding of items without requiring overly complex structural designs. The curvature enables the resilient elements to effectively convert small deformations into significant clamping forces.
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 efficiently holds and releases small clothing items with increased clamping force due to the inward bias of clamping elements, making it easier and faster to hang multiple items without damaging them, and can be securely attached to various support structures.
Implementation Method 1
clamping elements which are resiliently movable to receive, hold and release clothing items therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The clamping elements may be resilient clamping elements that are biased towards a closed, clamping position in an as-manufactured form of the hanger
Data Source
AI summary
A hanger for items of clothing comprises a rigid support member (12) and a hanging portion (14). The 5 hanging portion comprises a plurality of clamping elements (16) which are resiliently movable to receive, hold and release clothing items therebetween and are arranged in a line in side-by-side relationship extending from the rigid support member.


