Pivoting Multi-Hook Hanger for Wrinkle-Free Garment Layering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional garment hangers are inefficient in maintaining coordinated outfits wrinkle-free and often result in excessive space usage and damage when handling multiple garments, as they restrict the freedom of movement and lead to wrinkles, especially when stacked or layered.

Innovation Solution

A garment hanger with an articulated or pivotable hook design, featuring a first and second hook member that are rotatable and independently pivotable within a housing, allowing for greater flexibility and movement to prevent wrinkles and accommodate multiple garments on a single hanger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed hook design is used on hangers, then the hanger structure is simple and stable, but the garments are restricted in movement which results in increased wrinkles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehanger structure stabilityVSAvoidwrinkles in garments
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed hook design into a pivoting hook mechanism. The hook is connected to the hanger body through a pivot point that allows rotational movement, enabling the hook to dynamically adjust its position in response to garment weight and movement. This dynamic capability allows garments to move freely without creating wrinkles, while the hanger maintains overall structural stability through the constrained pivoting motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple garments are placed on separate hangers, then each garment is individually supported, but the number of hangers becomes excessive and closet space is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual garment supportVSAvoidcloset space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by combining multiple hanger functions into a single hanger unit. The hanger features a main body with multiple arms that can each support separate garments, allowing one hanger to replace multiple traditional single-garment hangers. This consolidation reduces the total number of hangers needed in a closet while maintaining reliable individual support for each garment through dedicated arms and clips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple garments are stacked or layered in a travel garment bag, then space efficiency is improved, but the rigid hook design forces displacement of hangers resulting in wrinkles and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of garments per hangerVSAvoidwrinkles and damage to garments
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle to solve the stacking problem by enabling the hook to pivot freely when hangers are stacked vertically in garment bags. The pivoting mechanism allows each hanger in the stack to adjust its hook position independently, preventing the rigid displacement that causes wrinkles. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains garment integrity even when multiple garments are layered together for travel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If a single hanger is used to hold coordinated outfits, then space efficiency is improved and outfits are displayed together, but the hanger must support multiple garments which increases complexity of handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecloset space utilizationVSAvoidhandling of multiple garments
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by integrating multiple garment-holding arms into a single hanger unit with a unified pivoting hook mechanism. This allows coordinated outfits to be held together on one hanger, improving space utilization and visual display. The unified pivoting mechanism simplifies handling compared to separate hangers, as all garments move together as a single unit when the hook is adjusted or when placed on closet rods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2090202B1Hanger
Publication Date: 2013.06.26 TUMI INC
  • EP2090202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2090202B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2090202B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A garment hanger having a first hook, a second hook positioned below the first hook, a pair of arms extending downwardly from the hook members, and a base member arranged in a horizontal position connecting the end portion of the arms. The hook members are attached to the arms by a housing and can pivot to an angular position with respect to the housing. The top portions of the arms are integrally connected and the hook members can rotate around and translate along the top portion. Further, each hook member can spin within the housing independently of the other hook member. Additionally, the base member includes a clamp which can be rotated around the base member and translated along the base member.