USOO6811064B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 6,811,064 B2

Salem 45) Date of Patent: Nov. 2,9 2004

(54) ADJUSTABLE CLOTHINGHANGER 5,758.806 A 6/1998 Anderson

6,003,743 A 12/1999 Deady
(75) Inventor: Charles L. Salem, c/o Salem System 6,053,379 A 4/2000 Balph
Solutions, 102031 St., Suite 135, 99.16 A 2 Seyss- 224/482
Downers Grove, IL (US) 60515 6,164,504 A 12/2000 Richard ....................... 223/94
* cited by examiner
(73) Assignee: Charles L. Salem, Aurora, IL (US)
- Primary Examiner John J. Calvert
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this Assistant Examiner James G Smith
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- The Law Office of Randall
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. T. Erickson, P.C.
21) App
(21) Appl. No.: 10/202,177
1202, (57) ABSTRACT
(22) Filed: Jul. 24, 2002 An adjustable garment hanger comprises hanger body
having legs extending in a hanger widthwise direction. First
(65) Prior Publication Data and Second leg extensions are each adjustably engaged to a
US 2004/0016779 A1 Jan. 29, 2004 leg of the hanger body to determine an overall width along
the widthwise direction of the garment hanger. A collar
(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ A41D 27/22 Support extends upwardly from the hanger body. The collar
52) U.S. Cl. ......................................................... 223/94 Support
pp comprises
p first and Second pposts, each extending9. at
(58) Field of Search ............................... 223/94, 89,85 an angle to a respective one of the legs. The first and Second
posts are spaced apart by a distance approximating the
(56) References Cited widthwise dimension of a garment collar. A Spacer extends
on opposite Sides of the hook-shaped member in a
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS horizontal, profile direction that is perpendicular to the
2,335,285 A * 11/1943 Kinney ........................ 223/89 widthwise direction. The Spacer has a thickness along the
3,695,492 A * 10/1972 Sheba ......................... 223/94 horizontal, profile direction approximately equal to an over
4,333,590 A * 6/1982 Princiotta .................... 223/85 all thickness of the leg extensions taken along the horizontal,
5,052,599 A 10/1991 Platti profile direction. The Spacer functions to Space the hanger
A : 3. : an - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 223/94 centerline from centerlines of adjacent hangers hung on a
2- Y-12 al common rod to prevent excessive contact on a garment hung
s: A
476,199 A
4/1992 Shannon
12/1995 Halverson et al.
on the hanger by adjacent hung garments.
5,711,464 A 1/1998 Huang
5,718,362 A 2/1998 Silverman .................... 223/94 26 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Nov. 2, 2004 Sheet 1 of 2 US 6,811,064 B2

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U.S. Patent US 6,811,064 B2

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 US 6,811,064 B2
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ADJUSTABLE CLOTHING HANGER The legs and the leg extensions have inverted U-shaped
croSS-Sections and are telescopically engaged. One of the
legs and leg extensions comprises incrementally spaced
TECHNICAL FILED OF THE INVENTION apart notches and the other of the legs and leg extensions
The invention relates to hangers for holding garments in comprises at least one lug sized and shaped to fit into a
an upright position Supported from a rod or hook. Selected one of the notches to adjust the degree of telescopic
Particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable hanger engagement of the respective leg and leg extensions.
that is adjustable in width to accommodate clothing of Advantageously, according to one embodiment, the leg
variable size. extensions have an overall thickness in the profile direction
of about one inch. The leg extensions have downwardly
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION angled flared end portions.
Clothing hangers having Some means of adjusting the The collar Support can include a generally horizontal Strut
effective width (shoulder-to-shoulder direction) of the connecting together the posts and the hook-shaped member.
hanger are known, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 15
The posts are Spaced apart Such that the overall width in the
5,052,599; 5,085,358; and 5,476,199. These patents widthwise direction of the collar Support is approximately
described hangers each having a hook-shaped member for four inches. The posts extend vertically from the legs to a
hanging a garment from a horizontal rod or hook. The height of about one inch. The posts and the Strut can be
hook-shaped member Supports a hanger body that includes formed together as a curved arch.
leg members having a degree of length adjustability in the The legs and the leg extensions together comprise plural
widthwise direction. notches and engagement lugs applied on opposite ones of
The present inventor has recognized that it would be the legs and leg extensions and are in a quantity Such that an
advantageous if a clothing hanger not only was adjustable in exceSS number of either notches or lugs are present to
effective width to more closely correspond to clothing provide for an incremental adjustability in the overall
shoulder-to-shoulder width, but would also prevent overall 25
dimension, along the hanger widthwise direction, of the legs
Shirt wrinkling caused by contact with other hung garments. and leg extensions.
The present inventor has recognized that it would be advan The hook-shaped member is preferably in the form of an
tageous if a clothing hanger would also prevent pointed arcuate wire or rod, and the posts and the Strut are in wire
Wrinkles or sharp creases in the Shirt fabric heretofore or rod form and comprises a Substantially equal material
caused by the Shirt being hung on thin wire hangers. The thickness as the hook-shaped member. The hook-shaped
present inventor has recognized that it would be advanta member and the collar Support are preferably molded in
geous if a clothing hanger would also prevent wrinkling in unitary fashion of a plastic material, and the leg extensions
the collar and upper chest area of the shirt. are also preferably composed of plastic material.
The present inventor has recognized that it would be Numerous other advantages and features of the present
advantageous if a clothing hanger comprised a shape for 35 invention will be become readily apparent from the follow
Supporting a garment Such that a garment could be hung to ing detailed description of the invention and the embodi
dry on the hanger without drying with pointed wrinkles or ments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying
Sharp creases caused by the garment-Supporting Surfaces of drawings.
the hanger.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
40
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a clothing hanger of the
The invention includes a garment hanger comprising a present invention.
hanger body having legs extending along the hanger width FIG. 2 is a Sectional view taken generally along line 2-2
wise direction. The hanger body is connected to a hook from FIG. 1.
shaped member extending from a central region of the 45 FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3
hanger body, the hook-shaped member configured to engage from FIG. 1.
a Support rod for Suspending the garment hanger. First and FIG. 4 is a fragmentary left side view of the hanger shown
Second leg extensions are each adjustably engaged to a leg in FIG. 1 viewed along line 4-4.
of the hanger body and are Selectively extendable from each
leg to determine an overall width of the garment hanger. A 50 FIG. 5 is a top view of an extension member of the hanger
collar Support extends upwardly from the hanger body. The shown in FIG. 1.
collar Support comprises first and Second posts, each extend FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a leg shown
ing at an angle to a respective one of the legs. The first and in FIG. 1.
Second posts are Spaced apart by a distance approximating FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom view of the hanger shown
the flat, widthwise dimension of an upstanding garment 55 in FIG. 1.
collar. FIG. 8 is a top view of a plurality of hangers of the
The garment hanger further comprises a Spacer extending invention, hung on a rod.
on opposite Sides of the hook-shaped member in a DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
horizontal, profile direction that is perpendicular to the PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
widthwise direction, the Spacer having a length along the 60
profile direction approximately equal to an overall thickneSS While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in
of the leg extensions taken along the profile direction. The many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and
Spacer functions to Space the hanger centerline from cen will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments
terlines of adjacent hangers hung on a common rod, to thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is
prevent excessive contact from a hung garment with adja 65 to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of
cent hung garments. By limiting this contact, garment wrin the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the
kling can be Substantially reduced. Specific embodiments illustrated.
 US 6,811,064 B2
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FIG. 1 illustrates a garment hanger 10 comprising a FIG. 7 illustrates the leg extension 28 engaged to the leg
hanger body 14 having laterally extending legs 18, 20. The 20. The four buttons 54 enter into, and extend beyond, four
legs 18, 20 extend at an angle A to the horizontal. Preferably, notches 52. Preferably the buttons are 4" diameter solid
A is about 20. The hanger body is connected to a rod cylinders.
engageable or hook-engageable end member, Such as a The hanger body, hook-shaped member and the collar
hook-shaped member 24 that extends from a central region Support are molded in unitary fashion of a plastic material,
of the hanger body. The hook-shaped member 24 is config and the leg extensions are also composed of plastic material.
ured to engage a Support rod or hook for Suspending the The preferred embodiment hanger 10 has the following
garment hanger. exemplary dimensions:
First and Second leg extensions 26, 28 are each adjustably
engaged to a leg 18, 20 of the hanger body to determine an
overall width W, in the hanger widthwise direction, of the
garment hanger.
A collar Support 32 extends upwardly from the hanger
body 14. The collar Support comprises first and Second posts 15
36, 38, each extending at an angle to a respective one of the
legs 18, 20. The first and Second posts are spaced apart by
a distance approximating the flat widthwise dimension of a From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
garment collar. variations and modifications may be effected without depart
The collar Support 32 further comprises a generally hori ing from the Spirit and Scope of the invention. It is to be
Zontal strut 39 connecting together the posts 36,38 and the understood that no limitation with respect to the Specific
hook-shaped member 24. Preferably, the posts 36, 38 are apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
Spaced apart Such that the overall dimension in the width It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all
wise direction of the collar Support 32 is approximately four Such modifications as fall within the Scope of the claims.
inches. The posts 36, 38 extend vertically from the legs 18, 25
What is claimed is:
20 to a height H of about one inch. 1. A garment hanger comprising:
The hook-shaped member 24 is in the form of an arcuate a hanger body having laterally extending legs,
wire or rod, preferably about 3/16 inch diameter, and the posts a hook-shaped member extending from a central region of
36, 38 and the strut 39 together are in the form of a shaped Said hanger body, Said hook-shaped member configured
wire or rod and comprises a Substantially equal croSS to engage a Support rod for Suspending Said garment
Sectional thickness as the hook-shaped member 24. hanger;
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the legs 18, 20 and the leg first and Second leg eXtensions each adjustably engaged to
extensions 26, 28 have inverted U-shaped croSS-Sections and a leg of Said hanger body to determine an overall width
are telescopically engaged. The legs 18, 20 have an overall along a horizontal, widthwise direction, Said horizontal,
thickness T1 in the profile direction. The leg extensions 26, 35 widthwise direction is along a shoulder-to-shoulder
28 have an overall thickness T2 in the profile direction. The direction of a garment hung on the hanger;
leg extensions have downwardly-curved end portions 26a, a collar Support comprising first and Second Substantially
28a. The end portions 26a, 28a are also flared outwardly. Vertical portions each extending at an angle to a respec
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8, the garment hanger further tive one of Said legs, Said first and Second Substantially
comprises a Spacer 44 extending on opposite Sides of the 40 Vertical portions Spaced apart by a distance approxi
hook-shaped member in a horizontal, “profile' direction that mating the width of a garment collar, and a connecting
is perpendicular to the widthwise direction, the Spacer portion connected between ends of Said first and Second
having a dimension T in the profile direction approximately Substantially vertical portions, Said first and Second
equal to an overall thickness of each of the extending leg Substantially vertical portions and Said connecting por
extensions 26, 28 taken along the profile direction. The 45 tion being a rigid piece that is rigidly connected to Said
spacer 44 is preferably in the form of a 3/16" diameter rod. first and Second legs.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the spacer 44 functions to space 2. The garment hanger according to claim 1, further
the hanger center plane P1 a pre-Selected distance from comprising a Spacer extending on opposite Sides of Said
center planes P2, P3 of adjacent hangers, hung on a common hook-shaped member in a horizontal, profile direction per
rod 50, to prevent excessive contact on a garment hung on 50 pendicular to Said horizontal, widthwise direction, Said
the hanger 10 by adjacent hung garments. Spacer having a thickness in Said horizontal, profile direction
FIG. 5 illustrates the leg extension 26, identical to exten approximately equal to, or greater than, an overall thickness
sion 28, being flared along the distance W5 to the distal end. of Said extending legs taken along the horizontal, profile
The Smallest overall thickness T3 flares to a widest overall direction.
thickness T4. The leg 18 can extend into the extension 26 the 55 3. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein Said
distance L4. legs and Said leg extensions have inverted U-shaped croSS
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the leg 20, and likewise Sections and are telescopically engaged.
the mirror image identical leg 18, comprises incrementally 4. The garment hanger according to claim 3, wherein for
Spaced-apart notches 52 and the leg extension 28, and each pair of leg and leg extension, one of Said leg and leg
likewise the identical leg extension 26, comprises at least 60 extension comprises incrementally spaced-apart openings
one lug or button, advantageously four lugs 54, sized and and the other of Said leg and leg extension comprises at least
shaped to fit into Selected notches 52 to adjust the degree of one lug Sized and shaped to fit into a Selected one of Said
telescopic engagement of the respective leg and leg exten openings to adjust the degree of telescopic engagement of
Sion pair. Said leg and leg extension.
FIG. 6 illustrates the leg 20 having the notches 52 spaced 65 5. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein Said
along its length on both legs of the U-shaped croSS Section leg extensions have an overall thickness in Said horizontal,
of leg 20. The notches have a height of b. profile direction of about one inch.
 US 6,811,064 B2
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6. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein Said neSS in Said horizontal, profile direction approximately
leg extensions have downwardly angled ends. equal to, or greater than, an overall thickness of Said
7. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein Said extending legs taken along the horizontal, profile
connecting portion comprises a generally horizontal Strut direction, wherein Said hook-shaped member and Said
and Said first and Second Substantially vertical portions Spacer are molded in unitary fashion of a plastic
comprise posts, said Strut connecting together Said posts and material.
Said hook-shaped member. 15. The garment hanger according to claim 14, further
8. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein Said comprising a collar Support comprising first and Second
Substantially vertical portions are spaced apart Such that the posts each extending at an angle to a respective one of Said
overall length in the widthwise direction of the collar legs, Said first and Second posts Spaced apart by a distance
Support is approximately four inches. approximating the width of a garment collar, wherein Said
9. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein Said collar Support further comprises a generally horizontal Strut
Substantially vertical portions extend Vertically from Said connecting together Said posts and Said hook-shaped
legs to a height of about one inch.
10. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein 15 member, Said collar Support molded in unitary fashion of
Said legs and Said leg extensions together comprise openings Said plastic material with Said hook-shaped member.
and engagement lugs applied on opposite ones of Said legs 16. The garment hanger according to claim 14, wherein
and leg extensions and numbered Such that an exceSS Said legs and Said leg extensions have inverted U-shaped
number of either openings or lugs is present to provide for croSS-Sections and are telescopically engaged.
an incremental adjustability in the Overall width of the legs 17. The garment hanger according to claim 16, wherein
and leg extensions taken along the widthwise direction. for each pair of leg and leg extension, one of Said leg and leg
11. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein extension comprises incrementally spaced-apart openings
Said leg extensions have flared ends. and the other of Said leg and leg extension comprises at least
12. The garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein one lug Sized and shaped to fit into a Selected one of Said
Said hook-shaped member is in the form of an arcuate wire, 25 openings to adjust the degree of telescopic engagement of
and Said connecting portion comprises a Substantially equal Said leg and leg extension.
croSS-Sectional dimension. 18. The garment hanger according to claim 14, wherein
13. A garment hanger comprising: Said legs and Said leg extensions together comprise openings
a hanger body having laterally extending legs, and engagement lugs applied on opposite ones of Said legs
a hook-shaped member eXtending from a central region of and leg extensions and numbered Such that an exceSS
Said hanger body, Said hook-shaped member configured number of either openings or lugs is present to provide for
to engage a Support rod for Suspending Said garment an incremental adjustability in the overall width of the legs
hanger; and leg extensions taken along the widthwise direction.
first and Second leg extensions each adjustably engaged to 19. The garment hanger according to claim 14, wherein
a leg of Said hanger body to determine an overall width 35 Said hanger body, Said hook shaped member and Said Spacer
along a horizontal, widthwise direction, Said horizontal, are molded in unitary fashion of a plastic material, and Said
widthwise direction is along a shoulder-to-shoulder leg extensions also are composed of plastic material.
direction of a garment hung on the hanger; 20. A garment hanger comprising:
a collar Support comprising first and Second Substantially a hanger body having laterally extending legs,
40
Vertical portions each extending at an angle to a respec a hook-shaped member extending from a central region of
tive one of Said legs, Said first and Second Substantially Said hanger body, Said hook-shaped member configured
Vertical portions Spaced apart by a distance approxi to engage a Support rod for Suspending Said garment
mating the width of a garment collar, and a connecting hanger;
portion connected between ends of Said first and Second 45 first and Second leg extensions each adjustably engaged to
Substantially vertical portions, Said first and Second a leg of Said hanger body to determine an overall width
Substantially vertical portions and Said connecting por along a horizontal, widthwise direction, Said horizontal,
tion being a rigid piece that is rigidly connected to Said widthwise direction is along a shoulder-to-shoulder
first and Second legs, direction of a garment hung on the hanger, wherein Said
wherein Said hanger body, said hook shaped member and 50 legs and Said leg extensions have inverted U-shaped
Said collar Support are molded as one piece in unitary croSS-Sections and are telescopically engaged;
fashion of a plastic material, and Said leg extensions a collar Support comprising first and Second posts each
also are composed of plastic material. extending at an angle to a respective one of Said legs,
14. A garment hanger comprising: Said first and Second posts Spaced apart by a distance
a hanger body having laterally extending legs, 55 approximating the width of a garment collar;
a hook-shaped member eXtending from a central region of wherein for each pair of leg and leg extension, one of Said
Said hanger body, Said hook-shaped member configured leg and leg extension comprises greater than four
to engage a Support rod for Suspending Said garment incrementally spaced-apart openings and the other of
hanger; Said leg and leg extension comprises four lugs arranged
first and Second leg extensions each adjustably engaged to 60 in a rectangular pattern and sized and shaped to fit into
a leg of Said hanger body to determine an overall width a Selected four of Said openings to adjust the degree of
along a widthwise direction, Said widthwise direction is telescopic engagement of Said leg and leg eXtension.
along a shoulder-to-shoulder direction of a garment 21. The garment hanger according to claim 20, wherein
hung on the hanger; and Said hanger body, Said hook shaped member and Said collar
a Spacer extending on opposite sides of Said hook-shaped 65 Support are molded in unitary fashion of a plastic material,
member in a horizontal, profile direction perpendicular and Said leg extensions also are composed of plastic mate
to Said widthwise direction, Said Spacer having a thick rial.
 US 6,811,064 B2
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22. A garment hanger comprising: in a rectangular pattern and sized and shaped to fit into
a hanger body having laterally extending legs, a Selected four of Said openings to adjust the degree of
a hook-shaped member eXtending from a central region of telescopic engagement of Said leg and leg eXtension.
Said hanger body, Said hook-shaped member configured 23. The garment hanger according to claim 22, wherein
to engage a Support rod for Suspending Said garment 5 Said openings comprise notches.
hanger; 24. The garment hanger according to claim 20, wherein
first and Second leg extensions each adjustably engaged to Said openings comprise notches.
a leg of Said hanger body to determine an overall width 25. The garment hanger according to claim 24, wherein
along a widthwise direction, Said widthwise direction is Said hanger body, Said hook shaped member and Said collar
along a shoulder-to-shoulder direction of a garment Support are molded in unitary fashion of a plastic material,
hung on the hanger; and and Said leg extensions also are composed of plastic mate
a Spacer extending on opposite sides of Said hook-shaped rial.
member in a horizontal, profile direction perpendicular 26. The garment hanger according to claim 15, wherein
to Said widthwise direction, Said Spacer having a thick 15 Said legs and Said leg extensions have inverted U-shaped
neSS in Said horizontal, profile direction approximately croSS-Sections and are telescopically engaged for each pair
equal to, or greater than, an overall thickness of Said of leg and leg extension, and one of Said leg and leg
extending legs taken along the horizontal, profile direc extension comprises greater than four incrementally spaced
tion; apart openings and the other of Said leg and leg extension
wherein Said legs and Said leg extensions have inverted comprises four lugs arranged in a rectangular pattern end
U-shaped cross-sections and are telescopically engaged sized and shaped to fit into a Selected four of Said openings
for each pair of leg and leg extension, and one of Said to adjust the degree of telescopic engagement of Said leg and
leg and leg extension comprises greater than four leg extension.
incrementally Spaced-apart openings and the other of
Said leg and leg extension comprises four lugs arranged
 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

PATENT NO. : 6,811,064 B2 Page 1 of 1

DATED : November 2, 2004
INVENTOR(S) : Charles L. Salem

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8
Line 9, correct “Said' to -- Said --.
Line 20, correct “end” to -- and --.

Signed and Sealed this

Tenth Day of May, 2005

WDJ
JON W. DUDAS
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office