CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korea Utility Model Application No. 20-2015-0005720 filed on Aug. 26, 2015 the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a foldable hanger.

Discussion of the Related Art

There has been disclosed various foldable type hangers. For office workers and negotiators, neat clothing and external appearance are important as an expression of courtesy, so hangers and brushes are necessary utensils for business trips. Hangers can be found on the market in many forms and types, made as bent steel wires, of die-casted plastic or, more elegantly, of wood. The width of these hangers extends as wide as human shoulders in order to allow for plait-free storing of clothes. One the other hand, such wide hangers are hard to store in suitcases and consume a large volume therein. Therefore, they are not suitable for usage on trips. Thus, in one example, Korean utility model registration 20-0218236 disclose a foldable hanger.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is to provide a foldable hanger where foldable hanger arms may be folded when the shirt is hung on the hanger. Thus, the shirt with a small neck portion may be prevented from an expansion of the neck portion. This may suppress the deformation of the shirt.

In one aspect, there is provided a foldable hanger; a body; a vertical elongate member vertically moveably received in the body, wherein the elongate member has a stem and two branches branching from the stem in opposite directions; and two foldable arms operatively coupled to the body, wherein the two arms are symmetrical with the body, and each arm has a pivot extension extending from one end thereof, wherein the stem is disposed between the arms respectively, wherein each pivot extension extends toward the stem, wherein the two pivot extensions and the two branches are configured such that, when the elongate member moves down, each branch pressure-contacts each pivot extension to allow each arm to pivot on each branch upwardly to be stretched; and wherein the two pivot extensions and the two branches are configured such that, when the elongate member moves up, each branch releases the pressure toward each pivot extension to allow each arm to rotate downwardly due to a gravity force to be folded.

In one implementation, the two branches extend downwards and outwardly, wherein each pivot extension is oriented to be upward and toward the stem when each arm is in a folded state.

In one implementation, when each arm is in a folded state, each branch is parallel to each pivot extension.

In one implementation, each pivot extension has a distal protrusion at a distal end thereof, wherein the distal protrusion protrudes toward each branch.

In one implementation, the hanger further comprises a hooker vertically moveably coupled to the stem.

In one implementation, the hanger further comprises a switching assembly disposed between the stem and hooker, wherein the switching assembly is configured: when the hooker is pressed down, to lower down the stem and then hold the stem in a lowered position, and, when the hooker is again pressed down, to allow a rise of the stem and then hold the stem in a raised position.

In one implementation, the branches are formed separately from the stem, and the branches moves vertically along the stem.

In one implementation, the stem has a vertical elongate slot to receive the branches, wherein the branches move in and along the slot.

In one implementation, the hanger further comprises an elastic member to support the stem elastically.

In one implementation, each branch is rounded at a distal end thereof.

In one implementation, a switching assembly further includes a horizontally movable member having first linear teeth formed thereon, a pinion gear meshed with the first linear teeth, and a vertically movable member having second linear teeth formed thereon, wherein the second linear teeth are meshed with the pinion gear.

In one implementation, the horizontal movement of the horizontally movable member allows the vertical movement of the vertically movable member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A brief description of each drawing is provided to more fully understand the drawings, which is incorporated in the detailed description of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a stretched state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for describing a level adjustment of a pressure member of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a stretched state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different figures denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Also, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Examples of various embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described further below. It will be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Example embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being â€œconnected toâ€ , or â€œcoupled toâ€ another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being â€œbetweenâ€ two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms â€œaâ€ and â€œanâ€ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms â€œcomprisesâ€ , â€œcomprisingâ€ , â€œincludesâ€ , and â€œincludingâ€ when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, s, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, s, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. As used herein, the term â€œand/orâ€ includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expression such as â€œat least one ofâ€ when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list.

Spatially relative terms, such as â€œbeneath,â€ â€œbelow,â€ â€œlower,â€ â€œunder,â€ â€œabove,â€ â€œupper,â€ and the like, may be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element s or feature s as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as â€œbelowâ€ or â€œbeneathâ€ or â€œunderâ€ other elements or features would then be oriented â€œaboveâ€ the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms â€œbelowâ€ and â€œunderâ€ can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process structures and/or processes have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a stretched state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for describing a level adjustment of a pressure member of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a foldable hanger in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure may include a connection body 100, two foldable arms 200, a hooker 300, a pressure member 400, a switching assembly 500 and an elastic member 600.

The connection body 100 may have a cylindrical lower portion and a cubic upper portion.

The connection body 100 may have the cylindrical lower portion have an open bottom to receive therein the foldable arms 200. The cubic upper portion may have a top portion coupled to the hooker 300 and receive therein the switching assembly 500. The cylindrical lower portion may receive therein the pressure member 400.

Each of the foldable arms 200 may be formed of an elongate arm to act to hang a shirt thereon. The foldable arms 200 may be foldably received in the connection body 100.

The two foldable arms 200 may be symmetrical relative to the pressure member 400 in the connection body 100.

Each of the foldable arms 200 may have a support protrusion 210 from one end thereof in the body 100. Each support protrusion 210 may allow each foldable arm 200 to pivot on the pressure member 400.

As shown in FIG. 2, each support protrusion 210 may be oriented upwardly and inwardly when each foldable arm 200 is fully folded downwardly.

Each support protrusion 210 may have each contact protrusion 220 at a free end thereof to be perpendicular to the support protrusion 210.

Each contact protrusion 220 may extend toward the pressure member 400. When the pressure member 400 is lowered down, each contact protrusion 220 may contact each pressure protrusion 410 of the pressure member 400, to convert the pushing force of the pressure member 400 to an upward pivoting force of each the foldable arm 200.

Each support protrusion 210 may have each contact protrusion 220 to allow each foldable arm 200 to upwardly pivot on each contact protrusion 220 contacting each pressure protrusion 410 of the pressure member 400 which is lowered down.

The hooker 300 may be a general hooker act to hang the hanger on a hanger support. The hooker 300 may have an upper hooking portion and a lower cylindrical shaft which may be inserted in or withdrawn from the connection body 100. The hooker 300 may have the lower cylindrical shaft operatively coupled to the switching assembly 500.

The pressure member 400 may be formed of an elongate structure. The pressure member 400 may vertically extend along the connection body 100. The pressure member 400 may be vertically moveable along the connection body 100.

The pressure member 400 may have a top portion operatively coupled to the switching assembly 500. The pressure member 400 may be vertically and elastically supported by the elastic member 600 at a bottom thereof.

The pressure member 400 may have two pressure protrusions 410 branching from a stem portion of the pressure member 400 at a middle portion thereof. Each of the two pressure protrusions 410 may extend downwardly and outwardly when the arms 300 are fully folded. Further, each of the two pressure protrusions 410 may extend parallel to each support protrusion when the arms 200 are fully folded.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure protrusion 410 may be rounded at a free end thereof to have a round 420.

When the user pushes down the hooker 300, the pressure member together with the two pressure protrusions 410 goes down, to push down the two support protrusions 210 respectively to allow the foldable arms 200 to pivot upwardly on the two contact protrusions 222 to be fully stretched.

The switching assembly 500 may be operatively coupled to and between the hooker 300 and the pressure member 400. The switching assembly 500 may be configured, when the hooker 300 is pressed down by the user, to lower down the pressure member 400 and then to hold the pressure member 400 as it is, and, when the hooker 300 is again pressed down by the user, to allow the pressure member 40 to upwardly return to its original position.

Thus, the switching assembly 500 may be generally discovered in a ball-pen switching mechanism. For example, Korean utility model publication No. 20-1998-056434 discloses a switching assembly configured, when a top is pressed down by the user, to lower down an elongate pen-core and then to hold the pen-core as it is, and, when the top is again pressed down by the user, to allow the pen-core as to upwardly return to its original position. Thus, the switching assembly 500 may be embodied as the switching mechanism for the pen. In this connection, the elongate pen-core may correspond to the pressure member 400 and the top may correspond to the hooker 300.

The elastic member 600 may be embodied as a compressive coil spring which may support the pressure member 400 elastically toward the hooker 300.

The foldable hanger in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the foldable arms 200 are fully folded downwards, the pressure member 400 may be support by the elastic member 600 to push up the pressure member 400 to allow a spacing between the pressure protrusion 410 and the support protrusion 210.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the hooker 300 is pressed down by the user, the switching assembly 500 may move down to move the pressure member 400 down to allow the pressure protrusion 410 to contact the contact protrusion 220 and then the support protrusion 210 to pivot the hanger arms 200 upwardly to be stretched.

In this connection, the elastic member 600 may be compressed by the pressure member 400, and, at the same time, the switching assembly 500 may hold the pressure member 400 to prevent the pressure member 400 to move upwardly.

Thereafter, when the user again presses down the hooker 300, the switching assembly 500 does not push down the pressure member 400, and, thus, the pressure member 400 may move up due to a restoring force of the elastic member 600. In this way, the foldable arms 200 may be fully folded as shown in FIG. 2.

Using the foldable hanger in this embodiment, the foldable hanger arms may be folded when the shirt is hung on the hanger. Thus, the shirt with a small neck portion may be prevented from an expansion of the neck portion. This may suppress the deformation of the shirt.

Further, the switching assembly 500 may work in a one-touch manner. Thus, the folding and stretching operations of the hanger arms may be easy. Further,

the foldable arms 200 may be prevented from an unintentional folding of the arms.

Further, the pressure protrusion 410 may vertically move along the stem of the pressure member 400 to allow the adjustment of a level thereof.

In this connection, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressure protrusion 410 may be received in a vertically elongate slot defined in the stem of the pressure member 400 to vertically move therein. After the pressure protrusion 410 reaches a desired position, a fastener such as a bolt and a nut may be used to fasten the pressure protrusion 410 to the pressure member 400.

This vertical level adjustment may allow an adjustment of a stretchable angle of the foldable arms 200 to allow the present hanger to be compatible with shirts with various sizes and designs.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a stretched state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a foldable hanger in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure may have a connection body 100, foldable arms 200, a hooker 300, a pressure member 400, a switching assembly 500 and an elastic member 600.

In this embodiment, the connection body 100, the hooker 300, the switching assembly 500 and the elastic member 600 may be similar to the connection body 100, the hooker 300, the switching assembly 500 and the elastic member 600 in the first embodiment respectively.

Each of the foldable arms 200 in this embodiment may be similar to each of the foldable arms 200 except the support protrusion 210 and the contact protrusion 220 of the foldable arms 200 in the first embodiment are replaced with pinion gears 250.

The pinion gears 250 may be disposed on free ends of the foldable arms 200 respectively and may rotate with stretching and folding operations.

The pressure member 400 in this embodiment may be similar to the pressure member 400 in the first embodiment except that the pressure protrusion 410 in the first embodiment is replaced with a rack gear 450.

The rack gear 450 may be formed on both sides of the pressure member 400 to be meshed with the pinion gears 250 respectively.

The foldable hanger in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure may realize the stretching and folding of the foldable arms 200 via the forward and reverse rotations of the pinion gears 250 along the rack gears 450 as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 when the pressure member 400 moves up and down.

The presence of the pinion gears 250 meshed with rack gears 450 may allow the foldable hanger to be more endurable and to have more smooth and efficient rotations.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a folded state of a foldable hanger in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

The foldable hanger in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure may include a body 100; a vertical elongate member 400 vertically moveably received in the body, wherein the elongate member has a stem and two branches 410 branching from the stem in opposite directions; and two foldable arms 200 operatively coupled to the body, wherein the two arms are symmetrical with the body, and each arm has a pivot extension 210 extending from one end thereof, wherein the stem is disposed between the arms respectively, wherein each pivot extension extends toward the stem, wherein the two pivot extensions 210 and the two branches 410 are configured such that, when the elongate member moves down, each branch pressure-contacts each pivot extension to allow each arm to pivot on each branch upwardly to be stretched; and wherein the two pivot extensions 210 and the two branches 410 are configured such that, when the elongate member moves up, each branch releases the pressure toward each pivot extension to allow each arm to rotate downwardly to be folded.

In the third embodiment, a switching assembly 500 may be disposed between the stem and hooker 300, wherein the switching assembly 500 is configured: when the hooker 300 is pressed down, to lower down the stem and then hold the stem in a lowered position, and, when the hooker is again pressed down, to allow a rise of the stem and then hold the stem in a raised position.

In one embodiment, the switching assembly 500 may be generally discovered in a ball-pen switching mechanism. For example, Korean utility model publication No. 20-1998-056434 discloses a switching assembly configured, when a top is pressed down by the user, to lower down an elongate pen-core and then to hold the pen-core as it is, and, when the top is again pressed down by the user, to allow the pen-core as to upwardly return to its original position. Thus, the switching assembly 500 may be embodied as the switching mechanism for the pen. In this connection, the elongate pen-core may correspond to the pressure member 400 and the top may correspond to the hooker 300.

In the third embodiment, a force transmission unit may be included in the switching assembly 500. In order to deliver a force between the hooker 300 and the stem 400, the force transmission unit may include a first portion 510 to receive a force from the hooker to a horizontally moveable portion with first linear teeth formed thereon, the horizontally moveable portion 520 to move horizontally due to the force from the first end portion 510, a pinion gear 530 meshed with the first linear teeth of the horizontally moveable portion 520, and a vertically moveable portion 540 to have second linear teeth formed thereon, wherein the second linear teeth are meshed with the pinion gear 530. Thus, the horizontally moveable portion 520 moves horizontally to allow the rotation of the pinion gear to allow the vertically moveable portion 540 to move vertically. A second end portion 550 receive the force from the vertically moveable portion 540 and deliver the force to the stem of the pressure member 400.

When the user presses down the hooker 300 again, the switching assembly 500 may release the stem and thus the stem may rise up due to the restoring force of the elastic member 200 and thus the vertically moveable portion 540 moves up to allow the pinion gear 530 to rotate in an opposite direction. Thus, the horizontally moveable portion 520 may move in the opposite direction.

The above description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments, and many additional embodiments of this disclosure are possible. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the Claims.