Jennifer E Curtis

US Patent:

59797215, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

Jul 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/122719

Inventors:

Jennifer Alexandra Curtis - Great Falls VA

International Classification:

A47G 2580

US Classification:

223 94

Abstract:

A garment hanger having downwardly foldable, pivoted arms uses a spring between the pivoted arms which is compressed when the pivoted arms are in an operative position and a preferably slidable switch/control latch to control off-axis movement of a central portion of the spring to positively control movement of the pivoted arms between an operative position and a folded position and vice-versa. A hollow lower portion of the central portion of the garment hanger provides a shroud which covers all moving parts to improve ease of use and to prevent damage to garments and, if resilient, provides ease of assembly. The relatively few moving parts cooperate without closely fitting or critical dimensions (thus being unaffected by wear on the relatively few bearing surfaces). The functionality of the garment hanger is improved by resiliently conforming to a garment placed thereon and can be shaped, at will, for aesthetic purposes or to simulate the shape of the human shoulders or upper torso. The movement of the pivoted arms between folded and operative positions is easily controlled by manipulation of the sliding switch/control latch with one hand, particularly for insertion into garments having neck apertures of limited dimensions.