[0001] This invention relates to fitments for use on coat hangers of the general kind described
and claimed in United Kingdom Patent Specification 1 397 413.
[0002] The said Patent Specification describes and claims a garment identification tally
removably mounted on a coat hanger, said tally being generally in the form of a right
cylinder, the wall or walls of which surround a hollow space, and the head of which
is provided with an axial hole, through which the hook of the hanger passes, wherein
the generated wall or walls of the cylinder are provided with a plurality of identification
markings arranged side by side around the axis of the cylinder in such a way that
at least one of said marking is visible from any angular position around said axis,
and wherein the axial hole is so dimensioned in relation to the hook of the hanger
that the tally rests on the shoulder of the hanger without tilting.
[0003] A tally in accordance with the said Patent specification is fitted on to a coat hanger
by passing the free end of the coat hanger hook through the axial hole in the tally
and manoeuvring the tally round the bends in the hook until it rests on the shoulder
of the hanger. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fitment which
does not need to be or, in certain cases indeed, cannot be, threaded on to the hook.
[0004] From one aspect the present invention consists in a fitment for mounting on a coat
hanger, said fitment being generally in the form of a right cylinder having a head
and consisting of two portions hingedly connected one to the other along a hinge axis
located in the, or a, generated wall of the cylinder, wherein each portion of the
said head is provided with a recess adapted, when the two hinged portions are adjacent
to one another, to form an axial hole and wherein locking means are provided to maintain
said hinged portions adjacent to one another, with the hook of the hanger passing
through said axial hole.
[0005] One embodiment of the invention is used as a garment identification tally. In this
embodiment, as in the case of a tally in accordance with said Patent Specification,
the generated wall, or walls, of the cylinder is, or are, provided with a plurality
of identification markings arranged side by said around the axis of the cylinder normally
in such a way that at least one of said markings is visible from any angular position
around said axis. In some cases it may be sufficient to provide two identification
markings, but normally it will be preferred that three or four identification markings
should be provided. Alternatively, or in addition, identification may be provided,
or assisted, by colour coding of the material of which the tally is made.
[0006] If desired, the right cylinder may have a base as well as a head and, in this case,
each portion of said base, as well as each portion of the head, is provided with a
substantially semi-circular recess adapted, when the two hinged portions are adjacent
to one another, to form an axial hole through which the hook of the coat hanger can
pass.
[0007] The fitment may also be provided with an intermediate platform located mid-way between
said head and said base. In this case, each portion of the platform is also provided
with a semi-circular recess and, when the two hinged portions of the tally are adjacent
to one another, the two semi-circular recesses in the platform form an axial hole
similar to the axial holes in the head and the base.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention the right cylinder has no base. However in
this case it is still possible to provide the intermediate platform. As in the case
of the embodiment having the head, the base and the intermediate platform, the intermediate
platform consists of two portions, each of which is provided with a recess arranged
so that, when the two hinged portions are adjacent to one another, the two recesses
in the platform form a hole, coaxial with the hole in the head.
[0009] In some cases it is desirable that the fitment should not be removable from the hook
of the hanger without being destroyed in the process. This is particularly the case
when the fitment is used as a garment identification tally. In certain uses of the
tally it may suffer from the disadvantage that it can be removed from the hook of
the hanger by children, staff or anyone else who cares to tamper with it. Thus, in
this case, the tally is designed so that it cannot be manoeuvred round the bends in
the hook, and the locking means are arranged so that, once they have been engaged,
they cannot be disengaged without destroying the fitment. It is to be understood that
it will normally be impossible to manoeuvre the tally round the bends if the tally
is provided with a base, or an intermediate platform, as well as a head. This is particularly
the case if the tally has both a base and an intermediate platform.
[0010] In other uses of a fitment in accordance with the invention it can be advantageous
to design the fitment so that it is removable, and hence re-usable. For this purpose
the locking means are modified in such a way that the two hinged portions can be separated,
if so desired, although they are normally held sufficiently firmly together to retain
the fitment on the hook of the hanger. Alternatively, or in addition, if the base
and the intermediate platform are omitted, it is possible to remove the fitment by
manoeuvring it round the bends in the hook.
[0011] As has already been mentioned, one use for a fitment in accordance with the invention
is as a garment identification tally. However fitments in accordance with the invention
are not limited to that particular use. In particular it has been found that, with
the very narrow profile coat hangers which are now sometimes used, the spacing between
garments hung on a series of coat hangers on a rail is insufficient for the garments
to hang free of each other and hence bunching can occur which can cause the garments
to crease unduly. Accordingly, in these circumstances, a fitment in accordance with
the present invention may be used solely to provide adequate separation between adjacent
coat hangers on a garment rail.
[0012] Preferably the diameter of each hole in the head, and also of the holes in the base
and the intermediate platform when provided, is substantially equal to the diameter
of the hook of the hanger with which the tally is to be used, so that once the two
portions of the tally have been locked into their adjacent position the tally grips
the hook firmly.
[0013] Preferably a tally in accordance with the invention is made of synthetic resin material,
for example polypropylene. The use of synthetic resin material enables the hinge between
the two portions to consist of a thin web of the same material so that the two portions
can be moulded in a single operation.
[0014] The locking means may comprise a pin projecting from one portion and a recess provided
in the other portion. The pin may be held in the recess solely because it is a friction
fit, but preferably the free end of the pin is provided with a barb, or the like,
which engages in a slot in the recess so that, once the shoulders of the barb have
engaged in the slot, the two portions cannot be separated without breaking the barb
or the pin.
[0015] Preferably the head and the base of the tally are circular, and each of the two portions
is semi-circular.
[0016] A tally in accordance with the invention which is designed so that, once it has been
fitted on to a hanger, it cannot be removed therefrom without being destroyed, is
particularly suitable for use with disposable hangers, i.e. hangers which are given
away with the garment which is displayed thereon in a shop or the like. One way at
the present time of marking disposable hangers is to attach an adhesive label thereto.
A tally in accordance with the invention is easier to apply to a hanger than an adhesive
label and, in addition, it is a better visual aid for the customer than an adhesive
label. In particular a tally in accordance with the invention is located above the
garment on the hanger, whereas the adhesive label may be obscured by the collar of
the garment.
[0017] The invention will now be more particularly described in connection with the accompanying
diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tally in accordance with the invention in the
open position in which it is manufactured;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tally illustrated in Figure 1 after it has been
mounted on the hook of a coat hanger;
Figure 3 is a scrap view, partly in section, showing the locking device of the tally
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a scrap view, partly in section, showing the hinge of the tally illustrated
in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and
Figure 5 is a scrap view, partly in section, of a modification of the locking means
illustrated in Figure 3.
[0018] In the tally illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the body consists of two generally semi-circular
portions 1 and 2. The portion 1 has a semi-circular head 3, a semi-circular base 4
and a semi-circular intermediate platform 5. Similarly the portion.2 has a semi-circular
head 6, a semi-circular base 7 and a semi-circular intermediate platform 8. Each of
the heads, bases and intermediate platforms is provided with a semi-circular recess,
of which two are indicated at 9 and 10.
[0019] The two portions 1 and 2 are interconnected by a web 11 which constitutes a hinge.
Further, the intermediate platform 5 is provided with a projecting pin 12, and the
intermediate platform 8 is provided with a recess 13.
[0020] As can be seen from Figure 2, when the tally is in use, the two portions are clipped
together around the hook 14 of a coat hanger 15. The wall of each of the portions
1 and 2 is provided with two identification markings, of which two can be seen at
16 and 17.
[0021] As can be seen from Figure 3, the free end of the pin 12 is generally conical, and
forms a barb 18 having a shoulder 19. When the two portions are locked together, as
shown in Figure 3, the shoulder 19 is retained in a slot 20.
[0022] The modified locking means illustrated in Figure 5 again consists basically of a
recess 13 in the portion 2 and a projecting pin 12 forming part of the portion 1.
However, in the present instance, the diameter of the pin 12 is less than the diameter
of the recess 13 except that the pin 12 is provided with an enlarged portion 21, while
the recess 13 is provided with a portion of reduced diameter 22. The edges of the
portions 21 and 22 are curved so that the pin 12 can readily be pushed into the recess
13 so that the enlarged portion 21 passes the portion 22. In this position (which
is illustrated in Figure 3) the two hinged portions of the fitment are held securely
together. However, because of the curved profiles of the portions 21 and 22, and the
nature of the material of the fitment, the two hinged portions can be separated if
sufficient force is applied thereto without damaging the fitment, and in particular
without breaking the pin 12 away from the portion 1. Thus, if desired, the fitment
can readily be removed from one coat hanger and clipped on to another hanger.
[0023] While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a tally having a circular
head and a circular base it is, of course, to be understood that, as in the case of
the tally described and claimed in the said Patent Specification, the head and base
may have any desired shape. In particular the head and base may be square, and in
this case the hinge is preferably provided in one of the corners of the squares so
that the two portions of the head and the base will be in the form of isosceles triangles.
[0024] The invention has also been illustrated in connection with a tally having a base
and an intermediate platform as well as a head. However, as already explained, it
is to be understood that the base or the intermediate platform, or the base and the
intermediate platform, may be omitted in certain embodiments of the invention.
1. A fitment for mounting on a coat hanger, said fitment being generally in the form
of a right cylinder having a head and consisting of two portions hingedly connected
one to the other along a hinge axis located in the, or a, generated wall of the cylinder,
wherein each portion of the said head is provided with a recess adapted, when the
two hinged portions are adjacent to one another, to form an axial hole and wherein
locking means are provided to maintain said hinged portions adjacent to one another,
with the hook of the hanger passing through said axial hole.
2. A fitment as claimed in Claim 1 for use as a garment identification tally, wherein
the generated wall, or walls, of the cylinder is, or are, provided with a plurality
of identification markings arranged side by side around the axis of the cylinder in
such a way that at least one of said markings is visible from any angular position
around said axis.
3. A fitment as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 for use as a garment identification
tally, wherein identification is provided, or assisted, by colour coding of the material
of which the tally is made.
4. A fitment as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the right cylinder
has a base as well as a head, and wherein each portion of said base, as well as each
portion of said head, is provided with a substantially semi-circular recess adapted,
when the two hinged portions are adjacent to one another, to form an axial hole.
5. A fitment as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the right cylinder is also provided with
an intermedite platform located substantially mid-way between said head and said base,
and wherein each portion of said platform is also provided with a semi-circular recess
adapted, when the two hinged portions are adjacent to one another, to form an axial
hole.
6. A fitment as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the right cylinder has no
base but does have a platform intermediate the two ends of the cylinder, said platform
consisting of two portions, each of which is provided with a semi-circular recess
adapted, when the two hinged portions are adjacent to one another, to form an axial
hole.
7. A fitment as claimed in any of the preceding Claims which is not removable from
the hook of the hanger without being destroyed in the process.
8. A fitment as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the right cylinder includes a base or
an intermediate platform, or a base and an intermediate platform, in addition to the
head, and wherein the diameter of the axial holes is such that the fitment cannot
be manoeuvred round the bends in the hook of the hanger.
9. A fitment as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said locking means are arranged so that,
once they have been engaged, they cannot be disengaged without destroying the fitment.
10. A fitment as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking means are arranged
so that the two hinge portions can be separated, if so desired, after the locking
means have been engaged, although they are normally held sufficiently firmly to retain
the fitment on the hook of the hanger.
11. A fitment as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, made of synthetic resin material.
12. A fitment as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said synthetic resin material is polypropylene.
13. A fitment as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the hinge between the two
portions consists of a thin web of the synthetic resin material so that the two portions
can be moulded in a single operation.
14. A fitment as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the locking means
comprise a pin projecting from one portion and a recess provided in the other portion.
15. A fitment as claimed in Claim 14, wherein, once the locking means have been engaged,
the pin is held in the recess solely because it is a friction fit.
16. A fitment as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the free end of the pin is provided
with a barb, or the like, which engages in a slot in the recess.
17. A fitment as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the barb and the slot are so designed
that, once the shoulders of the barb have engaged in the slot, the two portions cannot
be separated without breaking the barb or the pin.
18. A fitment as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the cylinder is a
right cylinder and each of the two portions is semi-circular.