US3112027A - Hanger support bar for garment packing case - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 26, 1963 H. FlELD ETAL HANGER SUPPORT BAR FORGARMENT PACKING CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1962 INVENTORS RY FIELD Joe FIELD HAR Nov. 26, 1963 H. FIELD ETAL 3,112,027

HANGER SUPPORT BAR FOR GARMENT PACKING CASE Filed May 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HARRY FIELD Joe FIELD United States Patent 3,112,027 HANGER SUPPORT BAR FOR GARMENT PACKING CASE Harry Field and Joe Field, both of 2339 S. La Salle St, Chicago, Ill. Filed May 2, 1962, Ser. No. 191,990 10 Claims. (Cl. ass-7 This invention relates in general to containers for the shipping and storage of hanger supported garments and the like, and, more particularly, to an improved hanger support bar for such a container.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application, Serial No. 749,125, filed July 17, 1958, now Patent No. 3,035,688, which is, in turn, a continua-tion-in-part of our application, Serial No. 544,774, filed November 3, 1955, and now Patent No. 3,003,617, issued October 10, 1961. i

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved support bar for a garment packing case, which support bar receives the hooked ends of the garment hangers so as to retain the garment hangers, with the garments thereon, Within the packing case in a manner that reduces the possibility of the garments becoming wrinkled.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hanger support bar that has end brackets for mounting the bar on the upper ends of opposite walls of the packing case, and wherein the brackets will reinforce those upper ends.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hanger support bar which includes a garment-hanger supporting member that spans the space between the end brackets and is permanently secured thereto at outwardly struck tongues that are formed on the bracket.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hanger support bar which secures the hook ends of the garment hangers in place so that if the packing case is upended or tilted, the hook ends will not turn or become separated from the support bar.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment packing case which embodies the improved hanger support bar, eliminating the use of a garment retaining insert of the type that bears against the shoulders of the garments in the carton.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment packing case embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the hanger support bar of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views taken alonglines 33 and 4-4 respectively of FIG. 1 but with the case closed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of hanger support bar of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view like FIG. 5 but showing the hanger support bar of FIG. 6.

Referring now in more detail and by the reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates preferred enibodiments of the present invention, 1 designates a garment packing case which may, by way of example, be of a type shown in our copending application, Serial No. 749,125, now Patent No. 3,035,688. The garment packing case 1 is formed from a single blank of suitable heavy corrugated fiberboard, or the like, which is cut and scored according to predetermined design, such as to facilitate folding thereof into the rectilinear carton or case shown in FIG. 1. The case .1 includesopposed side walls 3, 5 which havetop flaps 7, 9 inturned against the associated side wall to form double thickness side wall top portions. Joining the corresponding vertical margins of the side walls .3, 5 is a back wall 11 which has atop flap 13 adapted to be folded downwardly against thetop edges 14, 16 of theside walls 3, 5. The front wall of the case 1 includes anupturned door sill 15 and a door 17, the latter being swingable about a vertical axis to any desired open position, as to the indicated open position in FIG. 1, to afford unrestricted access to the container through afront opening 19. Thedoor sill 15 may be secured to a short side wall flange 21 bystaples 23. The door 17 also has atop flap 25 of the same size and for the same purpose as thetop flap 13. The bottom of the case 1 may be closed bybottom flaps 27, 29 which extend from the lower margins of thedoor sill 15 and back wall 11, respectively.

Provided for removable mounting on the double thickness side wall top portions is agarment hanger bar 31 which is preferably formed of a suitable heavy gauge sheet metal. Thebar 31 comprises an invertedchannel member 33 having arectangular bight 35 for engagement by the hook ends e of garment hangers h, and spaced parallel dependinglegs 37, 39. Suitably secured to the ends of thechannel 33 arebrackets 41, 43, each of which is of inverted U-shape in transverse section. Thebrackets 41, d3 includebights 45, 47 and spaced parallel dependinglegs 49, 51, 53, 55. Downwardly from thebights 45, 47, thebracket legs 51, 53 are formed with outwardly strucktongues 57, 59, e1, 63 (leaving a plurality of openings 65), that fit fiush against and are welded at a plurality ofspots 67 to the inside faces of thelegs 37, 39.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the overall length of thebar 31 is predetermined with regard to the spacing of theside walls 3, 5, so that thebar 31 will span theside walls 3, 5 with thebrackets 41, 43 seated in embracing rclation to the side wall top portions and bearing against the side wall top edges. Thebar 31 is substantially centered on theside walls 3, 5 and not only aifords the mounting support for the book ends (2 of the garment hangers h, but serves in addition, to rigidity and strengthen the container. This latter function is facilitated by making thebrackets 41, 43 of such size that each has a relatively large seating contact area with its associated side wall, particularly over the side wall top edges.

Welded to and projecting through and upwardly from thechannel bight 35 are threadedstuds 71, 73 which are adapted to project throughholes 75, 77 in a retainer orclamping strip 79. The clamping plate 79' is of a length substantially equal to that of thechannel 33 and is adapted to overlie the book ends e of the hangers h. Theclamping strip 79 has downwardly and outwardly projectingflanges 81, 33 which extend laterally beyond either side of thelegs 37, 39 for engagement with the hook ends of the hangers.Wing nuts 85, 87 may be threaded onto thestuds 71, 73 to secure thestrip 79 in clamping position over the hanger ends.

With the garment packing case 1 set up as shown in FIG. 1, thehanger bar 31 is mounted in place. Thewing nuts 65, 87 and theclamping strip 79 are removed so that hanger supported garments g such as suits, dresses, and the like, may be inserted through theopening 19 into the ease, and the hook ends of the hanger placed on the top of thechannel 33. When the desired number of garments, within or up to the capacity of the container, have been hung therein, theclamping strip 79 is replaced and thewing nuts 85, 87 tightened to secure the hook ends e between theclamping strip 79 andchannel 3. Then thedoor 19 may be closed to bring it coplanar with thedoor sill 15, where upon thetop flaps 13, 25 may be closed by bringing them downwardly against the side wall top edges and thebights 45, 47 of thebrackets 41, 43. Then the case 1 may be sealed withsuitable sealing tape 91.

Theclamping strip 79 will lie below the plane of the topwall side edges 14, 16 and also below thebracket bights 45, 47 so as not to interfere with the closing of thetop flaps 13, 25 or cause a bulge at the top to the closed case. Theclamping strip 79 retains the hook ends in place, preventing the hangers from swinging or turning should the case 1 be upended or tilted during handling thereof. This assists in preventing the garments from becoming wrinkled. When the case 1 is subsequently opened, the wing nuts andclamping strip 79 may be easily removed to permit the hook ends of the hangers to be withdrawn from thebar 33. Theclamping strip 79 and wing nuts may be replaced whereupon the hook ends of the hangers may be temporarily supported on the top of theclamping strip 79.

A modified form of hanger bar is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the same reference numerals indicate the same parts as in FIGS. 1-5. In the modified hanger bar, thestuds 71, 73,wing nuts 85, 87 and theholes 75, 77 in theclamping strip 79 are eliminated. To secure theclamping strip 79 removably to the channel 33 a plurality ofclamping springs 90, 90 are used. Eachspring 90 is a generally U-shaped band end extends over the top of theclamping strip 79 and hasarcuate arms 91, 93 extending downwardly adjacent to thelegs 37, 39 of thechannel 33, terminating inends 95, 97 that are adapted to hook under thelegs 37, 39.

Thesprings 90 hold theclamping strip 79 andchannel 33 together when thechannel 33 is free of garment hangers 12. When it is desired to place garment hangers on thechannel 33, one of the ends, for example 97, is grasped and pulled away from theassociated channel leg 39, at the same time pushing the central part of thespring arm 91 toward the channel leg. This tends to straighten thearm 91 enabling theend 97 to clear the bottom edge of theleg 39, whereupon thespring 90 may be removed.

After garment hangers it have been placed on thechannel 33, theclamping strip 79 is placed over the hangers, as shown in FIG. 7. Thearms 91, 93 of each spring are then spread apart a sufficient amount to clear theflanges 81, 83 whereupon the arms are released. Then by pressing inwardly on thearms 91, 93 theends 95, 97 may be made to hook under the bottom edges of thelegs 37, 39 at which time thearms 91, 93 may be released. The forces of thespring 90 firmly retain theclamping strip 79 in place to secure the garment hanger hooks e to the chan nel 33. Thesprings 90 preferably lie at or below the top plane of the side wall top edges aof the case so as not to interfere with closing thereof.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes we have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein shown, the same being rnerely illustrative of the principles of the invention.

What is considered new and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising inverted U-shaped end brackets adapted to embrace the upper ends of opposed walls of the packing case, each said end bracket having a pair of spaced tongues outwardly struck from one leg thereof, and a member spanning the space between the brackets and adapted to support the hook ends of garment hangers, the tongues of the brackets fitting flush against the member and being permanently and rigidly secured thereto.

2. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising inverted U-shaped end brackets adapted to embrace the upper ends of opposed walls of the packing case, each said end bracket having a pair of spaced tongues outwardly struck from one leg thereof, and an inverted U-shaped member spanning the space between the brackets, the bight of said member constituting the top thereof and being adapted to support the hook ends of garment hangers, the tongues of the brackets fitting flush against the legs of the member and being permanently and rigidly secured thereto, the bight of the member being spaced downwardly from the bights of the brackets, a retainer overlying the top of the member and engaging the garment hooks, and means for removably securing the retainer to the member.

3. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising inverted U-shaped end brackets adapted to embrace the upper ends of opposed walls of the packing case, each said end bracket having a pair of spaced tongues outwardly struck from one leg thereof, a member spanning the space between the brackets, the tongues of the brackets fitting against the member, said member having a top for receiving and supporting the hook ends of garment hangers, a retainer overlying the top of the member and having depending flanges engaging said hook ends, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member -to clamp the book ends between the retainer and top of the member.

4. In a garment packing case, a body having front, back and opposite side walls each having top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening affording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an upper portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flaps of the 'back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side walls to form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers, inverted U-shaped end brackets at the ends of the member embracing the side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer for overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member to clamp the hook ends between the retainer and said top.

5. In a garment packing case, a body foldable out of a fiberboard blank providing, front, back and opposite side Walls each having .top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening affording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an upper portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flap of each side wall being inturned thereagainst forming a double thickness side wall top portion, the top flaps of the back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side Walls to form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers, means at the ends of the member engaging the side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer for overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, said retainer having side flanges directed toward the interior of the body and engaging the hook ends, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member to clamp the hook ends between the retainer and the top of said member.

6. A garment packing case according toclaim 5 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a plurality of spring-like bands embracing the member and retainer and secured to one of the two.

7. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising end brackets for supportingengagement with opposed walls of the packing case, a member spanning the space between the brackets and being rigidly secured to each and having a top for receiving and supporting the hook ends of garment hangers, a retainer overlying the top of the member for disposition against the hook ends of the garment hangers, and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped spring bands overlying the retainer and embracing said member and having end portions releasably hooking under the member to hold the member and retainer in assembled relationship.

8. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising end brackets for supportingengagement with opposed walls of the packing case, a member spanning the space between the brackets and being rigidly secured to each and having a top for receiving and supporting the hook ends of garment hangers, the top of the member being downwardly from the tops of the brackets, a retainer overlying the top of the member for disposition against the hook ends of the garment hangers, and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped spring bands overlying the retainer and embracing said member and having arcuate sides spaced from the adjacent sides of the member, said sides terminating in ends that hook under the member and hold the latter and retainer in assembled relationship when the arcuate sides are pressed together a sufiicient amount to urge said ends under the member.

9. In a garment packing case, a body foldable out of a fiberboard blank providing, front, back and opposite side walls each having top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening affording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an upper portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flap of each side wall being inturned thereagainst forming a double thickness side wall top portion, the top flaps of the back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side walls to 'form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top en-gageable by the hook ends of garment hangers, inverted U-shaped brackets at the ends of the members embracing the double thickness side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped spring bands overlying the hanger retainer and embracing the member and having end portions releasably hooking under the member to hold the retainer against the hook ends of the garment hangers.

10. In a garment packing case, a body foldable out of fiberboard blank material to provide front, back and opposite side walls each having top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening aifording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an uppor portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flap of each side wall being in-turned thereagainst forming a double side wall top portion, the top flaps of the back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side walls to form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top engageable by the book ends of garment hangers, brackets at the ends of the member and engaging the side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer for overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member to clamp the hook ends between the retainer and said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 417,640 Hirsch Dec. 17, 1889 1,995,335 Wilke Mar. 26, 1935 2,215,695 Ginsberg Sept. 24, 1940 2,276,569 Fried Mar. '17, 1942 2,685,962 Druth Aug. 10, 1954 2,7 8,388 Fish Apr. 16, 1957 2,822,093 Graci Feb. 4, 1958

Claims (1)

1. 5. IN A GARMENT PACKING CASE, A BODY FOLDABLE OUT OF A FIBERBOARD BLANK PROVIDING, FRONT, BACK AND OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS EACH HAVING TOP FLAPS, SAID FRONT WALL HAVING A LOWER PORTION BETWEEN SIDE WALLS AND DEFINING THEREWITH A FRONT OPENING AFFORDING ACCESS TO THE BODY INTERIOR, THE FRONT WALL FURTHER HAVING AN UPPER PORTION CONSTITUTING A DOOR MOVABLE TO AND FROM A CLOSED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID FRONT OPENING, SAID FRONT WALL TOP FLAP BEING ON SAID DOOR, THE TOP FLAP OF EACH SIDE WALL BEING INTURNED THEREAGAINST FORMING A DOUBLE THICHNESS SIDE WALL TOP PORTION, THE TOP FLAPS OF THE BACK WALL AND DOOR BEING FOLDABLE AGAINST THE TOP EDGES OF THE SIDE WALLS TO FORM A TOP CLOSURE FOR THE CONTAINER BODY, THE COMBINATION WITH A HANGER SUPPORT BAR EXTENDING BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS BELOW THE TOP CLOSURE, SAID BAR HAVING A MEMBER WITH A TOP ENGAGEABLE BY THE HOOK ENDS OF GARMENT HANGERS, MEANS AT THE ENDS OF THE MEMBER ENGAGING THE SIDE WALL TOP PORTIONS AND SUPPORTING THE TOP OF THE MEMBER INWARDLY OF THE BODY FROM THE PLANE OF THE SIDE WALL TOP EDGES, A HANGER RETAINER FOR OVERLYING THE TOP OF THE MEMBER AND ENGAGING GARMENT HOOKS THEREON, SAID RETAINER HAVING SIDE FLANGES DIRECTED TOWARD THE INTERIOR OF THE BODY AND ENGAGING THE HOOK ENDS, AND MEANS FOR REMOVABLY ATTACHING THE RETAINER TO THE MEMBER TO CLAMP THE HOOK ENDS BETWEEN THE RETAINER AND THE TOP OF SAID MEMBER.

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