Clothes hanger

Abstract

A clothes hanger comprising a body for hanging an article of clothing, the body including a central portion having upper and lower sides, and a hook having a lower end connected to the central portion for hooking the body to an external support. The hook end is connected to the body portion by means of a ball socket joint that permits the hook to pivot between the upper and lower sides of the body portion as well as to swivel about itself through 360°.

1 . A clothes hanger comprising: 
 a body for hanging an article of clothing, the body including a central portion having upper and lower sides; and    a hook having a lower end connected to the central portion for hooking the body to an external support;    wherein the hook end is connected to the body portion by means of a joint that permits the hook to pivot between the upper and lower sides of the body portion as well as to swivel about itself through an angle of at least 180°.    
     
     
         2 . The clothes hanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a ball socket joint.  
     
     
         3 . The clothes hanger as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the hook end includes a ball and the body portion includes a socket, the ball and socket inter-engaging to constitute the ball socket joint.  
     
     
         4 . The clothes hanger as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the socket is provided internally of the body portion.  
     
     
         5 . The clothes hanger as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the body portion includes a groove in which the socket is provided, the groove accommodating the hook end when the hook is pivoted to each one of the upper and lower sides of the body portion.  
     
     
         6 . The clothes hanger as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the groove includes internal resilient retainers for engaging the hook end to retain the hook in position on each one of the upper and lower sides of the body portion, yet permitting said swivelling of the hook.  
     
     
         7 . The clothes hanger as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the body comprises front and rear body parts connected together, and the front body part comprises left and right halves that are spaced apart to form the groove.  
     
     
         8 . The clothes hanger as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion has an internal cavity, to which the hook end is connected.