Hanger trolley

Abstract

A hanger trolley for supporting and transporting hanger-hung garments in a vertical and horizontal position is provided. The hanger trolley includes a load carrying member for carrying the at least one article, the load carrying member having a free end and rotating end; and first and second coupling members for coupling each end of the load carrying member to the rail system, wherein the first coupling member is detachable from the load carrying member and the second coupling member enables the load carrying member to be positioned in two different orientations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for transporting at least one article in a rail system, the device comprising: 
 a load carrying member for carrying the at least one article, the load carrying member having a free end and rotating end; and    first and second coupling members for coupling each end of the load carrying member to the rail system, wherein the first coupling member is detachable from the load carrying member and the second coupling member enables the load carrying member to be positioned in two different orientations.    
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the two different orientations are horizontal and vertical.  
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein the load carrying member includes a top bar of a predetermined length, a bottom bar of substantially the same predetermined length and a plurality of lock wires extending therebetween the top and bottom bars, wherein when the load carrying member is in the horizontal orientation, the at least one article is supported by the bottom bar and, when the load carrying member is in the vertical orientation, the at least one article is supported by at least one lock wire.  
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the second coupling member includes a locking mechanism for locking the load carrying member in the horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 4 , wherein the second coupling member includes a first plate for accepting the rotating end of the load carrying member, the plate including a first slot with a first pin disposed with the first slot and a second slot with a spring-biased pin disposed in the second slot, and wherein the rotating end of the load carrying member includes a second plate including an aperture for mating with the first slot of the first plate wherein the load carrying member will rotate about the first pin and a locking slot for mating with the second slot of the second coupling member and accepting the spring-biased pin to lock the load carrying member in the horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 5 , wherein the free end of the load carrying member includes a third plate having first and second slots, wherein the first slot engages the first coupling member and the second slot locks the load carrying member into the horizontal position.  
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling member includes a locking mechanism for locking the load carrying member in the horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second coupling members comprise rollers for transporting the load carrying member along the rail system and a pendant for coupling the load carrying member a predetermined distance from the rollers.  
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 8 , wherein the pendant is rotatably coupled to the load carrying member to allow the load carrying member to freely travel along the rail system.  
     
     
         10 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one article is a garment.  
     
     
         11 . A trolley for transporting at least one garment along a conveyor system, the trolley comprising: 
 a load carrying member for carrying the at least one garment, the load carrying member including a top bar of a predetermined length, a bottom bar of substantially the same predetermined length and a plurality of lock wires extending therebetween the top and bottom bars; and    first and second coupling members for coupling each end of the load carrying member to the conveyor system, wherein the first coupling member is detachable from the load carrying member and the second coupling member enables the load carrying member to be positioned in two different orientations,    wherein when the load carrying member is in a horizontal orientation, the at least one garment is supported by the bottom bar and, when the load carrying member is in a vertical orientation, the at least one garment is supported by at least one lock wire.    
     
     
         12 . The trolley as in  claim 11 , wherein the second coupling member includes a locking mechanism for locking the load carrying member in the horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         13 . The trolley as in  claim 12 , wherein the second coupling member includes a first plate for accepting a rotating end of the load carrying member, the plate including a first slot with a first pin disposed with the first slot and a second slot with a spring-biased pin disposed in the second slot, and wherein the rotating end of the load carrying member includes a second plate including an aperture for mating with the first slot of the first plate wherein the load carrying member will rotate about the first pin and a locking slot for mating with the second slot of the second coupling member and accepting the spring-biased pin to lock the load carrying member in the horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         14 . The trolley as in  claim 11 , wherein the first coupling member includes a locking mechanism for locking the load carrying member in the horizontal orientation.