Pinch Clip Garment Hanger

Abstract

A pinch clip garment hanger includes a cross member, a hook member, and at least one pinch clip member. The pinch clip member has a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member, a moveable jaw member pivotally secured to the fixed jaw member, and a biasing spring that holds the jaw members together. The fixed jaw member has a first surface facing the moveable jaw member, and the moveable jaw member has a second surface facing the fixed jaw member. The first and second surfaces are pressed together by the biasing spring to hold the garment that is positioned between the fixed and moveable jaw members.

1 . A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: 
 a cross member;    a hook member connected to a center portion of the cross member and extending upwardly therefrom; and    a first pinch clip member comprising: 
 a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member;  
 a moveable jaw member pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw member; and  
 a biasing spring having: 
 a first leg end and a second leg end, the first leg end compressibly coupled to the fixed jaw member, the second leg end compressibly coupled to the moveable jaw member;  
 a first portion connected to the first leg end, and a second portion connected to the second leg end; and  
 a sprung arch having a first arch end and a second arch end, the first arch end connected to the first portion, the second arch end connected to the second portion.  
 
   
     
     
         2 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed jaw member comprises a first surface facing the moveable jaw member, and the moveable jaw member comprises a second surface facing the fixed jaw member.  
     
     
         3 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second surfaces are pressed together by the biasing spring.  
     
     
         4 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one surface of the first and second surfaces is a curved surface.  
     
     
         5 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 4 , wherein the curved surface is one of concave and convex.  
     
     
         6 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 4 , wherein the opposite surface to the curved surface has a profile that is substantially curved to complement the profile of the curved surface.  
     
     
         7 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 6 , wherein the profile of the opposite surface to the curved surface comprises a set of teeth.  
     
     
         8 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one surface of the first and second surfaces comprises a friction-enhancing pad.  
     
     
         9 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed and moveable jaw members comprise: 
 a first set of teeth, each first set tooth having a triangular profile, each first set tooth being separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothless portion, wherein the leading edges of the first set of teeth are collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom, wherein the first set of teeth is located on one of the fixed and moveable jaw members; and    a second set of teeth having a concave corrugated zigzag profile, wherein the second set of teeth is located on the opposing jaw member to the jaw member having the first set of teeth,    wherein the first and second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth of the first set integrate with the depressions between the teeth of the second set.    
     
     
         10 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing spring comprises a single metal piece.  
     
     
         11 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing spring comprises a single plastic piece.  
     
     
         12 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the sprung arch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped and substantially U-shaped.  
     
     
         13 . A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: 
 a cross member;    a hook member connected to a center portion of the cross member and extending upwardly therefrom;    a first pinch clip member comprising: 
 a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member,  
 a moveable jaw member pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw member, and  
 a biasing spring;  
 wherein the fixed and moveable jaw members comprise: 
 a first set of teeth, each first set tooth having a triangular profile, each first set tooth being separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothless portion, wherein the leading edges of the first set of teeth are collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom, wherein the first set of teeth is located on one of the fixed and moveable jaw members; and  
 a second set of teeth having a concave corrugated zigzag profile, wherein the second set of teeth is located on the opposing jaw member to the jaw member having the first set of teeth,  
 wherein the first and second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth of the first set integrate with the depressions between the teeth of the second set.  
 
   
     
     
         14 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 13 , wherein the first and second set of teeth are biased toward each other by the biasing spring.  
     
     
         15 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 14 , wherein the biasing spring comprises: 
 a first leg end and a second leg end, the first leg end compressibly coupled to the fixed jaw member, the second leg end compressibly coupled to the moveable jaw member;    a first portion connected to the first leg end, and a second portion connected to the second leg end; and    a sprung arch having a first arch end and a second arch end, the first arch end connected to the first portion, the second arch end connected to the second portion.    
     
     
         16 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 15 , wherein the sprung arch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped and substantially U-shaped.  
     
     
         17 . A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: 
 a cross member;    a hook member connected to a center portion of the cross member and extending upwardly therefrom;    a first pinch clip member comprising: 
 a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member, the fixed jaw member comprising a first arm;  
 a moveable jaw member pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw member, the moveable jaw member comprising a second arm; and  
 a biasing spring operable to assert compressive forces acting upon the fixed and moveable jaw members while simultaneously asserting compressive forces upon a pivot point coupling the moveable jaw member to the fixed jaw member,  
 wherein the second arm is disposed in substantially parallel or tapered relation to the first arm.  
   
     
     
         18 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 17 , wherein the second arm is disposed in substantially parallel or tapered relation to the first arm while carrying a garment, such that when the pinch clip garment hanger is adjacent to another hanger, the second arm is resistant to being pushed toward the first arm to prevent inadvertent release of the garment.  
     
     
         19 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 17 , wherein the fixed and moveable jaw members further comprise: 
 a first set of teeth, each first set tooth having a triangular profile, each first set tooth being separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothless portion, wherein the leading edges of the first set of teeth are collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom, wherein the first set of teeth is located on one of the fixed and moveable jaw members; and    a second set of teeth having a concave corrugated zigzag profile, wherein the second set of teeth is located on the opposing jaw member to the jaw member having the first set of teeth, wherein the first and second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth of the first set integrate with the depressions between the teeth of the second set.    
     
     
         20 . A pinch clip garment hanger according to  claim 18 , wherein the sprung arch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped and substantially U-shaped.