Garment support device

Abstract

Garment supporting devices and garment hangers are disclosed. One garment supporting device for attaching to a garment hanger comprises a shoulder receiving section operable to conform to a shoulder region of a garment when hung on the garment hanger. By being attachable to a conventional garment hanger, the garment supporting device effectively alters the dimensions of the hanger to accommodate the dimensions of the garment to be supported, especially its shoulder regions. Adapting the shoulder receiving section to conform to the shoulder region of a garment enables the same device to be applied to a conventional hanger in order to support garments having a range of differing sizes. Conforming to the shoulder region increases support in this region and reduces the likelihood of creating deformations therein.

1 . A garment supporting device for attaching to a garment hanger, the device comprising:
 a shoulder receiving section operable to conform to a shoulder region of a garment when hung on the garment hanger.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder receiving section comprises a supporting surface having a garment supporting area which varies in response to a weight of the garment. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the garment supporting area increases in response to the weight of the garment. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder receiving section is deformable between a contracted position and a splayed position to substantially fill the shoulder region of the garment. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder receiving section comprises a plurality of finger-like members. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of finger-like members are operable to separate and retract relative to one another to expand and reduce their accumulative span. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the accumulative span is expanded or reduced laterally. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the accumulative span is expanded or reduced radially. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the shoulder receiving section is substantially dome-shaped. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the shoulder receiving section comprises a supporting surface, the supporting surface comprising an outer surface of the dome-shaped receiving section. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the shoulder receiving section further comprises at least one slit extending a length adjacent to the plurality of finger-like members. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of finger-like members has a tip, the plurality of finger-like members having increased elasticity towards their tips. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of finger-like members have decreased thickness towards their tips. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a hanger attachment portion for attachment with the garment hanger. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least part of the hanger attachment portion is flexible. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least part of the hanger attachment portion is pliable. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the hanger attachment portion is slideably attachable at different positions along the garment hanger. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the hanger attachment portion and the shoulder receiving section are coupled by a spine. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the spine extends into the hanger attachment portion and the shoulder receiving section. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the spine is inclined at the coupling of the hanger attachment portion and the shoulder receiving section to elevate the shoulder receiving section into an unweighted position. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one slot provided at the coupling of the hanger attachment portion and the shoulder receiving section. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the shoulder receiving section is movable between the unweighted position and a weighted position. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the shoulder receiving section is resiliently biased towards the unweighted position. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the shoulder receiving section is depressable to the weighted position by the weight of the garment to provide a cushioned support to the shoulder region of the garment. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the spine reduces in thickness along a length of the shoulder receiving section. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising means for biasing the shoulder receiving section to the unweighted position. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the means for biasing comprises a spring or other compressible component. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising air vents for the circulation of air. 
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cushioning member. 
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is formed from a plastic material. 
   
   
       31 . A garment supporting device for attaching to a garment hanger, the device comprising:
 a shoulder receiving section comprising air vents for the circulation of air.   
   
   
       32 . A garment supporting device for attaching to a garment hanger, the device comprising:
 a hanger attachment portion;   a shoulder receiving section; and   a spine coupling the hanger attachment portion with the shoulder receiving section, the spine being inclined at the coupling of the hanger attachment portion and the shoulder receiving section to elevate the shoulder receiving section into an unweighted position, the shoulder receiving section being depressable to a weighted position by the weight of the garment to provide a cushioned support to the shoulder region of the garment.   
   
   
       33 . A garment hanger comprising:
 a hanger frame; and   a plurality of garment supporting devices.   
   
   
       34 . The garment hanger of  claim 33 , wherein each of the plurality of garment to support devices slidably engages the hanger frame. 
   
   
       35 . The garment hanger of  claim 34 , wherein a distance between positions of the plurality of garment support devices is adjustable to substantially match a separation distance between the shoulder regions of a garment. 
   
   
       36 . The garment hanger of  claim 35 , wherein the hanger frame and the plurality of garment support devices are integrally formed.