Adjustable clothes hanger

Abstract

An adjustable clothes hanger assembly is provided. The adjustable clothes hanger assembly has a substantially rigid frame with a pair of slanted rail segments that are in transverse relation to one another. The assembly also has a pair of shoulder segments, each shoulder segment slidably disposed on a corresponding rail segment. Each shoulder segment is slidable on the corresponding rail segment between a collapsed position and an at least partially extended position, providing adjustable hanger width.

1 . An adjustable clothes hanger assembly, comprising:
 a substantially rigid frame comprising a pair of slanted rail segments that are in transverse relation to one another;   a pair of shoulder segments, each shoulder segment slidably disposed on a corresponding rail segment;   wherein each shoulder segment is slidable on the corresponding rail segment between a collapsed position and an at least partially extended position, providing adjustable hanger width.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 1  wherein each shoulder segment includes interlocking mechanisms for slidably and adjustably maintaining the shoulder segment on the corresponding rail segment. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 each rail segment comprises an elongate member; and   each shoulder segment has a U-shaped cross section sized to axially receive a corresponding rail segment, wherein the shoulder segment is slidabe along at least a portion of the length of the rail segment.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 each shoulder segment comprises essentially parallel side walls and a top wall interconnecting the sidewalls, providing a U-shaped cross section, said interlocking mechanisms comprising pairs of opposing tabs extending inwardly from the walls of the shoulder segment.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 4 , wherein:
 at least a portion of each rail segment is axially disposed in a corresponding shoulder segment, maintained by said walls and said tabs.   
     
     
         6 . An adjustable clothes hanger assembly, comprising:
 a substantially rigid frame comprising a pair of slanted rail segments that are in transverse relation to one another;   a pair of shoulder segments, each shoulder segment slidably disposed on a corresponding rail segment;   each shoulder segment and corresponding rail segment including interlocking mechanisms for slidably and adjustably maintaining the shoulder segment on the corresponding rail segment;   wherein each shoulder segment is slidable on the corresponding rail segment between a collapsed position and an at least partially extended position, providing adjustable hanger width.   
     
     
         7 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 each rail segment comprises an elongate member; and   each shoulder segment has a U-shaped cross section sized to axially receive a corresponding rail segment, wherein the shoulder segment is slidabe along at least a portion of the length of the rail segment.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 7 , wherein:
 each shoulder segment comprises essentially parallel side walls and a top wall interconnecting the sidewalls, providing a U-shaped cross section, said interlocking mechanisms comprising pairs of opposing tabs extending inwardly from the walls of the shoulder segment.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 at least a portion of each rail segment is axially disposed in a corresponding shoulder segment, maintained by said walls and said tabs.   
     
     
         10 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each rail segment comprises a supporting wall and a bisecting wall transverse to the supporting wall, providing an essentially T-shaped cross section, said interlocking mechanisms further comprising pairs of opposing protrusions extending outwardly from said bisecting wall.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the pairs of opposing tabs and the pairs of opposing protrusions are located in an interlocking staggered pattern along the long axis of the shoulder segment and corresponding rail segment, respectively.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the pairs of opposing tabs and the pairs of opposing protrusions frictionally engage upon a shoulder segment being moved along a corresponding rail segment.   
     
     
         13 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 upon overcoming a friction threshold, the pairs of opposing tabs and the pairs of opposing protrusions move past one another to allow extending or collapsing a shoulder segment.   
     
     
         14 . The adjustable clothes hanger assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the interlocking mechanisms further provide multiple predetermined extension positions of the shoulder segment between collapsed and fully extended positions relative to said rail segment.