Hanger Accessory Device

Abstract

A hanger accessory device for keeping track of how many times an article of clothing has been worn since it was last laundered. The hanger accessory device generally includes a housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a receiver opening extending therebetween. An upper portion of the housing includes markings on its outer surface. A lower portion of the housing includes indentations for removably engaging with a hanger. By rotating the housing around a stem into different locked positions on a hanger, an individual may keep track of how many times an article of clothing has been worn or used between washings by referencing the markings on the different sides of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of monitoring an article of clothing, comprising:
 retaining the article of clothing on a hanger, wherein the hanger includes a hanger accessory device rotatably connected to the hanger, wherein the hanger accessory device includes a plurality of markings, wherein the hanger accessory device is adapted to rotate between a plurality of locked positions;   rotating the hanger accessory device between the plurality of locked positions to provide an indicia of prior use of the article of clothing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger accessory device further comprises a plurality of indentations on a lower end of the hanger accessory device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of engaging the hanger within one of the plurality of indentations to releasably lock the hanger accessory device in one of the plurality of locked positions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger accessory device comprises a receiver opening extending through the hanger accessory device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the hanger includes a stem and further comprising the step of positioning the receiver opening around the stem. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the receiver opening comprises a hexagonal cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the markings are comprised of symbols. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the markings are comprised of letters. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the markings are comprised of numbers. 
     
     
         10 . A method of monitoring an article of clothing, comprising:
 placing the article of clothing on a hanger, wherein the hanger includes a hanger accessory device rotatably connected to the hanger, wherein the hanger accessory device includes a plurality of markings, wherein the hanger accessory device is adapted to rotate between a plurality of locked positions;   rotating the hanger accessory device into a first locked position;   removing the article of clothing from the hanger; and   rotating the hanger accessory device into a second locked position.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the hanger accessory device further comprises a plurality of indentations on a lower end of the hanger accessory device of the hanger accessory device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of indentation is U-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of engaging the hanger within one of the plurality of indentations to releasably lock the hanger accessory device in one of the plurality of locked positions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the hanger accessory device comprises a receiver opening extending through the hanger accessory device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hanger includes a stem and further comprising the step of positioning the receiver opening around the stem. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the receiver opening comprises a hexagonal cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the markings are comprised of symbols. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the markings are comprised of letters. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the markings are comprised of numbers. 
     
     
         20 . A method of monitoring an article of clothing, comprising:
 placing the article of clothing on a hanger, wherein the hanger includes a stem, wherein the hanger includes a hanger accessory device rotatably connected to the hanger, wherein the hanger accessory device includes a plurality of markings, wherein the hanger accessory device includes a receiver opening, wherein the hanger accessory device is adapted to rotate between a plurality of locked positions;   positioning the hanger accessory device around the stem such that the stem extends through the receiver opening;   rotating the hanger accessory device into a first locked position; then   removing the article of clothing from the hanger; and then   rotating the hanger accessory device into a second locked position.