Single-handed Garment Hanger

Abstract

An improved garment hanger adapted for the elongate support members to collapse from a traditional open substantially horizontal position to a closed substantially vertical position. An improved garment hanger comprises a hook for hanging the device from a support like a closet rail; a base with a spoke for anchoring components axially; first and second elongate support members coupled together by a spring mechanism and axially coupled to the base; and a latching mechanism operable to toggle the hanger between static and dynamic states. In embodiments, the improved garment hanger is operable to be collapsed incrementally and automatically released to revert the hanger to its open position, providing secure and convenient garment retention.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment hanger comprising:
 a hook for suspending the hanger from a support member;   first and second elongate support members disposed in opposed orientation relative to one another, substantially 180 degrees apart about an axis,   wherein said first and second elongate support members coupled axially about a pivot configured for 90 degrees rotation between a first downward position to a second extended position to support the shoulder line of a garment;   wherein the hook coupled to one of the first and second elongate support members; and   a latching mechanism operable to toggle the garment hanger between static and dynamic states.   
     
     
         2 . The garment hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring mechanism immovably coupled to first and second elongate support members and configured to bias rotation of first and second elongate support members between the second extended position and the first downward position.   
     
     
         3 . The garment hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate support members configured to slide into a garment's neck hole without unhooking the hanger from the support member. 
     
     
         4 . The garment hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the latching mechanism is operable to release the first and second elongate support members to swing into the extended position once the garment neckline is positioned relative to thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The garment hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising padding on the first and second elongate support members for preventing slippage and providing additional protection for the garments. 
     
     
         6 . The garment hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger is foldable for easy storage and portability. 
     
     
         7 . The garment hanger of  claim 2 , further comprising a spring dampener for controlling the speed of energizing and discharging the spring mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The garment hanger of  claim 2 , wherein the latching mechanism further comprising a ratchet pawl system for providing additional control and incremental rotation over the movement of the first and second elongate support members. 
     
     
         9 . A garment hanger comprising:
 a hook for suspending the hanger from a support member;   a base having a spoke extending axially therefrom and configured to limit rotation of first and second elongate support members, wherein the hook movably coupled to the base;   first and second elongate support members disposed in opposed orientation relative to one another, substantially 180 degrees apart about an axis, coupled axially to the spoke at a through hole, configured to rotate 90 degrees about the spoke between a first extended position and a second closed position,   wherein a pin disposed on the first elongate support member about the circumference of the through hole,   wherein a plurality of blind holes disposed on the second elongate support about the circumference of the through hole;   a spring mechanism inflexibly coupled to the first and second elongate support members, configured to bias rotation of first and second elongate support members; and   a latching mechanism wherein a spring-biased actuator operable to toggle between a first and second elongate support member engaged state and disengaged state.   
     
     
         10 . A method of hanging a garment using the hanger of  claim 9 , the method comprising the steps of disposing the hanger in a first closed position with the first and second elongate support members substantially contiguous and planar with the hook; positioning the hanger into a garment's neck hole relative to the hanger without disengaging the hanger from the support member; and releasing the hanger so that the first and second elongate support members swing up in an extended position to support the shoulder line of the garment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of reverting the hanger to the first closed position for storage or transport after use. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of releasing the hanger involves operating the latching mechanism.