초록 ▼

A garment hanger management device provides convenient, secure, and organized storage for garment hangers, including garment hangers having various sizes of hook portions, such as for use in a retail clothing environment. The device includes locking mechanisms with movable pins or mounting members t

A garment hanger management device provides convenient, secure, and organized storage for garment hangers, including garment hangers having various sizes of hook portions, such as for use in a retail clothing environment. The device includes locking mechanisms with movable pins or mounting members that support a retainer element in spaced arrangement relative to a hanger support rod on which the garment hangers are hung. The pins and retainer element are positionable between a fully open configuration and a fully closed configuration, or substantially any position in between the fully opened or closed configurations, and are lockable or fixable in a desired configuration by a locking tab that is capable of engaging the pins substantially anywhere within a region along the length of the pins.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A garment hanger management device for storing of a garment hanger having a hook portion, said device comprising: an elongate hanger support rod for supporting at least one garment hanger at its hook portion, said hanger support rod having opposite end portions;an elongate retainer element couple

1. A garment hanger management device for storing of a garment hanger having a hook portion, said device comprising: an elongate hanger support rod for supporting at least one garment hanger at its hook portion, said hanger support rod having opposite end portions;an elongate retainer element coupled to said hanger support rod, said retainer element being positionable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the open configuration said retainer element is spaced from said hanger support rod to permit placement and removal of the hook portion of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod and when in the closed configuration said retainer element is in close proximity to said hanger support rod to inhibit removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod;at least one movable mounting member movably mounted on at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said mounting member being coupled to said retainer element and movable therewith;a first biasing member configured to urge a distal end portion of said movable mounting member outwardly away from said hanger support rod in a transverse direction; anda locking tab pivotally coupled to at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said locking tab defining an aperture in which said movable mounting member is disposed, wherein said locking tab is configured to engage said movable mounting member at said aperture when said locking tab is in a first pivotal orientation, said locking tab configured to disengage said movable mounting member when said locking tab is in a second pivotal orientation, and wherein when in said first pivotal orientation, said locking tab substantially prevents said movable mounting member and said retainer element from moving toward the open configuration. 2. The garment hanger management device of claim 1, wherein said locking tab is configured to selectively engage said at least one movable mounting member at any of three or more positions along said movable mounting member. 3. The garment hanger management device of claim 2, wherein said aperture comprises a generally circular hole for receiving said at least one movable mounting member. 4. The garment hanger management device of claim 1, wherein said movable mounting member comprises a generally cylindrical pin. 5. The garment hanger management device of claim 4, wherein said aperture in said locking tab comprises a generally circular hole for receiving said generally cylindrical pin, said circular hole of said locking tab having a diameter that is at least slightly greater than the diameter of said cylindrical pin so as to permit said cylindrical pin to move substantially unimpeded through said circular hole when said locking tab is in said second pivotal orientation, and so as to cause said locking tab to impinge on said cylindrical pin to impede movement of said cylindrical pin through said circular hole when said locking tab is in said first pivotal orientation. 6. The garment hanger management device of claim 1, wherein said hanger support rod comprises a hollow tubular member. 7. The garment hanger management device of claim 6, wherein said hollow tubular member comprises at least one transverse aperture configured to receive said movable mounting member. 8. A garment hanger management device for storing of a garment hanger having a hook portion, said device comprising: an elongate hanger support rod for supporting at least one garment hanger at its hook portion, said hanger support rod comprising a hollow tubular member having opposite end portions;an elongate retainer element coupled to said hanger support rod, said retainer element being positionable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the open configuration said retainer element is spaced from said hanger support rod to permit placement and removal of the hook portion of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod and when in the closed configuration said retainer element is in close proximity to said hanger support rod to inhibit removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod;at least one movable mounting member movably mounted on at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said mounting member being coupled to said retainer element and movable therewith;a first biasing member configured to urge a distal end portion of said movable mounting member outwardly away from said hanger support rod in a transverse direction;a locking tab pivotally coupled to at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said locking tab configured to engage said movable mounting member when said locking tab is in a first pivotal orientation, said locking tab configured to disengage said movable mounting member when said locking tab is in a second pivotal orientation, and wherein when in said first pivotal orientation, said locking tab substantially prevents said movable mounting member and said retainer element from moving toward the open configuration;wherein said hollow tubular member comprises at least one transverse aperture configured to receive said movable mounting member; andwherein said hanger support rod comprises a guide housing having a surface spaced radially outwardly from said hanger support rod proximate said at least one transverse aperture, said surface defining a housing transverse aperture generally aligned with said at least one transverse aperture of said hollow tubular member and receiving said movable mounting member. 9. The garment hanger management device of claim 8, wherein said locking tab is disposed between said surface of said guide housing and said hanger support rod, and wherein said aperture of said locking tab is generally aligned with said at least one transverse aperture in said hanger support rod and with said housing transverse aperture in said surface of said guide housing. 10. The garment hanger management device of claim 9, further comprising a second biasing member disposed between said locking tab and an outer surface of said hanger support rod, said second biasing member configured to urge said locking tab into said first pivotal orientation. 11. The garment hanger management device of claim 10, wherein said first biasing member is positioned radially outwardly of said guide housing. 12. The garment hanger management device of claim 11, wherein said retainer element is coupled to said movable mounting member at a distal end portion thereof, and wherein said first biasing member is held in compression between said retainer element and said guide housing. 13. The garment hanger management device of claim 12, wherein said first biasing member and said second biasing member comprise coil springs disposed around said movable mounting member. 14. The garment hanger management device of claim 1, wherein said hanger support rod comprises an end cap assembly for movably coupling said retainer element to said hanger support rod. 15. The garment hanger management device of claim 14, wherein said end cap assembly comprises at least one transverse aperture for receiving said movable mounting member. 16. A garment hanger management device for storing of a garment hanger having a hook portion, said device comprising: an elongate hanger support rod for supporting at least one garment hanger at its hook portion, said hanger support rod having opposite end portions;an elongate retainer element coupled to said hanger support rod, said retainer element being positionable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the open configuration said retainer element is spaced from said hanger support rod to permit placement and removal of the hook portion of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod and when in the closed configuration said retainer element is in close proximity to said hanger support rod to inhibit removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod;at least one movable mounting member movably mounted on at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said mounting member being coupled to said retainer element and movable therewith;said hanger support rod comprising an end cap assembly for movably coupling said retainer element to said hanger support rod, said end cap assembly comprising at least one transverse aperture for receiving said movable mounting member;a first biasing member configured to urge a distal end portion of said movable mounting member outwardly away from said hanger support rod in a transverse direction;a locking tab pivotally coupled to at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said locking tab configured to engage said movable mounting member when said locking tab is in a first pivotal orientation, said locking tab configured to disengage said movable mounting member when said locking tab is in a second pivotal orientation, and wherein when in said first pivotal orientation, said locking tab substantially prevents said movable mounting member and said retainer element from moving toward the open configuration; andwherein said end cap assembly comprises a guide housing having a surface spaced radially outwardly from said at least one transverse aperture, said surface defining a housing transverse aperture generally aligned with said at least one transverse aperture and receiving said movable mounting member. 17. The garment hanger management device of claim 16, wherein said locking tab is disposed between said surface of said guide housing and said end cap assembly, and wherein said aperture of said locking tab is generally aligned with said at least one transverse aperture in said end cap assembly and with said housing transverse aperture in said surface of said guide housing. 18. The garment hanger management device of claim 17, further comprising a second biasing member disposed between said locking tab and an outer surface of said end cap assembly, said second biasing member configured to urge said locking tab into said first pivotal orientation. 19. The garment hanger management device of claim 18, wherein said first biasing member is positioned radially outwardly of said guide housing. 20. The garment hanger management device of claim 19, wherein said retainer element is coupled to said movable mounting member at a distal end portion of said movable mounting member, and wherein said first biasing member is held in compression between said retainer element and said guide housing. 21. The garment hanger management device of claim 20, wherein said first biasing member and said second biasing member comprise coil springs disposed around said movable mounting member. 22. The garment hanger management device of claim 14, wherein said hanger support rod comprises a hollow tubular member, and wherein said end cap assembly comprises a male extension portion configured to be received in an end portion of said hollow tubular member. 23. The garment hanger management device of claim 14, wherein said end cap assembly comprises an anti-rotation element. 24. The garment hanger management device of claim 23, wherein said anti-rotation element comprises a polygonal shaped portion configured to engage a correspondingly-shaped bracket. 25. The garment hanger management device of claim 14, wherein said end cap assembly comprises a main body defining a passageway, and an insert disposed in said passageway of said main body. 26. The garment hanger management device of claim 25, wherein said main body is configured to receive one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod in said passageway. 27. The garment hanger management device of claim 25, wherein an opening is defined between a portion of said insert and a portion of one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, and a portion of said locking tab extends through said opening. 28. The garment hanger management device of claim 1, wherein said locking tab comprises a distal end portion spaced from said hanger support rod, and wherein said locking tab is pivotable against said first biasing member to said second pivotal orientation via application of a force applied to said distal end portion of said locking tab. 29. The garment hanger management device of claim 1, wherein said locking tab permits said movable mounting member to be moved toward a closed configuration without direct manipulation of said locking tab. 30. A garment hanger management device for storing of a garment hanger having a hook portion, said device comprising: an elongate hanger support rod for supporting at least one garment hanger at its hook portion, said hanger support rod having opposite end portions;an elongate retainer element coupled to said hanger support rod, said retainer element being positionable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the open configuration said retainer element is spaced from said hanger support rod to permit placement and removal of the hook portion of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod and when in the closed configuration said retainer element is in close proximity to said hanger support rod to inhibit removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod;at least one movable mounting member mounted to at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said mounting member having opposite end portions, at least one of said opposite end portions of said mounting member being spaced transversely outwardly from said hanger support rod and coupled to said elongate retainer element, said movable mounting member being movable with said retainer element between said open configuration and said closed configuration;a first biasing member configured to urge said distal end portion of said movable mounting member outwardly away from said hanger support rod in a transverse direction; anda locking tab pivotally coupled to at least one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod, said locking tab defining an aperture in which said movable mounting member is disposed, wherein said locking tab is configured to engage said movable mounting member at said aperture when said locking tab is in a first pivotal orientation, said locking tab configured to disengage said movable mounting member when said locking tab is in a second pivotal orientation, and wherein when in said first pivotal orientation, said locking tab substantially prevents said movable mounting member and said retainer element from moving toward the open configuration. 31. A garment hanger management device for storing of a garment hanger having a hook portion, said device comprising: an elongate hanger support rod for supporting at least one garment hanger at its hook portion, said hanger support rod having opposite end portions;a pair of end cap assemblies, each coupled to a respective one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod and at least one of said end cap assembly including an anti-rotation element configured to engage a support bracket;an elongate retainer element coupled to said hanger support rod via said end cap assemblies, said retainer element being positionable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the open configuration said retainer element is spaced from said hanger support rod to permit placement and removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod and when in the closed configuration said retainer element is in close proximity to said hanger support rod to inhibit removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod;a pair of movable mounting members, each disposed at a respective one of said end cap assemblies;a pair of first biasing members, each configured to urge a distal end portion of one of said movable mounting members outwardly away from said end cap assemblies in a transverse direction; anda pair of locking tabs, each pivotally coupled to a respective one of said end cap assemblies, said locking tabs each defining an aperture in which said movable mounting members are disposed, wherein said locking tabs are configured to engage a respective one of said movable mounting members at said apertures when said locking tabs are in a first pivotal orientation, said locking tabs configured to disengage said movable mounting members when said locking tabs are in a second pivotal orientation, and wherein when in said first pivotal orientation, said locking tabs substantially prevent said movable mounting members from moving toward the open configuration. 32. A garment hanger management device for storing of a garment hanger having a hook portion, said device comprising: an elongate hanger support rod for supporting at least one garment hanger at its hook portion, said hanger support rod having opposite end portions;a pair of end cap assemblies, each coupled to a respective one of said opposite end portions of said hanger support rod and at least one of said end cap assembly including an anti-rotation element configured to engage a support bracket;an elongate retainer element coupled to said hanger support rod via said end cap assemblies, said retainer element being positionable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the open configuration said retainer element is spaced from said hanger support rod to permit placement and removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod and when in the closed configuration said retainer element is in close proximity to said hanger support rod to inhibit removal of the garment hanger from said hanger support rod;a pair of movable mounting members, each disposed at a respective one of said end cap assemblies;a pair of first biasing members, each configured to urge a distal end portion of one of said movable mounting members outwardly away from said end cap assemblies in a transverse direction;a pair of locking tabs, each pivotally coupled to a respective one of said end cap assemblies, said locking tabs configured to engage a respective one of said movable mounting members when said locking tabs are in a first pivotal orientation, said locking tabs configured to disengage said movable mounting members when said locking tabs are in a second pivotal orientation, and wherein when in said first pivotal orientation, said locking tabs substantially prevent said movable mounting members from moving toward the open configuration; andwherein each of said end cap assemblies comprises at least one transverse aperture for receiving said movable mounting member, each of said end cap assemblies further comprising a guide housing having a surface spaced radially outwardly from said at least one transverse aperture, said surface defining a housing transverse aperture generally aligned with said at least one transverse aperture for receiving said movable mounting member. 33. The garment hanger management device of claim 32, wherein each of said locking tabs comprises an aperture generally aligned with said housing transverse aperture and said at least one transverse aperture, and wherein each of said locking tabs is disposed between a respective one of said surfaces of said guide housings and an outer surface of said end cap assemblies. 34. The garment hanger management device of claim 33, further comprising a pair of second biasing members, each disposed between a respective one of said locking tabs and said outer surface of said end cap assembly, said second biasing member configured to urge said locking tab into said first pivotal orientation, and wherein first biasing members are positioned radially outwardly of respective ones of said guide housings. said guide housings.