Garment clamping hanger with slidable locking clip

Claim 2

A clamp having first and second hinged gripping members for movement between a closed and locked article gripping position and an open unlocked article releasing position, the improvement comprising: a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members to hold said gripping members together in a closed position, at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support for said locking clip, a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said bar and said floor of said recess, thereby holding said clip to said at least one gripping member.

Claim 3

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking clip is U-shaped including first and second legs, and wherein at least one of said legs includes a stop formed at one end which contacts said retainer bar when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

Claim 4

The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the other leg of said locking clip includes an end tab and wherein the other gripping member includes a recess having a detent for receiving said tab to releasably hold said locking clip in a locked position when said clip is slidably moved to fully engage said gripping members thereby holding said members in a closed and locked article gripping position.

Claim 5

The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the recess in at least one of said gripping members is sufficiently deep such that when said locking clip is in a position to hold said gripping members in a closed position, said clip is substantially flush with the outer surface of said at least one of said gripping members.

Claim 6

The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said other gripping member has an outer surface curved outwardly in a convex manner, which surface includes an area in communication with an end of the recess therein providing a thumb receiving surface to facilitate the opening of the clamp by forcing said tab out of said detent and sliding said locking clip in a direction away from said detent.

Claim 7

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said recess includes a raised portion adjacent said retainer bar and said locking clip includes a leg slidably fitted within said recess and including stop means at one end which is operably engaged between said retainer bar and said raised portion when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

Claim 8

An integral hook and clamp for hanging articles held by said clamp comprising: a clamp including first and second hinged gripping members for movement between open and closed positions to release or grip articles, a hook coupled to one of said gripping members, a springable locking clamp for sliding over said gripping members to hold saiD gripping members together in a closed position. at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support to said locking clip, and a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said retainer bar and said floor of said recess thereby holding said clip to said at least one gripping member.

Claim 9

An integral hook and clamp for hanging articles held by said clamp comprising: a clamp including first and second hinged gripping members for movement between open and closed positions to release or grip articles, a hook coupled to one of said gripping members, a springable locking clamp for sliding over said gripping members to hold saiD gripping members together in a closed position. at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support to said locking clip, and a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said retainer bar and said floor of said recess thereby holding said clip to said at least one gripping member.

Claim 10

The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said locking clip is U-shaped including first and second legs, and wherein at least one of said legs includes a stop formed at one end which contacts said retainer bar when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

Claim 11

The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the other leg of said locking clip includes an end tab and wherein the other gripping member includes a recess having a detent for receiving said tab to releasably hold said locking clip in a locked position when said clip is slidably moved to fully engage said gripping members thereby holding said members in a closed and locked article gripping position.

Claim 12

The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said recess includes a raised portion adjacent said retainer bar and said locking clip includes a leg slidably fitted within said recess and including stop means at one end which is operably engaged between said retainer bar and said raised portion when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

Claim 13

The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the recess in at least one of said gripping members is sufficiently deep such that when said locking clip is in a position to hold said gripping members in a closed position, said clip is substantially flush with the outer surface of said at least one of said gripping members.

Claim 14

The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said other gripping member has an outer surface curved outwardly in a convex manner, which surface includes an area in communication with an end of the recess therein providing a thumb receiving surface to facilitate the opening of the clamp by forcing said tab out of said detent and sliding said locking clip in a direction away from said detent.

Claim 15

A hanger comprising an elongated body having clamps at either end thereof and a hook coupled to said body intermediate said clamps, said clamps including a pair of hinged gripping members for movement between an article gripping position and an article releasing position and slidable locking means for releasably holding said gripping members in the article gripping position, the improvement comprising: a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members to hold said gripping members together in a closed position, at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support to said locking clip, and a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said retainer bar and said floor of said recess thereby holding said clip to said gripping member.

Claim 16

A hanger comprising an elongated body having clamps at either end thereof and a hook coupled to said body intermediate said clamps, said clamps including a pair of hinged gripping members for movement between an article gripping position and an article releasing position and slidable locking means for releasably holding said gripping members in the article gripping position, the improvement comprising: a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members to hold said gripping members together in a closed position, at least one of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in an outer surface of said member, said recess including a floor to provide guided support to said locking clip, and a retainer bar positioned across said recess and spaced therefrom, said clip being slidably positioned between said retainer bar and said floor of said recess thereby holding said clip to said gripping member.

Claim 17

The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said locking clip is U-shaped including first and second legs, and wherein at least one of said legs includes a stop formed at one end which contacts said retainer bar when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

Claim 18

The apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the other leg of said locking clip includes an end tab and wherein the other gripping member includes a recess having a detent for receiving said tab to releasably hold said locking clip in a locked position when said clip is slidably moved to Fully engage said gripping members thereby holding said members in a closed and locked article gripping position.

Claim 19

The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said recess includes a raised portion adjacent said retainer bar and said locking clip includes a leg slidably fitted within said recess and including stop means at one end which is operably engaged between said retainer bar and said raised portion when said clip is in an unlocked position to allow the clamp to be opened while preventing easy removal of said clip from said gripping member.

Claim 20

The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the recess in at least one of said gripping members is sufficiently deep such that when said locking clip is in a position to hold said gripping members in a closed position, said clip is substantially flush with the outer surface of said at least one of said gripping members.

Claim 21

The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said other gripping member has an outer surface curved outwardly in a convex manner, which surface includes an area in communication with an end of the recess therein providing a thumb receiving surface to facilitate the opening of the clamp by forcing said tab out of said detent and sliding said locking clip in a direction away from said detent.

Claim 22

A hanger including an elongated body and a hook coupled to said body, the improvement comprising: first and second clamps coupled to opposite ends of said body, each of said clamps including a pair of gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces each including a clip receiving recess formed therein, hinge means joining said gripping members to one another to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, a clip retaining bar extending across one recess and spaced therefrom for holding a spring clip to the clamp, said recesses shaped to allow a spring clip to fit over the hinged ends of said gripping members to hold said members in a closed article gripping position and be slidably moved in said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position, at least one of said recesses including a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members, and wherein one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof.

Claim 23

A hanger including an elongated body and a hook coupled to said body, the improvement comprising: first and second clamps coupled to opposite ends of said body, each of said clamps including a pair of gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces each including a clip receiving recess formed therein, hinge means joining said gripping members to one another to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, a clip retaining bar extending across one recess and spaced therefrom for holding a spring clip to the clamp, said recesses shaped to allow a spring clip to fit over the hinged ends of said gripping members to hold said members in a closed article gripping position and be slidably moved in said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position, at least one of said recesses including a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members, and wherein one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof.

Claim 24

In combination with the apparatus as defined in claim 19, a generally U-shaped spring clip having first and second legs shaped for slidable motion within said recesses, at least one leg being positioned between said retaining bar and said one recess, and stop means formed at an end of said at least one leg for contacting said retainer bar when said spring clip is in a second position corresponding to an article releasing position of said gripping members thereby holding said spring clip to said clamp.

Claim 25

The combination as defined in claim 20 wherein the other of said legs of said clip has an end tab formed to engage said detent when said clip is in said first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

Claim 26

A hanger comprising: a hook including a clamp thereon, said clamp including a pair of gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces each including a clip receiving recess formed therein, hinge means joining said gripping members to one another to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, a clip retaining bar extending across one recess and spaced therefrom for holding a spring clip to the clamp, said recesses shaped to allow a spring clip to fit over the hinged ends of said gripping members to hold said members in a closed article gripping position and be slidably moved in said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be openEd to an article releasing position, at least one of said recesses including a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members, and wherein one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof.

Claim 27

A hanger comprising: a hook including a clamp thereon, said clamp including a pair of gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces each including a clip receiving recess formed therein, hinge means joining said gripping members to one another to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, a clip retaining bar extending across one recess and spaced therefrom for holding a spring clip to the clamp, said recesses shaped to allow a spring clip to fit over the hinged ends of said gripping members to hold said members in a closed article gripping position and be slidably moved in said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be openEd to an article releasing position, at least one of said recesses including a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members, and wherein one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof.

Claim 28

In combination with the apparatus as defined in claim 22, a generally U-shaped spring clip having first and second legs shaped for slidable motion within said recesses, at least one leg being positioned between said retaining bar and said one recess, and stop means formed at an end of said at least one leg for contacting said retainer bar when said spring clip is in a second position corresponding to an article releasing position of said gripping members thereby holding said spring clip to said clamp.

Claim 29

The combination as defined in claim 23 wherein the other of said legs of said clip has an end tab formed to engage said detent when said clip is in said first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

Claim 30

A clamp comprising: a pair of gripping members, a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members for holding said gripping members together in a closed position, said gripping members including clip receiving recesses formed in outer surfaces of said members and shaped to provide guided support to said locking clip and releasably hold said clip in a locked position in which the exterior surfaces of said clip are substantially flush with the exterior surfaces of said gripping members, and a retainer bar coupled across at least one of the recesses and spaced therefrom to permit said clip to extend between said gripping member in said at least one recess and said retainer bar thereby holding said clip to said gripping member.

Claim 31

A clamp comprising: a pair of gripping members, a springable locking clip for sliding over said gripping members for holding said gripping members together in a closed position, said gripping members including clip receiving recesses formed in outer surfaces of said members and shaped to provide guided support to said locking clip and releasably hold said clip in a locked position in which the exterior surfaces of said clip are substantially flush with the exterior surfaces of said gripping members, and a retainer bar coupled across at least one of the recesses and spaced therefrom to permit said clip to extend between said gripping member in said at least one recess and said retainer bar thereby holding said clip to said gripping member.

Claim 32

The apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein at least one of said recesses includes a detent positioned therein to hold a spring clip in a first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

Claim 33

The apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said one recess extends from an edge of said member approximately adjacent said hinge means to an opposite edge thereof and wherein said clip retaining means comprises a retaining bar extending across said one recess and spaced therefrom.

Claim 34

In combination with the apparatus as defined in claim 27, a generally U-shaped spring clip having first and second legs shaped for slidable motion within said recesses, at least one leg being positioned between said retaining bar and said one recess, and stop means formed at an end of said at least one leg for contacting said retainer bar when said spring clip is in a second position corresponding to an article releasing position of said gripping members thereby holding said spring clip to said clamp.

Claim 35

The combination as defined in claim 28 wherein the other of said legs of said clip has an end tab formed to engage said detent when said clip is in said first position corresponding to the article gripping position of said members.

Claim 36

A hanger including an elongated body with a hook coupled to said body and first and second clamps coupled to opposite ends of said body, each of said clamps comprising: a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; and a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby sAid recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

Claim 37

A hanger including an elongated body with a hook coupled to said body and first and second clamps coupled to opposite ends of said body, each of said clamps comprising: a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; and a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby sAid recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

Claim 38

The apparatus as defined in claim 30 and including a detent formed in the recess of said at least one of said gripping members, said detent shaped to engage an edge of said clip to hold said clip in a locking position on said clamp when said gripping members are in an article holding position, and wherein said recess is widened from said detent in a direction away from said edge of said clip to provide a thumb release area adjacent said detent such that said clip can be easily moved from a locked position on said clamp.

Claim 39

The apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein said at least one of said gripping members has a convexly curved outer surface and said edge of said clip extends over the apex of said convexly curved surface when said clip is in a locked position.

Claim 40

The apparatus as defined in claim 30 and further including means for retaining said clip on said clamp when said clip is moved to said second position.

Claim 41

A clamp comprising: a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; and a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby said recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recess to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

Claim 42

A clamp comprising: a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article releasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; and a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby said recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recess to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

Claim 43

The apparatus as defined in claim 34 and including a detent formed in the recess of said at least one of said gripping members, said detent shaped to engage an edge of said clip to hold said clip in a locking position on said clamp when said gripping members are in an article holding position, and wherein said recess is widened from said detent in a direction away from said edge of said clip to provide a thumb release area adjacent said detent such that said clip can be easily moved from a locked position on said clamp.

Claim 44

The apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein said at least one of said gripping members has a convexly curved outer surface and said edge of said clip extends over the apex of said convexly curved surface when said clip is in a locked position.

Claim 45

The apparatus as defined in claim 34 and further including means for retaining said clip on said clamp when said clip is moved to said second position.

Claim 46

An integral hook and clamp comprising: a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article reLeasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; a hook coupled to one of said gripping members; a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby said recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

Claim 47

An integral hook and clamp comprising: a pair of substantially rigid gripping members including inner article gripping surfaces and outer surfaces and hinge means joining said gripping members to one another along one edge to permit said members to move together in an article gripping position or apart in an article reLeasing position, each of said gripping members including a clip receiving recess formed in the outer surface thereof and extending from said one edge toward the opposite edge of said gripping members to provide guided support along the length of the edges of a spring clip fitted over said clamp; a hook coupled to one of said gripping members; a spring clip having legs extending over the hinged end exterior of said clamp and within said recesses of said gripping members, whereby said recesses guidably support said clip on said clamp to hold said gripping members in a closed article gripping position under the compression of said spring, the recess in at least one of said gripping members shaped such that the leg of said clip in said recess is substantially flush with the outer surface of said gripping member when said clip is in a locked position closing said clamp, said clip slidably movable within said recesses to a second position which allows said members to be opened to an article releasing position.

Claim 48

The apparatus as defined in claim 38 and including a detent formed in the recess of said at least one of said gripping members, said detent shaped to engage an edge of said clip to hold said clip in a locking position on said clamp when said gripping members are in an article holding position, and wherein said recess is widened from said detent in a direction away from said edge of said clip to provide a thumb release area adjacent said detent such that said clip can be easily moved from a locked position on said clamp.

Claim 49

The apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein said at least one of said gripping members has a convexly curved outer surface and said edge of said clip extends over the apex of said convexly curved surface when said clip is in a locked position.

Claim 50

The apparatus as defined in claim 38 and further including means for retaining said clip on said clamp when said clip is moved to said second position.