Garment hanger caddy

Claim 2

In a garment hanger caddy of the type comprising a stiff tubular member and a relatively stiff retainer strip substantially co-extensive with the tubular member, the improvement comprising: a pair of latching members, each secured to a respective end of the retainer strip and passing through a respective pair of openings in the tubular member to secure the retainer strip in first and second positions with respect to the tubular member, each of said latching members comprising: a first section which defines an end portion and a latch step configured to engage the tubular member adjacent at least one of the openings to limit travel of the latching member; a second section which extends through the respective pair of openings; means for securing a first end of the second section to the end portion of the first section such that the first section is biased away from the second section; means for securing a second end of the second section to the retainer strip; and means, positioned on a portion of the second section intermediate the first and second ends, for stiffening the second section against bending away from the first section, said stiffening means positioned centrally on the second section and spaced away from the first end of the second section such that the second section is stiffer at a central portion thereof than at the first end.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein the tubular member comprises a central tube and a pair of end caps, each mounted to a respective end of the tube, and wherein the openings are formed in the end caps.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1 wherein each of the stiffening means comprises a ridge embossed in the second section.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 3 wherein each of the first sections defines a depression sized to receive a thumb of a user.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1 wherein the first and second sections of each of the latching members is formed in one piece of a single integral strip of metal.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 wherein each of the latching members defines an actuating axis extending between the first and second sections, wherein the tubular member defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the actuating axes are each oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 1 wherein each of the latching members defines an actuating axis extending between the first and second sections, wherein the tubular member defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the actuating axes are each oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 1 wherein each of the first sections defines a free end opposite the end portion, and wherein the free ends curve away from the respective second sections.

Claim 10

In a garment hanger caddy of the type comprising a stiff tubular member and a relatively stiff retainer strip substantially co-extensive with the tubular member, the improvement comprising: a pair of latching members, each formed from a single piece of metal that defines a free end, a fixed end secured to the retainer strip, and a hinge portion intermediate the two ends, the portion between the free end and the hinge portion forming a first section which defines a latching step, the portion between the hinge portion and the fixed end forming a second section; each of said latching members passing through a respective pair of openings in the tubular member to secure the retainer strip in raised and lowered positions with respect to the tubular member, each pair of openings including a lower opening spaced from the retainer strip, said hinge portion biasing the latching step into engagement with the tubular member adjacent at least one of the openings; each of said latching members defining an embossed ridge centrally positioned on a portion of the second section spaced from the hinge portion to stiffen only selected parts of the second section; said ridges positioned within the lower openings when the latching members are in the lowered position to prevent the second sections from bending when the first sections are depressed to disengage the latching steps from the tubular member; said ridges positioned out of the lower openings when the latching members are in the raised position to allow the second sections to bend as necessary to remove the latching members from the tubular member.

Claim 11

In a garment hanger caddy of the type comprising a stiff tubular member and a relatively stiff retainer strip substantially co-extensive with the tubular member, the improvement comprising: a pair of latching members, each formed from a single piece of metal that defines a free end, a fixed end secured to the retainer strip, and a hinge portion intermediate the two ends, the portion between the free end and the hinge portion forming a first section which defines a latching step, the portion between the hinge portion and the fixed end forming a second section; each of said latching members passing through a respective pair of openings in the tubular member to secure the retainer strip in raised and lowered positions with respect to the tubular member, each pair of openings including a lower opening spaced from the retainer strip, said hinge portion biasing the latching step into engagement with the tubular member adjacent at least one of the openings; each of said latching members defining an embossed ridge centrally positioned on a portion of the second section spaced from the hinge portion to stiffen only selected parts of the second section; said ridges positioned within the lower openings when the latching members are in the lowered position to prevent the second sections from bending when the first sections are depressed to disengage the latching steps from the tubular member; said ridges positioned out of the lower openings when the latching members are in the raised position to allow the second sections to bend as necessary to remove the latching members from the tubular member.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 9 wherein the tubular member comprises a central tube and a pair of end caps, each mounted to a respective end of the tube, and wherein the openings are formed in the end caps.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 9 wherein each of the first sections defines a depression sized to receive a thumb of a user.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 9 wherein each of the latching members defines an actuating axis extending between the first and second sections, wherein the tubular member defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the actuating axes are each oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 9 wherein each of the latching members defines an actuating axis extending between the first and second sections, wherein the tubular member defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the actuating axes are each oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 16

The invention of claim 9 wherein each of the free ends curves away from the respective second section.

Claim 17

In a garment hanger caddy of the type comprising a stiff tubular member and a relatively stiff retainer strip substantially coextensive with the tubular member, the improvement comprising: a pair of latching members, each secured to a respective end of the retainer strip and passing through a respective pair of openings in the tubular member to secure the retainer strip in first and second positions with respect to the tubular member, each of said latching members comprising: a first section which defines an end portion and a latch step configured to engage the tubular member adjacent at least one of the openings to limit travel of the latching member; a second section which extends through the respective pair of openings; means for securing a first end of the second section to the end portion of the first section such that the first section is biased away from the second section; and means for securing a second end of the second section to the retainer strip; each of said latching members defining an actuating axis extending between so as to pass through the first and second sections, the tubular member defining a longitudinal axis, and the actuating axes each oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, said latching members adapted to receive an applied actuating force directed along the actuating axis to move the first and second sections together.

Claim 18

In a garment hanger caddy of the type comprising a stiff tubular member and a relatively stiff retainer strip substantially coextensive with the tubular member, the improvement comprising: a pair of latching members, each secured to a respective end of the retainer strip and passing through a respective pair of openings in the tubular member to secure the retainer strip in first and second positions with respect to the tubular member, each of said latching members comprising: a first section which defines an end portion and a latch step configured to engage the tubular member adjacent at least one of the openings to limit travel of the latching member; a second section which extends through the respective pair of openings; means for securing a first end of the second section to the end portion of the first section such that the first section is biased away from the second section; and means for securing a second end of the second section to the retainer strip; each of said latching members defining an actuating axis extending between so as to pass through the first and second sections, the tubular member defining a longitudinal axis, and the actuating axes each oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, said latching members adapted to receive an applied actuating force directed along the actuating axis to move the first and second sections together.

Claim 19

The invention of claim 15 wherein each of the first sections defines a espective free end opposite the end portion, and wherein each of the free ends curves away from the respective second section.

Claim 20

The invention of claim 15 wherein the tubular member comprises a central tube and a pair of end caps, each mounted to a respective end of the tube, and wherein the openings are formed in the end caps.

Claim 21

The invention of claim 15 wherein each of the first sections defines a respective depression sized to receive a thumb of a user.

Claim 22

The invention of claim 15 wherein the first and second sections of each of the latching members are formed in one piece of a single, integral strip of metal.

Claim 23

The invention of claim 15 wherein each of the latching members further comprises: an embossed ridge formed in a central portion of the second section to stiffen the second section against bending away from the first section, said embossed ridge spaced away from the first end of the second section such that the second section is more flexible at the first end than at the central portion.