Apparatus and method for handling garment hangers

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are provided from handling a plurality of garment hangers as a unit for mounting and dismounting on the bars of garment racks and for transportation therebetween. The apparatus includes a handle for carrying the apparatus and a scooping member joined to the handle and having a hanger hook-receiving surface which is generally parallel to and spaced from the handle. In addition, the hanger hook-receiving surface is inclined with respect to a plane parallel to the handle and intersecting both the handle and the receiving surface. To remove garment hangers from a bar, the apparatus is positioned so that the receiving surface is disposed below and is inclined downward and away from the open portions of the hanger hooks. The entire apparatus is then raised upwards so that the hanger hooks slide down the receiving surface and are securely supported therefrom. The hangers may then be carried wherever necessary. The garment hangers are replaced on a supporting bar by lowering the apparatus down to the bar to bring the hook openings directly over it. The apparatus is then moved downward and outward through the hanger hook openings, thereby leaving the hangers supported on the bar.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.