Releasably lockable pinch grip hanger

A hanger comprising:

• at least one pinch-grip attached to the hanger for receiving an article for hanging, the pinch-grip including,
• first and second components extending substantially vertically from the hanger and cooperatively defining a pivot axis, each of the components including an upper end extending above the pivot axis and a lower end extending below the pivot axis, each of the components having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaces of each component being opposed surfaces facing inward toward one another and the outer surfaces of each component being surfaces facing outward away from one another,
• a U-shaped spring for biasing the lower ends together to a closed position and permitting separation of the lower ends to an open position by pivotal movement of at least one of the upper ends towards the other upper end, and
• a latch having a free end extending from the first component toward the second component such that the latch engages the inner surface of the first component, the latch engaging against the outer surface of the second component to releasably lock the upper ends together when the lower ends are pivotally moved to the open position.

A hanger comprising:

• at least one pinch-grip attached to the hanger for receiving an article for hanging, the pinch-grip including,
• first and second components extending substantially vertically from the hanger and cooperatively defining a pivot axis, each of the components including an upper end extending above the pivot axis and a lower end extending below the pivot axis, each of the components having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaces of each component being opposed surfaces facing inward toward one another and the outer surfaces of each component being surfaces facing outward away from one another,
• a U-shaped spring for biasing the lower ends together to a closed position and permitting separation of the lower ends to an open position by pivotal movement of at least one of the upper ends towards the other upper end, and
• a projection having a free end extending from the first component toward the second component such that the projection engages the inner surface of the first component, wherein when the lower ends are pivotally moved to the open position, the projection engages against the outer surface of the second component to releasably lock the upper ends together, thereby holding the lower ends in the open position.

A hanger comprising:

• at least one pinch-grip attached to the hanger for receiving an article for hanging, the pinch-grip including,
• first and second components extending from the hanger and cooperatively defining a pivot axis, each of the components including an upper end extending above the pivot axis and a lower end extending below the pivot axis, each of the components having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfaces of each component being opposed surfaces facing inward toward one another and the outer surfaces of each component being surfaces facing outward away from one another,
• an element providing a spring force for biasing the lower ends together to a closed position and permitting separation of the lower ends to an open position by pivotal movement of at least one of the upper ends towards the other upper end, and
• a releasable lock having a free end extending from an inner surface of the first component such that the releasable lock engages the inner surface of the first component, the lock being automatically activated upon movement of the lower ends to the open position to engage against the outer surface of the second component, thereby holding the lower ends of the components in the open position.