Friction reducing elements and assemblies for hanging devices
AssigneePresser International, LLC
InventorMark A. Presser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A friction reducing element for a hanging device includes a roller configured for positioning on an upper portion of a hook and a tubular elastomeric sleeve stretch-fitted over an outer surface of the roller. The roller is provided with a contoured outer surface and the sleeve is made from a thermoset elastomer such that the friction reducing element facilitates positioning of the hanging device, along a clothing rod. Use of the thermoset elastomer also prevents premature development of areas of deformation on the friction reducing element over time. The friction reducing element may be assembled into an upper portion of a hook for a clothes hanger, or other similar hanging device.
Claims20
A friction reducing element for a hanging device, comprising:
- a generally cylindrical roller having a maximum diameter within 5 to 9 mm and a length within 15 to 25 mm, made of a dimensionally stable material selected from the group consisting of a structural polymer, metal, stone, ceramic, sintered material or fiber composite, and configured for rotatable mounting on an upper portion of a hanger hook;
- and
- a tubular elastomeric sleeve of hardness within 60 to 80 durometer, Shore A and wall thickness within 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, stretch-fitted over a contoured outer surface of the roller and covering at least all portions of the roller having the maximum diameter.
A hook assembly for a hanging device, comprising:
- a cylindrical roller having a maximum diameter within 5 to 9 mm and a length within 15 to 25 mm, made of a dimensionally stable material selected from the group consisting of a structural polymer, metal, stone, ceramic, sintered material or fiber composite;
- and a tubular elastomeric sleeve of hardness within 60 to 80 durometer, Shore A and wall thickness within 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, stretch-fitted over an outer surface of the roller and covering at least all portions of the roller having the maximum diameter;
- a hook having a straight cylindrical upper portion passing through the cylindrical roller and a lower portion having a curved section and a substantially vertical section for coupling to a hanger body;
- and
- a shell containing the upper portion except where the roller is positioned, partially or fully containing the lower portion, and positioning the cylindrical roller in rotatable relation to the straight cylindrical upper portion of the hook.
A hanger, comprising:
- a body and a hook assembly, the hook assembly comprising:
- a friction reducing element comprising a cylindrical roller having a maximum diameter within 5 to 9 mm and a length within 15 to 25 mm, made of a dimensionally stable material selected from the group consisting of a structural polymer, metal, stone, ceramic, sintered material or fiber composite and a tubular elastomeric sleeve of hardness within 60 to 80 durometer, Shore A and wall thickness within 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, stretch-fitted over an outer surface of the roller and covering at least all portions of the roller having the maximum diameter;
- an upper hook portion passing through the cylindrical roller;
- a lower hook portion having a curved section and a substantially vertical section coupled to a hanger body;
- and
- a shell containing the upper portion except where the roller is positioned, partially containing the lower portion, and retaining the friction reducing element in a rotatable mount to the upper hook portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.