US3692218A

US3692218A - Article carrier with lockable carrying handles

Info

Publication number: US3692218A
Application number: US78785A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ira J Friedman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-10-07
Filing date: 1970-10-07
Publication date: 1972-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-19

Abstract

Two molded plastic handle bails having a pair of spaced generally upright legs joined by a horizontal reach are utilized to hand carry articles with the user''s hand being placed between the legs and his fingers grasping the reaches. The bails are locked in adjacent juxtaposed position to prevent inadvertent removal of articles. To lock the bails, a snap flange extends transversely from the lower edges of one reach toward and beyond the other reach. The flange terminates with an upwardly extending bead which snappingly engages the exterior face of the other reach adjacent the lower edge thereof. In one embodiment, the bails are secured at their lower ends to the side panels of a plastic tote bag. In another embodiment, two bails are molded in one piece with their lower ends secured to a channel adapted to captively retain garment hanger hooks to thereby carry articles on garment hangers. A pair of spaced ribs extend upwardly from the channel base and transversely between side walls of the channel. A pair of cantilever flanges extend inwardly toward one another from opposed faces of the bails adjacent the lower end of the bail legs. The wire hook portions of garment hangers are forced against the ribs by the cantilever flanges when the reaches are brought together. A further embodiment includes a garment hanger hook receiving sling molded between the bases of each bail. Vertical ribs projecting from the side walls of the sling engage the wire hook portions of the garment hangers to prevent disengagement of the hook portions of the hangers from the sling.

Description

United States Patent Friedman [451 Sept. 19, 1972 [54] ARTICLE CARRIER WITH LOCKABLE CARRYING HANDLES Inventor: Ira J. Friedman, 8 Whittier Place,

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Jerold M. Forsberg Attorney-Natter, Wigman & Natter [57] ABSTRACT Two molded plastic handle bails having a pair of spaced generally upright legs joined by a horizontal reach are utilized to hand carry articles with the user's hand being placed between the legs and his fingers grasping the reaches. The bails are locked in adjacent juxtaposed position to prevent inadvertent removal of articles. To lock the bails, a snap flange extends transversely from the lower edges of one reach toward and beyond the other reach. The flange terminates with an upwardly extending bead which snappingly engages the exterior face of the other reach adjacent the lower edge thereof. In one embodiment, the bails are secured at their lower ends to the side panels of a plastic tote bag.

In another embodiment, two bails are molded in one piece with their lower ends secured to a channel adapted to captively retain garment hanger hooks to thereby carry articles on garment hangers. A pair of spaced ribs extend upwardly from the channel base and transversely between side walls of the channel. A pair of cantilever flanges extend inwardly toward one another from opposed faces of the bails adjacent the lower end of the bail legs. The wire hook portions of garment hangers are forced against the ribs by the cantilever flanges when the reaches are brought together. A further embodiment includes a garment hanger hook receiving sling molded between the bases of each bail. Vertical ribs projecting from the side walls of the sling engage the wire hook portions of the garment hangers to prevent disengagement of the hook portions of the hangers from the sling.

21 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 19 1972 saw 1 or 3 FIG. 3

k I W" INVENTOR IRA J. FRIEDMAN ATTORNEYS PATENTEDsmamz 3.692.218

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INVENTOR IRA J. FRIEDMAN ATTORNEYS PATENTEDSEP 1 9 I972 SHEET 3 BF 3 FIG. I4

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ATTORNEYS ARTICLE CARRIER WITH LOCKABLE CARRYING HANDLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention Carriers for the hand carrying or articles with means for preventing disengagement of articles carried.

2; Brief Description of the Prior Art Many devices have been heretofore known for use in lo facilitating the hand carrying of articles. Where the articles were relatively small, a widely used article carrying device was a shopping or tote bag. These bags included one or more handles or bails projecting above the upper edge of each side panel of the bag. When the user inserted his hand between the legs of the handles and grasped the bights with his fingers, he not only carried the bag, but brought the bails together thereby forming a constriction at the mouth of the bag. The extent of mouth constriction usually depended upon the stiffness, size and shape of the handles.

Among the commonly used tote or shopping bags were the prevalent plastic walled bags, formed or opposed panels of plastic, e.g. polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., film. The panels were usually seamed and sealed together only along abutting registered edges with some edges formed by a fold line in a single film. The top edges of the panels were not joined thereby forming a bag having an open mouth. To provide a carrying handle for the tote bag, relatively thick resilient molded bails of compatible plastic, e.g. polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene etc. were joined to each panel adjacent the top edge thereof. Usually one of the handles included a plurality of projecting pins which were received within mating sockets in the other handle to releasably secure the handles in juxtaposed registered position to thereby close the mouth of the bag.

Among the disadvantages encountered with these prior tote bags was the fact that when the articles carried within the bag were of any appreciable weight, the upper portions or bights of the handles which were engaged by the users fingers had a tendency to exert excessive pressure due to the limited area of weight distribution. This tendency was accentuated when the handles were not in juxtaposition because the handles were not locked together, then the upper portion or bight of each individual handle would individually bear its respective portion of the total carried weight through a narrow ridge supported by only a small area of the users fingers.

The problem of carried article weight distribution rendering the hand carrying of relatively light articles difficult was also prevalent with common clothes hangers. Clothes hangers generally include either a wire, wood or molded plastic frame and a curved wire hook member adapted to engage a closet rod. Unfortunately, the hook member was relatively thin, e.g. 3/32 inch diameter, and when one attempted to carry one or several garments by lifting and carrying the hanger from the hook portion of one or more hangers, a great discomfort was experienced. The discomfort became even more accentuated as the carrying time increased.

A further disadvantage encountered with the use of hangers to carry garments especially when receiving garments from a dry cleaning establishment was that whenseveral articles were cleaned and received at one time, not only was the weight of the articles difficult to support while hand carrying the hangers, due to the concentrated areas of load weight distribution, but, since dry cleaning establishments usually use one wire frame hanger for each garment, several wire frame hangers had to be simultaneously carried and a large number of wire hangers, e.g. five or more, were generally tied together at their hook portions and not capable of being suspended from the post generally provided at the headliner of an automobile adjacent the rear side windows thereof. Thus, it was often necessary to lie the garments down and or fold them after they have been cleaned and pressed thereby wrinkling and possibly soiling the freshly cleaned garments because it was impractical to separate the few hangers which could be suspended from the post.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an article carrier having two lockable handle bails of the general character described which, however, is so constructed that it is not subject to any of the foregoing disadvantages.

More specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide an article carrier of the general character described which includes two interengageable handle bails which may be locked together with great facility, thereby precluding inadvertent or unauthorized removal of articles carried.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an article carrier of the general character described which includes to interengageable handle bails and which provides a single, broad, load distributing surface engageable by the users fingers while articles are being carried.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article carrier of the general character described wherein a snap flange interconnects two handle bails while simultaneously providing a unifonn load distributing surface whereby the weight of the articles carried may be evenly borne.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an article carrier of the general character described including carrying handle bails wherein the bails are interlocked by a flange which extends from one bail toward and underlying a portion of the other and which is normally grasped by the users fingers when articles are carried thereby evenly distributing the weight of the articles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article carrier of the general character described which includes two handle bails secured at their lower ends to a garment hanger hook carrying section and with the handles having a locking load distributing flange to secure the handles in juxtaposition.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device of the general character described which includes means engaging the wire hook portion of a garment hanger at discreet spaced zones therealong to thereby prevent removal of the hanger from the device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device of the general character described which includes means extending beneath a pair of handle bails and engaging the wire hook portion of a garment hanger to exert at spaced discreet zones radially outward and inward forces alternately along the arc of the hook portion to thereby prevent disengagement of the hangers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrying device of the general character described which includes means exerting compressive forces against the opposite sides of wire hook portions of garment hangers to prevent removal of the hangers from the device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device of the general character described which is capable of easily carrying either one or more garment hangers without inadvertent disengagement of the hangers from the device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment hanger carrying device of the general character described which is adapted to carry either a single or a plurality of garment hangers yet is capable of being easily carried in a suspended position from a post projecting from the headliner of a vehicle to thereby suspend garments on the hangers.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the carrying devices hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the various possible embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a plastic walled tote bag constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention and including opposed side panels and with a handle bail secured to each of the side panels of the bag;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the upper portion of the tote bag illustrated in FIG. 1 and more clearly showing one of the bails which is formed with upwardly extending legs joined at their tops by a horizontal reach and with a snap flange extending from the other bail toward and beyond the exterior face of the one reach;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and more clearly illustrating the engagement between the snap flange and the reach of the one bail to secure the bails in juxtaposition thereby closing the mouth of the bag;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the bails are secured at their lower edge to a channel which receives garment hanger hooks to carry one or more garment hangers;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and illustrating a snap flange extending between the reaches of the bails and a rib extending upwardly from the base of the channel and engaging a wire hook portion of a garment hanger between the rib and a pair of cantilever flanges which extend inwardly toward one another from the inner faces of the bails to enclose the channel;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4 and more clearly illustrating the engagement between the wire hook portion of a garment hanger and the channel wherein two spaced ribs project upwardly from the base of the channel to engage the concave surface of the hook portion and the hook portion is engaged along its convex surface at a point spaced from the ribs by one of the cantilever flanges extending from the face of one bail;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the garment hanger carrying device illustrated in FIG. 4 in its as molded position wherein the bails lie in a horizontal plane and diverge outwardly from side wallsof the channel;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the garment hanger carrying device in its as molded position and further illustrating a roughened surface and tongue-and-groove configuration of the abutting surfaces of the cantilever flanges which serve to substantially unitarily join the two cantilever flanges when the bails are brought together;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the bails are also part of a garment hanger carrying device but with the bails joined at their lower ends to a sling adapted to receive the wire hook portions of garment hangers;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9 and further illustrating the engagement of a wire hook portion of a single hanger with the sling and showing the hook portion securely held therein by projecting vertical ribs which extend from opposed walls of the sling; additionally illustrated is a two position snap flange interconnecting the faces of the bails to provide a garment hanger hook locking position wherein the bails are optionally locked with their bases in abutting relationship as well as in an alternate spaced position;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view through the garment hanger carrying device similar to that of FIG. 10 but wherein the hook portions of several garment hangers are carried within the sling and the snap flange joining the bases of the bails is in its alternate position wherein the bails are spaced apart adjacent their bases;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the garment hanger carrying device illustrated in FIG. 9 in its as molded position;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the garment hanger carrying device as shown in FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 are sectional views through the garment hanger carrying device taken substantially along the lines 14-14, 15-15, 16-16 and 17-17 respectively, of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through a portion of the roof section of an automobile and showing an upwardly extending post mounted to the automobile roof and with the bails of a garment hanger carrying device suspended from the post;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary elevational view of groups of garment hangers, the hooks of which are engaged in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-8 and suspended from a closet rod and showing the various positions the carrying device may assume without being separated from the hooks of the hangers;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of a further embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 4-8 but wherein each bail is mutilated by the removal of one leg so that the carrier may he slipped over a closet rod; and

FIG. 22 is a sectional view through a closet rod and showing the manner in which the mutilated bail carrier engages a closet rod while carrying a garment hanger.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference number denotes a tote bag (FIGS. 1-3) including a pair of lockable handle bails 12, 14 constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention. Each

bail

12, 14 is formed with a flat

elongate bar

16, 18 respectively at the base thereof. The

bar

16, 18 not only functions as a base for the bails, but additionally serves to secure the bails to the tote bag 10 as will be subsequently described.

It will be noted that the tote bag 10 is constructed with a pair of registered

panels

20, 22. The panels are formed of conventional plastic film, e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. and with the mating side edges thereof electronically seamed. The base of the bag may be formed as a fold in a single film or may optionally be electronically seamed if each panel is formed of a single film. The upper edge of each panel is not joined to the corresponding edge of the opposite panel to thereby provide a mouth rendering the interior of the bag accessible. It should be understood, however, that the specific panel construction of the plastic film tote bag 10 may vary, e.g. the tote bag may include a gusset bottom and/or gusset sides, either or both side edges of the bag may be formed as fold lines in a single plastic film, etc.

The handle ails 12, 14 are molded of a plastic compatible to bails plastic film, e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. and are secured to the interior surfaces of the

respective panels

20,22 adjacent the upper edge of each panel. Optionally, the bails may be secured to their respective panels at the exterior surfaces of the panels. To secure the bails, the abutting surfaces of each

panel

20, 22 and the

respective bail bar

16, 18 are electronically welded or heat fused. It will be observed that the

bars

16, 18 are of a length greater than one-half the width of a panel, thereby providing a strong support for any articles carried in the tote bag 10, evenly distributing the weight of the articles along substantially the entire width of each panel to inhibit tearing of the panel. The length of the bars l6, l8 and their inherent resiliency assure that the mouth of the bag 10 is effectively sealed when the

bails

12, 14 are brought into juxtaposition.

The bails l2, 14 are generally planar and each includes a pair of spaced generally

upright legs

24, 26 respectively. The

legs

24, 26 are symmetrically positioned along their respective bars l6, l8 and diverge upwardly and outwardly so that at the upper ends thereof a space sufficient to allow a users hand to pass therebetween is provided. Joining the upper ends of each pair of

legs

24, 26 is a generally

horizontal reach

28, 30 respectively. The reaches 28, 30 extend parallel to the

bars

16, 18 and provide a finger and/or palm engageable surface for lifting and carrying the tote bag 10.

, In accordance with the invention, the

bails

12, 14 are provided with a novel interlocking mechanism which permits the bails to be interlocked in juxtaposed relationship thereby preventing access to the interior of the tote bag 10 through the bag mouth. From an examination of FIG. 3 it will be observed that the lower edge of the reach 30 extends below the lower edge of the reach 28. A flange 32 projects laterally in a horizontal plane from the lower edge of the reach 30 toward the reach 28. When the bails 12, 14 are brought together with the

reaches

28, 30 in abutting contact, the flange extends beneath the lower edge of the reach 28 and beyond the outer face thereof.

The distal edge of the reach 32 includes an upwardly extending bead 34 which engages the outer face of the reach 28 adjacent the lower edge thereof. The engagement between the bead 34 and the lower edge of the reach 28 is such that the reach 28 is captively engaged in abutting relationship with the reach 30 thereby. maintaining the bars l6, 18 of the

bails

12,14 in substantially juxtaposed relationship and securing a closure of the mouth of the bag 10.

In order to separate the reaches l2, 14 to open the bag mouth, the bail 12 may be lifted slightly so that the lower edge of the reach 28 is at an elevation above the upper edge of the head 34, whereupon the reaches may be pulled apart to separate the

bars

16, 18 of the bails and gain access to the interior of the bag 10. To relock the mouth of the bag, the bails are brought together in approximate registry and the bail 12 is forced against the bail 14. The lower edge of the reach 28 will then engage the curved upper surface of the bead 34 and the flange 32 will flex downwardly slightly to permit the reach 28 to be brought into abutting contact with the reach 30, whereupon the flange 32 will snap upwardly to lockingly retain the bails in juxtaposed relationship. Optionally, the

bails

12, 14 may be brought together with the bail 12 initially at a slightly higher elevation with the bail 14. It will be noted from an observation of FIG. 2 that since the lengths of the flange 32 and bead 34 are slightly less than the distance between the upper ends of the legs 24, it is possible to bring the

balls

12, 14 into abutting relationship and then to slide the bail 12 downwardly until the bails are in registry whereupon the lower edge of the reach 28 will be engaged by the bead 32.

If it is desired to only provide a snap fit to interlock the bails, the'length of the flange 32 and bead 34 may be increased so that the

bails

12, 14 may not be placed in abutting contact unless they are in registry. If it were then attempted to place the bails in abutting contact when the reach 28 is at a higher elevation than the reach 30, the bead 34 would not pass between the legs 24. If such alternate structure is utilized, it will be necessary to separate the bails by forcing them apart and deflecting the flange 32 downwardly.

Another attribute of the flange 32 is the fact that it provides a broad flat surface which is engaged by the users fingers or palm when the tote bag 10 is hand carried. If the contents of the bag 10 are not evenly distributed, the tendency of one of the reaches to bear down with greater force than that applied by the other reach is virtually eliminated. This is because not only are the bails interlocked, but only a single, broad, relatively flat surface is engaged by the users fingers or palm to support the weight of the articles carried in the bag which was transmitted through the

bag panels

20, 22.

Thus there is provided a tote bag article carrier having a pair of locking handle bails which achieves some of the objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the conditions of practical use.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4-8 wherein a pair of locking bails form part of a garment hanger carrying device 38. The

bails

12a, 14a are formed of unitary molded construction with the carrying device and the entire carrying deice 38 is preferably injection molded in one piece of polypropylene for reasons to be hereinafter described although other suitable thermoplastics may be utilized alternatively.

The

bails

12a, 14a are somewhat similar in construction to the

bails

12, 14 previously described and each includes a generally

horizontal base

16a, 18a from the opposite ends of which a pair of upwardly extending outwardly diverging

legs

24a, 26a extend. The upper ends of each pair of

legs

24a, 26a are joined by a

reach

28a, 30a, respectively. The basic configuration of the legs and reaches of the device of this embodiment are similar to the correspondingly numbered elements (without the letter a) of the bails l2 and 14 previously described.

A flange 32a projects from the bail 14a in an identical manner as the flange 32 projected from the reach 30 and a bear 34a similar to the bead 34 is formed at the distal edge of the flange. The flange 32a and bear 34a serve to interlock the two

bails

12a, 14a in similar manner as that previously described with respect to the bails l2 and 14.

The reaches 28a and 30a differ in construction from the

reaches

28, 30 previously described, however, due to the fact that a

central zone

40, 42 respectively, is formed wherein each reach is decreased in cross sectional thickness (see FIGS. 4 and The

zones

40,42 are formed by decreasing the thickness of the outer face of each reach but the opposed interfaces of the abutting reaches (FIG. 5) 28a, 30a remain substantially planar. Additionally, the portion of the flange 32a and bead 42a in the region of the

zone

40, 42 are substantially cut away (see FIGS. 5 and 8).

The

central zones

40, 42 are provided to facilitate the suspension of the carrying device 38 on a conventional garment post 44 (see FIG. 18) which is mounted within a roof section 46 of an automobile having a headliner 50. It will be observed from FIG. 18 that the clear space provided between the post 44 and the headliner will be sufficient to accomodate the

reaches

28a, 30a at the

central cones

40, 42.

The garment hanger carrying deice 38 includes a garment hanger hook engaging section positioned beneath the

bails

12a, 14a and which is molded in one piece construction with the bails. This hook engaging section is formed as a channel 52 having upright generally

parallel side walls

54, 56 which extend downwardly from the

bases

16a, 18a respectively of the

bails

12a, 14a. The channel 52 additionally includes a flat horizontal bottom wall 58 which joins the side walls 54,

It will be appreciated that the channel 52 is open ended and of a length shorter than that of the

bases

16a, 18a yet sufficient to accomodate a segment of the wire hook portion 60 of a garment hanger 62. The wire hook portion is accommodated within the channel 52 in any several possible positions for storage purposes (FIGS. 19 and as will be subsequently described.

A locking means which prevents removal of the hangers 62 without first spreading the bails to separate the reaches thereof is included with the channel 52. For this purpose, a pair of spaced generally wedge shaped ribs 64 extend across the bottom wall 58 and interconnect the

side walls

54,56. The ribs 64 engage the arcuately curved wire hook portion 60 at spaced 'zones along the concave side thereof (see FIG. 6).

In order to prevent the garment hanger 62 from becoming dislodged from the channel 52, an additional hook engaging member is provided which bears down on the convex upper surface portion of the hook 60. The wire hanger hook engaging member is formed by two

cantilever flanger

66, 68 which project inwardly from the

bases

16a, 18a respectively. The undersurface of the cantilever flanges are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the respective bails 122, 14a and when the reaches of the bails are locked together, the

undersurfaces

67, 69 are substantially parallel to the bottom wall 58.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the engagement between a hook portion 60, the spaced ribs 64 and the undersurface of a cantilever flange 66. It will be observed that the convex surface of the hook portion 60 (to the left as viewed in FIG. 5) exerts a counterclockwise moment on the cantilever flange 66. To reinforce the cantilever flanges against bending in response to such moments, each cantilever flange is thickened along its upper surface at the juncture between the

cantilever flange

66, 68 and the

bail base

16a, 18a respectively.

In order to assure proper contact between a cantilever flange and a wire hook portion 60 at or near the juncture line of the cantilever flanges, the flange 66 includes an outwardly projecting central tongue 72 which is received within a mating notch 74 of the flange 68 (see FIGS. 4 and 8).

It may also be observed that a convex upper surface of the hook portion 60 adjacent the longitudinal axis of the channel (FIG. 5) will be contacted by the undersurface 67 of the tongue 72 of the flange 66. If the aforementioned convex upper surface flexes the flange 66, contact will also be between the undersurface 69 of the flange 68 at the ends of the notch 74.

If hangers are used which include a hook formed of a straight horizontal upper portion bent at the opposite ends (not shown), engagement between the upper surface of the hook and the undersurface of the cantilever flanges will be substantially over the entire length of the abutting hook and flange surfaces.

Additionally, at the contact zones between the ribs 64 and the undersurfaces of the hook portions 60, the ribs 64 are deflected downwardly. This downward deflection is illustrated in FIG. 5. The ribs 64 will resume their original shape when the hook portions 60 are removed due to the resilient memory characteristics of the thermoplastic material of which the carrying device is molded.

The downward deflection of the ribs 64 when a hook portion 60 is in contact therewith contributes to the adaptability of the carrying device 38 to receive and carry a single hanger 62 or a plurality of hangers in side by side relation along the span of the ribs 64.

A single wire hook portion will cause a flexing of the upper edge of each rib 64 only in a region surrounding the hook portion. Thus, the upper edge of each rib 64 extends upwardly around the wire hook portion which becomes somewhat recessed in the ribs. This engagement prevents the hook portions from slipping out of the channel 52. Additionally, the cantilever flanges serve to increase the downward pressure on the ribs 64 at the points of contact with the hook portions, thus assuring a tight engagement.

In FIG. 7 the carrying device 38 is illustrated in its as molded position showing the

bails

12a, 14a substantially coplanar and with the

bail bases

16a, 18a interconnected to the

side walls

54, 56 by a thinned area forming a living

hinge

76, 78 respectively. Because liv ing hinges are utilized, it is desirable to mold the carrying device of polypropylene which is known for its exceptional flex life, although other plastics are also suitable.

In FIG. 8 a perspective illustration of the carrying device 38 is shown wherein the

bails

12a, 14a are in a position suitable for the insertion or removal of a wire hook 60. In this position, the users hand grasps a bail with his thumb over the reach 28a and with his fingers outstretched and extending beneath the bottom wall 58 of the channel 52. To prevent slipping, the undersurface of the bottom wall 58 is roughened. In this position, the wire hook portions of hangers are then placed within the channel 52 so that the ribs 64 engage spaced hook portions on the concave surface thereof.

Subsequently the

reaches

28a, 30a of the

bails

12a, 14a are brought together and interlocked utilizing the locking flange 32a and bead 34a. This locked position is illustrated in FIG. 5. It will be observed that the

bases

16a, 18a of the bails are spaced apart by the two

cantilever flanges

66, 68. As previously discussed, the

cantilever flanges

66, 68 bear down against a central convex surface of the wire hook portion 60 spaced between the ribs 64. The force exerted on the wire hook portions 60 by the

cantilever flanges

66, 68 force the wire hook portions 60 against the ribs 64 as does the weight of garments carried on the hangers 62 and tends to tightly lock the wire hook portions 60 between the ribs 64 and the cantilever flanges.

The cantilever flanges 66, 68 further provide a closure for the channel, preventing removal of hook portions 60. This is of importance not only when all of the hook portions 60 are in contact with the ribs but also when the hook portions are stacked or bunched atop one another.

To provide a unitary effective moment distribution between the

cantilever flanges

66, 68 when the

bails

12a, 14a are locked together, the distal edges of each cantilever flange are roughened so that when the distal edges of opposed flanges abut one another, i.e. the bails are in a closed position, separation of the compression flanges is impeded.

Thus it will be seen that one may easily carry either a single or several garments on garment hangers 62 by utilizing the carrying device 38 to thereby alleviate strain and pressure on the users hand and that it is a simple matter to merely slip the hook portion 60 of a hanger 62 into the channel 52 so that the hook portion rests on the ribs 64 and then to close the

bails

12a, 14a by pivoting them about the living hinges 76, 78 and snapping the

reaches

28a, 30a of the bails into a locked abutting position.

With one or several hanger hook portions 60 positioned and captively retained within the channel 52, a user may conveniently lift all of the hangers simultaneously by grasping the reaches 28a, 300. With hangers 5 hand carried in the device 38, it is extremely difficult to dislodge a hanger hook portion from the channel even if the garments are subject to careless or rough handling, e.g. slung over the user's shoulder, etc. Additionally, the provision of the

central zones

40, 42 readily renders the garments free of creases and wrinkles by permitting all of the hangers to be simultaneously suspended from a post mounted on the automobile roof.

A further feature of the garment carrying device 38 is the relative ease with which the gan'nent hangers may be suspended from a closet support rod without disengaging the device. This is of importance not only when receiving garments from a cleaning establishment but also when traveling because the carrier, i.e. airline, railroad, etc. usually provides a support rod for garments carried on hangers.

Illustrated in FIG. 19 are three possible positions which the device 38 may assume when hangers 62 carrying garments in a clothing bag 73 are suspended from a support rod 71. The position of the device 38 illustrated to the left in FIG. 19 is substantially upright and in the same position as when the hangers 62 are being carried utilizing the device 38. It will be appreciated that the length of the channel 52 is short enough so as not to present any interference to rod engagement.

The device 38 is shown in the center of FIG. 19 in a horizontal position which is useful when the support rod 71 is positioned close to an overhead obstruction such as a shelf. To so position the device 38, the user need only pivot the device in a clockwise (as shown in FIG. 19) direction about an axis passing substantially through the intersection of the hook portions 60 and the ribs 64.

A further optional position of the device 38 is shown to the right in FIG. 19 and is also illustrated in FIG. 20. This position is also desirable when minimal clearance is provided above the support rod 71. To move the device to this position, the bails are grasped in one hand and the hanger frames in the other, then the device is slid down the hook portions 60 and toward the hanger frames. It will be appreciated that the hook portions are still tightly wedged in the channel 52 and the hangers may be positioned on or removed from the support rod 71 while only holding the device 38.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 17. In this embodiment, a garment hanger carrying device 38b is formed with a pair of

bails

12b, 14b similar in construction to the

bails

12a, 14a. The

bails

12b, 14b include

bases

16b, 18b respectively and a pair of upwardly outwardly

diverging legs

24b, 26b respectively. A

reach

28b, 30b identical in construction to the

reach

28a, 30a is provided to interconnect each pair of legs. The

reach

28b, 30b includes a recessed central zone 40b, 42b identical to the

central zones

40, 42. Additionally provided is a flange 32b having a bead 34b at the distal edge thereof. The flange 32b is identical in construction and function to the flange 32.

This embodiment is distinguished, however, from the previous embodiment 38 in several aspects. Among the distinguishing features is the fact that the upper edge of the base 16b is at a lower elevation than the upper edge of the base 18b and a flange 80 extends laterally from the side face of the base 18b adjacent the upper edge thereof toward and over the upper edge of the base 16b. The flange 80 is similar to the flange 32b and terminates with a downturned bead 82 at the distal edge thereof. The head 82 of the flange 80 is spaced from the base 18b a distance greater than the thickness of the base 16b which the flange 80 overlies and, when the base 16b is restrained by the bead 82, it is restrained in a position spaced apart from the base 18b (see FIG. 11). This position is well suited for the carrying of a number of hangers 62b by the hook portions 60b thereof in a sling suspended beneath the bails, the details of which will be subsequently described.

If a single or few hangers 62b are to be carried, the flange 80includes a second downturned bead 84 extending from the undersurface of the flange 80 and lying parallel to yet spaced from the bead 82. If the bases l6b,l8b are pressed together until the opposed faces are adjacent one another, bead 82 first snaps over the upper edge of the base 16b, subsequently the bead 84 snaps over and lockingly retains the base 16b in substantially abutting contact with the opposite face of the base 18b (see FIG. 10).

This embodiment is also distinguished from the previous embodiment of the carrying device 38 in that the channel 52 is replaced by a sling 52b which is suspended beneath and connected at each of its side panels to the base of each bail. The sling 52b is adapted to receive hook portions 60b of hangers 62b so that garments supported from hangers may be carried. The sling 52b is molded in one piece with the

bails

12b, 14b and includes two downwardly extending generally outwardly diverging

side panels

54b, 56b. The sling is suspended from the bases of the bails by a pair of living hinges 76b, 78b so that the bails may be pivoted with respect to the sling in order to facilitate insertion of or removal of wire hook portions 60b from the sling in a manner to be described.

Each

side panel

54b, 56b diverges outwardly and downwardly from the bail to a resilient fold line from which a converging

portion

84, 86 extends. The inwardly converging

portions

84, 86 terminate at a living hinge 88. All of the living hinges 76b, 78b and 88 are formed by thinning the mating elements at the juncture line of the respective elements all of which are molded in one piece.

It will be observed that unlike the carrying device 38, the carrying device 38b of this embodiment is not designed to engage the wire hook portions 60b of garment hangers 62b with ribs whose axes extend perpendicular to the vertical planes of the garment hanger hook portions. The carrying device 38b is shaped to engage the wire hook portions substantially along a vertical plane, i.e. the plane of each hook portion, on opposite sides of the wire hook portion.

Although the carrying device 38b of this embodiment and the'carrying device 38 both accommodate one or a number of hangers, the instant embodiment provides for carrying either a single hanger 62b or several hangers in a sling. The carrying device 38b accommodates a single hanger 62b; a few hangers 62b (with the flange 80 securing the

bases

16b, 18b in abutment with the bead 84); or a number of hangers as illustrated in FIG. 11 (with the flange engaging the base 16b at the bead 82 so that the

bases

16b, 18b are spaced apart). To assure that a tight engagement is made between the

side panels

54b, 56b of the sling 52b and the hook portions of the hangers, the side panel 56b includes a pair of

ribs

90, 92 which lie in a generally vertical plane and are of wedge shaped transverse cross-section. From an observation of FIGS. 10, 11 and 14-17, it will be seen that the

ribs

90, 92 extend from the inner face of the side panel 56b a uniform distance throughout their length including the inwardly directed portion 86.

Furthermore, the side panel 54b includes a similar rib 94 which lies in a generally vertical plane spaced between the planes of the

ribs

90, 92.

The rib 94 extends between the living hinges 76b and 88, while the

ribs

90, 92 extend between the living hinges 78b and 88. A further pair of

ribs

96, 98 lie in the planes of the

ribs

90, 92 and project from the inner face of the base 18b. These ribs serve to engage hanger hook portions (not shown) which may extend between the

bases

16b, 18b when the bases are spaced apart. The opposed face of the base 16b is suitably notched to receive the

ribs

96, 98 when the

bases

16b, 18b abut one another. I

In FIG. 10 the carrying device 38b is shown carrying a single hook portion 60b between the

side panels

54b, 56b. The flange 80 is shown in a position wherein the

bases

16b, 18b are abutting one another and the

ribs

96, 98 are seated within the receiving notches of the base 16b. The abutting

bases

16b, 18b thus form a top closure for the sling 52b. It will also be observed that the

ribs

90, 92 96, 98 and 94 flex somewhat to resiliently receive the wire hook portion 60b and tightly retain and engage the hook portion 60b within the sling.

In FIG. 11 the carrying device 38b is shown carrying a plurality of hangers by the wire hook portion 60b thereof. It will be noted that the flange 80 is shown in a position wherein the bead 82 engages the base 16b so that the sling is in a more open,accommodating,position wherein it may receive a greater number of wire hook portions than possible previously, i.e. when the base 16b was locked by the bead 84. The flange thus provides a top closure for the sling 52b.

In FIG. 12 the carrying device 38b is shown in its as molded position which additionally is a desirable position for insertion and/or removal of the wire hook portions 60b of garment hangers. The garment hangers are inserted and removed in substantially the same manner as that previously described with respect to the carrying device 38 of the previous embodiment.

It should be noted, however, that a pair of abutment stops 100, 102 are provided adjacent the living hinge 88. The abutment stops serve to prevent the opening or flexing of the side panels beyond the position substantially illustrated in FIG. 13. This assures that the

side panels

54b, 56b will always be in an upwardly extending position to prevent the wire hook portions from slipping out of the sling 52b while the hangers are seated in the sling and before placing the bails in juxtaposition.

After the desired number of wire hook portions 60b are placed between the

side panels

54b, 56b, the bails of hangers which are being carried and, it is desirable to place the

bases

16b, 18b in juxtaposition, i.e. with the bead 84 engaging the base 16b, if at all possible.

Thus a fully adjustable garment hanger carrier is provided which assures not only a substantially flat support surface to facilitate carrying of garments on hangers but additionally provides a carrying bail having locking means at both the upper and lower ends thereof with the lower end locking means being adjustable to achieve an adjustable closure for a sling mounted beneath and connecting the bails.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. In this embodiment, a garment carrying device 380 is illustrated. The carrying device 380 is similar to the carrying device 38 previously described and includes a channel 520 positioned beneath a pair of mutilated bails 12c, 14c.

The bails 12c, 14c are similar to the

bails

12a, 14a, however each bail includes only one

leg

24c, 260 respectively. The opposite leg of each bail is omitted in order to provide an opening whereby the carrier 380 may be suspended from a closet rod 710. The bails are thus shaped similar to the letter C. In other aspects the bails 12c, 14c are substantially the same as the

bails

12a, 14a previously described, and include a locking flange 320 having a bead 34c which secures the reaches 28c, 300 in abutting contact.

In order to provide sufficient strength for the mutilated bails so that garments may be easily carried, the legs 24c, 26c are thickened and widened as compared to the

legs

24a, 34a. Additionally, optional reinforcing ribs (not shown) may be provided along the outer and inner periphery of the bails.

The bails 12c, 14c lock together and spread apart substantially in the same manner as the bails previously described with respect to the carrying device 38. A unique feature of this embodiment is the fact that in addition to the three previously described manners of suspending the hangers from a closet support rod without disengaging the carrier, a fourth manner, substantially illustrated in FIG. 22 is available.

Because the space between the bases 16c, 18c and the reaches 28c, 30c is slightly larger than the diameter of a closet rod 710, the carrying device 38c may he slipped over the rod 71c with the bases 16c, 180 substantially beneath the rod 710 and with the reaches above the rod to suspend the hangers 62c from the closet rod without disengaging the carrying device 380 from the hanger. To suspend carried hangers having garments in bags 73c, the carrier 38c with hangers engaged in the channel 52c is slid over the rod 71c until the rod 710 abuts the leg 24c at which point it will be observed that the carrying device 380 will assume a tilted position if allowed to hang freely with the center of gravity of the garments carried on the hangers 62c lying within a vertical plane including the axis of the closet rod 710. in this position, the weight of the garments tends to maintain engagement between the carryingdevice 38c and the closet rod 71c.

It will be appreciated that the garment

hanger carrying devices

38, 38b and 38c all carry garment hangers by receiving the hook portions thereof within a hook engaging section positioned beneath the bails. Furthermore, the plane of each hook portion,lies substantially between the bails and side walls or panels of the hook engaging section.

The garment hanger carriers described are designed to be utilized to carry hangers having wire hook portions the size and shape of which are of no critical significance. Therefore, the hook portions may be coplanar, concave and convex surfaces or may include angularly bent straight portions, etc.

Thus it will be seen that there are provided carrying devices which achieve the objects of the invention and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the present invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A unitary carrier suitable for the hand carrying of either a single or a plurality of garments on hangers having planar hooks, the carrier comprising a pair of bails, each bail including a reach, a base, means interconnecting the reach and the base, the carrier further including garment hanger hook engaging means, pivotal means interconnecting the base of each bail and the hook engaging means, the carrier being formed of one piece molded thermoplastic construction with the pivotal means including a living hinge having a pivotal axis substantially parallel to the length of the respective base, each bail being operably pivotable about its respective living hinge from a first position wherein the reaches are spaced apart for insertion or removal of garment hanger hooks in the hook engaging means to a second position wherein the reaches are substantially juxtaposed, means for the selective securement of the bails to inhibit the removal of hooks, the securement means including a stiff yet resilient flange, the flange extending from one reach laterally beyond and beneath the other reach when the bails are in their second position, the securement means further including a locking member, the locking member projecting from the flange and engaging the other reachwhen the bails are pivoted to said second position, the flange providing a substantially broad weight load distributing surface whereby garments may be easily and securely carried by grasping the juxtaposed reaches and lifting the bails when in their second position.

2. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the hook engaging means includes means restraining free movement of the hangers relative to the carrier, the restraining means including a plurality of spaced ribs extending from the hook engaging means and abutting the hanger hook.

3. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein meansto inhibit dislodgement of the hangers from the carrier is provided, the inhibiting means including a cantilever flange projecting from one of the bases toward the other base and providing an upper closure for the hook engaging means.

4. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein a pair of cantilever flanges are provided, each cantilever flange projecting from the base of one bail.

5. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein means restraining free movement of hangers relative to the carrier is provided, the restraining means including a plurality of spaced ribs projecting from the hook engaging means and abutting the hanger hook.

6. A unitary carrier constructed inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the garment hanger hook engaging means includes a channel, the channel having a bottom wall and two upright substantially parallel side walls projecting therefrom, the living hinge joining each of the side walls and a base of a corresponding bail, the bottom wall being of a length receivable within the concave undersurface of a garment hanger hook whereby the garment hanger hook may be confined between the side walls of the channel.

7. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein a pair of spaced ribs are provided, each of said ribs projecting upwardly from the bottom wall of the channel and extending generally transversely of the length of the bottom wall, the ribs engaging the hooks at the undersurfaces thereof, the weight of garments carried by the garment hangers causing the ribs to resiliently deflect around the hooks whereby one or more garment hangers may be carried by the carrier with the book of each hanger being received within a deflected portion of each rib.

8. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein means to inhibit dislodgement of the hangers from the carrier is provided, the inhibiting means including a cantilever flange projecting from one of the bases toward the other base and providing an upper closure for the channel whereby the hanger hooks are confined within the channel.

9. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein two cantilever flanges are provided, one of the cantilever flanges projecting from each of the bails.

10. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the hook engaging means comprises a sling, the sling having a pair of side panels, means hingedly securing the side panels at their lower ends, each of the side panels being joined to one of the bails by the pivotal means whereby garments on hangers may be carried with the hooks of the hangers seated in the sling between the side panels thereof.

1 l. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 10 wherein ribs are provided, the ribs extending substantially in vertical planes, at least one rib projecting from one side panel toward the other side panel and at least one rib projecting from the other side panel toward the one side panel, the ribs captively retaining the hooks when the bails are in juxtaposition.

12. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base of each bail extends substantially parallel to and is spaced below the reach, and the means interconnecting the reach and the base at least one leg extending downwardly from the reach of the base of each.

13. A carrier suitable for the hand carrying of either a single or a plurality of garments on hangers, said carrier comprising a pair of bails, each bail including a 16 hand engageable reach, a base, garment hanger hook engaging means adapted to support garment hangers having planar hooks, pivotal means joining each bail and the hook engaging means, the hook engaging means interconnecting the bails, the two pivotal means being joined to each bail adjacent the base thereof, means for the selective securement of the bails to inhibit removal of hooks from the hook engaging means, each bail being operably pivotable about its respective pivotal means from a first position wherein the reaches are spaced apart for insertion or removal of garment hanger hooks in the hook engaging means to a second position wherein the reaches are substantially juxtaposed, the securement means including means interlocking the bails when in said second position, the hook engaging means including means restraining free movement of the hangers relative to the carrier, the restraining means comprising a plurality of spaced apart ribs engaging a hanger hook with the plane of each hook lying substantially between the bails whereby a garment on a hanger may be securely hand carried.

14. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 13 wherein the hook engaging means comprises a channel, the channel including a bottom wall and two upright substantially parallel side walls projecting therefrom, each of the side walls being joined to one of the bails, the bottom wall being of a length receivable within the undersurface of a hook whereby the garment hanger hooks may be engaged between the side walls of the channel with the plane of each book lying substantially parallel to the planes of the side walls.

15. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 14 wherein the ribs project upwardly from the bottom wall of the channel and extends generally transversely the length of the bottom wall and between the side walls, the ribs engaging the hooks at the undersurfaces thereof, the weight of the garments carried by the garment hangers causing the ribs to resiliently deflect around the hooks whereby one or more garment hangers may be carried by the carrier with the hook of each hanger being received within a downwardly deflected portion of each rib.

16. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 15 wherein a cantilever flange is provided, the cantilever flange projecting from the base of one of the bails toward the base of the other bail, the cantilever flange lying substantially within a plane perpendicular to the side walls when the bails are in juxtaposition to provide an upper closure for the channel, whereby the hanger hooks are confined within the channel when the bails are in juxtaposition.

17. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 13 wherein the hanger supporting means comprises a sling, the sling having a pair of side panels, means hingedly securing the side panels at their lower ends, each of the side panels being joined to one of the bails, whereby garment hangers may be carried by the carrying device with the hook portions of the hangers seated in the sling between the side panels thereof.

18. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 17 wherein, the ribs extend substantially in vertical planes, at least one rib projecting from one side panel toward the other side panel and at least one rib projecting from the other side panel toward the one side panel.

IOHNA 0660 19. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 17 wherein the base of each bail extends substantially parallel to and is spaced below the reach and the means interconnecting the reach and the bail includes, at least one leg extending downwardly from the reach to the base of each bail, a flange, the flange extending from one base laterally beyond and above the other base and a locking member projecting from the one base flange and engaging the other base when the bails are in juxtaposition.

20. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 19 wherein the one base flange includes a pair of spaced locking members, one of the locking members

Claims

1. A unitary carrier suitable for the hand carrying of either a single or A plurality of garments on hangers having planar hooks, the carrier comprising a pair of bails, each bail including a reach, a base, means interconnecting the reach and the base, the carrier further including garment hanger hook engaging means, pivotal means interconnecting the base of each bail and the hook engaging means, the carrier being formed of one piece molded thermoplastic construction with the pivotal means including a living hinge having a pivotal axis substantially parallel to the length of the respective base, each bail being operably pivotable about its respective living hinge from a first position wherein the reaches are spaced apart for insertion or removal of garment hanger hooks in the hook engaging means to a second position wherein the reaches are substantially juxtaposed, means for the selective securement of the bails to inhibit the removal of hooks, the securement means including a stiff yet resilient flange, the flange extending from one reach laterally beyond and beneath the other reach when the bails are in their second position, the securement means further including a locking member, the locking member projecting from the flange and engaging the other reach when the bails are pivoted to said second position, the flange providing a substantially broad weight load distributing surface whereby garments may be easily and securely carried by grasping the juxtaposed reaches and lifting the bails when in their second position.

3. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein means to inhibit dislodgement of the hangers from the carrier is provided, the inhibiting means including a cantilever flange projecting from one of the bases toward the other base and providing an upper closure for the hook engaging means.

6. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the garment hanger hook engaging means includes a channel, the channel having a bottom wall and two upright substantially parallel side walls projecting therefrom, the living hinge joining each of the side walls and a base of a corresponding bail, the bottom wall being of a length receivable within the concave undersurface of a garment hanger hook whereby the garment hanger hook may be confined between the side walls of the channel.

7. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein a pair of spaced ribs are provided, each of said ribs projecting upwardly from the bottom wall of the channel and extending generally transversely of the length of the bottom wall, the ribs engaging the hooks at the undersurfaces thereof, the weight of garments carried by the garment hangers causing the ribs to resiliently deflect around the hooks whereby one or more garment hangers may be carried by the carrier with the hook of each hanger being received within a deflected portion of each rib.

11. A unitary carrier constructed in accordance with claim 10 wherein ribs are provided, the ribs extending substantially in vertical planes, at least one rib projecting from one side panel toward the other side panel and at least one rib projecting from the other side panel toward the one side panel, the ribs captively retaining the hooks when the bails are in juxtaposition.

13. A carrier suitable for the hand carrying of either a single or a plurality of garments on hangers, said carrier comprising a pair of bails, each bail including a hand engageable reach, a base, garment hanger hook engaging means adapted to support garment hangers having planar hooks, pivotal means joining each bail and the hook engaging means, the hook engaging means interconnecting the bails, the two pivotal means being joined to each bail adjacent the base thereof, means for the selective securement of the bails to inhibit removal of hooks from the hook engaging means, each bail being operably pivotable about its respective pivotal means from a first position wherein the reaches are spaced apart for insertion or removal of garment hanger hooks in the hook engaging means to a second position wherein the reaches are substantially juxtaposed, the securement means including means interlocking the bails when in said second position, the hook engaging means including means restraining free movement of the hangers relative to the carrier, the restraining means comprising a plurality of spaced apart ribs engaging a hanger hook with the plane of each hook lying substantially between the bails whereby a garment on a hanger may be securely hand carried.

14. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 13 wherein the hook engaging means comprises a channel, the channel including a bottom wall and two upright substantially parallel side walls projecting therefrom, each of the side walls being joined to one of the bails, the bottom wall being of a length receivable within the undersurface of a hook whereby the garment hanger hooks may be engaged between the side walls of the channel with the plane of each hook lying substantially parallel to the planes of the side walls.

19. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 17 wherein the base of each bail extends substantially parallel to and is spaced below the reach and the means interconnecting the reach and the bail includes, at least one leg extending downwardly from the reach to the base of each bail, a flange, the flange extending from one base laterally beyond and above the other base and a locking member projecting from the one base flange and engaging the other base when the bails are in juxtaposition.

20. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 19 wherein the one base flange includes a pair of spaced locking members, one of the locking members engaging the other base when the bases are in abutting contact to thereby tightly constrict the sling for accommodating the hooks of one or a few hangers, the other locking member engaging the other base when the bases are spaced apart to thereby provide a sling closure such that the sling is capable of accommodating the hooks of several hangers whereby one or many garment hangers may be carried.

21. A carrier constructed in accordance with claim 16 wherein two cantilever flanges are provided, one of the cantilever flanges projecting from each of the bails.