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CLARA RONK

Please describe what is Hang Check?

Hang Check is a set of long plastic covers that snaps onto the hang rod of a rolling rack covering over hanger hooks to secure them.

Hangers stay fixed and aligned especially during transportation.  Hang Check sets come in different lengths and offer two different sized diameter snap clips to fit tightly to industrial or smaller collapsable racks. 

What was the “ugh, there has to be a better way” moment that led to this invention?

A few years ago, I was working in a huge background shop on a large period piece primarily shot on location. We had lots of uniforms and winter coats! We constantly struggled to secure and travel hanging wardrobe, and there was a lot of it. At that time, most crews would velcro foam noodles or apply gaffers tape to the racks, this was a wasteful, expensive, sticky, and a time consuming mess! I initially thought about the concept of Hang Check then. But, the idea was really cemented while working at Barclay Center when Bette Midler performed her final US concert before flying to London. Her Wardrobe Supervisor asked me to hang her very, very expensive designer chiffon show dress in the wardrobe case and…TAPE the hanger down!! I thought, tape and chiffon in the same box, on a plane?  I guess it made it. But that sealed it for me. I realized Hang Check can be used on rolling racks and in road cases.  I immediately started 3D printing different shapes and product ideas. 

What has been your biggest struggle with Hang Check?

The biggest struggle was finding a local manufacture. I attended free manufacturing conventions at Javits Center, twice! On my second visit I met a friendly business person who said, you need to consider extrusion manufacturing. That was a life changing moment that narrowed down my factory search. I am very fortunate that Hang Check is manufactured in Middlesex, NJ by a three generation family owned factory called Fram Trak Industries. They are the best, I could not have asked for better, I’m grateful.

Now that your tool is out in the world—what’s the coolest or weirdest way someone’s used it?

The coolest:  I was recently thrilled to see a video in which Gilded Age Wardrobe was hang drying white blouses on an industrial rack setup outside the truck lift. The blouses were blowing back and forth in the wind and held securely by Hang Check! Better than a clothesline. 

 The weirdest: The Wardrobe Supervisor for John Legend's Tour was stuck in the lower level of a big arena after the elevators went out of service. To get to the upper level artists dressing rooms with the finely pressed wardrobe,  they needed to travel up several flights of stairs. With Hang Check already attached to the rolling rack, they had the genius idea to remove the hanging rod from the posts and climb the stairs with supporting rod on their shoulders instead! Mission accomplished. They sent me a photo of their rescue! 

What’s something you wish more people knew about designing something useful and actually getting it out there?

I made sure Hang Check worked well, so that with confidence, I could recommend it to my peers! I didn't want to make a product that did not live up to its reputation!  Hang Check.  Especially before asking others to spend money on something they’d never seen before,  I think it helped to both see and use it, to discover the effectiveness and ease of use.  I decided to gift Hang Check to crews to test it first hand.  Marketing is a huge hurdle when you invent a brand new unique product,  particularly one that is newly conceived.

What advice would you give to other inventors looking to bring a practical product to market ?

Do a lot of research, testing, and make prototype types before beginning manufacturing. Apply for a Provisioanal Patent, this protects your product for one year during develomepment. Also its so important to select a good product name that no one else uses and then more importantly an available matching URL name for your website. Really hard to do.

Where can Hang Check be purchased?