The garments are hung from hangers (1) which are clipped to an overhead transport system (3). The switching control has a servo operated rail (6) which is pushed into the path of the hangers and causes the next hanger to slide up the inclined rail until it is disconnected from the overhead conveyor. The released hanger slides down the rail and onto a fixed rail (4), also inclined, leading a separate collecting station. The extending rail has a reciprocal movement driven by a pneumatic servo. The switching rail has a similar inclination to the fixed rail and overlaps it by a set amount when in the transfer position. In the retracted position the hangers pass by on the overhead conveyor.
