FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This present invention relates to consumer storage products and, more particularly, to portable garment racks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable garment racks are used in many situations to hang clothing. Portable garment racks are used for fashion shows, weddings, clothing stores, residential and commercial clothes storage, coat check stands, additional clothing storage in apartments and condominiums, and many other uses. For many applications, the garment racks need to be transported to a location. In such applications, the garment racks must be transported in their fully upright and assembled position, or the garment racks need to be disassembled, transported, and reassembled on-site. The extra time it takes to disassemble and reassemble the garment racks can be substantial for events that require a large number of garment racks. Moreover, existing garment racks must be stored in a fully assembled or a substantially disassembled state when not in use. Storage of garment racks in the fully assembled condition can take up a substantial volume of space, with void and open air spaces comprising the majority of the required storage volume. Further, it takes extra time to disassemble and reassemble the garment rack.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a garment rack that can be folded into a position that can be easily transported by conventional vehicles to locations, and/or provide a compact folded position that takes a minimal amount of space without having to disassemble the garment rack. The ability for a garment rack to be folded is also advantageous for shipping and the display of the products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a foldable garment rack that can be selectively configured in an erected position and a folded position. The foldable garment rack may include a collapsible frame having a rigid top frame member pivotally coupled to both a first side frame member and a second side frame member, and a rigid bottom frame member that is also pivotally coupled to both the first side frame member and the second side frame member. The side frame members may include a top section and a bottom section operably connected by a first elbow joint. The first and second side frame members may have substantially equal lengths.
The side frame members may be pivotally coupled to a connection tab coupled to the top frame member. A first connection tab may be coupled to a back side of the top frame member proximate a first end of the top frame member and the first side frame member may be pivotally connected to the first connection tab. A second connection tab may be coupled to a front side of the top frame member proximate a second end of the top frame member and the second side frame member may be pivotally coupled to the second connection tab.
The foldable garment rack may include a first locking tube that is slidingly disposed on the first side frame member wherein the first locking tube may have a length sufficient to cover the first elbow joint and a portion of each of the top section and the bottom section of the first side frame member that are adjacent to the first elbow joint. Similarly, the foldable garment rack may include a second locking tube slidingly disposed on the second side frame member. The second locking tube may similarly have a length sufficient to cover the second elbow joint and a portion of each of the top section and the bottom section of the second side frame member that are adjacent to the second elbow joint. The side frame members of the present foldable garment rack may include the top section and the bottom sections having lengths that are substantially equal.
When the present foldable garment rack is configured in the erected position, the first locking tubes may cover the respective elbow joint and a portion of each of the top section and the bottom section of the side frame member adjacent to the respective elbow joint. When in the erected position, the locking tube substantially prevents any relative pivotal displacement between the top and bottom sections of the side frame members. In addition, the locking tubes may rest on a transition step in the outer dimension of the bottom section of the side members so that gravity holds the locking tubes in the desired position to substantially prevents any relative pivotal displacement between the top and bottom sections of the side frame members.
The present garment rack may be folded by moving the locking members to expose the elbow joints so that the elbow joints are free to be displaced inwardly so that the top and bottom sections of the side frame members also rotate inwardly from the top and bottom frame members respectively. The top and bottom side frame members will fold in half thereby bringing the top frame member in close proximity to the bottom frame member.
When the present foldable garment rack is configured in the folded position, the first side frame member and the second side frame member may be laterally adjacent or “side-by-side” due in part to the location of the connection tabs. In the folded position, the rigid top frame member may be substantially above the rigid bottom frame member.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like or similar parts in the various views.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a folding garment rack in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the folding garment rack of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of an elbow joint of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a joint member of the elbow joint of FIG. 2A;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connection plate of the elbow joint of FIG. 2A;
FIG. 5 is perspective view of one embodiment of a top frame of the garment rack of FIG. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 6A is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 6B is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 6C is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 6D is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 6E is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and
FIG. 6F is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack of FIG. 1 in a folded position in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description of the present invention references the accompanying drawing figures that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the present invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and, therefore, the description is not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
As shown in FIG. 1, garment rack 10 comprises a main frame 12 mounted on four of wheel assemblies 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. Main frame 12 comprises top frame member 16, a first side frame member 18, a second side frame member 20, and a bottom frame member 22. Main frame 12 members 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be structural members of metal, plastic, fiberglass, or other composite material, such as carbon fiber, or a mixture thereof. Main frame 12 members 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be solid members, hollow sections (for example, tubes), or other known structural cross-sectional shapes. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment wherein frame members 16, 18, 20 and 22 are metal tubes.
As further shown in FIG. 1, each wheel assembly 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d may include a connector tube 24, a caster 26 coupled to connector tube 24, and a wheel 28 operably connected to caster 26. A wheel 28 may include a wheel lock 30. As shown in FIG. 1, wheel 28 of wheel assemblies 14a and 14b include wheel lock 30. Connector tubes 24 and casters 26 may be constructed of metal, plastic, or other composite material, such as carbon fiber, or a mixture thereof. One or more casters 26 may include a bearing assembly (not shown) allowing for each wheel to be rotatable about a vertical axis. Wheels 28 may be made of any wheel material now known, including rubber, polyurethane, plastic, or metal. Wheel 28 may be operably connected to caster 26 using a bolt or other pin member wherein wheel 28 may also include a bearing assembly (not shown) facilitating rotation of wheel 28 within caster 26. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that there are many wheel and caster combinations that may be incorporated into the present wheel assembly. Wheel assemblies 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d may be configured with a release mechanism (not shown) so that they can be removably coupled to side members 18 and 20 respectively.
An embodiment of the present garment rack 10 is shown in FIG. 2 which shows first side frame member 18 comprising a bottom member 32 and a top member 34 that are operably connected at an elbow joint 36a. Top member 34 has a first end 38 and a second end 40. Top member 34 may also include a tube slide stop 42 disposed between first end 38 and second end 40. Tube slide stop 42 may be an area of top member having a larger perimeter (or diameter) or may be a separate element coupled to top member 34, which prevents a sleeve or a locking tube 62 from sliding along the length of top member 34.
Bottom member 32 comprises a vertical member 44 having a first end 46 and a second end 48. First end 46 may have a reduced perimeter portion 50 and a transition step 52 transitioning from the reduced perimeter to a larger perimeter of the outer extents of vertical member 44. Transition step 52 may alternatively be a stop member coupled to the outer extents of bottom member 32 proximate first end 46. Bottom member 32 may also include a wheel receiver tube 54 proximate second end 48. Wheel receiver tube 54 may be substantially orthogonal to both vertical member 44 of side member 18 and bottom frame member 22 of frame 12. Wheel receiver tube 54 may include a bottom side 56. A first bottom connection tab 58 and a second bottom connection tab 60 may be coupled to bottom side 56. First bottom connection tab 58 and second bottom connection tab 60 may be orientated, or may “lie,” parallel to bottom frame member 22. First bottom connection tab 58 and second bottom connection tab 60 may be spaced apart a clear distance which is identical to or slightly greater than an outer dimension of bottom frame member 22.
First side frame member 18 also includes a locking tube 62 that slides along at least a portion of the length of first side frame member 18. Accordingly, locking tube 62 has an inner clear dimension that is greater than the extents of at least a portion of first side frame member 18. In one embodiment, locking tube 62 has an inner clear dimension that is greater than a portion of top member 34 proximate second end 40 and a portion of bottom member 32 proximate first end 46. In one embodiment locking tube 62 has a length that allows it to simultaneously cover elbow joint 36a, a portion of bottom member 32 proximate first end 46, and a portion of top member 34 proximate second end 40, which allows locking tube 62 to prevent the relative angular displacement or “folding” of the top member 34 and the bottom member 36 of the first side frame member 18 at elbow joint 36a.
As shown in FIG. 2A, an elbow joint 36 comprises an upper joint member 64 and a lower joint member 72. Elbow joint 36 and components thereof is described below and shown in FIGS. 2A, 3, and 4. Elbow joint 36 is separately identified herein upon each occurrence in the present invention as elbow joint 36a of first side frame member 18 and elbow joint 36b of second side frame member 20. As shown in FIG. 3, each joint member 64 and 72 includes a reduced perimeter first end 66, a step 68 in the extents of the outer surface 67, a second end 69, an aperture 70 through the center of the joint member body proximate the second end 69, and a vertically orientated slot 71 cut therein, wherein slot 71 is substantially perpendicular to aperture 70. Reduced perimeter first end 66 of upper joint member 64 may be received into second end 40 of top member 34 wherein top member 34 may butt against step 68. Reduced perimeter first end 66 of lower joint member 72 may be received into first end 46 of bottom member 32 wherein the bottom member 32 butts against step 68. A first chamfer 74 may be disposed on the joint member 64 and 72 proximate first end 66 and a second chamfer 76 is disposed on the joint member 64 and 72 proximate second end 69.
As shown in FIG. 2A, upper joint member 64 and lower joint member 72 are pivotally coupled by a connection plate 80. As better shown in FIG. 4, connection plate 80 comprises a first end 81 and a first aperture 82 through connection plate 80 proximate first end 81. Connection plate 80 also comprises a second end 83 and a second aperture 84 through connection plate 80. Connection plate 80 may have a length that is approximately the sum of the outer dimensions (the diameter if round, the length or width if rectangular, or otherwise measured) of top member 34 and bottom member 32, or alternatively, a length that is more than that sum. Turning back to FIG. 3, slot 71 of upper joint member 64 and slot 71 of lower joint member 72 have a width sufficient to receive the connection plate 80 (see assembled condition in FIG. 2A). This allows a fastener 85, such as a pin, bolt, or other known pivot fastener, to be used to pivotally couple upper joint member 64 and 72. Fastener 85a pivotally connects upper joint member 64 to connection plate 80 proximate first end 81 and another fastener 85b pivotally connects lower joint member 72 to connection plate 80 proximate second end 83.
As shown in FIG. 2, second side frame member 20 comprises a bottom member 86 and a top member 88 that are operably connected at an elbow joint 36b. Top member 88 has a first end 92 and a second end 94. Top member 88 may also include a tube slide stop 96 between first end 92 and second end 94. Tube slide stop 96 may be an area of top member 88 having a larger perimeter or may be a separate element coupled to top member 88 that prevents a sleeve locking tube 116 from sliding along the length of top member 88.
Bottom member 86 comprises a vertical member 98 having a first end 100 and a second end 102. First end 100 may have a reduced perimeter portion 104 and a transition step 106 in the outer extents of vertical member 98 wherein the outer dimension increases. Transition step 106 may alternatively be a stop member coupled to the outer extents of bottom member 86 proximate first end 100. Bottom member 86 may also include a wheel receiver tube 108 proximate second end 102. Wheel receiver tube 108 may be substantially orthogonal to both vertical member 98 of second side frame member 20 and bottom frame member 22 of frame 16. Wheel receiver tube 108 has a bottom side 110 and a first bottom connection tab 112. A second bottom connection tab 114 may be coupled to bottom side 110. First bottom connection tab 112 and second bottom connection tab 114 may be oriented or “lie” parallel to bottom frame member 22. First bottom connection tab 112 and second bottom connection tab 114 may be spaced apart a clear distance which is identical to or slightly greater than an outer dimension of bottom frame member 22.
Second side frame member 20 also includes a locking tube 116 that slides along at lest a portion of the length of side member 20. Accordingly, locking tube 116 has an inner clear dimension that is greater than the extents of at least a portion of second side frame member 20. In one embodiment, locking tube 116 has an inner clear dimension that is greater than a portion of top member 88 proximate second end 94 and a portion of bottom member 86 proximate first end 100. In one embodiment locking tube 116 has a length that allows it to simultaneously cover the entire elbow joint 36b, a portion of bottom member 86 and a portion of top member 88, which allows locking tube to prevent the relative angular displacement or “folding” of the top member 34 and the bottom member 36 of the second side frame member 20 at elbow joint 36b.
As shown in FIG. 2A, elbow joint 36b connects upper member 88 to lower member 86 such that the reduced perimeter first end 66 of upper joint member 64 may be received into second end 94 of upper member 88 wherein the upper member 88 may butt against step 68 of upper joint member 64. Reduced perimeter first end 66 of lower joint member 72 of elbow joint 36b may be received into first end 100 of bottom member 86 wherein the bottom member 86 butts against step 68 of lower joint member 72.
As shown in FIG. 2A, upper joint member 64 and lower joint member 72 of elbow joint 36b are pivotally coupled by a connection plate 80 thus pivotally connecting upper member 88 and lower member 86 of second vertical member 20 as similarly described above.
As shown in FIG. 2, bottom frame member 22 may be substantially horizontal and include an aperture 140a and 140b therethrough proximate each end. Bottom frame member 22 may be rigid and one-piece. A pin 142a may pass through an aperture in bottom connection tab 58, through aperture 140a of bottom frame member 22 and through an aperture in bottom connection tab 60. This results in bottom member 32 of first side frame member 18 being pivotally connected to bottom frame member 22. As further shown in FIG. 2, pin 142b may pass through an aperture in bottom connection tab 112, through aperture 140b of bottom frame member 22 and through an aperture in bottom connection tab 114. This results in bottom member 32 of second side frame member 20 being pivotally connected to bottom frame member 22. Bottom frame member 22 may include a stop 144 inserted in each end if bottom frame member 22 is a hollow section or tube to provide a finished look or to prevent debris from entering.
Top frame member 16 is also the garment rod and may be in a substantially horizontal orientation. Top frame-member 16 may be rigid and one piece. Now turning to FIG. 5, top frame member 16 may include a first end 146, a second end 148, a front side 150, a back side 152, a top side 154, and a bottom side 156. Top frame member 16 may include first connection tab 158 proximate first end 146 on back side 152. Top frame member 16 may include a second connection tab 160 proximate second end 148 on a front side 150. Both connection tabs 158 and 160 extend downward substantially perpendicular to bottom side 156. First and second connection tabs 158 and 160 may be configured substantially similar to a half of the connection plate 80 (described above and shown in FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 2, each top member 34 and 88 of each side member 18 and 20 may include a joint member 162a and 162b at first end 38 and 92 respectively. Joint members 162a and 162b are configured substantially similar to joint members 64 and/or 72 of elbow joint 36 in FIG. 3 and described above. The recessed end 66 of joint member 162a may be received into first end 38 of top member 34 of first side frame member 18 and recessed end 66 of joint member 162b may be received into first end 92 of top member 88 of second side frame member 20. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, top frame member 16 may be pivotally connected to side members 18 and 20 through a fastener 85e and 85f passing through joint members 162a and 162b and an aperture through connection tabs 158 and 160 respectively.
As further shown in FIG. 2, top frame member 16 may also include an extension tube 164a that extends from first end 146 and/or an extension tube 164b that extends from second end 148. As shown, each extension tube 164a and 164b includes a first end 166, a second end 168, and a hanger stop plate 170. Hanger stop plate 170 may be a plate which is coupled to one or more ends 146 and//or 148 of top frame member 16 or second end 168 of extension tube 164a and 164b to prevent hanging clothes from being pushed off the respective end. Extension tube 164 may be operably connected to top frame member 16 using a connector 172. Extension tube 164 may have a smaller outer dimension than the inner dimension of top frame member 16 and connector 172 may provide a washer or sleeve having a thickness that fills the gap or space between the extension tube 164 and the top frame member 16 to support the extension tube 164 in the top frame member 16 when an extension tube 164 is inserted into and received into an end 146 or 148 of the top frame member 16. Connector 172 may provide for some elastic deformation allowing relative movement of extension tube 164 relative to top frame member 16. Extension tubes 164a and 164b may be retractable and may be received partially or entirely within horizontal frame member 16.
Side members 18 and 20 may have a length that is about twice the length of bottom frame member 20. Side members 18 and 20 may also have a length that is less than or greater than about twice the length of bottom frame member 20. Bottom members 32 and 86 of side members 18 and 20 may be about equal in length to their respective top members 34 and 88.
FIG. 1 illustrates garment rack 10 in a fully erected position wherein locking tubes 62 and 116 are placed over elbow joints 36a and 36b and overlap recessed portions 50 and 104 (see FIG. 2) of bottom members 32 and 86 respectively. Locking tubes 62 and 116 may rest against transition steps 52 and 106 (see FIG. 2) respectively. In this position, locking tubes 62 and 116 prevent elbow joints 36a and 36b from pivoting which results in side members 18 and 20 being substantially rigid. Extension tubes 164a and 164b are shown in an extended position. Thusly, clothes may be hung on and supported by the garment rack using a typical hanger, or any other known hanger.
Garment rack 10 can fold to be transported or stored out of sight and in a location such as under a bed, or in a closet. The folded configuration occupies very little space. FIG. 6A illustrates the first step in folding one embodiment of garment rack 10, which is sliding locking tubes 62 and 116 upward until the elbow joints 36a and 36b are exposed as indicated by the arrows. Locking tubes 62 and 116 may be slid upward until they are restrained by or engage tube slide stop 42 and 96 respectively.
FIG. 6B illustrates the second step for folding garment rack 10. An inward force is applied to elbow joint 36a as indicated by the arrow. An inward force is also applied to elbow joint 36b as indicated by the arrow. Elbow joints 36a and 36b may be orientated to rotate about a horizontal axis substantially orthogonal to both side member 18 and top frame member 16. The inward force causes top members 34 and 88 to rotate inward with respect to top frame member 16. The inward force also causes bottom members 32 and 86 to rotate inward with respect to bottom frame member 22.
FIGS. 6C, 6D, and 6E show various stages of the third step for folding garment rack 10, which includes applying a downward force to top frame member 16 and, thereby, displacing top frame member 16 downward to lay on top of bottom frame member 22. In a fully folded position shown in FIG. 6E, top frame member 16 may be substantially resting on folded side frame members 18 and 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the fully folded position is possible because connection tabs 158 and 160 are on opposite sides of top frame member 16. Correspondingly, as further shown in FIG. 2, second end 102 of bottom member 86 of side frame member 20 may be coupled to wheel receiver tube 108 above a front side 174 of bottom frame member 22 and second end 48 of bottom member 32 of side frame member 18 may be coupled to wheel receiver tube 56 above a back side 176 of bottom frame member 22. This configuration allows side members to fold side-by-side to result in a compact folded position to be used for storage, shipping, or display.
FIG. 6E illustrates a final step that may occur wherein wheel assemblies 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d are removed from wheel receiver tubes 54 and 108 respectively. The wheel assemblies may be stored alongside the folded garment rack 10. The final position of folding garment rack 10 therefore takes up very little space and may easily be stored in any number of locations and may also be easily transported from one location to another. A user may erect the folded garment rack 10 by reversing the steps set out above for folding garment rack 10.
As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited to the particular details of the examples illustrated herein. It is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications using other similar or related features or techniques will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that all such modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the present invention.
Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosures, and the appended claims.
Patent Application
20150008201
