The present invention relates to collapsible racks and more particularly to a foldable luggage rack that incorporates storage shelves or boxes. The additional storage boxes may attach to and hang from the top of the luggage rack.
Luggage racks, and folding luggage racks are known in the art. They are typically collapsible so that they use little room when not in use. The luggage racks are especially well known for their convenience in hotel rooms, bedrooms in private homes, dormitories, for example. Although they may be used in closet space, these luggage racks allow for storage and accessibility of luggage in an open space of a room.
They allow for easy storage of suitcases and other luggage articles, and typically allow access to such articles when resting on the luggage racks.
Typically, these luggage racks are lightweight, foldable or collapsible, and provide a seat for a piece of luggage. The height of the luggage rack allows for the suitcase or other piece of luggage to be stored off the floor and at a height that allows for easy accessibility.
Despite the advantages of the common luggage rack, the present inventors realize that a long-felt need exists to make these devises even more useful and convenient for the user. The present invention meets this need.
One object of the present invention is to provide a luggage rack that includes a seat portion, upon which a piece of luggage, such a suitcase can sit, that includes storage shelves or boxes suspended therefrom.
In other embodiments, the storage shelves or boxes are detachable from the rack.
Another object is a luggage rack that includes a frame and a storage compartment, with the frame comprising two legs that have a first end, an upper portion, and a second end. Typically, the ends of the legs rest on a floor. The legs being joint at a first and second pivot point, the pivot point being between the ends and the upper portion; and at least one support band attached to the upper portions of both legs. The storage compartment comprises a top, bottom, and two outer walls; and at least one support strap releasably attached to the upper portion of the first leg and the upper portion of the second leg.
In another embodiment, the storage compartment hangs from the upper portions by the support straps.
In another embodiment, at least two support bands join the upper portions of the legs.
In another embodiment, the storage compartment has four support straps for attaching to the upper portions of the legs.
In another embodiment, the storage compartment further includes an inner wall that joins the top and bottom of the storage compartment.
In another embodiment, the storage compartment is fabric. In other aspects of this embodiment, the storage compartment outer walls and inner wall are at least partially a mesh fabric.
In another embodiment, the frame has four supports bands connecting the tops of the legs, and the storage compartment has six support straps for attaching to the legs.
In another embodiment, the bottom of the storage compartment has a border that has increased stiffness when compared to the remainder of the bottom. In one aspect of this embodiment, the border includes a wire support.
In another embodiment, the storage compartment support straps releasably attach to the legs with a hook and loop connection.
In another embodiment, the pivot points allow the upper portions of the legs to be folded from an open position to a folded position; wherein the storage compartment collapses into a folded position when the legs are pivoted into the folded position and expands into an open position when the legs are pivoted into the open position.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent while reviewing the preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention disclosed herein in the description of the invention below and the accompanying drawings.
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.
The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the 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 scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
As stated above, the present invention relates to a luggage rack that includes a seat portion, upon which a piece of luggage, such a suitcase can sit, that includes storage shelves or boxes suspended therefrom. The boxes or shelves can be used to conveniently and efficiently store additional items.
Turning to the drawings,
The leg portions 21, 22 of the frame are typically metal and tubular. They can be one piece or several pieces that are joined together. The leg portions can also be made of other materials, wood and plastic being examples. The fasteners 23 are not known to be critical and can vary as well. They can be a simple nut and bolt arrangement, for example. They only have to secure the legs together, and allow for them to pivot when the frame is folded/closed.
The support bands 24, 25, 26, 27 that form the seat are typically a simple strap. They are typically fabric, but can be plastic as well. They are flexible to accommodate the folding of the frame. There should be at least two, but typically more than two are used in order to better support the luggage. Alternatively, the support bands can be substituted for a single piece of fabric that covers most or all of the seat portion. However, when a single piece of fabric is used, there must be apertures to allow for the storage compartment 30 to be attached to the frame.
The storage unit shown in
As shown in these figures, the storage compartment has three support straps 40 for each leg. The support straps are attached to the top 32 of the storage compartment. The specifically nature of the straps is not known to be critical, as long as they securely support the storage unit and the items stored therein. The figures depict a strap that comprises two pieces, each connected to the top 32 of the storage compartment. In some embodiments, the straps can simply be tied around the leg. In other embodiments, there is a connection device that secures the two devices together, while around the leg. Examples include a snap or a buckle. Shown in the figures is a simple hook and loop connection 41. This allows for the storage compartment to be releasably attached to the frame.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention.
As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.” Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
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