Suspended rotary rack

Abstract

The suspended rotary rack may be configured as a rotary clothes hanger with folding arms, multiple arm or hook rotary hanger racks, and single or multiple level rotary article holders, rotary platforms, or multiple arm article holders. The rotary rack is suspended from an overhead support by a bearing assembly having two tandem bearings. The bearing assembly has an anchor block, an anchor bearing having an inner race attached to the upper end of the anchor block, and an outer race fixed within an upper end of a column. The outer race of a guide bearing is fixed within the lower end of the anchor block. The inner race of the guide bearing is fixed to a guide block, the guide block being fixed within the upper end of the column below the anchor bearing. The tandem bearing assembly precludes any radial or axial play of the column.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a suspended rotary rack according to the present invention, showing various features thereof.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the central hub assembly and arms of the suspended rotary rack of FIG. 1, showing further details thereof.

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away elevation view in section of the hub assembly of the rack of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing further details thereof.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the upper bearing assembly used in the various rack embodiments of the present invention, showing various details thereof.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view in section of the upper bearing assembly of the suspended rotary rack of the present invention, showing further details thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of the present invention configured as a multiple arm hanger.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of the present invention configured as a multiple level article holder.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of the present invention configured as a multiple level rotary tray.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of the present invention configured as a multiple arm article holder.

Claims

1. A suspended rotary rack, comprising: a bearing assembly adapted for suspension from an overhead support;a rigid, hollow rotary rack support column having an upper end, a medial portion, and a lower end opposite the upper end, the bearing assembly being disposed concentrically within the upper end of the column and constrained from axial movement within the column, the column being rotatable about an axis defined through the bearing assembly; andat least one article support extending radially from said rotary rack support column, the article support being fixed to the column for rotation therewith.

2. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 1, wherein said at least one article support further comprises: a plurality of elongate folding arms extending radially from the lower end of said rotary rack support column; anda plurality of flexible clotheslines extending between each of said folding arms.

3. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 2, wherein each of said folding arms has a proximal end, the rotary rack further including: a hub rotationally affixed to the lower end of said rotary rack support column;a plurality of radially disposed arm attachment flange pairs extending from said hub;an arm extension locking flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding arms, the flats extending substantially parallel to the length of the corresponding one of said folding arms;a folded arm locking flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding arms, the folded arm locking flats extending substantially normal to the corresponding said arm extension locking flat;an arm attachment pin pivotally securing each of said folding arms to a corresponding one of said arm attachment flange pairs;an arm position lock rod having a spring retainer end and an external end opposite the spring retainer end, the rod extending concentrically through said hub;an arm position lock spring compressively disposed about said arm position lock rod between the spring retainer end thereof and said hub; andan arm position lock disposed upon the external end of said arm position lock rod and extending concentrically from said hub, the lock selectively bearing against each said arm extension locking flat or each said folding arm locking flat of said folding arms and correspondingly selectively locking said folding arms in a radially extended position or in a folded position adjacent said rotary rack support column.

4. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 1, wherein said axially rigid bearing assembly further comprises: a rotationally stationary anchor block having a small diameter structure attachment end and a large diameter guide bearing housing end opposite the structure attachment end;an anchor bearing having a rotationally stationary inner race and a rotating outer race, the inner race seated axially rigidly and concentrically about the structure attachment end of said anchor block;a rotationally stationary structure attachment fastener passing concentrically through said anchor bearing and said anchor block, the fastener securing said anchor bearing to said anchor block;a guide bearing having a rotationally stationary outer race seated axially rigidly and concentrically within the guide bearing housing end of said anchor block, and a rotating inner race;a rotating guide block having a small diameter guide bearing end seated axially rigidly and concentrically within the inner race of said guide bearing, and a large diameter rotary column engagement end opposite the guide bearing end; anda guide bearing and guide block assembly fastener passing concentrically through said guide bearing and said guide block, and securing said guide bearing to said guide block, the upper end of said rotary rack support column being disposed concentrically about and in axially rigid rotational contact with the outer race of said anchor bearing and said guide block, and free of contact with said anchor block.

5. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 4, wherein said anchor bearing and said guide bearing comprise ball bearings.

6. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 4, wherein said structure attachment fastener is selected from the group consisting of machine screws and lag bolts.

7. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 1, wherein said at least one article support is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of hooks extending radially from said rotary rack support column, a plurality of vertically disposed multiple receptacle racks extending from the lower end of said rotary rack support column, at least one circular tray concentrically disposed upon said rotary rack support column, and a plurality of radially disposed arms extending from said rotary rack support column, with each of the arms having a distal end and an article support receptacle extending therefrom.

8. A suspended rotary rack, comprising: a bearing assembly adapted for suspension from an overhead support;a rigid, hollow rotary rack support column having an upper end, a medial portion, and a lower end opposite the upper end, the bearing assembly being disposed concentrically within the upper end of the column and constrained from axial movement within the column, the column being rotatable about an axis defined through the bearing assembly;a plurality of elongate folding arms extending radially from the lower end of said rotary rack support column; anda plurality of flexible clotheslines extending between each of said folding arms.

9. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 8, further including: a hub rotationally affixed to the lower end of said rotary rack support column;a plurality of radially disposed arm attachment flange pairs extending from said hub;an arm extension locking flat disposed upon a proximal end of each of said folding arms, the flat extending substantially parallel to the length of the corresponding one of said folding arms;a folded arm locking flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding arms, the folded arm locking flat extending substantially normal to the corresponding said arm extension locking flat;an arm attachment pin pivotally securing each of said folding arms to a corresponding one of said arm attachment flange pairs;an arm position lock rod having a spring retainer end and an external end opposite the spring retainer end, the rod extending concentrically through said hub;an arm position lock spring compressively disposed about said arm position lock rod between the spring retainer end thereof and said hub; andan arm position lock disposed upon the external end of said arm position lock rod and extending concentrically from said hub, the lock selectively bearing against each said arm extension locking flat or each said folding arm locking flat of said folding arms and correspondingly selectively locking said folding arms in a radially extended position or in a folded position adjacent said rotary rack support column.

10. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 8, wherein said axially rigid bearing assembly further comprises: a rotationally stationary anchor block having a small diameter structure attachment end and a large diameter guide bearing housing end opposite the structure attachment end;an anchor bearing having a rotationally stationary inner race and a rotating outer race, the inner race seated axially rigidly and concentrically about the structure attachment end of said anchor block;a rotationally stationary structure attachment fastener passing concentrically through said anchor bearing and said anchor block, the fastener securing said anchor bearing to said anchor block;a guide bearing having a rotationally stationary outer race seated axially rigidly and concentrically within the guide bearing housing end of said anchor block, the guide bearing having a rotating inner race;a rotating guide block having a small diameter guide bearing end seated axially rigidly and concentrically within the inner race of the guide bearing, and a large diameter rotary column engagement end opposite the guide bearing end; anda guide bearing and guide block assembly fastener passing concentrically through the guide bearing and said guide block, and securing the guide bearing to said guide block, the upper end of said rotary rack support column being disposed concentrically about, and in axially rigid rotational contact with, the outer race of said anchor bearing and said guide block, the upper end of said rotary rack support column being free of contact with said anchor block.

11. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 10, wherein said anchor bearing and said guide bearing comprise ball bearings.

12. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 10, wherein said structure attachment fastener is selected from the group consisting of machine screws and lag bolts.

13. A suspended rotary rack, comprising: an anchor block having a small diameter structure attachment end and a large diameter guide bearing housing end opposite the structure attachment end, the anchor block being adapted for being rigidly suspended from an overhead support structure;an anchor bearing having an inner race fixed about the structure attachment end of the anchor block and an outer race rotatable about the inner race;a structure attachment fastener passing concentrically through the anchor bearing and the anchor block, the fastener being adapted for rigidly attaching the anchor block to the overhead support structure;a guide bearing having an outer race rigidly fixed within the guide bearing housing end of the anchor block and an inner race concentric with and rotatable within the outer race;a guide block having a small diameter guide bearing end seated rigidly within the inner race of the guide bearing and a large diameter rotary column engagement end opposite the guide bearing end;a guide bearing and guide block assembly fastener passing concentrically through the guide bearing and the guide block, the fastener attaching the guide bearing to the guide block;a hollow support column having an upper end, a medial portion, and a lower end opposite the upper end, the rotary column engagement end being fixed within the column; andat least one article support extending radially from the rotary rack support column.

14. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said anchor bearing and said guide bearing comprise ball bearings.

15. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said structure attachment fastener is selected from the group consisting of machine screws and lag bolts.

16. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said at least one article support comprises: a plurality of elongate folding arms extending radially from the lower end of said rotary rack support column; anda plurality of flexible clotheslines extending between each of said folding arms.

17. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 16, further including: a hub rotationally affixed to the lower end of said rotary rack support column;a plurality of radially disposed arm attachment flange pairs extending from said hub;an arm extension locking flat disposed upon a proximal end of each of said folding arms, the flat extending substantially parallel to the length of the corresponding one of said folding arms;a folded arm locking flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding arms, the folded arm locking flat extending substantially normal to the corresponding said arm extension locking flat;an arm attachment pin pivotally securing one of said folding arms to a corresponding one of said arm attachment flange pairs;an arm position lock rod having a spring retainer end and an external end opposite the spring retainer end, the rod extending concentrically through said hub;an arm position lock spring compressively disposed about the arm position lock rod between the spring retainer end thereof and said hub; andan arm position lock disposed upon the external end of the arm position lock rod and extending concentrically from said hub, selectively bearing against each said arm extension locking flat or each said folding arm locking flat of said folding arms and correspondingly selectively locking said folding arms in a radially extended position or in a folded position adjacent said rotary rack support column.

18. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said at least one article support is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of hooks extending radially from said rotary rack support column, a plurality of vertically disposed multiple receptacle racks extending from the lower end of said rotary rack support column, at least one circular tray concentrically disposed upon said rotary rack support column, and a plurality of radially disposed arms extending from said rotary rack support column, each of the arms having a distal end and an article support receptacle extending therefrom.