FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tie rack having a display position and a storage position, more particularly, to such a tie rack which has a compact structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The racks utilized to support and display a plurality of ties are well known in the art. They are generally positioned within a clothes closet, mounted on the closet door. Since a clothes closet normally has little open space, it is desirable that the rack be compact, such as lying flat against the closet door with little extension into the closet where other clothes are hung.
Retractable tie racks have been proposed having a stationery frame into which a retractable section is positioned. The retractable section is positioned into the frame when the ties are displayed or positioned out of the frame during storage of the ties. The frame is fixed to a closet door and extends outwardly from the door into the closet where it can interfere undesirably with the other hanging clothes. Alternatively, the tie rack can be hung on the outside closet door surface where it can accidentally interfere with a passer by. Such a tie rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,721.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a tie rack having a compact structure during non-use as well as being capable of permitting ease of view of all the ties on the rack during use. Such a tie rack would substantially reduce the chance of interfering with other clothes or causing accidental contact with a passer by.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a tie rack having a compact structure during storage of a plurality of ties. The tie rack includes a stationary bracket mounted on a supporting surface such as a door. The tie rack also includes a frame having tubular or rod shaped hanger elements upon which the ties are hung. The frame is moveably mounted on the bracket such as by being pivotally mounted or slideably and pivotally mounted. The frame includes an arm that moves with the frame when it is moved. The arm is fixed by an arm fixing element fixed to the bracket such as a tube, flange, snap fit element, magnet or the like. When the arm is fit with the fixing element, the frame extends away from the bracket so that the ties can be displayed and seen by the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tie rack of this invention during non use.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tie rack of FIG. 1 during use.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the tie rack of FIG. 1 in an open position.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the tie rack of FIG. 3 in a partially closed position.
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the tie rack of FIG. 3 in a closed position.
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an alternative tie rack of this invention in an open position.
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the tie rack of FIG. 6 in a partially closed position.
FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the tie rack of FIG. 6 in a closed position.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, the tie rack 10 includes a bracket 12 fixed to a support surface 14 such as a closet door. A frame 16 formed of rod or tubular elements to which are attached rod or tubular hangers support elements 18. A plurality of ties 20 are supported by the hangar support elements 18. The frame 16 includes a single or two connecting arms which fit into tubular sections thereby to support the frame 16 by the bracket 12. The frame 16 includes an arm 26 which fits into an arm fixing element comprising tubular element 28. The stop 29 limits the distance to which the arms 22 can be slid. Arms 22 can be one piece or two pieces. When the arms 22 are one piece, the back of the tubular element 28 is open so that the arms 22 can be placed therein. When the arms 22 are two pieces, they can also fit into the tubular element 28 from the back or from the sides of the tubular element 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 16 hangs horizontally near or in contact with the support surface 14. Also, the arm 26 extends only a short distance from the support surface, usually less than about two inches.
In FIG. 2, the tie rack 10 is shown in an open position during use. The arms 22 are pivoted upwardly as shown by arrow 30 about arms 22 so that the arm 26 fits within tubular element 28. The frame 16 is shown in FIG. 2 in an open extended position so that the user can view each individual tie 20 to permit taking a tie from or placing a tie on a hanger support element 18.
As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 16 is shown pivoted in a down position so that it is positioned adjacent to or in contact with support surface 14. The arm 26 extends away from support surface 14 and out of contact with tube 28.
As shown in FIG. 4, the frame 16 is pivoted upward as indicated by arrow 30 so that arm 26 is positioned adjacent tube 28 and frame 16 extends away from support surface 14.
As shown in FIG. 5, the frame of FIG. 3 is then slid along arms 22 or indicated by arrows 34 and 36 so that arm 26 is positioned within tube 28. When in this position, the frame 16 is positioned away from the support surface 14 without being hand held.
The elements in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 having the same indicia number as the elements of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are the same elements and function in the same manner. The tube 28 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 has been replaced with an arm fixing element comprising bent flange 31 which accepts and holds arm 26 in the same manner as does tube 28 in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
While the invention has been described above with reference to a tube or flange arm fixing element, it is to be understood that other arm fixing elements can be utilized such as a snap fit element into which the arm is snap fit or a magnet when the arm is made of a ferromagnetic material. When utilizing a snap fit element or a magnet, the frame need not be slideably mounted on the bracket since all that is necessary to fix the arm is to pivot the frame into the desired position.
Patent Application
20090250417
