Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-03-27
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
C211S168000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206210
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a system for supporting and sustaining hanging objects for visual display and/or storage, and in particular an apparatus where each object can be easily accessed by an individual.
Many articles require temporary storage or must be displayed in a hanging position before or after they are used. The needs for an efficient display and\or storage rack means for these articles are similar in that the article should be disposed in a hanging position for efficiency in the space used for such display and/or storage. Numerous racks and rack assemblies have been used to achieve a hanging disposition for various articles. Architectural drawings are hung vertically by a variety of means when they are not in use. Paintings are also stored in much the same way as drawings are stored. Rugs and other tapestry are disposed in a hanging position when displayed in a retail store. Blankets, clothing and table cloths, as well as altar coverings in a church, are frequently stored in a generally vertical hanging position These and similar articles that are generally hung collectively in a vertical position adjacent to one another are collectively referred to in this invention as hangings. A hanging member is usually provided that allows each article to be suspended vertically from the rack system or rack assembly.
A number of problems exist with the present racks available to a user. One problem is in displaying the hangings so that an observer can see at least a portion of each hanging in a group of hangings. This is important when a number of hangings are being displayed to a customer in an effort to sell the one most desirable to the customer, such as displaying tapestry or rugs in a retail store. This is also important when storing a drawing when a title block is being obstructed by adjacent drawings. A second problem exists when a hanging is to be retrieved from a rack when it is not the one directly accessible for removal. This is important when the customer desires a hanging which is not the one at the front of the rack and those in front must be removed to access the desired one. This situation exists when an altar hanging for a particular religious event (i.e. Christmas and Easter) is to be retrieved from a storage rack and it is not the one in front. Storage racks in the art for this purpose are commonly fixed bracket devices that require complete removal of those hangings in front of the desired one. In addition, large hangings require more than one person to remove them.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a display and/or storage rack for hangings where there is a vertical offset from one hanging to the next so that at least a portion of all hangings can be viewed at the same time.
Another object of the present invention is provide a display and/or storage rack assembly which provides easy access to an individual hanging in the rack without removal of the other hangings.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide access to an individual hanging in a rack of hangings by a single individual.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a display and/or storage rack assembly that can be mounted on a stationary object such as a wall, as well as a portable object or cart.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a display/storage rack system for hangings having a pivotal bracket assembly supporting a first end of an elongated hanging member and a fixed bracket device supporting a second end of the elongated hanging member. The elongated hanging members support the hangings by an appropriate means depending on the type of hanging being displayed and/or stored. Commonly the hanging is draped over the elongated hanging member. Hangings are displayed in the rack in staggered horizontal and vertical stored positions so that a portion of each hanging is visible from the front of the rack and each hanging is offset vertically from the other hangings. In addition, the pivotal bracket assembly is made to support the elongated hanging member from the first end as a cantilever so that it can be rotated about the pivotal axis of the pivotal bracket assembly. In this manner the hangings at the front of the rack can be rotated out of the way when hangings at the back of the rack are to be retrieved. This allows the rack to be used as a display rack when the hangings are in a stored position. Hangings are referred to as being in a stored position when the second end is engaged with the fixed bracket device. However, the pivotal bracket assembly can also function as a complete rack system without the fixed bracket device. Details of the best mode to practice the invention are further disclosed in the following summary.
In one embodiment of the best mode a rack system supports a number of hangings each carried by an elongated hanging member so that each hanging is displayed and easily accessible. The rack system comprises a primary support member affixed to a supporting surface associated with displaying the hangings. A pivot support rod, having a pivotal axis, is carried by the primary support so that the pivotal axis extends vertically. The rack system further comprises a plurality of pivotal support devices arranged in series vertically along the pivot support rod so that the hangings have a vertical offset from one another. The support assemblies can be rotated in a generally horizontal plane about the pivotal axis. The pivotal support devices each have a horizontal offset arm, wherein lengths of the horizontal offset arms are different from one another so that the hangings are each hung in a different vertical plane. The pivotal support devices each have a support arm to receive a first end of the respective elongated hanging member of a respective hanging and hold the respective hanging in a predetermined vertical and horizontal position relative to the other hangings. As a result, the hangings are individually accessible by rotating selected support devices.
The rack system may further including a fixed bracket device attached to the supporting surface for supporting a second end of the elongated hanging members of specified hangings when the specified hangings are disposed in a displayed and stored position.
Another embodiment of the invention includes a rack assembly for temporary storage of hangings. The rack assembly comprises elongated hanging members for supporting the hangings in a generally vertical position. A pivotal bracket assembly is affixed to a supporting surface and includes a pivot support rod for supporting a plurality of pivotal support devices to receive and hold first ends of the elongated hanging members. A fixed bracket device is for supporting second ends of the elongated hanging members. Therefore, the hangings are retained so that a horizontal and a vertical offset exists between respective hangings. The rack assembly further comprises means for individually rotating at least one pivotal support device about the pivot support rod, whereby any one of the elongated hanging members and a respective hanging is removable from both said pivotal bracket assembly and said fixed bracket device while the others remain supported by at least said pivotal bracket assembly.
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Patent Consultants & Services, Inc.
Reed Robert R.
Stodola Daniel P.
Tran Khoa
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