Supports: racks – Knockdown – Foldable or collapsible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-09-04
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Knockdown
Foldable or collapsible
C211S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283314
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to expandable structures having a plurality of hanging bars that extend between opposite collapsible frames. Particularly, the present invention relates to foldable racks for hanging articles such as wet clothing from the hanging bars so that they may be dried.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Foldable drying racks which can be set up outdoors or indoors, such as in a kitchen or in a bathtub of a dwelling, and then be collapsed for transport or storage, have been known for many years. The structure of such drying racks generally comprises a rectangular rack portion,-which is held horizontally by legs at each end of the rack portion. The legs at one end typically are two legs crossing each other and hinged together to form an “X” shape, one upper end of which is affixed to the rack portion, and one end which is detachable from the rack portion, to allow the rack to be folded. A limitation of such structures is that they provide only a limited capacity for the “footprint” they occupy when expanded. An example of this basic design is shown in Cassel, U.S. Design Pat. No. 322,698. Moreover, many of these structures are rickety and may collapse if overloaded with wet clothing. A variant of this basic design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,205 to Malecki, which discloses two lower U-shaped rigid frame and two upper U-shaped rigid frames. The upper frames are so arranged that a plurality of hanging bars extend in the same horizontal plane, whereas the lower frames have a plurality of hanging bars spaced from one another in parallel vertical planes. This structure has a space between the upper and lower frames that cannot be filled with hanging bars without compromising the collapsibility of this drying rack.
A different design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,766 to Compagnucci, discloses a drying rack having a plurality of U-shaped frames so interconnected with one another that the frames are displaceable between an unfolded position and collapsed positions in a rapid manner. Although this structure allows the frames to be opened or closed rapidly and easily, it is cumbersome in its collapsed position and, thus, requires a relatively large storage space.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,123 discloses a collapsible clothes drying rack that includes a plurality of X-shaped frames pivotally connected to one another and extending in a vertical plane on top of one another. This structure also requires a substantial storage space in its folded position, and has spaces formed between adjacent frames that are not possible to fill with hanging bars without radically changing the original design.
What is desired, therefore, is an expandable and collapsible structure having an high capacity for holding hanging articles, for a relatively small footprint, and which is easy to open and close, and which is attractive in appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an expandable structure that overcomes some of the disadvantages of the discussed prior art.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an expandable structure capable of receiving an increased number of articles without compromising its structural rigidity and without increasing its overall outer dimensions.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an expandable structure which is easy to convert between an expanded position and an expanded position, in which the structure readily retracts to a highly compact configuration for storage.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an expandable structure that selectively extends to a large configuration for supporting a great load of articles.
A further object of the invention is to provide an expandable structure, which is readily mounted on at least one upright support.
In accordance with the foregoing, an expandable structure of the present invention achieves the above formulated objectives by providing spaced hanging bars that extend between two side supports, each formed from a plurality of pairs of links. The links of each pair of links are pivotally connected at a pivot point located below a midpoint of the links. The ends of the links of each link are connected to the ends of adjacent links in a pair of links. Thus, each link has three pivot points spaced asymmetrically from one another. The overall structure thereby achieves an arched shape in its expanded position, but can be collapsed to a small rectangular package. The asymmetrical formation of pivot points allows the hanging bars connecting outer, inner and intermediate pivot points respectively to lie in substantially parallel arcuate planes in an expanded or expanded position. As a result of such structure, the number of hanging bars can be increased without, however, increasing the overall outer dimensions of the expandable structure. The pivot points are bridged by the hanging bars.
In one embodiment of the invention, the rack is adapted to be placed in the bathtub of a dwelling by providing one side of the pair of support legs with a U-shaped bracket. With a U-shaped mounting bracket, the user may mount the legs on one side of the rack on the bathtub's wall, and the other leg may be placed on the bottom of the tub or the lip of the tub opposite the side wall of the bathtub.
The above and other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
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patent: 4297795 (1981-11-01), Licari
patent: 4807766 (1989-02-01), Compagnucci
patent: 4828123 (1989-05-01), Basore
patent: 5044507 (1991-09-01), Shulyak
patent: 5213221 (1993-05-01), Raye, Sr.
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patent: 5492237 (1996-02-01), Chang
patent: 6419 (1909-01-01), None
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC
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