Supports: racks – Clotheslines – isolated supports – Looped lines
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2001-05-01
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Clotheslines, isolated supports
Looped lines
C211S117000, C248S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223914
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to clothing brackets, and in particular to an over the door bracket system for hanging clothes and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Over the door brackets are known in the art. However, these over the door brackets usually have vertical members that extend down the door and are generally flat. These flat members make it difficult to install and remove the over the door bracket without causing damage to the door because the edges may dig into the door and mar the surface or chip off paint. Further, the use of flat members makes it difficult to attach a clothing support member to the brackets without removing the bracket from the door because the bracket is flat against the door.
It is known to plate a bracket with a plating material such as chrome to make it less abrasive to surfaces with which the bracket will make contact, and to make the bracket more attractive. In most cases, the chrome plating is not be applied uniformly and the bracket will be subjected to a discontinuous coating, making the bracket susceptible to rust.
The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing an over the door bracket with a tubular vertical member that has oppositely facing tapered ends. The over the door bracket includes a drainage hole to ensure uniform application of the chrome during plating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an over the door bracket is provided for being hung on a door, the bracket having a top portion, a forward side adjacent the surface of the door, and a rearward side facing away from the door's surface. The bracket includes a door connecting member that is adapted to be hung on the top of the door. The bracket also includes a generally tubular member extending from the door connecting member. The generally tubular member has a frontward facing surface and a rearward facing surface. A first connecting end of the tubular member is connected to the door connecting member and a second connecting end is disposed at the opposite end of the tubular member. Clothing support attaching means is provided at the second connecting end for being to a clothing support member, such as a hook or knob holder provided for hanging clothing, hangers and other items.
The bracket preferably includes a generally inverted U-shaped member adapted to be placed over the door, having three sides which meet at right angles. The U-shaped member includes a generally flat middle portion having a length slightly larger than the thickness of a door with which the bracket will be used, a first generally flat portion extending transversely from one end of the middle portion, and a second generally flat portion extending transversely from the other end of the middle portion. The generally flat middle portion can be placed against the top of the door, the first generally flat portion can be placed against one side of the door, and the second generally flat portion can be placed against the opposite side of the door. A generally tubular member extends from the second generally flat portion. The generally tubular member has a frontward facing surface, and a rearward facing surface. The frontward facing surface is engagable with one side of the door when the U-shaped member is placed over the door. Clothing support attaching means is provided for securing a clothing support member to the bracket.
In another preferred aspect of the present invention, a clothing bracket system is provided for being attached to a door. The system includes at least two over the door brackets. The system can also include clothing support attachment means as described with the first embodiment.
An object of the invention is to provide an over the door bracket that is less likely to damage doors during installation and use than prior over the door brackets.
Another object of the invention is to provide an over the door bracket that is easy to attach and remove from a door.
Another object of the invention is to provide an over the door bracket that allows for easy installation and interchangeability of clothing support members.
Yet another object of the invention is an over the door bracket that can be uniformly coated with protective and attractive plating.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an over the door metal bracket that is resistant to rust.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a clothing bracket that is sturdy, easy to manufacture, install and remove having the foregoing stated objects.
These and other objects will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
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Hochberg D. Peter
Holt William H.
InterDesign
Novosad Jennifer E.
Stodola Daniel P.
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