U.S. patent application number 10/272700 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for collapsible clothes drying rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to HOME PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. Invention is credited to DeYoung, Carla, Hauser, Larry, Thuma, Michael C., Welsh, Thomas.
Application Number | 20040074858 10/272700 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32092640 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040074858 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thuma, Michael C. ; et
al. |
April 22, 2004 |
Collapsible clothes drying rack
Abstract
A collapsible clothes drying rack, including X-shaped
collapsible frames and a plurality of rods extending between the
collapsible frames. A clip has a head with annularly spaced fingers
extending through aligned holes in pivotally connected frame arms.
The fingers of each clip define an annular inner space and a
generally annular outer surface area. The fingers have a radially
extending shoulder surface which is spaced from the head a distance
equal to the combined thickness of the pivotally connected arms.
Rod ends extend into the space between the clip fingers. Locking
arms are similarly pivotally secured on one end to one of the rods
and include an open slot at the other end for releasably receiving
another of the rods. Clamps slide over the other ends of the
locking arms to cover the open slot, with hooks extending from the
clamps. A removable drying support surface is provided with
connectors on the corners. Each of the connectors include a pair of
cords secured on one end to the corner and on the other end to a
locking member, with the cords being wrapable around one of the
support rods with the cord other ends extending between the pair of
cords.
Inventors: |
Thuma, Michael C.;
(LaGrange, IL) ; DeYoung, Carla; (Joliet, IL)
; Hauser, Larry; (Chicago, IL) ; Welsh,
Thomas; (Aurora, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
Citicorp Center, Suite 3800
500 West Madison Street
Chicago
IL
60661-2511
US
|
Assignee: |
HOME PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL,
INC.
|
Family ID: |
32092640 |
Appl. No.: |
10/272700 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/202 ;
211/182 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 57/00 20130101;
D06F 57/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/202 ;
211/182 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A collapsible clothes drying rack, comprising: first and second
pairs of frame members, each of said frame members comprising two
arms pivotally connected together at a point between the ends of
said arms, and distal ends of said arms of one of said frame
members of each pair of frame members pivotally connected to
proximate ends of the other of said frame members of said pair; a
plurality of rods extending between said each of said first and
second pairs of frame members to maintain said first pair of frame
members in an aligned spaced orientation relative to said second
pair of frame members; wherein said pivotal connection of said arms
each comprises a clip extending through aligned holes having a
first diameter in pivotally connected arms, said clip having a head
larger than said first diameter, annularly spaced fingers extending
from said head, said fingers of each clip defining a generally
annular inner space of a second diameter and a generally annular
outer surface area on the order of said first diameter, and a
radially extending shoulder surface on at least one of said
fingers, said shoulder surface spaced from said head a distance
substantially equal to the combined thickness of said pivotally
connected arms; and an end of one of said rods extending into said
generally annular inner space, said rod end having an outer
diameter on the order of said second diameter.
2. The rack of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said fingers
is flexibly bendable into said annular inner space when an end of
one of said rods is not in said annular inner space to contain said
fingers completely in a cylindrical area having a diameter less
than said first diameter.
3. The rack of claim 1, wherein first and second ones of said rods
extend between said distal ends of said arms of said second pair of
frame members, and further comprising first and second locking arms
adjacent each pair of frame members and adapted to releasably
secure said first and second ones of said rods in a selected
spacing with said frame members in an X-shaped configuration; four
support clips extending through holes in said distal ends of said
arms, said holes having a third diameter and said support clips
each having a support clip head larger than said third diameter,
annularly spaced support clip fingers extending from said support
clip head, said support clip fingers defining a generally annular
inner space of a fourth diameter and a generally annular outer
surface area on the order of said third diameter, and a radially
extending shoulder surface on at least one of said support clip
fingers, said shoulder surface spaced from said support clip head a
distance substantially equal to the thickness of said frame member
arm on a first two of said support clips and said shoulder surface
spaced from said support clip head a distance substantially equal
to the combined thickness of said frame member arm and said locking
arm on a second two of said support clips; and wherein opposite
ends of said first and second ones of said rods extend into said
generally annular inner space between said support clip fingers of
aligned ones of said support clips, said ends of said ones of said
rods having an outer diameter on the order of said fourth
diameter.
4. The rack of claim 3, wherein said locking arms are pivotally
secured to one of said first and second ones of said rods, and said
locking arms each include an open slot therein for releasably
receiving the other of said first and second ones of said rods,
further comprising a clamp adapted to slide over the end of one of
said locking arms, said clamp covering said open slot when on said
locking arm end.
5. A pivotal connection between arms of a collapsible clothes
drying rack, said arms on opposite sides of said rack being spaced
apart by rods, comprising: a clip extending through aligned holes
in the pivotally connected arms, said clip having a head larger
than arm holes, annularly spaced fingers extending from said head
through said aligned holes, said fingers defining an inner space
and a generally annular outer surface area, and a radially
extending shoulder surface on at least one of said fingers, said
shoulder surface spaced from said head a distance substantially
equal to the combined thickness of said pivotally connected arms;
and an end of one of said rods extending into said inner space,
said rod end having an outer surface supporting said spaced fingers
in a position wherein said generally annular outer surface area
substantially matches said aligned holes and said radially
extending shoulder surface faces a surface of one of said arms.
6. The pivotal connection of claim 5, wherein said rod end is a
reduced diameter portion on said rod, and a rod shoulder adjacent
said rod end is substantially adjacent the ends of said
fingers.
7. A collapsible clothes drying rack, comprising: first and second
collapsible frames each comprising connected frame members each
having two arms pivotally connected in a scissors configuration; a
plurality of rods extending between said collapsible frames to
maintain said frames in an aligned spaced orientation; first and
second locking arms each pivotally secured on one end to one of
said rods and including an open slot at the other end for
releasably receiving another of said rods to lock two of said arms
in an X-shaped configuration; and clamps adapted to slide over said
other ends of said locking arms to cover said open slot.
8. The rack of claim 7, further comprising a hook extending
outwardly from at least one of said clamps, said hook adapted to
securely hang an article of clothing requiring drying.
9. The rack of claim 7, wherein: said locking arms are
substantially rectangular in cross-section; said rods are
substantially cylindrical; and each of said clamps include a
substantially rectangular housing portion with an open side for
receiving said locking arm end, a slot receiving said one of said
rods when said locking arm end is received in said housing portion,
a first clothing hook extending outwardly from said housing beyond
said locking arm end, and a second clothing hook beneath and spaced
from said locking arm, said second clothing hook extending from
said housing in a direction opposite said first clothing hook.
10. A removable shelf for a collapsible clothes drying rack having
a pair of horizontally spaced support rods, comprising: a generally
rectangular drying support surface; and a connector on the corners
of said support surface, each of said connectors comprising a pair
of cords secured on one end to one of said support surface corners
and secured on the other end to a locking member, said cords being
wrapable around one of said support rods with said cord other ends
extending between said pair of cords.
11. The shelf of claim 10, wherein said drying support surface is
mesh.
12. The shelf of claim 10, wherein said locking member may be
selectively positioned to retain said cords wrapped around said one
of said support rods with the cord other ends between said pair of
cords.
13. The shelf of claim 10, wherein said locking member and cords
may be manipulated to pass said locking member between said cords
to release said cords from said one of said support rods.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed toward a clothes rack, and
more particularly toward a collapsible rack for drying damp or wet
clothes.
[0002] Collapsible clothes racks have long been well known, such as
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,738,516 and 2,388,637.
[0003] Further, such clothes racks with support frames having
interconnected scissor or X-shaped configuration pivoting side
frames and support rods extending therebetween for supporting
clothing which is damp or wet and requires drying have also long
been well known. Such a configuration allows the rack to be
expanded up to a relatively large area in order to allow supported
clothes to be spaced apart to maximize drying efficiency, and at
the same time allows the rack to be collapsed into a minimal size
which can be readily stored out of the way when not in use. A
clothing rack of this type is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
4,828,123.
[0004] It is important that such racks be easily and reliably
assembled. It hardly needs saying, for example, that the rack
should not fall apart. By the same token, it is desirable to
minimize cost of the rack by minimizing component cost and assembly
difficulty. Further, it is often desirable to allow much of the
assembly of the device to be accomplished by the purchaser,
inasmuch as the unassembled rack may be packaged in a smaller space
than the assembled rack, thereby saving on shipping costs and point
of purchase shelf space. In such a case, it is important that
proper assembly be as simple as possible for the purchaser.
[0005] It is also important that such racks be easily and reliably
secured in their uncollapsed (i.e., extended) position when desired
to be used. Further, such a secure position needs to be provided
under different conditions, varying from conditions in which
virtually no clothes are supported to conditions in which a large
number of wet (and therefore heavy) clothes are being supported. If
the rack is not reliably maintained in the desired position when
being used, it may inadvertently collapse. If it were to collapse
as a person is placing clothing on it, it could injure the person.
If it were to collapse without a person present but while drying
clothes, it could damage the clothes (e.g., if parts of the clothes
were to be pinched in the frame) and at a minimum would result in
the clothes not drying properly and most probably being wrinkled.
Even if it were to collapse without anything on it or anyone near
it, it could fall into something in the vicinity and break that.
Moreover, while such a secure configuration is important, it is
advantageous to allow the user to easily arrange the rack in that
configuration. A complicated securing structure is not secure at
all if it is so complicated that the user will not be able to use
it properly.
[0006] It is also advantageous to provide the maximum support
possible for clothes, including particularly different types of
support for different types of clothes. Racks which provide the
ability to support only certain types of clothing for drying are
therefore of dubious value, in that the owner of such a rack must
either own multiple different racks to allow drying of different
types of clothing (at a significant cost increase as well as
significant increase in use and storage space required), or may not
be able to air dry some of his/her clothes on a rack even if that
is the desired drying method. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,123
discloses a mesh support for drying clothes which is supported by
cloth straps which must be tied to arms of the rack. If even one of
the straps is not properly tied, or becomes loosened, the support
could fall so as to drop the drying clothes onto the floor.
[0007] The present invention addresses one or more of the issues
set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a collapsible
clothes drying rack is provided, including first and second pairs
of frame members and a plurality of rods extending between the
pairs of frame members to maintain the first pair of frame members
in an aligned spaced orientation relative to the second pair of
frame members. Each of the frame members has two arms pivotally
connected together at a point between the arm ends. Distal ends of
the arms of one of the frame members of each pair of frame members
are pivotally connected to proximate ends of the other of the frame
members of the each pair. The pivotal connections of the arms
include a clip extending through aligned holes having a first
diameter in pivotally connected arms. The clip has a head larger
than the first diameter with annularly spaced fingers extending
from the head. The fingers of each clip define a generally annular
inner space of a second diameter and a generally annular outer
surface area on the order of the first diameter. At least one of
the fingers has a radially extending shoulder surface which is
spaced from the head a distance substantially equal to the combined
thickness of the pivotally connected arms. Each pivotal connection
also includes the end of one of the rods extending into the
generally annular inner space between the clip fingers, with the
rod end having an outer diameter on the order of the second
diameter.
[0009] In one form of this aspect of the invention, at least one of
the fingers is flexibly bendable into the annular inner space when
an end of one of the rods is not in the annular inner space whereby
the fingers may be completely in a cylindrical area having a
diameter less than the first diameter.
[0010] In another form of this aspect of the invention, rods also
extend between the distal ends of the arms of the second pair of
frame members and locking arms adjacent each pair of frame members
are adapted to releasably secure those rods in a selected spacing
with the frame members in an X-shaped configuration. These support
clips are similar to the previously described clips, except that
two extend only through frame member arm ends and two extend
through frame member arm ends and locking arms, with the radially
extending shoulder surface of the support clip finger of the former
two clips being spaced from the support clip head only a distance
about the thickness of the frame member arm. Rods ends also extend
into the generally annular inner space between the support clip
fingers. In a further form, the locking arms are pivotally secured
to one of the first and second ones of the rods, and the locking
arms each include an open slot therein for releasably receiving the
other of the first and second ones of the rods, with a clamp
adapted to slide over the end of one of the locking arms so that
the clamp covers the open slot when on the locking arm end.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, a pivotal connection is
provided between arms of a collapsible clothes drying rack having
arms on opposite sides of the rack spaced apart by rods. A clip
extends through aligned holes in the pivotally connected arms, and
has a head larger than arm holes, annularly spaced fingers
extending from the head through the aligned holes, and a radially
extending shoulder surface on at least one of the fingers. The
shoulder surface is spaced from the head a distance substantially
equal to the combined thickness of the pivotally connected arms. An
end of one of the rods extending into the space between the
fingers, with the rod end having an outer surface supporting the
spaced fingers in a position wherein the generally annular outer
surface area substantially matches the aligned holes and the
radially extending shoulder surface faces a surface of one of the
arms.
[0012] In one form of this aspect of the invention, the rod end is
a reduced diameter portion on the rod, and a rod shoulder adjacent
the rod end is substantially adjacent the ends of the fingers.
[0013] In still another aspect of the present invention, a
collapsible clothes drying rack is provided, including two
collapsible frames and a plurality of rods extending between the
collapsible frames to maintain the frames in an aligned spaced
orientation. Each of the frames have connected frame members each
having two arms pivotally connected in a scissors configuration.
First and second locking arms are each pivotally secured on one end
to one of the rods and include an open slot at the other end for
releasably receiving another of the rods to lock two of the arms in
an X-shaped configuration. Clamps are adapted to slide over the
other ends of the locking arms to cover the open slot.
[0014] In one form of this aspect of the present invention, a hook
extends outwardly from at least one of the clamps, with the hook
adapted to securely hang an article of clothing requiring
drying.
[0015] In another form, the locking arms are substantially
rectangular in cross-section and the rods are substantially
cylindrical. Each of the clamps include a substantially rectangular
housing portion with an open side for receiving the locking arm
end, a slot receiving the one of the rods when the locking arm end
is received in the housing portion, a first clothing hook extending
outwardly from the housing beyond the locking arm end, and a second
clothing hook beneath and spaced from the locking arm where the
second clothing hook extending from the housing in a direction
opposite the first clothing hook.
[0016] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a removable
shelf for a collapsible clothes drying rack having a pair of
horizontally spaced support rods is provided, including a generally
rectangular drying support surface with connectors on the corners.
Each of the connectors comprise a pair of cords secured on one end
to one of the support surface corners and secured on the other end
to a locking member. The cords are wrapable around one of the
support rods with the cord other ends extending between the pair of
cords.
[0017] In one form of this aspect of the invention, the drying
support surface is mesh.
[0018] In another form of this aspect of the invention, the locking
member may be selectively positioned to retain the cords wrapped
around the one of the support rods with the cord other ends between
the pair of cords. In yet another form, the locking member and
cords may be manipulated to pass the locking member between the
cords to release the cords from the one of the support rods.
[0019] It is an object of the invention to provide an easily
assembled collapsible clothes rack which may be reliably secured in
its usable position and which may support a wide variety of
clothes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes rack embodying the
present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial perspective views illustrating the
connection of the rods to the frame arms;
[0022] FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial perspective views illustrating the
clamp for securing locking arms;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the
clamp and connection of rod to frame arms; and
[0024] FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial perspective views illustrating
connection of a support surface to a rack rod.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] A collapsible clothes drying rack 10 embodying the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The rack 10 includes two frames
12, 14 on opposite sides spaced apart by a plurality of rods 18. In
the illustrated embodiment, the frames 12, 14 each comprise three
interconnected frame members 12a-c, 14a-c, where each frame member
12a-c, 14a-c consists of a pair of arms 20, 22 pivotally connected
at a midpoint in a scissor or X-shaped configuration. The upper
(distal) and lower (proximate) ends of the arms 20, 22 of the frame
members 12a-c, 14a-c of each frame 12, 14 are also pivotally
connected.
[0026] The upper (distal) ends of the arms 20, 22 of the upper
frame members 12a, 14a of each frame 12, 14 also have locking arms
30, 32 which are pivotally connected at one end to one arm 20 of
the upper frame members 12a, 14a, and are releasably connected to a
rod 18d connected to the other arm 22 of the upper frame members
12a, 14a. The locking arms 30, 32 are also connected to one another
by rods 18b, 18c. Removable clamps 34 secure the locking arms 30,
32 to the rod 18d.
[0027] A removable mesh member 36 which may be used as a drying
support surface for selected clothes such as is generally known is
also provided on the rack 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The mesh member
36 may be substantially rigid, or may be a flexible mesh
material.
[0028] It will be appreciated that when the locking arms 30, 32 are
connected to the rod 18d as illustrated in FIG. 1, the rack 10 will
be maintained in its illustrated upright working position, and that
when the locking arms 30, 32 are released from the rod 18d (and the
mesh member 36 removed), the rack 10 may be easily collapsed to a
compact storage position with the arms 20, 22 abutting the arms of
adjacent frame members 12a-c, 14a-c and nearly all parallel to one
another.
[0029] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate the connection of the rods 18b, 18c to
the locking arms 30, 32 (the connection between rod 18b and locking
arm 30 being illustrated in FIGS. 2-3). Specifically, the locking
arm 30 has an opening with a clip 40 extending therethrough. The
clip 40 includes a head 42 (see FIG. 1) which is bigger than the
arm opening and a plurality (four in the illustrated embodiment) of
fingers 44 which are annularly spaced and extend from the head 42.
The fingers 44 are enlarged on the end to define a radially
extending shoulder surface 46 facing the head 42, and are tapered
down on the end remote from the head 42. Though all of the fingers
44 are shown with the enlarged end, it should be appreciated that
this aspect of the present invention could be used with only one of
the fingers 44 having the shoulder surface 46.
[0030] A generally annular inner space 48 is defined between the
fingers 44 an a generally annular outer surface is defined by the
outer surface of the fingers 44 between the head 42 and the
shoulder surface 46. While such an annular configuration assists in
easing assembly, it will be appreciated that such a configuration
need not be used in either case where no pivoting is required.
Further, even where pivoting of the connection is desired, only the
outer surface generally needs to be annular. In the case of the
connection of the rods 18b, 18c to the locking arms 30, 32, it will
be appreciated that the spacing between the head 42 and the
shoulder surface is at least, and preferably on the order of the
thickness of the locking arms 30, 32.
[0031] With the above described configuration, assembly may be
easily and simply accomplished by pressing the fingers 44 of each
clip 40 into appropriate openings in the locking arms 30, 32.
[0032] Due to the spacing between the fingers 44, the fingers 44
will flexibly bend together to allow the enlarged ends to pass
through the locking arm opening. Once the clip 40 is pushed fully
into the opening so that the head 42 engages the side of the
locking arm 30, 32, the enlarged ends will be clear of the opening
and therefore the fingers 44 will spring back out to a position in
which the shoulder surface 46 thereon will abut the opposite side
of the locking arm 30, 32 to prevent its removal therefrom.
[0033] The rod 18b, 18c may then be pushed into the annular inner
space 48 between the fingers 44. As illustrated, the end 50 of the
rod 18b may have a reduced diameter along a selected length which
will provide a visual indication on whether or not the rod 18b, 18c
has been pushed sufficiently far into the clip 40. That is, when
the rod 18b, 18c is pushed in far enough, the shoulder at the
beginning of the rod end 50 will be substantially adjacent the ends
of the clip fingers 44. In such a configuration, the rod end 50
extends into the annular inner space 48 substantially the entire
distance inside the locking arm opening to the head 42 from which
the fingers 44 extend. In one advantageous form, the outer surfaced
of the fingers 44 is maintained by the rod end 50 inside the
fingers 44 to define an annular surface with a diameter generally
on the order of the diameter of the locking arm opening in which
the surface is located, thereby providing a secure, wobble-free
connection. In that form, the rod end 50 similarly maintains the
enlarged ends of the fingers 44 in an expanded position so that the
shoulder surface 46 will necessarily abut the side of the locking
arm 30, 32 to prevent its removal therefrom.
[0034] It should be appreciated that the pivotal connections
between the frame member arms 20, 22, both at their midpoint
scissors connection and at their end connection between frame
members 12a-c, 14a-c, and between the arms 20 of the upper frame
members 12a, 14a and the locking arms 30, 32, may be formed in
essentially the identical manner, except that the fingers 44 are
longer with the spacing between the head 40 and the shoulder
surface 46 being generally the combined thickness of the arms 20,
22, 30, 32 being pivotally connected (and with the rod ends 50
being correspondingly longer as well).
[0035] FIGS. 4-5 the removable clamps 34 advantageously usable to
secure the locking arms 30, 32 to the rod 18d to secure the rack 10
in its upright working position. Specifically, the locking arms 30,
32 (locking arm 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 4-5) each include an
open slot 60 which, when the frames 12, 14 are extended to the
working position shown in FIG. 1, is aligned with and receives rod
18d. The clamp 34 includes a housing portion 62 adapted to received
the locking arm end therein (in the illustrated embodiment, the
locking arms 30, 32 are rectangular in cross section, so the
housing portion is rectangular) by sliding the open end of the
housing portion 62 over the locking arm 30, 32. The sides of the
housing portion 62 include aligned slots 64 which will fit over the
rod 18d in the slot 60. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5 in which
the clamp 34 is partially slid over the locking arm 30, the bottom
surface of the housing portion 62 will block the open slot 60 when
the clamp 34 is fully slid onto the locking arm 30 and will thereby
secure the locking arm 30 onto the rod 18d. Thus, the rack 10 will
be releasably and reliably secured in the working position shown in
FIG. 1, with the rack 10 also easily released to fold down into a
storage position by simply sliding the clamps 34 off of the locking
arms 30, 32 and then pivoting the locking arms 30, 32 so that the
rod 18d is clear of the slot 60 therein.
[0036] The clamps 34 additionally have a pair of oppositely
extending clothing hooks 66, 68 from which suitable clothes may be
hung. For example, clothing articles having straps which could not
readily be secured to the rods 18 (which are closed at the end
preventing a strap from being placed thereon) can be hung from one
or more of the hooks 66, 68. It should also be appreciated that the
hooks 66 which are spaced below the locking arms 30, 32 may not
only be used as hooks from which to hang an article, but an article
of clothing may also be more securely hung through a clamping of a
portion of its upper end between the locking arm 30, 32 and the
hook 66. Further, the outwardly extending hook 68 may be used to
hang long articles, as it extends out beyond the below structure of
the rack 10 (i.e., the rods 18 and frame member arms 20, 22 below)
and enables such articles to hang straight down without rubbing
against other portions of the rack 10.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates the upper left portion of FIG. 1 in
cross-section, with the rack 10 in its working position. FIG. 6
particularly illustrates how the rod end 50 is positioned to ensure
that the clip fingers 40 are maintained outward so that the
shoulder surface 46 is maintained in a position in which it will
prevent the clip 40 from sliding out of the opening in the arm
22.
[0038] FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the mesh member 36, and more
particularly the advantageous structure for connecting the mesh
member 36 to the rack 10. That is, a pair of cords 70, 72 are
suitably secured at one end to a corner of the mesh member 36, and
are suitably secured at their opposite end to a locking member
74.
[0039] As used herein, it should be understood that "cord" is meant
to broadly refer to any suitable elongated flexible member
including, for example, straps, wires, ropes, etc. It should also
be understood that while a pair of cords are referenced herein, the
"pair of cords" would also encompass a single cord with its two
ends secured to either the mesh member 36 or the locking member 74
with an intermediate portion secured to the other of the mesh
member 36 and locking member 74. "Pair of cords" would also
encompass an endless cord looped through openings in both the mesh
member 36 and locking member 74, where "secured ends" would be
simply opposite portions of the endless cord, such "ends"
potentially being at any portions of the endless cord depending on
its looped position relative to the mesh member 36 and locking
member 74. Consistent with this, it will be seen in FIGS. 7-8 that
the pair of cords 70, 72 comprises two different portions of a
looped cord, with the ends of the looped cord being suitably
secured to the corner of the mesh member 36, with the locking
member 74 having an opening 76 through which the looped cord
passes, the portion of the looped cord disposed in the opening
being the cord opposite "ends" which are "secured" to the locking
member 74.
[0040] The mesh member 36 may be simply and easily supported on the
rack 10 as shown in FIG. 1 by connecting portions of the mesh
member 36, preferably at the corners thereof particularly where the
mesh member 36 is flexible, to rods 18 on the rack 10.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7-8, the cords 70, 72 may be looped
entirely around a suitable location on the rod 18 (e.g., near the
rod end when the mesh member 36 is substantially as long as the
rods 18), with the locking member 74 forced between the cords 70,
72 adjacent their connection to the mesh member 36, and the locking
member then turned to prevent it (and the secured opposite cord
ends) from being pulled back between the cords 70, 72. In this
manner, the cords 70, 72 are retained in a secure position looped
about the rod 18 to support the mesh member 36 at that location.
When it is desired to take the mesh member 36 off of the rack 10,
the locking member 74 may be manually twisted so that it can pass
between the cords 70, 72 to release the loop from around the rod
18.
[0041] It should thus be appreciated that a collapsible clothes
rack embodying the various aspects of the invention as described
above may be easily assembled, may be reliably secured in its
working position, and may readily support a wide variety of
clothes.
[0042] Still other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present
invention can be obtained from a study of the specification, the
drawings, and the appended claims. It should be understood,
however, that the present invention could be used in alternate
forms where less than all of the objects and advantages of the
present invention and preferred embodiment as described above would
be obtained.
* * * * *