U.S. patent application number 10/714169 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-19 for ribbon and wrapping paper storage and dispensing device.
Invention is credited to Hosilyk, Rodney E..
Application Number | 20050103730 10/714169 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34573911 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050103730 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hosilyk, Rodney E. |
May 19, 2005 |
Ribbon and wrapping paper storage and dispensing device
Abstract
A device is disclosed that stores both ribbons and wrapping
paper, on the hubs upon which they are sold, in a single storage
device such that all contents are compactly and efficiently stored
while at the same time allowing the contents to be immediately
visible and accessible. The device further allows the contents to
be dispensed easily without disturbing other items stored in the
storage system. The device can be easily moved so that it may be
used in a number of different locations and configurations, as well
as stored in a number of different ways, so as to adapt to the
user's work and storage areas.
Inventors: |
Hosilyk, Rodney E.; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Rodney E. Hosilyk
4865 Mountainshyre Rd.
Reno
NV
89509
US
|
Family ID: |
34573911 |
Appl. No.: |
10/714169 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.5 ;
211/118; 211/198; 211/59.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/085.5 ;
211/059.1; 211/118; 211/198 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rack for holding a plurality of spools of spooled material,
such rack comprising a substantially rectangular front frame having
two upright members fixedly attached at each end to each end of two
horizontal members, one of the upright members including a
plurality of attachment means, the attachment means partially
extending through said upright member, the other upright member
including a plurality of slots formed on an inside-facing surface
thereof, partially extending through said other upright member, and
extending through a front surface thereof, the slots formed at an
upward angle with respect to the axis of said other upright member,
a substantially rectangular rear frame having two upright members
fixedly attached at each end to each end of two horizontal members,
a plurality of horizontal rods, one end of each rod for being
retained in one of said attachment means of the one upright member
of the front frame, the other end of each rod for being inserted
into the slot of the front side of the other upright member and
retained by gravity in said slot, a plurality of hinge means for
attaching the front and rear frames being together near their
uppermost horizontal members such that the frames may contact each
other along their upright members in a closed position of the rack,
and such that the frames may contact each other only near their
uppermost horizontal members in an open A-frame-shaped position of
the rack, the rack in the open A-frame-shaped position being
self-supporting when rested a flat surface.
2. The rack of claim 1 wherein the attachment means of the one of
the upright members are holes formed partially through an
inside-facing surface of the one upright member.
3. The rack of claim 1 wherein the attachment means of the one of
the upright members are slots formed partially through the inner
surface of the one upright member, the slots formed at an upward
angle with respect to the axis of the other upright member.
4. The rack of claim 1 wherein the hinge means includes a stop
means for preventing the frames from forming an angle of more than
45 degrees when the rack is in the open position.
5. The rack of claim 1 further including a plurality of brackets
for supporting the rack on a vertical surface, each bracket
including a U-shaped lower portion for supporting a portion of the
uppermost horizontal member of the rear frame of the rack, and an
upper portion with attaching means for fixing the bracket to the
vertical surface.
6. The rack of claim 5 wherein the brackets each further include an
extended U-shaped portion for supporting the bracket over the top
of a door, the extended portion separable from the upper and lower
portion of the bracket such that when separated the upper and lower
portion of the bracket can be used to support the rack from a
vertical surface by securing the upper portion of the bracket to
the vertical surface with the attaching means.
7. The rack of claim 6 wherein the attaching means is a plurality
of screws.
8. The rack of claim 6 wherein the attaching means is a plurality
of nails.
9. The rack of claim 1 wherein the distance between the
inside-facing surfaces of the upright members is greater than
thirty inches in length such that the horizontal rods will accept
standard wrapping paper rolls of nominally thirty inches in
length.
10. The rack of claim 1 wherein the upward angle of the slots of
the other upright member of the front frame are substantially 45
degrees.
11. The rack of claim 1 wherein the upright members of the rear
frame are sufficiently deep to substantially hold the front frame
and the spools of spooled material away from the vertical surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the storage and
dispensing of flat rolled goods such as ribbons and wrapping paper,
most notably used for wrapping packages and gifts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Due to the various and odd sizes of ribbons and wrapping
paper, and the various sizes of hubs upon which they are wound when
sold, it is difficult to find a method of storing these items in a
compact and efficient manner and at the same time allowing such
items to be fully and immediately visible and accessible so that
the user can easily see what supplies are available, choose the
appropriate item, and dispense it without disturbing the other
items in the storage system.
[0003] It would be desirable to be able to store both ribbons and
wrapping paper, on the hubs upon which they are sold, in a single
storage device such that all contents are compactly and efficiently
stored while at the same time allowing the contents to be
immediately visible and accessible. It would further be desirable
to allow the items to be dispensed easily without disturbing the
other items of the storage system. It would be further desirable to
easily move, use, and store the device in a number of different
locations and in a number of different ways so as to easily adapt
to the user's domicile and work area.
[0004] The present invention discloses such a device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention consists of a device that stores
substantially rolled sheet materials such as ribbon and wrapping
paper, on the hubs upon which they are sold, in a single storage
device such that the items are compactly and efficiently stored
while, at the same time, the contents are immediately visible and
accessible. The present device allows the contents to be dispensed
easily without disturbing other items stored in the storage system.
The device can be easily moved so that it may be used in a number
of different locations and configurations, as well as stored in a
number of different ways so as to easily adapt to the user's work
and storage area.
[0006] While the following specifically refers to ribbons and
wrapping paper, the invention could also be used equally well for
the storage and dispensing of other flat rolled goods such as cloth
material, decorative fabric and material, etc., and therefore the
references to ribbons and wrapping paper are illustrative of
certain uses and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of
the invention.
[0007] While these and other advantages and objects of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing
the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as
herein described, it is understood that changes in the precise
embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be
included within the scope of the invention, except insofar as they
may be precluded by prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments
of the present invention according to the best mode presently
devised for making and using the invention, and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the present
invention shown in an open position forming a self-supporting "A"
shaped structure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the present
invention shown in a closed position, as it would be hanging from a
door, or other substantially vertical surface, and utilizing a
plurality of dual-use brackets; the door itself is only partially
shown and partially cut-away for clarity purposes.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a portion of the
front and rear frames of the present invention where they are
joined by a hinge and are shown in the open or "A" frame
position.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a portion of the
front and rear frames of the present invention where they are
joined by a hinge and are shown in the closed position.
[0013] FIG. 5 are plan illustrations of the dual-use brackets used
to support the present invention in a hanging configuration showing
an expansion feature for use on doors of various thicknesses, and
also showing the dual-use brackets with the expansion feature
removed so that the brackets can be fastened to a wall or other
substantially vertical surface.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of the dual-use
brackets showing a snap-off feature, namely, score lines to allow a
portion of the bracket to be removed so that it may be used on
substantially flat, vertical surfaces. One bracket is shown in its
entirety and the other bracket is shown with the expansion section
for mounting over the top of a door snapped off and removed.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the present
invention shown in the closed configuration as it might be for
storage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention which consists of a
front frame 13 and a rear frame 14, each of which are connected to
each other as described below. The present device further includes
a number of horizontal rods 16 upon which ribbons 17 and wrapping
paper 18 or the like are stored, on the same hubs 19 or tubes on
which they are sold and dispensed.
[0017] Each of the front and rear frames 13, 14 consists of two
upright members 11 joined by two horizontal members 12. The length
of the horizontal members 12 are such that they cause the upright
members 11 of both the front frame 13 and rear frame 14 to be
spaced 31 inches or so apart so as to accept ribbons 17 and
wrapping paper rolls 18 in standard sizes of up to 30". The upright
members 11 of the front frame 13 have a plurality of partially
drilled holes 41 or partially milled slots 31 on the inside of one
side 11 to accept the horizontal rods 16, and a plurality of
partially milled slots 31 on the other side 11 facing toward the
center of the frame 13, so as to accept the horizontal rods 16.
Since the holes 41 and slots 31 do not extend through the upright
members 11, the rods 16 are captured between the two upright
members 11 of the front frame 13, but the slots 31 allow the rods
16 to be easily removed for loading and unloading of ribbon rolls
17 and wrapping paper 18. The slots 31 are formed at a
substantially 45.degree. angle with a closed part 35 of the slot 31
sloping toward the lower horizontal member 12, and an open part 34
of the slot 31 facing up and to the front of the frame 13. This
allows gravity to hold the rods 16 in place while being stored and
while material is being dispensed. The two frames 13,14 are
fastened together with a plurality of hinges 32 at or near the top
horizontal member 12 such that when the device is in a closed
position the frames 13,14 will be substantially parallel to each
other (FIG. 2,7). Alternatively, when the device is in an open
position the frames 13,14 will form a self-supporting "A" shaped
structure (FIG. 1). The actual angle of the "A" shaped structure is
determined by the angle 33 of the top of the upright members 11 of
the rear frame 14 or some other similar stop mechanism, so as to
limit the open angle of the hinged vertical members 11 of the front
and rear frames 13,14.
[0018] While the front frame 13 holds the ribbons 17 and wrapping
paper 18, the rear frame 14 serves two additional functions. First,
the rear frame 14 hold the front frame 13 away from a mounting
surface 21,50,51,52 thereby providing clearance for the ribbon 17
and wrapping paper rolls 18. Second, the rear frame 14 provides
support when used in the free-standing mode (FIG. 1).
[0019] The device is designed to be stored either hanging (FIG. 2)
or standing (FIG. 7) To store the device in the hanging
configuration, dual-use brackets 20 are used. In one embodiment of
the invention, the brackets 20 are supported over the top of a door
21 and the device is suspended from the brackets 20 by the top
horizontal member 12 of the rear frame 14. The brackets 20 are
designed such that they can be easily slipped over a door 50 as
narrow as 1" thick and, with a little force to open an expansion
section 61, over a door 51 as wide as wide as 1{fraction (3/4)}"
thick. To hang the device from a wall 52 or other substantially
vertical surface, the dual-use brackets 20 are designed with score
lines 60 such that the user can snap off the top expansion part 61
of the bracket 20 normally used to go over the top of the door
21,50,51 at the score lines 60 and then the lower part 63 of the
bracket 20 can be attached to the wall 52 or other vertical surface
with fastening means such as screws or the like. To store the
device standing, the device is left in the closed position and can
be stored behind a couch or other piece of furniture or in any
space which will accommodate it (FIG. 7).
[0020] To load and unload ribbon rolls 17 and wrapping paper rolls
18, the horizontal rods 16 are removed first from the upright
member 11 of the front frame 13 with the slots 31 and then from the
vertical member 11 of the front frame 13 with the holes 41. Ribbon
rolls 17 and wrapping paper rolls 18 are then threaded onto the
rods 16, and the rods 16 are then replaced in the reverse manner.
The holes 41 and corresponding slots 31 for the horizontal rods 16
are preferably spaced approximately 2" apart vertically. The
horizontal rods 16 can be placed in each set of holes 41 and slots
31 or, alternatively, one or more slots 31 and holes 41 can be left
empty to allow for larger adjacent rolls of ribbon 17 or wrapping
paper 18. In this manner, the most efficient use of storage space
is achieved.
[0021] The device is designed to be used either hanging or
standing. To access and dispense ribbon 17 or wrapping paper 18,
the desired material is simply unrolled from its hub 19 while still
on the device and cut to the desired length. A hook 15 is provided
and may be attached to either upright member of the front frame 13
for storage of scissors and other cutting devices. The remaining
material remains on the device. Dispensing of material can be done
while the device is hanging (FIG. 2) from its mounting brackets 20
or while in the free-standing configuration (FIG. 1).
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