Wall Mounted Bottle Support

Abstract

A bottle support with wall mounting brackets and an elongated element. The elongated element has a multiplicity of receiving voids. The elongated element is secured to a wall with the wall mounting brackets and the elongated element is at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 60.degree. relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a support for bottles, particularly wine bottles. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a wall mounted bottle support.

[0002] Wine enthusiasts desire to have convenient locations to store bottles of wine. This desire includes the practical aspects, particularly tilted to keep the cork moist, as well as the aesthetic aspects of storage. Many wine racks, as they are commonly referred to, are provided in the art.

[0003] Space is a critical aspect of storage. It is often undesirable to locate a bottle support on a surface as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,180,066; 4,496,124 and 3,901,389. Not only do these types of bottle supports take up surface area but they also can be dislodged and tip often causing breaking of the wine bottle.

[0004] It is preferred to have a bottle support mounted to a wall. This can then be an aesthetically pleasing arrangement and ensure that the bottles are tilted and secure. Unfortunately, this method has heretofore been undesirable due to the length of the bottles and the fact that they extend perpendicular from the wall. Furthermore, it is difficult to read labels of bottles which are perpendicular to the wall unless they are well separated which requires excess space.

[0005] It is a desire to provide a wall mounted bottle support which is aesthetically pleasing, functional, which can display labels, and which can support multiple bottles parallel to the wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall mounted bottle support which is secure, functional and aesthetically pleasing.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a bottle support capable of maintaining a bottle in a tilted orientation and parallel to a wall upon which the bottle support is mounted.

[0008] A particular feature of the present invention is the simplicity of design and economical manner in which the invention can be implemented.

[0009] These and other features, as will be realized, are provided in a bottle support with wall mounting brackets and an elongated element. The elongated element has a multiplicity of receiving voids. The elongated element is secured to a wall with the wall mounting brackets, and the elongated element is mounted at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 60.degree. relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention is provided in a bottle support. The bottle support has wall mounting brackets. An elongated element is secured to a wall by the mounting brackets. The elongated element has a surface and a multiplicity of receiving voids for receiving a bottle neck. Each receiving void can be at an angle relative to the surface. The angle can be the same angle as the bottle relative to the surface but perpendicular to the surface is preferred.

[0011] Yet another embodiment is provided in an inventive bottle support. The bottle support has wall mounting brackets for securing an elongated element to a wall. The elongated element is mounted at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 60.degree. relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level. The elongated element has a surface and a multiplicity of receiving voids for receiving a bottle. Each receiving void is at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 90.degree. relative to the element surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates bottle supports of the present invention in front view.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred mounting bracket of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate mounting bracket of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate mounting bracket of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention will be described with reference to the drawings which form an integral part of the present disclosure. In the various drawings and views, similar elements will be numbered accordingly. The drawings are not intended to limit the invention as to size, number of elements, number of voids, etc.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, a multiplicity of bottles, 1, are arrayed parallel to a wall, 2, upon which a multiplicity of bottle supports, 3, are secured. Each bottle support comprises a multiplicity of receiving voids as will be more fully described with reference to subsequent drawings. The bottle supports are preferably at an angle sufficient to insure that the end cap, or cork, 4, is at least partially in contact with the liquid in the bottle, 1, if the bottle is full. It is preferred that the centerlines, 5, of the bottles, 1, defined as the approximate rotational axis of the bottle, are at an angle about 0.degree. to no more than about 60.degree. in either direction relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level. For the purposes of the present invention, 0.degree. is defined as the centerline, 5, of the bottle, 1, being level as defined by a standard bubble level and positive angles are defined with the cork end of the bottle above the lower end of the bottle. It is most preferred that the centerline of the bottles be approximately level as defined by a standard bubble level. It is preferred that the bottle be at an angle of +60.degree. to -90.degree..

[0023] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the bottles are all approximately parallel as are the bottle supports. The bottle supports are all of equal length, in a preferred horizontal parallel orientation, and capable of holding the same number of bottles. This configuration is aesthetically pleasing and a particularly preferred embodiment.

[0024] Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the bottle supports, 3, are all of equal length, and in a preferred vertical parallel orientation, with each capable of holding the same number of bottles. This configuration is aesthetically pleasing and a particularly preferred embodiment.

[0025] Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the bottle supports, 3, are all of equal length, in opposing orientations, with each capable of holding the same number of bottles. This configuration is aesthetically pleasing and a particularly preferred embodiment.

[0026] Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the bottles are all approximately parallel as are the bottle supports. The bottle supports are of different lengths and capable of holding a different number of bottles. This configuration is aesthetically pleasing and a particularly preferred embodiment.

[0027] A pair of bottle supports, 3, is shown in front view in FIG. 5. The bottle supports are preferably rectangular with a series of receiving voids, 6, therein and a surface, 17. Other shapes are within the scope of the invention. The receiving voids are preferably aligned in a linear fashion, such as along a centerline of the support, yet a staggered configuration could be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The number of receiving voids is dependent upon the length of the bottle support. The separation is preferably sufficient to allow the bottom of the bottle to be raised a sufficient amount to remove the corked end, or neck, of the bottle from the bottle support without disrupting a bottle above, or below, the bottle being removed. The further the bottle angle is from 0.degree., as defined above, the larger the separation must be to insure ease of removal of each bottle. The receiving void must be sufficiently separated from the wall to insure that the bottle is not impeded from being inserted into the bottle support.

[0028] It is preferred that each bottle support be sufficiently long to span at least two support studs in the wall upon which the bottle support is to be mounted. While this is not mandatory for demonstration or installation of the invention, it is preferred that the mounting supports be secured to a support stud for stability. In a particular preferred embodiment, the bottle support is at least approximately 20 inches in length for installation on a wall with a standard separation of 16 inches between wall studs.

[0029] A cross-sectional partial view of the invention as mounted to a wall is provided in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the bottle, 1, has a neck, 7, which is received by a receiving void, 6. The weight of the bottle causes the neck to be secured within the receiving void by opposing pinch points. In a particularly preferred embodiment the receiving void, 6, is angled relative to the surface, 17, of the bottle support, 3, to maximize the contact between the neck of the bottle and the interior wall, 8, of the receiving void, 6. It is preferred that the bottle, 1, not contact the surface except at the neck, 7.

[0030] A mounting bracket is illustrated in FIG. 7. The mounting bracket, 9, is preferably an "L" shaped bracket. The mounting bracket comprises mounting voids, 10 and 11. In use, one set of mounting voids is attached to the wall, and the other set of mounting voids is attached to the bottle support using convention techniques such as screws, nails, mated threaded members and other known methods for attaching a bracket to a surface.

[0031] An alternate mounting bracket is illustrated in FIG. 8. The mounting bracket in FIG. 8 comprises a threaded element, 11, which is preferably attached through the wall surface, 12, to a support stud, 13. The threaded element, 11, comprises an extended head, 14, which passes through a mounting void, 15, in the bottle support, 3. A lock bolt, 16, engages with the extended head, thereby drawing the bottle support towards the wall forming a secure, visually obscured attachment.

[0032] Another alternate mounting bracket is illustrated in FIG. 9. The mounting bracket in FIG. 9 comprises a threaded element, 11, which is preferably attached through the wall surface, 12, and secured to the wall surface with an anchor, 19. The threaded element, 11, comprises an extended head, 14, which fits into a similarly shaped mounting void, 18, in the bottle support, 3. This is a particularly preferred mounting configuration if the bottle support, 3, cannot be attached to a support stud.

[0033] A mating rail or other mounting device on the wall and bottle support can be employed.

[0034] The material of construction is not limited herein, however, wood is preferable due, in part, to the aesthetic appeal, low cost, and the ability to incorporate any color or stain in the design.

[0035] While particularly described for use with wine bottles, the invention is not limited thereto. The present bottle support could be utilized to support other types of cylindrical or elongated objects, or bottles, regardless of the type, or presence, of material contained therein. The present bottle support is particularly advantageous when it is desired to maintain fluid contact with the end cap or cork.

[0036] The invention has been described with particular emphasis on the preferred embodiments. It would be apparent that other embodiments, alterations and configurations could be envisioned based on the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention which is set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A bottle support comprising: a wall mounting device; an elongated element comprising at least one receiving void wherein said elongated element is secured to a wall with said wall mounting brackets and said elongated element is at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 60.degree. relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level.

2. The bottle support of claim 1 comprising a multiplicity of elongated elements wherein each elongated element of said elongated elements is secured to a wall with said wall mounting device and each said elongated element is at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 60.degree. relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level.

3. The bottle support of claim 1 wherein said receiving voids are at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 90.degree. relative to a surface of said elongated element.

4. The bottle support of claim 3 wherein said angle is the same angle as a second angle between a center line of a bottle received by said receiving void and said surface.

5. The bottle support of claim 1 wherein said wall mounting brackets comprise "L" shaped brackets.

6. The bottle support of claim 1 wherein said wall mounting brackets comprise a locking mechanism to secure the elongated element to a wall.

7. The bottle support of claim 2 wherein said multiplicity of elongated elements are all parallel.

8. The bottle support of claim 2 wherein said multiplicity of elongated elements are at angles such that bottles in one elongated element oppose bottles in another elongated element.

9. The bottle support of claim 2 wherein each elongated element of said multiplicity of elongated elements is the same length.

10. The bottle support of claim 2 wherein a first elongated element of said multiplicity of elongated elements is a different length than a second elongated element of said multiplicity of elongated elements.

11. The bottle support of claim 1 wherein said receiving voids are arranged to hold a bottle in a position parallel to said wall and at an angle of +60.degree. to -90.degree. with 0.degree. defined as a centerline of said bottle being level relative to a bubble level and positive angles defined when an end cap or cork of said bottle is above a lower end of said bottle.

12. A bottle support comprising: wall mounting brackets; an elongated element secured to a wall by said mounting brackets wherein said elongated element comprises a surface and a multiplicity of receiving voids for receiving a bottle wherein each receiving void of said receiving voids is at an angle relative to said surface.

13. The bottle support of claim 12 wherein said elongated element is secured to a wall with said wall mounting brackets and said surface of said elongated element is at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 60.degree. relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level.

14. The bottle support of claim 12 comprising a multiplicity of elongated elements.

15. The bottle support of claim 12 wherein said wall mounting brackets comprise "L" shaped brackets.

16. The bottle support of claim 12 wherein said wall mounting brackets comprise a locking mechanism to secure the elongated element to a wall.

17. The bottle support of claim 14 wherein said multiplicity of elongated elements are all parallel.

18. The bottle support of claim 14 wherein said multiplicity of elongated elements are at angles such that bottles in one elongated element oppose bottles in another elongated element.

19. The bottle support of claim 14 wherein each elongated element of said multiplicity of elongated elements is the same length.

20. The bottle support of claim 14 wherein a first elongated element of said multiplicity of elongated elements is a different length than a second elongated element of said multiplicity of elongated elements.

21. The bottle support of claim 12 wherein said receiving voids are arranged to hold a cylindrical object in a position parallel to said wall and at an angle of +60.degree. to -90.degree. with 0.degree. defined as a centerline of said bottle being level relative to a bubble level and positive angles defined when an end cap or cork of said bottle is above a lower end of said bottle.

22. A bottle support comprising: wall mounting brackets; an elongated element comprising a multiplicity of receiving voids wherein said elongated element is secured to a wall with said wall mounting brackets and said elongated element is at an angle of about 0.degree. to about 60.degree. relative to level as defined by a standard bubble level and wherein said elongated element comprises a surface and a multiplicity of receiving voids for receiving a bottle wherein each receiving void of said receiving voids holds said bottle at an angle of +60.degree. to -90.degree. with 0.degree. defined as a centerline of said bottle being level relative to a bubble level and positive angles defined when an end cap or cork of said bottle is above a lower end of said bottle.