U.S. patent application number 11/652522 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for suspended rotary rack.
Invention is credited to Christopher N. Cavell.
Application Number | 20070215567 11/652522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38509966 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070215567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cavell; Christopher N. |
September 20, 2007 |
Suspended rotary rack
Abstract
The suspended rotary rack may be configured as a rotary clothes
hanger with folding arms, multiple arm or hook rotary hanger racks,
and single or multiple level rotary article holders, rotary
platforms, or multiple arm article holders. The rotary rack is
suspended from an overhead support by a bearing assembly having two
tandem bearings. The bearing assembly has an anchor block, an
anchor bearing having an inner race attached to the upper end of
the anchor block, and an outer race fixed within an upper end of a
column. The outer race of a guide bearing is fixed within the lower
end of the anchor block. The inner race of the guide bearing is
fixed to a guide block, the guide block being fixed within the
upper end of the column below the anchor bearing. The tandem
bearing assembly precludes any radial or axial play of the
column.
Inventors: |
Cavell; Christopher N.;
(Dartmouth, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. BOX 15035, CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
38509966 |
Appl. No.: |
11/652522 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60778106 |
Mar 2, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/113 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 7/044 20130101;
A47B 49/00 20130101; D06F 57/125 20130101; A47G 25/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/113 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08 |
Claims
1. A suspended rotary rack, comprising: a bearing assembly adapted
for suspension from an overhead support; a rigid, hollow rotary
rack support column having an upper end, a medial portion, and a
lower end opposite the upper end, the bearing assembly being
disposed concentrically within the upper end of the column and
constrained from axial movement within the column, the column being
rotatable about an axis defined through the bearing assembly; and
at least one article support extending radially from said rotary
rack support column, the article support being fixed to the column
for rotation therewith.
2. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one article support further comprises: a plurality of
elongate folding arms extending radially from the lower end of said
rotary rack support column; and a plurality of flexible
clotheslines extending between each of said folding arms.
3. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 2, wherein each of
said folding arms has a proximal end, the rotary rack further
including: a hub rotationally affixed to the lower end of said
rotary rack support column; a plurality of radially disposed arm
attachment flange pairs extending from said hub; an arm extension
locking flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding
arms, the flats extending substantially parallel to the length of
the corresponding one of said folding arms; a folded arm locking
flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding arms,
the folded arm locking flats extending substantially normal to the
corresponding said arm extension locking flat; an arm attachment
pin pivotally securing each of said folding arms to a corresponding
one of said arm attachment flange pairs; an arm position lock rod
having a spring retainer end and an external end opposite the
spring retainer end, the rod extending concentrically through said
hub; an arm position lock spring compressively disposed about said
arm position lock rod between the spring retainer end thereof and
said hub; and an arm position lock disposed upon the external end
of said arm position lock rod and extending concentrically from
said hub, the lock selectively bearing against each said arm
extension locking flat or each said folding arm locking flat of
said folding arms and correspondingly selectively locking said
folding arms in a radially extended position or in a folded
position adjacent said rotary rack support column.
4. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 1, wherein said
axially rigid bearing assembly further comprises: a rotationally
stationary anchor block having a small diameter structure
attachment end and a large diameter guide bearing housing end
opposite the structure attachment end; an anchor bearing having a
rotationally stationary inner race and a rotating outer race, the
inner race seated axially rigidly and concentrically about the
structure attachment end of said anchor block; a rotationally
stationary structure attachment fastener passing concentrically
through said anchor bearing and said anchor block, the fastener
securing said anchor bearing to said anchor block; a guide bearing
having a rotationally stationary outer race seated axially rigidly
and concentrically within the guide bearing housing end of said
anchor block, and a rotating inner race; a rotating guide block
having a small diameter guide bearing end seated axially rigidly
and concentrically within the inner race of said guide bearing, and
a large diameter rotary column engagement end opposite the guide
bearing end; and a guide bearing and guide block assembly fastener
passing concentrically through said guide bearing and said guide
block, and securing said guide bearing to said guide block, the
upper end of said rotary rack support column being disposed
concentrically about and in axially rigid rotational contact with
the outer race of said anchor bearing and said guide block, and
free of contact with said anchor block.
5. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 4, wherein said
anchor bearing and said guide bearing comprise ball bearings.
6. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 4, wherein said
structure attachment fastener is selected from the group consisting
of machine screws and lag bolts.
7. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one article support is selected from the group consisting of
a plurality of hooks extending radially from said rotary rack
support column, a plurality of vertically disposed multiple
receptacle racks extending from the lower end of said rotary rack
support column, at least one circular tray concentrically disposed
upon said rotary rack support column, and a plurality of radially
disposed arms extending from said rotary rack support column, with
each of the arms having a distal end and an article support
receptacle extending therefrom.
8. A suspended rotary rack, comprising: a bearing assembly adapted
for suspension from an overhead support; a rigid, hollow rotary
rack support column having an upper end, a medial portion, and a
lower end opposite the upper end, the bearing assembly being
disposed concentrically within the upper end of the column and
constrained from axial movement within the column, the column being
rotatable about an axis defined through the bearing assembly; a
plurality of elongate folding arms extending radially from the
lower end of said rotary rack support column; and a plurality of
flexible clotheslines extending between each of said folding
arms.
9. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 8, further
including: a hub rotationally affixed to the lower end of said
rotary rack support column; a plurality of radially disposed arm
attachment flange pairs extending from said hub; an arm extension
locking flat disposed upon a proximal end of each of said folding
arms, the flat extending substantially parallel to the length of
the corresponding one of said folding arms; a folded arm locking
flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding arms,
the folded arm locking flat extending substantially normal to the
corresponding said arm extension locking flat; an arm attachment
pin pivotally securing each of said folding arms to a corresponding
one of said arm attachment flange pairs; an arm position lock rod
having a spring retainer end and an external end opposite the
spring retainer end, the rod extending concentrically through said
hub; an arm position lock spring compressively disposed about said
arm position lock rod between the spring retainer end thereof and
said hub; and an arm position lock disposed upon the external end
of said arm position lock rod and extending concentrically from
said hub, the lock selectively bearing against each said arm
extension locking flat or each said folding arm locking flat of
said folding arms and correspondingly selectively locking said
folding arms in a radially extended position or in a folded
position adjacent said rotary rack support column.
10. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 8, wherein said
axially rigid bearing assembly further comprises: a rotationally
stationary anchor block having a small diameter structure
attachment end and a large diameter guide bearing housing end
opposite the structure attachment end; an anchor bearing having a
rotationally stationary inner race and a rotating outer race, the
inner race seated axially rigidly and concentrically about the
structure attachment end of said anchor block; a rotationally
stationary structure attachment fastener passing concentrically
through said anchor bearing and said anchor block, the fastener
securing said anchor bearing to said anchor block; a guide bearing
having a rotationally stationary outer race seated axially rigidly
and concentrically within the guide bearing housing end of said
anchor block, the guide bearing having a rotating inner race; a
rotating guide block having a small diameter guide bearing end
seated axially rigidly and concentrically within the inner race of
the guide bearing, and a large diameter rotary column engagement
end opposite the guide bearing end; and a guide bearing and guide
block assembly fastener passing concentrically through the guide
bearing and said guide block, and securing the guide bearing to
said guide block, the upper end of said rotary rack support column
being disposed concentrically about, and in axially rigid
rotational contact with, the outer race of said anchor bearing and
said guide block, the upper end of said rotary rack support column
being free of contact with said anchor block.
11. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 10, wherein said
anchor bearing and said guide bearing comprise ball bearings.
12. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 10, wherein said
structure attachment fastener is selected from the group consisting
of machine screws and lag bolts.
13. A suspended rotary rack, comprising: an anchor block having a
small diameter structure attachment end and a large diameter guide
bearing housing end opposite the structure attachment end, the
anchor block being adapted for being rigidly suspended from an
overhead support structure; an anchor bearing having an inner race
fixed about the structure attachment end of the anchor block and an
outer race rotatable about the inner race; a structure attachment
fastener passing concentrically through the anchor bearing and the
anchor block, the fastener being adapted for rigidly attaching the
anchor block to the overhead support structure; a guide bearing
having an outer race rigidly fixed within the guide bearing housing
end of the anchor block and an inner race concentric with and
rotatable within the outer race; a guide block having a small
diameter guide bearing end seated rigidly within the inner race of
the guide bearing and a large diameter rotary column engagement end
opposite the guide bearing end; a guide bearing and guide block
assembly fastener passing concentrically through the guide bearing
and the guide block, the fastener attaching the guide bearing to
the guide block; a hollow support column having an upper end, a
medial portion, and a lower end opposite the upper end, the rotary
column engagement end being fixed within the column; and at least
one article support extending radially from the rotary rack support
column.
14. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said
anchor bearing and said guide bearing comprise ball bearings.
15. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said
structure attachment fastener is selected from the group consisting
of machine screws and lag bolts.
16. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said
at least one article support comprises: a plurality of elongate
folding arms extending radially from the lower end of said rotary
rack support column; and a plurality of flexible clotheslines
extending between each of said folding arms.
17. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 16, further
including: a hub rotationally affixed to the lower end of said
rotary rack support column; a plurality of radially disposed arm
attachment flange pairs extending from said hub; an arm extension
locking flat disposed upon a proximal end of each of said folding
arms, the flat extending substantially parallel to the length of
the corresponding one of said folding arms; a folded arm locking
flat disposed upon the proximal end of each of said folding arms,
the folded arm locking flat extending substantially normal to the
corresponding said arm extension locking flat; an arm attachment
pin pivotally securing one of said folding arms to a corresponding
one of said arm attachment flange pairs; an arm position lock rod
having a spring retainer end and an external end opposite the
spring retainer end, the rod extending concentrically through said
hub; an arm position lock spring compressively disposed about the
arm position lock rod between the spring retainer end thereof and
said hub; and an arm position lock disposed upon the external end
of the arm position lock rod and extending concentrically from said
hub, selectively bearing against each said arm extension locking
flat or each said folding arm locking flat of said folding arms and
correspondingly selectively locking said folding arms in a radially
extended position or in a folded position adjacent said rotary rack
support column.
18. The suspended rotary rack according to claim 13, wherein said
at least one article support is selected from the group consisting
of a plurality of hooks extending radially from said rotary rack
support column, a plurality of vertically disposed multiple
receptacle racks extending from the lower end of said rotary rack
support column, at least one circular tray concentrically disposed
upon said rotary rack support column, and a plurality of radially
disposed arms extending from said rotary rack support column, each
of the arms having a distal end and an article support receptacle
extending therefrom.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/778,106, filed Mar. 2, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to devices for
holding and supporting various articles. More specifically, the
present invention is a suspended rotary rack, with various
embodiments including a specific bearing structure for supporting
the underlying rack portion and also for allowing the rack to
rotate as desired.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Innumerable racks and article holders have been developed in
the past, ranging from simple shelves and platforms to more
sophisticated devices with adjustable or movable shelves or other
components. A subset of such devices comprises rotary racks and the
like supported from the floor or other underlying surface. The
well-known rotary clothes drying hanger for indoor use is among
these devices.
[0006] One of the problems with such floor-supported devices is
their relative lack of stability, particularly in the case of
taller and narrower devices supported by a relatively narrow tripod
or similar support structure. Such devices are easily knocked over,
allowing breakable articles thereon to crash to the floor and incur
damage, or at least be soiled by contact with the floor or
underlying surface. Another problem with such devices is the amount
of floor space they require. The requirement of a relatively small
"footprint" area for the device and the need for stability are
mutually exclusive, with relatively tall and narrow devices failing
to provide the required stability and wider devices requiring too
much floor space.
[0007] As a result, a number of suspended racks have been developed
in the past. Such overhead supported devices solve the problems of
the requirement of too much floor space and lack of stability. A
few such devices have been developed which allow the rack to rotate
or spin about a central suspended column, or to allow the column to
rotate about a relatively stationary attachment. An example of such
is found in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-024,496 published on
Jan. 30, 1996. According to the drawings and English abstract, this
device is a motorized rotary clothes dryer, with a stationary
overhead motor rotating a hanger shaft from which a series of
hanger arms extend radially. The rotary hanger shaft has an eye at
its upper end, through which a hook from the motor shaft is loosely
installed. The assembly may be installed in the ceiling of an
existing room, or within a floor supported rack or frame.
[0008] None of the above-mentioned patents or publications shows
the present invention as claimed. Thus, a suspended rotary rack
solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The suspended rotary rack includes a pair of bearings in
tandem within a rotating shaft, with a stationary fastener passing
through the center of the upper or anchor bearing to engage the
overlying structure. The inner race of the anchor bearing is
relatively stationary, with the outer race rotating and being
captured within and rotationally fixed relative to the rotary
column or tube depending therefrom. An anchor block is affixed to
the inner race of the anchor bearing, and thereby to the overlying
support structure from which the device is suspended. The anchor
block is somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the depending
tube, with the tube rotating around the stationary anchor block.
The end of the anchor block opposite the anchor bearing contains a
guide bearing of smaller diameter than the anchor bearing, with the
outer race of the guide bearing being rotationally fixed within the
stationary anchor block. The inner race of the guide bearing is
secured to a guide block, with the guide block extending from the
guide bearing to affix to the inner wall of the rotary tube or
column and rotate therewith.
[0010] The above-described assembly not only provides free rotation
of the rotary column or tube, but also assures that the tube will
remain axially rigid due to the two tandem bearings of the
assembly. The rotary bearing and column assembly is particularly
well suited for the overhead support of a rotary clothes rack or
the like, with the axial rigidity of the system assuring that the
rack will not tip, tilt, or sway to any significant degree,
regardless of any imbalance of the load placed thereon. Such a
rotary clothes hanger may incorporate a folding arm mechanism to
fold the arms parallel to the central rotary column when the device
is not in use, thereby freeing up usable space around the central
column. Other embodiments comprising other devices may be installed
upon the above described rotary assembly, e.g., multiple arm or
hook rotary hanger racks, single or multiple level rotary article
holders, single or multiple level rotary platforms, i.e., "lazy
Susans," single or multiple level, multiple arm article holders,
etc., as desired.
[0011] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first
embodiment of a suspended rotary rack according to the present
invention, showing various features thereof.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the central hub
assembly and arms of the suspended rotary rack of FIG. 1, showing
further details thereof.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partially broken away elevation view in section
of the hub assembly of the rack of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing further
details thereof.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the upper bearing
assembly used in the various rack embodiments of the present
invention, showing various details thereof.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an elevation view in section of the upper bearing
assembly of the suspended rotary rack of the present invention,
showing further details thereof.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of
the present invention configured as a multiple arm hanger.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of
the present invention configured as a multiple level article
holder.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of
the present invention configured as a multiple level rotary
tray.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a suspended rotary rack of
the present invention configured as a multiple arm article
holder.
[0021] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention comprises various embodiments of a
suspended rotary rack, in which the rack is anchored to an overhead
structure (e.g., ceiling, etc.) and is free of contact with the
underlying surface. The rack may have any of a large number of
different configurations, including a rotary clothesline assembly
with folding arms, article holding receptacles, hooks for holding
clothing or other articles, etc., as desired. All of the various
rotary rack embodiments utilize the same bearing assembly
configuration, which allows the suspended rack support column and
article holding elements extending therefrom to rotate freely while
holding the assembly in an axially rigid relationship to the
mounting structure in order to prevent swinging and swaying of the
device.
[0023] FIG. 1 of the drawings provides a perspective view of a
first embodiment of the present suspended rotary rack, comprising a
rotary clothes-drying hanger 10. The hanger 10 includes a rigid,
hollow rotary rack support column 12 having an upper end 14 in
which an axially rigid bearing assembly (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
and discussed further below) is installed, an opposite lower end
16, and a medial portion 18. An article support comprising a
plurality of elongate folding arms 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d extend
radially from a hub 22, with a series of flexible lines 24a, 24b,
24c, and 24d extending between each of the arms 20a-20d and
generally surrounding the hub 22. While four arms and four flexible
lines are shown in the example of FIG. 1, it will be understood
that more or fewer arms and lines may be provided, as desired.
[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the detailed structure of the hub
22 and its operation. The hub 22 is fixed within the lower end 16
of the rotating support column 12 (i.e., the hub 22 cannot rotate
relative to the support column 12 but rotates in unison therewith)
and includes a series of radially disposed arm attachment flange
pairs 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d extending therefrom. Each arm 20a
through 20d includes a proximal end, respectively 28a through 28d,
inserted between corresponding flange pairs 26a through 26d. A
lateral pin 30 is installed through each flange attachment pair 26a
through 26d and corresponding arm proximal end 28a through 28d,
pivotally securing the arms to the hub 22 and defining a pivot axis
for each arm. Each arm proximal end 28a through 28d further
includes an arm extension locking flat, respectively 32a through
32d, disposed substantially parallel to the length of its
corresponding arm, and a folding arm locking flat, respectively 34a
through 34d, substantially normal to the plane of the corresponding
extension locking flats and elongate axes of the arms 20a-20d.
While a series of four arms and corresponding attachment and pivot
components is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described above, it will
be understood that any practicable number of three or more arms may
be provided, as desired.
[0025] An arm position lock rod 36 passes concentrically through a
passage in the hub 22, with the rod 36 having a spring retainer end
38 (e.g., mating threaded nut 40 engaging the threaded end of the
rod or bolt 36) disposed within the lower end 16 of the support
column 12, and an opposite external end 42 with a relatively large
diameter, flat plate arm position lock 44 immovably affixed to the
external end 42 of the rod 36 and disposed concentrically
therewith. The arm position lock 44 preferably includes a handle 46
protruding therefrom to facilitate operating the device. An arm
position lock spring 48 is compressively installed concentrically
about the arm position lock rod 36 between the spring retainer end
38 thereof and the internal end of the hub 22.
[0026] Operation of the above described folding arm mechanism is
most clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The arm position lock
spring 48 is in compression and normally holds the lock rod 36 (and
accordingly, the arm position lock 44) up against the lower end of
the hub 22 and lower end 16 of the support column 12 in which the
hub 22 is immovably affixed. When the lock 44 is in this position,
the flat upper surface thereof bears against either the arm
extension locking flats 32a through 32d or the folding arm locking
flats 34a through 34d, depending upon whether the arms 20a through
20d are extended or folded, respectively. To fold the arms upwardly
adjacent to the support column 12, or to extend the folded arms to
radiate from the hub 22 when they are folded, the arm position lock
44 is pulled away from the hub 22 and lower end 16 of the support
column 12. This provides a sufficient span between the lock 44 and
hub 22 (and support column lower end 16) to provide clearance for
the corners of the arms 20a through 20d, i.e., the intersections of
the arm extension lock flats 32a through 32d and respective arm
folding lock flats 34a through 34b, to pivot below the lower
surface of the hub 22 (and support column lower end 16), thereby
allowing the arms 20a through 20d to pivot from their extended
position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 3) to their folded position
(shown in broken lines in FIG. 3), or vice-versa.
[0027] When the arms have been positioned as desired, the tension
on the arm position lock 44 is released, and the spring 48 pulls
the lock 44 up against the appropriate lock flats of the proximal
ends 28a through 28d of the arms 20a through 20d to hold the arms
in the selected extended or folded position. While it is
anticipated that the arms will be folded or extended in unison with
one another, it will be seen that the arms pivot independently of
one another, and need not be folded or extended collectively. One
or more of the arms may be extended while the others remain folded,
or one or more may be folded while the others remain extended, if
so desired.
[0028] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the structure of the axially rigid
bearing assembly 50, which is enclosed within the upper end 14 of
the rotary rack support column 12 and which secures the support
column 12 to the overlying structure (e.g., ceiling, etc.). A
rotationally stationary anchor block 52 has a relatively small
diameter upper or structure attachment end 54, and an opposite
relatively large diameter guide bearing housing end 56 with a guide
bearing housing or receptacle 58 formed therein (shown in FIG. 5).
The anchor block 52 has a concentric passage formed therethrough,
through which a structure attachment fastener (e.g., a machine
screw or bolt 60, as shown in FIG. 4, or a lag bolt or screw 62, as
shown in FIG. 5, etc.) passes to attach column 12 to the overlying
structure (e.g., ceiling plate P, as shown in FIG. 4, or ceiling
joist J, as shown in FIG. 5, etc.). The assembly is spaced away
from the overlying structure, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to
provide clearance to allow the outer rotary rack support column 12
to rotate, but the anchor block 52 and structure attachment
fastener 60 or 62 are immovably affixed to the overlying structure
and do not rotate or move relative thereto.
[0029] The structure attachment end 54 of the anchor block 52 has
an anchor bearing 64 (e.g., ball bearing, as shown, or other type
of bearing, such as a plain or tapered roller bearing, needle
bearing, etc.) installed thereon, with the inner race 66 being
immovably installed concentrically upon the anchor bearing
installation and structure attachment end 54 of the anchor block
52. The inner race 66 of the anchor bearing 64 is preferably a
press fit over the bearing installation and structure attachment
end 54 of the anchor block 52 to assure that the inner race 66 is
axially rigid and rotationally stationary relative to the anchor
block 52. The outer race 68 is press fit or otherwise rotationally
affixed and immovably secured in an axially rigid installation
within the upper end 14 of the support column 12. A set screw (not
shown) or other additional locking means may be provided to secure
the outer race 68 of the anchor bearing 64 within the upper end 14
of the support column 12, as desired. While the inner race 66 of
the anchor bearing 64 is immovably locked relative to the overlying
structure, the outer race 68, and therefore support column 12, are
free to rotate about the inner race 66.
[0030] A relatively smaller diameter guide bearing 70 (e.g., ball
bearing, as shown, or other type of bearing as desired) is
installed concentrically within the guide bearing housing or
receptacle 58 of the anchor block 52, with the outer race 72 of the
guide bearing 70 being immovably affixed in an axially rigid
relationship with the anchor block 52. The guide bearing 70 may be
press fit within the anchor block 52, and/or a conventional set
screw (not shown) or other means may be used to provide further
security for the guide bearing 70. It will be seen that as the
anchor block 52 does not rotate relative to the overlying
structure, neither will the outer race 72 of the guide bearing
70.
[0031] However, the inner race 74 of the guide bearing 70 is free
to rotate relative to its outer race 72, and is installed upon the
relatively small diameter guide bearing end 76 of a guide block 78.
The inner race 74 of the guide bearing 70 is preferably a press fit
onto the guide bearing end 76 of the guide block 78, with the inner
race 74 of the guide bearing 70 and the guide block 78 being
rotationally locked to one another in an axially rigid
relationship. The opposite rotary column engagement end 80 of the
guide block 78 has a relatively larger diameter which fits tightly
and immovably in an axially rigid concentric relationship within
the inner diameter of the rotary rack support column 12.
[0032] Further security for the guide bearing 70 installation to
the guide block 78 is provided by a guide bearing and guide block
assembly fastener 82, which passes concentrically through the guide
block 78 and inner race 74 of the guide bearing 70. A relatively
large diameter washer 84a is installed beneath the head of the
fastener 82, in order to overlap and positively retain the inner
race 74 of the guide bearing 70 on the guide bearing end 76 of the
guide block 78. A similar but somewhat larger diameter washer 84b
may be installed between the structure attachment end 54 of the
anchor block 52 to overlap the inner race 66 of the anchor bearing
64, and further to space the rotating outer race 68 and upper end
14 of the rotary rack support column 12 from the overlying
structure.
[0033] In the above described structure, the anchor block 52, inner
race 66 of the anchor bearing 64, and outer race 72 of the guide
bearing 70 are all immovably affixed relative to the overlying
structure. The outer race 68 of the anchor bearing 64, inner race
74 of the guide bearing 70 and rotationally attached guide block
78, and the upper end portion 14 and remainder of the rotary rack
support column 12, which is rotationally attached to the outer race
68 of the anchor bearing 64 and rotary column engagement end 80 of
the guide block 78, are free to rotate. As the anchor block 52 is
relatively stationary and the overlying rotary rack support column
12 rotates therearound, the relatively larger diameter guide
bearing end 56 of the anchor block 52 is made somewhat smaller than
the inner diameter of the support column 12, in order to provide a
clearance gap 86 therebetween to preclude contact between the two
components.
[0034] The above described axially rigid bearing assembly is not
limited to use with the rotary clothes hanger rack 10 of FIG. 1. It
will be seen that a great variety of different suspended rotary
rack configurations may be provided using the above-described
bearing assembly, with the following embodiments being exemplary of
but a few such devices.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a suspended rotary rack 10a in which a
series of hooks 88 extend radially from the rotary support column
12. The hooks 88 may be distributed both radially around the
support column, and axially along the length of the support column,
in any regular or irregular arrangement or configuration as
desired. The support column 12, along with its axially rigid
bearing assembly (not shown in FIG. 7), is essentially identical to
the support column 12 of FIG. 1 and bearing assembly 50 illustrated
in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0036] FIG. 7 provides an illustration of another embodiment 10b of
a suspended rotary rack wherein a series of receptacle racks extend
from the lower end 16 of a shortened rotary rack support column 12.
A series of support rods 90 extend downwardly and outwardly from
the lower end 16 of the support column 12, and turn vertically
downward essentially parallel to the rotational axis of the support
column 12. A plurality of vertically spaced multiple receptacle
racks 92 are installed within the area defined by the support rods
90, with each rack 92 providing for the holding and containment of
a plurality of articles (e.g., bottles, etc.) therein. The number
of receptacles in each rack tier 92 is preferably equal to the
number of support rods 90, with each rack 92 being in the general
form of a regular polygon with the support rods 90 connecting to
their flat sides. In this manner, the receptacles themselves may be
placed at the corners of the polygonal racks 92, to facilitate
placement and removal of articles to and from the racks 92. A lower
shelf 94 with accessory hooks 96 may also be provided at the base
of the support rods 90, if so desired.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment 10c of the present
invention, wherein a plurality of circular trays 98a and 98b are
installed upon the support column 12 to form a "lazy Susan" type
device. At least one such tray is installed, or more than the two
trays 98a, 98b shown in FIG. 8 may be installed, as desired. In the
embodiment of FIG. 8, a first or upper tray 98a is installed along
the medial portion 18 of the support column 12, with a second or
lower tray 98b being installed at the lower end 16 of the column
12. It will be seen that additional trays may be installed as
desired and that the trays may have other than the circular shape
shown in FIG. 8. For example, an arcuate section may be removed
from the circular shape, etc., as desired. It will further be seen
that the rotary rack support column 12 may be extended to form two
or more sections that rotate independently of one another by means
of the installation of additional axially rigid bearing assemblies
50 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this manner, two or more trays
installed upon such an embodiment will be free to rotate
independently of one another.
[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates still another embodiment of the suspended
rotary rack, designated as 10d, wherein a series of radially
disposed arms 100 extend from the support column 12. As in the case
of the embodiment 10a of FIG. 6, the various arms may be
distributed radially and/or axially in any even or uneven pattern
along the length of the support column 12, as desired. Each of the
arms 100 terminates in a distal end 102 having an article support
receptacle 104 extending therefrom, e.g., a ring or the like for
holding a plant pot or similar article. The suspended rotary rack
10d of FIG. 9 is particularly well suited for the storage and
display of potted plants, but will be recognized as being useful
for other purposes with little or no modification. It will also be
noted that as in the case of the lazy Susan embodiment 10c of FIG.
8, the support column 12 may comprise several sections, each
separated from the next by an axially rigid bearing assembly 50
with each arm 100 extending from a joint between adjacent sections
of the column 12. Alternatively, the arms 100 may be rotationally
affixed to a single column 12, or each to a separate segment of a
multiple segment column, as desired.
[0039] In conclusion, the suspended rotary rack provides a
rotating, suspended column that does not sway axially or
transversely. The rack is particularly well suited for use as an
indoor rotary clothes drying rack, with its folding arms providing
further convenience when the device is not in use. However, the
various other embodiments disclosed herein, as well as others
falling within the scope of the present invention, are well suited
for the storage and display of innumerable goods and articles in
retail stores and other environments. Accordingly, the suspended
rotary rack will prove to be a most desirable device to homeowners,
as well as to those engaged in retail trades, and/or any other
environment where such a suspended rotary rack may be useful.
[0040] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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