U.S. patent application number 11/926989 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for collapsible closet having a support element.
This patent application is currently assigned to MORAN, INC. Invention is credited to James SUNG.
Application Number | 20090001033 11/926989 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40159106 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090001033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUNG; James |
January 1, 2009 |
COLLAPSIBLE CLOSET HAVING A SUPPORT ELEMENT
Abstract
A closet device or wardrobe whereby cross-supports to the bars
for hanging clothing lead to increased stability and load capacity.
A cross-support is simply connected to the top of the frame and can
be a wire with bends at its two ends and two body sections that
lead to a middle section wherein an obtuse angle is made as the two
halves of the cross-support come together. The bends hook or hang
on opposite sides of the upper frame of the wardrobe . The hang bar
can rest on the angled middle section of the cross support, which
provides additional support to the hang bar from the usual
connections of the hang bar to the frame at the hang bar's two
ends. This additional support to the hang bar results in increased
stability, durability and load capacity for the wardrobe or closet
device. The cross support can be in the form of a wire, a tube a
rod, a beam, or any other structural type supporting element. The
cross support and also the frame can be made from any suitable
material such as metal, plastic, or any known resilient
material.
Inventors: |
SUNG; James; (Tainan,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FURGANG & ADWAR
2 CROSFIELD AVENUE
WEST NYACK
NY
10994
US
|
Assignee: |
MORAN, INC
RONKONKOMA
NY
|
Family ID: |
40159106 |
Appl. No.: |
11/926989 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60863416 |
Oct 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.3 ;
211/180; 211/182; 211/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 43/04 20130101;
A47B 61/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.3 ;
211/180; 211/204; 211/182 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/24 20060101
A47F007/24; A47B 43/04 20060101 A47B043/04 |
Claims
1. A portable collapsible closet comprising: a) a base frame; b) a
plurality of columns which are attachable to said base frame; c) at
least two top beams extending opposite said base frame, wherein
said at least two top beams are attachable to said plurality of
columns; d) at least one cross bar which extends between said at
least two top beams (6) wherein said cross bar is for providing
support for at least one of said at least two top beams.
2. The portable collapsible closet wherein when said closet is in
an assembled condition, said columns are coupled to said base
frame, said at least two top beams are coupled to said columns and
wherein said at least one cross bar is in contact with said at
least two top beams.
3. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 1, further
comprising at least one cover.
4. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 1, further
comprising at least one bracket for receiving said plurality of
columns and said at least two top beams wherein each bracket has
connection holes which are orientated substantially perpendicular
to each other.
5. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 1, wherein said at
least one cross bar is orientated in a bent manner.
6. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 1, wherein said at
least one cross bar has end sections allowing the crossbar to
attach or hook onto said at least two top beams.
7. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 4, wherein said
bracket forms a corner support, wherein said corner support has a
plurality of holes for receiving said at least two top beams.
8. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 1, further
comprising at least one floor support.
9. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 1, further
comprising at least one middle connector wherein said at least one
middle connector is for coupling said columns together.
10. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 1, wherein said at
least one cross bar is bent in a substantially v-shape.
11. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 10, wherein said at
least one cross bar has end sections allowing said cross bar to
attach or hook onto said top beams.
12. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 11, further
comprising at least three upper beams, including two outer upper
beams, and one inner beam wherein said at least one cross beam has
at least three bends with two bends each forming an end section and
a third middle bend wherein said cross bar is coupled to said at
least three upper beams such that said end sections extend over
said two outer upper beams and wherein said third middle bend
extends under said upper inner beam.
13. The portable collapsible closet as in claim 12, further
comprising end brackets, wherein said end brackets include at least
three holes wherein at least one of said at least three holes is
positioned below at least two of said at least three holes .
14. A portable collapsible closet comprising: a) a base frame; b) a
plurality of columns which are attachable to said base frame; c) at
least three top beams extending opposite said base frame, wherein
said at least three top beams are attachable to said columns,
wherein at least two of said at least three top beams comprise end
beams and wherein at least one of said at least three beams
comprises an inner beam; d) A plurality of end brackets which
couple said plurality of columns to said at least three top beams
wherein said end brackets include at least three holes including a
center hole, and two end holes wherein said center hole is
positioned below at least two of said at least three holes; e) at
least one cross bar which extends between said at least two top
beams, wherein said cross bar is for providing spacing support for
said at least two top beams, said cross bar being substantially
v-shaped and having end pieces, wherein said at least one cross bar
has at least three bends, with two end bends each forming an end
section and a third middle bend, wherein said cross bar is coupled
to said at least three top beams such that said end sections extend
over said two top beams and wherein said third middle bend extends
under said top inner beam providing vertical support for said top
inner beam, and transferring weight to said end beams from said
middle beam; and f) a cover for covering the closet, said cover
having a fastener.
15. The closet as in claim 14, wherein said fastener is selected
from the group consisting of: hook and loop fastener, zipper,
snaps, ties, and laces.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non provisional application and hereby
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119e from provisional application
60/863,416 filed on Oct. 30, 2006, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a closet device or wardrobe whereby
cross-supports to the bars for hanging clothing lead to increased
stability and load capacity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to a closet device or wardrobe whereby
cross-supports to the bars for hanging clothing lead to increased
stability and load capacity. A cross-support is simply connected to
the top of the frame and can be a wire with bends at its two ends
and two body sections that lead to a middle section where an obtuse
angle is made as the two halves of the cross-support come together.
The bends hook or hang on opposite sides of the upper frame of the
wardrobe. The hang bar can rest on the angled middle section of the
cross support, which provides additional support to the hang bar
from the usual connections of the hang bar to the frame at the hang
bar's two ends. This additional support to the hang bar results in
increased stability, durability, and load capacity for the wardrobe
or closet device. The cross support can be in the form of a wire, a
tube, a rod, a beam, or any other structural type supporting
element. The cross support and also the frame can be made from any
suitable material such as metal, plastic, or any other known
resilient material.
[0004] In two embodiments the cross support is made of a wire metal
and is called a crosswire, a cross beam or cross bar. While in the
description of the drawings the term crosswire or cross bar will be
used, any term for a cross supporting member can also be correctly
used in describing this device. One embodiment shows a wardrobe
with one main section and one crosswire or cross bar. Another
embodiment shows a wardrobe or closet device with two main sections
and two crosswire or cross bars.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose
of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
[0006] In the drawings wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of the bottom
frame of the closet device;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom frame of the
closet device with a fabric cover stretched around the bottom
frame;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the center portion of the
frame being assembled and attached to the bottom support tubes of
the closet device;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of the top of
the frame of the closet device;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled top portion
being attached to the combined center and bottom of the frame of
the closet device, with a fabric cover around the bottom frame;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled top, center
and bottom of the closet device with the fabric cover stretched
over the top and bottom of the frame but with the fabric cover not
being zipped shut so inside portions of the frame are still
viewable;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled closet device
with the fabric cover completely stretched over the device and
zipped shut;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembly of the bottom
frame of another embodiment of the closet device;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bottom frame of this
second embodiment of the closet device with a fabric cover
stretched around the bottom frame;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the center portion of the
frame being assembled and attached to the bottom support tubes of
this second embodiment of the closet device;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembly of the top of
the frame of this second embodiment of the closet device;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled top portion
of the frame being attached to the combined center and bottom
portions of the frame of this second embodiment of the closet
device, with a fabric cover around the bottom frame;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the assembled top, center
and bottom of this second embodiment of the closet device with the
fabric cover stretched over the top and bottom of the frame but
with the fabric cover not zipped shut so inside portions of the
frame are still viewable;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of this assembled second
embodiment of the closet device with the fabric cover completely
stretched over the device and zipped shut; and
[0021] FIG. 15 is a front view of the cross-wire of the closet
devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 6 shows a perspective view
of the closet device 10 which is able to support a heavier load by
hangers hanging onto a tube supported by an angled crosswire or
cross bar 16. FIGS. 1-7 show a step-by-step assembly of the closet
device. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a base frame formed by
bracket 2 connecting to beams 6. Straight tubes or columns 4 can be
inserted into slots 201 in the top side of bracket or corner
supports 2 so that these columns 4 are directly across from and not
diagonal to each other, and are vertically-oriented. Two reduced
tubes forming columns 14 are inserted into the other two slots 201
on the other end of the corner supports 2 resulting in each reduced
tube 14 being straight across from the reduced tube 14 connected to
the opposite corner support 2 with reduced tubes 14 being
vertically oriented. The end of the reduced tube 14 not connected
to the bottom corner support is a male end 15. Beams 6 which can be
longer than the first set of straight tubes 4 has both ends
inserted into slots 202 on the inside face of the corner supports 2
and are horizontally oriented.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows the assembled bottom portion of the closet
device with a fabric cover 20 stretched around both straight tubes
4 and reduced tubes 14. FIG. 3 shows two side connectors 18 being
connected from the bottom 180 of its three openings to the top ends
of straight tubes 4. Two openings 180 and 181 on each side
connector 18 are meant to be used with tubes in a vertical
orientation. Each of the three openings 180, 181, and 182 in each
side connector 18 fits tubes of equal diameter. Each end of a long
straight tube 10 is inserted into a side connector 18 in the
opening 182 meant to fit horizontally-oriented tubes.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the assembly of the top of the frame. Two
straight tubes forming columns 4 are inserted into two bottom
openings 201 in two additional corner supports 2 so that they are
directly across from each other and not diagonal to each other and
are vertically oriented. Two straight tubes 12, marginally longer
than straight tubes 4, are inserted in a vertical orientation into
the two remaining bottom openings 201 at the other ends of the
corner supports. The unreduced ends 120 of the straight tubes 12
allow them to act as female ends which will eventually connect with
the male ends 15 of reduced tubes 14. Two long straight tubes 6, in
addition to the two tubes 6 at the bottom of the frame, are
inserted into the four outside slots 202 on the inside face of
these upper corner supports 2, resulting in these tubes 6 being
horizontally oriented and parallel to each other. A straight hang
bar 8 of the same length as straight tubes 6 is inserted into
center slots 203 on the inside face of upper corner supports 2. The
straight hang bar 8 lies with the same horizontal orientation as
straight tubes 6 forming top cross beams. After assembly of the top
of the frame straight tubes 6 and straight bar 8 have no unattached
ends.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows the top of the frame being inserted into the
combined center and bottom of the frame. The unattached ends of
straight tubes 4 insert into the remaining openings 181 of side
connectors 18. Unattached ends 120 of straight tubes 12 connect
with male ends 15 of reduced tubes 14. A floor support 22 fits
snugly in between opposing bottom corner supports 2. An angled
crosswire or cross bar 16 (See FIG. 15 for greater detail) hooks
onto upper straight tubes 6 and supports straight hang bar 8. Bends
54 at the end of the angled crosswire or cross bar 16 enable it to
hook onto tubes 6. The cross bar 16 runs from each end to a middle
section 58 at which both halves of the cross bar are connected at
an obtuse angle. The angled middle section 58 cradles the straight
hang bar 8. FIG. 6 shows the closet device 10 with top, center, and
bottom of the frame connected together and the fabric cover 20
stretched over the outside and top of the frame but not completely
closed. FIG. 7 shows the finished product of the closet device 10
with cover 20 completely stretched out and zipped up. In this case
the cover 20 has a closure or fastener such which can be in the
form of any known fastener such as hook and loop fastener, zipper,
snaps, ties, and laces.
[0026] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 13 shows a perspective view
of another embodiment 100 of the closet device which also is able
to support a heavier load by hangers hanging onto a bar supported
by an angled cross bar 16. Embodiment 100 is larger than closet
device 10 and is bi sectioned whereas device 10 had only one main
section. FIGS. 8-14 show a step-by-step assembly of this
bi-sectioned variation 100.
[0027] For example, FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of three
straight tubes forming columns 32 being inserted into slots 201 in
the top openings of two bottom corner supports or brackets 2 and
the top opening 260 of bottom center support or bracket 26
resulting in a vertical orientation for tubes or columns 32. These
three tubes or columns 32 are inserted into the openings 201 and
260 on the same ends of support brackets 2 and 26 so a line can be
formed between the three tubes or columns 32. Three columns which
can be formed by reduced tubes 38 are inserted into the slots 201
and 260 on the other end of the top face of brackets formed from
the corner supports 2 and center supports 26 resulting a vertical
orientation for the three columns or reduced tubes 38. The male end
39 of each column which can be in the form of a reduced tube 38 is
left unattached. Each reduced tube 38 stands opposite a straight
tube 32 on its own support and in line with the other two reduced
tubes 38 on the other corner supports 2 or center support 26.
[0028] Assembly of the bottom of the frame results in six
vertically-oriented tubes 32 and 38 each with one unconnected
end.
[0029] Two straight tubes 36 which are longer than the straight
tubes 32 but shorter than reduced tubes 38 are inserted at one end
into a slot 202 on the inside face of a corner support 2 and at the
other end into the side of center support 26 in a slot 261 meant
for horizontally-oriented tubes. Similarly, two reduced tubes 40 of
the same length as tubes 36 insert at one end into slots 202 on the
inside face of a corner support 2 and with its male end 400 into
slots 262 on the center support 26 meant for horizontally-oriented
tubes and sized to hold male ends.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows the assembled bottom portion of the closet
device with a fabric cover 50 stretched around all three sets of
vertically-oriented tubes and around both sections of the bottom
frame. FIG. 10 shows two side connectors 18 being connected from
the bottom 180 of its three openings to the top ends of the two
outside tubes of the three tubes 32. Side connector 18 here is the
same size and has openings of the same size as side connectors 18
in the previous embodiment of the closet device. The unconnected
end of the middle of the three tubes 32 fits into the center
connector 46 in the bottom of its two openings meant to hold tubes
in a vertical orientation. Two straight tubes 34 each fit at one
end into a side connector 18 at an opening 182 meant for
horizontally-oriented tubes and fit at the other end into the
center connector 46 at the center connector's one of two openings
462 meant to hold horizontally-oriented tubes. The bottom 460 of
the center connector's two openings for vertically-oriented bars
connects to the top of the straight tube 32 attached to the center
support 26.
[0031] FIG. 11 shows the assembly of the top of the frame. Six
straight tubes 28 of the same length as previous reduced tubes 38
are inserted into the bottom openings 201 of two upper corner
supports 2 and bottom openings 260 of uppercenter support 26. Two
long straight tubes 36, in addition to the two tubes 36 at the
bottom of the frame, are inserted at one end into the two outside
slots 202 on the inside face of one of the upper corner supports 2,
and at the other end into the two outside slots 261 on the
uppercenter support 26. Each tube 36 is horizontally oriented and
parallel to the other tube 36. Similarly, two reduced tubes 40, in
addition to the two 40 at the bottom of the frame, insert at one
end into slots 202 on the inside face of the opposite corner
support 2 and with its male end 401 into slots 262 on the center
support 26 meant for horizontally-oriented tubes and sized to hold
male ends. A straight hang bar 30 of the same length as straight
tubes 36 is inserted at one end into a center slot 203 on the
inside face of an upper corner support 2 and at the other end into
the uppercenter support 263 in a middle slot meant for
horizontally-oriented bars. The straight hang bar 30 lies with the
same horizontal orientation as straight tubes 36. A reduced hang
bar 42 of the same length as straight hang bar 30 is inserted at
its unreduced end into a center slot 203 on the inside face of an
upper corner support 2 and at its male end 41 into the uppercenter
support 26 in a middle slot 264 meant for horizontally-oriented
bars sized to hold male ends. After assembly of the top of the
frame straight tubes 36, reduced tubes 40, straight hang bar 30,
and reduced hang bar 42 have no unattached ends.
[0032] FIG. 12 shows the top of the frame being inserted into the
combined center and bottom of the frame. Three unattached ends of
straight tubes 28 insert into the remaining top openings 181 of the
two side connectors 18 and remaining opening 461 of center
connector 46. The other three unattached ends of straight tubes 28
connect with male ends 39 of reduced tubes 38. A floor support 52
fits snugly in between opposing bottom bracket in the form of
corner supports 2 and on the bottom center support 26. An angled
cross bar 16 hooks at one end on one upper straight tube 36 and at
the other end to the other upper straight tube 36 and supports
straight hang bar 30. See FIG. 15 for greater detail. Straight hang
bar 30 rests on cross bar16. A second angled cross bar 16 hooks at
one end on one upper reduced tube 40 and at the other end to the
other upper reduced tube 40 and supports reduced hang bar 42.
Reduced hang bar 42 rests on cross bar 16. FIG. 13 shows the closet
device 100 with top, center, and bottom of the frame connected and
the fabric cover 50 stretched over the outside and top of the frame
but not completely closed. FIG. 14 shows the finished product of
the closet device 100 with cover 50 completely stretched out and
zipped up.
[0033] FIG. 15 shows the cross bar 16, of the closet device. Bends
54 at the ends of the wire and end sections 53 allow the cross bar
to conveniently and simply attach or hook onto weight-bearing
members of the frame such as straight tubes 6, 36 or reduced tubes
40. The body sections 56 of the cross bar run from the bends 54 to
a middle section 58. The middle section 58 forms an obtuse angle on
which a hang bar such as straight hang bar 8 or 30 or reduced hang
bar 42 can be cradled.
[0034] Without the cross bar 16, the weight of items hanging in the
closet are carried by the straight 30 or 8 or reduced 42 hang bar
and only transferred to the rest of the frame structure through the
hang bar's two connections 203 and 263 and 264 to the corner
supports or bracket 2 and center support or bracket 26. The cross
bar 16 enables the weight on the hang bar 8, 30, or 42 to be more
efficiently distributed to the rest of the frame of the closet
device as it provides further means of transferring some of the
load. This dramatically stabilizes the closet device, greatly
increases its overall weight bearing capacity and increases the
durability of the closet device. Setup of the cross bar 16, is
convenient and simple because it connects to the frame through the
bends 54 in the wire and end sections 53 and the cross bar 16,
cradles the hang bar 8, 30, 42.
[0035] Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present
invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many
changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Reference Numeral List:
[0036] 2 corner support, bracket [0037] 4 straight tube or beam,
column [0038] 6 straight tube or beam longer than [0039] 8 straight
hang bar, middle beam [0040] 10 device, first embodiment [0041] 12
straight column or tube marginally longer than 4 [0042] 14 reduced
column or tube [0043] 15 male end of reduced tube or column 14
[0044] 16 angled crosswire or cross beam [0045] 18 side connector
or bracket [0046] 20 fabric cover [0047] 22 floor support [0048] 24
corner support or bracket--similar as 2 [0049] 26 center support or
bracket [0050] 28 straight tube or column [0051] 30 straight hang
bar, center or middle beam [0052] 32 vertically oriented straight
tube, or column [0053] 34 horizontal straight tube that connects
with side connectors, or beam, such as top beam [0054] 36 straight
tube longer than 32 and shorter than 38, beam [0055] 38 column in
the form of a reduced tube [0056] 39 male end of reduced tube 38
[0057] 40 beam in the form of a reduced tube same length as 36
[0058] 41 male end of reduced hang bar, or middle beam [0059] 42
reduced hang bar, center or middle beam [0060] 46 center connector
or bracket [0061] 50 fabric cover [0062] 52 floor support [0063] 53
end section of cross bar [0064] 54 end bend of cross bar [0065] 56
body section of cross bar or crosswire [0066] 58 middle or center
curve of cross bar or cross wire [0067] 100 alternative embodiment
of closet [0068] 120 unreduced end of straight tube or column
[0069] 180 bottom vertical opening of side connector or bracket
[0070] 181 top vertical opening of side connector or bracket [0071]
182 horizontal opening of side connector or bracket [0072] 201
vertical corner support slot in a bracket [0073] 202 horizontal
corner support slot in bracket [0074] 203 center horizontal corner
support slot in bracket positioned lower than hole 202 [0075] 204
center horizontal corner support slot in bracket positioned above
hole 203 [0076] 260 vertical opening of center support [0077] 261
normal-sized side slot of center support [0078] 262 male end-sized
side slot of center support [0079] 263 normal-sized side slot of
center support [0080] 264 male end-sized side slot of center
support [0081] 400 male end of reduced tube 40 [0082] 401 male end
of reduced tube 40 [0083] 461 top vertical opening of center
connector [0084] 462 horizontal opening of center connector
* * * * *