U.S. patent application number 14/322664 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-08 for folding garment rack.
The applicant listed for this patent is Whitmor, Inc.. Invention is credited to Sandy Felsenthal, Lu Zhi Qiang.
Application Number | 20150008201 14/322664 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52132096 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150008201 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Qiang; Lu Zhi ; et
al. |
January 8, 2015 |
FOLDING GARMENT RACK
Abstract
A foldable garment rack having a collapsible frame that may be
mounted on a plurality of wheel assemblies or other support feet.
The present foldable garment rack comprises a rigid top frame
member pivotally coupled to both a first side frame member and a
second side frame member, and a rigid bottom frame member pivotally
coupled to both side frame members. Each side member may include a
top section and bottom section operably connected by an elbow
joint. Each side member may include a locking tube slidingly
disposed on the side frame member wherein the sliding lock may have
a length sufficient to cover said first elbow joint and a portion
of each of said top section and said bottom section of said first
side frame member adjacent to said first elbow joint. The foldable
garment has an erected position and a folded position.
Inventors: |
Qiang; Lu Zhi; (ShenZhen,
CN) ; Felsenthal; Sandy; (Memphis, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whitmor, Inc. |
Southhaven |
MS |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52132096 |
Appl. No.: |
14/322664 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61841985 |
Jul 2, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.3 ;
211/199 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 57/06 20130101;
A47F 7/24 20130101; A47G 25/0664 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/85.3 ;
211/199 |
International
Class: |
A47G 25/06 20060101
A47G025/06; D06F 57/08 20060101 D06F057/08; A47F 7/24 20060101
A47F007/24; A47F 5/10 20060101 A47F005/10 |
Claims
1. A foldable garment rack comprising: a collapsible frame
comprising a rigid top frame member pivotally coupled to both a
first side frame member and a second side frame member, and a rigid
bottom frame member pivotally coupled to both said first side frame
member and said second side frame member, wherein said first side
frame member and said second side frame member have substantially
the same length; said first side frame member having a top section
and a bottom section pivotally connected by a first elbow joint;
said second side frame member having a top section and a bottom
section pivotally connected by a second elbow joint; a first
locking tube slidingly disposed on said first side frame member and
having a length sufficient to cover said first elbow joint and a
portion of each of said top section and said bottom section of said
first side frame member adjacent to said first elbow joint; and a
second locking tube slidingly disposed on said second side frame
member and having a length sufficient to cover said second elbow
joint and a portion of each of said top section and said bottom
section of said second side frame member adjacent to said second
elbow joint.
2. The foldable garment rack of claim 1 wherein said top section
and said bottom sections of said first side section having a length
that is substantially equal; and wherein said top section and said
bottom section of said second side frame member having a length
that is substantially equal.
3. The foldable garment rack of claim 1 wherein said first side
frame member is pivotally coupled to said top frame member by a
first connection tab, said first connection tab being coupled to a
back side of said top frame member proximate a first end of said
top frame member, and said second side frame member is pivotally
coupled to said top frame member by a second connection tab, said
second connection tab being coupled to a front side of said top
frame member proximate a second end of said top frame member.
4. The foldable garment rack of claim 1, said foldable garment rack
having an erected position and a folded position.
5. The foldable garment rack of claim 4 wherein in said erected
position, said first locking tube covering said first elbow joint
and a portion of each of said top section and said bottom section
of said first side frame member adjacent to said first elbow joint
and said second locking tube covering said second elbow joint and a
portion of each of said top section and said bottom section of said
second side frame member adjacent to said second elbow joint.
6. The foldable garment rack of claim 5 wherein in said erected
position, said first locking tube rests on a first transition step
in the outer dimension of said bottom section of said first side
frame member and said second locking tube rests on a second
transition step in the outer dimension of said bottom section of
said second side frame member.
7. The foldable garment rack of claim 4, wherein in said folded
position said first side frame member and said second side frame
member are laterally adjacent.
8. The foldable garment rack of claim 7, wherein the rigid top
frame member being disposed substantially above the rigid bottom
frame member.
9. The foldable garment rack of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of wheel assemblies.
10. A foldable garment rack comprising: a collapsible frame
comprising: a first side frame member having of a top section and a
bottom section pivotally connected by a first elbow joint, said
bottom section including a first wheel receiver tube disposed
substantially perpendicular to said first side frame member; a
second side frame member having a top section and a bottom section
pivotally connected by a second elbow joint, said bottom section
including a second wheel receiver tube disposed substantially
perpendicular to said first side frame member; a rigid top frame
member having a first connection tab coupled to a back side of said
top frame member proximate a first end of said top frame member and
a second connection tab coupled to a front side of said top frame
member proximate a second end of said top frame member, and wherein
said first side frame member is pivotally coupled to said first
connection tab and said second side frame member is pivotally
coupled to said second connection tab; a rigid bottom frame member
having a front side and a back side, said rigid bottom frame member
pivotally coupled to said first wheel receiver tube, said first
side frame member being disposed over said back side of said rigid
bottom frame, and said rigid bottom frame member being pivotally
coupled to said second wheel receiver tube, said second side frame
member being disposed over said front side of said rigid bottom
frame; a first locking tube slidingly disposed on said first side
frame member and having a length sufficient to cover said first
elbow joint and a portion of each of said top section and said
bottom section of said first side frame member adjacent to said
first elbow joint; and a second locking tube slidingly disposed on
said second side frame member and having a length sufficient to
cover said second elbow joint and a portion of each of said top
section and said bottom section of said second side frame member
adjacent to said second elbow joint.
11. The foldable garment rack of claim 10 wherein said collapsible
frame having an erected position and a folded position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/841,985, filed Jul. 2, 2013, the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This present invention relates to consumer storage products
and, more particularly, to portable garment racks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Portable garment racks are used in many situations to hang
clothing. Portable garment racks are used for fashion shows,
weddings, clothing stores, residential and commercial clothes
storage, coat check stands, additional clothing storage in
apartments and condominiums, and many other uses. For many
applications, the garment racks need to be transported to a
location. In such applications, the garment racks must be
transported in their fully upright and assembled position, or the
garment racks need to be disassembled, transported, and reassembled
on-site. The extra time it takes to disassemble and reassemble the
garment racks can be substantial for events that require a large
number of garment racks. Moreover, existing garment racks must be
stored in a fully assembled or a substantially disassembled state
when not in use. Storage of garment racks in the fully assembled
condition can take up a substantial volume of space, with void and
open air spaces comprising the majority of the required storage
volume. Further, it takes extra time to disassemble and reassemble
the garment rack.
[0004] Thus, there is a need in the art for a garment rack that can
be folded into a position that can be easily transported by
conventional vehicles to locations, and/or provide a compact folded
position that takes a minimal amount of space without having to
disassemble the garment rack. The ability for a garment rack to be
folded is also advantageous for shipping and the display of the
products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed toward a foldable garment
rack that can be selectively configured in an erected position and
a folded position. The foldable garment rack may include a
collapsible frame having a rigid top frame member pivotally coupled
to both a first side frame member and a second side frame member,
and a rigid bottom frame member that is also pivotally coupled to
both the first side frame member and the second side frame member.
The side frame members may include a top section and a bottom
section operably connected by a first elbow joint. The first and
second side frame members may have substantially equal lengths.
[0006] The side frame members may be pivotally coupled to a
connection tab coupled to the top frame member. A first connection
tab may be coupled to a back side of the top frame member proximate
a first end of the top frame member and the first side frame member
may be pivotally connected to the first connection tab. A second
connection tab may be coupled to a front side of the top frame
member proximate a second end of the top frame member and the
second side frame member may be pivotally coupled to the second
connection tab.
[0007] The foldable garment rack may include a first locking tube
that is slidingly disposed on the first side frame member wherein
the first locking tube may have a length sufficient to cover the
first elbow joint and a portion of each of the top section and the
bottom section of the first side frame member that are adjacent to
the first elbow joint. Similarly, the foldable garment rack may
include a second locking tube slidingly disposed on the second side
frame member. The second locking tube may similarly have a length
sufficient to cover the second elbow joint and a portion of each of
the top section and the bottom section of the second side frame
member that are adjacent to the second elbow joint. The side frame
members of the present foldable garment rack may include the top
section and the bottom sections having lengths that are
substantially equal.
[0008] When the present foldable garment rack is configured in the
erected position, the first locking tubes may cover the respective
elbow joint and a portion of each of the top section and the bottom
section of the side frame member adjacent to the respective elbow
joint. When in the erected position, the locking tube substantially
prevents any relative pivotal displacement between the top and
bottom sections of the side frame members. In addition, the locking
tubes may rest on a transition step in the outer dimension of the
bottom section of the side members so that gravity holds the
locking tubes in the desired position to substantially prevents any
relative pivotal displacement between the top and bottom sections
of the side frame members.
[0009] The present garment rack may be folded by moving the locking
members to expose the elbow joints so that the elbow joints are
free to be displaced inwardly so that the top and bottom sections
of the side frame members also rotate inwardly from the top and
bottom frame members respectively. The top and bottom side frame
members will fold in half thereby bringing the top frame member in
close proximity to the bottom frame member.
[0010] When the present foldable garment rack is configured in the
folded position, the first side frame member and the second side
frame member may be laterally adjacent or "side-by-side" due in
part to the location of the connection tabs. In the folded
position, the rigid top frame member may be substantially above the
rigid bottom frame member.
[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification
and are to be read in conjunction therewith, in which like
reference numerals are employed to indicate like or similar parts
in the various views.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a folding
garment rack in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the folding
garment rack of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of an elbow
joint of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a joint member of the elbow
joint of FIG. 2A;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connection plate of the
elbow joint of FIG. 2A;
[0018] FIG. 5 is perspective view of one embodiment of a top frame
of the garment rack of FIG. 1 in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6A is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack
of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6B is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack
of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6C is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack
of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6D is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack
of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6E is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack
of FIG. 1 during a step of folding the present garment rack in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 6F is a perspective drawing of the folding garment rack
of FIG. 1 in a folded position in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The following detailed description of the present invention
references the accompanying drawing figures that illustrate
specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The
embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the present
invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and
changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. The present invention is defined by the
appended claims and, therefore, the description is not to be taken
in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to
which such claims are entitled.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, garment rack 10 comprises a main frame
12 mounted on four of wheel assemblies 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. Main
frame 12 comprises top frame member 16, a first side frame member
18, a second side frame member 20, and a bottom frame member 22.
Main frame 12 members 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be structural members
of metal, plastic, fiberglass, or other composite material, such as
carbon fiber, or a mixture thereof. Main frame 12 members 16, 18,
20, and 22 may be solid members, hollow sections (for example,
tubes), or other known structural cross-sectional shapes. FIG. 1
illustrates an embodiment wherein frame members 16, 18, 20 and 22
are metal tubes.
[0027] As further shown in FIG. 1, each wheel assembly 14a, 14b,
14c, and 14d may include a connector tube 24, a caster 26 coupled
to connector tube 24, and a wheel 28 operably connected to caster
26. A wheel 28 may include a wheel lock 30. As shown in FIG. 1,
wheel 28 of wheel assemblies 14a and 14b include wheel lock 30.
Connector tubes 24 and casters 26 may be constructed of metal,
plastic, or other composite material, such as carbon fiber, or a
mixture thereof. One or more casters 26 may include a bearing
assembly (not shown) allowing for each wheel to be rotatable about
a vertical axis. Wheels 28 may be made of any wheel material now
known, including rubber, polyurethane, plastic, or metal. Wheel 28
may be operably connected to caster 26 using a bolt or other pin
member wherein wheel 28 may also include a bearing assembly (not
shown) facilitating rotation of wheel 28 within caster 26. A person
of skill in the art will appreciate that there are many wheel and
caster combinations that may be incorporated into the present wheel
assembly. Wheel assemblies 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d may be configured
with a release mechanism (not shown) so that they can be removably
coupled to side members 18 and 20 respectively.
[0028] An embodiment of the present garment rack 10 is shown in
FIG. 2 which shows first side frame member 18 comprising a bottom
member 32 and a top member 34 that are operably connected at an
elbow joint 36a. Top member 34 has a first end 38 and a second end
40. Top member 34 may also include a tube slide stop 42 disposed
between first end 38 and second end 40. Tube slide stop 42 may be
an area of top member having a larger perimeter (or diameter) or
may be a separate element coupled to top member 34, which prevents
a sleeve or a locking tube 62 from sliding along the length of top
member 34.
[0029] Bottom member 32 comprises a vertical member 44 having a
first end 46 and a second end 48. First end 46 may have a reduced
perimeter portion 50 and a transition step 52 transitioning from
the reduced perimeter to a larger perimeter of the outer extents of
vertical member 44. Transition step 52 may alternatively be a stop
member coupled to the outer extents of bottom member 32 proximate
first end 46. Bottom member 32 may also include a wheel receiver
tube 54 proximate second end 48. Wheel receiver tube 54 may be
substantially orthogonal to both vertical member 44 of side member
18 and bottom frame member 22 of frame 12. Wheel receiver tube 54
may include a bottom side 56. A first bottom connection tab 58 and
a second bottom connection tab 60 may be coupled to bottom side 56.
First bottom connection tab 58 and second bottom connection tab 60
may be orientated, or may "lie," parallel to bottom frame member
22. First bottom connection tab 58 and second bottom connection tab
60 may be spaced apart a clear distance which is identical to or
slightly greater than an outer dimension of bottom frame member
22.
[0030] First side frame member 18 also includes a locking tube 62
that slides along at least a portion of the length of first side
frame member 18. Accordingly, locking tube 62 has an inner clear
dimension that is greater than the extents of at least a portion of
first side frame member 18. In one embodiment, locking tube 62 has
an inner clear dimension that is greater than a portion of top
member 34 proximate second end 40 and a portion of bottom member 32
proximate first end 46. In one embodiment locking tube 62 has a
length that allows it to simultaneously cover elbow joint 36a, a
portion of bottom member 32 proximate first end 46, and a portion
of top member 34 proximate second end 40, which allows locking tube
62 to prevent the relative angular displacement or "folding" of the
top member 34 and the bottom member 36 of the first side frame
member 18 at elbow joint 36a.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2A, an elbow joint 36 comprises an upper
joint member 64 and a lower joint member 72. Elbow joint 36 and
components thereof is described below and shown in FIGS. 2A, 3, and
4. Elbow joint 36 is separately identified herein upon each
occurrence in the present invention as elbow joint 36a of first
side frame member 18 and elbow joint 36b of second side frame
member 20. As shown in FIG. 3, each joint member 64 and 72 includes
a reduced perimeter first end 66, a step 68 in the extents of the
outer surface 67, a second end 69, an aperture 70 through the
center of the joint member body proximate the second end 69, and a
vertically orientated slot 71 cut therein, wherein slot 71 is
substantially perpendicular to aperture 70. Reduced perimeter first
end 66 of upper joint member 64 may be received into second end 40
of top member 34 wherein top member 34 may butt against step 68.
Reduced perimeter first end 66 of lower joint member 72 may be
received into first end 46 of bottom member 32 wherein the bottom
member 32 butts against step 68. A first chamfer 74 may be disposed
on the joint member 64 and 72 proximate first end 66 and a second
chamfer 76 is disposed on the joint member 64 and 72 proximate
second end 69.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2A, upper joint member 64 and lower joint
member 72 are pivotally coupled by a connection plate 80. As better
shown in FIG. 4, connection plate 80 comprises a first end 81 and a
first aperture 82 through connection plate 80 proximate first end
81. Connection plate 80 also comprises a second end 83 and a second
aperture 84 through connection plate 80. Connection plate 80 may
have a length that is approximately the sum of the outer dimensions
(the diameter if round, the length or width if rectangular, or
otherwise measured) of top member 34 and bottom member 32, or
alternatively, a length that is more than that sum. Turning back to
FIG. 3, slot 71 of upper joint member 64 and slot 71 of lower joint
member 72 have a width sufficient to receive the connection plate
80 (see assembled condition in FIG. 2A). This allows a fastener 85,
such as a pin, bolt, or other known pivot fastener, to be used to
pivotally couple upper joint member 64 and 72. Fastener 85a
pivotally connects upper joint member 64 to connection plate 80
proximate first end 81 and another fastener 85b pivotally connects
lower joint member 72 to connection plate 80 proximate second end
83.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, second side frame member 20 comprises a
bottom member 86 and a top member 88 that are operably connected at
an elbow joint 36b. Top member 88 has a first end 92 and a second
end 94. Top member 88 may also include a tube slide stop 96 between
first end 92 and second end 94. Tube slide stop 96 may be an area
of top member 88 having a larger perimeter or may be a separate
element coupled to top member 88 that prevents a sleeve locking
tube 116 from sliding along the length of top member 88.
[0034] Bottom member 86 comprises a vertical member 98 having a
first end 100 and a second end 102. First end 100 may have a
reduced perimeter portion 104 and a transition step 106 in the
outer extents of vertical member 98 wherein the outer dimension
increases. Transition step 106 may alternatively be a stop member
coupled to the outer extents of bottom member 86 proximate first
end 100. Bottom member 86 may also include a wheel receiver tube
108 proximate second end 102. Wheel receiver tube 108 may be
substantially orthogonal to both vertical member 98 of second side
frame member 20 and bottom frame member 22 of frame 16. Wheel
receiver tube 108 has a bottom side 110 and a first bottom
connection tab 112. A second bottom connection tab 114 may be
coupled to bottom side 110. First bottom connection tab 112 and
second bottom connection tab 114 may be oriented or "lie" parallel
to bottom frame member 22. First bottom connection tab 112 and
second bottom connection tab 114 may be spaced apart a clear
distance which is identical to or slightly greater than an outer
dimension of bottom frame member 22.
[0035] Second side frame member 20 also includes a locking tube 116
that slides along at lest a portion of the length of side member
20. Accordingly, locking tube 116 has an inner clear dimension that
is greater than the extents of at least a portion of second side
frame member 20. In one embodiment, locking tube 116 has an inner
clear dimension that is greater than a portion of top member 88
proximate second end 94 and a portion of bottom member 86 proximate
first end 100. In one embodiment locking tube 116 has a length that
allows it to simultaneously cover the entire elbow joint 36b, a
portion of bottom member 86 and a portion of top member 88, which
allows locking tube to prevent the relative angular displacement or
"folding" of the top member 34 and the bottom member 36 of the
second side frame member 20 at elbow joint 36b.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2A, elbow joint 36b connects upper member
88 to lower member 86 such that the reduced perimeter first end 66
of upper joint member 64 may be received into second end 94 of
upper member 88 wherein the upper member 88 may butt against step
68 of upper joint member 64. Reduced perimeter first end 66 of
lower joint member 72 of elbow joint 36b may be received into first
end 100 of bottom member 86 wherein the bottom member 86 butts
against step 68 of lower joint member 72.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2A, upper joint member 64 and lower joint
member 72 of elbow joint 36b are pivotally coupled by a connection
plate 80 thus pivotally connecting upper member 88 and lower member
86 of second vertical member 20 as similarly described above.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, bottom frame member 22 may be
substantially horizontal and include an aperture 140a and 140b
therethrough proximate each end. Bottom frame member 22 may be
rigid and one-piece. A pin 142a may pass through an aperture in
bottom connection tab 58, through aperture 140a of bottom frame
member 22 and through an aperture in bottom connection tab 60. This
results in bottom member 32 of first side frame member 18 being
pivotally connected to bottom frame member 22. As further shown in
FIG. 2, pin 142b may pass through an aperture in bottom connection
tab 112, through aperture 140b of bottom frame member 22 and
through an aperture in bottom connection tab 114. This results in
bottom member 32 of second side frame member 20 being pivotally
connected to bottom frame member 22. Bottom frame member 22 may
include a stop 144 inserted in each end if bottom frame member 22
is a hollow section or tube to provide a finished look or to
prevent debris from entering.
[0039] Top frame member 16 is also the garment rod and may be in a
substantially horizontal orientation. Top frame-member 16 may be
rigid and one piece. Now turning to FIG. 5, top frame member 16 may
include a first end 146, a second end 148, a front side 150, a back
side 152, a top side 154, and a bottom side 156. Top frame member
16 may include first connection tab 158 proximate first end 146 on
back side 152. Top frame member 16 may include a second connection
tab 160 proximate second end 148 on a front side 150. Both
connection tabs 158 and 160 extend downward substantially
perpendicular to bottom side 156. First and second connection tabs
158 and 160 may be configured substantially similar to a half of
the connection plate 80 (described above and shown in FIG. 4). As
shown in FIG. 2, each top member 34 and 88 of each side member 18
and 20 may include a joint member 162a and 162b at first end 38 and
92 respectively. Joint members 162a and 162b are configured
substantially similar to joint members 64 and/or 72 of elbow joint
36 in FIG. 3 and described above. The recessed end 66 of joint
member 162a may be received into first end 38 of top member 34 of
first side frame member 18 and recessed end 66 of joint member 162b
may be received into first end 92 of top member 88 of second side
frame member 20. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, top frame member 16 may
be pivotally connected to side members 18 and 20 through a fastener
85e and 85f passing through joint members 162a and 162b and an
aperture through connection tabs 158 and 160 respectively.
[0040] As further shown in FIG. 2, top frame member 16 may also
include an extension tube 164a that extends from first end 146
and/or an extension tube 164b that extends from second end 148. As
shown, each extension tube 164a and 164b includes a first end 166,
a second end 168, and a hanger stop plate 170. Hanger stop plate
170 may be a plate which is coupled to one or more ends 146 and//or
148 of top frame member 16 or second end 168 of extension tube 164a
and 164b to prevent hanging clothes from being pushed off the
respective end. Extension tube 164 may be operably connected to top
frame member 16 using a connector 172. Extension tube 164 may have
a smaller outer dimension than the inner dimension of top frame
member 16 and connector 172 may provide a washer or sleeve having a
thickness that fills the gap or space between the extension tube
164 and the top frame member 16 to support the extension tube 164
in the top frame member 16 when an extension tube 164 is inserted
into and received into an end 146 or 148 of the top frame member
16. Connector 172 may provide for some elastic deformation allowing
relative movement of extension tube 164 relative to top frame
member 16. Extension tubes 164a and 164b may be retractable and may
be received partially or entirely within horizontal frame member
16.
[0041] Side members 18 and 20 may have a length that is about twice
the length of bottom frame member 20. Side members 18 and 20 may
also have a length that is less than or greater than about twice
the length of bottom frame member 20. Bottom members 32 and 86 of
side members 18 and 20 may be about equal in length to their
respective top members 34 and 88.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates garment rack 10 in a fully erected
position wherein locking tubes 62 and 116 are placed over elbow
joints 36a and 36b and overlap recessed portions 50 and 104 (see
FIG. 2) of bottom members 32 and 86 respectively. Locking tubes 62
and 116 may rest against transition steps 52 and 106 (see FIG. 2)
respectively. In this position, locking tubes 62 and 116 prevent
elbow joints 36a and 36b from pivoting which results in side
members 18 and 20 being substantially rigid. Extension tubes 164a
and 164b are shown in an extended position. Thusly, clothes may be
hung on and supported by the garment rack using a typical hanger,
or any other known hanger.
[0043] Garment rack 10 can fold to be transported or stored out of
sight and in a location such as under a bed, or in a closet. The
folded configuration occupies very little space. FIG. 6A
illustrates the first step in folding one embodiment of garment
rack 10, which is sliding locking tubes 62 and 116 upward until the
elbow joints 36a and 36b are exposed as indicated by the arrows.
Locking tubes 62 and 116 may be slid upward until they are
restrained by or engage tube slide stop 42 and 96 respectively.
[0044] FIG. 6B illustrates the second step for folding garment rack
10. An inward force is applied to elbow joint 36a as indicated by
the arrow. An inward force is also applied to elbow joint 36b as
indicated by the arrow. Elbow joints 36a and 36b may be orientated
to rotate about a horizontal axis substantially orthogonal to both
side member 18 and top frame member 16. The inward force causes top
members 34 and 88 to rotate inward with respect to top frame member
16. The inward force also causes bottom members 32 and 86 to rotate
inward with respect to bottom frame member 22.
[0045] FIGS. 6C, 6D, and 6E show various stages of the third step
for folding garment rack 10, which includes applying a downward
force to top frame member 16 and, thereby, displacing top frame
member 16 downward to lay on top of bottom frame member 22. In a
fully folded position shown in FIG. 6E, top frame member 16 may be
substantially resting on folded side frame members 18 and 20. As
shown in FIG. 2, the fully folded position is possible because
connection tabs 158 and 160 are on opposite sides of top frame
member 16. Correspondingly, as further shown in FIG. 2, second end
102 of bottom member 86 of side frame member 20 may be coupled to
wheel receiver tube 108 above a front side 174 of bottom frame
member 22 and second end 48 of bottom member 32 of side frame
member 18 may be coupled to wheel receiver tube 56 above a back
side 176 of bottom frame member 22. This configuration allows side
members to fold side-by-side to result in a compact folded position
to be used for storage, shipping, or display.
[0046] FIG. 6E illustrates a final step that may occur wherein
wheel assemblies 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d are removed from wheel
receiver tubes 54 and 108 respectively. The wheel assemblies may be
stored alongside the folded garment rack 10. The final position of
folding garment rack 10 therefore takes up very little space and
may easily be stored in any number of locations and may also be
easily transported from one location to another. A user may erect
the folded garment rack 10 by reversing the steps set out above for
folding garment rack 10.
[0047] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain
aspects of the present invention are not limited to the particular
details of the examples illustrated herein. It is therefore
contemplated that other modifications and applications using other
similar or related features or techniques will occur to those
skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that all such
modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are
deemed to be covered by the present invention.
[0048] Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present
invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the
disclosures, and the appended claims.
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