U.S. patent application number 15/378285 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-14 for collapsible foldable expandable drying rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honey-Can-Do International, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Honey-Can-Do International, LLC. Invention is credited to Steven B. Greenspon, Pamela S. Mical, Slobodan S. Zivanovic.
Application Number | 20180163339 15/378285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60387910 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180163339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greenspon; Steven B. ; et
al. |
June 14, 2018 |
Collapsible Foldable Expandable Drying Rack
Abstract
A drying clothes rack having first and second scissor frames,
said scissor frames having a collapsed position and an extended
position. A plurality of rods extending longitudinally between the
first and second scissor frames and having opposite ends attached
to brackets mounted on the frames. Each rod being configured to
include a first hollow rod segment sized to slidably receive a
second rod segment and an O-ring positioned at one end of the first
rod segment to provide a frictionally fit between the two rod
segments, whereby each rod is adjustable longitudinally such that
the width between the first and second scissor frames is
expandable.
Inventors: |
Greenspon; Steven B.;
(Berkeley, IL) ; Mical; Pamela S.; (Berkeley,
IL) ; Zivanovic; Slobodan S.; (Berkeley, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honey-Can-Do International, LLC |
Berkeley |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Honey-Can-Do International,
LLC
Berkeley
IL
|
Family ID: |
60387910 |
Appl. No.: |
15/378285 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 57/08 20130101;
D06F 57/10 20130101; A47B 43/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 57/08 20060101
D06F057/08; A47B 43/00 20060101 A47B043/00; A47B 45/00 20060101
A47B045/00 |
Claims
1. A collapsible foldable rack comprising: first and second scissor
frames, said scissor frames having a collapsed position and an
extended position, each said scissor frame comprising a first and
second scissor frame member; and a plurality of rods extending
longitudinally between said first and second scissor frames and
having opposite ends attached to brackets mounted on said first and
second scissor frames, and wherein each rod of the plurality of
rods are configured to have: a first hollow rod segment sized to
slidably receive a second rod segment, an O-ring positioned at one
end of the first rod segment that is facing to receive the second
rod segment to provide a frictionally fit between the two rod
segments, whereby each rod is adjustable longitudinally such that
the width between the first and second scissor frames is
expandable, and wherein the first and second scissor frames each
separately include a horizontal too arm and wherein the plurality
of rods include a plurality of top rods extending longitudinally
between the horizontal top arms, and each of the plurality of top
rods include knobs on said opposite ends, and the horizontal top
arms includes U-shaped receiving brackets configured to removably
receive the knobs of the plurality of top rods such that the
plurality of top rods are removably secured to the horizontal top
arms.
2. A collapsible foldable rack comprising: first and second scissor
frames, said scissor frames having a collapsed position and an
extended position; and a plurality of rods extending longitudinally
between said first and second scissor frames and having opposite
ends attached to brackets mounted on said first and second scissor
frames, and wherein each rod of the plurality of rods is adjustable
along its longitudinal axis whereby the width between the first and
second scissor frames is expandable, and wherein the first and
second scissor frames each separately include a horizontal top arm
and wherein the plurality of rods include a plurality of top rods
extending longitudinally between the horizontal top arms, and each
of the plurality of top rods include knobs on said opposite ends,
and the horizontal top arms includes U-shaped receiving brackets
configured to removably receive the knobs of the plurality of top
rods such that the plurality of top rods are removably secured to
the horizontal top arms.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a drying clothes rack and,
more particularly, to a collapsible foldable expandable drying
clothes rack.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Drying clothes racks are well known and used extensively for
drying laundry and other type of items. Collapsible clothes-drying
racks are formed from a pair of scissors type frame members with
rods extending between the frame members. These collapse into a
rectangular structure, which can be stored. Even in the collapsed
state. The prior art racks are also typically fixed longitudinally
between the two scissor type frame members. It is a desire to
provide such a rack that is collapsible and foldable but also one
that is expandable such that the longitudinally length between the
two scissor type frame members can be adjusted easily and without
issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed to a collapsible foldable
expandable drying clothes rack. The drying clothes rack has a pair
of scissor type frame members and a plurality of adjustable rods
connecting the two frame members to each other, such that the
drying clothes rack can expand along its longitudinally length.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the erected clothes
rack;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsed clothes
rack;
[0007] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the erected clothes rack,
with the rack partially expanded longitudinally between the two
scissor frames;
[0008] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the erected clothes rack,
with the rack fully expanded longitudinally between the two scissor
frames;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the erected clothes rack
with a few of the rods exploded away from the scissor frames;
[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one of the adjustable rods and
the fastening components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring to the several views of the drawings, the present
invention is a collapsible foldable drying clothes rack 100, which
includes opposed scissor frame members 102 and 104, which are
connected to each other by a plurality of adjustable and expandable
rods 106.
[0012] The scissors frame members 102 and 104 are formed from a
plurality of arms, which are connected at their midpoints and their
distal ends. More particularly, as shown with frame member 102,
first and second arms 128a and 130b are rotatably connected at a
midpoint by a connector 134a, such as a nut/bolt, a rivet, or pin.
The distal ends 136a and 138a of arms 128a and 130a respectively
are then connected to the lower ends 140a and 142a of arms 144a and
146a by connectors 147a and 149a. Arms 144a and 146a are, in turn,
rotatably connected at their midpoint by a connector 148a, and
rotatably connected to frame members 150a and 152a by connectors
154a and 156a. Arms 150a and 152a are connected at their midpoint
by connector 158a. Arm 152a is connected to a horizontal top arm
160a by a connector 161a. Horizontal top arm 160a releasably
attaches about the upper end 162a of arm 150a by a fastener
164a.
[0013] Likewise, frame member 104 includes first and second arms
128b and 130b, which are rotatably connected by a connector 134b,
such as a nut/bolt, a rivet, or pin. The upper ends 136b and 138b
of arms 128b and 130b are then connected to the lower ends 140b and
142b of arms 144b and 146b. Arms 144b and 146b are, in turn,
rotatably connected at their midpoint by a connector 148b and
rotatably connected to arms 150b and 152b. Finally, the arms 150b
and 152b are connected at their midpoint by a connector 158b. Arm
152b is connected to a horizontal top arm 160b by connector 161b.
Horizontal top arm 160b releasably attaches about the upper end
162b of arm 150b by a fastener 164b.
[0014] Fastener 164a/164b may be further defined by having a hook
166a/166b that secures onto a knob 168a/168b extending inwardly
from the inside surface of the upper end of the arms 162a/162b
[0015] As noted, opposite ends 106a and 106b of the plurality of
rods 106 are connected to the scissors frame members 102 and 104 by
brackets 170. This can be accomplished by placing a hook or
u-shaped bracket 170 on the frame members 102 and having knobs 168
on each end of the rods 106 which frictionally fit into the
u-shaped bracket 170.
[0016] Each of the rods 106 includes a first hollow rod segment 180
with a cavity sized to slidably receive a second rod segment 182.
An O-ring 184 is positioned at one end 180b of the first rod
segment 180 that is facing to receive the second rod segment 182.
The O-ring 184 is preferably rubber to assist in providing a
frictionally fit between the two rod segments. This allows the user
to adjust the rod segments to a particular length and helps set the
lengths in in place until the user re-adjusts the rod segments.
[0017] The draying rack therefore is capable of collapsing and
folding as a typically drying clothes rack and also is configured
to expand and adjust longitudinally between the two frame
members.
[0018] As defined herein there is provided in one embodiment a
collapsible foldable rack having first and second scissor frames.
The scissor frames having a collapsed position and an extended
position. The rack further includes a plurality of rods extending
longitudinally between the first and second scissor frames and
having opposite ends attached to brackets mounted on said first and
second scissor frames, and wherein each rod of the plurality of
rods are configured to be adjustable along the longitudinal axis.
Adjusting the longitudinal axis of the rods as provided in various
embodiments, can be achieved in one embodiment by providing a first
hollow rod segment sized to slidably receive a second rod segment,
an O-ring positioned at one end of the first rod segment that is
facing to receive the second rod segment to provide a frictionally
fit between the two rod segments, whereby each rod is adjustable
longitudinally such that the width between the first and second
scissor frames is expandable.
[0019] While the instant invention has been shown and described in
accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is
recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are
contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
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