Abstract:
A device is provided for retaining an elongated article including two oppositely oriented arcuate members. The device also includes a member extending between and connecting the arcuate members, and an arrangement mounted on each of the arcuate members for releasably engaging the article. The device further includes an arrangement associated with each of the arcuate members for mounting the arcuate members on a surface. The elongated article may include a piece of sporting equipment. A retaining device is provided that includes a frame including two arcuate members connected by a cross member. Each arcuate member is oriented opposite to the other arcuate member. The retaining device also includes at least one clip mounted on the frame and adapted to releasably engage an elongated article. The retaining device further includes a mounting arrangement connected to the frame and adapted to attach the frame to a surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Design patent application No. 29/348,042 filed Feb. 23, 2010 under 35 U.S.C. Sec. 120, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to sports equipment, and in particular relates to a rack for holding sports equipment. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0006]    Lacrosse (lax) sticks have been stored in an ad hoc manner, in a place that is not easily accessible or attractive. Lacrosse sticks may be stored in boxes or on shelves. Lacrosse sticks stored in boxes, shelves, or leaning against a wall may become dislodged and be a hazard, become damaged, and/or occupy an inordinate amount of space. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An exemplary embodiment enables lacrosse players to hang and display their sticks in their cars and in their rooms in an orderly and secure fashion. 
         [0008]    A device is provided for retaining an elongated article including two oppositely oriented arcuate members. A member extends between and connecting the arcuate members and an arrangement mounts on each of the arcuate members for releasably engaging the article. The device further includes an arrangement associated with the arcuate members for mounting the arcuate members on a surface. 
         [0009]    The elongated article may include, for example, a lacrosse stick, a hockey stick baseball bat, golf club and/or a field hockey stick. Concave edges of the two oppositely oriented arcuate members may face each other, and the member may be substantially linear and connect centers of the concave edges. 
         [0010]    The arrangement for releasably engaging the article may include spring-loaded clips able to releasably engage the elongated article. The clips may be rotatable with respect to the arcuate members. The arrangement for releasably engaging the article may include six clips, with three of the clips being mounted on each of the two arcuate members. Two of the clips on each arcuate member may be mounted near ends of the respective arcuate member and one of the clips on each arcuate member may be mounted at a center of the arcuate member. 
         [0011]    The six clips may be arranged on the frame to hold three articles, in which two clips hold each article and the articles are parallel to the member when held by the clips. The six clips may be rotated in this arrangement on the frame to hold four articles, in which the two clips mounted near the tip of each respective arcuate member hold one of the four articles, and the one clip mounted at a center of the arc of each respective arcuate member holds one of the four articles. The articles in this case are orthogonal to the member when held by the clips. 
         [0012]    The arrangement for mounting may include four suction cups, in which two of the four suction cups may be connected to each arcuate member. Each suction cup may include a height adjustable leg attaching each suction cup to the respective arcuate member. 
         [0013]    The device may be adapted to releasably receive a sign. The sign may include indicia promoting a team, a school, and/or a sponsor. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present innovation, a retaining device is provided that includes a frame including two arcuate members connected by a cross member. Each arcuate member is oriented opposite to the other arcuate member. The retaining device also includes at least one clip mounted on the frame and adapted to releasably engage an elongated article. The retaining device further includes a mounting arrangement connected to the frame and adapted to attach the frame to a surface. 
         [0015]    The mounting arrangement may include four suction cups, and the two suction cups may be connected to each arcuate member. Each suction cup may include a height adjustable leg attaching each suction cup to the respective arcuate member. 
         [0016]    These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a sports equipment rack; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exemplary sports equipment rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the exemplary sports equipment rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the exemplary sports equipment rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the exemplary sports equipment rack of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the exemplary sports equipment rack of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    An exemplary sports equipment rack holds sporting goods, for example lacrosse sticks, baseball bats, hockey sticks, baseball bat, golf club and/or field hockey sticks. The exemplary sports equipment rack may fit on automobile windows, or on building windows, on an interior or an exterior surface. The exemplary sports equipment rack may be used with wall mounts for mounting on walls or doors. The rack may use suction cups or wall fixtures for mounting. The rack can be mounted horizontally or vertically, and may hold three sticks horizontally, or hold four sticks vertically. 
         [0024]    The exemplary sports equipment rack is height adjustable to fit in automobile rear windows. The legs have adjustable height which may be of particular use in the situation of mounting on the interior of a car window. Horizontally, the rack can hold three sticks, and vertically, the rack can hold four sticks. The rack itself may be oriented to the vertical or horizontal position. 
         [0025]    The exemplary sports equipment rack may include a sign or logo plate for school stickers on a front surface and/or a back surface of the frame. The frame of the rack may include an arrangement for mounting or detachably attaching a logo, for instance of a team, school and/or sponsor. The clips may be spring loaded, and there may be areas on the frame for clipping or attaching helmets and/or balls. The exemplary sports equipment rack may be lightweight, easy to produce, easy to assemble, and be inexpensive to make. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of sports equipment rack  100 . Sports equipment rack  100  includes frame  110  and mounting arrangement  120 . Frame  110  includes two arcuate members  112 ,  114  connected by cross-member  116 . Cross-member  116  is attached to a point on each arcuate members  112 ,  114  at a center of the arc defined by each arcuate member  112 ,  114 . In  FIG. 1 , arcuate member  112 ,  114  are aligned and have convex edges and concave edges, with the concave edges facing each other. Each arcuate member  112 ,  114  has three clips  133 ,  134 ,  135 , and  130 ,  131 ,  132 , respectively. Clips  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135  may be releasable and rotatable, and may be spring-loaded. Clips  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135  are positioned on sports equipment rack  100  to cooperate and hold three elongated articles horizontally (i.e., parallel to cross-member  116 ), with clips  130  and  135  holding one article, clips  131  and  134  holding another article, and clips  132  and  133  holding the third article. Alternatively or additionally, clips  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135  may cooperate and hold four elongated articles vertically (i.e., orthogonal to cross-member  116 ), with clip  131  holding one article, clips  130  and  132  holding a second article, clips  133  and  135  holding a third article, and clip  134  holding a fourth article. Clips  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135  may be configured to hold any type of elongated article, and in particular may be designed to hold a piece of sporting equipment, for instance a lacrosse stick, a hockey stick, baseball bat, golf club, a field hockey stick, or any other item having a shaft. 
         [0027]    Sports equipment rack  100  may include hook  140 , which may be for holding a helmet or any other appropriate item. Additionally or alternatively, sports equipment rack  100  may also include an arrangement for holding a ball or puck, either in a cup or depression, or in a squeezing or pinching arrangement. Sports equipment rack  100  includes mounting arrangement  120  for attaching sports equipment rack  100  to a wall or window. Sports equipment rack  100  in  FIG. 1  includes leg  122  attached to arcuate member  114  on one end and having suction cup  123  on the other end. Leg  124  is attached to arcuate member  114  on one end and has suction cup  125  on the other end. Leg  126  is attached to arcuate member  112  on one end and has suction cup  127  on the other end, and leg  128  is attached to arcuate member  112  on one end and has suction cup  129  on the other end. Legs  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may be adjustable providing different heights, or may be replaceable with other legs having fixed heights of a different height than legs  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 . In some situations, legs of different heights, or bent legs, may be used, for instance to attach sports equipment rack  100  to different surfaces. In still further alternatives, legs  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may be removed completely and suction cups  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  may attach directly to their respective arcuate members. In further alternatives, legs may be attached to cross-member  116 , and/or more or fewer legs may be used than four legs. Also, suction cups  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  may be replaced with a wall mount or door mount arrangement that may be permanent or temporary. For instance, suction cups  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  may be replace with brackets that can be attached to a wall with screws, or two of suction cups  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  on one side (for instance, suction cups  123 ,  125 ; suction cups  127 ,  129 ; suction cups  125 ,  127 ; or suction cups  123 ,  129 ) may be replaced with hooks appropriate for hanging over the top of a door or other fixed top edge, while the two other suction cups remain as suction cups or as rubber caps that rest against the door or other surface and are further stabilized as weighty items are added to sports equipment rack  100 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exemplary sports equipment rack  100  of  FIG. 1 . Sports equipment rack  100  includes two arcuate members  112 ,  114 , and clips  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135  having tabs for inserting into appropriately sized holes in arcuate members  112 ,  114 . Cross-member  116  is shown in  FIG. 2  split into first cross-member part  116   a  and second cross-member part  116   b . Screws  200  may attach first cross-member part  116   a  and second cross-member part  116   b  to form cross-member  116 . Additionally, screws  200  may attach cross-member  116  to arcuate members  112 ,  114 . In particular, arcuate members  112 ,  114  may include platelike surface areas  240 ,  242 , respectively. Platelike surface areas  240 ,  242 , may be in an interior area of the respective arcs of arcuate members  112 ,  114 , and may be sandwiched by first cross-member part  116   a  and second cross-member part  116   b . Screws  200  may pass through platelike surface areas  240 ,  242 , thereby attaching cross-member  116  and arcuate members  112 ,  114 . 
         [0029]    Hook  140  may attach to one of first cross-member part  116   a  and second cross-member part  116   b  by screws  210 , and in particular may attach to a part of first cross-member part  116   a  or second cross-member part  116   b  that is covered by the other cross-member part when sports equipment rack  100  is assembled. Hook  140  may extend out from a seam or gap between first cross-member part  116   a  and second cross-member part  116   b  when sports equipment rack  100  is assembled. 
         [0030]    Legs  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  are shown with suction cups  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129 , respectively, attached. Leg mounts  220 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223  are detached from but associated with legs  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 , respectively. Leg mounts  220 ,  221  attach to arcuate member  114 , and leg mounts  222 ,  223  attach to arcuate member  112 . Leg mounts  220 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223  may attach to their respective arcuate member by cooperating screw threads, or by any other appropriate reversible or non-reversible arrangement, including, for example, a snap lock mechanism. Legs  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  may attach to their respective leg mounts by cooperating screw threads, or by any other appropriate reversible or non-reversible arrangement, including, for example, a snap lock mechanism. As discussed previously, different size legs may be used in sports equipment rack  100 , or no legs may be used and the suction cups may be attached directly to the arcuate members, or directly to the leg mounts. In still further alternatives, suction cups may be replaced by mounting brackets having screw or nail holes, hooks, or rubber caps. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of sports equipment rack  100 .  FIG. 3  shows frame  110  including arcuate members  112 ,  114  connected by first cross-member part  116   a . First cross-member part  116   a  is attached to a center-point on each arcuate member  112 ,  114 . Each arcuate member  112 ,  114  has three clips  133 ,  134 ,  135 , and  130 ,  131 ,  132 , respectively. Hook  140  may extend out from first cross-member part  116   a . Arcuate member  112  may have mounting holes  320 ,  330  through which leg mounts, legs, suction cups, or other mounting arrangements may be attached. Arcuate member  114  may have mounting holes  300 ,  310  through which leg mounts, legs, suction cups, or other mounting arrangements may be attached. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of sports equipment rack  100 .  FIG. 4  shows frame  110  including arcuate members  112 ,  114  connected by second cross-member part  116   b . Second cross-member part  116   b  is attached to a center-point on each arcuate member  112 ,  114 . Each arcuate member  112 ,  114  has two associated suction cups  123 ,  125  and  127 ,  129  respectively, Hook  140  may extend out from second cross-member part  116   b . Arcuate member  112  may have clip mounts  400 ,  410 , and  420  through which clips or other releasable retaining arrangements may be attached. Arcuate member  114  may have clip mounts  430 ,  440 , and  450  through which clips or other releasable retaining arrangements may be attached. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is an end view of sports equipment rack  100 .  FIG. 5  shows arcuate member  114 , hook  140  and legs  122 ,  124  with respective suction cups  123 ,  125 . Also shown in  FIG. 5  are clips  130 ,  131 ,  132 . Each clip includes several sub-parts. For instance, clip  130  includes hinge  510 , and clip arms  512  and  514 . Clip arms  512  and  514  may be motivated by a spring acting in or around hinge  510  to close, and may thereby open to allow the insertion of a shaft of a sport stick or other elongated article. After inserting the elongated article, clip arms  512  and  514  may be closed by the spring with a force sufficient to hold the elongated article in a friction grip. Clip  131  may include hinge  520 , and clip arms  522  and  524 , which may also be motivated by a spring acting in or around hinge  520  to close. Clip  132  may include hinge  530 , and clip arms  532  and  534 , which may also be motivated by a spring acting in or around hinge  530  to close. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is an end view of sports equipment rack  100 .  FIG. 6  shows arcuate members  112 ,  114 , hook  140  connected to cross-member  116 , and legs  124 ,  126  with respective suction cups  125 ,  127 . Also shown in  FIG. 6  are clips  130 ,  131 ,  134 ,  135 , shown in an edge-on orientation. As discussed earlier, clips  130 ,  131 ,  134 ,  135  may be rotatable. 
         [0035]    It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present invention and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.