Abstract:
Rack or frame may be substantially V-shaped. The substantially V-shaped configuration enhances the strength and nestability of the rack. The rack may be an oven rack with a lifting element suited for being lifted by oven rack lifting equipment. Rack may accommodate one or more objects, such as trays, per level. Nested racks greatly reduce storage space requirements.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of application No. 60/301,646, filed Jun. 28, 2001, and this application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/847,483, filed Apr. 25, 1997, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to racks. More particularly, this invention relates to a rack suited for holding and supporting objects, such as trays. Even more particularly, the invention relates to oven racks suited for holding trays, and configured for being lifted by oven rack lifting equipment.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Racks are known.  
           [0004]    Known racks and frames are disclosed in, for example, the following patents:  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,064 to Hall;  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,086 to de Bruyn;  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,060 to Bohner:  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,550 to Nodskov et al.;  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,765 to Leonardo; and  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,213 to Hirsch  
           [0011]    Other patents to the inventor Donald M. Hall include:  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,787 to Hall;  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,191 to Hall;  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,922 to Hall;  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,782 to Hall;  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,087 to Hall;  
           [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,522 to Hall;  
           [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,309 to Hall;  
           [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,401 to Hall; and  
           [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,120 to Hall  
           [0021]    Each of the Donald M. Hall patents is incorporated herein by reference.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0022]    It is an object of the invention to provide a rack which is versatile.  
           [0023]    It is another object of the invention to provide a rack which is nestable in a variety of configurations.  
           [0024]    A further object is to provide a strong, nestable rack.  
           [0025]    A further object is to provide a liftable, nestable rack.  
           [0026]    In summary, the invention includes a support frame or rack which is nestable with other racks of the same type, and which has a V-shaped configuration. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    The above and another objects and advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single frame oven rack according to the invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two, single frame racks disposed side by side;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two, side by side racks according to the invention, such as shown in FIG. 2, with a third rack of the same type before nesting, the third rack facing in the direction of nesting with the two other racks;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 3, showing the third rack as it is being nested, closer to the two side by side racks of FIG. 3 than in the view of FIG. 3 as the third rack is being nested;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is perspective view similar to FIG. 4 as the third rack is being even further nested than is shown in the view of FIG. 4;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the three racks of FIG. 5 in a fully nested position;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 with the third rack shown in phantom line for clarity;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 with the third rack shown in phantom line for clarity;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the single rack of FIG. 1;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the two, side by side racks of FIG. 2;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the three nested racks of FIG. 6;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment of a single rack according to the invention, in which the lifting channels, such as for lifting by conventional oven rack lifting equipment have been bolted onto the remainder of the rack;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention, in the form of a double depth rack on which twice as many objects, such as trays, can be held;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13, showing the manner in which objects, such as trays, may be nested on the rack;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 15 is a further perspective view of the double deep rack of FIG. 13 showing yet another way in which two objects, such as trays can be nested;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rack according to the invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the rack of FIG. 16;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 18 is yet another embodiment of the rack according to the invention;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of FIG. 18;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a lifting element according to the invention;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 21 is an end view of the lifting element of FIG. 20;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another lifting element according to the invention;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 23 is an end view of the lifting element of FIG. 22;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of yet another lifting element according to the invention;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 25 is an end view of the lifting element of FIG. 24;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another lifting element according to the invention; and  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 27 is an end view of FIG. 26. 
     
    
       [0055]    It will be appreciated that relative terms such as up, down, left, and right are for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0056]    Turning to FIGS.  1 - 11 , a rack or frame  10  according to the invention is shown.  
         [0057]    Rack  10  may be a V-shaped rack, the configuration of which enhances the nestability of rack  10  with other rack(s)  10 , and which configuration improves the strength and integrity of the overall structure of rack  10 .  
         [0058]    Earlier racks include those shown in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,309 to Hall and U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,064 to Hall, and each of which has been and is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0059]    Rack  10  includes a right upright frame or ladder assembly  14  and a left upright frame or ladder assembly  16 .  
         [0060]    Wheels or casters  18  may be provided to enhance movability of rack  10 .  
         [0061]    Right upright frame  14  may include a rear post  24  and a front post  28 .  
         [0062]    An upper structural member  32  may connect rear post  24  and front post  28 .  
         [0063]    A lower structural member  36  may attach lower portions of rear post  24  and front post  28 .  
         [0064]    An upper connector  42  may be used to connect left upright frame  16  and right upright frame  14 . A middle connector  46  and a lower connector  48  may likewise be provided to connect respective middle and lower portions of left and right upright frames  14  and  16 .  
         [0065]    An upper V-shaped connector  52  may include a right leg or connector element  54  and a left leg or connector element  58 . A lower V-shaped connector  62  may be provided with a right leg or connector element  64  and a left leg or connector element  68 .  
         [0066]    It will be appreciated that a middle portion  74  of middle connector  46  may be considered to define a portion of the V-shaped connector  52 .  
         [0067]    In the case where rack  10  is to be used as a so-called oven rack of the type used with automatic rack lifting equipment, rack  10  may be provided with a left lifting element  82  and a right lifting element  84 . Left and right lifting elements  82 ,  84  may be configured as L-channels or C-channels for example to mate with the appropriate oven rack lifting equipment. Other shapes of lifting elements are expected to be provided, depending on the type of oven rack lifting equipment used.  
         [0068]    One or both of lifting elements  82 ,  84  may extend transversely relative to one or both of left frame  16  and right frame  14 . Likewise, one or both of lifting elements  82 ,  84  may extend parallel to or substantially parallel to one or both of left frame  14  and right frame  16 .  
         [0069]    The connection between lifting elements  82  and  84  and the remainder of rack  10  may be enhanced by providing additional structural elements, such as the illustrated elements  92  and  94 , that may be in the form of rods, plates, tubular members, gussets, other strengthening elements.  
         [0070]    It will be appreciated that all the connections and joints in rack  10  may be secured by one or more of welding, bolting, riveting, and the like.  
         [0071]    Turning to FIG. 12, an upper portion of a further embodiment of a rack  100  according to the invention is shown.  
         [0072]    Rack  100  illustrates the use of bolts or rivets  104  to connect the lifting elements  182  and  184  to rack  100 .  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 12 likewise illustrates the manner in which lifting element  182  may include a top leg  186 , and a middle portion  188  connecting top leg  186  to a bottom leg  192 . In that manner, lifting element  182  may have a somewhat S-shaped configuration.  
         [0074]    In the case where lifting element  184 , for example, should define a C-shaped or C-channel or Z-channel or S-channel or S-shaped configuration, an optional bottom plate  194  may be provided, such as shown disposed in between lifting element  184  and the top of rack  100 ; (i.e., between top leg  186  and the top of rack  100 ); or, more specifically, between top leg  186  and a supporting element  196 . Optional bottom plate  194  may extend between bottom leg  192  and supporting element  196 .  
         [0075]    Turning to FIGS.  13 - 15 , yet another embodiment of a rack  200  according to the invention as shown. Rack  200  is analogous to racks  10  and  100 , respectively.  
         [0076]    Rack  200  may likewise have a substantially V-shaped configuration and be suitable for nesting with other racks. Rack  200  may be considered to be a “double depth” rack as it may hold twice as many objects as the racks of FIGS.  1 - 12 , when racks  200  are made on the same scale as racks  10  and are used to carry objects of the same size.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 14 shows the use of double depth rack  200  in the situation where the user inserts a tray T 1  in the direction of arrow A 1  into rack  200  from the rear and onto rails  206  and  208 , for example. A second tray T 2  may then be inserted from the front of the rack in the direction of arrow A 2 , likewise resting on and sliding along rails  206  and  208 .  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 15 illustrates the manner in which rack  200  receives and supports trays T 1  and T 2  on rails  224  and  228 , both trays T 1  and T 2  having been inserted successively in the same direction, as shown by their respective associated arrows A 3  and A 4 .  
         [0079]    The single tray rack of FIGS.  1 - 12  may be used in an analogous manner with trays being inserted from the front or the rear. In the case of the associated tray having an extent substantially the same as the “footprint” of rack  10 , of course, only one tray T 1  or T 2  would typically be accommodated. In the case where unillustrated trays having a narrower width are used, two or more trays maybe accommodated.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIGS. 16 and 17 show another embodiment of a rack  300  according to the invention.  
         [0081]    Rack  300  may be considered a U-shaped rack having a left upright support  328  and a right upright support  332 . Upright supports  328  and  332  maybe made of substantially flat elements, such as the illustrated flat bar stock. Flat bar stock maybe, for example, half inch thick stock.  
         [0082]    An upper connector  336  maybe provided to connect a left upright frame  338  and a right upright frame  342 .  
         [0083]    A left structural member  344  and a right structural member  345  maybe provided to increase the structural integrity of rack  300 . Left and right structural members  344  and  345  may serve as back stops or so called “pan stops” as they may function to prevent a tray or pan inserted into rack  300  (such as shown in the FIG. 15 embodiment) from being pushed out the rear of rack  300 .  
         [0084]    Rack  300  maybe termed an end load rack, as it maybe configured for receiving a tray T 1  sideways; i.e., a rectangular tray T 1  could be oriented so that it is inserted a lengthwise into rack  300 . Tray T 1  is shown being inserted widthwise in the FIG. 15 embodiment.  
         [0085]    [0085]FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate another rack  400  according to the invention.  
         [0086]    Rack  400  includes an upper left connector element  472 , an upper right connector element  474 , a lower left connector element  476 , and a lower right connector element  478 .  
         [0087]    It is contemplated that each of the connector elements  472 ,  474 ,  476  and  478  be oriented at various angles relative to one or both of frames  482  and  484 , depending on the intended use and the structural requirements.  
         [0088]    FIGS.  20 - 27  illustrate additional embodiments of lifting elements according to the invention.  
         [0089]    [0089]FIGS. 20 and 21 show a lifting element  502  configured as a C-channel.  
         [0090]    [0090]FIGS. 22 and 23 show a lifting element  512  configured as an S-channel.  
         [0091]    [0091]FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate a lifting element  522  in the form of an L-channel.  
         [0092]    [0092]FIGS. 26 and 27 show a lifting element  532  in the form of an S-channel  512  which cooperates with a plate  536 .  
         [0093]    Each of the lifting element embodiments of FIGS.  20 - 27  may be appreciated by the considering the lifting elements described in connection with the embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 19 .  
         [0094]    It should be noted that in the case of L-channel lifting element  522  one of legs  524  maybe attached to an upper portion of the rack on which is it used or to an outer face of the rack on which it is used. In use, L-channel  522  may be typically use in an inverted position with leg  524  attached to a portion of its associated rack.  
         [0095]    It is expected that the racks according to the invention may be made completely of stainless steel with or without the joints being riveted or welded or bolted, depending on the application.  
         [0096]    It is likewise contemplated that the frame or rack be made of aluminum members, while the lifting elements be made of stainless steel or aluminum or both.  
         [0097]    The wheels or casters may be oven casters, for example.  
         [0098]    One or more of the left and right connector elements may extend at acute angles relative to one or both of the left and right frames. The acute angle may be less than about 60°, about 30°, or less than about 30°.  
         [0099]    One or more of the left and right connector elements maybe attached to a front portion of the respective upright member; or, for example, in the case of lower left end right connector elements maybe connected to a front portion of the rack disposed inwardly of the upright member, such as shown in the front connection of left and right connector elements  476 ,  478  in FIG. 18.  
         [0100]    Single tray racks such as shown in the embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 12 , may be sized so as to have an 18″×26″ “footprint”.  
         [0101]    While the embodiments shown indicate the use of a rectangular tray inserted sideways, the tray may be inserted in an end load orientation or in a side load orientation. Likewise, round, oval, square, or other configurations of trays may be used.  
         [0102]    Racks may be made of other materials, such as plastic, depending on the intended use.  
         [0103]    The structural elements may be made of one or more of solid stock, hollow stock, hollow stock with a strengthening element therein, and the like.  
         [0104]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or limits of the claims appended hereto.