Abstract:
A support rack for storing, organizing and managing tack is disclosed having a backbone, at least one support leg attached to the backbone for securing the support rack to a fence and at least one hook attached to the backbone for allowing tack to be placed on the hook and for receiving, supporting and organizing tack. The support rack may be placed over fence rails of a fence such as is typically found near show arenas or corrals or, in one embodiment, may be placed directly on a flat surface. As a result, the support rack for tack, particularly equine tack, is a unitized convenient means to organize, store and transport tack in an efficient manner.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a device for storing and organizing tack particularly tack used in conjunction with equine activities. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Showing and performing with horses, both as a hobby and a profession, has been popular in many cultures beginning in ancient times and continues until the present. Most riders own and use many forms of tack such as halters, bridles, lead ropes, reins and lunge lines. The multitude of tack is often taken to a show arena or corral for use while performing or working with horses in various activities. 
   Typically, the tack taken to the show arena or corral is not all used at the same time. When not in use, the tack is often stored on the ground, draped over a fence or hung on fences with make-shift plastic or home made hooks. 
   There is an additional problem of transporting tack to and from the show arena or corral. The most common solution to this transport problem is carrying tack in the hands or draped over the arms. This is often cumbersome and inefficient. When riding a horse to and from the show arena or corral, this means of transporting tack is nearly impossible to manage. 
   Transportable saddle rack and equipment carriers have become popular in recent years. U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,152 entitled, “Transportable Saddle Rack and Equipment Carrier” issued to Edward J. Oliver on Sep. 9, 2003, is an example. Devices such as this do not store and carry several pieces of rope, head stalls, and halters in an organized fashion. They are designed to provide ease of storage and organization of larger, heavier horse equipment. 
   At present, there is not, a smaller, durable, effective, way to store and carry necessary items such as: ropes, head stalls, halters, lariats, and lunge lines to and from the show arena or corral for purposes of use while training, showing, or performing. 
   From the foregoing it can be seen what is needed is a device for organizing equestrian tack with ease of use, structural integrity and transportability to store halters, bridles, lead ropes, reins, lunge lines and other tack. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A support rack for storing, organizing and managing tack is disclosed having a backbone, at least one support leg attached to the backbone for securing the support rack to a fence and at least one hook attached to the backbone for allowing tack to be placed on the hook and for receiving, supporting and organizing tack. The support rack may be placed over fence rails of a fence such as is typically found near show arenas or corrals or, in one embodiment, may be placed directly on a flat surface. As a result, the support rack for tack, particularly equine tack, is a unitized convenient means to organize, store and transport tack in an efficient manner. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for efficiently organizing, storing or transporting tack particularly equine tack. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for restraining and constraining tack particularly equine tack. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for positioning tack particularly equine tack. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for organizing, storing, transporting, restraining, constraining or positioning tack particularly equine tack that is easy to manufacture. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for organizing, storing, transporting, restraining, constraining or positioning tack particularly equine tack that is easy to move from one location to another. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for organizing, storing, transporting, restraining, constraining or positioning tack particularly equine tack that is easy to position on a fence. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for organizing, storing, transporting, restraining, constraining or positioning tack particularly equine tack that is easy to use. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for organizing, storing, transporting, restraining, constraining or positioning tack particularity equine tack that is easy to use. 
   It is an object of the present invention in one or more embodiments to provide a device for organizing, storing, transporting, restraining, constraining or positioning tack particularly equine tack that is complementary to transportable saddle rack and equipment carriers. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be clear in view of the following description to the invention including the associated drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described hereafter in detail with particular reference to the drawings. Throughout this description, like elements, in whatever embodiment described, refer to common elements wherever referred to and referenced by the same reference number. The characteristics, attributes, functions, interrelations ascribed to a particular element in one location apply to that element when referred to by the same reference number in another location unless specifically stated otherwise. All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the support rack. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the support rack of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the support rack of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in use on a fence with items of tack supported. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the support rack according to another embodiment of the support racks disclosed herein. 
   

   All Figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. 
   Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top”, and “side”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the preferred embodiments. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The support rack of the present invention is shown in the drawings generally labeled  10 . The support rack  10  includes a backbone  12 , support legs  14  and hooks  16 . The support rack  10  is particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with a fence  18  having a horizontal top fence rail  20  with an upper surface  22  and at least one horizontal lower fence rail  24 . Fence  18  is typically a wooden or metal fence such as is typically found around horse corrals with top fence rail  20  and lower fence rail  24  typically having diameters of about two inches. 
   The backbone  12  preferably is substantially horizontal and has an upper surface  26 , a first end  28  and a second end  30 . Backbone  12  connects the support legs  14  which are each preferably located near the first end  28  and second end  30 , respectively, of the backbone  12 . In the preferred embodiment, backbone  12  is a single elongated piece of durable metal such asASTM-A36 hot rolled carbon steel or aluminum. In this embodiment, the backbone  12 , when the support rack  10  is in use, rests on the upper surface  22  of the top fence rail  20 . ( FIG. 3 ) In the preferred embodiment, there is only one backbone  12  connecting support legs  14 . However, there may be more than one backbone  12  extending between the support legs  14 . 
   The support rack  10  includes at least one and preferably two or more support legs  14  attached to the backbone  12 . Each support leg  14  preferably includes a pair of vertical legs  32  having a distal end  34 , a proximal end  36  and an inner surface  38 . The proximal ends  36  are attached to a connecting piece  40  which is preferably curved to match the curve of the upper surface  22  of the top fence rail  20 . Each vertical leg  32  is spaced from its corresponding vertical leg  32  a distance about equal to the diameter of the top fence rail  20  or a lower fence rail  24 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each vertical leg  32  has the same length and extends downward from the connecting piece  40  a distance sufficient that the distal ends  34  extend lower than the lower fence rail  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the support legs  14  are made of a single piece of metal or other durable and rugged material that is formed into a substantially “U” shape having the dimensions described above. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the support rack  10 , the inner surface  38  of the distal ends  34  of the vertical legs  32  have an inwardly directed gripping surface  42  located along the inner surface  38  of each vertical leg  32  in the area where the gripping surface  42  would contact a typical lower fence rail  24  when the support rack  10  is in use on a fence  18 . The gripping surface  42  is preferably just an increased thickness of the distal ends  34  of the vertical legs  32 . This increased thickness can be obtained by attaching additional material to the distal ends  34  of the vertical legs  32  on the inside surfaces of the distal ends  34  or forming the distal ends  34  of the vertical legs  32  with additional material on the inside surfaces of the distal ends  34 . 
   Although the gripping surface  42  is preferably just an increased thickness of the distal ends  34  of the vertical legs  32 , the gripping surface  42  may also include a textured surface allowing the gripping surface  42  to frictionally contact the lower fence rail  24 . This testuring could take the form of ridges, bumps or protrusions from the gripping surface  42  or could include making or coating the gripping surface  42  of frictional material. 
   In the embodiment having gripping surfaces, the distance between gripping surfaces  42  is somewhat less than the diameter of a typical lower fence rail  24 . Consequently, to locate the support rack  10  on a fence  18 , the vertical legs  32  are placed on either side of the top fence rail  20  and moved downward so that the gripping surface  42  contact the lower fence rail  24 . Because the distance between gripping surfaces  42  is somewhat less than the diameter of the lower fence rail  24 , the gripping services  28  must be moved apart to locate the support rack  10 . This is accomplished by downward pressure on the vertical legs  32  which forces the distal end  34  of each vertical leg  32  to splay apart to allow the gripping surfaces  42  to move over and into secure contact with the lower fence rail  24 . This splaying causes an inwardly directed tension on the gripping services  28  what allow the gripping surfaces  42  to contact the outer surfaces of the lower fence rail  24  in a pinching motion thereby securing the distal ends  34  of the vertical legs  32  in secure contact with the lower fence rail  24 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the support rack  10 , the vertical legs  32  located near the first end  28  and second end  30  of the backbone  12  are all of equal length. Because the preferred embodiment has vertical legs  32  of equal length, the support legs  14  form a support for the support rack  10 . As a result, the support rack  10  may be placed directly on a hard surface such as the ground or a concrete surface where the support legs  14  through the vertical legs  32  will support and balance the support rack  10 . 
   At least one hook  16  is attached to the backbone  12  and preferably several hooks  16  are attached to the backbone  12 . Each hook  16  has an open part  44 . The hooks  16  preferably extends away from the backbone  12  at about a 90° angle to the backbone  12 . However, it is clear that hooks  16  can be attached to and extend away from the backbone at angles other than 90°. The purpose of the hooks  16  is to provide a mechanism for constraining and supporting the desired tack. Hooks  16  typically are oriented so that the open part  44  of the hooks  16  is directed upward so that tack may be placed on the hook  16  through the open part  44  and will settle by gravity into hook  16  where it is retained and constrained in contact with the hook  16 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, a pair of opposed hooks  16  are formed from a single piece of metal that is attached to the backbone  12  preferably by welding. This produces hooks  16  that are mirror images of each other along the backbone  12 . Although hooks  16  are preferably attached to backbone  12  by welding, hooks  16  maybe attached to backbone  12  by any other means well understood in the art including but not limited to clamping, pinching, nuts and bolts, screws or friction fit to give but a few examples. As mentioned above, in the preferred embodiment, several opposed hooks  16  are attached to backbone  12  spaced apart from each other along backbone  12 . The spacing should be a sufficient distance to allow tack placed on one hook  16  to not interfere with tack placed on a neighboring hook  16 . In addition, the hooks  16  are placed to not encumber the user while on foot or horse back. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support rack  10  includes a handle  46  that is preferably attached to the upper surface  26  of the backbone  12 . The function of handle  46  is to allow the user to grab the support rack by the handle  46  and easily move and position the support rack  10 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, handle  46  is a piece of elongated metal that is welded to the upper surface  26  of the backbone  12 . However, handle  46  may be attached to the backbone  12  by any other means though occur to those skilled in the art including but not limited to clamping, pinching, nuts and bolts, screws or friction fit. In addition, the backbone  12  itself be formed in the shape of a handle  46  so that the backbone  12  itself performs the function of the handle  46 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the support rack  10 , the backbone  12 , hooks  16  and support legs  14  are made of a rugged, durable metal such as ASTM-A36 hot rolled carbon steel or aluminum and the respective parts are preferably attached to each other by welding. In this preferred embodiment, the metal may be either solid or tubular. However, the respective parts of the support rack  10  may be made of other rugged and durable metal or made, in whole or in part, of a rugged and durable non-metal such as plastic, fiberglass or graphite. In addition, the respective parts of the support rack  10  need not be attached to each other by welding. Instead, the respective parts of the support rack  10  may be connected by any means well understood in the art that allows the parts to be connected in a rigid and secure fashion. 
   Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has each vertical leg  32  having the same length, each vertical leg  32  is not required to be the same length. For example, one vertical leg  32  may have a length sufficiently long to position its distal end  34  into contact with a lower fence rail  24  while the other corresponding vertical leg  32  may not extend to the lower fence rail  24 . In this embodiment, it is desirable to not place a hook  16  on the same side of the support rack  10  as the shorter vertical leg  32  since the torque applied to the support rack  10  by placing tack on such a hook  16  would not be transferred to the lower fence rail  24  through contact with the distal end  34  of the shorter vertical leg  32 . As a result, the support rack  10  would rotate in the direction of the applied tack which is undesirable. 
   However, in this embodiment, tack could still be placed on a hook  16  located on the same side of the support rack  10  as the longer vertical leg  32  that contacts the lower fence rail  24 . In this case, the torque applied to the support rack  10  by placing tack on such a hook  16  would be transferred to the lower fence rail  24  through contact with the distal end  34  of the shorter vertical leg  32 . As a result, the support rack  10  would be constrained from rotating in the direction of the applied tack which would result in the tack being retained and constrained on the hook  16 . 
   In use, the support rack  10  is taken to a desired location. The support rack  10  may be carried by the handle  46 . If it is desired to place the support rack  10  on a fence  18 , the support rack  10  is lifted so that distal ends of the vertical legs  32  pass on either side of the top fence rail  20  and move toward opposite sides of the lower fence rail  24 . At this point, the gripping surfaces  42  will contact the outer surface of the lower fence rail  24 . Moderate downward pressure is applied to the support rack  10  at the handle  46 , along the backbone  12  or to the vertical legs  14  which pressure causes the distal ends  34  of the vertical legs  32  to splay apart and move past the lower fence rail  24  until the connecting piece  40  or the backbone  12  contacts the upper surface  22  of the top fence rail  20 . 
   This contact between the upper surface  22  of the top fence rail  20  and the connecting piece  40  or the backbone  12  prevents the support rack  10  from moving further downward. The inwardly directed tension on the gripping surfaces  42  applied to the outside surface of the lower fence rail  24  secures the support rack  10  to the lower fence rail  24  while the proximal end  20  and the connecting piece  40  of the support legs  14  is in secure contact with the top fence rail  20 . Thereafter, tack is placed on the hooks  16  by placing the tack through the open part  44  into contact with the hook  16 . Torque caused by gravity pulling the tack downward on the hooks  16  is prevented from causing the support rack  10  to rotate in the direction of the tack by contact between the vertical legs  32  and the lower fence rails  26 . As a result, the tack is securely supported on the hooks  16 . With the support rack  10 , a multitude of tack can be taken to the show arena or corral for its use and is kept off the ground and conveniently available to the user in an organized, open air manner. 
   The description contained herein is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. Many variations and alternatives of the described technique and method will occur to one of ordinary skill in this art. Variations in form to the component pieces described and shown in the drawings may be made as will occur to those skilled in the art. Further, although certain embodiments of a support rack  10  have been described, it is also within the scope of the invention to add other additional components such as loops, clips, snaps, buckles, brackets, and other fasteners to name but a few possibilities. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the attached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. As a result, while the above description contains many specific elements, dimensions, functions and parameters, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention but rather as examples of different embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible such as having more or less numbers of backbones  12 , support legs  14 , hooks  16  and handles  46 . Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.