Abstract:
A modular rack and kit of parts for constructing a modular rack may be dimensioned to vary width and depth for different applications in different rooms. Retention accessories, including article hooks, extension cross members and shelves, each have attachment portions with mating cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the rack members engage the rack members circumferentially. The retention accessories are selectively reconfigurable for evolving storage needs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to racks for hanging objects, such as towels, ties, belts and jars, and in particular to a modular rack and kit of parts capable of being reconfigured for a variety of applications in a home, hotel or other commercial facility. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    My prior invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,198, issued Aug. 14, 1984, was directed to an expandable towel rack having telescoping ends for adjusting rack width to desired dimensions. The entire contents of U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,198 is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0005]    Homes, hotels and other commercial facilities often employ different types of mounted racks that are dedicated to specific applications. For example, bathrooms often require towel racks, garment racks, toiletry racks/shelves for cosmetics, drinking glasses, razors, tooth brushes and the like. Bedroom clothing closets often have tie, scarf and belt racks. Kitchens often require towel, spice and knife racks. Garages and utility rooms often require racks for hanging tools, containers holding nails and screws and the like. Each different application in different rooms often requires purchase of separate dedicated racks due to dimensional requirements and their intended application. For example, a garment hanger will need hooks to secure belts or hang hats. A kitchen spice rack needs capacity to hold spice jars, bottles, and other types of vessels securely. Bathroom cosmetic racks may need open shelves capable of holding a variety of cosmetic and grooming objects suitable to the user, with peripheral bumpers to prevent objects from inadvertently falling off the shelf. 
         [0006]    An individual homeowner may not be unduly burdened by purchasing different application specific storage racks when occasionally remodeling a household room. Conversely, building developer or commercial complex manager is more likely to be inconvenienced by the need to purchase inventories of different application specific storage racks when building or remodeling a large housing development, apartment complex or hotel. 
         [0007]    Thus, a need exists in the art for a modular rack system capable of being configured for different applications and dimensions during manufacture or in the field, so as to reduce application specific inventory. 
         [0008]    Another need exists in the art for a modular rack system capable of being configured for different applications and dimensions from a kit of common parts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, an object of the invention is to create a modular rack system capable of being configured for different applications and dimensions during manufacture or in the field, from a kit of common modular parts. 
         [0010]    This and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by the modular rack system, configurable from a kit of common parts, that enables a contractor or end user to construct or reconfigure a rack to meet the needs of different storage applications in different rooms. Rack size may be varied selectively by expanding or reducing projection of return members on the ends of the rack, such as by telescopically sliding the return members relative to the rack mounting member and cross member, and locking their relative positions. Retention accessories for different applications, such as article hooks, shelves and extension cross members engage the rack member circumference. 
         [0011]    Thus the same basic rack may be configured for different applications in bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and utility rooms by adjusting the rack length and adding retention accessories needed to suit the application. For example, the modular rack in a bathroom may be used to hold towels. Another rack in the same bathroom may be configured with a toiletry shelf. Yet another rack may include a shelf having apertures for retention of drinking glasses, tooth brushes, razors and the like. Any or all of the retention accessories can be combined in a single rack or a plurality of rack combinations. Similarly, one or more of the same modular racks may be configured to hold towels, knives and other cooking utensils, hanging pots, spice bottles, cleaning liquids or the like. 
         [0012]    The present invention features a modular rack system comprising a mounting member, for affixation to a surface, such as a wall or cabinet, having opposed first and second coupling members each having non-circular cross-sectional profiles. First and second return members that respectively have elongated first and second legs are received by a corresponding one of the first or second coupling members and project outwardly from its respective coupling member. Projection length may be varied selectively to change the rack dimensional width. Projection depth away from the mounting surface may be varied by selecting different returns constructed with a desired gap between the legs. The legs have non-circular cross-sectional profiles matching that if its respective coupling member. A cross member, having opposed third and fourth coupling members, each having non-circular cross-sectional profiles matching that of a corresponding second leg receives the that leg, to complete a closed structural loop. Retention mechanisms rigidly affix respective coupling members and corresponding legs to desired dimensional projection lengths. At least one retention accessory selected from the group consisting of article hooks, extension cross members and shelves, has an attachment portion with a mating cross-sectional profile corresponding to at least one of the members, for circumferential engagement thereabout. 
         [0013]    The present invention also features a kit of parts that are configurable to create modular racks as described above, meeting different specific applications within one or more rooms. 
         [0014]    The objects and features of the present invention may be applied jointly or severally in any combination or sub-combination by those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the modular rack system of the present invention configured as a towel rack; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the modular rack system of the present invention configured as a garment rack; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the rack of  FIG. 4  showing a retention accessory hook installed thereon; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the retention accessory hook of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the modular rack system of the present invention configured as a shelving unit with a retention accessory shelf installed thereon; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the retention accessory shelf of  FIG. 7 , with apertures for receipt of storage vessels; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the modular rack system of the present invention configured as another shelving unit, with another embodiment of retention accessory shelf installed thereon; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the retention accessory shelf of  FIG. 9 , with a recessed shelf suspended on attachment portions; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the modular rack system of the present invention configured as a stemmed glass storage unit with an extension cross member installed thereon; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the extension cross member of  FIG. 11  substituted for the cross member shown in  FIG. 1 , that facilitates receipt of a stemmed glass; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a partially exploded bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention rack members; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is an elevational cross-section of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , taken along line  14 - 14  thereof; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is an elevational cross-section of another embodiment of the present invention rack members similar to that of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
       [0031]    To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    After considering the following description, those skilled in the art will clearly realize that the teachings of my invention can be readily utilized in modular rack systems and kits for modular rack systems that enable an installer to configure a rack for many different applications. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1-3  show the rack  20  of the present invention configured as a towel holding rack. The rack  20  has a mounting members  30  for affixation to a surface, such as a wall or a cabinet (not shown), with mounting flanges  32  that receive screws or other known fasteners. The number of mounting flanges  32  and their dimensions can be configured as desired for one or more specific or general applications, including intended weight bearing specifications. The mounting member  30  has a central mounting portion  34  defining opposed first and second ends  36 ,  38 , that are shown as having hollow tubular profiles. The mounting portion  34  couples to the return members  140  by mating the first and second coupler ends  36 ,  38  to respective elongated first legs  42  of each of the return members. 
         [0034]    The return members  40  each have second elongated legs  44  that as shown are generally parallel to the first legs  42 . The second legs  44  mate with and are coupled to cross member  50  by way of the third and fourth coupler ends  52 ,  54 . As shown, the coupled return members  40 , mounting member  30 , and cross member  50  form a generally planar closed loop, but the loop may be configured in any three dimensional profile, and may include open loop portions. Rack width dimension W is selectively adjustable by varying telescoping projection of the return members  40  relative to the central mounting portion  34  and cross member  50 . Projection from either the left or right ends  36 ,  38  of the central mounting portion  34  may be symmetrical or asymmetrical as desired for any specific application. Once rack width W is configured, the dimension may be fixed with retention mechanisms, such as with screws  56  that may be tensioned in compression against one or both of the return member legs  42 ,  44  or screwed through a leg by way of apertures  46  preformed therein or subsequently drilled during rack assembly. The screws  56  may be subsequently removed and reinstalled so that rack width W may be varied in the future. Other fasteners, such as pins, rivets, adhesives or formed-in-place interlocking components may be utilized as retention mechanisms. 
         [0035]    As shown, the members  34 ,  40  and  50  have non-circular cross-sections to prevent relative rotation and provide additional torsional stiffness to the assembled rack  20 . The members may be constructed of any desired material, such as metal or plastic with any desired surface finish. However, a circular profile may be utilized if another structure, such as a through pin or key inhibits relative anti-rotation and enhances rotational stiffness. Rack member  30 ,  40 ,  50  component profiles, thickness and dimensions may be configured as desired by those skilled in the art to meet intended load and other specifications. For example, the return member legs  42 ,  44  may be configured in different length ranges for different applications. Rack depth D 1  may be varied by configuring return members  40  with different spacing ranges D 1 . While for cost reduction and ease of assembly the return member  40  legs  42 ,  44  and coupling member ends  36 ,  38 ,  52 ,  54  all have the same cross-sectional profile, the dimensions may be varied for each mating pair of coupled telescoping connection, or varied along the length of each component, for example for structural integrity or aesthetic appearance. Similarly, telescoping coupled connections may be reversed, so that mounting member  30  and/or cross member  50  is captured within its respective leg  42 ,  44 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 4-6  show the rack  20  of the present invention configured as a garment rack for holding ties, belts, scarves, hats, coats or the like. Retention accessory hook  60  facilitates hanging of belts, hats and coats. The accessory hook  60  has an attachment portion  62  that is profiled to engage circumferentially around and snap over one of the members  30 ,  40 ,  50 . A hook portion  62  projects away from the rack for hanging of garments and other articles. For example the rack with accessory hooks  60  may be utilized to hang tools, cooking pots, picture frames or other articles. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show the rack  20  of the present invention configured as a shelf having formed apertures for retention of articles. Shelf  70  has a pair of opposed attachment portions  72  for spanning the rack loop and snapping over opposed sides of the members forming the rack. The shelf  70  defines apertures for receipt of articles such as bottles, shown. The apertures may be configured in any number or dimension. While the shelves shown in  FIG. 7  only retain a single article they may be constructed in other widths to accommodate different quantities and article dimensions, such as tooth brushes, screw drivers, flower vases and the like. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show the rack  20  of the present invention configured as a recessed shelf  80  oriented below the rack closed loop plane. Planar shelf  82  optionally has formed apertures  83  for retention of articles as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and may have one or more raised lips  84  about 10, its perimeter for retention of articles resting on the shelf. Shelf  82  is suspended from shelf hooks  86  that have attachment portions  88  for engagement over the rack members. Recessing shelf  82  also helps to retain articles resting on the shelf by having them abut laterally against the rack members. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show the rack  20  of the present invention configured as a stem glass holding rack by substitution of the straight cross member  15  with an extension cross member  150  having a bulbous projection  155  that has a depth D 2  greater than the depth D 1 . Depths are chosen so that D 1  is narrower than and D 2  is wider than the stem glass foot diameter D G . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 13-15  show alternative embodiment constructions of the rack member component profiles. In  FIGS. 13 and 14  the rack members  130 ,  140  and  150  are constructed of molded plastic and have non-tubular cross-sectional profiles. The mounting member  130  and cross member  150  are biased to separate the bottom open flanges in the direction of the double arrows shown in  FIG. 14 , so as to separate the side walls and allow insertion of the return members  140 . Recesses  156  formed in the cross member engage protruding ribs  147  formed in the return member leg  144  for locking the projection width W of the rack  120 . Similar structure is provided in the mounting member  130  and corresponding leg  142 . Return members  140  have integrally formed reinforcing ribs  148 , for structural rigidity. In  FIG. 15  the mounting member  230  and corresponding coupled leg  242  have C-channel profiles and are constructed of stamped or extruded metal. 
         [0041]    Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.