An over-the-door rack comprises a first suspension hook, a second suspension hook, a first vertical member, a second vertical member, a first hanging member, and a second hanging member. The first hanging member has a plurality of double hooks. The second hanging member has a plurality of hooks. The over-the-door rack is configured to be affixed to the door such that the over-the-door rack extends away from the top horizontal plane of a door and such that the first hanging member is positioned lower than a middle of a vertical length of the door.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to racks. More particularly, the present disclosure concerns over the door racks that are accessible to children and individuals with limited mobility.

BACKGROUND

People often hang towels and garments in particular locations in their homes. These locations may include door knobs, shower curtain rods, door corners, hooks driven into the wall, and installable towel racks or rods that are mounted on doors or walls or the like. Over-the-door racks are another means of hanging towels and garments. Often, parents and caregivers wish to teach children more responsibility by giving children responsibilities around the house like having a child hang up their towel to dry or hang their clothing. However, over-the-door racks are not user friendly for children because they are not accessible by a child, and the hooks available thereon are difficult for children to use. Over-the-door racks can also be difficult for persons with physical disabilities or limitations to use. Accordingly, a need exists for an over-the-door rack that is easily accessible and usable by children, persons with physical disabilities or limitations, and persons with heights less than an average height.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an over-the-door rack comprises a first suspension hook configured to be placed over a top horizontal plane of a door such that the first suspension hook rests on the top horizontal plane of the door and a second suspension hook configured to be placed over the top horizontal plane of a door such that the second suspension hook rests on the top horizontal plane of the door. The over-the-door rack further comprises a first vertical member operatively attached to the first suspension hook and a second vertical member operatively attached the second suspension hook. The over-the-door rack further comprises a first hanging member operatively attached to the first vertical member and the second vertical member such that the first hanging member defines a bottom edge of the over-the-door rack. The first hanging member comprises a plurality of double hooks. Each double hook of the plurality of double hooks comprises a continuous ring of rigid material curved into a first hook portion and a second hook portion. The first hook portion has a first length, and the second hook portion has a second length. The first length and the second length are different. Each double hook of the plurality of double hooks further comprises more than one attachment point. A second hanging member is operatively attached to the first vertical member and the second vertical member and comprises a plurality of hooks. Each hook of the plurality of hooks has a single attachment point. The over-the-door rack is configured to extend away from the top horizontal plane of a door such that the first hanging member is positioned lower than a middle of a vertical length of the door when the over-the-door rack is affixed to the door.

According to another embodiment, an over-the-door rack kit comprises a first suspension hook configured to be placed over a top horizontal plane of a door such that the first suspension hook rests on the top horizontal plane of the door and a second suspension hook configured to be placed over the top horizontal plane of a door such that the second suspension hook rests on the top horizontal plane of the door. The over-the-door kit further comprises a first vertical member configured to operatively attach to the first suspension hook and a second vertical member configured to operatively attach to the second suspension hook. The over-the-door rack kit further comprises a first hanging member configured to operatively attached to the first vertical member and the second vertical member such that the first hanging member defines a bottom edge of the over-the-door rack. The over-the-door rack kit further comprises a plurality of double hooks. Each double hook of the plurality of double hooks comprises a continuous ring of rigid material curved into a first hook portion and a second hook portion. The first hook portion has a first length, the second hook portion has a second length, and the first length and the second length are different. Each double hook of the plurality of hooks is configured to releaseably attach to the first hanging member. Each double hook of the plurality of double hooks further comprises more than one attachment point. The over-the-door rack kit further comprises a second hanging member configured to operatively attach to the first vertical member and the second vertical member, and a plurality of hooks configured to releaseably attach to the second hanging member. Each hook of the plurality of hooks has a single attachment point. The over-the-door rack is configured to be assembled such that the over-the-door rack extends away from the top horizontal plane of a door such that the first hanging member is positioned lower than a middle of a vertical length of the door when the over-the-door rack is affixed to the door.

These embodiments enable children, persons with physical disabilities or other limitations, and persons having a height that is less than an average height to affix an over-the-door rack to a door, and to use an over-the-door rack to hang their towels, garments, and other items, without assistance from others. Children who may learn responsibility or otherwise benefit from completing the task of hanging their wet towel or garment after a bath or shower are often incapable of doing so because over-the-door racks are not accessible to them and hooks on over-the-door racks are difficult for children to access and use. The embodiments described herein enable children to take on responsibility of hanging their own towels and garments by facilitating child access to an over-the-door rack, and providing child-friendly hook configurations. The low-hanging double hook configuration provides multiple attachment points for children to use in hanging their towels and garments, and provides more secure hanging of towels, garments, and other items by children who may be new to hanging and storing towels and garments in this manner by themselves. Additional hooks available on the over-the-door rack may have single attachment points for adults to use as well.

Additional embodiments include additional child-friendly features that enhance the teaching capability of an over-the-door rack. For example, name slots on an over-the-door rack enable children to experience a sense of ownership and pride when they are hanging their towel or garment in their designated location, and teaches cooperation and sharing when multiple children are using the over-the-door rack. As another example, hooks having educational shapes like letters and numbers enable a child to assist a parent or caregiver with the assembly of the over-the-door rack, and teach children to exhibit independence in choosing the configuration of the over-the-door rack. A child may be given further independence and sense of accomplishment with the addition of a child-accessible mirror that provides a place for a child to brush their teeth or get dressed after hanging their bath towel, bathrobe, or other item on the over-the-door rack all by themselves. Further, the independence of and ease of self-care for individuals with physical disabilities or limitations or individuals who have a height that is less than an average height can be enhanced by embodiments described herein.

These embodiments also enhance the sanitation and cleanliness of towel and garment hanging and storage by enabling wet towels and garments to be spread out when drying on the over-the-door rack. It is often the case that the hooks or protrusions available do not allow wet towels or garments to be spread out enough to dry efficiently, because when for example, a wet towel is hung on a hook, the towel material tends to fold around itself in a number of folds, thereby enclosing the wet or moist areas. This is especially true for towels and bath time garments designed for children that often have hoods, and hand or arm coverings. Particularly in bathrooms where steam and moisture from use of a sink, bath, or shower may linger long after a user has finished using the bathroom, a number of unfavorable consequences can result from ineffectual hooks and protrusions that cause wet towels and garments to fold in on themselves. For example, it can take hours for towels and garments to fully dry, which can cause odor and mold to emerge on the towel or garment material itself. As another example, where a door is made out of a porous material like wood, or has a delicate painted finish or veneer, lingering moisture from long-drying wet towels and garments can cause unsightly marks and mold on the surface of the door next to where a towel or garment is hanging. Negative health consequences may result, particularly for children and persons with physical disabilities or limitations that may also be elderly. The embodiments herein combat these health risks thereby preventing the aforementioned drying conditions, thereby protecting children who are learning responsibility of hanging their own towel and garments on an over-the-door rack from health hazards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various forms, and the scope of embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to embodiments described below. The embodiments are provided to fully describe embodiments of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, in the drawings, shapes of components and the like are exaggerated for clarity of description.

Referring toFIG. 1, a front view of an over-the-door rack11is shown hung over a top horizontal plane of a door10. Over-the-door rack11has an entire surface area50. Over-the-door rack11is shown affixed to the door10by two “C” shaped suspension hooks12,13that rest over the top horizontal plane of the door10. Extending from suspension hook12is a vertical member14. Extending from suspension hook13is a vertical member15. Vertical members14and15extend for a first length23towards a bottom horizontal plane of the door10. Vertical members14and15extend parallel to one another. Vertical member14and vertical member15may be separated from each other by a distance22. The distance22between vertical member14and vertical member15is equal at each location along the length23. Proximate to the top horizontal plane of the door10, a horizontal support member30is shown extending between vertical member14and vertical member15. The horizontal support member30may provide structural integrity to the over-the-door rack11so that vertical member14and vertical member15do not spread apart from one another during use of the rack11.

In an exemplary embodiment, shown extending across vertical members14and15is a hanging member26. Hanging member26is located a distance24away from suspension hooks12,13. Hanging member26comprises a first horizontal member16aand a second horizontal member16b. First horizontal member16aand second horizontal member16bextend horizontally parallel to one another. Hanging member26further comprises a plurality of rounded hooks19equidistant apart from one another disposed along hanging member26.

Shown extending across vertical members14and15is hanging member27. Hanging member27is located a distance25away from suspension hooks12,13. Hanging member27comprises a third horizontal member17aand a fourth horizontal member17b. Third horizontal member17aand fourth horizontal member17bextend horizontally parallel to one another. Hanging member27further comprises a plurality of rounded hooks20equidistant apart from one another disposed along the hanging member27.

Shown extending across vertical members14and15is hanging member28. Hanging member28is shown at a distance23from suspension hooks12,13. Hanging member28comprises a fifth horizontal member18aand a sixth horizontal member18b. Fifth horizontal member18aand sixth horizontal member18bextend horizontally parallel to one another. Hanging member28further comprises a plurality of double hooks21. The double hooks21may extend lower than the ends of the vertical members14and15.

Over-the-door rack11may be made out of metal, plastic, wood, bamboo, or any other substantially rigid material. For example, over-the-door rack11may be made out of material made from recycled plastic bottles, or other recycled material. Vertical members14,15, horizontal support member30, and hanging members26,27, and28may be solid, or may be hollow. For example, the horizontal support member30may be a hollow tube. A hollow configuration may reduce the overall weight of the over-the-door rack, which may be preferable to enable children and persons with physical disabilities or limitations to lift the over-the-door rack11to place the over-the-door rack11over the top horizontal plane of the door10such that the suspension hooks12, and13are resting over the top horizontal plane of the door10and the over-the-door rack11is securely affixed to the door10.

While the hanging members26,27, and28are shown extending across and past the vertical members14,15wider than the distance22, it should be understood that the hanging members26,27, and28could be configured to extend between the vertical members14,15such that no part of the hanging members26,27and28are extending wider than the distance22.

As shown inFIG. 1, in one embodiment, the over-the-door rack11extends towards the bottom horizontal plane of the door10, and hanging member28rests against the door10proximate to the middle of the vertical length of the door10. This embodiment helps permit children, persons with disabilities or physical limitations, and persons with a height that is less than an average height to reach the over-the-door rack11to be able to hang towels and garments thereon. The middle of the vertical length of the door10may be defined by the exact middle of the vertical length of the door10, the location of a door knob or handle on the door10, the location of a metal panel affixed to the door10for pushing the door10open, or a bar configured to depress and release a latch bolt or dead bolt of a door10, and the like.

In another embodiment, the vertical members14, and15may be hollow, and have an opening206that extends through the entire length of each of vertical member14, and15, as shown with respect to vertical member15inFIG. 2A. With reference toFIGS. 2B and 2C, extending from each suspension hook12, and13is a length of elastic cord200. Each length of elastic cord200has a first end201that is attached to one of suspension hooks12,13, and a second end202having a knot that prevents the vertical members14,15from sliding off of the lengths of elastic cord200. The second end202is not limited to having a knot and could have any component that is wider than the opening206of the vertical members, such as a bead, a washer, a bulge, a toggle, and the like that prevents the vertical members14,15from sliding off the lengths of elastic cord200. As another example, the second end202may be attached to the opening206by glue, tape, or other adhesive material. Each length of cord200extends through vertical member14,15through openings206. A handle203may extend from the middle of hanging member28or any hanging member disposed on the over-the-door rack11. A child, a person with a disability or a person having a height that is less than an average height may use the over-the-door rack11to hang a towel or garment by pulling down the handle203. The lengths of elastic cords200will releaseably extend by stretching, allowing hanging member28to be pulled down lower as shown inFIG. 2Cso that the child, a person with a disability or a person having a height that is less than an average height can reach hanging member28, and other hanging members. When the child, a person with a disability or a person having a height that is less than an average height has hung up the towel or garment, they can release the handle and the lengths of the elastic cords200will retract to their original length and the over-the-door rack11will return to its higher position on the door as shown inFIG. 2Bsuch that the towel or garment does not touch the floor when it is hanging and drying. For example, inFIG. 2B, hanging member28is shown positioned above the door knob204of the door10, and inFIG. 2C, hanging member28, having been pulled downwards, is lower than the door knob204. The elastic cords200could be any extendable member, for example, a first extendable member extending through vertical member14and a second extendable member extending through vertical member15. An extendable member may be any stretchable or elastic material, for example, a length of rubber, a woven fabric cord, a chain of elastic bands, or the like. The over-the-door rack is not limited to being extendable by elastic cords200, for example, an first extending member and a second extending member could each be a telescoping rod of any material. As another example, the vertical members14,15could be spring loaded.

Hanging members26,27, and28are not limited to being permanently disposed on the vertical members14, and15in a single position. Hanging members26,27, and28may be releaseably attachable to the over-the-door rack11. For example, in another embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bwith respect to vertical members14,15, the vertical members14, and15may each have a plurality of holes300disposed along a length of each vertical member14, and15. Each of hanging members26,27, and28may comprise at least one protrusion301configured to be releaseably pressed into a hole300of a vertical member14, or15, such that a user can secure each of hanging members26,27, and28to the over-the-door rack11at any location along the length of the over-the-door rack11as shown inFIG. 3Bwith respect to hanging member26. In this embodiment, a user can attach one hanging member, two hanging members, three hanging members, or more onto the over-the-door rack11, at different spaces apart depending on the desired configuration. For example, if a user wishes to hang short garments, like children's towels and clothes on the over-the-door rack11, the user may decide to secure the hanging members to the over-the-door rack11closer together because children's garments and towels may hang shorter on the over-the-door rack11than a full-size towel or adult garments. As another example, a user in a wheelchair, may choose secure the hanging members26,27, and28a farther distance away from the suspension hooks12,13and closer to a middle portion of the vertical length of the door for easier access. As another example, an adult user who wishes to have their child hang the child's towel on the over-the-door rack11after the child has bathed may also wish to store the adult user's items on the over-the-door rack11while keeping those items out of reach of the child. In this instance, a user may secure hanging member26to the over-the-door rack11near the suspension hooks12,13to hang or store items desired to be kept out of reach of the child, and may secure hanging member28a farther distance away from the suspension hooks12,13and closer to a middle portion of the vertical length of the door10on which the child can access and hang the child's towel. Hanging members26,27, and28are not limited to being releaseably attachable by holes300and protrusions301, and could be releaseably attachable by Velcro®, adhesive, buttons, tabs, and the like. As another example, the hanging members26,27, and28may be spring loaded along a length of each of the hanging members26,27, and28, and may be attached to the over-the-door rack11by contracting the spring, placing the hanging members26,27, and28in between the vertical members14, and15and releasing the springs of the hanging members26,27, and28when each is positioned as desired by the user. As another example, the vertical members14,15may have a plurality of ridges, and hanging members26,27, and28may have tabs or other protrusions configured to snap, be pressed into, or otherwise securely engage with the plurality of ridges. As yet another example, the hanging members26,27, and28may have hooks that may be placed into the plurality of holes300such that the hanging members26,27, and28are releaseably attached to the over-the-door rack11.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a perspective view is shown of the suspension hooks12, and13having been placed over the top horizontal plane of the door10. Suspension hooks12, and13have a front portion52that extends vertically down the surface of the door10on which the over-the-door rack11hangs, a top portion53that extends horizontally across the top horizontal plane of the door10, and a back portion54that extends vertically down the surface of the door10opposite the side on which the over-the-door rack11hangs. It should be understood that the suspension hooks12, and13are not limited to being “C” shaped. In addition, the top portion53of the suspension hooks12, and13may be configured to be wide enough to accommodate an average width of a top horizontal plane of an average door10. As another example, the top portions53may be adjustable, for example, the top portions53may comprise two telescoping portions that can extend or retract to accommodate doors having different widths. As another example, the suspension hooks12, and13may be made of releasable clamps that have a default closed position wherein the front portion52and back portion54are pressed together, and wherein the suspension hooks12, and13may be placed in an open position by separating the front portion52and back portion54to place the top horizontal plane of the door10in between the front portion52and the back portion54.

Further, the over-the-door rack11is not limited to hanging on a door by two suspension hooks12,13. For example, in another embodiment, the over-the-door rack11may have straps that extend vertically along the door10around the top horizontal plane of the door10, down the side of the door opposite to the over-the-door rack11, around the bottom horizontal plane of the door10, and back up the side of the door10on which the over-the-door rack11hangs, and attached to hanging member28. The straps could be elastic straps, leather straps, fabric straps, and the like, and could attach to hanging member28by Velcro®, magnets, hooks, tabs, buttons, toggles, latches, and the like. As another example, the suspension hooks12, and13may be straps with “C” shaped suspension hooks at the end, and extend vertically around the top horizontal plane of the door10, down the side of the door opposite to the over-the-door rack11, and grasp the bottom horizontal plane of the door10by means of the “C” shaped suspension hooks in the same manner as the suspension hooks12, and13are shown inFIG. 2in relation to the top horizontal plane of the door10.

The suspension hooks12, and13may be enclosed in a rubber coating, for example, PLASTI DIP®, or other water-proof coating. This may protect the suspension hooks12, and13from rusting or other water damage, and accordingly may protect the surface of the door10from scratches, marks, and rusting or other water damage. In addition, providing a rubber coating on suspension hooks12, and13may help prevent the over-the-door rack from sliding back and forth on the top horizontal plane of the door10as the door10is opened and closed, and as towels or garments or other items are hung on and taken off the over-the-door rack11. For individuals and families living in apartments or other rented housing, rules are often in place preventing the installation of any permanent fixtures, and prohibiting the marking, marring, drilling, scraping, or other damaging of doors, walls, and surfaces. Individuals and families living with such rules in place cannot use over-the-door racks that must be permanently affixed onto a door. Enclosing the suspension hooks12, and13in a coating enables such individuals and families to use an over-the-door rack that will not damage a door. Further, the entire surface area50may be coated with a rubber coating. The coating is not limited to being rubber, and could be any waterproof, substantially waterproof, water-resistant material, or other material configured to protect the over-the-door rack11from rust, and to protect the door10from damage caused by contact with the over-the-door rack, for example, plastic, tape, and the like.

Also shown inFIG. 4is an embodiment of hanging member26in which name card pockets601are disposed between horizontal member16aand horizontal member16b. Name card pockets601are shown having slots600into which name cards602can be inserted. This embodiment may applied to each hanging member26,27, and28, and may be particularly advantageous on the hanging member positioned lowest on the over-the-door rack11so that children can have ownership of a part of a hanging member that they can use to hang their towel, garment, or other item. This enables a child to have a sense of pride in hanging their towel, garment, or other item, because they have a designated location to use and keep tidy. The name card pockets601may be made of plastic, glass, or other see-through material. The hanging member26and other hanging members are not limited to having name card pockets601into which name cards602can be inserted, and may instead be white boards or chalk boards on which a child could write its name with a dry-erase marker or chalk, respectively.

Another embodiment is shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, in which horizontal support member30may be made of a strap30a, such as a strap made of leather, elastic, rubber, plastic, or the like, and be configured to extend horizontally around the door10. In this embodiment, horizontal support member30may comprise and be secured by a clasp30b, or other attachment mechanism such as Velcro®, magnets, hooks, tabs, buttons, toggles, latches, and the like. As another example, each of the horizontal support member30, the hanging members26,27, and28may have a strap or set of straps configured to secure the over-the-door rack11by looping around the door10, shown as30a,26a,27a, and28a. Each of these straps30a,26a,27a, and28amay be secured by a clasp,30b,26b,27b, and28b, respectively, or other attachment mechanism such as Velcro®, magnets, hooks, tabs, buttons, toggles, latches, and the like. The straps30a,26a,27a, and28amay be made of or coated with a non-slip material such as rubber to prevent movement of the over-the-door rack11when in use. The portion of the straps30a,26a,27a, and28aand any portion of the clasps30b,26b,27b, and28bthat must be placed through the space between the door10and the frame of the door10may be flat, or have a width small enough for passage through the space between the door10and the frame of the door10such that the door10may open and close without becoming jammed, encumbered, stuck, or otherwise limited by the straps30a,26a,27a, and28aand clasps30b,26b,27b, and28b. In this embodiment, a first and second suspension hook may not be necessary to affix the over-the-door rack11to a door10.

Referring now toFIG. 6A, a side view of another embodiment of the over-the-door rack11is shown. The hanging member27extends a first distance D1away from a door10, in which the first distance is perpendicular to the door10, by members B such that hanging member27is farther away from the door10than hanging member28. Hanging member26is shown extending a second distance D2away from the door10, in which the second distance is perpendicular to the door10, by members A such that hanging member26extends farther away from the door10than the third hanging member28and hanging member27. In this embodiment, the first distance D1and second distance D2provide space for each of the hanging members26,27, and28to have towels or garments hanging thereon to dry such that the portion of towels and garments hanging down from the over-the-door rack11are not touching one another or laying on top of one another. This may facilitate faster drying and help prevent mold and odor from occurring. As shown in the top view inFIG. 6B, members A position the hanging member26a distance D2away from the door10. Additional towels or garments can be stored within the first distance D1and second distance D2between the hooks disposed on hanging member27and the vertical members14,15, and between the hooks disposed on hanging member26and the vertical members14,15, by laying a rolled up or folded towel across members A. Members A and members B may be solid material such as metal, wood, or plastic, or may be extendable, for example, by telescoping, or by an accordion or helical material that is retractably extendable.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a back view of the suspension hooks12, and13are show extending over the top horizontal plane of the door10and onto the back of the door10. Suspension hooks12, and13are shown having a first set of holes31, and a second set of holes32. The first and second set of holes31, and32may provide a user of the over-the-door rack the ability to permanently attach the over-the-door rack11to a door, by placing a fastener, such as a nail or screw through each of the first set of holes31, the second set of holes32, or both the first and second sets of holes31,32into the door10. The first and second sets of holes31,32provide a user the option of permanent attachment if for example, the user purchases a home or does not have rules prohibiting marring or permanent alteration to the door. The first and second sets of holes31,32are not limited to being located on the back portions54, and may be located on the front portions52, the top portions53, or on a combination of portions52,53, and54of the suspension hooks12,13. It should be understood that the first and second sets of holes31,32are not limited to being holes, and may be bores, perforations, slots, recesses, channels, or the like. Further, suspension hooks12,13may have no sets of holes.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a side view of a portion of the over-the-door rack11according to one embodiment is shown. A rounded hook20is shown on hanging member27and a doublehook21is shown on hanging member28. Double hook21is shown with a towel40hanging thereon. Rounded hook20and double hook21may have a textured coating to further prevent slippage of the towel40from the rounded hook20. For example, rounded hook20and double hook21may have a series of ridges or rubberized bumps, or the like.

Referring now toFIG. 9A, a front perspective view of the over-the-door rack11is shown, with the rounded hooks19being used to hold a single towel40. As shown, a towel40may be rolled and placed horizontally onto the rounded hooks19for storage. This may be particularly useful for clean towels, or towels that have dried on the over-the-door rack11. As shown with respect to hanging member27, a user may also place more than one towel40across multiple of the rounded hooks20. It should be understood that hanging members26and27are not limited to having rounded hooks19,20, and could each have a continuous curved shelf29as shown inFIG. 9B, or one of hanging members26and27could have a continuous curved shelf29. Continuous curved shelf29could be made out of a material through which moisture can drip, such as mesh, or a screen, or may be a solid waterproof material such as plastic or treated wood or other material. It should be understood that continuous curved shelf29could have enclosed sides such that moisture from an object placed therein could be contained within the continuous curved shelf29.

The over-the-door rack11is not limited to having three hanging members26,27, and28, and could have less hanging members, or more than three hanging members. Further, it should be understood that the over-the-door rack11is not limited to having two different types of hooks: rounded hooks19,20, and double hooks21. For example, each hanging member of the over-the-door rack11may have the same hooks, or may each have different hooks disposed thereon, or each may have a plurality of differently shaped hooks disposed thereon.

Referring now toFIG. 10, a close-up perspective view of a double hook21is shown. The double hook21is a continuous ring of rigid material curved into a first hook portion61and a second hook portion62. The first hook portion61extends to a first end portion63. The second hook portion62extends to a second end portion64. The second hook portion62that has a length greater than the length of the first hook portion61. However, it should be understood that the length of the first hook portion61is not limited to being less than the length of the second hook portion62. For example, first portion61and second portion62may have the same length. As another example, the second portion62may have a length that is less than the length of the first portion61. Double hook21is shown as a continuous loop of material shaped into a curve that forms first hook portion61and second hook portion62. Each of first hook portion61and second hook portion62provide an attachment point on which a child or other individual can hang a towel, garment, or other item. For example, a child could hang a towel on first hook portion61, and a loofah or washcloth or body scrubber on the second hook portion62. The continuous loop of material of double hook21provides a smooth surface that a child will not snag their towel or garment on, and protects children from rough hook end points that are present in other hooks. A child quickly hanging their towel on a double hook21cannot be injured by scraping their hand or arm on the double hook because the continuous loop of material does not have a rough end point.

The continuous loop shape of double hook21providing a smooth hook with no sharp end points may be particularly advantageous for use as a handle when hanging the over-the-door rack11on a door10. A user can lift the over-the-door rack11by grasping one or more of the double hooks21and lifting the over-the-door rack11such that the suspension hooks12, and13can go over the top horizontal plane of the door10, as shown inFIG. 11. This embodiment may be useful for children, persons with disabilities or other limitations, or persons having a height that is less than an average height because it allows installation of the over-the-door rack11without a user needing to be able to reach the top horizontal plane of a door10with the user's hands. The double hooks21may have rubberized grips, or may have one or more ridges to facilitate a user's ability to grip the double hooks21with the user's hands.

Referring now toFIG. 12, an exemplary embodiment of the over-the-door rack11is shown with hanging member28being used to hang a child's towel41. The child's towel41has a hood70and two hand covers71. The child's towel can be spread out for more efficient and sanitary drying by placing the hood70on one of the rounded hooks21and spreading the hand covers71away from the hood70and hanging them on separate rounded hooks21. A towel40that does not have a hood or hand covers could also be hung in this same manner. In that instance, a user may hang a towel40across multiple of the rounded hooks21. A child's towel41or other towel40can be hung on the first hook portion61or second hook portion of the rounded hooks21. For example, as shown inFIG. 12, the hood70of the child's towel41has been hung on the first end portion63of one of the rounded hooks21, and the hand covers71have been hung on a second end portion64. Hanging member27and hanging member26can also be used to hold other objects such as a scrubber41, and a loofah43.

Referring now toFIG. 13A, a partial view of the over-the-door rack11is shown. The over-the-towel rack11is shown comprising a plurality of bumpers80disposed on a back surface of the over-the-door rack11. The back surface is the surface of the over-the-door rack11that abuts the surface of the door10when the over-the-door rack11is hanging on the door10. The bumpers80may be made of any soft material, for example, felt, rubber, cloth, silicone, cardboard, cotton, and the like. The bumpers80may be disposed on the over-the-door rack11by glue, tape, adhesive, or by any other means. The bumpers80may further protect the surface of the door10from marring, marks, damage, chips, and dents otherwise caused by the over-the-door rack11coming into contact with the surface of the door10. This may be especially so when a user slams the door10closed or open. The bumpers80may be disposed in any configuration on the over-the-door rack11. The bumpers80are not limited to having a circular shape. For example, the bumpers80may be strips, squares, triangles, and the like.

The over-the-door rack11may have a single bumper80that is rectangular in shape and forms a backing that spans the back surface of the over-the-door rack11, as shown inFIG. 13B. The bumper80may be made of a bacteria-resistant material, a waterproof material, a water-resistant material, or other material that has a softness sufficient to protect the surface of the door10from marking, scraping, scratching, chipping, denting, and the like caused by contact with the over-the-door rack11.

Referring now toFIG. 14, another embodiment is shown in which the over-the-door rack11is double sided. The door10is shown having a first face10A and a second face10B. A first side100of the over-the-door rack11hangs down the first face10A. A second side101of the over-the-door rack11extends from the front portions53of the suspension hooks12,13down the second face10B of the door10. The second side101may have two vertical members and hanging members having a plurality of hooks disposed thereon. The first side100and the second side101may extend parallel to one another down the door10. In this embodiment, the first side100of the over-the-door rack11has the same configuration as the second side101of the over-the-door rack, though it should be understood that the over-the-door rack11is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first side100may have a configuration comprising three hanging members26,27,28, and the second side101may have one hanging member. Any configuration of the first side100and second side101is contemplated. As another example, the first side100of the over-the-door rack11may have a single static length, and the second side101may have an adjustable length enabled by elastic cords as described above with respect toFIGS. 2A-2C. As an additional example, each of the first side100and the second side101may have different hooks, or the same hooks, for example, the first side100may have all rounded hooks19,20, and the second side101may have all double hooks21. Further, the first side100may extend lower down the door10than the second side101, or vice versa.

Referring now toFIG. 15, hanging member28is shown with a plurality of double hooks21. Hanging member28is shown having telescoping members A. Affixed to hanging member28, including telescoping members A is a flexible container410having an opening412. Flexible container410may be made of cloth, plastic, mesh, or other flexible material. In this embodiment, a user can extend hanging member28by pulling it in direction D1. The flexible container410is configured to extend with hanging member28such that the opening412is positioned such that objects can be received into opening412and into the flexible container410. A user could store items used in the room in which the over-the-door rack11is used. In the case of a bathroom, a user, such as a child, could store the child's own toothpaste, bath toys, tooth brush, floss, or other items in the flexible container410. To close the opening412of the flexible container410, the child simply retracts the telescoping members A by pushing hanging member28opposite of direction D1. Items the child has hung on the double hooks21can remain in place when the child is using the flexible container410. Flexible container410may further teach a child independence and responsibility by providing the child its very own place to store the items it uses in a room the most. As another example, if the over-the-door rack11is affixed to a child's bedroom door, a child may store a hairbrush, a glasses case, stationary materials the child uses in school, or other handy items in the flexible container410, and the child may hang its jacket, a ball cap, or other garments on the double hooks21. The flexible container410may also be configured to have multiple sections or compartments such that multiple children can store items in the flexible container410, or such that a child can organize different categories of items for storage in the flexible container. Each hanging member26,27, and28may be configured to have a separate flexible container.

Referring now toFIGS. 16A-16C, an embodiment of hanging member28is shown in which hanging member28comprises an extendable shelf structure400. Shown inFIG. 16A, hanging member28has telescoping members401. Attached to hanging member28is an extendable shelf structure400that has two retractably extendable walls410. Vertical members14and15are shown each comprising an attachment mechanism411. The extendable shelf structure is shown having two attachment strings412. Shown inFIG. 16B, the telescoping members401have been extended by pulling hanging member in direction D1. Shown inFIG. 16C, the extendable shelf structure400is configured to extend downwards in direction D2such that a plurality of shelves403,404, and405of the extendable shelf structure400open to receive items. The extendable shelf structure400is shown secured by attachment strings412attaching to attachment mechanisms411. The attachment strings412may be attached to attachment mechanisms411by tying, hooking, sticking, or the like. For example, attachment mechanisms412may be buttons, hooks, protrusions with mushroom-shaped heads, and the like. When a child is learning the responsibility of hanging their own towel or garment on over-the-door rack11, the child can also learn how to fold and put away their towel when it is dry. When the towel or garment is dry, the child can take it off of a double hook21, fold the towel or garment, and place it into one of the shelves403,404,405. The extendable walls410may extend by an accordion shape, or may extend and retract by a chain and a hook in which the extendable walls410could be retracted and secured in a retracted position by hooking a chain affixed to the extendable walls410to a hook disposed on telescoping members401.

In another embodiment shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B, the over-the-door rack11may comprise one or more pockets451extending between vertical members14, and15, out of which one or more mirrors452can extend. The mirrors452shown inFIGS. 17A and 17Bmay have handles450that a child could grasp to pull one of the mirrors452out for use. A child may use their own mirror452to brush their teeth, brush their hair, floss, or other activity. Often times, many people in a household need a mirror to get ready for school or work, but there is only one mirror in a bathroom. The mirrors452on the over-the-door rack11provide a location for a child to get ready that is their own, allowing other individuals in a home to use other mirrors in the house. This enables efficiency in getting ready for busy families, while making the over-the-door rack11more child-friendly. For a child, seeing themself in a mirror452may also instill a sense of pride and ownership regarding the over-the-door rack11, making children more excited to use the over-the-door rack11and learn responsibility and self-care. The over-the-door rack11could have a single pocket451with a single mirror452. As another example, the over-the-door rack could have a pocket above each hanging member26,27, and28for children of different ages to use.

The over-the-door rack11may comprise additional child-friendly responsibility tools, for example, a reward chart may hang from the over-the-door rack11, or the over-the-door rack11may comprise a bell or other auditory device that the child can ring or sound when they have accomplished the task of hanging up their towel or garment on the over-the-door rack11. A reward chart could be configured to be written on to keep track of the number of times a child has hung up their towel or garment, to assign hanging duties to certain children, or the like. A reward chart could be magnetic and have magnets to keep track of a child's towel responsibilities.

Referring now toFIGS. 18A-H, the double hooks21are not limited to the shape shown inFIG. 10, and are further not limited to being permanently disposed on hanging member28. Referring now toFIG. 18, a plurality of double hooks21is shown each having a different educational shape, including numbers and letters. The alphabet and number shapes can be achieved while preserving a continuous loop of material and the smoothness resulting therefrom. As shown inFIGS. 18A-H, each double hook21has a first hook portion61and a second hook portion62, and no matter what shape, letter or number a double hook21takes, there are multiple attachment points on which a child could hang a towel, garment, or other item. Further, each double hook21shown inFIG. 18comprises multiple attachment points550on the back of each double hook (not shown), for example the attachment points550may protrusions like the protrusions301shown inFIG. 3A. In one embodiment, hanging member28may have a plurality of holes, slits, adhesive points, or other attachment mechanisms with which the attachment points550can engage to secure the double hooks21to hanging member28. In this embodiment, a child can assist an adult or caregiver in assembly of the over-the-door rack by choosing the positioning of the double hooks21. Using the educational shapes shown inFIG. 18SA-H, a child can learn the alphabet or numbers by placing the double hooks21in the correct alphabetical or numerical order from left to right on hanging member28, or the child could use the correct double hooks21needed to spell their own name by placing the double hooks21shaped like letters in the correct order from left to right on hanging member28. It is contemplated that double hooks21could be shaped into any number, letter, or symbol, and are not limited to being shaped into Arabic numerals or English letters, and could be any language letters and numbers.

Referring now toFIGS. 19A-19D, character head800is shown comprising a double hook slot801. The double hook slot801is configured to receive the second hook portion62of a double hook21. Often times, children are more receptive to learning and taking on responsibility when their favorite characters from books, movies, television, or comics are a part of the task to be learned. Accordingly, character heads800can be used to make double hooks21more child-friendly. Character head800is shown shaped like a cat head, but it should be understood that character head800could be shaped like any head, such as any animal, movie characters, book characters, and the like, for example, Mickey Mouse®. Character head800may be configured to comprise a clamping mechanism that a child could use to clamp onto their towel or garment to help spread out their towel or garment among different double hooks21to make the drying process quicker and more sanitary. The clamping mechanism could have an amusing placement, for example, the clamping mechanism could be configured such that when a child squeezes the character head800, the character head's800mouth opens and when the child releases the character head800, the mouth of the character head800closes to make the character head800appear to be biting or eating the child's towel or garment. The character head800can also be used to designate ownership of a particular double hook. For example, a family with multiple children could teach each child the responsibility of hanging their towel or garment all by themselves by giving each child a different character head800and having the child pick their own double hook21. Each child could place their individual character head800on a different double hook21so each child knows which double hook21is theirs to use. A character head800may be made out of a water-resistant or waterproof material such as plastic or rubber. A character head800may also be used as a bath toy, which may make a child more excited about hanging up their own towel or garment after a bath or shower, because the child can play with the character head800, and then store the character head800on a double hook21and hang their towel or garment over the character head800or use a clamping mechanism of the character head800. In this manner, the character head800forms a holistically positive experience for the child that will keep them interested in taking on more responsibility.

Referring now toFIG. 20, the over-the-door rack11may come to the user as a kit of components that can be assembled into over-the-door rack11. In one embodiment shown inFIG. 20, an over-the-door rack11kit may comprise first vertical member14and second vertical member15each having a plurality of holes300, first suspension hook12and second suspension hook13, hanging member26having rounded hooks19, hanging member27having rounded hooks20, and hanging member28a plurality of holes302configured to receive attachment mechanisms550of the double hooks21. Each hanging member26,27, and28may have protrusion301that can engage with the plurality of holes300on first vertical member14and second vertical member15. The over-the-door rack11kit is also shown including double hooks21each having a different letter shape. The over-the-door rack11kit also comprises a second container901containing a plurality of different character heads800having double hook slots801. The double hooks21and character heads800may come in plastic containers900. The over-the-door rack11kit is not limited to including the embodiments or parts shown inFIG. 20, and could include any of the embodiments or parts described herein, and any combinations thereof. The over-the-door rack11kit may come in a container such as a box950. This embodiment may be advantageous because it permits the over-the-door rack11to be purchased in a form that takes up less space than an assembled over-the-door rack. This embodiment also enables a user to put together the over-the-door rack in a configuration that suits their individual needs.

Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order.