Clothes rack

Support rod for use between a wall and a rail and having an outer tubular rod, an inner rod telescopically receivable within the outer rod, a spring within the outer rod and engagable with the inner rod for normally biasing it outwardly of the outer rod, engaging means on the free ends of the outer and inner rods, for engaging the wall and rail, retaining means on one of the engaging means extending into the free end of the outer rod, and, spring attachment means on the retaining means for attaching the spring within the outer rod.

The invention relates to a rack for hanging clothing, in a room, typically 
a bathroom. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It is desirable, in various locations, to erect a rail or rack from which 
clothing can be hung. In the majority of cases, such a rail or rack must 
be attached to the wall, by special fastenings. In many cases, however, 
such as in closets, bathrooms, hotel rooms and the like, it is clearly 
impossible to install a permanent fixture. Where the clothing is wet, and 
must be drip-dried, then it is desirable to hang the clothing directly 
over the bathtub. Bathtubs are usually installed with a rail for carrying 
a shower curtain, but when clothing is suspended from such a rail water 
will drip onto the floor rather than the bathtub. 
Accordingly, there have been proposed in the past, devices which can be 
attached between the shower rail and the enclosure around the bathtub. One 
such device is shown in Canadian Letters Patent No. 748,729. In that case, 
a pair of tubular rods are arranged in a telescoping formation, and a 
spring is located in the larger of the two rods, forcing the small rod 
outwardly. 
One of the rods is provided with a pad for engaging the enclosure around 
the tub, and the other rod is provided with a hook for engaging the shower 
rail. 
The device worked effectively, but has proved relatively expensive to 
manufacture. 
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a device of the same 
type, but which incorporates modifications in the structure of the hook 
and modifications in the fastening of the hook to the spring, and the 
securing of the hook in the free end of the rod, so as to make the entire 
structure cheaper to manufacture. At the same time an improved appearance 
is provided, giving the device a more marketable appealing design. 
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are 
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed with particularity in 
the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better 
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific 
objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying 
drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and 
described preferred embodiments of the invention.

As shown in the drawings, the device illustrated generally as 10, is shown 
in use between a shower curtain rail R and an enclosure E, around a 
bathtub (not shown). Hangers H are shown supported on the device 10, the 
hangers H being located perpendicularly above the bathtub in such a manner 
that wet clothing thereon may drip-dry, and the water will collect and 
pass down the waste receptacle from the bathtub. 
As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clothes rack 10 will be seen 
to comprise two tubular rods 12 and 14, the rod 14 being of smaller 
diameter than the rod 12 so that it may telescope within rod 12. 
At the outer free ends of rods 12 and 14 engaging means are provided for 
engaging the wall, and rail. Thus, at one end of rod 14 there is provided 
a pad 16 formed with an integral socket 18 fitting around the tube 14 as 
shown. The pad 16 is formed of molded thermoplastic material, and may have 
a frictional surface designed not to slip on the tiles of the enclosure E. 
However, in fact, it is found in practice that in normal use such slippage 
is no problem. 
Tube 12 is provided at one end with an integral molded thermoplastic body 
indicated as 20. The body 20 comprises a generally rectangular flat end 
stop 22, having an upwardly projecting semicircular hook portion 24. The 
hook portion 24 subtends an arc somewhat greater than 180.degree., and is 
sufficiently resilient that it may be expanded to snap over the rail R and 
then hold itself securely in place. 
Desirably, the end stop portion 22 is located below one end of the hook 
portion 24 for reasons to be described below. 
Projecting normal to end stop 22, there is provided a generally elongated 
cruciform structure 26, provided with generally wedge shaped inserts 28. 
The inserts 28 have a generally semicircular arcuate free edge, and define 
a generally circular profile adapted to fit snugly within tube 12 (FIG. 
2). 
The cruciform structure 26 likewise defines a cross-section which is 
adapted to fit snugly within tube 12 (FIG. 2). 
It will of course be appreciated that the rail-engaging hook 24 could be 
replaced by a wall pad similar to pad 16, and the pad 16 could be replaced 
by a hook, without altering the inventive principles. 
A spring 30 is located within tube 12, and is fastened at one end by means 
of a hook 32 passing through a suitable hole in the cruciform structure 
26. In its undeformed state, spring 30 may not reach from one end of tube 
12 to the other. 
The other end of the spring 30 is free to travel within the tube 12. It 
will thus be seen that the tube 14, upon being inserted into the tube 12 
as shown in FIG. 2, will engage the spring 30, and further insertion of 
the tube 14 will thus compress the spring 30. 
The cruciform structure 26 is inserted into the open end of tube 12 and 
makes a snug push fit. In order to retain it in position, one or more 
indentations 34 are then formed in the tube 12 adjacent to the inserts 28, 
between the inserts 28 and the end stop 22, so that it cannot thereafter 
be withdrawn. 
In use, the tube 14 is inserted into the open end of tube 12, and will 
engage the spring 30. In order to attach it in position as shown in FIG. 
1, the tube 14 is forced into tube 12 and compresses the spring 30. The 
hook 24 is then snapped over the rail R, and the end stop 16 can then be 
released against the enclosure E. The spring 30 will thus press the pad 16 
firmly against the enclosure E. 
Any tendency for the hook portion 24 to become dislodged, is prevented by 
button 36. 
In the event that the enclosure E is of unusual width dimensions, one or 
more tube extensions 38 may be introduced into tube 12 so as to extend 
tube 14 to a greater distance. Of course, tube extensions 36 cannot be so 
long as to prevent tube 14 from being inserted into tube 12 or the device 
would fall apart. Extensions 38 will normally be of tubular construction, 
designed to fit snugly within tube 12, and to engage spring 30 and tube 
14. Thus they may be end portions of tube 14 cut off for the purpose. 
Alternatively, they may be molded thermoplastic structures. 
It will be observed that there is nothing securing the tube 14 within the 
tube 12. Thus the tube 14 can simply be completely removed for shipping 
and storage. The spring 30 is retained within tube 12 by means of hook 32 
engaged in cruciform structure 26 so that it cannot become lost. 
Having described what is believed to be the best mode by which the 
invention may be performed, it will be seen that the invention may be 
particularly defined as follows: 
Support rod apparatus for use in association with two structures such as a 
wall, and rail means spaced from such wall, for removably locating a 
support rod extending between said structures, said apparatus comprising 
outer tubular rod means shorter than the spacing between said structures, 
inner rod means telescopically receivable within said outer rod means, and 
being shorter than the spacing between said structures, spring means 
located within said outer rod means, and engageable with said inner rod 
means for normally biasing the same outwardly of said outer rod means, 
structure engaging means on the free ends of said outer and inner rod 
means, for engaging said structures, retaining means formed integrally 
with one of said engaging means extending into said free end of said outer 
rod means for retaining same therein, and spring attachment means on said 
retaining means whereby said spring means may be attached to said 
retaining means and secured within said outer rod means for ease of 
assembly. 
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention 
which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be 
taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but 
comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the 
appended claims.