Abstract:
A modular rack for storing objects. Each rack element has forward, rear, and side walls. The rack elements are configured to have a plurality of protrusions and recessions so that the protrusions and recessions of a rack element slideably interlock with complementary recessions and protrusions of other rack elements of generally similar appearance, so that the rack elements may be assembled into a modular rack without the need of tools or external fastening elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Applicant claims priority of U.S. Design patent application, Ser. No. 29/182,631, filed May 29, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/620,519, filed Jul. 16, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to supporting racks, and more specifically, to racks which support receptacles for bottles or jars.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Numerous types of bottle racks are known in the art for storing diverse items such as bottles of wine, soda, and beer, cans of soda and beer, jars of condiments and other containers for liquids, food products, and the like.  
         [0004]     Racks, which are not designed in a modular fashion, suffer from the disadvantage that the maximum number of items which the rack may accommodate is fixed and cannot be increased because the structure is fixed.  
         [0005]     Racks which are modular suffer from the disadvantage of requiring that the individual units be fastened together by fasteners and generally require detailed assembly instructions. Such assembly generally requires tools as well as small fastening pieces such as screws and nuts which may be easily lost. Assembly of such modular units requires time and the method of assembly of the units and assembly instructions may be unduly complicated.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention herein is a rack that can be configured in any of numerous ways to maximize the storage of cans, bottles, and jars (hereinafter collectively referred to as “containers”).  
         [0007]     Briefly, the invention herein is a modular rack comprising a rack element having a plurality of protrusions and recessions that are configured to interlock with complimentary recessions and protrusions of other rack elements of generally similar appearance. Preferably, a rack element has protrusions and/or recessions at the top, bottom, and left and right sides. The rack can be expanded in all directions to fill the desired space and support the desired number of containers. The rack elements may be attached together without the need of separate fasteners or tools.  
         [0008]     Additionally, the invention herein is a rack which in certain embodiments provides insulation around container accommodating openings so that a relatively constant container temperature will be maintained and, at the same time, ventillation through the container accommodating openings is also provided to, inter alia, prevent odor.  
         [0009]     In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a rack that is structured to provide insulation of container accommodating openings by means of a double wall chamber enclosing an insulating air volume and, at the same time, ventilation through container accommodating openings is also provided to, inter alia, prevent odor. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of an element of the new rack;  
         [0011]      FIG. 1   b  is a rear elevational view of an element of the new rack in the orientation of  FIG. 1   a;    
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the rack element of  FIG. 1  rotated approximately 135° in a clockwise direction;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of an element of the new rack in the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a first arrangement of a plurality of elements of the new rack in the orientation of  FIG. 1  interconnected;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a second arrangement of a plurality of elements of the new rack in the orientation of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of an element of the new rack in receipt of two bottles;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of my invention taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of my invention taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of my invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of my invention taken long line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of yet another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment of my invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of the area of engagement of two elements of another embodiment of my invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of my invention; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of my invention taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention, may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0029]     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b , and  3 , there is disclosed therein a rack element  10 . The rack element  10  is comprised of a housing  12  having a forward wall  14 , a side wall  16 , and a rear wall  17 . The rear wall  17  is substantially identical to the forward wall  14 . The forward wall  14  has a plurality of container accommodating openings  20  defined by interior walls  22 . The interior wall  22  of each of the container accommodating openings  20  meet the forward wall  14  at edge  24 , and the rear wall  17  at edge  25 .  
         [0030]     The forward wall  14  of the housing  12  meets the side wall  16  at forward edge  26 . Similarly, the side wall  16  meets the rear wall  17  at rearward edge  28 .  
         [0031]     Each of the interior walls  22  of the container accommodating openings  20  extends from the container forward surface  24  to the rear wall  17 . Each of the container accommodating openings has a longitudinal axis and each such axis may, but is not required to be parallel to each of the other axises.  
         [0032]     The housing  12  has at least one protrusion portion  30  comprised of a head portion  32  and a neck portion  34 . The protrusion portion  30  is formed by a portion of the side, forward and rear walls,  16 ,  14  and  17 , respectively. As will be appreciated, the neck portion  34  of the forward and rear walls is more narrow than the head portion  32  of the forward and rear walls.  
         [0033]     A portion of the side wall  16 , forward wall  14 , and rear wall  17  of the housing  12  also defines at least one recession portion  40  defining a head accommodating portion  42  and a neck retaining portion  44 .  
         [0034]     The shape of the recession portion  40  is substantially similar to the shape of the protrusion portion  30 . However, the size of the recession portion  40  is slightly smaller than the size of the protrusion portion  30 . As will be discussed in further detail below, this structure allows slidable interengagement of the protrusion portion and recession portion of the rack elements in the manner described below.  
         [0035]     Next referring to  FIG. 2 , there is disclosed therein the rack element  10  of the present invention rotated approximately 135° clockwise from the position of  FIG. 1   a . As will be disclosed in greater detail hereinbelow, the rack elements may be slidably interengaged in various orientations.  
         [0036]     Next referring to  FIG. 4 , there is disclosed therein a plurality of rack elements  10  in the orientation of  FIGS. 1   a  and  3 , wherein the rack elements  10  have been slidably engaged so that the protrusion portion  30  is slidably engaged with the recession portion  40  of the adjacent rack element. In such a configuration, the head portion  32  and neck portion  34  of a first rack element are slidably interengaged and are received by the head accommodating portion  42  and neck accommodating portion  44  of a second rack element. In such a configuration, the side wall surface  16  of the protrusion portion  30  abuts the side wall surface  16  of the recession portion  40 .  
         [0037]     As will be appreciated, the interengagement of the protrusion portion and recession portion is accomplished by sliding the protrusion portion into the recession portion. In such a configuration, the neck retention portion will prevent the protrusion portion of the adjacent rack element from separating from the adjacent rack element, except in a direction perpendicular to the forward surface  14  of the housing  12 , that is, the protrusion portion  30  and recession portion  40  are slidably interengaged in a direction parallel to the side wall  16 .  
         [0038]     This interengagement produces a highly stable modular rack which is capable of expansion without the need for rearranging rack elements which have already become part of the modular rack. The modular rack is strong, easy to assemble, and the addition of additional rack elements is quick, easy and does not require the use of external fasteners or tools. Assembling the rack elements also does not require detailed instructions which might be lost or misplaced.  
         [0039]     Next referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a modular assembly of rack elements  10  in the orientation of  FIG. 2 . As will be appreciated, the rack elements in this orientation are similarly engaged with adjacent elements in the manner and pursuant to the structure set forth above. Such an arrangement is stable and allows expansion with ease and without the need for external fasteners or the like. It is advantageous to use this particular orientation of the modular rack adjacent or in areas such as next to staircases and the like which benefit from having the modular rack form an arrangement having a triangular or diagonal configuration.  
         [0040]     Next referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is disclosed therein a rack element  10  in which bottles  60  (shown by dashed lines) have been placed for storage. As will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, storage of bottles with their longitudinal axises parallel to the ground is in many instances highly advantageous. For example, with respect to the storage of wine bottles, it is preferred to store such bottles in such an alignment so that the liquid in the bottle is in contact with the cork stopper. In this configuration, the liquid will tend to keep the cork stopper (not shown) moist and, consequently, the seal provided by the cork stopper will more likely be maintained.  
         [0041]     The rack elements may be manufactured of wood, metal, plastic, foam or other similar materials. When the rack is manufactured of plastic or similar materials, the rack may be manufactured by processes such as by injection, blow or rotational molding, or formed by a casting process, which manufacturing processes are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0042]     The container accommodating openings  20  are shown in the drawings as cylinders having circular cross sections. However, container accommodating openings of elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, etc., cross-section are also possible and within the scope of the invention.  
         [0043]     Next referring to  FIG. 8 , there is disclosed therein another preferred embodiment of the rack element. In this construction, the rack element is hollow and the orientation between the forward wall  14  and the rear wall  17  is maintained by the side wall  16  and the container interior walls  22 . The remainder of the interior of the housing  12  contains air. Such a structure is extremely light, but is rigid and capable of supporting containers. Also, the air within the rack element acts as an insulator. Such a construction also enables the rack element to provide thermal insulation of containers within the container interior walls  22  while at the same time providing ventilation for the containers. This is of importance for certain containers such as wine bottles, which should be stored horizontally, protected from temperature fluctuation and light induced damage while at the same time providing adequate ventilation.  
         [0044]     Next referring to  FIG. 9 , there is disclosed therein another preferred embodiment of the rack element, wherein the orientation of the forward wall  14  and the rear wall  17  is maintained solely by the side wall  16 . In this embodiment, a container accommodating flanges  20   a  extend inwardly defining openings  20   a  in the forward wall  14  and rear wall  17 . In this embodiment, containers may be stored so that the longitudinal axis of the bottles are parallel to the ground as with container  60  or, alternatively, containers may be positioned so that the respective longitudinal axises will form an acute angle with the horizontal, such as illustrated with container  60   a  in  FIG. 9 . In certain situations, this is highly desirable if the liquid level in the container is low and it is necessary for the liquid to cover the stopper such as to prevent the stopper from drying out.  
         [0045]     The embodiment of  FIG. 9  is also desirable because it is light, and inexpensive to manufacturer. It may also be formed of a plastic by rotational molding or blow molding which are manufacturing techniques well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0046]     Next referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is shown therein yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the invention which is preferably made by an injection molding process, and wherein the rack element  11  comprises forward and rear element halves  10   a  and  10   b  which meet at seam  11 . The interior surfaces  22  of the container accommodating openings  20  have a plurality of ribs  65  extending longitudinally along the interior surface of the container accommodating interior walls  22 . Near the seam  11  of the forward element half  16   a , the ribs  65  are of slightly lower height than near the forward surface  14 . Similarly, near the seam  11  of the rear element half  16   b , the ribs  65  are of slightly lower height than the portion of the ribs  65  near the rear surface  17 . This slight asymmetry is preferable due to asymmetry of the rack element. Such asymmetry may be due to the necessity to provide a draft in each of the forward and rear element halves  10   a  and  10   b  in order to easily remove each half from the mold, i.e., the interior angles between the forward wall  14  and the interior walls  22  of the container accommodating openings  20  and the interior angles between rear wall  17  and the interior walls  22  of the container accommodating openings  20  may be slightly greater than 90 degrees to enable the rack elements to be easily removed from the mold. In a preferred embodiment, these interior angles are 91°. The ribs are structured to compensate for this and to position the containers horizontal to the ground so that environmental vibration will not tend to cause the containers to travel or slip out of the container accommodating openings.  
         [0047]     In such a structure, the containers will also be more securely retained in that they will not be subject to rolling within the container accommodating interior walls  22  or slipping out. For example, if the surface on which the rack is positioned is subject to vibration, the container will be less likely to rock within the container accommodating interior walls. As will be appreciated to those with ordinary skill in the art, if the container accommodating walls  22  are not parallel to the ground, containers may tend to slip out if the ribs  72  are omitted.  
         [0048]     It will be appreciated that ribs may also be positioned circumferentially within the container accommodating interior walls. In such a structure, ribs will be positioned along the circumference of the container accommodating interior walls. Such a structure may be desirable in circumstances in which a user may not want the surface of the container to abut the interior surface of the container accommodating walls along the length of the opening. For example, a user having a rare, fine wine may want to avoid damaging or marring the wine label. In such circumstances, circumferential ribs in the container accommodating opening would prevent the label of the container from being marred or damaged.  
         [0049]     In this alternative preferred embodiment, the rack element  10  is comprised of two element halves, a forward element half  10   a  and rear element half  10   b . The forward and rear element halves  10   a  and  10   b  meet at seam  11 . The forward and rear elements halves  10   a  and  10   b  are held together by glue or other attachment means well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0050]     Leveling ridges  13  are also provided where, because of the draft, the sidewall  16  is not perpendicular to the forward or rear walls,  14  and  17 . The leveling ridges  13  increase in thickness as the distance from the seam increases. The increase in thickness of the leveling ridges is an amount to compensate for the sidewalls  16   a  and  16   b  not being perpendicular to the forward wall  14  and rear wall  17 , respectively, thus maintaining the stability of the rack element  10  on the supporting surface (not shown).  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , there is disclosed another preferred embodiment of my invention. The rack element  10  is shown with an electrical light assembly affixed to the rear wall  17 . The light sources comprise a two element electrical cord  75 , a bulb socket  77 , and a light source  79 . In a preferred embodiment, the light source may comprise a light emitting diode or some other light source which does not generate heat. Such light sources may be of various glass and difference colors may be utilized in difference rack elements. In this embodiment, the rack element may be comprised of polypropylene or other transparent or semi-transparent material. In this configuration, the effect of the light of a single rack element and a plurality of each effect of the light of a single rack element and a plurality of each element is esthetically pleasing to the observer without degrading the advantages of the invention.  
         [0052]     Next, referring to  FIGS. 14, 15 ,  16  and  17 , there is disclosed therein another preferred embodiment of my invention. In this embodiment, the rack element  10 , is comprised of a forward wall  14 , a partial forward side wall  16 A, a rear wall  17 , a partial rearward sidewall  16 B and members  100 . The forward sidewall  16 A and rearward sidewall  16 B have edges  102  and  104  respectively. As will be understood by those skilled in the art the edges  102  and  104  do not abut in this embodiment in my invention. On the inward surface of the forward wall  14  and inner surface of the rear wall  17  there are present member receiving fastening elements  110  with member receiving channels  112 . The member receiving channels  112  are of a diameter sufficient to accept an end portion of a member  100 , but sufficiently small to prevent the end portion of the member  110  from being easily moved within the member receiving channel  112 .  
         [0053]     Perpendicular to the forward wall  14  and rearward wall  17  there are located interior walls  22 A. Each of the interior walls  22 A has an edge  115 . Each of the interior walls  22 A in the forward wall  14  is located in corresponding relationship with a respective interior wall  22 A in the rear wall  17 . The interior walls  22 A are of a depth relative to the forward and rear walls  14 ,  17  such that the edges  115  of corresponding interior walls  22 A may or may not abut (in alternative embodiments).  
         [0054]     The members  100  are of substantially equal length and the ends may be received within the member receiving channels  112  of the fastening elements  110 . Each of the fastening elements  110  and member receiving channels  112  on the inner surface of the forward wall  14  and on the inner surface of rear wall  17 , respectively, are in corresponding relationship. In this relationship, each end of the members  100  is mated with a fastening element  110  on the inner surface of the forward wall  14  and a corresponding fastening element  110  on the inner surface of the rear wall  17 . Thus, the position of the forward and rear walls  14 ,  17  relative to each other is maintained and the unit has structural integrity.  
         [0055]     At locations along the edges  102  and  104  there are located tabs  120 . The tabs  120  project outwardly and perpendicularly to the sidewalls  16 A and  16 B. The tabs  120  are located such that the tabs  120  may engage the edges  102  and  104 , respectively, of adjacent rack units. Thus, the rack units in this embodiment will be restrained from sliding forward or rearward relative to each other.  
         [0056]     This embodiment has an open and spacious appearance and is more compatible with certain styles or modes of furniture and architecture.  
         [0057]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one who is skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the above-description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic or descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.