Abstract:
A rack system for equipment includes a main support, a holder coupled to the main support, with the holder being slideably adjustable with respect to the main support and a support extension, coupled to the holder, including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted to abut a support structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/762,538, filed on Jan. 27, 2006. The full disclosure of this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a rack system for holding and securing sports equipment. More specifically, the rack system is designed to be simple to assemble, to be fully adjustable, reconfigurable and expandable, and to be able to mount a variety of sporting or other equipment holders.  
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
       [0003]     One of the key problems involved with equipment storage, especially sporting equipment, is that gear needs to be quickly and securely stowed, and also quickly retrieved. Storage systems that have complicated mechanisms are often avoided by users because of the time that it takes to secure gear. Sporting equipment that is not properly and securely stored can be jostled and accidentally moved, lead to breakage. Furthermore, from an equipment owners standpoint, especially in the retail, rental or lodge settings, racks are more often than not fixed configurations and incapable of being changed out or reconfigured for better use. Thus, for example, a resort that provides skiing in the winter and other activities in the summer may have ski racks that are usable for only one portion of the year. In addition, the advances in ski technology have rendered certain systems useless due to limitations in size of skis that can be secured. Thus, for example, a retailer may have to purchase new display systems when the width of skis popular with consumers changes and the display system is designed to accommodate only one or a few sizes. In a home environment, it is also important for a storage system to be a presentation system that allows for equipment to be presented in a pleasing manner. Users that spend time and money on the appearance of their equipment often like to display their equipment in a manner that allows others to view the equipment and thus their storage needs go beyond mere utilitarian purposes. It is also important in the home or consumer environment to be able to expand the system as consumers&#39; needs grow due to additional sports equipment that may be aquired.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,007 to Chiarot discloses a modular ski rack and mounting kit that includes a bracket member mounted to a wall and one or more ski hanger modules. Each hanger module is adjustable or slideable with respect to the bracket member and are fixed thereto by fasteners. Each hanger module also includes two wall members with a flap therebetween for receiving a pair of skis, thereby suspending the skis. The ski rack is applicable only to skis and there is no conception of a system that allows for multiple types of equipment to be stored. In addition, the system has a somewhat bulky appearance and does not allow for an organized presentation of the equipment being stored.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,177 to Oren discloses a device for holding skis including a rail with arms fixed to the rail by screws. At the opposite ends of arms, ears are formed that support first and second shafts which each carry two rollers formed of a yielding material, such as rubber or plastic. In the gap between the rollers, two skis may be forcibly inserted against the bias of arms, thereby suspending the skis. This system is also applicable only to storage of skis, and does not provide the desired ease of storage and retrieval because of the need for the forcible insertion.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,797 to Egan discloses a ski rack including a frame and a plurality of retainer blocks mounted thereto. Each set of blocks is adapted to receive a single ski, where the retainer blocks are mounted to frame for slideable movement along a gap between top and bottom rails. In operation the user positions the set of opposed blocks along the gap so that appropriate space is provided therebetween to accommodate a ski or other elongated objects. The system is also applicable only to skis and objects of similar shape, relies on their change in width along their length to secure the skis, and does not provide ease of storage in that complicated motions must be made to retrieve the skis.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,725 to Glass discloses a ski bracket that includes a mounting board against which pairs of skis are removeably retained. The bracket is a generally triangular member with a flat base along one side for mounting purposes. The bracket is bent to define a ski hook end and a ski pole end. This system is for use in ski storage only and is not conceived of for use in storing other equipment. The system also lacks the ability to be horizontally adjustable and does not allow for presentation of the equipment being stored.  
         [0008]     Thus, there is a need in the prior art to have storage systems and methods that have a sleek modular look and a robust feel. There is also a need for a rack system that is very simple to assemble, is fully adjustable and able to be slid traversely along the storage wall and angularly with respect to the wall. There is also a need for a system that also allows for presentation of the equipment, as opposed to mere storage, in that the equipment is held in place at only a few points and allows for the entire piece of equipment to be viewed. There is also a need for a system that allows for multiple configurations and can be altered as equipment changes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a rack system that overcomes the limitations of the above-discussed prior art. The rack system of the present invention includes a support rail mounted to a wall and one or more holder members that may be mounted to the rail. Support hangers extend from the individual holder members for supporting the equipment. Preferably, the holder members are clamped to the rail allowing the position of the holder members to be adjusted to any angle and any distance between each other. Each holder may be clamped to the rail using, in one instance, for example, a plastic housing that fits to the rail, a U-shaped eye bolt that passes through the housing and corresponding nut for tightening the holder to the rail at the desired location.  
         [0010]     To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention is directed to a rack system for equipment includes a main support, a holder coupled to the main support and a support extension, coupled to the holder, including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted to abut a support structure.  
         [0011]     Preferably, the support extension rotates with respect to the main support, and the holder is slidable with respect to the main support. Additionally, the support extension may abut the support structure at only two points, one point where the support extension is coupled to the holder and another point on a mounting surface of the support structure, spaced away from the main support and the holder. The main support may be a rail offset from a mounting surface of the support structure, where the rail may be made of an aluminum or steel material.  
         [0012]     Also, the holder may be coupled to the main support through a snap-on connection. An end of the support extension may wrap around and may be secured to a lower end of the holder member, where a nut may be used to secure the lower threaded end of the holder member, wherein the securing of the nut to the threaded end affixes the position of the holder on the main support.  
         [0013]     Additionally, the rack system may be configured to support and/or manage a pair of skis, a skateboard, a surfboard, a wakeboard, a snowboard and a bicycle. It should be noted that some of the above items are supported, but are not necessarily suspended from the ground, depending on the equipment being supported. The rack system may secure multiple pairs of skis, with each pair of skis being supported by one each of multiple holders and support extensions. In the case of the skateboard, the support extension and the holder are largely obscured by the supported skateboard, to allow for display thereof. In the case of the bicycle, the support extension is configured to secure one wheel of the bicycle, such that both wheels of the bicycle are supported against the support structure.  
         [0014]     Also, the rack system may be configured to support multiple holders and support extensions, where the multiple holders and support extensions secure multiple types of equipment, with each type of the multiple types of equipment being supported by one each or two each of the multiple holders and support extensions. The support extension may be largely covered with neoprene, nylon or other material to protect surfaces of the supported equipment. Additionally, the rack system may also be configured to hold the equipment in place at only a few points and allow for the equipment to be entirely viewed.  
         [0015]     The present invention is also directed to a rack system having a main support rail and a holder coupled to the main support rail, the holder being slideably adjustable with respect to the main support rail. The holder also includes a C-shaped housing, having a stepped bottom and a through-bore hole through the stepped bottom, and having an inner radius of a C-shape configured to comport with an outer radius of the main support rail, an eye bolt, having a C-shaped portion and a threaded end, the threaded end passing through the through-bore hole of the housing and an inner radius of the C-shaped portion configured to comport with an outer radius of the main support rail, and the C-shaped housing and the eye bolt forming a clamp on connection to the main support rail, a washer, configured to be received by the threaded end of the eye bolt and forming a receiving section between the washer and the stepped bottom of the housing and a nut, configured to threaded onto the threaded end of the eye bolt and maintain placement of the washer. The rack system also includes a support extension, coupled to the holder through an end wrapped around the stepped bottom of the housing in the receiving section and held in place by the nut, the support extension including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted wrap around another portion of the equipment.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a photograph of the rack system according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a photograph of the rack system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , being used to secure a pair of skis;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a photograph of the rack system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , being used to secure multiple pieces and types of equipment;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates different perspectives of components of the rack system, with  FIG. 4 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 4 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 4 ( c ) providing a front view;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  provides greater detail of components of the snap-on housing of the holder, with  FIG. 5 ( a ) providing greater detail of the housing portion, with  FIG. 5 ( b ) providing greater detail of the eye bolt portion and  FIG. 5 ( c ) providing greater detail of the washer portion;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates the use of a surf coupler attachment for the rack system, with  FIG. 6 ( a ) providing a view of the surf coupler attachment, with  FIG. 6 ( b ) providing a view of the surf coupler attached to the support rail, and  FIG. 6 ( c ) providing a view of the surface coupler and extension being secured to support rail with a nut;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates different perspectives of a surf board embodiment of the rack system, with  FIG. 7 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 7 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 7 ( c ) providing a front view;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates different perspectives of another surf board embodiment of the rack system, with  FIG. 8 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 8 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 8 ( c ) providing a front view;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates additional hardware that may be used with the rack system to allow for the hanging and securing of accessories;  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  illustrates a rail portion of the rack system;  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  illustrates different perspectives of coupling parts for adding on to the rack system, with  FIG. 11 ( a ) providing first portion, with  FIG. 11 ( b ) providing a second portion and  FIG. 11 ( c ) providing a view of the coupling parts being used to connect multiple rail sections;  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  illustrates different perspectives of a bicycle embodiment of the rack system, with  FIG. 12 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 12 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 12 ( c ) providing a front view;  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  illustrates different perspectives of an alternate embodiment of the rack system, with  FIG. 13 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 13 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 13 ( c ) providing a front view;  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  illustrates different perspectives of an alternate embodiment of the rack system, with  FIG. 14 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 14 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 14 ( c ) providing a front view;  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  illustrates different perspectives of a skateboard embodiment of the rack system, with  FIG. 15 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 15 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 15 ( c ) providing a front view; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 16  illustrates different perspectives of a tool embodiment of the rack system, with  FIG. 16 ( a ) providing a top-down view, with  FIG. 16 ( b ) providing a side view and  FIG. 16 ( c ) providing a front view.  
         [0032]      FIG. 17  illustrates different portions of a U-bolt attachment mechanism in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, with  FIG. 17 ( a ) providing views extension portions, with  FIG. 17 ( b ) providing views of a round pin and  FIG. 17 ( c ) providing views the U-bolt.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     The present invention will be set forth in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements or operational steps throughout.  
         [0034]     A rack system for sporting equipment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-18 , such as skis, includes a rail  10 , that is preferably tubular, mounted to a wall, and that accepts one or more clamp-on holder members  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the holder members  20  may be blocks or housings which clamp onto the rail  10 . However, the holder members  20  can mount to the rail  10  in any known manner.  
         [0035]     Each holder member  20  includes a region near the bottom thereof for receiving a support extension  30  onto which the equipment is mounted. The overall structure of the holder member  20 , and its coupling to the support extension, are discussed below. The support extension  30  is preferably a plastic, aluminum, or steel rod or tube that passes through the slot of the support member  30 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . The support extension  30  is configured and arranged to prop itself against the wall at some distance below the rail  10 , as seen in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0036]     The support extension  30  also may have an upper end  33  to sit horizontally with respect to the wall, and therefore provide a resting place for the equipment, such as the tips of the skis. A portion of this upper end  33  wraps around the holder member  20  to position the support extension. The area of the support extension  30  propped against the wall, or spaced therefrom,  35 , may have a return radius section  40  that is indented having a hook shaped end  37  to support other portions of the equipment, such as lanyards of ski poles.  
         [0037]     In operation, the user simply mounts one or more holder members  20  on the rail  10 , snaps in at least one extension member  30 , and then rotates the extension  30  inwardly toward the wall until it stops against the wall ( FIG. 2 ), at which point it is ready to accept the equipment, such as skis (as a pair), on the upper end  33  of the extension  30 . Multiple pieces of equipment may be stored using the same rail  10  of the rack system, with multiple holder members  20  and extension members  30  used to accomplish the storage, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0038]     By designing the rack system as described above, the rack system has a sleek modular look. It also has a robust feel with positive clamp action. The rack system is very simple to assemble, is fully adjustable and the holder members are able to be slid traversely along the rail  10  and angularly with respect to the wall. The system also allows for presentation of the equipment, as opposed to mere storage, in that the equipment is held in place at only a few points and allows for the entire piece of equipment to be viewed. In the areas of snowboarding and skateboarding, users often spend much time and money on the appearance of the equipment, in addition to how that equipment performs, so that presentation is often an advantage of a rack system. The system can support other mounting portions for mounting a variety of sporting or other equipment, as discussed below.  
         [0039]     FIGS.  4 ( a )- 4 ( c ) and  5 ( a )- 5 ( c ) illustrate different perspectives of components of the rack system.  FIG. 4 ( a ) provides a top-down view, with the upper end  33  of the extension  30  that wraps around the support member  20  on the right and the lower portion  35  of the extension  30  on the left.  FIG. 4 ( b ) is a side view and shows sections of the support member  20 . The extension  30  may have steel or aluminum arms that are at least partially covered with neoprene, nylon or other material to protect the equipment being stored.  
         [0040]     The support member  20  has an eye bolt  22 , housing section  24 , washer  26  and a nut  28 . The curved section of the eye bolt  22  connects to the rail  10 , along with the housing section  24 . The housing section  24  and the eye bolt  22  create an opening  23  between that is slightly smaller that the width of the support rail  10 . Once on the rail, the region  25  between the housing section  24  and the eye bolt  22 , allows the holder to be translated on the rail, while remaining firmly attached, before the nut is completely tightened to secure that section of the rack system.  
         [0041]     The lower portion of the housing section  24 ,  FIG. 5 ( a ), along with the washer,  FIG. 5 ( c ), define a region in which the curved upper end  33  of the support extension  30  is received, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ( b ). The upper end  33  of the extension  30  is held between the lower portion of the housing section  24  and the washer  26  and maintained by the nut  28  threaded onto the threaded end of the eye bolt  22 .  FIG. 4 ( c ) provides a front view of the rack system portion that also shows the return radius section  40  of the extension  30 .  
         [0042]     For use with additional embodiments discussed below, the rack system can also be extended. One such extension is the surf coupler attachment, illustrated in  FIG. 6 ( a ). The surf coupler attachment has, in the left of  FIG. 6 ( a ), a portion that receives the extension. In the open state, the coupler attachment can be affixed to the extension. The other portion of the coupler has a through hole that goes through the top and bottom parts. The top part is formed so that is comports with the shape of the support rail. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 ( b ), an eye bolt, similar to the one illustrated in  FIG. 5 ( b ), passes through the through hole, where a top portion of the eye bolt holds the pieces to the support rail. Thereafter,  FIG. 6 ( c ), a nut is used to secure the coupler to the support rail by screwing the nut onto a lower, threaded portion of the eye bolt. This embodiment allows for greater flexibility in how the extension is connected to the holder, in that no portion of the extension need be wrapped around the holder. The use of the surf coupler attachment is preferred in the rack system embodiments directed to supporting surfboards and wakeboards.  
         [0043]     Another embodiment of the rack system is shown in FIGS.  7 ( a )- 7 ( c ), with a top-view provided in  FIG. 7 ( a ). Viewed from the side,  FIG. 7 ( b ), a large section  336  of the extension  330  and end  334  extends down the wall away from the rail  10  and extends away from the wall. This is a part of the design to allow for a portion of the weight of the equipment, e.g. a surfboard, to be taken by the wall. This embodiment also includes a nesting feature  80  that can be used to provide further support of the board. As viewed from the front,  FIG. 7 ( c ), the embodiment also illustrates a more confined return radius section  340 . Yet another surfboard embodiment is illustrated in FIGS.  8 ( a )- 8 ( c ), that is similar in configuration to embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  7 ( a )- 7 ( c ). The embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  8 ( a )- 8 ( c ) is smaller than that illustrated in  FIG. 7 ( a )- 7 ( c ), i.e. the region against the wall  436  of the extension  430  is shorter, and lacks the support block of that latter embodiment. The end portion  434  and the confined radius section  440  are approximately the same size as that found in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 ( c ). The embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  8 ( a )- 8 ( c ) may be more applicable to smaller surfboards and the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 ( a )- 7 ( c ) may be more applicable to larger boards, such as wakeboards.  
         [0044]      FIG. 9  illustrates an accessory hanger that can be used to hang equipment accessories, such as goggles, gloves, poles, etc. One view shows the side of the accessory hanger  110  and the other the front view of the accessory hanger  120 , where the accessory hanger snaps onto the rail to provide additional storage. Each can be used with the rack system to extend the range of types of equipment that can be stored and to allow types of equipment to be stored together according to use. The rail  10  is also illustrated in  FIG. 10  and indicates that the rail can have various lengths, depending on the particular setup. In a commercial setting, such as in sales or in a resort setting, it may be important to allow for the storage and presentation of many pieces of equipment. FIGS.  11 ( a )- 11 ( c ) illustrate portions of a coupling system that can be used to extend the rack system. Different sections of the support rail can be joined together with the use of the connector system. This allows the user to grow the system as their needs grow and allows any configuration to be offered using the same two packaged units. In other words, the system can be sold with 2 holders or 4 holders and the user can end up with a system in 2,4,6,8,10, etc. configuration.  FIG. 11 ( a ) illustrates the end of a rail, as detailed in  FIG. 10 . The rail end receives a coupling part, illustrated in  FIG. 11 ( b ) that acts to join together the ends of the rails. The coupling parts have movable prongs that can be inserted into the rail ends and keeps them together along a common axis, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 ( c ).  
         [0045]      FIG. 12 ( a )- 12 ( c ) illustrates bicycle storage embodiment, with  FIG. 12 ( a ) providing a top-down view of that embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 ( b ), the front or back wheel  1400  of the bicycle is held in the extension  720  &amp;  730 . A portion of the wheel is fit into the end of the extension  720  and another portion of the wheel  1400  rests against the other end of the extension  730  resting against the mounting wall. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 ( c ), the rack system is small and unobtrusive when no bicycle is stored thereon.  
         [0046]     Additional embodiments are also provided in FIGS.  13 ( a )- 13 ( c ),  14 ( a )- 14 ( c ),  15 ( a )- 15 ( c ) and  16 ( a )- 16 ( c ). The embodiments illustrated in FIGS.  13 ( a )- 13 ( c ) and  14 ( a )- 14 ( c ) have an expanded section,  830  &amp;  930 , that juts out from the rail to provide a support portion, with the expanded section being smaller in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 ( a ) than that illustrated in  FIG. 13 ( a ). The embodiment in FIGS.  13 ( a )- 13 ( c ) has a closed loop, while the embodiment in FIGS.  14 ( a )- 14 ( c ) has an open loop. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS.  13 ( a )- 13 ( c ) and  14 ( a )- 14 ( c ) can be utilized in retail and industrial setting for presentation of equipment. They embodiments can be used in multiples, i.e. side-by-side, to allow for display of equipment and have the benefit that multiple sizes can easily be accommodated by varying the widths between the extensions.  FIG. 15 ( a )- 15 ( c ) illustrates an embodiment of the rack system that is configured to support and store a skateboard, using the extension  1030  and extension section  1040 .  FIG. 16 ( a )- 16 ( c ) provides for tool storage with a crimpled section  1140 , of extension  1130 , that provides for easy tool storage, such as gardening tools and power tools. The crimpled section  1140  can be used to spool a power cord, while the extension can be used to support the power tool.  
         [0047]     It should be noted that all of the embodiments discussed above use the same or similar rail  10  and the attachment of the holder members  20  to the rail is likewise similar. This has the benefit that the different embodiments can be used together with the same rail. Thus, a single mounted rail can be used to secure and display skis, skateboards and surfboards, for example.  
         [0048]     As described above and illustrated in FIGS.  4 ( a )- 4 ( c ), the holder member is attached to the extension and the support rail through an eye bolt and housing, in the above described embodiments. The attachment can also be made through a U-bolt assembly, in alternate embodiments, as described below. A steel square bottom U-bolt, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 ( c ), that has been formed into an arc on either side along the long legs, is placed over the body of the holder member from below such as that it is nested into the upper most arc of the holder. The radius section of the holder that conforms to the rail is pushed tight to the rail so the U-bolt can be wrapped around the rail with the threaded ends of the U-bolt facing the installer and toward the underside of the rail. A steel round pin, illustrated in  FIG. 17 ( b ), (referred to as the pressure pin in that it provides clamping pressure against the holder) having two (2) thru holes to receive the threaded ends of the U-bolt, is pushed over the threaded U-bolt ends to expose the threads in order to receive two (2) threaded nuts. Once the holder is positioned to the desired location along the rail, the two (2) nuts are thightened thus providing clamping forces to the rail and fixing the holder in place very securely. Through this same mechanism, the extension,  FIG. 17 ( a ), is also affixed.  
         [0049]     The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.