Patent Publication Number: US-2009230068-A1

Title: Combination rack

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a rack for holding things and more particularly, to a combination rack that can be conveniently arranged in any of a variety of forms for holding things. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A regular rack assembly for use in a living room to hold electric and ornamental items is generally comprised of cabinets and partition walls. Conventional rack assemblies for this purpose are of fixed type, not adjustable to change the configuration. To fit a particular personal requirement, a custom made is necessary. However, a custom-made rack assembly is quite expensive, and its fabrication takes time. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide a combination rack that allows the user to change its arrangement conveniently. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a combination rack that can be conveniently arranged in any of a variety of forms for holding things. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, the combination rack comprises a base formed of a front-open box, a flat panel formed of a ferrous plate covered with a decorative covering and fixedly mounted on the rear side of the top wall of the base in vertical, and a plurality of holder frame members respectively embedded with magnets and attachable to the flat panel by means of magnetic attraction for supporting small ornaments. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the decorative covering of the flat panel can be a thin layer of wood or plastics. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, the holder frame members include can be triangular frame bars, wave-like frame bars, rectangular open frames, and/or other geometric frame members. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a combination rack according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view, partially cutaway, of the combination rack according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows one application example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows another application example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows still another application example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows still another application example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows still another application example of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a combination rack in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a base  1 , a flat panel  2 , a triangular holder frame bar  3 , a wave-like holder frame bar  4 , and a rectangular holder frame  5 . The base  1  is a front-open box having, for example, an oval shaped profile. The flat panel  2  is fixedly mounted on the rear side of the top wall of the base  1  in vertical. According to this embodiment, the flat panel  2  is a flat ferrous plate  21  covered with a layer of decorative covering  22 . The layer of decorative covering  22  can be a shin sheet of wood, plastics, or any other suitable material. 
     The triangular holder frame bar  3 , the wave-like holder frame bar  4  and the rectangular holder frame  5  each have at least one magnet  31 ,  41  or  51  embedded in the back side thereof. 
     By means of magnetic attraction between the magnets  31 ,  41  and  51  and the flat ferrous plate  21 , the triangular holder frame bar  3 , the wave-like holder frame bar  4  and the rectangular holder frame  5  are secured to the flat panel  2  at selected locations for holding small objects. 
       FIG. 3  shows one application example of the present invention. As illustrated, a DVD player  61  is kept inside the base  1 , a TV set  62  is supported on the top wall of the base  1 , and the triangular holder frame bar  3  and the rectangular holder frame  5  are secured to the flat panel  2  above the TV set to hold small ornaments. 
       FIG. 4  shows another application example of the present invention. As illustrated, DVDs  63  and books  65  are kept inside the base  1 , a stereo system  64  is supported on the top wall of the base  1 , and the triangular holder frame bar  3  and the wave-like holder frame bar  4  are secured to the flat panel  2  above the stereo system  64  to hold small ornaments. 
       FIG. 5  shows another application example of the present invention. As illustrated, books  65  are kept inside the base  1 , and the wave-like holder frame bar  4  and the rectangular holder frame  5  are secured to the flat panel  2  at different elevations to hold small ornaments. 
       FIG. 6  shows still another application example of the present invention. As illustrated, books  65  and videotapes  66  are kept inside the base  1 , and the triangular holder frame bar  3  and the rectangular holder frame  5  are secured to the flat panel  2  at different elevations to hold small ornaments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the flat panel  2  can be separately used and affixed to a vertical flat wall with nails  7  to hold the triangular holder frame bar  3  and the rectangular holder frame  5  (and the wave-like holder frame bar  4 ) for supporting small ornaments. 
     Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.