Patent Publication Number: US-2010122961-A1

Title: Sports equipment hanger

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for drying and storing sports equipment, and more particularly to a portable and reconfigurable device for hanging and drying sports equipment thereon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for drying and storing equipment used for sports, such as hockey, North American football, lacrosse, etc. There are many sports which require a significant amount of equipment to protect a player when playing such sports, and such equipment varies in size, shape and weight and is typically difficult to store and dry in an organized manner such that a user may quickly and efficiently access and use the equipment. 
     Typical of the prior art are stands or other floor mounted racks or structures placed upon the ground which have various appendages or supports adapted to receive different pieces of equipment. These devices take up space on the floor, such as in a closet, and require the user to strategically place upon the stand the equipment in a specific order so as to prevent the stand or rack from tipping. Such racks or stands are exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,377,849; 6,073,783; 6,591,994; 5,862,924; and Canadian Patent 2,204,977. Such prior art devices are easily toppled over, due to the fact that these devices typically rely on a truss base, which if loaded improperly, have the potential for toppling over. Even if such devices are loaded properly they still have the potential of toppling over if bumped into by another object i.e. dog, child, adult etc. because the center of gravity of the loaded assembly is or could be too high with respect to its over turning moment not forgetting that the impact force will be coming from the top half of the assembly. 
     Other prior art devices include wall mounted racks (such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,841 to Klein et al). However the rack as contemplated by Klein et al is to be secured to a door or other vertical surface, is not able to retain sports equipment in an efficient configuration to assist in the drying and storage of such equipment and is not intended to be portable. 
     Other prior art references include U.S. Pat. No. 2,544,886 to Kuhn and U.S. Pat. No. 2,298,491 to Lamar. These references both disclose a unitary hanger which includes a hook or similar end piece upon which a piece of equipment is to be hung. Both prior art references suffer from the same drawback in that the hanger is a unitary piece and does not accommodate multiple pieces of sports equipment. For example, Kuhn generally discloses a unitary hanger on which pieces of equipment are to be hung from the free ends, and as illustrated, once the sports equipment is in place, appears to limit the amount of air movement between pieces thus significantly increasing the amount of time required to dry the equipment. In a similar fashion, the device as disclosed by Lamar suffers from the same drawbacks. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a sports equipment hanger which is portable, collapsible and reconfigurable and capable of storing and drying sports equipment. The present invention, as described below and in the accompanying claims, overcomes the problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus which facilitates the storing and drying of protective sports equipment. The present invention is adapted to accommodate and support any protective sporting equipment and apparel such as, for example, North American football, ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse and ringette as well as hobbies such as, for example, hunting having equipment which needs to be supported and/or stored for drying. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a portable sports equipment hanger which is easily reconfigurable. 
     In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sports equipment hanger comprising a primary frame member having an elongate body with opposed ends; a plurality of secondary frame members, each of the secondary frame members having an elongate body and opposed ends, wherein each of the secondary frame members is adapted for releasable placement on the primary frame member in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the primary frame member; a plurality of sports equipment attachment means positioned on at least one of the secondary frame members for releasable engagement with an article of the sports equipment, and releasable attachment means mounted on one of the opposed ends of the primary frame member for hanging the hanger in a generally vertical orientation when in use. 
     In accordance with a further preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided a hanger for sports equipment comprising a frame, the frame having a vertical support member and a plurality of transversely extending mounting members spaced apart from each other along the vertical support member, the plurality of mounting members being secured to the vertical support member; the hanger having mounting means adapted to mount the hanger to a substrate, and at least one of the transversely extending mounting members having releasable fastening members associated therewith adapted to releasably mount an article engaged therewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the present invention noted above are explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings Figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the sports equipment hanger in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the sports equipment hanger in a stowed condition; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sports equipment hanger as shown in  FIG. 1  with enlarged, exploded views as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged, exploded view of the top portion and hook of the primary frame member as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is an enlarged, exploded view of one end of a secondary frame member as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3C  is an enlarged, exploded view of one end of the lowermost secondary frame member as shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 3D  is an enlarged, exploded view of the center portion of the lowermost secondary frame member to be secured to the primary frame member as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in the accompanying drawing Figures, and in which like reference numerals denote like elements, there is provided a sports equipment hanger in accordance with the present invention generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
     The sports equipment hanger or gear hanger  10  includes a primary member  20  which, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , is in an operational condition in a generally vertical orientation. Primary vertical member  20  is an elongate tubular member having upper and lower opposed ends,  22  and  24 , respectively. 
     A plurality of secondary equipment support members  30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  are illustrated in a generally horizontal orientation with respect to the primary vertical member  20 . As will be understood by those of skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, the apparatus is shown in an “in-use” orientation and the terms “vertical” and “horizontal” as used herein are used in accordance with the orientation as illustrated in the drawing Figures. 
     Means  90  for hanging the sports equipment hanger or gear hanger  10  is positioned at the upper end  22 , discussed in greater detail below. Means  90  orients the gear hanger  10  into an upright position when in use. 
     As illustrated, attached in a perpendicular orientation to primary vertical member  20  are secondary horizontal members  30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60 . In a preferred embodiment, both primary and secondary members are manufactured from aluminum square tube or tubular members. Desirably, the aluminum square tubing has a surface treatment which prevents oxidation of the metal i.e. anodized or other suitable surface treatments. The aluminum tubing as contemplated for use by the present invention is desirably lightweight and rigid. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other rigid materials, including metals, plastics, pvc, carbon fibre, fibre glass and combinations of these materials, may be used to provide a frame or frame members adapted to support the weight of various sports equipment thereon. It will also be understood that, in a preferred embodiment, the primary and secondary members have a uniform cross section and the shape of the cross section may be square, tubular, rectangular, circular, polygonal or triangular. 
     The primary vertical member  20  is adapted to support thereon the plurality of secondary horizontal members. As illustrated, and for exemplary purposes only, the gear hanger or sports equipment hanger  10  includes four horizontal members ( 30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60 ) equally spaced about a surface  26 A of primary member  20 . As illustrated, surface  26 A is the primary surface to which horizontal members are releasably attached. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the primary vertical member  20  includes upper and lower ends  22  and  24 , respectively. Each end ( 22 ,  24 ) is adapted to receive an end plug or other similar cap member, discussed in greater detail below. In a preferred embodiment, the primary vertical member  20  is adapted to receive two end plugs  110 ,  120  inserted in the opposed respective ends of the primary vertical member  20 . The top end plug  120  preferably includes a threaded aperture  122  in the center of the end plug and the bottom end plug  110  will be blank. 
     As illustrated, the primary vertical member  20  includes four threaded insert nuts  81  mechanically swaged in their respective apertures  82 , which may be equally spaced along a surface of the primary vertical member  20 . Depending upon the desired configuration, the quantity of secondary horizontal members may be more or less and are within the intended scope of the present invention. Alternatively the spacing of the threaded insert nuts  81  may be offset or unequal, depending upon the desired end use of the device. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment, three threaded insert nuts  81  are oriented in a spiral about the four sides or surfaces of the primary vertical member  20 . Preferably, the insert nuts  81  are positioned in the center region of the primary vertical member  20 . The insert nuts  81 , which are preferably mechanically swaged in their respective apertures  82 , protrude inside the tubular members and are flush against the outside surface. As will be understood, other fastening means may be used. 
     The primary vertical member  20  is adapted to provide a substantially straight, rigid structure to which are releasably fastened a plurality of secondary horizontal members. The primary vertical member  20  is adapted for use by a user to hold while moving the empty or fully populated hanger  10 . In use, the primary vertical member  20  provides a natural and variable extension of a user&#39;s arm to reach the supporting appendage (for example a rod or similar support to which the top element or hook ( 90 ) is to be attached) that may be much higher than eye level. For example, the user may place the empty or populated hanger  10  into a closet and hang the device  10  on a rod. Alternatively, a user may place the device  10  on a hook or other support to allow the user to access the gear thereupon. 
     A first or uppermost secondary horizontal member  30  is provided and releasably attached to the primary member  20  in a perpendicular mating orientation to primary member  20 . Secondary member  30  is preferably made of the same tubular or similar material as the primary member  20  and includes opposed ends  32  and  34 . Each end is adapted to receive an end plug or cap, or blank end plugs  110  inserted in the ends  32  and  34  of the tubular member  30 . In order to secure the end plugs  110  or caps in the ends  32  and  34 , the end plugs  110  may be of a compression fit type and are fastened with a screw fastener  150  from the front side. The screw fastener  150  passes through a pilot hole  140  and then into the side of the end plug  110  that is already inside the tube. It will be understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that other suitable fastening means may be used, and the number of pilot holes  140  may be more or less, equally spaced or unequally spaced and are within the intended scope of the present invention. The secondary horizontal member  30  includes an aperture  83  centrally located and corresponding with the aperture of the primary member  20  (as illustrated on secondary horizontal member  60  in  FIG. 3D ). The aperture  83  is adapted to accommodate a suitable fastener such as thumb screw  130 . The secondary horizontal member  30  in a preferred embodiment includes a cutout portion  36  (as illustrated in  FIG. 3D ) to mate or accommodate with primary vertical member  20 . The cutout portion  36  is centered with the fastener hole  83 . The primary vertical member  20  is adapted to mate with the cutout portion  36  to ensure a tight fit, which prevents the secondary horizontal member  30  from rotating about the aperture  83  of the fastener. Similar end plugs  110 , screw fasteners  150 , pilot holes  140 , apertures  83 , thumb screws  130  and cutout portions  36  are provided in the secondary members  40 ,  50  and  60 . 
     In use, a user places shoulder pads or other like equipment (not shown) onto the hanger  10  by passing the top hook  90  and primary vertical member  20  through the neck opening portion of the sports equipment to position the equipment such that it is supported by the secondary horizontal member  30 . Typically, shoulder pads have a neck hole that does not open up therefore the pads will be securely placed and will not fall to the ground once the gear hanger  10  is in place. Once the hanger  10  is in place, the user may then continue to attach pieces of equipment or apparel to the secondary members via attachment means  70  and  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , secondary horizontal members  40  and  50  each include an elongate tubular body having opposed ends positioned perpendicular to primary vertical member  20 . Secondary member  40  includes opposed ends  42  and  44 , which are adapted to receive blank end plugs  110  inserted in the ends  42  and  44  of the tubular member  40 . The end plugs  110  have a compression fit and are positively secured with a screw fastener  150  as in secondary member  30 . Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will understand that other suitable fasteners may be used. The secondary horizontal member  40  includes an aperture  83  centrally located to accommodate a fastener such as thumb screw  130 . The secondary horizontal member  40  has a cutout portion  36  (similar to that shown in FIG. D) to accommodate and mate with the primary vertical member  20 . As above, the cutout portion  36  is centered with the fastener aperture  83 . The primary vertical member  20  is adapted to mate with the cutout portion  36  of secondary member  40  to ensure a tight fit, which prevents the secondary horizontal member  40  from rotating about the aperture  83  of the fastener. 
     As illustrated, there is one additional fastener aperture ( 81 ,  82 ) on each of the remaining three sides of primary vertical member  20 . These three additional apertures, together with one of the apertures on surface  26 A of primary member  20 , are adapted for stowing the secondary horizontal members  30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  parallel to the primary vertical member  20  when the gear hanger  10  is not in use (i.e., in a stowed condition) as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     As noted above, on the front face of the tubular secondary members  30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60  are four pilot holes  140  for screw fasteners  150 . The pilot holes  140  are adapted such that they only go through the top surface of the tubular secondary members  30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60 . These pilot holes  140  are spaced equally. Spring clips  70  or other suitable equipment detent or securement means can then be fastened to each secondary or horizontal member via a screw fastener  150 . The design is such that the spring clip  70  will be able to rotate about the fastener axis, which allows for storage of the secondary horizontal members and to prevent unwanted stress on the spring clip  70  while being utilized. Depending upon the desired configuration, the number of pilot holes  140  may be more or less, spaced equally or spaced unequally and are within the intended scope of the present invention. 
     Secondary horizontal member  50  is similar to that of secondary member  40  having an elongate tubular body with opposed ends  52  and  54 , and like reference numerals denote like features. 
     As illustrated, there is provided a lowermost or bottom secondary horizontal member, identified by reference numeral  60 . Similar to the other secondary tubular members noted above, secondary member  60  includes an elongate tubular body having opposed ends  62  and  64 . Secondary horizontal member  60  is adapted to receive blank end plugs  110  inserted in the ends  62 ,  64  of the tubular member  60 . The end plugs have a compression fit and are positively secured with a screw fastener  150  as in secondary members  30 ,  40  and  50 . It will be understood that other suitable fasteners may be used. In a preferred embodiment, a generally “U” shaped hook  100  is fastened to the end plugs  110  with a screw fastener  150  or other suitable fastener on each end thereof. In use, the hooks  100  may rotate about the axis of the screw fastener  150  in each of the end plugs  110 . The secondary horizontal member  60  includes an aperture  83  centrally located to accommodate a fastener such as thumb screw  130 . The secondary horizontal member  60  further includes a cutout portion  36  which corresponds with or accommodates the primary vertical member  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 3D . As with the other secondary members, the cutout portion  36  is centered with the aperture  83  of the fastener. The primary vertical member  20  is adapted to mate with the cutout portion  36  to ensure a tight fit, which prevents the secondary horizontal member  60  from rotating about the aperture  83  of the fastener. 
     On the front face of the secondary horizontal member  60  are four pilot holes  140  for fastening spring clips  70 . The pilot holes  140  only go through the top surface of the secondary horizontal member  60 . These pilot holes are spaced equally and are for the installation of spring clips  70  or other suitable fasteners. The spring clips  70  or other suitable equipment detent or securement means can then be fastened to each secondary horizontal member via a mating screw fastener  150  or other suitable fastener. Preferably, each attachment means (such as the spring clip  70  illustrated in the drawing Figures) will be able to rotate about the screw axis. Depending upon the desired configuration, the number of pilot holes  140  may be more or less, equally spaced or unequally spaced and are within the intended scope of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in the drawing Figures, and more particularly  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  3 B and  3 D, there is provided attachment means to releasably secure the equipment or apparel to each secondary member ( 40 ,  50  and  60 ). In a preferred embodiment, means generally identified as reference numeral  70  is provided. Desirably, attachment means  70  is in the form of a spring clip, and includes a wedge shape where the lever ends react against a cylindrical spring coil to spread the clamp ends that are on the opposite side of the cylindrical coil. As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , one of the lever members  72  will accommodate a screw fastener  150  or other suitable fastener, which is the fastening end of the clip  70 . The other lever member  74  is for the user to push or squeeze to open the opposite end of the clip i.e. the clamp end, such that a piece of equipment may be secured therein. It is contemplated that other suitable attachment means may be used including clips, spring activated clamps, hook and loop fasteners and combinations of these types of attachment means. 
     Desirably, the spring clip  70  or other similar attachment means has an appropriate amount of clamping force to retain the piece of equipment, and preferably is sufficiently easy to open with one hand to allow a user easy access and to place an article into the open spring and secure it therein. In an alternative embodiment, the spring is made of a material having a surface treatment which prevents oxidation of the metal i.e. chrome plating or other known materials. 
     Pilot holes  140  on the primary and secondary members can be reused, relocated or varied in number to reconfigure the components as the user wishes. 
     As noted above, there is provided at the upper portion  22  of the vertical primary member  20  a hook or other means generally identified by reference numeral  90 . Hook  90  is preferably made of steel or other suitable material. Desirably, hook  90  is in a “U” shape with one side  92  longer than the other side  93 . The longer side  92  is partially threaded  94  for threading into end plug  120  within top end  22 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, hook  90  is permitted to rotate about the thread axis through 360 degrees in order to accommodate the supporting appendage. Preferably, there is provided a surface treatment to prevent oxidation of the metal i.e. cadmium plating or other suitable materials as known in the art. 
     Alternatively, the hook  90  may be replaced with other suitable means (such as a Velcro strap, eyelet, loop, clip, etc.) to allow a person to easily hang and store the device  10  on a suitable rod or hook. The top threaded end plug  120  is inserted into the top end of primary vertical member  20 . The primary vertical member end  22  is mechanically deformed after the end plug  120  has been installed to secure the end plug. The deformation in the aluminum tube can be of various shapes and sizes. The deformation changes the dimension of the tubing and the end plug  120  to provide a positive attachment. 
     Mounted on the sides or ends  62  and  64  of the lowermost secondary member  60  are hooks  100 , best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  3 C. Hook  100  is in a generally “U” shape with a flat surface on one end and a clearance hole  141  for a screw fastener. A screw fastener  150  or other suitable fastener is used to secure the hook  100  to the end plug  110 . Desirably, the hook  100  is made of steel and has a surface treatment to prevent oxidation of the metal i.e. cadmium plating. Other materials may be used as known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the hook  100  is adapted to rotate about the thread axis through 360 degrees in order to accommodate the placement of inverted ice skates or other sports footwear. Alternatively, hook  100  can also be used to place other uniform apparel to dry, or alternatively exchanged with two bottom spring clips  70  and to place a stick i.e. lacrosse, ice or field hockey stick. 
     As noted above, there is provided in the respective tubular ends of the vertical and horizontal primary and secondary members a blank end plug or cap generally identified by reference numeral  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the blank end plug or cap  110  is of a plastic material and is inserted into the end of the tubular member to close the opening. In use, the plug or cap  110  provides protection from injury by preventing lacerations from any possible sharp edges on the ends produced from the manufacturing process. Other materials may be used as known in the art. 
     Similar to the blank end plug  110 , there is provided in the top end of the primary member  20  a threaded end plug  120 . The threaded end plug  120  is preferably plastic, and is adapted to be inserted into an end of a tubular member in order to close the opening and provide a thread  122  for a threaded hook  90  to be installed. 
     In use, the end plug  120  provides protection from injury by preventing lacerations from any possible sharp edges on the ends produced from the manufacturing process. End plug  120  also permits hooks that have the freedom to rotate. Other materials may be used as known in the art. 
     As illustrated in the Figures, and more particularly in  FIG. 3D , there is provided a fastener  130  in the form of a thumb screw or similar fastening means which is adapted to secure the horizontal secondary members to the vertical primary member  20 . Thumb screw  130  permits a simple method of fastening the tubular members together without the necessity of tools. Desirably, the fastener or thumb screw  130  includes a machined or user friendly gripping means. It will be understood that other types of fasteners may also be used. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the present invention can be collapsed when not in use. As noted above, the primary vertical member  20  includes four threaded insert nuts  81  mounted in a generally spiral pattern or configuration about the sides of the primary member  20 . This permits a user to remove the secondary members  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60  and reposition these secondary members in a generally vertical orientation about the primary member  20  to reduce the amount of physical space the gear hanger  10  occupies when in an fully assembled, in use orientation. After a user collapses the device  10 , the user can simply store the collapsed assembly in a cover, an athletic bag or other device containing the sporting equipment to await further use. As will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art, the number of threaded insert nuts  81  may vary depending upon the desired use or end configuration. 
     In the preferred embodiment and as illustrated in the drawing Figures, the top secondary horizontal member  30  does not have spring clips attached. The three bottom secondary horizontal members ( 40 ,  50  and  60 ) have spring clips  70  to hold equipment (not shown). The two center secondary members ( 40  and  50 ) have four spring clips ( 70 ) each and the bottom secondary member ( 60 ) has two spring clips  70 . The bottom secondary horizontal member  60  also has two hooks  100  fastened into end plugs  110 . Straight hook  90  is fastened into the top end plug  120  of the primary vertical member  20  to hold the entire assembly. Each secondary horizontal member can be removed and re-oriented vertically and fastened to the four sides of the primary vertical member  20  for storage convenience. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the device  10  is a portable apparatus, enabling a user to quickly hang and attach the pieces of sports equipment and/or apparel to the gear hanger  10  in order that the pieces of equipment are visible to ensure that all pieces of the respective sports equipment and/or apparel are present and also to separate each piece from one another to accelerate the drying of the same. In use, a user loads or populates the gear hanger  10  and merely raises the populated hanger  10  on to a rod or hook to allow the gear hanger  10  to hang and dry the pieces of equipment. As noted above, due to the fact that the gear hanger  10  is raised off the floor (for example in a closet or other space), the gear hanger  10  provides a more efficient use of space and permits air to freely pass in and about the equipment from all directions. Desirably, the aluminum tubular members ( 20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50  and  60 ) can be reconfigured into a compact assembly, using the existing thumb screws  130  or other suitable fasteners to keep the tubular members nested together in parallel for transport and/or storage. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a cover (not shown) may be provided to enclose at least a portion of the device  10  when populated with sports equipment. Such a cover could permit safe transportation of the fully or partially populated hanger  10  during transport or storage, such as when a user brings the gear hanger  10  to an arena or sport facility. Desirably, the cover may also be used to store the collapsed gear hanger  10  when not in use. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the gear hanger or sports equipment dryer  10  will invariably be hanged from its top hook  90  high off the ground and in doing so, the hanger  10  and equipment will not take up valuable floor space. This is quite an advantage over conventional floor stands which take up valuable space and rely on a user to balance the equipment on the horizontal members. 
     A further advantage of this invention is that it can be used in the process of washing the equipment because of the ability of the spring clamps  70  to retain the equipment while being sprayed with a water hose or pressure washer. 
     As noted above and in the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment illustrates the gear hanger  10  including a plurality of attachment means or spring clips  70  to hold various pieces of equipment in various arrangements. Such an arrangement overcomes various inherent disadvantages of the prior art devices, which include clamps positioned on two opposing wires that will bend because of reduced rigidity. The present invention advantageously secures all pieces of equipment via the spring clips or attachment means, while skates (i.e., ice, roller) can be supported through their plastic blade holders through hooks. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the primary and secondary members may be of a circular or other suitable configuration instead of the square tubular configuration shown in the drawings. Other shapes (triangular, polygonal, etc.) are also contemplated. 
     Although the present invention has been described in relation to the preferred embodiment hereinabove, it is understood that various modifications may be possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.