Patent Publication Number: US-2011049320-A1

Title: Wine glass marker/charm rack

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to support racks, specifically a rack system specifically for holding and displaying wine glass marker/charms. 
     2. Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
     There is no prior art specific to storing or displaying a collection of wine glass marker/charms. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is no contemporary apparatus for consumers to store or display their collection of wine glass marker/charms on a horizontal rod. Wine glass marker/charms are typically simple loops of wire sold in packages of 6 or more individual pieces. Additionally, wine glass marker/charms may be adorned with attractive or aesthetic accoutrements pertaining to themes of particular affinity to the consumer such as their favorite sport, food or holiday&#39;s, etc, making them an excellent conversation piece. 
     Once the consumer has removed the charms from the package there are no conventional means to prevent the charms from becoming entangled with each other during storage and so they may become unusable until effort is spent to release any individual from the entanglement. This invention enables the wine glass marker/charm to be easily clasped for storage and unclasped for removal from the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack. 
     It is one object of this invention to provide a simple and effective means for owners to store and retrieve wine glass marker/charms. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a means for owners to display their collection of wine glass marker/charms. 
     Another objective is to provide a storage and retrieval system that can be easily mounted to vertical or horizontal surfaces such as under cabinets, on kitchen appliances, walls or cabinet doors. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide a storage and retrieval system that can be easily mounted to wire type wine racks or wine glass racks. 
     In accordance with the described invention, the Rack includes at least one Base for mounting to a surface with a means to affix a horizontal Rod, and at least one Rod of a determined length to store the wine glass marker/charms thereupon. The Base and Rod are formed of material sufficiently rigid to bear the weight of the stored wine glass marker charms and to resist deformation during the storage or retrieval process. The Base is constructed to locate the attachment point of the rod at a predetermined distance from the desired mounting surface. The Rod may be formed of cylindrical or elongated geometric shaped material such as a dowel. The Rod is attached to a Base (or Bases) at one (or multiple) location(s) along the length of the Rod. The Base is mounted to a surface with the Rod positioned securely in a horizontal position. 
     One novelty of this invention is that it provides for a means to store wine glass marker/charms convenient to where wine glasses are stored and in a manner that prevents frequent tangling of the items. 
     An additional novelty of this invention is that it provides a unique and attractive means to display the owner&#39;s wine glass marker/charms. 
     Another novelty of this invention is to provide the owner with design choices that match their unique aesthetic desires by offering the Rack in multiple sizes, colors, materials, and finishes. 
     An additional novelty of this invention is that it can be configured for mounting on a particular surface location and subsequently modified for mounting at a different surface location with no repair needed upon removal from the original mounting surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S). 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the Wine Glass Marker Rack invention as mounted on a vertical surface. 
       Figure A-A is a front elevation view of the Rack invention shown in  FIG. 1  as taken in the general direction of arrows A-A showing the Base  10 , and the horizontal rod  11 . 
         FIG. 2  depicts a second optional Base configuration. The depiction of Base  12  illustrates the embodiment where the Rod  11  passes completely through the Base  12  and protrudes laterally from both side surfaces of the base. Also shown is a retaining collar  14  around the Rod  11 . 
       Figure B-B is a cross section of the Rack shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  as taken in the general direction of arrows B-B showing one Base  10  or  12  and the Rod  11  is in cross section. This view shows an adhesive strip  13  securing the Base to the mounting surface  88 . 
         FIG. 3  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein the Base  14  is formed to hold the Rod  11  horizontally while the Base  14  is mounted to a wire shaped rack type of surface  87 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS.  1 , 2  and  3 , the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack of this invention is shown which includes a horizontal rod  11  for storing multiple wine glass marker/charms  99 , and a base  12  or bases  10 ,  14 , for holding the rod  11  a distance from a mounting surface  87 ,  88 . The Base is configured to securely affix the Base to a mounting surface and to securely hold a Rod in a horizontal position a set distance away from the mounting surface. The Base may be configured into any shape desired, with the prime utility being that it holds the rod  11  securely in a horizontal position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  the invention is shown consisting of a pair of Bases  10 , at each end of a Rod  11 . For illustration of the function of this invention a single Wine Glass Marker/Charm  99  is shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack of this invention is shown consisting of a single Base  12  holding the Rod  11  whereby the Rod extends from both sides of the Base  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the Wine Glass Marker/Charm Rack of this invention is shown consisting of multiple Bases  14  holding the Rod  11 , and where the Bases  14  are secured to a wire type rack mounting surface,  87 . For illustration of the function of this invention a single Wine Glass Marker/Charm  99  is shown.