Patent Abstract:
A combined belt and necktie rack described herein hangs belts via pegs through holes in their leather straps rather than by the buckles. If the pegs are made from small-diameter, rigid materials the belts can effortlessly be slid onto the pegs through a hole in the strap. The pegs easily support the belts&#39; weight, and if the pegs are long enough, they will accommodate neckties being draped over the pegs as well. The end of each peg may be bent horizontally at a right angle to the rest of the peg, for the belt to be hung. In this fashion, belts and neckties are parallel to each other and lay flat against each other, rather than a space-consuming perpendicular arrangement. The pegs may be coupled to a frame piece which may thereafter use mounting blocks to either statically or dynamically couple the frame piece and corresponding pegs to a structure.

Full Description:
FIELD 
     A combined belt and necktie rack, which provides an efficient structure for hanging and storing both belts and neckties simultaneously, is disclosed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many individuals possess numerous neckties and belts. This large quantity of neckties and belts may offer the individual a variety of styles and choices for different occasions and settings. An issue that often arises when possessing a large number of neckties and belts is related to storage and organization. In particular, for various reasons, belts and neckties are not suitable for being folded, rolled, or otherwise compacted for storage in a drawer. Further, storage in a drawer may not allow an individual to quickly and easily view each belt and necktie when deciding which combination will be worn. 
     To address this issue regarding the difficulty of storing belts and neckties in drawers, many individuals choose to hang their belts and neckties. For example, some individuals may choose to hang belts and/or neckties on clothes hangers or on pegs on the back of a closet door. Although hanging belts and neckties in this fashion may somewhat reduce the likelihood that these items will be damaged during storage, this practice is inefficient. In particular, only a small number of belts and neckties may be stored on each hanger and on each general purpose peg. Further, since these structures are not intended to hold belts and neckties, belts and neckties may be precariously held on these devices and may be prone to fall/slide off. 
     The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section. 
     SUMMARY 
     Most men need a belt rack and men who wear suits and neckties need a necktie rack. With the appropriate design, the two functions may be combined in the same rack. In building a necktie rack, the pegs of the rack may be positioned closely together (e.g., ½-inch apart) because the neckties are hung flat against each other. In building a belt rack in which the belts are hung on the pegs by their buckles, however, the belts are not hung flat against each other but are turned perpendicular from the neckties and hung width-by-width. Thus, the pegs must be positioned at least 1½-inches apart to accommodate the widths of belt buckles. So it is problematic to construct a combination belt-and-necktie rack that is efficient at hanging both belts and neckties, so long as the belts are hung by their buckles. Furthermore, this peg-through-buckle system will never accommodate all belts, in any case, because approximately 15% or more of belts on the market have a solid metal-plate buckle (i.e., no hole in the buckle). 
     To overcome the above problems, the combined belt and necktie rack described herein hangs belts via pegs through the normal holes in their leather strap rather than by the buckles. If the pegs are made from small-diameter, rigid stainless steel, the belts can effortlessly be slid onto the pegs through one of the holes in the strap. The steel easily supports the belts&#39; weight, and if the pegs are long enough, they will accommodate neckties being draped over the pegs as well. In some embodiments, the end of each peg (e.g., the last ⅜-inch of the peg) may be bent horizontally at a right angle to the rest of the peg, for the belt to be hung. That way, the belts and the neckties are parallel to each other and lay flat against each other, rather than a space-consuming perpendicular arrangement. 
     It is contemplated that the frame piece, into which the pegs are mounted, be a light metal, such as aluminum. This results in a modern styling. However, if a more traditional appearance is desired, the frame piece may be made out of oak or some other hardwood. It is further contemplated that the steel pegs may project from both sides of the frame piece, thereby doubling the capacity of the rack. In this case, the rack would be mounted to the wall at one end of the frame piece with a swivel/pivot hinge bracket, allowing the rack to lay flat against the wall when not in use, but be swung out to access both sides during selection of a necktie or a belt. A one-sided version of the rack may also be made where the rack is mounted stationary against the wall with screws. In yet another embodiment, the rack may be installed on a track mounted inside a cabinet or closet, which allows the rack to slide in for storage but out for selection of a belt and/or a necktie. 
     In one embodiment, the pegs extend 1¼-inches from the frame piece to accommodate necktie widths and are spaced 1¼-inches apart to accommodate male fingers accessing a belt. In some embodiments, an upper and lower row of pegs may be installed 1-inch apart vertically with the pegs staggered in a saw-tooth pattern to double the capacity of the rack. Furthermore, the front section of the pegs (i.e., the last ⅜-inch section at the end of the pegs that is 90 degrees from the rest of the peg) may include a number of features, including 1) a slight upward slant or curve to prevent a belt hanging by its hole from accidentally sliding off; (2) a 90° corner between this front section and the rest of the peg may be sharp (i.e., not a gradual curve) to inhibit a hanging belt from sliding around the corner; and (3) the 90° corner may have a spherical knob to further prevent a hanging belt from sliding around the corner. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment of the invention in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a combined belt and necktie rack according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  shows an exploded view of a combined belt and necktie rack according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of a combined belt and necktie rack according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows an example peg according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows a necktie held on the middle section of a peg according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows a spherical knob placed at the bend between a front section and a middle section of a peg according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  shows a belt and a tie hanging parallel to each other on a front section and a middle section of a peg, respectively, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  shows a mounting block including a support plate and a pivot arm according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Several embodiments are described with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. While numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a combined belt and necktie rack  100  according to one embodiment. The combined belt and necktie rack  100  may include a set of pegs  101 , a frame piece  103 , and one or more mounting blocks  105 . As will be described in greater detail below, the combined belt and necktie rack  100  allows for the efficient storage/hanging of a number of belts and neckties. In particular, the combined belt and necktie rack  100  allows for belts and neckties to be easily placed on the rack  100 , viewed on the rack  100 , and removed from the rack  100 . Each of the elements of the combined belt and necktie rack  100  will be now described by way of example. 
     The frame piece  103  may be a rigid structure that is equipped to receive the set of pegs  101 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the frame piece  103  may be defined by a thin, elongated rectangular structure. Although shown as rectangular, in other embodiments the frame piece  103  may be formed in other shapes, including a cylinder or a prism. 
     The frame piece  103  may be formed of various materials, including plastic polymers (e.g., polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride), woods (e.g., oak, pine, mahogany, walnut, and teak), elemental metals (e.g., aluminum), metal alloys (e.g., steel), or some combination of these materials. In some embodiments, the frame piece  103  may be a solid structure (i.e., without hollow sections). This solid construction may be appropriate for lighter materials (e.g., woods) that provide a stable structure while still offering a manageable weight such that the rack  100  may be easily mounted. In other embodiments, the frame piece  103  may be at least partially hollow. For example, the frame piece  103  may be made of a hollow aluminum casing that provides a high specific strength (i.e., strength-to-weight ratio). The casing that defines this hollow, aluminum frame piece  103  may have a wall thickness between 1/16-⅛ inches. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the frame piece  103  may be made of denser materials, but may still maintain a manageable weight for mounting. 
     The frame piece  103  may be formed with various dimensions according to the requirements/needs of the user. For example, the frame piece  103  may be between 12.0-48.0 inches in length, between 2.0-3.0 inches in width, and between 0.5-3.0 inches in depth. The dimensions of the frame piece  103  may be based on 1) the number of pegs  101  desired by the user, which in turn may correspond to the number of belts and/or neckties owned by the user and/or 2) the space/structure in which the combined belt and necktie rack  100  will be installed. For example, the combined belt and necktie rack  100  may be installed in a closet having a width of 36.0 inches. In this situation, the frame piece  103  may be 36.0 inches in length. In other embodiments, the frame piece  103  may be slightly smaller than the provided installation space to accommodate for the one or more mounting blocks  105 , which may be needed for installation, as will be described in greater detail below. 
     In one embodiment, the pegs  101  may be thin cylindrical structures that are coupled or otherwise attached along the length of the frame piece  103 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, the pegs  101  may have a circular cross-sectional shape; however, in other embodiments, the pegs  101  may have a different cross-sectional shape (e.g., triangular or rectangular). The pegs  101  may be formed of various materials, including plastic polymers (e.g., polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride), woods (e.g., oak, pine, mahogany, walnut, and teak), elemental metals (e.g., aluminum), metal alloys (e.g., steel), or some combination of these materials. In some embodiments, the pegs  101  and the frame piece  103  are formed of different materials, while in other embodiments the pegs  101  and frame piece  103  are formed from the same material. 
     In one embodiment in which both the pegs  101  and the frame piece  103  are formed from metals, the pegs  101  may be soldered or welded to the frame piece  103  as shown in  FIG. 1A . In other embodiments, different types and/or mechanisms may be used for coupling the pegs  101  to the frame piece  103 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , in one embodiment, vertical holes  107  may be drilled into the top of the frame piece  103 . The vertical holes  107  may have a diameter slightly larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the pegs  101  such that a peg  101  may fit within each of the vertical holes  107  securely preventing the pegs  101  from rotating forward under the weight of a belt. In one embodiment, channels  109  may be included on the top side of the frame piece  103  and aligned with the vertical holes  107 . The length of the channels  109  may extend across the width of the frame piece  103  and the width of the channels  109  may be sized to accommodate the cross-sectional diameter of the pegs  101 . Accordingly, the pegs  101  may be inserted into the vertical holes  107  and through engagement with the channels  109  the pegs  101  are held static relative to frame piece  103 . 
     In some embodiments, a locking bar  111  may secure the pegs  101  within the channels  109  and/or the vertical holes  107 . The locking bar  111  may have a length and width equal to that of the top part of the frame piece  103  such that the locking bar  111  may cover the channels  109  and the vertical holes  107 . In some embodiments, the locking bar  111  may form hemi-cylindrical grooves  115 , which along with complimentary channels  109 , securely hold the pegs  101 . The grooves  115  may be equal in size to the channels  109  such that a combined set of groove  115  and channel  109  is shaped to completely fit around the circumference of the a cross-section of a peg  101 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the locking bar  111  may be coupled to the frame piece  101  using screws  113 . However, in other embodiments, any mechanism may be used for coupling the locking bar  111  to the frame piece  103 . 
     Although  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show two embodiments for coupling the pegs  101  to the frame piece  103 , the pegs  101  may be coupled to the frame piece  103  using any mechanism. For example, the pegs  101  may be coupled to the frame piece  103  using screws, bolts, clips, clamps, or other removable fasteners. In these example embodiments or in the example shown in  FIG. 1B , the pegs  101  may be adjustable by a user. For example, the pegs  101  may be moved, removed, and/or added to the frame piece  103  as desired by the user by coupling and decoupling the pegs  101  from the frame piece  103  using these removable fasteners. 
     In one embodiment, the pegs  101  may be coupled to frame piece  103  during manufacture. In this embodiment, the pegs  101  may be spaced to accommodate the width of a standard belt, the width of a standard necktie, and/or to allow the fingers of an average sized human user to easily grab/select a necktie or belt. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the pegs  101  may be separated by the distance D. In one embodiment, the distance D may be 1¼ inches. Using this separation distance D, the fingers of a user may easily grab a necktie or belt without interfering with other neckties and belts held by adjacent pegs  101 . In other embodiments, the distance D between each peg  101  along the frame piece  103  may be between 0.75 inches and 1.5 inches. In these examples, the measurements for D are taken from the leftmost boundary of a first peg  101  to the right most boundary of an adjacent second peg  101  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an example peg  101  according to one embodiment. The example peg  101  shown in  FIG. 3  may each include three sections: a base section  201 , a middle section  203 , and a front section  205 . Each of the sections  201 ,  203 , and  205  may be separated by one or more bends  209 A and  209 B that are defined by the angles θ and α, respectively. Accordingly, the base section  201  is separated from the middle section  203  by the bend  209 A defined by the angle θ while the middle section  203  may be separated from front section  205  by the bend  209 B defined by the angle α. Each of these sections  201 ,  203 , and  205  and corresponding bends  209 A and  209 B will be described in further detail below. 
     The base section  201  may be used for coupling the peg  101  to the frame piece  103  and may be approximately ⅜ to ½ inches in length. In some embodiments, the pegs  101  may be coupled directly to the frame piece  103  using one or more fasteners (e.g., screws and bolts). For example, the base section  201  may be a straight structure that may be directly soldered, welded, or otherwise fastened to a front face  207 A of the frame piece  103 . In other embodiments, the pegs  101  may be indirectly coupled to the frame piece  103 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a first set of pegs  101  may be coupled to an intermediate frame  211 . In particular, the base section  201  of each peg  101  in the first set of pegs  101  may be coupled to the intermediate frame  211  using one or more fasteners, including bolts, screws, clips, clamps, solder, etc. Thereafter, the intermediate frame  211  may be coupled directly to the frame piece  103  using any type of fasteners, including bolts, screws, clips, clamps, solder, etc. As shown, the intermediate frame  211  is coupled to the frame piece  103  using tabs  213 , which are part of the intermediate frame  211 , and screws  215 . However, as noted above, any type of fasteners may be used. Using the intermediate frame  211  allows multiple pegs  101  to be simultaneously coupled to the frame piece  103  during manufacture or installation. Although the first set of pegs  101  are coupled indirectly to the frame piece  103  via the intermediate frame  211 , as noted above in other embodiments, the pegs  101  may be directly coupled to the frame piece  103 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a second set of pegs  101 , which are below the first set of pegs  101 , may be coupled directly to the frame piece  103 . 
     As noted above, other techniques may be used for coupling the pegs  101  to the frame piece. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B  and described above, the pegs  101  may be coupled to the frame piece  103  using the vertical holes  107 , the channels  109 , and/or the locking bar  111 . 
     As described above, the base section  201  may be used to couple pegs  101  to the frame piece  103  (either directly or indirectly). In contrast, the middle section  203  may be used to hold a necktie as will be described in greater detail below. In one embodiment, as noted above, the middle section  203  may be separated from the base section  201  by the bend  209 A, which has an angle θ. In some embodiments, the middle section  203  is perpendicular to the base section  201 . Accordingly, in these embodiments, θ may be equal to 90°. In other embodiments, the middle section  203  may form an upward slope in relation to the base section  201 . This upward slope assists in preventing neckties held by the middle section  203  from sliding forward toward the front section  205  and consequently falling off the combined belt and necktie rack  100 . In this embodiment, θ may be between 91° and 130° such that an upward slope is created between the base section  201  and the middle section  203 . The bend  209 A defined by the angle θ may be a sharp bend as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 3 , which forms a point and an abrupt transition between the base section  201  and the middle section  203 . In other embodiments, the bend  209 A defined by the angle θ may be a gradual bend, which forms a rounded curve as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a necktie  401  held on the middle section  203 . In this embodiment, the necktie  401  is folded in half or nearly in half and draped over middle section  203 . By being draped over the middle section  203 , the necktie  401  may be sturdily held by the peg  101 . In one embodiment, the middle section  203  may have a length to accommodate the dimensions of an average or standard necktie. Since neckties are folded over middle section  203 , the width of the average/standard necktie may be measured at the midpoint of neckties. For example, the length of the middle section  203  may be between ⅜ of an inch and 1.5 inches. In particular, the length of the middle section  203  may be 1.25 inches. 
     In one embodiment, the front section  205  may be used to hold a belt as will be described in greater detail below. As noted above, the front section  205  may be separated from the middle section  203  by the bend  209 B, which has an angle α. In some embodiments, the front section  205  is perpendicular to the middle section  203 . Accordingly, in these embodiments, α may be equal to 90°. In some embodiments, the angle α may be sharp (i.e., forming a distinct point between the middle section  203  and the front section  205 ) as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 3 . This sharp angle may inhibit a belt held on the front section  205  from sliding around the bend and onto the middle section  203 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, a spherical knob  501  may be placed at the bend  209 B between the front section  205  and the middle section  203 . The spherical knob  501  may have a diameter greater than the diameter or cross-sectional width of the middle section  203  and/or the front section  205 . As will be described in greater detail below, the knob  501  may further prevent a hanging belt from sliding onto the middle section  203 . 
     In one embodiment, the cross-sectional size and shape of the base section  201 , the middle section  203 , and the front section  205  may be identical. For example, each of the sections  201 ,  203 , and  205  may be cylindrical structures (i.e., a circular cross-section) and between 2.0 millimeters and 4.5 millimeters in diameter. In this embodiment, the pegs  101  are sized to fit through the holes in a strap of a standard belt (i.e., a hole punched in the leather strap of a belt and designed to receive a prong of a corresponding buckle). In particular, a user may pass the front section  205  of a peg  101  through a hole  505  of a belt  503  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the hole  505  farthest from the buckle  507  of the belt  503  may be chosen to pass through the front section  205  of the peg  101  and the belt  503  may be hung with the buckle  507  of the belt  503  hanging downward in relation to the peg  101 . In one embodiment, the belt  503  may remain on the front section  205 . In this embodiment, the knob  501  may be located at the bend  209 B between the front section  205  and the middle section  203  as shown in  FIG. 5  to prevent the belt  503  from sliding onto the middle section  203  where a necktie may be hanging. Accordingly, as noted above, the knob  501  may be sized to be greater in diameter than the hole  505  of the belt  503  (e.g., the diameter of the knob  501  may be greater than 4.5 millimeters). Although described as spherical, in other embodiments, the knob  501  may be any shape, including rectangular and conical. 
     In embodiments in which the front section  205  forms a 90° angle with the middle section  203 , a belt  503  and necktie  401  hanging on a front section  205  and a middle section  203  of a peg  101 , respectively, may be parallel to each other as shown in  FIG. 6 . This parallel arrangement of the belt  503  and the neckties  401  provides a more space efficient system in comparison to a perpendicular belt and necktie arrangement. 
     Although described as the middle section  203  holding neckties and the front section  205  holding belts, in some embodiments after passing through the front section  205 , a belt may be pushed along the continuous peg  101  structure to the middle section  203 . In these embodiments, which do not include the knobs  501 , the belt may be pushed to rest against the base section  201  and/or the frame piece  103 . In particular, although the belt remains on the middle section  203 , the belt may be moved to be proximate to the base section  201  and/or the frame piece  103 . By moving the belt to rest against the base section  201  and/or the frame piece  103 , the belt may maintain some contact and support from the base section  201  and/or the frame piece  103 . Further, by moving the belt to rest against the base section  201  and/or the frame piece  103 , enough room may remain along the middle section  203  to accommodate a necktie. 
     Although described above as the cross-sectional size and shape of base section  201 , the middle section  203 , and the front section  205  being identical, in some embodiments, the sections  201 ,  203 , and  205  may have differently shaped and/or sized cross-sections. For example, as previously described, the middle section  203  and/or the front section  205  may be sized to fit through a hole in a standard sized belt. In contrast, the base section  201  may not need to be sized to be similar to the middle section  203  and the front section  205  since the base section  201  is not designed to fit through a hole in the strap of a belt. In particular, the base section  201  may be a wider and/or flatter structure in comparison to the narrow, cylindrical shape of the middle section  203  and/or the front section  205 . This wider and/or flatter structure may assist in providing a larger surface area for coupling the base section  201  to the frame piece  103 . 
     In some embodiments, the front section  205  may be angled or curved upward relative to the highest point of the middle section  203 . For example, the front section  205  may form a slope or curve upwards at an angle β relative to a horizontal plane at the highest vertical point of the middle section  203  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The slope upwards may inhibit a necktie from slipping off the peg  101 . In one embodiment, the angle β may be between 5° and 10°. For example, the angle β may be 7° 
     In one embodiment, the combined belt and necktie rack  100  may be coupled to a wall or another structural element using the one or more mounting blocks  105 . In one embodiment, a mounting block  105  may be placed on either end of the frame piece  103  for fixing the combined belt and necktie rack  100  to a structure. 
     In other embodiments, a single mount block  105  may be used for pivotally coupling the combined belt and necktie rack  100  to a wall or structure. For example, a mounting block  105  may include a support plate  701  and a pivot arm  703  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The support plate  701  may be a flat structure that is used for attaching the combined belt and necktie rack  100  to a wall or another structure. For instance, the support plate  701  may include a set of holes for receiving a corresponding set of bolts or screws, which may be sunk into a wall. In other embodiments, the support plate  701  may be attached to a wall or another structure using other attachment mechanisms (e.g., clips, clamps, adhesives, etc.). The pivot arm  703  may be a structure that couples the mounting block  105  to the frame piece  103  while allowing the frame piece  103  to pivot in relation to the mounting block  105  and/or in relation to a structure on which the combined belt and necktie rack  100  has been installed (e.g., a wall). In one embodiment, the pivot arm  703  and the support plate  701  may be one continuous piece, while in other embodiments the pivot arm  703  and the support plate  701  may be separate pieces. In embodiments in which the pivot arm  703  and the support plate  701  are separate pieces, the support plate  701  and the pivot arm  703  may be coupled together using any coupling mechanism (e.g., screws, bolts, clips, clamps, adhesives, solder, etc.). 
     In one embodiment, the pivot arm  703  may include a joint element  705 A, which works in conjunction with a joint element  705 B of the frame piece  103  and a pin  707 , for allowing the frame piece  103  to pivot in relation to the mounting block  105 . As shown, the joint elements  705 A and  705 B along with the pin  707  form a barrel hinge; however, in other embodiments, the combined belt and necktie rack  100  may include another type of joint, including a pivot hinge. By providing a pivoting connection, the mounting block  105  (in particular the pivot arm  703 ) allows the combined belt and necktie rack  100  to be stored away or adjusted for easier access. For example, in one embodiment, the rack  100  may rest against a wall of a closet; however, the rack  100  may be pivoted outwards into an opening of the closet to provide improved access for the user. Upon selecting a belt and/or necktie, the rack  100  may be pivoted back against the wall of the closet. Accordingly, by providing a pivoting connection, the rack  100  may be easily stored away while still allowing for easy access to belts and neckties. 
     Although described with a pivoting structure, in other embodiments, the mounting blocks  105  may provide a sliding track structure. In these embodiments, the mounting blocks  105  allow the frame piece  103  to be coupled to a wall of a cabinet or closet and slid parallel to the wall to provide access to belts and neckties held on the rack  100 . In particular, the frame  103  may be slid into a closet for storage and out of a closet for selection of belts and neckties by a user. 
     In one embodiment, the combined belt and necktie rack  100  may include multiple rows of pegs  101 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the rows of pegs  101  may be vertically separated by between 0.75 inches and 1.5 inches. For example, rows of pegs  101  may be separated by 1.0 inches. This measurement may be calculated from identical elements of pegs  101  on each row of pegs  101 .  FIG. 2  shows multiple rows of pegs  101  on both a front face  207 A and a rear face  207 B of the frame piece  103 . In this embodiment, the belts and neckties on each face  207 A and  207 B may be accessed by pivoting the frame piece  103  via the mounting block  105  as described above. Further, each row of pegs  101  on each face  207 A and  207 B may be offset (i.e., each peg  101  on one row may be located between two pegs  101  on a vertically adjacent row). By being offset from each other, each peg  101  may accommodate belts and/or neckties without interfering with belts and neckties hanging on pegs  101  on a vertically adjacent row. 
     Although each of the pegs  101  on the rack  100  has been described jointly, in some embodiments, each peg  101  may be variably sized and arranged to accommodate for the various types, styles, and sizes of belts and neckties. The decision of the sizes and arrangement of pegs  101  may be made by users or by a manufacturer based on market data. 
     As described above, a combined belt and necktie rack  100  is described that provides an improved system for hanging and storing belts and neckties. In particular, by hanging belts on pegs  101  through holes in the straps of these belts, the rack  100  may efficiently accommodate a number of belts. Further, by providing elongated pegs  101 , the rack  100  may simultaneously hold neckties along with belts in a fashion that allows for efficient storage and easy viewing and removal of belts and neckties. Accordingly, the combined belt and necktie rack  100  described herein provides a more efficient and improved system for hanging and storing belts and neckties by allowing belts and neckties to be hung parallel to each other. 
     While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0