Patent Abstract:
An expandable clothes rack, including a first vertical longitudinal wood member, having a plurality of spaced apertures; a plurality of parallel wood dowels, each dowel fixedly secured within one of the spaced apertures within the first vertical longitudinal wood member, such that the dowel extends outwardly on either side of the first vertical longitudinal wood member; and, a second vertical longitudinal wood member including a plurality of parallel spaced metal tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from the second vertical longitudinal wood member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage the plurality of parallel wood dowels to form a ladder-like structure.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to clothes racks and, more particularly, to expandable clothes racks for storing and holding clothes, towels and the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Clothes racks and drying racks have been known for many years. U.S. Pat. No. 1,628,936 (Turner) discloses a drying rack that fits over a bathtub in an inverted “V” shape, for example. U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,020 (Steiner) discloses a vertically arranged telescoping clothes dryer structure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,749 (Crockett et al.) discloses an adjustable clothes rack in the form of a saw-horse. A similar design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,574 (Sexton). Yet another “saw-horse” type design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,342 (Vandelaar). U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,591 (Cooper) discloses a collapsible clothes rack. Another collapsible clothes drying rack is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0074858 (Thuma et al.) A folding collapsible clothes rack on casters is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,962 (Chen) and another caster-supported  rack is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0097628 (Blacknell). 
         [0003]    Surprisingly, no one has apparently yet invented a clothes rack that resembles a ladder but with horizontally adjustable rungs to increase the capacity of the rack for use, and yet minimize size for storage. A longfelt need has existed for this type of clothes rack. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an expandable clothes rack, comprising a first vertical longitudinal wood member, having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; a plurality of parallel wood dowels, each dowel fixedly secured within one of the spaced apertures within the first vertical longitudinal wood member, such that the dowel extends outwardly on either side of the first vertical longitudinal wood member; and, a second vertical longitudinal wood member comprising a plurality of parallel spaced metal tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from the second vertical longitudinal wood member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage the plurality of parallel wood dowels to form a ladder-like structure. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the present invention comprises an expandable clothes rack, comprising a first vertical longitudinal member, having a plurality of spaced apertures therein; a plurality of parallel dowels, each dowel fixedly secured within one of the spaced apertures within the first vertical longitudinal member, such that the dowel extends outwardly on either side of the first vertical longitudinal member; and, a second vertical longitudinal member comprising a plurality of parallel spaced tubes fixedly secured to and extending outwardly from the second vertical longitudinal member, and operatively arranged to telescopingly engage the plurality of parallel dowels to form a ladder-like structure. 
         [0006]    A general object of the present invention is to provide a clothes rack that resembles a ladder, but with expandable rungs, and with dowels extending outwardly from at least one of the vertical longitudinal members to use as extensions. 
         [0007]    This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0008]    The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the clothes rack of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the clothes rack; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the clothes rack; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a left side view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a right side view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 1 , except with the rungs of the rack in an expanded position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevation view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a rear exploded perspective view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a view identical to that of  FIG. 9 , which is a top view of the clothes rack shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the clothes rack, taken generally along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16   a  is an enlarged view of area “ FIG. 16   a”  shown in  FIG. 15 ; and, 
           [0025]      FIG. 16   b  is a fragmentary left view of longitudinal member  11  shown in  FIG. 16   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. The present invention is intended to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0028]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0029]    Adverting to  FIG. 1 , clothes rack  10  broadly comprises a first longitudinal member  11  having an inside surface  11   a  and an outside surface  11   b,  second longitudinal member  12  having an inside surface  12   a  and an outside surface  12   b,  first tube  13   a,  second tube  14   a,  third tube  15   a,  fourth tube  16   a,  first extension  13   d,  second extension  14   d,  third extension  15   d,  and fourth extension  16   d.  First longitudinal member  11  and second longitudinal member  12  are arranged parallel to one another with inside surface  11   a  facing inside surface  12   a.  First extension  13   d  is a portion of first dowel  13   b  which extends through an aperture in second longitudinal member  12  and protrudes from outside surface  12   b  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Additionally, second extension  14   d,  third extension  15   d,  and fourth extension  16   d  are extensions of their corresponding dowels which are second dowel  14   b,  third dowel  15   b,  and fourth dowel  16   b  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) and also protrude from outside surface  12   b  of second longitudinal member  12 . First extension  13   d,  second extension  14   d,  third extension  15   d,  and fourth extension  16   d  further comprise notches  13   n,    14   n,    15   n,  and  16   n,  respectively. In a preferred embodiment, notches  13   n,    14   n,    15   n,  and  16   n  are a rounded cut on each corresponding extension to secure objects thereon. It should be appreciated, however, that different notch types and securement means are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, notches  13   n,    14   n,    15   n,  and  16   n  can be hooks which protrude from extensions  13   d,    14   d,    15   d,  and  16   d.    
         [0030]      FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are a front and rear elevation view of clothes rack  10 , respectively. As shown in the figures, in a preferred embodiment, first tube  13   a,  second tube  14   a,  third tube  15   a,  and fourth tube  16   a  are equidistant and parallel with respect to one another and are arranged perpendicularly to inside surface  11   a.  In a preferred embodiment, first tube  13   a,  second tube  14   a,  third tube  15   a,  and fourth tube  16   a,  which are equidistant from one another, have the center of the tube span shifted towards one end of first longitudinal member  11  and second longitudinal member  12 . This would allow for larger objects to be held from fourth tube  16   a  without being contaminated by a potentially dirty surface which clothes rack  10  is supported on. It should be appreciated, however, that different arrangements and numbers of tubes are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, third tube  15   a  could be closer to fourth tube  16   a  than second tube  14   a  is to first tube  13   a.    
         [0031]      FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are a top and bottom view of clothes rack  10 , respectively. As shown in the figures, first tube  13   a  and first extension  13   d  are co-linear. Additionally, fourth tube  16   a  and fourth extension  16   d  are co-linear. It is important to note that both second tube  14   a and second extension  14     d  are co-linear and, third tube  15   a  and third extension  15   d  are co-linear (not shown). 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a left side view of clothes rack  10  which shows outside surface  12   b  along with first extension  13   d,  second extension  14   d,  third extension  15   d,  and fourth extension  16   d  extending from outside surface  12   b.  In a preferred embodiment, first extension  13   d,  second extension  14   d,  third extension  15   d,  and fourth extension  16   d  have a circular cross section and a diameter which is less than the width of second longitudinal member  12  which would allow for the insertion of the extensions through apertures cut into second longitudinal member  12 . It should be appreciated, however, that different cross sections of the tubes are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the tubes could have a rectangular cross section that slide into grooves cut into first longitudinal member  11  and second longitudinal member  12 . The groove could also be cut from the edge of first longitudinal member  11  and second longitudinal member  12  instead of being a through bore which creates an aperture. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a right side view of clothes rack  10  which shows outside surface  11   b  and threaded inserts  13   f,    14   f,    15   f,  and  16   f.  Threaded inserts  13   f,    14   f,    15   f,  and  16   f,  are positioned in counter bores  13   g,    14   g,    15   g,  and  16   g  which are operatively arranged on outside surface  11   b  (shown in  FIG. 15 ). The function of threaded inserts  13   f,    14   f,    15   f,  and  16   f  is to securely mount corresponding tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  to first longitudinal member  11  (shown in  FIG. 16   a ). 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of clothes rack  10  in an expanded position with dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b  concentrically arranged within tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a,  respectively. The concentric arrangement between dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b  and tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  is a press fit to allow for expansion and compression of the distance between first longitudinal members  11  and second longitudinal member  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the length of each dowel is substantially similar to the length of each tube allowing for the dowel to be completely inserted into the tube, minimizing the distance between first longitudinal member  11  and second longitudinal member  12  for storage while also maximizing the amount of space from which articles can be hung when clothes rack  10  is fully expanded. It should be appreciated, however, that different lengths for the tubes and dowels are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12  are a top view, bottom view, front view, and rear view of clothes rack  10  in an expanded position. As shown in the figures, the linear relationship is still present between tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  and extensions  13   d,    14   d,    15   d,  and  16   d,  with dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b  being linear members also. As seen in  FIG. 11 , the width of clothes rack  10  in an expanded position is approximately double when compared to clothes rack  10  in a compressed position due to the concentric arrangement of dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b  within tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a,  respectively. In a preferred embodiment, dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b,  first longitudinal member  11 , and second longitudinal member  12  are manufactured from wood while tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  are manufactured from metal. It should be appreciated, however, that different materials for the manufacturing of the tubes, longitudinal members, and dowels are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, clothes rack  10  could be completely manufactured from a plastic which could perform the same sliding function that is accomplished between metal tubes and wooden dowels. 
         [0036]      FIG. 13  is a rear exploded perspective view of clothes rack  10 . Inserts  13   c,    14   c,    15   c,  and  16   c  are concentrically arranged within their corresponding tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a.  The press fit that allows for the sliding motion between tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  and dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b  is achieved by arranging inserts  13   c,    14   c,    15   c,  and  16   c  between the dowels and tubes. Inserts  13   c,    14   c,    15   c,  and  16   c  have a substantially similar cross section and dimensions to dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b  in order to achieve a proper press fit. In a preferred embodiment, inserts  13   c,    14   c,    15   c,  and  16   c  are manufactured from a material with either a high friction surface or has capabilities to apply tension such as rubber or plastic. It should be appreciated, however, that different materials for the manufacturing of the inserts is possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. Screws  13   e,    14   e,    15   e,  and  16   e  secure tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  to first longitudinal member  11 . Tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  engage with first longitudinal member  11  within counter bores  13   g,    14   g,    15   g,  and  16   g  as screws  13   e,    14   e,    15   e,  and  16   e  extend through counter bores  13   g,    14   g,    15   g,  and  16   g  and engage with threaded inserts  13   f,    14   f,    15   f,  and  16   f,  respectively (shown in  FIG. 16   a ). 
         [0037]      FIG. 14  is top view of clothes rack  10  in an extended position displaying a cutting plane line  15 - 15 . The cross section of clothes rack  10  taken along cutting plane line  15 - 15  is seen in  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  shows the interaction of inserts  13   c,    14   c,    15   c,  and  16   c  between tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  and dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b.  It is also seen that dowels  13   b,    14   b,    15   b,  and  16   b  extend through second longitudinal member  12  in order to form extensions  13   d,    14   d,    15   d,  and  16   d  on surface  12   b.  Additionally, tubes  13   a,    14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  are shown as hollow members mounted to first longitudinal member  11  by screws  13   e,    14   e,    15   e,  and  16   e,  which are shown in more detail in  FIG. 16   a.    
         [0038]      FIG. 16   a  is an enlarged cross sectional view of area “ FIG. 16   a”  shown in  FIG. 15  of clothes rack  10 . As shown by the figure, tube  13   a  is arranged perpendicular to first longitudinal member  11 . Screw  13   e  is engaged with tube  13   a  and arranged within counter bore  13   g  to engage with threaded insert  13   f.  Threaded insert  13   f  comprises a cross section which will prevent rotation as screw  13   e  is engaged with threaded insert  13   f  within counter bore  13   g  (shown in  FIG. 16   b ). Counter bore  13   g,  threaded insert  13   f,  and screw  13   e  are designed to be flush with outside surface  11   b  of first longitudinal member  11  while tube  13   a  is secured to first longitudinal member  11 . Even though it is not shown in an enlarged view, tubes  14   a,    15   a,  and  16   a  are secured to first longitudinal member  11  by similar means (shown in  FIG. 15 ). 
         [0039]      FIG. 16   b  is a fragmentary left view of first longitudinal member  11  displaying threaded insert  13   f  within counter bore  13   g.  As shown in the figure, counter bore  13   g  has a substantially similar cross section to threaded insert  13   f  to prevent rotation of tube  13   a  and screw  13   e  while engaged with threaded insert  13   f.  In a preferred embodiment, the cross section of both threaded insert  13   f  and counter bore  13   g  is a hex pattern, similar to a traditional nut. It should be appreciated, however, that different nuts with varying cross sections are possible and considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, a square nut can be used in place of threaded insert  13   f;  as long as rotation of threaded insert  13   f  is limited by the cross section of counter bore  13   g.    
         [0040]    Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       LIST OF REFENCES NUMBERS 
       [0000]    
       
           11  first longitudinal member 
           11   a  inside surface 
           11   b  outside surface 
           12  second longitudinal member 
           12   a  inside surface 
           12   b  outside surface 
           13   a  first tube 
           13   b  first dowel 
           13   c  insert 
           13   d  first extension 
           13   e  screw 
           13   f  threaded insert 
           13   g  counter bore 
           13   n  notch 
           14   a  second tube 
           14   b  second dowel 
           14   c  insert 
           14   d  second extension 
           14   e  screw 
           14   f  threaded insert 
           14   g  counter bore 
           14   n  notch 
           15   a  third tube 
           15   b  third dowel 
           15   c  insert 
           15   d  third extension 
           15   e  screw 
           15   f  threaded insert 
           15   g  counter bore 
           15   n  notch 
           16   a  fourth tube 
           16   b  fourth dowel 
           16   c  insert 
           16   d  fourth extension 
           16   e  screw 
           16   f  threaded inset 
           16   g  counter bore 
           16   n  notch

Technology Classification (CPC): 3