Patent Abstract:
A rack for hingedly mounting at least one door has a lower mounting plate and an upper mounting plate which are jointed by a central, telescoping support shaft. A plurality of mounting apertures are formed, equally distanced from the center of each of the upper and lower mounting plates which receive the pins of upper and lower attachment brackets which are attached to the upper and lower surface of each door to be mounted. When mounted, each door may be pivoted about the upper and lower attachment brackets so it may be painted on each of its two sides without interfering with any other door mounted on the rack. The rack may be adjusted to receive over height doors, as well as standard doors.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to devices to facilitate the painting of doors prior to installation into the door frame. More particularly, the invention comprises a rack for hingedly mounting a plurality of doors such that each door may be easily painted on both sides without having to handle the doors. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Painters have desired a convenient method for painting doors in a central location which requires a minimal amount of handling and space. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,130, issued on Mar. 9, 2004, James D. Carlisle discloses a DOOR PAINTING RACK in which a plurality of doors may be mounted on the rack such that each door may be pivoted around a central axis of the each door. As opposed to the present invention, in which each door is hingedly mounted about a central pylon, Carlisle&#39;s rack requires an upper and lower extension from a center pylon for each door mounted to the rack. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,758, issued to William F. Curran on Jan. 15, 2002, discloses a MULTIPLE OBJECT PAINT RACK SYSTEM wherein a number of objects, such as doors, may be mounted, along a single axis, for painting. By contrast, the present invention mounts doors around a central pylon such that they may be swung from side to side for painting both sides without interference from adjacent doors. 
   A DOOR DISPLAY DEVICE is disclosed by David L. Ishmael in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,278, issued on Apr. 2, 1996. In Ishmael&#39;s device, each door is mounted within a rectangular support, which is, in turn, pivotally mounted to a vertical support for pivotal movement about the vertical support. By contrast, in the present invention the doors are directly mounted to the central, vertical pylon. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,011, issued on Nov. 17, 1992, to David D. Ray, discloses a DOOR PAINTING FIXTURE, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,648, issued to William R. Wood, III, on Feb. 15, 1992 discloses a STAND ASSEMBLY. In both Ray and Wood, the racks are designed to hold a single door which is mounted along a central vertical axis such that the door may be pivoted about that axis for painting. By contrast, the present invention mounts a plurality of doors about a central, vertical pylon such that each door may be swung, hingedly, for painting of the two sides. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the field of painting, as in residential or commercial buildings, the painting of doors is a time consuming job when performed in place, often requiring brush painting rather than spray painting. It is therefore, desirable to be able to paint doors, in quantity, at a single location. Painting in a single location provides other obstacles. Moving doors from place to place as they are painted, then left to dry typically ties up a considerable amount of space, requires handling of the freshly painted doors, etc. 
   The present invention provides a rack for easily mounting a plurality of doors about a central, vertical pylon such that each door may be positioned for painting on both sides by merely swinging each door from side to side about the central pylon. Arrangement of the doors around the pylon allows each door to be swung from side to side without interfering with the adjacent doors. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which is capable of pivotally holding one or more door(s) simultaneously for painting of both sides of the door(s). 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which covers only a minimal portion of the top and bottom of each door, thereby allowing the painting of a maximum amount of the surface area of each door. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which can hold a plurality of door in a minimal amount of space. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which is capable simultaneously holding doors of varying widths. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which is capable of simultaneously holding doors of varying heights. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack to which the door may be mounted with a minimal amount of labor involved. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which is stable and safe, whether a single door or a plurality of doors are mounted thereto. 
   An additional object of the invention is to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which is easily assembled/disassembled for transportation from job to job. 
   It is again an object of the invention to provide a Multi Purpose Door Rack which may be easily moved about a job site. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a Multi Purpose Door rack which is economical to produce and maintain. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the rack of the present invention in its extended, in use configuration. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the rack of the present invention in its reduced configuration. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the lower pivot plate of the rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the upper pivot plate of the rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the extension pivot plate of the rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of an upper pivot arm assembly of the rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of an upper pivot arm assembly of the rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a lower pivot arm assembly of the rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a lower pivot arm assembly of the rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the rack of the present invention with doors of differing heights attached for painting. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the rack of the present invention with a plurality of doors attached for painting. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1  (extended) and  2  (reduced), the door rack  1 , of the present invention consists of a lower pivot plate  10  having a plurality of vertical risers  12  attached to the lower surface thereof, the risers  12  being intended to raise the lower pivot plate  10  away form a floor surface. The lower pivot plate  10  is typically of a flat, metal plate construction, although it would be evident that other, durable materials could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The risers  12  may, likewise, be of a variety of durable materials, and may be adapted to either render the rack  1  stationary or movable (e.g. lockable casters). While, in theory, three risers  12  are the minimum required for stability, it is preferable to have more. In the present invention, at least eight risers  12  are preferred. Lower pivot plate  10  is typically round in shape, but it would be evident that it could be of a differing shape without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
   Rising normal to and attached, at a proximal end, to the center of the upper surface of the lower pivot plate  10  is a hollow lower support shaft  14 . Proximate its distal end, a pair of opposing apertures  16  are formed through the walls of the lower support shaft  14 . 
   An upper support shaft  18 , dimensioned to slidably, yet snugly, fit within the interior of the lower support shaft  14  at its distal end, telescopingly extends from the distal end of the lower support shaft  16 . At a proximal end of the upper support shaft  18 , apertures are formed in the opposing walls of the upper support shaft  18  with a spring loaded catch mechanism  20  located within the upper support shaft  18  extending through the apertures. The catch mechanism  20  is adapted to releaseably engage the apertures  16  formed in the distal end of the lower support shaft  14  to facilitate locking the upper support shaft  18  in the extended position and release it to be returned to a stored position within lower support shaft  14 . The catch mechanism  20  could be replaced with a nut and bolt  21  with equal effectiveness. Like the lower support shaft  14 , the upper support shaft  18  has a pair of opposing apertures  16 A formed proximate it distal end. An upper pivot plate  22  is attached normal to and centered on the distal end of the upper support shaft  18 . An aperture is formed in the center of the upper pivot plate  22  allowing the hollow of the interior of the upper support shaft  18  to continue through the upper pivot plate  22 , as will be further explained hereinbelow. Like the lower pivot plate  10 , the upper pivot plate  22  is typically round and of a metal plate construction, although it would, again, be evident that it could be of a differing shape without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
   An extension shaft  24 , dimensioned to slidably, yet snugly, fit within the interior of the upper support shaft  18  at its distal end, telescopingly extends from the distal end of the upper support shaft  18  and through the upper pivot plate  22 . Like the upper support shaft  18 , at a proximal end of the extension shaft  24 , apertures are formed in the opposing walls of the extension shaft  24  with a spring loaded catch mechanism  20 A or nut and bolt  21 A located within the extension shaft  24  extending through the apertures. Again, the catch mechanism  20 A or nut and bolt  21 A is adapted to releaseably engage the apertures  16 A formed in the distal end of the upper support shaft  18  to facilitate alternately locking the extension shaft  24  in the extended position and releasing it to be returned to a stored position within upper support shaft  18 . An extension pivot plate  26  is attached normal to and centered on the distal end of the extension shaft  24 . Again, the extension pivot plate  26  is typically round and of a metal plate construction, although it would, again, be evident that it could be of a differing shape without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
   The attachment of the lower support shaft  14  to the lower attachment plate  10 , upper support shaft  18  to upper attachment plate  22  and extension support shaft  24  to extension attachment plate  26  is preferably by a removable means, such as, but not limited to, nut and bolt, which would allow detachment for shipping and/or storage in a flat configuration, while also allowing storage in a reduced, telescoping mode. Likewise, since the extension shaft  24  and extension pivot plate  26  may or may not be used, the extension support shaft  24  could be bolted to the upper surface of the upper pivot plate  22  rather than telescoping into the upper support shaft  18 , without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It would be evident that removable methods of attachment would require that attachment flange be attached to the either the attachment plates  20 ,  22  and  24  or the lower  14 , upper  18  or extension  24  support shafts. It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that other attachments, such as, but not limited to, welding could be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   In order to prevent rotation of one within the other, the lower support shaft  14 , upper support shaft  18  and extension shaft  24  are typically polygonic in cross section, although it would be evident that they could be elliptical or round without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
   Now turning to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , the lower pivot plate  10 , upper pivot plate  22  and extension pivot plate  26  are shown in greater detail and relative to one another. At  FIG. 3 , a plurality of inner, lower pivot pin apertures  28  are formed through lower pivot plate  10 , evenly spaced and at a first, given distance from the center of lower pivot plate  10 . Likewise, a like number of outer, lower pivot pin apertures  30  are spaced along the radius line of each of the outer, lower pivot apertures  28  at a second, greater, given distance from the center of lower pivot plate  10 . 
   At  FIG. 4 , a number of upper pivot pin apertures  32  equal to the number of outer, lower pivot pin apertures  28  and inner, lower pivot pin apertures  30  are formed in the upper pivot plate  22 . The spacing of the upper pivot pin apertures  32  and radius of the circle formed by the upper pivot pin apertures  32 , is such that an upper pivot pin aperture  32  is vertically aligned with each of the inner, lower pivot pin apertures  28 . The radius of upper pivot plate  22  is, of course, greater than that of the circles formed by the upper pivot pin apertures  32 , but less than that of the circle formed by the outer, lower pivot pin apertures  30 , as described hereinbelow. 
   At  FIG. 6 , a number of extension pivot pin apertures  34  equal to the number of outer, lower pivot pin apertures  28  and inner, lower pivot pin apertures  30  are formed in the extension pivot plate  26 . Again, the spacing of the extension pivot pin apertures  34  and radius of the circle formed by the extension pivot pin apertures  34 , is such that an extension pivot pin aperture  34  is vertically aligned with each of the outer, lower pivot pin apertures  30 . The radius of extension pivot plate  26  must, therefore be greater than that of the circle formed by the extension pin apertures  34 , and typically the same as that of lower pivot plate  10 . 
   The vertical alignment of the inner, lower pivot pin apertures  28  and upper pivot pin apertures  32  allow a plurality of doors of a given height to be mounted between each pair of inner, lower pivot pin apertures  28  and upper pivot pin apertures  32 . Likewise, the vertical of the outer, lower pivot pin apertures  30  and extension pivot pin apertures  34  allow a plurality of doors of a greater height to mounted between each pair of outer, lower pivot pin apertures  30  and extension pivot pin apertures  34 . The lesser diameter of the upper pivot plate  22  allows doors mounted between the lower pivot plate  10  and extension pivot plate  26  to clear the upper pivot plate  22 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the upper pivot arm assembly  40  consists of a flat metal upper pivot arm plate  42  having a length and having a width slightly less than the thickness of a typical door. At a first end of the upper surface of the upper pivot arm plate  42  an upper pivot pin  44  is mounted normal to and substantially centered on the width of the metal plate  42 . The upper pivot pin  44  has a length which is in excess of that of the lower pivot pin  54 , which will be discussed hereinbelow, and a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the upper  32  and extension pivot pin apertures  34 . A plurality of apertures  46  are formed in the length of the upper pivot arm plate  42 , one being proximate each end and substantially centered on the width. The apertures  46  are of a size suitable to receive a wood screw, typically a common dry wall screw. The apertures  46  may be countersunk on the upper surface of the upper pivot arm plate  42 , although it is not necessary. 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the lower pivot arm assembly  50  consists of a flat metal lower pivot arm plate  52  similar to the upper pivot arm plate  42 , although greater in length. A lower pivot pin  54  is rigidly attached on the lower surface of the lower pivot arm plate  52 , normal to and centered on the width of the lower pivot arm plate  52  proximate a first end. A non-swivel caster  58  is rigidly attached on the lower surface of the pivot arm plate  52  proximate the second end thereof. A plurality of apertures  56  are formed through the lower pivot arm plate substantially along a centerline thereof. The apertures  56  may be countersunk into the lower surface of the lower pivot arm plate  52 , but depending on the clearance between lower pivot arm plate  52  and lower pivot plate  10 , it may be necessary for the aperture  56  closest to the lower pivot pin  54  to be countersunk in order to prevent the screw from dragging against the upper surface of the lower pivot plate  10 . Again, the diameter of the apertures  56  are suitable to receive a wood screw, typically a common drywall screw. 
   It is, of course, desirable for all of the elements of the rack  1  to be of a durable material, with steel being the preferred material. It would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that other materials, such as other metals or heavy duty polymers or poly-carbonates could be used with equal effectiveness without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   In use, the rack  1  is situated upright, sitting on the lower pivot plate  10 . The upper support shaft  18  is extended such that the catch mechanism  20  engages the apertures  16  of the lower support shaft  14 . The extension support shaft  24  may also be extended, likewise, as needed. An upper pivot arm assembly  40  is attached, with screws, to the upper surface of each door  60  to be mounted and a lower pivot assembly  50  to the lower surface of each door  60 . The upper  40  and lower  50  assemblies are each mounted such that the pivot pins  44 ,  54  extend beyond the hinge side of the door  60  and are aligned with one another. After mounting the upper  40  and lower  50  pivot arm assemblies, a standard 6′ 8″ door  60  is lifted and the upper pivot pin  44  inserted into an upper pivot pin aperture  32  from below. The lower pivot pin  54  is then lowered into the corresponding lower pivot pin aperture  28 . As stated previously, the upper pivot pin  44  is greater in length than the lower pivot pin  54  to allow the upper pivot pin  44  to remain in the upper pivot pin aperture  32  or extension pivot pin aperture  34  after the lower pivot pin  54  has been lowered fully into the lower pivot pin aperture  28 / 32 . 
   At  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the rack  1  is illustrated with a plurality of doors  60  mounted for painting. As can be seen at  FIG. 10 , standard and over height doors  60   a  may be mounted at the same time, and as can be seen at  FIG. 11 , the doors  60  may be positioned such that any single door  60  can be fully exposed on both sides for painting, and the swung out of the way so the next door  60  may be painted. While the rack  1  is has been described as being able to hold a few as a single door, it would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that in the interest of safety, it is desirable that the doors  60  be evenly spaced around the perimeter of the rack  1  in order to make the rack  1  more stabile. Therefore the mounting of multiple doors  60  is preferable. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1