Abstract:
A storage rack formed of modular sleeve units assembled to variable lengths at mating tab and slot connections for attachment to mounting surfaces horizontally or vertically for storing and organizing articles.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to storage devices and, in particular, to a storage system using modular components. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   At home and at work, storage devices are used for organizing and storing various articles. Wall or vertical surface racks, with ledges, hooks and containers have been used for organizing tools, utensil, parts and the like. An example of such a rack used for storing and fashioning baseball-type hats is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,401. These rack provide a fixed holding capacity, which may be greater or less than required for a particular application, resulting in under capacity requiring additional units or over capacity resulting in excessive space requirements. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a flexibly sized storage rack for vertical surface mounting formed of modular interconnecting components allowing users to effectively size a storage system for their designated need. The rack comprises a basic support sleeve having a projecting tab and a recessed slot at opposite ends thereof that are telescopically assembled with complementary tabs and slots on adjacent components to create a rack of desired length and storage capacity. The sleeves have a frontal hoop section having an opening for holding articles and/or containers therefor. End caps having similar tabs and slots for assembly with the sleeve assembly are provided for enabling fastener attachment to a mounting surface. The rack may be mounted horizontal in a desired length for directly carrying or supporting articles to be stored or organized. The racks may be vertically mounted in spaced pairs for carrying elongated articles such as fishing rods, golf clubs, and garden tools. The present invention thus provides a rack system that can be readily assembled in variable lengths from modular components for desired storage and organizing capability. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled modular storage rack; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a modular support sleeve for the storage rack; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the support sleeve; 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the support sleeve; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the support sleeve; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the left end cap of the rack; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the left end cap; 
       FIG. 8  is an end view of the left end cap; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the left end cap; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the right end cap of the rack; 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the right end cap: 
       FIG. 12  is an end view of the right end cap: 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the right end cap; 
       FIG. 14  if a front view of the modular support rack horizontally mounted on a frame and carrying containers on the support sleeves; 
       FIG. 15  is a front view of a pair of modular support rack vertically mounted on a support surface and carrying elongated articles; 
       FIG. 16  is a top view of an assembled storage rack in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 17  is a front view of the storage rack in progressive assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the  FIG. 1 , there if shown a modular support rack  10  comprising a plurality of aligned and releasably interlocked support sleeves  12  that are releasably interlocked at the ends by a left end cap  14  and a right end cap  16 . Each of the support sleeves includes a forwardly projecting hoop section  18  for carrying articles for the purposes of supporting, organizing and like activities as described in greater detail below. As will become hereinafter apparent, varying numbers of support sleeves  12  may be interlocked and connected with the end caps  14 ,  16  to form assemblies for selected purposes, and mounted in selected orientation, alone or with other like assemblies. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the support sleeve  12  comprises a unitary body formed of a suitable plastic material such as ABS plastic for strength and environmental properties. The sleeve  12  includes a longitudinal base  22  having the hoop section  18  integrally formed transversely at the front thereof. The base  22  includes a rearwardly and outwardly opening, vertically extending assembly slot  24  at the left end thereof, and an outwardly projecting, vertically extending tab  26  at the right end thereof. The base  22  has a generally rectangular cross section having a top wall  30 , a bottom wall  32 , a front wall  34 , a rear wall  36  and end walls  38  and  39 . 
   The hoop section  18  has a cylindrical body  40  having an axis  41  parallel to the front wall  34 . The body  40  includes an outer semi-cylindrical outer wall  42  and a coaxial cylindrical inner wall  44 . The inner ends of the outer wall  42  blend at a radius with the front wall  34 . The top surface of the body  40  is coplanar with the top wall  30 . The bottom surface of the body is coplanar with the bottom wall  32 . 
   The slots  24  and tabs  26  are common to the support sleeves and the end caps. With reference to such structure on the support sleeve, the frontal surfaces of the slot  24  and the tab  26  are recessed behind the front wall  34  and below the top wall  42  whereby in assembly the front wall bears a segmented continuous appearance adding to the aesthetic appeal of the support rack. The slot  24  is recessed inwardly of the end wall  38  and is defined by a circular semi-cylindrical inner wall  46  having an axis parallel to the rear wall  36  and a base wall  47  normal to the rear wall  36 , and laterally spaced side entrance walls  48  connecting the end wall  38  with the ends of the inner side wall  46  and narrower in width than the inner wall  46 . The side wall spans an included angle of greater than 180°, preferably about 240° to 300° to establish a longitudinal interlocking engagement with a complementary tab of an adjacent component. 
   The tab  26  has a complementary configuration establishing a telescopic sliding, light compressive fit in assembly with an adjacent slot. The tab  26  includes a circular semi-cylindrical body  50  having an axis parallel to the rear wall  36 . The tab  26  has a length substantially the same as the depth of the slot  24 . The body  50  is connected with the end wall  39  by a base section  54  having a sliding fit with the side walls  48  of the slot. The axes of the body and the inner wall of the slot are spaced a comparable distance from the adjacent end walls whereby in assembly the adjacent end walls are proximate and coact to limit longitudinal bending of the assembly and interlock to establish longitudinal rigidity. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 through 9 , the left end cap  14  includes a rectangular body  60  of cross section similar to the sleeve body thereby forming a longitudinal continuation thereof. The body  60  includes a tab  26  as described above extending inwardly from an inner wall  62  for telescopic assembly with an adjacent slot  24  of a support sleeve. A through hole  64  is formed in the body  60  adjacent the outer end wall extending between the front and rear walls thereof for receiving a fastener for mounting the support rack on a support surface. Referring to  FIGS. 10 through 13 , the right end cap  16  includes a rectangular body  70  of cross section similar to the sleeve body. The body  70  includes a rearwardly opening slot  24  as described above extending inwardly from an inner end wall  72  for telescopic assembly with an adjacent tab  26  of a support sleeve. A through hole  74  is formed in the body adjacent the outer end wall  76  extending between the front and rear walls thereof for receiving a fastener for mounting the support rack on a support surface. 
   For assembly as shown in  FIG. 17 , the desired number of sleeves for an intended application is selected, and the tabs  24  are aligned with adjacent slots and inserted therein until fully seated. In a similar fashion, the tab of the end cap  14  is aligned with and assembled to the adjacent sleeve slot, and the slot of the other end cap  16  aligned the adjacent sleeve tab and assembled. The assembled support rack may be deployed for a wide variety of organization and storage functions. In a representative horizontal mode as shown in  FIG. 14 , the support rack  10  is mounted at the end caps  14 ,  16  on the top rail  80  of an outdoor deck by threaded fasteners  82 . The sleeves  12  may hold containers  84  for beverages or utensils. In an office or workroom setting, the rack and containers may hold supplies, tools, parts and like small items in organized fashion. Moreover, the rack may be used for forming and displaying baseball type hats as disclosed in my prior referenced patent. The rack may also be used for vertically orienting items, such as in a garage for lawn tools. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the rack may be mounted vertically, singularly or in multiples, for supporting between the sleeves elongated articles, such as fishing gear, golf clubs, umbrellas and the like. The rack may also be suspended from a ceiling mounting surface for overhead storage and organizing of such item. Referring to  FIG. 16 , there is illustrated a rack  90  according to another embodiment wherein the end caps are integral with respective end sleeves  92 . This modification may be adapted for assemblies of three sleeves or greater. 
   The rack may be made in a variety of sizes based on the needs and strength consideration of an end application. A size particularly suited for the above describe applications uses 5 inch long sleeve sections with a 3 inch diameter opening. Pin and slot diameters of about ¼ inch provide positive and non-deflecting interlocking. 
   It will be appreciated that interlocking connections and support sleeves may take alternative shapes for the interlocking and carrying functions. Thus outwardly diverging slot/tab interfaces of non-circular configurations may be employed. Also, non-circular sleeve openings may be used for rectangular or irregularly formed containers or articles. For instance, in a baseball hat application a D-shaped cross section provides a compact sleeve for forming and holding the hat brim. For more defined shaping, oval or other cross sectional shaped may be used. Further, rather than having separate end caps, the structure and function can be integrated on the outermost sleeves. 
   The above description is intended to be illustrative of the preferred embodiment, and modifications and improvements thereto will become apparent to those in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be construed solely in accordance with the appended claims.