AU2009200184B2 - A Bottle Holder and Method of Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

'3 A bottle rack element arrangement including a bottle retaining portion 3.008.. A joining element 3.022 permits adjacent rack elements to be joined by a joining element and a footing 3.034 is adapted for standing on a substantially planar surface. Preferably, the footing is made of material having a hardness less than that of glass. Figure 3 7.014 7-004 7.010 7-087040

Description

C09003 1 A Bottle Holder and Method of Assembly Field of the invention [001] This invention relates to bottle racks. [002] The invention is particularly suited for use as a bottle rack supported on a surface, such as the shelves of a refrigerator. In particular, the rack is adapted for use with glass refrigerator shelves. Background of the invention [003] When bottles are stored in the prone position in a refrigerator with glass shelves, the bottles can roll because of the flat surface and low frictional resistance. This can be exacerbated if the shelf is not horizontal. Glass shelves can be damaged by having a hard material under load resting on the glass, particularly if the material is slid over the glass surface. [004] US6135297 describes a rack element adapted for carrying large flagons in a frame on the back of a truck, having a dished shape with rail hooks on either side. This rack element is not adapted to stand on a flat surface. Nor does the document describe a footing element adapted for use with a glass shelf. [005] US20070228909 describes a purpose built slide-out refrigerator shelf having an array of bottle troughs. This shelf is not adapted for use as a free standing shelf supported on a flat surface. Nor is there any discussion of a footing for use with a glass shelf. Summary of the invention [006] The present invention provides a rack element including a member that is, in use, disposed in a generally horizontal orientation, the member including a bottle retaining portion which is capable of supporting a bottle, and at least a first retaining slot opening into and extending horizontally at least partway along at least one side of the rack element and adapted to engage with a complementary engagement element. The bottle retaining portion includes a curved region and a horizontally orientated flat portion located adjacent the curved region C09003 2 [007] The rack element can include a pair of longitudinal retaining slots on opposite sides of the rack element. [008] The bottle retaining portion can be located between two flat portions. [009] The rack element can be generally rectangular. [010] The rack element can include an engagement element projecting from the opposite side of the rack element to the retaining slot. [011] The retaining slot can be vertically offset from a vertical middle of the rack element. [012] The present invention also provides an elongate joining element for a rack element as mentioned in the paragraphs above, the joining element including at least one engagement projection adapted to engage a retaining slot in the rack element. [013] The at least one engagement projection can be located longitudinally adjacent a footing portion. [014] The at least one engagement element can be resiliently deformable. [015] The joining element can include a pair of engagement projections symmetrically disposed about a footing portion and adapted to engage a pair of adjacent rack elements, the footing portion extending below the rack elements. [016] The footing portion can be made of a material having a hardness less than glass. [017] The at least one engagement element can be vertically offset from a vertical middle of the joining element. [018] The present invention further provides a bottle rack array including two or more rack elements as mentioned in the paragraphs above, adjacent pairs of rack elements being joined by a joining element as mentioned above. [019] When assembled, a top surface of the joining element can be flush with a top surface of the first and second rack element.

C09003 3 [020] When assembled, the joining element can protrude above, below, or both above and below the rack elements. [021] The present invention also provides a method of joining first and second rack elements, each rack element being capable of supporting a bottle, and in use, disposed in a generally horizontal orientation, each rack element having a pair of substantially parallel retaining slots on corresponding opposite sides of the rack element, using an elongate joining element having first and second longitudinal engagement portions adapted to engage retaining slots of said first and second rack elements, the method including the steps of inserting longitudinal engagement elements of said elongate joining element into adjacent retaining slots of the first and second rack elements. [022] The method can have the step of inserting the first engagement portion of the joining element longitudinally into a retaining slot of the first rack element and then inserting the second engagement portion of the joining element longitudinally into a retaining slot of the first rack element. [023] The engagement portions of the joining element can be resiliently deformable, the method including the step of inserting the first engagement portion of the joining element transversely into a retaining slot of the first rack element and then either transversely or longitudinally engaging the second engagement portion with a retaining slot of the second rack element. [024] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a bottle rack element arrangement including a bottle retaining portion and a footing adapted for standing on a substantially planar surface. [025] The bottle retaining portion can include a concavity. [026] The concavity can be open ended. [027] The concavity can be in the form of a segment of a cylinder wall. [028] The length of the concavity can be less than the length of a bottle. [029] The footing can be adapted to be attached to the rack element.

C09003 4 [030] The footing can be detachably attachable to the rack element. [031] The invention also provides a rack element including a substantially rectangular member having a bottle retaining portion and at least a first retaining slot extending at least partway along at least one side of the rack element and adapted to engage with a complementary engagement element. [032] The rack element can include a pair of retaining slots on opposite sides of the rack element. [033] The rack element can include an engagement element projecting from the opposite side of the rack element to the retaining slot. [034] The invention also provides an elongate retaining element for a rack element, the retaining element including at least one engagement projection adapted to engage a retaining slot in a rack element. [035] The retaining element can include a pair of engagement projections symmetrically disposed about a footing portion and adapted to engage a pair of adjacent rack elements, the footing portion extending below the rack elements. [036] The footing element can be made of a material having a hardness less than glass. [037] The invention also provides a bottle rack element having an indented surface adapted to receive at least part of the length of a prone bottle, the rack element including a pair of opposed longitudinal footings made of a soft material, such as rubber or plastics, having sufficient rigidity to permit it to be inserted endwise into a pair of slots of adjacent rack members. [038] The rack element can include a pair of longitudinal slots adapted to receive mating inserts. [039] The inserts can be adapted to be inserted into the adjacent slots of adjacent rack elements.

C09003 5 [040] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an insert including a footing portion and at least one insert portion, the footing portion being adapted to project beyond an edge of a rack element. [041] The insert portion can be formed as a partially cylindrical section with an attachment section attaching the insert portion to the footing portion. [042] The attachment section can have a width less than the diameter of the insert portion. [043] The invention also provides a method of joining a pair of rack elements, each rack element having a pair of substantially parallel retaining slots on corresponding opposite sides of the rack element, using an elongate joining element having a pair of longitudinal engagement portions adapted to engage retaining slots of a pair of rack elements, the method including the steps of inserting the longitudinal engagement elements into adjacent attachment slots of the pair of rack elements. [044] The method can include the step of inserting the first engagement portion of the joining element longitudinally into a retaining slot of the first rack element and then inserting the second engagement portion of the joining element longitudinally into a retaining slot of the first rack element. [045] The method can include the step of inserting the first engagement portion of the joining element transversely into a retaining slot of the first rack element and then either transversely or longitudinally engaging the second engagement portion with a retaining slot of the second rack element. [046] The engagement portions can be inserted longitudinally into the retaining slots. [047] Alternatively, the engagement portions can be inserted into the retaining slots transversely. [048] The engagement portions can be a sliding fit in the retaining slots. [049] The engagement portions can be a press fit in the retaining slots.

C09003 6 [050] A retaining slot is a slot having an aperture providing access to a recess which is adapted to engage a conforming portion of a retaining element. [051] In one embodiment, the retaining slot has a dimension parallel to the aperture which is greater than the aperture. [052] In another embodiment, the retaining slot and retaining apertures cooperate to inhibit relative movement between joined rack elements in at least one dimension. [053] Preferably, the retaining slot and retaining apertures cooperate to inhibit relative movement between joined rack elements two dimensions. Brief description of the drawings [054] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [055] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a rack member according to a first embodiment of the invention; [056] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a rack member according to a second embodiment of the invention; [057] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a pair of rack members connected by an insert; [058] Figure 4 is an illustration of an insert according to an embodiment of the invention; [059] Figure 5 is an end view of the insert of Figure 4; [060] Figure 6 illustrates a pair of rack members joined by an insert having a footing projection; [061] Figure 7 illustrates a rack element according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; [062] Figure 8 illustrates an end footing member for a rack element or array; [063] Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention; C09003 7 [064] Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. [065] Figure 11 illustrates a further embodiment of the attachment arrangement. [066] Figure 12 illustrates a method of inserting an attachment element into a retaining slot. [067] The numbering convention used in the drawings is that the digits in front of the full stop indicate the drawing number, and the digits after the full stop are the element reference numbers. Where possible, the same element reference number is used in different drawings to indicate corresponding elements. Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [068] The invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. [069] Most bottles have a circular cross section and a substantially cylindrical body. The top is usually of reduced cross section and formed to receive a cork or cap. When placed on a flat glass surface, bottles tend to roll at the slightest disturbance. Accordingly, the invention provides a rack having a recess adapted to receive at least part of the body of a bottle. The rack is adapted to be supported on a planar surface. [070] Figure 1 illustrates a rack member 1.002 having a substantially rectangular outline. The top surface of the rack member includes three regions. A first region 1.004 is a substantially planar rectangular region along one side of the rack member. A similar second rectangular region 1.006 runs parallel to the first region 1.004 along the opposite side of the rack member. Between the regions 1.004 and 1.006 is a curved surface 1.008 adapted to receive at least a portion of the body of a bottle laid on its side. The curvature of the curved region 1.008 need not match the radius of the bottle, because, if the bottle has a smaller radius than the curved region 1.008, the bottle will seek the lowest potential energy state by rolling to the middle, and, if the bottle has the larger diameter, the edges of the curved section will still assist in restraining rolling of the bottle. In addition, a longitudinal slot can be formed in the bottom of the curved section to assist in stabilizing smaller bottles. The flat portions 1.004, 1.006 allow for bottles with large diameters to be accommodated.

C09003 8 [071] The rack includes a pair of downwardly extending legs 1.010, 1.012, each of which has a longitudinal slot 1.014, 1.016, adapted for joining adjacent racks using a complementary mating element as described in detail below. The slots can be of a shape which provides a "dovetail" type attachment. In the embodiment shown, the slots are in the form of part circular slots having an arc greater than 1800. Other shapes which produce the dovetail effect, such as trapezoidal dovetails, or "T" shaped slots could also be used. [072] The legs can extend below the bottom of the curved section 1.008, and can define a space 1.018 between them. [073] Figure 2 illustrates a rack element 2.002 similar to that of Figure 1, but in which the space 1.018 of Figure 1 is omitted, so that there are no distinct legs, but a continuous base 2.011. [074] Figure 3 illustrates a pair of rack elements 3.002, 3,020 joined by a joining element 3.022. The rack and joining element are adapted for mutual engagement. Details of the joining element are shown in Figures 4 and 5. It has an overall elongate shape having a length equal to that of the rack elements, with central rectangular portion and a pair of opposed arcuate projecting longitudinal dovetail elements 5.030, 5.032 adapted to engage with the slots 1.014, 1.016 of a pair of adjacent rack elements. Sections of the central rectangular portion 5.028, 5.034 are shown projecting beyond the periphery of the dovetail elements 5.030, 5.032. The sections 5.028, 5.032 can be of equal height, or they can be of unequal height. [075] In one embodiment, it is preferred that the section 5.024 projects beyond the bottom of the legs 1.010, 1.012 to provide a footing for the combined rack elements. This can be achieved in a number of ways: the section 5.034 can be longer than section 5.028, so that 5.028 is flush with the top of the rack elements when the slots are spaced midway between the top and bottom of the rack elements; or the slots can be offset vertically so that the section 5.028 is flush with the top of the rack elements and the section 5.034 projects below the bottom of the rack elements. As shown in figure 6, the joining element 6.026 can be designed to protrude both above and below the rack elements.

C09003 9 [076] The joining element can be made of a softer material than the rack elements to avoid damaging the glass surface. [077] Figure 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in which the rack elements include one slot 7.014 and one dovetail element 7.040, so that adjacent rack elements can be directly connected without an intermediate joining member. [078] Figure 8 illustrates an end element 8.042 adapted to provide a footing at the end of a number of joined racks or for a single rack. In this case, only a single dovetail element 8.032 is provided. The end pieces interchangeable (equal rectangular sections) where the slots are offset as discussed above. [079] In the embodiment of Figure 9, the retaining slot 9.016 for the attachment member is formed at the junction of the side and the bottom of the leg. Slot 8.016 is recessed at 9.017 to hold a substantially "Y" shaped attachment member, the arms of the "Y" engaging the recess 9.017 of adjacent rack elements, and the leg of the "Y" projecting below the leg of the rack element to provide the footing. [080] Figure 10 shows a further embodiment in which the attachment member/footing 10.026 is substantially "U" shaped, the arms of the "U" engaging slots in the base of the leg of the rack element, and the base of the "U" forming the footing. [081] The rack elements can be made of any suitable material such as plastics or nylon, but in a preferred embodiment, they are made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminium. [082] The joining elements and the slots can have complementary cross-section so that the joining elements can be inserted endwise into the slots, but cannot readily be removed in a transverse direction. Where the rack elements are made of a resilient material, the joining elements can be attached by transverse pressure and a snap action of the edges of the slots. [083] Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the joining element 11.0224 having a "W" cross section including a base 11.044, side legs 11.046, 11.048 and centre leg 11.050 the legs defining the side walls of a pair of slots 11.052, 11.054 adapted to C09003 10 receive a downward projection from a pair of rack elements such as 11.004. The centre leg 11.050 serves to hold the rack elements apart. [084] Turning to the assembly of two or more rack elements, the joining element can be inserted into a retaining slot longitudinally or transversely. Figure 12 illustrates a method of inserting a joining element transversely into a retaining slot. The engagement projections 12.030, 12.032 can be sufficiently resiliently deformable to permit the engagement portions to deform under pressure sufficiently to enable the engagement element to pass through the aperture of the slot such as 12.016 and resiliently return to its normal cross sectional shape when it is within the recess of the slot 12.016. As shown in Figure 12, the joining element engagement projection 12.030 can be progressively forced into the slot by applying force to the joining element at a point adjacent to the intersection of the engagement projection 12.030 and the aperture of the slot 12.016 as indicated at 12.050, the point of application of force being continuously slid towards the rear of the slot to progressively force the engagement projection into the slot. When the joining element engagement projection 12.030 is inserted into slot 12.016, the second reck element can be attached to the engagement projection 12.032, for example by sliding the corresponding retaining slot longitudinally over the engagement projection 12.032, or by resiliently forcing the aperture of the corresponding slot over the engagement projection in a manner analogous to a snap-fit connection. [085] In this specification "dovetail" is used to means a joining system between two members, having corresponding complementary slot and projection elements, the projection having a cross-section with a larger dimension than its attachment to its member, the slot having a complementary cross-section with an aperture conforming to the attachment of the projection to the projection's member, permitting endwise engagement and disengagement, but inhibiting transverse separation. "Up", "down", "top", "bottom", "length", "width", "height", and similar terms are referred to the device in normal use unless otherwise stated or necessarily implied. [086] In this specification, reference to a document, disclosure, or other publication or use is not an admission that the document, disclosure, publication or use forms part of C09003 11 the common general knowledge of the skilled worker in the field of this invention at the priority date of this specification, unless otherwise stated. [087] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear. [088] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. [089] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (18)

1. A rack element including a member that is, in use, disposed in a generally horizontal orientation, the member including a bottle retaining portion which is capable of supporting a bottle, and at least a first retaining slot opening into and extending horizontally at least partway along at least one side of the rack element and adapted to engage with a complementary engagement element, the bottle retaining portion including a curved region and a horizontally orientated flat portion located adjacent the curved region.

2. A rack element as claimed in claim 1 including a pair of longitudinal retaining slots on opposite sides of the rack element.

3. A rack element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottle retaining portion is located between two flat portions.

4. A rack element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rack element is generally rectangular.

5. A rack element as claimed in claim 1, including an engagement element projecting from the opposite side of the rack element to the retaining slot.

6. A rack element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retaining slot is vertically offset from a vertical middle of the rack element.

7. An elongate joining element, including at least one engagement projection shaped and positioned to correspond to and be received by a retaining slot in a rack element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A joining element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one engagement projection is located longitudinally adjacent a footing portion.

9. A joining element as claimed in claim 7 or 9, wherein the at least one engagement element is resiliently deformable.

10. A joining element as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, including a pair of engagement projections symmetrically disposed about a footing portion and adapted to C09003 13 engage a pair of adjacent rack elements, the footing portion extending below the rack elements.

11. A joining element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the footing portion is made of a material having a hardness less than glass.

12. A joining element as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the at least one engagement element is vertically offset from a vertical middle of the joining element.

13. A bottle rack array including two or more rack elements as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, adjacent pairs of rack elements being joined by a joining element as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12.

14. A bottle rack array as claimed in claim 13, wherein when assembled, a top surface of the joining element is flush with a top surface of the first and second rack element.

15. A bottle rack array as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein when assembled, the joining element protrudes above, below, or both above and below the rack elements.

16. A method of joining first and second rack elements, each rack element being capable of supporting a bottle, and in use, disposed in a generally horizontal orientation, each rack element having a bottle retaining portion capable of supporting a bottle, the bottle retaining portion including a curved region and a horizontally orientated flat portion located adjacent the curved region, each rack element further having a pair of substantially parallel retaining slots on corresponding opposite sides of the rack element, using an elongate joining element having first and second longitudinal engagement portions adapted to engage retaining slots of said first and second rack elements, the method including the steps of inserting longitudinal engagement elements of said elongate joining element into adjacent retaining slots of the first and second rack elements.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, including the step of inserting the first engagement portion of the joining element longitudinally into a retaining slot of the C09003 14 first rack element and then inserting the second engagement portion of the joining element longitudinally into a retaining slot of the first rack element.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the engagement portions of the joining element are resiliently deformable, the method including the step of inserting the first engagement portion of the joining element transversely into a retaining slot of the first rack element and then either transversely or longitudinally engaging the second engagement portion with a retaining slot of the second rack element.