CA2762719C

CA2762719C - Swivable displaying rack

Info

Publication number: CA2762719C
Application number: CA2762719A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John E. Vanderwerff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-23
Filing date: 2011-12-23
Publication date: 2019-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-23
Also published as: CA2762719A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rack for supporting one or more holders or containers, the rack includes (a) a bracket configured for mounting to a stationary structure and (b) one or more rims extending outwardly from the bracket. Each rim can be designed for supporting a holder and each rim can be swivelably mounted to the bracket about an axis of rotation, such that each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis of rotation. The rack of the present invention may be used to display articles such as flowers, plants, candles on a number of desired angles of display.

Description

SWIVABLE DISPLAYING RACK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to display holders for plants, flowers, candles and other articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system for holding one or more containers having an ability to display articles within the container on any angle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Systems for displaying plants and flowers disclosed in the prior art are generally fixed and display only on the angle they are made.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,048 discloses a display holder for artificial flowers.
The display holder incorporates a supporting frame adapted for engagement with an aperture display board. The supporting frame is arranged to provide a downward tilt to the display holder, so that the blossom portions of the flowers are prominently presented to the potential customer. The display holder described in this patent cannot rotate.

[0004] U.S. Pat. App!. No. 2006/0043038 discloses a rack or shelf for a floral display. The shelf may include a series of pin holes formed in an arc at the back portion of each side wall of the shelf, allows the shelf to be positioned at angular pitch, depending on the selection of pin hole. The angular pitch being fixed to the number of pin holes.

[0005] What is needed is a system for displaying plants, flowers at any angle and effortlessly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment the present invention relates to a rack for supporting one or more holders, the rack comprising (a) a bracket configured for mounting to a stationary structure and (b) one or more rims extending - I -outwardly from the bracket, each rim configured for supporting a holder and each rim swivelably mounted to the bracket about an axis of rotation, whereby each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis.

[0007] In one embodiment each rim is mounted to the bracket by a swivel bolt, whereby each rim is capable of being turned around about the swivel bolt.

[0008] In one embodiment the swivel bolt comprises an elongated shaft having one end for coupling to the rim, and another end for coupling to the bracket.

[0009] In one embodiment the bracket includes one or more bores for receiving one end of the swivel bolt, said bores configured for allowing the swivel bolt to turn around its own axis.

[0010] In one embodiment the rim includes a bore for receiving one end of the swivel bolt, said bore configured for allowing the swivel bolt to turn around its own axis.

[0011] In one embodiment one end of the bolt is fixed to the rim, and the other end of the bolt is swivably connected to the bracket.

[0012] In one embodiment one end of the bolt is fixed to the bracket, and the other end of the bolt is swivably connected to the rim.

[0013] In one embodiment each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis in a full circle.

[0014] In one embodiment each rim is capable of being turned around about the swivel bolt in a full circle.

[0015] In one embodiment each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis in a full circle.

[0016] In one embodiment at least one of the one or more holders is a plant or flower pot.

[0017] In one embodiment at least one of the one or more holders is a candle holder.

[0018] In one embodiment the stationary structure is a wall.

[0019] In one embodiment the stationary structure is a railing.

[0020] In one embodiment the stationary structure are the spindles of stairs, railings or fences.

[0021] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description by reference to the following Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of a rack for supporting one or more holders in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a transversal cross sectional view of a bracket of a rack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 A is a top plan view of the rack illustrated in FIG. I.

[0025] FIG. 3 B illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of a bracket of a rack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 C illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of a bracket of a rack connected to a swivel bolt in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 A illustrates a top plan view of a rack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 B illustrates a side view of a rack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 A illustrates a rack for holding plant or flower pots having the bracket positioned in a horizontal orientation with respect to the ground in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 B illustrates a rack for holding plant or flower pots having the bracket positioned in a diagonal orientation with respect to the ground in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5 C illustrates a rack for holding plant or flower pots having the bracket positioned in a vertical orientation with respect to the ground in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5 D illustrates a rack for holding candles in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Definitions

[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, unless indicated otherwise, except within the claims, the use of "or" includes "and" and vice versa. Non-limiting terms are not to be construed as limiting unless expressly stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise (for example "including", "having" and "comprising" typically indicate "including without limitation"). Singular forms including in the claims such as "a", "an" and "the" include the plural reference unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0035] The terms "lateral", "longitudinal" and "vertical" may be used to describe movement or direction relative to the ground or floor in which a stationary structure stands. The term "vertical" may describe substantial up/down movement or a direction along the stationary structure relative to the floor.
The term "longitudinal" may describe substantial horizontal movement or direction on the stationary structure substantially parallel to the floor. The term "lateral" may describe movement or direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal position and away from the stationary structure. A coordinate system may then be defined with "Z" being a vertical axis, "X" being a longitudinal axis, and "Y" being the lateral axis (see FIG 1 illustrating axes Z and X, and FIG. 5 illustrating all three axes).

[0036] FIGs. 1 and 4 illustrate a rack 100 for supporting one or more holders in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The rack 100 may include a bracket 10 and one or more rims 20 (only one is shown in FIG. 1). Each rim 20 may be designed for receiving a holder, which may be a flower or plant holder, container or pot or a candle holder and so forth. Rims 20 may be attached to the bracket 10 by a swivel connector 30, such that the rims 20 may be able of being turned around about swivel connector 30 in the directions shown in FIG. I. The rims 20 may be capable of being turned around about the Y axis (axis that runs along the swivel connector 30) in a full circle. The X axis would run along the bracket's longitudinal extension as shown in FIG. I.

[0037] Bracket 10 may take the form of a bar, and may include a front side 11 and a back side 12. Bracket 10 may include one or more fastening holes 80 expanding from the front side 11 to the back side 12, which may be used to attach the bracket 10 to a stationary structure, such as a wall, a railing, a column, a tree, a post and so forth, with the back side 12 facing the stationary structure. Of course, other connections or adaptations may be used to attach the bracket to the stationary structure, such as clips, straps or magnets. Bracket 10 may also include one or more bores 45 configured for swivelably connecting the one or more rims 20. The one or more rims 20 may be swivelably connected to the front side 11 of bracket 10.

[0038] As previously stated, rim 20 may be designed to receive a container or holder. In the embodiments shown in the figures, rim 20 is illustrated as a circular rim, however, it should be understood that rim may take any number of forms (i.e. rectangular, triangular, square, and so forth), with the proviso of being capable of receiving and holding in place the holders.

[0039] Swivel connector may take any number of forms. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3 swivel connector 30 may take the form of a swivel bolt 30. The one or more bores 45 expanding from one side to the other side of the bracket 10 may be used for receiving an end of the swivel bolt 30, and a bore 90 expanding through a wall of rim 20 may be used for receiving another end of swivel bolt 30. The swivel bolt 30 may include lug 32 having a head 110 at one end and an opposite end 70. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 bore 90 may be configured for receiving end 70 which may be fixed, for instance welded, to the ring 20. Bores 45 may be configured for receiving bolt head 110 as illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3 C. A nut, such as a wing nut 40 may be used to prevent the swivel bolt from rotating. In other embodiments the swivel connection may be done with a bearing.

[0040] FIG. 3 B illustrates a closer view of a bore 45. Bore 45 may be designed such that when the swivel bolt 30 is in position, head 110 may be prevented to pass through aperture 50. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 B, bore 45 may include at one end an aperture 50 opening on the front side 11 of bracket 10, and sized for receiving the lug 32 of bolt 30, and, at the other end, an aperture 60 opening on the back side of rack 10 and sized for the head 110. As such, aperture 60 may be configured to be larger in diameter than opening 50. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 C, bore 45 includes shoulders 47 for preventing head 110 from slipping out of the bore 45 through opening 50. In another embodiment, bore 45 may include a chamfer design. Instead of shoulders, aperture may include tapered walls may connect opening 60 with opening 50 thereby creating a narrowing passageway (narrowing from back side 12 to front side 11 of bracket 10) for preventing head 110 from slipping out opening 45. Instead of a design solution of bore 45, a thickening of the lug of the swivel bolt may also be used to prevent swivel bolt from slipping out bore 45.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 3, opening 60 may be a recesses on the back face 12 of the bracket 10 whereby the bolt head 110 is allowed to rotate even when the bracket 10 is attached to the stationary structure.

[0042] It should be understood that a similar connection to that described in the figures may be obtained if the head of the swivel bolt is connected to the ring and the other end of swivel bolt is fixed to the bracket.

[0043] The elements of the rack of the present invention, including bracket and rims, may be made of any suitable material, for example, aluminium, plastic, steel and so forth. The bracket and rims may be painted and may include any number of ornamentations, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3 B
with reference number 190.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 5, and using the same reference numbers as in FIG.
1 for convenience, in operation, the bracket 10 of the rack of the present invention may be attached to a stationary structure 500 such as a wall, a railing, a column, a post, between spindles, such as the spindles of stairs, railings, fence and so forth. The bracket 10 may be attached to the stationary structure using screws or any other suitable attachment. The bracket 10 may be attached to the stationary structure in any directions.
For example the bracket 10 may be attached to a stationary structure 500 horizontally (FIG. 5 A), diagonally (FIG. 5 B). vertically (FIG. 5 C), or any direction thereinbetween. Regardless of the direction in which the bracket 10 is attached to the stationary structure, the one or more rims 20 supporting holders 510 may be rotated about the swivel bolt so that the holders 510 may remain in a substantially vertical orientation (Z axis) with respect to the ground, if so desired. Once the holders 510 are in a substantially vertical position (or any other desired position), the one or more rims 20 may be held in a fixed angular position with respect to the bracket by adjusting wing nut 40.

[0045] It should be understood that rims 20 may be adapted to hold a number of items. FIGs. 5 A-C, for instance, illustrate rims adapted to hold flower or plant holders 510. FIG. 5 D, for instance, illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, in which the rims 20 of the rack are adapted to hold one or more candles 520.

[0046] Advantages of the invention may include: (i) no matter what angle the bracket is mounted on, the pots holding the plants or flowers can be kept levelled (or not if so desired); (ii) ability to display flowers or plants or any other decorative things on any angle; (iii) ability to blend in with the architecture, such as following a railing's angle; (iv) ability to creatively frame a window with flowers or other display; (v) ability to make designs with flowers or other displays; and (vi) ability to display flowers, plants, and so forth, both cut and dry, live or silk for sale in a store.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A rack for supporting holders, the rack comprising (a) a bracket configured for mounting to a stationary structure, the bracket being an elongated straight bar having a front side and a back side, the bracket having bores extending from the front side to the back side of the bracket, and holes for fastening the bracket to the stationary structure, and (b) rims extending outwardly from the bracket, each rim configured for supporting a holder and each rim swivably mounted to the bracket by a swivel bolt through the bores about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the bracket, whereby each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis, each of the swivel bolts having an elongated shaft with one end for coupling to the rim, and another end for coupling to the bracket.

2. The rack of claim 1, wherein the rim includes a bore for receiving one end of the swivel bolt, said bore configured for allowing the swivel bolt to turn around its own axis.

3. The rack of claim 1, wherein one end of the bolt is fixed to the rim, and the other end of the bolt is swivably connected to the bracket.

4. The rack of claim 1, wherein one end of the bolt is fixed to the bracket, and the other end of the bolt is swivably connected to the rim.

5. The rack of claim 1 wherein each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis in a full circle.

6. The rack of claim 1, wherein each rim is capable of being turned around about the swivel bolt in a full circle.

7. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of said one or more holders is a plant or flower pot.

8. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of said one or more holders is a candle holder.

9. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stationary structure is a wall.

10. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stationary structure is a railing.

11. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stationary structure are the spindles of stairs, railings or fences.