GB2279235A

GB2279235A - " A rack"

Info

Publication number: GB2279235A
Application number: GB9410763A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roderick Roche
Original assignee: Kerry Gardens Ltd
Current assignee: Kerry Gardens Ltd
Priority date: 1993-05-28
Filing date: 1994-05-27
Publication date: 1995-01-04
Also published as: GB9410763D0

Abstract

A storage rack (1) for mounting on a door or a wall (2) for storing long handled cleaning implements (3) comprises a body member (12) having three support slots (28, 29, 30) for releasably supporting the cleaning implements (3). Engagement clamps (35) are secured at appropriate locations on handles (8) of the cleaning implements (3) for engaging corresponding engagement recesses (34) in which the support slots (28, 29, 30) terminate. Receiving openings (45) form engagement portions (52) for receiving and supporting containers (10) which may contain liquid cleaning and polishing chemicals. <IMAGE>

Description

"A rack" The present invention relates to a storage rack for supporting a plurality of long handled cleaning implements, and cleaning materials, and in particular, though not limited to such a storage rack for mounting on a door, wall or the like.

Long handled cleaning implements, such as, for example, brushes, deckscrubs, mops and the like, which, in general, comprise an elongated handle terminating in a transversely extending head, in general, are stored in cupboards or concealed locations. Because of the construction of such cleaning implements, in general, it is impossible to keep the cleaning implements tidily stored away.

Where such cleaning implements are placed in a cupboard resting against a wall of the cupboard, they tend to fall around. Additionally, cleaning materials which would be used with cleaning implements, such as, for example, chemical substances for floor cleaning, chemical substances for polishing and the like, are supplied in bottles or containers which, in general, would include a spray nozzle through which the chemical polishing or cleaning material is sprayed. A lever for activating a pump for generating pressure within the container for delivering the spray extends from a position adjacent the nozzle. In general, such containers are unstable and tend to topple over relatively easily, when stored on a shelf, ledge or the like.

There is therefore a need for a storage rack for storing long handled cleaning implements and containers for chemical cleaning and polishing materials, and indeed other materials which avoids these problems.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a storage rack.

According to the invention, there is provided a storage rack for supporting cleaning materials and a plurality of cleaning implements of the type having an elongated handle terminating in a transversely extending head, the storage rack comprising an elongated body member, a mounting means on the body member for mounting the rack to a door, wall or the like, at least one receiving means located on the body member for receiving and supporting the cleaning materials, and a plurality of support means for releasably engaging respective handles of the cleaning implements for supporting the cleaning implements with the handles being disposed in a substantially vertical orientation, the support means being located at spaced apart intervals along the body member so that the cleaning implements can be supported on the rack without the head of any of the cleaning implements overlapping a handle of any of the other cleaning implements.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support means are located along the body member at positions so that the maximum horizontal distance between the two opposite extreme outermost tips of the heads of the cleaning implements supported on the rack does not exceed a predetermined distance. It is preferable that the predetermined distance should not exceed 470 mm.

Preferably, the receiving means are spaced apart along the body member.

In one aspect of the invention, the body member defines an upwardly facing top surface, and a rear wall extending downwardly from the top surface, the mounting means comprises means for releasably engaging a mounting support, typically, a spigot, nail, screw or the like projecting from a door, wall or the like.

Preferably, the mounting means is provided by a pair of inverted keyhole shaped slots extending vertically in the rear wall for engaging respective mounting supports.

In another aspect of the invention, the body member defines a front surface extending downwardly from the top surface, the front surface being spaced apart from the rear wall, and each support means is provided by a support slot extending into the body member from the front surface thereof for receiving and engaging a handle of a cleaning implement, each support slot extending downwardly from the top surface.

Preferably, the support slot extends perpendicularly from the front surface, and terminates in the housing short of the rear wall. Advantageously, each support slot extends into an upwardly facing recess extending downwardly into the body member from the top surface for releasably engaging an engagement means provided on a handle of a cleaning implement.

In another aspect of the invention, each receiving means comprises a receiving opening formed in the body member and extending into the body member from the top surface thereof.

Ideally, a plurality of engagement means are provided for securing to the respective handles of the cleaning implements for engaging the body member adjacent the respective support means. Preferably, each engagement means comprises an engagement clamp which extends at least partly around the handle of the cleaning implement and is releasably securable to the handle.

Advantageously, each engagement clamp comprises a pair of clamp shells adapted for clamping the handle therebetween, and ideally, the clamp shells are secured together by a screw.

In one aspect of the invention, two of the support means are located relatively close to each other, one of said closely located support means being provided for supporting the cleaning implement with the head thereof below the support means, and the other of the said closely located support means being provided for supporting the cleaning implement with the head thereof above the support means. Preferably, a third support means is located spaced apart from the two closely located support means, the third support means being provided for supporting the cleaning implement with the head thereof located in a position relative to the support means opposite to the location of the head of the cleaning implement in the next adjacent support means. Advantageously, the closely located support means are located towards one end of the body member, and advantageously, the receiving means are located towards one end of the body member opposite the end of the body member at which the support means are located. Preferably, two of the receiving means are located relatively close to each other.

Additionally, the invention provides the storage rack according to the invention supporting a plurality of cleaning implements located in the support means and cleaning materials located in the receiving means.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a storage rack according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the storage rack of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the storage rack of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the storage rack of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the storage rack of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is an underneath plan view of the storage rack of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the storage rack of Fig. 1 from one end, Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the storage rack of Fig. 1 from the other end, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the storage rack of Fig. 1 illustrated in use, Fig. 9a is a perspective view of a mounting support for mounting the storage rack of Fig. 1 on a wall, door or the like, Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the storage rack of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a detail of the storage rack of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an engagement clamp for use with the storage rack of Fig. 1, Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the engagement clamp of Fig. 12, Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of a storage rack according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of the storage rack of Fig. 14, and Fig. 16 is a front perspective view of a storage rack according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 13, there is illustrated a storage rack according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for mounting on a door or wall 2 for storing a plurality of long handled cleaning implements 3, in this case, a squeegee 4, a deckscrub 5 and a brush 6, all of which comprise an elongated handle 8 which terminates in a transversely extending head 9, see Figs. 9 and 10. The storage rack 1 also stores containers 10 of cleaning and polishing chemicals and other liquid materials as will be described below, one container 10 is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. The storage rack 1 comprises a body member 12 of injection moulded plastics material which comprises a top wall 14 which defines an upwardly facing top surface 15, a front and rear wall 16 and 17, respectively, both of which extend downwardly from the top wall 14, and a pair of end walls 18 and 19 extending downwardly from the top wall 14 between the front and rear walls 16 and 17, respectively. Reinforcing webs 20 extend downwardly from the top wall 14 between the front and rear walls 16 and 17. The front wall 16 defines a front forwardly directed surface 22 while the rear wall defines a rearwardly facing rear surface 23. A mounting means for mounting the body member 12 to the wall 2 comprises a pair of spaced apart inverted keyhole slots 25 extending through the rear wall 17 for releasably engaging mounting supports, typically, headed spacer studs 24 secured to the wall 2 by screws 26, see Fig. 9a. The engagement of inverted keyhole slots with such studs will be well known to those skilled in the art. Ribs 27 extend from the rear surface 23 of the rear wall 17 for abutting the wall 2 on which the rack 1 is mounted.

A support means for supporting the three cleaning implements 3 on the support rack 1 comprises three support slots 28, 29 and 30 for receiving, in this case, the handles 8 of the squeegee 4, the deckscrub 5 and the brush 6, respectively. Each support slot 28, 29 and 30 extends inwardly into the body member 12 from the front face 22, and is defined by a downwardly extending wall 32 which extends downwardly from the top wall 14 and terminates in the front wall 16. The support slots 28, 29 and 30 terminate in partly circular engagement recesses 34 which extend downwardly from the top surface 15 for releasably engaging a corresponding engagement means, namely, an engagement clamp 35 secured to the handle 8 of the corresponding cleaning implement 3, see Figs. 11 to 13. Each engagement clamp 35 comprises a pair of identical clamp shells 36 and 37 of injection moulded plastics material, each of which extend halfway around the corresponding handle 8. A screw 38 through a hole 39 in the clamp shell 36 engages a threaded insert (not shown) in a hole 40 in the clamp shell 37 for securing the clamp shells 36 and 37 together and onto the handle 8. The engagement clamps 35 are secured to the respective handles 8 at a position so that the cleaning implements 3 can be mounted on the storage rack 1 with their respective heads 9 alternately above and below the rack 1 as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

The support slots 28, 29 and 30 are located at spaced apart intervals along the body member 12, and the engagement clamps 35 are located on the handles 8 of the cleaning implements 3 at locations so that when the cleaning implements 3 are supported in the rack 1 with the heads 9 of the cleaning implements 3 alternately above and below the rack 1, the cleaning implements are arranged so that the head 9 of any cleaning implement 3 does not overlap a handle 8 of another cleaning implement 3. As can be seen, the head 9 of the squeegee 4 extends towards the handle 8 of the brush 6 a distance just short of the handle 8 of the brush 6. The heads 9 of the squeegee 4 and the deckscrub 5 extend below and above the handles 8 of the other implement 3, respectively, thereby avoiding overlap of the handles 8 by the heads 9.

Additionally, the head 9 of the brush 6 is located below the head 9 of the squeegee 4, likewise avoiding overlap of the brush 6 with the squeegee 4.

Additionally, the support slots 28, 29 and 30 are so arranged that the maximum horizontal distance a between the opposite extreme tips 42 and 43 of the head 9 of any pair of cleaning implements 3 is less than a predetermined distance, in this case, the extreme tips are the tips 42 and 43 of the squeegee 4 and the brush 6, respectively, and the horizontal distance between the tips 42 and 43 is approximately 390 mm, which is considerably less than the internal width of a standard frame of a standard cupboard, which, in general, would be of the order of 470 mm.

Accordingly, when the storage rack 1 is mounted on the inside surface of a door of a cupboard, the door may be opened and closed without the tips 42 and 43 interfering with the framework of the door, provided, of course, the distance between the opposite vertical members of the framework is greater than 395 mm. In this case, the support slots 28 and 29 are located closely together towards the end wall 18 while the support slot 30 is well spaced apart from the support slots 28 and 29. This further facilitates ensuring that overlap by the head 9 of one cleaning implement 3 of the handle 8 of another cleaning implement 3 is avoided.

A receiving means for receiving and supporting the containers 10 comprises a pair of receiving openings 45 which extend from the top surface 15 through the top wall 14. Side walls 46 extending downwardly from the top wall 14 surround and define the respective receiving openings 45. The receiving openings 45 are located at spaced apart intervals along the body member 2 towards the end wall 19. The containers 10 are each of the type which comprise a reservoir 47 for the liquid chemical and a head 48 which contains a nozzle 49 for providing a spray of the liquid chemical. A pump activating lever 60 extends downwardly from the head 48 spaced apart from the reservoir 47 for activating a pump (not shown) in the head 48 for delivering the spray of the chemical through the nozzle 49. Such containers will be well known to those skilled in the art. Each receiving opening 45 defines with the top wall 17 and the front wall 16 an engagement portion 52 for engaging the containers 10 between the lever 50 and the reservoir 47 for supporting the containers 10 on the storage rack 1.

In use, with two studs 24 secured to the wall by screws 26, the storage rack 1 is mounted to the wall 2 by engaging the keyhole slots 25 on the studs 24 in a manner which will be well known to those skilled in the art. The engagement clamps 35 are secured to the handles 8 of the cleaning implements 3 at appropriate positions on the handles 8 to avoid the head 9 of any of the cleaning implements 3 overlapping the handle 8 of another implement 3. The cleaning implements 3 are then engaged in the appropriate receiving slots 28, 29 and 30 with the engagement clamps 35 engaged in the engagement recesses 34. The containers 10 are mounted on the storage rack 1 with their levers 60 projecting into the receiving openings 45 so that the containers 10 are engaged by the engagement portions 52 of the body member 12. To remove a cleaning implement 3 from the storage rack 1 the handle 8 of the cleaning implement is urged slightly upwardly until the engagement clamp 35 disengages the engagement recess 34 and the engagement clamp 35 clears the top surface 15 of the body member 12. The handle is then slid forwardly through the appropriate support slot 28, 29 and 30. The reverse procedure is followed when returning a cleaning implement 3 to the storage rack 1.

The advantages of the storage rack according to the invention are many. In particular, the storage rack provides a relatively neat and tidy way of storing long handled cleaning implements and avoids the danger of the cleaning implements falling untidily around a cupboard. An additional advantage of the invention is that the storage rack provides stable storage for containers of liquid chemicals used for cleaning, polishing and the like which avoids any danger of the containers toppling over.

Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the support slots are arranged to avoid the head of one cleaning implement overlapping the handle of another, the cleaning implements can be stored tightly against a wall or door onto which the storage rack is mounted.

By virtue of the fact that the support slots are arranged to ensure that the maximum horizontal distance of the most extreme tips of any two cleaning implements does not exceed 470 mm, the storage rack is particularly suitable for mounting on a standard size door of a cupboard.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, there is illustrated a storage rack according to another embodiment of the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 60. The storage rack 60 is substantially similar to the storage rack 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment of the invention, four support slots 61, 62, 63 and 64 are provided for supporting four long handled cleaning implements. The support slots 61 to 64 are substantially identical to the support slots 28 to 30.

Two receiving openings 65 and 66 are provided for receiving and supporting containers 10. Although of slightly different shape to the receiving openings 45 of the storage rack 1, the function of the receiving openings 65 and 66 is identical to that of the receiving openings 45 of the storage rack 1.

A pair of receptacles 67 and 68 are located to one end of the storage rack 60 for carrying containers of cleaning or other materials. The receptacles 67 and 68 are provided with a base 69 for supporting the containers therein. A V-shaped recess 70 is provided at the other end of the storage rack for receiving a duster or other cleaning cloth.

Otherwise, the storage rack 60 is substantially similar to the storage rack 1.

Referring now to Fig. 16, there is illustrated a storage rack according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 80. The storage rack 80 is substantially similar to the storage rack 1, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals.

While the storage racks have been described as comprising specific numbers of support slots, it will be appreciated that more or less support slots may be provided. Needless to say, more or less receiving openings than the numbers of receiving openings described may be provided, and indeed, it will be appreciated that receiving means other than receiving openings may be provided. It will also be appreciated that receiving means provided by receiving receptacles may be provided. Furthermore, it is envisaged that hooks may be provided extending downwardly from the body member from which other articles may be suspended.

It is envisaged in certain cases that support means other than support slots may be provided. While it is preferable, it is not essential that the maximum horizontal distance between the extreme tips of the cleaning implements should be less than the standard width of a frame of a standard door. This is not essential in cases where the storage rack is to be mounted on a wall without an overall horizontal dimension limitation being imposed by the location of the rack on the wall.

While the engagement means have been described as comprising a pair of identical clamp shells, any other suitable engagement means may be provided. It is also envisaged that the engagement means may be formed integrally with the handle of the cleaning implement.

While three specific types of long handled cleaning implements have been described, the storage rack according to the invention may be used for supporting any other type of long handled cleaning implement. It will of course also be appreciated that the long handled cleaning implements may be inserted in any particular slot, however, in general, the long handled cleaning implements should be inserted in the slots in such a way that the maximum horizontal distance a is minimised. It is envisaged that a cloth mop may, for example, be supported in the support slot for the squeegee. In which case, the horizontal distance a would be reduced to 350 mm. In which case, the storage rack with such an arrangement of cleaning implements could be mounted on a cupboard door in which the spacing between the upright members of the framework of the door was just greater than 350 mm.

It is also envisaged that the storage rack according to the invention may be used for storing component parts of a vacuum cleaner, typically, the cleaning member and tubes which form the handle of the cleaning member.

Claims

1. A storage rack for supporting cleaning materials and a plurality of cleaning implements of the type having an elongated handle terminating in a transversely extending head, the storage rack comprising an elongated body member, a mounting means on the body member for mounting the rack to a door, wall or the like, at least one receiving means located on the body member for receiving and supporting the cleaning materials, and a plurality of support means for releasably engaging respective handles of the cleaning implements for supporting the cleaning implements with the handles being disposed in a substantially vertical orientation, the support means being located at spaced apart intervals along the body member so that the cleaning implements can be supported on the rack without the head of any of the cleaning implements overlapping a handle of any of the other cleaning implements.

2. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 1 in which the support means are located along the body member at positions so that the maximum horizontal distance between the two opposite extreme outermost tips of the heads of the cleaning implements supported on the rack does not exceed a predetermined distance.

3. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 2 in which the predetermined distance does not exceed 470 mm.

4. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which the receiving means are spaced apart along the body member.

5. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which the body member defines an upwardly facing top surface, and a rear wall extending downwardly from the top surface, the mounting means comprises means for releasably engaging a mounting support projecting from a door, wall or the like.

6. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 5 in which the mounting means is provided by a pair of inverted keyhole shaped slots extending vertically in the rear wall for engaging respective mounting supports.

7. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which the body member defines a front surface extending downwardly from the top surface, the front surface being spaced apart from the rear wall, and each support means is provided by a support slot extending into the body member from the front surface thereof for receiving and engaging a handle of a cleaning implement, each support slot extending downwardly from the top surface.

8. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 7 in which the support slot extends perpendicularly from the front surface, and terminates in the housing short of the rear wall.

9. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which each support slot extends into an upwardly facing recess extending downwardly into the body member from the top surface for releasably engaging an engagement means provided on a handle of a cleaning implement.

10. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which each receiving means comprises a receiving opening formed in the body member and extending into the body member from the top surface thereof.

11. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which a plurality of engagement means are provided for securing to the respective handles of the cleaning implements for engaging the body member adjacent the respective support means.

12. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 11 in which each engagement means comprises an engagement clamp which extends at least partly around the handle of the cleaning implement and is releasably securable to the handle.

13. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 12 in which each engagement clamp comprises a pair of clamp shells adapted for clamping the handle therebetween.

14. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 13 in which the clamp shells are secured together by a screw.

15. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which two of the support means are located relatively close to each other, one of said closely located support means being provided for supporting the cleaning implement with the head thereof below the support means, and the other of the said closely located support means being provided for supporting the cleaning implement with the head thereof above the support means.

16. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 15 in which a third support means is located spaced apart from the two closely located support means, the third support means being provided for supporting the cleaning implement with the head thereof located in a position relative to the support means opposite to the location of the head of the cleaning implement in the next adjacent support means.

17. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the closely located support means are located towards one end of the body member.

18. A storage rack as claimed in Claim 17 in which the receiving means are located towards one end of the body member opposite the end of the body member at which the support means are located.

19. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which two of the receiving means are located relatively close to each other.

20. A storage rack substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

21. A storage rack as claimed in any preceding claim in which the storage rack supports a plurality of cleaning implements located in the support means and cleaning materials located in the receiving means.