GB2394172A

GB2394172A - Collapsable travel clothes rack

Info

Publication number: GB2394172A
Application number: GB0221568A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-17
Filing date: 2002-09-17
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-17
Also published as: GB0221568D0; GB2394172B

Abstract

A collapsable rack for hanging clothes which is capable of folding away into a compact, lightweight travel accessory. The rack may be an A-frame comprising two main support legs (10), two back support legs (20) and a telescopic crossbar (30), the rack supporting the crossbar may be at a height of 1m or more when in the expanded position and the support legs and crossbar being collapsable to a length of less than 50cm. The support legs and crossbar may be connected together by two 2-way brackets (40), each comprising a hollow central portion to allow one of the main legs to be inserted within it and first and second flanges (42, 43) which extend from the central portion to allow the back support leg and crossbar to be hingedly connected to the bracket. In an alternate embodiment the rack is capable of disassembly in less than one minute.

Description

- 1 Travel Clothes Rack The present invention relates to a collapsable

clothes rack, in particular one that is capable of folding away into a compact, lightweight travel accessory.

Clothes racks are well known items used to store and display articles of clothing. They have several advantages over wardrobes in that they are generally less bulky and the clothes are always visible.

Therefore, clothes racks are used by retailers on the shop floor to display their goods and also in storerooms where space is often limited. I An example of a typical clothes rack can be seen in US Patent No 6,029, 833. The display rack comprises two side posts, a display frame and two supporting horizontal bars at the base. These components are screwed together.

The majority of clothes racks are designed to be assembled once, either at a factory or on site. They are then moved around little and are unlikely ever to be disassembled. The inventor of the present invention has recognized a need for a transportable clothes rack, to provide additional hanging space when on vacation or business.

The rack would also be particularly useful when no other hanging space was available, such as when camping or while waiting on route to a hotel, for example, at an airport terminal.

When creating such a clothes rack several problems are encountered which are not found in the field of

conventional rack design. The rack must be able to fit into a small space, such as hand luggage, but be of

- 2 sufficient height once assembled that it can hold clothes off the ground. It must also be quick and easy to assemble and disassemble, as unlike traditional clothes racks, the travel clothes rack is intended to be erected many times.

Consequently, according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsable rack for hanging clothes, the rack being an Aframe comprising four support legs and a crossbar, the rack supporting the crossbar at a height of 1 metre or more in the expanded condition and the support legs and/or crossbar being collapsable to a size, preferably less than 50cm, preferably no more than 45cm in length and most I preferably less than 40cm in length to fit within an item of luggage and preferably an item of hand luggage.

In one embodiment, the clothes rack supports the rack at a height of 120cm or more, preferably 130cm or more in order to allow dresses or long items of clothing to be hung from the crossbar.

An A-frame configuration for a travel clothes rack is advantageous over the conventional clothes rack structure, for example, as illustrated in US6,029,833, as it provides a more sturdy support for the crossbar.

An A-frame is particularly advantageous where lightweight tubing is being used for the frame material, because the crossbar is supported at each end by two support legs. Conventional structures require strong right angle brackets at their base to hold the support legs vertical. Such brackets could present sharp edges or corners that could cause injury to the user when the clothes rack is in its collapsed configuration.

Viewed from another aspect the invention comprises a rack for hanging clothes comprising four collapsable

f - 3 support legs and a collapsable crossbar, wherein the frame can be collapsed to fit into a compact space of no more than 50cm in length, preferably no more than 45cm in length and most preferably less than 40cm in length.

Preferably the support legs and/or the crossbar are telescopic. This allows them to be easily extended and collapsed. The arrangement is more compact because the telescoping portions fit within each other. Telescopic support legs and/or crossbar also reduces the risk of parts becomingseparated and lost. Alternatively these members could be constructed of several smaller leg pieces foldably connected together, or by any other means which allow them to be extended and collapsed.

The leg pieces/crossbar pieces could be separate but are preferably connected together with cord or the like to avoid parts becoming lost. The pieces may lock in position with an interference fit, a twist locking mechanism or a spring loaded button.

The telescopic legs and/or crossbar may preferably be produced as a three or four piece system. The crossbar may only need to be a two piece system if it is small.

While a fourth piece would add to the production costs it would also allow the legs and/or the crossbar to be reduced to a smaller length when compressed.

Preferably the support legs are all of equal length and preferably comprise two main support legs and two back support legs, the back support legs engaging part way up the main support legs.

Preferably the main and back support legs are fastened together at a point below the end of the main support leg. This allows the tip of the back support leg to abut against a surface of the main support leg to create a steadfast structure. It also allows the connections of

the main support leg to the crossbar and the main support leg to the back support to be separate, keeping the connection mechanisms simplified and maintaining good strength in the connection even when lightweight materials are being used. Preferably the point is at between 99-751 of the way up the main support legs, more preferably between 98-90t of the way. Most preferably the connections are adjacent each other on the main support leg.

Additionally, the tip of the back support leg can be angled or profiled to provide a stop. This may take the form of an extended portion of the hinge connection with pivots into abutment with the main leg or a portion of a bracket on the main leg. This gives strength to the hinge and spaces the support leg at an appropriate angle to the main leg once fully extended to give a sturdy base. Preferably the back support leg is hingedly connected to the main support leg. This has the advantage of keeping the legs attached together for storage, so that parts do not become lost. The hinge would allow the back support leg to be pivoted through an angle to a position where the back support leg lies parallel to the main support leg in a compact storage configuration. The angle is between 10 and 45 , preferably 15 < < 35 , more preferably 20 < < 30 and most preferably about 25 .

Preferably the crossbar tip comprises a right angle to ensure the crossbar locks into place when fully opened.

Preferably the crossbar is hingedly connected to the main support leg so that it may remain attached to the main support let in the collapsed configuration.

Rotation of the crossbar sections, for example 180 to each other assists in allowing the section to fold flat

together by rotating the hinges so that they face in opposite directions. Stops may be provided to lock the hinged connection in the 90 position.

Viewed from another angle the present invention provides a 2 way bracket for connecting 3 members of a clothes rack, comprising a central portion and a first and second flange, wherein the central portion of the bracket is hollow in order to allow a first elongate member to be inserted and held within it, and wherein the first and second flanges can be hingedly connected to second and third elongate members respectively, and are axially and circumferentially spaced apart at right angles to each other so as to allow the second and third elongate members to pivot into a position parallel to said first elongate member. The axial and circumferential spacing also allows the second member to abut the bracket above the first flange without interfering with the operation of the third member and the second flange.

A 2 way bracket as described above would allow for the support legs and the crossbar of the present invention to be connected together so that when assembled the back leg could abut against the main leg (enclosed within the bracket) and when disassembled the contracted crossbar and support legs could lie flush against each other.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a collapsable rack for hanging clothes, the rack being an A-frame comprising two main support legs, two back support legs and a crossbar, the rack supporting the crossbar at a height of 1 metre or more in the expanded condition and the support legs and/or crossbar being collapsable to a length of less than 50cm, wherein the support legs and crossbar are connected together by two 2 way brackets, the two way

- 6 brackets comprising a central portion, which is hollow in order to allow one of said main legs to be inserted and held within it, and first and second flanges which extend from the central portion to allow said back support leg and said crossbar to be hingedly connected to the bracket, wherein said flanges are circumferentially and axially spaced apart from each other so as to allow one of said back support legs to abut the bracket above the first flange.

The support legs and the crossbar are permanently fastened together, by the two way bracket or by other means, and the assembly and disassembly of the rack is achieved merely through rotation and extension of the I various limbs. The fact that no fastening or unfastening is required means that the rack can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily.

Preferably rubber feet are provided on the ends of the support legs to provide protection for the surface on which the rack is placed and also to create greater friction between the rack and the surface to prevent slipping. More preferably the outer diameter of the rubber foot is large enough to contain the outside of the largest diameter telescopic section. In this way the feet can be used as a holding device for the compressed legs. The rubber feet can also preferably include an eye located on the outside of the rubber foot. A bracing cord can be connected to all of the support legs via these eyes to help stabilise the rack.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a rack suitable for hanging clothes, the rack being tall enough to hold clothes without them touching the ground in its assembled state and small enough in

( its compressed state to fit within pieces of hand luggage, wherein the rack can be assembled and disassembled in under 1 minute, preferably in less than 30 seconds, more preferably less than 20 seconds and most preferably in under 10 seconds. Using the constructions as described above, screws, bolts and other types of fasteners, which are commonly employed in DIY furniture, are avoided, simplifying the assembly/disassembly and making it faster.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGS 1A - D show a clothes rack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGS 2A - D show a clothes rack according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGS 3A - C show a 2 way bracket for use with the present invention; FIGS 4A - B show a hinged fitting of the crossbar; FIGS 5A - B show a hinged fitting of the back support legs; FIG 6A - B show crossbars for use with the preferred embodiments of the invention; FIGS 7A - D show a preferred self-locking profile moving between separated to locked configurations; FIG '3 shows a rubber foot which can be used in the present invention; and

- 8 - FIGS 9A - D show how the rack of the present invention can be assembled.

The rack of a preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of the following components; 2 x 2-way folding brackets 2 x Main telescopic support legs 2 x Back telescopic support legs 1 x 50 or lOOcm telescopic crossbar 4 x Rubber feet with fixing eyes 1 x Bracing cord.

The illustrations of FIG 1 show a large 100 cm rack; I this figure is applied to the width of the rack. The crossbar 30 is supported by the main support legs 10 and the back support legs 20. As can be seen from FIGS 1A and 1D, the main and back supports legs 10, 20, are fastened together at a point below the end of the main support leg 10. The crossbar 30 is fixed to the top of the main support leg 10 in order to give the greatest possible clearance from the ground.

In these preferred embodiments, the support legs 10, 20 and the crossbar 30 are telescopic, in this case the legs 10, 20 are created in a 3 piece telescopic system.

The main support legs 10 are 112cm (approx) fully extended (inc of brackets & feet) and 40cm (approx) compressed. This gives a vertical rack height of approximately llOcm, to allow the hanging of most garments without touching the ground.

The back support legs 20 are 112cm (approx) fully extended (inc of brackets & feet) and 42cm (approx) compressed.

( - 9 - A 4 piece telescopic system retains the identical length when fully extended, however when compressed the main support legs 10 reduce to a length of approximately clams, and the back support legs 20 to a length of approximately 33 ems.

The main and back support legs 10, 20 can be re-designed to allow a rack height of 1.5m to allow for the hanging of ladies dresses.

The illustrations of FIG 2 show a small 50 cm rack. The assembly is the same as that for FIG 1 and like parts have been given the same numerals. While the crossbar 30 of this embodiment has been shortened to save space, the main and back legs 10, 20 are identical to those described above.

The illustrations of FIG 3 show the 2-way folding bracket 40 that connects the support legs 10, 20 and the crossbar 30 together. The main support leg 10 is fitted directly into the bracket 40, while the back leg 20 and crossbar 30 connect via the flanges 42, 43 respectively.

The spacing S above the flange 42 allows the back leg 20 to abut against the bracket 40. This gives greater stability to the rack. The flanges 42, 43 are axially and circumferentially spaced apart at right angles to each other so as to allow the crossbar 30 and back leg 20 to pivot into a position parallel to the main leg 10 when the rack is not in use.

The back leg 20 and crossbar 30 are attached to the bracket 40 via hinged fittings which are described with reference to FIGS 4 and 5.

The illustrations of FIG 4 show the hinged fitting 50 that connects the crossbar 30 to the 2-way bracket 40.

The right angle (D) of the hinged fitting 50 is to

- 10 ensure that the crossbar 30 locks into place when fully opened and offers strength to the hinge. The two sides 51, 52 of the fitting are placed on either side of the flange 43 and a connecting pin is fitted through the I mounting holes 51a, 43a, 52a to connect the crossbar 30 to the bracket 40.

Two of the above fittings 50 are fitted to the crossbar 30 for use in either the l.Om or 0.5m rack. However, the two fittings are slightly different, the difference being the internal diameter X into which the telescopic rod of the crossbar 30 is fitted. One of the internal diameters is reduced to allow placement of a smaller telescopic rod. This is due to the configuration of the telescopic crossbars 30, which can be seen in FIG 6.

The illustrations of FIG 5 show the hinged fitting 60 that connects the back support legs 20 to the 2-way bracket 40. The back support legs 20 are connected to the flange 42 in the same manner as the crossbar 30.

The right angle E of the hinged fitting 60 maintains an equal overall rack height with the 2-way bracket 40 and angle F is to ensure that the support legs 10, 20 are spaced at approximately 45cm apart at the base when fully extended and also offers strength to the hinge.

The illustrations of FIG 6 show the basic telescopic system that is used for the crossbar 30, although a similar system is used for the support legs 10, 20.

The crossbar is either 50cm (FIG 6a) or 100cm long (FIG 6b) when fully extended, inclusive of brackets, to allow it to be fitted to either the small or the large rack.

Both sizes have a compressed length of 26cm (approx) & 36cm (approx) respectively, smaller than that of the compressed lengths of the support legs 10, 20.

- 11 When extended, the telescopic pieces are locked into position by self aligning telescopic joints, which can be seen in FIG 7. The self- aligning self-locking telescopic joints 91, 92 are designed to self-align regardless of the position that they are initially pulled together. Once the joints are fully engaged the weight of the rack assists the selflocking device in its operation.

The joint comprises of two pieces 91, 92 that interlock, one piece each being fitted to an end of the tubing that requires locking.

The upper joint piece 91 is fitted to the top of the lower telescopic tube. FIG 7 shows a flat object, but is obviously a circular piece that is joined at both ends shown. The lower joint piece 92 is fitted to the bottom of the upper telescopic tube.

Using a simple twisting action the self-locking device's can be engaged as shown in FIG 7 and disengaged by reversing these steps.

FIG 8 shows the rubber feet 100 that are fitted to the base of the support legs via the inner rubber 101 that is inserted inside the telescopic legs lower section.

The feet are also used as a holding device for the compressed leg via the outer rubber 102 that slides over the outside of the largest diameter telescopic section of the support leg.

The feet 100 are also used as a fixing device for the bracing cord, using an eye 104 that is located on the outside of the rubber foot that has a metal insert for added strength.

- 12 The bracing cord is connected to all four of the support legs 10, 20 via the eyes 104 shown below, the eye 104 should be positioned to face into the centre of the rack when fully assembled.

FIG 9 shows a simple step-by step procedure on the erection compression of the clothes rack follows; Erection of the rack from the storage position; Open the 2-way brackets 40 to create a "Z" like shape. Hold the 2-way brackets 40 and fully extend the telescopic crossbar 30, With a simple anti-clockwise twisting action lock the crossbar 30 with the 2- way brackets in-line with one another.

Now extend the any one of the telescopic legs 10, 20 fully.

Again with a simple anti-clockwise twisting action lock that leg, ensure that the eye 104 on the foot 100 faces into the centre of the assembly.

Complete for all remaining legs.

The rack is now fully self-supported and ready for use. Compression of the rack from the erected position; Remove the weight from the telescopic legs 10, 20.

With a simple clock-wise twisting action disengage the locking device and compress the telescopic leg 10, 20.

Now slide the rubber foot 100 over the outer telescopic leg section.

Complete for all remaining legs.

Holding both the 2-way brackets 40, with a simple clock-wise twisting action disengage the locking

( device/s. Whilst compressing the crossbar 30, rotate the crossbar 30 so that the 2-way brackets 40 face away from each other ("Z" like shape).

Compress the telescopic crossbar 30 to the required l length. Fold the support legs 10, 20 onto the crossbar 30.

Wrap the bracing cord around the assembly.

After compressing the crossbar 30 and all four support legs 10,20, the whole assembly can be compressed to a minimum size as shown, ensuring an excellent storage characteristic. Once folded away, the assembly can be stored in a protective travel bag with pull cord.

Claims

( 14 Claims:

1. A rack for hanging clothes comprising four collapsable support legs and a collapsable crossbar, wherein the frame can be collapsed to fit into a compact space of no more than 50cm in length.

2. A rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame can be collapsed to fit into a space of less than 40cm in length.

3. A rack as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rack is an A-frame which in use supports the crossbar at a height of lm or more.

4. A rack as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the support legs and/or the crossbar are telescopic.

5. A rack as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the support legs comprise two main support legs and two back support legs, the back support legs engaging the main support legs between 99-75% of the way up the main support legs.

6. A rack as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tip of the back support leg is angled to provide a stop.

7. A rack as claimed in claim S or 6, wherein the back support leg and the crossbar are hingedly connected to the main support leg.

8. A 2 way bracket for connecting 3 members of a clothes rack, comprising a central portion and a first and second flange, wherein the central portion of the bracket is hollow in order to allow a first elongate member to be inserted and held within it, and wherein the first and second flanges can be hingedly connected

l - 15 to second and third elongate members respectively, and are axially and circumferentially spaced apart at right angles to each other so as to allow the second and third elongate members to pivot into a position parallel to said first elongate member.

9. A rack suitable for hanging clothes, the rack being tall enough to hold clothes without them touching the ground in its assembled state and small enough in its compressed state to fit within pieces of hand luggage, wherein the rack can be assembled and disassembled in under 1 minute.

10. A rack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A 2-way bracket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.