GB2458195A

GB2458195A - Foldable clothing rail having foldable rail corner sections and vertical uprights

Info

Publication number: GB2458195A
Application number: GB0820082A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julie Drake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-01
Filing date: 2008-11-01
Publication date: 2009-09-16
Also published as: GB0820082D0

Abstract

A clothing rail is disclosed which includes foldable bottom rail corner sections, a pair of foldable side vertical uprights, and a foldable horizontal bottom rail. In use the rail may be collapsed from an erected state (Fig.3) to a folded state (Fig.4) by removing a top rail and separating both side uprights and separating the bottom rail and then depressing push-bottom locks to unlock bottom corners and then raising the bottom rail and drawing the side uprights together and fastening a Velcro (RTM) strap around the folded rail to hold the folded rail together. The strap may be attached to the bottom rail. The uprights and the bottom rail may be provided as two pole-parts which include hidden wire connectors which keep the pole-parts separated yet attached when not fully joined in a similar manner to tent poles.

Description

* 2458195

PATENT SPECIFICATION

Description -STRONG FOLDING RAIL

The Strong Folding Rail has been designed to have the appearance and general overall shape of a traditional retail hanging rail with the added advantage of being easily stored and easily portable -which the traditional-style retail hanging rail is notl This has been accomplished by ensuring that when the STRONG FOLDING RAIL is in its erected state for use, it presents the familiar and expected appearance and general overall shape of a traditional retail hanging rail. There are no obvious or intrusive alterations to the overall appearance of the rail. However, with the discreet corner locking buttons and hidden flexible wire connectors' which keep two pole-parts separated yet attached when not fully joined (like a tent pole) the strong folding rail easily becomes folded into a compact state which makes it easy to carry, easy to store and even easy to transport in, say, a car boot. The rail base also remains in one unit, so no longer will parts become lost' when a traditional retail rail is dismantled.

The STRONG FOLDING RAIL provides the perfect solution for all and at the same time bridges the gap between rigid yet difficult to store traditional hanging rails' and folding rails that look like folding rails' which are convenient but not so strong. Folding rails appear flimsy and weak in construction. The STRONG FOLDING RAIL offers the no-compromise solution.

The STRONG FOLDING RAIL to be available in the usual standard sizes of 5 ft or 6 ft hanging length in finishes or Black Powder Coated base and uprights with a top rail in Black Powder Coated or Chrome finish. Alternatively there is an all Chrome version. The metal tube to be used in manufacture is also to be the usual standard size of 32mm external diameter except the top rail which will be in oval tube. Optional accessories available will be the usual mid-rails in 5 ft or 6 ft. and height extensions will also be available. Mid-rails and height extensions are expected optional accessories for traditional-style retail hanging rails.

A Velcro (RTM) Strap will be provided -permanently attached underneath the bottom rail, close to the centre join. This Velcro strap is used to wrap around and hold the folded rail together for storage. When the rail is assembled ready for use, the Velcro strap is to be fastened, using an attached Velcro dot, along the underside of the bottom rail. This not only makes a tidy storage solution but avoids a health & safety trip hazard from a trailing strap.

Diagrams on page 4/5 illustrate the design and operation of Strong Folding Rail. 2.

Instructions for STRONG FOLDING RAIL Your STRONG FOLDING RAIL is of RETAIL TRADE QUALITY -very strong and durable with the advantage of ease of storage and transportation.

Rail Size: 5 ft or 6 ft Hanging Length, Height 5 ft 3 ins Finish: Black Powder Coated or Chrome BASE and UPRIGHTS Black Powder Coated or Chrome TOP RAIL Opt. Accessories: Mid-Rails and Height Extensions in Black Powder Coated finish To USE: 1 Undo VELCRO STRAP, join SIDE UPRIGHTS then draw SIDE UPRIGHTS apart.

2 Join BOTTOM RAIL at centre and locate push-buttons to lock corners.

3 Place TOP RAIL onto SIDE UPRIGHTS. Tidy VELCRO STRAP using Velcro loop dot.

YOUR RAIL IS READY FOR USE

To STORE: 1 Remove TOP RAIL then separate both of the SIDE UPRIGHTS.

2 Release VELCRO STRAP then separate BOTTOM RAIL at centre.

3 Depress push-button locks to unlock bottom corners, then raise centre BOTTOM RAIL drawing SIDE UPRIGHTS together and fasten VELCRO STRAP around folded rail.

YOUR RAIL IS READY FOR STORAGE

NOTE: When folding your rail you may either leave the uprights at full height or, for more compact storage, separate and fold down before Velcro-strapping.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The appearance of the Strong Folding Rail is that of a traditional retail rail and is what both retailers and customers expect to see.
2. The Strong Folding Rail incorporates discreet folding mechanisms at both of the bottom rail corners and also has flexible connections near centre of both uprights and at centre of bottom rail which do not spoil the overall appearance, thereby giving users the appearance and strength of a traditional-style retail hanging rail combined with the versatility of a folding rail.
3. The Strong Folding Rail is manufactured using trade-standard 32 mm external diameter metal tube allowing standard mid-rails and height extensions to be used thereby avoiding any special accessories to be purchased.
4. The Strong Folding Rail has been designed so that it can fold down and is then Velcro-strapped together so users cannot lose any parts during storage so there will only be the strapped base unit and the top rail to store.
5. The Strong Folding Rail requires no maintenance as the moving parts are designed for long-life and do not require any lubrication.
6. The simple yet strong design of the Strong Folding Rail makes it easy and economical to manufacture ensuring that the Strong Folding Rail will be very good value for the end-user.
7. The Strong Folding Rail will be available to retailers and also members of the public who may, for example, be moving house. The Strong Folding Rail offers all a truly strong and versatile rail in place of the number of cheap flimsy rails on the market that can be purchased at various catalogue shops and even in supermarkets, many of which are of poor quality and break easily.
8. The Strong Folding Rail is able to fold down into a compact strapped package measuring approximately 20 ins x 14 ins x 30 ins plus the top rail bar.