US20040007543A1

US20040007543A1 - Hat rack

Info

Publication number: US20040007543A1
Application number: US10/191,824
Authority: US
Inventors: Timothy Schneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-09
Filing date: 2002-07-09
Publication date: 2004-01-15

Abstract

A hat rack for holding a brimmed hat includes a pair of base rods arranged in a spaced apart parallel configuration. A first support rod is coupled to respective first ends of the pair of base rods and a second support rod is coupled to respective second ends of the pair of base rods. Both support rods have a substantially similar configuration, namely, a pair of upstanding support arms connected by a top segment. Each pair of support arms are inclined toward one another as they extend from the base rods to a corresponding top segment. Further, the support rods proper are inclined toward one another. A hat of the type having a crown and brim, such as a western hat, may be supported upon the top segments. Another embodiment includes a similarly configured support rod pivotally coupled to a wall or door mountable base.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to hat holders and, more particularly, to a hat rack for securely holding a brimmed hat in a level position above a support surface while maintaining the shape of the hat.

Various devices have been proposed in the art for holding hats of various types. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, existing devices do not provide a hat rack that can effectively hold a western-style brimmed hat in a completely level, elevated configuration such as for thorough drying and that can hold such a hat without damaging its brim or crown.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a hat rack which can support a brimmed hat in an elevated, level configuration to aid in proper and thorough drying. Further, it is desirable to have a hat rack which can support a brimmed hat without damaging or altering the shape of its crown or brim.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hat rack capable of supporting a hat of the type having a crown and brim includes a pair of base rods that are spaced apart in a parallel configuration, each rod including first and second ends. A first support rod is coupled to respective first ends of the pair of base rods while a second support rod is coupled to respective second ends thereof. Each support rod includes a pair of support arms inclined toward each other and connected by a top segment at upper ends thereof. In addition, the support rods proper are inwardly inclined toward each other. This configuration enables a brimmed hat to be supported upon top segments of the support rods. The inclination of the support arms maintains the hat in an elevated configuration so as to promote thorough drying when necessary. Another embodiment of the invention includes a wall-mountable base having a singular support rod, the singular support rod having a configuration substantially similar to the support rods of the tabletop embodiment.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a hat rack for securely supporting a brimmed hat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hat rack, as aforesaid, having a tabletop construction which can support a brimmed hat above the tabletop for promoting thorough drying of a wet hat.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hat rack, as aforesaid, having a strong and durable construction that is not subject to rust or corrosion.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a hat rack, as aforesaid, which maintains the shape of a brimmed hat while holding it.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hat rack according to one embodiment of the present invention; [0010]
FIG. 2 is a front view of the hat rack as in FIG. 1; [0011]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hat rack according to another embodiment of the present invention in a hat-holding configuration; and [0012]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hat rack as in FIG. 3 in a storage configuration. [0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A hat rack according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the accompanying drawings. A [0014] hat rack 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a pair of base rods 12. Each base rod 12 includes a ⅝″ tubular configuration although any configuration that would provide a stable support when placed on a flat support surface would also be suitable. Each base rod 12 is preferably constructed of wood although any strong and durable material would also work. Each base rod 12 includes opposed first 14 and second 16 ends. Further, each end of a base rod defines a recess for receiving a corresponding end of a respective support rod, as will be further described below.
A [0015] first support rod 18 includes a pair of first support rod ends 20 connected to first ends 14 of respective base rods 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Preferably, the first support rod ends 20 include configurations complementary to those of respective base rod end recesses and are coupled thereto. The first support rod 18 further includes a pair of support arms 22 extending upwardly from respective first support rod ends 20, the support arms being gradually inclined toward one another at distal ends thereof relative to the base rods 12. A first support arm top segment 24 interconnects distal ends of the pair of support arms 22. The inclination of the support arms 22 may be further understood in that the length of the first support arm top segment 24 is less than the distance between the parallel base rods 12 (FIG. 1). The first support rod 18 essentially presents a symmetrical construction having an inverted generally U-shaped configuration. The first support rod 18 preferably includes a {fraction (3/16)}″ metal construction such as a durable wire although a construction having different diameter or of a durable plastic material would also work.
The [0016] hat rack 10 further includes a second support rod 26 having a construction substantially similar to the construction of the first support rod 18 described above. More particularly, the second support rod 26 includes a pair of opposed ends 28 coupled to respective second ends 16 of the base rods 12 (FIG. 1). The second support rod 26 includes a pair of support arms 30 extending upwardly from respective second support rod ends 28 and includes a top segment 32 interconnecting distal ends thereof relative to the base rods 12. The support arms 30 of the second support rod 26 are gradually inclined toward one another as they extend upwardly. The metal construction of the first 18 and second 26 support rods may be coated with polyvinyl chloride so as to provide a soft grip texture and to inhibit rust and corrosion from forming thereon.
It should be appreciated that the first [0017] 18 and second 26 support rods include a bent configuration intermediate respective ends and support arms such that the first 18 and second 26 support rods extend angularly upwardly and are inclined toward one another (FIG. 2). Therefore, the support arms of each support rod are upwardly inclined toward one another and the support rods themselves are inclined toward one another. Both of these configurations contribute to properly and securely supporting a brimmed hat above a support surface.
In use, the [0018] hat rack 10 may be supported upon the spaced apart base rods 12 for positioning upon a support surface such as a tabletop, floor, or the like. It is understood that the base rods 12 include a sufficient length and are spaced apart in parallel so as to provide a stable base. The top segments 24, 32 of the first 18 and second 26 support rods, respectively, are spaced apart from one another due to the inclination of the support rods toward one another so as to receive the crown of a brimmed hat. Further, the inclination of the support arms 22, 30 of each support rod 18, 32 hold the brimmed hat in a generally level configuration above the support surface. This allows thorough drying of a wet hat and maintains the overall shape of the hat without damage thereto.
Another embodiment of the [0019] hat rack 40 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The hat rack 40 according to this embodiment includes a base member 42 configured for mounting to a wall or door, such as with screws or the like. The hat rack 40 includes a continuous support rod 44 having opposed ends 46 pivotally coupled to the base member 42, such as with hinges 48. Thus, the support rod 44 is pivotally movable between a storage/non-use configuration (FIG. 4) and a use configuration (FIG. 3). Having a construction substantially similar to the support rods described previously, the support rod 44 includes a pair of support arms 50 inclined toward one another as they extend away from the base member 42. An end segment 52 interconnects distal ends of the support arm 50 relative to the base member 42. Therefore, the crown of a brimmed hat may be received by the end segment 52 with the support arms 50 holding the hat securely in place and without damaging the crown or brim.
Still another embodiment of a [0020] hat rack 58 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 5 and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction first described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except as otherwise noted below. The support arms 22, 30 of the first 18 and second 26 support rods are pivotally coupled to respective ends 20, 28 thereof with respective hinges 60, 62 such that the support rods may be pivotally moved between a storage configuration (FIG. 5) and a use configuration (FIG. 1). Thus, the tabletop hat rack 58 may be selectively collapsed when not needed.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof. [0021]

Claims

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A hat rack for use in holding a brimmed hat, comprising:

a pair of base rods arranged in a spaced apart parallel configuration relative to one another for stable support on a substantially flat support surface, each base rod having opposed first and second ends;

a continuous first support rod having opposed first support rod ends coupled to respective first ends of said pair of base rods, said first support rod having a pair of upwardly extending first support rod arms gradually inclined toward one another and having a first support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of first support rod arms relative to said respective first ends of said pair of base rods;

a continuous second support rod having opposed second support rod ends coupled to respective second ends of said pair of base rods, said second support rod having a pair of upwardly extending second support rod arms gradually inclined toward one another and having a second support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of second support rod arms relative to said respective second ends of said pair of base rods; and

said first and second support rods being inwardly inclined toward one another, whereby said first and second support rod top segments are situated to support a crown of the brimmed hat.

2. The hat rack as in claim 1 wherein said first and second support rods include a metal construction coated with a layer of polyvinyl chloride for inhibiting rust and corrosion thereon.

3. The hat rack as in claim 1 wherein said pair of base rods include a wooden construction, said first and second ends of respective base rods defining recesses adapted to receive corresponding ends of respective support rods.

4. The hat rack as in claim 1 wherein said first support rod top segment includes a length smaller than a distance between said pair of base rods.

5. The hat rack as in claim 1 wherein each base rod includes a tubular configuration.

6. The hat rack as in claim 1 wherein said first and second support rods include generally inverted U-shaped configurations.

7. The hat rack as in claim 1 wherein said first and second support rods have a substantially similar configuration such that said first and second support rod top segments are adapted to support the brimmed hat in a substantially level configuration.

8. A hat rack for use in holding a brimmed hat, comprising:

a continuous first support rod having opposed first support rod ends coupled to respective first ends of said pair of base rods, said first support rod having a pair of first support rod arms extending upwardly from respective first support rod ends and being gradually inclined toward one another and having a first support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of first support rod arms relative to said respective first ends of said pair of base rods;

a continuous second support rod having opposed second support rod ends coupled to respective second ends of said pair of base rods, said second support rod having a pair of second support rod arms extending upwardly from respective second support rod ends and being gradually inclined toward one another and having a second support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of second support rod arms relative to said respective second ends of said pair of base rods;

wherein said first and second support rods include a metal construction coated with a layer of polyvinyl chloride for inhibiting rust and corrosion thereon; and

wherein said first and second support rods include a substantially similar configuration and are inwardly inclined toward one another, whereby said first and second support rod top segments are situated to receive a crown of the brimmed hat and to support the brimmed hat in a level configuration relative to said support surface.

9. The hat rack as in claim 8 wherein said pair of base rods include a wooden construction, said first and second ends of respective base rods defining recesses adapted to receive corresponding ends of respective support rods.

10. The hat rack as in claim 8 wherein said first support rod top segment includes a length smaller than a distance between said pair of base rods.

11. The hat rack as in claim 10 wherein each base rod includes a tubular configuration.

12. The hat rack as in claim 10 wherein said first and second support rods include generally inverted U-shaped configurations.

13. The hat rack as in claim 8 wherein:

said first support rod ends are pivotally coupled to said respective first ends of said pair of base rods; and

said second support rod ends are pivotally coupled to said respective second ends of said pair of base rods.

14. A hat rack for use in holding a hat of a type having a crown and a brim, comprising:

a base adapted to be mounted to a vertical support surface;

a continuous support rod having a pair of arms pivotally connected to said base and extending outwardly therefrom in gradual inclination toward one another, said arms being pivotally movable between a storage configuration adjacent said base and a hat-holding configuration generally perpendicular to said base, said support rod having an end segment connecting said pair of arms at distal ends thereof relative to said base, said arms and end segment being configured to receive the crown of the hat and to maintain an intended shape of the hat when received thereby.

15. The hat rack as in claim 14 wherein said support rod includes a metal construction coated in polyvinyl chloride for inhibiting rust and corrosion.

16. The hat rack as in claim 14 wherein a distance between said distal ends of said pair of arms is smaller than a distance between proximal ends of said pair of arms relative to said base.