US2904383A

US2904383A - Athletic equipment carrier rack

Info

Publication number: US2904383A
Application number: US559850A
Authority: US
Inventors: Melvin W Potts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-01-18
Filing date: 1956-01-18
Publication date: 1959-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-15

Description

Sept. 15, 1959 M. w. POTTS ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT CARRIER RACK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1956 INVENIUR Mwporrs M W, POTTS ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT CARRIERRACK Sept. 15, 1959 I v Filed Jan. 18, 1 956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 caazaaw I/VVENTOR M. W P0775 ar I . ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,904,383 I ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT CARRIER RACK Melvin w. Potts, Rolf, okra. Application January is, 1956, Serial No. 559,850

7 Claims. (Cl. 312-293) basketball and other games in which various equipment 'is used andspecial articles are worn, problems and worries are caused by the care and handling of the equipment, includingjbats, balls, articles of clothing, valuables, first aid equipment, liquids for application internally and externally, a blackboard on which to illustrate plays of the game, and other things. Frequently, the equipment, articles of clothing andpthe like are dumped in a pile where they arev easily lost, hard to find, or are not readily available one. moments notice, and require that they be picked up when moved.

.It is an object ,of. the invention to reduce the problems and worries of a coach of an athletic team by providing an athletic. equipment carrier rack of simple, compact and inexpensive construction, on which equipment and clothing can be conveniently carried in a manner to be readily accessible, as well as a rack for handling a large variety ,of equipment including baseballs, basketballs, footballs, bats, mitts, gloves, catchers mask, chest protectors, shi-n-guards, articles of apparel and protective equipment, first aid kits, valuables, liquids for internal and external application, and the like, and with such rack mounted so that it can be easily rolled from place to place, taken into a-public or private vehicle for transportation from one place toanother.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the character described, which is relatively light in weight, can be handled by one person, and by means of which it .is possible to determine quickly the presence or absence of necessary equipment and a reminder can be carried of a particular-act or thing.

Other objects and advantages of, the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a;perspective'illustratingone application of the invention; I a

, Fig. 2, a similar view from the opposite side;

Fig. 3, a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a perspective of a container for water or other liquids.

Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a relatively long, narrow frame of wire or rod stock, and of a height slightly less than its length, with casters attached beyond each end of the frame to enable the device to be easily moved from place to place. The frame comprises four corner posts, two sets of intermediate transve'rsely aligned posts whichfeX-tend substantially to the topoifithe device, upper and lower longitudinal rods at 'each 'side of thefrarne define drawer space in which is disposed a metal sleeve or casing, in which are located 2,904,383 Patented Sept. l5, 19 59 drawers. The top of the casing in which the drawersare contained forms a floor on opposite sides of the center portion of the rack, such center portion defining the lower space for removable water or other liquid dispens ing container, above which space is mounted a s'olidwall structure with a removable door and above which are a couple of drawers which can be locked shut. Along the upper portion of the rack, spaced inwardly from the "sides thereof, are a pair of longitudinally disposed rods to which are attached a series of transversely disposed substantially U-shaped members arranged in spaced relation to hold small objects such as baseballs, and with the outer ends of such rack extending outwardly so that basketballs may be supported thereon, and with the extremities of said U-shaped members spaced to support bats therebetween and wearing apparel and other articles on the extremities thereof. Around the lower portion at each end is provided a grill to retain articles therein including bats, clothing or other articles suspended from above.

With continued reference to the drawings, the present invention comprises a relatively long narrow frame of wire or rod stock and of a height slightly less than its length. The frame is composed of corner posts '10 and 11 at one end and 12 and 13 at the opposite end of the frame. The corner posts 10 and 11 at one end of 'the frame are joined at their lower extremities by a cross rod or bar 14, and the

corner posts

12 and 13 are connected at their lower ends by a cross rod or bar 15.

A caster mounting plate 16 is attached beneath the bar 14 and is provided with casters 17 which are located beyond the ends of the machine in order not to "interfere with drawers along the lower portion of the machine. Adjacent the bar 15 to each of the

corner posts

12 and 13 is attached a triangular brace 18 which supports a rod 19 on which small wheels or casters 20 are retained in any desired manner, as for example, by means of cotter pins 21.

The posts 10 and 11 at one end of the frame are connected at their upper ends by transverse rods 22 and a parallel lower bracing rod 23. In like manner the

posts

12 and 13 are connected at their upper ends by a transverse rod 24 and a lower bracing rod 25.

Between the lower extremities of the corner posts 14) and 11 at one end of the frame and the

corner posts

12 and 13 at the other end of the frame are mounted upper and lower longitudinal rods or

bars

26 and 27 at one side of the frame and

similar bars

28 and 29 at the opposite side of the frame.

The end posts are thus held in fixed relation at their lower ends and in order to similarly hold them at their upper ends a pair of longitudinally disposed

rods

30 and 31 are provided having depending lateral extensions welded or otherwise secured to the

bars

22 and 24. Arched connecting members 32and 33 brace their parallel longitudinal members adjacent their ends and likewise serve to limit the movement of objects placed between said rods 30' and 31. A pair of spaced

rods

34 and 35 are disposed longitudinally between and connectedto the

transverse rods

22 and 24 and serve as supports for articles placed thereupon.

Pairs of

center posts

36, 37 and 38, 39 have their upper ends connected to the

longitudinal rods

34 and 35 and their lower ends connected to transverse rods, 40 and 41, the ends of which are welded ,or otherwise secured to the

longitudinal rods

26 and 28. Additional posts 42 and 43 are connected to the outer ends of said rod 40 and have right angular upper ends welded to the

posts

36 and 37. The posts 42 and 43 are spaced apart the same distance as the corner posts 10 and 111. In like manner,

posts

44 and 45 are attached at the outer 3 ends of the rod 41 and have their upper ends attached to the

posts

38 and 39.

Grills 46 and 47 are disposed between the posts and 42 and 11 and 43, respectively, and

additional grills

48 and 49 are disposed at opposite sides of the rack between the

posts

12 and 44 and

posts

13 and 45. These opposite grills at opposite ends of the rack laterally retain objects between the same in order to prevent movement from the end of the rack. Pivoted

grills

50 and 51 are mounted in hinge eyes 52 and adapted to be retained in closed position by means of suitable latches 53.

Above the area defined by the

grills

46, 47, 48 and 49 are disposed suitable supports for objects of various kinds, such supports including substantially U-shaped members 54 having outwardly disposed extremities 55, such U-shaped members being located in spaced relation in a manner to provide a trough for smaller objects such as baseballs and with the outwardly turned portions 55 serving as supports for larger objects such as basketballs, the prongs 55 serving also for the suspension of baseball bats therebetween and articles of clothing thereon. Longitudinal supports 23 and are disposed beneath the centers of the U-shaped members 54 and have end portions attached to the

rods

22 and 23 at one end of the rack, and

rods

24 and 25 at the other. Braces 36' and 38 may be used to connect the

posts

36, 37 and 38, 39.

Between the

longitudinal members

26, 27, 28 and 29 is disposed a sleeve or casing 56, the upper portion of which serves as a floor for the rack and the lower portion of which is a shelf for

drawers

57, 58 and 59. The

drawers

57 and 58 opening on one side of the rack and the drawer 59 opening on the opposite side. The sleeve 56 may be of a single piece of material with a single transverse seam, or multiple pieces, and such sleeve is secured in position in any desired manner as, for example, by welding. At the rear of the

drawers

57, 58 and 59 are

closure plates

60, 61 and 62, respectively.

Above the center drawer the frame structure defines a space in which is adapted to be received a container 63 having a removable closure 64 for the introduction and removal of liquid or the like, such container having fiont and rear handles 65 and a dispensing faucet or outlet 66.

Above the removable container space is mounted a cabinet 67 having a door or closure 68 at its front and a couple of drawers 69 and 70 in its top with securing means in the form of hasps and

staples

71 and 72 by means of which one or more of said drawers and the front of said cabinet may be secured in position. If desired, a drinking cup dispenser 73 may be removably attached to a bracket 74 on the front of the door 68 of the upper cabinet. The longitudinal rods 34 and may be Welded or otherwise secured to the upper wall of the cabinet 67 if desired for strength.

Above the drawer 59 is mounted a grill 75 between the

grills

46 and 48, and on the rear side of the cabinet 67 is mounted an inturned flange 76 extending along the bottom and the sides of the cabinet and serving to retain a blackboard 77 for chalk talks or other data.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a portable rack is provided on which may be held equipment used in team and other sports where numerous pieces of equipment, protective devices and apparel are employed, and whether the activity is indoors or outdoors, and such rack can be moved around easily, and due to its shape and size can be easily transported via public carrier or private vehicle with minimum effort and consumption of time, thus simplifying the care and handling of equipment and the loss of the same.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rod stock, including upright and transverse members defining a central area and an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame, retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on opposite sides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending in opposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said central area, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spaced relation along and between said supports providing a trough for holding relatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shaped members being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough for supporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, the outwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers for the suspension of objects both therebetween and thereon, a floor adjacent the bottom of said frame, a series of article containing drawers beneath said floor, rollers supporting said frame outwardly beyond the ends of said drawers.

2. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rod stock, including upright and transverse members defining a central area and an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame, retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on opposite sides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending in opposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said central area, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spaced relation'along and between said supports providing a trough for holding relatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shaped members being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough for supporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, the outwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers for the suspension of objects both therebetween and thereon.

3. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rod stock, including upright and transverse members defining a central area and an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame, retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on opposite sides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending in opposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said central area, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spaced relationalong and between said supports providing a trough for holding relatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shaped members being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough for supporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, the outwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers for the suspension of objects both therebetween and thereon, a floor adjacent the bottom of said frame, a series of article containing drawers beneath said floor, rollers supporting said frame outwardly beyond the ends of said drawers, a removable container for the lower portion of the central area of said rack, and one or more containers for the upper portion of the central area of said rack.

4. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rod stock, including upright and transverse members defining a central area and an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame, retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on opposite sides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending in opposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said central area, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spaced relation along and between said supports providing a trough for holding relatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shaped members being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough for supporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, the outwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers t9; the suspension of objects both therebetween and thereon, a floor adjacent the bottom of said frame, a series of article containing drawers beneath said floor, rollers supporting said frame outwardly beyond the ends of said drawers, a retaining rail along each side of the top of said rack.

5. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame, a floor adjacent the bottom of said frame, a series of article containing drawers beneath said floor, grill means at each side of said frame and holding means along the upper portion of said rack including spaced members providing a trough for small objects and with the outer ends of said members being disposed outwardly at the sides of said trough for the holding of objects larger than the width of said trough and also serving as hangers for the suspension of objects including clothing at each side of said trough.

6. A portable rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of rod stock including two pairs of closely spaced end posts and a pair of upper and lower longitudinal members connecting said end posts at each side of the rack, transverse members connecting said longitudinal members at their ends and at their intermediate portions, a post at the connection between the outer ends of the intermediate transverse members and said longitudinal members, said post having the upper end turned inwardly, inwardly disposed posts on said intermediate transverse members and joining said inwardly turned ends, a grill at each side adjacent each end of said rack, wall structure providing a floor at each end of said rack besides each grill, and drawers slideably mounted beneath said floor.

7. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rod stock including a plurality of U-shaped wire trough forming members providing an open trough along the upper portion of the frame, said U-shaped members having outwardly and upwardly disposed ends providing bat engaging and suspending members, said trough and said outwardly extending bat suspending members being of a size to retain smaller objects thereon, the outer ends of the members disposed upwardly and outwardly providing an extended support for larger objects thereon, means to support the frame in a generally horizontal position with the trough opening upwardly, with the engaging and suspending members located at a proper height to suspend elongated articles therefrom and whereby athletic equipment may be supported in said trough and additional athletic equipment may suspend from said engaging and suspending members, and confining means below said frame and supported by said supporting means in a manner to receive other articles and the lower ends of equipment suspended from said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 163,286 .Tenson May 15, 1951 D. 179,459 Potts Dec. 25, 1956 2,413,164 Boldt et al. Dec. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 671,005 France Aug. 26, 192.9