US3022899A - Racks for holding wine glasses and like articles - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 27, 1962 A. R. UNSWORTH RACKS FOR HOLDING WINE GLASSES AND LIKE ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1960 ALAN RENE Attorneys Feb. 27, 1962 A. R. UNSWORTH 3,022,899

RACKS FOR HOLDING WINE GLASSES AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ALAN RENE z/NTi "Eihm 026%; 2 0

A ttorneys Feb. 27, 1962 A. R. UNSWORTH 3,022,399

RACKS FOR HOLDING WINE GLASSES AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 8, 1960 3 SheetsSheet 3 ALAN RENE ulv 'wo'lzm M $3M A ttorneyS Unite Filed Mar. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 13,680 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-71) This invention relates to racks for holding wine glasses and like articles and has for its primary object to provide an improved rack adapted to support a plurality of glasses in inverted positions such that the drying of same after washing is expedited and the necessity to use a drying cloth or towel is obviated. A further aim of the invention is to provide a rack which may be used with advantage for storage purposes.

According to my invention, and in one mode of embodiment, a rack comprises a pair or pairs of rails of any suitable cross-sectional shape, said rails being located in spaced and parallel disposition at a distance apart which permits the passage therebetween of the stem of a wine glass but not the base thereof, and preferably the configuration and disposition of said rails is such that the stems of wine glasses to be supported may be entered therebetween at one intermediate point in the rack structure in addition to an end or ends thereof.

Brackets are provided for supporting said parallel support rails in required disposition such brackets being adapted for securing the appliance to a wall, beneath a shelf, or in other required situation.

The invention is further described with the aid of the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only and not of limitation, one mode of embodiment.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glass holding rack structure and FIG. 2 is a part sectional elevation of same fitted below a shelf.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken as on line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevation of one of the brackets.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing two of the glass-supporting rails dissociated from their holding brackets.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the adjoining ends of pairs of glass-supporting members.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view showing the method of engaging or disengaging a wine glass from the support rails.

Referring now to said drawings, a wine glass support structure or rack comprises two or more brackets which are generally designated and each consisting of a crosspiece 10 apertured at 10 (FIG. 3) and two depending leg pieces 10 which have their inwardly facing surfaces formed with slots 10 The aperture 10 is for the passage of a screw 11 (FIG. 3) whereby said brackets may be secured in appropriately spaced disposition to the underside of, for example, a shelf y. Said brackets 10 are adapted to support pairs of opposed rail members 12 which have end pieces shaped as at 12*- for engagement with the slots 10 of brackets 10 whereby said rails are firmly held in spaced and parallel disposition to permit of wine glasses x being suspended therebetween in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4 the slots 10 of brackets 10 are preferably formed at an inclination to the horizontal whereby said rails 12 are located with their transverse axes at an inclination and the glasses supported therebetween make edge contact only with the rails thereby to decrease frictional resistance to sliding.

Each of said rail members 12 has one down-turned tates atet Fatented Feb. 27, 1962 terminal end 12. which isarranged to be adjacent the straight end 12 of a next succeeding rail and when pairs of said rails are connected in longitudinal alignment by the brackets 10 the space 13 between said ends 12, 12 provide an inclined entry and exit point (see more particularly FIGS. 2 and 7) which permits the base x of a wine glass to be passed therethrough providedsaid glass Thus, by reason of is held at the appropriate angle. the shape and disposition of the adjoining ends of said pairs of rails, glasses may be slid freely from One pair of rails to another over the entry and exit point 13 without any danger of the glasses becoming accidentally disengaged, but may readily be disengaged therefrom as and when required.

It will be seen that a glass holding rack according to the invention may comprise two brackets 10 and a single .pair of opposed rails 12, or, any number of pairs of bracket-supported rails 12 may be disposed in end-to-end alignment to provide a continuous glass-supporting structure with entry and exit points for said glasses at each rail juncture.

In some cases said brackets 10 may be formed in two separate or relatively adjustable parts thereby to enable the rail members 12 to be laterally spaced to suit a particular size of wine glass. Alternatively, said rails 12 may be made in varying widths with the same object in view.

in the use of a rack structure according to my invention, it is only necessary to enter the stems of wine glasses or similar articles between said rail members, either from an end or via one of the intermediate openings, and allow same to hang suspended by their bases in inverted positions. When so suspended, washed glasses quickly drain and dry with no necessity for wiping and if left in said rack their inverted positions prevent the collection of dust.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A rack structure for supporting wine glasses and the like in pendant position comprising a plurality of brackets each consisting of a cross-piece aperture to receive securing screws and having two depending leg pieces with the inwardly facing surfaces thereof being formed slots, pairs of opposed rail members supported by said brackets in end to end spaced aligned disposition with each end of each rail having a part engaged within the slot of the adjacent bracket of said brackets and each of said rails having one down-turned terminal end disposed adjacent to a straight end of the next succeeding rail to provide a downwardly inclined entry and exit opening whereby the base of a wine glass can pass therethrough when the wine glass is held at the appropriate angle.

2. A rack structure for wine glasses and the like as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slots of the brackets are formed at an angle to the axis of said leg pieces and locate said rails with their transverse axes at an inclination to said leg pieces whereby the bases of glasses supporltled between said rails make edge contact only therewit References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Australia Nov. 10. 1953

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