US3300263A

US3300263A - Wall wardrobe

Info

Publication number: US3300263A
Application number: US401951A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hugh C Acton
Original assignee: Hugh C Acton
Current assignee: Steelcase Inc
Priority date: 1964-10-06
Filing date: 1964-10-06
Publication date: 1967-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-24

Description

Jan. 24, 1967 H- c. ACTON 3,300,263

WALL WARDROBE Filed Oct. 6, 1.964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A /4 J 4A 47 4d j Jan. 24, 1967 ACTON 3,300,263

I WALL WARDROBE Filed Oct. 6, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f I, a [4 4 r V 7 M v -lr.

/4A VENTOR. A flag/a 6", Acfa 77 BY M P H. c. ACTON 3,300,263

WALL WARDROBE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 24, 1967 Filed 001;. e, 1964 x w W i N 1 y P M 4 W... f a J- M .1 fl M 4 w 4 W \\\MAM\ \y. k. M y 7 j w w w d j j v United States Patent Ofilice Patented Jan. 24, 1967 3,308,263 WALL WARDRQBE Hugh C. Acton, 588 Brantside Drive, Birmingham, Mich. 48009 Filed Oct. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 401,951 8 Claims. (C1. 312245) This invention relates generally to wall-hung wardrobes of the type comprising a substantially vertically extending front or cover panel that is mounted in a position spaced from and substantially parallel to a wall or similar support structure.

The present invention is an improvement of the wallhung wardrobe construction disclosed in applicants Patent No. 3,126,238, issued March 24, 1964.

It is an object of the resent invention to provide a wall-hung wardrobe of the above character wherein the front or cover panel is movably supported on the wall or similar Support structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wall-hung wardrobe of the above character wherein the front or cover panel is movable about either a horizontal or vertical axis toward and away from the wall or similar support structure for space saving and to facilitate dusting, cleaning, or the like.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a wall-hung wardrobe of the above character wherein the front or cover panel is pivotable about a vertical hinged axis to permit convenient access to any clothes, luggage or the like, stored within the wardrobe.

It is still another object of the present invention to rovide a wall-hung wardrobe that may be easily assembled and disassembled to facilitate the storage, transportation, and relocation thereof.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a wall-hung wardrobe of an extremely simple design and which is therefore economical to commercially produce.

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

FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective view of a preferred form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top elevational view of the wardrobe structure illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the wall-hung wardrobe illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an elevated perspective view of a modified form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the wardrobe structure illustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of another modified form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of still another modified form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a top elevational view of the wardrobe structure illustrated in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an elevated perspective view of yet another form of a wall-hung wardrobe embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the wardrobe structure illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a top elevational view of yet a further form of a wall-hung wardrobe embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of yet another modified form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention;

FIGURE 13 is a top elevational view of the wardrobe structure illustrated in FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a side elevational view of still a further form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention;

FIGURE 15 is a top elevational view of the wardrobe structure illustrated in FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a top elevational view of yet a further embodiment of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention;

FIGURE 17 is an elevated perspective view of still another embodiment -of a wall-hung wardrobe embodying the present invention; and

FIGURE 18 is a top elevational view of the wardrobe structure illustrated in FIGURE 17.

Broadly speaking, the present invention is directed toward a wall-hung wardrobe of the type comprising a substantially flat, vertically extending cover panel that is movably secured to a wall or similar support structure such that the panel may be biased toward and away from the wall for the sake of space saving, cleaning and the like, and which panel, in a slightly modified form of the present invention, may be pivoted about a vertical hinged axis to permit convenient access to any clothes, luggage, or the like that may be stored within the wardrobe.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 3 of the drawings, a wall-hung wardrobe 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises a rigid, vertically extending front or cover panel 12 that is mounted in a position spaced from and substantially parallel to a wall or similar support structure, representatively designated by the numeral 14. The panel 12 may be of virtually any suitable material, such as wood, Masonite, Formica, veneered fiberboard, plastic, or the like, that is substantially lanar in form and will serve to enhance and complement the decor of the room in which the wardrobe 10 is mounted. The panel 12 is movably or pivotably secured to the wall 14 by means of a pair of spaced parallel and rectangularly configured

frame members

16 and 18 that project between the panel 12 and the wall 14. The

frame members

16 and 18, together with each of the hereinafter to be described racks, shelves and shelf and panel support members that serve to support clothes, luggage and the like within the various forms of the present invention, are preferably fabricated of stainless steel, chrome plated steel, or some other ornamental metal such as extruded aluminum or the like. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the

frame members

16 and 18 respectively comprise vertically extending side portions 20, 22 and 24, 26, together with horizontally extending upper and

lower end portions

28, 30 and 32, 34. The side portions 20 and 24 of the

frame members

16 and 18, respectively, are pivotably secured to the wall 14 by two pair of conventional pivot or support brackets, generally designated 36, which are rigidly secured to the wall 14 as by suitable screws, bolts or the like. In a similar manner, the side portions 22 and 26 of the

frame members

16 and 18 are pivotably secured to the side of the cover panel 12 facing the wall 14 by another two pair of pivot or support brackets, generally designated 38, whereby the cover panel 12 is movable or pivotable from a position spaced from the wall 14 wherein the

frame members

16 and 18 lie along planes extending perpendicular to the cover panel 12, to a collapsed or compacted position wherein the cover panel 12 and the

frame members

16 and 18 are in substantial coplanar relation with the wall 14,

, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 2.

40 is preferably such that it extends between and is supported in a horizontal position by having its opposite ends bear upon the

upper end portions

28 and 32 of the

frame members

16 and 18, respectively. As best seen in FIG- URE 3, the shelf or rack assembly 40 is adapted to be pivoted upwardly about a horizontal axis extending through the brackets 46 to a position adjacent or extending parallel to the wall 14, whereby the cover panel 12 may be biased into its compacted or collapsed position coplanar with the wall 14, as above described. A suitable latching mechanism, for example, a conventional magnetic latch 47, is provided on the rear side of the panel 12 and on the wall 14 to detachably secure the panel 12 in its above described compacted position.

It will be seen in FIGURE 3 that the shelf assembly 40 and the

frame members

16 and 18 are oriented relative to the cover panel 12 such that, when he assembly 40 is biased upwardly adjacent the wall 14, and the cover panel 12 is biased to the above described compacted or collapsed position, the panel 12 remains parallel to the wall 14 and both the shelf assembly 40 and the

frame members

16 and 18 remain entirely concealed behind the cover panel 12. Thus, the esthetic or decorative appearance of the wall-hung wardrobe 18 of the present invention is not adversely affected by any protruding support or shelf members when the panel 12 is arranged in either its normal or compacted position.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5, in a modified form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention, the front or cover panel 12 is movably secured to the wall or similar support structure 14 by means of a pair of vertically spaced rack or shelf members, generally designated 48 and 50. The

shelf members

48 and 50 respectively comprise rectangularly configured

frame portions

52 and 54 and a plurality of horizontally spaced support bars, generally designated 56, these bars providing a pair of vertically spaced support surfaces upon which clothes, luggage and the like, may be stored. The

frame portions

52 and 54 of the

shelf members

48 and 58 are pivotably secured along one side to the wall 14 by two pair of pivot or support brackets, generally designated 58, and in a similar manner, these frame members are pivotably secured to the side of the cover panel 12 facing the wall 14 by means of another two pair of pivot or support brackets, generally designated 60. It will thus be seen that the panel 12 is movable or pivotable about four spaced parallel axes defined by the

brackets

58 and 60, from a position spaced from the wall 14 wherein the

shelf members

48 and 50 extend along horizontal planes perpendicular to the panel 12, to a position wherein the panel 12 and the

shelf members

48 and 50 are compacted or arranged substantially coplanar with the wall 14, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 5. As in the aforediscussed embodiment of the present invention, the

shelf members

48 and 50 are oriented relative to the panel 12 such that they are each concealed when the cover panel 12 and the

shelf members

48 and 50 are pivoted or biased to their respective compacted positions coplanar with the wall 14.

By virtue of the fact that the panel 12 is wall-hung, thereby facilitating dusting, cleaning and the like, of the floor below the wardrobe 10, it is necessary to provide some means for rigidly maintaining the pivotably mounted

shelf members

48 and 50 in their horizontal ositions illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. By way of example, one suitable means is illustrated herein and comprises a pair of spaced apart support links or

brace members

62 and 64 that are pivotably secured to the opposite ends of the shelf member 50 and whose lower ends are adapted to be inserted within a pair of horizontally spaced recessed

flange members

66 and 68, respectively, that are rigidly secured to the wall 14. When it is desired to bias the cover panel 12, together with the

shelf members

48 and 50, to a compacted position adjacent the wall 14, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, it is merely necessary to disengage the lower ends of the

support members

62 and 64 from their associated

flange members

66 and 68, whereby the

shelf members

48 and 50 and the cover panel 12 will be free to move to its compacted position. A suitable latching mechanism (not shown), such as the aforementioned mechanism 47, may be provided to detachably secure the panel 12 and the

shelf members

48 and 50 in the above described compacted position.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, in another modified form of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention, the cover panel 12 is pivotably secured to the wall or similar support structure 14 by means of a pair of rectangularly configured, vertically spaced

frame members

70 and 72 that are pivotably secured to the wall 14 and to the side of the panel 12 facing the wall 14 by means of a plurality of pivot or support brackets, generally designated 74, thereby enabling the cover panel 12 to be biased or pivoted toward and away from the wall 14 in a manner identical to the way the panel 12 may be pivoted in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. A pair of vertically spaced and horizontally extending rack or

shelf members

76 and 78 are pivotably secured as by suitable brackets 88, to the side of the cover panel 12 facing the wall 14 directly above the

frame members

72 and 70, respectively. The

shelf members

76 and 78 are adapted to be pivoted upwardly about the horizontal axes defined by the brackets 80 to a position where they extend parallel to the panel 12, thereby enabling the panel 12, together with the

frame members

70 and 72, to be biased toward and into substantial coplanar relationship with the wall 14, as above described. Suitable brace and flange members such as

members

62 and 66 described in FIGURES 4 and 5 may be provided on the frame member 78 and the wall 14 to rigidly support the frame member in a substantially horizontal configuration. A suitable latching mechanism (not shown), such. as the aforediscussed mechanism 47 may also be provided to detachably secure the panel 12 to the wall 14 when the panel 12 is in its collapsed position adjacent the wall 14.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8, in still another embodiment of the present invention, the cover panel 12 is movably secured to the wall or similar support structure 14 by means of a rack or shelf assembly 82 that is pivotably connected along one edge to the upper end of the panel 12 by a pair of horizontally spaced pivot or support brackets 84 and 86, and is pivotably connected along its opposite edge to the wall 14 by another pair of horizontally spaced brackets 88 and 98. Projecting between the lower end of the cover panel 12 and the wall 14 is a pair of spacer members or

arms

92 and 94 which are hingedly connected at their outer ends to the panel 12 by a pair of conventional hinged members 96 and 98, respectively, and are thereby movable from a position extending perpendicularly or horizontally from the lower end of the panel 12, as indicated by the solid lines in FIG URE 7, to a position extending parallel to the cover panel 12, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 7. The

arms

92 and 94 function to space the lower end of the panel .12 away from the wall 1 4- and thereby maintain the panel 12 parallel to the wall 14. An upwardly extending support arm 9? is hingedly connected to the Wall 14 below the shelf member 82 and is formed with a yokewshaped or bifurcated upper end which is adapted to engage a portion of the shelf member 82 and thereby support it in the horizontal position illustrated in FIG- URE 7. VJhen it is desired to collapse or bias the panel 12 into substantially coplanar relation with the wall 14, it is rnerely necessary to bias the support arm 99 out of engagement with the shelf member 82 and pivot the

spacer arms

92 and 94 from their normal horizontally extending position to their vertical position, whereby the cover panel 12 may be pivoted upon the shelf assembly 82 toward the wall 14. As hereinbefore stated, a suitable latchin g means (not shown) may be used to detachably secure the panel 12 in coplanar relation with the wall 14.

Referring to yet another embodiment of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention, as seen in FIGURES 9 and 10, the cover panel 12 is rno-vably secured to the wall or similar support structure 14 through the use of a pair of vertically spaced

pivot arms

100 and 102, each of which is pivotably secured at one end to the panel 12 and at the opposite end to the wall 14, whereby the panel 12 is movable toward and away from the wall 14, in a manner hereinabove described. A pair of vertically spaced rack or

shelf members

104 and 106 project horizontally between the cover panel 12 and the wall 14, these shelf members being pivotably secured by suitable brackets, generally designated 108, to the cover panel 12 directly above the pivot a-nms 100 and 102, respectively. The

shelf members

164 and 106, when disposed in their respective horizontal positions illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10, are adapted to bear upon and be supported by the

pivot arms

100 and 102, respectively, these shelves being pivotable to a vertical position, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 10, when it is desired to bias the cover panel 12 toward the wall 14.

A pair of adjustable telescopic spacer members or

arms

110 and 112 project horizontally between the lower end of the cover panel 12 and the wall 14 and are rigidly secured at their outer ends by conventional mounting sleeves to the cover panel 12. The

arms

110 and 112 are constructed such that they may be selectively extended or contracted to any desired length and thereby serve to limit the movement of the cover panel 12 toward the wall 14 to a predetermined amount.

As seen in FIGURE 11, in still a further embodiment of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention, the cover panel 12 is movably mounted for rectilinear movement toward and away from the wall 14 through the use of a plurality of appropriate spaced adjustable telescopic spacer ar-rns 114 similar to the

aforementioned arms

110 and 112. The arms 114 are rigidly secured at their opposite ends to the wall 14 and the cover panel 12 by suitable screws, bolts, and the like, and conventional mountin-g sleeves 115. It will be seen that the arms 114 may be used to support one or more rack or shelf members 116 behind the cover panel 12, whereby clothes, luggage, and the like, may be concealed behind the cover panel 12. It will be noted that the shelf members 116 may, if desired, be of the expandable type and thereby expand in width to increase the shelf area behind the cover panel 12 as the panel 12 is positioned further away from the wall 14.

Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13, the cover panel 12 is supported on the wall or similar support structure 14 by means of a pair of vertically extending, spaced parallel C-shaped frame members .118 and 119 that are rigidly secured to the wall 14 by suitable screws, bolts, or the like. The members 11 8 and 119 each comprise horizontally extending upper and

lower end portions

120 and 122, respectively, which preferably lie in the same horizontal planes and between which extend a plurality of spaced parallel bars, generally designated 124, that form a pair of vertically .s-paced shelves or racks behind the cover panel 12.

As seen in FIGURE 13, the cover panel 12 is hingedly connected along one side thereof to the outer ends of the upper and

lower end portions

120 and 122 of the frame member 118 by a pair of

suitable hinges

126 and 128, respectively, whereby the cover panel 12 may be pivoted to and from a position permitting convenient access to the shelves formed by the support bars 124, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 13. A suitable latching mechanism, herein designated 131i, is provided on the back side of the cover panel 12 and is engageable with the frame member 119 to detachably secure the panel 12 in the closed position illustrated in FIGURE 13.

Referring now to FIGURES .14 and 15, in still another modified from of the present invention, the wall-hung wardrobe includes a vertically extending side panel 132 which lies along a plane extending perpendicular to the cover panel 12 and serves to pivotably secure the panel 12 to the wall or similar support structure 14. The side panel .132 is rigidly connected along one vertically extending side edge thereof to the wall 14 by means of a conventional angle iron member 134 which is coextensive of the panel 132 and is rigidly secured to the panel 132 and to the wall 14 by suitable screws, bolts, or the like. The cover panel 12 is hingedly connected to the outer edge of the side panel 132 by a pair of

conventional hinges

136 and 138, whereby the cover panel 12 is pivotable about the vertical axis defined by the outer edge of the side panel 132, as ilustrated in FIGURE 15.

A pair of vertically spaced rack or

shell members

140 and 142 extend horizontal-1y between the cover panel 12 and the wall 14, which shelf members are rigidly secured to the wall 14 and to the side panel 132 as by a plurality of suitable brackets, generally designated 144. A suitable latching mechanism 146 is provided on the side of the cover panel 12 opposite the hinges 136 138 for detachably securing the panel 12 to one of the

shelf members

140 or 142 when the panel 12 is disposed in its closed position illustrated in FIGURE 15.

Referring now to FIGURE 16, in a slightly modified version of the wall-hung wardrobe illustrated in FIG- URES l4 and 15, the cover panel 12 is rigidly connected along one side edge thereof to the side panel 132 by a suitable angle iron member 151 which is similar in construction to the aforediscussed member 134. The vertically extending side edge of the side panel 132 opposite that which is secured to the cover panel 12, is hingedly connected by suitable vertically spaced hinges 152 to the wall or similar support structure 14, whereby the cover panel 112 and the side panel 132 may be simultaneously biased or pivoted about the vertical axis defined by the hinges 152 to permit access to one or more horizontally extending shelf members 154 rigidly secured to the wall 14 behind the cover panel 12. As above described, a suitable latching mechanism 156 may be provided on the back side of the cover panel 12 for detachably securing the panel 12 to one of the shelves 154.

Referring to yet a further embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGURES 17 and 18, the cover panel 12 is hingedly connected along one side edge thereof by

suitable hinges

158 and 160 to one side edge of the side panel 132, Which panel 132 is in turn hingedly connected along its opposite side edge by

suitable hinges

162 and 164 to the wall or similar support structure 14. As best seen by the phantom lines in FIGURE 18, the

hinges

158, 160, and 162, 164, are arranged such that the cover panel 12 and side panel 132 may be biased or pivoted to a configuration where each of these panels extends parallel to and is in substantial coplanar relationship with the wall 14.

A pair of vertically spaced rack or shelf members 166 are pivotably secured to the side of the cover panel 12 facing the wall 14 by suitable pivot or support brackets, generally designated 170, which shelf members are thus pivotab-le from a position extending horizontally between the wall 14 and the cover panel 12, to a position wherein these shelf members extend vertically or parallel to the cover panel 12, as indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 17. Two pair of generally U-shaped brackets, generally designated 172, are rigidly secured to the wall 14 and are adapted to receive the outer or swinging edges of the shelf members 166 and 168 and thereby support these members in a generally horizontal configuration. When it is desired to collapse or bias the cover panel 12 and side panel 132 into the configuration illustrated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 18, it is merely necessary to disengage the outer edges of

shelf members

166 and 7 178 from the brackets 172, thereby enebling the shelf members 166 and 168 to be biased to a vertical configuration, at which time the cover panel 12 and the side panel 132 may be biased to their collapsed condition, as above described.

It will be seen from the various foregoing constructions of the wall-hung wardrobe embodying the present invention, that the cover panel 12 serves to substantially conceal the rack or shelf members incorporated in these units when the panel 12 is disposed in both its normal position spaced from its associated wall or support structure, and when the panel 12 is arranged adjacent or in coplanar relation with the wall. It will also be seen that each of the foregoing constructions of the wall-hung wardrobe of the present invention serve to contain and substantially conceal considerable quantities of Clothing, luggage or the like, and thereby may be used in lieu of or to complement conventional type storage closets; however, a particular feature of the hereinabove described wardrobe constructions over such conventional storage closets is provided by the fact that the majority of these constructions (all those except for the embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 12 through 16) are selectively collapsible whereby the cover panels may be biased into coplanar relation with the walls or similar support structures upon which they are mounted, thereby effecting a substantial saving a space and greatly facilitating dusting, cleaning, or the like.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments herein illustrated are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the wallhung wardrobe constructions of the present invention are susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a wall wardrobe for containing apparel and the like and adapted to be mounted on the wall or similar structure, a substantially vertically extending cover panel disposed adjacent the wall, apparel supporting means interposed between the wall and said panel frame means extending between and pivotably connected along its opposite edges to said panel and the wall for supporting said panel for movement between a first position wherein said panel is spaced from and substantially parallel to the wall and a second position wherein said panel is parallel to and substantially adjacent the wall, and means selectively engageable with said frame means adapted to limit pivotal movement of said frame means beyond a position wherein said apparel supporting means assumes a generally horizontal configuration between said panel and the wall, the area of said panel being sufficiently large with respect 'to said frame means, whereby said frame means and said apparel supporting means are entirely concealed behind said panel in each of said positions when said panel is viewed in front horizontal elevation.

2. In a wall wardrobe for containing apparel and the like and adapted to be mounted on the wall or similar structure, a substantially vertically extending cover panel disposed adjacent the wall, apparel supporting means interposed between the wall and said panel, a pair of vertically spaced frame means including said apparel supporting means extending between and pivotably connected along its opposite edges to said panel and the wall for supporting said panel for movement between a first position wherein said panel is spaced from and substantially parallel to the wall and a second position wherein said panel is parallel to and substantially adjcent the wall, and means selectively engageable with said frame means adapted to limit pivotal movement of said frame means beyond a position wherein said apparel supporting means assumes a generally horizontal configuration between said panel and the wall, said panel always remaining parallel to the wall when disposed in either of said positions and when moving therebetween.

3. In a wall wardrobe for containing apparel and the like and adapted to be mounted on the wall or similar structure, a substantially vertically extending cover panel disposed adjacent the wall, apparel supporting means interposed between the wall and said panel, means extend ing between and pivotably connected along the opposite edges to said panel and the wall for supporting said panel for movement between a first position wherein said panel is spaced from and substantially parallel to the wall and a second position wherein said panel is parallel to and substantially adjacent the wall, said last mentioned means and said apparel supporting means being entirely concealed behind said panel in each of said positions when said panel is viewed in front horizontal elevation, said last mentioned means comprising at least one horizontally extending frame member secured along one edge to the wall and along the opposite edge to the side of said panel confronting the wall and means selectively engageable with said frame means adapted to limit pivotal movement of said frame means beyond a position wherein said apparel supporting means assumes a generally horizontal configuration between said panel and the wall.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said frame member includes means defining an apparel supporting shelf extending horizontally between said panel and the wall.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said frame member is pivotably connected along one edge thereof to the wall.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said frame member is pivotably connected along one edge thereof to said side of said panel confronting the wall.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 3 which includes two vertically spaced and horizontally extending frame members interposed between said wall and the side of said panel confronting the wall.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said frame member is disposed adjacent one end of said panel and which includes at least one pivotably mounted spacer leg member at the opposite end of said panel from said frame member for preventing said opposite end of said panel from moving more than a predetermined distance toward the wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 228,141 5/1880 Tocci 312258 370,429 9/1886 Tull 108-48 X 1,099,649 6/1914 Hartley 108-111 1,199,293 9/1916 Montgomery 312258 1,602,410 10/ 1926 Hamblin 108-1 11 2,451,259 10/ 1948 Tronic 10862 X 2,633,179 3/1953 Smith 248240.1 2,934,389 4/1960 Krey 312-262 FOREIGN PATENTS 496,301 7/ 1919 France.

1,249,403 11/1960 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner,

Claims

1. IN A WALL WADROBE FOR CONTAINING APPAREL AND THE LIKE AND ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON THE WALL OR SIMILAR STRUCTURE, A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING COVER PANEL DISPOSED ADJACENT THE WALL, APPAREL SUPPORTING MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE WALL AND SAID PANEL FRAME MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ALONG ITS OPPOSITE EDGES TO SAID PANEL AND THE WALL FOR SUPPORTING SAID PANEL FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN SAID PANEL IS SPACED FROM AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE WALL AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID PANEL IS PARALLEL TO AND SUBSTANTIALLY ADJACENT THE WALL, AND MEANS SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FRAME MEANS ADAPTED TO LIMIT PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID FRAME MEANS BEYOND A POSITION WHEREIN SAID APPAREL SUPPORTING MEANS ASSUMES A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL CONFIGURATION BETWEEN SAID PANEL AND THE WALL, THE AREA OF SAID PANEL BEING SUFFICIENTLY LARGE WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME MEANS, WHEREBY SAID FRAME MEANS AND SAID APPAREL SUPPORTING MEANS ARE ENTIRELY CONCEALED BEHIND SAID PANEL IN EACH OF SAID POSITIONS WHEN SAID PANEL IS VIEWED IN FRONT HORIZONTAL ELEVATION.