US3320009A - Collapsible wardrobe - Google Patents

Description

y 1967 J. v. VEViRIT ETAL 3,320,609

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United States Patent 3,320,009 CGLLAPSIBLE WARDROBE James V. Vevirit, Kenmore, and Francis J. Ihlenfeid, heektowaga, N.Y., assignors to McDonald Products Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y.

Filed Aug. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 477,533 16 Claims. (Cl. 312-242) The present invention relates generally to a space saving wardrobe, and more specifically to a collapsible wardrobe which can either be mounted on any convenient Wall surface or built into a room wall as an integral part thereof. The wall mounted wardrobe is adapted to collapse against the wall and the built-in wardrobe is collapsible into the wall for purposes of concealment.

Providing adequate clothes storage facilities for transient visitors or guests is a major concern in both oifice and home. In an office, for example, where closet space is initially limited to make full use of floor area, coats and hats of business visitors often are draped on an unsightly and relatively unstable clothes rack. Such a clothes rack or costumer not only takes up space when not in use but also often detracts from the decor of a modern business office. In private homes, the wraps of visiting guests are often found distributed throughout the house due to a lack of adequate hall closet space.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of our invention to provide a new and useful space saving wardrobe for home or ofiice use which can be conveniently collapsed out of the way when not in use, for maximum utilization of available space, and which can be extended into a position of use quickly and easily for neatly and safely storing coats, headgear, footwear and the like.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a collapsible wardrobe which is self-locking in both collapsed and extended positions.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a collapsible wardrobe which is self-concealing within a wall when not in use.

A further object of our invention is to provide the foregoing in a collapsible wardrobe which can be manufactured and retailed in knockdown kit form.

In one form, the collapsible wardrobe of the present invention can be installed simply by mounting the same on any convenient wall surface. The wardrobe lies collapsed against the wall when not being used and is extended from the wall to provide the closet space needed to accommodate coats, headgear, footwear and the like.

In another form, the wardrobe is mounted to the interior of a wall for collapsing through a wall opening into a compartment in the wall. A panel carried by the Wardrobe is drawn to a flush fit over the wall opening to cover the compartment, enclosing the wardrobe therein. The panel can be decorated to match the surrounding wall surface giving the appearance of a continuous, unbroken wall when the panel is flush fitted over the opening an}? in this manner concealing the existence of a ward- -ro e.

A collapsible wardrobe constructed in accordance with our invent-ion is characterized in one aspect thereof by the provision of a generally upright panel movable towards and away from an associated wall, vertically spaced leafed shelves extending between the panel and the wall which shelves lie open to space the panel from the wall and fold upon themselves to move the panel against the wall, and a hanger support suspended beneath the upper shelf, the hanger support extending between the panel and the wall to receive coats and the like and han ing downward when the wardrobe is collapsed.

These and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of our invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of cer- 3,328,859 Patented May 16, 1967 tain illustrative embodiments thereof, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings depicting the same wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, with parts broken away to show details of a recessed wardrobe of our invention shown collapsed into a wall compartment;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the wardrobe in fully open position ready to receive coats, headgear, footwear and the like;

FIG. 3 is a foreshortened, vertical cross-sectional view thereof in collapsed position, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a corresponding view thereof in open position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, detail view of the hanger rod lock;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing a modified, wall mounted form of wardrobe of our invention in fully open position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, detail view, partly broken away, taken about along line 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view, partly broken away, of the wardrobe shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a floor 2 and an upstanding room wall 4 in which is mounted a collapsible wardrobe of our invention generally designated 10. Room wall 4 has a compartment 8 therein opening through the facing wall surface 3. Compartment 8 is defined by spaced wall studs 5, a header 7 extending therebetween, floor 2 and an inner panel or liner 9 recessed into the wall 4. Wardrobe lit is mounted in compartment 8 of wall 4, and is disposed for movement into and out of compartment 8 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. To this end, wardrobe 10 includes a front panel 12 having one or more rollers 14 at the base thereof for rolling across floor 2. Wardrobe 10 also includes upper and lower leafed shelves 16 and 18, respectively, which extend between panels 9 and 12 for storing headgear, footwear and the like (not shown).

Front panel 12 carries vertically spaced anchor brackets 24, 26 to which are connected first seam hinges 27, 28, respectively, which latter are attached to the forward ends 11, 13 of shelves to, 18, respectively. Each shelf 16, 18 includes first and second leaf sections 20 and 22 joined by a spine hinge 23. The rearward ends 15, 17 of shelves 16, 18 carry second seam hinges 30, 31 attached to mounting brackets 34, 36. Mounting brackets 34, 36 extend between brackets 34, 36 which are fixed to recessed panel 9 and/ or to wall studs 5 by any suitable means such as bolts 35.

The combination and disposition of first seam hinges 27, 28, spine hinges 23 and second seam hinges 30, 31 is such as to allow the first and second leaf sections 20 and 22 to fold, one against the other for collapsing the wardrobe into compartment 8. For convenience, any suitable hinge material or construction may be used, with onepiece plastic hinges being shown by way of illustration only. The hinges have tongues secured in grooves in the hinged members, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show leaf sections 20, 22 unfolded and holding front panel 12 spaced outwardly from the wall 4. When unfolded, the weight of leaf sections 20, 22 directed to spine hinge 23 forms an impass, whereby leaf sections 20, 22 are self-locking in open position. To fold leaf sections 20, 22 it is first necessary to break the impass by releasing the interlock at spine hinge 23.

Collapsing lower shelf 18 upwardly by any suitable means, such as lift ring 29 accomplishes this release to permit folding of the first and second leaf sections 20 and 22 one against the other. It is a feature of our invention that breaking and folding of the upper shelf 16 is accomplished automatically by upward collapsing of the lower shelf 18. To this end, upper and lower leaf sections 22 are interconnected by rigid vertical tie rods 37 having their ends 32, 33 pivoted to leaf sections 22 to transmit breaking and folding motion from the lower shelf member 18 to upper shelf member 16. Tie rods 37 could instead be connected to leaf sections 20, but the illustrated arrangement positions them out of the way. Locating lift ring 29 on leaf section 20 makes it readily accessible.

Suspended beneath upper shelf 16 is a hanger support rod 40 for receiving the hooks of hangers 42 for coats and other garments (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, hanger support rod 40 includes a first end 44 pivoted to mounting bracket 34 and a second generally L- shaped end 46 having an inturned terminal tab 48 integral with the base leg 50 thereof for engaging a lock 52 (FIG. fixed to upper anchor bracket 24. When wardrobe is collapsed (FIGS. 1 and 3), the rod 40 hangs down and its L-shaped end 46 provides a convenient means of storing extra coat hangers 42.

When not in use, wardrobe 10 can be collapsed into compartment 8, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and compartment 8 then is closed and covered by front panel 12 which is flush with wall surface 3. Front panel 12 can carry a decorative design styled in accordance with the adjacent wall surface 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This decoration scheme plus the flush fitting of panel 12 in room wall 4 gives wall surface 3 the appearance of a continuous unbroken Wall surface (FIG. 1).

To prevent front panel 12 from creeping out of its closed, flush position in wall 4, first and second leaf sections 20, 22 of each shelf 16, 18 carry magnets 38, 39, respectively. Each magnet 38 is disposed to abut the associated magnet 39 when shelf leaves 20, 22 are folded. The force of magnetic attraction holds the wardrobe in collapsed position, maintaining front panel 12 flush with face surface 3.

To extend wardrobe 10 from its collapsed position a hand grip 19 formed in panel 12 is grasped and pulled, thereby breaking the attraction of magnets 38, 39 and rolling the wardrobe into its extended position of use (FIG. 2). Shelves 16 and 18 unfold as the wardrobe is extended, to subsequently lie full open, thereby holding front panel 12 spaced outwardly from wall 4. Hanger support 40 is then pivoted upwardly to engage tab 48 in lock 52, thus preparing wardrobe 10 for the receipt and storage of coats, headgear, footwear and the like.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a collapsible wardrobe of our invention generally designated 10a for mounting on the face surface 3a of any convenient room wall 4a. Wardrobe 10a includes a front panel 12a, upper and lower leafed shelves 16a and 18a, and a hanger support rod 40a, similar to the corresponding portions of wardrobe 10 except that front panel 12a preferably is generally V- shaped in plan view form. Anchor brackets 24a and 26a, fixed to front panel 12a are hinged to the forward ends 11a and 13a of shelves 16a and 18a, respectively. The rearward ends 150, 17a: of shelves 16a, 18a are hinged to mounting brackets 34a and 36a adapted for attachment to wall surface 3a by any suitable fastener means (not shown).

Hanger support rod 40a is suspended beneath shelf member 16a and includes a first end 44a pivoted to anchor bracket 24a and a second, L-shaped end 46a adapted for slip-fit engagement with a lock 52a fixed to mounting bracket 34a.

The leaf sections of shelves 16a and 18a are hinged together, and to brackets 24a, 26a, 34a and 36a in the same manner as leaf sections 20, 22 of wardrobe 10, and the inner leaf sections are interconnected by the rods 37a pivotally connected thereto.

To collapse wardrobe 10a, hanger support 40a is first disengaged from lock 52a and pivoted downward to rest in the V of the front panel. Collapsing of the wardrobe 4 can now proceed in the manner previously set forth for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. A glide 14a fixed to the base of panel 12a spaces and supports the panel above the floor and facilitates moving panel 12a towards and away from room wall 4a.

When wardrobe 10a is collapsed the V-shaped panel 12a forms a cover which can extend to wall surface 3a to enclose the folded shelves 16a, 18a and associated parts, thereby concealing the same from view.

Additional headgear storage is provided by a rack 60 carried at the top of front panel 12a. Rack 60 is of any suitable light construction such as for example the grate structure shown in FIG. 7. The rack includes laterally projecting hinge pintles 61 journaled in pivot supports 62 carried by a bracket 63 on front panel 12a. A U- shaped projection 64 of rack 60 is adapted for snap engagement beneath a spring clip 66 on bracket 63, which latter is recessed at 65 to receive the projections 64. To position rack 60 for use, it is held in a horizontal position and slid to the right as viewed in FIG. 7, to engage projection 64 beneath spring clip 66. Bracket 63 and clip 66 coact to hold rack 60 in its horizontal position of use. Reversing this operation disengages projection 64 from clip 66, allowing rack 60 to pivot downwardly for storing in the V of front panel 12a.

Thus, it will be appreciated that our invention fully accomplishes the intended objects, providing a wardrobe which occupies little or no room spcae when not in use and which is readily accessible for storing coats, hats, footwear and the like. The wardrobe is easily installed, and lends itself to manufacture in knockdown kit form. Wardrobe 10a, for example, can be mounted simply by fixing mounting brackets 34a and 36a to any convenient room wall. Wardrobe 10 is especially suited for use in new construction or in the remodelling of existing rooms as it is installed for collapse into a wall compartment. The unique method of adapting panel 12 to cover the outwardly opening wall compartment 8 adds to the room decor by concealing the presence of the wardrobe and giving the apearance of a continuous, unbroken wall surface. The leafed construction of shelf members 16, 18, 16a and 18a renders the shelf members self locking while in open position, and the attraction of magnets 38, 39 effectively holds the wardrobes in collapsed position. If desired, a boot tray (not shown) can be mounted on either leaf section of the lower shelf.

It is to be understood that the forms specifically described and illustrated herein should be taken only as illustrative examples of our invention, and that variations and modifications thereof can be made without changing the spirit and scope of our invention as claimed.

Having fully described our invention, and the manner and process of making and using the same, what we claim as new is:

1. A collapsible wardrobe comprising:

(a) a normally upright panel supported for horizontal collapsing movement against an upright mounting panel;

(b) vertically spaced articulated members carried by said collapsible panel for attachment to a mounting panel, said members extending generally the full width of said front panel to comprise shelves for storing headgear, footwear and the like, each of said members including front and rear leaf sections hinged for folding upwardly one against the other, said members unfolding and locking open to space said collapsible panel from its mounting panel and folding to collapse the former against the latter;

(c) means extending between said members for simultaneous folding thereof.

2. A collapsible wardrobe as set forth in claim 1, to

gether with:

(a) a lift ring carried on the lower one of said members for grasping and lifting said lower member to fold the same.

3. A collapsible wardrobe as set forth in claim 1, wherein said last-named means include:

(.a) a vertical strut extending between corresponding leaf sections of each of said members, said strut transmitting the lift and closing motion of the lower of said members to the upper of said members.

4. A collapsible wardrobe. as set forth in claim 1 together with:

(a) an elongated hanger support member adapted to receive coat hangers and the like;

(b) means pivotally mounting said support member for movement about a horizontal axis into and out of a predetermined position of operation when said wardrobe is open; and

. (c) latch means releasably engaging said support member in said predetermined position.

5. A collapsible wardrobe comprising:

(a) a movable front panel;

(b) upper and lower shelf members hinged adjacent the forward ends thereof to said panel;

(c) said shelf members having transversely hinged leaf sections foldable against each other;

(d) mounting brackets hinged to said shelf members adjacent the rearward ends thereof, said mounting brackets being adapted for attachment to a wall; and

(e) a support rod pivotally mounted at one end for swinging about a horizontal axis between a suspended position beneath said upper shelf member and a use position extending across the dividing hinge thereof for receiving garment hangers and the like.

6. A collapsible wardrobe as set forth in claim 5, in which said front panel has a forwardly directed generally V-shape in plan view, the said panel thereby providing a generally V-shaped compartment to enclose and substantially conceal therein the folded leaf section.

7. A collapsible wardrobe as set forth in claim 5, in which said support rod is centrally located beneath said upper shelf member and is pivoted at one end to said panel, together with:

(a) latch means adapted for releasable engagement with the opposite end of said support rod to permit hanging of garments on the rod, said rod being disengageable from said latch means for pivoting downwardly behind said front panel upon collapsing said wardrobe.

8. A collapsible wardrobe comprising:

(a) a normally upright movable panel;

(b) a shelf comprising transversely hinged front and rear leaf sections, said front leaf section also being transversely hinged to said movable panel, said shelf sections unfolding and locking open to space said movable panel from an upright mounting panel and folding against one another for movement of said movable panel toward its mounting panel;

(c) mounting means transversely hinged to said rear leaf section and adapted for attachment to a mounting panel; and

(d) supporting surface engaging roller support means canied by said movable panel.

9. A collapsible wardrobe as set forth in claim 8, together with:

(a) coacting magnetic latch means carried by said leaf sections for releasably holding the same in folded condition.

10. In combination with an upstanding room wall having a compartment therein opening outwardly through said wall, an extensible wardrobe collapsible into said compartment for storage:

(a) said wardrobe including an upright panel forming a closure for said compartment openingwhen said Wardrobe is collapsed into said compartment; and

(b) means mounting said panel for horizontal movement into and out of said opening.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein said upright panel is flush with said room wall when said wardrobe is collapsed into said compartment, and is decorated in harmony with said room wall giving the appearance of a continuous unbroken room Wall when said wardrobe is collapsed.

12. In combination with an upstanding room wall having an opening therein, an extensible wardrobe adapted for collapsing into said wall opening comprising:

(a) an upright panel movable toward and away from said room wall and adapted to close said opening;

(b) upper and lower shelf members extending between said upright panel and the interior of said room wall;

(c) each of said shelf members comprising hinged leaf sections foldable on themselves to position said panel in flush alignment with said room wall; and

(d) means operable to releasably maintain such flush alignment.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12, in which said last-mentioned means include magnetic latch means mounted on each of said shelf members for latching engagement upon folding of said leaf sections on themselves.

14. A collapsible wardrobe comprising:

(a) a normally upright movable panel;

(b) a shelf comprising transversely hinged front and rear leaf sections, said front leaf section also being transversely hinged to said mopable panel, said shelf sections unfolding and locking open to space said movable panel from a mounting panel and folding against one another for movement of said movable panel toward its mounting panel;

(c) mounting means transversely hinged to said rear leaf section and adapted for attachment to a mounting panel; and

(d) an auxiliary headgear storage shelf carried at the top of said front panel, said shelf comprising a rack pivoted at its forward edge to said front panel for swinging between horizontal and depending vertical positions; a tab projecting forwardly from said rack, and a clip mounted on said panel for engaging said tab to maintain said rack in its horizontal position of use, said rack being laterally shiftable int-o and out of engagement with said clip.

15. In combination with an upstanding room wall having an opening therein, an extensible wardrobe adapted for collapsing into said wall opening comprising:

(a) an upright panel movable toward and away from said room wall and adapted to close said opening;

(b) upper and lower shelf members extending between said upright panel and the interior of said room wall;

(c) each of said shelf members comprising hinged leaf sections foldable on themselves to position said panel in flush alignment with said room wall;

(d) means operable to releasably maintain such flush alignment; and

(e) a hanger support rod extending between said panel and the interior of said wall and comprising means pivotally mounting said rod adjacent one end thereof for swinging between a horizontal position of use and a vertically downwardly suspended collapsed position, and latch means engageable with said rod adjacent the opposite end thereof to releasably retain said rod in said position of use, said opposite end of said r-od being generally hook-shaped for suspending hangers therefrom when said rod is in said collapsed position.

16. A collapsible Wardrobe comprising:

(a) a movable front panel;

(b) upper and lower shelf members hinged adjacent the forward ends thereof to said panel;

(0) said shelf members having transversely hinged leaf sections foldable against each other;

(d) mounting brackets hinged to said shelf members adjacent the rearward ends thereof, said mounting brackets being adapted for attachment to a wall;

(e) a support rod suspended beneath said upper shelf member and extending across the dividing hinge thereof for receiving garment hangers and the like;

(f) said front panel having a forwardly directed generally V-shape in plan view, the said panel thereby providing a generally V-shaped compartment to enclose and substantially conceal therein the folded leaf section;

(g) said support rod being centrally located beneath said upper shelf member and pivoted at one end to said panel; and

(h) latch means adapted for releasable engagement with the opposite end of said support rod to permit hanging of garments on the rod, said rod being disengageable from said latch means for pivoting downwardly' into the V of said front panelupon collapsing said wardrobe.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Freeborn et al. 108-113 Weinstock 312-114 Dieckmann 312-258 X Montgomery 312-258 Hamblin 108-111 Neal 211-96 Metzler 108-113 Dubilier 292-144 BerteIson 312-238 Acton 312-245 CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A COLLAPSIBLE WARDROBE COMPRISING: (A) A NORMALLY UPRIGHT PANEL SUPPORTED FOR HORIZONTAL COLLAPSING MOVEMENT AGAINST AN UPRIGHT MOUNTING PANEL; (B) VERTICALLY SPACED ARTICULATED MEMBERS CARRIED BY SAID COLLAPSIBLE PANEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO A MOUNTING PANEL, SAID MEMBERS EXTENDING GENERALLY THE FULL WIDTH OF SAID FRONT PANEL TO COMPRISE SHELVES FOR STORING HEADGEAR, FOOTWEAR AND THE LIKE, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR LEAF SECTIONS HINGED FOR FOLDING UPWARDLY ONE AGAINST THE OTHER, SAID MEMBERS UNFOLDING AND LOCKING OPEN TO SPACE SAID COLLAPSIBLE PANEL FROM ITS MOUNTING PANEL AND FOLDING TO COLLAPSE THE FORMER AGAINST THE LATTER; (C) MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS FOR SIMULTANEOUS FOLDING THEREOF.

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