US3596077A

US3596077A - Rotary support

Info

Publication number: US3596077A
Application number: US866245A
Authority: US
Inventors: Matilda Marie Miazga
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-10-14
Filing date: 1969-10-14
Publication date: 1971-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-27

Abstract

A rotary support or rack for holding and supporting articles in an out of the way position, such as below a bed, the rack including an adjustable means for permitting the device to be mounted below beds of different sizes or types, and wherein there is provided a support member, a hollow hub, and a wheel member.

Description

United States Patent 72. 2 AD; 21 1/34. 95; 21/54, l0l. I02, 105

(50] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.082.088 6/l937 Wilson lit/34 FOREIGN PATENTS 669,14! 3/l952 Great Britain 240/4 Primary Examiner- Louis R. Prince Assistant Examiner-William A. Henry. ll Attorney-Sherman Levy ABSTRACT: A rotary support or rack for holding and supporting articles in an out of the way position, such as below a bed, the rack including an adjustable means for permitting the device to be mounted below beds of different sizes or types, and wherein there is provided a support member, a hollow hub, and a wheel member.

PATENTEUJULE'HSH 3,596.07?

INVENTOR MAHLDA mAZGA BY h f ATTORNEY ROTARY SUPPORT This invention relates to a rotary rack or support, and more particularly to a rotary rack for conveniently supporting shoes or other articles in an out of the way position beneath a conventional bed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary rack which includes a mounting means that can be adjustable to permit the device to be conveniently and accurately supported beneath beds of different sizes or shapes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary rack for supporting shoes or other articles, and wherein in accordance with the present invention there is provided an ozone unit that will help destroy harmful bacteria, as well as minimize bad odors, and the like.

Still another object is to provide such a rotary rack that can either be mounted below a bed, or else the device can be used in a vertical position in a closet or the like.

Still another object is to provide such a rotary rack that is economical to manufacture and efficient in operation and which is rugged in structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view showing the device mounted on the bottom of a bed. FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the present invention with parts broken away for clarity of illustration. FIGv 3 is a sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the central post arrangement and associated parts. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the drawer stop. FIG. 7 is a schematic view, illustrating the wiring diagram for the present invention. FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modification showing the device in a vertical position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. I through 7, of the drawings, the numeral 20 indicates the rotary support of the present invention which is adapted to be conveniently mounted in a suitable location, such as beneath a conventional bed 35. The bed 35 may include the usual framework 21 that includes spaced parallel frame pieces 22, and the framework or frame 21 may further include horizontally disposed crosspieces 23. The numeral 24 indicates a mattress or the like that is supported on the frame 21.

As shown in the drawings, the rotary support 20 of the present invention includes a support member that is indicated generally by the numeral 25, FIG. 2. The support member 25 includes spaced

parallel wall members

26 and 27 that are rectangular in configuration. Pairs of spaced apart

braces

28 and 29 are interposed between the

wall members

26 and 27 and are secured thereto in any suitable manner. The

braces

28 and 29 define therebetween grooves or trackways 30, and bars 3I are adjustable or slidably mounted in the trackways 30. As shown in the drawings, end portions of the outer braces 28 are indicated by the numeral 32, and these and portions 32 extend outwardly beyond the

walls

26 and 27. There are mounted in the center portions of the support member 25, spacers or bracers 33 that have a central opening 34 therein for a purpose to be later described. The adjustable bars 31 permit the device to be conveniently attached to beds of different shapes or sizes.

The numeral 36 indicates a cover member that is adapted to snugly engage a circular opening 19 in the wall member 26, and the cover member 36 is adapted to be provided with a knob or handle, so as to permit the cover 36 to be removed when desired or required. The inner surface of the cover member 36 may be provided with a reflecting surface so that heat, light and the like will be reflected in the desired direction.

The rotary support of the present invention further includes a hub unit that is indicated generally by the numeral 37 and the hub unit 37 includes a circular base 38 which has a plurality of spaced apart legs or feet 39 depending therefrom. The hub unit 37 is further provided with a shoulder portion 40 which has a bearing surface 41 contiguous thereto, and the bearing surface 41 may be made of a material such as "Teflon or the like. Guides 42 are adapted to be mounted on the upper surface of the base 38, as shown in FIG. 5.

The hub unit 37 further includes an upstanding boxlike body portion 42 that may consist of wall pieces 43 that are suitably joined together, so as to form a hollow unit as shown in the drawings. Wall pieces 43 are provided with openings 44 therein, as shown in FIG. 5. The upper end of the body portion 42 is adapted to be secured to the portion 33 of the support member 25 by means of securing elements such as screws 46 which can extend through openings 47 in the walls 43.

As shown in FIG. 7, there is illustrated schematically the wiring diagram for the electrical circuit of the present invention, wherein the numeral 48 indicates input lines or wires that are adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, and the numeral 49 indicates a transformer that is adapted to be suitably mounted within the lower portion of the body portion 42. Also arranged in the lower section of the body portion 42 is an ozone lamp 50 as well as a regular lamp or light 51, and control switches 52 and 53 are provided for each of the lamps 50 and 5].

The rotary support of the present invention further includes a wheel member or unit that is indicated generally by the numeral 54, FIG. 4, and the wheel member 54 includes spaced parallel circular disks or

plate members

55 and 56, FIG. 3. There is provided in the central portion of the wheel unit 54 a circular recessed area 66 through which projects the body portion 42 of the hub unit 57. Tl-Iere is also positioned between the

disks

55 and 56 and secured thereto,

partitions

57 and 58, certain of which may have openings or apertures 59 therein, and certain of these

partitions

57 and 58 coact to define therebetween chambers or compartments 60 for selectively holding drawers 61 that are slidably mounted therein. Knobs 62 may be provided for facilitating the manual removal of the drawers 61. Wheel unit 54 also has other spaces or areas 57 therein which are adapted to be used for the storage of various articles, such as shoes or the like. As shown in FIG. 6, there is secured to the outer periphery of the disk or plate 56 a circular flange 63 that has spaced apart recessed portions 64 arranged in alignment with the chambers or compartments 60.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 8 of the drawings, wherein the numeral 68 indicates a modified form or use of the present invention, and in FIG. 8 the numeral 69 indicates a wheel unit that has a generally similar construction to the previously described wheel unit 54. Bars 70 are adapted to be operatively connected to the wall unit 69, and the bars 70 are adapted to be vertically disposed and can be conveniently secured to or affixed to a vertical wall surface, such as a wall surface H in a closet or a house, apartment, or the like, the wall surface 71 being disposed and being positioned in any suitable location.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a rotary support, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, the device 20 of the present invention is adapted to be mounted in a convenient location, such as below a bed 35, as shown in FIG. 1. The device 20 may be held in place by means of the extensions 32 which can engage a side piece 22 of the frame 21, and in addition there are provided extensible bars 31 which are adapted to engage the opposite side pieces 22, wherein the entire unit 20 can be conveniently supported beneath the mattress or spring section 24 of a conventional bed 35.

Tile device 20 includes the rotary wheel member or unit 54 which is provided with storage areas such as the area 67, whereby various articles such as shoes can be conveniently supported therein. In addition, the rotary wheel unit 54 includes the compartments or areas 60 in which is slidably mounted drawers, such as the drawers 6i, whereby various types of accessories or articles can be conveniently supported in such drawers 6]. Knobs 62 are attached to the outer portions of the drawers 6! for facilitating the manual removal of the drawers 61, as for example. when articles are to be placed therein or removed therefrom. It will be noted that the lower disk or plate 56 of wheel member 54 has the circular flange 63 affixed thereto and the purpose of the flange 63 is to prevent accidental removal or movement of the drawer 61 out of the compartment 60 when the wheel unit 54 rotates, so that, for example, centrifugal force will not cause the drawers 6] to accidentally fall out during rotation of the wheel member 54. The flange 63 has cut out or recessed portions 64 in the vicinity of the compartments 60, and these recessed portions 64 provide a sufficient clearance so that when it is desired to remove one of the drawers 61, a knob 62 can be manually grasped whereby the drawer 6] can be lifted slightly to clear the recessed portion 64.

Also, is previously stated, the present invention includes the electrical circuit that embodies the ozone lamp 50 as well as the light 51. These

members

50 and 51, as well as the transformer 49 are conveniently mounted in the stationary hub unit 37, and these members are adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy by means of the input lines or wires 48, as shown in FIG. 7. Also, control switches 52 and 53 are provided for use in controlling actuation of these individual lamps 50 and l. The purpose of the ozone lamp 50 is to provide ozone for helping to kill bacteria as well as to minimize odors and the like. The ozone from the lamp 50 can conveniently pass through the openings 44 in the body portion 42 of the hub unit 37, and this ozone can also circulate through the openings 72 in the central portion of the wheel member 54, and this ozone also can circulate or pass through the openings 59 whereby the beneficial effects of the ozone can be spread around through all of the various articles being stored or supported on the rotary wheel member 54.

The hub unit 37 includes the depending feet 39 so that when the device is being used on a floor or wall or carpet, the feet 39 provide a convenient support. The hub 37 also includes the base 38 that has the shoulder portion 40 thereon and arranged contiguous to the shoulder 40 is the antifriction surface 4! which helped minimize friction between the rotating wheel member 54 and the hub unit 37. In addition, there is provided the glides 42 that help assure that the wheel member 54 will rotate in the proper manner. The lamp 50 provides ozone as previously described, and the lamp 51 provides light for permitting the device to be conveniently illuminated in the desired manner.

THe parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes, as desired or required.

It will be seen that the device of the present invention includes the adjustable supporting slats or bars 3t so that the device will fit any size or shape of bed. In addition, the device will fit double beds, as well as single size beds, and the device can also be used with bunk beds, early American type beds, and the like. It will standardize for all sizes of beds. The device is adapted to have at least two drawers, such as the drawers 6| for use as supports for jewelry and the like. The base has glides such as the glides 42 made of a suitable material such as nylon so that the wheel 54 will rotate easily. In addition, the Lazy- Susan unit will not bind. THe lip or flange 63 prevents articles or drawers from spinning out form centrifugal force if a child or other person spins the roulette member too fast. The hub unit 37 has the ozone light 50 which helps cure athletes feet that may be present in the shoes being supported in the space 67, and in addition, the ozone helps cure fungus infections, and the like, and it also acts as an air freshener. The ozone thus acts as a purifier, and the ozone light 50 has the switch 52 for controlling the same. Thus, either or both of the

lights

50 and 5! can be actuated or turned on as desired. The switches may be of the two-way or three-way type. The circular lid or closure 36 is adapted to have a reflecting surface on the lower portion thereof which helps reflect ozone in the proper direction, whereby the ozone can spill out and pass through the openings 44 and through the openings 72 and through the openings 59, and the toxic level of the ozone will not build up beyond a safe level.

The wheel unit 54 rotates easily, and the entire device is light in weight, and is simple to assemble and disassemble, and the device can be easily mounted on any type of bed, such as a Hollywood bed. The device includes the adjustable slots or bars 31.

Primarily, the device consists of top or frame, the wheel unit 54 which is constructed to hold the maximum number of shoes and drawers in the most efficient manner, and the base or hub unit 37 that has the glides and means for keeping it from wabbling. The location of the holes assures that ozone will spill out in the proper quantity.

in addition, the hub unit 37 an be used separately as a unit for drying out closets, purifying air and the like. Certain of the lower portions of the hub or base are bevelled to give the hub increased strength. The feet 39 on the hub help keep the device stationary when the device is being used on the bed, so that only the wheel will turn, and in addition, the feet provide a small amount of air space to prevent ozone from bubbling up in an improper manner.

The rotary support of the present invention can be merchandised conveniently as a Do-lt-Yourself kit, or can be assembled by handicapped workers. By standardizing the device, it will fit all sizes and shapes of beds, such as single and double beds. The device can be sold as a new item with new beds or as an accessory by manufacturers for existing beds. The device can be made so that it is fireproof, and it can be made of any suitable material such as wood, fiber glass, plastic, metal, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 8, the device can be used in a vertical position in a closet or the like. THe slats or bars can be spring loaded. Also the device may have concealed compartments so that burglars will not ordinarily locate valuable articles, such as jewelry, therein.

The present invention possess certain important differences and advantages over prior patented devices such as US. Pat. Nos. 2,082,088, 2,613,735, 2,326,064 and 2,541,048.

The present invention includes the adjustable slats or mounting means, and in addition, construction of the rotary unit and hub and wheel member are different and more effcient in addition, various accessories can be used with the present invention such as decorative features including attractive knobs, handles, or the like, to enhance the appearance of the device, and the device can be merchandised in different color combinations, or the like to blend in with the sur roundings or decor of other furniture in a room.

Minor changes and shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Iclaim:

t. A rotary support comprising a support member adapted to be mounted below a bed contiguous to the frame section of the bed, and wherein the frame section includes spaced apart side members, said support member including spaced apart top and bottom wall members, inner and outer braces interposed between said wall members and defining therebetween trackways, said outer braces being flush with the outer edges of the support member, and portions of the outer braces extending beyond the support member, bars slidably mounted in said trackways, there being an opening in the center portion of said support member, a removable cover member adapted to extend over the opening in the support member; a centrally disposed hub unit including a circular base, spaced apart legs depending from said base, said base having a circular shoulder portion thereon, and an upstanding hollow rectangular boxlike body portion that includes wall pieces having openings therein, said body portion extending into the opening in the support member, a wheel rotatably mounted on the body portion ofthe hub unit, glides on said base; an electrical circuit including switches, a light unit and an ozone unit, and a transformer electrically connected in said circuit and mounted in and wherein the rotary wheel member is adapted to support articlel. such as shoes, therein.

3. In a rotary support, a support member, a hub unit that is operatively connected to said support member, a wheel member rotatably connected to said hub unit, said support member including adjustable mounting bars, said hub unit including a sanitizing means, and said rotary wheel member adapted to support articles such as shoes therein.

Claims

1. A rotary support comprising a support member adapted to be mounted below a bed contiguous to the frame section of the bed, and wherein the frame section includes spaced apart side members, said support member including spaced apart top and bottom wall members, inner and outer braces interposed between said wall members and defining therebetween trackways, said outer braces being flush with the outer edges of the support member, and portions of the outer braces extending beyond the support member, bars slidably mounted in said trackways, there being an opening in the center portion of said support member, a removable cover member adapted to extend over the opening in the support member; a centrally disposed hub unit including a circular base, spaced apart legs depending from said base, said base having a circular shoulder portion thereon, and an upstanding hollow rectangular boxlike body portion that includes wall pieces having openings therein, said body portion extending into the opening in the support member, a wheel rotatably mounted on the body portion of the hub unit, glides on said base; an electrical circuit including switches, a light unit and an ozone unit, and a transformer electrically connected in said circuit and mounted in said hub unit; said wheel member including spaced apart disks having partitions therebetween and said partitions being provided with holes therein, said partitions defining compartments, drawers slidably mounted in said compartments, and a flange on said lower disk having recessed portions contiguous to said compartments.

2. In a rotary support, a support member, a hub unit operatively connected to said support member, and a wheel member rotatably connected to said hub unit, said hub unit including a plurality of lamps, one of which is of the ozone type, and wherein the rotary wheel member is adapted to support articles, such as shoes, therein.