US3722702A

US3722702A - Foldable garment rack

Info

Publication number: US3722702A
Application number: US00126451A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Marker
Original assignee: Garcy Corp
Current assignee: Garcy Corp
Priority date: 1971-03-22
Filing date: 1971-03-22
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27
Also published as: JPS549546B1

Abstract

A completely foldable garment rack construction which is easily and quickly set up, and easily folded, without removal of hang rails, and without separate mechanical fasteners. Eccentric cam hinge assemblies connect the frame members for movement between a butting, set-up and locked condition, and a spaced foldable condition. A hang rail is hingedly mounted for pivotal movement on the rack with respect to a frame member, from the foldable condition into a folded condition. Legs of frame members telescopically receive leg extenders, each defining longitudinally spaced notches and notch cam tongues for camming a spring assembly outwardly when the leg extender is pulled downwardly to lengthen the leg. The spring assembly includes an integral supporting tab for supporting the spring assembly from a stretcher adjacent the leg, and provides a catch button passing through the leg and into a notch to support the leg extender against upward telescopic movement.

Description

United States Patent. 1191 Marker, Jr. Mar. 27, 1973 I541 FOLDABLE GARMENT RACK FOREIGN PATENTS R APPLICATIONS l Inventorr Edwin Marker, J g 618,022 4/1961 Canada ..168/115 Assigneez Garey Corporation 628,080 8/1949 great BrItaIn ..108/115 [22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 Primary Examiner-Ramon S Britts PP NOI: 6, AttorneyDressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl ..211/178 R, 108/115, 248/188.5, A Completely fomable garment rack Construction 248/436 which is easily and quickly set up, and easily folded,

Int. Clt without removal of hang rails and without separate [58] Field oiSearch....211/178 R, 177,149, 132, 85,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson ..248/436 X Wurz ...108/l X Shields 248/1885 X Scholz ...182/1179 X Barnes ..211/177 Ruhnke ....211/178 R Hansen ....l08/l 15 X Steinmetz ..211/177 Triplett ....l08/115 X Lay I ..108/ Berman ..211/177 mechanical fasteners. Eccentric cam hinge assemblies connect the frame members for movement between a butting, set-up and locked condition, and a spaced foldable condition. A hang rail is hingedly mounted for pivotal movement on the rack with respect to a frame member, from the foldable condition into a folded condition Legs of frame members telescopically receive leg extenders, each defining longitudinally spaced notches and notch cam tongues for camming a spring assembly outwardly when the leg extender is pulled downwardly to lengthen the leg. The spring assembly includes an integral supporting tab for supporting the spring assembly from a stretcher adjacent the leg, and provides a catch button passing through the leg and into a notch to support the leg extender against upward telescopic movement.

18 Claims, 36 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHARZT I973 SHEET 10F 6 INVENTOE .ar/qer J}:

PATENTEUHARZYISB SHEET 2 [IF 6 23 i8 M Q W m y M5 F 5: N \i W FIG; 5 3?? LEE:

flx Z I I I PATENTEDHARZYIQTES SHEET 3 OF 6 FIG. 12 firs, .73 FIG. 14

PATENTEDIIARZ 71373 SHEET H []F 6 PATENTEDHARZTIHYS 3,722,702

SHEET 5 [IF 6 x w w I z I PATENTEDHARZTIQYS SHEET 8 [IF 6 FOLDABLE GARMENT RACK This invention relates to garment racks, and particularly to those having hang rails. The improved garment racks of this invention are completely foldable. Unlike prior art constructions, they do not require removal of the hang rails prior to folding and do not require separate mechanical fasteners. They do, however, provide a garment rack construction which is rigid and strong and which is easily set up and easily folded. It can be shipped completely assembled and without separate parts requiring assembly at the point of ultimate use.

Efforts have been made in the past to design collapsible and foldable garment racks and to design them in some cases without the need for separate mechanical fasteners to hold them or parts of them together. Exemplary of typical prior art garment rack assemblies are those illustrated in United States Pat. Nos. 2,852,145; 3,063,571; 3,312,355; and 2,985,316. In the last named patent the garment rack is foldable, except that the hang rails must be removed prior to folding. It is with a construction avoiding the necessity of removing the hang rails, while providing a rigid, strong interlocked set-up assembly without the need for mechanical fasteners or the like, that this invention is concemed.

In accordance with this invention vertically disposed expansive frame members forming a garment rack assembly are hingedly secured to each other at vertically spaced points, and a hang rail is hingedly and pivotally secured to the garment rack assembly. The vertically spaced hinge assemblies securing the frame members to each other are proportioned to draw one frame member into firm butting engagement with the other in a first set-up locked position, and to move the one frame member out of contact with the other to a second spaced position where the frame members may pivot about the hinge assemblies so that they may fold into a generally parallel relationship. The hang rail is so secured that it is pivotally movable into close adjacency with a frame member without separation or removal from the garment rack.

When the garment rack is generally rectangular, a pair of parallel end frame members are positioned at the ends of a center frame member, the center frame member being movable into firm butting engagement with each of the end frame members, and away from those to a spaced position in which the frame members will pivot about the hinge assemblies. The hang rails lie parallel to the center frame member and are slidably and pivotally secured to the end frame members for conjoint relative movement with respect to the end frame members as they move between the first and second positions. When in the first position, they preferably firmly butt against the end frame members to further rigidify the rack assembly.

When the garment rack embodies a circular hang rail, it is pivotally secured to the rack assembly at at least three, and preferably at four points. When the rack is to be folded, the hang rail is disengaged from all but two pivotal points of securance, at which time it is swingable into a plane which is substantially parallel with the planes of the folded frame members.

As such, the garment racks of this invention provide interconnected frame members, and hang rails which are permanently pivotally mounted on the rack. As such, the rack may be set up quickly, without tools and without the need for the connection of parts. Similarly, the garment rack may be folded into a compact condition without tools, and without the removal of parts, such as the hang rails.

The garment rack of this invention also desirably includes improved leg extender assemblies to adjust the height of the garment rack. Each leg extender assembly comprises a leg extender telescopically received in a tubular leg of the rack and defining a plurality of adjustment notches. An easily replaceable spring provides a catch button passing through the leg and into an adjustment notch. To lengthen the leg, the leg extender is pulled downwardly, a notch tongue cams the catch button outwardly and the spring then projects the button into the next notch when it is reached. The spring is easily replaceable, and the extender assembly eliminates the need for a plurality of apertures in the leg itself, simplifying construction and improving the appearance of the rack. Most notably it speeds and simplifies the lengthening of the legs of a garment rack.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rectangular foldable garment rack of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foldable garment rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a'plan view of the garment rack of FIG. 1, showing, in phantom, the garment rack in a partially folded condition;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the garment rack of FIG. 1 in a completely folded condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially along each of the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view, taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG.'5, showing the hinge lever in several positions of movement;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the frame members of the garment rack in an open position ready for folding;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view, like FIG. 8, but with the frame members folded as in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a view ofa hinge lever of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially along the line l2l2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but with the hinge levers in the position of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view taken substantially along the line 15-15 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view similar to FIG. 15 viewed substantially from the line 16-16 of FIG. 14, illustrating folded positions of a hang rail and end frame;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a leg extender assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a view of the leg extender assembly taken substantially along the line 18-18 of FIG. 17',

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a leg extender spring ofFIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a circular foldable garment rack of this invention showing, in phantom, frame members in a partially folded condition;

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the garment rack of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the garment rack of FIG. 20 in a completely folded condition, illustrating, in phantom, unfolded and partially folded positions of parts thereof;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken substantially along the line 2323 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2424 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a plan view similar to FIG. 23 with the hinge levers moved to positions in which the frame members are foldable, illustrating, in phantom, partially folded positions of the frame members;

FIG. 26 is a plan view similar to FIG. 24, in which the frame members have been moved to a fully folded position illustrating, in phantom, optional fully folded positions;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2727 of FIG. 25',

FIG. 28 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view taken substantially along the line 28-28 of FIG. 21, illustrating, in phantom, a position of movement of the hinge lever;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view, partially in section, taken substantially along the line 30-30 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view taken substantially along the line 3131 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged plan view of the folded garment rack of FIG. 20, partially broken away, showing the hang rail in an unfolded position and, in phantom, in a folded position;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 33-33 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3434 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is a side elevational view of the garment rack as viewed from the left of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 36 is as bottom sectional view taken. substantially along the line 36'36 of FIG. 31.

Referring now to the rectangular floor supported garment rack assembly which is illustrated in its setup condition in FIG. 1, it is seen to comprise a pair of spaced apart, expansive, parallel, vertically disposed end frame members 12 and an expansive vertically disposed center frame member 14, each suitably fabricated .from square or rectangular tubular stock. Each of the end frame members 12 comprises a pair of uprights 16, a horizontal top stretcher 18, and a horizontal bottom stretcher 18, all suitably interconnected in a common plane, as by welding. The center frame member 14 comprises a horizontal top stretcher 22, a horizontal bottom stretcher 22 and a pair of diagonal braces 26, all suitably interconnected in a common plane, as by welding.

The center frame member 14 is hingedly secured to each end frame member 12 by a pair of vertically spaced hinge assemblies 30. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there are four such assemblies, one at each end of each of the top and bottom stretchers 22.

The garment rack assembly 10 also provides a spaced pair of hang rails 32 parallel to the center frame member, and on opposite sides of it, each hingedly and pivotally secured at each end to an end frame member 12, by pivotal mounting means such as hinge and pivot assembly 34 (see FIG. 12). The hang rails 32 may have a cross-sectional configuration like the rods illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,269,553. End frame members 12 also mount suitable'leg extenders 36 to adjust the effective height of the end fame members and, therefore, the effective elevation at which the hang rails 32 are disposed.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 11, inclusive, the hinge assembly 30 comprises a locking plate 40, a hinge lever 42, a hinge pin 44 for oscillatably mounting said lever, and a retaining ring 46.

Hinge lever 42 is generally L-shaped and comprises a handle section 50, an outwardly shaped stop segment 52 and a partially punched circular cam segment 54. A pin aperture 56 passes through cam segment 54. The outer diameter of cam segment 54 is proportioned to mate in aperture 58 in locking plate 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). Hinge pin 44, which may be arivet, is proportioned to pass through pin aperture 56, through a complementary opening 60 in horizontal stretcher 22, and is secured in the position of FIGS. 5 and 7 by a retaining ring 46, such as a resilient E-ring, or by staking. As such, lever 42 is oscillatably connected to frame member 14, and lever 42 and locking plate 40 define cooperating eccentric cam means for moving the frame members toward and away from each other.

' Because each locking plate 40 is fixedly connected, as by welding, to horizontal stretcher 18 of the end frame member 12, the hinge assemblies 30 just described will movably and hingedly and pivotally secure the center frame member 14 to each end'frame member 12. It should be understood that there is a hinge assembly 30 at each end of the top stretcher 22, and one at each end of the bottom stretcher 22, the hinge assemblies 30 being substantially identical in construction and operation.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the hinge lever 42 of hinge assembly 30 is in a position where the garment rack is set up and locked in its open condition of use. In that position, cam segment 54 has positioned the hinge pin 44 as close to the horizontal stretchers 18 of members 12 as they will go. Because hinge pins 44 are seated in openings 60 of horizontal stretchers 22, they draw stretchers 22 into firm, tight buttingengagement with stretchers 18 of the end frame members 12, as is illustrated in FIG. 5. Each hinge assembly 30, and particularly the cam segment 54 and locking plate aperture 58 thereof, is so proportioned and positioned, that as the handle 50 reaches a dotted line position B of FIG. 6, a square end 62 of a stretcher 22 contacts the side walls 64 of a stretcher 18 so that further movement of the hinge lever 42 into the full line position A of FIG. 6 tightly biases the contacting stretchers, hence the frame members into engagement to form a strong rigid rack assembly. I

To condition the garment rack frame members for folding, each handle 50 of hinge levers 42 is gripped and is moved from the solid line position of FIG. 6, to the position B, thence to the position C, and finally to the position D of FIG. 8. As such the hinge pins 44 are moved to their outermost positions, the positions most remote from the stretchers 18. In that remote position, there is sufficient clearance between the ends 62 of stretchers 22 and the sides 64 of stretchers 18 so that the end frame members 12 may be folded from the position of FIG. 8 to the position of FIG. 9, i.e., from the position of FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4.

It will be understood that the hinge levers 42 of all four of the eccentric cam hinge assemblies are moved as just described prior to the folding illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, to space the corresponding ends 62 of the center frame member stretchers away from and out of contact with the corresponding sides 64 of the end frame member stretchers. It will be noted that the hinge pins 44 are generally located centrally of the stretcher 22. Accordingly when in the position of FIG. 8, the

frame members

12, 14 may be folded in either direction about the hinge assemblies 30 with respect to each other and into a closely adjacent, substantially parallel relationship.

When the end frame members 12 are moved with respect to the center frame member 14, the hang rails must also move. To that end, hang rails 32 are mounted to be moved on hinge and pivot assemblies 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 16, the elongate,

straight hang rails 32 and end frames 12 cooperate to provide the pivotal mounting assemblies 34. Hinge and pivot assemblies 34 each comprise a pivot plate and an end cap 72. End cap 72 comprises a seat portion 74 which is frictionally seated at the end of the hang rail 32, an end segment 76 which serves to close the end of the hang rail and a depending foot 78. Foot 78 has a pin portion 79 which projects downwardly through a teardrop shaped opening 80 in pivot plate 70, and further comprises a tear-drop shaped lock segment 81 which serves to prevent withdrawal of the end cap 72 from the pivot plate 70.

Pivot plate 70 is suitably secured as by welding to the uprights 16. End caps 72 are initially assembled with the pivot plates 70 by fitting the lock segments 81 through the tear-drop shaped openings 80 after which they are turned 180 and fitted within the ends of the hang rails 32. In that manner, the hang rails are effectively locked into position on the pivot plates 70 for sliding movement of the pin portions 79 lengthwise of the openings 80, and for pivotal movement within openings 80.

When the frame members are in the position of FIG. 5, the hang rails are firmly seated in the position illustrated in FIG. 12. When the hinge levers 42 are moved from the position A of FIG. 6 to the position D of FIG. 8, the hang rails are gradually spaced away from the uprights 16 from the set-up position of FIG. 12 to the foldable condition of FIG. 14. In that position and condition, the hang rails are free to pivot with respect to the end frame members 12 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 16, and therefore to move from the set-up condition of FIG. 3 to the folded condition of FIG. 4, all without separation of the hang rails from the garment rack assembly 10.

Desirably, a garment rack assembly 10 is adapted to be shipped in the condition illustrated in FIG. 4, and is further adapted to be stored in that condition. Assuming that a garment rack 10 has been shipped in that condition, and is to be conditioned to assume the set-up position illustrated in FIG. 1, it is first unfolded to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, i.e., a position in which the expansive center frame member is perpendicular to the end frame members. Then, the center frame member is moved toward the end frame members 12 by moving the four hinge levers 42 from position D of FIG. 8 through positions C and B of FIG. 6, and finally into the position A of FIG. 6. In approximately the position B, and ends 62 engages sides 64 and end segments 76 engage end frame 12. Further movement of levers 42 then tends to bind the ends 62 and segments 76 against the end frames, thereby to rigidify and strengthen the garment rack assembly 10. When position A is finally reached, stop segment 52 contacts the side edge of locking plates 40 to stop further movement. In that position the frame members are locked to each other.

Also in accordance with this invention, means are provided for adjusting the height of the end frame assemblies. Referring now to FIGS. 17 to 19, each of the leg extenders 36 is formed of tubular stock which is generally square in cross-section. Extenders 36 are telescopically received in uprights 16.

Bottom stretchers 18 are connected, as by welding,

to uprights l6. Adjacent the side 82 of stretcher 22, where it confronts the side edge of upright 16, a generally rectangular notch 84 is provided. Notch 84 is adapted to receive a removable leg extender spring 86 which comprises a bowed central section 88, a retainer tab 90, a finger grip 92, and a catch button 94.

Leg extender spring 86 is adapted to be positioned by sliding it upwardly through notch 84 into the position illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. Yieldable retainer tab 90 is proportioned to rest against the inner lower surface of lower stretcher 22, thereby to prevent removal of the spring and for suspending the spring assembly from the stretcher. When the spring 86 is so positioned, the catch button 94 passes through a complementary button aperture 96 in upright 16, and into engagement with an adjustment notch 98 in leg extender 36. Adjustment notch 98 is formed by shear forming the tubular leg extender 36 to push in a downwardly and inwardly extending camming tongue 100 and to form a support edge 102. The catch button 94 rests against support edge 102, thereby to prevent further inward telescopic movement of the leg extender 36 with respect to upright leg 16.

When the legs of the garment rack assembly 10 are to be lengthened, extenders 36 are gripped and pulled out, the tongues 100 camming the catch button 94 outwardly until the next adjustment notch 98 is reached at which time the catch button snaps into place, and is ready to supportingly engage support edge 102 of the next notch 98. If the length of the legs is to be decreased, the finger grip 92 is pulled outwardly to the dotted line position of FIG. 17, and the leg extender 36 is then pushed telescopically inwardly of upright 16.

In the event that leg extender spring 86 is destroyed I or broken it is easily replaceable. Centrally of the notch 84 there is a small further access opening 104 through which the blade of a small screwdriver or the like may be inserted. When so inserted, the blade may be urged against retainer tab 90 to force tab 90 toward the plane of central secton 88. At that time the spring 96 may be withdrawn downwardly from notch 84.

The leg extender and leg extender spring assembly described provides a simple, but effective and efficient means for quickly adjusting the height of a garment rack assembly 10. Notably, it eliminates the necessity for a plurality of apertures in the legs oruprights, speeds extension of the extenders and provides quick replacement of the spring assembly, if such becomes necessary.

A circular foldable garment rack assembly 200 in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIGS. to 35. Referring first to FIGS. 20 to 22, circular garment rack assembly 200 comprises a center frame member 210 and two short frame members 212, each suitably fabricated, as generally from square tubular stock. These extend in opposite directions from center frame member 210. Each of the short frame members 212 comprises a horizontal top stretcher 214, a horizontal bottom stretcher 216, and an interconnected diagonal leg member 218, all disposed in a common plane. The center frame member 210 comprises a top stretcher 220, a bottom stretcher 222 and a pair of diagonal legs 224, all suitably interconnected in a common plane, as by welding.

The center frame member 210 is hingedly secured to each short frame member 212 by a pair of vertically spaced hinge assemblies 230. In the embodiment of FIG. 20 there are four such hinge assemblies 230, one at each end of each of the top and

bottom stretchers

214, 216 of the short frame members 212.

The circular garment rack assembly 200 also comprises a circular hang rail 232 which is connected at at least three points, and preferably at the four points illustrated, by pivotal mounting means such as rail post assemblies 234, all of which may be identical. At least the rail post assemblies 234 associated with center frame member 210 provide hinge pivot connections for the hang rail 232, to enable it to fold with respect to frame

members

210 and 212.

Frame members

210 and 212 also mount suitable leg extenders 36 to adjust the effective height of the circular rack assembly. Leg extenders 36 are constructed and operate as described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Hinge assemblies 230 are substantially identical to hinge assemblies 30, and they function and are operated in substantially the same manner. Accordingly the same part numbers will be used. Each hinge assembly 230 comprises a locking plate 40', a hinge lever 42, a hinge pin 44 and a retaining ring 46. Locking plate 40' differs from the locking plate 40 only in that a single plate 40 which is connected to horizontal stretcher 222 (and 220) defines a pair of spaced apertures 58, each adapted to cooperate with a hinge lever 42.

In FIGS. 23 and 24, hinge levers 42 of hinge assemblies 230, are shown in positions where the garment rack 200 is set up and is locked in its open utilitarian condition. In that position, circular cam segments 54 have positioned the hinge pins 44 as close to the center frame member horizontal stretcher 222 (and 220) as they will go. Because hinge pins 44 are seated in openings 260 of

horizontal stretchers

214, 216, they draw the ends 262 of

stretchers

214, 216 into firm, tight, butting engagement with sides 264 of stretchers 222 (and 220) of the center frame member 210.

When the hinge levers 42 are moved from the closed locking position of FIGS. 23, 24, and 28, from the locked position to the full open position illustrated in FIG. 25, the hinge pins 44 are moved outwardly to their most remote position from the stretchers 222(and 220). In those positions, there is sufficient clearance between the ends 262 of the stretchers 216 (and 214) and the sides 264 of stretchers 222 (and 220), so that the short frame members may be folded in either direction about hinge pins 44 until they assume a generally parallel relationship to center frame member 210 (as illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27). It will be understood that the pairs of hinge levers 42 for each of the short frame members 212 are moved in the manner just described prior to the folding, to space the corresponding ends 262 of the short

frame member stretchers

214, 216 from the corresponding sides 264 of the center frame member stretchers.

Referring now to FIGS. 30 to 34, it is seen that the circular hang rail 232 is pivotally and hingedly mounted on rail post assemblies 234. Each rail post as sembly comprises an L-shaped rail post pin 280 which is rotatably journaled in a bearing block 282 and which is retained in that relationship by a retaining ring 284. The end of the cylindrical opening in bearing block 282 is reduced in size and a pin portion 286 of rail post pin 280 passes therethrough. It is the pin portion 286 which is encircled by the retaining ring 284 thereby to fix the rail post pin 280 against withdrawal from the bearing block 282. As best seen in FIGS. 33 and 34, bearing block 282 frictionally fits within the outermost ends 290 of the horizontal

upper stretchers

214 and 220. The circular configuration of the rail post pin 280 where it is journaled within bearing block 282 (see FIG. 33) permits the rail post to pivot with respect to the bearing block 282 so that the hang rail 232 may move from the position illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 to the position illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 35, i.e., from the full line to the dotted line position of FIG. 32.

The free ends 292 of the rail post pins 280 are proportioned to be seated within suitable complimentary openings in the lower surface of the tubular hang rail 232. When the hang rail is to be moved from the set-up position of FIG. 21 to the folded position and condition of FIG. 22, it is necessary to retract the ends 292 ofthe rail posts 280 associated with the ends 290 of upper stretchers 214, those of the short frame members 212. This may be accomplishedsimply by first lifting the hang rail 232 upwardly with respect to one of the ends 292 to free that rail post pin, and thereafter with respect to the opposed free end 292 to free that rail post pin. The hang rail is then conditioned to permit oscillatory or pivotal movement on the remaining two rail post pins 280. As soon as the short frame members are conditioned for folding and are moved to the position of FIG. 32, the hang rail 232 will be readily and easily moved from the horizontal set-up position illustrated in FIG. 21, to the vertical folded position illustrated in FIG. 22.

When a circular foldable garment rack assembly 200 is to be set from the fully folded position of FIGS. 22 and 35, the hang rail 232 is rotated to the horizontal position illustrated in FIG. 21. Next, the short frame members 212 are rotated outwardly into the positions illustrated in FIG. 20, i.e., the cross configuration. Next the levers 42 are turned to move the short frame members 212 from the spaced position of FIG. 25, to the firm, tight butting position of FIGS. 23 and 24. Then the rail post pins 280 at the ends of the top stretchers 214 are rotated into a vertical position, and the free ends 292 are fit into the openings 294 in the hang rail 232. These are fixed in position by driving the free ends 292 home to the position of FIGS. 30 and 31. The interparts and the hang rail to spring them slightly with respect to each other so that the necessary disengagement may take place.

Each of the foldable garment racks described embodies a plurality of frame members which are interconnected by hinge assemblies for drawing them into firm butting engagement and for spacing them so that they may be folded. In each, hang rails are permanently pivotally mounted for folding with the frame members, and without separating the hang rails from the rack when the frame members are folded. The garment racks are quickly and easily set up, and without concern for separate or lost parts. Similarly, they are quickly and easily folded for storage or shipping, also without concern for separate or lost parts.

It is intended that this invention shall not be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described since the foregoing description and drawings will suggest to those skilled in the art further modifications which are within the spirit and purview of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable garment-rack assembly comprising a first vertically disposed frame member, a second vertically disposed frame member, vertically aligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first and second frame members to each other, and each including means for drawing said second frame member from a second spaced position to a first position in firm butting engagement with said first frame member in which said frame members may not be folded with respect to each other and for moving said second frame member from said first position to a second position spaced from and out of contact with said first frame member whereat said'frame members may be folded into a closely adjacent, substantially parallel relationship about said hinge assemblies, and a hang rail, pivotal mounting means securing said hang rail to said rack assembly, said hang rail being movable on said mounting means to a garment supporting condition in said first position and to closely adjacent said frame members in said second position without separation from said rack assembly.

2. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said moving and drawing means comprises a lever oscillatably connected to one of said frame members.

3. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said hinge assemblies each further comprise a locking plate secured to the other frame member, and said lever and said locking plate define cooperating eccentric cam means for moving said frame members between said first and second positions.

4. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein said lever provides a cam segment and said locking plate defines an aperture for receiving said cam segment.

- 5. A foldable garmentrack assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a third vertically disposed frame member, further vertically aligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first and third frame members to each other, and each hinge assembly including means for drawing said third frame member to a first position in firm butting engagement with said first frame member and for moving said third frame member to a second position out of contact with said first frame member whereat said first and third members may be folded into a closely adjacent, substantially parallel relationship about said further hinge assemblies.

6. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said hang rail is elongate and straight.

7. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second frame member is parallel to and spaced from said third frame member and said second andthird frame members are at opposite ends of said first frame member in said first position, said pivotal mounting means mounting said hang rail on said second and third frame members, said pivotal mounting means mounting said hang rail for movement conjoint with the movement'of said first frame member with respect to said second and third frame members between said first and second positions. v

8. A foldable garmenf rack assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises pivot plates secured to said second and third frame members and an end cap mounted at each end of said hang rail, each said end cap and pivot plate providing a cooperating lock pin and an aperture for relative sliding andtpivotal movement of said hang rail with respect to said second and third frame members.

9. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hang rail is circular and is secured by said pivotal mounting means to said garment rack assembly at at least three spaced points 10. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second and third frame members extend in opposite directions from said first frame member when in said first position.

11. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein said hang rail is circular, is connected to said first frame member by two spaced pivotal mounting means and is releasably connected to each of said second and third frame members.

12. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance withclaim 11 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises a pair of post pins each journaled in a bearing block at opposite ends of said second frame member.

13. A foldable garment rack assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart end frames, a center frame, said center frame confronting said end frames, and being hingedly secured to each, means for hingedly securing each said end frame to said center frame and for moving said end frames away from and toward said center frame, each said securing means comprising a locking plate anda hinge lever'oscillatably mounted on one of said frames, said levers being movable to first positions in which they draw said end frames into firm butting engagement with said center frame and to second positions in which the end frames are forced away from said center frame, and in which said frames may fold with respect to each other, spaced apart parallel hang rails on opposite sides of said center frame, hang rail mounting means mounting each said hang rails on each of said end frames for conjoint movement with said center frame as it moves between said first and second positions.

14. A foldable garment rack in accordance with claim 13 wherein said hinge lever and said locking plate define cooperating eccentric cam means for moving said end frames toward and away from said center frame.

15. A foldable garment rack in accordance with claim 14 wherein said hang rail mounting means comprises pivot plates connected to said end frames and end caps mounted on said hang rail ends, each said end cap and pivot plate providing a cooperating lock pin and aperture for relative sliding and pivotal movement of said hang rails with respect to said end frames.

16. A garment rack assembly comprising a frame and hang rail assembly, said frame defining a hollow tubular upright leg and an interconnected'generally horizontal stretcher, a leg extender telescopically positioned in said leg, said leg extender defining a plurality of adjustment notches each comprising a camming tongue depending from the top of the notch and extending inwardly of the leg extender, a removable spring assembly confronting said leg and suspended from said stretcher and providing a catch button, said catch bottom projecting through said leg and into a said notch for supporting said leg extender against movement upwardly of said leg, said tongues being positioned to cam said catch button outwardly when said leg extender is moved downwardly.

17. A garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 16 in which said leg and stretcher define an opening for receiving an upper end of said spring assembly, said spring assembly defines a yieldable retainer tab for suspendingl said spring assembly from said stretcher, and said opening provides access to said yieldable retainer tab.

18. A floor supported garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein first frame member comprises a hollow tubular upright leg and an interconnected generally horizontal stretcher, a leg extender telescopically positioned in said leg, said leg extender defining a plurality of notches each comprising a camming tongue depending from the top of the notch and extending inwardly of the leg extender, a removable spring assembly confronting said leg and suspended from said stretcher and providing a catch button, said catch button projecting through said leg and into a said notch for su orting said leg extender against movement upwar y of said leg, said tongues being POSI- tioned to cam said catch button outwardly when said leg extender is moved downwardly. I l

Claims

1. A foldable garment rack assembly comprising a first vertically disposed frame member, a second vertically disposed frame member, vertically aligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first and second frame members to each other, and each including means for drawing said second frame member from a second spaced position to a first position in firm butting engagement with said first frame member in which said frame members may not be folded with respect to each other and for moving said second frame member from said first position to a second position spaced from and out of contact with said first frame member whereat said frame members may be folded into a closely adjacent, substantially parallel relationship about said hinge assemblies, and a hang rail, pivotal mounting means securing said hang rail to said rack assembly, said hang rail being movable on said mounting means to a garment supporting condition in said first position and to closely adjacent said frame members in said second position without separation from said rack assembly.

5. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a third vertically disposed frame member, further vertically aligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first and third frame members to each other, and each hinge assembly including means for drawing said third frame member to a first position in firm butting engagement with said first frame member and for moving said third frame member to a second position out of contact with said first frame member whereat said first and third members may be folded into a closely adjacent, substantially parallel relationship about said further hinge assemblies.

7. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second frame member is parallel to and spaced from said third frame member and said second and third frame members are at opposite ends of said first frame member in said first position, said pivotal mounting means mounting said hang rail on said second and third frame members, said pivotal mounting means mounting said hang rail for movement conjoint with the movement of said first frame member with respect to said second and third frame members between said first and second positions.

8. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises pivot plates secured to said second and third frame members and an end cap mounted at each end of said hang rail, each said end cap and pivot plate providing a cooperating lock pin and an aperture for relative sliding and pivotal movement of said hang rail with respect to said second and third frame members.

9. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hang rail is circular and is secured by said pivotal mounting means to said garment rack assembly at at least three spaced points

10. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second and third frame members extend in opposite directions from said first frame member when in said first position.

12. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 11 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises a pair of post pins each journaled in a bearing block at opposite ends of said second frame member.

13. A foldable garment rack assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart end frames, a center frame, said center frame confronting said end frames, and being hingedly secured to each, means for hingedly securing each said end frame to said center frame and for moving said end frames away from and toward said center frame, each said securing means comprising a locking plate and a hinge lever oscillatably mounted on one of said frames, said levers being movable to first positions in which they draw said end frames into firm butting engagement with said center frame and to second positions in which the end frames are forced away from said center frame, and in which said frames may fold with respect to each other, spaced apart parallel hang rails on opposite sides of said center frame, hang rail mounting means mounting each said hang rails on each of said end frames for conjoint movement with said center frame as it moves between said first and second positions.

16. A garment rack assembly comprising a frame and hang rail assembly, said frame defining a hollow tubular upright leg and an interconnected generally horizontal stretcher, a leg extender telescopically positioned in said leg, said leg extender defining a plurality of adjustment notches each comprising a camming tongue depending from the top of the notch and extending inwardly of the leg extender, a removable spring assembly confronting said leg and suspended from said stretcher and providing a catch button, said catch bottom projecting through said leg and into a said notch for supporting said leg extender against movement upwardly of said leg, said tongues being positioned to cam said catch button outwardly when said leg extender is moved downwardly.

17. A garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 16 in which said leg and stretcher define an opening for receiving an upper end of said spring assembly, said spring assembly defines a yieldable retainer tab for suspending said spring assembly from said stretcher, and said opening provides access to said yieldable retainer tab.

18. A floor supported garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein first frame member comprises a hollow tubular upright leg and an interconnected generally horizontal stretcher, a leg extender telescopically positioned in said leg, said leg extender defining a plurality of notches each comprising a camming tongue depending from the top of the notch and extending inwardly of the leg extender, a removable spring assembly confronting said leg and suspended from said stretcher and providing a catch button, said catch button projecting through said leg and into a said notch for supporting said leg extender against movement upwardly of said leg, said tongues being positioned to cam said catch button outwardly when said leg extender is moved downwardly.