US3762573A

US3762573A - Boot rack

Info

Publication number: US3762573A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Collins; J Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-06-10
Filing date: 1971-06-10
Publication date: 1973-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-02

Abstract

A boot rack consisting of a plurality of parallel spaced bars supported on lets above a drip tray.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Collins et al.

[ 1 I Oct. 2, 1 973 1,731,738 10/1929 Dressel "211/34 BOOT RACK Inventors: Mary M. Collins; James E. Collins,

both of 1046 Hemenway St., Marlboro, Mass. 01752 Filed: June 10, 1971 Appl. No.: 151,769

u.s. Cl. 211/34 Int. Cl. A471 7/08 Field 01 Search 211/34, 13, 41,133

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D122,929 10/1940 Seltzer D80/9 2,228,453 1/1941 Glidden 2,367,218 1/1945 Joyce 211/34 2,928,549 3/1960 Neuwirth 211/34 3,589,522 6/1971 Chiodo 211/34 591,377 10/1897 Bunce 211/133 X 3,096,008 7/1963 Schumacher.... 211/13 X 3,545,176 12/1970 Wheelock 211/13 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Norman S. Blodgett 571 ABsTiiACT A boot rack consisting of a plurality of parallel spaced bars supported on lets above a drip tray. 1

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures v BOOT RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A substantial problem is presented in homes and in offices during the wintertime, particularly because of the presence of wet boots and other shoe-covering equipment. Even if protecting trays and the like are used in the areas where the boots are stored, nevertheless, the boots do not dry out because they lie in the wrong aspect for drainage. Furthermore, the appearance of a large number of boots stacked in a corner of a house is not satisfactory. Attempts have been made in the past to provide for the storage of wet, icy, and snowy boots and shoes but, in most cases, these devices have been less than perfectly satisfactory. In many cases, they have been complicated and expensive or capable of storingonly a limited number ofboots. They have been subject to deterioration due to water and chemicals. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a boot rack capable of storing a large number of boots and the like so that they will quickly dry.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a boot rack for storing a plurality of boots neatly.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a boot rack which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is capable of a long life of useful service with a minimum of deterioration due to corrosion.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a rack for the storage of boots, shoes, and the like, which is compact and which stores the articles for a compact appearance and for ease of drainage of melted snow and the like.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention consists ofa boot rack comprising an upper element made up of a plurality of spaced parallel rods. U-shaped legs are demountably attached to theupper member to hold it above a drainage tray having a raised periphery for the storage of drippings. 1

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the boot rack, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as consisting of an upper member 11 supported in a raised position above a tray 12 by a pair of

legs

13 and 14.

The upper member 11 is generally rectangular in conformation, one side being defined by a tubular bar 15 having downwardly-depending

stubs

16 and 17 at its ends.

At the other side of the upper member 11 is located a tubular bar 18 having at its ends downwardlydependent stubs 17 and 21. The bars 15 and 18 are spaced and in parallel; between them extends a plurality of

solid rods

22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, whose ends are welded to the bars 15 and 18 so that they lie in spaced parallel relationship. Finally, a solid rod 28 extends across the undersides of the rods and is welded to them midway between the bar 15 and the bar 18.

The leg 13 is formed of a solid-rod and is provided with a vertical portion 29 which slips into the end of the tubular stub 16, while another vertical portion 31 slips into the tubular stub 17 of the upper member 11. Midway between the

vertical portions

29 and 31 the leg 13 is provided with a generally arch-shaped intermediate portion 32. The ends of the portions 32 being joined to the

vertical portions

29 and 31, respectively, by gently

curved transition portions

33 and 34. The leg 14 is similar to the leg 13 in'that it is generally U-shaped and has vertical portions which fit into the tubular stubs l9 and 21 of the bar 18.

As is best evident in FIG. 2, the tray 12 is formed of plastic and is provided with a generally square bottom 35 whose periphery is provided with an upwardlyextending flange 36 to prevent the run-off of drippings.

FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the vertical portion 29 of the leg 13 is inserted into the tubular stub 16 of the bar 15.

The operation of the apparatus will now be readily understood inview of the above description. The upper member 11 is assembled with the

legs

13 and 14, the

vertical portions of each leg being inserted into the tubular stubs l6, l7, l9, and 21 associated with the upper member. This ability to dis-assemble and assemble is providedfor ease in packaging, shipping and storage. The upper member 11 with the

legs

13 and 14 assembled is placed in the center of the tray 12 and theassemblage is located in the home or office adjacent the entrance. When the user has removed his boots, he places them upside down in the boot rack. This is done in the manner shown in FIG..1 for the boot B, the tubular portion of the boot lying between tworods 22 and 23, with'the open upper end facing downwardly toward the tray 12. The boot iswet or is covered with snow and ice which, eventually, will melt; this water will run 7 down into the tray. When the boot is supported upside down in this manner, there is no area in which'water can accumulate and remain; even snow'and water on the interior of the boot will melt and run down into the tray from which it can be removed from time to time. The rack can be used in the summertime for the storage in a neat manner of a large number of the tall womens boots which are so much in vogue at the present time. When the rackis designed for use with such boots which generally have a very long leg portion, it may be desirable to make the

legs

13 and 14 quite long, so that the boot does not strike the tray.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent l. A boot rack for storing wet boots, comprising:

a. an upper member consisting of a plurality of parallel, spaced rods, extending from and being attached to spaced, parallel bars formed of tubular material,

b. legs extending downwardly from the upper member, the legs having upper straight portions which are slidably removable from the upper member,

c. means by which the legs can easily be attached to and detached from the upper member, including the fact that the bars of the upper member are provided at their ends with downwardly-extending tubular stubs for engagement with the upper straight portions of the legs, and

d. a tray on which the legs rest and from which the legs can be easily separated.

2. A boot rack as recited in claim 1, wherein the legs are formed of solid rod material and are generally U- shaped.

3. A boot rack as recited in claim 2, wherein each leg consists of two spaced, parallel vertical portions joined by a gently curved transition portion to an arched junction portion.

Claims

1. A boot rack for storing wet boots, comprising: a. an upper member consisting of a plurality of parallel, spaced rods, extending from and being attached to spaced, parallel bars formed of tubular material, b. legs extending downwardly from the upper member, the legs having upper straight portions which are slidably removable from the upper member, c. means by which the legs can easily be attached to and detached from the upper member, including the fact that the bars of the upper member are provided at their ends with downwArdly-extending tubular stubs for engagement with the upper straight portions of the legs, and d. a tray on which the legs rest and from which the legs can be easily separated.

2. A boot rack as recited in claim 1, wherein the legs are formed of solid rod material and are generally U-shaped.