US3905480A

US3905480A - Supporting rack for sheet materials particularly carpet samples

Info

Publication number: US3905480A
Application number: US402150A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony Grinceri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-10-01
Filing date: 1973-10-01
Publication date: 1975-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-16

Abstract

A supporting rack for books or pallets of sheet material, particularly carpet samples or like material. Typically the samples of predetermined size are bound in books or pallets each having a briefcase-type handle. The rack has a plurality of suspension rails or bars at different levels provided with hooks whereby each hook can suspend an individual book by its handle. The hooks of adjacent parallel supporting rails are staggered longitudinally so that books are suspended in overlapping but offset relationship to facilitate removal and rehanging.

Description

United States Patent [191 Grinceri SUPPORTING RACK FOR SHEET MATERIALS PARTICULARLY CARPET SAMPLES [76] Inventor: Anthony Grinceri, 626 W. J St.,

Ontario, Calif. 91762 [22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 402,150

[52] US. Cl. 211/45 [51] Int. Cl. A47F 7/16 [58] Field of Search 211/23, 26, 45, 46, 113-119,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 293,783 2/1884 Ransom 211/23 943,877 12/1909 Holland 211/46 959,685 5/1910 Adlam 211/177 1,306,297 6/1919 Auerochs 211/182 X 1,706,069 3/1929 Marquardt 21 l/46 2,851,167 9/1958 Rosenberg 211/46 [4 1 Sept. 16, 1975 3,568,852 3/1971 Howard 211/113 3,630,387 12/1971 Wehner 211/46 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 188,039 12/1936 Switzerland 211/45 12/1939 United Kingdom 211/182 Primary ExaminerQ-Richard E. Moore Attorney, Agent, or FirmBonia.rd I. Brown ABSTRACT A supporting rack for books or pallets of sheet material, particularly carpet samples or like material. Typically the samples of predetermined size are bound in books or pallets each having a briefcase-type handle. The rack has a plurality of suspension rails or bars at different levels provided with hooks whereby each hook can suspend an individual book by its handle. The hooks of adjacent parallel supporting rails are staggered longitudinally so that. books are suspended in overlapping but offset relationship to facilitate removal and rehanging.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 1 61975 27:6. 2 Aimq /0 Era-.1. 2% 7 LLLLLLL'ELLLLLL LLLL'TQLJ LLLLLU'J ELLLLLLT ELLLLLLE E SUPPORTING RACK FOR SHEET MATERIALS PARTICULARLY CARPET SAMPLES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a supporting rack for sheet materials such as more particularly carpet materials of predeter mined size, although the invention may be adapted to other types of flat sheet materials. The exemplary embodiment of the invention as describedin detail herein is particularly adapted to use with carpet samples. Typically the samples are bound in the manner of a book, the binding securing the samples together along one edge. In typical preferred constructions, the binding is provided with a single supporting member in the form of a briefcase-type handle.

With respect to the art of racks for supporting sheet materials, the following prior art patents are known: US. Pat. Nos. 1,924,096; 2,019,090; 3,094,216; and 3,495,715.

The rack of the herein invention embodies particular unique constructions and features calculated to overcome deficiencies of the prior art and to realize certain particular objectives. The books of samples in question are relatively large and fairly heavy with the result that a particular type of suspension rack and storage means is needed to facilitate the handling of the books, including removal for use and replacement. The rack of the invention in a preferred form as described in detail herein provides parallel support bars or rails at a plurality of levels for suspending the books. Each support bar or rail is provided with books whereby an individual sample book may be suspended from each hook. The hooks of adjacent parallel rails are staggered or offset longitudinally whereby adjacent suspended books overlap each other in laterally offset position. This relationship is provided at the parallel levels and the books at one level of course being over those at the lower level. Various of the objectives are realized by this unique construction and arrangement. The volume occupied by the books when suspended is minimized although maximum facility of removal of an individual book and replacement thereof is provided for. The construction of the rack is such that a maximum number of books can be accommodated for its size while still retaining the capability of ease of removal and replacement. A further object that is realized is that of a saving in space both from the standpoint of floor area and volume wise.

The confusion resulting from books of this type being spread out on counter shelves or floors is eliminated and uniformity and order can be maintained in ,the storage and maintenance of the books, and particularly if each individual book is kept in a predetermined position in the rack.

Further objects and additional advantages of the in vention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of rack of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the rack of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a detail view illustrating one of the hooks on a suspension rail.

Referring now more in detail to the various figures of the drawings, there is shown a preferred exemplary form of the rack. In the form of the invention shown,

it is constructed of square steel tubing of appropriate size. Two end frames are provided having a shape as designated generally at 10 in FIG. 2. Each end frame comprises a pair of spaced

vertical legs

12 and 14. Extending upwardly from these legs are leg portions or inwardly diverging

frame parts

16 and 18. Numeral 22 designates a transverse frame member extending between the upper ends of the

vertical leg parts

12 and 14. Numeral 24 designates another transverse frame member extending between the upper ends of the

frame parts

16 and 18. Extending between the

vertical leg parts

12 and 14 is' a further brace member having

angular parts

28 and 30 as shown. Preferably the frame may be of welded construction, the different frame parts, that is the joints, being welded. At the other end of the rack there is a similar identical frame as designated at 32, which is like the frame 10, and therefore need not be described in detail. Numeral 33 designates a longitudinal frame or brace member extending between the end frames 10 and 32, two of such longitudinal frame members being provided.

Referring to FIG. 3, numerals 36 and 38 designate a pair of parallel hanger bars or rails made out of the same type of tubing. Numeral 36 is supported from frame 10 over the transverse bar 24 on spacer block'40 and the end of the rail 38 is similarly supported over the transverse bar 24 by a spacer block 42, these blocks again being joined by being welded.

At a lower level below the rails 36 is a second pair

ofparallel rails

46 and 48 which are secured to the cross bar 22 by being welded to the underside thereof. 1

Secured underneath the rail 36 are a plurality of hooks, one of which is designated at 52. The hook-is made of strap metal secured to the underside of the rail 36 and the end of the hook being in the form of an upwardly turned flange 53. As shown best in FIG. 4, each hook has an upper shank portion depending from the under side of the rail, and the lower hook portion ex-' tending laterally of the shank portion and then upwardly toward the 'rail in a plane containing the shank portion and the rail. A plurality of similar hooks is provided as shown at equally spaced intervals on the underside of the rail 36. A plurality of similar hooks is provided secured to the rail 38, as shown. The hooks underneath the rail 36 and underneath the rail 38 are not directly opposite each other horizontally but are rather staggered in a longitudinal direction along the rails. For example, the hook 56 underneath the rail 38 is at the end of the rail and thus is not directly opposite the hook 52 under the rail 36.

The rail 46 is provided with a similar series of spaced hooks, one of which is designated at 60, and the rail 48 is similarly provided with a series of hooks. The hooks on these two rails are like those on the upper rails not being directly opposite each other horizontally but rather being staggered in a longitudinal direction along the rails for reasons as will be pointed out.

In addition to the hooks already described, additional hooks are provided at the ends of the end frames 10 and 32, two of these being designated at 62 and 64, attached to the

support blocks

40 and 42. Similar hooks are provided at the other end, one of them being designated as 65 in FIG. 1. Additionally,

longer hooks

68 and 70 are preferably provided which are supported by being welded to the crossbeam 22, as shown in FIG. 3, and similar longer hooks are provided at the other end of the rack, one of them being designated at 71 in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, books of carpet samples are shown as designated at 74 and 76, these books having bindings as shown at 75 and 77, edge parts of the carpet samples being bound between the bindings. Each book has a handle as previously described which is like the type of handle normally provided on a briefcase. The handle is located midway along the bound edge of the book and has a hand grip extending lengthwise of the edge, as shown.

As may be seen, books may be suspended in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 from each of the hooks underneath the

respective rails

36, 38, 46 and 48 with the hand grip of each book resting on the lower hook portion of the respective hook. In the suspended position as described and as may be seen, the

adjacent books

74 and 76 are adjacent each other and overlapping in an offset position so that an end of each extends outwardly and beyond the confines of the rack. The same relationship as between books occurs as to books suspended from the

lower rails

46 and 48. Thus, it can be seen that although the books occupy minimum space by reason of their relationship it is made easy to select and withdraw, that is unhook an individual book, and to replace it in its suspended position in the array. Utilization of space is maximized in that the entire volume occupied by the rack is utilized for books although the facility of withdrawal and removal is retained. The result is further realized of elimination of confusion resulting from large books of this type being spread about on counter shelves and floors.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand the construction and utilization of the invention and the manner in which it achieves and realizes all of the objectives as set forth in the forego- The foregoing is representative of a preferred form of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appendedhereto.

The inventor claims:

1. A supporting rack for supporting groups of samples of sheet materials assembled in books, each book having a supporting handle midway along its bound edge including a hand grip extending lengthwise of said edge, comprising in combination, a supporting frame structure having a pair of parallel support rails at the same level in the rack, a series of uniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by each of the said rails for supporting said books by their handles, each hook having an upper shank portion depending from the under side of the respective rail and a lower hook portion extending laterally of said shank portion and lengthwise of the respective rail and then upwardly toward the respective rail in a plane containing said shank portion and the respective rail, whereby each book handle is engageable with and disengageable from a book by movement of the handle longitudinally of the respective rail, the hooks of each rail being staggered longitudinally of said rails with respect to hooks of the other rail, whereby sample books supported by the hooks on one rail are offset both lengthwise and laterally of said rails relative to sample books supported by the hooks on the other rail, and the spacing between adjacent hooks on each rail being such that any selected book on either rail may be removed without removing the adjacent books on the other rail by initial upward movement of the selected book toward and lateral movement of the selected book lengthwise of the respective rail to disengage its handle from the respective hook and final edgewise movement of the selected book from between the adjacent books.

2. In combination:

a plurality of sample books each containing samples of sheet material and having a supporting handle -midway along its bound edge including a hand grip extending lengthwise of said edge, and a supporting frame structure having a pair of parallel support rails at the same level in said rack, a series of uniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by each of said rails and supporting said books, respectively, by their handles, each hook having an upper shank portion depending from the under side of the respective rail and a lower hook portion extending laterally of said shank portion and lengthwise of the respective rail and then upwardly toward the respective rail in a plane containing said shank portion and the respective rail, each hook supporting its respective book by its handle with said hand grip of the handle resting on the lower hook portion of the hook, whereby each book handle is engageable with and disengageable from its hook by movement of the handle longitudinally of the respective rail, the hooks of each rail being staggered longitudinally of said rails with respect to the hooks of the other rail, whereby the sample books supported bythe hooks on one rail are offset both lengthwise and laterally of said rails relative to the sample books supported by the hooks on the other rail, and the spacing between adjacent hooks on each rail being such that any selected book on either rail may be removed without removing the adjacent books on the other rail by initial upward movement of the selected book toward and lateral movement of the selected book lengthwise of the respective rail to disengage its handle from the respective hook and final edgewise movement of the selected book from between the adjacent books.

Claims

1. A supporting rack for supporting groups of samples of sheet materials assembled in books, each book having a supporting handle midway along its bound edge including a hand grip extending lengthwise of said edge, comprising in combination, a supporting frame structure having a pair of parallel support rails at the same level in the rack, a series of uniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by each of the said rails for supporting said books by their handles, each hook having an upper shank portion depending from the under side of the respective rail and a lower hook portion extending laterally of said shank portion and lengthwise of the respective rail and then upwardly toward the respective rail in a plane containing said shank portion and the respective rail, whereby each book handle is engageable with and disengageable from a hook by movement of the handle longitudinally of the respective rail, the hooks of each rail being staggered longitudinally of said rails with respect to hooks of the other rail, whereby sample books supported by the hooks on one rail are offset both lengthwise and laterally of said rails relative to sample books supported by the hooks on the other rail, and the spacing between adjacent hooks on each rail being such that any selected book on either rail may be removed without removing the adjacent books on the other rail by initial upward movement of the selected book toward and lateral movement of the selected book lengthwise of the respective rail to disengage its handle from the respective hook and final edgewise movement of the selected book from between the adjacent books.

2. In combination: a plurality of sample books each containing samples of sheet material and having a supporting handle midway along its bound edge including a hand grip extending lengthwise of said edge, and a supporting frame structure having a pair of parallel support rails at the sAme level in said rack, a series of uniformly spaced supporting hooks carried by each of said rails and supporting said books, respectively, by their handles, each hook having an upper shank portion depending from the under side of the respective rail and a lower hook portion extending laterally of said shank portion and lengthwise of the respective rail and then upwardly toward the respective rail in a plane containing said shank portion and the respective rail, each hook supporting its respective book by its handle with said hand grip of the handle resting on the lower hook portion of the hook, whereby each book handle is engageable with and disengageable from its hook by movement of the handle longitudinally of the respective rail, the hooks of each rail being staggered longitudinally of said rails with respect to the hooks of the other rail, whereby the sample books supported by the hooks on one rail are offset both lengthwise and laterally of said rails relative to the sample books supported by the hooks on the other rail, and the spacing between adjacent hooks on each rail being such that any selected book on either rail may be removed without removing the adjacent books on the other rail by initial upward movement of the selected book toward and lateral movement of the selected book lengthwise of the respective rail to disengage its handle from the respective hook and final edgewise movement of the selected book from between the adjacent books.