WO2003094676A1

WO2003094676A1 - Clothing rack

Info

Publication number: WO2003094676A1
Application number: PCT/NL2003/000345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gert Jan Groenendijk
Original assignee: Flexrack B.V.
Priority date: 2002-05-10
Filing date: 2003-05-09
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Also published as: NL1020574C2; AU2003230466A1

Abstract

A clothing rack comprises a mobile frame (1, 2, 3, 4) from which there extends a set of at least substantially parallel arms (11, 12). Close to a free end thereof the arms enclose a rod (13) which is intended to receive clothing thereon via a clothes-hanger. The set of arms extends at an acute angle (α) from the frame. At least one further set of arms (21, 22, 31, 32) is provided which at least close to an outer end thereof encloses a further rod (23, 33). Every further set of arms extends at an angle relative to a preceding set of arms at least close to an outer end thereof, and alternately forms an obtuse angle (β) and an acute angle (α) with the frame. The arms are fixed in this position by means of fixation means (14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35).

Description

Clothing rack

The present invention relates to a clothing rack comprising a mobile frame from which there extends a set of arms which at least close to a free end thereof encloses a rod which is intended to receive clothing thereon via a clothes-hanger.

Such a clothing rack is applied on extensive scale for temporary or other storage and transport of clothing. The mobile frame herein makes it possible in simple manner to displace the rack with clothing, for instance for carrying to and into a loading space of for instance a truck. Having arrived at the destination, the clothing is removed from the rack and delivered to a customer. The clothing rack is then returned empty or is left with the clothing at the premises of the customer.

Such a clothing rack is known from the International patent application WO 94/17705. This known clothing rack comprises a mobile frame which supports with castors on the ground and is thus easy to manoeuvre. The swivel castors are here on the outer end of four legs which can be folded in and out to save space in the empty situation. The legs enclose a set of arms which extends from the frame and which encloses on its outer end a rod which is intended to receive clothing hanging on a clothes-hanger. The arms with the rod therebetween can be pulled out telescopically between the legs and be pushed therebetween after use, so that in the empty state the whole unit can be stowed away in exceptionally compact manner, but during use can be adjusted to the dimensions desired for the purpose.

Although the known device can be stowed away in exceptionally space-saving manner, it has the drawback that the hanging capacity is limited to that of only the single rod between the arms extending from the frame.

The invention therefore has for its object, among others, to provide a clothing rack of the type stated in the preamble which offers a greater hanging capacity at the same total length. In order to achieve the stated objective a clothing rack of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the set of arms extends at an acute angle from the frame, that at least one further set of arms is provided which at least close to an outer end thereof encloses a further rod, wherein every further set of arms extends at an angle relative to a preceding set of arms at least close to an outer end thereof, and that the arms of successive sets alternately form an acute and an obtuse angle with the frame, and are fixed in this position by means of fixation means. This clothing rack comprises, instead of a single rod, a number of rods on which clothing can be hung, and at least one rod per set of arms. The hanging capacity at the same length of the clothing rack is hereby a corresponding number of times greater than that of the known clothing rack. Because the arms alternately make an acute and an obtuse angle with the frame, the rods are alternately offset one above another so that the clothes hang as little as possible in the way of each other. The arms wind upward like a swan-neck.

In a preferred embodiment the clothing rack according to the invention has the feature that the sets of arms are mounted for pivoting about pivot axes at least substantially parallel to each other. The pivotal mounting of the arms makes the whole unit collapsible in the empty state, which is particularly desirable from a space-saving viewpoint. Once they are empty, the arms are folded down alternately to form a compact packet which thus takes up only relatively little volume. Not only does the clothing rack in this state require relatively little stowing space during storage, valuable loading space is thus also saved when the clothing rack is returned empty during transport.

In a further preferred embodiment the clothing rack according to the invention is characterized in that an imaginary perpendicular line which connects the centre lines of the arms of a set of arms at their end and the pivot axis of a subsequent set of arms lie at a mutual distance from each other that is sufficiently large to allow a mutually parallel position of the arms of successive sets. The relative positioning of the pivot axes and the outer ends of the arms brings about sufficient mutual spacing between successive arms in the collapsed state to allow a completely flat stacking. A particular embodiment of the clothing rack is therefore further characterized in this respect in that in the collapsed state the clothing rack provides an at least substantially flat horizontal base which is suitable to receive at least one further clothing rack thereon in a stable stack. The collapsed clothing racks can thus be stacked in relation to each other so as to take up a relatively small area in a return load or otherwise.

In a further particular embodiment the clothing rack according to the invention is characterized in that the fixation means between successive sets of arms comprise at least one shore which is coupled on either side to adjacent arms of successive sets. The shore functions as a latch which fixes adjacent arms in an angled position relative to each other and herein imparts stability to the whole. The clothing rack is here more particularly characterized in that the shore is connected pivotally to an arm on either side and is herein manually releasable on at least one side. Together with the pivoting on the opposite side, the manual release capability allows folding down of the whole to a compact unit in the case the arms are mounted pivotally. In an alternative particular embodiment, the clothing rack according to the invention is characterized in that at least about halfway along the shore an intermediate hinge is arranged therein. In this case the intermediate hinge provides the freedom to fold down the whole, if desired, so as to form a compact, space-saving unit.

In a further particular preferred embodiment the clothing rack according to the invention is characterized in that the arms of odd sets extend at least almost parallel to each other and that the arms of even sets are likewise oriented at least almost parallel to each other. By thus orienting the arms alternately to the right and the left, an exceptionally efficient distribution of forces in the construction is achieved in which loads counteract each other as far as possible. In a further particular embodiment, the clothing rack according to the invention is characterized in that the arms remain within a periphery of the frame, at least in a vertical projection. In this case, with a clothing rack which is filled to a greater or lesser extent, the vertical forces are absorbed wholly within the periphery of the frame, and particularly within the wheels, so that tilting of the construction is prevented.

The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of an embodiment and a drawing. In the drawing: figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the clothing rack according to the invention in the folded-out position; figure 2 shows a side view of the clothing rack of figure 1 in the collapsed position; and figure 3 is a detail view of fixation means in the clothing rack of figure 1.

The figures are schematic and not always drawn to scale. For the sake of clarity some dimensions in particular are shown (highly) exaggerated. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numerals.

The clothing rack shown in figure 1 comprises a frame Iwhich can be displaced manually due to four swivel castors 2. Frame 1 comprises two transverse profiles 3 with a length of about 80 cm, between which two longitudinal profiles 4 extend in a lengthwise direction. The total length of the whole thus amounts to about 120 cm. The stated dimensions are geared to the inner dimensions of average loading spaces of trucks and other means of transport, so that an integer multiple of clothing racks can be placed therein hardly without loss of space. Used for profiles 3,4 is a hollow tube profile manufactured from steel with a square, at least rectangular section, of sufficient wall thickness to provide the whole with adequate strength.

Extending from the frame are two arms 11,12 which on a free outer end thereof enclose a rod 13, which rod is suitable for receiving clothing thereon via a standard clothes-hanger therefore assumed well enough known to a skilled person. The rod 13 extends with a length of about 111 cm over practically the whole length of the clothing rack and thus provides a hanging option for clothing over almost the full length. The set of arms 1 1,12 is connected to the frame for pivoting about a horizontal pivot axis 16 and is oriented at an acute angle K relative to the frame. A set of support legs 14,15 holds the set of arms 1 1,12 in this position.

In order to achieve an increased hanging capacity, the set of arms 11,12 in the shown clothing rack are followed by a second set 21,22 and a third set of arms 31 ,32 which each likewise enclose on their free outer end a rod 23, 33 respectively for receiving thereon clothing hung on a clothes-hanger. These further sets of arms extend in each case at an angle C6,β,γ from the preceding set of arms, wherein the successive arms 11,21,31,12,22,32 alternately form an acute angle 0_,γ and an obtuse angle β with frame 1. The arms therefore zigzag upward like a swan-neck to a height of about 195 cm and provide an increase in the hanging capacity, each time at a higher level. In this case the rods 13,23,33 are situated at a height of respectively about 65, 135 and 195 cm above the ground. If desired, the number of further arms with rod can be limited to a single one, or increased to more than two in accordance with the desired hanging capacity.

Just as the first set of arms 11,12, the further arms 21,22,31,32 are also mounted for pivoting about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 26,36 parallel to pivot axis 16 of he first set. Fixation means in the form of shores 24,25,34,35 fixed between successive arms hold the arms in the shown position.

Such a shore 34 is shown in further detail in figure 3. On the one side the shore 34 is mounted fixedly on an arm for pivoting about a pivot axis 37, while on the opposite side the shore is likewise mounted pivotally, but in manually releasable manner, about a pivot axis 38. The manually releasable connection is secured by means of a bracket 40.

All stated pivot axes 16,26,36,37,38 are directed substantially parallel to each other and ensure that, if desired, the whole can be folded down to form an extremely compact and therefore space-saving unit as shown in figure 2. Shores 24,25,34,35 and legs 14,15 are herein disconnected on the releasable side and also fold down. Arms 1 1,12,21,22,31,32 extend at their base from brackets 50 provided for this purpose which place the pivot axis of the relevant arm in offset position relative to the preceding arm or the frame. Brackets 50 thus create sufficient intermediate space to obtain a completely flat unit in the folded-down situation, wherein all arms, shores and legs lie completely flat. This whole provides a substantially flat horizontal base which is suitable for receiving thereon one or more similar further clothing racks in a stable stack.

As shown in figure 1, arms 11,12,31,32 of the odd sets of arms extend substantially parallel to each other, and legs 14,15 and arms 21,22 of the even sets are also directed substantially parallel to each other. This results in a construction which forms a plurality of identical triangles which has, from a structural viewpoint, a particularly advantageous distribution of forces. In the folded-out position of figure 1 this provides an exceptionally stable and rigid whole in which transverse loads substantially counteract each other. Because arms 11,12,21,22,31,32, and therefore also rods 13,23,33, all fall wholly within a periphery of the frame as seen in projection, and more particularly within the plane bounded by the connecting lines of the swivel castors, there need be no fear of the unit tilting even when the rods are fully filled and loaded.

The invention thus provides a particularly efficient clothing rack which can be applied in the home situation but also during transport, and which in the erected, folded-out situation provides an exceptionally large hanging capacity but which can be folded down to form an exceptionally compact stackable whole.

Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only a single embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible for the skilled person within the scope of the invention. The clothing rack can thus take a wholly fixed, i.e. non-foldable form, so that only the increased hanging capacity is utilized. This will provide a solution for fixed setups, for instance in shops and warehouses, making it possible to better utilize the available floor area. If desired, the described fold-down capability can also be provided in a different manner. The shores in particular can for instance be embodied with an intermediate hinge whereby the shores fold together halfway along when the unit is folded down. The manual release on at least one of the sides can thus be omitted, and likewise the need to first disconnect all the shores during folding down. The same applies mutatis mutandis for the legs.

Instead of shores and legs, other fixation means can also be applied, if desired, to fix the whole in the folded-out position. In the hinges for instance resilient protrusions and corresponding recesses can thus be applied which can co-act with each other to ensure a mutually fixed position. If desired, the whole can be folded down by forcing the protrusions counter to their spring force out of the recesses.

The angles of the sets to the frame can all optionally be larger or smaller in order to achieve a steeper or flatter arrangement in order to adapt to the requirement in a concrete situation.

All in all the invention provides an exceptionally versatile and efficient solution for hanging up, rehanging and displacing clothing.

Claims

1. Clothing rack comprising a mobile frame from which there extends a set of arms which at least close to a free end thereof encloses a rod which is intended to receive clothing thereon via a clothes-hanger, characterized in that the set of arms extends at an acute angle from the frame, that at least one further set of arms is provided which at least close to an outer end thereof encloses a further rod, wherein every further set of arms extends at an angle relative to a preceding set of arms at least close to an outer end thereof, and that the arms of successive sets alternately form an acute and an obtuse angle with the frame, and are fixed in this position by means of fixation means.

2. Clothing rack as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sets of arms are mounted for pivoting about pivot axes at least substantially parallel to each other.

3. Clothing rack as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an imaginary perpendicular line which connects the centre lines of the arms of a set of arms at their end and the pivot axis of a subsequent set of arms lie at a mutual distance from each other that is sufficiently large to allow a mutually parallel position of the arms of successive sets.

4. Clothing rack as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that in the collapsed state the clothing rack provides an at least substantially flat horizontal base which is suitable to receive at least one further clothing rack thereon in a stable stack.

5. Clothing rack as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the fixation means between successive sets of arms comprise at least one shore which is coupled on either side to adjacent arms of successive sets.

6. Clothing rack as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the shore is connected pivotally to an arm on either side and is herein manually releasable on at least one side.

7. Clothing rack as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that at least about halfway along the shore an intermediate hinge is arranged therein.

8. Clothing rack as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the arms of odd sets extend at least almost parallel to each other and that the arms of even sets are likewise oriented at least almost parallel to each other.

9. Clothing rack as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the arms remain within a periphery of the frame, at least in a vertical projection.