WO2019084684A1

WO2019084684A1 - Portable collapsible sports equipment and household items rack and shelf unit

Info

Publication number: WO2019084684A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/051380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Campbell
Original assignee: Jason Campbell
Priority date: 2017-11-01
Filing date: 2018-10-30
Publication date: 2019-05-09

Abstract

A portable collapsible rack and shelf unit adapted to fit over a wall hook wherein the portable collapsible rack and shelf unit including: i. a middle panel; ii. at least one side panel connected to the middle panel allowing the at least one side panel to fold onto the middle panel; iii. at least one shelf connected to the middle panel allowing the at least one shelf to fold onto the middle panel; wherein the middle panel further cincludes a top, bottom, a left side, a right side, a front face and a back face; the middle panel further including at least one wall hook receiver proximate the top thereof.

Description

TITLE

[0001] Portable Collapsible Sports Equipment and Household Items Rack and Shelf Unit

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The following disclosure relates to a portable collapsible rack and shelf unit that fits over a hook secured to a wall. In particular the portable and collapsible rack and shelf unit allows for the storage of sports related attire and equipment in an organized fashion and in a localized area while allowing the attire and equipment to remain off the floor and as well as separate from each other allowing for drying and/or airing out of said attire and/or equipment.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many change rooms in sport facilities include a series of hooks as permanent fixtures to walls. The permanent fixtures, for example hooks, are typically located above a bench where players sit to change into and out of their sports attire and equipment. Due to an insufficient number of permanent hooks, players will remove their attire and equipment and leave them on the bench, floor or on the permanent hook on the wall. This results in attire and equipment strewn and piled on the floor and players not knowing which equipment and/or attire is theirs. This also results in attire and equipment not drying properly due to lack of air flow between items (attire and equipment). Many change rooms lack the floor space and or budget for shelves and racks to be placed therein. There is a need for more hooks per player in a change room. There is also a need for a personal shelf and rack for each player in a change room. There is a need for a personal shelf and rack allowing players to store their empty sports bag under the bench they are sitting on therefore providing clear floor space that in turn makes the change room safer. Existing sports equipment storage units are made of cloth and have cloth pockets but lack hooks or a shelf. These typically hang down behind the player using two existing hooks and get covered by the players clothes and coat, not allowing for air circulation between items. Another alternative is a rolling\standing sports bag with built in storage compartments which is very big and bulky and remains on the floor in front of the player, thus occupying floor space in the change room. Accordingly there is a need for a portable collapsible rack and shelf unit which is confined to a location above and behind the player using the permanent hook on the wall to secure the portable collapsible rack and shelf unit. There is also a need to expand the use of the change room making it more organized and safer. There is also a need for a portable collapsible rack and shelf unit that facilitates the storage of a empty sports bag under the player seat creating a more clear and safe floor space in the change room. There is also a need for a portable collapsible rack and shelf unit wherein players can use the portable collapsible rack and shelf unit at home to air out their equipment. There is also a need for a portable collapsible rack and shelf unit, which allows for the use of existing change room hooks.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to one aspect, there is provided a portable collapsible rack and shelf unit adapted to fit over a wall hook wherein said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit comprises:

i. a middle panel;

ii. at least one side panel connected to said middle panel allowing said at least one side panel to fold onto said middle panel;

iii. at least one shelf connected to said middle panel allowing said at least one shelf to fold onto said middle panel; wherein said middle panel further comprises a top, bottom, a left side, a right side, a front face and a back face; said middle panel further comprising at least one wall hook receiver proximate said top thereof.

[0005] The at least one side panel may further comprise a side top, a side bottom, an inside edge and an outside edge; said at least one side panel further comprising at least one side panel hook. In one alternative, said at least one side panel hook is proximate said side bottom. In another alternative, said at least one side panel hook is proximate said outside edge. In yet another alternative, said at least one side panel hook is proximate said side bottom and said outside edge.

[0006] In a further alternative, said at least one side panel and said at least one shelf are movably (in one alternative rotatably) connected to said middle panel. In one alternative, said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit comprises a left side panel on the left side of the middle panel and a right side panel on the right side of the middle panel. In one alternative, said left side panel is connected to said left side of the middle panel allowing said left side panel to fold onto said middle panel and said right side panel is connected to said right side of the middle panel allowing said right side panel to fold onto said middle panel. In one alternative, said left side panel is movably (in one alternative rotatably) connected to said left side of the middle panel and said right side panel is movably (in one alternative rotatably) connected to said right side of the middle panel. In one alternative, said shelf is movably (in one alternative rotatably) connected to said middle panel allowing said shelf to fold onto said middle panel.

[0007] In one alternative, said middle panel further comprises one wall hook receiver proximate said top thereof and one wall hook receiver proximate a middle of said middle panel. In one alternative, said middle panel further comprises a plurality of wall hook receivers proximate said top.

[0008] In another alternative, said middle panel further comprise a plurality of wall hook receivers proximate said middle. In another alternative, said middle panel further comprises at least one middle panel wall hook receiver proximate said bottom thereof. In another alternative, each of said wall hook receiver proximate said top thereof and said wall hook receiver proximate a middle of said middle panel are rectangular aperture in shape. In one alternative, said rectangular aperture in shape wall hook receiver allows for facile passage of said wall hook through said middle panel for securement of said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit onto a wall.

[0009] In another alternative, said at least one shelf comprises at least one aperture, in an alternative a slot. In another alternative, said at least one aperture of said at least one shelf allows for air flow between an upper and lower area of the portable collapsible rack and shelf unit. In another alternative, said at least one aperture of said at least one shelf allows for an item to be secured of the portable collapsible rack and shelf unit. In one alternative, said item is a coat hanger or the like.

[00010] In another alternative said at least one wall hook receiver further comprises a stabilizer to reduce unwanted movement of said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit when in use. In another alternative, said stabilizer further secures said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit, to said wall hook. In another alternative said securement is temporary.

[00011] In another alternative said at least one shelf is connectable to said left side panel and said right side panel. [00012] In yet another alternative, said at least one side panel further comprises a shelf connector to secure said shelf to said side panel reducing any unwanted movement of said at least one side panel and/or said shelf, when in use.

[00013] In yet another alternative, each of said left side panel and said right side panel further comprise a shelf connector to secure said shelf to each side panel reducing any unwanted movement of each side panel and/or said shelf, when in use.

[00014] In one alternative said shelf further comprises a shelf connector receiver for receiving said shelf connector of said side panel.

[00015] In one alternative, said shelf connector comprises a pin and said shelf connector receiver comprises an aperture for matingly receiving of said pin therein. In one alternative, said shelf connector receiver is proximate a front corner of said shelf. In one alternative, said shelf connector on said side panel is located thereon such that when connected with said shelf connector receiver, said shelf is substantially horizontally disposed (or substantially normal to said middle panel and said side panel(s)). In one alternative, said shelf is connected to said middle panel proximate a middle of said middle panel. In one alternative said shelf is connected to said middle panel between the wall hook receiver proximate said top of said middle panel and the wall hook receiver proximate said bottom of said middle panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[00016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rack and shelf unit in one alternative [00017] Figure 2 is a front view of the unit of Figure 1 [00018] Figure 3 is a back view of the unit of Figure 1 [00019] Figure 4 is a side view of the unit of Figure 1

[00020] Figure 5 is a top view of the unit of Figure 1 [00021] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the unit of Figure 1 [00022] Figure 7 is a collapsed view of the unit of Figure 1

[00023] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the unit with items hanging and sitting on the unit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00024] Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown the portable and collapsible rack and shelf unit 10. The unit 10 comprises a middle panel 20, a left side panel 30 and a right side panel 30' and a shelf 40. Each of the left side panel 30, right side panel 30' and shelf 40 are connected to the middle panel 20 by a pair of hinges 50 allowing each of the left side panel 30, right side panel 30' and shelf 40 to be folded onto the middle panel 20 (see Figure 6).

[00025] The middle panel 20 further comprises a wall hook receiver 22 in the form of an aperture, in this alternative the aperture is rectangular running the width of the middle panel. The rectangular aperture, having a top, bottom and two sides, has wall hook stabilizer 23, running along the top thereof, to secure and stabilize a wall hook onto the middle panel 20. In this alternative, the wall hook stabilizer 23 comprises a depression (or cut out) running along the top of the rectangular aperture wherein the depression (or cut out) is shaped to complimentary fit a portion of the wall hook therein. Although not shown, the wall hook receiver 22 may include more than one wall hook stabilizer 23, in order to accommodate a number of wall hooks. In this alternative, the middle panel has a second wall hook receiver 22' situated below the first wall hook receiver 22, in this alternative in the form of a second aperture, in this alternative the aperture is rectangular (slightly larger than the first one) running the width of the middle panel. The second rectangular aperture, having a top, bottom and two sides, has a second wall hook stabilizer 23', running along the top thereof, to secure and stabilize a wall hook onto the middle panel 20. In this alternative, the wall hook stabilizer comprises a depression (or cut out) running along the top of the rectangle wherein the depression (or cut out) is shaped to complimentary fit a portion of the wall hook therein. Although not shown, the wall hook receiver 22' may include more than one wall hook stabilizer 23', in order to accommodate a number of wall hooks. [00026] The height and width of the aperture facilitates the placement of the unit 10 over a wall hook. Wall hook stabilizers 23, 23' reduce the likelihood of unwanted movement (lateral, forward or otherwise) of the unit 10 when engaged with a wall hook, and keeps the unit substantially parallel with the floor to prevent any items stored on the shelf from rolling off.

[00027] The middle panel 20 has running along the bottom edge thereof, a pair of middle panel hook members. Each pair comprise two hook members 24 forming part of the middle panel 20 (integral with said middle panel). Each hook member 24 comprises a finger element 25 angularly disposed toward the top of the middle panel 20 (preferably 45 degrees upwards) reducing the likelihood of any item secured to the finger element 25 from slipping off. In this alternative one finger element 25 shares a common middle zone with another finger element 25 such that one finger element 25 is directed in an opposite direction to the other finger element 25. In this alternative, each pair resembles an upside down "T" shape running along the bottom edge of the middle panel 20.

[00028] Referring now to the side panels 30, 30', each side panel comprises a top edge, bottom edge, front edge and back edge. The back edge is secured to a side edge of the middle panel 20 via a pair of hinges 50 such that when fully opened, each side panel 30, 30' forms a 90 angle with the middle panel 20, and when fully closed (collapsed onto the middle panel 20) the hinges 50 allow each side panel 30, 30' to lay flat on the middle panel 20 for storage or transportation. In one alternative, each panel 30, 30' has a width equal to less than about half the width of the middle panel 20 facilitating folding of the panels onto the middle panel 20 when not in use and in storage or in transport.

[00029] In this alternative, the comer between the top edge and front edge of each side panel is truncated to avoid sharp corners and reduce the overall weight of the unit 10.

Along the front edge and bottom edge of each side panel are a plurality of side panel hook members 31 wherein the finger of each hook member is angularly disposed upward to allow for securement of items on each hook member and reducing the likelihood of said items slipping off the hook member. Referring now to the shelf 40, in this alternative has a plurality of air flow apertures 41 allowing for flow of air between the top of the shelf and the bottom of the shelf. The apertures 41 also reduce the overall weight of the unit. The shelf 40 is connected to the middle panel 20, in this alternative between the two wall hook apertures 22, 22', with a pair of hinges 50 such that when fully opened, the hinges allow the shelf 40 to be substantially normal to said middle panel 20 and when fully closed, allows said shelf 40 to be collapsed onto the middle panel 20.

[00030] When fully opened, in this alternative, said shelf 40 is held in place and kept substantially parallel to the horizon, by engagement with the side panels 30, 30'. In this alternative, each side panel has a peg 32, 32' vertically disposed on the inside wall proximate the corner formed by the top edge and front edge. The shelf 40 has two apertures 42, 42' each being proximate each front corner of said shelf. Each aperture 42, 42' is shaped to matingly receive the vertically disposed peg 32, 32' of each side panel 30, 30', securing the shelf 40 onto said side panels 30, 30'.

[00031] Referring now to Figure 8, hockey equipment is stored on the unit 10. In this alternative, a hockey helmet and a hockey glove is on the shelf 40. Also on shelf 40 is a hanger secured to the shelf 40 through the aperture 41. On side panel 30, in particular on the side panel hook members 31 is an elbow pad along the front edge thereof and a shin pad along the bottom edge thereof. On side panel 30' is a towel and an elbow pad stored thereon. In one alternative, the unit 10 further comprises a storage fastener 33 on the inside wall of each side panel 30, 30', which fastens with storage fastener 43 on the shelf 40 when collapsed. In an alternative, storage fasteners on the inside wall of each side panel and storage fastener on the shelf are Velcro™.

[00032] In one alternative, the side panels, when fully opened, are each substantially normal to said middle panel, and said shelf, when connected to said side panels, is substantially normal to said middle panel and to said side panels.

[00033] The unit 10 may be made of any material suitable for use in a change room or the like. Preferred materials are light yet strong and durable. Some materials preferred, but not limited, include wood, plastic, polymer, metal and combinations thereof.As many changes can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope thereof; it is intended that all matter contained herein be considered illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

A portable collapsible rack and shelf unit adapted to fit over a wall hook wherein said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit comprises:

i. a middle panel;

ii. at least one side panel connected to said middle panel allowing said at least one side panel to fold onto said middle panel; and

The shelf unit of claim 1 wherein said least one side panel further comprises a side top, a side bottom, an inside edge, an outside edge, and at least one side panel hook.

The shelf unit of claim 2 wherein said at least one side panel hook is proximate said side bottom.

The shelf unit of claim 2 wherein said at least one side panel hook is proximate said outside edge.

The shelf unit of claim 2 wherein said at least one side panel hook is proximate said side bottom and said outside edge.

The shelf unit of claim 1 wherein said at least one side panel and said at least one shelf are movably connected to said middle panel.

i. a middle panel;

ii. a left side panel connected to said middle panel allowing said left side panel to fold onto said middle panel;

iii. a right side panel connected to said middle panel allowing said right side panel to fold onto said middle panel; and

iv. at least one shelf connected to said middle panel allowing said at least one shelf to fold onto said middle panel; wherein said middle panel further comprises a top, bottom, a left side, a right side, a front face and a back face; said middle panel further comprising at least one wall hook receiver proximate said top thereof.

The shelf unit of claim 7 wherein said at least one shelf is further connectable to said left side panel and said right side panel.

9. The shelf unit of claim 7 wherein said left side panel is connected to said left side of the middle panel allowing said left side panel to fold onto said middle panel and said right side panel is connected to said right side of the middle panel allowing said right side panel to fold onto said middle panel.

10. The shelf unit of claim 9 wherein said left side panel is movably connected to said left side of the middle panel and said right side panel is movably connected to said right side of the middle panel.

11. The shelf unit of claim 9 or 10 wherein said shelf is movably connected to said middle panel allowing said shelf to fold onto said middle panel.

12. The shelf unit of claim 1 or 7 wherein said middle panel further comprises one wall hook receiver proximate said top thereof and one wall hook receiver proximate a middle of said middle panel.

13. The shelf unit of claim 1 or 7 wherein said middle panel further comprises a plurality of wall hook receivers proximate said top.

14. The shelf unit of claim 12 wherein said middle panel further comprise a plurality of wall hook receivers proximate said middle.

15. The shelf unit of claim 1 or 7 wherein said at least one shelf comprises at least one aperture allowing for air flow between an upper and lower area of the portable collapsible rack and shelf unit.

16. The shelf unit of claim 15 wherein said at least one aperture of said at least one shelf allows for an item to be secured on the portable collapsible rack and shelf unit.

17. The shelf unit of claim 12 wherein said at least one wall hook receiver further comprises a stabilizer to reduce unwanted movement of said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit when in use.

18. The shelf unit of claim 17 wherein said stabilizer further secures said portable collapsible rack and shelf unit, to said wall hook.

19. The shelf unit of claim 1 wherein said at least one side panel further comprises a shelf connector to secure said shelf to said side panel reducing any unwanted movement of said at least one side panel and/or said shelf, when in use.

20. The shelf unit of claim 7 wherein each of said left side panel and said right side panel further comprise a shelf connector to secure said shelf to each side panel reducing any unwanted movement of each side panel and/or said shelf, when in use.