Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~254175
ARTICLE STORAGE AN~ DISPLAY _EVI E
Back~round of the In~ention
This invention relates to an article storage and
display device and relates particularly to a device which
can be used for the storage and/or display of a wide range
of articles including childrens toys, clothing, piece goods
and the like.
In most households, articles, particularly childrens
toys and the like, are usually stored in cupboards, wardrobeQ
or on shelves, and such storage occupies substantial space.
The stored articles, which, as well as being plaything
or useful article~ often have an aesthetically interesting
appearance which is not utilized when the articles are
stored away.
Summa~y of the Invention
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It is therefore desirable to provide a device for
the fitorage and/or display of articles which maximizes
the aesthetic appearance of articles or which can be used
both to display articles or to store them in a space other-
wise not used for storage purposes.
It is al~o desirable to provide a storage and displaydevice which can be used in any suitable location in either
domestic, commercial or industrial situations for the storage
and/or display of toys, tools, clothing, footwear,
accessories or any other article.
It is also desirable to provide a storage system
which is relatively simple to manufacture and is easy to
use. ~
It is also de~irable to provide a di~play and
gtorage qystem which can be utilized in ~hop wlndow displays,
building foyers and other ~imilar locations.
According to one a~pect of the present invention
there is provided a storage device comprising a plurality
of interconnected link means to form a chain having one
or more strands, means for securing the chain to a support
member, and one or more releasable fastener means adapte~
to be connected to one or more link means of the chain,
~aid releasable fastener means being adapted to be releasably
~Z5~75
attached to an article to be carried by the chain.
In one, simple, form of the invention, a single
strand chain is formed of a plurality of interconnected
chain links. ~he relea~able fa~tener means comprise~ a
resilient clip member which is adapted to pass through
a chain link, the clip member having a pair of jaws adapted
to grip an article to be carried by the chain. A plurality
of the releasable fastener means is engaged with the chain
so that a plurality of articles can be supported thereby.
lo The chain may be supported by an appropriate hook
or the like fixed to a support member. An end link of
the chain can be engaged with the hook or, alternatively,
an intermediate link can be engaged with the hook so as
to form a support having at least two strands of chain.
If desired, the chain may be connected between several
means securing the chain to a support member so that the
chain is suspended therebetween.
In an alternative arrangement, the storage device
comprises in combination, a plurality of interconnecting
link means to form a chain having one or more strands,
means for suspending the chain from a support wbereby the
chain hangs substantially vertically, and a plurality of
releasable fastener means adapted to be connected to various
link means of the chain, said releasable fastener means
including gripping means to which articles to be supported
by the suspended chain can be attach~d.
In order that the invention will be more readily
understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawing~ wherein:
D scrl~tlon of the Drawinq~
Figure 1 show~ the storage device of the invention
being attached to the ~upport,
Figuxe 2 illustrates one of the releasable
fasteners being attached to the chain,
Figure 3 shows a releasable fastener used with
this embodiment of the invention, and
Figure 4 illustrates the man~er by which an article
is secured to the chain by the releasable fastener.
l~S~7~
Description of Prefe~e~ Embodiment
Referring to the dra~ings, the storage deYice of
this embodiment comprises a chain 12 formed of a plurality
of interconnected links 14, a hook support for the chain
16 and a plurality of releasable fasteners 17.
The hook 16, which may be a standard cup-hook,
or the like, is fastened to a support member 18, which
may be a ceiling batten or the like. When the hook 16
is located on the Qupport 18, the chain 12 is connected
thereto by one of the chain links 14. In the form of the
invention illustrated, an end link 14 is engaged with the
hook 16 so that a single chain strand is supported by the
hook 16. However, it will be appreciated that any other
link 14 may be connected to the hook 16 to form a plurality
of chain strands.
A number of releasable fasteners 17 are mounted
on various links 14 of the chain 12 to enable articles
to be connected to the chain and supported thereby. Such
articles may compri~e soft toys, 19, as illustrated in
2~ Figure 4, or any other article such as clothing, tools,
piece goods and the like.
The releasable fasteners 17 are preferably constructed
so as to be engageable with a link 14 by flexing the
fastener 17 to open opposed jaws 21. When the fastener
17 is engaged with a link 14, the resilience of the fastener
closes the jaws sufficiently that the fastener will not
disengage from the link.
The opposed jaws 21 of the fastener 17 are formed
with one jaw having a ~lot 20 therein ~uah that the oppo~ed
jaw can pa88 through the slot 20 on oompression of the
fastener body. The jaws 21 are formed with gripping means
23, and an article to be supported is placed between the
jaws 21 when in the compressed position so that, on release
of the compressive force, the resilience of the fastener
material causes the jaws 21 to move towards each other
to grip the article 19 therebetween.
Preferably, the releasable fa~tener~ 17 are formed
of a synthetic plastic material. It i8 al8o preferred
125~17~
that the ch,ain links 14 are formed of Q synthetic plastic
material although other matexials, such as metal may be
used if desired.
The number ~f articles to be supported by the device
is limited only by the number of releasable fasteners 17
connected to the chain links 1-4. The device may be mounted
in a child's bedroom or playroom to enable soft toys,
clothing and other articles to be hung from the chain 12
thus providing effective storage therefore and also providing
a visually pleasing effect.
The storage device of the invention can be installed
within cupboards, in shop windows and the like and used
both for functional storage purposes as well as for hanging
articles for aesthetic appearance.
The interconnected chain links comprise a simple
form of the invention, but it will be appreciated that
other link forms or flexible strands with integral loops
or other,engagement means may be used in providing a storage
device in accordance with the present invention,
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