Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02678290 2009-09-09
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
MULTIFUNCTIONAL SUPPORT, SYSTEM AND ACCESSORIES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to racks and support
systems to be installed on a vertical frame or surface such as a building wall
to
facilitate storage of miscellaneous material. More specifically, but not
exclusively, the present invention is concerned with a multifunctional support
and system comprising a plurality of parallel equally spaced generally
horizontal
cross-bars receiving various accessories such as shelves, bins, baskets,
hooks,
etc. for the tidy storage of a wide range of items and materials. The
invention
further contemplates a dual bicycle storage rack with provision for hanging
associated items such as helmets and shoes or other items or material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In many circumstances, in shops or at home, it is desired to store a
wide range of materials with proper support for optimal use of available space
and easy and efficient access.
[0003] Many such racks and supports exist, but they suffer from at least
one limitation ranging from lack of flexibility, to complexity of
installation,
difficulty of use and/or prohibitive cost. For example, when storing more than
one bicycle, a significant spacing between bicycle positions is necessary to
account for the handles width. This spacing is often lost since no provision
is
incorporated into the rack for storing other items thereon.
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[0004] It would therefore be a significant advance in the art of storage
supports to provide multifunctional support and system which are compatible
with a wide range of storage needs, can be easily installed, can be supplied
as
complementary reconfigurable modules and accessories and can be cost
effectively produced. It would also be desirable to provide a simple and user
friendly rack providing space for two bicycles and interchangeable accessories
such as a hanger for two helmets and two pairs of bike shoes. As storage space
is often a concern and bicycles do not require being stored on the rack all
the
time, it would thus be a desirable advance to provide a bicycle rack being
usable as a multifunctional support adapted to receive a wide range of
accessories and be simply and quickly reconfigurable to satisfy a wide range
of
storage needs.
[0005] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a
multifunctional support and a system including a bicycle rack embodiment which
obviate the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art devices and systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is
first provided a multifunctional support for mounting to a generally vertical
frame
or surface, said support comprising i) first and second elongated upright
members each defining a lateral side wall provided with a plurality of axially
aligned and equally spaced openings, and ii) a plurality of elongated cross-
members having a first end portion for mating with the openings in the first
upright member and a second end for mating with the openings in the second
upright member to provide a ladder-like structure for receiving a plurality of
accessories for supporting material. According to another aspect of the
invention, there is further provided a system comprising a multifunctional
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support as described above and at least one accessory mountable on at least
one of the cross-members to hold material for tidy storage thereof.
[0007] In an embodiment of the support, the upright members define a
substantially U-shape rectangular hollow cross-section. According to a further
embodiment of the support, the cross members may define a circular tube or a
circular bar and the openings are substantially circular.
[0008] In an embodiment of the system, the at least one accessory is
pivotally mountable to a first cross-member and comprises a stop portion
abutting on a next cross member to stabilize the accessory in a steady
position.
Accessories in the system may comprise a shelf and/or a basket and/or a bin
and /or a hook and/or a jar. The shelf may comprise a ferromagnetic surface
for
holding an accessory or material comprising a magnetic element.
[0009] There is further provided a universal holder accessory for
cooperating with two adjacent circular cross-members of the support to form
different systems. The universal holder accessory comprises first and second
semi-circular hook portions provided at a first and a second end of the holder
respectively to engage the cross-members, and a center body portion
connecting said hook portions, the body portion defining a substantially
cylindrical pocket in the longitudinal axis of the holder, said pocket
defining
symmetrical lateral elongated rod nesting inner cavities having a cross-
section
profile converging away from said axis. In an embodiment of the universal
holder, the elongated cavities have a stepped profile similar to that of a
keyhole
whereby rods having different diameters can abut on a portion of the cavity
mating with a portion of the periphery of a rod. In an embodiment of the
holder
the cavities are configured to mate with a rod having either one of three
predetermined diameters.
All"
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[0010] The holder accessory may further comprise. a folded rod hanger
held in the holder's pocket, said rod defining a first end adapted to fit in
the first
cavity, a second end adapted to fit in the second cavity and a center portion
projecting from the pocket and having a shape adapted to support an object for
storage. In another embodiment of the invention, the holder may further
comprise stop ridges provided on the body between the pocket and the second
semi-circular hook portion. Three stop ridges each configured to cooperate
with
a rod of a given diameter may be provided to prevent a rod accessory from
freely moving out of the pocket in the longitudinal axis.
[0011] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a
multifunctional bicycle rack for mounting to a generally vertical frame or
surface,
said support comprising i) first and second connecting upright end pieces each
comprising a bicycle wheel rest plate, a bicycle wheel holding bracket and at
least two inner side openings in vertical alignment, and ii) at least two
elongated
cross-members having a first end portion for mating with the openings in the
first upright member and a second end for mating with the openings in the
second upright member to provide a ladder-like structure for receiving at
least
one removable accessory for supporting or hanging material. In an embodiment
of the bicycle rack of the invention, there is further provided an accessory
removably mountable on a pair of adjacent cross-members of the rack, the
accessory comprising a body, an helmet holding portion extending at one end of
the body and a transversal member projecting laterally on both sides the
opposite end of the body.
[0012] The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-
restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of
examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Similar parts are identified by identical or similar numbers
throughout the drawings. In the appended drawings:
[0014] Figure 1 a is a front top isometric view of supports and accessories
forming a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 1 b is a back top isometric view of the system of Figure 1 a;
[0016] Figure 2 is a front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of
the system of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 3 is a front isometric view of another alternative embodiment
of the system of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 4 is a front isometric view of a system according to the
invention, shown with a variety of tools and material related to gardening
stored
therein.
[0019] Figures 5a-5h are different views of a universal holder according to
the invention respectively showing: a) a front isometric view, b) a back
isometric
view, c) a front view, d) a back view, e) a side elevation view, f) a top
view, g) a
cross sectional view as seen from line A-A of Figure d, h) a cross sectional
view
a seen from line B-B of Figure d;
[0020] Figure 6a-6d show different views of a sample holder accessory
based on the holder of Figure 5, showing: a) a front-side isometric view, b)a
top
view, c) a front elevation view, d) a side view.
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[0021] Figure 7 is a front left isometric view of a multifunctional bicycle
rack
with items holding accessories forming a system according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0022] Figure 8a is a partial front elevation view of the rack and
accessories of Figure 7;
[0023] Figure 8b is a front elevation view of the rack and accessories
pursuant to the instant invention shown in use, supporting two bicycles, two
helmets and two pairs of bike shoes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to Figures la-b, the non-restrictive illustrative
embodiment of the present invention is basically concerned with a
multifunctional support system 100 for mounting to a substantially vertical
frame
or surface (structure) such as a building wall (not shown). The system
basically
comprises a support 1 and may comprise more than one such support 1 as
illustrated to expend the system and increase its storage capacity. The
support
1 comprises a first upright member 10 and a second upright member 20. As
seen in Figure 1 b, upright members 10 and 20 define a U-shape or rectangular
shape hollow channel preferably made from stamped and folded sheet metal
(e.g. steel) stock. Perforated flanges such as 11 are provided at the back of
the
upright members 10, 20 to enable mounting of the support 1 to a vertical
structure. Holes 12 are also provided in the front walls of members 10 and 20
in
registration with holes 13 in flanges 11 to enable insertion of a tool bit
therein to
facilitate the driving of fasteners such as screws in holes 13 to mount the
support. Snap caps 18 (see Figures 2, 3, 4) may be provided to close holes 12
after installation of the support 1.
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[0025] The support 1 further comprises a plurality. of elongated cross-
members, cross-bars 30, assembled to upright members 10 and 20 to form a
ladder-like multifunctional support structure. Therefore, upright members 10
and
20 further comprise a plurality of equally spaced openings 14 and 24 in axial
alignment along lateral side walls 15 and 25 respectively, said openings
matching the shape and size of the end portions of the bars 30 to enable snug
insertion of these portions in the openings. Cross-bars 30 are preferably
circular
and made from extruded aluminum tubes and openings 14 and 24 are therefore
matching circular die cut holes. Solid rods may also be contemplated to
constitute the cross-bars. Since the opposite walls 16 and 26 of members 10
and 20 are blind, the cross-bars 30 may abut on said walls when the support is
mounted to hold the bars 30 in place without any additional fastening means.
The support 1 may thus also be packaged and shipped in a compact knock-
down kit format and easily assembled on site of use.
[0026] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, different accessories such as shelf
40, baskets 41, 42, bin 43, S-hook 44 and cable and hose holder 45 may be
mounted onto support 1 to constitute a multifunctional storage system 100.
Different kits may be provided and assembled to build systems mostly adapted
to various specific intended uses, such as the gardening support system shown
in Figure 4, adapted to store various gardening tools and material. It is
worth
mentioning that all of the accessories define top hook portions for pivotally
hanging on a first cross-bar 30 and define a stop portion at their lower end
to
abut on a next lower cross-bar. Therefore, accessories may be merely
supported on the support 1 in various arrangements without needing tools or
loose fasteners. The round shape of the cross-bars 30 enables easy tilting of
the accessory for insertion or removal. Given the equal vertical spacing of
the
cross-bars 30 set to approximately 4 inches, accessories may be easily
mounted and relocated in a wide range of configurations on the support 1. In a
typical support 1, 7 cross-bars are provided for flexibility of use. Many such
supports may be combined to build more elaborate systems.
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[0027] The shelf 40 may further comprise at least one ferromagnetic metal
surface 40'so that jars 46 provided with lids 47 comprising a magnetic element
may be suspended to the shelf.
[0028] For using the system 100, a user may insert a plurality of cross-
bars 30 in holes 14 and 24 and attach upright members 10 and 20 on a vertical
frame or surface by inserting fasteners and a driving tool through holes 12
and
driving the fasteners in holes 13 to mount the support 1. Accessories such as
40 to 47 may then be manually suspended to the support 1 to create any
desired support system configuration.
[0029] Turning now to Figures 5 and 6, there is further provided a universal
holder accessory 50 comprising a universal holder 51 and a folded rod hanger
60. A best seen from Figures 6a and 6b, the holder accessory 50 is meant to be
mounted on support 1 and supported on two adjacent cross-bars, upper cross-
bar 30' and lower cross-bar 30" as for accessories 40 to 47. Different types
of
rod hangers 60 may be contemplated according to the type of object to be hung
thereon for storage on the support 1. For example, folded rod hanger 60 may be
used to support handles of shovels or like tools. According to the
contemplated
use, hangers of different strength may be made using rods of different
diameters. Therefore, the holder 51 is adapted to comply with the use of rods
of
three different diameters as will be detailed in the following.
[0030] The universal holder 51 comprises a first semi-circular end hook
portion 53 for hanging on the first cross-bar 30', a second semi-circular end
hook portion 54 for engaging the second cross-bar 30", and a center body
portion 55 defining a substantially cylindrical pocket 70 in the longitudinal
axis of
the holder 51.
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[0031] As best seen from Figures 5a and 5f, the pocket 70 further defines
two internal symmetrical lateral elongated rod nesting cavities 71. These
cavities have stepped cross-section profile, similar to that of a keyhole,
where
rods having different diameters can abut on a portion of the cavity mating
with a
portion of the periphery of a rod such as the one forming hanger 60.
Accordingly, each cavity 71 defines a first step comprised of faces 72, 72' on
which a quarter inch diameter rod may abut for stable lateral support, whereas
a
3/16 inch rod may be supported against faces 73, 73' and a 1 /8 inch diameter
rod would reach and be supported on the bottom semi-circular face 74 of the
cavities 71.
[0032] The downward movement of the hanger 60 is limited by the center
portion 61 bent to project away from the pocket 70 and having segments 61'and
61" abutting on a top portion of the pocket. In order to prevent the vertical
displacement of the rod hanger 60 in the upper direction regardless of the rod
diameter used, three elongated transversal ridges 56, 56' and 56" are provided
between the pocket 70 and the second end hook 54 on the front surface of the
body 55. Ridges closer to the hook 54 are made wider and with a higher relief
as seen from Figures 5c and 5g. Thereby, a 1 /8 inch diameter rod hanger 60
inserted in the pocket 70 of the holder 51 has to be made wider to abut on
surfaces 74, 74' of lateral longitudinal cavities 71 and would thus have a
wide
lower end 62 and would show maximal clearance from the front face of the body
portion 55. Therefore, the lower end segment 62 would easily pass over ridges
56 and 56' and will hit the lower ridge 56". Thanks to the compliant nature of
the
rod material of the holder 60, the lower portion thereof flexes when a slight
downward force is applied on the hanger 60 so that the lower end segment 62
would jump over ridge 56" and snap just past it, thereby stabilizing the
vertical
position of the hanger 60. An upward force of similar amplitude would thus
have
to be applied on centre portion 61 to extract the hanger 60 from the holder
51.
Similarly, upward vertical movement of an intermediate rod size hanger would
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be limited by ridge 56', and that of a hanger 60 made of maximal rod diameter
would be limited by snapping over upper, narrower and thinner ridge 56.
[0033] Thanks to such a flexible universal holder 51 adapted to receive a
wide variety of folded rod hangers 60, many types of object supporting
accessories 50 adapted for mounting on multifunctional support 1 may be
assembled using same universal holder 51 to build unlimited configurations of
systems 100 in a very simple and cost effective manner.
[0034] Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, a further non-restrictive
illustrative embodiment of the present invention is basically concerned with a
multifunctional bicycle rack 100' for mounting to a substantially vertical
frame or
surface (structure) such as a building wall (not shown). The system basically
comprises a support 1' comprising first (left) and second (right) symmetrical
connecting upright end pieces 10' and 20', each comprising a bicycle wheel
rest
plate 111, 121, a bicycle wheel holding bracket 112, 122 and two inner side
openings 114', 114' and 124, 124' in vertical alignment. Each end piece
further
comprises wall mounting means 113, 113' and 123, 123'. The wheel rest plates
111 and 121 define a bottom surface for receiving the running face of the
front
wheel W of a bicycle B and side flanges 111' and 121' to prevent sidewise
movements of the wheel W. Brackets 112 and 122 define a hook 112', 122' for
retaining the wheel W against the bottom of the rest plates. A large spacing
is
provided between the hook 112' and the base 112" of the brackets so that it is
made easy for a user to insert a wheel tire and rim of any bicycle within that
spacing.
[0035] The rack further comprises two elongated cross-members 30, 30'
having a first end portion 31, 31' portion for mating with the openings 114,
114'
in the first upright member 10' and a second end portion 32, 32' for mating
with
the openings 124, 124' in the second upright member 20' to provide a ladder-
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like structure for receiving at least one removable accessory 48 for
supporting
or hanging material.
[0036] According to an aspect of the invention, the accessory 48
comprises a body 481 provided with a upper semi-circular hook portion 482 for
engaging on cross-member 30 and a lower semi-circular hook portion 483 for
engaging on cross-member 30' so that the accessory 48 is firmly held on the
cross-members in the vertical axis, while being laterally movable along said
cross-members to enable desired positioning.
[0037] Two similar accessories 48 are shown mounted on the rack 100'.
This accessory is specially adapted to hold a helmet on a top portion 484 at
one
end of the body 481. A transversal member 485 provided at the opposite end of
the body 481 may be used to hang a bike shoe on each prong projecting
laterally on both sides at the opposite end of the body.
[0038] The end pieces 10', 20' as well as the accessories 48 may be
conveniently and cost effectively made of plastic material by injection
molding,
while cross-members 30, 30' may be made from light metal extruded bars or
cylinders, such as circular aluminum tubes. The spacing between sets of
mounting means 113, 113' and 123, 123' can be made to comply with standard
wall studs spacing of 16 or 24 inches. The dual bicycle rack in use with the
accessories 48 is shown in Figure 8b. More than one such rack system 100'
may be installed should the need for storing more than two bicycles arise.
[0039] An important aspect of the invention is that a plurality of
accessories adapted to be mounted on a pair of parallel cross-members such
as 30, 30' are made available through a complementary line of multifunctional
supports, systems and accessories. Therefore, accessories 48 can be
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substituted at will by other accessories such as 40 to 47 and 51 for hanging
or
supporting other items to be stored.
[0040] It can thus be easily appreciated that the above-described non-
restrictive illustrative embodiments of the multifunctional support, system
and
accessories according to the present invention obviate the above-discussed
limitations and drawbacks of the existing devices and systems. More
specifically, the support, the system and the associated accessories can be
cost
effectively fabricated and may be easily assembled without tools in a wide
range of multifunctional configurations. Moreover, the universal holder
accessory concept enables the cost effective production of a wide range of
object hanging or supporting accessories. The multifunctional bicycle rack and
accessory according to the present invention obviate the above-discussed
limitations and drawbacks of comparable racks. Indeed, the bicycle rack as
well
as a range of compatible accessories can be cost effectively fabricated and
may
be easily combined without tools in different configurations to serve
different
storage uses.
[0041] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by
way of non-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments
can
be modified at will within the scope of the appended claims without departing
from the spirit and nature of the subject invention.
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