SWIVABLE DISPLAYING RACK

ETAGERE DE PRESENTATION PIVOTANTE

English Abstract

The present invention relates to a rack for supporting one or more holders or containers, the rack includes (a) a bracket configured for mounting to a stationary structure and (b) one or more rims extending outwardly from the bracket. Each rim can be designed for supporting a holder and each rim can be swivelably mounted to the bracket about an axis of rotation, such that each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis of rotation. The rack of the present invention may be used to display articles such as flowers, plants, candles on a number of desired angles of display.

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un support de fixation dun ou plusieurs récipients ou contenants; le support comprend (a) un soutien configuré pour être monté sur une structure fixe et (b) une ou plusieurs jantes sétendant vers lextérieur depuis le soutien. Chaque jante peut être conçue pour soutenir un support et chaque jante peut être montée de façon pivotante sur le soutien autour dun axe de rotation, de sorte que chaque jante puisse être tournée autour de laxe de rotation. Le support de la présente invention peut être utilisé pour exposer des articles tels que des fleurs, des plantes et des bougies selon un certain nombre dangles dexposition désirés.

Claims

Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rack for supporting holders, the rack comprising (a) a bracket configured
for
mounting to a stationary structure, the bracket being an elongated straight
bar having a
front side and a back side, the bracket having bores extending from the front
side to the
back side of the bracket, and holes for fastening the bracket to the
stationary structure,
and (b) rims extending outwardly from the bracket, each rim configured for
supporting a
holder and each rim swivably mounted to the bracket by a swivel bolt through
the bores
about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the bracket, whereby each
rim is capable
of being turned around about the axis, each of the swivel bolts having an
elongated shaft
with one end for coupling to the rim, and another end for coupling to the
bracket.
2. The rack of claim 1, wherein the rim includes a bore for receiving one end
of the
swivel bolt, said bore configured for allowing the swivel bolt to turn around
its own axis.
3. The rack of claim 1, wherein one end of the bolt is fixed to the rim, and
the other end
of the bolt is swivably connected to the bracket.
4. The rack of claim 1, wherein one end of the bolt is fixed to the bracket,
and the other
end of the bolt is swivably connected to the rim.
5. The rack of claim 1 wherein each rim is capable of being turned around
about the axis
in a full circle.
6. The rack of claim 1, wherein each rim is capable of being turned around
about the
swivel bolt in a full circle.
7. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of said one or
more holders
is a plant or flower pot.
8. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of said one or
more holders
is a candle holder.
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9. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stationary structure is a
wall.
10. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stationary structure is
a railing.
11. The rack of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stationary structure are
the spindles
of stairs, railings or fences.
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Description

SWIVABLE DISPLAYING RACK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates in general to display holders for plants,
flowers,
candles and other articles. More particularly, the present invention relates
to a system for holding one or more containers having an ability to display
articles within the container on any angle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Systems for displaying plants and flowers disclosed in the prior
art are
generally fixed and display only on the angle they are made.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,711,048 discloses a display holder for artificial
flowers.
The display holder incorporates a supporting frame adapted for
engagement with an aperture display board. The supporting frame is
arranged to provide a downward tilt to the display holder, so that the
blossom portions of the flowers are prominently presented to the potential
customer. The display holder described in this patent cannot rotate.
[0004] U.S. Pat. App!. No. 2006/0043038 discloses a rack or shelf for a
floral
display. The shelf may include a series of pin holes formed in an arc at
the back portion of each side wall of the shelf, allows the shelf to be
positioned at angular pitch, depending on the selection of pin hole. The
angular pitch being fixed to the number of pin holes.
[0005] What is needed is a system for displaying plants, flowers at any
angle and
effortlessly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment the present invention relates to a rack for
supporting
one or more holders, the rack comprising (a) a bracket configured for
mounting to a stationary structure and (b) one or more rims extending
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outwardly from the bracket, each rim configured for supporting a holder
and each rim swivelably mounted to the bracket about an axis of rotation,
whereby each rim is capable of being turned around about the axis.
[0007] In one embodiment each rim is mounted to the bracket by a swivel
bolt,
whereby each rim is capable of being turned around about the swivel bolt.
[0008] In one embodiment the swivel bolt comprises an elongated shaft
having
one end for coupling to the rim, and another end for coupling to the
bracket.
[0009] In one embodiment the bracket includes one or more bores for
receiving
one end of the swivel bolt, said bores configured for allowing the swivel
bolt to turn around its own axis.
[0010] In one embodiment the rim includes a bore for receiving one end
of the
swivel bolt, said bore configured for allowing the swivel bolt to turn
around its own axis.
[0011] In one embodiment one end of the bolt is fixed to the rim, and
the other
end of the bolt is swivably connected to the bracket.
[0012] In one embodiment one end of the bolt is fixed to the bracket,
and the
other end of the bolt is swivably connected to the rim.
[0013] In one embodiment each rim is capable of being turned around
about the
axis in a full circle.
[0014] In one embodiment each rim is capable of being turned around
about the
swivel bolt in a full circle.
[0015] In one embodiment each rim is capable of being turned around
about the
axis in a full circle.
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[0016] In one embodiment at least one of the one or more holders is a
plant or
flower pot.
[0017] In one embodiment at least one of the one or more holders is a
candle
holder.
[0018] In one embodiment the stationary structure is a wall.
[0019] In one embodiment the stationary structure is a railing.
[0020] In one embodiment the stationary structure are the spindles of
stairs,
railings or fences.
[0021] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent
from the
detailed description by reference to the following Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of a rack for
supporting one
or more holders in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a transversal cross sectional view of a
bracket of a rack
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 A is a top plan view of the rack illustrated in FIG. I.
[0025] FIG. 3 B illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of a
bracket of a
rack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 C illustrates a longitudinal cross sectional view of a
bracket of a
rack connected to a swivel bolt in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 A illustrates a top plan view of a rack in accordance with
one
embodiment of the present invention.
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[0028] FIG. 4 B illustrates a side view of a rack in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 A illustrates a rack for holding plant or flower pots
having the
bracket positioned in a horizontal orientation with respect to the ground in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 B illustrates a rack for holding plant or flower pots
having the
bracket positioned in a diagonal orientation with respect to the ground in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 5 C illustrates a rack for holding plant or flower pots
having the
bracket positioned in a vertical orientation with respect to the ground in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 5 D illustrates a rack for holding candles in accordance
with one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Definitions
[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill
in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, unless indicated
otherwise, except within the claims, the use of "or" includes "and" and
vice versa. Non-limiting terms are not to be construed as limiting unless
expressly stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise (for example
"including", "having" and "comprising" typically indicate "including
without limitation"). Singular forms including in the claims such as "a",
"an" and "the" include the plural reference unless expressly stated
otherwise.
[0035] The terms "lateral", "longitudinal" and "vertical" may be used to
describe
movement or direction relative to the ground or floor in which a stationary
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structure stands. The term "vertical" may describe substantial up/down
movement or a direction along the stationary structure relative to the floor.
The term "longitudinal" may describe substantial horizontal movement or
direction on the stationary structure substantially parallel to the floor. The
term "lateral" may describe movement or direction substantially
orthogonal to the longitudinal position and away from the stationary
structure. A coordinate system may then be defined with "Z" being a
vertical axis, "X" being a longitudinal axis, and "Y" being the lateral axis
(see FIG 1 illustrating axes Z and X, and FIG. 5 illustrating all three axes).
[0036] FIGs. 1 and 4 illustrate a rack 100 for supporting one or more
holders in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The rack 100
may include a bracket 10 and one or more rims 20 (only one is shown in
FIG. 1). Each rim 20 may be designed for receiving a holder, which may
be a flower or plant holder, container or pot or a candle holder and so
forth. Rims 20 may be attached to the bracket 10 by a swivel connector
30, such that the rims 20 may be able of being turned around about swivel
connector 30 in the directions shown in FIG. I. The rims 20 may be
capable of being turned around about the Y axis (axis that runs along the
swivel connector 30) in a full circle. The X axis would run along the
bracket's longitudinal extension as shown in FIG. I.
[0037] Bracket 10 may take the form of a bar, and may include a front
side 11
and a back side 12. Bracket 10 may include one or more fastening holes
80 expanding from the front side 11 to the back side 12, which may be
used to attach the bracket 10 to a stationary structure, such as a wall, a
railing, a column, a tree, a post and so forth, with the back side 12 facing
the stationary structure. Of course, other connections or adaptations may
be used to attach the bracket to the stationary structure, such as clips,
straps or magnets. Bracket 10 may also include one or more bores 45
configured for swivelably connecting the one or more rims 20. The one or
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more rims 20 may be swivelably connected to the front side 11 of bracket
10.
[0038] As previously stated, rim 20 may be designed to receive a
container or
holder. In the embodiments shown in the figures, rim 20 is illustrated as a
circular rim, however, it should be understood that rim may take any
number of forms (i.e. rectangular, triangular, square, and so forth), with
the proviso of being capable of receiving and holding in place the holders.
[0039] Swivel connector may take any number of forms. In the embodiment
shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3 swivel connector 30 may take the form of a
swivel bolt 30. The one or more bores 45 expanding from one side to the
other side of the bracket 10 may be used for receiving an end of the swivel
bolt 30, and a bore 90 expanding through a wall of rim 20 may be used for
receiving another end of swivel bolt 30. The swivel bolt 30 may include
lug 32 having a head 110 at one end and an opposite end 70. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 bore 90 may be configured for receiving
end 70 which may be fixed, for instance welded, to the ring 20. Bores 45
may be configured for receiving bolt head 110 as illustrated in FIGs. 2 and
3 C. A nut, such as a wing nut 40 may be used to prevent the swivel bolt
from rotating. In other embodiments the swivel connection may be done
with a bearing.
[0040] FIG. 3 B illustrates a closer view of a bore 45. Bore 45 may be
designed
such that when the swivel bolt 30 is in position, head 110 may be
prevented to pass through aperture 50. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 3 B, bore 45 may include at one end an aperture 50 opening on the
front side 11 of bracket 10, and sized for receiving the lug 32 of bolt 30,
and, at the other end, an aperture 60 opening on the back side of rack 10
and sized for the head 110. As such, aperture 60 may be configured to be
larger in diameter than opening 50. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3
C, bore 45 includes shoulders 47 for preventing head 110 from slipping
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out of the bore 45 through opening 50. In another embodiment, bore 45
may include a chamfer design. Instead of shoulders, aperture may include
tapered walls may connect opening 60 with opening 50 thereby creating a
narrowing passageway (narrowing from back side 12 to front side 11 of
bracket 10) for preventing head 110 from slipping out opening 45. Instead
of a design solution of bore 45, a thickening of the lug of the swivel bolt
may also be used to prevent swivel bolt from slipping out bore 45.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 3, opening 60 may be a recesses on the
back face
12 of the bracket 10 whereby the bolt head 110 is allowed to rotate even
when the bracket 10 is attached to the stationary structure.
[0042] It should be understood that a similar connection to that
described in the
figures may be obtained if the head of the swivel bolt is connected to the
ring and the other end of swivel bolt is fixed to the bracket.
[0043] The elements of the rack of the present invention, including
bracket and
rims, may be made of any suitable material, for example, aluminium,
plastic, steel and so forth. The bracket and rims may be painted and may
include any number of ornamentations, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3 B
with reference number 190.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 5, and using the same reference numbers as
in FIG.
1 for convenience, in operation, the bracket 10 of the rack of the present
invention may be attached to a stationary structure 500 such as a wall, a
railing, a column, a post, between spindles, such as the spindles of stairs,
railings, fence and so forth. The bracket 10 may be attached to the
stationary structure using screws or any other suitable attachment. The
bracket 10 may be attached to the stationary structure in any directions.
For example the bracket 10 may be attached to a stationary structure 500
horizontally (FIG. 5 A), diagonally (FIG. 5 B). vertically (FIG. 5 C), or
any direction thereinbetween. Regardless of the direction in which the
bracket 10 is attached to the stationary structure, the one or more rims 20
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supporting holders 510 may be rotated about the swivel bolt so that the
holders 510 may remain in a substantially vertical orientation (Z axis) with
respect to the ground, if so desired. Once the holders 510 are in a
substantially vertical position (or any other desired position), the one or
more rims 20 may be held in a fixed angular position with respect to the
bracket by adjusting wing nut 40.
[0045] It should be understood that rims 20 may be adapted to hold a
number of
items. FIGs. 5 A-C, for instance, illustrate rims adapted to hold flower or
plant holders 510. FIG. 5 D, for instance, illustrates another embodiment
of the present invention, in which the rims 20 of the rack are adapted to
hold one or more candles 520.
[0046] Advantages of the invention may include: (i) no matter what angle
the
bracket is mounted on, the pots holding the plants or flowers can be kept
levelled (or not if so desired); (ii) ability to display flowers or plants or
any other decorative things on any angle; (iii) ability to blend in with the
architecture, such as following a railing's angle; (iv) ability to creatively
frame a window with flowers or other display; (v) ability to make designs
with flowers or other displays; and (vi) ability to display flowers, plants,
and so forth, both cut and dry, live or silk for sale in a store.
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Representative Drawing