Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02817608 2013-06-04
CA Application
Makes Ref: 68849/00155
1 STACKABLE STORAGE RACK ASSEMBLY
2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
3 (0001] The invention relates generally to furniture and modular
storage systems and
4 more specifically, to stackable storage racks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
6 [0002] Stackable storage racks are used to store and organize
many objects, for
7 example, toys, books, clothing, shoes, wine, food, electronics, e.g.,
compact discs (CDs), digital
8 video discs (DVDs), audio cassettes, and records, work files, indoor
plants, and desk
9 accessories such as clocks or mugs. Such stackable storage racks can be
incorporated within
comprehensive standard or custom built-in cabinetry or closets. Alternatively,
stackable storage
11 racks can be freestanding and arranged on a countertop, in a closet,
under a bed, along a wall
12 or some other designated space. While stackable storage racks serve to
store and/or organize a
13 wide variety of objects, stackable storage racks can also add a sleek or
distinctive design
14 feature to a room. Due to the functionality and aesthetic nature of
stackable storage racks, a
vast array of stackable storage racks can be constructed. Common parameters
influencing the
16 construction of stackable storage racks include the style of the room
where the racks will be
17 displayed, the number and type of objects to be stored and/or organized,
and the available
18 space for the racks.
19 [0003] Typically, stackable storage racks are made of plastic,
wood, bamboo, wire,
metal, steel and/or metal mesh. Some stackable storage racks rest along the
floor. Other
21 stackable storage racks are mounted on wheels. Still other stackable
storage racks include
22 angled shelving or planar shelving which is continuous or spaced apart.
There are even
23 stackable storage racks that are expandable along the floor to
accommodate increased or
24 diminished storage and/or organizing capacities. Freestanding stackable
storage racks usually
include rigid cubbies or frames,
26 [0004] Freestanding stackable storage racks including cubbies
typically include a
27 plurality of rectangular compartments arranged next to and on top of
other rectangular
28 compartments. Each compartment usually has a top and bottom, right and
left sides, and a
29 back. However, the front is left open so a user can access the
compartment. Such free standing
stackable storage racks can be difficult to keep clean because dirt can
collect in crevices along
31 the bottom edges of the right, left, and rear sides. Dirt and moisture
can collect on the bottom
32 surface and damage the finish of the compartment. Additionally, although
such freestanding
1
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Slakes Ref: 68849/00155
1 stackable storage racks are sturdy, they are usually heavy and/or bulky
to lift or move. These
2 freestanding stackable storage racks are also problematic for oversized
objects since the size of
3 the cubbies is fixed throughout.
4 [0005] Freestanding stackable storage racks including frames typically
include two
frames on each end and laterally arranged members connected between the
frames. The
6 laterally arranged members can be continuous or spaced apart. These frame-
type stackable
7 storage racks are easier to lift and/or move than the cubby-type
stackable storage racks
8 because they are constructed with less material. However, the frame-type
stackable storage
9 racks can be problematic. The frame-type stackable storage racks having
non-continuous
lateral members can be problematic for shoes because shoes come in different
styles, shapes,
11 and sizes. For example, a large shoe might fit differently on such a
frame-type stackable
12 storage rack than a small shoe. The small shoe might slip between the
spaced apart laterally
13 arranged members. The laterally arranged members might not align
properly with toe and heel
14 portions of a shoe, as another example. Such a frame-type rack could
scuff or damage a shoe
not properly aligned with the lateral members. Additionally, when these frame-
type storage
16 racks are stacked, one rack merely rests on top of another. Such a
stacked arrangement is
17 unstable because a slight bump can knock the racks out of alignment.
Moreover, in order to
18 move these stacked racks a user must move each rack separately.
19 [0006] There are also freestanding stackable storage racks including
frames that are
secured one on top of another by attachment means such as screws, Although
these racks are
21 more stable, they can become deformed because the racks cannot
automatically disengage
22 from stackable arrangement when the racks are lifted or moved and
objects supported by the
23 racks are too heavy.
24 [0007] A freestanding stackable storage rack is described in US.
Patent No. 5,152,407
(Massoudnia et at); which discloses a stackable rack formed essentially of
wire. The stackable
26 rack disclosed includes a perimeter wire, laterally and transversely
arranged wires connected to
27 the perimeter wire, legs, foot loops, and handle loops. The perimeter
wire and laterally and
28 transversely arranged wires form a support means and such support means
is welded to the
29 legs of the invention. The handle loops are angled inwardly and provide
space for the foot loops
of another rack stackably arranged above. A plurality of racks may be stacked
one upon the
31 other by means of an inherent resiliency of the wire. However, the
invention disclosed in
32 Massoudnia et al. can only be used in the upright arrangement because
the handle loops are
2
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Bakes Ref: 68849/00155
1 not as stable as the foot loops. Additionally, the invention disclosed
cannot be stored or
2 packaged compactly because the support means is welded to the legs.
3 [0008] Another freestanding stackable storage rack is described
in U.S, Patent
4 Application No. 2004/0238467 (Tully), which discloses a stackable wine
rack. The wine rack
disclosed includes a pair of longitudinal members adapted to support wine
bottles, feet,
6 upwardly extending side members, and horizontal members. The racks are
stackable, one on
7 top of another, by engagement of the feet of a rack with the horizontal
members of a rack
8 stacked below. The stackable arrangement is achieved due to inherent
resiliency of the
9 structure. The invention disclosed is problematic due to the integral
nature of the rack. For
example, if a longitudinal member becomes damaged or deformed, the
longitudinal member
11 cannot simply be replaced; the entire rack would have to be replaced.
12 [0009] Therefore, there has been a long-felt need for a
stackable storage rack that is
13 stable, inexpensive, semi-permeable. lightweight, simple to assemble,
stackable by means of an
14 inherent resiliency, and can be arranged upright or upside-down. There
is a need for such a
stackable storage rack that is easy to clean and provides a user with the
ability to easily clean
16 the floor underneath the rack. Additionally, there is a need for such a
stackable storage rack that
17 can be easily disassembled for packaging purposes or in case parts need
to be replaced,
18 Further, there is a need for a stackable storage rack that can
automatically disengage from
19 stackable arrangement, if necessary
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
21 [0010] The invention comprises a stackable rack assembly, having
a first rack having a
22 first bracket, the first bracket having a first arcuate member having a
first end and a second end,
23 and further having a first extension stub cantilevered from the first
arcuate member proximate
24 the second end; a second arcuate member having a first end and a second
end, and further
having a second extension stub cantilevered from the second arcuate member
proximate the
26 second end; and: a transverse member connecting the first and second
arcuate members
27 together at their respective first ends, wherein the first and second
arcuate members each are
28 arranged at an acute angle with respect to the transverse member. The
invention further
29 comprises a second bracket identical to and arranged opposite from the
first bracket of the first
rack and a shelf secured between the first and second brackets. A second rack
identical to the
31 first rack is operatively arranged to lockingly engage the first rack to
form the rack assembly.
3
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Slakes Ref: 68849/00155
1 [0011] A general object of the invention is to provide a stackable
storage rack that can
2 be arranged upright and upside-down.
3 [0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a stackable
storage rack that is
4 stackable by means of an inherent resiliency.
[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide a stackable storage
rack that is easy
6 to clean, semi-permeable, and provides access to the floor on which the
rack stands so that the
7 floor underneath the rack can be easily cleaned.
8 [0014] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a stackable
storage rack that can
9 be disassembled,
[0015] Still another object of the invention is to provide a stackable
storage rack that is
11 lightweight and can be easily moved so that each stacked rack does not
have to be moved
12 separately.
13 [0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a stackable
storage rack that can
14 become stackably disengaged when the load of the objects stored and/or
organized on the
racks becomes too great.
16 [0017] A further object of the invention is to provide a stackable
storage rack that can
17 hold objects having all different styles, shapes, and sizes.
18 [0018] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a stackable
storage rack that has
19 improved stability
[0019] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will
be readily
21 appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of
the invention and from
22 the accompanying drawings and claims.
23 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
24 [0020] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will
now be more fully
described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with
the accompanying
26 figures, in which:
27 Figure 1A is a perspective view of the stackable racks of the
invention shown upright;
28 Figure 18 is a perspective view of the stackable racks of the
invention shown inverted;
29 Figure 2A is a front view of the stackable racks of the invention;
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Blakes Ref 6884900155
1 Figure 2B is a rear view of the stackable racks of the invention;
Figure 3A is a left view of the stackable racks of the invention;
3 Figure 38 is a right view of the stackable racks of the invention;
4 Figure 4A is a top plan view of the stackable racks of the invention;
Figure 4B is a bottom plan view of the stackable racks of the invention;
6 Figure 5A is a perspective view of the stackable racks of the invention
showing one rack
7 partially engaged with a second rack;
8 Figure 5B is a perspective view of the stackable racks of the invention
showing a partial
9 cut out of the top rack to illustrate how the racks engage;
Figure 6 is an exploded view of a single stackable rack of the invention;
11 Figure 7A is a detailed view of the stackable rack of the invention
showing the spring
12 button clip in the engaged position;
13 Figure 7B is a detailed view of the stackable rack of the invention
showing the spring
14 button clip in the partially disengaged position;
Figure 7C is a detailed view of the stackable rack of the invention showing
the spring
16 button clip in the disengaged position; and.
17 Figure 8 is a detailed view of the stackable rack of the invention
showing how the
18 stabilizers are applied.
19 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on
different
21 drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural
elements of the invention.
22 Drawing numbers in prime identify separate structural elements that are
identical or functionally
23 similar. While the present invention is described with respect to what
is presently considered to
24 be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as
claimed is not limited to the
disclosed aspect. The present invention is intended to include various
modifications and
26 equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
27 [0022] Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not
limited to the particular
28 methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of
course, vary. It is also
29 understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of
describing particular aspects
5
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Blokes Ref: 68849/00155
1 only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention,
which is limited only by the
2 appended claims.
3 [0023] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific
terms used herein have the
4 same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art
to which this invention
belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to
those described
6 herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the
preferred methods, devices,
7 and materials are now described.
8 [0024] Adverting now to the Figures, Figure 1A is a perspective
view of the invention
9 showing two stackable racks, first stackable rack 10 and second stackable
rack 10', in an
upright lockingly engaged stacked arrangement. First stackable rack 10 is
shown supporting a
11 cylindrical container. Second stackable rack 10' is shown supporting a
book and a pair of shoes.
12 First stackable rack 10 comprises first bracket 11, second bracket 12,
and shelf 13. First bracket
13 11 and second bracket 12 are identical structurally. First bracket 11
faces second bracket 12 at
14 opposite ends of shelf 13. Similarly, second stackable rack 10'
comprises first bracket 11',
second bracket 12', and shelf 13'. First bracket 11' and second bracket 12'
are identical_ First
16 bracket 11' faces second bracket 12' at opposite ends of shelf 13'.
Second stackable rack 10' is
17 identical to first stackable rack 10. Figure 18 shows a perspective of
the two stackable racks 10,
18 10' inverted. First stackable rack 10 is shown supporting a pair of
shoes. Second stackable rack
19 10' is shown supporting a book and a cylindrical container. An
additional pair of shoes is shown
under second stackable rack 10'. It should be appreciated that the invention,
comprising a
21 single rack, two racks, or more than two racks, can be oriented upright
or upside-down. In
22 Figure 18, first stackable rack 10 is lockingly engaged atop second
stackable rack 10'. Again,
23 first stackable rack 10 comprises first bracket 11, second bracket 12,
and shelf 13. Second
24 stackable rack 10' comprises first bracket 11', second bracket 12', and
shelf 13'. To invert first
stackable rack 10 and second stackable rack 10' a user can rotate the racks
without separating
26 the locking engagement. In the inverted arrangement, a user can store
objects on the floor
27 under second stackable rack 10'. In either arrangement, a user can
easily clean the floor or
28 some other supportive surface under stackable racks 10, 10'.
Additionally, in either
29 arrangement, oversized objects can be stored/organized on the upper-most
surface. Stackable
racks 10, 10' are lightweight due to the minimal amount of material used in
construction.
31 [0025] First bracket 11, second bracket 12, first bracket 11',
and second bracket 12' are
32 identical. First bracket 11 in Figure 1A comprises first arcuate member
14, second arcuate
33 member 15, and transverse member 16. First and second arcuate members
14, 15 are identical
6
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Makes Ref: 68849/00155
I and arranged substantially upright. Transverse member 16 is arranged
substantially horizontal.
2 Together. first and second arcuate members 14, 15 and transverse member
16 form a unitary
3 structure. However, it should be appreciated that first and second
arcuate members 14, 15 and
4 transverse member 16 could be separate structural components secured
together by any
suitable means, for example, screws. Preferably, first and second arcuate
members 14, 15 and
6 transverse member 16 are formed from metal, e.g., steel and chrome
plated.
7 [0026] First arcuate member 14 has first end 17 and second end
18. Second arcuate
8 member 15 includes first end 19 and second end 20. Transverse member 16
of first bracket 11
9 connects first and second arcuate members id, 15 together at their
respective first ends 17, 19.
Second bracket 12 also comprises first arcuate member 21, second arcuate
member 22, and
11 transverse member 23 which are identical to first arcuate member 14,
second arcuate member
12 15, and transverse member 16 of first bracket 11, respectively. In
Figure 1A, second arcuate
13 member 22 and transverse member 23 are not visible under shelf 13' and
shelf 13' in the
14 embodiment shown is opaque. However. shelf 13' and shelf 13 could be
transparent. In such a
case, second arcuate member 22 and transverse member 23 would be visible under
shelf 13'.
16 First bracket 11' of second stackable rack 10' shown atop first bracket
11 of first stackable rack
17 10 comprises first arcuate member 24, second arcuate member 25, and
transverse member 26
18 which are identical to first arcuate member 14, second arcuate member
15, and transverse
19 member 16 of first bracket 11, respectively. Second bracket 12' of
second stackable rack 10'
shown atop second bracket 12 of first stackable rack 10 comprises first
arcuate member 27,
21 second arcuate member 28, and transverse member 29 which are identical
to first arcuate
22 member 14, second arcuate member 15, and transverse member 16 of first
bracket 11,
23 respectively. Transverse members 23, 26, 29 connect their respective
arcuate members 21, 22,
24 24, 25, 27, 28 at their respective first ends 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63 to
be described in further detail
below, In Figure 1A, first end 55 and second end 56 are not visible under
shelf 13'. In Figure 1B,
26 first ends 53, 61 and second end 62 are not visible under shelf 13 and
shelf 13', respectively.
27 Arcuate members 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28 have the following respective
second ends 54, 56, 58,
28 60, 62, 64 which will be described in further detail below.
29 [0027] Figure 2A is a front view of the invention as shown in
Figure 1A. Second
stackable rack 10' is lockingly engaged above first stackable rack 10. First
bracket 11 of first
31 stackable rack 10 is shown opposite second bracket 12. First bracket 11'
of second stackable
32 rack 10' is shown opposite second bracket 12'. Shelf 13 of first
stackable rack 10 is disposed
33 between first and second brackets 11, 12. Shelf 13' of second stackable
rack 10' is between
7
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[Takes Ref: 68849/00155
1 first and second brackets 11', 12'. Shelf 13 is secured to first arcuate
member 14 of first bracket
2 11 proximate second end 18 of first arcuate member 14. Shelf 13 is also
secured to first arcuate
3 member 21 of second bracket 12 proximate second end 54 of first arcuate
member 21. Shelf
4 13' is secured to first arcuate member 24 of bracket 11' proximate second
end 58. Shelf 13' is
secured to first arcuate member 27 of bracket 12' proximate second end 62.
6 [0028] First arcuate member 14 further includes first extension
stub 33 cantilevered from
7 first arcuate member 14 proximate second end 18. First extension stub 33
attaches to first rail
8 40 of shelf 13. First arcuate member 21 of second bracket 12 further
includes first extension
9 stub 34 cantilevered from first arcuate member 21 proximate second end
54. First extension
stub 34 attaches to first rail 40 of shelf 13 opposite first extension stub
33. First arcuate member
11 24 of first bracket 11' of second stackable rack 10' includes first
extension stub 35 cantilevered
12 from first arcuate member 24. First extension stub 35 attaches to first
rail 41 of shelf 13'.
13 Similarly, first arcuate member 27 comprises first extension stub 36
cantilevered from first
14 arcuate member 27. First extension stub 36 attaches to first rail 41 of
shelf 13' opposite first
extension stub 35.
16 [0029] As discussed above, first arcuate member 14 of first
bracket 11 is identical to
17 second arcuate member 15 of first bracket 11. Accordingly, second
arcuate member 15 is not
18 visible behind first arcuate member 14 in Figure 2A. Similarly, first
arcuate member 21 of
19 second bracket 12 is identical to second arcuate member 22. Second
arcuate member 22 is not
visible behind first arcuate member 21 in Figure 2A. Similarly, second arcuate
members 25 and
21 28 are not visible in front of first arcuate members 24, 27,
respectively. Transverse member 16
22 is arranged under first extension stub 35 and not visible. Transverse
member 23 is arranged
23 under first extension stub 36 and not visible. Transverse member 26 is
arranged above first
24 arcuate member 24 and includes stabilizer 70 surrounding the
circumference of and removably
secured to transverse member 26. Transverse member 29 is arranged above first
arcuate
26 member 27 and includes stabilizer 72 surrounding the circumference of
and removably secured
27 to transverse member 29. Stabilizers 70, 72 provide stability when
second stackable rack 10' is
28 inverted and transverse members 26, 29 are arranged on a floor or some
other supportive
29 surface.
[0030] Figure 2B shows a rear view of the invention as shown in Figure 1A.
Second rail
31 42 of shelf 13 is visible between first and second brackets 11, 12 of
stackable rack 10. Second
32 rail 43 of shelf 13' is visible between first and second brackets 11'.
12' of stackable rack 10'.
33 Second arcuate member 15 is visible in front of first arcuate member 14.
Second arcuate
8
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1 member 15 includes second extension stub 44 cantilevered from second
arcuate member 15.
2 Second extension stub 44 connects with shelf 13 proximate second end 20
of second arcuate
3 member 15. Second arcuate member 22 of bracket 12 is visible in front of
first arcuate member
4 21. Second arcuate member 22 comprises second extension stub 45
cantilevered from second
arcuate member 22. Second extension stub 45 connects with shelf 13 proximate
second end
6 56. Second arcuate member 25 of bracket 11' is visible in front of first
arcuate member 24.
7 Second arcuate member 25 comprises second extension stub 46 cantilevered
from second
8 arcuate member 25. Second extension stub 46 connects with shelf 13'
proximate second end
9 60 of second arcuate member 25. Second arcuate member 28 of bracket 12'
is visible in front of
first arcuate member 27. Second arcuate member 28 comprises second extension
stub 47
11 cantilevered from second arcuate member 28. Second extension stub 47
connects with shelf
12 13' proximate second end 64 of second arcuate member 28. Transverse
member 16 is
13 arranged under second extension stub 46. Transverse member 23 is
arranged under second
14 extension stub 47. Transverse member 26 is arranged atop second arcuate
member 25 and
includes stabilizer 71 surrounding the circumference of and removably secured
to transverse
16 member 26. Transverse member 29 is arranged atop arcuate member 28 and
includes stabilizer
17 73 surrounding the circumference of and removably secured to transverse
member 29.
18 Stabilizers 71, 73 provide stability when second stackable rack 10' is
inverted and transverse
19 members 26, 29 are arranged on a floor or some other supportive surface.
[0031] The invention shown in Figure 1A is illustrated from the left in
Figure 3A. Second
21 stackable rack 10' is lockingly engaged above first stackable rack 10.
First bracket 11' is not
22 visible behind second bracket 12' and first bracket 11 is not visible
behind second bracket 12,
23 Second bracket 12' is atop second bracket 12. As discussed above,
transverse member 23
24 connects first and second arcuate members 21. 22 at their respective
first ends 53, 55,
Similarly, transverse member 29 connects first and second arcuate members 27,
28 at their
26 respective first ends 61, 63. First and second arcuate members 21, 22
are arranged at acute
27 angle a relative to transverse member 23. Similarly, first and second
arcuate members 27, 28
28 are arranged at acute angle a relative to transverse member 29. Acute
angle a in second
29 brackets 12, 12' are identical. Acute angle a in second bracket 12
provides a greater distance
between first ends 53, 55 arranged on opposite ends of transverse member 23 as
compared
31 with the distance between second ends 54, 56 of first and second arcuate
members 21. 22,
32 respectively. Acute angle a in second bracket 12' provides a greater
distance between first ends
33 61, 63 arranged on opposite ends of transverse member 29 as compared
with the distance
9
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Blakes Ref: 68849100155
1 between second ends 62, 64 of first and second arcuate members 27, 28.
respectively. Since
2 the distance between second ends 62, 64 of first and second arcuate
members 27, 28 is smaller
3 than the distance between first ends 53. 55 of first and second arcuate
members 21, 22, a user
4 can arrange second ends 62, 64 of first and second arcuate members 27, 28
between first ends
53, 55 of first and second arcuate members 21, 22. Preferably, acute angle a
is approximately
6 87 degrees. However, it should be appreciated that acute angle a could be
increased or
7 decreased depending on the desired shape and/or manner of the locking
engagement between
8 second brackets 12, 12'. Transverse member 29 includes stabilizers 72,
73.
9 [0032] Figure 3B shows the right side of the invention shown in
Figure 1A. Second
stackabie rack 10' is lockingly engaged above first stackable rack 10. Second
bracket 12 is not
11 visible behind first bracket 11 and second bracket 12' is not visible
behind first bracket 11'. First
12 bracket 11' is above first bracket 11. Transverse member 16 connects
first and second arcuate
13 members 14, 15 at their respective first ends 17, 19. Similarly,
transverse member 26 connects
14 first and second arcuate members 24, 25 at their respective first ends
57, 59. First and second
arcuate members 14, 15 are arranged at acute angle a relative to transverse
member 16.
16 Similarly, first and second arcuate members 24. 25 are arranged at acute
angle a relative to
17 transverse member 26. Acute angle a in first bracket 11 provides a
greater distance between
18 first ends 17, 19 arranged on opposite ends of transverse member 16 as
compared with the
19 distance between second ends 18, 20 of first and second arcuate members
14, 15, respectively.
Acute angle a in second bracket 11' provides a greater distance between first
ends 57, 59
21 arranged on opposite ends of transverse member 26 as compared with the
distance between
22 second ends 58, 60 of first and second arcuate members 24, 25.
respectively. Since the
23 distance between second ends 58, 60 of first and second arcuate members
24, 25 is smaller
24 than the distance between first ends 17, 19 of first and second arcuate
members 14, 15, a user
can arrange second ends 58, 60 of first and second arcuate members 24, 25
between first ends
26 17, 19 of first and second arcuate members 14, 15. Preferably, acute
angle a is approximately
27 87 degrees. However, it should be appreciated that acute angle a could
be increased or
28 decreased depending on the desired shape and/or manner of the locking
engagement between
29 first brackets 11, 11'. Transverse member 26 includes stabilizers 70,
71,
[0033] Second ends 18, 20 comprise feet 100, 101. Second ends 58, 60
comprise feet
31 102, 103. Second ends 54, 56 comprise feet 104, 105, Second ends 53, 55
comprise feet 106,
32 107. Feet 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 cap ends 18, 20, 58,
60, 54, 56, 62, 64,
33 respectively. Feet 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106. 107 are identical
and interchangeable.
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CA 02817608 2013-06-04
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Rialtos Ref: 68849/00155
1 Preferably. feet 100. 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106. 107 are made of a
rubber or silicone or any
2 suitable slip resistant material When first and second arcuate members
27, 28 are engaged
3 with first and second members 21, 22 in Figure 3A, the left-most and
right-most respective
4 portions of feet 106, 107 of first and second arcuate members 27. 28 are
tucked behind first and
second arcuate members 21, 22, This arrangement helps maintain engagement
between
6 brackets 12, 12'. In Figure 30, first and second arcuate members 24, 25
are engaged with first
7 and second arcuate members 14, 15. The left-most and right-most
respective portions of feet
8 102, 103 of first and second arcuate members 24, 25 are tucked behind
first and second
9 arcuate members 14, 15.
[0034] In Figure 3A, transverse member 29 connects first and second arcuate
members
11 27, 28. Transverse member 29 abuts first arcuate member 27 and together,
where they abut,
12 transverse member 29 and first arcuate member 27 form corner 80.
Similarly, transverse
13 member 29 abuts second arcuate member 28 and together, where they abut,
transverse
14 member 29 and second arcuate member 28 form corner 81. Preferably,
corners 80. 81 are
identical but, it should be appreciated that corners 80, 81 need not be
identical. Also shown in
16 Figure 3A, transverse member 23 connects first and second arcuate
members 21, 22.
17 Transverse member 23 abuts first arcuate member 21 and together, where
they abut.
18 transverse member 23 and first arcuate member 21 form corner 82.
Transverse member 23
19 also abuts second arcuate member 22 and together, where they abut,
transverse member 23
and second arcuate member 22 form corner 83. In Figure 38, transverse member
26 connects
21 first and second arcuate members 24, 25. Transverse member 26 abuts
first arcuate member
22 24 and together, where they abut, transverse member 26 and first arcuate
member 24 form
23 corner 84. Transverse member 26 also abuts second arcuate member 25 and
together, where
24 they abut, transverse member 26 and second arcuate member 25 form corner
85. Within first
stackable rack 10 in Figure 38, transverse member 16 connects first and second
arcuate
26 members 14, 15. Transverse member 16 abuts first arcuate member 14 and
together, where
27 they abut, transverse member 16 and first arcuate member 14 form corner
86. Transverse
28 member 16 also abuts second arcuate member 15 and together, where they
abut, transverse
29 member 16 and second arcuate member 15 form corner 87. In the preferred
embodiment,
corners 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 are rounded. However, it should be
appreciated that
31 corners 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 could be straight, nonlinear,
curved, or angled.
32 [0035] Figure 4A shows a top view of the invention shown in Figure
1A. First stackable
33 rack 10 is under second stackable rack 10'. Shelf 13' is between first
bracket 11' and second
11
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Makes Ref: 68849100155
1 bracket 12'. Stabilizers 70, 71 are wrapped around transverse member 26.
Stabilizers 72, 73
2 are wrapped around transverse member 29. It should be appreciated that
because first and
3 second arcuate members 24, 25 form acute angles a with respect to
transverse member 26, a
4 portion of second ends 58, 60 are visible under first ends 57, 59 of
first bracket 11', respectively.
Similarly, with respect to second bracket 12'. a portion of second ends 62,64
are visible under
6 first ends 61, 63. respectively.
7 [0036] Shelf 13' comprises first rail 41. second rail 43, and netting
90. First and second
8 rails 41,43 are straight, parallel, and on opposite edges of shelf 13'.
First rail 41 connects first
9 arcuate member 27 and first arcuate member 24 through netting 90. Second
rail 43 connects
second arcuate member 28 and second arcuate member 25 through netting 90.
First and
11 second rails 41, 43 are cylindrical and identical. Preferably, first and
second rails 41, 43 are
12 made of steel but, could be made of any rigid material for example,
plastic. Netting 90
13 comprises pockets 91, 92 which allow first and second rails 41, 43 to
pass through shelf 13'
14 between first bracket 11' and second bracket 12'. Netting 90 is
preferably mesh however, it
should be appreciated that netting 90 could be any suitable alternative for
example, canvas.
16 Mesh is preferred because it is sturdy and semi-permeable. If an object
supported is dirty or
17 wet, such dirt or moisture can penetrate shelf 13 or shelf 13'. The semi-
permeable quality is
18 advantageous because it prevents dirt and/or moisture being left on
shelf 13 or shelf 13'. Dirt
19 and/or moisture remaining on shelf 13 or shelf 13' can cause unwanted
expedited wear on the
surface of the shelf,
21 [0037] Figure 46 shows a bottom view of the invention shown in Figure
1A, Second
22 stackable rack 10' is under first stackable rack 10. Stabilizers 70, 71
surrounding transverse
23 member 26 of first bracket 11' are visible because stabilizers 70, 71
have a larger
24 circumference than the circumference of transverse member 26. Similarly,
stabilizers 72, 73
surrounding transverse member 29 of second bracket 12' are visible. Shelf 13
is between first
26 bracket 11 and second bracket 12. First ends 17, 19 of first bracket 11
are visible under second
27 ends 18, 20, respectively. Foot 100 is capped on first arcuate member 14
proximate second end
28 18. Foot 101 is capped on second arcuate member 15 proximate second end
20. First ends 53,
29 55 of second bracket 12 are visible under second ends 54, 56,
respectively, of second bracket
12. Foot 104 is capped on first arcuate member 21 proximate second end 54.
Foot 105 is
31 capped on second arcuate member 22 proximate second end 56.
32 [0038] Shelf 13, like shelf 13', comprises first rail 40, second rail
42, and netting 95.
33 Shelf 13 is identical to shelf 13'. First and second rails 40, 42 are
straight, parallel; and on
12
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Blakes Ref: 68849100155
1 opposite edges of shelf 13. First rail 40 connects first arcuate members
21, 14 through netting
2 95. Second rail 42 connects second arcuate members 22, 15 through netting
95. First and
3 second rails 40, 42 are cylindrical and identical. Like netting 90,
netting 95 comprises pockets
4 96, 97, which slidingly engage first and second rails 40, 42,
respectively. It should be
appreciated that shelf 13 and shelf 13' could take many forms. For example,
shelf 13 or shelf
6 13' could be made of continuous wood planks, spaced apart wood planks, or
wire.
7 [0039] Figure 5A illustrates how a user obtains the locking engagement
between
8 stackable racks 10, 10'. With first stackable rack 10 positioned on a
flat supportive surface, for
9 example. a floor or a table, a user grabs hold of second stackable rack
10' by gripping
transverse members 26, 29. Then a user arranges first bracket 11' such that
second ends 58,
11 60 are tucked under transverse member 16 and between first and second
arcuate members 14,
12 15. Extension stubs 35, 46 rest atop transverse member 16.
13 [0040] With the same hand that placed first bracket 11', a user then
grabs transverse
14 member 23 and presses it toward first bracket 11 in the direction shown,
Next, a user places
second bracket 12' down and around second bracket 12 to the outside. When the
user removes
16 inward pressure from second bracket 12, second bracket 12 flexes outward
to its unstressed
17 state. Second ends 62, 64 are tucked under transverse member 23 and
between first and
18 second arcuate members 21, 22. Extension stubs 36, 47 rest atop
transverse member 23.
19 [0041] As shown in Figure 58, in locked arrangement, second ends 58,
60, 62, 64 are
engaged with their corresponding corners 86, 87, 82, 83, A portion of shelf
13' is removed to
21 show second end 64 in locked engagement with second arcuate member 22
and transverse
22 member 23. It should be appreciated that stackable racks 10, 10' could
be stacked in the
23 upright arrangement as shown or in the upside-down arrangement. In the
upside-down
24 arrangement, a user can place second stackable rack 10' along a floor or
some other supportive
surface with transverse members 26. 29 in contact with the floor or other
surface as shown in
26 Figure 16. Then a user can place first bracket 11 such that transverse
member 16 rests atop
27 first and second extension stubs 35, 46 of first bracket 11' and second
ends 58, 60 of first
28 bracket 11' protrude inwardly between first and second arcuate members
14, 15. Next, a user
29 can place second bracket 12 on top of second bracket 12' by first
pressing transverse member
23 inward toward first bracket 11 and second tucking corners 82, 83 around
second ends 62,
31 64. Transverse member 23 rests atop first and second extension stubs 36.
47. Once first and
32 second stackable racks 10, 10' are lockingly engaged, they can be moved
and/or lifted together.
33 It should be appreciated that due to the nature of the locking
arrangement and the flexibility of
13
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Slakes Ref: 68849/00155
1 first and second brackets 11, 12, 11', 12', first and second stackable
racks 10, 10' can
2 automatically disengage, if necessary. If a user suspends first and
second stackable racks 10,
3 10' by holding transverse member 26, 29 and first stackable rack 10 is
supporting a load that it
4 too heavy, first stackable rack 10 can automatically disengage. A user
does not have to
manually disengage first stackable rack 10.
6 [0042] Figure 6 shows an exploded view of second stackable rack
10' as shown in
7 Figure 1A. First bracket 11' comprises first and second arcuate members
24. 25 and transverse
8 member 26. Second bracket 12' comprises first and second arcuate members
27, 28 and
9 transverse member 29. First bracket 11' further comprises cantilevered
first and second
extension stubs 35, 46, Second bracket 12' further comprises cantilevered
first and second
11 extension stubs 36, 47. Each extension stub 35, 36, 46, 47 comprises a
respective button 37,
12 38, 48, 49 protruding toward the other. Buttons 37, 38, 48, 49 are part
of spring button clips
13 arranged within first and second extension stubs 35. 36, 46, 47 to be
described further below.
14 First bracket 11' is arranged to receive feet 102, 103 and stabilizers
70, 71 which make the
invention a highly stable rack whether arranged upright or upside-down. Second
bracket 12' is
16 arranged to receive feet 106, 107 and stabilizers 72, 73. First and
second extension stubs 35,
17 46 are arranged to receive first and second rails 41, 43, respectively,
of shelf 13'. First and
18 second extension stubs 36, 47 are arranged to receive first and second
rails 41, 53,
19 respectively, Second rail 43 is hollow and arranged to slidingly receive
second extension stubs
46, 47. Second extension stubs 46, 47 slidingly engage the inside
circumference of second rail
21 43. Second rail 43 comprises aperture 110 to lockingly engage button 38
and aperture 111 to
22 lockingly engage button 49. First rail 41 is hollow and arranged to
slidingly receive first
23 extension stubs 35. 36. First rail 41 contains apertures 112, 113 (not
shown) opposite apertures
24 110, 111, respectively. In Figure 6. apertures 112, 113 are not visible
because they are facing
apertures 110. 111. Aperture 111 of second rail 43 is axially displaced from
aperture 110.
26 Aperture 111 of second rail 43 is arranged to slidingly receive second
extension stub 47 and
27 lockingly engage button 49 of second extension stub 47.
28 [0043] Netting 90 of shelf 13' slidingly engages first and
second rails 41, 43.
29 Specifically, pocket 91 of netting 90 slidingly engages first rail 41.
Pocket 92 of netting 90
slidingly engages second rail 43. Pocket 91 is formed by folding over netting
90 and sewing
31 closed the folded over portion. Seam 93 represents where netting 90 is
folded over and sewn
32 closed. Seam 93 is longitudinally arranged along netting 90. Pocket 92
is identical to pocket 91.
14
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1 Seam 94 represents where netting 90 is folded over and sewn closed. When
pockets 91. 92 are
2 covering first and second rails 41, 43 netting 90 is taut.
3 [0044] Figure 7A is a detail of second arcuate member 28 of
second bracket 12' and
4 second cantilevered stub 47 as shown in Figure 6 except foot 107 is
capped in Figure 7A, not
exploded as shown in Figure 6. As previously discussed, first and second
extension stubs 33,
6 34, 35, 36, 44, 45, 46, 47 are identical and all contain removable spring
button clips. In Figure
7 7A, second extension stub 47 contains removable spring button clip 50.
When positioned in
8 second extension stub 47, spring button clip 50 is locked in place
because button 49 protrudes
9 through aperture 51 arranged in second extension stub 47. Figure 7B shows
spring button clip
50 partially extruded from second extension stub 47. Spring button clip 50 can
be removed
11 when button 49 is pressed into aperture 51 with a small object, like a
pen cap, and pressed
12 outward toward open end 52 of second extension stub 47. Once spring
button clip 50 protrudes
13 from open end 52 enough so that a user can grab it, spring button clip
50 can be pulled out.
14 [0045] Figure 7C shows spring button clip 50 completely extruded
from second
extension stub 47, Spring button clip 50 is a straight edge, V-shape, single
button clip available
16 from Valco / Valley Tool & Die, Inc, located at 10020 York Theta Drive,
North Royalton, OH,
17 44133. Other suitable spring clips could be implemented as well. As
shown, spring button clip
18 50 is biased open so that when it is pressed into second extension stub
47, button 49
19 automatically protrudes through aperture 51 when it is able to lock
spring button clip 50 in place.
[0046] Figure 8 shows a portion of first bracket 11' as defined by the
detail box shown in
21 Figure 18, Stabilizer 71 is attached to transverse member 26. Stabilizer
70 is suspended below
22 and not attached to transverse member 26. Stabilizers 70, 71 are similar
to round saddle feet
23 without pegs, which are used to lift pieces of furniture off the floor
to prevent damage.
24 Stabilizers 70, 71 are identical to stabilizers 72, 73, Stabilizer 70 is
cylindrical and has through
bore to accommodate transverse member 26. Additionally, stabilizer 70 has slit
75, which allows
26 stabilizer 70 to flexibly open and close around transverse member 26,
Stabilizers 70. 71, 72, 73
27 are preferably rubber or a silicone. However, they could be made of
plastic with gripping or any
28 other suitable slip resistant material. Preferably, stabilizers 70, 71
are cylindrical however, it
29 should be appreciated that they could take any form. For example,
stabilizers could be
rectangular prisms. Additionally. it should be appreciated that brackets 11,
11', 12, 12' could be
31 any shape rather than cylindrical.
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Bakes Ref: 68849100155
1 [0047] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are
efficiently obtained,
2 although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily
apparent to those having
3 ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within
the spirit and scope of the
4 invention as claimed It also is understood that the foregoing description
is illustrative of the
present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other
embodiments of the
6 present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present
7 invention.
8
16
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1 REFERENCE NUMERALS
2 10 first stackable rack
3 10' second stackabie rack
4 11 first bracket
11' first bracket
6 12 second bracket
7 12' second bracket
8 13 shelf
9 13' shelf
14 first arcuate member
11 15 second arcuate member
12 16 transverse member
13 17 first end of member 14
14 18 second end of member 14
19 first end of member 15
16 20 second end of member 15
17 21 first arcuate member
18 22 second arcuate member
19 23 transverse member
24 first arcuate member
21 25 second arcuate member
22 26 transverse member
23 27 first arcuate member
24 28 second arcuate member
29 transverse member
26 33 first extension stub
17
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1 34 first extension stub
2 35 first extension stub
3 36 first extension stub
4 37 button
38 button
6 40 first rail
7 41 first rail
8 42 second rail
9 43 second rail
44 second extension stub
11 45 second extension stub
12 46 second extension stub
13 47 second extension stub
14 48 button
49 button
16 50 spring button clip
17 51 aperture
18 52 open end
19 53 first end of member 21
54 second end of member 21
21 55 first end of member 22
22 56 second end of member 22
23 57 first end of member 24
24 58 second end of member 24
59 first end of member 25
26 60 second end of member 25
18
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1 61 first end of member 27
2 62 second end of member 27
3 63 first end of member 28
4 64 second end of member 28
70 stabilizer
6 71 stabilizer
7 72 stabilizer
8 73 stabilizer
9 74 through-bore
75 slit
11 80 corner
12 81 corner
13 82 corner
14 83 corner
84 corner
16 85 corner
17 86 corner
18 87 corner
19 90 netting
91 pocket
21 92 pocket
22 95 netting
23 96 pocket
24 97 pocket
100 foot
26 101 foot
19
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1 102 foot
2 103 foot
3 104 foot
4 105 foot
106 foot
6 107 foot
7 110 aperture
8 111 aperture
9 112 aperture
113 aperture
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