Extendible support for hanging articles

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to supports for hanging articles, and more specifically to support arms designed for the consumer market which can be mounted on a wire shelf for the support of hanging clothing or other articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various supports such as valet rods are known in the art. One issue with such supports is that they are often straight bars that telescope and waste space. One such device is the expandable valet by Elfa International AB. Another disadvantage of straight bars is that all but the front facing garment is hidden from view making garment selection difficult. It would be desirable to provide a telescoping sloping support that can be affixed to a length of wire shelving which is frequently employed in residential settings such as closets, and utility rooms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a sloping support member for hanging articles that is reversibly attachable to wire shelves and the like. The support member is especially useful for planning wardrobe changes, selecting items that need to be dry cleaned and many other wardrobe related tasks.

Multiple support members can attach along a length of wire shelving to provide additional hanging space.

In one aspect of the present invention, a sloping support member is reversibly extendible so that it project forward relative to hanging garments beneath a length of shelving.

In another aspect of the present invention, a sloping support member is reversibly extendible so that it project forward relative to hanging garments beneath a length of shelving which can be pivoted out of the way when desired.

The description as follows is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, combinations and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is first half of a partial plan view of one embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 1b is the second half of the partial plan view of (FIG. 1a);

FIG. 2 front facing view of the embodiment of (FIGS. 1a, 1b) taken in the direction of arrow (a′);

FIG. 3 is a perspective view a portion of the embodiment of (FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2) that attaches to an underside of a wire shelf;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view a portion of another embodiment according to the present invention that attaches to an underside of a wire shelf, that includes a pivoting support arm that can be tightened into a fixed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference listing:

• 10′ sloping support member
• 12 attachment bracket(s)
• 14 stationary bar
• 16 upper end support arm
• 17 sliding member end cap
• 20 support arm
• 21 clamp
• 22 hanger knobs
• 23 clamp knob

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, a support member 10′ for displaying garments includes a rigid downwardly sloping support arm 20 with end cap 17 which can be slid in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 1a, and a shelf attachment assembly including forward and rear attachment brackets 12 that possess recesses for snapping to the transverse and longitudinal wire portions respectively, of wire shelving. Upper end 16 of support arm 20 slides freely within an aperture formed in the forward bracket 12. End cap 17 is shaped and sized to glide along stationary bar 14. The weight of the support arm 20 retains end cap 17 in position wherein it is coupled to stationary bar 14. While stationary bar 14 is presented as a tube or rod, it can be any shape which permits end cap 17 to slide thereon. Both the support arm and the attachment assembly can be made of plastic, metal, a combination of the two materials, or of any suitably rigid material combination suggesting itself to those skilled in the art. While hanger knobs_22 are depicted as a series of spherical members affixed to the support member 20, a series of troughs, waves, or ridges on the support arm can also separate and evenly space a number of garment hanger hooks. While preferably, the support arm is serpentine, it can can straight and pivotable to a number of lockable positions by means of a clamp 21 as shown in (FIG. 4). In this way the support member can both extend outwardly and be pivoted out of the way when desired. Support arm is secured in position by loosening knob 23, pivoting the arm to a desired position which will rotate one side of the clamping plates with meshed teeth, and re-tightening knob 23. It should be understood that the particular clamping means with plates and meshing teeth is but one means of securing the arm in position and other clamping means will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and having benefit of this disclosure. While the attachment brackets are shown as a pair, it is conceivable that they will be formed together and can further incorporate the stationary bar into a single molded section. Furthermore, it is conceivable that more than one type of support arms can be used with the invention if end cap 17 is removable from the support arm, for example, by use of a set screw. The support are can be made to swing rotationally as well as pivot transversely relative to the wire shelving by permitting upper portion 16 to rotate within end cap 17. This can be accomplished by extending the upper portion through the end cap and placing respectively, a cotter pin, or ring clip through or around terminal end of portion

It should be understood that while the support arm is depicted as a curving rod, it can possess a rectangular cross-sectional profile, or for that matter any shaped cross-sectional profile such as a ellipse or triangle among others. For example, while it is intended that hooks portions of garment hangers are placed on top of the arm and held in place by hanger knobs 22, it is conceivable that a support arm can have apertures for placement therethrough of hanger hooks.

While the invention has been described by the particular embodiments given, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the particular forms set forth. Accordingly, the invention is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.