WO1996017540A1

WO1996017540A1 - Vertical rack for sports equipment

Info

Publication number: WO1996017540A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/015940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tamara Lynn Laug; Robert Lee Bromley
Original assignee: Thamm, Jake
Priority date: 1994-12-08
Filing date: 1995-12-07
Publication date: 1996-06-13
Also published as: AU4511096A

Abstract

A vertical rack (1) for storing sports equipment is formed by a vertically slanted main strut (4) supported by a base (2) having rollers (7). The top of the slanted main strut (4) allows the base (2) to be rocked back on its rollers (7) for ground transport. Vertical grooves (G1, G2, G3, G4) in the slanted main strut (4) support slidable braces such as a golf bag ring (27), a ski brace, a bicycle support bar (17), a ball container (23), and a boot tray (29).

Description

VERTICAL RACK FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to vertical, portable sports racks capable of storing bicycles, skis, golf bags, skates, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sports racks capable of storing bicycles, skis, golf bags, skates, and the like are known in the art. One such sports rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,505 (1991) to Spratt. Spratt teaches a horizontally arranged storage rack for bikes, surf boards, shoes, and the like. Skis can be hung vertically from a top horizontal bar. The entire apparatus is supported by a pair of floor to ceiling support rods. Vertical adjustment can be done with wing nut clamps riding on the main support rods. A bicycle body clamp to repair a bicycle projects to the side from a support rod. The Spratt rack requires a pair of floor to ceiling support rods for providing structural integrity. Thus, the Spratt device cannot be easily moved. Also, the Spratt device stores the items horizontally which uses up considerably more floor space than storing the same items vertically.

U.S. Pat. No. 907,171 (1908) to Knight discloses an umbrella rack for supporting umbrellas, brushes, golf clubs, and the like. Numerous ledges protrude from a single vertical inclined upright rod. Numerous loops also protrude above each ledge so that an umbrella can be placed in a loop and supported on a ledge in a perpendicular position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a compact vertical sports equipment storage rack which can hold bicycles, skis, a golf bag, skates, sports balls, and other items of choice. Another object of the present invention is to provide vertical adjustment means for all the various sports equipment clamps thereby creating a versatile storage system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for ground transport of a fully loaded vertical sports rack.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is embodied in a vertical sports rack supported on a base having a floor contact surface. A slanted support sleeve is formed on the base in a position angled inwardly toward the central area of the base. A main vertical strut is supported in the support sleeve. The main strut has a height substantially equal to the length of adult snow skis. A plurality of vertical grooves are defined in the main strut and engage a horizontal bar support having tongues slidingly engaged in the grooves. A horizontal bar is affixed to the horizontal bar support and supports clamps for engaging and holding bicycles, skis, and other sports gear in a vertical orientation on the horizontal bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment loaded with sports equipment.

Fig. 2 is the same view as Fig. 1 but with the vertical sports rack unloaded. Fig. 3 is a left side plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a left side perspective view of an alternate embodiment having a one piece base.

Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of a universal sliding brace. Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a sliding horizontal bar brace.

Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of a first member of a two member ski clamp. Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the main support strut of the preferred embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a dual horizontal rim and vertical strut fixture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to Fig. 1, the vertical sports stand 1 has a tubular support base 2 shaped as a triangle. A vertical brace 3 snaps onto the tubular support base 2. A main vertical strut 4 supports all the various sports equipment braces. The handle 6 is used to tilt the vertical sports stand 1 onto the rollers 7 for ground transport. A base pan 8 is releasably fastened to the tubular support base 2 at 5. The base pan 8 has ski pockets 9, 10 to support skis 11, 12. Wheel pockets 13, 14 are used to support bicycles 15, 16. The horizontal bar 17 supports bicycle frame clamp 18, 19 at each end.

A pair of parallel clamps 20 (see Fig. 7) support a tennis racket 22. A ball basket 23 is supported by a vertical brace 275 (see Fig. 9) . The ball basket 23 has a pair of horizontal rims 271, 272 that fit into the vertical brace 275 and universal brace 30 via bolts 276 as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 has substituted the golf bag bucket 273 for the ball basket 23. A golf bag 26 is supported by ring brace 27. An optional U-shaped brace B is also used for support. In-line skates 28 are supported by boot tray 29. The universal brace 30 shown in Fig. 5 supports the boot tray 29.

Referring next to Fig. 2, it can be seen that boot tray 29 has slots 31 for holding ice skates or in-line skates and the like. Each pair of parallel clamps 20 has an identical member opposing it. The distance between each member 20 is adjustable by sliding either member along the horizontal bar 17 in grooves X, Y.

The frame clamps 18, 19 are identical. A first jaw 191 closes against a second jaw 192 by means of a threaded collar 193 in a known manner. The frame clamps 18, 19 are rotatable as shown in Fig. 3.

The ring brace 27 has an upper support ring 271 and a lower support ring 272. The lower support ring 272 is bolted into the vertical brace 275 with bolts 276 (Fig. 9) . A bucket 273 attached to lower support ring 272 holds the bottom of a golf bag 26 as shown in Fig. 1.

The vertical grooves G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄ of main vertical strut 4 enable all the supports to be individually adjusted to the desired height. In Fig. 5 the universal brace 30 has tongues 301, 302 which ride in grooves G₂, G₄. Holes 303 enable any type of support to be bolted therethrough. In Fig. 6 the horizontal bar support 24 has tongues 241, 242 which also ride in grooves G₂, G₄. Tongues 707, 708 of horizontal bar support 24 ride in grooves X, Y of horizontal bar 17. A general purpose hook 91 slides up and down groove G₁ as seen in Fig. 2.

Referring next to Fig. 3, it can be seen that a variety of uses can be made of space 300 such as mounting the ball basket 23 of Fig. 1 in the space. Height is substantially similar to the length of the adult snow skis shown in Fig. 1.

Referring next to Fig. 4, the alternate embodiment rack 100 differs primarily by having a one piece base 200. The base 200 is preferably a single injection molded piece. The wheel pockets 130, 140 are functionally equivalent to wheel pockets 13, 14. The ski pockets 900, 1000 are functionally equivalent to ski pockets 9, 10. Rollers 700 are functionally equivalent to rollers 7. Handle 60 is functionally equivalent to handle 6. Referring to Fig. 8, a traditional tongue-in-groove arrangement is shown.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vertical rack for supporting sports equipment comprising: a base having a floor contact and an upwardly slanted support hub angled inwardly toward a central area of the base; a main vertical strut; means on said slanted support hub for supporting said main strut; said main strut having a height substantially equal to the length of adult snow skis; and said main strut further defining a plurality of vertical grooves for engaging and adjustably supporting a plurality of sports equipment braces.

2. A vertical rack as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a horizontal bar support engageable with said strut; a horizontal bar affixed to said horizontal bar support; said horizontal bar further comprising a pair of bicycle frame clamps for holding a bicycle vertically, and a pair of clamps for holding skis and sports gear.

3. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said main strut further comprises a sleeve defining a socket.

4. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 1 further comprising rollers on said base.

5. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 1 further comprising a universal brace adjustably secured to said strut and a boot tray affixed to said universal brace.

6. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 1 further comprising a golf bag support ring.

7. A vertical rack for supporting sports equipment comprising: a base stand; a vertical strut affixed to said base stand and extending upwardly therefrom in a slanted manner toward a center of the base stand; said vertical strut defining a plurality of vertical grooves; a plurality of vertically sliding braces slidably mounted in said vertical grooves; and said vertically sliding braces further comprising means for supporting selected items of sporting equipment.

8. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 7 further comprising rollers on said base stand, and a handle on said strut for tilting said vertical sports rack onto the rollers for ground transport.

9. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 7 wherein said vertical strut further is of a height substantially equal to the length of adult skis, and the means for supporting sporting equipment comprise a ski clamp and a bicycle frame clamp, each mounted on a horizontal bar.

10. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 7 further comprising a boot tray releasably engaged with one of said vertical grooves.

11. The vertical sports rack defined in claim 7 further comprising a ball container releasably engaged with one of said vertical grooves.

12. A vertical sports rack comprising: a base having a floor contact surface, a slanted support sleeve on said base and angled inward toward a central area of said base; a main vertical strut supported in said support sleeve, said main strut having a height substantially equal to the length of adult snow skis; said main strut defining a plurality of vertical grooves; a horizontal bar support having tongues slidingly engaged in said vertical grooves; a horizontal bar affixed to said horizontal bar support; and a pair of bicycle frame clamps to hold bicycles vertically, and a pair of clamps to hold skis and sports gear vertically secured to said horizontal bar.