MODULAR BOTTLE RACK

Abstract

A modular bottle rack comprising a plurality of support bars configured to mount to a rack mounting surface in a horizontal position relative to a ground surface, a plurality of pairs of bottle supports coupled to each of the support bars, a plurality of support bar brackets, a plurality of wine glasses holders coupled to one of the support bars, and a shelf for holding bottles coupled to at least one of the support bars. Each of the bottle supports comprises a base sleeve that couples the corresponding bottle support to the corresponding support bar, and a plurality of undulating extensions coupled to and extending from the base sleeve. Each undulating extension comprises at least one concave section configured to receive and support a portion of a bottle. Each support bar bracket comprises a support bar receiving portion and two flanges extending from opposed ends of the receiving portion.

Claims

1. A modular bottle rack comprising: a) a plurality of support bars configured to mount to a rack mounting surface in a horizontal position relative to a ground surface, each support bar being hollow, having a square shaped cross-section and two opposed ends; b) a plurality of pairs of bottle supports coupled to each of the support bars, each of the bottle supports comprising: i) a base sleeve that couples the corresponding bottle support to the corresponding support bar, the base sleeve being hollow and square shaped such that the corresponding support bar extends through the hollow base sleeve and the base sleeve is positioned around and in close contact with an outside surface of the corresponding support bar, the base sleeve further comprising a set screw that extends through an opening in a lower surface of the sleeve, wherein the set screw is used to secure the base sleeve to the corresponding support bar; and ii) a plurality of undulating extensions coupled to and extending from the base sleeve, each undulating extension comprising at least one concave section configured to receive and support a portion of a bottle; wherein at least one bottle having a neck and a barrel can lay across and be supported by the pair of bottle supports, and the concave section of one of the pair of bottle supports is configured to receive the barrel of the bottle and the other of the pair of bottle supports is configured to receive the neck of the bottle; c) a plurality of support bar brackets configured to couple the support bars to the rack mounting surface, each support bar bracket comprising: i) a support bar receiving portion for receiving a portion of the support bar; and ii) two flanges extending from opposed ends receiving portion, each flange having at least one hole there through for a fastener to be inserted and used secure the support bar bracket to the rack mounting surface; d) a plurality of wine glasses holders coupled to at least one of the support bars; and e) a shelf for holding bottles of liquid coupled to at least one of the support bars.

2. The modular bottle rack of claim 1, wherein when the bottles are placed on the bottle supports, the bottles lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding support bar.

3. The modular bottle rack of claim 1, wherein the rack mounting surface is a pair of vertically oriented elongate supports and each of the opposed ends of each of the support bars couples to an inner surface of one of the two vertically oriented elongate supports utilizing a pair of support bar brackets, wherein the inner surface of each vertically oriented elongate supports comprises a plurality of support bar mounting holes there through.

4. The modular bottle rack of claim 3, wherein each vertically oriented elongate support has a base mounting bracket for securing one end of the corresponding vertically oriented elongate support to the ground surface and a top mounting bracket for securing an other end of the corresponding vertically oriented elongate support to a ceiling surface.

5. The modular bottle rack of claim 1, wherein the rack mounting surface is vertically oriented wall surface and the receiving portion of the support bar bracket comprises a C-shaped concave portion that fits around the outer surface of the corresponding support bar.

6. A modular bottle rack comprising: a) at least one elongate support bar configured to mount to a rack mounting surface in a horizontal position relative to a ground surface, the support bar having two opposed ends; b) at least one bottle support coupled to the support bar, the bottle support comprising: i) a base sleeve that couples the corresponding bottle support to the support bar, the base sleeve being hollow such that the support bar extends through the hollow base sleeve and the base sleeve is positioned around and in close contact with an outside surface of the support bar, the base sleeve further comprising a set screw that extends through an opening in a surface of the sleeve, wherein the set screw is used to secure the base sleeve to the support bar; and ii) a bottle holding portion; c) a plurality of support bar brackets configured to couple the support bar to the rack mounting surface.

7. The modular bottle rack of claim 6, wherein each support bar bracket comprises: i) a support bar receiving portion configured to receive a portion of the support bar; and ii) two flanges extending from opposed ends of the receiving portion, each flange having at least one hole there through for a fastener to be inserted and used secure the support bar bracket to the rack mounting surface.

8. The modular bottle rack of claim 6, wherein each support bar bracket is L-shaped, having at least two fastener openings disposed there through.

9. The modular bottle rack of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of wine glasses holders coupled to the support bar.

10. The modular bottle rack of claim 8, further comprising a shelf coupled to the support bar for holding bottles of liquid.

11. The modular bottle rack of claim 8, wherein the bottle holding portion of the bottle support comprises a plurality of undulating extensions coupled to and extending from the base sleeve, each undulating extension comprising at least one concave section configured to receive and support a portion of a bottle.

12. The modular bottle rack of claim 11, wherein there is a pair of bottle supports, and at least one bottle having a neck and a barrel can lay across and be supported by the pair of bottle supports, and the concave section of one of the pair of bottle supports is configured to receive the barrel of the bottle and the other of the pair of bottle supports is configured to receive the neck of the bottle.

13. The modular bottle rack of claim 12, wherein when the bottles are positioned on the bottle supports, the bottles lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support bar.

14. The modular bottle rack of claim 8, wherein the bottle holding portion of the bottle support is approximately rectangular in shape, and when a bottle is positioned on the bottle support, the bottle extends approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support bar.

15. The modular bottle rack of claim 10, wherein the rack mounting surface is a pair of vertically oriented elongate supports and each of the opposed ends of the support bar couples to an inner surface of one of the two vertically oriented elongate supports utilizing a pair of support bar brackets, wherein the inner surface of each vertically oriented elongate supports comprises a plurality of support bar mounting holes there through.

16. The modular bottle rack of claim 15, wherein each vertically oriented elongate support has a base that rests on the ground surface.

17. The modular bottle rack of claim 16, wherein each vertically oriented elongate support has a base mounting bracket for securing one end of the corresponding vertically oriented elongate support to the ground surface and a top mounting bracket for securing an other end of the corresponding vertically oriented elongate support to a ceiling surface.

18. The modular bottle rack of claim 6, wherein the rack mounting surface is a ceiling surface, such that the wine rack hangs from the ceiling surface by the plurality of support bar brackets.

19. The modular bottle rack of claim 6, wherein the rack mounting surface is a vertically oriented wall surface and the receiving portion of the support bar bracket comprises a C-shaped concave portion that fits around the outer surface of the corresponding support bar.

20. A kit for assembling a modular bottle rack, the kit comprising: a) at least one elongate support bar configured to mount to a rack mounting surface in a horizontal position relative to a ground surface, the support bar having two opposed ends; b) at least one pair of bottle supports configured to couple to the support bar, each of the bottle supports comprising: i) a base sleeve configured to couple the corresponding bottle support to the support bar, the base sleeve being hollow such that the support bar can extend through the hollow base sleeve and the base sleeve can be positioned around and in close contact with an outside surface of the support bar; and ii) a plurality of undulating extensions coupled to and extending from the base sleeve, each undulating extension comprising at least one concave section configured to receive and support a portion of a bottle; wherein at least one bottle having a neck and a barrel can lay across and be supported by the pair of bottle supports, and the concave section of one of the pair of bottle supports is configured to receive the barrel of the bottle and the other of the pair of bottle supports is configured to receive the neck of the bottle; and c) a plurality of support bar brackets configured to couple the support bar to the rack mounting surface, each support bar bracket comprising: i) a receiving portion for receiving a portion of the support bar; and ii) two flanges extending from opposed ends of the receiving portion, each flange having at least one hole there through for a fastener to be inserted and used secure the support bar bracket to the rack mounting surface.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0030] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a modular bottle rack having features of the present invention, wherein a first version of bottle supports is shown;

[0032] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the bottle rack of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the bottle rack of FIG. 1, wherein the bottle rack is mounted on a vertical wall surface;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 3;

[0035] FIG. 5 a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a modular bottle rack having features of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a modular bottle rack having features of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a modular bottle rack having features of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an second version of bottle supports;

[0039] FIG. 9 is side plan view of the bottle supports of FIG. 9;

[0040] FIG. 10 front plan view of the bottle rack of FIG. 1, wherein a shelf and glass holders has been added

[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a modular bottle rack having features of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a modular bottle rack having features of the present invention; and

[0043] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of connection mechanisms of the modular bottle rack.

DESCRIPTION

[0044] As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used.

[0045] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.

[0046] As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers ingredients or steps.

[0047] As used in this disclosure, the term “set screw” or “grub screw” is a type of screw generally used to secure an object within or against another object, normally without using a nut. Set screws are usually headless (also called blind), meaning that the screw is fully threaded and has no head projecting past the major diameter of the screw thread. If a set screw has a head, the thread will extend all the way to the head (whereas a bolt might have an unthreaded shank between the head and thread). A grub set screw (known in the US as a “blind” screw) is almost always driven with an internal-wrenching drive, such as a hex socket, star, square socket, or slot. The set screw passes through a threaded hole in the outer object and is tightened against the inner object to prevent it from moving relative to the outer object. It exerts compressional or clamping force through the bottom tip that projects through the hole.

[0048] All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

[0049] Referring now to the Figures, this invention is directed to a modular bottle rack 100. Although the rack 100 is shown supporting wine bottles, the invention is not limited to use with wine bottles, and can encompass holding any type of bottle having a neck and a barrel.

[0050] The bottle rack 100 comprises a main support bar 102 and at least one bottle support 104, and can be mounted on any rack mounting surface 106. The rack mounting surface 106 includes but is not limited to vertical wall surfaces (or the vertically oriented wall studs within the vertical wall surface) (FIGS. 1-4), a pair of vertically oriented elongate supports (Figured 5 and 6), or a ceiling surface (FIG. 7). A single vertical elongate support can also be used (see FIG. 11) so long as the main support bar 102 is securely fastened to the elongate support such that the weight of the bottle supports does not cause the support bar to tilt unevenly.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, the main support bar 102 is an elongated structure with two opposed ends 108A, 108B, the support bar 102 having a longitudinal axis 110, and a length longer than a width. In the drawings, the main support bar 102 is a length of square tubing that can be either hollow or solid. Optionally the main support bar 102 can be in the shape of round, rectangular, parallel rods or any shape sufficient to secure the support arms. Optionally, the modular bottle rack 100 comprises a plurality of support bars 102, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0052] The support bar 102 is mounted to the rack mounting surface 106 by at least one support bar bracket 112. Each support bar bracket 112 comprises a support bar receiving portion 114 and at least one flange 116 coupled to the receiving portion 114.

[0053] In the configuration where the rack mounting surface is a vertical wall or a ceiling surface, best seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 7, the support bar receiving portion 114 is a C-shaped concave portion that fits around the outer surface of the corresponding support bar 102. There are two flanges 116A, 116B extending from opposed ends of the C-shaped concave portion 114, and each flange 116 has at least one hole 118 there through for a fastener 120 to be inserted and used secure the support bar bracket 112 to the rack mounting surface 106.

[0054] Once mounted to the rack mounting surface 106, the support bar 102 is configured to extend in a horizontal position relative to a ground surface, wherein the longitudinal axis of the support bar 102 extends roughly parallel to the ground surface.

[0055] The pair of vertically oriented elongate supports 500 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and as shown each comprise a length of square tubing. However, the vertically oriented elongate supports 500 can have any shape, be either hollow or solid, and be made of any material, as long as they couple to the support bars 102. Each of the opposed ends 108A, 108B of each of the support bars 102 couples to an inner surface 502 of one of the two vertically oriented elongate supports 500 utilizing a support bar bracket 112. In this configuration, the support bar receiving portion 114 is a sleeve that one end of the support bar 102 fits into. Coupled to the receiving portion 114 are two flanges 116A, 116B, each extending from opposed sides of the receiving portion 114. Each flange 116 has at least one hole 118 there through for a fastener 120 to be inserted and used secure the support bar bracket 112 to the vertically oriented elongate supports 500.

[0056] The inner surface 502 of each vertically oriented elongate supports 500 comprises a plurality of support bar mounting holes 504 there through, and at least one fastener 120 can be inserted through at least one of the mounting holes 118 in each of the support bar brackets 112 and into the corresponding support bar mounting hole 504.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment, where each of the vertically oriented elongate support 500 has a base 506 that rests on the ground surface 508. The base 506 shown in the drawings is in the shape of a length of tubing that extends perpendicular to the vertically oriented elongate support 500, but it should be noted that the base 506 can be any shape and is not limited to what is shown in the drawings.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment, where each of the vertically oriented elongate supports 500 has a base mounting bracket 600 for securing one end of the corresponding vertically oriented elongate support 500 to the ground surface 508 and a top mounting bracket 602 for securing an other end of the corresponding vertically oriented elongate support 500 to a ceiling surface 604. Each base mounting bracket 600 and each top mounting bracket 602 comprising an elongate support receiving 606 portion and at least one flange 608 coupled thereto. In this configuration, the elongate support receiving portion 606 is a sleeve that one end of the elongate support 500 fits into. Coupled to the receiving portion 606 are two flanges 608, each extending from opposed sides of the receiving portion 606. Each flange 608 has at least one hole 610 there through for a fastener to be inserted and used secure the elongate support bracket 600, 602, to the ground surface 508, and the ceiling surface 604, respectively.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown an additional embodiment of the rack 100 where there is a single vertically oriented elongate support 500. The support 500 can be coupled directly to a vertical wall surface, mounted to a ground surface by a base mounting bracket 600 and a ceiling surface by a top mounting bracket 602, or coupled to a base 506. Rather than coupling the support bar 102 directly to the wall surface, or either end of the support bar 102 to a pair of vertically elongate supports 500, the support bars 102 are coupled along their center to the single vertically oriented elongate support 500.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows an additional embodiment where the bottle rack hangs from the ceiling surface by the plurality of support bar brackets.

[0061] As shown in the Figures, the at least one bottle support 104 can be coupled to the support bars 102. The bottle supports 104 can comprise several different configurations. As shown in FIGS. 1-12 each of the bottle supports 104 can comprise a base sleeve 122 and at least one undulating extension 124 for holding a bottle 300. Optionally, the base sleeve 122 can be a C-shaped bracket that couples to the support bar 102. In another configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, the undulating extension 124 is coupled directly to the support bar 102, such that no base sleeve 122 is needed.

[0062] The base sleeve 122 couples the corresponding bottle support 104 to the corresponding support bar 102. As best seen in FIG. 2, the base sleeve 122 is hollow and square shaped such that the corresponding support bar 102 extends through the hollow base sleeve 122 and the base sleeve 122 is positioned around and in close contact with an outside surface of the corresponding support bar 102.

[0063] As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base sleeve further comprises a set screw 200 that extends through an opening in a lower surface of the sleeve 122. The set screw 200 is used to secure the base sleeve 122 to the corresponding support bar 102.

[0064] In the first configuration, shown in FIGS. 1-10, the at least one undulating extension 124 couples to and extends from the base sleeve 122. Each undulating extension 124 comprising at least one concave section 126 configured to receive and support a portion of a bottle 300. The at least one bottle 300 has a neck 302 and a barrel 304 and can lay across and be supported by the pair of bottle supports 104.

[0065] As seen in FIG. 11 and noted above, in an additional configuration, the at least one undulating extension 124 can couple directly to the support bar 102, negating the need for a base sleeve 122.

[0066] As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the concave section 126 of one of the pair of bottle supports 104 is configured to receive the barrel 304 of the bottle 300 and the other of the pair of bottle supports 104 is configured to receive the neck 302 of the bottle 300.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1-7, when the bottles 300 are placed on the bottle supports 104, the bottles 300 are disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support bar 102. In this configuration, both the necks 302 and the barrels 304 of the bottles 300 are roughly the same distance from the support bar 102.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bottle supports 104 can comprise an alternate configuration, where when the bottles 300 are placed on the bottle supports 104, are disposed roughly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support bar 102. Here, the necks 302 of the bottles 300 are proximate the support bar 102 while the barrels 304 of the bottles 300 are distal the support bar 102.

[0069] In this configuration, the bottle supports 104 comprise a roughly rectangular bottle holding extension 800 that extends from the base sleeve 122. The barrel 304 of the bottle 300 is cradled within a space created by the rectangular shaped bottle holding extension 800. Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 9, a proximal portion 802 of the bottle holding extension 800 extends perpendicular from the support bar 102 and a distal portion 804 of the bottle holding extension 800 angles downward slightly, so that the label on the bottle 300 is more easily read.

[0070] Optionally, the bottles 300 can be oriented the other direction, with the necks 302 of the bottles 300 distal the support bar 102 while the barrels 304 of the bottles 300 are proximal the support bar 102. In this instance, a circular loop or stopper extends from a distal portion of the bottle holding extension 800 to prevent the neck 302 and/or bottle 300 from sliding off the end of the distal end of the bottle holding extension 800.

[0071] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 10, at least one of the support bars 102 comprises a plurality of wine glasses holders 900. Each wine glass holder 900 comprises a pair of elongate pins 902 that project from the support bar 102 at an approximately perpendicular angle. The distance between the pair of pins 902 is wide enough to accommodate a typical wine glass stem, but small enough that the base of the wine glass cannot slide through and therefore rests on top of the pair of pins 902.

[0072] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 10, the bottle rack 100 can further comprise a shelf 904 for holding bottles of liquid. In this configuration, the support bar 102 further comprises a pair of shelf support arms 906 that extend from the support bar 102 for holding the shelf 904.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown an additional embodiment of the rack 100 comprising a shelf 904, however, in this configuration, the vertically oriented elongate supports 500 are coupled to and support the shelf 904.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown two different means of coupling and or extending various components of the rack 100. More specifically, a first connector 130 and a second connector 132 are shown.

[0075] The first connector 130 is used to connect two support bars 102 together to create an extended support bar 102. The first connector 130 comprises two opposed ends 134A, 134B that are configured to fit inside an end of a support bar 102. Between the two opposed ends 134A, 134B is a raised ridge 136 that provides a surface for the ends of the supports bars 102 to butt up against when placed on the connector 130. A plurality of fasteners 138 are used to secure the support bars 102 to the first connector 130. The fasteners 138 can be screws, bolts, rods, pins, or any other means of securing the support bars 102 to the first connector 130.

[0076] The second connector 132 is used to connect two vertically oriented elongate supports 500 to each other, creating an extended support 500. The second connector 132 comprises a plurality of fastener openings 140 and is configured to fit inside the two vertically oriented elongate supports 500. A plurality of fasteners 138 are used to secure the vertically oriented elongate supports 500 to the second connector 132.

[0077] Additionally, an alternate version of bracket 112 is shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, bracket 142 is used to couple the support arms 102 to the vertically oriented elongate supports 500 utilizing a plurality of fastener openings. Bracket 142 can be used in the floor to ceiling and free-standing rack 100 embodiments, but typically would not be used in the wall mounted rack 100 embodiments.

[0078] In certain embodiments, the following steps are performed to assemble the modular bottle rack:

[0079] 1) slide base sleeves 122 of bottle supports 104 over support bar 102. Perform as many times as necessary until desired amount of bottle supports 104 are on the support bar 102.

[0080] 2) locate vertical wall studs using a stud finder. Mark exact horizontal points on studs to be used for mounting the rack;

[0081] 3) place support bar 102 against the wall and install support bar brackets 112 into the wall studs at exact horizontal points for each stud. Ensure both mounting screws are utilized for support bar bracket 112 placement;

[0082] 4) slide bottle supports 104 to their desired locations along the support bar 102. Check, intermittently, to ensure individual bottle holding portions are spaced appropriately by placing bottles 300 onto the bottle holding portions. Adjust as necessary to desired spacing;

[0083] 5) install and/or tighten set screws for each bottle support 104 to secure them to the support bar 102.

[0084] Regarding the above steps, the steps are essentially the same if the bottle rack 100 is to be secured to a ceiling surface. In that instance, ceiling studs are located in step 2) rather than wall studs.

[0085] In certain embodiments, the following steps are performed to assemble the modular bottle rack:

[0086] 1) locate two vertically oriented elongate supports 500;

[0087] 2) utilizing a base mounting bracket 600, secure one end of each vertically oriented elongate support 500 to a ground surface 508;

[0088] 3) utilizing a top mounting bracket 602, secure an other end of each vertically oriented elongate support 500 to a ceiling surface 604;

[0089] 4) slide base sleeves 122 of bottle supports 104 over a support bar 102. Perform as many times as necessary until desired amount of bottle supports 104 are on the support bar 102;

[0090] 5) repeat step 4) as necessary to achieve the desired number of support bars 102;

[0091] 6) secure each end of each support bar 102 to one of the vertically oriented elongate supports 500 utilizing a support bar brackets 112 for each end of each support bar 102. Ensure both mounting screws are utilized for support bar bracket 112 placement;

[0092] 7) slide bottle supports 104 to their desired locations along the support bars 102. Check, intermittently, to ensure individual bottle holding portions are spaced appropriately by placing bottles 300 onto the bottle holding portions. Adjust as necessary to desired spacing;

[0093] 8) install and/or tighten set screws for each bottle support 104 to secure them to the support bars 102.

[0094] Regarding the above steps, if vertically oriented elongate supports 500 having bases 506 are utilized, then steps 2) and 3) are not performed.

[0095] The components of the modular bottle rack described in several embodiments herein may be constructed from any known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. The components of the modular bottle rack described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field.

[0096] The preferred embodiment of this system uses powder-coated steel, stainless steel or like-finished steel for the components.

[0097] The invention has the following advantages:

[0098] When bottles 300 are on the rack 100—the support bar 102 behind the bottles 300 is hidden, giving the bottles 300 a floating impression;

[0099] The support bar mounting brackets 112 can be slid along the support bar 102 and located wherever necessary to mount to a wall stud;

[0100] The bottle rack 100 is modular so it can be expanded as time progresses and the bottle collection expands;

[0101] The bottle rack 100 offers multiple mounting configurations depending in the room its being mounted in, making it very versatile and allowing the user to assemble in any number of different configurations;

[0102] The bottle support arms 104 can also slide on the support bar allowing for more flexibility in configuration.

[0103] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.