Pillow rack

Abstract

A foldable rack for storing pillows comprising a first and second frame member being generally planar and rectangular, each frame member including: (a) an upper end and a lower end defining a length; (b) opposing lateral sides connecting the upper end and the lower end defining a width; (c) a plurality of spaced apart rods extending from the upper end to the lower end, each rod having a hub disposed at a central portion, each hub having an axial bore therethrough, each axial bore in registry; and (d) a pin being received in the axial bore extending through each hub of each rod. The rack folds about the pin in a scissor-like fashion between a first not in use position where the first and second frame members fold into juxtaposed position and a second in use position where the first and second frame members intersect to form an X shape.

Claims

1. A foldable rack for storing pillows comprising: (a) a first frame member and a second frame member, the first and second frame members each being generally planar and defined by a first end, a second end, and opposite lateral sides connecting the first end and the second end, the first and second frame members having an upper portion and a lower portion defined by a central axis; (b) a plurality of rods extending between the first end and the second end of the first and second frame members; (c) a plurality of hubs, each hub of the plurality of hubs being disposed on an associated rod of the plurality of rods at the central axis of both the first and second frame members, each hub having an axial bore formed therethrough, the axial bores being in registry with each other, wherein the hubs of the first and second frame members abut one another and form a stable substantially continuous sleeve with a substantially continuous bore; and (d) an elongated pin extending through the axial bores of each hub thereby rotatably joining the first frame member to the second frame member at the central axis.

2. The rack of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a first socket extending within the upper portion of the first frame member; (b) a second socket extending within the lower portion of the second frame member; and (c) a U-shaped clip having a first leg, the first leg having a first end and a second end, a second leg, the second leg having a first end and a second end, and a bight portion having a length interconnecting the first end of the first leg and the first end of the second leg, the first and second legs being substantially perpendicular to the bight portion, the second end of the first leg being insertable into the first socket and the second end of the second leg being insertable into the second socket, the length of the bight portion defining the position of the first and second frame members.

3. The rack of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a first socket extending within the lower portion of the first frame member; (b) a second socket extending within the lower portion of the second frame member; and (c) a U-shaped clip having a first leg, the first leg having a first end and a second end, a second leg, the second leg having a first end and a second end, and a bight portion having a length interconnecting the first end of the first leg and the first end of the second leg, the first and second legs being substantially perpendicular to the bight portion, the second end of the first leg being insertable into the first socket and the second end of the second leg being insertable into the second socket, the length of the bight portion defining the position of the first and second frame members.

4. The rack of claim 1 further comprising: a U-shaped clip having a first leg, a second leg, and a bight portion interconnecting the first leg and the second leg, the first and second legs being substantially perpendicular to the bight portion, the first and second legs having angled surfaces pointing inwardly, the first and second legs removably placed on opposite sides of the hub between adjacent ones of the lateral sides of the first and second frame members, wherein the angled surfaces restrict rotation of the first and second frame members.

5. The rack of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a first clip secured to one of the lateral sides of the first frame member, the first clip projecting outwardly from the lateral side of the first frame member and proximate to the elongated pin at the central axis; and (b) a second clip secured to one of the lateral sides of the second frame member, opposite the first clip, projecting outwardly from the lateral side of the second frame member and proximate to the elongated pin at the central axis, and wherein the first clip and the second clip reach a point of contact upon the first frame member and the second frame member rotating and prohibit further rotation past the point of contact.

6. The rack of claim 1 wherein the upper ends of the upper portions are distal to the hubs and the lower ends of the lower portions support the rack on the floor, and comprising; a plurality of pillows, wherein the plurality of pillows is stacked vertically on and against the upper portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pillow rack positioned against a vertical room wall and temporarily storing pillows, bedding material and the like in vertically stacked relation against the wall according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillow rack according to the present invention, the rack including a pair of frame members in an open position for positioning against the room wall to receive and vertically stack pillows and the like;

(3) FIG. 3 is a plan side view of the pillow rack and the frame members in a collapsed storage position when the rack is not in use;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of the pillow rack of FIG. 3 and the frame members in the collapsed position;

(5) FIG. 5 is a side elevation view showing, schematically, the pillow rack when ready for use with the upper and lower ends of one frame members abutting the wall and the floor and the lower end of the other frame members supported on the floor;

(6) FIG. 5A is a partial side view showing the frame members of the rack shown in FIG. 2 in an open position and forming an X shape and showing an arrangement for limiting rotation between the frame members and positioning the frame members in a desired angle when in the open position;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevation view showing, schematically, the pillow rack when ready for use with the upper and lower ends of one frame abutting the wall and the floor and the lower end of the other frame seated in the junction between the wall and floor; and

(8) FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are partial side views showing the frame members of the rack shown in FIG. 2 in an open position and forming an X shape and showing alternate arrangements for locking the frame members in the open position when the rack is used in a stand-alone position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 depict a pillow rack 10 for temporarily storing pillows, bedding, and like materials in a vertical stack when not in use and which provide easy access, such as in a bedroom when preparing the room for sleeping and turning down the bed. The pillow rack 10 includes a pair of frame members 12, 14 that rotate from a first position (FIGS. 3 and 4) when the rack 10 is not in use, the frame members 12, 14 are folded onto one another and the rack 10 is to be stored, into a second position (FIGS. 1 and 2) when the rack 10 is ready for use. In FIG. 1, the rack 10 is under the pillows and the frame members 12, 14 are shown by the phantom lines. FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevation views showing arrangements of the pillow rack 10 positioned on a floor F and against a vertical wall W of the room.

(10) FIGS. 1 and 5 show the pillow rack 10 wherein the frame members 12, 14 are in the in use position functioning to support the rack 10 against the floor F and the wall W. The frame members 12, 14 form a generally horizontal platform for supporting and temporarily storing a stack of pillows, bedding, and the like shown at 16 in vertically spaced relation above and from contact with the floor F. The frame members 12, 14 rotate into an X shape, in scissor-like fashion, with portions of the frame members 12, 14 cooperating to form an upwardly open cradle for receiving the pillows 16. The first frame member 12 extends vertically having one end 24 supported on the floor F and the other end 36 abutting the wall W.

(11) The pillow stack 16 is first supported by the first frame member 12 and then continues vertically upwardly. If the stack is greater than the upward extension of the first frame member 12, the pillows could then continue and stacks against the vertical wall W.

(12) In particular, the pillow rack 10 comprises the first frame member 12 and second frame member 14, each frame 12, 14 being generally planar and rectangular. The first frame member 12 has a length defined by an upper end 22 and a lower end 24, a width defined by opposite lateral sides 30, 32, a central portion 18 extending between the sides 30, 32, and an upper portion 26 and a lower portion 28 divided by the central portion 18. Similarly, the second frame member 14 has a length defined by an upper end 34 and a lower end 36, a width defined by opposite lateral sides 42, 44, a central portion 20 that extends between sides 42, 44, and an upper frame portion 38 and a lower frame portion 40 divided by the central portion 20. In a preferred embodiment, the second frame member 14 is wider and shorter than the first frame member 12.

(13) In the embodiment herein, each frame member 12, 14 comprises a plurality of elongated rods 46 that extend in parallel relation to one another and between opposite lateral ends 22, 24 of the first frame 12 and lateral ends 34, 36 of the second frame member 14. While the term rod is used herein, a term for a decorative rod, bar, or shaft would be a ballister.

(14) The elongated rods 46 may be manufactured from a variety of different materials, depending on the application. By way of example, the rods 46 may be of wood, plastic (or like polymeric material), or of a suitable metal (e.g., steel, aluminum).

(15) In the embodiment shown, the second frame member 14 includes a set of seven rods 46 and the first frame member 12 includes a set of six rods 46. Preferably, the number of rods 46 of the second frame member 14 is greater than the number of rods 46 in the first frame member 12 such that lateral width and respective upper frame portion 38 thereof that supports pillows is wider to provide a more adequate horizontal platform for load bearing and stabilizing pillow stacking. As noted herein, the upper frame portion 38 is also referred to as a platform. For aesthetics, the rods 46 of each set are of like shape and appearance, but, depending on their desired use, the rods 46 of each set could be different.

(16) As shown best in FIG. 2, the set of rods 46 of the first frame member 12 pass transversely through and are disposed in alternating fashion with respect to the rods 46 of the second frame member 14.

(17) As shown best in FIG. 3, a central location of each rod 46 includes a hub 48, the hub 48 having a central axial bore therethrough. Collectively, the hubs 48 at the central location of the rods 46 form the central portions 18, 20 of the frame members 12, 14.

(18) The frame members 12, 14 are connected together by a shaft or pin 50, the pin 50 being received in the axial bores that extend through each of the hubs 48. The pin 50 extends through each of the frame members 12, 14 and between the opposite lateral sides 30, 32 of the first frame member 12 and opposite lateral sides 42, 44 of the second frame member 14.

(19) In the connection, the first frame member 12 is connected to the second frame member 14 in a manner that enables rotating movement of the frame members 12, 14 in scissor-like fashion relative to one another and between the first and second positions.

(20) Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame members 12, 14 are shown in the first, not in use, and second, in use, positions. The not in use position folds and positions the respective upper frame portions 26, 38 and lower frame portions 28, 40 of the frame members 12, 14 into juxtaposed generally parallel relation with one another.

(21) In FIG. 2, the frame members 12, 14 are in the second in use position wherein the upper frame portions 26, 38 and the lower frame portions 28, 40 have rotated relative to one another and away from one another to form an X shape. In this second position, the upper frame portions 26, 38 are upwardly open to form a cradle adapted to receive and support the pillows 16 and the lower frame portions 28, 40 are downwardly open and their respective lower ends 24, 36 positioned for supporting the rack 10 on the floor. For clarity, the wall W, floor F, and stack of pillows 18 are not shown.

(22) As shown best in FIG. 5, in use, the upper end 22 of the first frame member 12 is abutted against the wall, the lower ends 24, 36 of the frame members 12, 14 are supported on the floor, and the upper end 34 of the second frame member 14 extends outwardly and away from the first frame member 12. The upper frame portions 26, 38 are generally at an acute angle such that the end 34 of the pillow supporting upper frame portion 38 is spaced upwardly from the floor F.

(23) Preferably, in a preferred embodiment, to limit or prevent the second frame member 14 from rotating relative to the first frame member 12, hook and loop fasteners (not shown) may be removably connected to respective dowel rods or wood slats when supported on the floor to maintain stability.

(24) Preferably, and in another preferred arrangement hereof, a rotation limiting arrangement may be provided. Referring to FIG. 5A, a raised clip or stop A projects outwardly from a side 30, 32 of the first frame member 12 and a raised clip or stop B projects outwardly from a side 42, 44 of the second frame member 14, opposite stop A. If stop A is on the lower portion 28 of the first frame member 12, stop B is on the upper portion 38 of the second frame member 14, and vice versa. As the frame members 12, 14 rotate relative to the pin 50 and away from a not in use position and towards the in use position, the stop B is brought against the stop A, limiting relative rotation between the frame members 12, 14 and position the frame members 12, 14 into the desired angle and the in use position.

(25) In one application, the rack 10 is approximately 1.82441 and, for maximum capacity, the rack 10 angle was between 22.5 and 14.5. The spacing between rods is about 4 inches.

(26) The pin 50 and respective pivot axis of the frame members 12, 14 is generally such that the center of gravity of the pillows 16 passes through the pin 50 and is vertically aligned such that, in an extreme case, a load on the platform by the pillow stack will not cause tipping or downward rotating collapse of the upper frame portion 38.

(27) In FIG. 6, according to another preferred embodiment, the rack 10 is positioned as described in FIG. 5 except that the lower end 36 of the frame member 14 is seated in the junction between the wall W and the floor F. Desirably, the wall inhibits upward rotation of the lower frame portion 40 of the second frame member 14 due to a pillow or bedding of unusual weight being placed on the platform or upper frame portion 38 of the first second member 14. Depending on the dimensions of the frame members 12, 14 and their respective angles relative between one another, the floor F, and the wall W, the lower end 36 increases stability of the arrangement inhibits the ability of downward loads to rotate the seconds frame member 14 and rotating movement of the platform 38.

(28) FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C disclose alternate preferred embodiments of this invention. The rack 10 is as described above (and depicted in FIG. 2), but is used in a stand-alone manner, separate and apart from the wall W. The rack 10 is provided with an arrangement for locking the frame members 12, 14 preventing unwanted rotation when the rack 10 is upwardly open and in the second position.

(29) In FIG. 7A, there is provided a U-shaped clip 52 having a pair of legs 54, 56 and a bight portion 53 interconnecting the legs 54, 56, the legs 54, 56 at substantially right angles or perpendicular to the bight portion 53. The side 32 of upper frame portion 26 of the first frame member 12 and the side 44 of lower frame portion 40 of the second frame member 14, respectively, are provided with a socket 58, the sockets 58 being vertically disposed and the legs 54, 56 of the clip 52 being adapted to be inserted into respective sockets 58. The clip 52 thereby locks and prevents rotation between the frame members 12, 14.

(30) In FIG. 7B, there is provided a U-shaped clip 60 having a pair of legs 62, 64 and a bight portion 63 interconnecting the legs 62, 64, the legs 62, 64 at substantially right angles or perpendicular to the bight portion 63. The side 44 of lower frame portion 40 of the second frame member 14 and the side 32 of lower frame portion 28 of the first frame member 12, respectively, are provided with a socket 66, the sockets being horizontally disposed and the legs 62, 64 being adapted to be inserted into respective sockets 66. The clip 60 thereby locks and prevents rotation between the frame members 12, 14.

(31) In FIG. 7C, there is provided a U-shaped clip 68 having a pair of legs 70, 72 and a bight portion 69 interconnecting the legs 70, 72, the legs 70, 72 at substantially right angles or perpendicular to the bight portion 69. The legs 70, 72 have V-shaped cross-sections or angled surfaces and are adapted to be inserted above and below the pin 50 and junctions formed between the frame members 12, 14. Preferably, the angled surfaces of the legs 70, 72 are formed by an angle adapted to match the angle formed by the frame members 12, 14 when disposed in their X shape. The angled surfaces of the legs 70, 72 and angle formed by the frame members 12, 14 adjacent to the pin 50 engage and form a snug engagement to prevent rotation.

(32) As shown, the legs 70, 72 are shown fitting in the upper and lower intersections between the frame members 12, 14, but could be adapted to conform and fit the horizontally open intersections between the frame members 12, 14 as well. In either arrangement, the clip 68 operates to lock the frame members 12, 14 from relative rotation.

(33) In some applications, in a preferred embodiment according to this invention, a treaded relation between the axial bore through the hubs 48 and the pin 50 would enable the user to rotate the lateral hubs 48 joined at the end of the second frame member 14 relative to the pin 50 and drive all of the hubs 48 together and into frictional engagement, preventing relative rotation of the frame members 12, 14. Desirably, the frictionally engaged hubs 48 would prevent relative rotation of the frame members 12, 14 and releasably lock and maintain the rack 10 in the first position for storage and the second in use position use for stacking pillows.

(34) It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.