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[0001] This invention relates in general to the storage of household items and more particularly to a hanging storage unit of the type which can be hung on a door or other vertical surface and which includes baskets or other types of shelves for holding various types of articles.
[0002] Shoes and other household items have been stored on racks and other types of storage units that are constructed to hang on doors such as closet doors, as well as on other vertical surfaces. In order to provide a large storage capacity, this type of storage rack often has relatively long side frames, which are typically molded plastic pieces. However, molding long parts presents problems in a number of respects. Long molds are expensive to build, and it is difficult to completely fill the mold cavity to provide an acceptable part. Further, lengthy molded parts are susceptible to bowing and other warpage that leads to defective parts. Packaging long parts creates additional problems because the box or carton must be longer than is commercially desirable.
[0003] To avoid the problems associated with molding long parts, the frame sides can be constructed of several separate pieces that are connected end to end. However, this approach leads to other problems, most notably structural weakness at the joints where the frame parts are connected together. While measures can be taken to reinforce or otherwise strengthen the joint areas, they complicate the construction and increase the costs appreciably. Consequently, modular frames for hanging storage units have not been wholly free of problems, particularly in view of the need to maintain a low cost for consumer products of this type.
[0004] Providing for a reliable way of hanging the storage unit on different types of doors has also been difficult. Inverted U brackets have most often been used as the means for hanging the unit on the top edge of the door. However, these brackets are constructed to fit only one particular door thickness. Therefore, they fit too loosely on thinner doors and, worse, cannot be used at all with a door that is thicker than what they are constructed for.
[0005] The present invention is directed to a hanging storage unit which is specially constructed in a manner to overcome the problems that have plagued prior storage devices.
[0006] More particularly, it is an important object of the invention to provide, in a hanging storage unit, side frames constructed of separate frame pieces that are connected at joints which are strengthened in order to avoid weakness at the joints. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this feature is accomplished simply and economically by connecting shelf units or other storage structures in a manner to span or bridge the joints of the side frames, thereby making use of the rigidity of the shelf units to strengthen and reinforce what would otherwise be areas of weakness.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a hanging storage unit of the character described in which the frame structure exhibits sufficient versatility to accommodate shelf units, shoe rack tiers, towel racks, and other storage devices interchangeably. As a result of this feature, the storage unit can, at the election of the user, be arranged in a configuration to include all shelf units, all shoe racks, all towel racks or shelf units, shoe racks, towel racks and other storage devices in whatever combination is desired.
[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hanging storage unit that can be hung on doors that vary in thickness. In this respect, a special hanger bracket is provided and is constructed to fit snugly over the top of a standard door. If a thicker door is encountered, the construction of the hanger bracket allows its flange to be easily detached so that the top plate of the bracket can fit flatly on and be fastened to the top edge of the door by a screw or other fastener. The fastener is thus applied to the top edge of the door where it is not visible and remains inconspicuous.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide, in a hanging storage unit, a special hook element that can be applied either to a hanger bar or to a wire rim of any of the storage devices and secured at a fixed location. When shelf units are used, they are preferably wire baskets, and the hook is equipped with a clip that can be detachably clipped to a selected basket wire in order to secure the hook in place. This allows the hooks to be positioned wherever desired on the baskets and also on the hanger bar to enhance the ability of the unit to receive hanging garments and other hanging articles.
[0010] A still further object of the invention is to provide a hanging storage unit of the character described that is simple and economical to construct, is susceptible to being packaged compactly, easy to assemble, and reliable in use.
[0011] Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.
[0012] In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022] Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to
[0023] The hanging storage unit
[0024] The legs
[0025] A plurality of shelf units each generally identified by numeral
[0026] The shelf units
[0027] The bottom of each basket provides a meshwork surface for holding various types of articles that can be inserted into the basket, and the front and sides of the basket provide confinement for preventing the articles from sliding off of the bottom. Each basket is open at the back, with the adjacent door surface
[0028] As best shown in
[0029] With continued reference to
[0030] As best shown in
[0031] Each of the joints
[0032] The shelf units
[0033] As best shown in
[0034] The storage unit
[0035] The brackets
[0036] In accordance with the present invention, the storage unit
[0037] With particular reference to
[0038] The hooks
[0039] As best shown in
[0040] The bottom ends of the lower legs
[0041] It is a particular feature of the invention that the construction of the side frames
[0042] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
[0043] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
[0044] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.