Rack For Horizontal Storage

Abstract

A rack for horizontal storage of long items includes a vertical support, a plurality of support clamps attached to the vertical support, and plurality of support bars spaced apart from the vertical support and generally parallel to the vertical support. Vertical support may include a single or double vertical bar for attachment of the plurality of support clamps. Vertical support may include a secondary vertical support for attachment of the plurality of support bars. Vertical support may include a freestanding base or may be fixable to floor and ceiling with a floor base and a ceiling plate. The rack may be fixable to a wall with a wall plate. Each support clamp may include a cradle and a lock bar, and each cradle is adjustable or fixed with respect to the vertical support. Each lock bar is adjustable with respect to a corresponding cradle and defines an adjustable aperture.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to a rack for generally horizontal storage of elongated items. More particularly; but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a rack for horizontal storage of fishing rods.

[0003] 2. Background

[0004] Fishing rod racks are well known in the art. Generally speaking, fishing rod racks potentially solve two problems: (a) they remove the rod from hazardous places, such as leaning against a wall, where they are likely to fall and become damaged; and (b) they allow several rods to be stored immediately adjacent one another without entanglement.

[0005] As is known, fishing rod racks come in two varieties: those that hold rods vertically; and those that hold rods at both ends, that is, both at the handle and at the fragile tip. Rods are held in such holders in a limited manner as well. One-size-fits-all holes are commonly used for the vertical storage arrangements, wherein the rod's handle is inserted into the hole. Of course, the holes in the supporting material, whether metal or plastic, are not generally gentle on the rods, and cannot be used reliably to hold a rod's tip. A further problem frequently encountered is that many fishing rods are longer or taller than the available ceiling dimensions.

[0006] Another variety of fishing rod rack uses soft foam to hold the rods. However, soft foam is so soft and compliant, so that additional foam must be used to support both the handle and rod tip as well. As opposed to the one-size-fits-all arrangements, the foam rod holders require holding elements at both ends of the rods. This is a big problem where rods are of significantly different lengths. Typical rods lengths are between five feet (152.4 cm) and nine feet (274.3 cm), but many rods are available beyond these dimensions.

[0007] Yet another limitation of many prior art rod racks is the complexity of manufacturing the device. Ideally, a rod rack should be relatively simple to manufacture and should employee a minimal number of fasteners which may inadvertently loosen during use or which may be accidentally lost.

[0008] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fishing rod rack which overcomes the problems and alleviates the needs discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a fishing rod, or elongated object, rack which is easy to manufacture, adaptable to virtually any fishing rod, and provides stations for a plurality of fishing rods in a compact space, and which will prevent damage to the rods while allowing quick and easy removal of the rod.

[0010] In a first aspect of the invention, a rack for horizontal storage of long items includes a vertical support; a plurality of support clamps attached to the vertical support; and plurality of support bars spaced apart from the vertical support and generally parallel to the vertical support.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the vertical support includes a single vertical bar for attachment of the plurality of support clamps. This arrangement provides the advantage of a simplified construction arrangement which is entirely capable of securely holding a large number of fishing rods or elongated items.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the vertical support includes double vertical bars for attachment of the plurality of support clamps in two arrays. This arrangement provides an advantage in that two separate arrays, which may be generally planar arrays, may be supported by the device simultaneously. Such an arrangement may be very useful in the corner of a room, wherein one array could be placed along and generally parallel to each wall.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the vertical support includes a secondary vertical support for attachment of the plurality of support bars. This arrangement provides more open space adjacent the vertical support.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the vertical support includes a freestanding base. Such an arrangement permits the rack to be placed virtually anywhere, as a sufficiently large base will be able to resist the moment from the rods, even if all the rods are arrayed in the same direction.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the vertical support is fixable to a floor and ceiling with a floor base and a ceiling plate. Such an arrangement may be based on a friction or tension fit between the rack and the floor/ceiling, or the rack may be fixed to the floor and/or ceiling with screws or other fasteners.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the vertical support is fixable to a wall with a wall plate. According to such an arrangement, the rack may be fixed to a wall with screws or other fasteners.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, each support clamp includes a cradle and a lock bar. This arrangement provides the advantage of being adjustable to accept virtually any diameter handle that may be found on a fishing rod.

[0018] According to another embodiment, each cradle may be adjustable or fixed with respect to the vertical support. That is, adjustable cradles may be adjusted vertically on the vertical support. This arrangement provides the advantage in that adjustable cradles permit rod spacing to vary, depending on the size of the attached reel, or other considerations. Fixed cradles permit easy of manufacture, and keeps costs lower.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, each lock bar is adjustable with respect to a corresponding cradle and, with the corresponding cradle, defines an adjustable aperture. This arrangement provides an advantage in that rod handles may be easily locked and released, and that very small and very large diameter rods handles may be stored securely in the rack.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the lock bars are held in place with respect to its cradle by a friction fit on the vertical support. The friction tit may be due to tight manufacturing tolerances, such as between the diameter of the vertical support and an aperture in the lock bar through which the vertical support extends. Alternatively, the lock bar's aperture might include a rubber o-ring or bushing to inhibit movement of the lock bar.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the lock bars are held in place with respect to its cradle by a tilt-lock arrangement on the vertical support. A tilt-lock arrangement may be made by a lock bar aperture having minimal or no rounding at the edges. Tilting of the lock bar, even a little tilting, causes the relatively sharp edge of the aperture to bite into the vertical support, thus preventing movement of the lock bar and the fishing rod.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the lock bars are held in place with respect to its cradle by an interrupted thread arrangement on the vertical support and in the aperture of the lock bar. This arrangement permits very strong and secure lock bar positioning that cannot be moved until the lock bar is rotated to disengage the interrupted thread.

[0023] According to another arrangement, each support bar is pivotably attached at a proximal end to a secondary vertical support. The pivotable arrangement permits the support bar to be moved to a position to provide second point of contact with the fishing rod, such as at the handle, to resist the rod's moment due to gravity, while accommodating different types of reels or handles.

[0024] According to another embodiment, each support bar is pivotably attached at a proximal end to the vertical support. This arrangement provides the same advantages as the support bar pivotably attached to the secondary vertical support, described above, but with the further, advantage of a more compact arrangement that eliminates the secondary vertical support. In his case, the support bars may be attached directly to the vertical support.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, each support bar includes a hook at a distal end. This arrangement more positively engages the rod handle to prevent shifting.

[0026] According to another embodiment, each support bar is height-adjustable. The adjustability provides the ability to accommodate vertical supports which are not quite vertical, or rods which droop under their own weight to an excessive degree, or due to their flexibility and lack of stiffness fail to support their own weight adequately.

[0027] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a lower perspective view of the inventive rod rack, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a lower perspective view of a pair of rods racks, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a pair of rod racks for floor or ceiling mounting connected by a crosspiece, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an elevated perspective view of a pair of rod racks for wall mounting, and connected by a crosspiece, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a pair of rod racks for wall mounting, and connected by a crosspiece, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a rack unit of a pair of rod racks connected by a crosspiece, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0035] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment of the inventive fishing rod rack 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The rack 10 for horizontal storage of long items, such as fishing rods, includes a vertical support 12 and a plurality of support clamps 14 attached to the vertical support 12. A plurality of support bars 16 are provided spaced apart from the vertical support 12 a predetermined distance and are arranged generally parallel to the vertical support 12. The support bars 16 may be movably mounted to a secondary vertical support 18, and the vertical support 12 may be fixed to the secondary vertical support 18 by a two or more transverse support elements 20. The length of the transverse support elements 20 may be predetermined according to a length that is suited to the long items, e.g., fishing rods, to be held in the rack 10.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates the functional movement of the support clamps 14 and the support bars 16. Each of the support clamps 14 includes two elements, a cradle 22 and a lock bar 24. The cradle 22 is fixed to the vertical support 12, and may include a `v` shape in order to facilitate securely holding fishing rods or other long items. The lock bar 24 is movably attached to the vertical support 12, and is able to be pivoted P and adjusted vertically V on the vertical support 12, as illustrated. The interaction of the cradle 22 and the lock bar 24 creates an adjustable aperture A, which may be sized to accept a correspondingly-sized fishing rod handle H. Similarly, the support bars 16 are pivotable D on the secondary vertical support 18. In another embodiment, the support bars 16 are also able to be adjusted vertically on the secondary vertical support 18, which may be helpful in adjusting the exact angle in which the fishing rods or other long items are stored on the rack 10. The support bars 16 may include a hook 17 at a distal end, away from the secondary vertical support 18 to more securely retain a fishing rod R. In another embodiment, the cradles 22 may be adjustably attached to the vertical support 12, such as by friction, mutual threading, interrupted threading or other known arrangements.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates how a long item, such as a fishing rod may be mounted, held and stored horizontally on the rack 10. As shown, a fishing rod R may be securely held by only one end, such as the handle end H. To mount a fishing rod in the rack 10, the user will rotate a lock bar 24 so that it is not blocking the corresponding cradle 22. The rod handle H may then be placed across the cradle 22 and an available support bar 16, and the lock bar 24 is pivoted into a position to trap the handle H between the cradle 22 and the lock bar 24, thereby blocking movement of the handle H. The rack 10 relies upon the weight of the unsupported ends of the fishing rods or other long items to hold them in place, and allows the natural weight-carrying capability of the rods to be utilized.

[0038] In particular, the vast majority of the fishing rod R is not located between the vertical support 12 and the secondary vertical support 18. To the contrary, most of the fishing rod R is beyond the secondary vertical support 18 and is not directly supported, but instead is supported through the support of the handle H. The unsupported mass of the fishing rod R creates a moment about the support bar 16, which creates an upward force at the lock bar 24. The upward force at the lock bar 24 acts to hold the lock bar 24 in place on the vertical support 12. In one embodiment, the upward force on the lock bar 24 causes it to bind against the vertical support 12, in a tilt-lock arrangement. The lock bar 24 is pivotable about the vertical support 12, as described above, and the lock bar 24 and vertical support 12 may be manufactured to such tolerances so as to encourage binding of the lock bar 24 and the vertical support 12 when the lock bar is not in a neutral position, such as when it is forced upward by the counterweight influence of the unsupported end of the fishing rod R. Numerous alternatives are available to hold the lock bar 24 in place on the vertical support 12, including friction material, e.g., rubber bushes or o-rings, or mechanical arrangements, e.g., an interrupted thread between the vertical support 12 and the lock bar 24.

[0039] The Figures show a supplemental vertical support 13 which is parallel to the vertical support 12. The supplemental vertical support 13 improves the rigidity of the rack 10, and further provides two attachment points for the cradle 22. However, the supplemental vertical support 13 is not required for the proper function of the rack 10. The inclusion of the supplemental vertical support 13 is completely optional. That is, the vertical support 12 alone may be relied upon to provide the necessary functionality with regard to the cradle 22 and lock bar 24.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a pair of racks 10 for horizontal storage, wherein the vertical support 12 and the support bar 16 are fixed to a freestanding base 26. The freestanding base 26 permits the rack 10 to be placed virtually anywhere without being a permanent fixture. The freestanding base 26 may be made a big as is necessary to provide stability to the rack 10, even if fully loaded. In another embodiment, the vertical support 12 is fixable to floor and ceiling with a floor base and a ceiling plate. FIG. 3 also illustrates a ceiling plate 28 secured at the top of each rack 10. The ceiling plate 28 enables the rack 10 to be in contact with the ceiling, which aids stability. This arrangement permits the freestanding base 26 to be made significantly smaller because the load is distributed between the floor and ceiling. The ceiling plate 28 may be fixed to the ceiling, or it may be sized to simply bear against the ceiling and thereby hold the rack immobile.

[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the rack 10 is fixable to a wall with one or more wall plates 30, 31, 32. The wall plates 30, 31, 32 may be attached to the rack 10 in a variety of different positions. FIG. 4 illustrates a pair of racks 10 mounted together in a functional and decorative layout and provides a few examples different positions for mounting wall plates 30, 31. Each of the racks 10 is shown having a pair of wall plates 30 fixed to two transverse support elements 20. In this position, the racks 10 may be mounted directly to a flat wall. As a further non-limiting arrangement, each of the racks 10 is shown having a pair of wall plates 31 fixed to the vertical support 12. In this position, the racks 10 may be mounted directly to a flat wall, but normal to the arrangement previously described. As another non-limiting arrangement, each of the racks 10 is shown having a pair of wall plates 32 (see FIGS. 1-2) fixed to the secondary vertical support 18. Accordingly, it will be possible to mount the rack 10 in a corner, at the intersection of two walls.

[0042] FIGS. 4-6 also illustrate how two racks 10 may be fixed together by a crosspiece 34 to form a single rack unit 40. Two racks 10 so attached may be more useful in many situations due to the mutual protection afforded by the opposite rack 10. That is, the tips of the rods R from one rack 10 will be protected near the handles H of the rods R from the opposing rack 10. In one embodiment, and towards this end, each of the support bars 16 and the corresponding support clamps 14 may be arranged at a different vertical placement, as illustrated, wherein the rods R will alternate vertical placement, in a staggered arrangement.

[0043] The rack unit 40 may be attached to existing framing or shelves, or may include its own shelves 36, which may be suitable for storing items associated with the fishing rods R or other long items.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates an arrangement wherein each support bar 38 is pivotably attached at a proximal end to the directly to the vertical support 12. This arrangement eliminates the necessity for the secondary vertical support 18, but may require the support bars 38 to be a bit longer than the support bars 16 of the embodiments described above.

[0045] Removal of rods from the rack 10 is simply the reverse of the insertion process. The lock bar 24 over the rod's handle H is pivoted P so that it does not block the handle H between the lock bar 24 and the cradle 22. Depending on the weight of the rod, it may be helpful to press down slightly on handle to negate the moment caused by the unsupported (tip) end of the rod. Pressing down slightly will allow the lock bar 24 to be moved more freely, without binding. The rod may then be lifted from the cradle 22 and support bar 16.

[0046] As will also be apparent to those skilled in the art, while the preferred embodiments of the inventive rod rack have been described as providing a certain number of rod stations, the invention is not so limited. The inventive device may be configured with any number of rod stations. However, it should be noted that, as more stations are added, care should be taken to ensure that the distance between individual rods is sufficient.

Claims

1. A rack for horizontal storage of long items, comprises: a vertical support; a plurality of support clamps attached to the vertical support; and plurality of support bars spaced apart from the vertical support and generally parallel to the vertical support.

2. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein the vertical support includes a single vertical bar for attachment of the plurality of support clamps.

3. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein the vertical support includes a double vertical bar for attachment of the plurality of support clamps in two arrays.

4. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein the vertical support includes a secondary vertical support for attachment of the plurality of support bars.

5. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein the vertical support includes a freestanding base.

6. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein the vertical support is fixable to floor and ceiling with a floor base and a ceiling plate.

7. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein the rack is fixable to a wall with a wall plate.

8. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein each support clamp includes a cradle and a lock bar.

9. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 7, wherein each cradle is adjustable (or fixed) with respect to the vertical support.

10. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 7, wherein each lock bar is adjustable with respect to a corresponding cradle and defines an adjustable aperture.

11. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 8, wherein the lock bars are held in place with respect to its cradle by a friction tit on the vertical support.

12. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 8, wherein the lock bars are held in place with respect to its cradle by a tilt-lock arrangement on the vertical support.

13. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 8, wherein the lock bars are held in place with respect to its cradle by an interrupted thread on the vertical support.

14. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein each support bar is pivotably attached at a proximal end to a secondary vertical support.

15. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein each support bar is pivotably attached at a proximal end to the vertical support.

16. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein each support bar includes a hook at a distal end.

17. The rack for horizontal storage of claim 1, wherein each support bar is height-adjustable.