CLOSET STORAGE SYSTEM, KIT OF PARTS, AND INSTALLATION METHOD

Abstract

The specification describes a kit for a closet storage system, a method of installing the kit, and a completed system. The kit includes at least two sets of parts for assembly into poles that may be installed between a floor and a pre-installed closet rod. The kit also includes a pair of fittings, each locatable at a selected position along one of the poles. A fitment is attachable between the fittings. The fitment may provide, or be used to support, an article supporting element. This specification also describes a drawer mountable below a shelf and a shoe rack mountable between poles.

Description

This is an application claiming the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/891,152, filed Feb. 22, 2007 and U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/873,031, filed Dec. 6, 2006. U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/873,031, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/891,152 and Canadian Application Serial No. 2,581,594 filed Mar. 7, 2007 are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by this reference to them.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This specification relates generally to furniture, for example furniture having shelves, hanger rods, racks or drawers, or to closet storage systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following is not an admission that anything described below is citable as prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art.

A closet storage system is a set of parts used to add article supporting elements to a closet. Article supporting elements may include, for example, shelves, horizontal rods, racks or drawers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,099 describes a closet storage system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following introduction is intended to introduce the reader to this specification but not to limit or define any claim. One or more inventions may reside in a combination or sub-combination of the apparatus elements or method steps described below or in other parts of this document, for example the detailed description, figures or claims.

This specification describes a closet storage system, a kit of parts for a closet storage system or a method of installing a closet storage system. The kit or system may include at least two sets of parts for assembly each into a pole. The pole may be installed between a floor and a pre-installed closet rod. A fastener may be provided at the top of the pole to allow the pole to be releasably attached to the closet rod. The pole may have a variable length. The pole may also have a threaded part that, on rotation, compresses the pole between the floor and the closet rod. The kit also includes a pair of fittings, each locatable at a selected position along one of the poles. Each fitting may comprise first and second sections, at least one of which has an area that may be compressed against the pole. A fitment is attachable between the fittings. The fitment may provide, or be used to support, an article supporting element. The fitment may have a variable span.

This specification also describes a drawer and drawer mounting hardware. The drawer mounting hardware attaches to a shelf, for example a shelf comprising a set of rods, and provides a drawer slide. The drawer has an upper flange that may be supported on, and slide along, the drawer slide. The drawer mounting hardware may optionally include a stop mountable on the shelf to limit travel of the drawer. There may be first and second stops to prevent the drawer from sliding too far outwards or inwards relative to the drawer slide or shelf.

This specification also describes a shoe rack. The shoe rack may comprise first and second rods attachable to fittings. The rods may have variable spans. The fittings may locate the rods such that one is on either side of a plane containing the poles. One rod may be located above the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of a closet storage system.

FIGS. 2A, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A and 8A show enlarged views of the circled areas numbered 2 to 8 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the components shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 7B is a cross-section of the components shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of a shelf including the components of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the assembled components of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an isometric exploded view of a drawer slide bracket.

FIG. 13 is an isometric partially exploded view of a drawer slide bracket of FIG. 12 around a shelf of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 14A is an isometric exploded view of a stop mountable on a shelf of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 14B is an isometric view of the assembled components of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a drawer supported on a shelf of FIGS. 10 and 11 by a pair of brackets of FIG. 12A with the drawer in a closed position.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the assembled components of FIG. 15 with the drawer in an open position.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the components of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is an isometric partially exploded view of an optional shoe rack.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the assembled components of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a cross-section of a part of the shoe rack of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover methods or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. The applicants, inventors and owners reserve all rights in any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document, for example a right to claim such an invention in a continuing or divisional application, and do not abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention merely by its disclosure in this document.

In the Figures, like reference numerals designate similar parts. FIG. 1 illustrates a closet storage system, generally designated 10. The closet storage system 10 may be supplied as a kit of parts, some optionally pre-assembled, for assembly into the system 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the closet storage system 10 may be installed between a floor 12 and a pre-installed closet rod 14 of a closet. The pre-installed closet rod 14 may already be mounted to walls 8 of the closet, or could be purchased separately, and so does not need to be included in a kit of parts for the closet storage system 10. The system 10 may have one or more poles 16. Each pole 16 has a first section 18 and a second section 20 which together form a telescoping rod 19 of variable length. The sections 18, 20 may be fixed in position relative to each other by a connector 22 to fix the length of telescoping rod 19. A fastening 24 at the top of each pole 16 is used to attach the pole 16 to the closet rod 14. A foot assembly at the base of each pole 16 is adjustable to vary the length of the pole 16 independent of changes to the length of telescoping rod 19. A person may assemble a pole 16 by inserting the first section 18 into the second section 20 (if they are not already pre-inserted), attaching fastener 24 to an end of the second section 20 (if they are not already pre-attached), attaching any components of the foot assembly 26 that were not already pre-attached to an end of the first section 18, and installing fittings 28, to be described further below, on the pole 16 if desired and if not already pre-installed.

To install a pole 16, a person may attach fastening 24 to the closet rod 14, orient pole 16 generally vertically, extend first section 18 until foot assembly 26 touches the floor 12, and secure connection 22. The person may then make a further adjustment of the length of the pole 16 by rotating the foot assembly 26 to compress the pole 16 between the floor 12 and the closet rod 14. One or more fitments 30 may then be attached to any fittings 28 or to openable fittings 92, to be described further below, mounted on the pole 16 to provide or support article supporting elements. Fitments 30 may have variable lengths between their points of attachment to fittings 28 so that poles 16 do not need to be installed at a predetermined spacing from each other or so that a person may choose a desired spacing between poles 16. Fitments 30 may have connections 22 to secure them in their desired lengths.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, different views of a connector 22 are shown. Connector 22 may be used to fix the first and second sections 18, 20 of a telescopic rod 19 in position relative to each other. This permits one way of adjusting the length of pole 16. Connector 22 includes a sleeve 36 that is fixed onto an end of section 20 for example by a press fit. Sleeve 36 includes an internal thread 40 optionally located within a protrusion 38 of sleeve 36. The connector 22 further includes a screw 44, optionally with an enlarged head 42 suitable for turning with bare fingers, that threads into the internal thread 40. Once the first and second sections 18, 20 are set to a desired position, the head 42 can be turned to make the tip of the screw 44 press against the surface of the first section 18 to fix the first and second sections 18, 20 in position relative to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, different views of a fastening 24 are shown. A fastening 24 at the top of a pole 16 is used to attach the pole 16 to the closet rod 14. The fastening 24 includes a fixed jaw 46, a moveable jaw 48, a pivot 50, and a biasing means 52. Biasing means 52 may be, for example, a spring coiled around pivot 50 with opposed ends bearing on jaws 46, 48, to bias the moveable jaw 48 towards a closed position. The fixed jaw 46 abuts the bottom of the closet rod 14 so that the pole 16 can be compressed between the floor 12 and closet rod 14. The fixed jaw 46 may have an internal thread (not shown) to permit the fastening 24 to be attached to an end of the second section 20 with a threaded screw. The moveable jaw 48 abuts the closet rod 14 when closed such that a pole 16 can temporarily hang from the closet rod 14 during installation. When opened, for example by pushing on thumb lever 47, fastening 24 may be placed around the closet rod 44. Releasing the thumb lever 47 then allows moveable jaw 48 to close bringing the jaws 46, 48 in contact with the closet rod 14.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, different views of a foot assembly 26 are shown. A foot assembly 26 may be positioned at the bottom of each pole 16 to permit fine adjustment of the length of the pole 16 or to compress the pole 16 between the floor 12 and closet rod 14. A bottom end of the first section 18 includes a plug 54 having an internal thread 56 provided therein. Foot assembly 26 includes a screw body 58 with a top end that slides over the bottom end of first section 18, a bottom 60 that supports or holds a threaded rod 62, and a downwardly extending collar 64 that fits into a base 66. The threaded rod 62 screws into or out of the internal thread 56 of the plug 54 to permit movement of the first section 18 relative to the base 66. The screw body 58 may include vertical ribs or the like to facilitate the rotation of the screw body 58 during adjustment of the foot assembly 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 9, different views of fittings 28 are shown. A fitting 28 may be located by sliding it to a desired location along the length of the pole 16 which thereby permits variable positioning of the fitments 30. Fitting 28 includes a first section 68 adapted to receive a fitment 30 and an externally threaded split collar 31. Fitting 28 further includes a second section 70 provided with an internal thread (not shown) to screw onto the collar 31 of the first section 68. The threaded parts of one or both of sections 68, 70 are tapered such that when the first and second sections 68, 70 are screwed together, the split collar 31 gets compressed against the pole 16 to fix the fitting 28 into place. The second section 70 may include vertical ribs or the like to facilitate the rotation of the second section 70 during assembly of the fitting 28. Fitment 30 may include a rod orientable generally perpendicular to the poles 16 and attached between and to a pair of fittings 28 to provide an article supporting element such as a single rod which can support clothing or the like on hangers. Fitment 30 may be, for example, press fit into the first section 68 or held in place with a screw through a protrusion 67 of the first section 68.

FIG. 6 shows a connector 22 that can be used for a variable length fitment 30 in the form of a rod. Such a fitment 30 has a first section 72 and a second section 74 of a telescoping rod 73 that may be fixed in position relative to each other by connector 22. Connector 22 includes a sleeve 76 that is fixed onto an end of first section 72. Sleeve 76 includes an internal thread (not shown) provided therein. The connector 22 further includes a screw 80 optionally with a large head adapted to be turned with bare hands and adapted to screw into the internal thread. Once the first and second sections 72, 74 are set to a desired position, the head 80 can be adjusted so that the tip of the screw presses against the surface of the second section 74 to fix the first and second sections 72, 74 in position relative to each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 10 and 11, a fitting 28 may have a bracket 82 to support a shelf 33 having a first section 32 and a telescoping second section 34 between ends 83. Ends 83 may be provided with a plurality of internally threaded holes 84 adapted to receive threaded pins 86 through holes in brackets 82 into the ends 83 of shelf 33. A person can select which apertures 84 to use which permits variable positioning of the shelf 33 along a plane generally perpendicular to the poles 16. Fitting 28 is located along a pole 16 in a manner similar to that described in relation to FIGS. 5 and 9. A sleeve 88 that is fixed onto an end of the first section 32 holds, with an end 83, rods 85 in the first section 32 generally parallel to each other. Sleeve 88 is a form of a connector 22 and has a screw 81, or multiple screws 81, to clamp against one or more rods 87 of the second section 34 to fix sections 32, 34 in position relative to each in a manner similar to that described in relation to FIG. 6.

FIGS. 12 to 17 show means for providing an optional sliding drawer 122 below shelf 33. FIGS. 12 and 13 show a drawer bracket 110 having a body 114. Body 114 has slots 116 shaped and located to receive rods 85 of shelf 33. Body 114 also has a discontinuous drawer glide 112 comprised of a set of projections between the slots 116. A keeper 118 fits into a slot in the body 114, and may be held in place with a screw 120, to capture rods 85 in one or more of the slots 116 to fix the bracket 110 to the shelf 33. FIGS. 15 and 16 show two brackets 110 mounted on a shelf 33 between an end 83 of shelf 33 and the sleeve 88. A flange 126 at the top of a drawer 122 rests on the drawer slide 112 (see FIG. 16) to support the drawer 122 while allowing it to be slid open or closed.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show a stop 124 that is clamped to a rod 85 and extends downward into the drawer 122. A stop 124 placed, for example, on the furthest forward rod 85 may be used to prevent the drawer 122 from sliding backwards too far when being closed (see FIG. 15). Another stop placed, for example, on the second to fourth rod 85 back may be used to prevent the drawer from opening too far (See FIG. 16).

Referring now to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, an optional shoe rack 90 is shown. A pair of split or openable fittings 92 may be used to attach the optional shoe rack 90 to the system 10. Fitting 92 is adapted to be installed onto a desired section of a pre-installed pole 16 without the need for sliding the fitting 92 up from an end of the pole 16. Fitting 92 has first and second sections 94, 96, each of which has an acruate abutment for bearing against the pole 16. Fitting 92 includes fasteners between the first and second sections 94, 96 adapted to compress the first and sections 94, 96 against the pole 16. The first and second sections 94, 96, when attached to each other, surround a section of the pole 16. The optional shoe rack 90 includes first and second rods 98, 100, orientable generally perpendicular to the poles 16. Rods 98, 100 are locatable one on each side of a plane including the poles 16 and at different locations relative to the length of the poles 16 to support shoes, slippers, boots and the like 200. The first and second rods 98, 100, can be spaced apart so that one rod 100 can be located at the intersection of a heel and sole of a shoe 200 and the other rod 98 can support the sole of a shoe 200 near the toe of the shoe 200 (see FIG. 19). First and second rods 98, 100 may optionally be variable in length with telescoping rod sections and connectors 22 as previously described in relation to FIG. 6. FIG. 20 shows the first rod 98 attached to a second section 96 with a screw 99 that bears against the rod 98. The second rod 100 may be attached to the second section 96 in the same way.

The following claims define the invention or inventions protected by this patent.

Claims

1. A kit of parts for a closet storage system comprising,

a) at least two sets of parts for assembling each into a pole that may be installed between a floor and pre-installed closet rod, each set of parts including, i) a first section of a telescoping rod having first and second ends; ii) a second section of a telescoping rod having first and second ends; iii) a connector for fixing the first and second sections of the telescopic rod in position relative to each other; and, iv) a fastening attachable to an end of the second section and adapted to attach the pole to the closet rod,

b) a pair of fittings, each locatable at a selected position along one of the poles; and,

c) a fitment attachable between the fittings.

2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising components for a variable length foot assembly attached or attachable to an end of the first section.

3. The kit of claim 1 having a third fitting attachable at a selected location along one of the poles and a second fitment attachable to the third fitting.

4. The kit of claim 1 having brackets attachable to the fitment for supporting a drawer.

5. The kit of claim 4 having a stop attachable to the fitment for limiting the movement of the drawer.

6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the fitment comprises one or more telescoping rods.

7. The kit of claim 1, wherein a fitting comprises a first section and a second section wherein the first section may be separated from the second section so as to allow the fitting to be installed on a section of the pole without first sliding to the section from an end of the pole.

8. The kit of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second sections has an arcuate abutment for bearing against the pole.

9. The kit of claim 7, further comprising a fastener between the first and second sections adapted to compress the first and section sections against the pole.

10. The kit of claim 7, wherein the first and second sections, when attached to each other, surround a section of the pole.

11. The kit of claim 1, wherein the fitment comprises first and second rods, the rods being orientable generally perpendicular to the poles and locatable one on each side of the plane including the poles and at different locations relative to the length of the poles.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the rods are orientable and locatable so as to support a shoe, for example, a shoe between US sizes 8 and 13.

13. The kit of claim 11, wherein the rods are orientable and locatable such that, with one rod located at the intersection of a heel and sole of a shoe, the other rod rests on the sole of the shoe near the toe of the shoe.

14. A kit of parts for adding a drawer to a shelf comprising a bracket for attachment to the shelf having a drawer glide.

15. The kit of claim 14 having a stop for attachment to the shelf to limit travel of a drawer suspended from the drawer glide.

16. The kit of claim 14, wherein the bracket has slots sized and positioned to allow the bracket to be placed over a shelf comprising a set of rods wherein the drawer glide comprises drawer glide segments between the slots.

17. The kit of claim 16 further comprising a closure attachable to the bottom of the bracket to prevent its removal from the rods of the shelf.

18. A shoe rack comprising first and second fittings, each adapted to be mounted on a pole, and first and second rods spanning between the fittings.

19. The shoe rack of claim 18 wherein the rod is located on either side of a plane including the poles.

20. The shoe rack of claim 18, wherein one rod is located above the other.