Shoe rack

Abstract

A shoe rack having at least one rod with an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and along a length of the rod. First and second end frames are connected to the rod by connectors. A plurality of shoe holders are mounted on the rod, the shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib extends. The hole is sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod. Two stops are connected to the base of each shoe holder or connected to one of the frames. The stops are located on opposing sides of the rib and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates. The connector has a projection mating with the rods, and parallel walls spaced apart to fit over a rail mate with.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of application Ser. No. 60/873,399, filed Dec. 7, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Shoe racks are available to hold shoes but they are typically constructed so the shoe holders are at a fixed angle and that takes up extra space and makes it harder to place the shoes onto the shoe holders and to remove the shoes from the shoe holders. Further, most shoe racks have the shoe holders orientated so that the shoe is placed on the holder with the sole upward, and that makes it easier to get dirt from the shoe sole onto other clothing. Further, many shoe racks have the shoe holders orientated so the shoe upper is either not visible or so it is difficult to place the shoe onto the holder with the shoe upper being visible. There is thus a need for a shoe holder that allows a shoe to be easily placed onto the holder and then rotated into a less voluminous position, with the shoe upper being visible for easy identification and selection of the stored shoes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A shoe rack is provided having at least one rod having an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and extending substantially continuously along substantially the entire length of the rod. The rod connects to a frame having first and second end frames. A plurality of shoe holders are mounted on the rod, the shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib extends and the hole being sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod. The shoe holder is configured to fit inside a shoe to hold it on the shoe rack. There are two stops connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to one of the frames, with the stops being located on opposing sides of the rib and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates. The shoe holder is thus rotated to a first position to place the shoe onto the shoe holder, and rotated to the second position to store the shoe in a way that advantageously takes up less room, and that ideally displays the shoe upper. In the preferred embodiment, the shoe rack has the stops connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders.

Further variations include forming the rod as a cylinder and forming the rib with a generally rectangular cross-section. The end frames are optionally fastened to a wall and connected by only the rods, but the end frames could also be fastened together by members other than the rods. Further, the shoe holder preferably has a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder, with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base. Additionally, the stops are preferably located relative to the rib so that the shoe holder has a first position substantially vertical during use and a second position less than about 85° from the vertical during use.

There is also provided a shoe rack kit that includes a plurality of rods each having an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and substantially continuously along substantially the entire length of the rod. The kit also includes first and second end frames, each having a recess adapted to receive one end of each rod or other connecting mechanism. The kit further includes a plurality of shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib can extend during use. The hole is sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod. The kit also has two stops connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to one of the frames, with the stops being located on opposing sides of the rib after assembly of the kit and during use, and with the stops spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates. Preferably, the stops are connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders.

In further variations, the kit has the rods taking the form of a cylinder, preferably a cylindrical tube, and the rib has a generally rectangular cross-section. Moreover, the kit can have end frames that are adapted to fasten to a wall, or that are adapted to be held together by a plurality of structural members having ends adapted to fasten the end frames together. Further, the kit can include a shoe holder with a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder, where the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base. Additionally, the kit preferably includes stops located relative to the rib so that when assembled, the shoe holder has a first position substantially vertical during use and a second position less than about 85° from the vertical during use. These various features can be used in various combinations with each other. Further variations, features and embodiments of the shoe rack and connectors used on the shoe rack are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present shoe rack has a shoe holder that allows a shoe to be easily placed onto the holder and then rotated into a less voluminous position, with the shoe upper being visible for easy identification and selection of the stored shoes. These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rod with shoe holders mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the rod and shoe holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view showing a shoe holder and shoe in a first, loading position;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view showing the shoe holder and shoe in a second, storage position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a shoe rack having a plurality of rods and shoe holders of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an end of the rod of FIG. 1 ready to insert into a recess in the shoe holder

FIG. 7 is a plan front view of a shoe holder and a portion of a rod as used in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connector used to fasten a rod to a frame on a shoe rack;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 8 connected to a shoe rack;

FIG. 10 sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the connector of FIG. 8 connected to a shoe rack;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of one end of a shoe rack but showing a notched rail;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of one end of a shoe rack showing the connector of FIG. 1 ready to attach to a notched rail on the shoe rack;

FIG. 13 is a partial end view of the shoe rack of FIG. 5 showing the ends of the rods in an exploded configuration of a further embodiment of a connector used to connect the rods to the shoe rack;

FIG. 14 is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a connector;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the connector of FIG. 14,

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the connector of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along section 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 14 fastened to a rail and taken along section 18-18 in FIG. 19;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 14 fastened to a rail of a shoe rack;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 14 connected to a rod with the rod on the inside of the connector; and

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of he connector of FIG. 14 connected to a rod with the connector on the inside of the rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, a shoe rack 10 has opposing end frames 12 with at least one rod 14 extending between the frames 12 to hold them together and to support the rods. The rods 14 have a plurality of shoe holders 16 connected to each rod, preferably by having the rod pass through a mating hole or holes 18 in a base 20 of the shoe holder 16. The shoe holder 16 can preferably slide along the rod 14. The shoe holder 16 is elongated and has a distal end 18 configures to fit inside a shoe 24 (FIG. 4) to hold the shoe on the rack 10. Typically, the distal end 18 fits inside a toe 26 of the shoe 24.

One of the rod 14 and shoe holder 16 has a projection 28, and the other has a set of stops 30 arranged so the projection hits the stops to allow the shoe holder 16 to rotate between the stops. As shown FIGS. 1-2, the projection 28 comprises a rib 28 extending continuously along the length of the rod 14. The stops 30 comprise radially inclined surfaces connected to the base 20 and located adjacent the hole 18 through the base of the shoe holder 16. The stops 30 allow the projection 28 and shoe holder 16 to rotate an angle θ. Preferably the hole 18 through the base 20 of the shoe h older 16 is shaped to define two stops 30. Alternatively, the stops can be formed on the exterior of the hole 18, and in this configuration the stops 30 preferably take the form of an annular collar extending along and around the axis of rotation of the rod 14. The annular collar has a portion removed to define the arc of permitted rotation of the shoe holder.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the rotating shoe holder 18 allows the shoe holder to incline away from a wall 32 and toward the user, making it easier to place the shoe 24 onto the shoe holder 16, after which the shoe and holder can be rotated toward the wall. The frames 12 that hold the rods may be fastened to the wall by nails, screws, hooks, etc. Mounting the rods to the wall, or placing the frame on the floor or other support adjacent the wall, allows the shoe 24 to be more easily inserted onto the shoe holder 16 so the top 34 of the shoe 24 or the shoe upper 34, faces away from the wall 32, rather than having the shoe sole 36 face away from the wall. It's easier to select the shoes 24 when you can see the tops 34 or shoe uppers 34, and the user also cannot readily brush against the sole 36 of the shoe and get dirty when the sole faces the wall. The frame 12 holds the rod 14 so that it is far enough from the wall so the shoe sole does not hit the wall when the shoe is in the upright position. A rod 14 offset from a wall a distance of about 2-5 inches is believed suitable, with the distance varying with the thickness of the shoe sole and the height of the shoe's heel. The rods 14 can be vertically spaced above each other if the shoe rack 10 is fastened to a vertical wall or support. Alternatively, the rods 14 can be horizontally spaced from each other as often occurs in shoe racks resting on the ground and as shown in FIG. 5, but as can also be done if the shoe rack is fastened to a wall.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the projection 28 is on the rod 14 with the shoe holders 16 rotating around or relative to the rod. Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the shoe holders 16 could be fastened to the rod 14 to rotate with the rod but not rotate relative to the rod, with the rod fitting into holes 38 in the end frames 12, and the stops 30 being fastened to the end frame. The projection 28 preferably still extends the length of the rod 14 so that the holders 16 can slide along the length of the rod and maintain the same orientation.

The projection 28 extends substantially continuously along a length of the rod 14. The substantially continuous projection or rib 28 allows small gaps in the projection, but the gaps must be smaller than the width of the base 20 so that the shoe holder 16 can slide along the rod and maintain the desired orientation of the shoe holder 16 relative to the rod. The projection 28 is in a diametrical plane of the rod in that it does not spiral around the rod.

The projection 28 or rib 28 also extends substantially continuously along substantially the entire length of the rod. By extending substantially the entire length, the rib need not extend to and/or into the end frames 12, but should extend close enough to the frames so that a shoe holder 16 cannot slop off the rib and freely rotate between the end of the rib and the frame.

The rod rotates through an arc or angle θ that is advantageously less than about 90°, more advantageously less than about 85°, and preferably about 45% or less, with a rotation of about 30-45° being preferred. The rod is mounted relative to the frame 12 so that the shoe holder 16 is generally vertical and parallel to the wall 32 in a first, storage position, and is above the horizontal in the second, loading position, and preferably less than about 85° from the vertical. If the shoe holder 16 is horizontal or below horizontal, then the shoe tends to slide off, and these angles or inclination, while permissible, are not desirable. Preferably, the shoe holder 16 is angled from 30-60° relative to the wall 32 during use, and thus the rod 14 is orientated relative to frame 12 to achieve that orientation. Depending on whether the rod is moving or stationary, the rod orientation will vary. The rod 14 is preferably orientated so the rib 28 is about 40° from the vertical wall 32, with the stops 30 spaced apart sufficiently to allow the shoe holder 16 to rotate about 40° both directions or on each side of the rib 28.

As seen in FIG. 1, the shoe holder 16 is an elongated portion extending from the base 20 to the distal end 22, and the longitudinal axis of that portion does not pass through the center of the rod 14. The base 20 offsets the longitudinal axis of shoe holder 16 from the center or rotational axis of rod 14, as best seen in FIG. 2. An offset of about ⅛-¾inch is believed suitable. The offset is selected to allow a smaller rotation of the rod 14 allow the shoe to be more easily placed onto the holder 16 and to allow rotation to the vertical storage position.

The base 20 is advantageously about 2-4 inches wide, and preferably 2-3 inches wide. If the base 20 is too narrow, then the shoe can rotate about the base and the base can rock or twist relative to the rod. A wider base 20 provides a more stable shoe holder 20. The distal end 22 is preferably narrow, especially if the end 22 is desired to fit into the toe of a shoe. But the end 22 could be wider, depending on the type and variety of shoes with which the shoe rack 10 is to be used.

The end frames 12 are connected to the rods 14 in various ways. Preferably the frames 12 have recesses that receive the rods, with the recesses being shaped like the rod-cross section. But the recess shape can vary, and the rods can be fastened to the frames by various known means, such as screws, pins, adhesives, friction fits, caps, brackets, etc. Suitable end connectors for the rods 14 and other structural members of the shoe rack 10 are described in published patent application nos. US 2005/0211652 (Ser. No. 11/127,419) and 60/782,214, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The end frames 12 can be fastened to a wall 32 by screws, nails, clips, brackets and other mechanism. The end frames 12 can be fastened together by structural members to form a self-supporting frame as in FIG. 5 which can rest on a floor or be fastened as a single unit to the wall 32. The number of end frames 12 can vary, with the rods 14 ending at each frame, or extending through one or more frames. Indeed, the rods 14 could extend beyond an end frame 14 in a cantilever manner, with an enlarged end or pin on the distal end of the cantilevered rod to prevent the shoe holder 22 from sliding off the distal end.

The shoe rack 10 preferably is shipped in a kit and assembled. The kit includes a plurality of rods 14 each having an elongated rib 28 extending outward from the rod as described herein. The kit includes at least first and second end frames, and may include more. Each end frame optionally has a recess adapted to receive one end of each rod. The recess includes holes into and through the frames 12, and includes the recesses in the sockets described in patent application Ser. Nos. 11/127,419 and 60/782,214. The kit also includes a plurality of shoe holders 16 each having a base 20 with a hole through which the rod 14 and rib 28 can extend during use, as described herein so the holder can slide along the rod. At least one of t\The end frames or preferably each base 20, has two stops with the stops 30 being located on opposing sides of the rib after assembly of the kit and during use. As described herein, the stops 30 are spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc or angle θ through which the shoe holder rotates. The various components of the kit can have any of the features or variations described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 8-11, c connector 40 that is believed to be suitable for use with the shoe rack 10 is disclosed. The connector 40 releasably fastens one end of rod 14 to a rail 12 of an end frame 46 to form a support structure such as a shoe rack. The shape of the end frame 46 will vary depending on whether it is wall mounted, suspended, or rests on the floor. The end frames 46 are preferably held entirely together by a plurality of rods 14 and connectors 40, but other ways of fastening the rods to the end frames could be simultaneously used.

The connector 40 is fastened to the distal end of rod 14, preferably with one connector at each distal end of the rod. The rod 14 can be solid, as a wooden rod, or hollow, as in an extruded aluminum or plastic rod or as with a rolled metal rod. The connector 40 has a coupling member 48 that fits inside the distal end of a hollow rod 14, or that fits outside the periphery of the distal end of the rod to couple the connector to the end of the rod. The coupling member 48 is then fastened to the rod 14, typically by staking, pinning, screws, snap locks, adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, or other fastening mechanism. The connector is preferably integrally molded from a single piece of plastic.

The connector 40 has an inverted, U-shaped cross section with two opposing walls 50a, 50b, forming the opposing legs of the U-shaped cross-section and a top 52 joining those opposing walls 50a, 50b. The top 52 abuts the rail 12 to releasably fasten the connector 40 and rod 14 to the rail 12. The walls 50a, 50b are preferably rectangular in shape, as is the top 58. The rail 12 is preferably rectangular in cross-section. If the rail 12 has a different cross-sectional shape, then the configuration of the portion of walls 50 that abut the rail 12 is preferably, but optionally altered to conform to the abutting portion of the rail.

The outer or distal wall 50a is slightly longer than the inner wall 50b which is adjacent the coupling member 48. The outer wall 50a is longer than the inner wall 50b so the outer wall can be manually manipulated to disengage the protrusion and recess. The outer wall 50a has a protrusion 54 or recess 56 which mates with a corresponding recess 56 or protrusion 54 on the rail 12 of the end-frame 46 to hold the parts in position relative to each other when the rail is positioned between the two walls 50a, 50b with the top 52 of the connector 40 abutting the rail. The recess 56 can be a dead end or blind recess, or it can comprise a hole extending through the rail 12. There are thus advantageously provided relative positioning means. The outer wall 52a is preferably, but optionally slightly longer than the abutting portion of the rail 12 so that a person can manually move the distal end of the outer wall 50a and disengage the protrusion 54 from the recess 56, or the recess 56 from the protrusion 54, as the case may be. There are thus provided manual release means.

Referring further to FIGS. 10-11, depending on the structure with which the connector 40 is used, the rail 12 can be horizontal, or inclined. If the rail 12 is inclined the rail preferably has a notch 58 that forms a generally horizontal surface 60 when the rail is assembled for use. The notch 58 allows the top 52 to rest against the generally horizontal surface 60. If the top 58 abuts an inclined surface, the connector 40 will tend to slide along that inclined surface, and the retaining force of the mating protrusion 54 and recess 56 can be overcome if the force on the rod 14 and connector 40 is sufficiently great. Preferably, but optionally the surface 60 is slightly inclined toward the interior of he rail 12 so that the connector 40 abuts the end of the notch to securely support the connector 40. When the top 58 abuts and rests on the surface 60 of the notch 58, the protrusion 54 and recess 56 engage to hold the parts in relative position. Thus, whichever of the protrusion 54 and recess are formed in the rail 12, it must be correctly positioned relative to the notch 58 at a location corresponding to the protrusion 54 or recess 56 in the outer wall 50a of the connector. The mating protrusion 54 and recess 56 provide means for positioning the connector 40 and rail 12 and preventing relative movement of those parts. There is thus provided recess means for configuring the rail 12 and/or a portion of end frame 46 so the top 52 supports the connector 40 and rod 14 on the rail 12 and/or end frame 46.

The connector 40 is shown for use with a shoe rack (FIG. 8) but the connector can be used with other assemblies, including laundry drying racks, dish racks, towel racks, or other assemblies where elongated members such as rod 14 are releasably fastened to end members such as rail 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, a further embodiment of a connector is shown in which a shaft 71 extends from the end frame 12 and has an enlarged distal end 70. The shaft 71 is preferably shaped, having an upper portion larger than the lower portion to form a snap lock. The enlarged end 70 is preferably cylindrical, like a disk. Attached to the adjacent end of the rod 14 is a female fastener 72 having an opening 73 shaped to receive the shaft 71 and having an internal recess 74 shaped to receive the enlarged end 70. The recess 73 optionally forms a snap fit with the shaft 71. The shaft 71 and end 70 could be on the rod, and the female fastener 72 could be on the end frame 12.

Referring to FIGS. 14-19, a further embodiment of a connector is shown referred to herein as connector 80. The walls 50 of the prior connector 40 could splay if not made of sufficiently strong material at the top 52. The connector 80 resolves that difficulty. Connector 80 has spaced apart walls 50a, 50b joined by a top wall 52 with a coupling member 48 extending from the inner wall 50b. The walls 50a, 50b are spaced apart a distance sufficient to fit on opposing sides of a rail 44, and preferably to snugly fit on opposing sides.

As best seen in FIGS. 16-18, the connector 40 has two spaced apart retaining members 82 optionally having a slightly enlarged distal end 84. The retaining members 82 extend between the walls 50a, 50b, and are preferably formed integrally therewith by having the entire connector 80 molded of plastic, of metal or of other material. The retaining members 82 are of sufficient length and/or size to prevent the walls 50a, 50b from splaying when a predetermined weight is applied to the rod 14 (FIG. 12) connected to the coupling member 48, and in that capacity effectively act as strengthening or stiffening ribs. This anti-splaying function could be achieved by a variety of structures of different shape which provide additional strength to the connector 40, preferably adjacent to or in connection with the top wall 52, to prevent splaying under operating loads.

The rail 44 has recesses 86 configured to accept the retaining members 42. The retaining members 82 can be of various shapes and the recesses 86 are configured accordingly to receive the retaining members. The recesses preferably, but optionally have a smaller opening at the top of the recess than at the bottom of the recess so that the enlarged head 84 of the retaining member 82 can snap fit into the recess. The recesses 86 are spaced apart and result in an intervening projection or latch member preferably, but optionally having a larger distal end than the base which is interior to the rail 44. The latch 88 preferably extends to the top level of the rail 44, with a recess 86 on each side. The latch 88 and retaining members 82 are preferably of complementary shape so they interlock and help retain the connector 80 engaged with the rail 44. Advantageously, but optionally, the latch 88 has a width that is less than a length of a retaining member 82. Further, the retaining members 82 abut the rail 44 sufficiently to prevent the connector 80 from sliding down an inclined rail, thus reducing or avoiding the use of flattened areas 60 (FIG. 12). Moreover, the projection or latch 88 is optional as the retaining members can resiliently engage the abutting sides of a single recess in the rail 44 which is slightly smaller than the configuration of the members 82 to form a resilient engagement to interlock the parts and to further prevent movement of the connector 40 along the length of the rail.

The described rails 44 are rectangular in cross section with the long side of the rectangle vertical in use. But other shapes could be used for the rails, including cross-sections of circular, oval, square or other shapes. The spacing between walls 50a, 50b alter according to the shape of the rail 44. Likewise the configuration of the retaining members 82 and distal ends 84 also vary according to the cross-sectional shape of the rail 44. Further, the end rail 44 could comprise an exposed edge of a vertical post on the end frame 12, with the edge being exposed by an aperture formed in the post which aperture is sufficiently large to allow a wall 50 to pass through the aperture and place the edge between walls 50a, 50b. Moreover, the projection/latch 88 could be omitted so the retaining members 82 engage opposing sides of a common recess. Thus, the connector 40 is not limited to use with the particular shoe rack described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 20-21, the connector 40 can connect to the rod 14 various ways. In FIG. 20, the rod extends inside the tubular coupling member 48, and there is optionally a ridge, flange or other stop on the outside of the rod to limit the relative motion of the rod and connector 40. The ridge preferably comprises the projection 28. In FIG. 21, the rod 14 is hollow and the connector 40 fits inside the rod 14. In this embodiment the end of the rod 14 and the projection 14 can abut the connector 40. In either embodiment, the connector 40 and rod 14 can be press fit together, or fastened by various mechanisms such as adhesives, pins, staking, threaded connections on the mating surfaces, and various other ways known in the art or developed hereafter.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. For example, the rail 12 could comprise the end frame 46, or vice versa. The protrusion 54 and recess 56 could be located on the inner wall 50b or located on both the inner and outer walls 50a, 50b. Further, intermediate frames could be used, each frame having a rail to which the connector releasably fastens. The various connectors 40 comprise means for releasably fastening the rods to the end frames, and various other connectors could be used. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A shoe rack, comprising

at least one rod having an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and substantially continuously along substantially the entire length of the rod;

first and second end frames, each connected to the rod;

a plurality of shoe holders mounted on the rod, the shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib extends, the hole being sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod;

two stops connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to one of the frames, the stops being located on opposing sides of the rib and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates.

2. The shoe rack of claim 1, wherein the stops are connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders.

3. The shoe rack of claim 2, wherein the rod comprises a cylinder and the rib has a generally rectangular cross-section.

4. The shoe rack of claim 2, wherein the end frames are fastened to a wall.

5. The shoe rack of claim 2, wherein the end frames are also fastened together by members other than the rods.

6. The shoe rack of claim 1, wherein the shoe holder has a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder, with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base.

7. The shoe rack of claim 2, wherein the shoe holder has a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the show, with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base.

8. The shoe rack of claim 2, wherein the stops are located relative to the rib so that the shoe holder has a first position substantially vertical during use and a second position less than about 85° from the vertical during use.

9. The shoe rack of claim 1, wherein each end frame has a rail to which the at least one rod is connected, each rail having a pair of slots at the location of the connection with the rod, and further comprising a connector on opposing ends of the at last one rod, the connector having opposing walls spaced apart a distance sufficient to fit over a width of the rail, the opposing walls being joined by two retaining members that are spaced apart a distance to align with slots in the rail and that are configured to fit in those slots.

10. The shoe rack of claim 9, wherein at least one of the retaining members has an enlarged distal end that snaps into an enlarged recess at the bottom of the slots into which the at least one retaining member is inserted.

11. The shoe rack of claim 10, wherein a tube is integrally molded with one of the walls, with the tube being sized to receive the rod inside the tube or to fit inside the rod.

12. The shoe rack of claim 1, where the end frame includes at least one rail, and further comprising means on the rail and on a connector for releasably cooperating to connect the connector to the rail, the means including retaining members and a latch member, the connector being connected to the at least one rod.

13. The shoe rack of claim 1, where the end frame includes at least one rail, and further comprising means on the rail and on a connector for releasably cooperating to prevent movement of the connection along a length of the rail, the means including at least one recess in the rail.

14. A shoe rack kit, comprising:

a plurality of rods each having an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and substantially continuously along substantially the entire length of the rod;

first and second end frames, each having a recess adapted to receive one end of each rod;

a plurality of shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib can extend during use, the hole being sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod;

two stops connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to one of the frames, the stops being located on opposing sides of the rib after assembly of the kit and during use, and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates.

15. The shoe rack kit of claim 14, wherein the stops are connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders.

16. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein the rods comprise a cylinder and the rib has a generally rectangular cross-section.

17. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein the end frames are adapted to fastened to a wall.

18. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of structural members having ends adapted to fasten the end frames together.

19. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein the shoe holder has a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder, with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base.

20. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein the stops are located relative to the rib so that when assembled, the shoe h older has a first position substantially vertical during use and a second position less than about 85° from the vertical during use.

21. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, wherein one of the rod or end frames contains an interlocking male projection and the other of the rod or end frames contains a female socket configured to releasably hold the male projection and interlock the rod and end frames.

22. The shoe rack kit of claim 15, comprising a connector on the rods having a U-shaped cross-section with an inner wall adjacent the rod and an outer wall more distant from the rod than the inner wall, the walls being joined at a top, the outer wall having one of a protrusion or recess mating with the other of a protrusion or recess formed in a portion of the end frame so the top abuts a generally horizontal portion of the end frame located between the walls of the connector during use of the rack.

23. The rack of claim 22, wherein the end racks include a rail containing the generally horizontal portion, the rail being inclined and the generally horizontal portion forming a portion of a notch, with the other of a protrusion or recess being formed in the rail at a location mating with the protrusion or recess of the connector when the connector is placed on the rail with the top abutting the generally horizontal surface.

24. The rack of claim 22, further comprising means for releasably fastening the rods to the end frames.

25. A connector for coupling an elongated member to a rail having a thickness with a two spaced-apart recesses having extending through the thickness and opening onto an upper edge of the rail, comprising:

a first and second walls spaced apart a distance corresponding to the thickness and joined at a top with an open bottom and sides;

a coupling member extending outward from an exterior side of the first wall, the coupling member being configured to fasten to the elongated member during use;

two retaining members extending from the top toward the open bottom, the members being spaced apart a distance selected so the retaining members fit into the spaced apart recesses in the rail and extending between the first and second walls.

26. The connector of claim 24, wherein the coupling member has a cylindrical cross-section and extends perpendicular from the first wall.

27. The connector of claim 24, wherein at least one of the retaining members has an enlarged distal end.

28. The connector of claim 24, wherein the retaining members are spaced a distance apart that is about the same as or less than a length of the longest retaining member.