HANGING UTENSIL RACK AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURER
A hanging utensil storage rack is presented. The utensil rack comprises a base unit coupled to utensil holders which can be hooks or magnets. The rack is suspended and rotates about a swivel. Utensils hang from the hooks or are attached to magnets and are easily accessible due to the rotation capability. The rack is self-balancing such that when utensils are removed, it does not tilt appreciably and is still able to rotate. In one design of the hanging utensil rack, the base unit and the utensil hooks are made from a single piece of sheet metal. The base and utensil holders are suspended from ropes, chains, wires or rods.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/851,668, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, tilted “SPINNING, HANGING UTENSIL RACK”; herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to the field of a hanging utensil racks and more specifically to a hanging kitchen utensil rack and a method of manufacturer of a hanging utensil rack.
BACKGROUNDThere are several methods to store and organize household utensils in the art. Examples of some types of household utensils (in this case kitchen utensils) are shown in
Many methods exist to organize kitchen implements (or other types of household implements). These range from containers
Kitchen implement containers
Wall mounted racks
Pedestal racks design for countertops
Existing hanging implement racks such as shown in
A primary object of the invention is that it provides storage for irregular shape and sized kitchen (or household) implements that is out of the way but provides convenient access.
Another object of the invention is to reduce clutter and usage of drawer space.
Another object of the invention is to save counter or wall space.
Yet another object of the invention is self-balancing of stored implements.
Still yet another object of the invention is design and manufacturer of a hanging storage rack that is optimized for inexpensive construction, strength and utility.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, embodiments of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a rotating hanging storage rack for utensils comprising: a base unit coupled to at least one utensil holder suspended from a swivel using one or more suspension elements.
Further disclosed are additional elements including a mounting element, a pedestal and a base and a hanging accessory used to store implements without a hole in the handle.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method of manufacturer of a hanging utensil rack comprising: cutting a single flat piece of sheet metal into an elongated strip with polygonal tabs extending from a first elongate side of the elongated strip; bending the polygonal tabs into a hook shape; rolling the elongated sheet metal into a circular loop with the hook portion of the polygonal tabs facing away from the center of the loop, and seam welding the short ends of the elongated strap together.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
In the embodiment depicted in
As shown in
At least one suspension element 308 is coupled on one end to the swivel 306 and on the other end to base unit 302. Various materials can be used for the suspension elements, for example: rope, braided or stranded wire, cable, chain, monofilament and the like. Couplings of the suspension elements 308 to both the swivel 306 and the base unit 302 could be, for example, knots, a chain link, welds or if using a wire or cable, a loop through mounting holes (not shown in
It should be noted that the term swivel is referred to in a generic sense in that it provides a method for the base and the suspension elements of the hanging utensil rack to rotate freely at least in a plane parallel to a horizontal mounting surface, but preferably also to move freely in 3 dimensions. When the utensil rack is mounted from a single suspension point, this allows the center of gravity of the utensil rack and utensils to center itself directly underneath the mounting point, thereby not creating any torque on the mounting point making it more secure and stronger. It also creates less friction on the swivel and allows rotation more freely.
In other embodiments if the swivel is constrained to rotate in two dimensions, then the mounting method for the swivel needs to be able to handle the torque generated when the rack is only partially loaded with utensils. In addition, for the rack to remain in a more or less horizontal alignment, then the suspension elements may need to be rigid, for example, rods.
In
Finally in
It should be noted that utensil holders other than hooks are also considered. For example utensil holder could be magnets that are fixed to the base unit. There could also be a mix of hooks and hook sizes for differing implements sizes and magnets.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A hanging utensil rack comprising:
- a base unit;
- at least one utensil holder coupled to the base unit;
- at least one suspension element with a first and second end portion; and
- a swivel;
- wherein the base unit is coupled to the first end portion of the at least one suspension element and the swivel is coupled to the second end portion of the at least one suspension element and wherein the hanging storage rack is suspended from the swivel.
2. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 further comprising:
- A central support structure; and
- a pedestal base;
- wherein the swivel is coupled to a first end portion of the central support structure; and
- wherein the second end of the central support structure is coupled to the pedestal base.
3. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 wherein the at least one suspension element is length adjustable.
4. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 wherein the at least one suspension element is made of one of a rod, chain, rope and wire.
5. The hanging storage rack of claim 1 wherein the at least one utensil holder is fixedly attached to the base unit.
6. The hanging storage rack of claim 1 wherein the at least one utensil holder is a hook.
7. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 wherein the at least one utensil holder is a magnet.
8. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 wherein the base unit is configured to rotate in a mostly horizontal plane.
9. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 wherein the swivel allows rotation in 3 dimensions.
10. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 wherein the base unit is a metal circular band.
11. The hanging utensil rack of claim 1 further comprising a utensil container configured to hang on at least one utensil holder.
12. The hanging storage rack of claim 10 wherein the base unit and the at least one utensil holder are constructed from a signal piece of sheet metal.
13. A method of manufacturer of a hanging utensil rack comprising:
- cutting a single flat piece of sheet metal into an elongated strip with polygonal tabs extending from a first elongate side of the elongated strip;
- bending the polygonal tabs into a hook shape;
- rolling the elongated sheet metal into a circular loop with the hook portion of the polygonal tabs facing away from the center of the loop; and
- seam welding the short ends of the elongated strap together.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Inventor: KEITH SCHREIBER MULLER (Norwich, VT)
Application Number: 14/205,501
International Classification: A47B 81/00 (20060101);