COLLAPSIBLE CLEANING AND DRYING EQUIPMENT RACK

Abstract

A collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack configured to support equipment during the cleaning and drying process is provided. In particular, the collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack is configured to provide stability and maintain equipment arrangement while withstanding forces of water spray from a hose or power washer during the cleaning process. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack generally comprises a frame support assembly operable between an open freestanding position and a collapsed position, and a pivotal equipment support assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly along a transverse axis.

Description

This application is based upon and claims the priority filing date of the previously filed, copending U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “COLLAPSIBLE EQUIPMENT CLEANING AND DRYING RACK” filed May 7, 2015, Ser. No. 62/158,106, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention pertains to a rack for supporting a variety of athletic equipment, particularly relating to motocross, for the purpose of support during cleaning, drying, and display.

Motocross riders and many other sports related activities require certain protective gear to be worn during the activity in order to protect the participant from forceful impacts and to prevent injuries. The protective gear usually comprises a helmet, pair of boots, chest protector and a pair of gloves among other articles. Throughout the duration of the activity the equipment typically becomes extremely soiled due to falls in the mud, body sweat, and kicked up dirt from other participant's dirt bikes.

With that said, motocross gear and other sports related equipment frequently require cleaning after every use in order to maintain the gear in good working order, prep gear for storage, and for aesthetic purposes. Riders frequently utilize a water spray provided by a hose or power washer in order to clean their equipment after each use. This process can be cumbersome and awkward due to the irregular shapes of the equipment particularly the helmet, chest protector, boots and gloves. Riders tend to place the gear on the dirty ground during this process which is averse to cleaning. Moreover, the gear tends to move around because of the force of the water spray inhibiting accuracy and efficiency of cleaning the equipment. Additionally, during the drying period, equipment is typically strewn about the ground or hung miscellaneously without regard to effective drying techniques nor in an organized fashion.

The present invention provides an apparatus for reducing these problems. The difficulties inherent in the art are therefore overcome in a way which is simple, user friendly, and efficient—which will provide better and more advantageous results.

SUMMARY

For the foregoing reasons, what is needed is to provide a collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack that proficiently supports equipment in a logical arrangement that is ideal for cleaning and drying.

With that said, a collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack configured to support equipment during the cleaning and drying process is provided. In particular, the collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack is configured to provide stability and maintain equipment arrangement while withstanding forces of water spray from a hose or power washer during the cleaning process. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack generally comprises a frame support assembly operable between an open freestanding position and a collapsed position, and a pivotal equipment support assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly along a transverse axis.

In a version of the invention, the frame support assembly comprises a front pair of support legs connected by a transversely extending lower member; and a rear pair of support legs connected by a transversely extending lower member. The rear pair of support legs are pivotally connected to the front pair of support legs along the transverse axis in order to provide operation between the freestanding position and the collapsed position.

In a version, the pivotal equipment support assembly pivotally attached to the frame support assembly comprises a transversely extending pivot and support member rotatable about the transverse axis, an upper helmet assembly for supporting a helmet fixedly attached to the transversely extending pivot member, and a lower boot assembly extending below the transversely extending pivot member, comprising a pair of generally parallel upwardly extending boot members, each configured for seating boots thereon.

In another version, one or more elevated clip means are supported by the frame support assembly for hanging equipment gloves above the pivotal equipment support assembly.

In yet another version of the invention, the pivotal equipment support assembly is configured to be attachably removable to the frame support assembly.

Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where;

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a version of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is as front elevation view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is as front perspective view illustrating use of the version shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view illustrating use of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view illustrating use of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view illustrating use of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the illustrating use of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11A is right side elevation of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11B is an up-close detailed view of the clip included in the version shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is a side elevation, top plan, and a front elevation view of the clip found in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the broken down parts of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a perspective illustrative view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a second version of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective illustrative view showing the components in the collapsed position of the version shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an up-close detailed view of the stopping tab of the version shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an up-close detailed view of the hinge of the version shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a third version of the invention having a removably attachable pivotal equipment support assembly;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view and an illustrative perspective view of the removably attachable pivotal equipment support assembly of the version shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating use of the removable attachable pivotal equipment support assembly of the version shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the removable attachable pivotal equipment support assembly with auxiliary wall attachment of the version shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is an up-close view of the upper helmet assembly of the version shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is an up-close view of the upper helmet assembly of the version shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a version of the glove attachment means;

FIG. 25 is a perspective illustrative view of the glove attachment means show in FIGS. 24; and

FIG. 26 a view illustrating an alternative version having the ability to be unassembled and carried in a flexible bag.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are only for purposes of illustrating a preferred version of the invention and not for purposes of limiting the same.

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary versions of the invention. The description is not to be taken in the limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating, the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Attention is directed initially to FIG. 1-FIG. 5 of the drawings, wherein a collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack is shown in accordance with a first version of the present invention and is shown in use and designated generally by reference numeral 100. The equipment cleaning and drying rack 100 is intended to support sports equipment after use, especially motocross equipment including helmet, chest protector, boots, and gloves, in a manner which facilitates ease of cleaning and drying thereof. Moreover, the equipment cleaning and drying rack 100 is of novel construction which enables it to be adjusted to a collapsed position, generally planar shape for easy transport and storage. Accordingly, lightweight plastic is the preferred material for construction of the various equipment supporting pans of the equipment cleaning and drying rack 100 because it is durable, washable, moisture resistant, inexpensive, and makes the rack easy to carry. However, other materials may be utilized using sound engineering judgment.

Equipment cleaning and drying rack 100 generally comprises a frame support assembly 102 and a pivotal equipment support assembly 104. The pivotal equipment support assembly 104 is pivotally attached the frame support assembly 102 along a transverse axis X.

The frame support assembly 102 will be described initially. In a first version, the frame support assembly 102 includes a front pair of support legs 106 connected by a transversely extending lower front member 108, and a rear pair of support legs 110 connected by a transversely extending lower rear member 112. The rear pair of support legs 110 are pivotally connected to the front pair of support legs 106 along the transverse axis X by a pivot means such as a rod or—as illustrated in the version 100—a pair of pivot pins 114. The leg pairs 106, 110 may this be moved apart to an angled or open position as best seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, to form a freestanding support structure, or they may be folded together such that the frame support assembly 102 assumes a more compact shape. Ideally, the transversely extending lower front and rear members 108, 112 are arranged in parallel, and positioned adjacent to the supporting surface in order to provide improved lateral and longitudinal support of the equipment and drying rack 100 during operation.

A pivotal equipment support assembly 104 and its connection to the frame support assembly 102 will be described next. The pivotal equipment support assembly 104 is shown as including a transversely extending pivot and support member 120 configured to rotate about the transverse axis X, an upper helmet assembly 122 for supporting a helmet rigidly extending above the transversely extending pivot and support member 120, and a lower boot assembly 124 rigidly extending below the transversely extending pivot and support member 120. Generally, the pivotal equipment support assembly 104 has a center of gravity that falls below the point of pivot and the transverse axis X, thereby providing the tendency to maintain an upright position withstanding pressurized water spray during the cleaning process.

In particular, the upper helmet assembly 122 for seating a helmet comprises an upwardly extending helmet member 126 having an enlarged top portion 128 and a forward extending helmet member 130 forming an obtuse angle for seating a helmet thereon. A rearward extending member 132 forms an acute angle with the upwardly extending helmet member 126 which provides further support to the rear of the helmet. The combined configuration of the upwardly extending member 126, forward extending member 130 and the rearward extending member 132 provide a forward tilting seat for helmets mounted thereon. In the version, the enlarged top portion 128 is a curved forward extending member; however, can be of any configuration that properly supports the helmet thereon. Version 200 as illustrated by FIG. 14 and described below includes an enlarged top portion which is generally circular with a curved top surface. The forward extending helmet member 130 preferable includes an enlarged distal end 134 in order to prevent the helmet seated thereon from shifting forward during the mounted position.

The lower boot assembly 124 for seating a pair of inverted boots extends below the transversely extending pivot and support member 120 and X axis, comprises a pair of substantially parallel upwardly extending boot members 136. Each upwardly extending boot member 136 having an enlarged top portion 138 for supporting the inverted insole of each boot 12. The enlarged top portion 138 can be of any size or dimension that supports the insole of each hoot 12.

Moreover, in the version, the collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack 100 may incorporate one or more clips means or clips 140 supported by the frame support assembly 102 for hanging equipment, particularly gloves as shown in FIG. 6 and in detail FIG. 11A-11C. In the version 100, the frame support assembly 102 further comprises an upper frame 144 formed by a pair of parallel upwardly extending members 146 integral and in line with the front pair of support legs 106 and connected at the distal ends by an upper transverse member 142, the upper transverse member 142 having a height above the pivotal equipment support assembly 104. The one or more clip means 140 are attached to the upper transverse member 142 in order to properly clip and elevate gloves above the pivotal equipment support assembly 104. It will be known, the frame support assembly 102 and the upper frame 144 can be any configuration that supports the one or more clips means 140 in an elevated position. The clip means can be any device that attachably fastens the equipment to the equipment cleaning and drying rack 100.

A second version 200 is now presented as illustrated in FIG. 14-FIG. 17. Version 200 includes the features as discussed above regarding version 100 as well as comprising the ability to collapse and fold the upper frame 144 forward. In the version 200, the upper frame 144 of the frame support assembly 102 is hingediy connected to the front pair of support legs 106 by a first and second hinges 148, allowing the upper frame 144 to fold forward becoming substantially planar with the front pair of support legs 106 for purposes of storage and transport. See FIG. 17 for an up-close view of hinge 148.

Moreover, the second version 200 may further comprise one or more catch brackets 150 positioned between at least one front support leg 106 and an adjacent rear support leg 110 near the transverse axis X in order to limit the travel distance between the front pair of support legs 106 and the rear pair of support legs 110 while in the open freestanding position—providing a superior stability to the overall frame support assembly 102 configuration. See FIG. 16 for an up-close view of the catch bracket 150.

In yet another version 300 of the equipment cleaning and drying rack as illustrated by FIG. 18-FIG. 21, the pivotal equipment support assembly 104 is configured to be attachably removable with the frame support assembly 102 at the transverse axis X. This enables the user to retain the equipment on the pivotal equipment support assembly 104 not only during cleaning, drying, and displaying operation, but for storage and transport purposes as well. Moreover, a plurality of pivotal equipment support assemblies 104 can be utilized as interchangeable with a single frame support assembly 102, allowing multiple riders to utilize their own personal pivotal equipment support assembly 104 for their individual equipment storage and display needs.

Moreover, as best illustrated by FIG. 18-FIG. 21 the pivotal equipment support assembly 104 can be configured to attach to an auxiliary wall apart from the detached frame support assembly 102, by utilizing a rear extending wall attachment member 350 fixedly attached to the rear of the pivotal equipment support assembly 104. The rear extending wall attachment member 350 is adapted to couple with a wall mounted wall support bracket 352 as best shown in FIG. 21, whereby the pivotal equipment support assembly 104 can be removed from the frame support assembly and suspended, stored, and displayed from a wall.

Alternatively, as best illustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 the upper helmet assembly 122 can be configured to rotate into a substantially planar collapsed position for storage purposes by utilizing a push button locking means 354. The upper helmet assembly 122 is rotated about the upwardly extending helmet member 326 axis.

Now referring to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, a version of the one or more clip means 140 comprises one or more clothespin like fasteners attached by a woven elastic connection means 456 intertwining the fasteners with the upper transverse member 142. The elastic connection means 456 provides the ability to pull the fasteners away from the upper transverse member 142 allowing flexibility during glove attachment as best illustrated by FIG. 25.

Referring to FIG. 26, a version of the equipment cleaning and drying rack has the ability to breakdown into several parts in order to reduce size and volume during storage. The parts can be disassembled and stored within one or more flexible bags 20.

Attention is directed towards FIG. 6-FIG. 10 of the drawings, wherein use of the collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack 100 is illustrated. Before the equipment is mounted on the cleaning and drying rack 100, it must be released and opened from the collapsed position into the freestanding position, and ideally situated on a generally flat surface. While in the freestanding position, the equipment rack 100 is mounted with the equipment as shown in FIG. 6. As depicted, the helmet 10 is seated onto the upper helmet assembly 122 in as forward tilted configuration, seating the helmet chin portion on the forward extending helmet member 130 and the rear portion of the helmet on the rearward extending helmet member 132. As illustrated, each of the boots 12 are seated in an inverted manner onto the pair of substantially parallel upwardly extending boot members 136. Moreover, the chest protector 14 is positioned around the upper helmet assembly 122 and hung over the transversely extending pivot and support member 120. The gloves 16 are hung by attaching each to the one or more elevated clip means 140.

Referring to FIG. 13, once the equipment is in the racked position, the equipment including boots 12, gloves 16, chest protector 14, and helmet 10 can be cleaned by a water hose or preferably a power washer. There are many advantages to the configuration provided, by the equipment rack 100. The configuration is ideal for providing an elevated 360-degree access of equipment surfaces. The user can quickly hose down the gear in a circular walk-around fashion by spray cleaning all the gear in a short period of time—in a seamless fashion. This excludes the need for propping up gear in piecemeal using makeshift support, typically utilizing dirty ground and other outdoor surfaces. During the drying phase, the equipment surfaces are freely exposed to the external air for accelerated drying. Moreover, after the equipment has dried, the equipment may be displayed or stored on the pivotal equipment support assembly 104. The collapsible portable equipment cleaning and drying rack 100 is simple, long lasting, durable, collapsible, portable and adjustable. These features make it easy to utilize, transport and store for all ages, abilities, and sport.

The present invention can be made in any manner and of any material chosen with sound engineering judgment. Preferably, materials will be strong, lightweight, long, lasting, economic, and, ergonomic such as plastic piping or polyvinyl chloride piping (PVC).

The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every version of the invention.

Although preferred versions of the invention have been described in considerable detail, other versions of the invention are possible.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including and accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claims

1. A collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack configured to withstand high pressure external water spray forces, comprising:

(a) a frame support assembly operable between an open freestanding position and a collapsed position, comprising: (i) a front pair of support legs; and (ii) a rear pair of support legs pivotally connected to the front pair of support legs along a transverse axis; and

(b) a pivotal equipment support assembly pivotally attached to the frame support assembly along the transverse axis, comprising: (i) a transversely extending pivot and support member rotatable about the transverse axis; (ii) an upper helmet assembly for supporting a helmet, fixedly attached to the transversely extending pivot member comprising an upwardly extending helmet member; and (iii) a lower boot assembly positioned below the transversely extending pivot member comprising a pair of substantially parallel upwardly extending boot members for seating boots thereon.

2. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, further comprising one or more clip means supported by the frame support assembly above the pivotal equipment support assembly for hanging equipment gloves.

3. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein each of the upwardly extending helmet member and the upwardly extending boot members having an enlarged top portion.

4. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein the distal ends of the front pair of support legs are connected by a first transversely extending lower member and the distal ends of the rear pair of support legs are connected by a second transversely extending lower member.

5. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein the front pair of support legs and the rear pair of support legs each extend laterally downward at an angle forming an enlarged base imprint, whereby providing lateral support to the collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack.

6. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein the pivotal equipment support assembly is attachably removable at the transverse axis.

7. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 6, wherein the pivotal equipment support assembly further comprises a rear extending wall attachment member adapted to couple with a wall support bracket, whereby the pivotal equipment support assembly can be removed from the frame support assembly and suspended from a wall.

8. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein the upper helmet assembly is rotatable about the upwardly extending helmet member axis, whereby providing the ability to rotate into a substantially planar collapsed position for storage purposes.

9. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein the upper helmet assembly further comprises a forward extending helmet member and a rearward extending helmet member in line with the forward extending helmet member, the forward extending helmet member forming an obtuse angle with the upwardly extending helmet member and the rearward extending helmet member forming an acute angle with the upwardly extending helmet member, whereby the combined configuration of the upwardly extending helmet member, forward extending helmet member and the rearward extending helmet member provide a forward tilting seat for a helmet mounted thereon.

10. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the pivotal equipment support assembly falls below the transverse axis.

11. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 1, wherein the frame support assembly further comprises an upper frame formed by a pair of upwardly extending members integral with the front pair of support legs and connected at distal ends by an upper transverse member, the upper transverse member having a height above the pivotal equipment support assembly.

12. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 11, wherein the upper frame is hingedly attached to the front pair of support legs, whereby providing the ability to collapse and fold the upper frame forward and substantially planar with the front pair of support legs for purposes of storage and transport.

13. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 12, wherein the frame support assembly further comprises at least one catch bracket positioned between at least one front support leg and an adjacent rear support leg near the transverse axis in order to limit the travel distance between the front pair of support legs and the rear pair of support legs while in the open freestanding position.

14. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 13, wherein the upper helmet assembly is attachably removable from the pivotal equipment support assembly and attachable removable to the upper frame of the frame support assembly, whereby while in the collapsed position, the upper helmet assembly couples with the upper frame in order to condense the overall profile of the collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack for storage and transport purposes.

15. A collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack configured to withstand high pressure external water spray forces, comprising:

(a) a frame support assembly operable between an open freestanding position and a collapsed position providing a transverse axis; and

(b) a pivotal equipment support assembly pivotally attached to the frame support assembly along the transverse axis, comprising: (i) a transversely extending pivot and support member rotatable about the transverse axis; (ii) an upper helmet assembly for supporting a helmet fixedly attached to the transversely extending pivot member comprising an upwardly extending helmet member; and (iii) a lower boot assembly positioned below the transversely extending pivot member comprising a pair of generally parallel upwardly extending boot members for seating boots thereon.

16. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 15, wherein the pivotal equipment support assembly is attachably removable with the frame support assembly at the transverse axis.

17. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 16, wherein the pivotal equipment support assembly further comprises a rear extending wall attachment member adapted to couple with a wall support bracket, whereby the pivotal equipment support assembly can be removed from the frame support assembly and suspended from a wall.

18. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 15, wherein the upper helmet assembly further comprises a forward extending helmet member and a rearward extending helmet member in line with the forward extending helmet member, the forward extending helmet member forming an obtuse angle with the upwardly extending helmet member and the rearward extending helmet member forming an acute angle with the upwardly extending helmet member, whereby the combined configuration of the upwardly extending helmet member, forward extending helmet member and the rearward extending helmet member provide a forward tilting seat for a helmet mounted thereon.

19. A collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack configured to withstand high pressure external water spray forces, comprising:

(a) a frame support assembly operable between an open freestanding position and a collapsed position, comprising; (i) as front pair of support legs connected by a transversely extending lower member; and (ii) a rear pair of support legs connected by a transversely extending lower member, the rear pair of support legs pivotally connected to the front pair of support legs along a transverse axis;

(b) a pivotal equipment support assembly pivotally attached to the frame support assembly along the transverse axis, comprising: (i) a transversely extending pivot and support member rotatable about the transverse axis; (ii) an upper helmet assembly for supporting a helmet thereon fixedly attached to the transversely extending pivot member comprising an upwardly extending helmet member having an enlarged top portion; and (iii) a lower boot assembly positioned below the transversely extending pivot member comprising a pair of generally parallel upwardly extending boot members, each having an enlarged top portion for seating boots thereon; and

(c) one or more clip means supported by the frame support assembly above the pivotal equipment support assembly for hanging equipment gloves.

20. The collapsible equipment cleaning and drying rack of claim 19, wherein the upper helmet assembly further comprises a forward extending helmet member and a rearward extending helmet member in line with the forward extending helmet member, the forward extending helmet member forming an obtuse angle with the upwardly extending helmet member and the rearward extending helmet member forming an acute angle with the upwardly extending helmet member, whereby the combined configuration of the upwardly extending helmet member, forward extending helmet member and the rearward extending helmet member provide a forward tilting; seat for a helmet mounted thereon.