Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves
A clothing bar with holding grooves for making it easier to secure, organize, and safely store hung articles of clothing or other similar items and objects. The clothing bar with holding grooves generally includes a bar, grooves, connecting fittings, and external devices and objects.
The application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/439,693, filed on Dec. 28, 2016, and incorporates by reference said provisional application in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to a clothing bar which includes a bar, grooves, connecting fittings, and external devices and objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to clothing bars and more specifically it relates to a clothing bar with holding grooves for making it easier to secure, organize, and safely store hung articles of clothing or other similar items and objects.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThere has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
An object is to provide a clothing bar with holding grooves for making it easier to secure, organize, and safely store hung articles of clothing or other similar items and objects.
Another object is to provide a Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves that prevents hangers and other hung items from moving along the clothing bar.
Another object is to provide a Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves that allows each hung item to be easily seen and accessible.
Another object is to provide a Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves that prevents hung articles of clothing or similar items from bunching up and getting wrinkled.
Another object is to provide a Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves that prevents hung items from bunching up at one or more locations on the clothing bar causing the bar bend or buckle.
Another object is to provide a Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves that prevents the ends of the clothing bar from experiencing torsional stresses imparted by any bending or buckling at overloaded locations on the bar.
Another object is to provide a Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves that positions each hung article of clothing or other item in such a way that the items, in totality, appear well organized and neatly stored.
Another object is to provide a Clothing Bar with Holding Grooves that can replace regular closet rods or clothing bars in a closet or other similar space normally utilized for hanging and storing clothing and other items.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this application.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate a bar, grooves, connecting fittings, and external devices and objects.
B. BarThe bar (10) is an elongated thin shaft capable of supporting externally applied loads, for example, weight forces.
The bar (10) is a straight and rigid member capable of supporting loads imparted by objects suspended from the bar (10). Suspended objects include, but are not limited to, belts, scarfs, ties, and articles of clothing.
The bar (10) can be constructed from any rigid material capable of acting as a load-bearing member. Materials include, but are not limited to, metals, plastics, and woods. The bar (10) can have any axial length, cross-sectional shape, or cross-sectional dimensions. Cross-sectional shapes include, but are not limited to, circles and polygons. Cross-sectional dimensions include diameter (for circles) or side-length (for polygons).
C. Recessed GroovesThe recessed grooves (20) are slots or channels cut into the bar (10) into which certain external objects can be inserted.
Recessed grooves (20) have a length, width, and depth that allows the insertion of objects for the purpose of hanging or suspending the objects. The recessed grooves (20) are spaced appropriately to facilitate the insertion and hanging of multiple objects simultaneously. In the preferred embodiment, the recessed grooves (20) are evenly spaced along the axial length of the bar (10). In an alternative embodiment, the spacing of the recessed grooves (20) varies to accommodate the hanging of different sized clothes. In the preferred embodiment, the grooves are close together at a constant interval, either ½-inch or 1-inch (between the middle of the grooves). Having more grooves with a closer spacing allows a greater number of grooves to choose from to hang items. For example, bigger items, like coats, can be hung on grooves further apart (and skipping grooves in between). Alternatively slim items, like t-shirts, can be hung on every groove if desired.
The recessed grooves (20) can have any length, width, or depth.
The length of the recessed grooves (20), that is, the distance the recessed groove spans around the periphery of the bar (10) can be short, as shown in
The width can be constant throughout the depth of the cut as shown in
The depth of a recessed groove (20) can be varied as necessary to ensure the recessed groove (20) can adequately support the objects that are to be hung. The bar (10) can contain multiple recessed grooves (20) that can have a constant or varying spacing.
D. Hanging MechanismsHanging mechanisms (30) are devices used to facilitate the suspension of objects from the bar (10) usually by the use of hooks or other similarly-shaped elements.
Hanging mechanisms (30) can be inserted into the recessed grooves (20) on the bar (10) as shown in
There are many types of items that can act as hanging mechanisms (30), but the most common hanging mechanisms (30) are hangers. Hangers can have any size and shape, or be constructed from any material, but typically contain a hook and a geometric structure resembling human shoulders, which facilitate their use as an item that can hang clothing and similar objects on a long cylindrical rod.
E. Hanging ItemsHanging items (40) are suspended objects that impart stresses on the bar (10) due to the action of gravity.
Hanging items (40), illustrated in
Hanging items (40) can have any size, weight, or shape.
F. Protruding GroovesProtruding grooves (50) are external slots or channels protruding from the bar (10) into which certain objects can be inserted.
Protruding grooves (50) serve the same purpose as recessed grooves (20), but extend outward away from the bar (10) as opposed to being cut into the bar (10).
Protruding grooves (50) can have any length, width, or depth.
The length, that is, distance in which the protruding grooves (50) span the periphery of the bar (10) can be variable.
The width of a protruding groove (50) can be constant throughout its depth, or can be made variable as shown in
The depth of a protruding groove (50) can be varied as necessary to ensure the protruding groove (50) can adequately support the objects that are to be hung.
The bar (10) can contain protruding grooves (50) that can have a constant or varying spacing between the protruding grooves (50).
G. Groove CollarsGroove collars (60) are housing structures that protrude from the bar (10) and contain the protruding grooves (50).
The groove collars (60) contain collar slits (62) which are small gaps in the groove collar (60) which allow the groove collar (60) to fit over and around the bar (10). The length of the groove collars (60) around the bar (10) is equal to the length of the protruding grooves (50) contained therein.
The groove collars (60) can be constructed from any material capable of acting as a load-bearing member. Materials include, but are not limited to, metals, plastics, and woods. The specific size and shape of the groove collars (60) can be varied so long as their functionality is not lost. A single groove collar (60) could contain multiple protruding grooves (50) having a constant or varying spacing between the protruding grooves (50).
H. Groove SleeveThe groove sleeve (70) is a tubular fitting that connects the groove collars (60) to the bar (10).
The groove sleeve (70) is a tubular structure which connects the groove collars (60) to the bar (10) as shown in
The groove sleeve (70) may be constructed of any material that provides good mechanical stability. The groove sleeve (70) can have any thickness, inner diameter, and axial length. The sleeve slit (72) can have any width provided it is sufficient at allowing the groove sleeve (70) to fit snugly over the bar (10).
The sleeve slit (72) can have any width provided it allows the groove sleeve (70) to fit over and snap onto the bar (10).
I. Connections of Main Elements and Sub-Elements of InventionSlots or channels can be cut around the entire periphery of the bar (10) forming recessed all-around grooves (22) as shown in
In the alternative embodiment, the groove collars (60) require the use of collar slits (62) so they can fit around the groove sleeve (70) and the bar (10).
The groove sleeve (70) requires the use of a sleeve slit (72) so that the groove sleeve (70) can be installed on the bar (10).
The groove sleeve (70) and groove collars (60) may be constructed as a single monolithic structure, or as separate structures. If the groove sleeve (70) and groove collars (60) form a single permanently connected (monolithic) assembly, then the collar slits (62) and sleeve slit (72) must be adequate so the alternate embodiment can be installed on the bar (10).
J. Alternative Embodiments of InventionAn alternative variation or embodiment of the invention is the device shown in
Instead of making use of permanently cut slots in the bar (10), the alternative embodiment makes use of an assembly that contains protruding grooves (50) that stick out away from the bar (10). The groove collars (60) contain the protruding grooves (50) and are connected to the bar (10) via the groove sleeve (70). With collar slits (62) in the groove collars (60) and a sleeve slit (72) in the groove sleeve (70) the alternative variation can be fitted over a clothing rod that is already installed.
The groove sleeve (70) and groove collars (60) may be constructed as a single monolithic structure, or as separate structures. If the groove collars (60) are constructed as components separate from the groove sleeve (70), then the groove collars (60) must have collar slits (62) capable of allowing the groove collars (60) to fit over the groove sleeve (70) or directly over the bar (10).
K. Operation of Preferred EmbodimentThe user first chooses the bar (10) shown in
The bar (10) is to be installed so the recessed grooves (20) shown in
The recessed grooves (20) prevent one or more hanging items (40) from moving or shifting along the axial direction of the bar (10). Because objects hung from the recessed grooves (20) cannot move along the bar (10), the hung objects cannot clump together at one or more locations along the bar (10). The clumping of hung items can impart significant stresses on a traditional clothing bar, which can cause the bar to bend or buckle. The present invention prevents the concentration of stresses on the bar (10) via the use of the recessed grooves (20). Clumped objects can also make it difficult to see or find individual items within the clump. As shown in
If the bar (10) has alternate recessed all-around grooves (22) which are cut around the entire periphery of the bar (10) as shown in
The bar (10) may have recessed graduated grooves (24) which contain a variable width that changes with depth. The variable width can secure hanging mechanisms (30) of multiple sizes, for example, hangers with a thin wire hook or thicker plastic or wooden hooks. Hanging mechanisms (30) with a width that is much less than the width of the recessed grooves (20) will allow the hanging mechanisms (30) to shift and move a bit. The recessed graduated grooves (24) can better secure, or even lock in place, multiple sizes of hanging mechanisms (30).
The alternative embodiment of the invention is an assembly that fits around a clothing bar (10) that is already installed. The alternative embodiment contains protruding grooves (50) that distend away from the bar (10) as shown in
Hanging items (40) can be hung from the alternative embodiment by inserting their hanging mechanisms (30) into the protruding grooves (50) as shown in
The alternative embodiment can be manufactured as a single piece where the groove collars (60), which contain the protruding grooves (50), and the groove sleeve (70) are all one permanently connected piece. Alternatively, the alternative embodiment can have separate groove collars (60) and a groove sleeve (70) where the groove collars (60) can be connected to the groove sleeve (70) by opening the groove collars (60) at the collar slits (62).
The protruding grooves (50) may have a graduated width, as shown in
What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
Claims
1. A clothing bar comprising:
- a rigid member having an axial length and a circumference; and
- a plurality of recessed grooves extending around less than the entire circumference of the rigid member, with each of the recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves having a width and a depth, and spaced at an axial distance from the other recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves.
2. The clothing bar of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of groove collars spaced along the axial length of the rigid member, wherein each of the recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves is displaced to within a different groove collar in the plurality of groove collars.
3. The clothing bar of claim 1 wherein the width of at least one of the recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves varies with the depth of that recessed groove.
4. The clothing bar of claim 2 wherein each of the groove collars in the plurality of groove collars further comprises a collar slit, each collar slit configured to facilitate the engagement of the groove collar in the plurality of groove collars with the rigid member.
5. The clothing bar of claim 2 wherein the plurality of recessed grooves extends around less than the entire circumference of the rigid member.
6. The clothing bar of claim 2 further comprising a groove sleeve having a sleeve slit, wherein the plurality of groove collars is attached to the groove sleeve, and wherein the groove sleeve is fitted onto the rigid member.
7. A clothing hanging apparatus configured to fit on a rigid member, with the clothing hanging apparatus comprising:
- a groove sleeve having an axial length and sleeve slit; and
- a plurality of groove collars spaced along the axial length of the groove sleeve, each groove collar in the plurality of groove collars having a recessed groove, each recessed groove having a width and a depth.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the width of at least one of the recessed grooves varies with the depth of that recessed groove.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of recessed grooves extends around less than the entire circumference of the groove sleeve.
10. A clothing bar comprising:
- a rigid member having an axial length and a circumference; and
- a plurality of recessed grooves extending around the entire circumference of the rigid member, with each of the recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves having a width and a depth, and spaced at an axial distance from the other recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves.
11. The clothing bar of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of groove collars spaced along the axial length of the rigid member, wherein each of the recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves is displaced to within a different groove collar in the plurality of groove collars.
12. The clothing bar of claim 11 wherein the width of at least one of the recessed grooves in the plurality of recessed grooves varies with the depth of that recessed groove.
13. The clothing bar of claim 11 wherein each of the groove collars in the plurality of groove collars further comprises a collar slit, each collar slit configured to facilitate the engagement of the groove collar in the plurality of groove collars with the rigid member.
14. The clothing bar of claim 11 further comprising a groove sleeve having a sleeve slit, wherein the plurality of groove collars is attached to the groove sleeve, and wherein the groove sleeve is fitted onto the rigid member.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 27, 2017
Publication Date: Jun 28, 2018
Inventor: Julie Rindler (Edmond, OK)
Application Number: 15/855,699