MX2008001760A

MX2008001760A - Attachable expandable drying rack.

Info

Publication number: MX2008001760A
Application number: MX2008001760A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Rolando Hernandez
Original assignee: Home Products International In
Priority date: 2007-02-05
Filing date: 2008-02-05
Publication date: 2009-02-24
Also published as: US20080185358A1; CA2619091A1

Abstract

A drying rack is generally disclosed herein. The drying rack is for use with a generally fixed surface, such as a wall or a laundry appliance. The drying rack has a first and a second frame member, the second frame member movable with respect to the first frame member. The drying rack also has an expandable assembly connected to and disposed between the first and the second frame members. Further more, the drying rack has an attachment means engaged to the second frame member, wherein the attachment means secures the drying rack to the wall or laundry appliance.

Description

EXPANSIBLE DRYING FRAME. COUPLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to expandable drying frames. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION Here is described an expandable drying frame. The details of the invention are set forth below in connection with the detailed description of the embodiments. A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which establish the illustrative modalities which are an indicator of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, used in connection with an apparatus or utensil. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Turning now to the figures, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar elements, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a first embodiment of an expandable drying frame 10, which comprises a first frame member 12 and a second frame member 14. The first frame member 12 and the second frame member 14 are connected by the assembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 20 It comprises a structure that expands like grill. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention also includes an assembly 20 comprg any structure that allows the first frame member 12 and the second frame member 14 to move toward (fold ) and separate from (expand) one with respect to the other, including a telescopic structure, a tongue and groove structure, a screwed structure or screw type, etc. As illustrated, the assembly 20 comprises a pair of lateral assemblies, 21 and 121, coupled by a plurality of transverse bars 24. The lateral assembly 21 is comprised of a series of sub-assemblies in the form of x 30, 40 and 50, while the side assembly 121 is comprised of a series of corresponding subsets in the form of x 130, 140 and 150. Since the subsets 30, 40 and 50 are identical to the subsets 130, 140 and 150, only the subsets 30, 40 and 50 are they will describe in detail here. Accordingly, the description of subsets 30, 40 and 50 will be applied to subsets 130, 140 and 150. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, while the embodiment described in Figure 1 comprises three subsets, the scope of the present invention includes those embodiments with more or less three subsets. In the illustrated embodiment, the subassembly 30 is comprised of the first member 31 and the second member 32. The first member 31 has a first end 35 and second end 37, while the second member 32 has a first end 36 and a second end 38 As shown, the first ends 35 and 36 form the first extreme subset 30A, while the second ends 37 and 38 form the second. extreme subassembly 30B. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are rotatably joined at the pivot point 33, which, in the disclosed embodiment, is located at the approximate midpoint of both the first member 31 and the second member 32. It will be appreciated that the Illustrated location of the pivot point 33 is exemplary and is not limiting. The subassembly 40 is comprised of a structure that is similar to that of the subassembly 30. The subassembly 40 comprises a first member 41 and a second member 42. The first member 41 has the first end 45 and the second end 47, while the second member 42 has a first end 46 and a second end 48. As shown, the first ends 45 and 46 form the first end of subassembly 40A, while the second ends 47 and 48 form the second end of subset 40B. The first member 41 and the second member 42 are rotatably joined at a pivot point 42, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is located at the approximate midpoint of both the first member 41 and the second member 42. It will be appreciated that the The disclosed location of the pivot point 43 is exemplary and is not limiting. The second subset end 30B can be rotatable add to the first subset end 40A. Specifically, the first member 31 of the subassembly 30 is rotatably coupled to the second member 42 of the subassembly 40. Similarly, the second subassembly member 32 is rotatably coupled to the first member 41 of the subassembly 40. In this manner, the rotation of the first member 31 and second member 32 with respect to pivot point 33 will cause the first member 41 and the second member 42 to rotate about the pivot point 43.

As seen, the structure of subset 50 may be similar to both subsets 30 and 40. As described, subset 50 comprises a first member 51 and a second member 52. First member 51 has a first end 55 and a second end 51 57, while the second member 52 has a first end 56 and a second end 58. As shown, the first ends 55 and 56 form the first subset end 50A, while the second endpoints 57 and 58 form the second end of the subset 50A. subset 50B. The first member 51 and the second member 52 are rotatably joined at the pivot point 53, which in the illustrated embodiment is located at the approximate midpoint of the first member 51 and the second member 52. It will be appreciated that the described location of the point Turn 53 is exemplary and is not limiting. As shown, the second subset end 40B is rotated to the first subset end 50A. Specifically, the first member 41 of the subassembly 40 is rotatably coupled to the second subassembly member 52. Similarly, the second member 42 of the subassembly 40 is rotatably coupled to the first member 51 of the subassembly 50. In this manner, the rotation of the first member 41 and the second member 42 with respect to the pivot point 43, or the rotation of the first member 31 and the second member 32 with respect to the pivot point 33, will cause the first member 51 and the second member 52 to rotate at the pivot point 53. In an expandable grill-like structure, the individual sub-assemblies are connected at two connection points, such as the point where the first member 31 is connected to second member 42, and the point where the second member 32 is connected to the first member 41. How to known in the art, in an expandable grill-type structure, such as assembly 20, the distance between these connection points will increase when the structure is folded. Conversely, the distance between these connection points is decreased when the structure expands. To accommodate this increase and decrease in distances, the assembly 20 is slidably coupled with both frame members 12 and 14. Specifically, the assembly 20 is added to the first frame member 12 through the first subassembly end 30A. As described, the first end 36 of the second member 32 is rotatably coupled to the frame member 12. The first end 136 of the second member 132 is also rotatably coupled to the frame member 12. The first end 35 of the first member 31 is engaged by sliding to the frame member 12 through the sliding assembly 60. Likewise, the first end 135 of the first member 131 is slidably coupled to the frame member 12 through the sliding assembly 160. The sliding assembly 60 comprises the housing 62. added to the frame member 12. The housing member 62 comprises the slot 64 (not shown) in which the first end 35 is slidably coupled. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are numerous ways of slidingly engaging the first end 35 with slot 64, all of which are covered by the scope of the present invention. The sliding assembly 60 is identical to the sliding assembly 160 and, therefore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the description of the sliding assembly 60 will apply to the sliding assembly 160. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art. with skill in the art, that the scope of the present invention includes a mode in which the first end 35 and 135 are rotatably added to the frame member 12, while the first ends 36 and 136 are slidingly attached to the frame member 12 through the sliding assemblies similar to the assemblies 60 and 160. The scope of the present invention also includes a modality in which, 135, 36 and 136 are slidably attached to the frame member 12 through sliding assemblies similar to the assemblies 60 and 160. The assembly 20 is also added to the frame member 14 through the second sub-assembly end 50B. Specifically, the second end 57 of the first member 51 is rotatably coupled to the frame member 14. The first end 157 of the first member 151 is also rotatably coupled to the frame member 14. The second end 58 of the second member 52 is slidably coupled to the member. frame member 14 through sliding assembly 80. Likewise, second end 158 of second member 152 is slidably coupled to frame member 14 through slide assembly 180. Sliding assemblies 80 and 180 may be identical to Slip set 60, and do not need to be described in detail. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention includes a mode in which the second ends 58 and 158 are rotatably added to the frame member 14, while the second ends 57 and 157 are added by sliding to the frame member 14. member 14 through sliding assemblies similar to those of sets 80 and 180. The scope of the present invention also includes a mode wherein each of the second ends 57, 157, 58 and 158 are slidably added to the frame member 14 through sliding assemblies similar to the sets 80 and 180. As seen in the Figure 3, the dried frame 10 can be used with the holding surface 200. The holding surface 200 can be any known apparatus, such as a drying machine (as shown), a washing machine, a refrigerator, etc., or it can be any generally flat surface, such as a wall, a door, etc. To assist in attaching the drying rack 10 to the apparatus 200, a plurality of structures 90 may be coupled to the frame member 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection means 90 includes magnets, but will be appreciated by those with skills in the art. technique that the connecting means 90 can include any of the known means for easily adding and removing the drying frame 10 from the surface 200, such as adhesives, crochet and loop systems (ie VELCRO®), hooks, fasteners, quick coupling closures, etc. To assist in the expansion and contraction of the expandable drying frame 10, the rotating casters 70 are coupled to the frame member 12 at the lower end 13 thereof. Rotating casters or steerable casters, such as rotating casters 70, are well known in the art, and will only be generally described herein. Each rotating wheel 70 is capable of rotating 360 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the frame member 12. To keep the expandable drying frame 10 from unintentional shrinking, each wheel rotates 70 It can also be braked through known means. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the description of the rotating casters 70 is exemplary, and in no way signifies a limitation. For example, the rotating wheels 70 need not be able to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the frame member 12. On the other hand, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the use of rotating wheels, but includes any means for facilitating the expansion and contraction of the expandable drying frame 10, such as sliders, shoes, etc. While the specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that different modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of all the teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements described mean only illustrations and do not limit the scope of the invention, which will be given the broadest scope of the aggregate claims and any equivalence thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A drying rack for use in connection with a generally fixed surface, the drying rack comprising: A first frame member; a second frame member movable with respect to the first frame member; an expandable assembly connected to and disposed between the first and second frame members; connecting means coupled to the second frame member, characterized in that the connecting means secure the drying frame to the generally fixed surface. The drying rack of claim 1, characterized in that the expandable assembly comprises a first side assembly, a second side assembly and a plurality of cross bars connected to the first and second side assemblies, wherein the expandable assembly is connected at least partially slidable to the first and second frame members. 3. The drying rack of claim 2, characterized in that in addition the expandable assembly is connected at least partially rotatable to the first and second frame members. 4. The drying rack of claim 1, characterized in that the generally planar surface comprises an apparatus. The drying rack of claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a plurality of magnets disposed in the second frame member. The drying rack of claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a crochet system and Loops The drying rack of claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a plurality of quick coupling closures. 8. The drying rack of claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of rotating wheels added to a first lower end of the first frame member. 9. A folding, drying rack, comprising: a first frame member; a second frame member; an expandable assembly having a first end, coupled to the first frame member, and a second end, coupled to the second frame member; and a plurality of magnets connected to the first frame member. The foldable drying rack of claim 9, characterized in that the assembly is slidably coupled to the first frame member through a first plurality of slidable assemblies disposed in the first frame member. The foldable drying rack of claim 9, characterized in that the assembly is slidably coupled to the second frame member through a second plurality of slidable assemblies disposed in the second frame member. 12. The foldable drying rack of claim 9, characterized in that the assembly is rotatably coupled to the first and second frame members. The drying rack of claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises means for allowing expansion and contraction of a collapsible drying frame added to the second frame member. The foldable drying rack of claim 13, characterized in that the means is a plurality of rotating wheels added to a lower end of the second frame member. A drying rack, comprising: a first frame member, characterized in that the first frame member comprises a connection means for adding the drying rack to a substantially fixed surface; a second frame member, wherein the second frame member comprises expansion means to assist in the expansion and contraction of the drying frame; an expandable apparatus coupled to the first frame member at a first end of the expandable apparatus, and coupled to the second frame member at a second end of the expandable apparatus, the expandable apparatus comprises a first side assembly, a second side assembly, and a plurality of cross bars disposed between and coupled to the first and second side assemblies. 16. The drying rack of claim 15, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a plurality of magnets. 17. The drying rack of claim 15, characterized in that the connection means comprise a plurality of quick coupling closures. 18. The drying rack of claim 15, characterized in that the connection means comprise hook and seal systems. 19. The drying rack of claim 5, characterized because the connection means comprise an adhesive. The drying rack of claim 15, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a plurality of rotating wheels. 21. The drying rack of claim 15, characterized in that each side set comprises a series of subsets in the form of x. 22. The drying rack of claim 15, characterized in that the expandable assembly is slidably connected to the first frame member at the first end of the expandable assembly. 23. The drying rack of claim 22, characterized in that the expandable assembly is slidably coupled to the first frame member through a first plurality of slidable assemblies. 24. The drying rack of claim 23, characterized in that each slidable assembly comprises a housing and a slot formed in the housing. The drying rack of claim 22, characterized in that the expandable assembly is slidably connected to the second frame member at the second end of the expandable assembly. 26. The drying rack of claim 25, characterized in that the expandable assembly is slidably coupled to the second frame member through a second plurality of slidable assemblies. 27. A drying rack for connection, characterized in that comprises: a first frame member, characterized in that the first frame member comprises connecting means for adding the drying frame to a substantially fixed surface; a second frame member, wherein the second frame member is capable of moving away from, or alternatively approaching, the first frame member; an expandable apparatus coupled to the first frame member at a first end of the expandable apparatus, and coupled to the second frame member at a second end of the expandable apparatus, wherein the expandable apparatus is capable of extending when the second frame member was separated from the first frame member, and characterized in that the expandable apparatus escapes against that when the second frame member approaches the first frame member. 28. The drying rack for connection of claim 27, characterized in that the expandable assembly comprises a first side assembly, a second side assembly, and a plurality of transverse bars disposed between and coupled with both of the first and second side assemblies. 29. The drying rack for connection of claim 28, characterized in that the first and second side assemblies comprise a series of subsets in the form of x. 30. The drying rack for connection of claim 29, characterized in that the second frame member comprises expandable means to allow the first frame member to be brought closer or separated. 31. The drying rack for connection of claim 30, characterized in that the expandable means comprise a plurality of rotating wheels arranged in the second frame member. 32. The drying rack for connection of claim 30, characterized in that the expandable means comprise a plurality of fast sliding coupling closures arranged in the second frame member. 33. The drying rack for connection of claim 27, characterized in that the substantially fixed surface is an apparatus. 34. The drying rack for connection of claim 27, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a plurality of magnets. 35. The drying rack for connection of claim 27, characterized in that the connection means comprise a plurality of closures. 36. The drying rack for connection of claim 27, characterized in that the connection means comprise a crochet and loop fastener. 37. The drying rack for connection of claim 27, characterized in that the connecting means comprise an adhesive. 38. The drying rack for connection of claim 27, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a plurality of screws.