US3538842A - Fixtures for closets - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Rocco Labbato 1,350,017 8/1920 Feldman 211/123X 2341 S. Chadwick SL. Philadelphia, 2,238,884 4/1941 Hoffman 211/35X Pennsylvania 19145 2,418,919 4/1947 Benson 211/123X [21] Appl. No. 739,797 2,549,879 4/1951 Amore 211/134X [22] Filed June 25, 1968 2,908,471 /1959 McFerrell... 21 l/90X [45] Patented Nov. 10, 1970 3,088,422 5/1963 Kaeslin 108/29 3,284,040 11/1966 Marontate. 248/235 3;357,374 12/1967 Smith 211/9OX [541 E P E f F g FOREIGN PATENTS Add. 64.789 6/1955 France 312/128 [52] U.S.Cl 108/29, 4 31 4 1929 Norway 2] H105 248/235 Prmmry Examiner-Roy D. Frazier [51] Int Cl A47b61/00 Assistant Examiner-Abraham Frankel 50 midols;;;L1; "IIIII'II"'IIIIIIIIIIII.IIII.I.III 211/90. Attorney-hemm-wobensmithznd 34| (1115 31 ABSTRACT: Fixtures for closets which include one or more U-shaped brackets with their legs horizontally disposed and [56] References Cited vertically spaced to provide for clothes hanger reception, the UNlTED STATES PATENTS brackets being secured at their ends to a wall and supported 340,796 4/1886 Lorenze 211/90X from below and having spaced horizontal shelves carried 535,788 3/1895 Butts .1 211/90 thereby at desired locations.

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FIXTURES FOR CLOSETS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to fixtures for closets and more specifically to brackets of U-shape mounted to carry garments suspended on vertically spaced horizontal portions, the brackets also carrying shelves for storage.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various fixtures have been proposed for use in closets to make advantageous use of the space therein but these lacked versatility, and had other shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention U-shaped brackets are provided with their legs horizontally disposed in vertically spaced relation, the brackets preferably being horizontally adjustable, vertical supporting legs and horizontal spacers being provided to retain the brackets in stable condition during use, the brackets, legs and spacers also supporting horizontal shelves for storage.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide brackets for garment support and for the support of horizontal shelves which will permit of making most advantageous use of the space within a closet.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide fixtures for use in closets suitable for family use, and which will greatly increase the storage capabilities of a closet space.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide fixtures for use in closets which are adaptable to various sizes and shapes of closet spaces and which will provide for garment and other storage in a simple but effective manner.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a closet space having fixtures in accordance with the invention therein;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end ofone of the brackets;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the spacer bars employed in connection with the invention.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a closet space is illustrated bounded by a horizontal floor 11, a horizontal ceiling 12, a back wall 13 and side walls 14 and 15.

One of the side walls, such as the side wall 14, has a U- shaped bracket 18 mounted thereon. The bracket 18 has upper and lower hollow tubular legs 19 preferably adjustable as to length with telescoping portions 20. The telescoping portions 20 are preferably in frictional engagement. The legs 19 have end connectors 21 of any desired type, one suitable connector being an angle with horizontal and vertical flanges and which can be mounted on a wooden strip 22 secured to the wall 14 by suitable fasteners (not shown) inserted through holes 23.

The upper and lower legs 19 are connected by a central tubular portion 25. The tubular portion 25, for many uses, can be of one piece but for greater adaptability can also have frictionally engaged telescoping portions 26.

Fasteners 27, such as screws, can be inserted through the telescoping portions 26 to hold them in their positions for adjustment and for greater rigidity.

The lower leg 19 of the bracket 18 preferably has a vertical post 30 secured thereto, such as by a screw 31, remote from the wall 14 and so that the leg 19 has a maximum length available for suspension of clothes hangers and the like.

The post 30 is preferably secured at its lower end to the floor 11 in any desired manner such as by screws (not shown). The post 30 is provided with a plurality of transverse holes 32 for purposes to be explained.

For some purposes, the unit consisting of the bracket 18 and post 30 will be all that is required, the horizontal legs 19 providing supports for garment hangers, and such that jackets and coats can be stored on hangers on either the upper or lower leg 19 and folded over trousers and other garments not longer than jackets can be stored on hangers on the lower leg 19.

It is preferred however for closets for family use, such as by husband and wife, that a bracket 18a be mounted at a lower level for more ready access by the wife.

The bracket 18a is the same as or similar to bracket 18 except for size and height of mounting and measurements between the horizontal legs 19.

The bracket 18a has a post 30a similar to the post 30 secured thereto by a screw 31a. The lower end of the post 300 is also preferably secured to the floor 11.

While the space between the brackets 18 and 18a can be left open it is preferred to interpose therebetween spacers which brace the brackets 18 and 18a and also serve additional functions for support and storage.

One preferred form of spacer is a horizontal tubular spacer 35, which may be rigid but is preferably adjustable in length with telescoping sections 35a as illustrated in FIG. 3. lnteriorly disposed expansible butterfly or lock washers 35b are provided for engagement by screws 36. A locking pin 350 may be employed if desired to hold the spacer 35 to a fixed length. The spacer 35 is secured at its ends to the central tubular por tions 25 such as byscrews 36. The spacers 35 in whole or in part may serve to carry garment hangers for the support of longer garments, such as evening dresses, evening coats and the like.

Another preferred form of spacer may comprise horizontal shelves 38 extending forwardly of the tubular portions 25, and being carried on and secured to angle brackets 39. The brackets 39 are secured to the tubular portions 25 by bolts 40. The shelves 38 are preferably supported on wooden strips 41 fastened on the back wall 13.

For certain types of installations the upper legs 19 of the brackets 18 and 18a can have a shelf 43 supported thereon with a wooden strip 44 carried by the back wall 13, and with spacers 45 and 46 through which bolts 47 and 48 extend into engagement with the legs 19.

An additional shelf 49 supported by a wooden strip 50 along its rear edge and an end wooden strip 51 and carried on the bolt 48 may also be provided.

The spacers 45 and 46, and the bolts 47 and 48 also provide further bracing and by their spacing above the legs do not interfere with mounting and removing clothes hangers.

If desired a central post 55 may be employed, secured by a bolt 56 to the tubular spacer 35. The lower end of the post 55 is secured to the floor 11 in any preferred manner. The post 55 like the posts 30 and 300 has a plurality of holes 32 and these serve for securing angle brackets 39 thereto by bolts 40 to support shelves 58 which are held at their rear ends on wooden strips 59.

A shorter shelf 60 similar to the shelves 58 carried on angle brackets may also be provided. r

The shelves 60 can be used as shelves per se or can be utilized for drawers or trays (not shown).

It will thus be seen that a wide variety of provisions for effecting utilization of closet space have been described and that these can accommodate the desires of many different users.

I claim:

l. A fixture for-clothing closets for utilization of the space therein for storage comprising:

a U-shaped bracket disposed in a vertical plane having:

upper and lower spaced parallel horizontally elongated article supporting legs with a vertical connecting tubular portion at one end of such legs;

wall securing members fixedly secured at the other end of both of such legs; and

an elongated article supporting member connected to and extending horizontally from said vertical portion in the same plane with the bracket and in opposed relation to said legs and in supporting relation to said bracket.

2. A fixture for closets as defined in claim 1 in which said legs have telescoping portions for horizontal length adjustment.

3. A fixture for closets as defined in claim 1 in which said lower leg has a vertically downwardly extending floor engaging supporting post connected thereto and disposed in the same plane therewith.

4. A fixture for closets as defined in claim 1 in which said horizontally extending member has a floor engaging supporting post connected thereto and extending downwardly therefrom in the same plane as the plane of said bracket.

5. A fixture for closets as defined in claim 1 having:

a second U-shaped bracket as defined in claim 1 in opposed relation thereto and in the same plane as said first mentioned bracket; and

said horizontally extending member is connected to the vertical tubular portion of said second mentioned bracket.

6. A fixture for closets as defined in claim 5 in which at least one of said brackets has a shelf disposed thereabove and supported thereby.

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