US3246768A - Garment storage and display rack - Google Patents

Description

April 19, 1966 J. P. CARLOS 3,246,768

GARMENT STORAGE AND DISPLAY RACK Filed June 15, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 (Q 8 5 i 1? 0 5 m m K k o 00 w 8 T YT q q- 8g" 1 l y;

I 9 i t "6 E O f "I? Q INVENTOR. LO (D JOSEPH P. CARLOS (Q N BY ATTORNEYS April 1966 J. P. CARLOS 3,246,768

GARMENT STORAGE AND DISPLAY RACK Filed June 13, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 38 9r "7 I n [9/ #136 2 J L ("72 7 INVENTOR. JOSEPH P. CARLOS ATTORNEYS April 19, 1966 J. P. CARLOS GARMENT STORAGE AND DISPLAY RACK 3 Sheets-Sheets Filed June 13, 1963 IN VENTOR. JOSEPH P. CARLOS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,246,768 GARMENT STORAGE AND DISPLAY RACK Joseph 1. Carlos, Littleton, Colo., assignor to Sol-Rae, Inc., Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Filed June 13, 1963, Ser. No. 287,568 13 Claims. (Cl. 211-178) This invention relates to an expansible rack; and, more specifically, to a combination garment storage and dis play rack.

In geographical areas removed from the major clothing manufacturing centers such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, much of the merchandising of these wares is carried out through factory representatives who carry samples of the complete line from place to place and show same to prospective buyers. Some of these factory representatives cover territories involving several states.

The usual techniques employed by these sales representatives in selling their wares is to have a permanent display located in one of the major metropolitan areas of their territory. Here, prospective buyers from nearby retail outlets come and view the display before placing their orders with the factory rep. In outlying areas, however, this method of merchandising is unsatisfactory and the sales representative must take his wares to the buyer.

This is customarily done in one of two ways. First, if more than one prospective buyer is located in a given town and there is enough potential business to justify an overnight stop, the representative will usually rent a hotel or motel room for the display of the merchandise and invite the buyers to attend a showing. On the other hand, if only one or two customers are located at a given town meaning that a half-day call or such will suffice, the factory rep. will usually set up his display at the customers place of business.

A good many problems plague a salesman in connection with sales of his garment line outside of his permanent showroom. To begin with, there is the packing problem. Some factory representatives use suitcases for the garments and carry along display racks than can be taken apart and transported in a very small space. This practice, however, is highly unsatisfactory because the garments become wrinkled very easily and it is often impossible to press them between each showing. Also, considerable time and elfort are required to take the display racks apart and put them back together again between each showing.

A partial solution to this problem is to carry the clothes from place to place on clothes rods in some type of vehicle capable of being fitted therewith. These rods, however, are more or less permanently mounted and it is necessary to transfer the garments to some type of mobile rack for movement into the 'motel, hotel or customers place of business. This transfer operation together with the movement of the loaded rack oftentimes results in some of the garments falling off whereupon they become soiled and unsuitable for display. Also, the garments are more easily dislodged and soiled in the vehicle if they are merely hung on clothes rods.

In some types of clothing adapted to be hung on short racks, for example, childrens clothing, two-piece garments, blouses, sweaters, etc., it is possible to carry a loaded rack in a van-type vehicle thus lessening the aforementioned difficulties. Even here, however, the garments are rather easily dislodged and soiled as the loaded rack is moved about. Also, these racks are seldom, if ever, suitable for both display purposes and transportation. In other words, a rack small enough to fit into the ordinary passenger-'car-size van cannot accommodate enough garments when spaced apart far enough to dis- 3,246,768 Patented Apr. 19, 1966 play them attractively to make the system practical. Conversely, if the rack is loaded at or near capacity, the clothes will be jammed in so tightly that they become wrinkled and do not show off well to the prospective buyer.

Ideally, therefore, a rack for this purpose should function as both a means for carrying the wares from place to place and also as a display device which will present the goods in a most attractive manner. Such a rack should have some provision for fastening the garment-supporting hangers thereto so that they cannot fall on. as the rack is moved about. It must be small enough to fit into a passenger-car-sized van for transportation from place to place so that the garments will not have to be packed, unpacked, pressed and hung preparatory to each display thereof. In addition, the rack preferably will accommodate a good many garments for transportation, yet, have the facility of displaying them attractively when the occasion demands. Furthermore, such a rack should knock-down readily for storage and shipment.

The rack of the present invention fulfills all of the above ideal requirements. To begin, with, it is quite small and compact so that it will fit easily into a van- -type vehicle. In fact, it is possible to carry several loaded racks in certain passenger vans. The unit provides a novel means for locking the garment hangers to the rack so that they cannot fall off during travel or while being moved about over the ground. Most significant, however, is the feature by which the total hanging space available is quadrupled for display purposes almost instantaneously. This enables the garments to be examined and shown to their best advantage. Also, department stores find these racks advantageous in storing merchandise, making up sale racks, etc.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved garment storage and display rack.

A second objective is to provide a rack of the type aforementioned that expands to increase the total display area by a factor of four.

Another object is the provision of a transportable unit wherein the garments on coat hangers are securely fastened to the rack so that they cannot become dislodged and soiled.

Still another objective of the invention herein claimed is to provide a display rack that collapses and expands telescopically thus eliminating the time-consuming and laborious task of taking the unit apart and putting it back together between each use.

An additional object is the provision of a transportable garment display that is ideally suited for half-length garments and eliminates the usual problems of wrinkling, soiling and damage.

Further objects are to provide a combination garment storage and display rack that is compact, rugged, stable, versatile, lightweight, easy to move, maintenance-free and decorative in appearance.

Other objects of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out specifically hereinafter in connection with the description of the drawings that follows, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the rack showing it in its expanded or display position;

FIGURE 2 is an end view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation similar to FIGURE 1 except that the rack is shown in its collapsed position;

FIGURE 4 is ahorizontal section to an enlarged scale taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3, portions of which have been broken away to conserve space;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary section taken along line 55 of FIGURE 4 showing the clamp-type coupling between the base and main uprights;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary section taken along line 66 of FIGURE FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged diametrical section ilustrating the spring detent that is used to maintain the telescoping tubular elements in extended position;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 88 of FIGURE 3 which shows the telescopic connection at one of the upper corners;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 99 of FIGURE 3 showing the other upper telescopic corner connection;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the lock pin connection on the folding legs of the auxiliary base, portions having been broken away and shown in section to better reveal the interior construction; and,

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to FIGURE 8 except that it shows a modified single-tube upright and associated connector.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of the present invention and, initially, to FIGURES l, 2 and 3 for this purpose, it will be seen that the rack.

includes a base 12 having a generally rectangular configuration that is fabricated from tubular stock to form a closed loop. In the particular form shown, the corners are rounded and four large-wheeled casters M are located adjacent said corners to provide a rolling support for the base. The end portions 16 of the base are each provided with a clamp-type coupling 18 that will be described in greater detail in connection with FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 which detachably connects main tubular uprights 20 and 22 to the base intermediate the sides 24 thereof.

Uprights 28 extend vertically in spaced parallel relation to one another and their upper ends are interconnected by main horizontal hanging bar 26 that spans the distance therebetween. A bevel joint 28 between one of the uprights 2t) and hanging bar 26 closes one end of the latter while the other end is left open to telescopically re ceive lower horizontal hanging bar extension 30.

Tubular uprights 22 which parallel uprights 20 are fastened to the latter by welds 34 (FIGURES 8 and 9). These uprights 22 each telescopically receive vertical extensions 36 which are shown as being tubular in FIG- URES 8 and 9 although they may be solid rods provided some different type of latch assembly than that shown in FIGURE 7 is employed to releasably secure these telescopic elements together in extended relation. The upper ends of these vertical extensions 36 are interconnected by an upper horizontal hanging bar 38 which is tubular and attached to said upright extensions by brackets 49 that offset same in the direction of main hanging bar 26. Thus, with vertical extension 36 lowered into uprights 22, it can be seen from an examination of FIGURES 2, 8 and 9 that upper horizontal hanging bar 38 will overlie main horizontal hanging bar 26 and provide means whereby the hooks of coat hangers on bar 38 can be clamped securely therebetween.

Telescopically mounted within upper horizontal hanger bar738 is upper horizontal hanger bar extension 42 which parallels lower hanger bar extension 30. These two horizontal hanger bar extensions 30 and 42 are supported from the floor by an auxiliary frame that has been designated in a general way by reference numeral 44.

This hanger bar extension supporting frame 44 comprises a foldable base 46 having a single tubular upright 48 extending vertically from a slightly off-center position in coplanar relation to main uprights 20 of the main frame. Thus, with the auxiliary frame 44 retracted as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, upright 48 will be located alongside the adjacent main upright 20.

Lower horizontal hanger bar extension 30 is connected to the auxiliary frame 44 which provides a support therefor when extended as shown in FIGURE 1. The upper horizontal hanger bar 42, on the other hand, is fastened to vertical extension 50 of the auxiliary frame 44 which telescopes inside of upright 48. Thus, both horizontal extensions 42 and 30 are ground-supported which enables them to carry a full load of garments without tilting the rack. Also, this construction makes it possible to nearly double the length of the rack which is not possible with constructions in which the extensions have no ground support.

The attention is now directed to FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 wherein it will be seen that the main tubular uprights are detachably fastened to the main base 12 by means of a specially-designed clam-shell type pipe clamp 18. This clamp 18 includes a longitudinally-split horizontal section 52 adapted to slip over the tube from which the base 12 is fabricated before the corner bends are formed. The edges of this horizontal section that border the split have upwardly-extending flanges 54 depending therefrom which are interconnected adjacent opposite vertical edges by wing-nutted screw fasteners 56 adapted to draw the flanges together and clamp them about the base tube. Intermediate the vertical edges of these upright flanges, the metal is shaped to provide a generally figure-8-shaped cavity 58 adapted to receive the uprights 2i and 22 in side-by-side relation. The wing-nuts, of course, also function to clamp these uprights in place and fasten same securely to the base 12.

It should, perhaps, be mentioned at this point that the present garment rack is not intended to be assembled and disassembled by the user between each use, but rather, fittings 18 are provided for the primary purpose of permitting the rack to be shipped in a knocked-down state. Also, extra racks may conveniently be stored in this disassembled condition and readied for use almost instantly by merely tightening the four wing-nuts.

Next, with reference to FIGURE 7, one form of latch 60 has been shown which has proven to be quite wellsuited to locking the various telescopic elements of the rack in extended relation. A short tubular guide element 62 is fastened inside the lower end of the inner telescoping element 36 and this sleeve retains a compression spring 64 that bears against an annular shoulder 66 on the inner end of detent 68. The detent also has a shoulder 70 on its outer face which contacts the edge of the external telescoping element bordering opening 72 therein. A hemispherical end .74 on the outer extremity of the detent slips into the opening 72 of the outer tube and releasably locks the tubes together in extended position.

FIGURES 8 and 9, to which reference will now be made, show the corner arrangements at the top of the main frame in detail. Tubular uprights 2t) merely support the main horizontal hanger bar 26in fixed spaced relation above the base and, therefore, include no telescoping element inside thereof. Uprights 22, on the other hand, .each contain vertical extension elements 36 which, when extended, double the height of the rack and also double its capaicty. It is important to note the offset of upper horizontal hanger bar 38 to one side of vertical extensions 36 as this places hanger bars 26 and 38 directly above one another and makes the clothes hanger gripping function possible. In the particular for-m shown, bracket 48 comprises nothing more than a plate welded to the top of vertical extensions 36 with a portion projecting out over horizontal hanger bar 26 in position to receive the upper horizontal hanger tube 38 which is welded to the underside thereof. Obviously, tube 38 could, if desired, be welded directly to upright extension 36 or a fitting such as that shown at '76 in FIGURE 11 could be substituted for bracket 40.

The rack is intended to be rolled along the ground only when in the retracted position of FIGURE 3. Even so, the legs 46 of the auxiliary frame can catch on uneven terrain, door sills, etc., which makes it desirable to have these legs foldable to put them up out of the way. Such a construction has been shown in FIGURE 10 to which reference will now be made. Upright 48 has a short tubular sleeve section 78 welded to the lower end thereof forming a T. This sleeve receives the horizontal mid- 5. section 80 of the generally U-shaped legs or base 46 for relative rotational movement between the ground-supported operative position of FEGURES 1 and 2 to the inoperative or stored position of FIGURE 3 wherein the legs are swung around 270 until they rest on top of the adjacent end of the main base 12. Aligned openings 82 in sleeve 78 and horizontal section 80 of the auxiliary base 44 receive a lock pin 84 which fastens these elements together in operative position. Another pair of openings in the base 86 (one of which is shown) located at right angles to the first set will align with the ones in sleeve 78 and receive pin 82 when the legs are in the folded position. A chain 86 secures the lock pin to the auxiliary base to prevent the pin from being lost. Also, a pair of collars 88'have been shown mounted on the horizontal section 80 of the base adjacent the ends of sleeve 78 to maintain the latter in the proper lateral position.

Finally, with respect to FIGURE 11, a modified form of the rack has been shown in which only a single upright 22 is used on each end of the main frame. The second pair of uprights 20 have been eliminated in favor of coupling '76 which attaches main horizontal hangar bar 26 directly to the upper extremity of uprights 22 but to one side thereof. This connector comprises two sleevelike sections 90 fastened together to form an integral unit with their axis at right angles to one another. Similar couplings; as aforementioned, could be used in place of brackets 40 on the upper ends of the vertical extensions 36 as a means for fastening upper horizontal hangar bar thereto.

' It will thus be seen that with the rack of the present invention retracted as shown in FIGURE 3, it is quite compact and relatively easy to fit into Passenger-van-type vehicles. By placing the garments quite close to one another for transportation purposes on the single main hangar bar 26, they can be moved from place to place with no danger of their falling off due to upper horizontal hangar .bar 38 clamping down on the hooks of the clothes hangars. Then, when the time comes to display the garinents, the rack can be expanded to double its original size by raising upper horizontal hangar bar to the elevated position of FIGURES 1 and 2. This can, of course, be done with the side extension still retracted. In order to quadruple the racks hanging capacity, the side extension consisting of horizontal hanger bar extensions 30 and 42 together with auxiliary supporting frame 44 can be activated.

Having thus described the several useful and novel features of the combination garment display and storage rack of the present invention, it will be seen that the several worthwhile objects for which it was designed have been achieved. Although but two specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated herein, I realize that certain further modifications may well occur to those skilled in the art within the broad teaching hereof; hence, it is my intention that the scope of protection afforded hereby shall be limited only in so far as said limitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination garment storage and display rack which comprises, an elongate generally rectangular base, casters mounted at each corner of the base supporting same in substantially horizontal position for rolling moveinent along the ground, a pair of vertically-extending tubular uprights fastened to opposite ends of the base intermediate the sides thereof, a vertical extension telescopically mounted in each of the pair of tubular uprights for movement from a retracted into an extended position, releasable latch means operatively interconnecting each extension with its associated upright adapted to lock same in 'extendcd position, a lower tubular hangar bar interconnecting the upper ends of the pair of uprights extending horizontally therebetween, and an upper tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical extensions in vertically-spaced parallel relation to the lower hangar bar, said upper hangar bar being positioned and adapted to overlie the lower hangar bar engaging the hooks of clothes hangers disposed thereon in a manner to lock same thereto when said extensions are in retracted position.

2. The combination garment storage and display rack which comprises, an elongate generally rectangular base, casters mounted at each corner of the base supporting same in substantially horizontal position for rolling movement along the ground, a first pair of verticallyextending tubular uprights fastened to opposite ends of the base intermediate the slides thereof, a vertical extension telescopically mounted in each of the first pair of tubular uprights for movement from a retracted into an extended position, releasable latch means operatively interconnecting each extension with its associated upright adapted to lock same in extended position, a lower tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the first pair of uprights horizontally therebetween, and an upper tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical extensions in vertically-spaced parallel relation to the lower hanger bar, said upper hanger bar being positioned and adapted to overlie the lower hanger bar engaging the hooks of clothes hangers disposed thereon in a manner to lock same thereto when said extensions are in retracted position and wherein both the upper and lower horizontal hanger bars are positioned one above the other with their axes lying in a plane displaced to one side of the plane defined by the axes of the first pair of tubular uprights and their vertical extensions, said hanger bars thus passing alongside the uprights and extensions which are spanned thereby to leave at least one end of each said hanger bars open.

3. The combination garment storage'and display rack which comprises, an elongate generally rectangular base,

casters mo-unted at each corner of the base supporting" same in substantially horizontal position for rolling movementalong the ground, a first pair of vertically-extending tubular uprights fastened to opposite ends of the base inter-mediate the sides thereof, a vertical extension telescopically mounted in each of the first pair of tubular uprights for movement from a retracted into an extended position, releasable latch means operatively interconnecting each extension with its associated upright adapted to lock same in extended position, a lower tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the first pair of uprights extending horizontally therebetween, and an upper tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical extensions in vertically-spaced parallel relation to the lower hanger bar, said upper hanger bar beingpositioned and adapted to overlie the lower hanger bar engaging the hooks of clothes hangers disposed thereon in a manner to lock same thereto when said extensions are in retracted position, and wherein a second pair of uprights extend vertically upward from the base in side-by-side parallel relation to the first pair thereof, the lower hanger bar extends across the top of the second pair of uprights with its axis in coplanar relation to the axes of said second pair of uprights, and the upper hanger bar is fastened to the vertical extensions in such position that its axis lies in the plane defined by the lower hanger bar and second pair of uprights.

4. The combination garmet storage and display rack which comprises, an elongate generally rectangular base, casters mounted at each corner of the base supporting same in substantially horizontal position for rolling movement along the ground, a first pair of verticallyextending tubular uprights fastened to opposite ends of the base intermediate the sides thereof, a vertical extension telesoopically mounted in each of the first pair of tubular uprights for movement from a retracted into an extended position, releasable latch means operatively interconnecting each extension with its associated up rights adapted to lock same in extended position, a lower tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the first pair of uprights extending horizontally therebetween, and an upper tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical extensions in vertically-spaced parallel relation to the lower hanger bar, said upper hanger bar being positioned and adapted tooverlie the lower hanger bar engaging the hooks of clothes hangers disposed thereon in a manner to lock same thereto when said extensions are in retnacted'position, and wherein the lower hanger bar is fastened alongside the first pair, of tubular uprights in substantially tangential relation thereto, and the upper hanger bar is fastened to the vertical extensions in position suchthat' its axis and that of the lower hanger bar lie in a single substantially vertical plane displaced to one side of the plane defined by the axis of the'first pair of uprights and'their vertical extensions.

5. The combination garment storage and display rack as set'fo-rthin claim 2 in which a horizontal hanger bar extension is telescopically mounted within'both the upper and lower hanger bars for movement from a retracted position into an extended position projecting outward laterally beyond the same end of the base, and means operatively interconnecting each hanger barflextension with its hanger bar in amanner to releasablylatch same in extended position;

6. The combination garment storage and display rackasset forth in'clairn 5 in which, an auxiliary frame including a base and-a vertical tubular upright extending between said auxiliary base and the overhanging end of the lower horizontal hanger bar extension provides groundsupp'o-rt for the latter, a third-vertical extension is telescopically mounted within the tubular upright of the auxiliary frame and connected'to the overhanging end of the upper horizontal hanger bar extension, and means operatively interconnecting the third vertical extension with the auxiliary frame;- tubular upright in a manner to releasably latch same in extended relation.

7. The combination garment storage and display rack as set forth in claim 6 in which the base of the auxiliary frame comprises legs projecting in opposite directions frorn'the auxiliary'frame upright in parallel relation to the ends of the caster-supported base.

8. The combination garment storage'and display rack as set forth in claim 6 in which the base of the auxiliary frame comprises an inverted generally U-shaped element havinga central horizontally-disposed portion connected to the lower end of the auxiliary frame upright for to tationa-l movement about an axis substantially parallel to the ends of the caster-supported base, said rotational connection providing means whereby the base of the auxiliary frame can be elevated off the ground to permit movement of the unit on the caster-supported base.

9. The combination garment storage and display rack as set forth'in claim 8 in which latch means operatively interconnect the auxiliary frame base with the upright projecti-ng therefrom adapted upon actuation to lock said base in ground-support position.

10; The combination garment storageand display rack which comprises, an elongate generally rectangular base, casters mounted at each corner of the base supporting same in substantially horizontal position for rolling movement along the ground, a pair of vertically-extending tubular uprights fastened to opposite ends of the base intermediate the sides thereof, a vertical extension telescopically mounted in each of the pair of tubular uprights for movement from a retracted into an extended position, releasable latch means operatively interconnecting each extension with its associated upright adapted to lock same in extended position, a lower tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the pair of uprights extending horizontally therebetween, and an upper tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical extensions in vertically-spaced parallel relation to the lower hanger bar, said upper hanger bar being positioned and adapted to overlie the lower hanger bar engaging the hooks of clothes hangers disposed thereon in a manner to lock same thereto when said extensions are in retracted position, at least one end of the lower tubular hanger bar being open, a horizontal hanger bar extension telescopically mounted within the hanger bar for movement from a retracted position into an extended position overhanging one end of the base, latch means operatively interconnecting the hanger bar and extension adapted upon actuation to releasably lock same in extended relation, and an auxiliary frame including a base and an upright extending vertically between said base and the overhanging end of the horizontal hanger bar extension adapted to provide ground support for the latter.

11. The combination garment storage and display rack which comprises, an elongated generally rectangular base, casters mounted at each corner of the base supporting same in substantially horizontal position for rolling movement along the ground, a pair of vertically-extending tubular uprights fastened to opposite ends of the base intermediate the sides thereof, a vertical extension telescopically mounted in each of the pair of tubular uprights for movement from a retracted into an extended position, releasable latch means operatively interconnecting each extension with its associated upright adapted to lock same in extended position, a lower tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the pair of uprights extending horizontally there-between, and an upper tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical extensions in vertically-spaced parallel relation to the lower hanger bar, said upper hanger bar being positioned and adapted to overlie the lower hanger bar engaging the hooks of clothes hangers disposed thereon in a manner to lock same thereto when said extensions are in retracted position, at least one end of the lower tubular hanger bar being open, a horizontalhanger bar extension telescopically mounted within the hanger bar for movement from a retracted position into an extended position overhanging one end of the base, latch means operatively interconnecting the hanger bar and extension adapted upon actuation to releasably lock same in extended relation, and an auxiliary frame including a base and an upright extending vertically between said base and the overhanging end of the horizontal hanger bar extension adapted to provide ground support for the latter wherein the auxiliary frame comprises legs projecting in opposite directions from the auxiliary frame upright in parallel relation to the ends of the castersupported base.

12. The combination garment storage and display rack which comprises, an elongate generally rectangular base, casters mounted at each corner of the base supporting same in substantially horizontal position [for rolling movement along the ground, a first pair of verticallyextending tubular uprights fastened to opposite ends of the base intermediate the sides thereof, a vertical extension telescopically mounted in each of the first pair of tubular uprights for movement from a retracted into an extended position, releasable latch means operatively interconnecting each extension with its associated upright adapted to lock same in extended position, a lower tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the first pair of uprights extending horizontally there between, and an upper tubular hanger bar interconnecting the upper ends of the vertical extensions in verticallyspaced parallel relation to the lower hanger bar, said upper hanger bar being positioned and adapted to overlie the lower hanger bar engaging the hooks of clothes hangers disposed thereon in a manner to lock same thereto when said extensions are in retracted position, at least one end of the lower tubular hanger bar being open, a horizontal hanger bar extension telescopically mounted within the hanger bar for movement from a retracted position into an extended position overhanging One end of the base, latch means operatively intercom! necting the hanger bar and extension adapted upon actuation to rele asably lock same in extended relation, and an auxiliary frame including a base and an upright extending vertically between said base and the overhanging end of the horizontal hanger bar extension adapted to provide ground support for the latter wherein the base of the auxiliary frame comprises an inverted generally U-shaped element having a central horizontally-disposed portion connected t the lower end of the auxiliary frame upright for rotational movement about an axis substantially parallel to the ends of the caster-supported base, said rotation connection prolviding means whereby the base of the auxiliary frame can be elevated off the ground to permit movement of the unit on the castersupported base.

13. The combination garment storage and display rack as set forth in claim 12 in which latch means operatively interconnect the auxiliary frame base with the upright projecting therefrom adapted upon actuation to lock said base in groundfisupport position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,015,448 1/1912 Madden 211-182 1,044,889 11/1912 Hyde 108106 1,984,001 12/1934 Tanzer 211182 2,435,060 1/ 1948 Thomson 182225 2,571,337 10/1951 Burnham 6148 2,722,970 11/ 1955 Stechmann 248188.2 2,830,779 4/ 1958 Wentling 24813 2,885,090 5/1959 Forrnan 211 175 FOREIGN PATENTS 176,150 9/ 1953 Austria.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. THE COMBINATION GARMENT STORAGE AND DISPLAY RACK WHICH COMPRISES, AN ELONGATE GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BASE, CASTERS MOUNTED AT EACH CORNER OF THE BASE SUPPORTING SAME IN SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION FOR ROLLING MOVEMENT ALONG THE GROUND, A PAIR OF VERTICALLY-EXTENDING TUBULAR UPRIGHTS FASTENED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE BASE INTERMEDIATE THE SIDES THEREOF, A VERTICAL EXTENSION TELESCOPICALLY MOUNTED IN EACH OF THE PAIR OF TUBULAR UPRIGHTS FOR MOVEMENT FROM A RETRACTED INTO AN EXTENDED POSITION, RELEASABLE LATCH MEANS OPERATIVELY INTERCONNECTING EACH EXTENSION WITH ITS ASSOCIATED UPRIGHT ADAPTED TO LOCK SAME IN EXTENDED POSITION, A LOWER TUBULAR HANGAR BAR INTERCONNECTING THE UPPER ENDS OF THE PAIR OF UPRIGHTS EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY THEREBETWEEN, AND AN UPPER TUBULAR HANGER BAR INTERCONNECTING THE UPPER ENDS OF THE VERTICAL EXTENSIONS IN VERTICALLY-SPACED PARALLEL RELATION TO THE LOWER HANGAR BAR, SAID UPPER HANGAR BAR BEING POSITIONED AND ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE LOWER HANGAR BAR ENGAGING THE HOOKS OF CLOTHES HANGERS DISPOSED THEREON IN A MANNER TO LOCK SAME THERETO WHEN SAID EXTENSIONS ARE IN RETRACTED POSITION.

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