Hat rack

Abstract

A hat rack for holding a brimmed hat includes a pair of base rods arranged in a spaced apart parallel configuration. A first support rod is coupled to respective first ends of the pair of base rods and a second support rod is coupled to respective second ends of the pair of base rods. Both support rods have a substantially similar configuration, namely, a pair of upstanding support arms connected by a top segment. Each pair of support arms are inclined toward one another as they extend from the base rods to a corresponding top segment. Further, the support rods proper are inclined toward one another. A hat of the type having a crown and brim, such as a western hat, may be supported upon the top segments. Another embodiment includes a similarly configured support rod pivotally coupled to a wall or door mountable base.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
         1 . A hat rack for use in holding a brimmed hat, comprising: 
 a pair of base rods arranged in a spaced apart parallel configuration relative to one another for stable support on a substantially flat support surface, each base rod having opposed first and second ends;    a continuous first support rod having opposed first support rod ends coupled to respective first ends of said pair of base rods, said first support rod having a pair of upwardly extending first support rod arms gradually inclined toward one another and having a first support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of first support rod arms relative to said respective first ends of said pair of base rods;    a continuous second support rod having opposed second support rod ends coupled to respective second ends of said pair of base rods, said second support rod having a pair of upwardly extending second support rod arms gradually inclined toward one another and having a second support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of second support rod arms relative to said respective second ends of said pair of base rods; and    said first and second support rods being inwardly inclined toward one another, whereby said first and second support rod top segments are situated to support a crown of the brimmed hat.    
     
     
         2 . The hat rack as in  claim 1  wherein said first and second support rods include a metal construction coated with a layer of polyvinyl chloride for inhibiting rust and corrosion thereon.  
     
     
         3 . The hat rack as in  claim 1  wherein said pair of base rods include a wooden construction, said first and second ends of respective base rods defining recesses adapted to receive corresponding ends of respective support rods.  
     
     
         4 . The hat rack as in  claim 1  wherein said first support rod top segment includes a length smaller than a distance between said pair of base rods.  
     
     
         5 . The hat rack as in  claim 1  wherein each base rod includes a tubular configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The hat rack as in  claim 1  wherein said first and second support rods include generally inverted U-shaped configurations.  
     
     
         7 . The hat rack as in  claim 1  wherein said first and second support rods have a substantially similar configuration such that said first and second support rod top segments are adapted to support the brimmed hat in a substantially level configuration.  
     
     
         8 . A hat rack for use in holding a brimmed hat, comprising: 
 a pair of base rods arranged in a spaced apart parallel configuration relative to one another for stable support on a substantially flat support surface, each base rod having opposed first and second ends;    a continuous first support rod having opposed first support rod ends coupled to respective first ends of said pair of base rods, said first support rod having a pair of first support rod arms extending upwardly from respective first support rod ends and being gradually inclined toward one another and having a first support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of first support rod arms relative to said respective first ends of said pair of base rods;    a continuous second support rod having opposed second support rod ends coupled to respective second ends of said pair of base rods, said second support rod having a pair of second support rod arms extending upwardly from respective second support rod ends and being gradually inclined toward one another and having a second support rod top segment connecting distal ends of said pair of second support rod arms relative to said respective second ends of said pair of base rods;    wherein said first and second support rods include a metal construction coated with a layer of polyvinyl chloride for inhibiting rust and corrosion thereon; and    wherein said first and second support rods include a substantially similar configuration and are inwardly inclined toward one another, whereby said first and second support rod top segments are situated to receive a crown of the brimmed hat and to support the brimmed hat in a level configuration relative to said support surface.    
     
     
         9 . The hat rack as in  claim 8  wherein said pair of base rods include a wooden construction, said first and second ends of respective base rods defining recesses adapted to receive corresponding ends of respective support rods.  
     
     
         10 . The hat rack as in  claim 8  wherein said first support rod top segment includes a length smaller than a distance between said pair of base rods.  
     
     
         11 . The hat rack as in  claim 10  wherein each base rod includes a tubular configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The hat rack as in  claim 10  wherein said first and second support rods include generally inverted U-shaped configurations.  
     
     
         13 . The hat rack as in  claim 8  wherein: 
 said first support rod ends are pivotally coupled to said respective first ends of said pair of base rods; and  
 said second support rod ends are pivotally coupled to said respective second ends of said pair of base rods.  
 
     
     
         14 . A hat rack for use in holding a hat of a type having a crown and a brim, comprising: 
 a base adapted to be mounted to a vertical support surface;    a continuous support rod having a pair of arms pivotally connected to said base and extending outwardly therefrom in gradual inclination toward one another, said arms being pivotally movable between a storage configuration adjacent said base and a hat-holding configuration generally perpendicular to said base, said support rod having an end segment connecting said pair of arms at distal ends thereof relative to said base, said arms and end segment being configured to receive the crown of the hat and to maintain an intended shape of the hat when received thereby.    
     
     
         15 . The hat rack as in  claim 14  wherein said support rod includes a metal construction coated in polyvinyl chloride for inhibiting rust and corrosion.  
     
     
         16 . The hat rack as in  claim 14  wherein a distance between said distal ends of said pair of arms is smaller than a distance between proximal ends of said pair of arms relative to said base.