Case or rack for panels

Abstract

The present invention includes a rack for storing panels, comprising a base having a top surface, a rear structure vertically extending from the base, a plurality of supports in at least one of the top surface of the base and the rear structure for supporting the panels in a vertical position, and a plurality of arms extending from the rear structure for engaging top edges of the panels to retain the panels in the vertical position. The present invention therefore allows for easy and selective access to a desired panel, or small group of panels, regardless of the number and disposition of the other panels within the rack. A method for storing panels within a rack is also presented.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A rack for storing panels, comprising 
 a base having a top surface;    a rear structure vertically extending from the base;    a plurality of supports in at least one of the top surface of the base and the rear structure for supporting the panels in a vertical position; and    a plurality of arms extending from the rear structure for engaging top edges of the panels to retain the panels in the vertical position.    
     
     
         2 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supports support the panels in a spaced apart manner.  
     
     
         3 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical position is substantially perpendicular to the rear structure.  
     
     
         4 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of arms engages a single one of the top edges of the panels.  
     
     
         5 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms are vertically slidable to engage the top edges of the panels.  
     
     
         6 . The rack according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of arms can be locked at various heights such as to alternatively engage panels of various dimensions.  
     
     
         7 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms are pivotable about one end thereof connected to the rear structure to engage the top edges of the panels.  
     
     
         8 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear structure includes at least two horizontal bars.  
     
     
         9 . The rack according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of arms is supported between two of the horizontal bars.  
     
     
         10 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supports include a plurality of parallel horizontal grooves in the top surface of the base for receiving bottom edges of the panels.  
     
     
         11 . The rack according to  claim 10 , wherein the parallel horizontal grooves extend substantially perpendicularly to the rear structure.  
     
     
         12 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supports include a plurality of parallel vertical grooves in the rear structure for receiving rear edges of the panels.  
     
     
         13 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supports include a plurality of parallel rods, each rod having a first end connected to the top surface of the base and a second end connected to the rear structure, such that at least one of the panels can be vertically received between adjacent rods.  
     
     
         14 . The rack according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of rods extend from the top surface of the base at an angle substantially equal to 45 degrees.  
     
     
         15 . The rack according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of rods are made of metal and are surrounded with soft material.  
     
     
         16 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the top edges of the panels is engaged in a groove extending along a bottom surface of one of the plurality of arms.  
     
     
         17 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of arms includes a locking mechanism so that the plurality of arms can be locked when engaging the top edges of the panels to prevent the arms from disengaging the top edges.  
     
     
         18 . The rack according to  claim 17 , wherein the locking mechanism engages automatically when the corresponding one of the plurality of arms engage at least one of the top edges of the panels.  
     
     
         19 . The rack according to  claim 17 , wherein the locking mechanism is located at one end of the corresponding one of the plurality of arms and can be unlocked from an opposed end of the same.  
     
     
         20 . The rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the panels are glass panels.  
     
     
         21 . A method for storing panels within a rack having a base and a rear structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing each panel in a vertical position on the base, at least one of a rear edge and a bottom edge of the panel being supported by supports of the rack;    engaging a top edge of each panel with a movable arm connected to the rear structure; and    locking the movable arm against the top edge of the panel to retain the panel in the vertical position.    
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the step of locking the movable arm is performed automatically when the step of engaging a top edge of each panel is performed.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the step of engaging the top edge of each panel with a movable arm is performed by rotating the movable arm about the rear structure.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the step of engaging the top edge of each panel with a movable arm is performed by vertically sliding the movable arm.