Ribbon and wrapping paper storage and dispensing device

Abstract

A device is disclosed that stores both ribbons and wrapping paper, on the hubs upon which they are sold, in a single storage device such that all contents are compactly and efficiently stored while at the same time allowing the contents to be immediately visible and accessible. The device further allows the contents to be dispensed easily without disturbing other items stored in the storage system. The device can be easily moved so that it may be used in a number of different locations and configurations, as well as stored in a number of different ways, so as to adapt to the user's work and storage areas.

1 . A rack for holding a plurality of spools of spooled material, such rack comprising 
 a substantially rectangular front frame having two upright members fixedly attached at each end to each end of two horizontal members, one of the upright members including a plurality of attachment means, the attachment means partially extending through said upright member, the other upright member including a plurality of slots formed on an inside-facing surface thereof, partially extending through said other upright member, and extending through a front surface thereof, the slots formed at an upward angle with respect to the axis of said other upright member,    a substantially rectangular rear frame having two upright members fixedly attached at each end to each end of two horizontal members,    a plurality of horizontal rods, one end of each rod for being retained in one of said attachment means of the one upright member of the front frame, the other end of each rod for being inserted into the slot of the front side of the other upright member and retained by gravity in said slot,    a plurality of hinge means for attaching the front and rear frames being together near their uppermost horizontal members such that the frames may contact each other along their upright members in a closed position of the rack, and such that the frames may contact each other only near their uppermost horizontal members in an open A-frame-shaped position of the rack, the rack in the open A-frame-shaped position being self-supporting when rested a flat surface.    
   
   
       2 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means of the one of the upright members are holes formed partially through an inside-facing surface of the one upright member.  
   
   
       3 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means of the one of the upright members are slots formed partially through the inner surface of the one upright member, the slots formed at an upward angle with respect to the axis of the other upright member.  
   
   
       4 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the hinge means includes a stop means for preventing the frames from forming an angle of more than 45 degrees when the rack is in the open position.  
   
   
       5 . The rack of  claim 1  further including a plurality of brackets for supporting the rack on a vertical surface, each bracket including a U-shaped lower portion for supporting a portion of the uppermost horizontal member of the rear frame of the rack, and an upper portion with attaching means for fixing the bracket to the vertical surface.  
   
   
       6 . The rack of  claim 5  wherein the brackets each further include an extended U-shaped portion for supporting the bracket over the top of a door, the extended portion separable from the upper and lower portion of the bracket such that when separated the upper and lower portion of the bracket can be used to support the rack from a vertical surface by securing the upper portion of the bracket to the vertical surface with the attaching means.  
   
   
       7 . The rack of  claim 6  wherein the attaching means is a plurality of screws.  
   
   
       8 . The rack of  claim 6  wherein the attaching means is a plurality of nails.  
   
   
       9 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the distance between the inside-facing surfaces of the upright members is greater than thirty inches in length such that the horizontal rods will accept standard wrapping paper rolls of nominally thirty inches in length.  
   
   
       10 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the upward angle of the slots of the other upright member of the front frame are substantially 45 degrees.  
   
   
       11 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the upright members of the rear frame are sufficiently deep to substantially hold the front frame and the spools of spooled material away from the vertical surface.