Apparatus and Method for the Compact Support and Storage of Hanging Items

Abstract

Disclosed is a rack for hanging items for drying and/or storage. The apparatus includes a main support post, a plurality of slip-T joints and a plurality of support arms. The support arms attach to the main support post through the slip-T joints, which allow the support arms to rotate about the main support post axis. The main support attaches to a substantially vertical surface through an upper support and a lower support that is longer than the upper, such that the support arms are capable of lying parallel to the vertical surface with an item hanging thereon.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for the compact support and storage of hanging items, the apparatus comprising:
 an upright axial support post attached to a vertical surface such that the attachment creates an angle between the upright support post and the vertical surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 at least an upper support and a lower support, each support between the axial support and the attachment point, wherein the lower support is longer than the upper support.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 at least an upper support and a lower support, each support between the axial support and the attachment point, wherein the upper support is longer than the lower support.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 at least an upper support and a lower support, each support between the axial support and the attachment point, wherein the upper support, the lower support, or the upper and lower supports are adjustable.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a plurality of support arms, each support arm attached to the upright axial support post such that the support arm is perpendicularly oriented to the upright axial support post.   
     
     
         6  The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a plurality of support arms, each support arm attached to the upright axial support post such that the support arm is perpendicularly oriented to the upright axial support post and the support arm is rotatable with respect to the axis of the upright axial support. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a plurality of support arms, each support arm attached to the upright axial support post such that the support arm is perpendicularly oriented to the upright axial support post and the support arm is rotatable with respect to the axis of the upright axial support, wherein the support arms are grouped such that a plurality of hanging items may be supported on opposite sides of the upright axial support such that each grouping of hanging items is capable of stacking against the vertical surface with each support arm parallel with the vertical surface.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for the compact support and storage of hanging items, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of support arms, each arm attached to an upright axial support, the axial support rigidly affixed to a vertical surface by at least an upper support and a lower support, wherein the lower support includes a length different than that of the upper support thereby creating an angle between the vertical surface and the upright axial support.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the lower support is longer than the upper support. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the upper support is longer than the lower support. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the upper support, the lower support, or the upper and lower supports are adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of support arms is attached to the upright axial support in a perpendicular arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support arms is attached to the upright axial support post such that the support arm is perpendicularly oriented to the upright axial support post and the support arm is rotatable with respect to the axis of the upright axial support, wherein the support arms are grouped such that a plurality of hanging items may be supported on opposite sides of the upright axial support such that each grouping of hanging items is capable of stacking against the vertical surface with each support arm parallel with the vertical surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of support arms is attached to the upright axial support post such that the support arm is perpendicularly oriented to the upright axial support post and at least one support arm is prevented from rotating with respect to the axis of the upright axial support, wherein the support arms are grouped such that a plurality of hanging items may be supported on opposite sides of the upright axial support such that each grouping of hanging items is capable of stacking against the vertical surface with each support arm parallel with the vertical surface. 
     
     
         15 . A method for providing for the compact support and storage of hanging items, the method steps comprising:
 mounting an upright axial support post on a vertical surface using at least an upper support and a lower support such that the upright axial support post forms an angle with the vertical surface; and   utilizing a plurality of support arms to support a plurality of hanging item, each support arm attached at one end to the upright axial support post such that the support arm is rotatable with respect to the upright axial support post axis, the angle of the upright axial support post allowing the plurality of hanging items to stack against the vertical surface with each support arm parallel with the vertical surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , the method steps further comprising:
 utilizing the plurality of support arms to support a plurality of hanging items on the left and right sides of the upright axial support post such that each of the plurality of hanging items on the left and right sides form a respective stack against the vertical surface with each support arm parallel with the vertical surface.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , the method steps further comprising:
 utilizing the plurality of support arms to support a plurality of disparate hanging items on the left and right sides of the upright axial support post such that each of the plurality of hanging items on the left and right sides form a respective stack against the vertical surface with each support arm parallel with the vertical surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of support arms allows for the hanging item to be slid from the support arm off of the end opposite that of the upright axial support post. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one support arm is fixed with respect to the axial support post axis. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , the method steps further comprising:
 adjusting the upper support, the lower support, or the upper and lower supports to achieve the angle for substantially distortion free hanging therefrom of the plurality of hanging items.