Folding rack

Abstract

A folding rack including frames that have a mounting element hinged to a support element, cross-support elements between the frames, and at least one brace that defines the unfolded angle between the mounting element and the support element. Optionally, the cross-supports include telescoping segments, thereby making the length of the cross-supports adjustable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding rack comprising:
 at least a first frame and a second frame each comprising,
 at least one mounting element, 
 at least one support element, and 
 at least one hinge coupling the at least one mounting element to the at least one support element; and 
   at least one cross-support element connected to the first frame and to the second frame, wherein the at least one cross-support element includes at least a first segment and a second segment, whereby the second segment is engaged to the first segment in a telescoping relationship, the first segment of the at least one cross-support element being attached to the first frame, and the second segment of the at least one cross-support element attached to the second frame such that a distance between the first frame and the second frame may be selectively determined by varying a length of the cross-support element.   
     
     
         2 . The folding rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one brace coupled to the at least one support element, wherein when secured the brace governs an angle between the at least one support element and the at least one mounting element. 
     
     
         3 . The folding rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking element preventing the at least one cross-support element from telescoping. 
     
     
         4 . The folding rack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support element further comprises at least one lateral adjustment feature for the at least one cross-support element. 
     
     
         5 . The folding rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one latch to secure the at least one mounting element to the at least one support element when in a folded state. 
     
     
         6 . The folding rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one resistance element to increase unfolding difficulty. 
     
     
         7 . The folding rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cushioning element to prevent damage to articles placed on the at least one cross-support element. 
     
     
         8 . The folding rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one anti-slip element to prevent articles placed on the at least one cross-support element from sliding. 
     
     
         9 . A folding rack comprising:
 at least a first frame and a second frame each comprising,
 at least one mounting element, 
 at least one support element, 
 at least one brace coupling the at least one mounting element to the at least one support element, and 
 at least one hinge coupling the at least one mounting element to the at least one support element; 
   at least one cross-support element connected to the first frame and to the second frame, wherein the at least one cross-support element includes at least a first segment and a second segment, whereby the second segment is engaged to the first segment in a telescoping relationship, the first segment of the at least one cross-support element being attached to the first frame, and the second segment of the at least one cross-support element attached to the second frame such that the distance between the first frame and the second frame may be selectively determined by varying the length of the cross-support element; and   at least one fastener securing the at least one mounting element of the first frame and the second frame to a surface.   
     
     
         10 . The folding rack of  claim 9 , further comprising a locking element preventing the at least one cross-support element from telescoping. 
     
     
         11 . The folding rack of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one brace has an adjustable length. 
     
     
         12 . The folding rack of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one mounting element further comprises more than one brace coupling point. 
     
     
         13 . The folding rack of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one support element further comprises at least one lateral adjustment feature for the at least one cross-support element. 
     
     
         14 . The folding rack of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one latch to secure the at least one mounting element to the at least one support element when in a folded state. 
     
     
         15 . The folding rack of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one resistance element to increase unfolding difficulty. 
     
     
         16 . The folding rack of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one panel disposed on the at least one cross-support element and resting on the at least one support element. 
     
     
         17 . The folding rack of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one anti-slip element to prevent articles placed on the at least one cross-support element from sliding. 
     
     
         18 . A folding rack comprising:
 means for placing articles on the rack;   means for folding the rack;   means for adjusting the rack to fit different sized articles;   means for removably mounting the rack to a surface;   means for bracing the rack when in an unfolded position; and   means for securing the rack at predetermined angle relative to a mounting surface when unfolded.   
     
     
         19 . The folding rack of  claim 18 , further comprising means to removably latch the folding means. 
     
     
         20 . The folding rack of  claim 18 , further comprising means for cushioning articles placed on the rack.