Modular rack for disc golf discs

Abstract

A modular rack for disc golf discs includes a plurality of modules, at least two of which are disc modules, and at least one mechanical coupling that connects the plurality of modules together in side-by-side and aligned abutment with one another. Each disc module includes a base, having a front, a rear, a bottom, a top, and left and right sides, and at least one slot or groove, disposed at the top of the base, which is arranged to receive and support a single disc golf disc in an upright orientation. The modules are aligned in side-by-side abutment with one another such that the fronts and rears of the modules define a front and a rear, respectively, of a modular rack. The modular rack receives and retains a plurality of discs in upright, side-by-side arrangement with no more than one disc in each slot or groove.

1 . A modular rack for disc golf discs, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of modules, the modules including two or more disc modules, each disc module including:
 (i) a base, having a front, a rear, a bottom, a top, and left and right sides, and 
 (ii) at least one slot or groove disposed at the top of the base, each slot or groove being arranged to receive and support a single disc golf disc in an upright orientation, 
 (iii) wherein the plurality of modules are aligned in side-by-side abutment with one another such that the fronts of the modules define a front of a modular rack and the rears of the modules define a rear of the modular rack; 
   (b) at least one mechanical coupling that connects the plurality of modules together in side-by-side and aligned abutment with one another, thereby forming the modular rack;   (c) wherein the modular rack receives and retains a plurality of discs in upright, side-by-side arrangement with no more than one disc in each slot or groove.   
     
     
         2 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein each module of the plurality of modules may be positioned and connected on either side of any of the other modules of the plurality of modules. 
     
     
         3 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modules further include one or more support modules, each having a base that has a front, a rear, a bottom, a top, and left and right sides, and wherein a plate extends upward from the top of each support module. 
     
     
         4 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The modular rack of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one coupling mechanism includes a tensioned cord that extends through the plurality of modules and pulls the plurality of modules together. 
     
     
         9 . The modular rack of  claim 8 , wherein the base of each module, of the plurality of modules, includes a thru-hole through which the tensioned cord is routed, the thru-holes of the bases being aligned with each other when the plurality of modules are aligned in side-by-side abutment with one another. 
     
     
         10 . The modular rack of  claim 9 , wherein the base of each module, of the plurality of modules, further includes a cord friction hold that receives and compresses an end of the tensioned cord such that the end of the tensioned cord is held in place by friction, and wherein the cord friction hold is a side slot opening disposed at one end of the thru-hole opening and is transverse to, and an extension of, the cord-through hole. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The modular rack of  claim 9 , wherein the base of each module, of the plurality of modules, includes a thru-hole at each end thereof. 
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The modular rack of  claim 3 , wherein the base of each module, of the plurality of modules, includes a thru-hole through which a rod is routed, the thru-holes of the bases being aligned with each other when the plurality of modules are aligned in side-by-side abutment with one another. 
     
     
         16 . The modular rack of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one coupling mechanism includes a rod to which each base is clipped or otherwise fastened. 
     
     
         17 . The modular rack of  claim 3 , wherein each base includes a mating portion of a coupler that is removably attached to a corresponding mating portion of a coupler on the base of an adjacent module. 
     
     
         18 . The modular rack of  claim 1 , wherein a first module, of the plurality of modules, has a slot or groove having a first set of dimensional parameters, wherein a second module, of the plurality of modules, has a slot or groove having a second set of dimensional parameters that are different than the first set of dimensional parameters, and wherein the first and second sets of dimensional parameters are specifically adapted for different types of disc golf discs such that the first module is specifically adapted to receive and retain a first type of disc golf disc and the second module is specifically adapted to receive and retain a second type of disc golf disc. 
     
     
         19 . The modular rack of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second types of disc golf discs include driver discs and midrange discs, driver discs and putter discs, or midrange discs and putter discs. 
     
     
         20 . The modular rack of  claim 18 , wherein the first module and the second module each include indicia representative of the type of disc golf disc for which the respective first or second module is specifically adapted to receive and retain. 
     
     
         21 . The modular rack of  claim 18 , wherein each slot or groove defines a groove profile that extends from the front of the base to the rear of the base. 
     
     
         22 . The modular rack of  claim 21 , wherein the groove profile includes a uniform width of between 12 mm and 24 mm, inclusive. 
     
     
         23 . The modular rack of  claim 21 , wherein the groove profile includes a uniform front-to-rear curvature having a radius of between 90 mm and 125 mm, inclusive. 
     
     
         24 . The modular rack of  claim 23 , wherein upper portions of side walls of the groove profile are “V”-shaped such that an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, inclusive, is defined between the side wall upper portions. 
     
     
         25 . The modular rack of  claim 23 , wherein the groove profile includes a bottom having uniform side-to-side “U”-shaped curvature having a radius of between 1 mm and 12 mm, inclusive. 
     
     
         26 . A disc golf bag containing a modular rack for disc golf discs, comprising:
 (a) a portable bag having an interior and an exterior; and   (b) a modular rack, disposed in the interior of the portable bag, that is assembled from a plurality of disc golf disc modules connected by at least one mechanical coupling, wherein each disc module includes a base that has a front, a rear, a bottom, a top, and left and right sides, wherein each disc module includes at least one slot or groove disposed at the top of the base, wherein each slot or groove is arranged to receive and support a single disc golf disc in an upright orientation, wherein the plurality of modules are aligned in side-by-side abutment with one another such that the fronts of the modules define a front of a modular rack and the rears of the modules define a rear of the modular rack, and wherein the at least one mechanical coupling connects the plurality of modules together in side-by-side and aligned abutment with one another;   (c) wherein the modular rack receives and retains a plurality of discs in upright, side-by-side arrangement in the interior of the bag with no more than one disc in each slot or groove.   
     
     
         27 . A module for supporting a disc golf disc and adapted for use with other disc golf disc modules, comprising:
 (a) a base, having a front, a rear, a bottom, a top, and left and right sides;   (b) at least one slot or groove disposed at the top of the base, each slot or groove being arranged to receive and support a single disc golf disc in an upright orientation; and   (c) a thru-hole extending between the left side and the right side and adapted for receiving a connection element;   (d) wherein the module is adapted for alignment and connection with other disc golf disc modules, via the thru-hole and the connection element, such that the module receives and retains at least one disc golf disc in upright arrangement with no more than one disc in each slot or groove and in side-by-side arrangement with disc golf discs supported in other modules.   
     
     
         28 - 42 . (canceled)