Shoe rack

Abstract

A shoe rack having at least one rod with an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and along a length of the rod. First and second end frames are connected to the rod by connectors. A plurality of shoe holders are mounted on the rod, the shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib extends. The hole is sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod. Two stops are connected to the base of each shoe holder or connected to one of the frames. The stops are located on opposing sides of the rib and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates. The connector has a projection mating with the rods, and parallel walls spaced apart to fit over a rail mate with.

1 . A shoe rack, comprising
 at least one rod having an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and substantially continuously along substantially the entire length of the rod;   first and second end frames, each connected to the rod;   a plurality of shoe holders mounted on the rod, the shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib extends, the hole being sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod;   two stops connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to one of the frames, the stops being located on opposing sides of the rib and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates.   
   
   
       2 . The shoe rack of  claim 1 , wherein the stops are connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders. 
   
   
       3 . The shoe rack of  claim 2 , wherein the rod comprises a cylinder and the rib has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
   
   
       4 . The shoe rack of  claim 2 , wherein the end frames are fastened to a wall. 
   
   
       5 . The shoe rack of  claim 2 , wherein the end frames are also fastened together by members other than the rods. 
   
   
       6 . The shoe rack of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe holder has a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder, with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base. 
   
   
       7 . The shoe rack of  claim 2 , wherein the shoe holder has a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the show, with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base. 
   
   
       8 . The shoe rack of  claim 2 , wherein the stops are located relative to the rib so that the shoe holder has a first position substantially vertical during use and a second position less than about 85° from the vertical during use. 
   
   
       9 . The shoe rack of  claim 1 , wherein each end frame has a rail to which the at least one rod is connected, each rail having a pair of slots at the location of the connection with the rod, and further comprising a connector on opposing ends of the at last one rod, the connector having opposing walls spaced apart a distance sufficient to fit over a width of the rail, the opposing walls being joined by two retaining members that are spaced apart a distance to align with slots in the rail and that are configured to fit in those slots. 
   
   
       10 . The shoe rack of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the retaining members has an enlarged distal end that snaps into an enlarged recess at the bottom of the slots into which the at least one retaining member is inserted. 
   
   
       11 . The shoe rack of  claim 10 , wherein a tube is integrally molded with one of the walls, with the tube being sized to receive the rod inside the tube or to fit inside the rod. 
   
   
       12 . The shoe rack of  claim 1 , where the end frame includes at least one rail, and further comprising means on the rail and on a connector for releasably cooperating to connect the connector to the rail, the means including retaining members and a latch member, the connector being connected to the at least one rod. 
   
   
       13 . The shoe rack of  claim 1 , where the end frame includes at least one rail, and further comprising means on the rail and on a connector for releasably cooperating to prevent movement of the connection along a length of the rail, the means including at least one recess in the rail. 
   
   
       14 . A shoe rack kit, comprising:
 a plurality of rods each having an elongated rib extending outward from the rod and substantially continuously along substantially the entire length of the rod;   first and second end frames, each having a recess adapted to receive one end of each rod;   a plurality of shoe holders having a base with a hole through which the rod and rib can extend during use, the hole being sufficiently larger than the rod to allow movement of the shoe holder along a length of the rod;   two stops connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders or to one of the frames, the stops being located on opposing sides of the rib after assembly of the kit and during use, and spaced apart a distance selected to define an arc through which the shoe holder rotates.   
   
   
       15 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 14 , wherein the stops are connected to the base of each of the plurality of shoe holders. 
   
   
       16 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 15 , wherein the rods comprise a cylinder and the rib has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
   
   
       17 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 15 , wherein the end frames are adapted to fastened to a wall. 
   
   
       18 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of structural members having ends adapted to fasten the end frames together. 
   
   
       19 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 15 , wherein the shoe holder has a base and a longitudinal axis through a distal end of the shoe holder, with the longitudinal axis being offset from the center of the rod by the base. 
   
   
       20 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 15 , wherein the stops are located relative to the rib so that when assembled, the shoe h older has a first position substantially vertical during use and a second position less than about 85° from the vertical during use. 
   
   
       21 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 15 , wherein one of the rod or end frames contains an interlocking male projection and the other of the rod or end frames contains a female socket configured to releasably hold the male projection and interlock the rod and end frames. 
   
   
       22 . The shoe rack kit of  claim 15 , comprising a connector on the rods having a U-shaped cross-section with an inner wall adjacent the rod and an outer wall more distant from the rod than the inner wall, the walls being joined at a top, the outer wall having one of a protrusion or recess mating with the other of a protrusion or recess formed in a portion of the end frame so the top abuts a generally horizontal portion of the end frame located between the walls of the connector during use of the rack. 
   
   
       23 . The rack of  claim 22 , wherein the end racks include a rail containing the generally horizontal portion, the rail being inclined and the generally horizontal portion forming a portion of a notch, with the other of a protrusion or recess being formed in the rail at a location mating with the protrusion or recess of the connector when the connector is placed on the rail with the top abutting the generally horizontal surface. 
   
   
       24 . The rack of  claim 22 , further comprising means for releasably fastening the rods to the end frames. 
   
   
       25 . A connector for coupling an elongated member to a rail having a thickness with a two spaced-apart recesses having extending through the thickness and opening onto an upper edge of the rail, comprising:
 a first and second walls spaced apart a distance corresponding to the thickness and joined at a top with an open bottom and sides;   a coupling member extending outward from an exterior side of the first wall, the coupling member being configured to fasten to the elongated member during use;   two retaining members extending from the top toward the open bottom, the members being spaced apart a distance selected so the retaining members fit into the spaced apart recesses in the rail and extending between the first and second walls.   
   
   
       26 . The connector of  claim 24 , wherein the coupling member has a cylindrical cross-section and extends perpendicular from the first wall. 
   
   
       27 . The connector of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the retaining members has an enlarged distal end. 
   
   
       28 . The connector of  claim 24 , wherein the retaining members are spaced a distance apart that is about the same as or less than a length of the longest retaining member.