Athletic equipment storage device

Abstract

An equipment rack for the storage, drying, and display of sports equipment, such as football equipment uniforms. The equipment rack includes a frame having a ground-contacting base portion and an upper equipment support portion for supporting a helmet, and shoulder pads. In addition, the frame includes a laundry bag support portion that is shaped and sized to receive and retain a laundry bag in a hanging relation proximate the frame. The laundry bag can be used to contain washable items related to an individual's sports uniform, including a jersey, pants, socks, gloves, and undergarments.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 729,701 filed Oct. 24, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates generally to devices and methods used to display, transport and store sports equipment. In particular aspects, the invention relates to devices and methods for storage, display and drying of football, hockey and / or lacrosse uniforms and equipment. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] American football, lacrosse, hockey and similar sports require the use of bulky pads and helmets that the players must wear to protect themselves during play. In the case of football, the typical uniform includes a helmet, shoulder pads, as well as a jersey and pants, and socks. The uniform may also include other components, such as gloves, shin guards, hip and thigh pads, mouthguard and the like. [0006] Children who play these games after school and on weekends tend to remove the re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The devices and methods of the present invention provide advantages over the prior art. In addition to the frame providing supporting portions for shoulder pads and a helmet, the frame also supports a removable laundry bag that may be readily removed from the frame along with the contents to be washed. The bag can then be laundered with its contents or the contents integrated into the household laundry. The equipment support rack makes it easy for mothers to manage the laundry and provides a convenient storage solution for the helmet and shoulder pads when traveling. The equipment storage rack has a simple and straightforward construction as well.

Problems solved by technology

Children who play these games after school and on weekends tend to remove the remove the helmet and shoulder pads upon returning home and leave them scattered or in a heap on the floor.

Often the pads and other equipment are sweaty and may be wet from rain.

The pads are not able to completely dry out if left on the floor in this manner.

Because the athletic equipment is bulky and oddly-shaped, it is not easily stored in conventional hanging racks or storage areas.

Therefore, the various pads and other components of the uniform may become misplaced after use.

In homes where there are multiple children playing football, for example, the components may become mixed up with one another, so that one child ends up with, for example, the shoulder pads of another child, leading to confusion the next time the children must get ready to play football.

However, these racks do not provide an optimal solution to the problems of storage and organization for the equipment.

With many children, however, it is unlikely that they will take the trouble to actually hang the garments on a hanger and hang them from the rack.

Also, in order to launder these items, they must be first removed from the hangers, necessitating more work.

Additionally, this style rack does not provide any storage area for smaller washable items, such as socks, gloves and the like.

Unfortunately, these racks have at least the same drawbacks as the Martin rack.

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