Inclined surface clothes rail

Abstract

A generally flat and level plate, with divisions made by profiling the longest edges of the plate, which when suspended from an angled ceiling, provides a restriction to the hoop section of a hanger f

Description

This invention relates to a device for providing a clothes rail for inclined ceilings. Summary of the invention The area beneath inclined ceilings in properties (such as under eaves, beneath staircases, or ceiling aligned with pitched-roofs) can be difficult to use functionally. Many properties have at least one inclined ceiling. The area beneath these inclined surfaces can be challenging to convert for practical use as storage. These areas could be useful for hanging garments, from hangers, as would normally be provided in a wardrobe. Suspending a clothes rail from a inclined ceiling, in the direction of the incline, using the smooth form of a traditional clothes rail causes the hangers to slide down the rail and gather at the lower end of the pole duty to gravity and the lack of friction between the pole and the hanger. Existing solutions for inclined clothes rails, suspended from inclined ceilings, are either complex to produce, expensive to produce, made of multiple parts, have a design which provides too few points of contact with the hook section of the hanger to prevent the hanger from rocking or swaying easily, or whose form takes up significant volume in the ceiling space. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a design that can be one-piece, that can be produced with few low-cost production methodologies, with a form that provides multiple points of contact with the hook section of the clothes hanger and, able to constructed in a low volume form. A generally flat and level plate, with divisions made by profiling the longest edges of the plate, which when suspended with the widest surface of the plate parallel to the inclined surface from an inclined ceiling, provides a restriction to the hoop section of a hanger from sliding down the plate surface. The invention may be in various lengths, to accommodate length of ceiling or desired length of clothes rail. The invention may be constructed from metals, polymers, ceramics, or composite material. The invention may be constructed from multiple materials to achieve the form described. The invention may be constructed of multiple parts, with the profiled generally flat plate separate from the means of suspending it from the ceiling. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures Reference numerals are used to indicate any illustrated features. The illustration shows the invention with sharp edges, in production the edges may have a bevel of chamfer. Figure 1 shows a plan view of the invention, with an example repeating symmetrical profile 1 highlighted. Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the invention, orientated to illustrate its orientation and general configuration in use. Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the invention with a typical standard hanger illustrating the position of a hanger when in use and orientated to illustrate its orientation and general configuration in use. Figure 4 shows a close-up isometric view of the interaction of standard hanger with the invention, highlighting the typical multiple contact points achievable 2. Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the invention, orientated to illustrate its general orientation and general configuration in use using separate brackets 3 to suspend the invention parallel to and a short distance from an inclined surface. Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the invention, orientated to illustrate its general orientation and general configuration in use with one example of the ends of the plate bent 4 to create separate fixing surfaces 5 to suspend the invention parallel to and a short distance from an inclined surface. A clothes rail for inclined ceilings and surfaces comprising a flat rectangular plate, with the widest surface of the plate suspended parallel to and beneath an inclined surface. The plate is suspended from the inclined surface either by means of separate support brackets one version is illustrated in Figure 5, or by bending the the ends of the plate to create a fixing surface and consistent gap between the plate and inclined surface one version of the design is illustrated in Figure 6. The plate has symmetrical divisions 1 made along the two longest lengths of the plate. The divisions are made by profiling the edges of the plate. When the invention is in its correct orientation, as illustrated by Figure 2, The profile acts to restrict the hook section of a hanger from sliding down the plate surface as illustrated in Figure 3 &Figure 4. When the device is in position, the profile design provides a minimum of two points of contact with the hook section of a standard hanger 2. The multiple points of contact 2 restrict the hanger from sliding down the invention and reduce the tendency of the hanger to sway when touched or acted on by a breeze.

Claims

D CLAIMS1. A clothes rail for inclined ceilings comprising a flat plate configured to be suspended parallel to and beneath an inclined surface, characterised in that the longitudinal edges of the plate comprise a profiled shape defining a plurality of retaining positions for receiving a hanger hook to prevent the hanger from sliding along the length of the plate.

2. A clothes rail according to claim 1, wherein each retaining position comprises a notch tapering inwardly from the longitudinal edge of the plate.

3. A clothes rail according to any preceding claim, wherein the profiled shape comprises a repeating symmetrical pattern along both longitudinal edges of the plate.

4. A clothes rail according to any preceding claim, wherein the profiled shape is configured to provide at least two points of contact with a hanger hook suspended therefrom, thereby restricting the hanger from swaying.

5. A clothes rail according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate and the profiled edges are formed as a single unitary body.

6. A clothes rail according to any preceding claim, wherein the plate comprises bent ends configured to form fixing surfaces for attaching the rail to the inclined surface and maintaining a gap between the plate and the inclined surface.

7. A clothes rail according to claim 1, further comprising separate support brackets configured to attach the plate to the inclined surface and maintain a gap between the plate and the inclined surface.

8. A clothes rail according to any preceding claim, constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, ceramic, or composite material.

9. A kit of parts for an inclined ceiling storage system, comprising the clothes rail of claim 1 and a plurality of separate mounting brackets configured to suspend the rail from the ceiling.

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