Bottle rack

Abstract

A bottle rack includes a planar support surface and support bars secured to and cantilevered from the planar support surface. The support bars include at least a first support bar spaced from a second support bar such that a bottle may be supported by the first and second support bars. Each support bar includes an elongate body and at least one folded portion bent relative to the elongate body. The at least one folded portion is formed by folding a portion of the support bar.

Description

BOTTLE RACKField

[0001] The present disclosure relates to storage solutions and in particular to a bottle rack for storing bottles such as wine bottles.Background

[0002] There exist many different types of racks for supporting or storing wine bottles. One such type uses cantilevered support bars, for example as described in US Patent No. 6,763,956. In this prior art, fasteners are used to axially secure each support bar to an adjacent support surface. As such, the strength of the support bar is correlated to the strength of the fastener which is itself correlated to the diameter of the fastener. As a result, the support bars of such prior art must generally be made relatively large in order to support the weight of a wine bottle. In addition, because of their reliance on fasteners that are axially secured to the support bars, the supports bars must be made thick enough to accommodate a threaded hole in which the fastener can be received.

[0003] Furthermore, the relatively large size of the cantilevered support bars works against the underlying principle of using cantilevered support bars, which is to give the impression that the wine bottles are floating. As a result, the relatively large support bars reduce the aesthetics of the wine rack.

[0004] Further still, conventional cantilevered support bars are typically comprised of milled or machined aluminium. Milling and machining are relatively inefficient, costly, and result in excess wasted material. Furthermore, the resultant conventionally-produced support bars require more material and are bulkier and heavier.Summary

[0005] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a bottle rack comprising: a planar support surface; and support bars secured to and cantilevered from the planar support surface, the support bars including at least a first support bar spaced from a second support bar such that a bottle may be supported by the first and second support bars, wherein each support bar comprises: an elongate body; and at least one folded portion bent relative to the elongate body, wherein the at least one folded portion is formed by folding a portion of the support bar.

[0006] The at least one folded portion comprises a pair of folded portions at an end of the support bar.

[0007] The bottle rack may further comprise fasteners securing the support bars to the planar support surface, wherein the fasteners are inserted through one or more mounting apertures formed in the at least one folded portion of each support bar.

[0008] The planar support surface may comprise a portion of a wall.

[0009] The elongate body and the at least one folded portion may be monolithically comprised in a material that is folded at one or more locations to form the support bar.

[0010] The material may be sheet metal.

[0011] The elongate body may comprise: an upper portion; and a lower portion spaced from the upper portion by a gap.

[0012] The at least one folded portion may comprise, at an end of the support bar, a connecting portion connecting the upper and lower portions.

[0013] The connecting portion may be monolithically formed with the upper and lower portions.

[0014] The at least one folded portion may comprise: at a first end of the support bar, a first folded portion connecting first and second elongate portions of the elongate body, wherein the first and second elongate portions are spaced apart by a gap; and at a second end of the support bar, opposite the first end, a second folded portion securing the support bar to the planar support surface.

[0015] The planar support surface may be comprised in a cross-member comprising slots therein, and the support bars may be inserted through the slots.

[0016] The bottle rack may further comprise one or more upright supports connected to the cross-member and for securing the support bars and the cross-member to a further planar support surface.

[0017] The further planar support surface may be one of: a wall; a panel; and one or more further upright supports.

[0018] The planar support surface may be comprised in a panel comprising slots formed therein. The support bars may be inserted through the slots. Fasteners may secure the support bars to the panel, wherein the fasteners are inserted through one or more mounting apertures formed in the at least one folded portion of each support bar.

[0019] The at least one folded portion of each support bar may comprise a pair of folded portions at the end of the support bar and through which a pair of fasteners of the fasteners are inserted.

[0020] Each support bar may extend at an oblique angle relative to the planar support surface such that a bottle may be stored by the first and second support bars with a longitudinal axis of the bottle aligned with a horizontal direction.

[0021] In a vertical direction, the first support bar may be offset from the second support bar such that a body of the bottle may be supported by the first support bar and a neck of the bottle may be supported by the second support bar.

[0022] For each of the first and second support bars, the at least one folded portion my comprise a pair of folded portions at an end of the support bar. Each of the first and second support bars may comprise at least one bend formed between proximal and distal ends of the support bar so as to define an angled portion of the support bar that extends at the oblique angle relative to the planar support surface.

[0023] The bottle rack may further comprise fasteners securing ends of the support bars to the cross-member.

[0024] Each support bar may extend at a right angle relative to the planar support surface such that a bottle may be stored by the first and second support bars with a longitudinal axis of the bottle aligned with the first and second support bars.

[0025] Each support bar may be welded to the planar support surface.

[0026] For each support bar, the elongate body may comprise a first elongate portion extending away from the planar support surface and a second elongate portion angled downwardly relative to the first elongate portion such that a bottle may be stored in contact with the second elongate portions of the first and second support bars but not the first elongate portions of the first and second support bars, and with a longitudinal axis of the bottle aligned with the second elongate portions of the first and second support bars.

[0027] The bottle rack may further comprise one or more bottle supports extending between the first and second support bars such that the bottle may be further stored in contact the one or more bottle supports.

[0028] The first elongate portion may extend at a right angle relative to the planar support surface.

[0029] The one or more bottle supports may be in contact with the second elongate portions of the first and second support bars.

[0030] The cross-member may be monolithically formed and folded at one or more locations to form the cross-member.

[0031] The cross-member may further comprise an elongate body and at least one folded portion angled relative to the elongate body of the cross-member. The at least one folded portion of the cross-member may be formed by folding a portion of the cross-member.

[0032] The at least one folded portion of the cross-member may comprise a pair of folded portions.

[0033] The elongate body may comprise the planar support surface.

[0034] The at least one folded portion of the cross-member may be configured to crimp the at least one folded portion of the support bar such that the at least one folded portion of the support bar is secured to the elongate body.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a kit of parts comprising: support bars for securing to a planar support surface, the support bars including at least a first support bar and a second support bar for supporting a bottle, wherein each support bar comprises: an elongate body comprising: an upper portion; and a lower portion spaced from the upper portion by a gap; and at least one folded portion bent relative to the elongate body, wherein the at least one folded portion is formed by folding a portion of the support bar.

[0036] This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope of all aspects. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments.Drawings

[0037] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bottle rack according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 1 ;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 1 with the cross-member removed;

[0041] FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the cross-member of the bottle rack of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the cross-member of the bottle rack of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a support bar of the bottle rack of FIG. 1 ;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 1 being used to support wine bottles;

[0045] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a bottle rack according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 7;

[0047] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a support bar of the bottle rack of FIG. 7;

[0048] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 7 being used to support wine bottles;

[0049] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a bottle rack according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 11 with the cross-member removed;

[0051] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a support bar of the bottle rack of FIG. 11 ;

[0052] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 11 being used to support wine bottles;

[0053] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a bottle rack according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 15;

[0055] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the cross-member of the bottle rack of FIG. 15;

[0056] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a support bar of the bottle rack of FIG. 15;

[0057] FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the bottle rack of FIG. 15;

[0058] FIG. 20 is a magnified, side-on view of the bottle rack of FIG. 15;

[0059] FIGS. 21-26 are perspective views of different wine racks according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0060] FIGS. 27A-27C are respective end-on, side, and top-down views of an insert according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0061] FIGS 28A-28C are respective end-on, side, and top-down views of a fastener and the insert of FIGS. 27A-27C being used to secure a support bar to a planar support surface, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0062] FIG. 29 is a top-down view of a fastener and the insert of FIGS. 27A-27C being used to secure a support bar to a panel, with the hole in which is received the insert extending all the way through the panel, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.Description

[0063] The present disclosure seeks to provide novel bottle racks. While various embodiments of the disclosure are described below, the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and variations of these embodiments may well fall within the scope of the disclosure which is to be limited only by the appended claims.

[0064] Generally, according to embodiments of the disclosure, there is described a bottle rack including a planar support surface such as a vertical wall or vertically-oriented support structure. Support bars are secured to and cantilevered from the planar support surface. The support bars include at least a first support bar spaced from a second support bar such that a bottle, for example a 750 mL wine bottle, may be supported by the first and second support bars. Each support bar includes an elongate body and at least one folded portion angled relative to the elongate body. The at least one folded portion is formed by folding a portion of the support bar.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the bottle rack further includes a cross-member having slots formed therein. The support bars are inserted through the slots such that the support bars may be cantilevered from the cross member. In this embodiment, the planar support surface is a surface of the cross-member.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the support bars are formed from sheet metal, such as steel. This may allow the support bars to be made relatively smaller in size compared to support bars of the prior art. Comparatively, sheet metal is relatively inexpensive and may be cut and bent via stamping and pressing which is relatively practical and efficient, particularly given that steel is relatively stronger and cheaper compared to aluminium.

[0067] In addition, according to some embodiments, there is no need for fasteners to be used when securing the support bars to the planar support surface. For example, according to someembodiments, a folded portion of each support bar may be crimped or otherwise secured in place by the cross-member. According to some embodiments, the cross-member may also be formed from sheet metal, such as steel, and one or more portions of the cross-member may be folded in order to secure one or more folded portions of the support bars to the cross-member. According to some embodiments, instead of crimping the folded portions, fasteners may be used to secure the folded portions to the cross-member.

[0068] According to other embodiments in which fasteners are used, the elongate body may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion spaced from the upper portion by a gap, and a fastener may be used to secure the support bar to the planar support surface by being inserted through apertures in each of the upper portion, the lower portion, and the planar support surface, as will be made clear in various embodiments of the detailed description.

[0069] Generally, according to some embodiments, the support bars may be fabricated of stamped or cut sheet metal which is less costly, and results in less waste, than the fabrication of support bars according to the prior art. Additionally, since in some embodiments the supports bars may be secured to the planar support surface without the need for fasteners, the assembly of the bottle rack is simplified for the end-user, since fewer parts are required.

[0070] Furthermore, compared to conventional support bars, the support bars of bottle racks according to embodiments of the disclosure may benefit from superior rigidity and strength-to- weight ratios. In addition, with all cantilevered support bars, the maximum stress applied to the support bar is localized at the fixed end. Therefore, as described in further detail below, the fixed end of the support bars may be anchored at two discrete points (an upper folded portion and a lower folded portion). This may provide increased stability to the support bar when under load.

[0071] Other embodiments of the disclosure will become clear with reference to the drawings which are now described in detail.

[0072] Turning now to FIG. 1 , there is described a bottle rack 100 according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0073] Bottle rack 100 includes a number of support bars 10 cantilevered from a horizontally- oriented cross-member 40. As described in further detail below, cross-member 40 is secured to vertically-oriented upright supports 60. Support bars 10 are spaced-apart from each other in the horizontal direction such that 750 mL wine bottles, or similarly-sized bottles, may be stored between adjacent support bars 10, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6.

[0074] Cross-member 40 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As can be seen, crossmember 40 includes evenly-spaced rectangular slots 41 provided along the length of its elongate body 66. In order to cantilever support bars 10 from cross-member 40, the forward ends of support bars 10 are inserted through slots 41. Cross-member 40 further includes grooves 43 at a rear of elongate body 66, for receiving upright supports 60 to enable cross-member 40 to be secured to upright supports 60. In particular, returning to FIG. 1 , each upright support 60 includes a number of keyhole apertures 62 provided at regular intervals along a length of front portions of upright support 60, and a number of keyhole apertures 65 provided at regular intervals along a length of rear portions of upright support 60. Furthermore, cross-member 40 further includes apertures 45, within grooves 43, for receiving anchors 46 to secure crossmember 40 to keyholes 62 in upright supports 60. Keyhole apertures 62 therefore receive anchors 46 for securing cross-member 40 to upright supports 60. Anchors 46 may be screws with collared heads. The screws may be received within apertures 45, and the collared heads may be received within keyholes 62 when securing cross-member 40 to upright supports 60. An example of anchors 46 is shown in FIG. 4B.

[0075] The relative positions of apertures 45 shown in FIG. 4B are not to be considered limiting, and according to other embodiments apertures 45 may be positioned at other suitable locations on cross-member 40, such as on the rear surface of cross-member 40 and outside grooves 43. According to further embodiments, apertures 45 may be located in the sides of grooves 43. In such embodiments, instead of keyhole apertures 62, notched slots (for example in the shape of an upside-down “L”) may be provided in upright supports 60 and may be configured to receive and retain anchors 46 extending out of apertures 45.

[0076] FIG. 2 shows a rear of bottle rack 100, with upright supports 60 received within grooves 43 of cross-member 40. Upright supports 60 may be secured, using keyhole apertures 65, to a planar support surface such as a vertical wall. For example, upright supports 60 may be secured to a vertical wall using one or more fasteners or other securing means. According to some embodiments, the planar support surface is a vertical wall, and fasteners, such as drywall screws, may be inserted through keyhole apertures 65 that each include a collar for receiving the screwhead of the corresponding fastener. According to some embodiments, the planar support surface comprises a pair of vertical, rectangular tubes comprising anchors (such as the head of a collared screw) affixed thereto and positioned to be secured to upright supports 60 (for a freestanding configuration).

[0077] FIG. 3 shows a rear of bottle rack 100 with cross-member 40 removed. As can be seen, fasteners 59 are used to secure support bars 10 to cross-member 40, by being inserted into a bottom of cross-member 40 and through ends of each support bar 10. According to other embodiments, fasteners 59 may be inserted through a different portion of cross-member 40, such as a top of cross-member 40.

[0078] A support bar 10 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5. Support bar 10 is formed of a monolithic piece of sheet metal (for example, steel) that is folded in order to obtain the shape of support bar 10. In particular, support bar 10 includes an elongate body 11 comprising an upper portion 12 spaced from a lower portion 14 by a gap 16. At the distal end of support bar 10 (i.e. at the end of the support bar 10 that is furthest from cross-member 40) is located a generally II- shaped, curved connecting portion 18 connecting upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 of elongate body 11. Since support bar 10 is formed of a monolithic piece of sheet metal, connecting portion 18 is effectively an extension of upper portion 12 and lower portion 14, and comes into existence as a result of folding the sheet of metal when forming support bar 10.

[0079] In addition, at the proximal end of the support bar 10 (i.e. at the end of support bar 10 that is closest to cross-member 40), support bar 10 includes a pair of tabs 13a and 13b. An aperture is provided in each tab 13a, 13b, and the apertures are configured to receive a fastener for securing support bar 10 to cross-member 40, as described above in connection with FIG. 3. In particular, tabs 13a and 13b are inserted into corresponding slots 41 in cross-member 40, and a fastener 59 is then inserted through cross-member 40 and through the apertures in tabs 13a and 13b to secure support bar 10 to cross-member 40. According to some embodiments, support bar 10 does not include tabs 13a and 13b, and instead the shape of elongate body 11 is constant from the proximal end of support bar 10 to connecting portion 18 at the distal end of support bar 10. In this case, upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 are inserted into slots 41 , with slots 41 being shaped and sized to receive the ends of upper portion 12 and lower portion 14.

[0080] According to some embodiments, it is possible for support bars 10 to be secured to cross-member 40 using other means. For example, support bars 10 may be secured to crossmember 40 by welding.

[0081] As can be seen in FIG. 6, bottle rack 100 may be used to store wine bottles 70 such that the longitudinal axis of each wine bottle 70 is generally aligned with the principal direction in which support bars 10 extend.

[0082] According to some embodiments, instead of using upright supports 60, any other suitable form of support may be used for securing cross-member 40 and support bars 10, such as a single panel with slots formed therein for receiving support bars 10.

[0083] In still further embodiments, instead of using upright supports 60 and cross-member 40, support bars 10 may be cantilevered directly from a planar support surface, such as a vertical wall. In this case, support bars 10 may be fastened directly to the vertical wall, for example by inserting tabs 13a and 13b into the wall and then securing support 10 to the wall using any other suitable means.

[0084] According to some embodiments, support bars 10 with tabs 15a, 15b are inserted from the rear side the planar support surface, which in this case may be a panel with an aperture shaped and sized to receive connecting portion 18 at the distal end of a support bar 10. Fasteners may then be used to secure supports bars 10 to the planar support surface, for example by inserting the fasteners through holes in tabs 15a, 15b. According to some embodiments, tab 15a may be bent 90 degrees upward, and a fastener may be used to secure tab 15a to the planar support surface by being inserted through a hole in tab 15a. According to some embodiments, tab 15b may be bent 90 degrees downward, and a fastener may be used to secure tab 15b to the planar support surface by being inserted through a hole in tab 15b. According to some embodiments, both tabs 15a and 15b may be bent and may receive fasteners. According to still further embodiments (for example in order to secure support bars 10 at an angle to the planar support surface, for example as shown in FIG. 7), tab 15a may be bent at an acute angle relative to elongate body 11 , and tab 15b may be bent at an obtuse angle relative to elongate body 11 , prior to fasteners being inserted through holes in tabs 15a, 15b.

[0085] Turning now to FIG. 7-10, there is described another embodiment of a bottle rack 200 according to the disclosure. Bottle rack 200 is similar to bottle rack 100 and therefore similar components are labeled using the same reference numbers. However, in contrast to bottle rack 100, bottle rack 200 may be used to store wine bottles such that the longitudinal axis of each wine bottle 70 is generally perpendicular to the principal direction in which support bars 10 extend.

[0086] According to this embodiment, and as can be seen in FIG. 7, support bars 10 are angled in the upward direction (for example, up to 20 degrees upward, about 20 degrees upward, or more than 20 degrees upward) relative to upright supports 60. As can also be seen, bottle rack 200 does not use any cross-member and instead support bars 10 are secured directly to uprightsupports 60. FIG. 8 shows the rear of bottle rack 200 and the manner in which support bars 10 are secured to upright supports 60. In particular, fasteners are inserted through a pair of folded portions of each support bar 10. The folded portions are shown and described below in connection with FIG. 9.

[0087] Turning to FIG. 9, the support bar 10 of bottle rack 200 is seen to be similar to the support bar 10 of bottle rack 100. However, as can be seen in FIG. 9, at the proximal end of support bar 10 (i.e. at the end of support bar 10 that is closest to upright supports 60), support bar 10 includes two additional folded portions 15a and 15b. In particular, upper portion 12 of support bar 10 has been folded at a generally 90-degree angle to form an upper flap 15a, and lower portion 14 of support bar 10 has been folded at a generally 90-degree angle to form a lower flap 15b. Apertures are provided within upper flap 15a and lower flap 15b and are used to secure support bar 10 to upright supports 60. As also seen in FIG. 9, upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 include additional bends 17 that allow support bar 10 to be angled upward relative to upright supports 60 when support bar 10 is secured to one of upright supports 60.

[0088] Therefore, each support bar 10 is formed by folding the sheet metal at five distinct locations to form connecting portion 18 at the distal end of support bar 10, upper and lower flaps 13a, 13b at the proximal end of support bar 10, and bends 17 adjacent upper and lower flaps 13a, 13b. After these five folds have been formed, the distal end of support bar 10 is inserted through a slot 63 (see FIG. 10) formed within one of upright supports 60 until upper and lower flaps 13a, 13b engage the upright support 60. Fasteners are then inserted through upper and lower flaps 13a, 13b and upright support 60.

[0089] Alternatively, according to some embodiments, bends 17 are not present and instead upper flap 15a is bent at an acute angle relative to elongate body 11 and lower flap 15b is bent at an obtuse angle relative to elongate body 11. This may be the case if, for example, support bars 10 are configured to be inserted from the rear side of the planar support surface (such as a panel with like-sized apertures which are angled correspondingly). According to such embodiments, each support bar 10 is formed by folding the sheet metal at three distinct locations. According to still further embodiments, each support bar 10 is formed by folding the sheet metal at a single location (connecting portion 18) in the event that the ends of upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 are aligned with elongate body 11.

[0090] FIG. 10 shows bottle rack 200 being used to store a pair wine bottles 70 such that the longitudinal axis of each wine bottle 70 is generally perpendicular to the principal direction inwhich support bars 10 extend. As can also be seen in FIG. 10, slots 63 in adjacent upright supports 60 are offset from one another by a vertical distance D. This offset allows adjacent supports bars 10 to also be offset such, for a given pair of support bars 10, one of the support bars 10 is supporting the body of the wine bottle 70 whereas the other support bar 10 is supporting the neck of the wine bottle 70.

[0091] For applications where bottle rack 200 is attached to a pair of vertical uprights (i.e. in a floor-to-ceiling configuration), a bottle stopper may be affixed to the support bar 10 that is in contact with the neck of the rearmost bottle, to prevent the neck of the rearmost bottle from rolling back and thereby retaining the bottles in a generally parallel orientation. The bottle stopper may be either friction-fitted or secured by any other suitable means to the support bar 10. When bottle rack 200 is attached to a pair of vertical uprights, upright supports 60 are themselves secured to the vertical uprights, for example by providing collared screws (or other suitable anchors) that are screwed into suitable apertures in the vertical uprights. The collared heads of the collared screws are then received into keyhole apertures formed in the rear of upright supports 60.

[0092] Upright supports 60 may be sized to various lengths, and may comprise individual sections that may be connected together using one or more couplers 69, for example as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0093] Turning now to FIGS. 11-14, according to a further embodiment of the disclosure, there is shown a further alternative bottle rack 300. Bottle rack 300 is similar to bottle racks 100 and 200 and therefore similar components are labeled using the same reference numbers. However, in contrast to bottle racks 100 and 200, bottle rack 300 is configured to store wine bottles 70 in a further, different orientation.

[0094] According to bottle rack 300, each support bar 10 is additionally folded along the length of its elongate body so as to define a first elongate portion 15 and a second elongate portion 21 angled downwardly (for example, up to 15 degrees downward, about 15 degrees downward, up to 22.5 degrees downward, about 22.5 degrees downward, up to 25 degrees downward, about 25 degrees downward, or more than 25 degrees downward) relative to the first elongate portion 15. In addition, a bottle support 20 is passed through and extends between adjacent second elongate portions 21 of a group of support bars 10 such that bottles 70 may be stored in contact with bottle support 20 and with each second elongate portion 21 of two adjacent support bars 10, but not the first elongate portions 11 of the adjacent support bars 10. As can be seen inFIG. 14, the longitudinal axis of each bottle 70 is aligned with the second elongate portions 21 of the adjacent support bars 10.

[0095] FIG. 11 shows support bars 10 secured to a cross-member 40 which is in turn secured to a pair of adjacent upright supports 60, similarly to bottle rack 100.

[0096] FIG. 12 shows a rear of bottle rack 300 with cross-member 40 removed. Fasteners are used to secure support bars 10 to cross-member 40, by being inserted into cross-member 40 and through ends of each support bar 10.

[0097] FIG. 13 shows, in more detail, a support bar 10 of bottle rack 300. At the proximal end of the support bar 10 (i.e. at the end of support bar 10 that is closest to cross-member 40), support bar 10 includes a pair of tabs 13a and 13b (although, as described above, according to some embodiments, support bar 10 does not include tabs 13a and 13b, and instead the shape of elongate body 11 is constant from the proximal end of support bar 10 to connecting portion 18 at the distal end of support bar 10). An aperture is provided in each tab 13a, 13b, and the apertures are configured to receive a fastener for securing support bar 10 to cross-member 40, as described above in connection with FIG. 12. In particular, tabs 13a and 13b are inserted into corresponding slots in cross-member 40, and a fastener is then inserted through cross-member 40 and through the apertures in tabs 13a and 13b to secure support bar 10 to cross-member 40. As also seen in FIG. 13, upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 include additional bends 17 that cause a portion of support bar 10 to be angled downward relative to upright supports 60 when support bar 10 is secured to one of upright supports 60. The position of bends 17 further define the respective lengths of first elongate portion 15 and second elongate portion 21. At the distal end of support 10, a pair of tongues 19 are formed within lower portion 14 of elongate body 11 to assist in securing bottle support 20 in place. Bottle support 20 is inserted through gap 16 at the distal end of support bar 10.

[0098] According to some embodiments, instead of a pair of tongues 19 formed within lower portion 14 of elongate body 11, a single tongue may be used. If a single tongue is used, the single tongue is positioned centrally relative to edges of lower portion 14. According to still further embodiments, no tongue is used, and instead a fastener may be used to secure bottle support 20 in place.

[0099] FIG. 14 illustrates bottle rack 300 being used to store wine bottles 70, with wine bottles 70 supported in-between pairs of adjacent supports bars 10 and in contact with bottle support 20 and second elongate portions 21 of pairs of adjacent supports bars 10.

[0100] FIG. 15-20 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of a bottle rack 400 according to the present disclosure. Bottle rack 400 is similar to bottle rack 100 in that it is configured to store wine bottles 70 such that the longitudinal axis of each wine bottle 70 is generally aligned with the principal direction in which support bars 10 extend.

[0101] Unlike bottle rack 100, bottle rack 400 employs a cross-member 40 that is crimped to secure folded portions or flaps 15a, 15b of a support bars 10 to cross-member 40. As a result, support bars 10 are secured to cross-member 40 without the need for fasteners.

[0102] Cross-member 40 is shown in more detail in FIG. 17. As can be seen, cross-member 40 includes evenly-spaced rectangular slots 41 provided along the length of its elongate body 66. In order to cantilever support bars 10 from cross-member 40, the forward ends of support bars 10 are inserted through slots 41. Cross-member 40 further includes an upper folded portion 68a, a lower folded portion 68b, and curved connecting portions 61 connected to elongate body 66, as described in further detail below.

[0103] Turning to FIGS. 15 and 16, each upright support 60 includes a number of rectangular slots 67 provided at regular intervals along a length of upright support 60. Slots 67 are configured to receive therethrough the forward ends of support bars 10. When cross-member 40 is secured to upright supports 60, slots 67 of upright supports 60 are aligned with some of slots 41 provided in cross-member 40. As shown in FIG. 15, the forward ends of some of support bars 10 are inserted through slots 41 and slots 67 until these support bars 10 are cantilevered from cross-member 40 and upright supports 60. The remaining support bars 10 are inserted through those slots 41 of cross-member 40 that are not aligned with slots 67 of upright supports 60, until these support bars 10 are cantilevered from cross-member 40.

[0104] FIG. 16 shows the rear of bottle rack 400 in greater detail. As can be seen in FIG. 16, upright supports 60 include recessed portions 64 adjacent slots 67. Recessed portions 64 are shaped to correspond to the profile of cross-member 40. Therefore, as also shown in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 19 and 20, when supports bars 10 (secured to cross-member 40) are inserted through slots 67, cross-member 40 is received within recessed portions 64.

[0105] A support bar 10 of bottle rack 400 is shown in more detail in FIG. 18. Similarly to the support bars of bottle racks 100, 200, and 300, support bar 10 of bottle rack 400 is formed of a monolithic piece of sheet metal (for example, steel) that is folded multiple times in order to obtain the shape of support bar 10. In particular, support bar 10 includes an elongate body 11 comprising an upper portion 12 spaced from a lower portion 14 by a gap 16. At the distal endof support bar 10 (i.e. at the end of the support bar 10 that is furthest from cross-member 40) is located a generally U-shaped, curved connecting portion 18 connecting upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 of elongate body 11. Since support bar 10 is formed of a monolithic piece of sheet metal, connecting portion 18 is effectively an extension of upper portion 12 and lower portion 14, and comes into existence as a result of folding the sheet of metal when forming support bar 10.

[0106] In addition, at the proximal end of the support bar 10 (i.e. at the end of support bar 10 that is closest to cross-member 40), support bar 10 includes two additional folded portions 15a and 15b. In particular, upper portion 12 of support bar 10 has been folded at a generally 90- degree angle to form an upper flap 15a, and lower portion 14 of support bar 10 has been folded at a generally 90-degree angle to form a lower flap 15b.

[0107] Turning to FIG. 19, support bars 10 and cross-member 40 are shown in greater detail. As can be seen, cross-member 40 comprises elongate body 66 connecting upper folded portion 68a and lower folded portion 68b. Each folded portion 68a, 68b is connected to elongate body 66 by respective generally U-shaped, curved connecting portions 61. Like support bars 10, cross-member 40 is formed of a single, monolithic piece of sheet metal (such as steel), and is formed by folding the sheet metal multiple times along different fold lines. Therefore, since cross-member 40 is formed of a monolithic sheet of metal, connecting portions 61 are effectively extensions of elongate body 66, and come into existence as a result of folding the sheet of metal when forming cross-member 40. FIG. 19 also shows cross-member 40 snugly received within recessed portion 64 of one of upright supports 60.

[0108] Turning to FIG. 20, there is shown the interconnection of a support bar 10 with crossmember 40. As can be seen, at the proximal end of the support bar 10 (that is, the end of support bar 10 that is engaged with cross-member 40), support bar 10 includes folded portions 15a and 15b. In particular, as described above in connection with FIG. 18, upper portion 12 of support bar 10 has been folded at a generally 90-degree angle to form upper flap 15a, and lower portion 14 of support bar 10 has been folded at a generally 90-degree angle to form lower flap 15b. Upper flap 15a is seen wedged between upper folded portion 68a and elongate body 66 of cross-member 40. Likewise, lower flap 15b is seen wedged between lower folded portion 68b and elongate body 66 of cross-member 40.

[0109] Therefore, each support bar 10 is formed by folding the sheet metal at three distinct locations to form connecting portion 18 at the distal end of support bar 10, and upper and lowerflaps 15a, 15b at the proximal end of support bar 10. After these three folds have been formed, the distal end of support bar 10 is inserted through a slot 41 formed within cross-member 40 until upper and lower flaps 15a, 15b engage elongate body 66 of cross-member 40. The sheet of metal forming cross-member 40 is then folded at two distinct locations to form upper and lower folded portions 68a, 68b that are folded in a roughly 180-degree arc. By folding crossmember 40 to form upper and lower folded portions 68a, 68b, upper and lower folded portions 68a, 68b therefore serve to crimp upper and lower flaps 15a, 15b, thereby securing support bar 10 to cross-member 40.

[0110] After securing each support bar 10 to cross-member 40, the assembled combination of support bars 10 and cross-member 40 may be secured to upright supports 60 by inserting the distal ends of supports bars 10 through slots 67 provided along the length of upright support 60, as described above. Support bars 10 are then slid through slots 67 until cross-member 40 is received within recessed portions 64 of upright supports 60.

[0111] According to some embodiments, it is possible for support bars 10 to be secured to cross-member 40 using other means. For example, support bars 10 may be secured to crossmember 40 by welding or using fasteners that extend through one or both of upper and lower flaps 15a, 15b of support bars 10. In such embodiments, there may be no need for crossmember 40 to include upper and lower folded portions 68a, 68b.

[0112] In still further embodiments, instead of using upright supports 60 and cross-member 40, support bars 10 may be cantilevered directly from a planar support surface, such as a vertical wall or a panel by inserting support bars 10 through apertures in the panel and securing support bars 10 to the panel using fasteners to secure ends of support bars 10 to the panel from behind the panel. In this case, support bars 10 may be fastened directly to the vertical wall, for example by driving fasteners through either upper flap 15a or lower flap 15b of each support bar 10, or both upper and lower flaps 15a, 15b of each support bar 10.

[0113] More generally still, it is possible for a bottle rack according to the present disclosure to be formed by cantilevering supports bars from a planar support surface, wherein the support bars comprise at least one folded portion angled relative to the elongate body of the support bar and secured to the planar surface. This folded portion is formed by folding a portion of the support bar.

[0114] Therefore, according to still further embodiments, it is possible to provide a bottle rack according to the present disclosure in which each support bar does not include any connectingportion 18 connecting upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 of elongate body 11. In this case, each support bar 10 comprises a pair of separate elements, each element including a single fold at a proximal end thereof in order to form either upper and lower flaps 15a, 15b. Provided that the support bars so formed are spaced apart in the horizontal direction by an appropriate distance, such support bars may still provide the function of a bottle rack according to the present disclosure. According to some embodiments, the inside edges of each pair of adjacent support bars are spaced less than the diameter of a standard 750 mL wine bottle.

[0115] As will be recognized by the reader, many different shapes and styles of bottle racks according to embodiments of the disclosure may be formed. FIGS. 21-26 provide further examples of bottle racks according to embodiments of the disclosure. These examples of bottle racks are similar to bottle racks 100-400 described in connection with FIGS. 1-20, and therefore FIGS. 21-26 are not described in as much detail as FIGS. 1-20 are, and like features are generally labelled using like reference numbers.

[0116] As can be seen in FIG. 21 , rack 500 includes a cross-member 240 that is monolithic with support bars 210. Cross-member 240 has also been folded so as to have a generally squareshaped cross-section 220. In addition, embossments 215 have been stamped into support bars 210.

[0117] As can be seen in FIG. 22, rack 600 includes a cross-member 340 that is monolithic with support bars 310. Cross-member 340 has also been folded so as to have a generally half-T- shaped cross-section.

[0118] As can be seen in FIG. 23, rack 700 includes a cross-member 440 that is monolithic with support bars 410. A portion of cross-member 440 has also been folded back onto itself so that cross-member 440 comprises a generally bi-layer structure. In addition, support bars 410 comprise generally curved cross-sections.

[0119] As can be seen in FIG. 24, rack 800 includes a cross-member 540 that is monolithic with support bars 510. Portions of cross-member 540 have also been folded back onto themselves so that cross-member 540 comprises portions that have a generally bi-layer structure. In addition, embossments 515 have been stamped into support bars 510.

[0120] As can be seen in FIG. 25, rack 900 includes a cross-member 640 that is monolithic with support bars 610. Portions of cross-member 640 that are not visible include folded, 90-degree tabs which secure to the inner walls on the rear sides of upright supports 660, using fasteners(similarly to what is shown in FIG. 26). In addition, embossments 615 have been stamped into support bars 610 and cross-member 640.

[0121] As can be seen in FIG. 26 (which only shows the cross-member and integrally-formed support bars), rack 1000 includes a cross-member 740 is monolithic with support bars 710. Portions of cross-member 740 have also been folded back onto themselves so that crossmember 740 comprises portions that have a generally bi-layer structure. In addition, support bars 710 comprise generally curved cross-sections.

[0122] According to some embodiments, fasteners and inserts may be used to secure the support bars to the planar support surface, as now described in further detail.

[0123] An example of an insert that may be used for such a purpose is shown in FIGS. 27A- 27C. Other types of inserts may be used, and the insert shown in FIGS. 27A-27C is merely one example.

[0124] The insert 150 comprises a rectangular central body 152 with a threaded bore 154 extending partially through central body 152. A pair of lateral wing portions 156 extend from either side of central body 152. Wing portions 156 are less thick than central body 152.

[0125] A can be seen in FIGS. 28A-28C, a support bar 10 includes an elongate body with an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 14, and with respective upper and lower tabs 130a, 130b at the ends of upper and lower portions 12, 14, opposite curved connecting portion 18. Insert 150 is positioned between upper and lower tabs 130a, 130b (thereby forming a tongue at the end of the support bar), with central body 152 in contact with the sides of upper and lower tabs 130a, 130b. Tabs 130a, 130b may be similar to tabs 13a and 13b described above in connection with FIG. 5, and are narrower in width than upper and lower portions 12, 14. Unlike the tabs in FIG. 5, upper and lower tabs 130a, 130b include open portions to receive central body 152 of insert 150.

[0126] Insert 150 may be secured to support bar 10 by spot welding wing portions 156 to tabs 130a, 130b, for example by welding at locations 158. According to some embodiments, insert 150 may be positioned between, and secured to, upper and lower portions 12, 14 of a support bar 10 that does not include any tabs.

[0127] In order to secure support bar 10 to the planar support surface 160, a fastener 151 may be inserted through planar support surface 160 and into threaded bore 154 of insert 150.According to some embodiments, bore 154 does not need to be threaded, and a different type of fastener may be used to secure support bar 10 to planar support surface 160.

[0128] The planar support surface may be a panel with recesses or openings provided therein and extending partially through the planar support surface. The openings may be designed to receive the tongues of the support bars (i.e., the tabs of the supports bars with inserts provided there-between). Each opening may resemble a rectangle with curved corners. The fasteners that are inserted through the panel may be inserted into the opposite side of the panel to the side in which the openings for receiving the support bars are positioned. With the holes extending only partway through the panel, such as shown for example in FIG. 28C, the fasteners may engage the inserts without the need for washers.

[0129] According to some embodiments, the holes into which the tongues are received may extend fully through the panel. Referring to FIG. 29, there is shown an example of such an embodiment, with hole 170 extending fully through panel 160. In order that fastener 151 may be secured to insert 150, a washer 165 with a width greater than the diameter of hole 160 and greater than the size of the head of fastener 151 is used.

[0130] The use of fasteners and inserts as described above in connection with FIGS. 27A-29 may be applied to any of the other embodiments described herein. In particular, the use of fasteners and inserts may be used to fasten the supports bars such that they are angled upward (for example as shown in FIG. 7), and may also be used to fasten support bars that comprise portions that are angled downward (for example as shown in FIG. 11).

[0131] The word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” or “including” in the claims and / or the specification may mean “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the word “another” may mean at least a second or more unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0132] The terms “coupled”, “coupling” or “connected” as used herein can have several different meanings depending on the context in which these terms are used. For example, as used herein, the terms coupled, coupling, or connected can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via a mechanical element depending on the particular context. The term “and / or” herein when used in association with a list of items means any one or more of the items comprising that list.

[0133] As used herein, a reference to “about” or “approximately” a number or to being “substantially” equal to a number means being within + / - 10% of that number.

[0134] While the disclosure has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and that alterations, modifications, and variations of these embodiments may be carried out by the skilled person without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0135] It is furthermore contemplated that any part of any aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented or combined with any part of any other aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification.

Claims

Claims1. A bottle rack comprising: a planar support surface; and support bars secured to and cantilevered from the planar support surface, the support bars including at least a first support bar spaced from a second support bar such that a bottle may be supported by the first and second support bars, wherein each support bar comprises: an elongate body; and at least one folded portion bent relative to the elongate body, wherein the at least one folded portion is formed by folding a portion of the support bar.

2. The bottle rack of claim 1 , wherein the at least one folded portion comprises a pair of folded portions at an end of the support bar.

3. The bottle rack of claim 1 or 2, further comprising fasteners securing the support bars to the planar support surface, wherein the fasteners are inserted through one or more mounting apertures formed in the at least one folded portion of each support bar.

4. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the planar support surface comprises a portion of a wall.

5. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the elongate body and the at least one folded portion are monolithically comprised in a material that is folded at one or more locations to form the support bar.

6. The bottle rack of claim 5, wherein the material is sheet metal.

7. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the elongate body comprises: an upper portion; and a lower portion spaced from the upper portion by a gap.

8. The bottle rack of claim 7, wherein the at least one folded portion comprises, at an end of the support bar, a connecting portion connecting the upper and lower portions.

9. The bottle rack of claim 8, wherein the connecting portion is monolithically formed with the upper and lower portions.

10. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the at least one folded portion comprises: at a first end of the support bar, a first folded portion connecting first and second elongate portions of the elongate body, wherein the first and second elongate portions are spaced apart by a gap; and at a second end of the support bar, opposite the first end, a second folded portion securing the support bar to the planar support surface.

11. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-10, wherein: the planar support surface is comprised in a cross-member comprising slots therein; and the support bars are inserted through the slots.

12. The bottle rack of claim 11 , further comprising one or more upright supports connected to the cross-member and for securing the support bars and the cross-member to a further planar support surface.

13. The bottle rack of claim 12, wherein the further planar support surface is one of: a wall; a panel; and one or more further upright supports.

14. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-13, wherein: the planar support surface is comprised in a panel comprising slots formed therein; the support bars are inserted through the slots; and fasteners secure the support bars to the panel, wherein the fasteners are inserted through one or more mounting apertures formed in the at least one folded portion of each support bar.

15. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the at least one folded portion of each support bar comprises a pair of folded portions at the end of the support bar and through which a pair of fasteners of the fasteners are inserted.

16. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-15, wherein each support bar extends at an oblique angle relative to the planar support surface such that a bottle may be stored by the first and second support bars with a longitudinal axis of the bottle aligned with a horizontal direction.

17. The bottle rack of claim 16, wherein, in a vertical direction, the first support bar is offset from the second support bar such that a body of the bottle may be supported by the first support bar and a neck of the bottle may be supported by the second support bar.

18. The bottle rock of claim 16 or 17, wherein: for each of the first and second support bars, the at least one folded portion comprises a pair of folded portions at an end of the support bar; and each of the first and second support bars comprises at least one bend formed between proximal and distal ends of the support bar so as to define an angled portion of the support bar that extends at the oblique angle relative to the planar support surface.

19. The bottle rack of claim 11 , further comprising fasteners securing ends of the support bars to the cross-member.

20. The bottle rack of claim 19, wherein each support bar extends at a right angle relative to the planar support surface such that a bottle may be stored by the first and second support bars with a longitudinal axis of the bottle aligned with the first and second support bars.

21. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-20, wherein each support bar is welded to the planar support surface.

22. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-21 , wherein, for each support bar, the elongate body comprises a first elongate portion extending away from the planar support surface and a second elongate portion angled downwardly relative to the first elongate portion such that a bottle may be stored in contact with the second elongate portions of the first and second support bars but not the first elongate portions of the first and second support bars, and with a longitudinal axis of the bottle aligned with the second elongate portions of the first and second support bars.

23. The bottle rack of claim 22, wherein the bottle rack further comprises one or more bottle supports extending between the first and second support bars such that the bottle may be further stored in contact the one or more bottle supports.

24. The bottle rack of claim 22 or 23, wherein the first elongate portion extends at a right angle relative to the planar support surface.

25. The bottle rack of claim 23 or 24, wherein the one or more bottle supports are in contact with the second elongate portions of the first and second support bars.

26. The bottle rack of any one of claims 1-25, wherein, for at least one of the first and second support bars, the support bar is secured to the planar support surface using a fastenerextending through the planar support surface and into an insert engaged with the elongate body of the support bar.

27. The bottle rack of claim 26, wherein the insert is permanently secured to the elongate body.

28. The bottle rack of claim 27, wherein the insert is welded to the elongate body.

29. The bottle rack of any one of claims 26-28, wherein: the elongate body comprises an upper portion and a lower portion spaced from the upper portion by a gap; and the insert is positioned in the gap.

30. The bottle rack of claim 29, wherein: the upper portion and the lower portion comprise respective tabs at ends thereof; and the insert is engaged with the tabs.

31. The bottle rack of any one of claims 26-30, wherein the insert comprises a threaded bore for receiving the fastener.

32. The bottle rack of any one of claims 26-31 , wherein: the planar support surface is comprised in a panel with openings provided therein; the insert is received within one of the openings; and the fastener extends through the panel and into the insert received within the one of the openings.

33. The bottle rack of claim 32, wherein the one of the openings extends partway through the panel.

34. The bottle rack of claim 32, wherein the one of the openings extends fully through the panel, and wherein the fastener extends through a washer before extending into opening.

35. A kit of parts comprising: support bars for securing to a planar support surface, the support bars including at least a first support bar and a second support bar for supporting a bottle, wherein each support bar comprises: an elongate body comprising:an upper portion; and a lower portion spaced from the upper portion by a gap; and at least one folded portion bent relative to the elongate body, wherein the at least one folded portion is formed by folding a portion of the support bar.

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