Sock storage and dispenser

• US 5,740,944 A
• Filed: 04/01/1996
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur D. Crawford
• Original Assignee: Arthur D. Crawford
• Inventors: Crawford, Arthur D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Noland, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US08/625,817
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 221/282, 221/283, 221/197, 221/134, 312/42, 312/35, 312/45, 206/292, 206/278
• US Class Current: 221/134
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/04 Racks or containers with arrangements for dispensing articles , e.g. by means of gravity or springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 1/08 dispensing from bottom

Abstract

An apparatus having a plurality of elongated, open channels for storing, displaying and dispensing rolled socks. Terminating at its lower end in a base, each channel defines an elongated viewing slot which extends vertically substantially the length thereof. So that socks inserted through the slot drop downwardly within the channel to be supported by the base, the minimum span of a transverse cross-section of each channel is somewhat larger than the diameter of a pair of rolled socks. At the same time, both the channel and the slot are sufficiently narrow to retain pairs of rolled socks in magazine type fashion. Socks located in any position within the confines of one of the channels can be readily removed therefrom through its respective viewing slot. The apparatus also includes a mounting frame so that the unit can be either flush or surface mounted on a wall.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and dispensing pairs of rolled socks, comprising a structure having a base and a front wall, the structure defining at least one elongated channel which terminates at the base;

the front wall defining an elongated slot of fixed dimensions through which any pair of rolled socks stored in the channel can be viewed;

the channel, in transverse cross-section, being sized to accommodate only a single pair of rolled socks;

the slot being substantially narrower in transverse width than the channel, the slot being both sufficiently narrow to retain pairs of socks within the channel and sufficiently wide to allow immediate access to any individual pair of socks stored within the channel regardless of whether any other pair of socks stored therewithin separates said pair from the base, so that said individual pair of socks, when slightly compressed, can be readily removed from the channel.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises means, including a frame adjustably fastened to the structure, for mounting the structure on a wall.

3. An apparatus for storing and dispensing pairs of rolled socks, comprising a structure having a base and a front wall, the structure defining a plurality of elongated channels;

the front wall defining a plurality of elongated slots through which any pair of rolled socks stored in the channels can be viewed, each channel communicating with one of the slots and terminating at the base;

the slot being substantially narrower than the channel with which the slot communicates but generally equal in length thereto;

each channel, in transverse cross-section, being sized to accommodate only a single pair of rolled socks;

each slot being both sufficiently narrow to retain pairs of socks within the channel with which the slot communicates and sufficiently wide to allow immediate access to any individual pair of socks stored therewithin regardless of whether any other pair of socks stored therewithin separates said pair from the base, so that said individual pair of socks, when slightly compressed, can be readily removed from the apparatus.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 which further comprises means, including a frame adjustably fastened to the structure, for mounting the structure on a wall.

5. An apparatus for storing and dispensing pairs of rolled socks, comprising a structure having a base and a front wall, the structure defining a plurality of elongated channels;

the front wall defining a plurality of elongated slots of fixed dimensions through which any pair of rolled socks stored in the channels can be viewed, each channel communicating with one of the slots and terminating at the base;

each slot being substantially narrower in transverse width than the channel with which the slot communicates;

each channel, in transverse cross-section, being sized to accommodate only a single pair of rolled socks;

each slot being both sufficiently narrow to retain pairs of socks within the channel with which the slot communicates and sufficiently wide to allow immediate access to any individual pair of socks stored therewithin regardless of whether any other pair of socks stored therewithin separates said pair from the base, so that said individual pair of socks, when slightly compressed, can be readily removed from the apparatus.