BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a sporting equipment display and storage system or"hammock", including adjustable and swinging supports, and suspension straps for providing a uniform support to sporting equipment including personal watercraft such as kayaks, sea kayaks, canoes, etc.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for storing sporting equipment, comprising: a pair of arms each mounted on a surface using a mounting bracket, said arms being mounted at generally equivalent heights and in a substantially parallel orientation extending outward and perpendicular to the surface; at least one flexible support suspended between an inward end and an outward end of each arm.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a rack for holding sporting equipment, comprising: a pair of parallel vertical members, laterally-spaced in relation to each other; a U-shaped first arm coupled to a first one of said vertical members and a U-shaped second arm coupled to a second one of said vertical members, the first and second arms being substantially parallel and extending outward and perpendicularly to a plane defined by said vertical members; at least one flexible longitudinal support suspended between said first arm and said second arm; and at least one flexible lateral support suspended between opposing ends of each of said arms, wherein the lateral and longitudinal supports, in combination, support the sporting equipment thereon without contacting the arms or vertical members.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a rack for holding sporting equipment, comprising: at least two vertical members, laterally-

spaced and parallel with each other; a floor-support associated with the bottom of each of at least two of said vertical members, said floor support being fixedly associated with a respective vertical member and holding said vertical member in its vertical position; a bridge member, spanning the lateral spacing between at least two of said vertical members so as to retain the lateral spacing therebetween; a U-shaped first arm adjustably coupled to a first one of said vertical members and a U-shaped second arm adjustably coupled to a second one of said vertical members, the first and second arms being substantially parallel and extending outward and perpendicularly to a plane defined by said vertical members; at least one flexible longitudinal support suspended between said first arm and said second arm; and at least one flexible lateral support suspended between opposing ends of each of said arms, wherein the lateral and longitudinal supports, in combination, support the sporting equipment thereon without contacting the arms or vertical members.

In accordance with yet another aspects of the present invention, a rack for holding sporting equipment, comprising: a pair of parallel vertical members, laterally-spaced in relation to each other; a pair of tubular arms each mounted on one of said vertical members using a mounting bracket at generally equivalent heights, said arms being substantially parallel and extending outward, generally perpendicular to the surface; at least one flexible support suspended between an inward end and an outward end of each tubular arm; and wherein the mounting bracket associated with each tubular arm allows the tubular arm to pivot with respect to the mounting bracket so that said arm may be rotated from a stored position generally parallel with the surface to a support position generally perpendicular to the surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing sporting equipment, comprising: a pair of tubular arms each mounted on a surface using a mounting bracket at generally equivalent heights, said arms being substantially parallel and extending outward and perpendicularly to the surface; at least one flexible support suspended between an inward end and an outward end of each tubular arm; and wherein the mounting bracket associated with each tubular arm allows the tubular arm to

pivot with respect to the mounting bracket so that said arm may be rotated from a stored position to a support position generally perpendicular to the surface.

One aspect of the invention deals with a basic problem in the storage and display of sporting equipment such as kayaks, surf boards, wind surfers, etc.- the longitudinal and lateral support of equipment that is not flat in shape. This aspect is further based on the discovery of a technique that alleviates this problem. The technique employs a rack, support arms and flexible lateral and longitudinal supports whereby the equipment may be supported over a substantial portion of its length, without touching rigid surfaces. The techniques described herein are advantageous because it is both simple and flexible in its application, allowing for a common rack system to be employed for a variety of equipment types. Other aspects of the present invention include not only adjustable-height arms, but also arms that are pivotable between a stored and a support position so as to enable the use of one embodiment in a confined space.

As a result of the invention, users of kayaks, surf boards, wind surfers and other sporting equipment may have a convenient way of storing and displaying such equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the present invention in use; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 without the sporting equipment; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an arm of the embodiment of Figure 1 illustrating its attachment to a vertical member; Figure 4 is a side view of another arm of the embodiment of Figure 1 illustrating its attachment to a vertical member and use in the support of a piece of equipment; Figure 5 is an alternative view of the arm of Figure 3 illustrating its use in the support of a piece of equipment; Figures 6 and 7 are, respectively, perspective and orthogonal; views of the support strap adjustment mechanisms employed in one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8, is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the present invention used to store sporting equipment in the nature of personal watercraft; Figure 9 is a side orthogonal view of an alternative application of the present invention; Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment of the flexible support element of the present invention; Figures 11 and 12 are side views of the tubular arms in accordance with exemplary arms depicted in Figures 8 and 9; Figure 13 is an illustrative representation of one embodiment for attaching the flexible support to the tubular arm; Figure 14 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a representation of an alternative embodiment for attaching the flexible support to the tubular arm; Figures 16 and 17 are a top views of the embodiment of Figure 13 showing further alternative wire loop configurations; Figure 18,19 and 20 are perspective illustrations of various embodiments of the mounting bracket and adjustable attachment mechanisms of the present invention; and Figure 21 is an orthogonal view of the mounting bracket of Figures 18- 20, in a pre-formed condition.

The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the present invention used to store sporting equipment in the nature of personal watercraft. More specifically, a rack 20 is employed to support

three kayaks 22,24 and 26. However, the rack may be employed to support other sporting equipment such as skis, hang-gliders, sailboards and wind surfers, sails, etc. as the present invention is particularly adapted to provide lateral and longitudinal suspension of such equipment while stored.

Referring also to Figure 2, rack 20 includes at least two vertical support members 30 and 32, spaced apart from one another a distance of between 1.5 meters and 3.0 meters. It will be appreciated that the horizontal distance separating the members 30 and 32 is, to a large extent, dependent upon the length of the items being supported by the rack. The vertical members, and indeed many of the elements of the rack 20, may be manufactured from hardwoods, metal or even plastic components, although hardwoods are believed preferrable for aesthetic reasons. Use of metal components may require painting or other surface treatments in order to assure that the components do not corrode with exposure to moisture.

Members 30 and 32 are maintained in an upright position through one of a plurality of supporting mechanisms. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, members 30 and 32 may be maintained in an upright position via a base or floor supports 40 and 42, respectively. As depicted in the figures, the bases are attached to the bottoms of vertical members 30 and 32, so as to support the vertical members in a generally upright position. While depicted as extending perpendicularly outward from a plane defined by the vertical members, it is also possible that the bases extend rearwardly as well, as depicted in dashed-lines in Figure 2, so as to allow rack 20 to support equipment on either the front or rear sides of the vertical members 30 and 32. Lastly, it also possible to support vertical members 30 and 32 on a wall or other vertical structure using brackets (not shown) that anchor the vertical members to the wall and space them away from the wall to enable adjustment of the height of the U-shaped pairs of arms 46,48 and 50.

Referring to Figure 2, which is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 without the sporting equipment, the vertical members 30 and 32 provide structural support for the pairs of arms 46,48,50 and 52, so that the pairs may be adjusted to support sporting equipment such as kayaks 22,24 and 26. Each of the pairs of arms, although differing in actual size and configuration, are

generally U-shaped and are adjustably coupled to a first one of the respective first or second vertical members 30 and 32. As placed on the vertical members, the arms are preferably substantially parallel and horizontally aligned, extending forward or rearward in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the vertical members.

Also included in the rack, in situations where the vertical members are not attached to a wall, is at least one and preferably two bridge members 34 and 36.

The bridge members serve to retain the vertical members in a spaced-apart relationship. Bridge members 34 and 36 may be manufactured from the same materials as the vertical members, and may be reinforced or constructed with an "L"shaped or"U"channel cross-section so as to withstand forces tending to bow or buckle the bridge members when heavy sporting equipment is supported by the arms on rack 20.

As will be noted by a close examination of Figure 1, the kayaks 22,24 and 26 are not supported directly upon the U-shaped arms, but are preferably supported by a fabric strap or an equivalent flexible support suspended at opposite ends of the U-shaped arms. In a preferred embodiment, the strap is extended so as to continue from the outward end of the U-shaped arm to the inward end of the second arm of the horizontal pair. Straps 60 and 68 are preferably made from woven polypropylene fiber, and may also be made from nylon, polyester, and other synthetic or natural fibers. The straps are of a size of approximately 3 centimeters wide and 2 millimeters thick, depending upon the weight of the load to be supported by the straps.

For example, referring to the lower-most arms 46 in Figure 2, strap 60 extends from the inward end of the first arm at location 62, where it is adjustably attached, to the outward end of the same arm, location 64, and then onward to the inward end of the second arm at location 66. Strap 60 provides at least one flexible longitudinal support suspended between the first arm and the second arm. In a preferred embodiment, a second strap 68 is similarly suspended from the second arm to the first arm. Thus, straps 60 and 68, either alone or in combination, provide longitudinal support for the equipment being supported by the arms. In combination with that portion of straps 60 and 68 that are suspended from the inward to the outward end of each arm, the straps provide

both lateral and longitudinal supports for the sporting equipment thereon, so that the equipment is supported without contacting the arms or vertical members of the rack.

It will be further appreciated that similar suspension means such as a woven netting or mesh (open weave), a strong fabric such as canvas (closed weave) and combinations of straps, netting and/or canvas may be employed to provide the longitudinal support. Furthermore, open and closed weave fabrics may also be employed in the present invention to provide storage for associated gear such as paddles, lifejackets, etc. It is also contemplated that the arms may include hooks or other suspension mechanisms to allow for the storage of gear suspended beneath the arms.

Turning next to Figure 3 there is depicted a perspective view of a lower arm 46,48,52 of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, illustrating its attachment to a vertical member 30 or 32. The arm is comprised of a U-shaped body 70 that includes an inward leg 72, a center member 74 and an outward leg 76. Body 70 may be cut from a single piece of stock (board wood or plywood), or preferably formed from three separate pieces of board wood that are joined with one another (e. g., glued mortise & tenon joints for strength). Also included in the arms is an attachment mechanism 78, wherein the adjustable attachment mechanism allows the arms to be moved in a vertical direction along the respective vertical member 30 or 32. As depicted in Figure 3, the attachment mechanism 78 includes a pair of spaced-apart flanges 80 and 82 attached to and extending from the elbow region 84 of the U-shaped arm. At least one and preferably two releasable fasteners, 86 and 88, pass through both of the flanges, wherein a tightening of the fasteners results in the two flanges being drawn into frictional contact with the vertical member. Fasteners 86 and 88 may be any type of locking mechanism, pins, threaded bolt/nut, etc., and are preferably a carriage bolt, having a diameter of approximately 8 mm and a length of 7.5 cm.

Moreover, once a piece of equipment is supported on the pair of arms, the downward force applied to the arm causes the attachment mechanism to rotate slightly and the releasable fasteners themselves engage surface 90 of the vertical member.

Turning next to Figure 4, there is illustrated a side view of the upper arm 50 of Figure 1. Arm 50, although remaining U-shaped, includes four sections, an inward leg 102, a center member 104, an outward leg 106 and a return member 108. As illustrated, arm 50 is similarly attached to a vertical member 30,32 and is preferably used in the support of a piece of equipment with a narrower profile than arms of the style described above. For example, kayak 26 is a smaller kayak that is able to be stored in the rack 20 on its side. Arms 50 include similar strap supporting mechanisms for straps 60 and 68. The arms also include an attachment mechanism 112 that, like the other arms, enables adjustable attachment of the arm to its respective vertical member 30 or 32. As depicted in Figure 4, the attachment mechanism 112 includes a pair of spaced-apart flanges (only facing flange 114 shown) attached to and extending from an elbow of the arm. At least one and preferably two releasable fasteners, 86 and 88, pass through both of the flanges, and tightening of the fasteners draws the flanges together and into frictional contact with the vertical member.

A further modification of the rack 20 may include notches or recesses on the front and/or rear surfaces (e. g., 90) of the vertical members 30 and 32.

Although not required, the notches may be used to enable the rack to support increased loads. The notches, or other markings, may also be employed to assist the user in adjusting the heights of respective pairs of arms-where a user could align the arms in accordance with a notch or mark.

Although described with respect to a frame including vertical members 30 and 32, it will be appreciated that the arms and support straps of the present invention may be easily adapted to fit conventional frame studding employed in many stick-built homes and garages. Although the arms may not be adjustable in such a situation, it will be appreciated that the arms may be fastened to vertical studs by drilling holes suitable for receiving fasteners 86 and 88 therethrough.

Referring now to Figures 5,6 and 7 there are depicted various views of the U-shaped arms, supporting straps and support strap adjustment mechanisms employed in an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, each of the arms 46,48,50 and 52 includes an inward leg 72,102 that, at its end has a strap 60,68 connected thereto. While various methods may be employed to connect the straps to the inward leg of each arm, it is believed preferable to use

a releasable or adjustable attachment mechanism. In one embodiment, the releasable mechanism includes a hole 116 through which an end of the strap 60, 68 is threaded. Hole 116 is preferably about 1.3 centimeters in diameter, and may be adapted in accordance with the strap width and thickness employed.

Once the strap is threaded through the hole, the length of the strap is adjusted to a preferred length and then a plug 119 is inserted into the hole 116.

A plug 119, as seen in cross-section in Figure 7, is tapered so as to be smaller at end 117 than it is at the opposite end 118. Once inserted into hole 116, the plug pinches the strap in the hole, resisting a pulling of the strap.

Furthermore, when a piece of equipment is being supported by the strap, as described above, a force is exerted on the strap in the direction indicated by arrow F, and the force serves to further tighten the plug and strap as it draws the plug 119 further into hole 116.

Alternatively, a plurality of releasable mechanism may be employed to connect the straps to the inward legs of the arms. Examples of equivalent mechanisms include hooks or pins inserted through holes or grommets in the straps, clamping mechanisms such as used to restrain ropes, and clamps or pinching mechanisms that attach to the strap and would prevent it from being drawn into the hole 116.

In the embodiments depicted herein, the straps 60 and 68 are fixedly connected to the outer leg of at least one arm at a point between the ends of the straps, and both ends are then free to be adjusted using the plugs or other attachment mechanisms described above. It will be further appreciated that it is also possible to permanently fix one end of the straps at an inward leg of a first arm, while having the strap slidably affixed to an outer end of the second arm and then releasably attached to the inward end of the second arm. In that manner, the adjustment of the strap would change the level of suspension both on the arm and between arms. Because of the difficulty in adjusting the straps in the later embodiment, it is believed that an adjustment on both ends of the straps is preferred.

Turning now to a description of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in Figures 8 through 21, a tubular arm apparatus will be described. Referring specifically to Figure 8, there is shown a perspective

illustration of an embodiment of the present invention used to store sporting equipment in the nature of personal watercraft. More specifically, a rack 120 is employed to support one or more kayaks 126 or other sporting equipment on pairs of tubular arms 146,148 and 150, wherein the heights or positions of the arms are adjustable on the rack. However, the rack may be employed to support other sporting equipment such as skis, hang-gliders, sailboards and wind surfers, sails, etc. as the present invention is particularly adapted to provide lateral suspension of such equipment while stored. It is also contemplated that the particular support assemblies, as will be further described below, may be mountable on a wall or similar self-supporting structure, but for purposes of the description are described with respect to rack 120. It is further contemplated that, although depicted with three tubular arm configurations on rack 120, it is possible to interchange arm shapes so as to customize the rack to the needs of the user.

Referring also to Figure 9, rack 120 may alternatively include a vertical support surface 131, where tubular support arms 150 may be spaced apart from one another a distance of between 1.5 meters and 3.0 meters. It will be appreciated that the horizontal distance separating the members 130 and 132 is, to a large extent, dependent upon the length of the items being supported by the rack. The vertical members, and indeed many of the elements of the rack 120, may be manufactured from hardwoods, metal or even plastic components, although metal is believed preferable for weather-resistance reasons. As noted above, an equivalent to the vertical support members 130 and 132 is a wall or other generally vertical surface 131 upon which the support system described herein may be mounted. Use of metal components may require painting or other surface treatments (e. g., anodizing) in order to assure that the components do not corrode with exposure to moisture. Moreover, use of metal components, as contemplated herein, may also require the addition of sealing and/or drainage means in the even that such components are used outdoors.

Members 130 and 132 are maintained in an upright position through one of a plurality of supporting mechanisms. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 8, members 130 and 132 may be maintained in an upright position via a base or floor supports 140 and 142, respectively. As depicted in the figures, the bases

are attached to the bottoms of vertical members 130 and 132, so as to support the vertical members in a generally upright position. While depicted as extending perpendicularly outward from a plane defined by the vertical members, it is also possible that the bases extend rearwardly as well, so as to allow rack 120 to support equipment by placing pairs of tubular arms (e. g., 146,148 or 150), or mixed combinations thereof, on either the front or rear sides of the vertical members 130 and 132. Lastly, it also possible to support J-shaped or U-shaped pairs of arms 146,148 and 150 on a wall or similar vertical surface 131, for example as depicted in Figure 9.

Referring to Figure 9, which is an orthogonal view at the end of a kayak 126 of Figure 8, the vertical member 130, or a wall 131, provide structural support for the J-shaped arm 150, so that pairs of arms may be adjusted to support sporting equipment such as the kayak 126. Each of the pairs of arms, although differing in actual size and configuration, are generally"U"or"J"shaped (Figures 11 and 12) and are adjustably coupled to a first one of the respective first or second vertical members 130 or 132. As placed on the vertical members, the arms are preferably substantially parallel and horizontally aligned, extending forward or rearward in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane defined by the vertical members.

Also included in the rack system 120, in situations where the vertical members are not attached to a wall, is at least one and preferably two bridge members (122 and 124) that serve to retain the vertical members in a spaced- apart relationship. The bridge members may be manufactured from the same materials as the vertical members, and may be reinforced or constructed with an "L"shaped or"U"channel cross-section so as to withstand forces tending to bow or buckle the bridge members when heavy sporting equipment is supported by the storage system 120.

As will be noted by a close examination of Figures 8 and 9, the kayak 126 is not supported directly upon the arms 150, but is preferably supported by a fabric strap 160 or an equivalent flexible support suspended from opposite ends the arms. In an alternative embodiment, the strap may be further extended so as to continue from the outward end of the arm to the inward end of the second arm of the horizontal pair. Strap 160 is preferably made from woven polypropylene

fiber, and may also be made from nylon, polyester, and other synthetic or natural fibers. The straps are of a size of approximately 3 centimeters wide and 2 millimeters thick, however alternative widths and thicknesses may be used depending upon the weight of the load to be supported by the straps.

For example, referring to arm 150 in Figure 9 along with Figure 10, strap 160 extends from the inward end of the first arm at location 162, where it is attached, to the outward end of the same arm, location 164, where it is adjustably attached. More specifically, the inward end of the strap 160, may be permanently attached to a looped pin 200 by passing the strap material through the looped pin and doubling it back on itself before stitching as indicated by dashed lines 214. On the opposite end, the strap preferably contains a hook and loop fastening mechanism, where hook region 210 is at the end thereof and loop region 212 is placed toward the middle of the strap. Hook region and the end of the strap may then be passed through a metal loop or equivalent fastening means on the end of arm 150, and doubled-back on to the loop region to provide an adjustable length for the strap.

It will also be appreciated that it may be possible to employ a double-back buckle or similar mechanism to enable the outward end of strap 160 to be threaded through loop 158 and adjustably anchored to itself. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that strap 160 is made to a predetermined length based upon the arm dimensions and that it is not adjustable on one end as described above.

This is more fully illustrated by the top view of the end of arm 150 as depicted in Figure 17. Strap 160 provides at least one flexible longitudinal support suspended between the inward and outward ends of arm 150. In a preferred embodiment, a second strap 168 (Figure 8) is similarly suspended on the second arm and, as mentioned above, straps may also be suspended between a pair of arms to provide longitudinal support to the equipment as well. Thus, the straps 160 and 168, either alone or in combination, provide lateral support for the equipment being supported by the arms, yet keep the equipment from contacting the arms themselves.

It will be further appreciated that similar flexible support means such as a woven netting or mesh (open weave), a strong fabric such as canvas (closed weave) and combinations of straps, netting and/or canvas may be employed to

provide equipment support. Furthermore, open and closed weave fabrics may also be employed in the present invention to provide storage for associated gear such as paddles, lifejackets, etc. It is also contemplated that the arms may include hooks or other suspension mechanisms to allow for the storage of gear suspended beneath the arms.

Turning next to Figures 11 and 12 there are depicted orthogonal views of two exemplary arm shapes. In particular, Figure 11 shows a J-shaped arm 150, whereas Figure 12 shows a U-shaped arm 148. It will be appreciated that various shapes may be employed for the arms in accordance with the nature of the present invention, and the intention is not to be specifically limited to the shapes illustrated for purposes of explanation. Both arms are preferably formed from 0.875-inch diameter, round tubing stock having a wall thickness of about 0.065 inches, although other standard tubing sizes may employed. The material employed is preferably aluminum, although various steel alloys and other metals may also be used. The J-shaped arm 150 is formed from stock cut to approximately 33 inches in length (before bending), whereas the U-shaped arms 146 and 148 are approximately 36 inches in length.

Each of the arms includes a vertical inward section 170 that transitions to a first middle section 172 and a second middle section 174 and finally an outward vertical section 176. For the J-shaped arm of Figure 11, the angle formed between sections 170 and 172 is approximately 45-degrees, between sections 172 and 174 about 60-degrees and between sections 174 and 176 about 75 degrees. Similarly, for the U-shaped arm, the respective angles are 90- degrees, 15-degrees and 75-degrees. As will be appreciated from an examination of Figure 8, arms 146 are also U-shaped arms that have only a single middle section between the vertical sections. Along a bottom of each tubular arm (146,148 and 150), preferably at a low point thereof, a small weep hole 180 or slot may be cut so as to provide for the egress of any water that me seep into the tubing, thereby reducing the likelihood of water accumulating in the tubular arm and causing rust or other damage.

Each of the arms also includes a wire form loop 158, at the end thereof.

In one embodiment, depicted in Figure 13, the loop is a detachable loop affixed to the outward end 64 of the arm using a drilled hole 159 or milled slot into the

end thereof. As shown in Figure 14, which illustrates a top view of the end of the tube 150, the T-shaped end of the wire form loop 158 is preferably inserted into the slot and turned so that it may not be withdrawn when strap 160 is pulled in the direction of arrow 157. Referring again to Figure 13, end cap 161 may be employed to both close off the end of the tubular arm 150 and to retain the T- shaped end of loop 158 therein.

In the alternative strap attachment embodiment of Figures 15,16 and 17, the attachment mechanism 200 may include a wire-form loop 220 having an inward-facing pin end 222 that is inserted into hole 178 so as to"lock"or attach the pin end of the wire form to the end of the tubular arm 150. As depicted in Figures 16 and 17, which are alternative top views of the tube 150 having the wire form 158 inserted therein, the wire form loop 158 may be of a generally rectangular shape (Figure 16) or of a rounded shape (Figure 17). In yet another alternative, the loop 158 may be welded or otherwise permanently affixed to the end of the tubing. As illustrated between the dashed and solid lines depicted in Figures 16 and 17, the pin-loop 200 is inserted over the end of the tubular arm, and the pin 222 is inserted into hole 178 in tube 150. In this way pin 222 and pin loop 200 serve to hold the strap to the arm, and the arm 150 in bracket 190 as depicted in Figure 18.

Similarly, as depicted in the alternative arrangements of Figures 18 and 12, on the inward end of each of the arms (e. g., 146,148,150), there is preferably a hole or slot 179 cut into the tubular arms to receive the end of a second wire form loop to anchor the opposite end of belt 160. As with the first end of the belt, the wire form loops may be of a design having a T-shaped end for retaining them in the tubular arm 150, or they may be of the inward-facing pin design as previously described and depicted in detail in Figures 16 and 17.

Referring again to Figures 8 and 9 in conjunction with Figures 18 through 14, details of the mounting bracket 190 will be described. As employed with the present invention, mounting bracket 190 is preferably a U-shaped device that includes an upper arm support element 192 and a lower arm support element 194, with a mounting member 196 therebetween. The upper and lower arm supports preferably have holes 198 cut therein, where the diameter of the holes is suitable to receive the tubular stock of arms 146,148 and 150 therethrough.

Mounting member 196 further includes at least one, and preferably two or more mounting holes 200, in one embodiment, for receipt of a screw 197 (Figure 9) or similar fastening means (e. g., lag bolt and nut 199 in Figure 19) by which the bracket 190 may be affixed to a vertical support 130,132 or a wall 131, as described above. It is contemplated that the shape of holes 200 may be of an inverted key-hole shape to enable easy mounting, however, safety and manufacturing costs suggest that a circular hole is preferred so as to avoid accidentally dislodging the bracket from the vertical surface. As illustrated in Figures 18 and 20, the upper arm support element 192 further includes a pair of flanges 202 that extend in an upward direction for purposes that will be discussed below. The alternative embodiment of the mounting bracket 190, as shown in Figure 19, does not include the upward-facing flanges 202.

In one embodiment, C-shaped bracket 190 is preferably manufactured from stainless steel alloy or from cold-rolled steel having a thickness of approximately 0.0897 inches (13 gauge), and is bent or formed along the dashed lines shown in Figure 21 so as to produce the C-shaped bracket as depicted in Figures 18-20. Referring again to Figures 18-20, bracket 190 is preferably designed to hold the inward, vertical section of arms 146,148 and 150 in a swiveling or pivotable manner, meaning that the arms may be retained in a support position perpendicular to surface 130, or a stored position parallel to the surface 130. It is believed that the swiveling nature of the arms is desirable as it allows for the arms to be extended only when needed for storage of equipment, and to otherwise be"folded"to store against the rack or vertical surface 130.

This is believed to be of particular value in a confined storage region such as the interior of a garage, where the present invention might find particular use for the storage of kayaks or other equipment along the side of the garage, yet the swiveling nature would prevent someone from being injured in the event they walked into the arms when they were not supporting equipment.

Referring again to Figures 18-21, a further aspect of the present invention will be described. As noted above bracket 190, in combination with tubular arms 146,148 and 150, provides a swivel or pivotable mounting mechanism. For example, a comparison between Figures 18 and 20 shows the tubular arm in its respective stored and extended positions. However, as will be

appreciated, the arms should not pivot as a user is attempting to place or remove a piece of equipment on the storage system, but should remain in a generally outward orientation as illustrated in Figure 20. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates the use of the pin loop 200, located at the inward end of the strap 160, as a means not only for connecting the strap to the inward end of the arm, but also as the means by which the arm is retained within the bracket 190, yet allowed to pivot. To assemble the arm and the bracket, a user would insert the vertical, inward end of the arm into the lower and then upper holes of the bracket.

Next, the user would insert the pin end of clip 200 into hole 179 so as to assure that the wire form loop both attaches the strap to the tubular arm and prevents the arm from falling downward. In other words, because the holes in the bracket that receive the tubular arm are close in dimension to the outer diameter of the tubular stock, the loop and its pin are suitable for retaining the tubular arm in the desired position. It will be appreciated, however, that alternative means for retaining the tubular arm in the bracket may be employed, including screws, clips or pins. The various wire form loops, both pin and T-shaped designs, are preferably formed from at least 0.09-inch diameter stainless steel (13 gauge) wire.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 18 and 20, the flanges 202 of bracket 190 serve to retain the pin loop 200 therein and thereby prevent the arms from easily rotating relative to the bracket. Moreover, it is contemplated that while the pin loop 200 may be placed over or removed from the end of arm 150, when the strap 160 is inserted through the pin loop, there is insufficient clearance for the pin 222 to be removed from hole 178, thereby assuring that the arm will not accidentally be separated from the bracket 190.

In the alternative embodiment depicted in Figure 19, a T-shaped wire form loop 158 is employed in much the same manner as previously described. A slot 179 is milled into the tubular arm, and the T-shaped end of the wire form loop 158 is inserted therethrough and then turned ninety degrees to"lock"the wire form loop to the tube. Again, when this is done while the tube is inserted into bracket 190, the tubular arm will be prevented from sliding downward and will be pivotably retained within the bracket.

Referring specifically to Figures 18 through 20, there are also depicted alternative attachment mechanisms for fastening the bracket 190 to the vertical supports 130 and 132 of rack 20 (Figure 8). Figures 18 and 20 illustrate an adjustable mounting mechanism that employs a pair of common screw-eyes 250 and 252, and preferably two pair per bracket/arm. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 18 for example, the conventional screw-eyes are bent to have a ninety- degree angle at a point (256) on the midsection thereof. In this way, the pair of screw-eyes may be made to encompass the bracket and vertical support, with the ability to tighten the mounting mechanism by turning the nut 260, thereby securing the bracket to the vertical support 130,132. It will be appreciated that a wing-nut may be substituted for nut 260 in order to make the mounting mechanism easier to assemble or adjust.

Figure 19 illustrates an alternative attachment mechanism, wherein a pair of backing plates 270 and 272 are placed on opposite sides of the vertical support 130,132, and are brought into a clamping relationship with one another via screws 276 (only one shown). As the user tightens screws 276, the pair of backing plates are drawn to one another, thereby squeezing the vertical support member therebetween. Another feature of the alternative mounting mechanism is that at least one of the backing plates 270 and 272 has a pair of screw lugs welded thereto or otherwise extending from the plates, through the holes in bracket 190. Hence, the bracket 190 may be attached to the backing plates using conventional hex nuts 199.

Lastly, Figure 8 further depicts yet another improvement to the storage system 20, where a netting layer 280 may be strung or supported along a lower region of the rack 120. Netting 280 is preferably of a cargo netting design and may be made from numerous materials, including polypropylene, Nylon@ or other natural or man-made woven fabric web or netting materials. Also, netting 280 may include elastic elements therein, or may be mounted or attached to rack 120 with such elements, so as to assure that the netting remains taught and suspended above the ground or floor below the rack, even when equipment or gear is stored thereon.

In recapitulation, the present invention is an apparatus for holding sporting equipment and accessories, wherein the apparatus may be used independently

or in conjunction with a rack assembly. The invention includes at least a pair of U-shaped or J-shaped-arms spaced apart from one another and in a generally equivalent horizontal position. Each of the arms includes a web or strap suspended from the ends of the arm to support a piece of equipment on the strap without contacting the arms. Moreover, the arms may be installed on a rack, wherein the height of the arms may be adjusted. In one embodiment the arms are also pivotable, within respective mounting brackets, between a storage position and an extended position.

It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for storing and displaying equipment. While this invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.