WO1998031262A1 - Portable bicycle repair rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable bicycle repair rack (Figs. 1-3) is disclosed which adjustably supports a bicycle for the maintenance or repair thereof, using a common door (D) as a vertical support member.

Description

PORTABLE BICYCLE REPAIR RACK

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional

Application Serial No. 60/035,457, Filing Date 16 January 1997, and U.S. Non-

provisional Application Serial No. 08/808,254, Filing Date 28 February 1997.

Background — Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to work holders or repair stands

which support a bicycle at a convenient height during the performance of

maintenance and repairs, and particularly to work holders that use a common

door as a vertical support member.

Background — Description of Prior Art

To facilitate the efficient performance of maintenance and repairs

on a bicycle and eliminate the inefficiency and resultant fatigue that result from

working on an object near floor level, the bicycle must be supported at a

convenient elevation above the work space floor. Furthermore, adjustability of

elevation is highly desirable. Supporting a bicycle at an elevation convenient

for access to the portion of the bicycle in need of attention enables the

mechanic to easily inspect or work on that portion of the bicycle, and allows

the drive train and other components to be operated while making adjustments.

Secondarily, sources of both artificial and natural lighting are generally more

readily available at mid-to-upper room elevations, and are thereby capable of

providing greater illumination of the bicycle without having to resort to

cumbersome portable lighting devices. These desirable conditions are readily apparent to bicycle shop owners, professional bicycle mechanics, bicycle

enthusiasts, and recreational bicyclists, all of whom have a need for some type

of bicycle-supporting device or work stand.

Various types of bicycle supporting devices, or work stands, have

been produced in an attempt to fulfill the aforementioned needs. The most

common of these devices utilizes a metal post as a vertical support member, the

post typically being attached to a heavy metal base plate which rests on, and in

some cases is attached to, the floor. Typically the other end of the post has a

clamping device which clamps to a bicycle frame member. The metal base plate

is needed to compensate for the bicycle's weight, thereby insuring that the

stand and supported bicycle remain upright. Variations of this design include an

assortment of leg types and arrangements to replace the metal base plate.

Another variation simply mounts a shorter vertical post to a sturdy work bench

in lieu of any type of base plate or legs.

All bicycle support stands of this type share the common design

element of an integral vertical support member. This results in several

unavoidable conditions and limitations on the range of circumstance in which

the stand can be readily used. The necessary rigidity, bulk and weight of the

vertical support post and base dictate that the stand is most often placed in a

permanent, fixed location with the position of the bicycle frame clamping

apparatus set at a fixed height. Additionally, the purchase price of these work

stands is relatively high. For these reasons, such a stand is found almost

exclusively in bicycle shops where the bulkiness and cost can be more readily justified and accommodated. Even those designs which have been reduced in

size and weight to achieve a degree of locational flexibility, are neither easily

portable nor inexpensive, and therefore their range of usefulness remains

limited.

Yet another repair stand design, which closely resembles a three-

legged saw horse constructed of metal, achieves a degree of portability but

sacrifices any elevation adjustment capabilities. This stand also requires that

the bicycle's front wheel be removed to enable placing the bicycle in the stand.

Additionally, this stand's weight and bulk are not readily conducive to ease of

transportation or storage.

A search of prior patents reveals one U.S. Patent which discloses

and claims a portable bicycle repair rack suspended from a common door. U.S.

Patent 4,343,404 which issued August 10, 1982 to Jeffery A. Folsom, discloses

a door mounted rack comprising a support boom, yokes, a sliding sleeve,

cables, and brackets which are attached to, and supported by, the top and facing

portion of a door. Although Folsom wisely chose to utilize a common door as

the vertical support member for his device, his overly complicated

arrangements of both the rack itself, and its method of mounting to a door,

result in a repair rack design which suffers the same limitations as other

previously discussed repair stands and racks. Those limitations include:

complexity of assembly and installation; lack of height adjustments;

unsteadiness of the bicycle when suspended; and overall bulkiness which

severely diminishes both portability and ease of storage. Objects and Advantages of the Present Invention

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the

aforementioned bicycle repair stands and racks by the successful new

combination of several elements. The utilization of any common door as a

vertical support member, coupled with the simple, secure manner with which

this rack adjustably mounts to the door, and the complete ease of assembly,

installation, disassembly, portability, and storage, result in a bicycle supporting

system capable of fulfilling the needs of bicyclists who perform their own

bicycle repairs and maintenance. Additionally, this rack system's light weight

and compactness provide an ideal portable repair stand for traveling and touring

bicyclists.

It should be noted that, while the use of the present invention is

directed towards bicycle maintenance, it is apparent that other applications of

the support system or work holder are possible by the use of other support arms

having a specific shape or design adapted to the object to be supported.

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

a) Provide a bicycle support system that is easy to assemble

and disassemble.

b) Provide a bicycle support system that is easy to install on

and remove from a common door.

c) Provide a bicycle support system wherein no tools are

required for installation and assembly.

d) Provide a bicycle support system wherein disassembly of

H the bicycle is not required to use the rack.

e) Provide a bicycle support system wherein the bicycle is

securely supported in a stable position.

f) Provide a bicycle support system that is adjustable to a

broad range of convenient elevations.

g) Provide a bicycle support system that affords access to all

components of a bicycle.

h) Provide a bicycle support system that permits unrestricted

movement and operation of the bicycle's parts and drive train.

i) Provide a bicycle support system that is strong, yet

lightweight, and compact when disassembled.

j) Provide a bicycle support system that is easily portable

and easily stored.

k) Provide a bicycle support system that incorporates a

permanent installation option.

1) Provide a bicycle support system that incorporates

flexibility to support other objects in addition to bicycles.

m) Provide a bicycle support system that is economical for

consumer cycling enthusiasts.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a

consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the Portable Bicycle Repair Rack system showing the rack installed on a common door.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the Portable Bicycle Repair Rack

with the door protector insert and support arms detached.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the bracket with the door protector insert

and support arms in place.

Fig. 4 shows the work holder system in a permanently mounted

configuration.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment having an integral bracket and arms.

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 show brackets and support arms representing

alternative embodiments to that shown in Figs. 1 through 4.

Reference Numerals in Drawings

10 Retention Strap

10 A Retention Strap Attached End

10B Retention Strap Adjustable End

12 Buckle

20 Bracket

21 Bracket Hook

22L Bracket Wing Left

22R Bracket Wing Right

23 Mounting Hole

24 Vertical Receiver Lock

25 Tab

26 Face 26B Bottom of Face

26T Top of Face

27 Receiver Trough

30 Door Protector Insert

5 31 Door Protector Insert Hook

32 First End

33 Second End

34 Transition

35 Middle

10 40L Support Arm Left

40R Support Arm Right

41 Engaging Hook

42 Arm Straight Portion

43 Pin

15 120 Bracket

140 Arm

144 Channel

146 Open End

148 Axis

20 220 Bracket

240 Arm

244 Channel

246 Open End 248 Axis

320 Bracket

340 Arm

344 Channel

346 Open End

348 Axis

D Door

E Edge of Door

F Face of Door

S Wall Stud

Description of the Preferred and Alternative Embodiments

A typical embodiment of the Portable Bicycle Repair Rack

system as shown in Figs. 1 through 3 comprises a belt or retention strap 10, a

bracket 20, a door protector insert 30, and a pair of outwardly extending

support arms 40L and 40R. The rack typically is mounted on a conventional

door D for entering a room, with the door opened, preferably to a position

approximately perpendicular to its fully closed position. For reference, an

exposed edge E and outer face F of door D are labeled in Fig. 1.

Retention strap 10 is of sufficient length to circumnavigate the

door's girth above the door's upper hinge, and is preferably composed of a

flexible webbing-like material, an attached end 10A of which is permanently

affixed to a buckle 12. An adjustable end 10B of strap 10 is threaded into and

through buckle 12, extending sufficiently to afford a gripping length to enable the loosening or tightening of retention strap 10. Strap 10 operates as a

tensioner relative to bracket 20, holding bracket 20 against door D when a load

is placed on bracket 20.

In the preferred embodiment bracket 20 comprises an elongate U-

shaped portion having a planar face 26 and two opposing wings 22L and 22R.

In the installed position bracket 20 is placed over the edge of door D such that

the inside surface of face 26 is oriented toward vertical edge surface E of door

D, thereby forming an edge bearing that operates as a longitudinal restraint for

bracket 20. Furthermore, the inner surfaces of wings 22 project over the left

and right door surfaces F, thereby forming opposing face bearings that operate

as lateral restraints for bracket 20.

At an upper edge or top 26T of face 26 is bracket hook 21 which

engages retention strap 10 to operate as a strap retainer. A door protector insert

or pad 30, composed of a nonabrasive, pressure absorptive material preferably

is interposed between the interior surface of face 26 and edge E of door D, and

serves to prevent damage to edge E of door D. Door protector insert 30 is

prevented from slipping through bracket 20 by door protector insert hook 31

top 26T, overlapping which engages bracket hook 21.

Still focusing on Fig. 1, support arms 40L and 40R each comprise

a metal rod having an engaging hook 41 on one end, an arm straight portion 42,

and a vertically oriented pin 43 at the opposing end. Support arms 40L and 40R

are bent to predetermined angles and orientations with respect to pin 43,

appropriate to their application as the right or left arm, respectively, and such that, when installed on bracket 20, engaging hooks 41 are oriented in a

horizontal plane at a width conducive to securely cradling a bicycle top tube

(not shown), each hook 41 forming a bicycle-receiving receptacle. Engaging

hooks 41 preferably are coated with a soft, nonabrasive material thereby

helping to avoid scratches to a bicycle or other object received by hooks 41.

Other work objects, articles and sporting goods may be supported

with the work holder by use of the disclosed arms, or by use of alternate arms

specifically adapted to the object to be supported.

Formed on the outward facing surfaces of wings 22 are an

upwardly facing open receiver trough 27 and a vertical receiver lock 24.

Receiver trough 27, located at approximately the middle of wing 22, open on

its upper side, and has its axis parallel to a face of door D and projecting

upwardly at a predetermined angle. Trough 27 is adapted to cradle arm straight

portion 42.

Vertical receiver lock 24 is located near a rearward edge of wing

22, to the rear of and above receiver trough 27, and preferably comprises a

closed hollow cylinder with its cylindrical axis in a generally vertical

orientation. Vertical receiver lock 24 and receiver trough 27 are adapted to

receive pin 43 and arm straight portion 42, respectively. The orientation and

alignment of receivers 24 and 27 when an arm 40 is disposed on a wing 22 is

such that torsional forces applied to arm 40 by an object being supported are

resisted, thereby making arm 40 stable.

A tab 25 on each wing 22 provides stiffness to wings 22 and facilitates placing bracket 20 on door D.

In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in Fig. 5,

the bracket and arms are integral and formed from a single, preferably

continuous piece of structural material, for example a metal rod of suitable

diameter bent to a prescribed shape. In this embodiment the bracket is formed

by making a series of bends at a middle portion 35, which is thus formed into a

U-shaped body to straddle the edge of door D. Transitions 34 join middle 35 to

first end 32 and second end 33. Transitions 34 incorporate bends of a

predetermined angle such that first and second ends 32 and 33 are

approximately horizontal when the work holder is mounted on a door, and

operate as a strap retainer for strap 10. First and second ends 32 and 33 each

have engaging hooks 41 formed thereon to cradle a top tube of a bicycle. In this

embodiment, the entire rack would be coated with a soft, nonabrasive material

to help avoid scratches.

Turning now to Fig. 4, mounting holes 23 in wings 22L and 22R

provide for the option of permanently attaching bracket 20 to the door or to an

alternative support member, for example a bare wall stud S. It is important to

note that a preferred method of attaching bracket 20 to a wall stud is with a

small strap similar to strap 10 encircling door D, as shown in Fig. 1. The

shorter strap could be attached permanently to stud S so that it still hangs free

to allow the insertion and removal of bracket 20 or body 35, depending on the

embodiment of the workstand being used. Alternatively, a plurality of screws

or posts could be mounted to stud S, and the strap could be removably attached u at these predefined attachment points. Still further, several straps could be

attached to a single stud S at various heights, so that bracket 20 or body 35 may

be slipped under the appropriate strap at the desired height. This would allow a

repeatably secure mounting of the workstand to be made in a very rapid

fashion.

Turning now to Figs. 6 through 8, various alternative

embodiments to bracket 20 are shown, identified as brackets 120, 220, and 320

in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, respectively. The trough and lock of the preferred

embodiment is replaced with an upwardly sloped open-ended channel 144 for

slidably receiving an arm 140 in a supported position. More specifically, arm

140 slides into channel 144 through an open end 146 and along an axis 148 of

channel 144. Preferably, channel 144 has a noncircular cross-section when

viewed along axis 148, and arm 140 has a cross-section that conforms to the

cross-section of channel 144. When such an arrangement is provided, arm 140

is locked rotationally relative to bracket 120 when arm 140 is slid into open end

146 of channel 144, along axis 148 of channel 144. In Figs. 7 and 8, other

versions of the channel and arm are shown, identified as channels 244 and 344,

and arms 240 and 340, respectively.

Other work objects may similarly be supported with the work

holder of these alternative embodiments by the use of suitably adapted

engaging pieces.

Description of Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

In using the Portable Bicycle Repair Rack, the door on which it is

1^ to be mounted is opened to a position approximately perpendicular to its fully

closed position. Retention strap 10 is then looped over the top of the door in

such a manner as to loosely encircle the entire door girth above the upper door

hinge. Buckle 12 is positioned in a location accessible for adjustment. Using

buckle 12, strap 10 is adjusted to pass across the edge of the door at ap¬

proximately the desired working elevation for the support system.

Door protector insert 30 is placed in bracket 20 which is then

positioned on the vertical edge of door D, with retention hook 21 uppermost,

and such that wings 22L and 22R straddle the edge, at approximately the

elevation desired. Bracket 20 is then moved up or down so that retention strap

10 passes over the outer surface of face 26 and engages retention hook 21.

Retention strap 10 is then adjusted using buckle 12 to hold bracket 20 at the

desired working elevation. Bracket 20 is thus held securely against the edge of

door D.

Pin 43 of an arm 40 is then inserted into vertical receiver lock 24

from the bottom until arm straight portion 42 is above receiver trough 27. Arm

40 is then rotated towards wing 22 until arm straight portion 42 is parallel with

wing 22, at which time arm 40 is lowered until arm straight portion 42 is

cradled in receiver trough 27. A second arm 40 is then installed in a similar

manner on the opposite wing 22.

The bicycle or other object to be supported then is placed in the

repair rack by placing the top tube into engaging hooks 41, at which time work

on the bicycle may commence. Further elevation adjustments can be readily accomplished by shortening or lengthening retention strap 10.

Conclusions, Ramifications, and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see and note that the bicycle repair

rack of this invention provides a lightweight, economical, easily portable

bicycle work stand for a broad spectrum of bicycle enthusiasts, thus affording

them a means for efficient, comfortably positioned repair and maintenance of

their bicycles. Employing a common door as a vertical support member in

combination with the innovative method by which the repair rack easily

attaches to the door enables this portable bicycle repair rack system to

successfully solve design problems which severely limit other bicycle repair

racks and work stands. The advantages of this bicycle repair rack include, but

are not limited to:

a) It is lightweight and compact.

b) It is portable.

c) Assembly and installation, or disassembly and removal,

may be performed quickly and without tools.

d) It attaches to, and is supported by, any common door

e) It supports a bicycle at a wide range of elevations for

access to all parts of the bicycle.

f) Removal of bicycle components is not required.

g) Operation of the bicycle drive train for adjustment is

unhindered.

h) It securely supports a bicycle in a stable position. i) It is readily storable in a small space,

j) It may be permanently attached to a door or other vertical

support member.

k) It is economical for consumers to purchase.

1) A wide variety of other objects may be supported by use

of an appropriate arm.

Although the foregoing descriptions contain many specificities,

these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. They

are intended to provide exemplification of the currently preferred embodiments

of this invention. For example, the bracket and support arms may be produced

from any suitable material such as various types of metal or metal composite,

plastic, nylon, carbon fiber, or wood products. Additionally, the fabrication

methods employed in the production of the rack components may include

stamping, machine casting, forging, material lamination, or injection molding.

The composition of the strap may include a broad variety of materials such as

nylon, plastic, vegetable fibers, rope, cable, chain, or simple leather straps.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended

claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. While the

present invention has been shown and described by reference to the preferred

embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other changes in

form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and

scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A portable work holder, which utilizes a conventional door

as a vertical support member, comprising, in combination:

a bracket adapted to straddle the edge of a common door

and having a plurality of arm attachment means thereon;

strapping means which circumnavigate the girth of a door

and wherein said strapping means holds said bracket against an edge of a door;

and

at least one arm adapted to support a prespecified object,

and which removably attaches to said bracket.

2. The work holder of claim 1 further comprising a door

protector insert adapted to be interposed between a door and said bracket, said

door protector insert being composed of a nonabrasive, pressure absorptive

material, and wherein said door protector insert acts to prevent damage to the

edge surface of a door.

3. The work holder of claim 1 further comprising a plurality

of arms, each of said plurality of arms being adapted to support a bicycle by

one of its frame members.

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4. The work holder of claim 1 wherein each of said arm

attachment means and said arm further comprise torque control means, wherein

said torque control means of said arm attachment means and said arm cooperate

to stabilize said arm with respect to torsional forces imposed by the object

being supported.

5. The work holder of claim 1 wherein said arms are fixedly

attached to said bracket.

6. The work holder of claim 1 wherein said strapping means

comprise a belt having a buckle fixedly attached to one end thereof, wherein

said belt and said buckle cooperate to provide a closed loop of adjustable size.

7. A work supporting system comprising in combination:

a bracket adapted to straddle the edge of a common wall

stud and having a plurality of arm attachment means thereon, and having a

plurality of mounting holes;

at least one arm adapted to support a prespecified object,

and which removably attaches to said bracket, and wherein said bracket is

permanently mounted to a vertical support member using said mounting holes.

n

8. The work supporting system of claim 7 further comprising

a plurality of arms each of said plurality of arms being adapted to support a

bicycle by one of its frame members.

9. The work supporting system of claim 7 wherein said arm

attachment means and said arm each further comprise torque control means,

wherein said torque control means of said arm attachment means and said arm

cooperate to stabilize said arm with respect to torsional forces imposed by the

object being supported.

10. The work supporting system of claim 7 wherein said arm

is fixedly attached to said bracket.

11. A portable work holder, which utilizes a conventional door

as a vertical support member, comprising, in combination:

an integral bracket and arm having a bracket portion and at

least one arm portion, wherein said bracket portion is adapted to straddle the

edge of a common door and wherein said arm portion is adapted to support a

prespecifϊed object; and

strapping means which circumnavigate the girth of a door

and wherein said strapping means holds said integral bracket and arm against

an edge of a door.

12. The work holder of claim 11 wherein said integral bracket

and arm further has a second arm portion, said arm portions being adapted to

support a bicycle.

13. The work holder of claim 11 wherein said strapping means

comprises a belt having a buckle fixedly attached to one end thereof, and said

belt and said buckle cooperate to provide a closed loop of adjustable size.

14. The work holder of claim 11 wherein said integral bracket

and arm are formed from a single piece of material of predetermined

dimensions and cross-section, and have a first and second end, a middle, and a

transition portion interposed between said middle and each of said first and

second ends, and wherein

said middle is formed into a U-shaped portion adapted to

straddle the edge of a common door;

each of said transition portions form a predetermined angle

with said middle such that said arm portions extend at a predetermined angle

relative to horizontal when said integral bracket and arm is mounted on a door;

and

each of said first and second ends further comprise an

engaging hook adapted to support a prespecified object.

15. A bicycle-supporting rack for removable attachment to a

door having two opposing faces and an outer edge, comprising:

a bracket having opposing bearings for bearing on

opposing faces of a door, and an edge bearing for bearing on an edge of the

door;

an outwardly extending arm operatively connected to the

bracket and having a bicycle-receiving receptacle spaced outwardly from the

bracket; and

a tensioner attached to the bracket for holding the edge

bearing of the bracket in contact with an edge of a door when the edge bearing

is aligned with the edge of the door, and for limiting the movement of the arm

relative to the door when a bicycle is received by the receptacle.

16. The rack according to claim 15, wherein the arm is

removable from the bracket.

17. The rack according to claim 15, wherein the bracket and

arms are formed integrally from a continuous piece of structural material.

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18. The rack according to claim 15, wherein the bracket

includes an upwardly facing open trough and an approximately vertical lock,

and the arm includes a vertical pin for mating with the lock so that the arm is

held by the trough and locked in position by the lock.

19. The rack according to claim 15, wherein the bracket

includes an upwardly sloped open-ended channel for slidably receiving the arm

in a supporting position through an open end and along an axis of the channel.

20. The rack according to claim 19, wherein the channel has a

non-circular cross-section when viewed along the axis of the channel, and the

arm has a cross-section that conforms to the cross-section of the channel so that

the arm is locked rotationally relative to the bracket when it is slid into the open

end of the channel, along the axis of the channel.

21. The rack according to claim 15, further comprising a

door-protecting pad removably hung on the bracket by a downwardly extending

hook formed adjacent a top of the pad.

II

22. A portable object support for use with a door, comprising:

a main body having opposing lateral restraints, a strap

retainer, and a longitudinal restraint spaced apart from the strap retainer and

located between the lateral restraints;

a strap retained in the strap retainer; and

an outwardly extending arm attached to the main body;

wherein the lateral restraints are sized to bear on opposite outer

faces of a door, the longitudinal restraint is arranged relative to the lateral

restraints to bear on an edge of the door and the strap is sized to extend around

the edge, outer faces and another edge of the door.

23. The support according to claim 22, wherein the arm is

removable from the body.

24. The support according to claim 22, wherein the body and

arms are formed integrally from a continuous piece of structural material.

25. The support according to claim 22, wherein the body

includes an upwardly facing open trough and an approximately vertical lock,

and the arm includes a vertical pin for mating with the lock so that the arm is

held by the trough and locked in position by the lock.

2Z-

26. The support according to claim 22, wherein the body

includes an upwardly sloped open-ended channel for slidably receiving the arm

in a supporting position through an open end and along an axis of the channel.

27. The support according to claim 26, wherein the channel

has a non-circular cross-section when viewed along the axis of the channel, and

the arm has a cross-section that conforms to the cross-section of the channel so

that the arm is locked rotationally relative to the body when it is slid into the

open end of the channel, along the axis of the channel.

28. The support according to claim 22, further comprising a

door-protecting pad removably hung on the body by a downwardly extending

hook formed adjacent a top of the pad.

29. A removable rack for supporting a load on a door,

comprising:

an elongate U-shaped bracket having an approximately

planar face interconnecting opposing wings, the face including a top and a

bottom when viewed along a line perpendicular to the planar face;

a strap retainer formed adjacent the top of the face; and

an outwardly extending arm attached to the bracket.

15

30. The rack according to claim 29, wherein the arm is

removable from the bracket.

31. The rack according to claim 29, wherein the bracket

includes an upwardly facing open trough and an approximately vertical lock,

and the arm includes a vertical pin for mating with the lock so that the arm is

held by the trough and locked in position by the lock.

32. The rack according to claim 29, wherein the bracket

includes an upwardly sloped open-ended channel for slidably receiving the arm

in a supporting position through an open end and along an axis of the channel.

33. The rack according to claim 32, wherein the channel has a

non-circular cross-section when viewed along the axis of the channel, and the

arm has a cross-section that conforms to the cross-section of the channel so that

the arm is locked rotationally relative to the bracket when it is slid into the open

end of the channel, along the axis of the channel.

34. The rack according to claim 29, further comprising a

door-protecting pad removably hung on the bracket by a downwardly extending

hook formed adjacent a top of the pad.

f

35. A bicycle supporting rack comprising:

an upright door having an exposed edge and opposing

faces adjacent the exposed edge;

removable support structure including outwardly extending

arms, an edge bearing in contact with the edge of the door, and opposing face

bearings corresponding to the opposing faces of the door; and

a strap connected to the removable support and encircling

the exposed edge and opposing faces of the door.

36. The rack according to claim 35, wherein the arms are

removable from the support structure.

37. The rack according to claim 35, wherein the support

structure and arms are formed integrally from a continuous piece of structural

material.

J5

38. The rack according to claim 35, wherein the support

structure includes an upwardly facing open trough and an approximately

vertical lock, and the arm includes a vertical pin for mating with the lock so

that the arm is held by the trough and locked in position by the lock.

39. The rack according to claim 35, wherein the support

structure includes an upwardly sloped open-ended channel for slidably

receiving the arm in a supporting position through an open end and along an

axis of the channel.

40. The rack according to claim 39, wherein the channel has a

non-circular cross-section when viewed along the axis of the channel, and the

arm has a cross-section that conforms to the cross-section of the channel so that

the arm is locked rotationally relative to the support structure when it is slid

into the open end of the channel, along the axis of the channel.

41. The rack according to claim 35, further comprising a

door-protecting pad removably hung on the support structure by a downwardly

extending hook formed adjacent a top of the pad.

e

42. A door-supported work stand comprising:

a strap for encircling a door;

a bracket having a strap-receiving portion for being

supported by the strap when the bracket is entrapped between the strap and the

door, an edge bearing spaced away from the strap-receiving portion for bearing

on an edge of the door, and a pair of opposing face bearings located between

the strap-receiving portion and the edge bearing for bearing on opposing faces

of the door; and

an arm extending outwardly from the bracket having a

receptacle for an object, the receptacle being spaced away from the bracket.

43. The work stand according to claim 42, wherein the arms

are removable from the bracket.

44. The work stand according to claim 42, wherein the bracket

and arms are formed integrally from a continuous piece of structural material.

Zl

45. The work stand according to claim 42, wherein the bracket

includes an upwardly facing open trough and an approximately vertical lock,

and the arm includes a vertical pin for mating with the lock so that the arm is

held by the trough and locked in position by the lock.

46. The work stand according to claim 42, wherein the bracket

includes an upwardly sloped open-ended channel for slidably receiving the arm

in a supporting position through an open end and along an axis of the channel.

47. The work stand according to claim 46, wherein the

channel has a non-circular cross-section when viewed along the axis of the

channel, and the arm has a cross-section that conforms to the cross-section of

the channel so that the arm is locked rotationally relative to the bracket when it

is slid into the open end of the channel, along the axis of the channel.

48. The work stand according to claim 42, further comprising

a door-protecting pad removably hung on the bracket by a downwardly

extending hook formed adjacent a top of the pad.

8T