Tie rack

This invention relates to a tie rack having a display position and a storage position, more particularly, to such a tie rack which has a compact structure.

The racks utilized to support and display a plurality of ties are well known in the art. They are generally positioned within a clothes closet, mounted on the closet door. Since a clothes closet normally has little open space, it is desirable that the rack be compact, such as lying flat against the closet door with little extension into the closet where other clothes are hung.

Retractable tie racks have been proposed having a stationery frame into which a retractable section is positioned. The retractable section is positioned into the frame when the ties are displayed or positioned out of the frame during storage of the ties. The frame is fixed to a closet door and extends outwardly from the door into the closet where it can interfere undesirably with the other hanging clothes. Alternatively, the tie rack can be hung on the outside closet door surface where it can accidentally interfere with a passer by. Such a tie rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,721.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a tie rack having a compact structure during non-use as well as being capable of permitting ease of view of all the ties on the rack during use. Such a tie rack would substantially reduce the chance of interfering with other clothes or causing accidental contact with a passer by.

This invention provides a tie rack having a compact structure during storage of a plurality of ties. The tie rack includes a stationary bracket mounted on a supporting surface such as a door. The tie rack also includes a frame having tubular or rod shaped hanger elements upon which the ties are hung. The frame is moveably mounted on the bracket such as by being pivotally mounted or slideably and pivotally mounted. The frame includes an arm that moves with the frame when it is moved. The arm is fixed by an arm fixing element fixed to the bracket such as a tube, flange, snap fit element, magnet or the like. When the arm is fit with the fixing element, the frame extends away from the bracket so that the ties can be displayed and seen by the user.