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  Folding baking rackUSPTO Application #: 20070240866Title: Folding baking rack Abstract: A folding baking rack for supporting baking trays is disclosed having two opposing side assemblies joined together by at least one foldable cross-member assembly that allows the baking rack to be collapsible to require less space when not in use, and expandable to assume the form of a traditional baking rack for use. Each cross-member assembly comprises two link arms pivotally joining two C-arms, the C-arms being pivotally connected to each of the two opposing side assemblies such that the two opposing side assemblies are maintained in a parallel orientation with respect to each other throughout the range of motion of the foldable cross-member. In one embodiment of the invention, the C-arms and link arms are spring biased providing an over-center force that both maintains the folding baking rack in a collapsed state, and provides an opening force once the folding baking rack is opened beyond a half-way open position. (end of abstract) Agent: Miller Nash LLP - Seattle, WA, US Inventors: Barry T. Von Feldt, Scott Harberts USPTO Applicaton #: 20070240866 - Class: 165165 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070240866. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/792,751 entitled Folding Baking Rack, filed Apr. 18, 2006. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates generally to collapsible storage racks. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a folding baking rack for supporting baking trays, which are commonly used in the food preparation industry. Foldable cross-members allow the rack to be collapsible to take up less space when not in use, and expandable to assume the form of a traditional baking rack for use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Baking racks and baking trays are commonly known in the food preparation industry. Baking racks and trays come in a number of shapes and sizes and perform a number of functions. Generally, baking trays (also referred to as baking sheets) are flat, generally rectangular metal pans, often with at least one rolled-over edge, upon which food products are located at various stages during preparation or processing. Baking racks are typically upright storage rack assemblies which support a plurality of baking trays. The baking trays containing food products are often stored on baking racks prior to baking, and then afterward for cooling the baked food products. [0004]For example a chef may place cookie dough upon a baking tray prior to baking. Several baking trays may be used in the preparation of large numbers of baked food products. These baking trays are typically stacked on a baking rack until each baking tray is ready to be placed into an oven for baking the food products. Once removed from the oven, each baking tray is then placed on a baking rack to allow the baked food products to cool. [0005]Baking racks typically have a plurality of support brackets located and oriented to allow the baking trays to stack vertically and to provide space between each baking tray to accommodate food products. Each baking tray is typically supported on either side within the baking rack by a support bracket so that each baking tray is removable from the baking rack by sliding it outward along the support brackets. [0006]Another purpose of baking racks is to provide a means of easily transporting many baking trays. Specifically, baking racks are commonly used by individuals and entities such as professional chefs, restaurants and cruise lines in order to transport large quantities of baking trays and food products from one location to another in the course of processing the food products. These baking rack assemblies may be large in scale and may include a plurality of baking trays and food products. Wheels, casters or rollers are typically mounted to the base or legs of these baking racks to allow the baking rack to be easily transported. The attachment of wheels, casters or rollers allows the chef and/or kitchen staff easily to move large amounts of food products around a kitchen area on the baking rack. [0007]Large institutional kitchens and commercial food processing plants, such as bakeries, may use roller track systems, conveyor belts or conveyor lifts to transport large numbers of baking rack assemblies so equipped. [0008]There are limitations associated with the baking racks previously known in the industry. For example, large-scale baking racks often take up a significant amount of space in a kitchen. Oftentimes, in kitchens, restaurants and on cruise ships, space is a valuable commodity and the loss of space to a number of baking racks may be an inconvenience, if not an impossibility. A lack of space can result in the foregoing the use of baking racks, which in turn, results in the difficult transportation of large scale food products by hand-held trays or other manual means. [0009]It would be beneficial to have a baking rack that can be collapsed when not in use to minimize storage space requirements, and then be easily expandable to assume the form of a traditional baking rack for use. Some previously known storage racks and carts address storage space minimization by providing fixed frame elements, such as Z-shaped frames, that allow for similarly constructed racks to be nested together in groups, thereby taking up less storage space. [0010]There are many known collapsible storage carts in the prior art, some of which are adaptable as baking racks. Some of these storage carts are collapsible by disconnecting and removing pieces of shelving or structural supports from the rack. Storage space for these carts is reduced but the removed pieces can become separated and possibly lost. These carts also require additional time for those using the carts to disassemble and reassemble the cart. [0011]It is therefore desirable to have a baking rack that is easily collapsible without the use of tools, removal of parts or the need for excessive disassembly and reassembly time. [0012]There are previously known collapsible carts that use folding cross members pivotally connected in an X-like configuration and joining one side of a cart to another. The cross members fold in a scissor-like manner to collapse the cart. A problem arises in that collapsible carts so configured have difficulty remaining stable when the cart is partially collapsed or partially opened. The instability is due to an inability of the folding members to maintain opposing sides of the cart upright and parallel to each other, and can result in difficult or unsafe handling of the cart when it is not fully expanded. [0013]It would therefore be highly desirable to have a collapsible baking rack that remains in a stable and upright orientation while the baking rack is being collapsed, expanded for use, and stored. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014]The above-described problems are solved and a technical advance achieved by the present folding baking rack. Providing a folding baking rack with improved features enables optimization of space in a food preparation environment and offers numerous advantages over traditional baking racks and previously known collapsible racks. The advantages stem mostly from the use of at least one foldable cross-member that enables the rack to be collapsible to take up less space when not in use, and expandable to assume the form of a traditional baking rack when needed for use. The foldable cross-members further provide stability to the cart by maintaining opposing sides to the cart in a parallel orientation for safer collapsing and expansion. These design features minimize the number of working parts and extend the useful life of the baking rack, which greatly contributes to performance and value to a user. [0015]A folding baking rack is disclosed having two opposing side assemblies, each side assembly having at least two parallel rail members, each rail member being vertically oriented, and supported by a wheel assembly attached to the bottom of each rail, a plurality of tray support members, which engage and support the outside edges of baking trays, affixed to the rails perpendicular to the rails and parallel to each other. The two opposing side assemblies are joined together by at least one collapsible cross-member assembly. Each cross-member assembly comprises two link arms pivotally joining two C-arms, the C-arms being pivotally connected to each of the two opposing side assemblies such that the two opposing side assemblies are maintained in a parallel orientation with respect to each other throughout the range of motion of the collapsible cross-members. [0016]In one embodiment of the invention, the C-arms and link arms are spring biased providing an over-center force that both maintains the folding baking rack in a collapsed state and provides an opening force once the folding baking rack is opened beyond a half-way open position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a folding baking rack of the present invention shown in an expanded position. [0018]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a folding baking rack of the present invention shown in a collapsed position. [0019]FIG. 3 is a partial isometric view of a side assembly and cross-member assembly of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Folding baking rack Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Folding baking rack patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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