Electroplating rack

Claim 2

An electroplating rack comprising: a. an electrically conductive framework including a pair of spaced uprights and bar means extending between and rigidly connecting said uprights near the lower ends thereof; b. an electrically insulative material coating said framework except in the regions extending across the top of said bar means where exposed, upwardly facing electrode surface portions are defined; c. a pair of grid structures carried by said framework at vertically spaced positions above said bar means, said grid structures defining a plurality of spaced apertures for receiving and supporting a plurality of long articles on end with their lower ends in electrically conductive engagement with said surface portions; and, d. said grid structures being adjustable to vary dimensions of at least some of the apertures defined by said grid structures.

Claim 3

The rack of claim 1 wherein said grid structures include removable partition means which, when removed, are operable to enlarge the size of at least some some of the apertures defined by said grid structures.

Claim 4

An electroplating rack comprising: a. an electrically conductive framework including a pair of spaced interconnected uprights having hooks for supporting the framework from a bus bar, and three pairs of vertically spaced arms carried on said uprights, each of said arms having a pair of ends extending in opposite directions from its associated uprights; b. the lowermost pair of arms being electrically conductive and being interconnected by a plurality of electrically conductive bars; c. the uppermost two pairs of arms being interconnected by spaced orthogonally arranged members defining a pair of grids overlying said conductive bars for receiving and supporting elongated articles to be plated with the lower ends of the articles in electrical contact with said conductive bars; d. said uprights said arms, and said members being coated with an electrically insulative material; and, e. selected of said grid-defining members being movable to vary dimensions of grid openings formed by said grid-defining members.

Claim 5

An electroplating rack comprising: a. an electrically conductive framework including a pair of spaced interconnected uprights having hooks for supporting the framework from a bus bar, and three pairs of vertically spaced arms carried on said uprights, each of said arms having a pair of ends extending in opposite directions from its associated uprights; b. the lowermost pair of arms being electrically conductive and being interconnected by a plurality of electrically conductive bars; c. the uppermost two pairs of arms being interconnected by spaced orthogonally arranged members defining a pair of grids overlying said conductive bars for receiving and supporting elongated articles to be plated with the lower ends of the articles in electrical contact with said conductive bars; d. said uprights said arms, and said members being coated with an electrically insulative material; and, e. selected of said grid-defining members being movable to vary dimensions of grid openings formed by said grid-defining members.

Claim 6

The rack of claim 3 wherein certain of said grid-defining members are removable from said rack to enable said grids to receive and support elongated articles of larger cross-section.

Claim 7

The rack of claim 4 wherein said certain grid-defining members have opposite end regions removably carried in holes formed in said uppermost two pairs of arms.

Claim 8

The rack of claim 3 wherein: a. said grid-defining members include at least three first members extending in parallel spaced relationship between said uppermost two pairs of arms, and cross-members arranged orthogonally to said first members in parallel spaced relationship and secured to at least two of said first members; and, b. predetermined ones of said first members which are not secured to said cross-members being removably carried by said uppermost two pairs of arms.

Claim 9

The rack of claim 6 wherein adjacent ones of said cross-members are arranged to alternately overlie and underlie said members.

Claim 10

An electroplating rack, comprising: a. an electrically conductive upstanding framework including bar means extending substantially horizontally between at least a pair of uprights; b. an electrically insulative material covering substantially all of the framework except regions on said bar means where exposed upwardly facing electrode portions are defined; and c. grid means including a pair of grid structures carried by the framework at vertically spaced positions above the electrode portions, the grid means being adjustable to define apertures of selected sizes to receive elongated articles for plating with lower end regions of the articles contacting the electrode portions.

Claim 11

An electroplating rack, comprising: a. an electrically conductive upstanding framework including bar means extending substantially horizontally between at least a pair of uprights; b. an electrically insulative material covering substantially all of the framework except regions on said bar means where exposed upwardly facing electrode portions are defined; and c. grid means including a pair of grid structures carried by the framework at vertically spaced positions above the electrode portions, the grid means being adjustable to define apertures of selected sizes to receive elongated articles for plating with lower end regions of the articles contacting the electrode portions.

Claim 12

The rack of claim 8 wherein said grid means include removable partition means which, when removed, are operable to enlarge the size of at least some of the apertures defined by said grid means.