ARTICLE STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

A shoe or article storage device, such as a shoe rack, includes a base and a shelf unit slidably mounted to the base for movement between a first position and a second offset position. The shelf unit is also rotatably mounted to the base for rotatable movement relative thereto. The shelf unit includes a first tier of article receptacles and a second tier of article receptacles stacked on top of the first tier. Each tier of article receptacles includes at least a first receptacle having a first receptacle access opening disposed at a first side of the shelf unit and at least a second receptacle having a second receptacle access opening disposed at a second, opposite side of the shelf unit.

Description

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/034,493, filed Mar. 7, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to an improved article storage device, and particularly relates to a rotatable and slidable article storage device, such as a shoe rack, for optimizing storage and/or accessibility within a confined area, such as a closet.

Household storage space for clothing and accessory articles is generally limited in one's residence. Such storage space often includes closets, which are particularly configured for hanging clothes and sometimes provide a minimal amount of shelf space for storing accessory articles. Many times, shoes are stored within a closet, such as an entry area closet, on a floor thereof. Unfortunately, simply storing shoes on a floor of a closet often results in disorganized and inefficient piling of shoes within already crowded closet spaces and/or in the stacking of shoes in shoe boxes in and around a closet area on otherwise usable floor space. This tends to make selection of a matching pair of shoes difficult.

In an effort to deal with these problems, many types of storage devices have been designed over the years to accommodate and store various articles, including shoes. These devices are sometimes particularly configured for use within a closet. For example, shoe racks are known of the type that are mounted to the wall of a closet, or rested on the closet floor, or supported by various types of frame structures. Another type of a shoe rack is a fabric type having a plurality of pockets adapted to receive shoes therein that is fastened the backside of a closet door. Unfortunately, many of these prior art article storage devices, including shoe racks, suffer drawbacks in that they are too cumbersome, take up too much space, are difficult to use, fail to sufficiently maximize storage space within a closet or other confined area, etc.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a shoe rack is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the shoe rack includes a base and a shelf unit slidably and rotatably mounted to the base. The shelf unit defines a plurality of stacked shoe receptacles each dimensioned for receipt of a pair of shoes. The plurality of stacked shoe receptacles includes at least a first shoe receptacle having a first shoe receptacle access opening disposed along a first side of the shelf unit and at least a second shoe receptacle having a second shoe receptacle access opening disposed along a second, opposite side of the shelf unit.

According to another aspect, a shoe or article storage device is provided for optimizing storage and accessibility within a confined area, such as a closet. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the shoe or article storage device includes a base and a shelf unit. The shelf unit is slidably mounted to the base for movement between a first position and a second offset position. The shelf unit is also rotatably mounted to the base for rotatable movement relative thereto. The shelf unit includes a first tier of article receptacles and a second tier of article receptacles stacked on top of the first tier. Each tier of article receptacles includes at least a first receptacle having a first receptacle access opening disposed at a first side of the shelf unit and at least a second receptacle having a second receptacle access opening disposed at a second, opposite side of the shelf unit.

According to still another aspect, a rotatable and slidable article storage rack is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the rotatable and slidable article storage rack includes a base and a shelf unit slidably and rotatably mounted to the base. The shelf unit defines a plurality of tiered receptacles. The tiered receptacles include a first set of receptacles having first access openings facing outward from a first side of the shelf unit and a second set of receptacles having second access openings facing outward from a second side of the shelf unit. The first access openings face in a first direction relative to the base when the shelf unit is in a first rotatable position relative to the base. The second access openings face in the first direction when the shelf unit is rotated from the first rotatable position one hundred and eighty degrees to a second rotatable position relative to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable and slidable article storage device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the article storage device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the article storage device shown located with a confined area and slidably moved into a second offset position.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the article storage device shown being rotated from the position in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is still another perspective view of the article storage device shown being further rotated to a second rotatable position wherein receptacles on a second side of the device are accessible.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of an article storage device according to an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the article storage device of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are only for purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments and not for limiting the same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a shoe or article storage device 10 which can optimize storage and/or accessibility within a confined area, such as a closet. As will be described in more detail below, the illustrated storage device 10 is a rotatable and slidable storage device including a base 12 and a shelf unit 14 slidably and rotatably mounted to the base 12. As will also be described in more detail below, the storage rack 10 can be particularly adapted for storing shoes and when so configured can be referred to as a shoe rack.

In the illustrated embodiment, a mounting assembly 16 (FIG. 2) slidably and rotatably mounts the shelf unit 14 to the base 12. Specifically, the mounting assembly 16 includes at least one slidable track member 18 (two track members are employed in the illustrated embodiment), an intermediate plate or member 20, and a rotatable plate or member 22. The shelf unit 14 is slidably mounted to the base 12 via the track members 18 for movement between a first or home position (shown in FIG. 1) and a second offset position (shown in FIG. 3). When moved from the first position to the second offset position, the shelf unit 14 (along with the intermediate and rotatable members 20, 22) moves relative to the base 12 along the track members 18. The shelf unit 14 is rotatably mounted to the base 12 through the rotatable member 22, which allows rotatable movement of the shelf unit 14 relative to the base 12. Such rotatable movement of the shelf unit 14 also occurs relative to intermediate member 20 and the track members 18.

As shown, the shelf unit 14 defines a plurality of tiered receptacles. In particular, the shelf unit 14 includes a first tier 30 of article receptacles and second tier 32 of article receptacles stacked on top of the first tier. In the illustrated embodiment, the shelf unit 14 further includes a third tier 34 of article receptacles stacked on top of the second tier 32. Of course, while the illustrated embodiment employs three tiers of article receptacles, it is to be appreciated that fewer or more tiers could be employed. In addition, varying dimensions could be employed (i.e., dimensions and/or proportions other than those depicted in the illustrated embodiment.

Each tier of article receptacles includes at least a first receptacle having a first receptacle access opening disposed at a first side 36 of the shelf unit 14 and the at least a second receptacle having a second receptacle access opening disposed at a second, opposite side 38 (FIG. 5) of the shelf unit 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the first tier 30 includes a first set of receptacles 40, 42 having first access openings 40a, 42a facing outward from the first side 36 of the shelf unit 14. With additional reference to FIG. 5, the first tier 30 also includes a second set of receptacles 44, 46 having second access openings 44a, 46a facing outward from the second side 38 of the shelf unit 14. The first access openings 42a, 44a face in a first direction relative to the base 12 (i.e., outward from forward side 78 of base 12) when the shelf unit is in its first rotatable position relative to the base 12 (the rotatable position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). The second access openings 44a, 46a face in the same first direction (i.e., outward from forward side 78 of base 12) when the shelf unit 14 is rotated from the first rotatable position one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to the second rotatable position relative to the base (shown in FIG. 5). As shown, the first receptacles 40, 42 of the first tier 30 and the second receptacles 44, 46 of the first tier 30 are disposed in back-to-back relation and, in the illustrated embodiment, share a common back wall 48.

The second and third tiers 32, 34 can similarly include respective first sets of receptacles and second sets of receptacles. More specifically, the second tier 32 can include a first set of receptacles 50, 52 having first access openings 50a, 52a facing outward from the first side 36 of the shelf unit 14 and a second set of receptacles 54, 56 having second access openings 54a, 56a facing outward from the second side 38 of the shelf unit. Likewise, the third tier 34 can include the first set of receptacles 58, 60 having first access openings 58a, 60a facing outward from the first side 36 of the shelf unit 14 and a second set of receptacles 62, 64 having second access openings 62a, 64a facing outward from the second side 38 of the shelf unit 14. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the article receptacles described thusfar of the first, second, and third tiers 30, 32, 34 can all be generally be box-shaped, though this is not required.

In use, the storage device 10 can be placed within a confined area, such as closet 70 shown in FIGS. 3-5. The storage device 10 is particularly suitable for being positioned along a wall 72 within such a confined area 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacles of the storage device 10 are each shown as being dimensioned or sized particularly for receipt of a pair of shoes 76. When positioned in its rest or home position (shown in FIG. 1) and located within a closet 70 along wall 72, access to the receptacles 40, 42, 50, 52, 58, 60 facing outward from shelf unit side 36 is easily gained as the corresponding access openings 40a, 42a, 50a, 52a, 58a, 60a are facing outward away from the wall 72 in the direction of first side 78 of the base 12. In contrast, the access openings 44a, 46a, 54a, 56a, 62a, 64a of the second receptacles 44, 46, 54, 56, 62, 64 are relative inaccessible as these face in a direction toward the wall 72 away from second side 80 of the base 12 (i.e., the second side 80 being positioned along the wall 72). Generally, the second side 80 of the base 12, and the second side 38 of the shelf unit 14 when the shelf unit is in its first home position, define a positioning plane, which can be closely adjacent the wail 72 and is generally parallel therewith.

When the device 10 is positioned adjacent or against the wall 72, the positioning plane is closely adjacent the wall 72 of the confined space (i.e., closet 70). 72. Absent such slidable movement to the second offset position, the wall 72 would impede rotation of the shelf unit 14. Thus, the shelf unit 14 is only rotatable from the first rotatable position at FIG. 1 to the second rotatable position of FIG. 5 when the shelf unit 14 is slidably displaced. When in the second offset position, the shelf unit can be rotated as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the second rotatable position of FIG. 5 thereby providing access to the receptacles 44, 46, 54, 56, 62, 64 of the second side 38 of the shelf unit 14. As a result of the shelf unit 14 being slidable to the offset position, the shelf unit can remain fully disposed on one side of the positioning plane, and when in the second offset position of FIGS. 3-5, it can be rotated fully through three hundred and sixty degrees (360°) without passing through the positioning plane.

The article storage device 10 can be formed of knockdown components for easy assembly. More particularly, with reference to FIG. 2, the shelf unit 14 can be constructed of a plurality of generally planar members that interlock with one another and are secured together via conventional fastening devices (e.g., cam action knock-down fasteners). In particular, the depicted shelf unit 14 includes a base wall or member 90, a plurality of vertical walls 92, 94, 96, 98, 48 and a top wall or member 102. The vertical walls include the common back wall 48, end walls 92, 94 and dividing walls 96, 98. These vertical walls can be secured or connected to the base and top walls 90, 102 via cam action knock-down fasteners 100, which can include dowels 100a received in dowel holes 101a and cams 100b received in recesses 101b. The dowel 100a then being releasably secured in the cams 100b. Of course other types of knock-down fasteners could be used, or other conventional fasteners (e.g., screws). To form the article receptacles on each side of the common wall 48, horizontal dividing walls 104, 106, 108, 110 can be interlocked with the vertical walls 92, 94, 96. In particular, a first horizontal wall 104 having slots 104a can be interlocked to walls 92, 94, 96 via corresponding slots 112 defined respectively in these walls. The horizontal wall 104 divides the first tier 30 from the second tier 32. The second horizontal wall 106 can likewise include slots 106a for engaging corresponding slots 114 on the walls 92, 94, 96 to divide the second tier 32 from the third tier 34. In a similar fashion, on the opposite side of common wall 48, first and second horizontal walls 108, 110 can respectively include slots 108a, 110a for engagement with corresponding slots 116, 118 defined in the vertical walls 92, 94, 96.

In the illustrated embodiment, a shelf unit 14 generally has a race track shape (i.e., oval or elliptical with parallel straight sides). More specifically, the shelf unit 14 has a major dimension 124 and a minor dimension 126 defined between the first and second sides 36, 38, which are parallel with one another. Corresponding to this shape are the base wall 90 and top wall 102. The major dimension 124 thus defines a length of the shelf unit 14 and the minor dimension 126 defines a width of the shelf unit 14, with the major dimension being greater than the minor dimension in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, vertical support members 132, 134 extend from the base wall 90 to the top wall 102 at central portions of the shelf unit curved ends 128, 130. The vertical support members 132, 134 can include respective grooves 132a, 134a for receiving opposite ends of the horizontal walls 104, 106, 108, 110. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, shelf space defined by the horizontal walls 104-110 adjacent ends thereof (i.e., between vertical walls 92, 94) and corresponding vertical supports 132, 134 can provide auxiliary storage space 136 on the storage device 10.

As already discussed herein, and as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the storage device 10 can be a shoe rack wherein the plurality of receptacles 40-46 and 50-64 are stacked shoe receptacles of the shelf unit 14, each dimensioned for receipt of a pair of shoes, such as pair of shoes 70. In this case, these receptacles 40, 42, 50, 52, 58, 60 are first shoe receptacles with their access openings disposed along the first side 36 and the receptacles 44, 46, 54, 56, 62, 64 are second shoe receptacles having respective access openings disposed along the second, opposite side 38 of the shelf unit 14. Additionally, first shoe receptacle access openings and the first side 36 of the shelf unit 14 are disposed on the first side 78 of the base when the shelf unit 14 is in the first rotatable position shown in FIG. 1 relative to the base 12, whereas the second shoe receptacle access openings and the second side 38 of the shelf unit 14 are disposed on the first side 78 of the base 12 when the shelf unit is rotated to the second rotatable position (FIG. 5) relative to the base 12 (i.e., the second rotatable position being

The track members 18 permit the shelf unit 14 to be linearly movable relative to the base 12 to allow the shelf unit to be moved relative to the base prior to rotating the shelf unit relative to the base. In particular, the shelf unit 14 is linearly movable from the first position of FIG. 1 wherein the shelf unit is disposed directly over the base 12 to a second position of FIGS. 3-5 wherein the shelf unit is offset relative to the front side 78 of the base. When disposed in the closet 70, the shelf unit 14 is slidable relative to the base 12 from the first linear position to the second linear position a distance sufficient to allow the shelf unit 14 to fully rotate while in the second position without the first and second ends 128, 130 of the shelf unit 14 crossing through the plane defined by the second side 38 of the shelf unit when in the first position.

With reference to FIG. 6, a shoe or article storage device 200 is shown according to an alternate embodiment. Except as noted hereinbelow, device 200 can be the same or similar to the storage device 10 already described. The device 200 has a generally circular configuration as opposed to the oval or elliptical shape or configuration of the device 10. Additionally, shelf unit 202 of the device 200 is only rotatably movable relative to base 204 (i.e., there is no slidable movement of the shelf unit 202 relative to the base 204), such as by rotatable member 205. Thus, access to the receptacles of storage device 200 is gained simply by rotating the shelf unit 202 relative to the base 204.

With reference to FIG. 7, the storage device 200 can be constructed of knock-down components, which allow for easy assembly and/or disassembly. In particular, shelf unit 202 can be formed of a base member or wall 206 and a top member or wall 208 with vertical walls 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 secured thereto. In particular, common wall 210 can be flanked by end walls 212, 214 and dividing walls 216, 218 can be arranged orthogonal relative to the common wall 210. Cam action fasteners (not shown) can be used to secure the vertical walls 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 to the walls 206, 208, or other conventional fasteners could be used. Like horizontal walls 104-110 of the device 10, the shelf unit 202 can include horizontal walls 224, 226, 228, 230 each having respective slots 224a, 226a, 228a, 230a that cooperatively engage corresponding slots 224 of the walls 212-218. In addition, and also like the storage device 10, vertical support members 232, 234 can be provided adjacent and spaced apart from the end walls 212, 214 to define auxiliary storage space 236 for each tier of the storage device 200.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A shoe rack, comprising:

a base; and

a shelf unit slidably and rotatably mounted to said base, said shelf unit defining a plurality of stacked shoe receptacles each dimensioned for receipt of a pair of shoes, said plurality of stacked shoe receptacles including at least a first shoe receptacle having a first shoe receptacle access opening disposed along a first side of said shelf unit and at least a second shoe receptacle having a second shoe receptacle access opening disposed along a second, opposite side of said shelf unit.

2. The shoe rack of claim 1 wherein said first shoe receptacle access opening and said first side of said shelf unit are disposed on a first side of said base when said shelf unit is in a first rotatable position relative to said base, and said second shoe receptacle access opening and said second side of said shelf unit are disposed on said first side of said base when said shelf unit is rotated to a second rotatable position relative to said base.

3. The shoe rack of claim 2 wherein said second rotatable position is approximately 180° relative to said first rotatable position.

4. The shoe rack of claim 1 wherein said shelf unit is linearly moveable relative to said base to allow said shelf unit to be moved relative to said base prior to rotating said shelf unit relative to said base.

5. The shoe rack of claim 4 wherein said shelf unit is linearly moveable from a first position wherein said shelf unit is disposed directly over said base to a second position wherein said shelf unit is offset relative to a front side of said base.

6. The shoe rack of claim 1 wherein said shelf unit has a major dimension or axis with which said first and second sides of said shelf unit are parallel and a minor dimension or axis extending between said first and second sides of said shelf unit, said minor dimension or axis less than said major dimension or axis.

7. The shoe rack of claim 6 wherein said shelf unit has an oval or elliptical horizontal shape defined by said major axis and said minor axis, opposite ends of said major axis defining first and second ends of said shelf unit.

8. The shoe rack of claim 7 wherein said shelf unit is slidable relative to said base from a first linear position to a second linear position a distance sufficient to allow said shelf unit to fully rotate while in said second position without said first and second ends of said shelf unit crossing through a plane defined by said second side of said shelf unit when in said first position.

9. The shoe rack of claim 7 wherein auxiliary storage is defined by a radial shelf disposed adjacent back-to-back first and second shoe receptacles and an adjacent one of said first and second ends of said shelf unit.

10. The shoe rack of claim 1 wherein said shelf unit includes at least two tiers of shoe receptacles with each tier having at least two first shoe receptacles that each have said first shoe receptacle access opening and at least two second shoe receptacles that each have said second shoe receptacle access opening.

11. The shoe rack of claim 1 wherein said shelf unit is knockdown components for easy assembly.

12. A shoe or article storage device for optimizing storage and accessibility within a confined area, such as a closet, comprising:

a base;

a shelf unit slidably mounted to said base for movement between a first position and a second offset position and also rotatably mounted to said base for rotatable movement relative thereto, said shelf unit including a first tier of article receptacles and a second tier of article receptacles stacked on top of said first tier, each tier of article receptacles including at least a first receptacle having a first receptacle access opening disposed at a first side of said shelf unit and at least a second receptacle having a second receptacle access opening disposed at a second, opposite side of said shelf unit.

13. The shoe or article storage device of claim 12 wherein said at least a first receptacle and said at least a second receptacle are disposed in back-to-back relation and share a common back wall.

14. The shoe or article storage device of claim 12 wherein said article receptacles of said first and second tiers are generally box-shaped.

15. The shoe or article storage device of claim 12 wherein said shelf unit further includes a third tier of article receptacles stacked on top of said second tier.

16. The shoe or article storage device of claim 12 wherein said second side of said shelf unit defines a positioning plane when said shelf unit is in said first position, said shelf unit fully disposed on one side of said positioning plane when in said second offset position and rotated through 360°.

17. The shoe or article storage device of claim 16 wherein said positioning plane is closely adjacent an associated rear wall of the confined space, and wherein slidably moving said shelf unit from said first position to said second position allows rotation of said shelf unit without impediment by the associated rear wall.

18. The shoe or article storage device of claim 12 wherein said shelf unit has a major dimension, with which said first and second sides are parallel, and a minor dimension defined between said first and second sides, said major dimension defining a length of said she f unit and said minor dimension defining a width of said shelf unit, said major dimension greater than said minor dimension.

19. A rotatable and slidable article storage rack, comprising:

a base; and a shelf unit slidably and rotatably mounted to said base, said shelf unit defining a plurality of tiered receptacles, said tiered receptacles including a first set of receptacles having first access openings facing outward from a first side of said shelf unit and a second set of receptacles having second access openings facing outward from a second side of said shelf unit, said first access openings facing in a first direction relative to said base when said shelf unit is in a first rotatable position relative to said base, said second access openings facing in said first direction when said shelf unit is rotated from said first rotatable position 1800 to a second rotatable position relative to said base.

20. The rotatably and slidable article storage rack of claim 19 wherein said shelf unit is only rotatable from said first rotatable position to said second rotatable position when said shelf unit is slidably displaced from a first slidable position to a second slidable position.