Abstract: A narrow slot roller and guide system for high density mobile storage systems having a plurality of storage units. The roller and guide system includes a longitudinally extending axial guide defining a first slot in a floor and a drive rail parallel thereto defining a second slot in the floor. The axial guide includes a roller arrangement adapted to engage a downwardly extending guide member coupled to the carriage of the storage units. The engagement of the roller arrangement and guide member serves as a guide for the storage units as the storage units are moved axially along the axial guide and drive rail. Further, the present invention limits the width of the first and second slots to a very narrow width, e.g. less than one half inch, thereby easily permitting disabled individuals to freely travel across a floor in which the roller and guide system is mounted.

Abstract: A suspension-type storage unit that is particularly well suited for storing works of art or other hanging items in a space-efficient manner The storage unit includes a number of features that enable the storage unit to be moved between retracted and extended positions with a smooth, easy motion, without vibration, so as to protect and prevent damage to articles or items carried by the storage unit. The storage unit includes an overhead rail that defines a downwardly open guide slot and a pair of support surfaces located one on each side of the guide slot, in combination with a frame and at least a pair of trolley assemblies interposed between the rail and the frame for enabling movement of the frame relative to the rail along the guide slot. Each trolley assembly is formed with a head section that extends through the guide slot, and a wheel arrangement that is mounted to the head section. The wheel arrangement includes a pair of wheels between which the head section is located.

Abstract: A narrow slot roller and guide system for high density mobile storage systems having a plurality of storage units. The roller and guide system includes a longitudinally extending axial guide defining a first slot in a floor and a drive rail parallel thereto defining a second slot in the floor. The axial guide includes a roller arrangement adapted to engage a downwardly extending guide member coupled to the carriage of the storage units. The engagement of the roller arrangement and guide member serves as a guide for the storage units as the storage units are moved axially along the axial guide and drive rail. Further, the present invention limits the width of the first and second slots to a very narrow width, e.g. less than one half inch, thereby easily permitting disabled individuals to freely travel across a floor in which the roller and guide system is mounted.

Abstract: A suspension-type storage unit that is particularly well suited for storing works of art or other hanging items in a space-efficient manner The storage unit includes a number of features that enable the storage unit to be moved between retracted and extended positions with a smooth, easy motion, without vibration, so as to protect and prevent damage to articles or items carried by the storage unit. The storage unit includes an overhead rail that defines a downwardly open guide slot and a pair of support surfaces located one on each side of the guide slot, in combination with a frame and at least a pair of trolley assemblies interposed between the rail and the frame for enabling movement of the frame relative to the rail along the guide slot. Each trolley assembly is formed with a head section that extends through the guide slot, and a wheel arrangement that is mounted to the head section. The wheel arrangement includes a pair of wheels between which the head section is located.

Abstract: A carriage of a mobile storage system is adapted to support at least one storage unit for movement on a rail. The carriage generally includes a wheel mount structure, and a wheel mounting subassembly that includes a shaft having opposing ends, a wheel mounted to the shaft, and a first and a second mounting members that rotatably support the shaft. The wheel is located between the first and second mounting members such that the ends of the shaft extend outwardly from the first and second mounting members. The carriage further includes a cooperating mounting arrangement configured to non-rotatably mount the first and second mounting members to the wheel mount structure. The wheel extends downward from the wheel mount structure to engage the rail, and the ends of the shaft extend outward to engage a drive shaft that imparts rotation to the shaft and wheel so as to move the carriage on the rail.

Abstract: A mobile storage system includes a series of carriages which are movably mounted to a series of rails supported on a surface such as a floor. Storage units, such as drawer-type file cabinets, are adapted to be engaged with each carriage, and are movable on the rails along with the carriages. Each carriage is modular in construction, and incorporates a series of mobile housing assemblies interconnected by a structural cross-brace arrangement. At least one end of the carriage includes an end panel arrangement which overlies a sidewall of an endmost one of the storage units. The end panel arrangement includes a frame defining an interior, and one or more cover members are demountably secured to the frame so as to selectively cover the interior of the frame and to conceal the sidewall of the endmost storage units. A series of retainer members are interconnected with each carriage, and interact with the rails so as to prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rails.

Abstract: A stabilizing and enclosure system for a series of side-by-side mobile storage units. Each mobile storage unit includes a storage member, such as a cabinet assembly, mounted for extendible and retractable movement relative to a base which is rigidly fixed to a supporting structure such as a floor. A stationary stabilizing member is provided for each storage unit. An extendible and retractable engagement mechanism is interposed between each stabilizing member and the storage member of each storage unit, and is movable along with the storage member upon movement between its extended and retracted positions for maintaining engagement of the storage unit with the stabilizing member, to prevent the storage unit from tipping. In one embodiment, each stabilizing member is in the form of a top panel which overlies one of the storage units. Adjacent top panels are connected together, and each top panel is preferably engaged with the storage unit base by a vertical post.

Abstract: A mobile storage system includes carriages mounted to rails supported on a floor, for mobilizing storage units such as drawer-type file cabinets. Each carriage incorporates mobile housing assemblies interconnected by a cross-brace arrangement. One end of the carriage includes an end panel arrangement that overlies a sidewall of an endmost storage unit, and which includes a frame and one or more cover members demountably secured to the frame so as to conceal the sidewall of the endmost storage unit. Each carriage includes retainers that interact with one of the rails so as to prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rails, and also function to mount one of the storage units to the carriage. The carriages and the rail and floor system are modular, enabling the components of the system to be shipped knocked-down and assembled on site, and to be expanded or contracted after installation.

Abstract: A storage assembly includes a storage cabinet removably mounted to a wheeled base which is supported by a supporting surface such as a floor. A guide assembly is interconnected with the floor and the base for guiding movement of the base in a longitudinal direction, so as to provide movement of the storage cabinet between an extended position and a retracted position in response to application of an axial pull-out or push-in force to the cabinet. The guide assembly includes an inner mounting member secured to the floor, and an extendible and retractable guide mechanism extends from the inner mounting member. The guide mechanism may be in the form of a telescoping drawer slide assembly including a fixed-position member secured to the inner mounting member and an extension member secured to and interconnected with the base and slidably mounted to the fixed-position guide member.

Abstract: An extension and retraction system for an article of furniture, such as a storage unit, includes a mounting structure for securement to the storage unit, a base arrangement for mounting to a floor or other supporting surface, and a cantilever-type extension and retraction arrangement interposed between the mounting structure and the base arrangement. The extension and retraction arrangement is in the form of a plurality of slide assemblies, each of which includes a stationary inner guide member mounted to the base arrangement mounted to each stationary guide member for telescoping inward and outward movement. Each extension member is connected to the mounting structure, and exertion of a pull-out or push-in force on the article of furniture is transferred through the mounting structure to cause extension and retraction of the extension members, to provide movement of the article of furniture between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A mechanism that automatically locks a movable storage unit against closure of an aisle between the unit and a blocking object such as a facing movable or stationary storage unit or a wall, while permitting continued opening of the aisle, without any electrical controls or power. A binding device is shiftable between a binding state permitting movement of the movable storage unit only away from the facing storage unit or wall, and a non-binding state permitting movement of the unit in either direction. The mechanism includes a clutch wheel which rotates with the wheels of the movable storage unit, and a resilient binding wheel, insertable between the clutch wheel and a stationary binding block. When the binding wheel is inserted as described, it will bind and preclude the clutch wheel from continuing to rotate towards the binding block. A latch is capable of holding the binding wheel out of binding state.