Storage system

Abstract

The current invention relates to a storage system comprising of at least one storage receptacle that is suspended by movably coupling the storage receptacle to at least one longitudinally extending track. The storage receptacle may be movably coupled to the track either by coupling members that are coupled to frames, trucks, or the receptacle itself. The storage receptacle is movable along the track between first and second positions.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/753,276, filed on Dec. 22, 2005.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a storage system that is positionable in a space that would otherwise be unusable. In certain applications, it is desirable to store items in spaces that would otherwise be unused and to provide convenient access to such stored items while maximizing available space. Standard storage systems are unequal to the task. Thus, there is an ongoing demand for further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention includes movably coupling trucks coupled with receptacles to tracks. Another embodiment includes movably coupling receptacle frames supporting receptacles to tracks. Still other embodiments include coupling a housing to a support surface to suspend the housing above the ground. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, objects, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a storage system in the stored position.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the storage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the storage system of FIG. 1 in use.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the storage system of FIG. 1 installed in a single car garage and a multiple car garage.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a truck and tracks of the storage system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a frame of the storage system of FIG. 1 with engagement members mounted thereon.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a receptacle of the storage system of FIG. 1 with engagement members mounted thereon.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a receptacle of the storage system of FIG. 1 with engagement members and a front cover mounted thereon.

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of another storage system utilizing a rack upon which the storage receptacles may be supported and having the fold down track portion thereof in its collapsed condition.

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the rack shown in FIG. 9 with the fold down track portion of the rack in its extended position and the storage receptacles in their extended position.

FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the rack of the storage system of FIG. 9 with engagement members engaging a supporting surface.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the rack and storage receptacles of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the rack and storage receptacles shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a side plan view of a truck of the storage system of FIG. 9 with a swivel system.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the swivel system of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side plan view of another storage system.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the storage receptacle.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another storage receptacle frame of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19A is a partial view of an engagement member of the track of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19B is a partial sectional view of the engagement member of the track of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19C is a partial sectional view of the engagement member of the frame within the track of FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the storage system of FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another storage system mounted to an exterior wall.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a track and frame of the storage system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side plan view of the storage system of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations or further modifications of the described embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a storage system 10 according to one embodiment of the current invention. System 10 is configured to be suspended from a support surface 12 and move with respect to support surface 12 between using and storing positions. System 10 includes support members or tracks 20, trucks 40, and storage receptacles 60. System 10 may include a single track 20, truck 40, and receptacle 60 or combinations of both multiple and single tracks 20, trucks 40, and receptacles 60. System 10 allows items to be stored in spaces that would otherwise be wasted because of vehicles 14 parked in the garage. A single storage system 10 may be installed in a single car garage 16 opposite a garage door system 17 and multiple storage systems 10 may installed in a multiple car garage 18 opposite multiple garage door systems 17 as shown in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, storage system 10 may be utilized in basements, carports, warehouses, storage rooms, or the like. The storage system 10 in the single car garage 16 is shown in the storing position. The storage systems 10 in the multiple car garage 18 are shown with one storage system 10 in the using position and the other storage system 10 in the storing position.

Tracks 20 are coupled to support surface 12. Support surface 12 is generally planar and may include, but is not limited to, ceiling and floor joists, wall studs, floors, ceilings, walls, and other supporting surfaces. In one embodiment, a single track 20 is coupled to support surface 12. In another embodiment, two tracks 20 are coupled to support surface 12 in the form of ceiling joists. Tracks 20 may be coupled to support surface 12 by screws, nut and bolt arrangements, nails, metal angle braces, adhesive, wooden pegs, threaded truss hangers, or other securing means.

Tracks 20 include engagement surfaces 22 as shown in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, tracks 20 include stoppers (not shown) located on surfaces 22 at either or both ends of tracks 20 to prevent trucks 40 from moving beyond the ends of tracks 20. Tracks 20 may be substantially U or L-shaped metal channels that are aligned substantially parallel with respect to one another. In other embodiments, tracks 20 may be rails, guides, bars, or other support members composed of metal, wood, plastic, or other suitable materials that may be aligned substantially parallel, substantially perpendicular, or diagonally across with respect to the ceiling joists. Tracks 20 may be spaced apart a distance D1 that is proportional to the width of vehicles 14, support surface 12, and/or receptacles 60 as shown in FIG. 2.

Trucks 40 include planar rectangular sheets 42, coupling members 44, and engagement members 46. Sheets 42 may be other shapes and may be composed of wood, metal, plastic, particle board, or other rigid materials. In other embodiments, instead of sheet 42, truck 40 may include cross members (not shown) that are directly coupled with each other to form a frame (not shown) and have coupling members 44 and engagement members 46 coupled thereto. Coupling members 44 and engagement members 46 are directly coupled to sheet 42 and are located at the corners of sheet 42 on opposing surfaces of sheet 42. In other embodiments, coupling members 44 and engagement members 46 may be removably coupled to the same surface of sheet 42 or may alternate between being coupled to the same and opposing surfaces of sheet 42.

Coupling members 44 removably couple receptacles 60 to truck 40. In other embodiments, coupling members 44 directly couple receptacles 60 to truck 40. Coupling members 44 may be adjustable straps or belts that extend down the front and back and/or sides of receptacles 60 and underneath receptacles 60. In another embodiment, coupling members 44 allow for at least about two degrees of rotational freedom when receptacles 60 are coupled to truck 40. In still other embodiments, coupling members 44 may be non-adjustable straps, hooks, nut and bolt arrangements, metal straps, or other such couplings.

Engagement members 46 movably couple trucks 40 to tracks 20 by engaging surfaces 22. In other embodiments, multiple engagement members 46 engage multiple surfaces 22 of each track 20. Engagement members 46 may be wheels that roll along surfaces 22 of tracks 20. In other embodiments, engagement members 46 may be casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, wheels or solid bars that slide along surface 22, or other engagement mechanism or combination thereof.

It should be appreciated that trucks 40 may be replaced with a frame 50 that has engagement members 46 directly coupled thereto. FIG. 6 illustrates frame 50 as a 3-dimensional parallelogram frame 50 with engagement members 46 directly coupled to the corners of frame 50 in a common plane P1. In another embodiment, frame 50 may be a 2-dimensional parallelogram that supports receptacles 60 with engagement members 46 directly coupled to the corners of frame 50 in a common plane. In still other embodiments, frame 50 may also include coupling members (not shown) that removably couple or directly couple receptacles 60 to frame 50. Frame 50 supports and/or contains receptacles 60 and includes frame members 52 that are coupled to one another to form multiple 2-dimensional parallelograms, which are coupled together to form 3-dimensional frame 50. Additional frame members 52 may be coupled diagonally within the parallelograms to provide additional strength. In other embodiments, instead of frame members 52, frame 50 may include parallelogram sheets (not shown) made of plastic, wood, metal, particle board, or any other rigid material or combination thereof, that are directly coupled to each other to form a 3-dimensional parallelogram.

FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8 depict receptacles 60. It should be appreciated that trucks 40 may be eliminated and engagement members 46 may be directly couple to receptacles 60 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Receptacles 60 include a top 62, a bottom 64, and multiple sides 66 extending between top 62 and bottom 64 that define a front 67a and a back 67b of receptacles 60. In one embodiment, receptacles 60 are cabinets, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, with doors that may be secured to the cabinets by pins, zippers, Velcro ®, snaps, glides, and/or hinges and that may fold, slide, collapse, roll, and/or open up, down, forward, or side to side. In another embodiment, receptacles 60 may include organizing accessories such as hooks (not shown) or racks (not shown) that allow items to be hung on the inside or outside of receptacles 60. In yet another embodiment, receptacles 60 may include fold down workbenches (not shown) that are secured to receptacles 60. In other embodiments, receptacles 60 may be containers, tubs, partially enclosed shelves, racks, bins, or other storage receptacles composed of vinyl, plastic, fiberglass, composites, resins, fabrics, and/or plexi-glass that include compartments, closets, hangers, shelves, bins, hooks, drawers, doors, or other access and/or storage configurations. Top 62 and bottom 64 may be rectangularly shaped and have three sides 66 extending therebetween to leave an opening 68 into receptacle 60. In another embodiment, sides 66 are directly coupled to bottom 64, while top 62 is removably coupled to sides 66. In still other embodiments, one of sides 66 is removably coupled between top 62 and bottom 64. Opening 68 may open into a series of compartments 70. Compartments 70 may include a series of drawers 72 mounted one over the other within the receptacle 60. In another embodiment, compartments 70 may be a series of shelves 74 within the receptacle 60 with a sheet of material 76 removably covering the opening 68.

In the storing position, shown in FIG. 1, receptacles 60 are positioned close to one another where the back 67b of one receptacle 60 abuts the front 67a of another. In the using position, shown in FIG. 3, the desired receptacle 60 is separated from the other receptacle 60 abutting the front 67a of the desired receptacle such that a person could access the desired receptacle 60. In other embodiments, receptacles 60 may be oriented such that the fronts 67a of two adjacent receptacles 60 face one another, the backs 67b or sides 66 of two adjacent receptacles 60 face one another, or a combination of the fronts 67a, backs 67b, and/or sides 66 of receptacles 60 face one another.

FIGS. 9-15 illustrate storage system 110 according to another version of the current invention. System 110 includes storage receptacles 160 and rack 170 on which each of the storage receptacles 160 may be supported rather than hung. In other embodiments, system 110 may also include frames (not shown).

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate rack 170. Rack 170 engages support surface 112 in the form of a floor or wall. In other embodiments, rack 170 may be mounted to a wall or ceiling. Rack 170 includes legs 172, tracks 174 extending between legs 172, braces 176 extending between legs 172 and tracks 174, and a hinged fold down track 180. In another embodiment, rack 170 may not include braces 176. In still other embodiments, engagement members 171 in the form of casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, or wheels are coupled to the bottom of legs 172 and engage support surface 112 to move racks 170 and receptacles 160 laterally with respect to support surface 112. Rack 170 has opposite ends 178a and 178b. End 178a is positioned adjacent the rear wall 112 of a garage. In another embodiment, end 178a may be spaced from the rear wall 112 of the garage allowing for access to doors extending between the garage and an attached building as the rack 170 may be provided in a totally free standing version. In still other embodiments, end 178a may be secured to the rear wall 112 of a garage or other building. End 178b is positioned a distance forward of the back wall of the garage and in front of or above vehicle 114 as shown in FIG. 9, 11, and 13. Rack 170 may have a width that is proportional to the width of vehicles 114 as shown in FIG. 13. In another embodiment, two racks 170 may be positioned side by side to accommodate vehicles 114 in a two car garage and legs 172 contiguous to each other may be a single leg 172. In still other embodiments, three racks 170 may be positioned side by side to provide for three vehicles 114 in a three car garage and legs 172 contiguous to each other may be a single leg 172.

Tracks 174 include engagement surfaces 122 and may have a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, tracks 174 may include stoppers (not shown) located on surfaces 122 at either or both ends of track 174 to prevent receptacles 160 from moving beyond surfaces 122 of track 174. In another embodiment, surface 122 is a frame (not shown) that supports receptacles 160. In still other embodiments, tracks 174 may be a sheet of material (not shown) extending between legs 172 with longitudinally upstanding flanges (not shown) adjacent opposite sides of rack 170.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate hinged rack or track extension 180. Extension 180 includes support legs 182, tracks 184 having opposite ends 185a and 185b, a hinged leg 186, and a foldable brace 188 extending between hinged leg 186 and tracks 184. Extension 180 is folded down such that support legs 182 engage support surface 112 and tracks 184 are aligned with tracks 174 to provide an extension of the rack 170 that may be utilized when accessing storage receptacles 160. End 185a of tracks 184 is hinged to end 178b of tracks 174 and provided with hinged leg 184, which can be depended from tracks 180 when track 180 is fully extended. Foldable brace 188 is provided for rigidly supporting track 180. Tracks 184 are generally identical to track 174 but of shorter length so as to provide, when extended as shown in FIG. 10, a mere continuation of track 174. When extension 180 is extended, storage receptacles 160 may be moved so as to separate them for access as shown in FIG. 10. When storage receptacles 160 are positioned adjacent one another on tracks 174, extension 180 may be collapsed up against leg 172 or receptacles 160.

Receptacles 160 include a top 162, a bottom 164, and a plurality of sides 166 that extend between top 162 and bottom 164. The sides 166 define a front 167a and a back 167b of the receptaclel 160. Sides 166 are directly coupled to bottom 162, while top 162 is removably coupled to sides 166. In other embodiments, one of sides 166 is removably coupled between top 162 and bottom 164. Receptacles 160 may be cabinets, plastic containers, tubs, partially enclosed shelves, racks, bins, or other storage receptacles and may include shelves, doors, drawers, or other access and/or storage configurations.

Receptacles 160 have engagement members 146 coupled to the corners of receptacles 160 that engage rack 170 to move receptacles 160 with respect to rack 170. In one embodiment, engagement members 146 may be wheels. In still other embodiments, engagement members 146 may be casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms or solid bars that slide along surface 122 of tracks 174 or any other engagement mechanism or combinations thereof as may occur to one skilled in the art. Multiple engagement members 146 may engage multiple surfaces 122 of tracks 174 if desired.

It should be appreciated that engagement members 146 may be eliminated or substituted by fasteners (not shown) which merely secure receptacles 160 to tracks 174, 184 as desired. In other embodiments, rack 170 may also be provided without hinged extension 180. In still other embodiments, receptacles 160 that have circular, square or octagonal or other desired cross-sections have the same dimensions both length wise of racks 170 and width wise of racks 170. In those embodiments in which storage receptacles 160 have rectangular cross-sections, the movement of storage receptacles 160 may include: separation of storage receptacles 160 through movement of storage receptacles 160 along the tracks 174, 184; swiveling of storage receptacles 160 with respect to tracks 174, 184 and adjacent storage receptacles; or a combination of movement along tracks 174, 184 and swiveling with respect to tracks 174, 184.

It should also be appreciated that receptacles 160 may be coupled to trucks 140 that engage rack 170 to move receptacles 160 with respect to rack 170 as shown in FIG. 14. Trucks 140 include an octagonal sheets 142, engagement members 146, and swivel system 190. In other embodiments, sheets 142 may be other shapes. Each of receptacles 160 is rotatable about swivel system 190 to provide access. Receptacles 160 hung from trucks 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, or supported on rack 170, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, may also include swivel system 190 installed between the storage receptacle 160 and trucks 140.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate swivel system 190. Swivel system 190 includes an upper portion 192 and a lower portion 194 separated by a carousel 196 having ball or roller bearings 198 therein. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, swivel system 190 may not be coupled to truck 140 and may instead be coupled directly to support surface 112. Carousel 196 defines a path 197 that bearings 198 travel along. Bearings 198 engage portion 192 and 194 and travel along path 197 as portion 192 is rotated with respect to portion 194. Each of receptacles 160 may be rotated about a central axis 199 to provide access from each side of receptacles 160. In one embodiment, the receptacle 160 may both be moveable so as to separate receptacles 160 as above disclosed and swivelable so as to present multiple sides to a person accessing receptacle 160.

FIGS. 16-20 illustrate a storage system 210 according to another version of the current invention. System 210 includes tracks 220, frame 240, receptacles 260 (shown in phantom), and brackets 248. In other embodiments, system 210 may not include frame 240. System 210 may include a single track 220, frame 240, and receptacle 260 or combination of both multiple and single tracks 220, frames 240, and receptacles 260 as may occur to one skilled in the art.

Tracks 220 include a plurality of engagement surfaces 222 and plurality of engagement members 221 coupled to the ends of tracks 220 that movably engage multiple support surfaces 212. Engagement members 221 may be wheels that roll along surfaces 222 of tracks 220. In other embodiments, engagement members 221 may be casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, wheels or solid bars that slide along surface 222, or other engagement mechanism or combination thereof.

Engagement members 221 allow tracks 220 to be moved laterally with respect to support surfaces 212 to allow access to storage receptacles 260 and/or more efficiently utilize space within the garage. In one embodiment, tracks 220 are positioned vertically in an adjacent abutting relationship with support surface 212 in the form of a wall 112, while members 221 movably engage channels 213 secured to support surface 212 in the form of a floor 112 and a wall 112, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20. In another embodiment, tracks 220 are positioned vertically apart from support surface 212 in the form of a wall 112 such that members 221 movably engage channels 213 secured to support surface 212 in the form of a floor 112 and ceiling 112, as shown in FIGS. 19A-C. In yet another embodiment, members 221 movably engage channels 213 secured to support surface 212 in the form of a floor 112 and wall plates 213 secured to support surface 212 in the form of a wall 112, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20. In still another embodiment, only one support surface 212 has a channel 213 secured thereto, as shown in FIG. 17. In a further embodiment, tracks 220 are able to be moved at least right, left, forward, backward, and diagonally with respect to support surfaces 212, as shown in FIGS. 18-20. In still further embodiments, engagement members 221 engage support surface 212 in the form of a wall 112 or a ceiling 112 to keep the storage system 210 upright, while support surface 212 in the form of a floor 112 bears the load, as shown in FIGS. 17, 19A-C, and 20.

Frame 240 is a 3-dimensional parallelogram frame that contains and/or retains receptacles 260 therein. It should be appreciated that frame 240 may be a single parallelogram that receptacle 260 may be placed upon. In one embodiment, frame 240 includes a swivel system similar to that shown in FIG. 15. Frame 240 includes frame members 242 and engagement members 246 that movably couple frame 240 to tracks 220 by engaging surfaces 222, as shown in FIG. 19C. In other embodiments where frame 240 is not included, engagement members 246 are coupled with receptacles 260 to movably couple receptacles 260 to tracks 220 by engaging surfaces 222. Frame members 242 are directly coupled to one another to form a series of parallelograms. Some frame members 242 may be coupled diagonally across the parallelograms to give additional strength to the parallelograms, as shown in FIG. 18. The series of parallelograms are directly coupled to one another to form a 3-dimensional parallelogram. Engagement members 246 are directly coupled to frame members 242.

Frame 240 is supported by brackets 248 that extend from tracks 220 to frame 240. Brackets 248 may be solid metal bars that engage frame 240 and are rotatably coupled with tracks 220. In another embodiment, brackets 248 may be metal sleeves or hydraulic actuators (not shown) that pivotally engage track 220 and movably engage frame 240 to raise and lower frame 240 with respect to tracks 220. In yet another embodiment, an electric motor (not shown) or a hand crank may be used to raise and lower frame 240 with respect to tracks 220, while bracket 248 prevents movement of frame 240 beyond a certain point. In still another embodiment, brackets 248 prevent movement of frame 240 with respect to tracks 220 beyond a predetermined point.

In still other embodiments, brackets 248 may not be included and instead, an additional frame or storage receptacle 249 may be coupled beneath frame 240 to support frame, as depicted in FIG. 17. Frame or storage receptacle 249 may be directly coupled to frame 240 and/or tracks 220 with bolts, clips, or other coupling members (not shown) and move side to side. In other embodiments, frame or storage receptacle 249 may include engagement members (not shown) that engage surface 212 in the form of a floor and/or ceiling.

FIGS. 21-23 illustrate storage system 310 according to another version of the current invention. System 310 includes tracks 320 and housing 330 coupled to tracks 320 to suspend housing 330 above the ground.

Tracks 320 are generally solid with a substantially rectangular cross section and are secured with fasteners (not shown) to support surface 312 in the form of a wall. In one embodiment, fasteners may be nut and bolt arrangements, screws, nails, or the like. In other embodiments, tracks 320 may be secured to support surface 312 with adhesive or a combination of adhesive and fasteners. Tracks 320 are horizontally aligned with respect to one another and may be composed of metal, wood, plastic, cement, or other rigid materials or combinations thereof.

Housing 330 includes frame members 331, top portion 332, bottom portion 333, and side portions 334 extending between top 332 and bottom 334. In one embodiment, housing 330 is a shed. In another embodiment, housing 330 includes a vent 337 that allows for circulation of air through housing 330. In yet another embodiment, housing 330 includes a ramp 335 that may double as a door, which extends from housing 330 when in use and is retained within housing 330 or beneath housing 330 when stored. Housing 330 may be used to store items including, but not limited to, trash containers as illustrated in FIG. 23, lawn mowers (not shown), garden tools and supplies (not shown), and the like.

Frame members 331 are longitudinally extending parallelograms that couple with tracks 320 to suspend housing 330 above the ground. In one embodiment, frame members 331 are composed of metal, wood, plastic, or other rigid materials or combinations thereof. Frame members 331 may include shelf mounts (not shown) for supporting planar sheets (not shown) and forming shelves (not shown) within housing 330. In other embodiments, shelf mounts (not shown) may allow for drawers (not shown) or other storage receptacles (not shown) to be mounted within housing 330. Frame members 331 may be directly coupled with tracks 320 or secured to tracks 320 with fasteners (not shown).

Top 332, bottom 333, and sides 334 are generally planar and may be composed of metal, wood, plastic, or other materials. In one embodiment, top 332, bottom 333, and sides 334 have a waterproof skin (not shown). Top 332, bottom 333, and sides 334 are coupled to frame members 331 and each other such that top 332 is positioned above bottom 333 with sides 334 and frame members 331 extending therebetween. In other embodiments, top 332, bottom 333, and sides 334 are coupled to each other and are supported by frame members 331. Top 332 and sides 334 may be pivotally coupled with frame 331 and/or bottom 333 to allow for movement of top 332 with respect to frame 331, bottom 333, and/or sides 334, and sides 334 with respect to frame 331, bottom 333, and/or top 332. In one embodiment, one of sides 334 is pivotally connected with bottom 333 and/or frame 331 to forms a ramp 335. In another embodiment, one of sides 334 is pivotally connected with sides 334 and/or frame 331 such that side 334 forms a door 336. In other embodiments, multiple sides 334 are pivotally connected with sides 334 and/or frame 331 such that sides 334 form multiple doors 336.

Each of the various embodiments of the invention allow for storage to either be suspended above a support surface 12, 112, 212, 312 in the form of a garage floor or other building or suspended from a support surface 12, 112, 212, 312 in the form of a wall 12, 112, 212, 312 or ceiling 12, 112, 212, 312 as above described. Each of the storage receptacles 60, 160, 260, 360 may be utilized for storage and easily accessed to remove the contents from the receptacle 60, 160, 260, 360 as desired. Each of the receptacles 60, 160, 260, 360 may either be separated as above disclosed for access or swively rotated for access or both as above described. In one embodiment, the space beneath receptacles 60, 160, 260, 360 is maintained for other purposes. Each of the various embodiments of the invention are configured to in such a way that access to the room in which the storage system 10, 110, 210, 310 is installed is fully maintained beneath the storage system 10, 110, 210, 310 and on the opposite ends and the opposite sides of the storage system 10, 110, 210, 310.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the scope of the inventions described herein or defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A storage system, comprising:

at least one support member adapted to engage at least one support surface, said support member having at least one engagement surface;

at least one storage receptacle; and

at least one truck having a plurality of engagement members and a plurality of coupling members, said coupling members coupling said storage receptacle to said truck and said engagement members movably engaging said engagement surface to move said storage receptacle and said truck between at least a first position and a second position with respect to said support member.

2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a plurality of support members in the same plane and in parallel alignment with respect to one another.

3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said support members is coupled to the support surface by a plurality of threaded truss hangers.

4. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the support surface is at least one of a floor, ceiling, and wall.

5. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said engagement members rotatably engage said engagement surface of said support member.

6. The storage system of claim 5, wherein said engagement members are selected from the group of engagement members consisting of casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, and wheels.

7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said engagement members are engagement members that slidedly engage said engagement surface.

8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said truck is aligned perpendicular to said support member and extends therebetween.

9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said coupling members are adjustable straps that removably couple said storage receptacle to said truck.

10. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of coupling members couple said storage receptacle with said truck and provide said storage receptacle with at least two degrees of rotational movement with respect to said truck.

11. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said coupling members are a swivel system that couples with said storage receptacle, said swivel system allowing said storage receptacle to move with at least two degrees of rotational movement.

12. The storage system of claim 11, wherein said swivel system includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a carousel, said carousel defining a path and containing at least one ball bearing.

13. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one of compartments, closets, hangers, shelves, bins, hooks, drawers, and drawers.

14. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said storage receptacle is at least one selected from the group of storage receptacles consisting of containers, tubs, partially enclosed shelves, racks, bins, and cabinets.

15. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one organizing accessory coupled thereto, said organizing accessories supporting an item at least one of inside and outside said storage receptacle, said organizing accessory is at least one organizing accessory selected from the group of organizing accessories consisting of hooks and racks.

16. The storage system of claim 1, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one fold down workbench.

17. A storage system, comprising:

at least one support member adapted to engage at least one support surface;

at least one storage receptacle frame; and

at least one engagement member coupled with said storage receptacle frame and engaging said support member to move said storage receptacle frame between at least a first position and a second position with respect to said support member.

18. The storage system of claim 17, wherein said support member comprises a plurality of support members in the same plane and in parallel alignment with respect to one another.

19. The storage system of claim 17, wherein said storage receptacle frame includes a plurality of elongated frame members being directly coupled to form a plurality of parallelograms, said parallelograms being coupled one to another to form a three-dimensional figure.

20. The storage system of claim 17, wherein said support member has a plurality of engagement members coupled thereto that movably engage the support surface to move said support member between a first position and a second position with respect to the support surface.

21. The storage system of claim 17 further comprising at least one storage receptacle, said storage receptacle frame supporting said storage receptacle.

22. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said frame includes a swivel system that couples with said storage receptacle, said swivel system allowing said storage receptacle to move with at least two degrees of rotational movement.

23. The storage system of claim 22, wherein said swivel system includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a carousel, said carousel defining a path and containing at least one ball bearing.

24. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said storage receptacle is at least one storage receptacle selected from the group of storage receptacles consisting of containers, tubs, partially enclosed shelves, racks, bins, and cabinets.

25. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one of compartments, closets, hangers, shelves, bins, hooks, drawers, and drawers.

26. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one organizing accessory coupled thereto, said organizing accessories supporting an item at least one of inside and outside said storage receptacle, said organizing accessory being selected from the group of organizing accessories consisting of hooks and racks.

27. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one fold down workbench.

28. The storage system of claim 21, wherein said storage receptacle is directly coupled within said storage receptacle frame.

29. The storage system of claim 17, wherein said engagement member rotatably engages said engagement surface of said support member.

30. The storage system of claim 17, wherein said engagement members are selected from the group of engagement members consisting of casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, and wheels.

31. The storage system of claim 17, wherein said engagement members slidedly engage said engagement surface.

32. The storage system of claim 17, wherein said support member movably engages the support surface and moves with respect to the support surface and said storage receptacle frame movably engages said support member and moves with respect to said support member.

33. The storage system of claim 17 further comprising at least one bracket extending between said support member and said storage receptacle, said bracket being one of rotatably and fixedly coupled with said support member and engaging said storage receptacle.

34. The storage system of claim 33, wherein said bracket is a hydraulic actuator that supports and moves said storage receptacle with respect to said support member.

35. A storage system, comprising:

at least one track adapted to be secured to a support surface; and

a housing including a plurality of portions, said housing being coupled with said track to suspend said housing above a floor, at least one of said portions being movable between a first position and a second position.

36. The storage system of claim 35, wherein the support surface is a wall.

37. The storage system of claim 35, wherein the support surface is a wall of a garage.

38. The storage system of claim 35, wherein said portions include a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides.

39. The storage system of claim 38, wherein said top is pivotally coupled with at least one of said sides.

40. The storage system of claim 38, wherein at least one of said sides is pivotally coupled with at least one of said top, said bottom, and said sides.

41. The storage system of claim 38, wherein at least one of said sides is usable as a door.

42. The storage system of claim 38, wherein at least one of said sides is pivotally coupled with said bottom, said one side being usable as a ramp.

43. The storage system of claim 42, wherein said ramp is also operable as a door.

44. The storage system of claim 35, wherein said housing further includes a ramp that extends from said housing.

45. The storage system of claim 35, wherein said housing further includes at least one frame member that couples with said track, at least one of said portions being secured to said frame member.

46. The storage system of claim 35, wherein said housing further includes at least one frame member that couples with said track, at least one of said portions being supported by said frame member.

47. A storage system, comprising:

at least one rack adapted to engage a support surface;

an extension movably coupled to said rack; and

at least one storage receptacle supported by said rack, said storage receptacle being movable between at least a first position and a second position with respect to the support surface.

48. The storage system of claim 47, wherein said rack includes a plurality of engagement members that engage the support surface to move said rack and said storage receptacle between said first position and said second position, said engagement members are selected from the group of engagement members consisting of casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, and wheels.

49. The storage system of claim 47, wherein said storage receptacle includes a plurality of engagement members that engage said rack to move said storage receptacle between said first position and said second position, said engagement members are selected from the group of engagement members consisting of casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, and wheels.

50. The storage system of claim 49 further comprising a frame, said frame engaging said rack and containing said storage receptacle.

51. The storage system of claim 47 further comprising a truck, said truck being coupled with said storage receptacle and having a plurality of engagement members that movably engage said rack to move said truck and said storage receptacle between a first position and a second position with respect to said rack.

52. The storage system of claim 51, wherein said truck further includes a swivel system that couples with said storage receptacle, said swivel system allowing said storage receptacle to move with at least two degrees of rotational movement.

53. The storage system of claim 52, wherein said swivel system includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a carousel, said carousel defining a path and containing at least one ball bearing.

54. The storage system of claim 47, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one of compartments, closets, hangers, shelves, bins, hooks, drawers, and drawers.

55. The storage system of claim 47, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one organizing accessory coupled thereto, said organizing accessories supporting an item at least one of inside and outside said storage receptacle, said organizing accessory being selected from the group of organizing accessories consisting of hooks and racks.

56. The storage system of claim 47, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one fold down workbench.

57. The storage system of claim 47, wherein said storage receptacle is at least one storage receptacle selected from the group of storage receptacles consisting of containers, tubs, partially enclosed shelves, racks, bins, and cabinets.

58. A storage system, comprising:

at least one support member adapted to engage at least one support surface;

at least one storage receptacle; and

at least one engagement member coupled with said storage receptacle and engaging said support member to move said storage receptacle between at least a first position and a second position with respect to said support member.

59. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said support member comprises a plurality of support members that are in the same plane and in parallel alignment with respect to one another, said support members being separated by a distance proportional to the support surface and said storage receptacle.

60. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said support member has a plurality of engagement members coupled thereto that movably engage the support surface to move said support member between a first position and a second position with respect to the support surface.

61. The storage system of claim 58 further comprising a swivel system that couples said storage receptacle with said support members, said swivel system allowing said storage receptacle to move with at least two degrees of rotational movement.

62. The storage system of claim 61, wherein said swivel system includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a carousel, said carousel defining a path and containing at least one ball bearing.

63. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said storage receptacle is at least one storage receptacle selected from the group of storage receptacles consisting of containers, tubs, partially enclosed shelves, racks, bins, and cabinets.

64. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one of compartments, closets, hangers, shelves, bins, hooks, drawers, and drawers.

65. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one organizing accessory coupled thereto, said organizing accessories supporting an item at least one of inside and outside said storage receptacle, said organizing accessory being selected from the group of organizing accessories consisting of hooks and racks.

66. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said storage receptacle includes at least one fold down workbench.

67. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said engagement member rotatably engages said engagement surface of said support member.

68. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said engagement members are selected from the group of engagement members consisting of casters, bearings, rollers, carousel mechanisms, glide mechanisms, and wheels.

69. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said engagement members slidedly engage said engagement surface.

70. The storage system of claim 58, wherein said support member movably engages the support surface and moves with respect to the support surface and said storage receptacle movably engages said support member and moves with respect to said support member.

71. A storage system, comprising:

at least one swivel system adapted to engage a support surface; and

at least one storage receptacle coupled to said swivel system, said swivel system supporting said storage receptacle and allowing said storage receptacle to move with at least two degrees of rotational movement with respect to said support surface.

72. The storage system of claim 71, wherein said support surface is a ceiling.

73. The storage system of claim 71, wherein said swivel system includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a carousel.

74. The storage system of claim 73, wherein said carousel includes a ball bearing arrangement.